Have Yourself an Oil-Free Christmas

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all skin types, bisobolol, broad spectrum, Burdock, complexion, Dermalogica Active Moist, Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30, dry, dryness, face, Green Tea extract, heat, holiday, inflammation, Ivy, Jan Marini Daily Face Protectant SPF30, Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF30, lemon, oil, oil free, oily skin, overproduction, sebum, skin, smooth, soothe, sun, sun protection, UVA, UVB, Watercress, winter

Photo by Malvestida Magazine on Unsplash

If you suffer with oily skin, this time of year can play absolute havoc with your complexion. Between central heating, too much food and drink during Christmas parties and the cold weather, skin which already over produces oil can go into overdrive. The best way to combat this is to invest in some good oil-free products which will help keep your skin in great condition without exacerbating any overproduction. Here are four of our favourite products which are completely oil-free but will give your skin a real treat during the festive season.

Dermalogica Active Moist

Although many people with oily skin shy away from moisturiser, it can actually be even more essential to moisturise oily skin, as the oiliness can be caused by an underlying dryness problem. This moisturiser from Dermalogica is lightweight and oil-free, and absorbs into the skin without leaving a slick on the surface. It creates an invisible barrier which stops your skin from losing natural moisture and can help to create a smooth base for your makeup. It contains natural extract of lemon, watercress, burdock and ivy, which are all astringent and will help to keep oil at bay. Soothing extracts of lavender, mallow and cucumber will deeply hydrate your skin. It’s perfect for skin which creates excess oil and helps to hydrate without leaving the skin feeling greasy.

Jan Marini Daily Face Protectant SPF30

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; even if you live in the UK, you still need a daily SPF on your face to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays, otherwise they will exacerbate the signs of aging. This daily-use face protectant from Jan Marini is SPF30 and will provide your skin with a water-resistant broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. As well as this, it will help to control the oil production in your skin while providing advanced hydration, allowing you to give you a skin a wash of moisture and daily protection without any additional oil which could exacerbate sebum production.

Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF30

This product from Dermalogica is a truly multifunctional formulation. As well as providing lightweight ultra sheer broad spectrum sun protection, it also helps to regulate oil production within the skin, preventing shine and soothing inflammation. It contains advanced oil absorbers which help your skin to have a matte finish all day long, but doesn’t leave the same powdery residue that other oil absorbing products might. It contains green tea leaf extract, a powerful antioxidant which helps to soothe inflammation and can rid your skin of the underlying causes of overproduction of oil.

Jan Marini Physical Protectant SPF30

This sunscreen from Jan Marini is so much more than just sun protection and is actually a bit of a miracle product in a bottle! The weightless formula contains a universal tint and microscopic oil absorbing particles which will leave your skin with a sheer matte finish all day long. It contains green tea extract and alpha bisabolol, which give enhance antioxidant properties while soothing and calming the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it the perfect product to take on holiday with you.

Easy ways to relax at lunchtime

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ancient Indian hair removal technique, annoying colleague, bad boss, big believers, blood, breathing, calmer option, card writing, chapters, Christmas parties, coffee shop, Convenient, dancing, delicate oils, difficult client., drink, eat, endorphins, energy boost, energy levels, exhausted, eye-watering, Eyebrow Threading, face, fast, feel good chemicals, fresh, heart rate up, increasing muscle activation, invigorated, long hours, lunchtime, manicure, Me time, midday break, mini facelift, mood, Neck and Shoulder Massage, oxygen, pedicure, phone, present shopping, pump, quieter, Read a Book, relaxed, relieve stress, run, salon, season to be jolly, Secret Santa, Shake it Out, shaped, small things, socialise, splashing out, stress of the office, stretching, sushi, threading, tight deadlines, trainers, treat, twisting cotton, untie knots, win, workplace, zen

Let’s face it, by this time of the year, many of us are often feeling exhausted and in need of a recharge. Long hours, tight deadlines and Christmas parties mean we are running on empty and finding ‘me time’ needed to get to the end of the week can feel impossible.

