By Andria Vassiliou (B.Phys) L.T.B.T.H – skin expert, qualified aesthetician and CEO of Cetuem Cosmetics.
As the cold weather settles in and central heating kicks into full gear, our skin isn’t usually looking its best at this time of the year. It is likely to be dry and the complexion dull, missing the summer glow.
How can you recapture that youthful radiance for the party season with Christmas approaching?
1. Cleansing, Toning and Nourishing
As a first step, remember it is important to carry on with your usual daily skincare routine of cleansing, toning and nourishing your skin throughout all seasons. All traces of make-up and particles from pollution need to be removed thoroughly before the skin can absorb fully the beneficial ingredients of whichever moisturiser or serum you might be using.
2. Use an Exfoliating Mask
Exfoliating masks are excellent to help the skin with the process of shedding dead skin cells at the outer layer of the epidermis. Dead skin cells, minute dust particles, natural secretion from the sebaceous or sweat glands, stale make up, all these things can block the pores and create blackheads and spots, giving the skin a muddy appearance.
A good exfoliating mask, applied once or twice a week, will help to unblock the pores by getting rid of any unwanted particles and expose a fresher looking skin. I would recommend to use one that contains polished olive stone granules as olives have antioxidant properties.
3. Choose the right skincare products
When choosing a skincare product, read carefully the label to make sure it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals such as parabens, used as preservatives in some cosmetic products, or hydroquinone that is a bleaching agent. Use products that contain natural ingredients such as botanical extracts, vitamins, in particular vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body and a powerful moisturiser.
Much has been said also about the beneficial effects of niacimadine, a type of vitamin B and a protein that makes your skin stronger, smoother and brighter. An added bonus would be the inclusion of liquid gold in the formula, proven to act as a barrier against the harmful effects of the environment and to facilitate the absorption of the actives.
4. A sparkle of glow
With a clean, well moisturised and nourished skin, you are now ready to add just that extra glow. Skincare products that include liquid gold will not only help to restore a youthful look, they can also give an instant youthful radiance to the face. Some gels and emulsions were especially formulated for this effect.
5. Treat yourself to a facial
Why don’t you treat yourself to a facial? Go on, you deserve it! A professional facialist will expertly cleanse, exfoliate, moisturise and nourish your skin and give it a quick start towards achieving a glowing, younger looking complexion for the festive season and beyond. Keep up the good work with your own daily skincare routine all year around.
6. Drink plenty of water
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water especially during the party season when our alcohol consumption tends to go up. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect and your skin won’t thank you for it. The French recommend, and they should know! to drink a glass of water after each glass of wine. It will also help you to stop getting tipsy!
You are now ready to put on your party frock and step out to dazzle your guests and all those around you!
About the expert
Andria Vassiliou (B.Phys) L.T.B.T.H has been in the beauty business for over 50 years. She is an ITEC qualified aesthetician and is also a qualified teacher in beauty, with a Batchelor’s degree in physiatrics. Andria has held a life-long passion for skincare and founded her company, Cetuem Cosmetics Ltd, with her husband John Vassiliou – a cosmetics chemist – over 30 years ago.
Driven on by her passion for skincare, she considers one of her great achievements the development of the SCR Gold skincare range. The products are made in Britain and are suitable for both men and women, all ages and skin conditions, as their prime function is to strengthen the cellular structure of the skin. All the products in the Cetuem SCR Gold skincare range contain 24 carat liquid gold.
The award-winning SCR Gold skincare products have many celebrity and VIP fans, including British TV star Amanda Holden, pop singer Peter Andre, former Miss England Dr Bhasha Mukherjee who’s also an NHS doctor. Her celeb fans also include royalty, such as Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Princess Olga Romanoff.
Find out more at www.cetuem.com
