All of these hacks are either; quick, simple or cheap. Which make them an easy non negotiable in my daily skincare routine.
Number 1: Facial Icing
I am a huge fan of face icing! Its cheap, easy, something you can do quickly at home and the benefits are amazing!
Icing your face, also known as facial icing, is a skincare technique that involves using ice or cold temperatures to improve the appearance of your skin. I fill a large bowl with water, add ice and dip my face in it each morning. Some people prefer ice rollers but I love to submerge my entire face!
Benefits:
1. Reduces inflammation and puffiness: Icing your face can help reduce inflammation and puffiness, particularly around the eyes and cheeks. The cold temperature constricts blood vessels, which can decrease swelling and redness, making your skin appear more refreshed and rejuvenated.
2. Soothes irritated skin: If you have sensitive or irritated skin, facial icing can provide relief and comfort. The cold temperature can help numb and calm the skin, reducing discomfort and itchiness. It can also alleviate symptoms of conditions like rosacea or eczema.
3. Improves circulation: The cold temperature of ice can stimulate blood flow to the skin, improving circulation and promoting a healthy, radiant complexion. Increased blood flow can also help deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, enhancing its overall health and vitality.
4. Minimises pores: Facial icing can temporarily tighten and shrink the appearance of pores, giving your skin a smoother and more refined look. The cold temperature helps to constrict the skin, reducing the size of pores and preventing them from becoming clogged with dirt and oil.
5. Enhances product absorption: Applying ice to your face before skincare products can help enhance their absorption and efficacy. The cold temperature can temporarily tighten the skin, creating a smoother surface for products to penetrate deeper into the skin layers. This can maximise the benefits of your skincare routine and improve the overall effectiveness of your products.
6. Refreshes and invigorates the skin: Icing your face can provide a refreshing and invigorating sensation, waking up your skin and leaving it feeling rejuvenated. It can also help reduce redness and dullness, giving your complexion a brighter and more radiant appearance.
Number 2: Drinking hot water with lemon & honey
Many of us associate drinking lemon and honey with having a cold, but I am obsessed with drinking lemon & honey water everyday due its amazing skin benefits.
Its quick to make, cheap and I find it a really comforting drink!
I use an entire lemon, I cut my lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half into the boiling water then slice the other half and add this to the water along with a teaspoon of natural honey
Benefits:
1. Hydrates the skin: Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining healthy skin, and drinking lemon and honey water can help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Proper hydration can improve skin elasticity, reduce dryness, and promote a youthful appearance.
2. Provides antioxidants: Lemons are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants can help prevent premature ageing, reduce inflammation, and promote overall skin health.
3. Supports collagen production: Vitamin C is also essential for collagen synthesis, which is a key protein that helps maintain skin firmness and elasticity. Drinking lemon and honey water can support collagen production, leading to smoother, more supple skin.
4. Detoxifies the body: Lemon water is known for its detoxifying properties, as it helps to flush out toxins and impurities from the body. By promoting detoxification, lemon and honey water can help purify the skin, reducing breakouts and promoting a clearer complexion.
5. Boosts immune function: Honey is a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal agent that can help fight off harmful bacteria and pathogens in the body. A strong immune system can help prevent skin infections, acne flare-ups, and other skin issues.
6. Balances pH levels: Lemons are acidic in nature but have an alkalising effect on the body once metabolised. Drinking lemon and honey water can help balance the body's pH levels, which is important for maintaining healthy skin. Balanced pH levels can help prevent acne, inflammation, and other skin problems.
7. Promotes digestion: Both lemon and honey are known for their digestive benefits, aiding in better digestion and nutrient absorption. A healthy digestive system can lead to clearer skin, as digestive issues are often linked to skin problems such as acne and inflammation.
Number 3: Get a good nights sleep.
Sleep is often over looked when it comes to skin health but it is SO important!
I have created a sleep routine and I would advise everyone to do this.