We are big believers that small things can lift your mood and increase your energy levels, so in the run up to the big day, let the card writing and present shopping wait, and do something for you at lunchtime instead.

Try Eyebrow Threading
Having your eyebrows shaped can change the way your face looks and the process means you sit down for just a while, not even able to look at your phone. Threading is an ancient Indian hair removal technique that is fast and convenient, it leaves no marks, isn’t messy and is like having a mini facelift. We admit that twisting cotton through the eyebrows can be eye-watering, but because it’s only ten minutes which will give you time to stop for sushi on the way back to work.

Have a Neck and Shoulder Massage
A half hour neck and shoulder massage can relieve stress, untie knots and leave you so much more relaxed. It’s fast and convenient and the delicate oils used will leave you feeling invigorated and able to make it to the end of the day. Walk to the salon and back and you’ll get an energy boost too.

Go for a Run
A run will get your heart rate up, more oxygen and blood will flow around your body and the resulting endorphins will lift your mood which means Dave in HR will seem like less of a pain. This is the ideal way to get outside and leave the stress of the office or shop floor behind you, so get your trainers on and start running.

Do a Little Yoga
Yoga is all about stretching, breathing, increasing muscle activation and a session in the middle of the day, will leave you feeling zen fresh for the afternoon.

Shake it Out
Dancing is a great way to shake away the stresses of the day, be that a bad boss, annoying colleague or difficult client. See if there is a class near your workplace and you will find that dancing away your lunch break will make you feel fab, and the afternoon will pass by in a flash as those feel good chemicals pump through your body.

Read a Book
OK, let’s take things down a little and go for a calmer option. Taking a book to a coffee shop and letting your mind escape to somewhere quieter is a real treat. Go alone, order something nice to eat and drink and just read a few chapters and you’ll feel those orders and accounts drop away.

Enjoy a Manicure
Want a quick make over for the office party? Why not head to a nearby nail salon for a manicure. Not only will you return to your desk refreshed, but your freshly polished nails will set off your outfit a treat but won’t break the bank! And if you feel like splashing out, have a pedicure done at the same time.

Have a Catch Up
It is the season to be jolly, so why not book in a few lunches before the office closes? Your midday break is a good opportunity to catch up and socialise, in person, with people you might not see that often and if you throw in the idea of Secret Santa then it’s a win, win!!!

Have fun!

Team Pure Beauty

Look after your eyes the Pure Beauty way

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active, algae, amino acid complex, anti-ageing formula, anti-inflammatory properties, Baikal Skullcap Root Extract, Blue Flower Linseed, brightens, brighter, busy, chamomile and arnica, Christmas parties, combo, cooling applicator, cooling cream-gel, cornflower water, dark circles, decleor, Decleor Jasmine Eye Cream, delicate skin, dermalogica, Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift, dry, Elemis, Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment, Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm, energise, eye contour area, Eyes, face, fans, fatigue, fine lines, fragile, gel, gentle formula, healthier, hyaluronic acid, hydrate, hydration, ideas, illuminating, improving skin tone a, jasmin, life, lightweight, look, lush, magic mix, make-up, moisture, moisturising eye balm, Mother Nature, nourishes, Omega-rich apricot oil, Padina Pavonica, party, plankton extract, protective barrier, puffiness, refreshes, sea water extracts, skin, smoothed, sparkle, Stimulating caffeine, stressed, supports, targets, tired, tired eyes, TLC, under-eye luminosity, Vitamins B3 and CG, wild indigo, winter, wrinkles, youthful

We are often so busy making sure our faces are cared for, that our eyes are left out of the picture. During the winter the delicate skin around your eyes needs a little more TLC than usual, and we have some ideas that could earn you life your look.

