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It’s
often at this time of year
when we feel that our moisuriser
is not all we could wish it was.
If you feel that your skin is still
a little tight even after moisturizing,
or you are needing to apply twice
in the morning, it’s probably time
for a change. Sometimes the cream
that suits us perfectly in summer
is just not up to the job in winter
conditions. It may be that you need
to alternate between your summer
needs and winter needs. Central
heating and winter weather takes
its toll on our skin and we really
need to protect it. Sometimes, just
changing to a heavier quality i.e.
Richer textured cream within the
same brand may work, but oftentimes
it can be more beneficial to change
brand altogether.
If you usually use a supermarket
quality moisturizer it’s unlikely
that you’ll be getting the premium
quality ingredients that you need
to get your skin in really good
condition. At this time of year
we really want a product that
offers textural comfort – one
that instantly softens and soothes
the skin relieving that ‘tight’
feeling.
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Most
anti-aging products have lifting and firming
agents but offer little in the way of
comfort. Many high quality moisturizers
will provide the ingredients which will
provide comfort and help to alleviate
the signs of ageing by working on deep
hydration. After all, ageing signs such
as lines, wrinkles and ‘crepey’ looking
skin are mainly caused by a reduction
in moisture levels as we age.
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If
we fail to replace the moisture
the signs will become more apparent.
A skin that is plump with moisture
will look younger than a dry face.
I’m a big fan of using nature’s
ingredients and prefer to use products
which have their basis in essential
oils, natural vitamins or marine
extracts. A firm favourite is Decleor’s
Hydra Floral Cream as it has a really
delicate, non-heavy formula and
yet provides everything you need
for a dewy, nourished complexion.
The ingredients are top quality
and this cream suits practically
all skin types and really provides
textural comfort. For a great boost
to the skin BioCol Marine have an
excellent moisturizer derived from
marine extracts, known for their
strengthening properties on the
skin. Although these creams are
not the cheapest on the market,
they do go a long way and the benefits
are well worth it.
If you are on a really tight budget,
then look for moisturizers |
with
an all-in-one comfort factor such as the
Bodyshop or Boots own brands.
I would never advocate using soap on the
face as it can strip the natural oils
on the delicate skin of the face but many
people still like to use soap on their
body. But as with shower gels not all
soaps are the same. Cheap supermarket
soap will act like a detergent on the
skin and although it will certainly clean
the body it will also strip the skin of
moisture and can give rise to dryness
and itching. Choosing good quality soap
is important and does not really cost
any more in the long run as they usually
last far longer than a cheap bar of soap.
Look for a soap that contains shea butter
to help combat dryness. L’Occitane are
my personal favourites as they last an
incredible length of time and never go
‘slimy’ or crack. They have varying amounts
of shea butter and are extremely gentle
on the skin as well as smelling absolutely
divine! I absolutely love the damask rose
but if you’re not a floral person then
the olive soap or one from the milk range
may suit you. Small bars will cost around
£3 with larger bars at around £7 – reasonably
priced for the amount of time they last.
They’re beautifully packaged as with all
L’Occitanes products and are ideal for
gift giving.
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Have
you tried the new ‘superskin’
moisturizer from Liz Earle? |
As you know I’m a devotee of Liz’s
range of naturally active skincare.
This new moisturizer is her first
for 12 years and addresses the
problems of aging of the skin.
Unlike Liz’s regular moisturizer
that suits all skin types and
ages, this new cream specifically
targets a more mature skin.
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As usual with the Liz Earle range its
packed full of natural ingredients including
cranberry and vitamin E and its lovely
lightweight formula is non-greasy yet
wonderfully nourishing for dry skin. The
ingredients target fine lines and dehydration
and contain Omega 3 and fruit oils which
act on free radicals that can damage skin.
Use after Liz’s fantastic Instant Boost
Skin Tonic for best effects- it can be
used both morning and night and at around
£30 for 50ml it is competitively priced
amongst this range of creams. As a rule
I’m not keen on anti-aging products as
I find they offer no ‘comfort’ factor
for dry skins, but this really is the
exception. It feels exactly like a regular
moisturizer without any of the tight,
‘mask’ feelings often associated with
anti-aging creams. I’m fairly new to the
cream but I’ll report again on the results!
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Most
of us suffer from the occasional
spot
or breakout but for anyone suffering
from acne the problem can really
be upsetting and affect their
day-to-day life. Whilst great
steps have been made in recent
years in the medical treatment
of acne there are still sufferers
who are finding it really hard
to control.
One of the most important things
to avoid from outbreaks of acne
is the terrible scarring that
can occur. This can be permanent
and can really damage confidence
long after acne has cleared. In
conjunction with any medication
prescribed by a specialist, Decleor
have a fantastic product which
can be applied directly to the
face to avoid scarring.
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Prolegene Gel is wonderful at preventing
any scarring, stretch marks and such,
when used daily over a period of time.
It can be used instead of a moisturizer
on acne skins and can be applied several
times a day to the affected area. During
pregnancy it should be applied all over
the ‘bump’ and surrounding area twice
a day right from the early months and
continued for several months after the
birth to help tone the loose skin. It
can be applied under a body cream for
those with drier skins. This natural formula gel can even
work on previously scarred skin but it
will take time and effort to see the improvement
and must be used on a daily basis. Decleor
products are not the cheapest on the market
but they are highly effective and a little
goes a long way so they’re well worth
the investment.
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