Break bad beauty habits: skin
'Bad skincare habits are often the cause of a less-than-perfect complexion,' says beauty expert Paula Begoun. Get back on the road to glowing skin for the new year
DO: Sleep on your back
If you’re used to sleeping on your front or side, it may take time to re-train yourself, but it’s worth persevering. Sleeping on your back will help prevent fluid build-up around the eyes, so if you want to wave goodbye to puffy peepers, start getting used to snoozing face up – even if it takes sewing a tennis ball into the front of your PJs!
DON’T: Go to bed without cleansing and removing makeup
‘Beauty sleep is about helping your skin heal, regenerate, and restore itself from the effects of environmental damage,’ says Paula. ‘If your face is covered with make-up, the pores will be blocked and natural exfoliation and renewal will be stunted’. So keep a pack of cleansing wipes by your bed for nights when you’re tired and/or short of time. Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (£4.99 for 30, Victoria Health, www.victoriahealth.com) wipe away make-up and have a calming and soothing effect on the skin. They’re biodegradeable, so they’ll keep your conscience clear, too!
DON’T: Use soap on your face
‘Soap has a very drying impact on skin and can lead to irritation that can cause pores to overproduce oil,’ says Paula. ‘Moreover, the ingredients that keep soap in its bar form can clog pores and trap bacteria leading to breakouts. Instead use a gentle, non-irritating, water-soluble cleanser,’ she advises.
DO: Wear sun protection
...every day, come rain or shine. Without a doubt, it’s the number-one way to keep skin looking younger for longer. Look out for a daily moisturiser with UVA as well as UVB protection such as Skinceuticals Sheer Mineral Defense is SPF 50 (£28 for 50ml, www.skinceuticals.co.uk). For a budget option, try Superdrug Optimum Super Antioxidant Grape UV Defending SPF15 Day Cream (£12.99 for 50ml).
DON’T: Pull at the skin around the eyes
When removing your eye make-up, gently dab the cotton pad onto the skin in an outwards motion to avoid the kind of tugging that can lead to sagging. Melt eye make-up away with a gentle but thorough remover. Prima loves Lancôme Bi-Facil Non Oily Instant Cleanser (£20 for 125ml, counters nationwide), which is mild but will see off even waterproof mascara without rubbing. Suitable for contact-lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes, it’s not cheap, but it’s worth splashing out on.
DO: Use the right products for your skin type
‘Knowing your skin type and the correct routine for your lifestyle can make all the difference between dull and glowing skin,’ says Paula. ‘Changing to a skincare routine that suits you can result in a dramatic transformation within days,’ she adds.
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