Top 5 Skincare Tips for Under 25s

Morning guys! Today I wanted to talk about one of my absolute favourite topics... Skincare! I think I started properly getting into taking care of my skin when I was about 19 and it's only grown from there. I really wanted to do this post because I think so many young people do not take care of their skin and in doing so are setting themselves up for the effects of ageing. Now, ageing itself is inevitable however there are things you can do to slow down the process. Remember, preventing is easier than trying to reverse the effects.

So for today's post, I wanted to share my top 5 tips for under 25's because frankly right now you don't need to be bathing in retinol every night but there are some things you should be doing!

1. Wear SPF!

I cannot stress this enough. By favourite fact is that 80-90% of skin ageing comes from the sun! That's just insane. And I'm sure you're thinking: well it's ok, I don't live somewhere sunny, so as long as I wear sun screen on holiday, I'm ok right? Wrong. Unfortunately it's the UVA rays that cause ageing and these are about the same all year round, whether you're in LA or Loughborough.

So my recommendation would be investing in a good facial SPF with at least factor 30. Personally I love the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. It's super lightweight, doesn't feel greasy and doesn't have that horrible white, washed out look some cheaper suncreams do. Unfortunately, most good facial SPF creams are not cheap, however neither is botox, so choose wisely!

2. Drink More Water

Ok, so this one goes without saying. We all know we should be drinking more water and I am guilty of not drinking enough too. But this is your daily reminder!! Personally I love my Chilly's bottle for taking to work or the gym or even just out and about. It keeps your water nice and cold which is perfect.

3. Moisturise Twice Daily

I really hope it goes without saying but you should be washing your face twice a day and following it up with a good moisturiser. Especially if you wear makeup. Throughout the day, makeup sinks into your pores and if you're not cleaning it off adequately you run the risk of getting blocked pores... you know those little bumps you get on your forehead? Chances are that's because you're not washing your face properly. So I would recommend throwing out the makeup wipes (not only are they terrible for the environment but they DO NOT remove makeup) investing in some Micellar Water (does not have to be pricey) and a good facial cleanser. I promise you your skin will thank you for it. After you've washed your face, it's super important you rehydrate with a good moisturiser.

4. Stop Smoking and Cut Down Drinking

Guys.... I know this isn't something we want to hear but alcohol is awful for your skin. It dehydrates leaving you (and your skin) thirsty and lacklustre. Let's be honest we all know that person who goes out a bit too much and they just look knackered and tired all the time. Now I'm not saying stop drinking completely, but I am going to say be mindful of what it does to your body (not just your skin) and make sure for every drink you have, you have a glass of water alongside it. And whilst we're on the subject: please stop smoking! There really is no excuse.

5. Use a Good Acid

Now this is probably an optional step, but if you're really serious about the longevity of your youthful skin, I would suggest finding a good acid based serum. I'm going to talk a little bit about the two I use, why I use them and what they're good for!

Vichy Mineral 89 - Hyaluronic Acid: Ok this is is an AMAZING product... I seriously cannot recommend it enough. It's a plumping serum that actually works... my skin feels so hydrated and plump and amazing. I use this twice daily but it's probably only recommended to use once a day! You wear this under moisturiser and it is really fantastic.

Alpha H Liquid Gold - Glycolic Acid: Now, this is an overnight treatment I do about twice a week. You apply the product onto a cotton pad and then sweep it all over the face. Just a warning, it may make your face tingle but it shouldn't be painful. If it is remove with water. This is a fantastic treatment that essentially removes that top layer of your skin... sounds dramatic but I promise it isn't. When I've used this, I wake up in the morning with soft, fresh skin and a gorgeous dewy complexion. But be warned, if you use a product like this you MUST use suncream as well because it leaves your skin even more vulnerable than usual.

So that's it guys! Let me know your favourite skincare products in the comments below and I will see you for a new post on Wednesday!

Lily x

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