Skin:Secrets

From the age of 11 years old, I started to get redness and I only used to have a few breakouts on my face.  In less than a year, before I hit 12 years old, I was struggling with really bad acne on my face and back.  It was at this point, I started to get bullied for having acne from other students, with it really affecting my self-esteem and confidence.  Some days I felt so bad about, there were times when I couldn’t go to school, I just wanted to hide away from everyone because I didn’t want to face people...

Did you know that acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the UK? It is estimated to affect up to 95% of teenagers, with 20-35% experiencing moderate or severe symptoms.1 Generally associated with adolescence and early 20s, it can occur at any age, with a higher incidence of adult acne in women than men. Acne presents as a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterised by excessive sebum production and blocked pores. Outbreaks of blackheads and whiteheads (known as comedones) manifest when skin follicles become blocked with dead skin cells and oil. Excessive sebum production results in an oily,...

June marks Acne Awareness Month, a perfect time to focus on how diet can impact your skin health. Acne, a common skin condition affecting millions worldwide, can often be managed with dietary changes. Here’s a guide to the best foods to include in your diet to help achieve clearer skin. Foods rich in zinc. Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the production of sebum, an oily substance that can clog up pores. Good sources of zinc include pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, cashew nuts and quinoa.  Probiotic foods. Probiotics support gut health, which is linked to reduced inflammation and improved...

‘Is working out good for your skin?’ As a personal trainer, this is a question I’m often asked.  And the quick answer is ‘yes’!  I often discuss with clients the mind / body connection and how the benefits of exercise go way beyond changes to body shape or size. Also discussed is how exercise improves mood, mental resilience and stress levels which, also, have an impact on skin health. The fact is, the skin reflects the health of both body and mind. Aside from the obvious overall health and longevity benefits, there’s a pretty amazing connection between exercise and skin health....