There’s no need for Botox or fillers when you can knock years off your age in just a week thanks to these skin-saving hacks
Dreaming of that flawless, dewy complexion only the youth seem to possess? You’re not alone. But you can still turn back the clock, while committing to a clean beauty regime, too. “As we age – actually, from the age of 25 – hyaluronic acid, a naturallyoccurring compound which retains moisture and prevents wrinkles, in our skin diminishes,” explains Kellie Ewins from LPG Endermologie (endermologie.com ). “Some cosmetic injectables utilise synthetic hyaluronic acid, but naturally boosting this with hyaluronic acid rich foods and products provides anti-ageing benefits. This acid can be found in foods such as starchy root vegetables (sweet potatoes, which are full of potassium and vitamins B, A and C), citrus fruits (grapefruits, oranges and tomatoes, which delay the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in the body to achieve supple, glowing skin in as fast as three weeks) and leafy greens, which contain magnesium to help with hyaluronic acid production.” In fact, looking to your diet is a great place to begin when trying to improve your complexion, so start at day one to kick-start your seven days to more youthful skin.
Day 1
“When your skin is lacking in nutrients as a result of poor diet, it looks tired, dull and lifeless,” says Raimonda Vaskiene, skincare expert at Blush + Blow (blushandblowlondon.com ). “Choose nutrient-rich whole foods over processed fodder as they help to retain your skin’s glow and are responsible for healthy cell membrane, cell production, cell accumulation and remodelling the collagen. On the other hand, all processed, fried, salty or sweet foods break down the collagen and elastin, which causes skin to sag, wrinkle and dry. Also, don’t forget to eat mindfully – enjoy your food slowly because chewing affects digestion.”
Day 2
Once you have sorted your diet, give your skin a deep cleanse. “Opt for a natural clay face mask, or sheet mask, in order to remove impurities, toxins and dead skin cells, as well as brightening your complexion,” recommends Zane Piese, founder of natural beauty brand Atlantis Skincare (atlantisskincare.com ). “Introduce a toner to your skincare regime, too. Ideal ingredients should include rose flower water, aloe vera leaf juice or cucumber extract, which are natural astringents that tone the skin and refine pores. They help balance the skin PH level, reduce dryness, inflammation or irritation.” The role of toner in skincare has changed dramatically with the advancement of natural beauty products. “Gone are the days when its sole purpose was to remove excess cleanser and balance skin tone,” adds Elijah Choo founder of Bodhi & Birch (bodhiandbirch.com ). “Modern toners are super hydrators, often containing hyaluronic acid to plump skin and prep it for serums, oils and moisturisers.”
Day 3
Establish a skincare regime and make it part of your daily routine. “Here are four simple steps which every single person should be doing if they want healthy skin,” says Raimonda. “Firstly, double cleanse – do this morning and evening to take off dirt, bacteria, oils, pollution and make-up. Secondly, use vitamin C serum, as this protects skin against free radicals and stimulates collagen growth. Thirdly, hydrate and protect – moisturiser doesn’t only nourish your skin but also hydrates deeper layers. Protection with SPF helps to avoid sun damage such as lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, sensitivity and, of course, premature ageing and skin cancer. Finally, repair – this is the final but most important step. Vitamin A cream helps to boost your skin’s cell regeneration, as well as reduce lines, tighten pores and provide radiance.”
Day 4
“Remember to put water at the heart of your skincare regime,” advises Zane. “It’s so powerful and key to a great complexion. Also, look for hydrosols in your skincare products. This is the water that remains after the extraction of essential oils by water or steam distillation. It contains the very essence of everything that was contained within the plant when it was still alive and growing, therefore they enhance the antioxidant, antiinflammatory and moisturising properties of the products.” And it’s always easy to detect a thirsty complexion, too. “When skin is dehydrated, it lacks elasticity and fine lines and under-eye circles often appear more pronounced,” says Daisy Whitbread, nutritionist for Beauty & Go (mybeautyandgo.co.uk ). “Hydrated skin, on the other hand, just glows, looking more plump and clear. Aim to drink at least two litres of good quality water every day.”
Day 5
“It’s the end of the working week, so you might be feeling a bit tired and run down,” says Dr David Jack (drdavidjack. com ). “Help yourself to relax with a meditation class or some yoga. Stress has a major impact on the skin, so reducing anxiety levels is exceptionally important.” It’s key to prioritise me-time on a Friday to promote relaxation. “Experiencing persistent stress and anxiety leads to the production of cortisol, the inflammatory hormone that breaks down the collagen,” adds Raimonda. “Cortisol also causes redness, irritation and breakouts, so finding how to reduce it will give you more youthful, glowy skin.”
Day 6
It’s the weekend so make the most of your time off and treat yourself to a facial! “Visit a skincare specialist for a consultation and facial to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin,” says Elena Lavangi, founder of Neville Hair, Beauty and Facial Bar (nevillehairandbeauty.net ). “Request a lymphatic massage to help drain the toxins from your body.” Make sure to extend the results of your treatment afterwards, too. “After your facial, it’s important to prolong the effects with continued use of active products, such as vitamin C and retinol,” advises Dr David. “In the days following a facial, it’s super important to provide your skin with plenty of nutrients for renewal and repair.”
Day 7
Finally, get some sleep. “When you don’t get enough sleep, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which causes insulin levels to spike and again causes that increase in the breakdown of collagen and hyaluronic acid,” explains Daisy. “Lost sleep can also lead to a lacklustre complexion, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes. There really is such thing as beauty sleep.”
