The first signs of ageing come to everyone at some stage in life but unfortunately some people's skin ages prematurely.  This is mainly due to poor lifestyle choices such as not having a consistent skin care routine, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, having a poor diet, chronic stress and lack of protection from the damaging UV rays of the sun,  

The thing is, just because you will age one day doesn't mean that you want to look it now, and learning about the signs of ageing on your skin right now will help you to make better choices to help slow down the natural ageing process.

People may use fillers, Botox, NMN, facial peels - the works - to combat the ageing process, but the key is to take care of your overall health and to have a consistent skincare routine with products that suit your skin type. So, let's take a look at some signs of ageing that you should be aware of.

• Darker spots on the skin one of the first signs of ageing in your skin is a difference in pigmentation. Darker spots tend to show up on the areas of the skin that are exposed to the sunshine frequently. For this reason, it is important that you wear SPF suncreen (minimum SPF 15) throughout the year, even in winter and even on dull, cloudy days.  SPF will also of course also protect your skin from more serious issues such as skin cancer.

• Dull, lifeless skin - this can easily be reversed by eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, by having a twice daily routine of cleanse, tone and moisturise,  using chemical (like fruit peels) or manual (grainy) exfoliators or radiance enhancing face masks on a weekly basis and by getting a professional facial once every 4 to 6 weeks.  You can also rehydrate the skin by drinking enough water. 

• Sagging skin. the skin in the jowels and cheeks are often the first areas where you notice the loss of elasticity which happens as a result of the natural ageing process but also as mentioned, due to poor lifestyle choices and by not taking care of your skin on a regular basis. Certain types of facials such as non surgical face lift can help to boost the production of both elastin and collagen and also help to tone and lift the facial muscles.  In addition to that, certain active ingredients in skin care products such as peptides can also achieve this as well.  So it is wise to start to incorporate effective skin care products in your routine from your mid 20s onwards.

• Fine Lines and Wrinkles - again these are mainly are caused by UV exposure, chronic stress and some will just be formed from your natural facial expressions. UV light works by breaking down the connective tissues in the skin and this contributes to the wrinkles.   Again, using sunscreen on a daily basis, good diet and a consistent skin care routine is vital.

If you would like any further advice about your skincare routine, I offer free mini consultationsand also more in depth paid consultations that include a live facial class.  Please just get in touch for more details

Until next time

Take Care

Zoe

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Water has many benefits for the body, yet not all of us are drinking the recommended amount per day. You should aim to drink 1-2 litres of water per day if you can as this is a good amount to help hydrate your body with the right amount of water content.

If drinking water is not a habit then it may take some time to build up the amount of water you’re drinking each day.  Also for some, it might be challenging if your bladder tends to fill up fairly easily or alternatively you’ve got a weak one that you have to empty every half an hour.  In such cases, it is best to start by drinking small glasses of water until your body gets accustomed to it.

Here are the benefits of water for your skin that are worth knowing.

Hydrates your Skin

Drinking plenty of water is definitely important for your skin as it also helps to hydrate and purify the internal system (blood, kidney, liver, joints) and the skin cells. We lose water from our skin when we sweat, in hot or cold weather, when our skin's natural lipid layer is compromised and also due to heating or cooling systems such as central heating or air conditioning.  Depending on where you live and the  quality of your tap water, you may also want to think about getting reverse osmosis water filters put in to purify the water you are drinking.

Improves Skin's Elasticity

Your skin’s elasticity declines due to the natural ageing process which eventually leads to sagging skin. Improving your skin’s elasticity is something that you can improve by drinking more water. When you drink more water, you’re purifying your internal system and nourishing the collagen cells within your skin.  It’s also worth taking collagen tablets, having regular professional facials or using skincare products with active ingredients that help boost your body’s production of it as you get older. 

Assists in the Treatment of Acne

Using water and a mild, non alcohol based facial cleanser twice daily is an excellent way to help keep your skin and pores clean and to balance your sebum levels. Using products that specifically target acne and having a professional facial every 4 to 6 weeks will also help to balance your oil levels and reduce inflammation In addition to keeping your skin clean it's also important to ensure you’re eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water to flush toxins and impurities out of your system.

Gives you back that glow!

Everyone would love naturally glowing skin but sometimes, our skin just looks dull and lack lustre. That can be due to poor skin care, extreme weather, heating and cooling systems, dehyration, using products that are nost suitable for your skin, stress, lack of sleep or even medication. One of the best ways to bring back a healthy glow in your skin is by drinking plenty of water and on a regular basis. 

Improves general health

Your general health is definitely important to maintain or improve where possible and there’s no denying that water can certainly help with that. It’s good to keep up with your water intake and to make sure you’re getting enough of it into your body. Water flushes out toxins, lubricates the joints, helps to deliver oxygen around the body (as blood is 90% water), regulates the body temperature, aids brain function, nutrient absorption and the digestive system.

The benefits of water for your skin and your general health are certainly huge so make sure you use these tips to get the most out of it where you can.

Until next time

Zoe

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