Which Type of Body Moisturiser is Best for You?

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absorption, aromatherapy, Bloom and Blossom Pyjamarama Dry Body Oil, body, butter, cold pressed grapefruit oil, collagen, cream, Decleor Prolagene Gel, essential oils, evening primrose oil, Evolve Organic Beauty Tropical Blossom Body Butter, fluid, Frankincense, gel, hydrating, hydration, ingredients, lightweight, lotion, moisture, moisturising, moringa seed oil, oil, orange blossom, refreshing, REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Body Lotion, REN Clean Skincare Neroli And Grapefruit Body Cream, rich, tissue

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While many of us spend hours poring over product descriptions and reviews to work out the best formulas for our face, we don’t often take as much care when it comes to the things we use on the rest of our body.  But how do you know which body moisturiser is best for your skin? Today, we’re taking a deep dive into our collection of hard-working hydrators to find your body’s best ally, whether you’re looking for some serious nourishing care or a shot of hydrating fluid that absorbs quickly.

Lotion

Starting with lotions, these are one of the products which are often best for “normal” skin, although some of them offer enough hydration to nurture very dry skin too. Lotions are a good all-rounder as they are a mixture of both oil and water, making them hydrating without being too thick. Lotions are also good if you’re time-poor as they don’t take an age to soak in. REN Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Body Lotion is a body lotion for all skin types designed to nourish and hydrate skin with the delicate fragrance of rose

Cream

Body creams usually have a slightly thicker consistency than a lotion and take longer to soak in, but will offer a higher level of hydration. They also tend to last longer and often offer more fragrance than a lotion because of the richer formula. REN Clean Skincare Neroli And Grapefruit Body Cream is a rich body cream for all skin types, designed to leave skin deeply hydrated and is formulated with orange blossom and cold pressed grapefruit oil, to hydrate and soften skin while leaving it with an invigorating fragrance.

Butter

Body butters might be more your thing if you have extremely dry skin or the cold winter air is causing damage. Body butters are a mixture of rich butters and oils that hydrate dry skin and promote a smooth surface, in contrast to body lotions, which typically contain a mixture of water and oils. They also keep your skin hydrated for a long time after you use them. Evolve Organic Beauty Tropical Blossom Body Butter contains nourishing organic shea butter and natural Tahitian coconut monoi macerated in exotic blossoms of gardenia. It leaves skin smooth, soft and fragranced with exotic natural hibiscus.

Oil

An alternative to creams and lotions that provides all-over moisture is body oil, a hydrating skincare product with many uses. Body oils can be applied to dry skin in the morning and evening, or after a bath or shower, due to their ease of absorption and lasting softness. Many body oils can also be used on the face and hair and will provide a deep level of nourishment, and will often contain fragrant essential oils which offer an aromatherapy benefit, too. Bloom and Blossom Pyjamarama Dry Body Oil is a lightweight oil to help calm the skin and mind before sleep. The ingredients are 99% naturally derived and it contains frankincense, moringa seed oil and evening primrose oil.

Gel

Gel-based body products are water-based products which typically do not contain any oils, making them very fast to absorb. They often have a very refreshing feel to them and they hydrate and moisturise the skin without leaving a film or residue. Many gel moisturisers are formulated with hyaluronic acid which can deeply hydrate skin. Decleor Prolagene Gel is a body treatment which supplies the deep tissue with the active ingredients necessary for the reconstruction of its natural collagen. Toning as well as firming, the gel leaves an invisible supportive and protective film making it perfect to use during and after weight loss, particularly during pregnancy, for smoother and firmer skin.

Haircare for Over 50’s (or Anyone With Grey Hair!)

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age, ageing, antioxidants, beauty, breakage, cream, Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir, GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray, grey, grey hair, hair, hair colour, heat, moisture, Nine Yards Hair Down Anti Frizz Cream, Nine Yards On Track Repair Shampoo, Olaplex, Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo, Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, over 50, shampoo, silver, silver hair, style, styling, sulphate-free, white hair

Photo by cottonbro studio

Over the last decade, grey hair has become more fashionable than ever before. It started with younger women who weren’t naturally grey heading to the salon to have their locks dyed grey. Then the naturally silver among us started to realise that they had what all of these women were paying hundreds of pounds for and started to embrace their natural colour. 

Then lockdown happened, meaning no-one could go to the hairdresser, and so, many women realised that allowing their natural sparkle to grow through was a lot less stressful than trying to colour their hair at home, and BOOM: the silver revolution was in full swing! 

It’s worth noting that grey hair goes through more than just a change of pigment and requires dedicated care to keep it looking its best, which is why we’ve put together a guide to haircare for the over 50’s – or indeed anyone of any age who’s already putting their best foot forward when it comes to grey hair:

Use a Mild Shampoo

As we age, our hair can often feel thinner and be more prone to breakage, so using a mild shampoo is essential. Nine Yards On Track Repair Shampoo is a strengthening shampoo with a mild sulphate free cleansing base, which also adds moisture to the hair without weighing it down. Also, it’s not just dyed hair which can benefit from toning; Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is a sulphate-free, highly concentrated formula thats allows for customizable toning and gives great results on grey hair. 

