The Lowdown on Colloidal Oatmeal

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blend, Calming, collagen, colloidal, Colloidal Oatmeal, complex, dermalogica, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50, Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum, Dermalogica Super Rich Repair, elasticity, enzymes, fine lines, hydration, inflammation, irritation, Oatmeal, product, protection, redness, retinoid, serum, skin, soothing, SPF, SPF50, sun, wrinkles

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There are often ingredients in products which sound hugely complex and scientific, but are actually a lot more simple than you think. One such ingredient is “colloidal oatmeal”, which you could be forgiven for thinking was from another planet. However, colloidal oatmeal is simply made by grinding oat grain, or avena sativa, into a fine powder. 

It’s considered an emollient, a substance that softens or soothes the skin, because it contains high levels of fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients shown to benefit the skin. Colloidal oatmeal is used to treat the symptoms of many conditions, including eczema. 

Dermalogica is a brand which has harnessed the power of colloidal oatmeal in several of its products, and we’ve gathered them here to show you what they can do:

Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50

This multi-functional product from Dermalogica not only gives you broad-spectrum SPF50 sun protection, but it also helps you achieve absolute hydration and help defend against the internal and external causes of skin ageing. Colloidal oatmeal and chrysanthemum parthenium (feverfew) extract calms irritated skin, while yeast extract stimulates wound healing and collagen formation while increasing oxygen utilisation in cells. It can be used as your daily moisturiser for year round protection against sun damage and free radicals.

Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum 

Another product which performs many functions at once, this powerhouse serum from Dermalogica contains a 3.5% retinoid complex which provides a continual release of skin smoothing actives, working at different speeds to address the signs of skin ageing. Colloidal oatmeal is combined with zinc oxide to soothe the skin while providing anti-itch relief to chronically dry skin while palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3 and palmitoyl oligopeptide help to improve skin elasticity and tone while fighting the appearance of fine lines.

Dermalogica Super Rich Repair

This super rich moisturiser delivers immediate benefits to chronically dry, dehydrated and prematurely-ageing skin in a super-concentrated, heavy-weight cream. As well as soothing colloidal oatmeal, the formula includes powerful peptides that stimulate collagen production while an acid-free renewal complex smoothes fine lines for dramatically improved elasticity and tone. Ultra-emollient shea butter and oil of evening primrose replenish skin with maximum hydration, relieving dryness and reinforcing skin’s natural defensive barrier. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

The final colloidal oatmeal-rich product on our list is Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, a unique, rice-based enzyme powder that activates upon contact with water, releasing papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes to smooth the skin and accelerate cell renewal.  It contains a super-soothing blend of green tea, ginkgo and colloidal oatmeal which calms inflammation, leaving the skin extraordinarily clear and refreshed. Furthermore, Dermalogica’s unique skin brightening complex of bearberry, aspergillus, grapefruit and licorice helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation.

Ingredient Focus: Linoleic Acid

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acid, barrier, brightening, cacay oil, collagen, Dermalogica Melting Moisture Masque, Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Cream, Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood 360 Serum, fatty acids, free radicals, hyperpigmentation, ingredient, irritants, lipid, luminosity, Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe, Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil, moisture, oil, oils, omega, omega 6, red ginseng, rejuvenation, serum, skin, skin protection, skin tone, smoke, soft, squalene, superfoods, supple, texture, vitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin F, wrinkle depth

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Here at Pure Beauty, we make it our business to know exactly what’s in the products we sell so that we can make targeted recommendations for our clients’ skincare needs. One ingredient we’ve seen popping up a lot lately is linoleic acid, also sometimes referred to as vitamin F. Linoleic acid is actually an essential fatty acid, which means it’s essential for human health but isn’t created by the body.

Linoleic acid, or vitamin F, provides moisture and plumpness without making the skin feel heavy or weighed down. It fortifies the skin’s barrier, helping to fend off UV rays and air pollutants such as smoke, both of which cause free radical activity that can result in wrinkles and signs of ageing. It also lightens sun induced hyperpigmentation, making it an excellent all-rounder in the skincare game. It’s found in a number of naturally occurring oils, such as sunflower seed oil, hemp oil, grapeseed oil, and prickly pear seed oil.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite products which contain vitamin F. 

Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil

Oils are perfect for cleansing the skin as they can melt away dirt and make-up without stripping away the skin’s own barrier. This cleansing oil from Medik8 features an optimised ratio of essential lipids to replenish the skin’s natural defense barrier. This leaves the complexion soft, supple and protected from everyday irritants. The Omega-6 (yet another name for linoleic acid!) helps to rebalance the skin’s lipid levels to encourage a healthy complexion. 

Dermalogica Melting Moisture Masque

This mask from Dermalogica starts as a balm but melts to become a highly hydrating oil for your face. Activated by skin’s natural heat, this luxurious mask delivers a satisfying melting sensation as it penetrates skin’s surface layers to deeply nourish and rehydrate. As well as containing linoleic acid, which helps protect against skin-damaging free radicals for healthier-looking skin, it also contains micro-algae. This marine algae contains hydrating properties which help soothe and protect skin against the drying effects of pollution

Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Cream

It’s not just the skin on your face which benefits from the use of linoleic acid. This body cream from Elemis contains sesame oil which is hugely rich in linoleic acid and antioxidants, and has a well-balanced lipid profile, providing excellent emollient and skin softening properties. The unique infusion of exotic Tahitian monoi oil, a blend of tiare flowers soaked in coprah oil, is fragranced with frangipani flowers to leave skin feeling beautifully soft, supple and delicately scented.

Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood 360 Serum

This lightweight serum from Evolve Organic Beauty is pretty unique in that it can be used by all skin types and ages! The formulation is packed with highly effective natural superfoods which deliver comprehensive skin protection and rejuvenation benefits including improvement in skin tone, wrinkle depth, texture and luminosity. The linoleic acid contained is sourced from cacay oil, obtained from the seeds of a majestic Amazonian tree. Cacay oil is also packed with bio-retinol to support the skin barrier layer and to lock moisture into the skin.

Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe

The final product on our linoleic list is this lipid Vitamin C enhanced radiance serum from Medik8. As well as being packed with vitamin F and C, it contains vitamin E, which protects the skin from free radicals as well as optimised red ginseng, which boosts the serum’s brightening powers while stimulating collagen production. It’s also got a dose of squalane, which  helps to restore the skin’s natural defensive barrier while deeply hydrating the skin. What more could you ask for?!

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.

Don’t Skip Your Brussels Sprouts This Christmas!

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acid, alpha lipoic acid, antioxidant, antioxidants, Brussels sprouts, cells, collagen, compounds, prebiotic, probiotic, skin, sprouts, superfoods, vitamin, Vitamin C, vitamin K

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When it comes to Christmas dinner, almost everybody has their own favourite part of the plate. For many of us, it’s the roast potatoes, while others like to savour the turkey, but some people out there (believe it or not) actually like the Brussels sprout part of the meal the best! Despite the fact that many people find them slightly bitter and not the easiest veg to eat, there are actually a bunch of reasons that you shouldn’t be skipping the Brussels this year, many of which will hugely benefit your skin and complexion. Here are five reasons why you should make sure you don’t leave a single Brussels sprouts on your plate this year.

They’re Packed With Prebiotics

Most of us have heard of probiotics, but not everyone knows what prebiotics are. If you think about probiotics as being the seeds of the good bacteria that you want to grow in your tummy, then prebiotics are like the compost in which you would plant those seeds in order to get them to grow. Sprouts contain high levels of insoluble fibre and it’s within this that the pre-biotics can be found. This is all part of protecting your microbiome, which is hugely important. 

They’re High in Vitamin C

Brussels sprouts are full of nutrients and contain significant amounts of vitamin C. In fact, gram for gram, Brussels sprouts contain nearly 50 per cent more vitamin C than an orange. Just four to six Brussels sprouts contain the adult daily requirement for vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important vitamin for the skin as it can help to brighten the complexion, reduce hyperpigmentation and boost collagen production through the process of collagen synthesis.

They Contain a HUGE Amount of Vitamin K

Another hero vitamin which can be found in abundance in Brussels sprouts is vitamin K. Often used to help skin recover from surgery or cosmetic procedures like laser treatment, vitamin K is believed to help cuts, wounds and bruises heal considerably faster than usual. It’s also a star ingredient in many eye creams with studies showing it can help brighten dark circles and boost skin elasticity.

