Tip 1: Relax in an oIive oil bath

This is my favourite beauty tip for anyone with a busy life. It came from my grandma, but has been tried and tested by me! (And reportedly it’s an anti-ageing secret of Sophia Loren). What I love about putting a few capfuls of olive oil into my bath is that it’s a relaxing and effortless way to moisturise — great if you don’t have the wherewithal to sit there and rub thick, cold cream into your skin. Experts acknowledge that olive oil has benefits for the skin, saying it can cleanse, moisturise, reduce signs of ageing (due to antioxidants) and promote healing (thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties). It’s also thought to be good for your hair, softening and protecting against damage. But important side note: experts caution against using on sensitive skin and say it should never be used on an infant.

Handy hint: Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (just put two or three capfuls into the bath water) and be very careful not to slip. I don’t rub my skin afterwards, I just pat dry.

Having a bath with olive oil is reportedly a beauty secret of Sophia Loren.

Tip 2: Wear sun cream on your face every day

Another quick and easy beauty secret for those with hectic, outdoor lives is to use a broad spectrum sun cream on your face every day (if you’re going outside) to keep yourself looking youthful. Health professionals say there is evidence that using sun cream every day helps slow down the skin’s ageing process. They recommend using a minimum of SPF 30, and say to use it even on cloudy days. Others recommend even higher if you’re working outdoors, and to reapply it throughout the day.

Handy hint: Buy travel-size or mini bottles that you can fit into your saddle bags / handbag if going out for the day.

I like to plait my hair to keep it out of the way and stop it from getting tangled in the wind and rain.

Tip 3: Plait your hair?

There is mixed advice online about this, with at least one article saying braids and ponytails can cause hair to break, especially if too tight. But, as a person with long locks, I personally feel that a French plait helps my hair tremendously: it doesn’t get knotted when I’m out and about with the horses (especially in the wind and rain), it doesn’t get tangled while I’m sleeping and it’s super low maintenance (I don’t have to wash and brush it as much, with a plait lasting at least two days). I also feel far less scruffy and don’t have my hair constantly in my face, or have to worry about my bun falling out when I’m moving around. However, I am yet to find a riding hat that sits comfortably on top of my plait(s). (All ideas/help welcome!)

Handy hint: If you struggle to do your own hair (like me), get a friend to do it once in a while, or just do a simple, low, side plait (it’ll be easier to get your riding hat on).

Tip 4: Drink green tea

Green tea is believed to have many health benefits.

We all love hot drinks in the winter, so why not switch a milky and sugary beverage for a mug of green tea? Famous for its antioxidants, green tea is said to have a range of health benefits. When it comes to beauty, medical publications say that drinking it (and also applying it topically) may have benefits for your skin and help it look younger. It may also have a small role to play in aiding weight loss, they say, helping to boost your metabolism and increase fat burning.

Handy hint: It is recommended to drink around three to five cups per day. You could try starting with two cups in the morning and one in the afternoon?

Tip 5: Stay hydrated

It is unclear whether it helps our skin to drink extra water, but the point here is to stay hydrated, especially in the winter when it’s said we may be more vulnerable to dehydration. There is certainly no doubt that hydration is important for keeping our skin healthy. Personally, I notice a huge difference in my complexion when I drink lots of water. And an American dermatologist here — who advocates drinking eight glasses of water a day — says that “without adequate water intake, skin appears duller, and wrinkles and pores more prominent.”

Handy hint: It’s not for everyone, but I like to drink tepid or warm water in the winter because it’s less, well, cold. Also when I lived in Hong Kong, I noticed that local people tended to drink warm water, which in Chinese medicine is believed to be better for your health.

Tip 6: Eat homemade veggie soup

Filling, warm, delicious and packed with good stuff, homemade veggie soup is my latest food obsession! It’s fun, quick and easy to make, and all those veggies might just help you eat your way to gorgeous skin, as this nutritionist says is possible. Apparently, soup itself may also help with weight management and hydration. And you can take it with you to the barn easily.

Handy hint: Why not make some healthy homemade bread to go with it?

Tip 7: Have a night-time skin care routine.

We riders may not always have time for make up, but I would recommend giving your face some TLC before bed. Women’s magazines tell us a nightly skin care routine is important because apparently this is when the skin does its repair work, and it’s also better able to absorb what we apply to it. I find my skin looks and feels much better if I’ve cleansed, toned and moisturised the night before, and it really doesn’t take much time, so it’s pretty easy to slot into your day.

Handy hint: Maybe aim to clean your face after dinner but before your actual bedtime, so you’re not tempted to crawl into bed and forget about it.

7 Winter Beauty Tips For Horse Riders