look after your skin in summer

It’s not said enough, SUNSCREEN! This should be an essential part of your everyday skin care, not only in summer. But I’m still going to say it, apply sunscreen to all the exposed areas before you even think about stepping outside. The only different between summer and winter with UV rays is that you show more skin during summer than in winter so there is more to cover. After you get out of the shower in the morning on a summer day, before you get dressed into shorts and a singlet, apply sunscreen everywhere, this way you won’t miss anyway. Remember to play every 1 – 2 hours if you’re swimming or sweating. This isn’t as necessary in winter fortunately. In saying that, buy a new sunscreen every season.

Your body is constantly shedding skin cells so it’s important to keep that under control otherwise it will look dry and dull. Use a gentle exfoliant on your face every 2 days a week for dry skins and 3 days a week for oily skins. Ensure that it isn’t too harsh on the skin as it may end up damaging the acid mantle or causing broken capillaries. Use a body scrub on your body once a week, ensuring you apply lotion afterwards as this is the best time for it to soak into the fresh skin. Continue to use lofah gloves each time you shower with your body wash and this helps to slowly exfoliate away those dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth all year round.

If you want to be tanned for summer, I beg you… Please don’t cover yourself in coconut oil and lay out in the sun like they use to do. Get a professional spray or invest in a good at home spray or lotion. Find one that has had good reviews and works best for you. You’ll thank yourself when you’re older as it will slow down aging and lower your skin cancer risk.

Don’t forget to keep your lips protected, during winter they can become cracked from the wind. During summer, they can become cracked due to the heat and sun damage. Ensure you are constantly applying a lip balm or gloss that has at least SPF 15+ in it, this will help to keep them protected and moisturised.

Remember to drink your 8 glasses of water, more if needed to help keep your skin hydrated as well as your body. It’s a lot easier to lose fluid through perspiration during the hotter weather and your skin is the last organ to experience the benefits of hydration.

If you have drier skin, it is important to keep your skin moisturised and ensure that you are using the right sort. It should absorb well and not leave an oily layer and should contain antioxidants to protect your skin from UV rays and free radicals.

Try to op for a light foundation or tinted moisturiser during the summer months and keep your make up natural. Use a waterproof eyeliner and mascara if you intend to be spending your time in the sun or in the water. If you are sweating off your makeup, don’t rub or wipe it but dab it with wipes that are made for soaking up sweat but not rubbing off the makeup. Also powder your foundation before applying other products.

Beauty New Years Resolutions

So it’s coming to the end of the year and every seems to make a new years resolution that they don’t ever seem to keep. “I will lose that last 10 pounds” “I will exercise more” “I will quit smoking” Well i hope you don’t smoke at all cause major factor in pre mature aging. But instead of looking at the bigger things why don’t we just start with the smaller things for a change? Here’s a few ideas they you may want to consider: all linked to making yourself that much more beautiful at any age.
Drink more water for a healthier body; as well as eating more foods rich in water. Eg: cucumber
Wear SPF 30 every day, whether its hailing, boiling and just a nice day.
Take a multivitamin right for my body everyday.
I will stop wearing my make up to bed, no matter how tired or drunk I am.
I will clean my brushes regularly. Try to do it at least every 2 weeks and it should be done straight after you have used them on someone else.
Clean my phone regularly with an alcohol swipe, why? Because all the bacteria built up on the phone can cause breakouts on the side of your jaw.
Find an eye cream suited to my skin type and apply it morning and night.
Use a salt scrub on my body once a week, make a scrub at home because it’s a lot cheaper than buying from the salon.
Start using a spray leave in treatment on hair regularly, at least once a week though try for more often.
Mix up my exercising so I don’t get bored, regular try to find new ways to get fit.

You can add whatever ones would be suitable to yourself and try to review it every couple weeks to ensure that you’re continuing throughout the new years. Remember it takes 21 days to develop a habit, so let’s use that first part of the month to develop new good habits.

remember to slip slop slap..

the good ol' saying of slip slop slap.. slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. with spring beginning on thursday and getting closer to summer, i think its time for a reminder on sun protection..

oh, there is also. seek some shade and slide on some sunnies. that must be a new part.. anyway, moving on.

Don’t leave home without sunscreen, you can have skin damage from walking to the car in the morning. UV rays are there everyday even if it’s cloudy and those are the sorts of days your face or other exposing areas of your body can be really damaged. Use a foundation with sunscreen in it, or better yet use sunscreen underneath your face primer and foundation. Make sure that if you’re going into water that you use a water resistant sunscreen; also try to find a sunscreen which suits your skin type such as a oil free sunscreen for oily skin.

When you apply sunscreen, make sure you have applied it 20 to 30 minutes before you allowing exposure to the sun and before going into water. If you have fair skin, you may want to prepare yourself the night before by applying a layer of sunscreen. Don’t forget important areas such as ears, nose, feet, hands, hairline and lips.

Due to the level of damage that Australian Sun gives, it is recommended to start using anti-ageing creams earlier than normally suggested. Start using an eye cream from the age of 21 and if you spot fine lines appearing on your skin, start applying enriched products immediately to prevent further damage.

