Reset for Spring – Use These Ingredients NOW to See a Difference in Your Skin!

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acid, bakuchiol, collagen, Dermalogica Daily Glycolic Cleanser, Dermalogica PowerBright Dark Spot Serum, dull skin, enlarged pores, gel, gentle, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, hydrate, ingredient, ingredients, Maskology Hyaluronic Acid Professional Sheet Mask, moisturiser, natural, Niacinamide, pores, REN Clean Skincare Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream, Republic Vitamin C 6% Serum, retinoids, retinol, sensitive skin, serum, skin, This Works My Wrinkles CBD Booster + Bakuchiol, uneven skintone, vitamin, Vitamin C, wrinkles

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

While we might still be firmly in the grips of winter, many of us are already starting to think forward to the warmer, brighter days of spring. This may involve trying to improve our fitness, giving your house a thorough decluttering, or possibly getting control of your complexion before the warmer weather arrives. If you are concentrating on the latter, using products containing the following five ingredients between now and the start of spring (although maybe not all of them at the same time!) is sure to reset your skin and give you the complexion of your dreams:

Vitamin C

Adding vitamin C to your skin care routine can not only brighten your complexion but also protect against skin damage caused by sun exposure and harmful free radicals. This potent antioxidant is commonly used in face cleansers, serums, oils, and moisturisers. Skin Republic Vitamin C 6% Serum is a great place to start, and we’d also recommend adding REN Clean Skincare Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream, which is a light gel cream moisturiser to hydrate and illuminate your skin.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), a natural acid derived from plants. It’s made up of tiny molecules that can easily penetrate your skin barrier, helping to make it a particularly effective anti-ageing ingredient that promotes good skin health. Dermalogica Daily Glycolic Cleanser is packed with this acid and will help renew dull, uneven skin tone and remove build-up caused by environmental factors. 

Hyaluronic Acid

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last ten years, you’ve likely heard of hyaluronic acid as it’s in so many different skincare products – with good reason! It is a powerful component that both binds moisture to the skin and is suitable for all skin types and ages. It’s found naturally in the skin, although production reduces as we age. When added to skincare, it helps to hydrate the skin, gives a plumper, wrinkle-free appearance and makes your complexion look more radiant. For an easy introduction to hyaluronic acid, we recommend Maskology Hyaluronic Acid Professional Sheet Mask.

Bakuchiol

We’ve written about bakuchiol before, and it’s an ingredient which is worth mentioning over and over again! Retinoids are potent ingredients which encourage faster turnover of surface skin cells and boosts collagen, as well as improving skin tone and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. However, for some, retinoids are a little TOO powerful for their sensitive skin and can cause irritation and discomfort. Bakuchiol is a gentle, naturally occurring alternative, found in This Works My Wrinkles CBD Booster + Bakuchiol, which is perfect for those with sensitive skin. 

Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimise enlarged pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen the skin’s surface. It can be found in Dermalogica PowerBright Dark Spot Serum, along with hexylresorcinol to help fade dark spots and shiitake mushrooms, which are rich in beta glucans, to help to brighten skin.

Twixmas is the Time for Self-Care

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Aromatherapy Associates Support Nourishing Body Oil, bath, coconut, cream, evening primrose, exotic, eye, face, festive, geranium, kit, lotion, Lycon Lyco'Pedi Kit, macadamia, mask, Maskology Retinol and Vitamin C Professional Under Eye Mask, massage, New Year, pamper, pampering, pedicure, Relax, REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil, retinol, scent, season, self-care, skin oil, Twixmas, UpCircle The Pamper Kit, vanilla, Vitamin C, ylang ylang

Photo by Taryn Elliott

Once the stress of Christmas Day is over, Twixmas, the relaxed period between Christmas and New Year, comes along to help recharge our batteries before we welcome in another year. Marked from the 27th until 30th December, Twixmas is the perfect time to give yourself a serious pampering so that the wear and tear of Christmas can be wiped away and you begin the New Year as your most radiant self. Here are five hero products for making Twixmas the most wonderful time of the year for your skin:

REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil

When we think of self care and pampering, most of us automatically picture ourselves in the bath, and this oil from REN Clean Skincare is the perfect partner for that scene. REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil is a bath oil for all skin types designed to calm the mind and soothe the skin. A few drops of this rich oil in your bath is enough to de-stress, leave the day behind and even soothes dry skin.

Maskology Retinol and Vitamin C Professional Under Eye Mask

If you’re still reeling from the strains of Christmas, there’s a good chance you’re lacking sleep and that almost always shows around the eyes, making it the perfect time to use this mask. The retinol formula will brighten dark circles, improve the appearance of pigmentation and smooth the skin’s texture. The serum infused hydrogel mask transforms the eye area in just 20 minutes. It’s rich in anti-ageing ingredients, the mask visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles, while rejuvenating and energising the area to maintain a youthful glow.

