Pure Beauty - The Lichfield Beauty Salon

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Don’t worry, be happy

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Monday the 20th March is the International Day of Happiness.

Created by the United Nations, this is a celebration of being happy, not only on 20th March, but all of the time.

While the world might be full of doom and gloom, with the media portraying troubled times ahead, it doesn’t mean you can’t be cheerful and it doesn’t take much to get a smile on that pretty face of yours.

You can also bet that if you are happy, you will pass those feel good vibes onto others around you.

“I love to take my dogs for a long walk by the beach and get away from my desk” Helen

“Baking makes me so happy, it makes my kids happy too.”
Joan

“Being on my allotment with nothing but my flask and fresh air always makes me happy, even if it is raining.”
Thea

“My grandchildren laughing is the best tonic for happiness.”
Tina

“A coffee with a friend and a really good natter makes everything better”.
Sarah

“A ride on my bike first thing on Saturday morning always makes me smile’.
Dani

From this we can see that being happy isn’t about having lots of money and designer clothes, but it is more about embracing the moment and appreciating the little things in life.

Still struggling to think about something that will make you happy? Do not worry because we have done the work for you and think you will be smiling like a Cheshire cat in no time at all.

Meet friends for a drink after work.

Do some volunteering and help others.

Buy fresh flowers and put them around your home.

Have a spring clean.

Take a yoga class.

Meditate.

Book a holiday.

Visit an art gallery.

Smile at a stranger and say hello.

Put on your favourite song and dance around the living room.

Write a letter.

Create a vision board.

Read a book.

Bake a loaf of bread.

Phone a friend who you would normally text.

Offer to read with your children and their class.

Wear your very best shoes to the supermarket, just because.

Take up the offer of a blind date.

Do some gardening.

Take a digital detox and enjoy freedom.

Visit a stately home and pretend to be the lady of the manor for the day.

Jump on a plane and have a fun weekend away somewhere new.

Go to a stand up comedy night.

Eat a bar of chocolate and don’t feel guilty.

Go to the cinema in the middle of the day, and go big with the popcorn.

Run a hot bath and enjoy a glass of wine as you soak away your worries.

Watch your favourite film and say all the words you know.

Walk rather than taking the bus.

Pay off your credit card.

Eat fish and chips on the beach.

Have a neck and back massage and feel the weight of the world fall off your shoulders.

Read that book you have had on your list forever.

Donate to a charity you don’t usually support.

Cook dinner for the whole family and enjoy a fun night together.

Breath and look around you!

Whatever you do, remember that life is short and choosing happy is cool.

Spread the word on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #internationaldayofhappiness, #happinessday, #choosehappiness, #createhappiness and #makeithappy

Team Pure-Beauty

Elemis for Men

Elemis Mens Skincare
Image Source: http://bit.ly/2nx0yP0 (CC0 Licence)

For many years, men’s ranges within beauty lines were more or less limited to shaving-related products and maybe a ‘one-size-fits-all’ moisturiser if you were lucky, completely ignoring the very real need for proper skin care products aimed at guys. Well, never fear because Elemis is here! Their range of products for men does contain shaving stuff, but it is SO much more than that too. Read on for a run-done of some of our faves:

Elemis Anti Ageing Time Defence Eye Reviver

One area which it’s common for our male clients to mention as a ‘problem area’ is the eyes, and many of them compromise with women’s eye creams to help reverse the signs of ageing. This reviving eye cream from Elemis is specifically designed with men in mind and is a light-weight formula which is clinically proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles by up to 37%. It’s been tested extensively on men’s skin and contains no parabens or sodium laureth sulphate.

Elemis Daily Moisture Boost

Because of the fact that (most) men shave their faces, keeping their skin hydrated is a very different kettle of fish to a woman’s face, which means that they need their own specific moisturiser. This daily moisture boost from Elemis is intended for use directly after shaving to flood the skin with moisture and repair any sensitivity, and contains a trio of citrus oils to decongest the skin, offering daylong free-radical protection.

Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash

Having even the smallest amount of facial hair can mean that men’s faces are exposed to sebum and oils for most of the day, which means that keeping it really clean is a must, but so is using the right product. Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash not only gives a deep-down clean using oak bark, spearmint and peppermint in a unique milk protein base, it also removes impurities, decongests the skin and prevents ingrown hairs.

