THE sun is finally shining....
So it's only natural that we want to emerge from the gloom with healthy, happy, sunkissed skin.
Sadly, for most of us that would be an Easter miracle.
Months of cold winds, central heating and overindulgence in comfort food treats have left us Brits with cracked and dull complexions.
But help is at hand. Top skin therapist Nicola Brooke gives her top ten tips to de-winter your skin with her expert guide.
Follow her advice and put a spring in your skin's step that'll last all summer long.
NICOLA'S TOP 10 SKIN SAVERS
1. Cleanse
With the cold weakening your defences it’s best to steer clear of an intensive cleaning routine until your skin is back to its healthy self.
Avoid any alcohol-based cleansers as these may strip natural protective oils in the skin which can result in dryness and increased sensitivity.
Instead, adopt a light-cleansing regime such as a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser.
2. Exfoliate
Scrub, scrub, scrub and get rid of any dry skin on your face by exfoliating twice a week.
New cells are rich in moisture so adding an exfoliating scrub to your beauty regime will help hydrate your skin, giving you a healthy glow.
Take time to exfoliate when you’re in the bath for soft, healthy looking skin.
Choose a gentle exfoliator — containing a soft grain to avoid scratching your skin, and go gentle as too much exfoliating can make skin dry and red.
3. Moisturise
The cold winter months have probably played havoc with your complexion resulting in dryness and cracked skin, so give it some much needed hydration by moisturising regularly. Your skin will look vibrant and fresh for the spring.
4. Spa treatments
Give your skin some extra love and attention with a fabulous spa treatment designed to hydrate and get rid of dry skin.
Try a mud treatment, ideal for helping to draw toxins out of the body and replace them with moisturising minerals, or any treatments using marine products to refresh tired and dull-looking skin.
5. Vitamin intake
Vitamins B, C and E, Zinc and Magnesium are important antioxidants for the skin and will give your skin the energy and strength it’s lost during the winter months. Wave goodbye to dry, winter damaged skin.
6. Exercise
Your fitness regime may have gone out of the window during the winter months, so now’s the time to get back into the swing of things.
Exercise stimulates blood circulation giving your complexion a healthy glow and also allows more restful sleep with your skin able to rejuvenate.
7. Products
If your skin is feeling stressed after the winter months, try ESPA’s Winter Rescue Collection designed to nourish and rehydrate skin by boosting moisture content and repairing and restoring cells.
Your skin will feel so much smoother and softer. It contains a Botanical Lip Balm, Botanical Rescue, White Clay Hand Cream and Replenishing Face Treatment Oil. From �44.50. www.espaonline.com
8. Protect yourself from harmful rays
Having just stepped out of winter hibernation where your skin was covered up under layers of clothes, the last thing you want to do is cause more damage by not protecting yourself again harmful UV rays.
OK so it’s not 30 degrees out there, but it’s still important to protect yourself from the sun.
So lather up and use a lotion containing a SPF of at least 15. Or simply introduce a moisturiser containing an SPF into your daily beauty regime.
9. Face time
Spend time pampering yourself at home by applying a facemask or peel, which will zap some moisture into dry, tired-looking skin and help to remove dry skin cells.
Or better still, head to the spa and let a therapist do the work with a luxury facial, leaving you with soft, gorgeous skin.
My mum taught me a good tip: whisk an egg white and put it on your face, leaving it to tighten for a quick lift.
Or another option is to whisk an egg yolk for a hydrating facial. You’ll be amazed at how good it makes your skin feel, but remember to wash it all off before applying make-up!
10. H2O
Simple and cost-effective, you can’t knock the benefits of drinking water regularly throughout the day.
Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will help combat dehydration and replenish the moisture in your skin.
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