Astral: simple ways to help keep your skin healthy.

Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. There are simple ways to help keep your skin healthy.

In the bath or shower, use warm water not hot, and don’t linger too long; it’ll dry your skin out. Gently patting your skin dry rather than rubbing helps keep moisture in and is less irritating to your skin.

Moisturise. It’s a basic but essential skincare tip. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturiser to lock moisture into the skin.

• Whenever you can, apply moisturiser within three minutes of stepping out of the bath or shower; it helps to lock moisture in.
• Always use moisturiser after washing your hands

Exfoliate your skin regularly: it helps brighten your skin by getting rid of the dulling top layer of dead skin cells. Use a gentle scrub with fine grains; big grains can tear your skin and do more harm than good.

Drink plenty of water. It hydrates your whole body, and that includes your skin.

Sleep. There is such a thing as beauty sleep. Getting 7 hours a night helps your skin stay fresher and more youthful looking.

• Kale and Spinach. These contain phytonutrients which guard against sun damage. Spinach contains lutein and beta-carotene which help improve skin elasticity.
• Blueberries contain antioxidants which protect against the effects of sun damage and stress.
• Pomegranates. Rich in vitamin C, which guards against sun damage. Pomegranate juice is a good way to enjoy it daily.
• Turkey, brazil nuts and wholegrains like brown rice are all good sources of selenium, an essential mineral which can help keep the skin healthy.

The main factors which age your skin

The sun. The number one cause of wrinkles. Always wear sunscreen (even in winter and on cloudy days) and don’t overdo exposure. Sunglasses help to avoid the crow’s feet and frown-lines caused by squinting in the sun.

Smoking. Smoking speeds up skin aging and causes lines around the mouth, as well as an aging hollow-cheeked look. Another good reason to quit or at least cut down.

Other factors to avoid: Alcohol (drink in moderation), stress, lack of sleep, cold weather, lack of exercise.

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