Elemis Smooth Result Shave and Beard Oil

Beard oil is super trendy these days because not only does it soften the hair prior to shaving, it can be used as a treatment for facial hair even when you intend to grow it. Instead of your beard being prickly and stiff, regular treatment with this beard oil can help to keep your beard silky, soft and smelling great. If you do use it for shaving, it will help the razor to glide over the skin, preventing shaving rash and irritation.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream for Men

If your signs of ageing have already gone a little way past a few tiny lines and well into the realm of Gordon Ramsey them you’ll need something super powerful to help turn things around. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream for Men is a clinically proven, formulated especially for men to hydrate, firm and help improve the appearance of wrinkles, leaving you looking more youthful and boyish than you;d ever have imagined.

Make Mother’s Day special in 2017

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Sunday 26th is Mother’s Day in the UK. A special day dedicated to celebrate mums as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence and importance of mothers in society.

From breakfast in bed and flowers, to a homemade card or pretty earrings, there are many ways to show you care and how much you appreciate your mum.

We have put together some of the best ideas out there, but be careful, they are so good you might want to keep them for yourself.

If your mum is a beauty lover, the hot product out there is the Dyson Supersonic™. This lightweight, super-cool, easy to use hairdryer delivers powerful drying and styling results every day, and has the reviews to prove it. It works because a microprocessor measures and regulates air temperature 20 times every second which keeps the temperature under control and helps prevent heat damage and leaves your mum with the shiniest hair ever.

Boots is currently offering a fantastic spa box from Champneys that any mum would love. Champneys, A Well Earned Treat Gift, is currently £25 at Boots but the treasures inside the beautifully presented box are worth closer to £60. This present will allow your mum to sit back and relax and feel totally pampered. The kit contains: Heavenly Days Relaxing Bubble Heaven, Heavenly Days Relaxing Warming Scrub, Heavenly Days Sleep Temple Balm, Citrus Blush Enlivening Shower Gel, Citrus Blush Enlivening Body Lotion, Harmonious Hand Restoring Hand and Nail Cream SPF 15 and a Manicure Glass Nail File. We told you might want to keep some of these treats, and this is one of them.

For mums who like their bags, Joules have a bright tote that ticks all the boxes for spring and beyond. This on trend, orange bag comes with pockets galore, brass buckles, there’s loads of room for her every day essentials and with a detachable cross body strap, she can change her look as and when it suits.

If it’s candles that light up your mum’s life, look no further than the White Company. We love their Lime & Bay signature candle because it is like stepping out of our living room and walking into a tropical garden. Mandarin, pink grapefruit, bergamot, orange, lime and lemon have been combined with jasmine, lime blossom, ginger and crushed bay leaves and result is a pure sense sensation. The candle is made from mineral wax and comes in a beautiful white gift box and wrapped in soft, white tissue paper and comes in an iconic White Company bag. Perfect, and there’s a diffuser and room spray to match.

Pandora is a brand many mums love because they make beautiful, hand crafted jewellery that says, ‘I love you’. On our list this year, is the stunning this hand-finished bow bangle. This modern classic comes in sterling silver and has a glittering bow that will make your mum smile every time it sparkles in the sunlight.

Mother’s Day isn’t Mothers Day without flowers. If you don’t live close to your mum, we think you, and she, will be super impressed with Bloom and Wild who deliver beautiful flowers via your letterbox. Their site, bloomandwild.com, is super easy to use and the service is We love The Elsie option which is 21 stems of fresh freesias and stocks mixed with long- alstroemerias and wildflower foliage. Simply choose, order and they will be delivered to your mum with a personalised message in the card to show how you care.

Of course, at Pure Beauty we have a while range of luxurious products that will make your mum happy and put you in her good books.

Team Pure-Beauty

Five Beauty No-No’s You Should Have Given Up for Lent

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We’re already a little way into Lent and here at Pure Beauty we’ve given up various things, from chocolate to prosecco, which is just as difficult as it sounds! We thought we’d take a lighthearted look at some of the biggest beauty sins that people commit because although it might be too late to give them up for Lent, it’s never too late to give them up for the sake of your skin!

Squeezing Spots

Squeezing spots is bad for a number of reasons – firstly, there’s the risk of damaging the skin and causing scarring, which will look more unsightly that the spots themselves. Also, when you squeeze a spot, it might seem like you’re getting the gunk out but you actually force a portion of the bacteria back into the skin, potentially causing more spots. Instead, use Decleor Imperfections Roll-on, which will reduce inflammation and neutralise the spot causing bacteria.

