Prepare to face the sun’s rays

AS the sun begins to grow brighter and warmer, so grows the opportunity to allow its rays to brighten and warm our skin, hopefully beginning to develop a healthy glow that means make-up is no longer quite so necessary.

Well, that’s the theory; in practice, it’s a different matter, with spot break-outs, dark circles, uneven skin tone, dry patches, greasy patches, wrinkles, sags and bag, and the tell-tale signs of previous skin and sun damage all making foundations and powders the major basis of make-up for many of us – and the mere thought of going without it is enough to strike fear.

Yet many foundations and powders look far too heavy in sunshine, especially when on holiday, and we yearn to wear something lighter.

It is possible, but only with some thought and effort beforehand, probably for weeks.

Start with diet and that means lots of water, lots for fruit and veg, cutting back on salt, fat and alcohol, and think about taking a skin-supporting supplement, with vitamins A and E and minerals that can help (it’s a good excuse for a detox).

At the same time, exfoliate daily if possible and try to have a face mask to suit your skin type twice a week.

A tinted moisturiser, such as Madara’s Tinting Fluid, is ideal for moisturising the skin during the day and giving it a hint of colour. It’s available in two shades – Moonflower, for paler skins, and Sunflower, for warmer skin tones. With calendula, chamomile and St John’s Wort, it costs £23 for 50ml, from health stores and www.madara.co.uk.

TO deal with spot outbreaks, which can occur at any age due to hormone imbalances and seasonal changes, Nelson’s Pure & Clear Gel is gentle as it targets blemishes immediately with increased strength Tea Tree to deal with and calm the problem areas without causing dry skin and flaking. Apply directly as often as required. It costs £8.17 at www.boots.com.

THE Advanced Nutrition Programme Pure Detox Pack is a 30-day course of supplements including vitamin C, the Skin Pure formula which helps support the liver as it detoxes, plus pro-biotics to help the digestive system. Drink eight glasses of water a day while taking and avoid toxins including alcohol.

It costs £44.95, from stockists on 0208 450 2020.

LOTS of water can help but for many of us, dark under-eye circles are a major barrier to the no make-up look. MAC’s new Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye targets dark circles while illuminating the eye with optical effects for instant brightening, to perfect and highlight, in a moisturising pick-me-up primer base. It costs £20 at Harvey Nichols Leeds and on 0870 034 2676.

RID your skin of dulling dead skin cells and give it a brightening and luxuriously soothing moisture boost with L’Occitane’s mew Immortelle Brightening Moisture Mask, with Bellis Perennis, which helps prevent pigmentation to create a luminous and even skin tone, boosting circulation when massaged over the face. It costs £40 from stockists on 020 7907 0301.