At this time of year our skincare routine often goes out the window, and we let all the bad habits slip back in. No wonder our skin goes into shock! I usually notice my skin misbehaves from too much junk food, too much sun, the outdoors, late nights and of course alcohol.

Sun and Sunscreen
Sun is the number one contributing factor to skin ageing. You need to invest in a sunscreen all year round and remember to apply it more regularly in the summer. Apply to face and body, you’ll thank yourself when you’re 50 and still looking 25.

Alcohol
Notice how some people have a red face after a drink or two? Alcohol dilates the blood vessels in your skin, (these are your capillaries, seen around the cheeks). Spicy foods, hot beverages, long hot showers, weather, alcohol, and strong products around this sensitive area can trigger a flushed response. Alcohol also contributes to skin dehydration and dryness.
Tip: Follow every standard alcohol beverage with at least one glasses of water.

Nutrition
Fry ups, sugar packed cakes, soft drinks, canapés, forgetting to eat healthily, etc. What you eat reflects overall on your skin. To have good skin, you need a healthy diet. Start your day with fibre, it will keep you regular which means you are getting rid of daily toxins and helping your skin glow. Also increase your water intake, the hotter the weather, the more humid the day, the more liquids we need.

Makeup
Remove all makeup before bedtime and ensure you get an eight hour sleep session. Eye shadows, mascara and liquid liners can crawl into your eyes while you’re asleep. Liquid foundations and cream blushes are all working overnight to block your pores and will eventually cause break-outs and premature skin ageing. Remember, this is your beauty sleep, when your skin is at its peak to rest, breathe and repair.

Late Nights
Lack of sleep can increase your cortisol levels, a type of hormone in all of us. It responds to stress, physical or emotional states. More of this stress hormone can make you crave sugar, processed & refined carbs. It may also cause acne, skin sensitivity, body fatigue and an increase in abdominal fat etc. So take advantage of your holidays, just relax, sleep well, and be stress free.