Sleeping in Make-Up

When you sleep with a clean face, you allow your skin to breathe and heal itself after the stresses of the day. Make-up left on your face will clog pores and cause spots, areas of dryness, irritation and redness and an overall dulling of the complexion. Dermalogica Clean Bar is designed for pre-bedtime cleansing and is suitable for all skin types.

Skipping Moisturiser

Even if you have oily skin, you could still benefit from using a daily moisturiser – skin usually over-produces oil when it’s parched and in need of help so choosing a good oil-free moisturiser could be a big help. Dermalogica Active Moist is suitable for ALL skin types and is oil-free for non-shiny moisturisation.

Drinking Too Much Booze and Not Enough Water

We ALL know that drinking too much alcohol for us is bad and that we should properly rehydrate afterwards, but many of us still enjoy a tipple without drinking water to replenish our moisture levels. For each alcoholic drink you have, try to drink a 250ml glass of water to even the balance, and keep some Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment on hand for treated parched hands.

Having Your Showers too Hot

Having a hot shower at the end of a bad day can feel like a great way to unwind, but having the shower too hot can not only strip your skin of its essential natural oils, it can also temporarily raise your blood pressure, leaving you feeling hot and dizzy. If you want to unwind, try using some Dermalogica Hydro-Active Mineral Salts as a scrub when you enjoy a warm shower as it contains a blend of soothing oils which promote relaxation.

Embrace exercise, don’t run away from it

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Many of us are unhappy with certain parts of our body, but ironing out those lumps and bumps can look like a daunting prospect and taking those first steps often seems scary.

Hated bingo wings and the stubborn extra half a stone that just won’t budge can be a pain, but if you see it as a challenge the tables can be turned and you can embrace the road ahead.

Following a few simple steps can allow you to make huge strides forwards when it comes to your health, fitness and self-esteem.

First things first, set a goal and be realistic. Whether you want to be a size 12, fit into a gorgeous dress for a wedding or just want to be able to run for the bus without passing out, have a vision and you are so much more likely to make it happen.

Next, take a look at what you eat and drink. You can spend hours in the gym but if a sweaty session is followed by burgers and fries things won’t change. Forget fads and quick fixes and instead aim for a portion-controlled, balanced diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins and go easy on processed food and sugar.

You are what you drink, so cut back on alcohol, caffeine and sugar filled pop, and instead aim to drink two litres of water a day for ideal hydration. Some do say that coffee has some health benefits as it helps speed up your metabolism which is turn helps with fat-burning, but keep a lid on things and enjoy one or two cups a day.

When it comes to exercise, the key to success is to find something you enjoy and look forward to doing. If you hate running, don’t sign up for a 5km challenge and if water brings you out in cold sweat, the pool might not be for you. From dance classes and yoga to paddle boarding and football, there are so many options out there; you can be sure to find something that is right for you. Going to a class with a friend or booking a personal trainer of a few of you, can also be an incentive to keep up the good work and keep a commitment to others too.

Once you have found an activity you like that raises your heart beat and gets the blood pumping around your body, why not add in some weights into the mix too? Many people are afraid of these but they are a brilliant way to further develop your fitness levels and stamina whilst building long, lean muscles. Adding low weights when doing repetitions of simple squats and burpees is the perfect place to start, and if you are a member of a gym, the staff will be only too happy to help.

If you want to really get in the zone, wearing the right kit can really help. We aren’t saying go out and spend a fortune but a decent pair of trainers, bright clothing and a fresh water bottle are so much more inspiring than dirty joggers and your dad’s old sized hoodie.

When putting your body to the test, you also need to allow it to rest and recover. Plan your week and ensure you have days when you aren’t in the boxing ring or out on your bike and that way you will prevent injury and exhaustion. Also make sure you get enough sleep and aim for between six and eight hours a night.

So, get a plan, put it into practise and say hello to a happier, healthier you.

Team Pure Beauty

Running Late? Beauty in a Hurry

Running Late!
Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143134916@N06/29395445256 – Creative Commons licence.

Even the best timekeepers amongst us have a glitch every now and again, a day where the alarm doesn’t go off or something happens to ruin our usual morning routine, which can leave you feeling on the back-foot for the whole day. On days like this you have two choices – either leave the house looking a mess, or turn to some brilliant quick-fix beauty products which can be applied in a trice and which will make you feel less like hiding your face all day! Read on to find out what we would recommend:

Wash

Washing your face to start the day is hugely important as it gets rid of natural oils which have built up on the skin while you were sleeping and helps to prevent spots from forming during the day. Use a multifunctional product such as Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel which is soap-free and will not only cleanse away impurities but also contains ingredients which calm the skin and reduce redness. Rinse with cold water which will also make you feel more awake and alert!

