Happy New Year! For many of us, it’s that time of year when we resolve to take better care of our minds and bodies. It always starts well, but once we’re back to the daily grind, it’s not always easy to stay on track—sound familiar?
We think the trick to making self-care a priority is to start small. After all, it’s better to achieve a little victory than risk getting overwhelmed and doing nothing at all! And—if you choose to take care of your skin—we promise that anything you do will be well worth it and could help prevent acne breakouts too.
Our experts have pulled together tips on things you can do to help support your skin through these frosty winter months—and that could help build great skin-supporting habits for the future. One step at a time, of course.
1. Drink enough water
This should be an easy one in theory, but many of us don’t drink enough water—or sugar-free drinks in general. We’re all supposed to drink 6–8 glasses of fluid a day, and more if we’re feeling a bit under the weather or exercising more than usual (both of which are probably quite likely in January).
Dehydration is bad news for your whole body, not just your skin. Why don’t you try keeping a reusable water bottle with you all day—and even setting an hourly alarm on your phone to remind you to hydrate. Your skin will thank you for it!
2. Eat a balanced diet
What you put into your body is just as important as what you put on your face and body. Eating a balanced diet with lots of skin-friendly nutrients is a big part of that. Think fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants (like blueberries, oranges and spinach) and carotenoids (like carrots, tomatoes and pink grapefruit)—alongside foods like oily fish (full of omega-3 fatty acids), eggs and lean meat, which are high in zinc.
Why not try making a big batch of soup—or buying some fresh if you don’t have time—to get lots of lovely nutrients in one fell swoop? It’ll also help keep you lovely and cosy until the weather warms up again, which is a bonus.
3. Get plenty of rest
Sleep is important in repairing your whole body and keeping it functioning—and getting enough good-quality sleep can make the difference between having a positive, productive day and wanting to go for a nap before it’s even really started.
Sleep deprivation can play havoc with the appearance of your skin—even before we get onto what it can do to your hormones (hello acne!), you can find yourself contending with pale skin, dark circles, eye bags and general puffiness. While the amount of sleep we need can vary from person to person, the consensus is that most of us need between seven and nine hours a night. Making sure you go to bed and get up at the same time every day—even on the weekends—can help you to develop a good sleep schedule. Also, it’s a good idea to try to avoid scrolling on social media or watching TV for an hour before bed.
4. Try relaxation techniques like mindfulness
Being on the go all the time can have a negative effect on our mental and physical wellbeing. Lots of people swear by mindfulness—which is essentially just taking the time to notice the world around us, like the birds singing outside or the grass underneath our feet (for example), rather than living in our own heads all the time.
While mindfulness works for some—and has even been recommended as a treatment for less severe cases of depression—it doesn’t work for everyone. However, there are loads of other techniques out there. Why not do some digging and try a few new things? You never know, you might become very zen (in which case, you need to tell us how you’ve done it).
5. Don’t neglect your skincare routine
Keeping up a good skincare regimen is important all year round, but especially so in the winter months when it’s even easier for your skin to become dry and look a little lacklustre.
Cleansing is particularly important if you have oily or acne-prone skin, according to our dermatologist expert, Dr Sonia Khorana, as it helps to reduce excess oil and removes all those nasties your skin has collected during the day. She recommends cleansing twice a day, in the morning and evening, to avoid over-washing—which can contribute to acne breakouts.
Other ways to take care of your skin throughout the colder months include using a thicker moisturiser if you can, and continuing to use sunscreen daily even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.
6. Keep a packet of Hero Pimple Patches in the cupboard
Sometimes acne strikes, no matter how well you take care of yourself. The good news is that for all those days when a massive pimple takes you by surprise (boo!), there’s Hero Pimple Patches.
Made from medical-grade hydrocolloid, they’re perfect to give your face a treat—and they’re suitable for the most sensitive skin too. So, you can tackle your spots and pimples gently and get on with your life. Why not pick up a pack and keep them in the cupboard for those moments when your skin needs a little self-care?