If the Christmas parties have started, the Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm could be what you need. This lush, illuminating, moisturising eye balm brightens and refreshes tired eyes and can make you sparkle. Soothing chamomile and arnica help reduce the appearance of dark circles which can get worse when we party too hard. Omega-rich apricot oil nourishes the eye contour area and thanks to the cooling applicator, you can use underneath or on top of make-up.

We are big fans of the Decleor Hydra Floral Ever Fresh Hydrating Wide-Open Eye Gel and for good reason. This lightweight, anti-ageing formula creates a youthful look and thanks to cornflower water and baikal skullcap root extract, fatigue is minimised, puffiness is eased, and those fine lines are smoothed away. The gentle formula also acts as a protective barrier so you have a brighter, healthier and younger looking appearance, however tired you might be.

There is no doubt that this time of year is busy, and that’s where the Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift comes into play. This active, cooling cream-gel works with your skin to brighten and energise the eye area, and with sea water extracts and algae added into the magic mix, puffiness and dark circles are gone. One key ingredient is wild indigo that brings anti-inflammatory properties to the table and helps brighten skin by increasing under-eye luminosity, improving skin tone and reducing those pesky dark circles. Mother Nature at her very best, and you at your best too.

For something a little extra, you could consider the Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment that targets the fine lines and wrinkles which seem to look worse when you are tired and stressed. Super active padina pavonica and blue flower linseed help tone and firm, whilst a clever amino acid complex locks in moisture. This cool combo supports fragile skin without overloading it and is worth a try.

A real tiredness winner is the Decleor Jasmine Eye Cream that leaves your skin luminous and radiant. Jasmin fights wrinkles and lack of radiance all day long so you are left looking so much brighter. Stimulating caffeine, vitamins B3 and CG plus orange pigments help with drainage and your entire eye area is given a much-needed boost.

If time is on your side, we would suggest using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks once or twice a week. Packed with plankton extract, padina pavonica and chlorella, these magic masks have an instant skin-tightening effect. To ensure your skin is left looking fantastic, hyaluronic acid has been added to gently, but effectively hydrate the fragile eye area. Put on for 20 minutes, lie back and relax and when you take the mask off, you will be left with visibly smoother, intensely moisturised, happy eyes.

If would like some expert eye guidance, get in touch and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Your Guide to the Best Moisturising Ingredients

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aggressors, area, cells, ceramides, complexion, crows feet, dermatitis, dry, environmental, exfoliant, exfoliates, eye, face, Glycerin, humectant, hyaluronic acid, hydrate, hydrating, hydration, hyperpigmentation, irritants, Lactic Acid, lipids, moisture, moisturise, moisturised, moisturising, pigmentation, pollution, protect, Psoriasis, retain moisture, skin, skin’s barrier, skincare, soft, supple, urea, wrinkle

Photo by Jessica Felicio on Unsplash

Skincare is one of those things which can be entirely subjective – a product which one person swears by could be far less effective for someone else. This is usually down to the key ingredients in each product and how our skin reacts to those ingredients. With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of the best ingredients for hydrating your skin, to help you to choose which might be best for your skins’ individual needs.

Hyaluronic Acid

Most people have heard of hyaluronic acid, but people continue to be surprised that it’s a moisturising ingredient (maybe because of the common perception of what an acid usually does?). When you apply a hyaluronic acid serum to your skin, it acts like a sponge by attracting moisture to boost hydration on the surface of skin. Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer is a 3-in-1 treatment which harnesses the power of hyaluronic acid to offer maximum hydrators to resurface, smooth and brighten the skin without causing irritation or redness.

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids that help form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture, while also helping the skin protect against environmental aggressors like irritants, and pollution. Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum is packed with ceramides which mimic the natural fats found in our skin to help lock in moisture and stop skin from drying out.

