How to care for your skin between treatments

We all want to have a radiant complexion and youthful skin, and there are plenty of treatments on offer that can help you achieve this. However, they aren’t the whole story. It’s vital that you also take care of your skin on a daily basis in order to get the best results and ensure that they last as long as possible. Luckily there are lots of simple steps that you can take to keep your skin clear and glowing. Here are some of our top tips.

Drink plenty of water

Water is good for our bodies in so many ways. Staying hydrated is key for cognitive functions such as memory and academic performance, improves our mood, staves off fatigue, and can even assist with weight loss. It’s also fantastic for your skin, helping to flush out toxins, keep your skin plump and elastic, and maintain a clear complexion. Try to drink around 8 glasses of water a day – more if you do intense exercise, or it’s very hot – and avoid sugary drinks and alcohol.

Wear sun cream

Lots of people worry about which products they should be using to complement their anti ageing treatments, but surprisingly one of the most important ones you should be using is sun cream. This isn’t just for when you’re on holiday either – even here in the UK, the sun can be strong enough to damage your skin and cause signs of ageing such as wrinkles and age spots.

Eat healthily

What we eat has a big impact on our skin, so you should ensure that you’re consuming a healthy diet. Some of the key vitamins and minerals to include are:

•   Vitamin E – found in avocados, almonds, and fish such as salmon

•   Vitamin C – found in oranges, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables

•   Omega-3 – found in walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel

•   Beta carotene – found in sweet potatoes and carrots

•   Zinc – found in broccoli, walnuts, and sunflower seeds

Conversely, you should avoid eating too much dairy, processed meat, and foods that are high in sugar or salt.

Don’t smoke

Smoking is not only extremely damaging to your health, but it’s also terrible for your skin. Research shows that smoking cigarettes ages your skin, causes premature wrinkles, and can increase the risk of developing skin conditions such as psoriasis. It also tends to worsen any existing skin conditions you have. The good news is that once you quit, in many cases your body can begin to heal itself and recover.

Get enough sleep

You’re probably all too aware of how a sleepless night can leave you with dark circles beneath your eyes and a dull complexion. Try to get at least 8 hours of quality sleep every night to wake up looking and feeling fresh – a sleep mask, blackout curtains, breathing exercises, meditation, and a regular sleep schedule can help if you struggle with this. Another great tip is to switch to using silk pillowcases rather than cotton ones because the smoothness of the material reduces the chance of you developing wrinkles as you sleep on them.