SKINCARE & BEAUTY BY JANA ELSTON

As beauty therapists, one of the first skin conditions we learn about is skin dehydration. I guess we learn about dehydrated skin first because it is so common and can lead to and be associated with other skin conditions such as premature aging, wrinkles, skin irritations and sensitivities, red skin, dull and sluggish skin, excessively oily skin and even clogging, congestion and potentially acne. So how can you tell that your skin is dehydrated?  The first thing people notice when their skin is dehydrated is how tight it feels. The skin feels uncomfortable and you will feel like you need to put a moisturizer on. On the surface, the skin appears dull, has almost a gray look to it. It can look shriveled, like fine tissue paper crinkled up. When you touch a dehydrated skin, it can feel rough and may be flaking off in places. Beauty therapists use diagnostic tools to help them confirm that the skin is dehydrated. Using the magnifying lamp, they inspect the skin, touch and feel ...

There is no way around it, you have to drink up - water that is. Your skin cells need to be juicy and plump so that your skin looks nice and dewy and plump. If the poor cells are dehydrated, they shrivel up like prunes and guess what that looks like on the surface? If you can't bear to drink 2L of water eat fruits and veggies high in water content such as watermelon, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, kiwi and capsicum. Most fruits and salads are high in water content, so make sure you enjoy a cup or two at every meal. Snack on yogurt, freshly squeezed veggie juices and drink fruit and herbal teas. All these add water to your diet and essential micro nutrients so that you are not only hydrating but nourishing your skin cells as well. Soups are also an excellent way to nourish and rehydrate. Starting your meals with a soup can also make you feel fuller so you don't tend to overeat. Keeping up your fluids does not have to be boring and strictly water only. Add some fruits, sa...

Have you been a little neglectful of your health and wellbeing? Hectic lifestyle, poor diet, lack of sleep, lack of exercise and lack of relaxation can not only take its toll on your body, but will cause the skin to look dull, stressed, blotchy, congested and prematurely aged. The effects of fatigue, stress and poor nutrition is visible on our skin within days. Here are some easy steps to get the glow back this long weekend. LEMON WATER 1. Dring hot lemon water before breakfast every morning. Juice 1/2 a lemon, add to hot water and sip. The lemon juice is effective at neutralizing acid in the body which is responsible for inflammation. It will help to detox the liver as well as your skin. NUTRITIOUS SALADS AND SOUPS 2. As well as drinking fresh water, make yourself some nutritious salads and soups this weekend. Commit to drinking 1 cup of green tea every day. The high water content and nutritional value of these meals will help you get your glow back from the inside out. ...

Healthy skin and a radiant youthfulness are not only achievable simply by cosmetic procedures, and diligent home care. Ultimately, we must turn towards mother nature because nutrient-packed superfoods can nourish our beauty from inside out, and give us that gorgeously healthy skin and radiant complexion that we so crave. Here, take a look at some of the healthiest superfoods for a radiantly glowing and healthy skin: Ginger to Support Skin Healing & Repair Carrot and ginger soup with yoghurt For centuries, ginger has remained popular for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This incredibly delicious spice is enriched with healing and medicinal benefits, along with being extremely beneficial for the skin. If you want to restore a weak, damaged skin and give it a nice soothing effect, add some ginger to your stir-fry. Avocados to Boost Collagen Production Anti-ageing avocados Avocados are the best natural skin moisturizer packed with V...