If like me before i got into the beauty industry, you think products alone will keep your skin in tip top shape, you are mistaken, you should think of your body as your engine, what you put into it is how well it will preform, did you know the skin is the largest organ of the body?

My top ten tips for keeping the skin healthy and looking its best.

• WATER : The recommended daily water intake is 2 litres, that is because up to 70% of every cell in your body is made up of water, our body needs water to function properly, put it this way, water to our bodies is like petrol or diesel to your car, what happens if you drive your car on empty all the time? you wreck the engine, the same goes for your body with water, for our kidneys and liver to function properly we need water also lack of water causes dehydration which can cause dry premature ageing of the skin.

• FOOD : What is your diet like? i live by the 80/20 rule, processed food and sugar affect the body and the skin’s immunity, process food are full of salt and take longer for the body to process, they can also affect the lymphatic system (bin man of the body)  as they take a long time to come out of the system which in turn can cause skin problems, breakouts, inflammation,redness & premature ageing, try to eat a balanced diet with good fats, great for skin hydration, protein as it helps to boost collagen and of course your veggies as they are full of antioxidants.

• SLEEP PATTERN : what is yours like? i am sure you have noticed how your skin looks after a late night? you should aim to get 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep to maximise the healing ability for the skin as the skin renews at night time while we are sleeping

• REDUCE CAFFEINE : Caffeine increases stress levels, especially cortisol levels, that is why some people feel coffee can make them a little shaky as the hormone cortisol is the fight or flight hormone, caffeine is a diuretic so will also cause dehydration, if you are like me anytime i drink coffee i need to pee immediately proving it is a diuretic, so will also cause  dehydration, i am not saying never drink coffee try to limit it to 1 or 2 cups per day.

• EXERCISE : Yes,  i know your thinking, what has exercise got to do with your skin, regular exercise can assist the cardiovascular system which in turn can help with lymphatic drainage, as i mentioned earlier the lymphatic system is like the bin man of the body.

• SMOKING & ALCOHOL : Smoking again dehydrates the skin, decreasing the flow of oxygen to your skin, it also causes premature ageing to the skin, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles & over all dullness, alcohol has a similar effect as smoking it dehydrates the skin(ever looked at your skin the morning after a night out)  top tip drink a pint of water before heading to bed after a night out, your kidney and liver will thank you for it, also alcohol dilates the pores of the skin leading to blocked pores and if not treated properly can go on to cause inflamed skin, again i am not saying not to drink but when you do have a night out try to drink water in between  drinks.

• DO NOT USE FACIAL WIPES : One of the first things i learnt in college, was not to use wipes on your skin, as they cause irritation & sensitivity, and also the can strip the skin of its natural oils, i know i hear you,  they are so quick and easy, it’s just as quick to use a  face cloth to clean your face.

• DO NOT FORGET TO USE SPF : SPF should be used all year around not just when your face is exposed to the sun,  as wind, rain, lights from your office or computer screens are just as harmful to your skin.

• REMEMBER THE SKIN IS THE LARGEST ORGAN OF THE BODY : So treat it well.

• SKIN CONSULTATION : You should have a skin care consultation at least twice a year, as our skin changes all the time & products you use in the summer may not be suited to your skin for the winter, if your not sure what products you need you should book in for a skin care consultation, instead of just buying random products that may not work for you, (believe me i know i have been there)