Four Simple Hacks For Easy Natural Beauty

Skin, hair and nails are all essential elements in making us look and feel good, but we face a daily battle from the outside environment, UV rays and pollutants when it comes to keeping them in good condition.

You may think that unless you have a hefty budget, great personal care routines are out of reach, but that couldn't be further from the truth. A few simple routines will keep your skin glowing and your hair well conditioned, and they don't have to cost the earth.

The changes below are easy to make - and they've all been scientifically proven to help you look your best.

Apply Moisturiser While Your Skin Is Damp

 It's a common misconception that moisturiser adds moisture into the skin. In fact, it works by trapping the skin's existing moisture content and preventing it from evaporation.

This means that the best time to apply your moisturiser for both face and body is when skin is still a little damp from your bath or shower - the American Academy of Dermatology says that creams and lotions applied within three minutes of washing have the optimal effect.

Look for products which contain wonder ingredient Hyaluronic Acid, which retains more moisture in the skin than conventional creams.

Only Wash Your Face Once A Day

Leading dermatologists confirm that most of us wash our faces too often, and that in fact, you should only be washing your face with a cleanser once a day. Night-time is best for removing make-up, dirt, pollutants and other matter accumulated on the skin during the day.

The exception to this rule is skin with conditions such as acne, in which case you may want to see what can be done with laser treatment or look into UV therapy. But if you have normal to dry skin, limit the soap to once a day and just splash with water in the morning.

Use The Wonders Of Coconut

Using oils to hydrate your skin is a great practice to get into, and virgin coconut oil is a miracle multi-tasker that has been shown to decrease water loss in those with atopic dermatitis, a skin condition where the natural barriers that retain moisture are not functioning well.

As well as being effective for skin, coconut oil can be hugely effective against hair damage, because it has a high affinity for hair proteins. It's low molecular weight also allows it to easily penetrate the hair shaft.

There are many other benefits to coconut oil, from oil pulling to naturally whiten teeth to using it to shave your legs with - plus it's inexpensive and easy to get hold of. 

Change Your Sleeping Position 

Are you one of the people who bury their face into the pillow at night? Doing so could be causing you to develop dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.

In this position, blood vessels become constricted and the circulatory system becomes congested, leading to blood pooling in the tiny vessels under the eyes - causing those prominent shadows. So train yourself to sleep on your back and keep your head well elevated above your body.

You may also want to try out a silk pillowcase as this can reduce hair frizzing and breaking while you sleep.