Five Skincare Resolutions To Start Now
The end of 2014 is growing closer, but with Christmas still to look forward to we doubt that you are thinking about what New Years Resolutions you are going to make this year. Losing weight, taking up a new fitness routine or learning a new skill are all common resolutions people make each year, but for 2015 try putting your skin first. We've put together five skincare resolutions you can try for the New Year - although starting them early certainly won't do any harm either.
1) Wear Sun Protection Every Day
This should be a skincare commandment you're already following, but if not then New Year is the perfect time to make sure SPF becomes a part of your daily routine. UV exposure is responsible for 80-90% of premature ageing and spending too much time trying to achieve a tan can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, dry skin, age spots, pigmentation and rough skin texture. Even in the colder months when the weather is cloudy you still need to make sure you apply SPF whenever you are planning on spending time outdoors, as UV rays can still penetrate and damage the skin. If you feel that you're likely to forget to apply SPF ever day, then there are many products which come with sun protection included so all you need to do is add them your daily routine. Try the Aqua Physics Defence Cream, which contains a mineral UV filter to shield you from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
2) Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation is essential for healthy, glowing skin. When you're a baby your skin naturally replenishes itself every 14 days, but by the time you're in your thirties this slows to every 28 days. All this extra time allow dead skin cells to build up on the skin's surface, making your complexion look dull and dry. You can jump-start this natural renewal process by making sure you regularly exfoliate. Once a week is enough to maintain a glowing complexion, but if your skin is oily then you may want to increase this to twice a week. Try the Lift Off Exfoliating Cleanser.
3) Add In A Serum
With so many products out there it can be difficult to work out which ones you need to include in your routine but if you're trying to target a specific skincare problem then a serum is a great product to add in. Serums are often designed to target specific problems such as dryness, dull skin or the signs of ageing, and are formulated with smaller particles so they can penetrate deeper into the dermis. If you suffer with pigmentation or uneven skin tone then the Celestial Black Diamond Serum is ideal, it contains arbutin which brightens and evens the complexion. You can find out more about why serums are so beneficial to your skincare routine here.
4) Increase Your Antioxidants
Antioxidants are one of the most powerful ingredients in skincare because topical application has been shown to protect against the damaging affects of free radicals. These are highly unstable molecules which attack and damage the body's cells. Free radicals can damage collagen in your skin and lead to premature ageing so this year up it your resolution to up your antioxidants.
5) Never Sleep In Your Make-Up
Whether you've got home late after a night out with friends, spent a few extra hours in the office or simply feel exhausted, we've all found a reason to skip cleansing and head straight to bed with a full face of make-up. Most of us probably think one nights sleep won't do any harm, but not only are you ruining your pillowcases by foregoing the make-up remover but you're also damaging your skin. Not cleansing each evening can result in unnecessary exposure to free radicals, which make-up hold on to. Free radicals cause the breakdown of collagen which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. The more often you sleep in your make-up the more your pores become clogged, leading to more breakouts and blemishes. No matter how tired you are, always use a gentle cleanser like the Lift Off Purifying Cleanser, to completely remove all traces of make-up from your skin. This will allow your skin to breathe and recover from the stresses and strains of the day.