As a skin therapist, one common concern that I come across regularly is how to treat a dull, lack lustre skin that looks a bit grey and has lost its va va voom!
So I thought I would share some knowledge with you on how to work towards achieving that healthy glow...
Skin Care
Double Cleansing
This will ensure you are removing the layers of make up, sun care, pollution and airborne bacteria that can settle upon the skin through the day! This will be a key step in your skin care routine, by removing these impurities your skin will instantly look more brighter as you’ll also be removing any surface dead skin cells. I recommend washing the skin with luke-warm water as to not over dry and always pat off excess water from the skin with a clean cotton face cloth.
Exfoliate
Regularly exfoliating will encourage the removal of dead, flat skin cells on the surface that can build up over time, dulling the complexion making it almost greyish in colour.
By removing these dead skin cells and stimulating cell renewal, the skin will look fresh and bright adding to that desired glow!
Radiance Boosting Facial Masks
Face masks are great for a quick fix to promote a dewy, well hydrated base for that no make up make up look! Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, kaolin, AHAs, Glycerin and Vitamin C to really plump and resurface, resulting in smooth luminous skin.
My current favourites:
Emma Hardie Moringa Renewal Treatment Mask for Instant Radiance
REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - used as a 10 minute mask
Facial Oils and Massage
Choose a plant based facial oil and focus on massaging the oils in for a good 5 minutes (if short on time) or a more indulgent 10-20 minutes to help stimulate oxygen and blood flow that will instantly reflect a healthy complexion. Why not try using a Gua Sha or facial roller to really focus on intention with the moves you choose to use.
Facial massages can also help to relieve sore and stressed out areas of the face. Tension headaches, under-eye puffiness, sinus problems and congestion can all be targeted through the skill of massaging ones face.
My current favourites are:
Fais ‘NOURISH IT’ Antioxidant Facial Oil Argan + Ylang Ylang
By Sarah Organic Facial Oil
Clarins Blue Orchid Facial Treatment Oil
Multi Purpose Balms
These are fab as they will usually add a high gloss glow to any areas you want to focus on. Apply a slick of balm to the cheekbones, across the eye lids or across the décolleté. My current favourites:
Bybi Babe Balm
Weleda Skin Food
Lanolips TheOriginal 101 Ointment
By Sarah Organic Lip Balm
Lifestyle
Eating Well
Implementing a well balanced diet will provide the skin with key nutrients and vitamins (from sources such as meat, fish, fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables) it needs to remain functioning optimally. Thus, improving your health internally and externally showing through the appearance of your skin‘s complexion.
Drinking Water
Naturally this will increase your energy levels and flush out toxins through out the day. Our bodies are made up of over 60-70% water therefore, it is vital to drink enough (around 2 litres a day) to ensure your bodies systems are functioning correctly, which if they are not will have a huge impact on the appearance of your skin.
Exercise
Exercise will increase your heart rate and push blood around the body, encouraging the removal of toxins.
It‘s an instant way of both looking and feeling good. Endorphins (the happy hormones) are released whilst and after exercising, making you glow from the inside out without even realising it! Your overall mood and energy levels will continue to be boosted as will your radiant, rosy complexion.
Beauty Sleep
At night, your skin will be in repair and recovery mode, therefore, it’s vital you take this chance to zone into relaxation time and fit in as many z’s as possible to support this function of your body. You could incorporate overnight beauty treatments into your regime to help the process of skin recovery along to keep your complexion glowing. There are many ‘sleeping masks’ that are packed with skin loving ingredients that promise a well rested, youthful complexion upon waking.
Make up & Self Tan
Primers
These hybrid products will usually combine skin care ingredients fused with make up ingredients such as mica and other light reflecting pigments to give you a flawless complexion base. Minimising the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and diminishing redness will counterbalance a dull, sallow skin and revive it.
My current favourites:
REN Perfect Canvas Clean Primer
ILIA True Skin Radiant Priming Serum
Highlighters
Powder, balm or liquid form, highlighters will instantly enhance a tired looking skin. Bringing light to the high points of the face (brow bone, bridge of nose, cheekbones), can instantly lift your complexion, giving a dreamy finish to your make up.
Hint 1
Try applying your balms and liquids under your make up base and go over the top of your foundation with your powder highlighter for an extra pop!
Hint 2
Mix a pea size amount of your liquid highlighter with your foundation base to create an all over dewy look and don’t use powder to set your make up as it could reduce that luminous glow!
My current favourites:
Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow
Ilia Liquid Light in Nova
Delilah Pure Light Illuminating Powder in Aura
Tanning drops
I love tanning drops. They allow your glow to be totally customisable, which is key to that bespoke tanning result. They will really help warm up your complexion. You can add a few drops to your chosen moisturiser or foundation - it’s as easy as that!
My current favourites:
Tan-luxe Illuminating Self Tan Drops
Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster
Dewy Complexion Bases
A foundation or BB cream with added illuminating ingredients will help to elevate your complexions glow! Look for key ingredients such as mica powders and crushed pearl powders for a pearlescent creamy formula to give a light reflecting finish.
How do you like to enhance your facial glow?
