Establish a healthy future by incorporating these 6 anti-ageing foundational strategies into your life.

Strategy #1 Care for your skin

In order to have great skin at any age, it is important to nurture it.

When it comes to ageing gracefully a good skin care range is your  best friend .

You might be starting to notice a few lines around your eyes because the skin around the eyes is under a millimetre thick, less than half the thickness of the skin on the rest of your face. 

Eyes are also surrounded by muscles which are constantly on the move, squinting and blinking, making expression lines more prevalent, so start reaching for an eye cream morning and night.

In your 30s, your skin becomes a little less supple, due to the loss of collagen and elastic fibres and a litter drier due to a decline in oil production.

The contraceptive pill and pregnancy can also cause hyper-pigmentation around the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. 

This pregnancy ‘mask’ is the result of an increase in oestrogen and your skin not being protected when directly exposed to the sun. To avoid this ensure you use SPF50+ when you are going outside.

Strategy #2 Exercise

Even though you may have a young family, and/or a busy career, leaving you less time to exercise it is important for your overall health.

Surprisingly only 46% of woman work out regular in their 30s. So, if getting to the gym is impossible try exercising at home – aim for 30 minutes three times a week.

You don’t need an expensive gym membership to get fit if you allocate time to go for a walk or run. 

You can even turn your loungeroom into an exercise studio and try subscribing to a YouTube channel for some regular weight training sessions to help maintain bone density and muscle tone.

Besides strength training, include some flexibility exercise in your regime like Pilates or Yoga to keep your muscles flexible.

Strategy #3 Diet

Reviewing your diet regularly is also an important part of self-care. Making sure it includes plenty of fibre and anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables is a priority.

Although convenient, keep fast, high fat foods to a minimum. Replace fatty meats with oily fish, such as sardines or salmon, and try eating vegetarian proteins, such as soy patties or tofu.

Cutting down on high glycaemic index carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta, may also give you more energy and help you lose body fat.

Drinking plenty of water will help keep your joints, muscles and brain lubricated, maintain good kidney health and flush toxins from your body.

Strategy #4. Breast Cancer

Sadly  1 in 12 women are at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75.

While the role of diet in breast cancer is still the subject of debate, reducing intake of saturated fats and increasing fibre, especially cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and bok choy) all contain a group of chemicals called indoles, all thought to have a protective effect.

Reducing alcohol intake is also a good idea. A new study published by the National Breast Cancer Centre found that a daily intake of 3 drinks a day by women was associated with a 35% increase in the risk of breast cancer and 4 or more drinks with a 67% increase.

Including plant oestrogens in your diet may also have a protective effect against breast cancer although more research is needed to be absolutely sure of the benefits.

If you are looking for some added protection, try adding omega fatty acids found in oily fish, walnuts and avocados to your diet.

Strategy #5 Avoid excess sun exposure 

The sun is your skins biggest enemy as UV radiation from the sun cause premature ageing of your skin. 

You don’t have to be a beach babe to look old before your time – incidental damage occurs whenever you drive the car, walk the dog or hang out some washing… and its cumulative.

Sun injures skin cells in many ways because the UV radiation damages the DNA in individual cells so that, when they reproduce, they pass on a jumbled message resulting in problems such as hyper-pigmentation.

UV rays can also trick the body’s immune system into damaging its own collagen and elastin tissue.

And UV radiation destroys the protective lipid layer on your skin, causing dryness and increasing the number of free radicals. 

Free radicals are destructive molecules missing an electron.

They wreak havoc on healthy cells, tearing them apart as they try to pinch an electron to make up for their missing one.

Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C & E are necessary to restrict free radical action.

Your best defence against premature ageing is a good skin care routine, reducing sun exposure and using an SPF50+ sunscreen daily. 

When applying sunscreen don’t forget to apply it on your neck, décolletage and the backs of your hands.

