Winter skin can look a little like February weather: dull, grey and a little lack lustre. We wanted to get the best advice possible, from someone who knows how to feed your skin from the inside and out.
This is why we spoke with Angela Langford, who formulated her own range of natural and organic skincare which is loved by everyone who tries it – including us! Introducing these simple additions, as recommended by Angela, to your lifestyle and making a few tweaks to your skincare routine, can really help restore your skin’s radiance and get it ready for Spring.
Keep hydrated…
Drink plenty of water, coconut water and herbal teas. I know many people struggle to drink enough water – so add a little flavour to keep things interesting – a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime; a few slices of ginger or cucumber and even a stick of lemongrass – bashed with a rolling pin to release its flavour – are all lovely additions to make water a little more interesting.
A spritz of a hydrating skin tonic can also help to refresh and hydrate your skin – used during the day it can help to refresh your skin. Look for ingredients like rose, geranium and orange blossom (neroli) which are hydrating, uplifting and smell wonderful too. A perfect addition to your skincare routine.
Touch the rainbow, taste the rainbow…
If you were one of the people who took part in Veganuary – make sure you continue to make fresh fruit and vegetables a key part of your daily diet – and eat a rainbow of colours (for the benefit of your general health not just your skin).
At this time of year I love tropical fruits including pineapple, papaya and mango and I like to use them in both sweet and savoury dishes. My Thai pineapple and mussel curry is light, bright and full of flavour. Try mixing papaya or mango with shredded carrots and serve with a dressing made from garlic, fish sauce, maple syrup, lime and chilli and sprinkle over toasted and crushed rice grains.
Roasting wedges of savoy cabbage brings out its natural sweetness and is delicious with a parsley, caper and raisin dressing; Purple sprouting broccoli and shredded sprouts stir fried with anchovies, garlic and red chillies makes a quick and tasty lunch; Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, cumin seeds and smoked paprika and roast in the oven for 20 minutes and served with toasted almonds and caramelised onions. Grate celeriac and carrots together and mix with a mustard vinaigrette, chopped roasted hazelnuts, parsley and raisins – makes a change from regular coleslaw.
Go nuts…
Almonds, walnuts, macadamia and hazelnuts are my current favourites to snack on together with pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds. They are packed with essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins that your skin will thank you for; and they’re damn tasty too. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds with soy sauce and roast in the oven for a few minutes; they make a great topping for soup and are lovely in roasted root vegetable salads.
Go balmy…
Meanwhile balms are a skin saviour at this time of year, especially if your skin is dry, flaky or dull. Nourishing and rich, they can turn the driest and dullest skin into smooth, soft, radiant and glowing skin. A natural night balm feeds your skin whilst you’re resting. Look for balms that contain lots of essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals – ingredients like rosehip, evening primrose, pumpkin, macadamia, avocado and argan oils.
Regular night-time use will see you saying goodnight to dull, dry and dreary skin and good morning to gorgeous, glowing and radiant skin.
Scrub Up…
Regular exfoliation once or twice a week can help to brighten your skin and boost your skin’s natural radiance. Avoid using harsh exfoliants like fruit seeds or nut shells – these can be too harsh and can damage your skin. Instead look for things like jojoba beads which are spherical and gently polish your skin. Combined with natural fruit acids (also known as alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs) and fruit enzymes, these gently dissolve dead, dull skin and speed up the renewal of healthy new skin.
A weekly mask treatment may sound like an indulgence but your skin will thank you for it. The whole process and ritual of self-care is great for mental well-being and is really relaxing. Look for a mask that addresses your skincare concerns – there are masks to brighten, masks to clear congested skin, masks to nourish and masks to hydrate. You could also use a mask that you mix yourself. These tend to be powders that you mix with either water or you can customise them by mixing with face oils, skin tonics or cleansers.
Introducing regular exfoliation and a weekly mask will leave your skin looking bright, clear and calm – even if the weather forecast looks bleak.
For recipes and more skincare advise ( which we swear by!) visit www.angelalangford.com
Product images courtesy of Angela Langford
Other images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
