Top Tips for perfect post-lockdown skin

Isolation and quarantine understandably brings with it much uncertainty however it is also a time to try to avoid slipping into bad habits and losing our daily routine. Wouldn’t it be great to emerge from quarantine with the best skin of your life?? With this in mind, we have put together some tips to help you through this period and come out the other side looking even more gorgeous with glowing, healthy skin.

1. SPF It is a common misconception that you don’t need to wear sunscreen when you're indoors. Standard glass windows block UVB but not UVA rays, which can penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays, and are the main contributing factor to photo-ageing - which are changes seen as dark spots, wrinkles, and leathery textured skin.

And while it may mean adding another step to your skincare routine, most dermatologists recommend using a broad spectrum sunscreen rather than relying solely on cosmetic products that have added sun protection factor (SPF) - as SPF alone does not protect against UVA rays.

SO recommends ZO Sunscreen + Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. A non-greasy, quick-drying sunscreen with a sheer matte finish offering broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB rays. Natural melanin shields skin from ageing effects of high-energy visible (HEV) light. A universal tint and a silky matte finish helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. Can be used alone or worn under makeup for a more even, long-lasting application.

2. Clean your makeup brushes Be honest with us….when was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? Some people admit to only washing them once a month and some to never washing at all! Bacteria builds up on makeup brushes and can lead to Acne, Rosacea, dead skin cell build up and unwanted congestion.

Lucy Watkins, owner of Belle Beauty in Malvern says the best way to get your makeup brushes germ free is with a brush cleaner or a mild baby shampoo and something you can work the bristles into, like a Scrub Daddy (https://scrubdaddy.com/ Mrs Hinch would be proud)!

Dampen the brush, add your cleaner/baby shampoo and work it into the bristles (all the makeup will come out on to the scrub daddy. Rinse and repeat as needed. Pop blending sponges into a sock and wash on a delicate wash and voila…squeaky clean, germ free makeup tools.

3. Glug, glug, glug and then glug some more There are many reasons why drinking more water is beneficial to the body and skin. According to the University of Wisconsin Madison, your skin is the last to receive benefits after drinking water, making it the hardest organ to hydrate. This is why it is essential to make sure that you are drinking adequate amounts of water each day.

When a person drinks water, their bodies cells become nourished and hydrated. Skin, hair, nails and every other part of us blossoms leading to an overall enhancement in our appearance;

 Skin has less fine lines as it is plumper.  Skin elasticity is increased.  It increases a persons metabolic rate and digestive system to flush out toxins which can make the skin look dull and lack lustre.  It really does give the skin that ‘glow factor’ and is free! SO recommends drinking at least 2 litres of water a day unless medically contraindicated.

5. Eat your greens Eat well, drink lots of water and not only your skin but your body will feel ALL the gorgeous benefits…The skin, the largest organ in the body, can smooth out and simply glow once you begin feeding yourself with healthy foods. Your metabolism will begin to go up, ever so slightly, the longer you eat healthy.

A metabolism that is humming along smoothly will pay dividends as you continue making your lifestyle change. Leafy green vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. They're packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre but low in calories. Eating a diet rich in leafy greens can offer numerous health benefits including reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and mental decline.

Vegetables are high in fibre, meaning your digestive system will run more smoothly and regularly. They do emphasize the importance of increasing your water intake alongside your veggie intake; failure to do so will make your body constipated, and no-one wants post-lockdown bloat!

5. No wipes please, we have lots of time We have all been lured by the convenience of a makeup wipe now and again I’m sure. However, now is the time to invest the time into getting your skin cleansed the way it deserves.

The ideal routine would be cleansing your face twice a day with a good quality cleanser religiously for a minute at a time. Followed by exfoliating twice/three times a week. This will rid your skin of dead skin cells to create a clear, smooth and evenly toned complexion.

SO best selling product is ZO Exfoliating Polish which contains superfine magnesium crystals to improve skin cell turnover plus vitamins A, C and E to deliver potent antioxidant protection. Named one of the 6 Best Face Scrubs to Exfoliate Your Way to Smooth Skin - Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab