OUR health workers for the NHS and our care homes put themselves at risk every day.

To all hairdressers and beauty salons in the area, if you have surgical gloves, aprons and masks please donate some to help protect the people who are trying to save lives and risking their own.

If you do not know where to donate, please email me and I will email you a contact. It is the very least we can do.

I have been asked by a few healthcare workers to give some advice on their skin. Long hours, stressful environments, grabbing quick and not necessarily healthy snacks as eating on the job might be the only way.

The main problem is wearing face masks for a long length of time is causing spots, red and chapped skin. For those people feel free to get in touch for individual advice but here are some tips that I hope will help:

  • When you return home after a long shift, cleanse your skin immediately. Apply a face mask, if you are dry use a nice nourishing one, if oily a balancing one.
  • Remove your face mask and apply a fine layer of hyaluronic acid all over the face and neck.
  • If your skin is dry or dehydrated apply a face oil or a face serum containing vitamin C.
  • Apply an eye serum or cream followed by a suitable day or night cream depending on the time of day.

Combat skin rashes and sores

Wearing a face mask all day for many people is essential but is causing a lot of skin problems. Here are some products that may help.

For oily spots, use a dab of tea tree oil, my ultimate favourite is by Australian body care, they also do a blemish stick – take care only to apply to the spot so as not to dry out the surrounding skin, alternate with neat lavender oil to heal.

For dry or chapped skin patches, I love products containing liquorice as it contains anti-inflammatory compounds which can sooth a red, inflamed, or irritated skin. I have recently trailed a product called Liquorice Balm by LipQ, a little of this balm goes a long way, it really did soothe and calm. Great to use on areas that face masks rub.

Clarins also sell a skin beauty repair concentrate which uses the key ingredient of liquorice to restore weakened tissues, nourish and soften skin. For very dry skin use Clarins Santal Oil, Elemis skin food oil or Caudalie overnight recovery oil underneath your moisturiser.

Balmonds Skin Salvation is great for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rosacea and so much more. They are offering 50 per cent off for NHS and key workers on the 60ml and 120ml – skin salvation!

Dehydrated skin

I have recommended Elemis Cellular Recovery skin bliss capsules for many years to pilot, air stewards and stewardesses, they help to replenish moisture loss due to the effects of everyday pollution. I use them all the time, or you can just use them as a course of treatment, Clarins Blue Orchid Oil is also good for a dehydrated skin.

Face masks

Treat yourself to a pamper night once a week, if your skin is particularly dry apply masks two to three times a week leaving a day or so in between.

You can apply and leave a cream-based mask whilst you cook or do your ironing, though it is more relaxing to lie down or have a soak in the bath and allow the mask to soak in.

For dehydrated skins on a budget use Simple hydrating sheet mask. My go-to luxury face mask is Elemis pro – Collagen Marine Mask and Super Restorative instant lift serum mask by Clarins, keep in the fridge in the summer and apply after a hard shift at work.

My all-time favourite for congested skins is Elemis Herbal lavender Repair masks, great for spotty T-zones, great for your teens’ skin too.

Lavender

I love that lavender is such a versatile and useful oil, I would go as far to say a must in every home.

There are several varieties of lavender, and the oil is a darkish yellow with a distinct and camphorous smell.

I love lavender oil for its healing properties particularly with skin.

I have used it many times to prevent scarring and to heal skin following a small burn.

I have found it to be useful for treating headaches and great for people who suffer with arthritis and rheumatism.

Drop a few drops of lavender into some grape seed oil and massage over the body.

Use also for period pains by soaking a hand towel under hot water and wring out, apply five drops of lavender oil, and use as a warm compress on to your stomach.

For a restful sleep apply three drops of oil to a tissue and place in your pillowcase and breathe in the relaxing aroma or add a few drops in to your evening bath.

Use neat on to spots or bites and is a good antiseptic.

It is also a good oil when suffering from respiratory infections an aromatic bath with lavender or using an aroma stream or a plug in with lavender will help.

Grow your own lavender if you have some outside space, either in pots or you could grow near a seating area, it will smell beautiful and create a relaxing space.

You can make your own lavender bags as gifts or dry it out and tie a ribbon around it to hang in your kitchen.

Next week I will be talking about home made masks, with things that you may already have at home,

To help solve any of your skin care concerns please email me at northwich@guardiangrp.co.uk