Winter weather is well on its way and we all know that its prime victim is our skin. Elemis expert Noella Gabriel gives some top tips for keeping your skin silky soft and protected throughout the cold months.
"Winter brings with it harsh weather, shorter days, less sunshine, and a dramatic change in diet from seasonal salads and fruits to soups and warmer food, which all has a direct impact on the skin.
The skin responds in a different way for each individual; some skins become oily, others very dehydrated and others very sensitive."
Winter skin needs:
1. Protection
2. Nourishment and extra nutrients
3. Pampering and nurturing
Exfoliate
Never miss an opportunity to promote daily body brushing, which brings immediate benefits to the skin, i.e. smoother appearance, good skin tone, plus it stimulates circulation and lymphatic so it speeds up the elimination of toxins as well.
There is nothing better than to slough off the winter build up of dry skin with a salt exfoliator, which leaves the skin super soft and moisturised. Hands and feet are areas that need particular attention and salt scrubs are a great medium as skin usually is tougher and harder to remove.
Moisturise
Apply a fine layer of the Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt, which rapidly quenches the body’s thirst and leaves the sought-after body sheen and cared-for look. If your skin is particularly dry it is recommended to follow this with a light layer of body balm which ensures long term hydration.
Nurture
Nurturing is something I feel is more important in the winter than the summer months. It is the ideal time to run a body-temperature bath and select your exotic bath oil or milk. Whilst in the bath and while the skin is warm and soft, perform your home facial ritual within the coziness of your own bathroom.
- Apply a fine layer of Papaya Enzyme Peel, leave on 5-6 minutes and remove with a warm flannel with 2 drops of Lavender on it, roll down over the face, inhale deeply and remove.
- Then apply a fine layer of a moisturising mask - ideally if you can, leave it on overnight to be absorbed. If not, remove and finally apply your Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.
Body
Hands are exposed to a lot of aggression and the good news is they respond to a little TLC. Once a week exfoliate with the Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow and apply a fine layer of the Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt, and then seal it with the Intensive Hand Repair; this will ensure your hands come through the winter looking glowing and cared for.
“The statistics show cellulite was non-existent in China before they introduced the fast food chains. Air hostesses are known for having a higher level of cellulite from constant imbalance in the body, being hydrated one minute and dehydrated the next. Taking these statistics into account, cellulite production is not about weight, it's about lifestyle management. Poor circulation, fluid retention and congested digestive systems of a poor diet, stress, drinking, smoking and lack of exercise are all by-products of a toxic lifestyle. These all progressively encourage the advance of cellulite, resulting in the skin's inefficiency over time to eliminate toxins and break down of fat. The good news is, we now have products that are proven to work."
At-home DIY Massage
You can do an awful lot at home and we gravely underestimate the home spa experience.
The body responds well to a little TLC, so the best way to approach diminishing those dimples is to take things into your own hands with these three simple steps:
1. Breakdown
Combat the appearance of dimples by using a firm cactus body brush daily on dry skin before taking a bath or shower. Using continuous movements, this will stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow.
Apply Elemis Body Sculpting Lipo-Refining Serum to help breakdown cellulite and help long term prevention.
2. Smooth out
Finding the right product for example our Cellutox Active Body Concentrate will help smooth out the appearance of the orange peel effect.
3. Build up
Keeping the flow of circulation onto the area is the key to preventing the build up of cellulite. Taking body enhancement capsules is a great way to stimulate the lymph and metabolism and help maintain good skin and body functions and remember to use our Body Sculpting Firming Cream to help firm the skin.
Power of touch…
After your warm bath, you can naturally stimulate tissue drainage and redefine the silhouette using massage techniques on problem areas such as hips, thighs, buttocks, backs of arms and inside of knees.
Here are some top self massage tips from Noella:
- "Apply Elemis Cellutox Active Body Concentrate, (100ml, £29) with both hands and fingertips simultaniously in large circular movements.
- Stimulate circulation by squeezing the skin with firm pressure between fingers and thumbs.
- Improve overall skin appearance by firmly pounding the area of concern with a closed fist, using the flat of your knuckles up and down."
Elemis Body Sculpting Programme
Combining the power of detoxifying marine extracts and pure plant actives, this clinically proven and award winning daily programme will help detoxify the body from the outside in. This will focus on problem areas and challenge cellulite by stimulating circulation, withdrawing toxins from your body and feeding the skin with the nutrients it needs.
Step 1: Body Sculpting Lipo-Refining Serum, 200ml £40
Designed with a Lipo Refining trio of marine and plant extracts to help minimise the appearance of stubborn fatty deposits and reduce the visible signs of cellulite.
Step 2: Body Sculpting Firming Cream, 200ml £40
This specialist cream targets cellulite to progressively smooth and firm the skin. Containing Bitter Orange Petal to help detoxify the skin, and inhibit fat storage, whilst the unique complex of Organic Silicium and mineral rich Spring Sea Water helps skin feel firmer.
By using both products together over 28 days, studies have proved that 96% of women tested, experienced positive slimming results and 92% found that the appearance of ‘orange peel’ skin was smoothed, with a reduction of up to 6%*, leaving a slimmer, smoother body contour.
(Independent Clinical Trials 2006)
Body Sculpting Cellulite & Colon Therapy Spa Treatment
(from £40 for 1 hour at selected spas and salons nationwide)
This professional salon and spa treatment developed by Noella Gabriel, is a non-invasive treatment that works at the deepest level to flush and cleanse the system. A detoxifying Fennel and Birch peel-off body mask is combined with specialist drainage massage techniques on the hips and thighs to help smooth the appearance of cellulite, boost blood circulation and reduce fluid retention, leaving your skin firmer and smoother to touch. In addition cleansing of the colon through abdominal massage and reflexology continues the purification of the body.