UpCircle The Pamper Kit

If you want to indulge in some pampering but also want the peace of mind of knowing that your products don’t have a negative impact on the planet then this Pamper Kit from UpCircle is the one for you. It contains seven samples of UpCircle’s best selling products; Cleansing Face Balm, Clarifying Face Mask, Face Toner, Eye Cream, Face Moisturiser, Organic Face Serum and Body Cream. They all contain ingredients which are vegan and cruelty free, and come from sustainable sources. 

Lycon Lyco’Pedi Kit

A pedicure is the perfect pampering treat, especially when you’ve been spending busy days on your feet, cooking, cleaning and doing all the other festive prep. This Lyco’Pedi Kit from Lycon gives you everything you need for the ultimate mini pampering experience in a convenient mini carry bag. It contains their Refreshing Soak, Massage Lotion, Sugar Scrub, Hydrating Mask and Smoothing Cream, allowing you to whip your feet into shape in no time at all. 

Aromatherapy Associates Support Nourishing Body Oil

Self-massage is a great way to make yourself feel more relaxed and relieve the stresses of the season, and this Nourishing Body Oil is the perfect conditioning and deeply penetrating dry skin oil for the job. Combining macadamia, coconut and evening primrose with the exotic scent of geranium, ylang ylang and vanilla, the blend both conditions the skin and uplifts the senses with aromatherapy. 

Rosemary – It’s Not Just for Your Roast Potatoes!

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Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel, atlantic kelp, body, cream, Decleor Rosemary Black Clay Cleansing Gel, Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel, Eyes, face, gel, ingredient, ingredients, kelp, Medik8 Gentle Cleanse, natural, naturally derived, oil, oils, oily, peptide, puffy, REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Cream, rosemary, skin, tetrapeptides

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Today, we’re looking at a specific ingredient which is found in several products we sell. You’ve probably eaten it or cooked it many times before, but rosemary is actually very beneficial for your skin. Rosemary oil acts as a refreshing astringent that balances and tightens skin and topical application of rosemary oil helps to keep the skin in balance while relieving acne and oily skin types.The antibacterial effect of rosemary oil helps prevent future breakouts on oily and acne-prone skin, while ageing skin receives an invigorating boost that stimulates blood circulation, giving skin a youthful, radiant glow. Here are some of our favourite rosemary-containing products:

REN Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Cream

This body cream from REN Clean Skincare uses a number of naturally derived ingredients, including rosemary, Atlantic kelp and magnesium which combine to create an easily absorbed body cream formulated to help nourish, smooth and tone the skin. It’s designed to be applied after showering, in an upwards motion, to help relieve muscle soreness and tiredness, while encouraging natural cell renewal and uplifting the senses. 

Decleor Rosemary Black Clay Cleansing Gel

The ingredients in this cleansing gel from Decleor are not just natural – they’re a whopping ninety five percent naturally derived! The gel is enriched with rosemary essential oil and black clay to perfectly clean and clear imperfections. The results leave pores looking unclogged, imperfections reduced and overall, the skin looks smoother, healthier and more luminous.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel

Rosemary is a great ingredient because not only does it have a lot of natural properties which help the skin, but the fragrance can also have a profound effect on the senses. This reviving body gel from Aromatherapy Associates contains high concentrations of the finest essential oils of juniper berry, grapefruit and rosemary to help promote an even skin texture and boost energy. Its stimulating oils make it an ideal pep before a busy day or evening and the perfect in-flight companion and it can also be used to apply to areas of cellulite or fluid retention.

Medik8 Gentle Cleanse

Rosemary contains a huge amount of natural antioxidants, and that’s what Medik8 wanted to harness in their Gentle Cleanse. It’s a mild, rosemary-infused foaming wash that gently removes dirt, make-up and impurities, without unbalancing skin’s delicate moisture levels. Perfect for even the most sensitive skin, this ultra-gentle formula is lightweight yet extremely hydrating to leave skin feeling refreshed and glowing. 

Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel

No-one likes to see puffiness or fine lines around their eyes as they’re a surefire way to show that you’re tired or under the weather. Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel is a firming, hydrating eye gel with caffeine that utilises a highly active blend with tetrapeptides and soothing rosemary leaf extract to minimise the appearance of puffiness and fine lines. It’s suitable for all skin types and conditions and helps to make your eyes look more radiant and clear. 

Are You in the Know About ‘Blue Beauty’?

Photo by Luke Dahlgren on Unsplash

We know it often seems like there’s a new “must try!” trend that comes along on an almost weekly basis, but “blue beauty” is much more than a trend. It’s a movement which focuses on the ocean when thinking about our beauty routines. But rather than being about the ingredients coming from the sea, it’s about ensuring we don’t add to the already gargantuan amounts of plastics, both micro and macro, which already pollute our oceans. That’s why we’re sharing with you today a list of five of our products which focus on plastic reduction and sustainability:

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Refill

Daily Microfoliant is a hugely popular product from Dermalogica, helping users to achieve smoother, brighter-looking skin through daily use. However, when you use daily-use products, you often finish them quite quickly and need to replace them with another. That’s why Dermalogica has created the iconic brightening powder exfoliant in a handy refill packet with a 92% reduction in plastic. You can continue to use your favourite exfoliator every single day, safe in the knowledge that you’re also cutting down your plastic waste by a massive amount. 

