Nicci’s festive beauty tips
by Nicci Evans MAR BABTAC
 
 
 
Is this winter weather making your skin feel taught and dry? Are you feeling that it’s lacking that warm summer glow?
 
Of course it’s the skin on our faces that we are all concerned about at this time of the year, but please let me remind you that the skin is in fact the largest organ of the whole body with approximately eight different functions; it is not just there to keep our bones in place! It is the skin that starts to reveal whether or not we are looking after ourselves, a healthy body will very rarely present a poor skin condition.
 
Here are a few tips to help give your skin that healthy boost for the festive season.
 
Without seeming to be ever so boring, the amount of fluid intake is possibly the most crucial thing that we should be doing at this time of the year. So drink plenty of water and herbal teas; the central heating system plays havoc with our skin, as does tea, coffee, festive mince pies and alcohol! Dehydration is one of the first signs to show when the skin is under pressure. When the skin is rehydrated, it looks plump and healthy.
 
A regular daily routine to improve the skins condition will help to give us that soft and gentle glow.
 
A cleansing lotion or gel should be massaged into the skin every morning and evening, then removed with warm water and a soft cloth. This will help to remove any makeup worn as well as cleaning off any residue oils and dirt that may have collected on the skins surface during the day or night. It is the combination of these residue oils and dirt that clog up the skin to cause the unsightly blackheads that we all hate so much.
 
Many people I know feel that it is not necessary to use a toning lotion. A toning lotion helps to regulate our pH balance. The pH balance is responsible for the acid levels, which in turn, can be responsible for the tone and appearance of our skin. The toning lotion will also help to remove excess cleansing lotion and to close our pores after the cleansing massage. By doing this the pores are not able to block so easily and the correct acid levels break down any secreted oils to be utilized more effectively.
 
The sebaceous glands that release the oils onto the skin can be regulated by a good moisturiser. Many of my clients inform me ‘I don’t need a moisturiser, my skin is already too greasy’ or ‘I slap so much moisturiser onto my skin and it still feels dry’. By using the correct moisturiser, the sebaceous glands that secrete the oils, are tricked into thinking that the skin is lubricated enough, therefore they slow down the production of their secretions, creating a less greasy skin, alternatively, if the skin is on the dryer side, the correct moisturiser will stimulate these glands to become more active creating the correct balance of oils for the skin to utilise. A correct moisturiser will also allow the skin to breathe (one of the functions mentioned at the beginning) preventing it from becoming overheated due to excess central heating and festive celebrations!
 
All skin types are catered for with moisturisers these days. Even in these wintery months the SPF is important; not only is the winter sun more damaging with the ozone layer changing so rapidly, but the chilly winds cause dehydration and drying. When the skin is subjected to these harsh conditions and extremes of temperatures, without the protection of a good SPF moisturiser, broken veins, chapping due to drying patches and dehydration can occur, causing the skin to appear dull and lifeless.
 
It is when we are sleeping that the whole body has time to work more effectively; this is also true to the skin. Night creams tend to have more nourishing and repairing properties aiding damaged cells and DNA. Night creams often feed the skin with anti-oxidants to fight the free radicals that have attacked it during the day.
 
If you are unsure about which product to use and how you should use your product, your local beauty therapist should be willing to advise you. By having a regular facial (every 4-6 weeks), your therapist will be able to check that you are maintaining your routine correctly.  Our skin does change as often as our weather and we might need to alter the routine slightly to accommodate this! At this time of the year, with the consumption of rich foods, late nights and the odd drop of brandy, our skin has a real battle on its hands….plenty of water, fresh fruit and a good skincare routine, will definitely help you to keep glowing.
 
If you would like to read more about the nutritionally organic range of products that I recommend or speak to me further as to how you can look after your skin, please find my details on www.niccievans.co.uk

(c) Nicci Evans 2007

Nicci Evans qualified as a beauty therapist in 1981 at the London Institute of Beauty Culture, practising in a variety of salons prior to setting up and running her own business.  Since that time Nicci has studied widely, enabling her to introduce new therapies and offer a fully holistic service to her customers.  A qualified practitioner of  Reflexology, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Hopi Ear Candles and Life Coaching, Nicci is also qualified in Advanced Nutrition and holds a Higher International Diploma in Nutrition.  Nicci is a  member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology and the Association of Reflexologists.
www.niccievans.co.uk