insideKENT Magazine Issue 54 - September 2016 | Page 72
FASHION+BEAUTY
Back to basics beauty
Modern life can be complicated. We’re working longer hours; trying to have social lives as well
as bring up kids; probably not sleeping enough; promising that this year will be the year we
finally get fitter than ever…the list goes on. Then there’s skincare – peptides, retinol, coenzymes,
vampire facials – it’s all a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot to be said for stripping it all back and
focusing on simplicity, so we’ve rounded up a list of back-to-basics beauty products that will
leave your skin soft and blemish free. B Y P O L L Y H U M P H R I S
Homemade honey
face mask
Say goodbye to dry skin
with sugar
Honey is a natural cleanser that
helps to keep skin clear and it’s
also a natural antioxidant and
antiseptic, which makes it an
ideal cleansing agent. Combine
it with lemon – a fruit packed
with both alpha and beta
hydroxy acids, which smooth
the skin’s outer surface, speed up cell turnover and help get rid of
pesky blackheads – and you have a skin-saving dream team.
You don’t actually need a
fancy facial scrub to get rid
of dry skin and cellulite –
ironically, you can slough it
away with sugar, which works
as a great way to get rid
of unwanted skin cells and
helps to keep skin hydrated
naturally. Try combining two
thirds of organic sugar and one third coconut oil and gently rub into
your face before rinsing with warm water, it’ll leave your skin feeling
refreshed and revitalised.
To prep your skin before you apply the face mask, pour boiling hot
water in a bowl and stand above it letting the steam open your pores.
Mix one tablespoon of organic raw honey and half a squeezed lemon
into a bowl and apply all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Let
your skin soak up all this goodness for about half an hour and then
wash away with warm water, finishing with one splash of very cold
water to close your pores. If your skin feels tight, follow it up with your
usual moisturiser, or just let it breathe.
Want to prevent cellulite? Brush your body with a sugar scrub.
Combine 3tbsp of coarse ground coffee with 3tbsp of organic sugar, 1
mashed ripe avocado and 1tbsp of coconut oil. Put all the ingredients
in a bowl and mix to a scrub consistency and then, using a body brush,
brush your entire body with the scrub for no less than five minutes
using firm, rhythmic strokes and always brushing towards the heart.
Aloe vera for your skin and face
Your hands reveal all
If you have irritated, dry or damaged skin, it has
to be soothed first and essential oils are your
best friends here - packed with vitamins, amino
acids and antioxidants, they not only help
smooth fine lines but also heal any blemishes
and irritation at the same time.
Clearly ahead of her time, Marie Antoinette was said to wear gloves
to bed every night that were lined with wax, rose water and sweet
almond oil to soften her hands way before science confirmed that
hands are an indicator of age.
Today the shop shelves are
stocked high with different
moisturisers and serums to
help our skin stay supple and
smooth, but opt for a hand
cream with a high sweet almond
oil content – it’s rich in Vitamin E,
proteins, potassium, zinc, and all
sorts of skin-boosting minerals and
vitamins, all of which are helpful in
keeping telltale wrinkles and age
spots at bay.
“Aloe vera is mainly known for its healing
properties, as it kills certain bacteria and
reduces inflammation. It is also a great
antioxidant, which means it protects our
skin from free radical damage,” explains
Cassandra Burns, nutritionist at nutricentre.
com. “Tea tree oil is also great as it
destroys bacteria as nothing else does – it
penetrates the blockage between your skin
and glands, clearing clogged pores and
drying out stubborn blackheads. Lemon
essential oil can help to rejuvenate tiredlooking skin and brighten complexion.”
Try: Janjira’s Therapy Hand Cream,
£14, www.janjira.co.uk, a nongreasy formula t