March is often the time of year when we have the urge to do a good spring clean. Make this March also the time for a personal spring clean. At this time of year the heating is still on and we have been bundled up in warm clothes for what seems like an eternity, so our skin is often dry, flakey and itchy. Here are a few pieces of advice for giving your skin and cosmetics the spring clean they deserve.

Exfoliate
A gentle weekly exfoliation will slowly get our skin ready for exposure to the warmer weather. All those little lumps and bumps, especially on the back of the arms, will disappear and your skin will sport a lovely, healthy glow.

Neck & Décolleté
Roll necks will soon give way to show our often neglected neck area. Our necks start to slacken in our early thirties as the neck does not have as many muscle groups, and the effect shows from our jaw line down. Ageing and weight loss also shows up with a slackening on the neck!

Often we apply the same creams to our necks as we use on our faces. Instead we should use a specific cream, gel or serum formulated to target the neck area, and there are many on the market for you to choose from. Gatineau has an iconic firming throat gel called ‘Strategie Jeunesse’, which is one of the range’s original products, filled with wheat proteins to lift and firm sagging skin alongside vitamins and antioxidants to nourish and protect. A little goes a long way and French women swear by it!

Sun Protection
I know it’s only March but the sun’s rays are out all year, even on cloudy days, and right now they are starting to really strengthen. The best thing you can ever do to protect your skin and keep ageing at bay is a daily application of sun screen. Many skin creams contain sun protection but it wears off and breaks down during the day. Apply a good sunscreen and allow a few minutes for it to absorb before adding any other creams or beauty products.

Look for a brand which contains high UVA protection – preferably five stars. Boots has several good high UVA protection sun screens that won’t break the bank and do not clog the skin. Apply on the neck as well as the face, and don’t neglect the hands where the skin is thin and fragile. Make this the most essential part of your daily beauty regime.

Cosmetics
Spring clean your make up tray and the make up bag you carry every day, as these items harbour lots of germs which can transfer onto your skin. Be ruthless if you have not used a product for a while and it is just sitting there degrading – bin it!

Modern cosmetics often now have a use-by date and the moment we open a product and put our fingers in it, it starts to carry germs. Mascara is especially prone to drying out as we dig around for the last dregs, and is a common cause of eye infections. So, when any cosmetics have dried out or separated, toss them. Wash your brushes once a week in a mild detergent (or baby shampoo works) and keep all your products as clean as possible. Your skin will thank you!