There is also sun protection pill, which is an antioxidant supplement as research shows that these significantly reduced UVA-related damage that leads to wrinkling and brown spots. This however does not replace sunscreen.

Layer you lips with a SPF balm that will guard your lips against thinning, dryness and sun spots as they lack a protective outer layer, so they are incredibly sensitive to UV rays.

As well as ensuring that you either wear a hat or use a spray sunscreen on the top of your head, comb a regular sunscreen through your strands to protect your hair from the chlorine and salt water that can strip your colour and dry out your hair.

just a reminder

Just a reminder that the secret to healthly skin is daily care, and as much as we are all forgetting and just can't be bothered. It should be done every day, every morning and every night.

In the morning, you still need to cleanse your face even if you haven't had anything on your face overnight. Your body heels overnight and therefore it expells toxins out of the skin which will be on the surface and they need to be cleaned away. You should also use eye cream in the morning as well as at night time to keep them hydrated. To protect your skin throughout the day, apply an antioxidant cream and sunscreen. The importance of applying sunscreen on exposed areas (evening in winter) is very high, as UV rays are the main cause of aging and of course, skin cancer. Then, lastly a moisturiser which suits your skin type but remember to let the sunscreen dry before applying the moisturiser as if they are applied together than the SPF is cut in half and not as protective.

At night, you should cleanse your face twice. First time to cleanse off the make up on your face and secondly to cleanse any purities off your face. Apply your eye cream and if you are at an age when you should be using an anti aging cream (it's best to start at 25 in Australian climate, 35 elsewhere) apply that. Follow by a night cream or your normal moisturiser, the choice is up to each individual.

Another important part of skin care is to exfoliate regularly, and to use a mask. You should exfoliate twice a week (try the middle and the end) and then apply a mask once a week after you exfoliate (at the end of the week).

Also, if you can afford (sadly, not everyone can) try to have a monthly facial just for maintance. The machinery they use in a facial works better than cleansing your face yourself. Often Student Day Spas are cheaper than a normal Day Spa. The cost of a basic facial can be from $30 to $150 depending on the products used in a facial and what you have done. I would also recommend going to a salon to find out which products suit your skin type and find out how to suit any skin conditions you have (weak skin, acne, pigmentation, etc)

basic skin care tips.

A simple good skin care regime would include the following: Cleaning, Toning, Moisturising, Sun Protection and Skin Treatments. It must be kept in mind that it must be followed everyday for the best results and keeping it looking younger for longer.

Don’t leave home without sunscreen, especially in the summer. UV rays are there everyday even if it’s cloudy and those are the sorts of days your face or other exposing areas of your body can be really damaged. Use a foundation with sunscreen in it, or if your face is dry use a moisturising cream with sunscreen in it. Make sure that if you’re going into water that you use a water resistant sunscreen; also try to find a sunscreen which suits your skin type.

When you apply sunscreen, make sure you have applied it 20 to 30 minutes before you allowing exposure to the sun and before going into water. If you have fair skin, you may want to prepare yourself the night before by applying a layer of sunscreen. Don’t forget important areas such as ears, nose, feet, hands, hairline and lips.

Avoid aging habits such as excessive sun tanning, no skin care, not drinking enough water, consuming too much alcohol, smoking, junk food, too much caffeine, too little exercise and too little sleep.

Drizzle cool water on chamomile teabags, wring and rest of problems areas such as your chin, nose and forehead to unblock angry pores.

Your face should be steamed once a week as it increases blood circulation and deeply cleanses the skin. The steam should not burn the inside of the nose as its important to have the right temperature for this. Boil a large pot of water and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Bend over the pot and drape a towel over your head to capture the steam. Keep your face steamed for 5 minutes, pat your face and neck dry with a towel and apply a moisturiser to face and neck afterwards.

Exfoliate your feet following a bath or after applying a lotion. Use a pedi-paddle to soften the hard areas of the foot.

Wash your hands before applying anything to your face such as skin care products or make up and avoiding touching your face too often as your hands can spread bacteria onto your face.

If you were sunglasses or glasses make sure you clean regularly to avoid them clogging up your pores.

Regular exercise helps to achieve glowing skin by sweating out toxins as well as improving your circulation.

Don’t be afraid of retinoids, they are well-known to assist in turning back the age clock. Products containing retinoid have been found to assist in smoothing out fine lines and hiding the signs of ageing skin.

Due to the level of damage that Australian Sun gives, it is recommended to start using anti-ageing creams earlier than normally suggested. Start using an eye cream from the age of 21 and if you spot fine lines appearing on your skin, start applying enriched products immediately to prevent further damage.

Exfoliating the skin regularly (two times a week) will help buff away dead skin cells, allowing creams to penetrate deeper, giving you an overall clearer complexion and healthy skin.

Make rosewater ice cubes for your blemishes. Rose water is a great natural healer, boosting serious soothing properties. And the ice will shrink the swelling and inflammation.