Purdy and Figg Wild Woody Hand Sanitiser Spray

We dread to think just how many plastic hand sanitiser bottles have ended up in our oceans in the last couple of years, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we bet it’s a LOT. This hand sanitiser from Purdy and Figg delivers over 300 uses and comes in an eco-friendly glass bottle to reduce single use plastic. It’s clinically proven to kill 99.99% of bacteria and keeps your hands soft as well as clean. 

Hayo’u Scented Candle

You might be surprised to learn that many scented candles are bad for the environment as they’re made from waxes which are originally derived from petroleum. This one from Hayo’u, however, contains no petroleum or mineral oils and the product packaging is made from doubled walled cardboard. The company also states that, where possible, for environmental reasons, they do not use single wrap plastics or cellophane to wrap their products, giving you even greater peace of mind that your home can smell amazing without damaging the environment. 

REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid Youth Serum

Packaged in a recyclable glass bottle with a twist-lock pump made from 50% recycled plastic and without an outer cap, this youth serum from REN Clean Skincare is aiming to keep you looking young AND reduce your worries about the planet! The formula is also vegan and cruelty free, so you know that as well as protecting the oceans, you’re not contributing to the suffering of animals. Oh, and the serum itself is a winner, too! 

UpCircle Bamboo Cotton Buds

Cotton buds are one of the largest contributors to plastics in the ocean, often ranking in the top 5 of marine debris, and in 2018, 22 cotton buds were found for every 100 metres of UK beach surveyed. Making the switch to these bamboo cotton buds will help you to make a huge impact on the amount of them that end up polluting our waters each year as the sticks are made from a sustainable source of bamboo and the tips are made with organic cotton, right here in the UK, which also reduces the carbon footprint of how far they have to travel to reach you. 

Our Favourite Stocking Fillers for Under £10

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CBD, Christmas, cream, Elemis Luxury Cleansing Cloth Duo, face, feet, foot, gift, ingredients, kit, lip, mask, Maskology Foot Peel Professional Foot Treatment, products, skin, stocking, Sustainable, This Works Stress Check CBD Lip Mask, under £10, UpCircle The Pamper Kit, Voesh 3 Step Basic Mani in a Box Vitamin Recharge

Photo by Goran Grudić

It’s the middle of November; Halloween and Bonfire night are well behind us, which means that we are now officially allowed to talk about Christmas! With rising energy prices, many people are looking at ways to save, or just simply starting their Christmas shopping earlier so they can spread the cost a little. With this in mind, we thought we’d share with you some of our favourite products for under £10 which would make fantastic stocking fillers for the ones you love:

Voesh 3 Step Basic Mani in a Box Vitamin Recharge 

If you have someone in your life who has super hard-working hands then this mani in a box is the perfect little treat for them. It contains three separate products which gives you enough for a perfectly pampering manicure and it’s enriched with key ingredients to give your hands the nutrition they need. If you really like the person, you could even offer to give them a manicure yourself, using this kit! 

UpCircle The Pamper Kit 

This adorable (and sustainable) little pamper kit from UpCirlce contains SEVEN of their best-selling products, giving your gift recipient the chance to try the very best that they have to offer. All of the products are vegan friendly, cruelty free and made using naturally derived and recycled ingredients, and the kit contains a cleansing face balm, a clarifying face mask, a face toner, an eye cream, a face moisturiser, an organic face serum and a body cream.

Maskology Foot Peel Professional Foot Treatment

If your friend or loved one has a job which sees them standing on their feet for large portions of the day, there’s a good chance that their feet could do with some love. Maskology Foot Peel Professional Foot Treatment uses a formula of over 16 powerful botanical and fruit extracts to gradually remove rough and dead skin from the feet in just 7 days. Salicylic and Glycolic Acid dissolve and exfoliate dead skin cells, while other ingredients encourage the regeneration of new cells helping to replenish and renew the skin beneath.

Elemis Luxury Cleansing Cloth Duo

Moving towards a more sustainable skincare routine should be high up on most of our Christmas lists and these cleansing cloths will do exactly that. Elemis Luxury Cleansing Cloth Duo are super-soft pure cotton facial cloths that are ideal for removing cleansers, exfoliators and masks. They can be washed and reused for many years and the loose-fibred cotton is also perfect to enable use as an intensively nourishing treatment, allowing the sensorial aromas to be deeply inhaled through abdominal breathing. 

This Works Stress Check CBD Lip Mask

Many of us suffer from chapped lips in the Winter, so treating your loved one to a nourishing lip-treatment in their stocking is likely to be much appreciated. This lip mask from This Works is a natural lip comforter with 1% CBD, sweet almond oil and mood-boosting chocolate, peppermint and cardamom oils to self-comfort and help protect from the drying effects of stress and mask wearing.