Winter skin care tips: 7 ways to pamper your skin this season

Feeling saggy skinned and tired within? Here are seven surprising tricks to keep your skin at the pink of its health

You may have heard how shunning the sun does wonders for your skin or how stress releases hormones that worsen acne, eczema and other skin conditions. But a round up of the latest research around the world tells you new ways to keep your skin radiant. Here are seven easy to-follow ways of retaining the shine on your face:

Revive your face

When your face feels dull and exhausted, rejuvenate it and brighten your face with this simple skin patting technique using the soft pads of your fingertips. As your eyes are likely to develop eye-bags due to fluid retention, start at the top of the cheek bones. Pat with your fingers quickly towards the nose, then back to the cheek bones in an upward motion, coming around to the temples and upward across the brows.

After that, apply some moisturiser using upward strokes, moving up the neck to the jawline. Purse your lips as you tap at the outer corners of the mouth and then on the cheeks. Soon, you will notice your skin turning into pink, which is essentially a rush of oxygen that’s brightening and tightening your face.

Sleep straight

Your best bet for smoother, wrinkle-free skin is to sleep face up, on your back. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sleeping in the same position can lead to wrinkles that don’t disappear once you’re up. Also, sleeping on your side increases wrinkles on the cheeks and chin, while sleeping face down gives you a furrowed brow.

Rub-a-dub-dub

Not only does it feel great, a facial massage can help stimulate your skin’s fibroblasts (connective cells) to release collagen and restore some of the elasticity that gets lost with age. But don’t pay someone to do it. Just five minutes a night, massaging in your favourite moisturiser, using tender, sweeping movements, will have just the same effect.

White bread dread

To avoid spots on your skin, keep away from white bread. Although doctors say diet has no bearing on acne, a recent Australian study showed that a L o w – G l y c e m i c Index Diet helped decrease spots. This means swapping white refined carbs such as bread, cereal and pasta for wholemeal varieties.

Sunscreen secret

Studies show that right-handed people put more sunscreen on the left side of their body than their right and vice-versa. This means important areas miss out on adequate sun protection. Try swapping hands during application to ensure more even coverage.

Red wine’s fine

Grapes contain resveratrol, which is one of the most powerful anti-ageing antioxidants yet discovered. Studies suggest it can help maintain a youthful complexion by fighting damaging free radicals. A small glass of red wine every other day will boost your intake. Don’t overdo it though, for obvious reasons.

Omega 3 Supplements and Fatty Acids

At the end of it all, fat is what maintains healthy skin. In particular, getting more of the essential omega-3 fats found in salmon and other oily fish can help keep skin supple and ease conditions like eczema. US dermatologists even credit omega-3s with reducing skin inflammation that is responsible for sagging and wrinkles. One to two portions a week will boost your intake.