Tips To Make Your Skin Glow This Summer

When it comes to skincare, my face can be sometimes problematic.

Although I have been lucky in that I have clear skin, I am frequently guilty of neglecting it, using soap and make up remover wipes rather than really looking after it.  

The issue for me is that my face sometimes reacts to products and there does not seem to be any indicator as to why.  If my skin decides that it does not like a product my face immediately goes bright red and sore.  Not a good look.

My skin is at its best when I use micellar water to remove my makeup and maintain a twice daily cleanse, toner and moisturiser routine.  I use micellar water from the pound shop which does the job perfectly.  I also use the Boots Essentials Cucumber cleanser, the Clinique No 2 Clarifying Lotion and the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel which is the best product I have ever used. My face feels like it is saying thank you when I apply it.

I did also try out the Clinique facial wash but unfortunately, it does not agree with my skin and turns me into a cherry tomorrow.

Now is the perfect time to spring clean your skincare and one of the ways I want to look at my skincare is from a nutritional point of view.

Your skin consists of billions of cells. Each cell is an organism that requires oxygen and nutrients in order to thrive.

While many creams exist to moisturise and help the anti-ageing process, it is possible to improve the condition of your skin from the inside with the right nutrition.

I have just completed a one month course of Lumity which I will talk about in a separate blog post, but here are some of the things that you can do on a nutritional level to improve your skin.

The Science Bit

Skin can be subject to damage from free radicals, particularly if exposed to strong sunlight. There are 25 types of collagen in the body and, along with elastin, they give skin texture and structure. Free radical damage causes collagen and elastin to break down, which leads to wrinkles and skin losing its firmness. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and coenzyme Q10 can protect cells from the damaging affects of these toxic chemicals.

Dietary sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables, however this vitamin is easily destroyed by cooking and food processing. Levels of vitamin C are also reduced by factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol and certain drugs such as antidepressants and oral contraceptives. As a result, supplements are a great way to ensure that you get enough of this vital nutrient. The Recommended DailyAllowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 60mg/day of 120mg/day if you are a smoker.

Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance which can be obtained from the diet, however most is manufactured within our bodies. Our ability to do this decreases from our mid-twenties, making supplements important. Coenzyme Q10 plays an important role in producing energy in our bodies and is also a powerful antioxidant. This means it protects the skin from free radical damage and promotes effective skin repair. Coenzyme Q10 has been proven to reduce the depth of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Given that I am a smoker, taking a daily Vitamin C supplemental alongside some Coenzyme Q10 pills is something that I am going to implement into my daily life.

Fatty acids and skin repair

Essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 are required for healthy skin, hair and nails. The richest source of Omega 3 is fish oil from oily fish such as herring, salmon, tuna and sardines. Omega 3 is an anti-inflammatory, making it good for irritable, sore skin. Many people choose to take an Omega 3 fish oil supplement. Due to concern about environmental pollution in fish, it is safest to choose a supplement which contains oil from the flesh of the fish, rather than the liver.

Omega 7 fatty acids are perhaps less well known, but have a number of health benefits, including skincare. Omega 7 sea buckthorn oil capsules from Pharma Nord contain oil from a tiny berry and help with lubrication through the body, protecting the internal organs, as well as the linings of the eyes, mouth and skin. Sea buckthorn oil is one of the best natural oils for mature and wrinkled skin due to its essential fatty acid and vitamin E, C and A properties. It has nourishing, moisturising and restorative action, promoting tissue regeneration and reducing age-induced skin wrinkling and signs of premature ageing. Seabuckthorn oil also has natural sun protecting power.

The importance of blood flow

Blood supply to the skin is extremely important if the skin is to get all the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Pycnogenol is a plant-based extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree and can be taken as a supplement to improve blood circulation. This can help with skin hydration and vitality. Pycnogenol can also help to reduce wrinkles by binding with skin proteins collagen and elastin to protect from various harmful enzymes. It also rebuilds elasticity, which is essential for smooth, youthful skin. It has also been shown to reduce over-pigmentation for a more even complexion.

In terms of sun care, sunburn is an inflammation caused by free radical induced tissue damage. By neutralising these free radicals, pycnogenol helps protect the skin from the stress and damage of sunburn.

In the UK we are all guilty of forgetting to use sun cream, thinking somehow that the sun is not as strong as it is when we go abroad, which is of course ridiculous.  

So my plan for healthy, glowing skin this summer, and continuing, is to start taking regular nutritional supplements and hopefully, I will soon have skin like a goddess!

*Collaborative Post 

It's All in the Present

Giving gifts can be really hard, especially when you’re buying for someone fussy or someone who doesn’t know what they want. It’s even harder when you’re buying for someone who has everything! You might have already read this guide to buying gifts - but check it out if you’re struggling.

Image by Flickr

However, there’s a few ways you can make even the most mundane gift seem special. Because, let’s face it, we’ve all been there. Sometimes people don’t want fancy gifts like jewellery. Sometimes, they just want practical, useful gifts they can use every day - and you can find some ideas on BuzzFeed. Dads and brothers asking for socks? Mums just wanting a nice new diary? They’re good gifts, and are obviously well appreciated and used. But they just don’t seem that special. So, when you’re faced with a tough gift giving situation, here are some tips you can use to make any present exciting.

Go for the personal touch

You can’t always give someone a really heartfelt, personal gift. If you had the time, talent and money, then you might be able to spend weeks or even months crafting a delightful present. But sadly, there are few of us that can do that. But there’s a way around this. If you’re buying someone something practical or useful, but not necessarily special, why not add some personalisation? It’s a really lovely way to mark something out as especially for that person. It turns a normal, practical present into something more special. And it shows that you’ve spent more time on their special day than simply ordering something online. There’s no limit to what you can personalise - check out sites like Giftsin24 for proof of that!

Choose the premium, high quality option

If the person you’re buying for has told you exactly what they want, then why not step it up a gear? Instead of buying a brand’s standard set of socks, why not look for the premium collection? Don’t just buy a boring diary - buy one with a gorgeous finish, embossed letters and thick paper. Even when you’re buying practical presents, you can still have fun. Shop around and see what gems you can find. It can sometimes be easier to buy gifts when you know exactly what you’re looking for! And buying premium gifts doesn’t always mean spending premium prices. This blog has some nifty hints and tricks to help you save money when buying from expensive, designer brands.

Spend time on gift wrapping and presentation

Image credit: Berries

So, you’ve settled for those bamboo wool socks with the personalised monogram on the side? Perfect. Now, to give it that extra special touch, concentrate on the wrapping. None of us admit it, but part of the fun of both giving and receiving gifts is the moment before you open it. If you’re unwrapping thick gift paper and undoing soft, satin ribbon, you’re going to be even more excited by the time you get to your gift. Plus, it shows that you’ve made an effort through the whole process - from thinking up the idea, to handing the gift over. Not bad for a pair of socks, eh! If you need a helping hand with where to start, read this guide from Happiness is Homemade.

*Collaborative piece