4 WAYS TO DETOX YOUR SKIN

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January is here! The month of new beginnings, fresh starts and healthy eating (ish). It is also when our skin is paying for all that “totally worth it” food and drink we consumed over the festive period.

 

Are you breaking out more than usual? Or just wanting healthier looking skin? Then this post is definitely for you.

 

Below I’m sharing 4 ways to detox your skin this January…

 

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STEP UP YOUR CLEANSING ROUTINE

The majority of skin issues come from a poor cleansing routine. A lot of us are guilty of investing in a good moisturiser, but neglect our skin when it comes to cleansing.

A cleanser is going to absorb all dirt, impurities and makeup, followed by a toner to refresh skin and tighten pores.

Both of these steps also prep the skin for moisturiser allowing your cream to work to its full potential. Poor cleansing/toning means your moisturiser cannot do its job and will just sit on the surface!

Those of you that currently don’t cleanse/tone effectively, by simply introducing these 2 steps daily, you will instantly see an improvement in your skin as well as the longevity of your makeup!

Unsure or which cleanser to go for? Cleansing Oils are my favourite and suit everyone! They are deep cleaning, the quickest to use and most of them can be used on eyes too. (a great alternative for you face wipe users out there!)

Massage onto a dry skin, it will remove all makeup including mascara, then add water and massage off.

Follow with a toner, I like to opt for an alcohol free one so it doesn’t dry out my skin.

My favourite cleanser is here / toner is here.

 

If you cleanse, tone and moisturise daily already, you can introduce double cleansing into your routine. This is something I started doing a couple of years ago and saw a dramatic difference in my skin!

Thanks to the Korean Beauty industry and their love of multi stepped cleansing routines, we have been hearing a lot about the double cleanse recently.

You need to use an oil based cleanser to remove makeup first, followed by a cleansing milk (drier skin)/face wash (combination skin)to refresh and purify your skin a second time.

Be mindful : The more you cleanse, the more you rid the skin of toxins. This can sometimes lead to a little break out if your skin is not used to it, but it will be more than worth it!

 

 

DRINK MORE WATER

At this time of year everything feels a lot drier, especially our skin! By not drinking enough water, our skin appears duller and our pores and wrinkles are more prominent.

By upping your water intake you are hydrating your skin from within giving you plumper, radiant, more glowing skin. It also works wonders on blemishes, as the more hydrated your skin feels, the less oil your skin will need to produce leading to fewer breakouts.

Aim for 2 litres a day! After 4 – 5 days you will start to see the difference.

TIP : Kick start your morning with hot water and lemon – this simple drink not only counts towards your 2 litres, but promotes healthy digestion and is said to help speed up your metabolism.

I keep fresh lemon slices in the freezer so when I wake up I can add a slice to my hot water. I refill my cup a couple of times before I leave for work.

TIP : At lunchtime, rather than grabbing a coffee, get yourself a green or mint tea. These 2 teas in particular are packed with cleansing antioxidants which is exactly what we need in January.

 

KEEP YOUR ROUTINE SIMPLE BUT SPECIFIC

I am a big believer in ‘less is more’ when it comes to skincare, so keep your routine simple and targeted to your concerns.

AM – Cleanse, tone, moisturise.

PM – Cleanse, tone, treat, moisturise.

Twice weekly – Exfoliate

Once Weekly –  Face Mask (Unsure of which face mask suits your skin? Find out in my previous post here)

The above routine is what I like to use, 3 steps in the morning, introducing a treatment into the evening. The treatment product will depend on how your skin is currently feeling, and will most likely change seasonally or even more frequently. I always have a few treatment options in my bathroom so I am prepared for any skin flare up or issue I may need to treat that week.

Dry/Dehydrated? Go for something deeply hydrating and concentrated like The Moisture Solutions Remedy. Apply 2-3 drops before moisturiser, it will lock and bind moisture to the skin plumping instantly.

Congested/Blemish Prone? I swear by Sudocrem (the nappy rash cream!). At the minute my chin keeps getting a little breakout, and I feel sleeping in a light layer of Sudocrem over my chin makes a massive difference. I cleanse, tone then apply just this over the problem area. It soothes and calms whilst reducing redness and has great anti bacterial benefits.

A bit of both? If you are (like me) currently suffering with both concerns, mix and match your treatments. I use Moisture Solutions on my cheeks under my moisturiser and apply Sudocrem lightly to my chin area.

Pick a night each week that you can set aside 5 minutes to introduce a detoxifying face mask for an extra skin treat. This mask you only need to leave on for 5 minutes then wash off, so its great for those of you that don’t have much time to spend on your skincare.

 

SKIN SUPPLEMENTS

It’s not the first thing I think of when it comes to skin, but it is said to be the secret to a glowing complexion. Zinc works as an antioxidant and helps heal and rejuvenate skin. As it is an anti inflammatory it also works wonders on blemish flare-ups calming down any redness and swelling. Over time, Zinc can regulate cell turnover and the amount of oil being produced, preventing pores clogging in the first place.

You should look at taking around 10mg per day on average. Although I am the worst at remembering to take supplements, this is something I started last week and definitely want to try and keep up.

 

 

I hope you have found these tips useful and are joining in the January Skin Detox!

Let me know how you get on if you introduce any of the above into your routine…

 

Here’s to a glowing 2017!

 

Ashley x

 

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