Beauty Boss: Resolving to have healthier, more radiant skin this year? Glow for it!

Keeping skin clean and hydrated has never been more important

Our complexions can suffer in winter, but if your skin is looking even worse than usual this year, don’t be alarmed.

“When you combine the effects of Zoom fatigue and mask-wearing, with its dry patches around the mouth, blemishes and lacklustre pallor, you’re not exactly presented with the vision of radiance,” says Katie Service, author of The Beauty Brief: An Insider’s Guide To Skincare, which is published January 28.

“But don’t worry, all is not lost. Quite the opposite in fact, because the new year is the perfect time to put in place some simple new habits that I’ve found have allowed my skin to really bounce back.”

Make it matte

“New technology in matte foundation formulating fuses ultra-hydrating ingredients with light-reflecting technology that allows your skin to glow with a radiance not seen before in matte finishes,” said Katie. “Instead of providing pasty, cakey bases, these new formulations manage a soft-focus finish that looks hydrated, fresh and most importantly like real skin.

“Check out Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation (£110) or Dior Forever Skin Glow (£37)”

Glow on the go

Katie advised: “Although some products make promises that their benefits will last all day, it’s often in the real world that you need your skincare the most – especially when going about our day now means taking a face covering off and on multiple times.

“It’s more important than ever to keep your skin clean and hydrated, so I recommend taking a mobile, miniature version of what’s in your bathroom with you in your make-up bag.

“A travel-sized micellar water cleanser to refresh the skin half way through the day and keep pores unclogged is essential and will go a long way to fending off ‘maskne’.”

Skincare MOT

“Make 2021 the year that you regularly, visit a dermatologist,” said Katie.

“You see your dentist for regular check-ups, so why not a dermatologist? Your skin, after all, is the largest organ on your body, so looking after it and treating it to regular MOTs with a specialist makes sense.”

Drink up

Katie continued: “Dryness is also most prevalent in the morning, since our skin naturally loses most moisture overnight. This is why your morning ‘gulp’ of skin hydration is so important for retaining dewy, glowing skin for the rest of the day.

“Invest in products that contain ultra-moisturising ingredients, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides.”