Up FRONT: Having Great Skin is a Matter of Balance ; Claire Williams, Spa Manager at Llangollen’s Wild Pheasant Hotel, Begins a New Series of Beauty Advice

WE all want to have younger looking skin but even the most expensive face-creams, with all their claims of “reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”, can’t turn back the years. Apart from surgery, what can we do to avoid the wrinkles and sags?

Don’t despair! There are steps that we can all take to make sure our skin looks healthy and vibrant and stays wrinkle-free for longer. All we’ve got to do is invest some time and care in looking after it.

But be careful to use the right products in the right places and in the right quantities. On a product training course earlier in my career, I was told of a lady who, suffering from severe “bags” under her eyes, decided to opt for cosmetic surgery.

When she recovered from her operation, the surgeon informed her that the “bags” were being caused by using too much night cream on the eye area and during surgery he was actually able to “scoop” out the left overs!

My advice to all my clients is to only use the tiniest amounts of appropriate eye product around the orbit of the eye and never anything else. It may save you from going under the knife!

TOP-TEN TIPSDrink at least eight glasses of plain water every day, to keep up hydration levels.

Eat a balanced, healthy diet with five portions of fruit and vegetables for those essential vitamins.

Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine, these are both diuretics and cause dehydration.

Stop smoking, or don’t start! Smoking causes premature ageing, lines and wrinkles.

Take regular exercise and plenty of fresh air. Exercise boosts the circulation, aiding the removal of toxins through the lymphatic system.

Stay out of the mid-day sun and use a high sun protection factor all year, most good daily moisturisers will contain an SPF. The harmful rays of the sun can cause premature ageing and skin cancer.

Take time out to relax and unwind, whether it be with forms of meditation, yoga or a visit to your local health spa. Stress is a big cause of upsets within the body, including un-balanced skin. Make sure you always get enough sleep! Sleep is a great skin re- vitaliser.

Use the right skin care products for your skin type. Using the wrong products can un-balance your skin and cause the opposite effect to the one you are trying to achieve. Visit a specialist for a consultation.

Exfoliate at least twice a week and moisturise morning and evening to keep skin soft and supple.

For expert advice on skin care talk to a qualified therapist at any beauty salon or spa. They will happily give you advice on the treatments available, along with home-care advice.

Spa of Tranquillity, The Wild Pheasant Hotel, Llangollen. Tel: 01978 860629