Happy New Year! For many of us, it’s that time of year when we resolve to take better care of our minds and bodies. It always starts well, but once we’re back to the daily grind, it’s not always easy to stay on track—sound familiar?
We think the trick to making self-care a priority is to start small. After all, it’s better to achieve a little victory than risk getting overwhelmed and doing nothing at all! And—if you choose to take care of your skin—we promise that anything you do will be well worth it and could help prevent acne breakouts too.
Our experts have pulled together tips on things you can do to help support your skin through these frosty winter months—and that could help build great skin-supporting habits for the future. One step at a time, of course.
1. Drink enough water
This should be an easy one in theory, but many of us don’t drink enough water—or sugar-free drinks in general. We’re all supposed to drink 6–8 glasses of fluid a day, and more if we’re feeling a bit under the weather or exercising more than usual (both of which are probably quite likely in January).
Dehydration is bad news for your whole body, not just your skin. Why don’t you try keeping a reusable water bottle with you all day—and even setting an hourly alarm on your phone to remind you to hydrate. Your skin will thank you for it!
2. Eat a balanced diet
What you put into your body is just as important as what you put on your face and body. Eating a balanced diet with lots of skin-friendly nutrients is a big part of that. Think fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants (like blueberries, oranges and spinach) and carotenoids (like carrots, tomatoes and pink grapefruit)—alongside foods like oily fish (full of omega-3 fatty acids), eggs and lean meat, which are high in zinc.
Why not try making a big batch of soup—or buying some fresh if you don’t have time—to get lots of lovely nutrients in one fell swoop? It’ll also help keep you lovely and cosy until the weather warms up again, which is a bonus.
3. Get plenty of rest
Sleep is important in repairing your whole body and keeping it functioning—and getting enough good-quality sleep can make the difference between having a positive, productive day and wanting to go for a nap before it’s even really started.
Sleep deprivation can play havoc with the appearance of your skin—even before we get onto what it can do to your hormones (hello acne!), you can find yourself contending with pale skin, dark circles, eye bags and general puffiness. While the amount of sleep we need can vary from person to person, the consensus is that most of us need between seven and nine hours a night. Making sure you go to bed and get up at the same time every day—even on the weekends—can help you to develop a good sleep schedule. Also, it’s a good idea to try to avoid scrolling on social media or watching TV for an hour before bed.
4. Try relaxation techniques like mindfulness
Being on the go all the time can have a negative effect on our mental and physical wellbeing. Lots of people swear by mindfulness—which is essentially just taking the time to notice the world around us, like the birds singing outside or the grass underneath our feet (for example), rather than living in our own heads all the time.
While mindfulness works for some—and has even been recommended as a treatment for less severe cases of depression—it doesn’t work for everyone. However, there are loads of other techniques out there. Why not do some digging and try a few new things? You never know, you might become very zen (in which case, you need to tell us how you’ve done it).
5. Don’t neglect your skincare routine
Keeping up a good skincare regimen is important all year round, but especially so in the winter months when it’s even easier for your skin to become dry and look a little lacklustre.
Cleansing is particularly important if you have oily or acne-prone skin, according to our dermatologist expert, Dr Sonia Khorana, as it helps to reduce excess oil and removes all those nasties your skin has collected during the day. She recommends cleansing twice a day, in the morning and evening, to avoid over-washing—which can contribute to acne breakouts.
Other ways to take care of your skin throughout the colder months include using a thicker moisturiser if you can, and continuing to use sunscreen daily even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.
6. Keep a packet of Hero Pimple Patches in the cupboard
Sometimes acne strikes, no matter how well you take care of yourself. The good news is that for all those days when a massive pimple takes you by surprise (boo!), there’s Hero Pimple Patches.
Made from medical-grade hydrocolloid, they’re perfect to give your face a treat—and they’re suitable for the most sensitive skin too. So, you can tackle your spots and pimples gently and get on with your life. Why not pick up a pack and keep them in the cupboard for those moments when your skin needs a little self-care?