How about taking a more holistic approach to your skincare, facial treatments and wellbeing?

The beauty industry, and society, can sometimes make us feel as though our skin is a problem that needs fixing:

Wrinkles to smooth.
Lines to erase.
Texture to correct.
Ageing to fight.

However, what if we chose to look at our skin a little differently? Accept ourselves as we are and try to make our skin as healthy as possible rather than trying to turn back the years?

Healthy skin doesn’t mean perfect or flawless skin.

Your skin is part of you.

Your lifestyle, your stress levels, your sleep, your environment and the way you care for yourself can all have an effect on your skin and influence how it behaves.

Whilst we can’t change everything that affects our skin, there are small things we can do to support its health and help it look its best.

Personally, I believe ageing is a privilege denied to so many. I embrace my laughter lines and crow’s feet and am grateful that I have lived long enough to achieve these.

KT Tunstall sang “her face is a map of the world” – how wonderful to have lived life; to have lines, a face full of experience, and glowing, radiant skin that tells a story.

How would it be if, rather than constantly trying to hold back the years, we took a more holistic approach to skincare, endeavouring to make our skin the best it can possibly be?

Your skin is your largest organ

It can be easy to forget that, so, let’s say it again: Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It’s your first line of defence, helping to protect you from the outside world, regulate temperature and prevent excessive water loss.

There are so many opinions about what we should and shouldn’t put on our skin. Scented or sensitive? Budget or blow the bank balance? Multi-national or local? There are so many options. We don’t need to panic about every ingredient that touches our skin, but I do think it’s worth being thoughtful about what we choose to use.

For me, good skincare isn’t about having the longest possible list of ingredients or chasing the latest miracle product. It’s about understanding your skin, treating it with care and respect, choosing products that are appropriate for you and align with your values.

Your skin has a story to tell

Dryness, sensitivity, congestion, dullness and changes in texture can all be a part of the way our skin responds to what’s happening around us.

That doesn’t mean we need to change everything, and it certainly doesn’t mean you need to wage war on your face! Sometimes your skin simply needs a little more care and attention.

That might be drinking a bit more water, making simple changes at home or treating your skin to a facial – which is so much more than just popping a face mask on.

Healthy looking skin is not just about the skincare products you use

Of course, it can help to use good quality skincare products at home. In fact, what you do at home is an important part of looking after your skin.

How you apply your skincare matters too.

Facial massage :

For me, one of the best parts of looking after the skin on our faces is facial massage.

There are lots of lovely reasons to include facial massage in your skincare routine, whether you’re doing a little massage at home or enjoying it as part of a professional facial.

Boosts circulation
Gentle massage can temporarily increase blood flow to the skin, which may leave your complexion looking fresh and naturally glowing.

Helps reduce puffiness
Light, flowing movements can encourage fluid movement around the face and neck, which may help your skin look less puffy.

Releases facial tension
We hold an amazing amount of tension in our jaw, forehead and temples without even realising it. Facial massage can be wonderfully relaxing, particularly if you’re someone who tends to clench your jaw or carry tension in your face.

Helps you relax
Perhaps one of the simplest benefits is also one of my favourites. Lying down while someone gently massages your face, head and scalp gives you permission to stop, switch off and simply be looked after for a while.

And there’s the skincare itself
Facial massage can be performed alongside oils, serums or moisturisers, making the application of your skincare feel like part of the treatment rather than another job to tick off your list.

I love facial massage because it turns skincare into an experience rather than simply another job on the daily to-do list.

Research into facial skincare has found that an hour of facial skincare produced greater physiological relaxation than simply resting for the same amount of time, with measurable changes in several markers of relaxation.

Healthy skin can have wrinkles

I touched on this above, but I think this is an important one to mention again.

We’re constantly being sold the idea that ageing is something we should try to hide.

However, skin can have lines, freckles, texture and all the other little things that come with getting older — and still be healthy, cared for and radiant.

Your skin doesn’t need to look twenty-five to look beautiful.

The aim isn’t to make you look like someone else.

It’s to help you feel comfortable, cared for and confident that your own skin is the best it can be.

So what does your skin actually need?

Perhaps it’s a good facial.

Perhaps it’s better hydration.

Perhaps it’s a little less picking and prodding!

Perhaps it’s some good-quality skincare that suits your skin.

Perhaps it’s better sleep, a little less stress or simply giving yourself permission to slow down.

Skincare isn’t just about what’s in the bottle.

It’s also about how we care for ourselves.

Skincare and Selfcare.

For me, a professional facial brings all of this together.

There’s something wonderfully relaxing about having your face, head and scalp gently massaged while you lie back, relax and let someone else take care of you.

Because a facial isn’t only about what’s happening to your skin.

It’s a little time to stop, breathe and let someone else look after you.

And perhaps that’s the most holistic part of skincare of all.