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.

Sea Buckthorn Oil – Why You Need This in Your Skincare

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ageing, Aloe Vera, arthritic joint pain, Asia, bakuchiol, berries, brighten, caffeine hyaluronic acid, cellular turnover, circulation, collagen, cottonseed oil, detoxifies, doll, dryness, elasticity, Europe, fine lines, firma, fortify skin barrier, gentle, healthier, high end, hydrate, hydrated, I make seven fatty acids, impurities, inflammation, ingredients, leaves, lotions, make up, Maritime pine, nourish, pigmentation, pollution, retinoid, rosemary, roughness, Sea buckthorn oil, see fennel, seeds, shrub, skin texture, skin types, skincare, soreness, soybean oil, super charge, tetra vitamin C, tired, tired skin, toxins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, wrinkles

Photo by munkhbayar dambajav

There are some ingredients – from caffeine to hyaluronic acid to aloe vera to clay – which you shouldn’t be surprised to find in your skincare. They’re commonly used in lotions and potions from the cheaper stuff to the higher end. Some ingredients, however, seem to pop up out of nowhere and sea buckthorn oil is popping up on ingredient lists everywhere for good reason – it can hydrate, brighten and improve skin texture, making it an ingredient that truly ticks all the boxes and can work for all skin types. 

While it may sound like something that comes from the ocean, sea buckthorn oil is extracted from the berries, leaves and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant, which is a small shrub that grows across northern Europe and some parts of Asia. As well as offering excellent hydration, sea buckthorn oil also helps to refine the skin’s texture and contains up to 12 times the amount of vitamin C as oranges, which brightens the complexion.

With this in mind, we’ve searched our shelves to show you a selection of the best sea buckthorn-containing products:

Elemis Musclease Active Body Oil

Elemis Musclease Active Body Oil is specially formulated for anyone with an active lifestyle. Its concentrated formula has ingredients to help ease sore spots and refresh the body. Sea buckthorn oil also protects the body against harmful toxins while sea fennel soothes inflammation and detoxifies the body. Rosemary loosens stiff joints and relieves sore muscles. Maritime pine improves circulation and reduces arthritic joint pain. The combination of oils is highly effective in offering relief from muscle pain and soreness. 

Evolve Organic Beauty Bio-Retinol+C Booster

Evolve Bio Retinol + C Booster is an innovative cocktail of vitamins which helps supercharge dull and tired skin by brightening the appearance of pigmentation, improving cellular turnover, boosting collagen and significantly improving all signs of ageing, tired skin. As well as sea buckthorn oil, it contains ingredients such as bakuchiol and tetra vitamin c to deliver a brighter, firmer, more nourished and renewed overall complexion.

REN Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid Youth Concentrate Oil

This lightweight moisturising serum contains a potent retinoid that works to support the skin’s natural collagen production and cell turnover, helping to smooth the complexion and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The addition of soybean and cottonseed oil work together to fortify the skin barrier, helping to reduce the irritation generally associated with retinol use, while sea buckthorn oil helps nourish, reduce roughness, and combat the dulling effects of dryness or dehydration, for a healthier-looking complexion.

UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm with Apricot Powder

This natural, sustainable balm from UpCircle is formulated for everyday cleansing, to gently remove makeup, pollution and impurities. It leaves skin deeply cleansed, soothed and hydrated and is suitable for all skin types. This cleansing balm is made with the finely-ground powder of discarded apricot stones, a natural by-product of the apricot oil industry and rich in antioxidant Vitamin E. It also contains sea buckthorn oil, which is high in vitamin E, C and Omega 7 fatty acids, and helps skin retain its elasticity. 

Medik8 Mutiny

This gel-like balm melts into an oil upon application to deliver instant and long-lasting hydration to your lips. Formulated in a squalane base, with plant-sourced sea buckthorn oil and multi-weight hyaluronic acid, the lip balm absorbs into lips to replenish lost lipids and leave lips feeling nourished, replenished and moisturised. Once applied to lips, the balm gives a slight refreshing tingle and an indulgent lemongrass natural fragrance.