Tone

It might seem like aiming for the full “cleanse, tone, moisturise” routine is a little bit extravagant when you’re seriously time-poor but Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner is a spray which can be spritzed on your face in a matter of seconds and will add critical hydration after cleansing.

Cover Up

If you don’t have time for a full face of make-up but don’t feel comfortable going out with a completely bare face then opt for a Decleor BB Cream, They come in three different shades and act as coverage for your skin, a moisturiser AND an SPF, allowing you to skip two whole steps of your morning routine!

Get Lippy

Keeping a Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Treatment in your handbag at all times is a good idea but it will come into its own on a day like today! As well as caring for your lips and adding moisturiser, it will give a soft sheen in lieu of lipstick or gloss and will leave your face feeling less naked if you’re running out of time. If it’s already in your bag or desk drawer, you can even apply it once you’re out of the house, saving you even more time.

Kill Blemishes

If your skin is looking a little less than perfect and you have blemishes you want to target, then another great “handbag” product is Decleor Imperfections Roll-on. You can use it at any time of the day when you feel spots starting to form and it will target and eliminate the bacterial cause of spots, as well as reducing redness and inflammation so that you don’t have to spend all day regretting oversleeping and missing your full coverage make-up!

What to read this World Book Day

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2nd March is World Book Day and over the past years it really has become quite ‘a thing’.

While children around the world celebrate their favourite books and characters at school and home, we think that grown-ups should get in on the act too.

Reading is the perfect way of relaxing, escaping, educating and chilling out. It is a life skill we learn as infants, but something that becomes a hobby for many.

Many people now read from a Kindle, others still love nothing more than turning paper pages and for some, there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day for reading.

What a shame.

To help you get the most out of books this World Book Day, we have put together a list of some of our favourites at Pure Beauty.

We have included quite a range from world classics to brand new novels, stories for little people and big ones too but whatever you like to read, we think you will find something that is perfect for you.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Room by Emma Donoghue
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Harry Potter by J K Rowling
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Piccout
Middlemarch by George Eliot
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by DH Lawrence
The Beach by Alex Garland
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
It by Stephen King
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
50 Shades of Grey by E L James
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Anne Of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Kinney
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Animal Farm by George Orwell
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Memoirs Of A Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Swallows And Amazons by Arthur Ransome
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Blyton
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Atonement by Ian McEwan
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

How many have you read and what have we missed – let us know.

Happy World Book Day.

Team Pure-Beauty

Skincare for City Dwellers

Skincare for City Dwellers
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If you live or work in or around a major city, you’re probably all too aware of the effects that pollution can have if you’re breathing it in all day long. What you may not be aware of, though, is the effect that daily pollution can have on your skin. Pollution can speed up the ageing process and have an overall dulling effect on the skin, as well as contributing to spots and blemishes. Fortunately, there are several products from Dermalogica and Decleor which can help to rid your skin of pollutants:

Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant

One of the most important things to do if you want to take care of your skin after exposure to pollution is to keep it clean, and exfoliation is the best way to do this, however many exfoliants are too harsh for daily use and will leave skin raw and sensitised. Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant is a powerful exfoliant which is delicate enough for daily use and will help guard against the damaging effects of pollution.

Decleor 24 Hour Hydrating Cream Rich

Pollution can be awfully drying for the skin, so even if you usually have normal or combination skin, spending more time in a high-pollution area might make your skin more dry than usual. Using a moisturiser such as this rich hydrating cream from Decleor will not only protect your skin from pollution but keep it moist for a full 24 hours.

Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Treatment

The lips are an incredibly common area in which to experience dryness especially in colder months when you’ll be in and out of heated buildings as well as dealing with pollution. This lip balm from Dermalogica uses an anti-ozonate complex, shea butter, oat extract and vitamin E to replace moisture and shield the lips from external assault from the environment around you.

Decleor Double Radiance Cream

As we mentioned above, pollution can cling to your skin and strip away your radiance, making your skin look dull and undernourished. Decleor Double Radiance Cream uses elemi essential oils to stimulate hydration, plant oils containing Omega 3, 6 and 9 to boost your skin’s natural defences against the elements and soft focus pigments to reflect light and give the skin instant radiance.

