Say ‘NO!’ to Shine

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acne, acne prone, acneic, Balm Mint, blackheads, Camphor, cause, central heating, Cornflower, decleor, Decleor Velvet Mattifying Fluid, dermalogica, Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier, Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15, Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion, Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30, grease, greasy, hormones, irritation, make-up, matte, mattifying, microsponges, moisture, moisturiser, oil, oil free, oiliness, oily, over-production, over-stimulation, pores, Pro-Vitamin B5, root cause, Salicylic Acid, sebum, shine, shiny, skin, SPF, SPF15, SPF30, spots, target, teen skin, teenage skin, winter

Image: StockSnap_8NK7QTGQY8 (CC0 License)

You may think that Summer is the prime-time to be worrying about shiny faces, what with the heat making you sweat, but if you suffer with over-production of sebum then winter can provide it’s own challenges. Constant changes of temperature, drying central heating and lack of sunlight can all conspire to make your skin create it’s very own oil slick, so we thought we’d showcase five of our best products to help you fight the shine

Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion

When we, here at Pure Beauty, read the description of this featherweight lotion, we weren’t quite sure we’d read it right, but yes, it actually contains microsponges! The particles are super absorbent and mop up excess sebum from your skin, and the lotion is suitable for people with oily, breakout-prone and acneic skin. Salycilic acid clears blocked pores while camphor, balm mint and cornflower reduce inflammation, attacking the root cause of sebum overproduction.

Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier

This incredibly potent lotion contains a multitude of hard-working ingredients which combine to perform a number of different functions. It’s a medicated, topical treatment which can be applied directly to an area of excess shine or breakouts and uses green tea, vitamin A, yeast extract, grape seed extract and pro-vitamin B5 (amongst other things!) to keep your skin totally clear and mattified.

Decleor Velvet Mattifying Fluid

Decleor have developed this fluid which attacks the problem of oiliness by increasing the amount of oxygen that the skin can absorb. This improves performance on a cellular level, rejuvenating your skin and discouraging the production of sebum as an overcompensation. It’s a really lightweight fluid which literally mattifies your skin upon touch and continues working all day to keep it look fresh.

Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30

Keeping oily skin protected from the sun can be really tricky because so many sun lotions are oil-based and add to an already shiny face, making wearing make-up almost impossible. This lotion from Dermalogica is not only completely oil-free, but it also contains a broad-spectrum, high SPF to fend off the sun’s harmful rays whilst helping to prevent shine, regulate oil production and soothe inflammation.

Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15

This matte moisturiser from the Clear Start range is designed specifically for teenage skin, moisturising the skin from deep with, clearing excess sebum and targeting the cause, as well as helping to reduce inflammation and breakouts. It contains a light SPF for added protection and can be used in conjunction with the rest of the Clear Start range to keep teenage skin well under control.

Is Your Skin Routine Wrong for You?

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acne, ageing, anti ageing, balance, blemishes, damage, decleor, Decleor 24 Hour Hydrating Cream Rich, Decleor Energising Smoothing Cream SPF15, Decleor Phytopeel Smooth Exfoliating Cream, Decleor Triple Action Shave Perfector, dermalogica, Dermalogica UltraCalming Sensitised Skin Treatment Kit. MediBac range, dryness, hair, hyaluronic acid, moisture, oily, older, pores, serum, skin, smoothing, soften, SPF, sun, wrinkles

You might feel as though you’ve got your skincare routine dialled in with a solid “cleanse, tone and moisturise” using your favourite products, but if you’re still having issues then it may be that the products you’re using are not quite right for you. Today, we’re looking at some common skincare issues and where you may be going wrong with your products.

Dry Patches

If you’re suffering with areas of dryness, there’s a good chance that your products aren’t rich enough to deeply moisturise your skin. There’s also a chance that your current cleanser is a little too harsh, so switching to a gentle cleanser like Decleor Phytopeel Smooth Exfoliating Cream will allow you to gently remove dead skin and debris, while Decleor 24 Hour Hydrating Cream Rich will keep your skin hydrated all day long.

