Lisa Stone is the brains behind Love Your Skin – she has a few stories tucked up her sleeve – as well as some valuable skincare advice.

You know I turned 40 a couple of weeks back – I remember a time when people used to dread the “BIG 40” Not me – I actually looked forward to it, or maybe I’m just a bit odd!

Anyway a lot of people told me that I don’t look even close to my age (Don’t worry I’ll pay them later…) I figure some of the reason for that must be that I do try to look after my skin. Goodness knows it gets hammering from the environment and my lifestyle, which is not that of a nun I have to say! You know the deal, too many late nights, too much wine….

As I write this I am in the Coromandel on a long weekend holiday with lovely husband Steve so my skin has had a good chance to recuperate really, it’s been slathered in good moisturisers full of nutrients and no makeup for 5 days – lots of good sunscreen through the day as well!

So what is a good skincare routine? I know people that tell me that they only cleanse in the morning – it’s a good start but probably 5/10 for that. I find what works for me is using products that work for my skin and making sure that I cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night. I also use some treatments a couple of times a week, like an exfoliating masque 2-3 times a week in the morning and because my skin can tend to get a bit dehydrated a hydrating masque 2-3 evenings. It seriously doesn’t take me more than 5-8 minutes.

I thought it might be useful through the coming weeks to give you an outline of the various skin types there are and how you might recognise yours….

Lisa Stone

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“My husband says he can read me like an open book. The only problem is he doesn’t know what page I’m on.”
Sydney Dotson, reading between the lines!