The Five Worst Things You Can Do To Your Skin

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ageing, combination, decleor, Decleor Brightening Cleansing Foam, Decleor Iris Rejuvenating Night Balm, Decleor Relax Intense Relaxing Shower Oil, Decleor Ultra Protective Hydrating Milk SPF50 Body, dermalogica, Dermalogica After Sun Repair, Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment, dry, make-up, oily, repair, showers, skin, sleep, SPF, spots, sun, tanning

Listen; we get it. We’re all just getting by, doing the best we can, sticking to a skincare routine as closely as time/effort/budget will allow. We don’t want to lecture you about all of the things you’re doing wrong…however, there are a few things which are basically the worst things you can do for your complexion, and so if you can try to avoid these things, you’ll be doing pretty well in the grand scheme of things!

Squeezing Spots

Spots and blackheads can be unsightly and we are all guilty of squeezing them in an effort to improve their appearance, but squeezing spots actually pushes the bacteria deeper into your skin and can be the cause of further breakouts. We suggest using Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment which will not only target the spot-causing bacteria and reduce redness and inflammation, but it will also cover the spot using a light tint without having to apply heavy make-up.

Sleeping in Your Make-Up

When you sleep in your make-up, you basically hinder the skin during its most important healing phase. This leads to clogged pores and spots, as well as over production of oil. Don’t forget, it’s also good to wash your face before bed, even if you aren’t wearing make-up because the skin comes into contact with many airborne pollutants which cling to the face throughout the day and can cause damage to the skin if not cleansed away. We recommend Decleor Brightening Cleansing Foam to restore radiance for an even, glowing complexion.

Taking Too-Hot Showers

We know that, especially at the end of a hard day, it feels great to slip under a hot shower, but if you allow the water and steam to get too hot, you risk stripping away the essential layer of natural protection which the skin produces. This can lead to dry skin, oily skin, or a combination of both, which can be tricky to put right again. Try to have the shower warm, not scorching, and use some Decleor Relax Intense Relaxing Shower Oil to help you relax.

Spending Too Long in the Sun

The sun is bad. We ALL know it. However, it doesn’t stop us from wanting to spend time in the sun or wanting to have a tan. The best we can do is recommend that you cover up with Decleor Ultra Protective Hydrating Milk SPF50 Body, take regular breaks in the shade and repair your skin with Dermalogica After Sun Repair after exposure.

Not Getting Enough Sleep

As we mentioned above, sleep is the optimum time for your body to heal and repair itself and the skin is no exception. Making sure that you get enough sleep is KEY if you want to remain youthful and give your skin time to rejuvenate. Helping it along with Decleor Iris Rejuvenating Night Balm is also a good idea, especially if your skin is already on the mature side.

Get on your bike

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bag, bigger, bike, Bike Week, challenge, clean, cycle, employee, environment, equipment, faster, fit, fresh, Government’s Cycle to Work scheme, handles, HR, layered, lights, lock, office, official, organisation, padded shorts, parking, pavements, red lights, reflective, road, rucksack, rules of the road, showers, taffic, tax, vital, work, workplace

11-19th June is Bike Week, an annual event that promotes cycling and demonstrates how it can easily become a part of your everyday life.

This year the main focus is on cycling to work, so we have had a look at how to get started.

First things first, you need a bike. If you already have one, make sure it is in good working order and if you haven’t used it for a while, take it to your local bike shop for a service. If you don’t own a bike, start with something simple, functional and ensure it is the right size for you. There are some great bikes on the market and you might be able to pick up a good second hand cycle that will ease you into this lifestyle change without making a massive financial investment.

You might want to take a look at the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme; an employee benefit that provides tax savings on bikes and equipment.

Get a helmet. No they aren’t cool but protecting your head is key to safe cycling, so make it a priority. It is also a good idea to invest in bright, reflective clothing especially for the evening and winter commute, as well as decent lights for your bike.

Always carry spare inner tubes, tire levers and a pump in case you get a flat and learn how to use them too.

It is one thing driving or getting the bus to work, but cycling needs a little more planning. You ideally want to find a route where you can use roads with dedicated bike lanes or take the quieter streets with slower speed limits. Ensure there is good lighting as this will make you feel more confident and safer.

Trial the route before you use it for work as this will help you feel prepared. Once you are happy with the route, leave early the first few times you do it for real. Giving yourself an extra 15 minutes will help you relax so you can deal with any unexpected traffic or delays calmly and not get stressed or nervous. Once you get in the swing of things you will find you simply take these in your stride, or peddle!

Be aware of the road and the traffic around you. Buses, cars and lorries are bigger and faster than you so it is vital that you keep focused and in their view. It is also important that you follow the rules of the road and never cycle on the wrong side, don’t use pavements and always stop at red traffic lights.

Whilst you can wear your work clothes for cycling, many people prefer to change into them when they arrive so they feel clean and fresh. As well as the reflective clothing we have mentioned, you may want to wear padded shorts or tights and go for layered clothing, as you will work up a sweat. A rucksack means you are free of a bag on your handles and you can also keep your lock in this.

Find out what facilities your workplace offers cyclists. Ask colleagues or HR about cycle parking, showers and a place to store your gear. If there isn’t anything official in place, see what can be organised and you might be surprised by how many other people want to get involved but were to scared to ask.

Cycling with a friend can be fun so see if anyone else is up for the challenge or maybe someone in the office is looking for a buddy to join them?

Most of all, remember that cycling is meant to be fun. Yes it is a great way to get fit and you will be doing your bit for the environment, but try to relax and take it easy. You want riding to be enjoyable, so do it when you feel like it and if it is raining or you don’t feel 100%, give it a miss and try again the next day.

Stay safe and cycle happy.