  |
Back to Fresh Features Main Page
The cheat's guide to great skin
Company's Beauty editor Sophie Qureshi shows
you how to keep your skin good when you're being bad...
Ok, so you know what you should be doing to keep your skin
looking good - eight hours sleep, eight glasses of water, more
fruit and veg, less cake and crisps. Plus a good skincare routine
of daily cleansing and moisturising, regular exfoliation and
perhaps a weekly mask for some extra TLC. But however good
your intentions, there's bound to be times when they go a tiny bit
out the window. You come in late from a night out and can barely
drag yourself into bed, let alone muster the energy to wash your face. Or you go away with friends and don't eat a
thing that didn't come from a packet all weekend. We all do it. (Well, nearly all. Some people are just saints). But
that doesn't mean your skin has to suffer. The secret is to know a few sneaky tricks so that when you aren't being
100% good, your skin still can be. Here's how...
|
 |
Skin sin 1: Sleeping in your make-up
 |
This isn't good for your skin - or your pillow. Nighttime is when your skin has chance to repair and regenerate and
it can't do that if your pores are blocked up by a nice mix of sweat, dirt and make-up. That said, don't believe the
urban myth that sleeping in make-up for a night will age your skin 7 days (or 7 years, in the exaggerated version).
It's just scare-mongering. As long as you don't make a habit of it, your skin will survive.
|
If you're going to a party and know it'll be a big night, leave a packet of face wipes on your bedside table before
you go. That way, when you come home feeling totally partied-out, you can just collapse into bed and swipe off
your make-up in one easy step. Not as good as cleansing it properly, but we've got to be realistic, right?
|
Skin sin 2: Doing zero exercise
If you're not managing to squeeze in much exercise, facial massage can help you fake a just-back-from-my-run
glow. Instead of just slapping on your moisturiser, give yourself a circulation-boosting facial by massaging the
cream firmly into your skin, making circular movements over your cheeks and forehead, and upward strokes from
your jawline. This will bring fresh oxygenated blood to your skin to give it the same healthy glow as exercise does.
Sadly it won't get rid of a muffin top though...
|
Skin sin 3: Skimping on sleep
If a few too many late nights have made your eyes puffy, don't bother with the teabags and cucumber slices. (I
mean, seriously, who wants to lie around with bits of vegetable on their face?) Just keep your eye cream in the
fridge and you'll get the same de-puffing benefits, without the mess. Another trick that lots of models use is to
sleep on an extra pillow so that your head is slightly raised - it allows any swelling to drain so prevents under-eye
bags.
|
 |
Skin sin 4: Getting stressed
Ever noticed that when you've got exams or a deadline, your skin goes completely haywire? Yep, you can thank
stress for that spot on your forehead. To minimise the impact of stress on your skin, set aside fifteen minutes a
week to chill out with some tunes and a detoxifying face mask. It's a double whammy - having a break for some
pampering will help you unwind, and the mask will deep clean your pores to stop spots in their tracks. Sorted.
|
Back to Fresh Features Main Page
|
|
|
share this
article:
 | |
|
|
