For office air
If you’re trapped in an office all day, you’re probably dealing with a controlled environment that’s heated in winter and cooled in the summer. That sweet, sweet air-con may be a delight in a heatwave, but artificial heat and cooled air can play havoc with your skin. Make sure you’re hydrating, first with a light serum (something with hyaluronic acid is a good choice), then a long-lasting moisturiser. And don’t forget skin oils. Often overlooked, they’re brilliant for rebalancing skin that has been stripped of its natural oils and for protecting against drier air.
For the great outdoors
Getting outside is great. Fresh air! Blue skies! And So. Much. UV. Damage. I’m sure you’re sick of hearing it, but there’s no way around it – if you’re outside, you need to be wearing an SPF with UVA and UVB protection. UVB rays are the ones that make your skin burn and UVA causes ageing and they both have to be protected against. Your face, neck, arms and hands need a high protection factor at all times and ideally you’re looking for at least SPF 30 for the rest of your body. You’ll thank me for it 10 years. Even if you’re covered up, clothing only offers a very low SPF rating so slap on that sunscreen before you get dressed. If you’ve already got pigmentation problems, vitamin C is your friend. It helps brighten dark spots, even your skin tone and protect against future problems.
For cities
For all its culture, character and community, fast-paced city life can leave your skin dull, dry and generally troubled. Pollution levels are much higher in cities than in rural areas, meaning your skin is constantly under attack from free radicals, which can cause all kinds of terrible trouble. Make sure you’re cleansing gently but thoroughly, exfoliating on the regular and using products targeted at pollution – anything loaded with antioxidants is a winner. And please make sure you’re still getting enough SPF protection. Just because you’re not at the beach doesn’t mean you’re immune to UV damage. In fact, tall buildings can intensify the sun’s rays.
For stress
You already know stress is bad for you, but did you know it’s bad for your skin too? If at all possible, carve out a little time for your skincare regime – a quick facial massage with a cleansing balm (even if only for a few seconds) and a soothing swipe of toner before your moisturiser turns a chore into some much-needed me time. It’s called self-care, darling, and does wonders for your stress levels and skin. And if time is too tight even for this, just spritz. There’s always time for a hydrating spritz.
For unexplained irritation
One of the biggest problems we skincare addicts face these days is too much choice. If your skin is flaring up, pare your regimen back to the basics – cleanse, tone and moisturise – and let it settle for a few days. Dry or sensitive skin can often be a result of overdoing it with aggressive active ingredients. Take anything with harsh additives out of your routine for a few days then reintroduce, one at a time, when your skin is ready.
For cycling
Good for you, you’re getting a sweat session in while avoiding nightmarish traffic jams and public transport. But you’re also dealing with a face full of pollutants every time you hop on the saddle. Make sure you’re double cleansing every day to clean off a city’s worth of grime, as well as following my standard SPF sermon and investing in that antioxidant-loaded cream to fight off the effects of pollution. If possible, try and work in a simple facial cleanse and moisturise when you arrive at work too, and consider a heavier moisturiser for the drying winter months.
For yoga, pilates and barre
In today’s mindfulness-obsessed world, getting your “om” in is very important. Activities such as yoga, pilates or barre-based workouts might be amazing for improving your flexibility and general health, but they can also leave you “glowing”. Unfortunately, glow is just another word for “sweaty mess”, and sweat leads to bacteria, and bacteria leads to breakouts. You need to get the bacteria off the surface of your skin before it gets into your pores and starts clogging things up. If you aren’t able to shower at your studio, use a face wipe as an all-over quick fix then cleanse properly when you get home.
For swimming
There are few activities as zen-like as floating in a pool, however, there are also few activities that do as much to dry your skin. Always take a post-pool shower and follow up with a hydrating lotion on your body and a serum and lotion for your face. Your skin will be parched from all the chlorine, so look for a long-lasting formulation that sinks in quickly to counteract any immediate dryness but keeps you hydrated throughout the day. Serums alone tend to be fairly light so a hydrating moisturiser will lock in the ingredients all the time you’re back on dry land.
Aimed at shielding skin from airborne pollution, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly works to protect, strengthen and hydrate skin for 24 hours – formulated for maximum results without parabens, phthalates or fragrance. Find out more here.
