Keeping Your Skin Hydrated

Summer is here and I am sure we are all enjoying the warm weather and spending more time outdoors.  But what about the effect on your skin?  Summer sun and air conditioning can take their toll on the skin, drying it out and causing damage through UVA and UVB rays.

Sun damage, together with poor diet and an unsatisfactory skin care routine, can lead to dry, flaky skin. Years of sun-damage combined with the natural aging process result in a depletion of hyaluronic acid (HA), a break down of collagen and loss of elasticity. This results in thinning of the skin and the formation of lines and wrinkles. The skin gradually develops a dry scaly appearance with crepey fine lines and a dull greyish hue. These signs of premature ageing are most commonly found on the face, neck, décolletage and hands.

 

Dehydrated skin can also be caused by illness, medication, diuretics and dieting, as well as excessive exposure to the UV rays of the sun.

In short, good skin hydration is essential in order to maintain a healthy and youthful complexion

 

A Good Moisturiser

Moisturisers contain glycerine, sorbital or lanolin. These ingredients attract water and keep it in the skin, thus keeping the skin hydrated.  Dry skin should be treated morning and night with a moisturising cream.  Night creams are heavier and contain lanolin.

A wide variety of moisturising creams are available nowadays.  Some contain collagen which is the name given to the connective fibres.  Manufacturers claim to have isolated the essential protein compound and added it to their products in order to replace it in the skin.  Vitamin creams, such as vitamin E cream, are known for their rejuvenating effect on the skin.  Placenta creams claim to speed up cellular renewal, thereby having a rejuvenating effect on the skin. 

 Self-Help Ideas

·         Drink plenty of water (at least 6-8 glasses a day).

·         Eat oily fish approximately 3 times a week for essential fatty acids or take an Omega 369 supplement.  A diet rich in good fats such as avocadoes and flaxseeds will also provide vitamins A and E which can help support dehydrated skin.

·         Moisturise well morning and night with a good quality moisturiser.

·         A cream cleanser is recommended for dry, mature skin but don’t over-cleanse the skin as this can strip essential oils from the skin. Some oil is necessary to protect the skin and help it retain moisture.

·         A supplement such as Hyaluron rehydrates the dermis, and is also excellent for relieving dry eyes and lubricating joints.

·         Fruit and vegetables have a high water content and support the find sodium/potassium ratio the body requires.  Spinach, chard, lettuce, melon, berries and oranges are particularly beneficial.

·         Yoghurt is approximately 85% water – eating this is both cooling and rehydrating.

·         Reduce or eliminate bad habits such as smoking, alcohol and caffeine.

 

This Month’s Special Offer Facial Treatment

During August I am offering a Hydrating Facial for just £23!  This includes a double cleanse, exfoliation, 15 min face/neck/décolletage massage with anti-ageing massage oil blend, nourishing jojoba face mask, tone and moisturise.

A Collagen Facial is also available for £40 which includes application of a pure collagen ampoule and a collagen face mask in addition to the cleanse, exfoliation, tone and moisturise.

 

Helen Shortland is a Holistic Therapist, Reiki Master Teacher and Meditation Teacher based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city centre. For further information about her courses, workshops and therapies, please visit her website at http://helenshortland.com. To book a treatment please ring 07748 591690.

  

Note:

All supplements mentioned in this article (ie. Omega 369 and Hyaluron) and natural skin care products are available from Little London Herbal Stores, 9 Kings Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2AE (http://www.all-ages-vitamins.co.uk ).