Beauty in Transit: How to Keep Your Beauty Routine During a Move

As a highly qualified, fully accredited consultant reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeon, I consider myself somewhat an expert on beauty and how to maintain it. I have developed a huge passion for advanced facial aesthetics using surgical and non-surgical modalities, but the key piece of advice I give my patients is to mitigate the triggers and adverse factors that can age a person prematurely. Stress is undoubtably one such factor. Whilst this blog focuses on how the stresses and strains of moving house can impact one’s appearance, the tips and advice I give here can be followed during any big life events or periods of upheaval.

Moving house is undoubtably a wonderful adventure and often the start of an exciting new chapter in a person’s life. However, alongside starting a new job or getting married, there are few more stressful life events than moving house. Whether you are relocating to a new country or just moving up the road, the logistics of a house move can cause stress. In this blog, I outline how stress can impact your appearance and provide my essential tips on how to maintain your glow, even on the go.

There is no getting away from it. Moving house can be stressful and can take its toll on you, both physically and mentally. Daily routines are disrupted, which can lead to feelings of instability. Packing and lifting furniture and boxes are also physically demanding tasks and this exertion combined with potential sleep deprivation can take a toll on your body and mind.

So how exactly does stress impact your appearance? It’s more wide ranging than you might imagine. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can increase oil production in your skin, leading to breakouts and acne. It reduces blood flow to the skin, depriving it of oxygen and essential nutrients, resulting in a dull, tired appearance. Lack of sleep can cause dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, making you look more fatigued. It can lead to hair thinning, hair loss, and a dry, flaky scalp due to the disruption of normal hair growth cycles. Finally, chronic stress accelerates the aging process, contributing to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

But fear not, soon the logistical hurdle of the move will be cleared, and you will then be able to enjoy a lifetime of happiness in your new home. Before you get there, however, here are my essential beauty tips to ensure the ravages of stress don’t take their toll on your skin.

Before you move

First, ensure the following are easily accessible and not buried deep in a box somewhere:

· Sunscreen: Those dreaded UV rays contribute to sun damaged skin and 80-85% of the visible skin changes associated with aging. The good news is effective protection from UV radiation is the simplest way to prevent it.

· Cleanser, toner, and moisturiser: The foundations of any skincare routine. I am a big advocate of a good cleansing routine with water, or with oil if you can, to ensure the pollutants from the environment are removed from the skin. Finding the right cleanser and skin care products can make a real difference. Many of us look better into our 40s and 50s than we ever did in our 20s, because we have worked out what skin care suits us and can perhaps possibly start to invest in higher quality products.

· Makeup essentials: The girl’s best friends; concealer, lip balm and mascara to keep you looking and feeling your best

During the move

Moving house is emotionally demanding, but it can also take its toll physically, so staying hydrated is crucial for your skin. Drink the equivalent of at least eight glasses of water a day to help maintain your skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of tiredness.

No matter what, stick to the following tried and tested, simplified beauty regime and do it twice a day. It’s vital to keep your skin clean, so remove the sweat and dirt from your moving exploits with a gentle cleanser. Then it’s all about feeding your facial tissues - balance your skins pH with a toner, lock in hydration with a high-quality moisturiser and apply that SPF sunscreen to ensure your skin is protected at all times. You may also wish to consider a collagen supplement, such as Skinade® or Totally Derma®, both are products that can boost natural levels of hydration and reduce inflammation to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Most importantly ensure you eat nutritiously and don’t neglect your sleep. You still need those fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats and those eight hours sleep a night.

Moving house is ultimately a hugely rewarding and exciting time in any person’s life. With the right approach and a bit of careful planning you can ensure the associated stress has minimal impact on your appearance.

Dr Rozina Ali is a highly qualified, fully accredited, London based consultant reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeon (FRCS Plast), with a specialist interest in all aspects of breast reconstruction and aesthetics. She has developed a huge passion for advanced facial aesthetics using surgical and non-surgical modalities.