Take all that make-up off- PROPERLY!
This is really the least you can do! The application of make-up tends to increase at this time of year, and we all have that habit of absolutely loving putting it on… but literally being too lazy to take it all off properly. One of the easiest ways to get spots is by leaving your make-up on overnight, and most often than not, if you have gone to bed with your make-up still on, you will wake up with a painful spot or two.
Particularly nowadays most people that wear make-up will use 2-3 products on their whole face (primers, foundations, concealers, powders- oh wait thats 4!!), so imagine the pores that you are covering! It is great that make-up can last a whole day, its much less hassle, but by the end of the evening your make-up would have really started to fill up your pores, and its not meant for the night time. Your skin needs a fresh start for the night time recovery process, and make-up slows this down a lot.
Not only that, but all that make-up is rubbing off onto your pillow- thats all the dirt and bacteria from the day time onto your pillow, which your face will rest on every night until you change your pillow case (which should be every week if not, every other week).
My top tips are to firstly use a make up wipe to take off the heavy bits of make up, but then cleanse, tone and moisturise. Start with warm water to open up your pores so that when you cleanse, you are cleaning them out. It's not a bad idea to exfoliate either! Also take your make-up as soon as you can. Take it off when you know you have the energy to remove it all properly, like straight when you get home. It leaves for a relaxing evening.
6.
Turn down that central heating
Now understandably (and realistically) this isn't something that you are going to do BUT if you can avoid turning up your central heating so much so that the change from outside to inside is like going from the Antarctic to the Sahara, then it makes a huge difference for your skin.
Why not try timing your heating so that it is on only when you are home, for a few hours, and on when you wake up in the morning. Sleep with your heating off and instead wrap up abit more or use a hot water bottle. Not only will this stop your skin from becoming dehydrated, it will also save energy, and save you a dollar on your bills! Win win!
Another tip is to turn your thermostat down slightly so it's not on full whack, and if it really must be on, then consider buying a humidifier (particularly good at night whilst sleeping) or to save money, put a bowl of water in the corner of the room. The heat will evaporate the water and make the air more humid. It's all about keeping your skin hydrated!
How snazzy is this Humidifier from John Lewis- it lights up and everything!
7.
Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet
Remember to take care of yourself on the inside as well as the outside. This means plenty of water or hydrating fluids and a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg.
Women should, on average be drinking 1.6 litres of water a day, and men 2 litres a day. This is not always that easy but isn't impossible. Why not also try drinking warm water and lemon for some added hydration and cleanse…
My top tip for making sure you drink your recommended intake of water is to keep a water bottle with you at all times. More recently, I have started carrying around a 500 ml bottle of water with me, and so I know that I have to drink at least 3 of those a day, or more simply, fill it up 3 times. I've noticed that I drink much more water when I keep a bottle on me, because I find myself sipping throughout the day. Keeping yourself hydrated will keep your skin hydrated, but the water will also flush out all the impurities in your body that can cause the spots in the first place.
Of course maintaining a healthy diet is just as important. Drinking lots of water is all very well but it's only effective in hydrating the skin, if theres enough cells to retain the water. Increase your intake in omega oils (fish, avocados, tuna, nuts etc) which replace the essential fats in you skin to lock up the moisture and also biotin enriched foods. These will really benefit your skin. Use a vitamin supplement if you feel that you are not getting the right amounts of nutrients in you. Cut down on fatty, sugary and highly calorific foods as these will show in your skins condition. High carb diets can also make your skin look more dull and cause breakouts. Eat more protein and antioxidant rich foods. Eat healthily, it makes such a difference!
8.
Massage your face!
Now this is a bit of an odd tip, but it's fun, different and just pretty cool! I would recommend maybe doing this in private because it's a little odd in public. Facial massage is a great way to get your skin stimulated, your circulation going, and to induce cell recovery.
This is exactly what you think it is by the way.
Use your fingertips and knuckles to massage your skin by kneading, rolling and dabbing and you will instantly drum some life back into your skin and as a result it will look more radiant and fresh. The stimulation of your skin cells will help cell renewal and therefore fight any blemishes!
So there you have it! My 8 simple rules for keeping your skin blemish-free. They really are simple! Keep them up… or start doing them!
Love Nimisha
xoxo
Labels: LIFESTYLE, SKINCARE
