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hen it comes to
maintaining our good
looks, stress is public
W enemy number one.
Emotional and
psychological tension cause an influx
in the stress hormone cortisol, which
affects everything from the immune
system, to metabolism, to bloodsugar
balance. Physical stress takes
its toll, too, with rapidly changing
temperatures and harsh central
heating leaving our skin and hair
crying out for love and attention.
Thankfully there are beauty products
out there that can tackle winter
worries head on; leaving you more time
to sit back, relax and breathe…
WEATHER-
WEARY HAIR
In addition to the usual
environmental problems of cold
weather, central heating, dust and
pollution, deep emotional stress
can affect the growth of hair and
even lead to alopecia. Dullness
and loss of elasticity can also
result from stress, leading to hair
breakage and split ends – you can
soon find that styling, maintaining
shape and creating texture
becomes a real challenge. The
best way to protect hair is
through daily shampooing and
conditioning using a nurturing
formula. Try Ojon’s Ultra
Hydrating Shampoo (£16) and
Conditioner (£18) followed by a
protective styling aid such as
Philip Kingsley Preen Cream
(£12). For an extra boost, try a
weekly application of Charles
Worthington’s Mineral Hair Spa
Treatment (£5.49) during the
winter months – it’s packed with
marine minerals and conditioning
proteins, perfect for calming
dried, frazzled hair.
Protects
your hair and
prevents split
ends
A COMPROMISED
COMPLEXION
Red, flaky or itchy skin can be a sign
you’re under pressure – look out for
signs of dermatitis around the jaw
line caused by imbalanced hormones
near the lymph glands at the back of
the neck. Spots around the neck
and throat, and even weight gain,
are also stress tell-tales caused by
an excess of cortisol in the system.
The solution, says Sarah
Chapman, superstar facialist to
Soothes
inflamed skin
NEEDY NAILS
Aside from the inevitable biting when nervous,
stress can make nails break or peel, while a poor
diet can lead to rough ridges or white horizontal
lines on the nail bed. Add to that the drying effects
of cold weather and moisture-stripping washing up
liquid and you’ve got a hand in need of some
serious attention. The remedy? Wear gloves
during chores and use regular doses of hand
cream and cuticle oil to aid rehydration.
Mavala’s Mava-Flex (£14.50) uses a serum
to strengthen flexibility and soften the nail
plate, with active sugars, calcium, vitamin B5
and lemon essential oil to strengthen nail
structure. OPI Nail Envy (£18.25) is packed with
wheat protein and calcium to strengthen, while
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Intensive Hand
Moisturising Treatment (£22) will hydrate cuticles s
and calm sensitive skin simultaneously.
WINTER BEAUTY
A-listers including Penelope Cruz, is
some carefully selected TLC. A
bespoke, de-stressing facial such as
Chapman’s own Skinesis (from £115)
is one way to do it, using lymphatic
drainage to filter out toxins and help
prevent clogged pores. To address
the problem from within and
regulate hormones, Chapman also
recommends Lambert’s Megavit
supplement (£14.63) and Flax Seed
Oil (£9.74). Take six tablets per day,
says Chapman, and you could see
skin clear up within three weeks.
If you’d rather opt for beauty
products, try super-calming formulas
like Crème de la Mer’s Concentrate
(£260) with marine and plant extracts,
which soothes and smooths dry, flaky
skin, and Ren’s Hydra-Calm Global
Protection Day Cream (£25.50) which
has calendula to calm inflammation.
Sisley’s Hydra Global (£116) is a
gorgeous aromatherapy blend of
botanicals that uses malachite (a
semi-precious stone) to detoxify the
skin and scan for free radicals.
Cortisol can often cause
breakouts around the mouth too,
so choose Neutrogena’s Hydrating
Spot Treatment (£4.49) to cool
angry or inflamed skin using green
tea and cucumber extract.
Stress can also exacerbate the
signs of ageing. TTo tackle a weary
complexion aat home, try
Givenchy’ Givenchy’s new Radically No
Surgetics Surget Youth Recovery
Program Pro (£133), a
three-week course
with little discs
for each daily
application, with
birch extract to
firm the skin and
sali salicylic acid to clear
angry complexions.
c
Seals
moisture into
your hands
and nails
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