Updating Your Skincare for Spring

by Caroline Louise Beauty and Makeup

As the cold winter months come to an end, it’s time to start thinking about updating your skincare routine for spring. With warmer weather and more sunshine, your skin’ needs change, and it’s important to switch up your products to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Here are some tips for updating your skincare routine for spring:

1. Exfoliate regularly

During winter, your skin may become dry or flaky, which can lead to a build-up of dead skin cells and a dull complexion. Exfoliating regularly can help remove this build-up, leaving your skin looking brighter and more refreshed. Exfoliants can be separated into two types - chemical and physical. Those which work chemically, such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), do so by loosening the bonds between dead surface-layer cells and the radiant skin beneath. Physical exfoliants like scrubs or polishes use ingredients such as sea salt or bamboo silica and work using abrasive action to push the dead cells off. Whichever method you choose, look for gentle exfoliants that won’t damage your skin.

2. Switch to a lighter moisturiser

In winter, rich, creamy moisturisers are essential for keeping your skin hydrated and protected from the cold, dry air. But in the spring, you can switch to a lighter moisturiser that won’t feel as heavy on your skin. Look for moisturisers that contain hyaluronic acid for a lightweight hydration-hit, or moisturisers containing prebiotics which stabilise sebum levels and protect against blemish-causing bacteria, if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

3. Use sunscreen daily

As the weather gets warmer and the sun gets stronger, it’s more important than ever to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Make sure to use a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen with an SPF of 50 every day, even if you’re just running errands or spending time indoors. Look for sunscreens that are lightweight, non-greasy, and consider tinted ones if you want a bit of a glow without wearing makeup.

4. Add antioxidants to your routine

Antioxidants are important for protecting your skin from environmental damage, pollution and free radicals. Look for products that contain antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, berries and green tea extract, and incorporate them into your skincare routine. These products can help brighten your skin, reduce inflammation, and even out your skin tone.

5. Don’t forget about your lips and eyes

Your lips and eyes are often overlooked in your skincare routine, but they’re just as important as the rest of your face. Invest in a good lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from the sun and use an eye cream to hydrate and brighten the delicate skin around your eyes.

6. Use a face mask once a week

Face masks are a great way to give your skin a little extra TLC, and they can help address specific skin concerns like dryness, acne, or dullness. Use a face mask once a week to help hydrate, brighten, or purify your skin, depending on your needs. Look for masks that are formulated for your skin type and concerns and follow the instructions carefully for best results.

By following these tips, you can update your skincare routine for spring and keep your skin looking and feeling its best. As always, I’m here to help if you’d like any tailormade advice so just get in touch.

For more information visit www.caroline-louise.co.uk email caroline@caroline-louise.co.uk or call 07814 442041

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Company car benefits and exemptions from April 2023

Most employers and employees are aware of the additional costs of providing company cars and the tax implications they create. However, for many employees the attraction of having a company car means that despite any tax disadvantages, this remains a popular option.

Where employees are provided with fuel for their own private use by their employers, the car fuel benefit charge is applicable. The fuel benefit charge is determined by reference to the CO2 rating of the car, applied to a fixed amount. The car fuel benefit charge will increase in 202324 to £27,800 (from £25,300). The fuel benefit is not applicable when the employee pays for all their private fuel use.

Oswestry

Ludlow

Shrewsbury

Knighton

Wrexham

The car fuel benefit charge will increase in 2023-24 to £27,800 (from £25,300). The fuel benefit is not applicable when the employee pays for all their private fuel use.

The standard benefit charge for private use of a company van will increase to £3,960 (from £3,600). A company van is defined as ‘a van made available to an employee by reason of their employment’. There is an additional van fuel benefit charge for a van with significant private use. The limit will increase in 2023-24 to £757 (from £688). If private use of the van is insignificant, then no benefit will apply.

Benefits that are exempt from tax include:

Cars available for business journeys only

It has generally been established that to qualify for VAT recovery the car must not be available for any private use.

The car should only be available to staff during working hours for employment related duties or to travel to a temporary workplace.

Cars adapted for an employee with a disability

These cars are exempt if the only private use is for journeys between home and work and for travel to workrelated training.

‘Pool’ cars

Employers are not required to pay or report on ‘pool’ cars. These are cars that are shared by employees for business purposes only, and normally kept on the business premises.

Privately owned cars

Employers do not have to pay anything on cars that directors or employees own privately.