Skin Preparation for the Summer 

With summer just around the corner from us, it is time to work on getting our skin looking good and being ready to cope with exposure to the sun. As the skin is the largest organ of the body it is important to look after it from the inside as well as the outside.

Water as always is most important. The body is made up of 80% water and it is always being evaporated and utilised within. It is therefore important to replace this as often as possible. It is recommended that we drink between 1.5 & 2 litres daily.

Exercise is also important. Exercise not only helps us to lose weight and tone up our muscles so that we may look more attractive in our cossies, but it also helps to pump the blood and lymph around the body. This helps to feed and nourish the skin with oxygen and much needed nutrients and at the same time it helps to remove the toxins and aid the excretory organs. These toxins could be responsible for the build up of cellulite and dull looking skin, Muscle also burns up more energy than fat, therefore the more toned you are, the more quickly the body burns up the calories!
 
Removing the toxins that we consume is a must. Cups of coffee and bars of chocolate might seem to be very nice when we’re eating them but really they are making us feel sluggish, they are one of the causes of cellulite and they are responsible for making the skin look grey and dull. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will give us a nice amount of the crucial vitamins and minerals that are essential for a fresh glow.
 
There are many little tricks that can give instant glowing skin. For a cheap and natural body scrub, try mixing a couple of tablespoons of olive oil with a couple of teaspoons of sea salt and add a citrus aromatherapy oil such as lemon balm or grapefruit. Stand in the shower or bath whilst applying it, concentrate on hard skin areas such as elbows and knees and then you can just rinse off with warm water (no soap) and the salt will dissolve, leaving your skin feeling moisturised with the nourishment of the olive oil.
 
A nice natural exfoliater for the face is to mix smaller quantities but using coconut oil as the base, which is very nourishing to the skin, with some finely ground oats. The oats are gentler on delicate face skin and will mould themselves into round balls, as opposed to the harshness of the sea salt.

Many people like to use a self-tanning milk during the summer months. If you intend to use one, exfoliating should always be done before applying, to encourage a more even finish. I would like to throw in a word of caution with self tanning milks… they are a chemically produced cream, and the skin is very absorbent to these chemicals, so I would advise that you avoid using them on a daily basis.
 
A regular body massage with a trained therapist is important to ensure not only relaxation, which will promote more healthy looking skin, but also to encourage the transportation of those nasty toxins to the correct excretory organs. At the same time, the nourishing natural oils the therapist uses will help to moisturise your skin. A facial will help to remove the dead skin cells, which clog in the furrows of the eyes, forehead and the mouth, exaggerating those nasty looking laughter lines! It will also help with plumping out the cells and drawing the circulation that feeds the skin, and much more.
 
So come on ladies and gentleman, its time to take control and sort yourselves out, spring is here, summer is coming and there is a beautiful you just waiting to explode!

©  Nicci Evans 2008

For more information please contact:
Nicci Evans MAR BABTAC
01202 482077
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www.niccievans.co.uk

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.