Skincare Saturday- combat congestion

My friend MM contacted me this week about her skin. She'd been away on a business trip a few weeks ago and now she's got congestion between her cheekbones and jawline. 

If I had her within my reach I would ask her to get on the couch and under my magnifying lamp for a skin analysis, but she lives miles away, so I've had to go with general 'rule of thumb' advice. Two things can cause this type of congestion, stress or make-up products. 

If congestion is on the jawline it indicates stress because in Chinese medicine that's the area of the face (if I was using Dermalogica's face mapping skin analysis) that reflects the adrenal glands which tend to be over active during times if stress. 

Make up can cause comedogenic acne, which is caused if you start using a new product or haven't washed your makeup brushes in a while. If you've used something new it could be product ingredients that are clogging the pores and if you've been using the same product for a while it could be a buildup of bacteria in your make up brushes. 

I've compiled a list of 7 things to try: 

1. Cleanse brushes- this should be done monthly with a brush cleaner or shampoo. Antibacterial soap is harsh and will dry put the brush hairs. After washing and rinsing squeeze excess water out of the brush by pulling it between your fingers and allow to air dry for 24 hours by placing the brush-end up in a cup. 

2. Gentle exfoliation daily- Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant £41.30 is a gentle rice bran based exfoliant that leaves skin smoother & brighter. 

3. Pillows- change your pillow case at least once a week. If you sleep with make up on (total skin sin!!) then you should change them more often because the dirt and grime from the day will leave a residue build up and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. 

4. Clean your phone- if you're on the phone at work or on your mobile a lot wipe over it with an antibacterial wipe. The area the phone sits tends to be along the cheek/jawline. 

5. Don't touch your face- whether it's when you're asleep, working or awake. Your hands have bacteria and oils on them and by touching your face you're transferring the oils it and could be causing congestion. 

6. Skincare routine- a good daily Skincare routine is the No. 1 step to clear skin. You brush your teeth twice daily, so why treat your face any different? Make sure you cleanse, tone, and moisturise twice daily. Once you've established that routine add in your exfoliation and mask once or twice a week. 

7. Regular facials- by having regular monthly facials it keeps your skin glowing or helps you combat any skin issues. You'll build up a relationship with your skin therapist and they will help you on your journey to healthy skin. Find your nearest Dermalogica Skin Expert at www.dermalogica.co.uk 

Sun-free tanning

The heathy way to get a tan is to get a sun-free or fake tan. Over the years I have tried several different brands, but my favourite to date is He-Shi Self Tan. It comes in three forms- gel, mousse or liquid. My favourite is the gel as it's easy to apply and I like the consistency, plus it works well on the face. 

Tan kit £17.50 (reg. £39.50) buy the tanning gel and receive the Exfoliating Bodywash and Moisturizing Soufflé free! 

Five easy steps for a sun-free tan: 

1. Exfoliate your whole face and body. I use Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant £41.30 for the face and He-Shi's Exfoliating Bodywash £11.00 on the body. 

2. After showering off the exfoliant I use the He-Shi tanning mitt £4.50 (you can wash this and use it again & again) and the He-Shi Face & Body Tanning Gel £17.50. You don't need much gel per body part as a little goes a long way especially once some of the gel gets absorbed into the mitt. I always start with my face using the size of about a 5p and work it into the hairline, over the eyes, behind the ears and down the neck- white patches aren't a good look! For the other body parts work about the size of a 20p to start and add more if necessary. I work methodically down the body- arms, torso, back, bum and legs. 

3. Once the tan is applied go over the areas that develop quicker with a moisturiser. Around the eye area I use Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Firm £38.00 and on feet, knees, elbows, and hands I use He-Shi Soufflé Moisturiser £11.00 

4. Allow the tan to develop for 6-8 hours without getting wet or going in direct sunlight because fake tan doesn't have any sun protection factor (SPF) in it. Make sure you wear dark loose clothing as tight fitting clothing (ie bra) will rub and disturb the outcome of your tan. 

5. When you shower after tanning make sure you pat yourself dry not to rub any of the tan off and moisturiser to prolong the tan and keep skin soft. 

Always remember to wear an SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. My favorite is Dermalogica's Protection 50 Sport spf50. Enjoy a healthy glow all year round with out the sun damage and pigmentation by using a sun-free tanning regime.