Decleor BB Cream 24 Hour Hydration SPF15

This BB Cream from Decleor is a great product for many reasons – not only will it allow you to achieve a flawless finish to your skin, it offers protection from the sun’s harmful rays and also actively protects against urban pollutants, making this the perfect product for city dwellers. It comes in three different shades for a variety of skin tones and keeps the skin perfectly hydrated for 24 hours.

The Vitamin D Lowdown

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Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, has been in the news recently and we are having a look at why. Well, recent research has claimed that if you want to keep colds, flu and even pneumonia away, it’s Vitamin D, rather than an apple a day you need.

Vitamin D is created naturally by the body when we come into contact with the sun. However, with the shocking weather we get in the UK, it isn’t surprising that many us of don’t create enough Vitamin D naturally, but we do need it if we are going to be happy and healthy.

Vitamin D helps us absorb the calcium and phosphate we digest which is turn keeps our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bones soften and weaken and deformities can then occur. In children a lack of Vitamin D can lead to rickets and in adults, it can be osteomalacia, which causes bone pain and tenderness. It is also believed that the same vitamin keeps immune systems working at full pelt so we don’t pick up every single cough, cold and virus we come into contact with. It doesn’t end there, as others also think there is a link between low levels of Vitamin C and depression as well as obesity.

We all need Vitamin D, but those who are most likely to suffer if they don’t have the right amount, are:

Infants under 5
Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding
Anyone who has little exposure to the sun, or none at all, for example people who are housebound or in hospital
The over 65s
People with darker skin as they need to spend longer in the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D as someone with lighter skin

It is one thing saying that more Vitamin D is needed, but if we can’t get it from the sun, where do we find it?

Well, just because it isn’t sunny, doesn’t mean you should get outside at every opportunity and as fresh air and exercise is vital for good health and mood.

Oily fish like mackerel, salmon and sardines are a great starting point as are eggs. These foods are also packed with omega 3 and protein so it is a good idea to add them to your diet anyway. Vitamin D can also be found in meat, mushrooms, fortified cereal, plant milks and soy yogurts.

It might also be a good idea to take a Vitamin D supplement to be sure you are in tip-top condition. Whilst some people take them just in the winter months, there is no harm in taking them all year round to ensure your levels are, well, level.

The recommended daily amount of Vitamin D is around 10 micrograms a day for an adult. Babies under 12 months should have no more than 25mcg a day and children between one to 10 years should not have more than 50mcg a day. If no doubt, talk to your GP about doses in more detail to get it right and don’t take more than recommended.

As a rule of thumb eat a diet that is rich in oily fish, go outside as often as much as you can, take a supplement and if you are worried you are failing short, speak to your GP who can take some tests and put you on the right path to wellness.

Team Pure-Beauty

Top Tips for Avoiding Cracked Hands

Top Tips for Avoiding Cracked Hands
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It’s been a particularly cold February and for many of us, this means only one thing: cracked and painful hands. There are several things that you can do to help your hands to avoid getting cracked and we thought we’d take a look at a few of them to help you to keep your mitts in tip-top condition.

Avoid Extremes of Temperature

Spending a lot of time outside can be a killer for your hands, as can coming inside and warming them up too quickly. Avoiding extremes of temperature can help, so make sure you’re wearing gloves when the temperature plummets and don’t come inside and immediately place them on a heat source.

Wear Gloves

We covered this above, didn’t we? Well, no, not those gloves, we mean gloves when you do housework. Harsh chemicals and washing liquids are one of the biggest triggers for dry and cracked skin on the hands so ensuring that you shield your hands when cleaning will really help.

MOISTURISE!

We can’t state this strongly enough! Using a good hand cream which isn’t all fragrance and no moisture is so important as the skin of the hands is less able to produce and retain moisture than other areas of your body. Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment is a super-rich formula which will absorb into the skin and rejuvenate dry hands, making them feel less tight and uncomfortable and reduce the risk of cracking exponentially.

Avoid Soap

Obviously, we aren’t suggesting that you quit washing altogether because that would just be wrong! However, avoiding hand washes which contain soap could really help your hands. Soap can be incredibly drying for the skin as it obliterates the natural oils and drys the skin out immediately. Opt for a non-soap based mild handwash which will add moisture to your skin, rather than stripping it away.

Keep them Dry
You know how your fingers go wrinkly when you spend too long in the bath or swimming pool? This is because the natural oils in your skin have effectively been diluted and washed away, leaving your skin unprotected. Keeping your skin dry is really important to maintaining its natural defenses so make sure you dry them properly after washing, don’t spend too long with your hands in water and use a little hand-cream after every time you get them wet.