This year we are supporting Brighton Festival, and in 2021 the theme is care.
The theme of the festival is care, and by that, I really mean looking after ourselves and thinking about others. Those two things are so important. Someone said to me the important thing is to ‘take it easy but take it all, and I think this whole thing has reminded me how important it is to care for yourself as well as other people. When the pandemic happened, I was faced most of all with my own thoughts, my own moods, my own attitudes to the rest of the world and friends and to who I am.
– Lemn Sissay (Guest Director)
With this quote in mind, we welcome you to a series on care:
Do you just prefer to fall asleep each night and not worry too much about what is on your skin, or do you have a skincare routine? You may not think too much about your skincare routine or even have one at all, but the truth is you should. Your skin is one of the largest organs your body has, and it works hard every day to protect our bodies from harm. Taking care of your skin and developing a skincare routine is important because it can help this organ do its job better and for longer.
THESE ARE OUR ‘TOP TIPS’ FOR SKINCARE
1. Find out your skin type.
Knowing your skin type is very important and knowing what kind of products you need to get the best out of your face. Dr Haushka is a brand we have been stocking for some time now and has an excellent guide to what skincare you should be used for every skin type Skin Care Rituals Guide
2. Moisturise.
The best times to moisturise are right after you get out of the shower and right before you go to bed. Avoid lotions with heavy fragrances, We never knowingly sell any products containing phthalates, these are chemicals that can leach into the skin and cause an array of problems, these chemicals are often used as synthetic fragrances and are from the same family as the widely known BPA. Most of all make sure you find a moisturiser gentle enough for everyday use with zero irritation.
3. Wash wash wash
We have all been washing our hands more regularly recently. But, not washing your hands regularly doesn’t just spread bacteria and viruses, it can be the cause of breakouts, leading to scarring, an increase in wrinkles.
Use a good hand wash, and choose soap bars over liquid soap as this is less harmful to the environment because liquid soaps use over 80% more water to produce. If you are out and about, use a good hand sanitiser like Dr Bronners, Greenfrog and Balmonds.
Washing your face is also important, we recommend using an organic cotton face cloth or muslin cloth, it is good to use a hot cloth to open your pores before starting your skincare was routine and ending with a cold cloth to close the pores.
4. Hydrate inside and out.
Every skin expert will emphasise the importance of hydration. A lack of water means less radiance and more sag. we suggest choosing products that have hydrating formulas, like Evolve Beauty, Green People and Dr. Haushka.
And, of course, drink at least 2 litres of water a day and if you are feeling dehy’ drink 3. We always suggest carrying a large water bottle as a reminder to drink enough, like One Green Bottle as found in our shop.
5. Getting your food fats.
Your skin has a natural barrier to retain moisture, the key to that is an omega fatty acid. We advise flax seeds on your salad or even walnuts will be an instant boost to your omega-3, thus increasing your skin’s ability to hold onto moisture. If you worry that you are still not getting enough we sell a large range of omega supplements for omega 3, 5, 6, 7 & 9, Yes you do need them all.
6. Catch your Zzzs.
It’s not just about getting eight hours a night. Skin will also benefit from regularly using clean pillowcases as these can collect germs, and oils from your face. Your body boosts blood flow to the skin while you snooze, which means you wake to a healthy glow. Skimp on sleep and your complexion could look like it needs a little more rest.
7. Sun protection doesn’t stop at sunscreen.
We’re talking SPF makeup, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats. Preventing sun damage is a million times better for your skin than treating it after it has been damaged. Many people feel they only need to protect themselves on sunny days or when visiting the beach. But the truth is that we need to protect our skin even when we’re walking about town, cycling to work, or running errands. It’s the daily UV exposure that contributes to the visible signs of ageing. What kind of sunscreen is best? Check out our sunscreen guide. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater — and remember that it needs to be reapplied every 2 hours.
FEEDING YOU TROUGH THE DECADES
