anti-ageing

We always talk about how important your cleanser and your moisturiser are to your skincare regime and how they can be the key to healthy and glowing skin. One thing we rarely touch on is the importance of exfoliation. Exfoliation goes hand in hand with your moisturiser as it prepares the skin for optimal moisture absorption. As your face is an area where your skin is thinnest and most delicate you need to be careful not to use anything too harsh that could cause irritation. So you can see why, when it comes to exfoliating, there are lots of factors that we need to think about to make the right choice for your skin.

So why should you exfoliate?

If you find your complexion looks a little dull or lacklustre, it can sometimes be a result of poor diet, lack of sleep, stress or hormones. What many don’t know is that poor exfoliation habits can cause a dulling complexion too. Exfoliation is key to maintaining a healthy glow that makes your skin radiate as it’s essential to remove dead skin cells to prevent pores from becoming blocked and spots forming. Without it, dead cells build up on the surface, trap oil and sebum, and cause a vicious circle of blemishes, dullness and uneven skin tone. So pretty important I’d say people.

So how do you go about finding the right product for you?

When it comes to exfoliators, there really isn’t a one size fits all approach. Depending on your skin type and condition, you need to choose the right products that will give you the best results.

Skin type: Normal and/or Sensitive

One of the best exfoliators for normal skin types is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. It is gentle enough to be used daily, but powerful enough to rid your skin of dead cells and leave you with a glowing complexion. This rice-based exfoliating powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother and brighter.

Skin Type: Dry/Dehydrated

This is a skin type that benefits the most from a good exfoliation routine. Dry skin leads to a build up of dead skin cells, oil and impurities that need to be cleansed away so your skin can begin to heal itself. I recommend Thalgo Softness Exfoliator. This product uses jojoba oil micro beads to make sure your skin is cleansed but still maintains its natural protection. The deep cleansing lotion removes dead skin cells to leave your face looking fresh and feeling healthy.

Skin Type: Acne Prone

For acne prone skin types, you want to opt for a non abrasive formula that is more chemical based. You don’t want to irritate any blemishes or cause scarring, but you still need to remove any impurities. I opt for Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant. This baby dramatically improves skin texture with this two-in-one masque/exfoliation treatment. Its non-abrasive formula contains Lactic Acid and Hydroxy Acid to help detach dead skin cells, increasing cell renewal while improving texture for dramatically smooth skin.

Sun skin safety. It’s not the most glamorous of subjects and granted, it does have the similar dull ring to it as the dreaded ‘health and safety’. That said, it is really something that we need to think seriously about. Obviously I don’t want to start sounding like your Mum here, making you wear a t-shirt in the pool; so instead I’m going to talk you through all the key things you need to look out for with your suncare products.

Most of us will only start thinking about suncare in the weeks leading up to our summer getaway to sunnier climates. However, regardless of whether you are sunning yourself on a yacht in St Tropez (I wish) or just sitting in the park in cloudy Britain, everyone is exposed to the sun in some way. Up to 40% of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day, leaving us exposed to the sun even when we don’t realise it. That’s why we should be putting sun protection in place on a daily basis to help protect our skin. After all, the sun’s rays may be invisible to the naked eye, but the effects on the skin are clear.

So, what should you be looking for when it comes to skin protection? Most of the time, it feels like suncare brands are just throwing acronyms at us left, right and centre. So let’s cut through the jargon and break it down.

You should be looking for two different levels of protection. SPF is the level of protection given against UVB rays (these can alter your skin cells’ DNA and cause sun burn). In simple terms, if your skin usually takes around 20 minutes to redden when unprotected, an SPF15 lotion will extend this time by 15, providing coverage for up to 5 hours.

Meanwhile, UVA protection levels (UVA rays cause allergies, ageing, dark spots and wrinkles) can be recognised by star ratings on the bottle. Five stars is what you’re after here of course. Products with both UVA and UVB coverage are known as ‘broad spectrum protection’.

Regardless of how long your protection claims to last, no suncream should be expected to keep skin protected for longer than 2 hours without reapplication. Plus of course, your suncream is only good as your application technique, so be generous people.

With suncare, I truly believe you get what you pay for. I’ve tried them all, from budget to premium brands, and it’s clear that the professional brands have got it right. In fact, cheaper high street brand suncreams can include sunscreen chemicals that are harmful to the skin. Very often, they are actually the cause of the dreaded prickly heat. So I urge you, invest in your suncare and you’ll never look back. Let me share 2 of my favourites with you:

Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport. This is a sheer cream that has enhanced SPF performance and counteracts moisture loss triggered by extended daylight exposure. I love this one because it doesn’t feel greasy and also doesn’t stain your white tops as so many creams tend to.

Thalgo Age Defence Sun Lotion SPF30. This rich cream provides optimum sun protection from the first days of exposure. It’s a really creamy, velvety lotion with a fine and ultra-light texture that allows you to develop a lasting tan safely.

So, no excuses. Make sure you’re #sunsafe this summer.

xoxo