Facial

Figure Out Your Skin Type

Oily Skin: Large pores, greasy skin by lunch time, shiny forehead and chin. Frequent breakouts and plump skin.

Dry Skin: Small pores. Few breakouts. Dull skin and aging skin. Flakiness. Skin always feels dry.

Normal Skin: No real issues, occasional acne, vibrant skin.

Combination skin: Usually oily in the t-zone (nose, forehead and chin) and dry on the cheeks.

Ageing: Fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, crows feet, sun spots and sagging.

Acne: pimples, black heads, white heads, cystic acne.

Sensitive Skin: Irritation to either touch or chemicals (i.e. hands touching the face or ingredients in products)

Dry skin typically experiences a breakdown of the skin barrier functions due to inflammation, as well as a build-up of dead skin cells.

The number one solution is to keep skin well hydrated from the inside:

• particularly omega-3 and omega-6, which keep skin hydrated and clarified. A deficiency in both of these may result in dry, inflamed skin, whiteheads and blackheads.

EFAs are important building blocks for the cell walls in our bodies, and help keep skin moisturised, smooth and healthy.

They also have anti-inflammatory effects and can relieve eczema symptoms.

Good, delicious sources include oily fish, raw seeds, nuts, avocados, as well as supplements like pure fish oil, flax seed oil and evening primrose oil.

Avoid dehydration by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, and minimizing your intake of caffeinated drinks and alcohol, which are dehydrating.

Avoid soap and use soap-free wash instead.

Soap-free washes do the job of removing dirt but leave the body’s natural and much-needed oils behind.

Soap-free washes also don’t contain strong alkaline solutions that are harsh on our skin.

Exfoliate weekly if possible.  Regular exfoliation will counteract the build-up of dead skin cells, and allow the skin to soak up all the wonderful moisture in the oils, lotions or creams that you apply.

Follow exfoliation with a hydrating mask or facial, such as a collagen face mask, which will infuse the skin with moisture and help to sooth any itchiness, stinging or flaking.

Use a humidifier to replace the moisture lost from the air.

If you’re in a warmer area, try placing a bowl of water in the corner of each room.

This will put humidity back into the air, and ensure that your skin doesn’t dry out.

If the skin on your hands is prone to drying out and cracking  protect your hands with gloves. 

Moisturise after each time you wash your hands, to replenish the lost moisture.

If you are prone to eczema, avoid wearing wool directly against your skin as this can irritate your skin.