The cold weather, as well as the excesses of last month, makes January a bad month for skin. So why not try detoxing to achieve younger, fresher-looking mug? Here, we look at some simple tips to rejuvenate your skin.
Exfoliate
The skin naturally sheds its top layer to reveal fresher skin every thirty days in women under forty, but slows to every sixty days thereafter. This makes the skin dry, dull and sallow, and the pores clogged and enlarged. You can, however, speed up the process by using a scrub – try using gentle scrub soaps every day.
Fight wrinkles
There’s good evidence that products which contain natural acids (alpha or beta hydroxy acids) can erase fine lines or brown spots, at least for a short while. They work by exfoliating the superficial layers of the skin and stimulate collagen production, which plumps up the skin to make it look softer and fresher.
Alpha hydroxy acids come in moisturisers, eye creams and many other products. Terms to look for on labels include glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid and mandelic acid. You may want to look for products that contain salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid and is good for spots and blemishes too.
Freshen up with masks or peels
Over the centuries, women have used an incredible number of natural products to make masks, which leave your face feeling clean and refreshed. Natural sources of alpha hydroxy acids can be found in fruits such as pineapple and papaya, which you can blend with honey to make a refreshing face mask.
Peels are somewhat different – they remove the top layer of skin as well as lighten some brown spots. You can get a glycolic acid peel, which removes dead skin cells and quickly uncovers the younger, smoother skin underneath. The peel tingles, but it isn’t uncomfortable.
Alternatively, you could go for chemical-free peel – micro-dermabrasion – in which a fine brush is used to exfoliate the top layer of skin. It’s very relaxing, takes 10 to 15 minutes, and your skin will look (and feel) younger instantly. A series of five treatments is recommended.
Say goodbye to puffy eyes
Few things can make you look more tired (or older) than puffy eyes. They’re usuallly caused by fatigue, water retention, allergies or even a reaction to eye make-up. To quickly tighten the skin and help your eyes look younger, try applying grape seed extract to the skin around the eyes. It can be found in Lancome‘s Vinéfit range and helps reduce eye puffiness caused by water retention or poor circulation. As a bonus, it helps smooth the complexion, may protect against the sun’s harmful rays and can be used nightly.
Alternatively, you can try and reduce puffy eyes with tea bags. Brew a cup of tea using two tea bags. Set the bags aside until they’re cool, then place them on the puffy areas of your eyes for a few minutes. The cool moisture can reduce swelling for up to 24 hours. In addition, tea contains tannins, compunds that reduce eye inflammation.
You can get similar effects by placing cool cucumber slices or even cooled spoons on the puffy areas.
If you found Rejuvenate your skin – tips to get the better of the cold weather helpful, you’ll find more tips for looking after older skin on our Fashion and Beauty channel.
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