Five Veganuary Skincare Swaps

Tags

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.

Reset for Spring – Use These Ingredients NOW to See a Difference in Your Skin!

Tags

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.

Think All Teen Skin is Oily? Think Again!

Tags

acne, balance, breakouts, Dermalogia, Dermalogica Hydrating Lotion, Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque, dry skin, Elemis, Elemis Gentle Foaming Facial Wash, facial, foaming, hormones, hydrate, hydrating, lotion, mask, masque, moisturise, moisturising, nourish, nourishing, Pracaxi oil, REN Clean Skincare, REN Clean Skincare Clearcalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream, REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk, scars, spots, teen, teen skin, teenage, teenage skin, teenager, wash

Photo by Jason Deines

If you mention teen skin issues to almost anyone, they’re usually going to assume that you’re referring to oily skin and pimples. However, there are plenty of teenagers out there who struggle with dry skin, especially when the weather turns cold and they’re out in the elements between school and their social lives. Today, we’re sharing with you five products which could help to nourish and rebalance your teen’s dry skin:

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

Masques are a great way to treat teen skin and this one from Dermalogica contains calming botanical extracts of bitter orange, hops, cucumber and arnica reduce inflammation, while antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and pro-vitamin B5 help to nourish and replenish the skin. It’s suitable for use on all skin conditions, which means you won’t have to worry about it exacerbating eczema or acne, to which many teens are prone. 

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk

Keeping the skin clean is vital when you’re a teen, but if you have dry skin you may find that many of the teen-specific cleansers are simply too harsh on your already-irritated skin. REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk is a gentle cleansing milk with a multi-action formula that fights environmental aggressors, increases skin resilience and minimises the signs of irritation and sensitivity. It’s perfect for teens who want to stay clean without causing more dryness. 

Dermalogica Hydrating Lotion

It goes without saying that dry skin needs moisture, but many heavy moisturisers are aimed at older people who are hoping to combat the signs of ageing – not something that’s usually at the forefront of teenage minds! Dermalogica Hydrating Lotion is a lightweight lotion that helps soothe discomfort and hydrate areas that feel dry and can also help to relieve the dryness often associated with some acne treatments.

Elemis Gentle Foaming Facial Wash

As we touched upon above, keeping teen skin clean without stripping away the natural oils can be tricky. Elemis Gentle Foaming Facial Wash is a gentle wash that combines extracts such as fig, and apple amino acid, which helps produce the foamy texture and protects the skin’s moisture barrier. It also contains the ultra-exotic Pracaxi oil, found in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, which works to soften skin, but also helps maintain its delicate balance, respecting the skin’s natural oil levels.

REN Clean Skincare Clearcalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream

While it’s true that not all teen skin is oily, it can still be prone to breakouts, thanks to the riptide of surging hormones coursing through them on a daily basis. REN Clean Skincare Clearcalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream is a soothing gel-cream formulated to leave blemish and breakout-prone skin comfortable and calm while helping to combat the appearance of blemishes. It nourishes the skin, reduces breakouts and will even help to fade scars from old spots. 

More Ways To Tan With Crazy Angel

Tags

bronze, bronzed, Crazy Angel, Crazy Angel Clear Self-Tan Mousse, Crazy Angel Express Liquid Tan, Crazy Angel Gradual Tan, Crazy Angel Self-Tan Lotion-Medium/Dark, Crazy Angel Tanning Drops, enriched, flawless, glow, golden, gradual tan, guide colour, hydrate, liquid tan, lotion, Prolong and Protect Tanning Agent, self tan, Shea butter, streak-free, tan, tanning drops, tanning mousse

Photo by Jamie Saw

This time of year is one of the prime times for tanning at home – most of us have long said goodbye to any lingering glow from our summer holidays and are starting to feel a little dull in the autumnal drizzle. One of the brands that we stock, here at Pure Beauty, is Crazy Angel. They create tanning products which are formulated using naturally derived DHA, as well as being  free from parabens, alcohol and mineral oil and packed full of skin-loving ingredients. They offer an impressive range of tanning options, as well as being inclusive of all skin tones, so we thought we’d show you some of their wonderful tanning solutions:

Crazy Angel Clear Self-Tan Mousse

This clear self-tan mousse combines tanning with skin care to offer next-level hydration with a golden glow. The clear, water-to-foam formula absorbs quickly into skin leaving you with a streak-free, natural finish. With zero colour transfer, this hydrating water based tan is enriched with shea butter to smooth and nourish skin, meaning no clogging or blocked pores!

