January can be a time for change or the start of new things. It can be a chance for self-improvement, self-reflection but most importantly time for self-care.
One of the things that we like to do, is look at little things we can change that will result in improvements and make us feel good.
Starting with our skincare. As the weather turns colder our skin is exposed to harsh temperatures, from freezing cold winds or drying central heating. So it’s important to look at the things we can do to protect and treat our skin.
We’ll never get tired of saying that SPF is the absolute essential product everyone should be using 365 days a year. It protects our skin from UV damage that not only causes pigmentation but also premature ageing as UV rays break down collagen and elastin which keeps our skin plump and youthful. Applying SPF to our face (neck and hands too) is something we can all do each morning.
It's also very common to suffer with dry flaky skin at this time of year so making sure skin is well hydrated is key. Using a good moisturiser will help with surface hydration, whilst using a hyaluronic acid serum will target the deeper layers of skin for maximum effects. Be patient, it can take as long as 3 months to notice significant improvement, however, choosing quality products will ensure their effectiveness.
Internal hydration is just as important as external hydration. Now is the time to increase water intake, especially if you’ve had a boozy Christmas. We like to fill a large drinks bottle with fresh water and ice so we can stay hydrated throughout the day and it reminds us just how much we should be drinking. Dehydration can have unwelcome effects such as headaches, nausea, tiredness as well as dull, dry and lacklustre skin. If you don’t like the taste of water, try adding some lemon, orange or lime slices.
Another thing we recommend is switching to silk pillowcases. There really are so many benefits. Silk doesn’t absorb like cotton does, so when you put your skincare on at night, your skin will draw more of the benefits rather than your pillowcases. Silk also provides a smooth surface which can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles but it also reduces the occurrence of hair frizz. Hair can glide across silk pillowcases rather than the hair cuticle becoming ‘roughed up’ which results in bed hair. We also recommend loosely plaiting hair before bed if it’s long enough to help reduce frizz and tangling.
Any of these little changes can deliver big results, making you look and feel better without a huge or radical commitment to change. What small improvements will you make for the year ahead?