Strategy #6 Important medical checks

Even though 30 isn’t ‘old’ you should start having regular medical checks, so you have a baseline from which to start monitoring:

It is important for your longevity that by the time you hit the big 3-0 you have crossed these medical checks off your to-do-list

· Smears

· STD

· Rubella

· Monthly breast self-check

· Annual breast and pelvic examination

· Six monthly and annual dental check

· Yearly skin checks for skin cancer

· Regular eye checks

· Regular blood pressure checks

You can get your glow on by trying out these quick-fix facial masks all promising instant results.

Problem: Dry Skin

Solution: Your skin needs more moisture

If you are plagued by dry skin, you need a mask that helps draw water into the skin and then retain it. 

Look for masks containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin or natural oils and butters to smooth skin and lock in the moisture.

Try: 

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense 72H Lipid-Replenishing Hydrator $20.00-$85.00

Problem: Dull Skin

Solution: Your skin needs a radiance boost

If a dull complexion doesn’t do it for you, try a mask that will gently remove rough, dry skin cells that prevent light reflecting off your face. 

Look for masks containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) or other exfoliants for added brightness, and essential vitamins and minerals to nourish your skin from the outside.

Try:

Kora Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum $92.00

Problem: Ageing Skin

Solution: Your skin needs a collagen boost

If your skin looks older than you are, try a mask that will help strengthen your skin cells while boosting collagen. 

Look for antioxidants, essential vitamins like A, C and E and coenzyme Q10 for immediate, long lasting results.

Try: Vida Glow Marine Collagen Hydration Mask 50ml $64.95

Problem:  Oily skin and large pores

Solution: Your skin needs to be balanced and refined

If you don’t want to look shiny in your selfies, try using a mask that will help draw out impurities and absorb excess oil without stripping the skin of much-needed moisture.

Try: 

Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar Refreshing & Refining Moisturiser $28.00-$68.00

Problem: Neglected skin

Solution: Your skin needs to have some TLC

If your skin is feeling neglected and not looking its best, work out which problem you need to address.

Try out a mask that will boost your skin’s moisture, balance oil as well as refine and tighten.

You will be ready for your close up selfie in no time.

Try: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque $55.00

Your commitment to beautiful skin starts by using 1 of these 5 Quick-fix facial masks on a weekly basis. 

Prices correct at the time of publication

Glowing skin comes from within by following a healthy life style via a diet, exercise, sleep, water and a great skin care routine.

Read on to learn more…

Step #1. Exfoliate

Glowing skin definitely starts with regular gentle exfoliation. An important step in any skin care routine but one that is most often missed. 

Adding exfoliation to your skin care regime is the key to helping your skin care products work more efficiently.

Using an exfoliating cream twice a week will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. 

If you have exceptionally dry scaly skin, try using an electronic cleansing brush with an oscillating head that gently eliminates skin-dulling debris like makeup, dirt and surface oil, the cleansing brush will improve your skin tone, texture and overall appearance in a matter of minutes. 

Step #2 Prep

While skincare products can take anything up to 2 months before you normally see results, it’s easy to boost your skin’s appearance by using serums, moisturisers and masks to boost your skin’s appearance with immediate results.

If you are in a hurry, try using a moisturiser that doubles as a self-tanner for a healthy holiday glow.

Step #3. Prime

Primers and skin perfectors can be worn alone or mixed and matched underneath your foundation.  

Using a primer underneath your foundation will help to create a smooth, even surface for your make-up to stick to. 

If pigmentation, blotchiness or a sallow complexion is your problem, then try using CC creams as they will brighten while working to provide a flawless base by counteracting many of the skin tone issues we face each day.

Step #4. Perfect

Illuminiser and cream blush are the ultimate go-to-products. With built-in pigments which capture the light bringing your complexion to life, they are bound to give you the natural glow you are after.

