Welcome to your new Mirror Mirror column. I very much look forward to sharing this column with you and explaining about all the new and exciting ideas in the beauty and cosmetic industry.

It will not be all about cosmetics, as I truly believe that we often overlook the fact that our skin is our body’s largest organ and often taken for granted. Skin is regularly the most neglected area, as we concentrate primarily on our faces.

Three key rules
Skincare doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Just follow these three simple rules: drink lots of water, exfoliate, and always use sunscreen. Dermatologists all agree you can spend a fortune on expensive creams to try and slow the ageing process, but if you could only use one product it should always be a high UVA sunscreen.

It is hard to believe our skin can still be damaged on a cloudy day, twelve months of the year. The damage is perhaps not as great in the winter months but UVA rays (the most damaging) are there all year. These rays are what age us more than anything else.

I like to think of my skin as a blank canvas and you need to have a smooth hydrated canvas to ensure any products you apply to your face and body are well absorbed, or you are wasting your products and money.

Exfoliation
Exfoliating at least once a week, if not twice, is essential. You shouldn’t use a harsh exfoliator, especially on the delicate skin of the face and neck. We are blessed that there are so many great products on the market, so do experiment and find one that suits you. It is a good idea to switch brands once in a while, as your skin can get lazy and needs the odd wake up call of a new product. When exfoliating the body always use upward strokes – this gets the best results – and invest in a good quality body brush, or a face cloth will suffice.

Water
Every time you put water on your face you change the natural pH balance of the skin, so a toner is a must. Why, you may ask? It brings your pH balance back to where it should be, so this simple step should not be overlooked.

Next up is your sunscreen, then apply a serum (especially in the colder months), followed by the all important moisturiser. Your night time mosituriser should be richer than the one you use during the day, as this is when your skin repairs itself. There are so many products out there claiming they can do miracles, but my best advice is to try and use the most natural and chemical-free products if you can. This also applies to your shampoo and conditioner.

These rules apply to men also, as their skin faces the same pollution as women and should not be neglected.

Winter months are here and the heating is on, which always tends to dehydrate your skin. Why not put aside a precious hour to spoil yourself and your partner. Have a go at a face mask and hair mask, add a rich all over body moisturiser, and don’t forget your feet and cuticles. Trust me, your skin will thank you for it!