Vaping and The Effects on Your Skin

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acne, ageing, antioxidant, balanced, chemicals, cleanser, cream, daily routine, dangers, dark spots, day, discolouration, dry, dry skin, drying, dryness, e-cigarette, enlarged, exfoliator, flaky, hydrated, hydration, hyperpigmentation, inhaling, irritation, itchy, nicotine, oily skin, oxygen, patchy, pores, rashes, resurfacing, sagging, sebum, sensitive, sensitivity, skin, smoking, soothing, supple, texture, toxins, uneven, Vape, vaping, vapour, wrinkling

Photo by FORMM agency on Unsplash

Vaping is something which has gained HUGE popularity the world over in the last decade. When e-cigs first came along, we were all assured that they were far safer than cigarettes and the health benefits of making the switch would be numerous. Now that we’re a few years down the line and more research has been done, we’re now aware that vaping presents its own dangers, not least of all to your skin. Here’s an overview of some of the negative effects of vaping on the skin and what you can do to reverse them:

E-Liquids Contain Toxins Which Can Damage The Skin

Exposure to the chemicals from e-cigarettes are twofold – as well as inhaling chemicals which can be harmful to your skin, you also create a cloud of vapour when you exhale, which also enrobes your skin in chemicals. The best way to stop the effects on your skin is to stop vaping altogether, but adding a potent exfoliator such as Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser can also help to remove toxins and reverse some of the damage. 

It Makes Your Skin Dry

One of the ways that smoking ages the skin is by depriving it of oxygen and drying it out, and that can also be said for vaping. Every time you take a puff of a vape, you’re drying your skin out and exacerbating dry skin. Ironically, for some people, this can then lead to OILY skin, as your natural sebum production will ramp up to overcompensate. We recommend Elemis Hydra-Balance Day Cream, which is an ultra-light, antioxidant rich day cream that provides continuous hydration, to leave skin feeling perfectly hydrated, balanced and supple.

It Can Make Acne and Redness Worse

Vaping contains lots of chemicals and nicotine which come in contact with our skin. This may cause the skin to become dry or flaky. It can also aggravate those with naturally dry skin by making it patchy and sometimes itchy. The chemicals in e-cigarettes can also cause skin sensitivity and irritation which can lead to rashes and even acne. To combat these effects, we’d recommend adding Elemis Sensitive Soothing Milk to your daily routine, as it is infused with red sage and aloe vera, whilst bisabolol complex helps to protect against visible daily aggressors that might cause irritation. 

It Accelerates the Signs of Ageing

Despite being touted as “better than smoking” for our health, vaping is still incredibly damaging when it comes to the signs of ageing, as it deprives our skin of nutrients. This will lead to premature ageing in the form of dryness, enlarged pores, sagging, wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture. Using Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask will help to smooth out lines and firm the skin, treating you to an overnight facial. 

It Can Cause Dark Spots

We all know that smoking can cause discolouration to the skin, but it’s also possible to suffer from hyperpigmentation, thanks to vaping. The nicotine in cigarettes is often what contributes to dark spots, and nicotine is still usually present in e-cigarettes too. Murad Correct and Protect Serum SPF45 is a satiny-smooth serum with 100% mineral SPF that’s tested and scientifically proven to visibly correct discolouration and prevent future hyperpigmentation, making it the perfect product for vapers and smokers. 