Acne

If you suffer with acne and have regular breakouts despite having a skincare routine in place, it could mean that your selection of products simply isn’t medicated or strong enough to deal with such a complex skin complaint. Opting for products from the MediBac range from Dermalogica will help you to target the cause of your acne and get it under control, giving you clearer skin in the long term.

Oily Skin

The cause of oily skin can be quite complicated – sometimes, it’s because the products you’re using are too rich but sometimes it can be because your skin is highly sensitised due to dryness and your skin responding with too much sebum to overcompensate. The Dermalogica UltraCalming Sensitised Skin Treatment Kit contains everything you need to help to soothe and repair sensitive skin, helping you to regain balance.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles are, for most of us, a fact of life and simply a side effect of getting older. However, if you moisturise daily but still feel as though your skin is ageing at an exponential rate, it may be that your products don’t contain enough anti-ageing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Decleor Energising Smoothing Cream SPF15 contains active ingredients which will fight fine lines and the signs of ageing, as well as containing SPF to protect against further damage from the sun.

Ingrown Hairs

Lots of people who shave regularly suffer with ingrown hairs, especially people who shave their faces, however there are plenty of products you should be using to combat this problem. Decleor Triple Action Shave Perfector is a super serum which softens hair, opens the pores and protects the skin before, during and after shaving to ensure you avoid ingrown hairs and shaving rash.

Cleanse Your Face The Right Way

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cleansers, cleansing

Many women ask if they really need to cleanser their face and the answer is, quite simply, yes.

Cleansing is a vital part of any skin care routine but it can cause confusion, so we are here to help to clear things up.

Do I need to cleanse morning and night?
Yes. Cleansing in the evening makes sense because it takes away the makeup and dirt of the day but doing it again when you’ve ‘just’ been asleep seems a bit pointless. The thing to remember is that whilst you sleep, sweat and dead skin build up on your face so by cleansing when you wake you are left with a clean, fresh canvas for the day ahead.

Isn’t water in enough for my skin?
No, splashing water on your face doesn’t constitute cleansing. You wouldn’t splash a dirty shirt with water and wear it again so why do the same with your precious skin? A good cleaners will take away the make-up, dirt and pollution that sticks to you skin and leave it clean and fresh once again.

A good place to start is by using Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel. This is a soap-free, foaming gel that removes impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance and is suitable for all skin types.

Help, I hate my spotty skin.
The key to acne free skin is a good diet, sleep, water and the right products. Dermalogica Foaming Wash is a purifying cleanser that is perfect for troubled teenage skin and anyone who is prone to breakouts.

The gentle formula helps clean and purify the skin without stripping away precious natural oils. Orange Peel and Tea Tree energise and refresh the skin and Salicylic Acid breaks up dead skin cells and clears trapped oil to help deal with existing spots and prevent future ones.

I am fed up with my dry skin, what cleanser should I use?
The Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution works wonders for dry and prematurely ageing skin as it replenishes it and maintains moisture levels. Essential vitamins and plant extracts nourish and condition skin and because it is water-soluble it simply rinses off leaving you ready for the day ahead.

Can I use a scrub everyday?
Whilst gentle exfoliating scrubs have a place in a skincare routine they aren’t intended to be used everyday. The Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser is a dual action product that can be used two or three times a week leaving skin visibly brighter and smoother from the first application.

Lactic Acid concentrate removes dead skin cells, Vitamin E conditions and enhances softness and soothing Rose Flower Oil calms sensitivity.

I’ve heard cloths are good for taking cleaner of, is this true?
Yes, there are a number of products on the market so choose one that is right for you. The Dermalogica Sponge Cloth is super soft and you simply dampen it with water before taking off the cleansing product.

