The skin is the largest organ of the body. We all want to look and feel younger. Indeed the saying of you are what you eat is undoubtedly one of the most profound statements, but how you look after your skin on the outside is just as important as looking after yourself on the inside.
My research has led me to sharing some of the myths and best tips about your skin. We can’t make time stand still, nor can we turn back the clock, but we can prevent our skin from unnecessary damage.
Myth 1
Building up a gradul tan on a salon sunbed will protect me from burning outdoors
Fact: What ever your skin natural skin colour is, tanning is damning for the skin. It is burning. Pre-sun tanning does not protect the skin in any way. It is an illusion, slow build up burning. Imagin cooking a piece of chicke, whether it is roasted for 1 hour on a low heat or 10 ninutes on a full heat, regardless of the time you have still cooked and burned the skin, your skin is no different. Do not tan your skin using heat. Always use a sunscreen on your skin especially your face regardless what season it is. Wear your suncreen under your makeup. This will protect your skin even when the sun is not out. If you must feel you need to be tanned, go for the bronzers, there are some great creams out now which don’t turn you orange or streak or smell. I have tried many and the ones which I find best are Clarines and my latest discovery is a Swiss make called Louis Widmer. I use the sun protection factor 20 on my face which give it a natural glow and a great base for my foundation. The fake tan also give a gradual build which looks as if I have been on holiday.
Myth 2
The more money I spend on skin care the better my skin will look
No, your skin needs nourishing, protecting and hydrating every day. Eat well, rest well, don’t stay in central heated rooms for long periods, try to get fresh air as the skin needs to breathe too. Yes, skin creams will help moisturise and hydrate, but drinking plenty of water is also part of hydration. Many of the expensive creams contain all sorts of chemicals which over time can actually harm the skin. Using natural products, such as washing your face in pure oatmeal (yes the stuff you eat for breakfast), will leave your skin soft and gently exfoliated. Rinse your skin in cold water to close the pores. Why not put rose petals in water and use the rose water to cleans with. For a natural moisturising cream I genuinely believe Ginseng nourishing cream is one of the best creams to nourish, hydrate and protect.
Myth 3
Eating chocolate causes acne
Acne is genetic and there can be many factors contributing to acne. Hormone fluctuation can cause spot erruption. As your homones fluctuate you tend to crave certain foods and during the time where your vitamin B may be a little low you would go for chocolate as milk chocolate contains small amounts riboflavin (B2) so its not the chocolate which has caused the spots its the hormone fluctuation.
Food may impact on the acne but it won’t cause it.
Myth 4
Cutting my cuticles will help my nails grow
No. The cuticle protects the nail as it is growing. Cutting the cuticle can actually cause the nail to grow deformed. Gently massage almond or peach oil into the nail and gently push the cuticle back.
Myth 5
Going for regular facials will make my skin younger
Facials can be expensive, everything in moderation. There are home treatments which are just as effective, but spoiling yourself once in a while won’t harm. But reguar facials will not make your skin physically younger but will give the illusion of a glow.
The best way to better skin tone is exercise. Exercising gives you improved circulation and oxygen capacity, which causes the blood vessels in the skin to dilate, bringing a natural healthy glow to the skin. It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise. We found a fantastic exercise workout which not only helps the skin but also helps the inside of the body too. The exercise was developed by a leading gynaecologist Dr Bruce Crawford. His Pfilates kit has helped many women and men. This cross between yoga and pilates gets the blood circulating and tightening of the muscles gives the skin a younger more defined structure. www.pfilates.com for more information.