Add Moisture

Naturally grey hair is coarser and more dehydrated than pre-greying hair, which means that it needs a good moisture treatment to keep it looking sleek and smooth. Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir has been formulated with a 100% natural replacement to silicon leaving hair incredibly soft, light and moisturised.  Rich in antioxidants, it protects hair from environmental damages and helps regain lost moisture.

Use Protective Products

Believe it or not, your existing  hair doesn’t actually turn grey – your hair follicles produce less colour as they age, so when hair goes through its natural cycle of dying and being regenerated, it’s more likely to grow in as grey. These new hairs will need to be protected if you want your mane to look healthy. Pollution damages our hair everyday, leaving it dull, lifeless, difficult to style and ultimately resulting in broken bonds. Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum is packed with antioxidants to neutralise free radicals, act as a shield against pollution, guard the hair from breakage and protect against heat styling.

Avoid Hairspray 

As we mentioned above, grey hair is also coarser and dryer, so try to cut back on hairspray where you can – the alcohol in hairspray can dry your hair out with repeated use, and the polymers that keep your hair in place can make your hair look even more dull. Instead, opt for something like Nine Yards Hair Down Anti Frizz Cream, which is a smoothing anti-frizz cream that calms flyaway hair and helps to keep the hair straight. It contains argan and sun flower seed extract to provide a lightweight conditioning cream with a natural shine.

Style With Care

Once we go naturally grey, many women find that they want to take more care than ever in styling their hair so that they maintain a youthful, put-together appearance. However, grey hair can be prone to damage and brassiness if you use too many heated tools on it. GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray provides an invisible barrier against everyday heat damage on damp or dry hair. Containing the unique ghd heat protection system, this spray can be layered with other styling products to create the result you desire.

Five Veganuary Skincare Swaps

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alcohol, animal, beeswax, berry, brighten, cleanser, cranberry, cream, Cruelty, diet, elastin, extracts, free, Glycerin, goji, hydrate, ingredients, lanolin, lavender, moisturiser, Moringa, oil, peptides, pollution, production, products, protection, seed, serum, skin, the January, Toner, urea, UVA, Vegan, vitamin, Vitamin C

Photo by Ivan Samkov

January has long since been a time for new beginnings and setting intentions – the very first New Year’s resolutions were thought to have been made some four thousand years ago, by the ancient Babylonians! Since 2014, however, many people have been adopting “veganuary” as their new start, whereby they try to eat a vegan, plant-based diet for the whole of January. 

In fact, last year, over 600,000 people around the world signed up for Veganuary, and many more took part without doing the official sign up. For some, it’s just about diet, but becoming vegan usually means eradicating animal products from all areas of your life, including clothing and even skincare. With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy list of simple skincare swaps that you can make to ensure your skincare is vegan and cruelty free, for January and beyond:

Cleanser

There are a number of different animal-derived ingredients which can be found in cleansers, but with Evolve Organic Beauty you can be safe in the knowledge that ALL of their products are vegan and cruelty free. Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Detox Facial Wash contains natural sugars which cleanse away impurities, while organic aloe vera softens, leaving skin clean, smooth and supple. Natural goji berry extract and moringa peptides defend against pollution and help to rebalance the skin’s natural oil production. 

Toner

Many toners contain glycerin, and while glycerin can be vegan, it’s also often derived from animal fat extracts, which is cheaper. Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner contains only vegan ingredients, including extracts of lavender, sweet betty flower and saponins from quillaja wood to help to balance and soften the skin. It’s also a non-drying formula, unlike many toners, as it contains no harsh alcohols or detergents. 

Moisturiser

While there are MANY plant-based ingredients which are amazingly nourishing for the skin, some companies still rely on animal products like beeswax and lanolin. REN Clean Skincare Ultra Moisture Day Cream contains a natural blend of beech tree buds extract, which hydrates and improves skin texture, shea butter which softens and smooths skin and cranberry seed oil which replenishes with lipids and reinforces skin barrier, all of which are vegan and cruelty free. 

Serum

Another non-vegan ingredient which is commonly found in serums and other hydrating products is urea, which literally comes from animal urine – pretty nasty even if you’re NOT a vegan! Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum contains ingredients which hydrate, brighten and firm the skin, all of which are vegan in origin. In fact, this powerhouse serum combines ultra stable Vitamin C complex with a bio-technology to deliver the natural power of Vitamin C where it’s needed most. 

SPF

Sun protection often contains a number of different ingredients, such as elastin, lanolin and stearic acid, all of which are animal byproducts. However, Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30 is a completely vegan formula and offers Pollution Shield, anti-infrared, anti-blue light and anti-A.G.E technology alongside SPF 30 and 5* UVA protection all in a lightweight moisturiser. This nourishing day cream boasts a range of protective technologies and replenishes skin’s hydration levels to keep it looking healthy and young.

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.