Facing up to facial massage

It has to be said, I'm not especially high maintenance – while I'm happy to try out new treatments in the name of research, in reality I'm rather minimalist when it comes to my regime. I am curious about at home facial devices, but often lose interest in them almost overnight. With skincare, I've also learnt that less is more, and tend to opt for products with as few ingredients as possible, in order to avoid upsetting my sensitive skin. One thing I have tried in the past is facial massage, and now that my Ellanse dermal filler has worn off, I'll be focused on keeping my lower face and jawline as lifted and contoured as possible. Enter facial massage, and I plan to use my Sensse Facial Contour Definer, perhaps combined with a facial oil, every morning to rev up my circulation, lift my facial muscles and blitz any post-sleep puffiness.

Rebecca Barnes 

A stress-free mole check-up 

I don't have many moles on my body, but I am fair-skinned and a bit of a sucker for lying in the sun on holiday (but only pre 11am or post 3pm when the sun is less intense). I will also admit to having suffered a handful of sunburn episodes in the past due to not being diligent enough with sunscreen. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and will affect around 1 in 10 of us, so I've made an appointment at The Mole Clinic in London to get my moles checked. Why is this important? Well, sometimes moles can change and if they do it's important to get them looked at by a healthcare professional, in order to put your mind at ease. It's painless, relatively quick and a worthwhile health investment for anyone who:

•  has lots of moles or a visually abnormal mole or a new or changing mole,
•  a history of sunburn or sun-bed use,
•  needs a second opinion on a mole diagnosis, or
•  needs a suspect mole removed and biopsied.

Rebecca Barnes

Stepping up gum health 

I always thought I was on top of my oral health, however, a recent gum check up at Chelsea Dental Clinic revealed a mild case of gum disease, which I believe started after my Covid bout in early 2020. I've already begun treatment and have a second appointment booked in January – in addition, I plan to use interdental brushes every night to thoroughly clean the gaps in-between my teeth, especially where I have veneers and very narrow gaps. This is an area that a toothbrush is unable to reach; interdental brushes can remove up to 40 per cent more plaque than toothbrushing alone. I also have a TePe Compact Tuft brush with a tiny, firm head that is ideal for precision cleaning of hard-to-reach areas, such as implants, fixed braces or along the gum line. If you have red and swollen gums and/or bleeding when brushing, see your dental practitioner for advice. 

Rebecca Barnes

Cleansing every evening

As a beauty editor I’ve extolled the virtues of cleansing for decades and yet since Covid hit and we’ve been working from home, I’ve become incredibly relaxed with my nightly beauty regime. Cleansing removes dirt, oil, pollution, dead skin cells, and even ‘bad’ bacteria, and whether you’re in the house all day or not it should be done thoroughly morning and night (note to self). While not cleansing at night is not a daily occurrence for me, I’ve still been doing my skin a disservice – as not cleansing means I skip my whole evening skincare routine. This means I’m not accelerating or supporting my skins' nightly repair functions, or protecting it from water loss which can lead to dehydration and more. So, in 2022 I won’t be skipping a nightly cleanse.

Amerley Ollennu

Tapping into clean beauty 

When it comes to my beauty buys, product efficacy has always been my main priority, but as cleaner formulations start to offer impressive results I’ve been keen to try and cut out the likes of sulfates, fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and more where I can. I’ve already switched to a clean deodorant from an antiperspirant which was no mean feat, and now that I’ve been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a hormonal disorder – I’m on a mission to try to switch to a cleaner skincare and makeup regime too. Why? Well, turns out many non 'clean' beauty ingredients are endocrine disruptors. Parabens used as preservatives for example, mimic oestrogen in the body with studies proving they can harm reproductive organs, disrupt thyroid function and trigger hormone-related cancers.

Amerley Ollennu

Adding a collagen supplement 

Collagen, a protein made of amino acids, provides structure and strength to the skin, helping to keep it smooth and plump. But as we age collagen depletes, a process that is entirely natural but sped up by lifestyle and environmental aggressors like UV light, pollution, smoking and sugar consumption. However, studies have shown that ingesting collagen can boost skin elasticity needed to keep lines, wrinkles and sagging at bay. They have also shown that collagen can increase bone density and relieve joint pain too – not bad. And now another year has gone by, it’s time for me to step it up a notch and tag team my external collagen-boosting regime aka my skincare – along with an internal collagen booster aka a collagen supplement.

Amerley Ollennu