Treat Yourself for Under £10

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100% natural, £10, breakouts, budget, carbon footprint, circulation, cleanse, comb, cotton, cotton pads, damage, dead skin, deodoriser, detangling, disposable, eco-friendly, exfoliate, firm, gentle, good quality, healthy, heated tools, hemp, hydrate, impurities, irritation, keratin, luxurious, make up pads, massage batter, moisture barrier, moisturising, money, mud mask, Niacinamide, non-recyclable waste, nutrients, parents, pedicure, professional quality, reusable, sea salt soak, sheet mask, skinq, soothe, St Ives, sugar scrub, summer holidays, Sustainable, texture, toxins, treats, vegan friendly, vegetable soap, watermelon, wet hair, white tooth

Photo by cottonbro

This time of year can be expensive for parents, when you’ve got kids to entertain for six week during the summer. That means that finding time for yourself, and more importantly, money for treats, isn’t always easy. Here at Pure Beauty, we know that we all sometimes need a pick-me-up, even when the budget isn’t huge. So, we’ve put together a list of five treats which cost less than a tenner, allowing you to treat yourself without feeling guilty!

Maskology Niacinamide Professional Sheet Mask – £5.95

Using a sheet mask can feel like a luxurious treat, even if it doesn’t cost a lot. This sheet mask from Maskology is infused with niacinamide for a professional-quality treatment that balances the skin, improves texture and prevents breakouts. It will also help the skin to build up keratin, ensuring it stays healthy and firm. It helps to rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier which encourages the cells to function at a higher capacity, therefore making it easier to circulate nutrients and flush out toxins.

The Sea Shed Coastal Path Soap – £5.50

We’ve all washed our hands more in the last couple of years than ever before, and as a result have realised the value of using a good quality soap. This moisturising, triple milled vegetable soap from The Sea Shed is enriched with shea butter and is made in St. Ives using a vegan friendly, sustainable formula. It makes your skin feel great, rather than drying it out like other soaps. 

GHD Detangling Comb – £8.95

Taking care of wet hair requires specific tools as hair is more breakable when it’s wet. GHD Detangling Comb is a gentle way to detangle damp hair. The wide-toothed design allows for delicate detangling on damp hair, which is fragile and more prone to damage. The professional-quality comb is heat-proof and can be used to style your hair in conjunction with other GHD heated tools. 

UpCircle Hemp and Cotton Makeup Pads – £8.99

Here at Pure Beauty, we’re huge advocates for anything which is sustainable and allows us to reduce our carbon footprint, as well as non recyclable waste, which is why we love these hemp and cotton make up pads from UpCircle. Made from 100% natural materials these triple layer pads are perfect for gently removing makeup without irritation. These reusable pads are the eco-friendly alternative to disposable cotton pads or wipes.

Voesh 4 Step Deluxe Pedi in a Box Watermelon Burst – £9.99

One of our favourite ways to pamper ourselves is with a pedicure and this kit from Voesh gives you everything you need. Enriched with key ingredients to give your feet the nutrition it needs, each product is individually packed with the right amount for a single pedicure. Each kit contains a Sea Salt Soak to detox and deodorise the feet, Sugar Scrub to gently exfoliate dead skin, a Mud Masque to deep cleanse impurities an

Allantoin – The Best Soothing Ingredient that Nature Has to Offer?

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acne, acne scars, alcohol, algae extracts, Allantoin, anti-irritant, Arnica, blue Lotus extracts, botanical, botanical extracts, breakouts, chamomile, cleansers, combination skin, Comfrey, cuts, debris, decongest, dirt, dryness, dullness, Europe, exfoliate, face masks, Glycerin, glycolic acid, hands, herb, hydrate, hydrolipid, ingredient, ingrown hairs, irritation, itching, Lactic Acid, lightweight, lotions, Magnolia Essential Oil, moisture, moisture balance, nails, natural sources, normal skin, nourish, oil, oily skin, organic, pore minimising, pores, purify, Salicylic Acid, salicylic acid serum, scrapes, sensitive skin, serums, Shea butter, skin problems, skincare, smooth skin, soothe, sugar beat, tobacco seed, urea, uric acid, Vitamin E, water, wheat sprouts, white meadowfoam oil

Photo by Ron Lach

As you’ll know if you’re a regular visitor to our site, we like to keep our fingers on the pulse when it comes to skincare ingredients and trends. One such ingredient which has been popping up a lot lately is allantoin. It’s something which has been around for some time, but it’s going through something of a renaissance, with many major skincare companies including in their products. Here’s the lowdown on allantoin:

What is allantoin?