Crazy Angel Express Liquid Tan

This liquid tan from Crazy Angel is perfect for giving you a last-minute golden glow. It glides easily onto the skin and provides a flawless finish in as little as 2 hours. A simple spray formula infused with a “Prolong and Protect Tanning Agent” to hydrate and enhance the skin’s radiance for a flawless finish, you’ll have an instant bronzed glow that will continue to develop in just 4 hours. 

Crazy Angel Gradual Tan

Using self tan for the first time can be a daunting experience, especially if you’ve heard horror stories about orange knees or streaky tan! Crazy Angel Gradual Tan is applied like your normal moisturiser and is perfect for self-tan beginners or those looking to top up an existing glow. Enriched with shea butter to smooth and hydrate your skin, this lightweight lotion is completely buildable to achieve your desired colour. 

Crazy Angel Self-Tan Lotion-Medium/Dark

If you’re a self-tan pro or simply want a much deeper golden hue then this medium/dark lotion is for you. It’s packed with ingredients which will deeply hydrate your skin, while the “Prolong and Protect Tanning Agent” will help maintain your glow. The lotion develops in 6-8 hours and will leave you with a perfectly bronzed, flawless finish.

Crazy Angel Tanning Drops

Crazy Angel Tanning Drops are designed to mix with your everyday moisturiser or skincare, allowing you to customise your own glow. They’re a stress-free alternative to traditional self-tan methods and give you added control over the level of tan you wish to achieve. The antioxidant properties hydrate the skin, fighting free radicals and damage caused by UV rays and using it on a daily basis will help to give you a continuous glow.

Treat Your Skin to a Cleansing Balm

Tags

almond oil, apricot powder, balm, baobab oil, blackcurrant seed, blue tansy, clean, cleanse, cleanser, cleansing, cleansing balm, creamy, cruelty free, elasticity, excess oil, exfoliate, eyebrows, eyelashes, face, fragrance free, gentle, hydrate, lecithin, limited edition, liquid lipsticks, makeup, nourishing, oil, pollutants, regenerating, Sea buckthorn oil, skin, skin cells, soothing, soybeans, sunscreen, texture, upcycle, vegan-friendly, water, Waterproof mascara

Photo by August de Richelieu

Cleaning balms, which typically have a creamier texture and are often oil-based, are a great alternative to conventional cleansers. They can thoroughly clean your pores while still retaining enough moisture to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Most cleansing balms are suitable for all skin types, however, those with dry or sensitive skin will particularly benefit from them. They are also perfect for problem skin due to their capacity to enter the pores and extract sebum. Here are five of our favourite cleansing balms for your consideration:

Elemis Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm

This cleansing balm from Elemis is a limited-edition, fragrance-free version of their bestselling cleansing balm that melts away makeup and impurities for a glowing complexion. The mineral oil-free product moisturises like a cleansing milk, dissolves makeup with ease like a cleansing oil, and nourishes the skin like a balm. Without hurting the eyes or dehydrating the face, it effectively removes waterproof mascara and liquid lipsticks and helps to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles to reveal a glowing and youthful-looking complexion.

Dermalogica Precleanse Balm

Dermalogica Precleanse Balm is a deep-cleansing balm-to-oil cleanser that melts into the skin and gently removes excess oil, sunscreen, makeup and pollutants from the skin. Suitable for all skin types, this balm focuses on stripping away cosmetics, dirt and other build-up without damaging the skin’s natural barrier. It contains an invigorating combination of essential oils that refreshes the senses and helps deliver the state of cleanliness that is traditionally experienced in the professional treatment room.

REN Clean Skincare Rosa Centifolia No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm

This rose-infused cleansing balm from REN Clean Skincare is gentle yet powerful, helping to melt away the toughest of make-up and daily grime, while almond oil cleanses, nourishes and moisturises the skin. The deeply hydrating formula leaves skin feeling cleansed, refreshed and nourished and even contains lecithin from soybeans, which nourishes and conditions the eyelashes and brows.

UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm with Apricot Powder

UpCircle Cleansing Face Balm with Apricot Powder is a daily cleansing balm that will melt away makeup, pollution and impurities. It’s gentle enough to be used every day, unlike some exfoliating cleansers, as well as being cruelty free, vegan-friendly and free from palm oil. This award winning cleanser also contains skin calming ingredients blackcurrant seed, blue tansy and sea buckthorn oils.

Evolve Organic Beauty Gentle Cleansing Melt

This opulent cleansing balm from Evolve Organic Beauty contains organic baobab oil, which is hydrating and soothing. Natural sugar extracts are blended with water to create a creamy milk that rinses clean and leaves skin feeling nourished, soothed, and clean. Baobab Oil also contains high levels of protein and Vitamin A, nourishes, improves skin elasticity, and helps to regenerate new skin cells and promote healing.