Dab them over your foundation and bronzer, focusing on the high points of your face for the illuminser (cheekbones, nose, Cupid’s bow of your lips) and onto the apples of your cheeks for the blush.

At the start of a new year we all make some resolutions to start taking better care of ourselves.  

These easy beauty resolutions will help you create a new self-care routine and start the new year with a fresh outlook. 

Resolution #1. Clean Your Brushes

You pretty much use them every day, but how many times a year do you wash your make-up brushes? For most of us, it’s close to none. 

The general rule is to wash your concealer and foundation sponges and brushes at least once a week. 

Your eye shadow and liner brushes once a fortnight and all other brushes (including your hairbrush) once a month. 

Gently wash the bristles with brush cleaner or a gentle facial cleanser, keeping the handle of the brushes dry then gently press out the excess water on some paper towel or a clean tissue and leave to air dry overnight. 

Resolution #2 Wear Sunscreen Everyday

If there is one beauty resolution to live by, it should be to wear sunscreen every day, including cloudy days. While UVB – the rays which burn your skin – might not be as strong during the cooler months, the ageing UVA rays are present all year round. 

With SPF50+ now available, increase your skin protection factor to the highest possible rating and save your complexion from unnecessary daily damage. 

Resolution #3. Try out some new skin care products

Your skin gets used to the same products so switch it up every time the season changes. It takes time to achieve a flawless complexion, so give your products around 6 – 8 weeks to prove their efficacy. 

Anti-ageing and targeted treatments like skin brightening serums usually take about 6 weeks of daily application to start showing results, while a total skin care regime overhaul should see improvements in around 4 – 6 weeks. Definitely try other products if you’re not getting any results after 8 weeks.

Resolution #4. Nourish your nails and cuticles

During the warmer months nails can become dehydrated just like your hair and skin. Factors like soaps, dish washing detergent, and too much fun in the sun will affect the strength of your nails, potentially causing them to become brittle and break, chip, or flake. 

You can repair the damage with a good hand cream that you should apply at least (minimum) twice a day and a cuticle oil that you apply last thing at night before you go to bed. 

Other helpful things you can do to repair some damage is to always wear gloves when doing your dishes and always use acetone-free nail polish remover. 

When purchasing your next nail shade, look for nail polishes that are Formaldehyde, DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) and Toluene FREE.

Resolution #5. Shelve your shampoo

Do you wash your hair every day? It may be time to stop. Daily washing can strip your scalp of natural oils, leaving it dehydrated. In turn your scalp will produce more oil to help balance the moisture, making it even oilier. 

Generally washing your hair every second day is fine. It might take a while for your scalp to readjust, so use a dry shampoo to soak up any unwanted sebum which will leave your hair looking clean and healthy between washes.  

Here is the low down on each type of facemask and which skin type they benefit.

In addition to your normal skincare routine, one of the best ways to pamper your skin is to use regular face masks.

But like any other skincare product, you should choose the right one for your skin type. 

Here’s the all the basi information about facemasks

Purifying masks

Purifying masks are designed to deeply cleanse the skin, draw out toxins and impurities. 

The masks are usually made from clay or mud and are great for absorbing excess oil and deep cleaning the pores. They are an ideal way to “shrink” open pores, reduce shine and clear troublesome blemishes.

These masks can be drying on most skin types so make sure you follow up with a good moisturiser. 

Recommended for Oily or Combination skin. 

Hydrating masks

Hydrating masks are designed to hydrate, soften and boost moisture levels to dry, mature and dehydrated skin. 

They are usually made from nurturing ingredients like aloe, avocado, she butter or jojoba. 

Hydrating masks are great to use the day before a special occasion because your make-up will go on smoothly, and will plump up the skin giving a more youthful appearance. 

They are a soothing treat, particularly after too much fun in the sun or when your skin feels “tight”.

Yes, you can slow down the signs of ageing by regularly using a good hydrating facial mask. 

Recommended for Mature, Dehydrated or Dry skin.