As we mentioned above, allantoin is used in many skin care products, including cleansers, lotions, serums, and face masks. Due to its anti-irritant properties, companies tend to add it to products that hydrate and soothe the skin. This ingredient is perfect for sensitive skin and is usually derived from natural sources.

Where is it found? 

In its natural form, allantoin is found in several plants, such as sugar beet, chamomile, tobacco seed, and wheat sprouts. A popular source of allantoin is the extract of comfrey, a species of herb native to Europe. It can also be prepared synthetically for cosmetic use, either by oxidation of uric acid, reaction of dichloroacetic acid and urea, or condensation reaction between glyoxylic acid and urea. (Don’t worry, that’s the last time today that we’ll get so scientific!)

What is it good for?

Allantoin might be your ticket to super smooth skin. It’s one of those amazing ingredients that offers a major bang for your buck and is great if you’re dealing with dryness, dullness, irritation, acne scars and even cuts and scrapes. Allantoin is also known for its ability to add more water to your skin. It can help your skin hang on to moisture longer, and helps fight annoying skin issues like dryness, itching, and irritation, which can ultimately lead to more skin problems, like acne or oily skin. 

Which products contain allantoin?

Decleor White Magnolia Hand and Nail Cream

This light cream is ideal for use throughout the day to leave skin beautifully scented and provide essential care for hands and nails. Key active ingredients include white meadowfoam oil to regenerate the hydrolipid film, shea butter and allantoin to nourish and soothe, plus magnolia essential oil to help protect and reinforce the skin.

Lycon Ingrown X-It Solution

With allantoin, salicylic acid, lactic acid and arnica, Lycon Ingrown X-It Solution is a break through spray formula for the face and body. It mildly exfoliates, decongests and helps minimise the appearance and discomfort of ingrown hairs. 

Medik8 Blemish Control Pads

Pre-soaked in a clarifying maximum strength salicylic acid serum, Medik8 Blemish Control Pads dissolve oil and dirt from deep within the pore to purify problem complexions. Crafted without alcohol and infused with allantoin and glycerin, they protect the skin’s natural moisture balance to ward off dryness, while caring for the most sensitive of skin types.

Murad Clarifying Body Spray

Murad Clarifying Body Spray is a quick-drying formula that helps prevent body breakouts. Salicylic acid helps clear up blemishes as glycolic acid helps clear away pore-clogging debris. Allantoin and blue lotus extract help soothe irritation for healthier-looking skin.

SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture

SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture is a lightweight, pore minimising moisturiser, designed to hydrate and nourish normal, combination and oily skin. It contains an exclusive combination of vitamin E, three nutrient-rich algae extracts, and a blend of seven botanical extracts including allantoin. 

Soothe Your Skin with REN’s Evercalm Range

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active ingredients, almond, antioxidant, balm, beta glucan, blackcurrant seed oil, Borage, burning, central heating, cleanser, cold, complexion, dehydration, dirt, discomfort, elbows, free radical scavengers, gel, glowing, good bacteria, harshness, inflammation, irritate, irritation, jojoba, knees, linseed, lipid, lips, mask, masks, moisture, moisture barrier, moisturiser, nourish, oils, olive, omega-3, omega-7, pollution, potent, pre-biotics, recovery, redness, refreshing, refrigerate, routine, rubbing, seabuckthorn oil, seed oils, sensations, sensitive, sensitivity, serum, skin care, soften, soothe, soothing, strengthen, sunflower, tightness, triglycerides, white mushroom, winter