Five of the Best Ingredients for Youthful Skin

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acidic, acne, ageing, all skin types, allergic reactions, alternative, anti-aging, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, ayurvedic medicine, bakuchiol, blemish prone, breastfeeding, ceramides, Chinese medicine, collagen, combination skin, complexion, dark spots, dehydrated, delicate, dermatology, dry skin, dryness, eczema, epidermis, Eyes, fats, firm, firmer feeling, germs, glowing, healthy, humectant, hyaluronic acid, Indian Babchi plant, inflammation, leaves, lines, lipids, melanin, moisture, oceans, oil based, oily skin, pigmentation, plump, plumper, potent, pregnant, products, Psoriasis, rainforests, reinforce, retinoids, retinol, rosacea, seeds, sensitive skin, sensitivity, skin, skin barrier, skin care, skin cells, skin issues, smoother, sun damage, topically, useful, vitamin A, Vitamin C, water, wrinkles

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Here at Pure Beauty, we’re well aware of how confusing skincare can feel. There’s a different product for every different skin issue and a wealth of ingredients which vary from things found in your pantry to things found in the deepest oceans or rainforests! Looking at ingredient lists often feels like trying to decipher an unknown language, but there are some key things that you can look for if you’re in the market for anti-ageing products. Here are five of the best ingredients for maintaining a youthful complexion:

Retinol 

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that’s suitable for the skin. It belongs to a group of vitamin A derivatives, known as retinoids. Retinol has multiple uses and can be used to combat conditions like acne and can target areas of pigmentation. It can also reduce signs of ageing and sun damage. Retinoids don’t work equally well on everyone. If you suffer from rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, it’s probably best to avoid retinol since it can be too powerful on skin that needs a gentle touch – it can increase inflammation, dryness and sensitivity in already delicate complexions.

Try Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant — a substance that retains moisture — and it is capable of binding over one thousand times its weight in water. This substance is naturally found in many areas of the human body, including the skin and eyes. Hyaluronic acid helps skin stretch and flex and reduces skin wrinkles and lines. Hyaluronic acid is also proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring. Allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid are rare, so that means whether you have oily skin, sensitive, dry skin, or combination skin, you have the green light to use hyaluronic acid products.

Try SkinCeuticals H.A. (Hyaluronic Acid) Intensifier Serum 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help keep skin looking plump and firm. This is because it’s highly acidic when applied topically and can help to promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of ageing skin. It also contains a property that inhibits the skin’s melanin production levels, two of the culprits that can lead to dark spots and hyperpigmentation, making it an absolute hero at giving you a glowing, healthy complexion. It’s usually found in oil-based products, so may not be ideal for acne and blemish prone skin, but it’s great for pretty much all other skin types. 

Try REN Clean Skincare Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream

Bakuchiol

If you’re looking for an alternative to retinol that can be used on more sensitive skin, bakuchiol is a good place to start. Bakuchiol is found in the seeds and leaves of the Indian Babchi plant and has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. It also has calming anti-inflammatory and healing antibacterial properties and is even safe for use when pregnant and breastfeeding. It’s a potent-yet-kind ingredient which the British Journal of Dermatology found was just as effective as retinol and significantly less irritating, which is great news for anyone looking for an alternative.

Try Medik8 The CSA Bakuchiol Edition Kit

Ceramides

Ceramides are fats or lipids that are found in skin cells and make up 30% to 40% of your outer skin layer, or epidermis. Ceramides are important for retaining your skin’s moisture and preventing the entry of germs into your body. If your skin’s ceramide content decreases, which often happens with age, it can become dehydrated. Skincare products with ceramides will help reinforce your skin’s barrier and increase hydration, giving you plumper, smoother, firmer-feeling skin with fewer visible lines and wrinkles, as well as fewer signs of sensitivity.

Try Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Moisture IQ

Five Products Which Help with Scarring

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100% natural, acne, acne prone skin, BHA, blemishes, calm, cell renewal, collagen, complexion, discolouration, dry, essential oil, exfoliates, fibres, firming, heal, healing, healthier, hydration, imperfections, improvement, inflammation, lavender, lavender oil, mental health, moisturising, multifunctional, nourish, oil, potent, redness, repair, Rosehip Oil, rosehip seed oil, Roseville, Scar, scarring, scars, skin, skin renewal, smooth, soothing, stretchmarks, Vegan, Vitamin E

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Scarring can be caused by a number of things, from accidents to acne and everything in between. For some people, scars are like a badge of honour, but many people want to do everything they can to reduce the appearance of scars, and when left untreated, obvious scarring can lead to poor mental health. Fortunately, we have several clever products here at Pure Beauty which can lead to a marked improvement in the appearance of scarring. Here are five of the best:

Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask

This clay-based mask from Elemis contains several skin-soothing ingredients which can calm the skin and reduce redness. It also contains lavender essential oil, which reduces the inflammation of acne and scarring. It doesn’t set on your skin, therefore it doesn’t dry your skin out and it can be used as a special overnight treatment to repair and heal blemished skin. 

Evolve Organic Beauty Super Berry Body Oil

Evolve Organic Beauty Super Berry Body Oil is a moisturising body oil formulated to revive dry and mature skin, and improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks. This vegan formula is 100% natural and gets its scar-busting properties from Chilean rosehip oil, which has been used for centuries for its unique ability to revive skin that is prone to stretch marks or scarring. 

Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment

As you can tell from the name of this product from Murad, it’s specifically formulated to help deal with post-blemish scars and discolouration, making it a saviour for anyone with acne-prone skin. BHA exfoliates, while a unique blend of highly purified centella asiatica and vitamin C encourages natural radiance and a healthier-looking complexion. It’s so potent that it helps to minimise the look of post-blemish scar size, depth and discolouration in 8 weeks.

Decleor Prolagene Gel

Prolagène Gel contains an amino acid called proline L, which is similar to plant collagen and helps rebuild the skin’s supporting fibres. The formulation also includes osmanthus aabsolute for its potent healing action, making it perfect for skin which has scars and stretch marks. It has a visibly firming effect that builds up with regular use to smooth skin imperfections, as well as acting on the whole of the skin’s structure to speed up cell renewal and improve the look of stretch marks and scarring.

Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Intensive Skin Treatment Oil

This skin treatment oil from Aromatherapy Associates is a multifunctional product which performs a number of tasks. As well as providing hydration for dry, dehydrated and more mature skin types, it can also be used on scar tissue twice a day to help reduce its appearance. It contains a healing blend of lavender and rose oils, along with vitamin E and rosehip seed oil to nourish and encourage natural skin renewal.

Five of the Best Supplements for Beautiful Skin

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back, bacteria, balanced diet, betacarotene, bilberry fruit, body, breakouts, chest, clarified, clear skin, CoEnzyme Q10, collagen, dehydrated, diet, dietary restriction, dry, drying, face, fatty acid, fine lines, French maritime pine bark extract, grapeseed, grapeseed extract, green tea, gut biome, hair, harsh chemicals, healthy, healthy skin, hydrate, hydration, I make a six, intensive, lutein, lycopene, melon concentrate, minerals, moisturiser, MSM, nails, omega-3, plumpness, problem skin, radiant, science lead, shinier, shoulders, skin issues, smooth, stronger, superoxide dismutase, supple, supplement, thicker, turmeric root, vitamin A, Vitamin C, vitamins, water, wrinkles, yeast, younger, zinc

Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-white-and-yellow-medication-pills-3683077/

As well as following a targeted skincare regime which is made up of products for your specific skin type, one of the best ways to ensure your complexion is in the best condition possible is by following a healthy, balanced diet and making sure you drink enough water. However, making sure that you get the correct amount of vitamins and minerals in your diet isn’t always easy, especially if you have any type of dietary restriction. One of the brands that we carry, Advanced Nutrition Programme, creates supplements which contain patented combinations of the correct vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to tackle a number of different skin issues. Here are five of our favourites:

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Accumax

This supplement is an all-around skin saver, combining vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and phytonutrients to work from the inside out to support healthy skin. It’s completely free from harsh chemicals and contains a combination of ingredients that works to feed every cell in the body to help support all areas including face, chest, back and shoulders without drying out the skin.

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Clear Biome

Many of the signals which control the rest of our body come from the gut biome, and if this is off kilter, it can have a knock-on effect on your health. Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Clear Biome contains four specific strains of yeast and bacteria, as well as other ingredients like zinc, which work to rebalance your gut biome and deal with the underlying causes of problem skin. Skin will be clarified and free from breakouts. 

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Collagen Support

As we age, our body stops making some of the vital elements, such as collagen, which keep us looking youthful. This means that the skin loses its plumpness, and fine lines and wrinkles become more apparent. These plant-based capsules are packed with a clever cocktail of vitamin C, zinc, MSM, grape seed extract and melon concentrate which is rich in superoxide dismutase to help activate your skins’ collagen for younger looking skin. 

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Moisture IQ

If you suffer from very dry skin, sometimes simply applying moisturiser isn’t enough to restore your skin to a normal level of hydration. Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Moisture IQ is a science-led, 28-day smart supplement system uniquely formulated to hydrate dry and dehydrated skin. Carefully calibrated to support the appearance of hydrated, smooth, supple and radiant skin across the whole body, Skin Moisture IQ delivers an intensive moisture shot to skin, working from the inside out.

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Ultimate

This 28-day modern vitamin supplement system doesn’t just work on the skin – it also helps to maintain optimal hair and nail health, too. It contains a combination of vitamins A and D, as well as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, a wide range of antioxidants derived from extracts of green tea, grapeseed, turmeric root, bilberry fruit, betacarotene, lutein and lycopene, AND coenzyme Q10 and French maritime pine bark extract! The supplements are conveniently packaged for daily use and with just 4 weeks of use, you’ll enjoy thicker, shinier hair, stronger nails and clearer skin.