Exfoliating masks 

Exfoliating masks are designed to brighten, tighten and smooth the skin.

They help to effectively remove lifeless cells with their tiny abrasive particles to reveal satin-smooth skin. They often contain natural exfoliants such as walnut shells, agra shells, pumpkin extract, papaya extract, apricot seed powder etc.

Skin exfoliation is an important part of your beauty routine but must be done gently so as to aid and not stress the skin.

Suitable for most skin types

People with Sensitive skin should patch test first.

Peel off Masks

Peel off masks are ideal for brightening and refreshing the skin. It is easy to use, simply apply the gel, wait till it feel “tight” and then peel it off.

The light formulation refresh oily areas, clears clogged pores and nourishes drier skins, leaving a beautiful healthy glow.

Suitable for most skin types.

Your skin and its needs will change with the seasons. 

So remember to take your skins quirky behaviour into account when choosing your masks.

Always cleanse your face before applying your chosen mask. Afterwards, always rinse with warm water, then follow with your regular toner and moisturiser.

If you have combination skin, use two masks – one suitable for oily skin and one for dry skin. Just apply each mask only to the areas that need it.

1. Skip soap

Winter is a really bad time for your skin. It has a hard time coping with water balance. Low humidity levels leave skin feeling dry – particularly if sensitive or eczema prone. 

Be gentle on your skin by skipping harsh soaps, toners or exfoliants and use very gentle soap-free Cleansers, Rosewater and rich moisturisers.

2. Take cool, short showers

A hot shower might feel great on a cold winter day when you are feeling chilled to the bone, but the hot water actually strips moister from your skin.

You can alleviate dry skin by reducing the water temperature as much as you can stand and limit your showers to 10 minutes or less.

3. Find the ‘right’ skin care

If you complexion is feeling dry or tight complexion can be a sign you need to try a different formula in your skincare. In moisturisers, change from lotion to a cream. 

With cleansers change from a foaming to a non-foaming wash-off formula, or switch from a light lotion cleanser to a cream cleanser.

4. Add a Serum

By adding a serum under your moisturiser can also help. Serums are a way of getting strong active products into the skin while limiting their irritation.

There are serums to treat various skin issues so look for one that is specifically designed to boost hydration.

5. Always Moisturise

After showering gently pat dry your skin and always use a face and body moisturiser.

Applying a thick moisturising cream whilst your skin is still damp acts as a barrier essentially “locking in” moisture into your dry skin.

6. Use Label logic

For an extra boost, certain skincare ingredients are known to have a calming effect on the skin.

Ingredients like Green tea or White tea extract have anti-inflammatory qualities, while Chamomile and Niacinamide can also help calm irritation. 

While vitamins A and C, and Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA’s) are useful for healthy skin, they can be too harsh for dry or sensitive skin.

7. Pamper your skin regularly

As well as your daily skincare routine, it is extremely beneficial to treat your skin to some extra “TLC” with a professional facial (every change of season is recommended).

To choose from the different types of facials we offer click here

8. Good skin starts from the inside

Diet can help boost your skin’s overall health. Try Flaxseed oil, which is rich in Omega-3 fats, and include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet.

9. Sun protection

The single biggest cause of dry skin is sun damage. You should apply sunscreen every day because of the ageing effects of the sun are as prevalent during the winter months as in the summer. 

If you spend time outside in the winter, protect your skin from weather extremes.

10. Water! Water! Water!

Hydrate your skin from the inside out by drinking plenty of water at least eight glasses a day. 

Try to avoid Coffee and Tea as much as possible, it’s a diuretic that flushes water out of your body, leaving both you and your skin feeling dry and dehydrated.

11. Switch between formulas

If your skin is extremely dry, remove your makeup with an oily cleanser. You may need to change your skin care products according to the season. 

You might need a more oilier product in winter and a lighter formula during the summer months. Pay attention to what your skin in trying to tell you.