Great Skincare Regime – Masques

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masques, multivitamin power recovery masque, sebum clearing masque, skin hydrating masque, skin refining masque

3. Masque or Mask

We are going to discuss Masques (or Masks) as part of our Great Skincare Regime series of articles on their own. This is due to the fact that some masques may fall into the Preparatory stage and some can be discussed in the Nourishing and Repairing stage. Some masques are used to deep cleanse the skin whilst others will nourish and restore the skin.

It is very important with masques to ensure that they are used correctly, in terms of application, and are used on the correct areas of the face and at the correct frequency. They are an integral part of a Great Skincare Regime due to the type of ingredients they use and the amount of time they spend on the skin.

Below we have discussed each of the different Dermalogica Masques independently.

Dermalogica Cooling Masque

The Dermalogica Cooling Masque is part of the Clear Start range of products which is designed for teenagers and younger people with acne or breakouts. Unusually for Dermalogica it is designed to be used 5 times a week and should be applied to the face, left on for 7-10 minutes and then removed with water.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque

The Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque is part of the AGE Smart range and is designed to be used by those with drier and prematurely ageing skin. It should be used 1-2 times a week and can even be left on overnight if you don’t mind orange pillow cases.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque

The Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque is part of the MediBac Clearing range and is designed to be used by those with acne or breakout prone skin. It is a deep cleansing and purifying Masque that should be used 1-2 times a week.

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

The Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque is ideal for use by those with skin which is normal or normal to dry and should be used 1-2 times a week. It is a very popular masque that rehydrates and calms skin whilst helping to deal with fine lines.

Dermalogica Skin Refining Masque

The Dermalogica Skin Refining Masque is ideal for use by those with skin which is normal or normal to oily and should be used 1-2 times a week. It will help to remove any excess oils whilst refining and cleaning pores without drying your skin.

Masques are a critical element to a Great Skincare Regime and if you have the time to use one once or twice per week the benefits and results will be very much worth it.

The 7 Pillars of a Great Skincare Regime

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Skincare Advice, skincare routine

Knowing what to use on your skin, how often it should be used and in what order is a bit of a mystery. It would seem to be a deep secret that only a few know but no-one seems to know it all. It’s a bit like the recipe for Lea and Perrins: divided by 4 people, each know what has to be included on their part and how much – but no-one knows it all.

So we’re going to try to shed some light on the secret even though it will be in broad strokes. We will attempt to use the most common name for the product type in order that it can benefit everyone.

1. Cleanser

The Cleanser is always the first step in any skincare routine, removing debris, oils and environmental pollutants that have built up throughout the day.

A cleanser is critical for all Skincare Regimes and most, if not all should be used morning and evening.

2. Exfoliator

The exfoliator is used to remove any dead skin cells and encourage skin cell renewal. They also help to reveal the younger skin layers below which are often brighter and firmer.

An exfoliator should be used once or twice weekly in general although there are now many daily exfoliators available.

3. Masque or Mask

The masque is an intensive treatment that is designed to be left on the face for a much longer period of time. This time varies due to the ingredients in the masque and the purpose of the masque which could be to deeply nourish dry skin or intensively treat oily skin.

A masque should be used once or twice weekly generally.

4. Toner

The toner is used to re-introduce water to the skin. Dehydrated skin types are often lacking in water and require a toner to begin the process of nourishing the skin after the preparing products used before such as the cleanser and exfoliator.

A toner should usually be used morning and evening.

5. Serum

Serums are highly concentrated products that can be used to target specific areas of concern or can be used to enhance the power and benefits of your moisturiser by mixing them together.

A serum should usually be used morning and evening.

6. Eye Care

Eye creams are designed specifically to be used around the delicate eye area and are used to target concerns such as dark circles, fine lines and dryness.

An eye cream should be used morning and evening in most cases.

7. Moisturiser

Moisturisers are the final step in your skincare routine and are one of the key elements of any skincare routine along with a cleanser. They are the final step in the nourishing elements of your routine.

A moisturiser should be used both morning and evening.

In future articles we will further explore the two sides of a skincare routine and how the 7 elements work together and why it is important that they are used in this order.