Maximise the results of your beauty regime with these buys...
WHY NOW? 'Fluid retention around the eyes is caused in part by a rush of adrenalin as your body wakes up,' says Dr Sister at Beauty Works West. 'It's more noticeable in this area as the skin near the eyes is thinner.'
7AM Bye Bye Puffy Eyes
TIME TO 'Cut out alcohol and salt in the evening,' says Dr Sister, 'as they trigger the adrenal function while you sleep.' Marie Hatzistefanis, founder of Rodial, says that, 'Steam detoxes and a cold compress, such as a chilled damp flannel, will reduce swelling.' Rodial Glamtox Eye, £50, contains Sepigel, which lowers skin temperature and puffiness. Or try The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel, £6.50.
7AM Bye Bye Puffy Eyes
TIME TO 'Cut out alcohol and salt in the evening,' says Dr Sister, 'as they trigger the adrenal function while you sleep.' Marie Hatzistefanis, founder of Rodial, says that, 'Steam detoxes and a cold compress, such as a chilled damp flannel, will reduce swelling.' Rodial Glamtox Eye, £50, contains Sepigel, which lowers skin temperature and puffiness. Or try The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel, £6.50.
8AM Brighten Tired Skin
WHY NOW? 'Your inner thermostat rises when you wake up,' says facialist Sarah Chapman, 'but an influx of cortisol to control this stress can make you susceptible to breakouts and dullness.'
TIME TO Flush out excess hormones from your skin with facial massage or exercise to increase endorphins, suggests Dr Cuross Bakhtiar at Harley Street Cosmetic. The Sarah Chapman Facialift, £25, is a gadget that helps boost circulation by increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, rebalancing hormone levels.
8.30AM Pop A Supplement
WHY NOW? 'If you've eaten breakfast, your metabolism will be fired up, so this is the perfect timeto take vitamins,' says Henrietta Norton, nutritional therapist at Healthspan. 'Your body will absorb the nutrients more quickly and put them to best use.'
TIME TO 'Take energising B vitamins and vitamin C after breakfast. Potent antioxidants such as lycopene have a protective function (proven to help defend against UV damage), so it makes sense to ingest them before facing the day,' says Norton. Try Nurture Protect Skin Nourishing Supplement, £10.95 or all-rounder Functionalab Advanced Nutricosmetics Hair, Skin, & Nails, £36.
10AM Stop Those Toxins
WHY NOW? Your skin will now be attacked by exhaust fumes, air conditioning and computers. 'This pollution can make it appear crepey and sallow,' says beauty therapist Nichola Joss.
TIME TO 'Drink lots of green tea, and use a high-factor sunscreen,' says Joss. Beauty pro Sylvie Chantecaille warns against using an SPF over an anit-ageing moisturiser. 'The ingredients that carry anti-ageing goodies deep into the skin can pick up toxic sunscreen molecules.' Choose one with added SPF: Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF50, £75, contains white tea to fight free-radicals at your desk. Or try No 7 Anti-ageing Facial Protect SPF50, £11.
12PM Reduce Redness
WHY NOW? According to Olay's principal scientist Sian Morris, blood vessels work to dissipate heat from the skin, so as your body is now revved up and at its hottest, they will be working and become much more visable. 'This will also create sebum, producing an oily shine,' she says.
TIME TO Freshen up your base by using a foundation that has an in-built mattifier, as well as cooling ingredients and tone correctors. Clinique Redness Solutions Urgent Relief Cream SPF, £24.50, reduces redness and irritation.
1PM Rehydrate Now
WHY NOW? 'When you're hungry, your body uses up any nutrients it can, including the moisture in your skin,' says Nichola Joss. 'Plus, people consume so much tea and coffee (which are both diuretics) in the first half of the day that by lunchtime skin is lacklustre.'
TIME TO 'Spritz your face with a hydrating mist,' says facialist Yvonne Martin. 'Make sure it contains ingredients such as rose, lavender or minerals, or it will evaporate.' She uses Keraskin Eau Personnelle, £26, on her clients. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a huge fan of MV Organics Rose Hydrating Mist, £37. For fast hydration, drink Vita Coco Coconut Water, £1.49.
4PM Anti-Ageing Quick-Fix
WHY NOW? 'Your blood sugar levels have dipped, resulting in an afternoon slump,' says Sarah Chapman. 'As your body rests your pores open up, which make your face more receptive to anti-ageing products.'
TIME TO Pat a serum with potent antioxidants and hydrating ingredients along your fingers and roll over your make-up. Try Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Concentrate, £100, or Nivea visage Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Skin-Refining Serum, £10.20.
7PM Cleanse Before Dinner
WHY NOW? 'By the time you get home the dirt, pollution, stress and your natural oils will be sitting on top of the skin and in the pores, generating free-radical production and irritation,' says Margo Marrone, co-founder of The Organic Pharmacy.
TIME TO 'Use a cleanser that contains antioxidants to eradicate free-radical damage, so skin can start the repair process,' says Marrone. 'The quicker this is removed, the less damage will be caused.' Try The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser, £32.95, or The Sanctuary Skin Renewal Glycolic Peel (part of a kit), £22.50, to clear stubborn dirt and oil.
10PM Repair and Renew
WHY NOW? 'Maximise the skin's ability to renew at night by providing a boost of moisture,' says Dr Sian Morris. 'Take advantage of the increased permeability of the skin to absorb anti-ageing ingredients.'
TIME TO Replenish your omega oils- they're needed to repair damage over-night with Bodyism Omega Brilliance capsules, £40. 'This is also a great time to apply a vitamin A (retinol)- rich product- it will help exfoliation, leaving you with radiant skin in the morning,' says Esther Fieldgrass at EF Medispa. Try Vichy Liftactiv Retinol HA Night, £29.50, or potent night-time anti-ager Olay Regenerist Nigth Renewal Elixir, £29.99
11PM Wash Your Hair Before Bed
WHY NOW? 'We sweat under our duvets, producing lots of humidity on the skin, and especially the scalp,' says Dr Rene Rust, scientist at Head & Shoulders. 'Add the oil and dirt that has accumulated from the day, and it can lead to irritation and dandruff.'
TIME TO 'Wash hair before bedtime and rinse with cold water,' says hair stylist Peter Lux, who recommends Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, £2.39. 'Ensure hair is 100 per cent dry, or the water can evaporate and your scalp will create extra sebum, making it oilier.'
