The alternative guide to getting your best skin ever

Drink more water. Eat more vegetables. Take your make-up off. We’ve all heard the failsafe ways to add a glow to our skin, and we’ll be delving deeper into these over the next few weeks as we go further into our Holistic Skincare guide. But what about the tiny little lifestyle changes you can make? We’ve rounded up a couple of 5 minute switches to couple with a healthier lifestyle to get your best skin ever for 2020.

Wash your pillowcases more

Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but sometimes little things slip through the cracks. It’s no surprise that your skin picks up dirt, makeup, dead skin cells, saliva and hair products from sleeping on an unwashed pillow. As an absolute minimum, experts say you should flip your pillow once a week and wash it every two weeks to prevent a build-up of bacteria.

Wear sunglasses

All Year Round We may think of this as being a little pretentious, but they’re actually really important to skin health both now and in the future. They protect your eyes from UV-inflicted damage yes, but they also protect the incredibly fragile skin around your eyes and help prevent fine lines and brown spots. Plus, you’ll also squint less which means less crows feet. Maybe Victoria Beckham is on to something.

Wipe your phone daily

Phones are a breeding ground for germs, always being poked and prodded while we’re finishing eating lunch or on the bus. Pushing it directly against your face can in turn cause breakouts and bacterial issues, so carry some antibacterial wipes and give it a rubdown once a day.

Switch up your haircare

Haircare and skincare are closely linked, and should be a lot more compatible than many of us see them as. If you find yourself breaking out along your hairline, forehead or cheeks, then consider looking at the ingredients in your hair products. If they’re too thick or oily, or contain fragrances and sulphates that you’d never dream of putting directly on your face, then they could be the culprits.

Stop touching your face

Yes, you are beautiful and it’s truly amazing that you were blessed with such idyllic features, but treat them like priceless museum artefacts - seen and not touched. With every tap of the skin while you’re bored at your desk or watching TV, you’re unleashing germs and bacteria into your pores. And when you do touch it, to put make-up on or apply skincare products, be gentle and wash your hands first.

Avoid super-hot baths

Sadly this one is important if you suffer with dry skin. Hot baths strip your skin of natural oils which can lead to longer term dryness issues. If you’re a perpetual bather, stick to warm water and make sure you have a hydrating bubble bath in there.

Try a houseplant

Yes, for real. Plants in the house improve air quality, which means pollutants don’t affect your skin so much. Spider plants, fiddle leaf figs and aloe vera are all known for their purifying properties, but any plant will make a difference.