Beauty Skin Clean
Spring is right around the corner and it’s the perfect time to clear out, organise and re-stock your skincare with some hard working skincare. Forget the house spring clean; Levanah Reyes-Wainwright dishes out the skin clean.
First up get rid of anything and everything that is out of date. The little pot on the back of the bottle will give you an indication of whether it should be thrown away after 6, 12 or 18 months. If you can’t even remember when you bought it then it has to go. The cleanser you are using is probably not cutting it anymore. Forget foaming washes and gels, oil based balms and cream cleanser make for a great skin day. Pick up a tube of the new Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream (£25, clarins.com) designed to eliminate all traces of pollution and detoxifies in addition to cleansing and nourishing the skin. The miracle tree Moringa seed ingredient acts as a barrier against free radical forming particles and ensures the skin’s surface is rinsed of these impurities.
Next it is time to upgrade your toner. No longer just a step to rid you of your leftover cleansing residue, today’s toners are hardworking with multiple benefits. If you have oily or blemish prone skin, opt for an antibacterial toner first, followed by a rehydrating toner. Kerstin Florian’s Rehydrating Neroli Water (£31.50, kerstinflorian.co.uk) is a unique floral water from the Bitter Orange Blossom that soothes, hydrates and freshens the skin. The delicate floral scent helps soothe anxiety and uplift the spirit, making it perfect for use during air travel.
Day and night moisturisers have been amped up too. For the day, if you have been using a combined moisturiser with SPF you aren’t doing your skin any favours. A separate light fluid moisturiser followed by a specifically designed SPF, will mean you are perfectly protected from those UVA and UVB rays. Yon-Ka’s Pamplemousse Vitalizing Cream (£37, yonkashop.co.uk) is a light, luscious formula perfect as a moisturising base under sun protection. Invigorating citrus scents give the skin a real shot of energy and with famous faces such as Jessica Alba, Blake Lively and Jada Pinkett-Smith singing its praises as an anti-fatigue and oxygenating pick-me-up for tired skin, you know you are in safe hands. Night time requires a cream packed full of skin loving ingredients to heal and rejuvenate. Fresh from LA, eco-luxe brand Dahliana has risen to international stardom as a natural skincare brand harnessing the power of fruit stem technology. The Dahliana Overnight Fruit Life Crème (£56, abeautifulworld.co.uk) is full of natural fruit acids, which refine the surface of the skin, and Co-EnzymeQ10 to stimulate natural collagen production.
Finally, swap out those dated clay based masks for Korea’s hottest new skincare trend – sheet masks. Jamela Skin Care’s 24k Gold Collagen Facial Masks (£49.50 for a box of 5, jamelaskincare.com) are the ultimate luxury face masks infused with Mineral Gold, Plant Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid and Rose Essence. The nutrients are absorbed 10 times faster than a traditional face mask, as the body temperature slowly dissolves the mask. The moisturised, plumped skin will feel smoother with a radiant glow, with a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin worthy of a spring in your step.