Glycerin

Glycerin is actually a bit of a special ingredient as it actually traps moisture from the environment around you, allowing your skin to absorb it, giving you a softer, more supple complexion. It’s often used in hand creams or areas which need an extra boost, but is also found in Elemis Daily Defence Shield SPF30, which protects the skin from environmental micro particles and harmful UV rays, as well as leaving the skin feeling nourished, soft and supple.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is a ‘best of both worlds’ ingredient in that it act a both a mild exfoliant, as well as an humectant. This means that it gets rid of dead, dry skin cells at the same time as locking moisture in. It can be found in Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum, which also exfoliates and reduces unbalanced pigmentation while nourishing the skin with moisture.

Urea

Urea might not sound like something you want to rub on your face, but it’s actually synthetic urea which features in skincare and it can be used to treat even the worst cases of dry skin, dermatitis and psoriasis. Urea works in part by loosening dry skin, and Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex is made to target the eye area by reducing wrinkles, crows feet and puffiness which occur due to dehydration.

How to be social media savvy

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amazing homes, annoying requests, block, blushes, bombarding, Boss, brownie points, Christmas party, communication, complete stranger, diet plans, erfect feeds, face, Facebook, feelings, gossip, happiness, hilarious, hotbed, hype, Instagram, intimate details, job interview, Keep it real, keyboard warrior, love, making connections, medic, medical advice, news, nitty gritty, online, personal details, popular, potential problems, prevent, rashes, real life, requests, safe, scratches, sick, social media networks, spammed, stranger, stunning holidays, substitute, tag, trolled, twitter, unfriend, well-meaning words

Whether you love Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or one of the other popular social media networks, making connections and keeping in touch with family and friends has never been easier, or cheaper. However, this instant means of communication can also lead to a hotbed of potential problems, so we’ve had a look at how you can prevent mishaps and keep safe and happy online.

Watch the door
There is no way you would let a complete stranger into your home, and the social media world should be no different. Accepting requests to connect with someone you don’t know can be dangerous and you really want to avoid it. It can allow people to spy on you, fraudsters can find your personal details, you can be spammed and trolled, and those people can send annoying requests to your friends too. If you don’t know someone in real life, don’t let them be a part of your social media existence either.

Tag with care
Yes, the Christmas party was fun, but Bob from IT might not want ‘that picture’ plastered across Facebook for HR to see on Monday, so just stop and think before you post photos of other people and tag them. You might think something is hilarious, but if you don’t want to lose a friend or your job stop and consider the consequences before pressing send.

Keep it real
You know the people we are talking about – the ones with the perfect feeds, amazing homes, stunning holidays and a new outfit everyday – this isn’t real, so don’t believe the hype or let it get you down. Generally, people only post what they want you to know, so take things with a pinch of salt and just go your own way.

Don’t overshare
The intimate details of your personal life are yours, so don’t share them with Twitter, because it could lead to a lot of blushes. Yes, you might hate your boss and your new boyfriend might be amazing, but the whole world doesn’t need to know every single detail. Keep social media light and fun and when things don’t go to plan, don’t blast your feed with the gossip about that either.

Is it yours to share?
Posting about your flatmate’s job interview, revealing an upcoming project at work, or talking about your sister’s engagement before she does, won’t get you any brownie points. Think before you post and if it’s someone else’s news, they have the right to tell others on their feed, before you share it on yours.

Social media isn’t a medic
Social media is a great thing, but it’s not a substitute for real medical advice. If you have a health problem, speak to your GP before sharing the nitty gritty of a tummy bug online, and never think that the well-meaning words of a friend are a given when it comes to being sick. Speak to someone in the know and keep photos of scratches and rashes to yourself.

Don’t be pushy
We all need to make a living but bombarding family and friends with requests to buy your skin care products or diet plans isn’t going to make you very popular. Yes, set up a page and let them know what you are doing, but if you push it at them all the time, you might find they start to unfriend, or even block you and that’s not what you want.

Don’t be a keyboard warrior
At the end of the day, we all have feelings, so if you say something to someone online, make sure you would also say it to their face. Don’t make social media a breeding ground for hate, instead spread happiness and love and make the world a better place.

Team Pure Beauty