6 Ways to have the best skin you’ve ever had

By Lucia Ferrari

It’s February, it’s cold, it’s been a long January and your skin may not be looking its glowing best.  The main cause of distress to your skin may well be due to an impaired skin barrier which can get easily disrupted at this time of year from the sudden changes of temperatures from being cosy indoors one minute to extremely cold outdoors the next. If the skin barrier is compromised, the outer layer of skin can start to look dull, rough and dry. The skin can also be more easily irritated and sensitive so it may look redder and feel dryer.

The main function of the skin barrier is to act as border control by keeping the good stuff like moisture in and blocking the bad stuff out. ‘The job of the skin barrier refers to the skin’s ability to protect us from dehydration, infections, pollution, allergens and irritants,’ says Consultant Dermatologist Dr Ophelia Veraitch., ‘so maintaining the skin barrier is a cornerstone for healthy skin.’

In a nutshell, having a healthy skin barrier is the first step to beautiful, glowing skin. No matter what skincare or treatments you invest in, if the skin barrier isn’t in good condition, you’re not going to see any benefits.  Here’s our dermatologist approved checklist to help keep your skin barrier healthy and encourage glowing skin by the end of the month.

1.Keep your cleansing routine simple. Cleansers don’t have to be expensive; some of the best ones are available on the shelf in Boots. Dr Ophelia Veraitch likes Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser or Cetraben Moisture Protect Facial Cleanser.  If you think your skin barrier is impaired, look for a moisturiser that is rich in ceramides. These are waxy lipids which are crucial for a properly functioning skin barrier. They will keep the skin well moisturised too if your skin is looking or feeling dry. Ceramide moisturisers may also be helpful if you have acne, as lots of acne treatments can leave the skin dry and reddened. Eucerin UreaRepair Replenishing Face Cream is very good for adding moisture. And don’t forget that wearing an SPF every day is the single most important thing you can do to protect your skin not only from skin cancer, but also from dullness, wrinkles and pigmentation.

2.See a Dermatologist. If you have any concerns such as acne, eczema, excessive pigmentation or rosacea, booking an appointment with a consultant dermatologist should be your first port of call. They will accurately diagnose your condition and advise either medication and or/ topical creams. A dermatologist will also advise on which off the shelf products will work for you too. Self-diagnosis can often cost so much more long term as you can so easily spend a fortune on the wrong products which may be making your condition worse not better. My visits to the dermatologist for example have been transformative when treating my stubborn melasma which I had for over 20 years. A dermatologist will also advise on which aesthetic treatments may be effective for you. Even better if you choose to see a dermatologist such as Dr Ophelia Veraitch who has a particular interest in aesthetic treatments and can carry them out herself including everything from toxin injections to skin tightening Thermage FLX Radiofrequency or skin smoothing lasers.

3.Limit sugar and alcohol and of course don’t smoke. All these cause inflammation in the body which will have a dulling effect in the skin. Sugar and alcohol can cause puffiness too in the face. I notice even a 2-minute daily massage while cleansing particularly along on the jawline and then dragging the knuckles down the sides of the neck in a draining motion seems to have a mild lymphatic drainage effect on my face when it is puffy in the morning.

4.Drink more water. Most of us don’t drink enough water every day. If your skin is dehydrated the outermost layer won’t contain enough water and the skin wont spring back if you push on it. If you rehydrate by drinking more water, your skin will be more likely to bounce back. One American study from several years ago showed that you need at least 2.25 litres of water per day to make a difference (and it didn’t matter if it was bottled mineral or tap water).

5.Beauty Sleep isn’t a myth. Sleep is important because it allows the skin to repair itself. During sleep the skin’s natural repair mechanisms are most active – skin cells work to repair DNA damage caused from UV and pollution and the demis restores its levels of hyaluronic acid. Lack of sleep can cause blood vessels under the eye to dilate which can lead to dark circles. If you find it hard to settle off to sleep, a deep, warm bath before bedtime may help. Some recent studies in Germany showed that a deep bath where your neck is immersed under the water can have a soothing effect on anxiety and so may help you drop off once you’re in bed. If you get woken by the light creeping in the morning, you may want to try Drowsy Sleep Co’s new silk sleep masks which are larger than most and are really effective at blocking out light and they are extremely comfortable.

6.Use a Night Serum. Because your skin is in repair mode at night, it is a good idea to use a targeted night serum with ingredients suited to whatever your concerns be it getting rid of acne, rosacea, pigmentation or general anti-ageing. Dr Ophelia’s range of bespoke serums are tailored to your individual needs and contain much higher concentrations of certain ingredients to ensure you will get a result as quick as possible.