They’re Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants are protective compounds that reduce oxidative stress in your cells, and as a result may help lower your risk of chronic disease and can also help to slow the signs of ageing. Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants, compounds that contribute to healthier cells and a lower risk of cancer, making them the perfect superfood to enjoy all year round. 

They Contain Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid, like so many great skincare ingredients, is an antioxidant produced naturally by your body. However, the quantities produced are at such a low level that people are increasingly looking for ways to supplement their levels of ALA through other sources – and that’s where your Brussels sprouts come in! When applied topically, Alpha Lipoic Acid penetrates the surface layers of the skin and begins to work its magic. The skin has a brighter, more youthful appearance and benefits from the cellular protection that ALA offers.

How to Perfect Your Problematic Pores

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AHAs, antioxidants, blackheads, blemishes, botanical, clarity, cleansing, collagen, corn granules, cruelty free, cucumber extract, dead skin, debris, decongest, elastin, enlarged, essential oils, excess oil, folk medicine, geranium, green tea, kaolin clay, lavender oil, lightweight, Matricaria flower extract, minimising, natural, natural clay, oil production, petitgrain, Pore, pores, reduce shine, skin cells, soothing, spearmint, spirulina extract, tighten, Vegan, visible, Witchhazel

Photo by MART PRODUCTION

In this modern age of blurring primers and photo filters, it’s easy to believe that the people you see online have skin which is completely devoid of pores. Therefore it’s no surprise that research has shown that almost HALF of women wish they could change the size of their pores. As your pore size is mostly a result of your genetics, you can’t permanently shrink them. However, you can minimise their appearance by keeping them clear of oil and debris and boosting your skin’s collagen and elastin. With this in mind, here are five products which will help you to achieve the pores of your dreams:

REN Clean Skincare Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask

As the name so expertly suggests, this thick, clay-based mask helps to detox the skin and make your pores less visible. Using purifying clay, it helps to draw out impurities, leaving skin deeply clean and hydrated, with a smoother and more refined texture. The vegan, cruelty free formula contains kaolin clay to absorb excess oil, spirulina extract which nourishes the skin and lavender oil for a fragrant and refreshing finish. 

Aromatherapy Associates Mattifying Purifying Facial Scrub

Skin which is oily often seems to go hand in hand with more visible pores, which is why Aromatherapy Associates created this mattifying, purifying facial scrub. It is designed to draw out and eliminate dead skin-clogging cells, using corn granules to gently buff away unwanted cells while natural clay draws impurities from deeper within pores. It also contains rebalancing essential oils of geranium and petitgrain to tighten and reduce shine, making it ideal for over-oily or combination skin. 

Dermalogica Micro Pore Mist

When it comes to minimising the appearance of pores, niacinamide is a hero. By controlling and lowering sebum, niacinamide prevents pores from getting caught with excess oil and dirt, thereby preventing them from stretching, and invariably leading to smaller pores, and that’s what you’ll find in this mist from Dermalogica. In addition, you’ll find cucumber extract, which refreshes the senses for a cool pick-me-up, as well as witch hazel, green tea and matricaria flower extracts, which all provide antioxidant benefits. 

Elemis Clarifying Serum

If your skin is prone to blemishes and blackheads, visible pores are often right there alongside them. Elemis Clarifying Serum is a lightweight, soothing serum clinically proven to reduce the appearance of blemishes, visible pores and blackheads in just 2 weeks. The magic ingredient here is boldo leaf extract, which has been used worldwide in folk medicine to help purify the skin. This botanical ingredient has been shown to visibly improve the appearance of pores and helps improve skin clarity for more even looking skin.

Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic

The final product on our list, but by NO means the least effective, does exactly what it says on the bottle! Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic is a purifying post-cleanse solution that works to keep pores clear and minimised over time. It utilises AHAs to control oil production and decongest the skin, allowing pores to shrink back to their original size. With a natural spearmint fragrance, the twice-daily tonic is a long-lasting solution to enlarged pores, leaving your skin looking smoother and more refined.