Pamper yourself!

Dec 17, 2003

It is Christmas time, and we all want to look our best for those never-ending parties. But it is difficult to look great when we are constantly eating, drinking and partying

By Natalie Hale

It is Christmas time, and we all want to look our best for those never-ending parties. But it is difficult to look great when we are constantly eating, drinking and partying. So, here are a few tips to keep you looking radiant this Christmas.

We all over indulge at Christmas, but the unhealthy foods and the large quantities of alcohol most of us consume can make us feel tired and run-down.

A good detox can flush away toxins to purify and revitalise your body naturally. And ridding your body of the poisons consumed through eating and drinking should certainly help you feel better and regain that happy, healthy feeling.

Eat fruit and vegetables and drink at least two litres of water per day, and take a break from party snacks, alcohol, meat and caffeine for a few days.

The heat can cause cracking, chapping and irritation of the skin. Luckily, you can take action to minimise such skin problems.

Whilst it may be tempting to take a lovely soak when we get in, try to resist hot baths and long, hot showers. They may sound appealing, but they strip skin of its natural moisturising lipids.

Instead, take a short, warm shower; pat your skin almost dry, then put on a good moisturiser while your skin is still damp.

One way to battle the ravages of the elements and give your body a healthy glow is to exfoliate regularly. Use a washcloth or gentle scrub to get rid of dead cells, but do not rub too hard or you will end up damaging the skin you are trying so hard to keep healthy!

For beautiful skin this Christmas, wash your face with a mild cleanser in lukewarm water, and avoid anti-bacterial soaps and very hot water as both tend to strip the moisture from your skin.

If you are prone to very dry skin, then cut out toner from your skin care routine as it will dry you out even more. If you have oily or normal skin, try Pond’s Clear Solutions Pore Clarifying Astringent.

Always apply an oil-free moisturiser while your skin is still damp to seal in moisture before it is lost. For dryer skin, use a heavier cream like Noxzema Skin Fitness Intense Replenishment Oil-Free moisturising cream, while oilier skins will benefit from a lighter lotion such as Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15.

Many of us will be puckering up under the mistletoe this Christmas. Unfortunately, the weather may play havoc with our lips and cause them to crack and peel. So as not to miss out on any Christmas kissing, apply a lip balm and rub your lips together. Using a dry toothbrush, brush your lips gently in circular motions until the flakes have dislodged, then wipe them clean and rub in more lip balm.

Keep hands soft and supple by regularly applying an effective moisturising cream, such as Dr Baumann HandCream, which offers intensive protection against harsh weather.

Nails can also take a battering, so keep them at their best by brushing them with cuticle/nail oil - and if you cannot seem to find any, then petroleum jelly will do just fine. If you find that your nails are becoming split or fragile, the problem could be traced back to an inadequate water intake, so drink more water. Drinking plenty of water also helps to give your skin a healthy looking glow.

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