Begin the New Year with Radiant Skin!
My criteria for good skincare products is that they are able to keep the skin in healthy condition. Since it is only a healthy skin that is really beautiful. Believe me; you are better off focusing on this than on the lifting or anti-wrinkling effect of products. It will not only leave you with more money in your pocket but also more radiant skin.
Starting the New Year radiantly
We won’t achieve radiant skin with skincare products alone. I’ve written earlier in my blog about the effects of diet and stress on the skin. If I may predict how my skin should look after the quality of my own diet (wine, doughnuts, large desserts and more wine) and my stress levels (I’ve got so much to do…..), I’ll need to pull out all the stops in order to go into the New Year glowing. Since what applies to me, is probably the same as for a lot of other people, here are a couple of instant tips for a “radiant skin”.
How do you avoid dull skin?
1. Dull skin is often dry skin. Make sure that it is well hydrated. Use moisturiser more than once a day and preferably apply it onto damp skin. What can also work wonders for a really dry skin, is sleeping for a night with a layer of Vaseline on your face.
2. Dull skin is often due to a build-up of dead skin cells. Now don’t go immediately attacking your face with an abrasive product as you’ll only be left with blotchy skin. It is better to use an Exfoliant which will ensure that your skin becomes reflective to the light and acquires that beautiful glow. You will soon see the effects. If you’ve no time to lose try and get a last minute appointment with the Dermatologist for a Glycolic Acid peel. You’ll see results the following day…
3. A third reason for a dull (and pallid) complexion is poor circulation. In other words; the blood is not showing through enough. This may be that the layer of dead skin cells is too thick (for this you can follow the above tip) but also that your blood vessels aren’t working properly. Not drinking enough (and I don’t mean alcohol), too little sleep, highly fluctuating sugar levels (all those extra sweeties) and too much stress are a deadly combination. Drinking plenty of water, getting some exercise (preferably outside) and going to bed early will improve the circulation in your skin and bring back your healthy complexion.
A last resort!
Sometimes even after following the above tips you’re still not successful. That will most likely happen to me on New Year’s Day. In which case there is one last resort; light reflective make-up. Long live Touche Eclat by Yves Saint Laurent or the Touch of Light by Touch of Cosmetics!
Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and radiant skin to everyone!
Regards Jetske
Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology
You can also read the blogs:
‘What Smoking Does to Your Skin: Acne’
‘Is There a Cure for Bags?’
‘A Mask’
“An Alternative to a Facelift (or Maybe Not…)‘
‘Pure Gold’