Create a routine that works for you, where you wind down before bed to ensure a good nights sleep.
I have a hot shower or bath every night before bed, I use magnesium flakes in the bath or a magnesium spray if I am having a shower.
I don’t look at my phone for at least 30 minutes before I go to bed, this has got me more into reading which I love to do now to wind down.
I avoid caffeine a few hours before bed and opt for a chamomile tea.
Benefits:
1. Skin repair and regeneration: During sleep, the body goes into repair mode, producing collagen and elastin, essential proteins that maintain skin elasticity and firmness. This repair process helps to heal and replenish the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing.
2. Cellular turnover: Sleep is essential for proper cellular turnover, a process in which old, damaged skin cells are shed and replaced with new, healthy cells. This turnover process helps to maintain a smooth and radiant complexion, promoting skin renewal and rejuvenation.
3. Reduced inflammation: Lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can trigger inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can exacerbate skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Getting enough sleep can help reduce inflammation and promote a calmer, clearer complexion.
4. Improved skin barrier function: Adequate sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier, which acts as a protective shield against environmental stressors, pollutants, and pathogens. A strong skin barrier helps to retain moisture, prevent dehydration, and protect the skin from damage.
5. Enhanced skin hydration: Sleep is a time when the body can replenish moisture levels in the skin. Lack of sleep can lead to dehydration, dryness, and dullness in the skin. Getting enough rest allows the skin to retain moisture, resulting in a more hydrated, plump, and glowing complexion.
6. Dark circles and puffiness reduction: A lack of sleep can lead to dark circles, puffiness, and under-eye bags due to poor circulation and fluid retention. Adequate sleep helps to improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage, reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.
7. Stress reduction: Sleep plays a crucial role in stress management, and high levels of stress can negatively impact the skin, leading to breakouts, irritation, and premature ageing. A good sleep routine can help lower stress levels, promoting a healthier and more balanced complexion.
Number 4: Take your supplements!
Of course this has to make it on the list!
Many of us don’t realise just how deficient we are in certain vitamins and nutrients.
Due to busy lifestyles and the overall lack of great food produce on the market, many of us aren’t getting our daily recommend amount of vitamins each day. This affects all of our health but can be most visible through our skin.
Not everyone can buy organic produce that has a better nutritional profile and many of us simply don’t have time to cook homemade fresh meals every single day.
Thats where supplements can come in and help bridge those nutritional gaps and keep you glowing from the inside out!
Benefits:
1. Provides essential nutrients: Supplements can fill in any nutrient gaps in your diet and provide your skin with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital for skin health. Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in promoting collagen production, protecting the skin from damage, and maintaining skin hydration.
2. Supports collagen production: Collagen is a protein that gives skin its structure, elasticity, and firmness. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity. Supplements like collagen peptides, vitamin C, and amino acids can help support collagen synthesis, improving skin texture and reducing signs of aging.
3. Protects against UV damage: Antioxidant supplements like vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium can help protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation and environmental pollutants. These antioxidants neutralise free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate the ageing process.
4. Reduces inflammation: Supplements with anti-inflammatory properties, such as omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric, can help reduce inflammation in the body and calm skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. By targeting inflammation, these supplements can promote clearer, healthier skin.
5. Improves skin hydration: Hyaluronic acid supplements can help boost skin hydration by attracting and retaining moisture in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin that plays a key role in maintaining skin moisture levels, plumping the skin, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
6. Supports skin healing: Supplements like vitamin A, zinc, and vitamin C can aid in wound healing and skin repair. These nutrients promote cell turnover, collagen synthesis, and tissue regeneration, helping to heal scars, blemishes, and other skin imperfections.
7. Enhances overall skin health: Taking a comprehensive skincare supplement that includes a blend of vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts can provide overall support for skin health. These supplements can target multiple skin concerns, such as ageing, dryness, acne, and sensitivity, to improve the overall appearance and vitality of the skin.
