When caring for your skin there are three things you have to think about.  First of all cleansing, this is probably the most important, then mositurizing and finally protection.  Cleansing is the most important as without that nothing else will have much effect.  If you try to feed and moisturise skin that is covered in a layer of grime and grease nothing is going to get through and you will have wasted your time as well as your money.

It is important to remove all your make-up before going to bed at night, if you can do it earlier so that your skin has time to breathe so much the better.  Sleeping with make up on is a real no-no, the pores will be clogged and your skin won’t be able to refresh itself.  You could end up with all kinds of problems, the least of which would be the breakout of nasty spots and pimples. There are many different types of cleanser on the market and each has their own function.  For example, to remove make-up you need to start your cleansing routine with an oil-based cream that will help to dissolve the makeup.  Once you have done that, then you can remove the residue with your skin cleanser.  This process should leave your skin feeling clean and tingly, and soft to the touch.

Once you have cleansed your skin, you should use a good moisturizer that helps replace any moisture stripped out by cleansers, soap and water.  A good moisturizer will soak into your skin quickly and won’t clog the pores but will feed the skin and help it rejuvenate itself overnight.  You can use a light moisturizer in the morning and a slightly heavier one at night if you wish, such as a good wrinkle skin cream depending on the condition of your skin.  Skin condition is far more important when you are choosing a good cream than your age.  My persona l favorite is Dream Weaver which I find is really nourishing for my skin.

Protecting our skin is something we don’t pay as much attention to as we should.  We put sun blocks on when necessary, but we forget that other weather conditions and just the pollutants in the air can have quite a dramatic effect on our skin.  Wind can be incredibly drying for your skin, as can cold.  Most good moisturizers and make ups have a sun block built in, but do make sure it is high enough for the conditions where you are.  You should always apply a moisturizer in the morning, even if you are going to be applying a full makeup.  Don’t forget your lips either, a good lipstick will protect them, especially if it has a sun block incorporated.  If you are not wearing lipstick the do use a lip balm to prevent chapping and cracking.

By following a simple three step routine – cleanse, moisturize, protect – your skin will stay healthy and look good for more years than you can imagine.

I’m not talking about alcohol on your skin here – rather about the alcohol you drink!  Most of us enjoy an occasional drink but, like most things, too much is not good for you and it can have quite an effect on your skin too

We are all familiar with the cartoon representations of heavy drinkers, a large red nose features prominently, and it’s red because of broken blood vessels.  Being realistic, it takes a while for this to occur and a lot of alcohol, but every glass you drink can cause a little bit of damage.  Too much alcohol can cause a deficiency of the B vitamins, and this can lead to the skin losing some of its vitality and suppleness which in turn causes all sorts of problems, from changes in your complexion, giving it a sallow and unhealthy tone through to the appearance of spots, discoloration and broken veins.  Alcohol causes the blood vessels in the skin to dilate which places a great deal of pressure on the delicate capillaries in the skin making them likely to break.  This results in permanent redness in areas such as the nose, and across the cheeks where those tiny little thread veins are at their most fragile.

For your skin to remain youthful and supple you need to be well hydrated, every time you take an alcoholic drink you are dehydrating your body and especially your delicate skin.  The loss of hydration caused by alcohol is not something you can counteract with moisturizers as it comes from within  The occasional glass of wine, and drinking in moderation won’t have to drastic an effect but you can expect to age quicker if you drink more than a reasonable amount, government guidelines can give you an idea of what is reasonable.

A heavy night out with a few too many drinks can do more than damage your skin, and you are often a sorry sight the next day, with your face looking puffy and blotchy, never mind the headache and upset stomach!  If you are going out and you know you will be drinking more than is perhaps advisable at one sitting, try and take an equal amount of water for every drink you have and you will avoid the worst of the damage.