The recycled air found in most offices and work places is no friend to your skin. A daily work life spent indoors can often leave your skin dull, dry and irritated. Makeup can turn blotchy and often require frequent retouching.
The good news it that there are easy ways to combat the ravages of dry office air. If you are eager to recapture a glowing, healthy look, follow these tips from skin care expert Carolyn Ash, author of Timeless Skin: Healthy Skin for a Lifetime.
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Do some form of stretching exercises once or twice during the work day to improve circulation. This will give an energy boost to all parts of your body—including your skin!
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A lunchtime break spend outside has many benefits. The extra oxygen in the outside air can bring your face a healthy glow. Getting the fresh air is invigorating, and can help you to face the afternoon's work with more energy. (Don't forget to wear cream with SPF!)
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At night, cleanse your skin twice. The first time to remove foundation and the second time to get your skin really clean. For a relaxing treat: Take a clean, warm (not hot!) washcloth and place it over your face before cleansing to help lift off the makeup, and to prepare and soften skin.
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Stimulate blood flow to the face by exfoliating (sloughing off dead skin), 2-3 times weekly. Yonka Gommage is an excellent choice.
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Give yourself an at-home facial. Start with a thorough cleansing, use an exfoliant (Gommage) and follow with a mask that suits your individual skin type. A clay (cleansing) mask is my favorite recommendation. Then, take a relaxing bath while masking. After your bath, remove the mask and follow with a toning lotion and moisturizer.
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Water helps to hydrate the tissues, and is a detoxifier. Drinking more water and eating high-water content foods like raw fruits and vegetables helps the body's eliminating organs do a more efficient job. Many people are surprised to learn that the skin is the body's largest organ of elimination.
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Vitamin C helps in the manufacturing of collagen, a protein essential to the healthy elasticity of the skin. Vitamin C also aids the body in detoxification. When the body is free of toxins, you are more energetic, feel less bloated, and your body performs optimally so you look and feel healthier.
Think of these steps as "skin boosters." A little care can go a long way in getting rid of the office's drying effects on the skin. Practicing these tips on a regular basis will give you visible benefits to enjoy all year round. (To Top) Back to Articles List