Photo by Rodolfo Sanches Carvalho on Unsplash 

Anyone with even vaguely sensitive skin will know that there are a certain number of things which are almost guaranteed to cause redness and irritation. Unfortunately January is one of those times of the year where you are surrounded by these Things on an almost daily basis. Simply stepping out into the cold can be enough to cause a reaction, while being inside a centrally heated house can also dry your skin out and irritate your complexion. Fortunately, REN Clean Skincare have created their Evercalm range, which is specifically designed to fight the causes and appearance of irritation and sensitivity. Here are some of our favourites from the range:

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel

Every good skincare routine starts with a cleanser and this one is no exception. Gel products are particularly good for sensitive skin because they are refreshing and soothing to a complexion which is dealing with irritation. This cleansing gel contains pre-biotics which support the good bacteria in your skin and clean your face without stripping away any of the moisture. It removes dirt and pollution effectively without any harshness and the active ingredients help to reveal skin which is glowing in a good way.

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream

Using a day cream if you have sensitive skin is pretty much essential. This Global Protection Day Cream from the Evercalm range has been around for two decades and is one of Ren‘s best selling moisturisers. It contains antioxidant and free radical scavengers, as well as soothing seed oils to protect the skin against dehydration and fights against the signs of ageing. It also contains blackcurrant seed oil which is rich in omega-3 and seabuckthorn oil which is rich in omega-7. both of which nourish, soothe and soften the skin.

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

“Night time is the right time” as the old Ray Charles lyrics go and this is especially true for anyone with sensitive skin who wants to use something potent. The Overnight Recovery Balm from the Evercalm range is a rich balm made from olive, almond, borage and linseed oils, which are easily absorbed and will intensely nourish and moisturise your skin. Jojoba and sunflower oils support the skin’s natural lipid balance while beta glucan soothes any signs of irritation from dryness. It can also be used on dry lips and any other rough patches on your body such as on the knees and elbows.

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask

Masks are a fantastic product for people with sensitive skin as they are left on the skin for a much longer time allowing for maximum results. This Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask will calm, soothe and moisturise your skin and will instantly relieve the key signs of sensitive skin such as redness and tightness. Extended use will strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier, making it more able to cope with stressors in the long run.

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Redness Relief Serum

Serums are another hero product for those of us with sensitive skin as they are generally the most potent products within a range. The Redness Relief Serum in the REN Clean Skincare range contains white mushroom, triglycerides and other seed oils and extracts which reduce redness in just 30 minutes. After seven days dryness, itching, discomfort, flakiness, tightness or burning sensations will all be dramatically reduced and the serum works even better at cooling your complexion if you store it in the fridge. It’s recommended that you gently press the formula into your skin rather than rubbing as this will help reduce friction and cut down on the risk of irritation and inflammation.

Dermaplaning – A Beginner’s Guide

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acne, chemical, chemical peel, damage, Decleor Thyme Gentle Peeling Cream, Decleor Ultra Protective Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF50 Face, Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate, Dermaplaning, doctor, dry skin, dull skin, exfoliate, exfoliation, face, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, irritation, Keratosis pilaris, nurse, peel, practitioner, professional, protect, protection, rosacea, scalpel, sensitive skin, skin, skin condition, SPF, SPF50, sun, sun damage, wrinkles

Photo by Antonika Chanel on UnsplashDermaplaning – A Beginner’s Guide

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 6 months, there’s a good chance that you will have seen the videos doing the rounds where it looks like people are using a knife to scrape their skin off. What you’re actually witnessing are videos of dermaplaning, something that is considered the next big thing in the beauty world. We thought it was time that we took a look at what dermaplaning is and give all of the details you need to know before taking the plunge. Read on for more information:

What is it?

Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment which should only be done by a doctor or licensed practitioner and involves gently scraping the surface of your skin off with a surgical scalpel to remove dead cells and the fuzzy hair that most of us have on our faces.

What does it do?

Dermaplaning is said to have many benefits; as well as making your skin feel baby soft, it helps foundation to apply smoothly and is also said to be useful for acne, rosacea and people with hyperpigmentation.

Who is it good for?

The answer to this is basically anybody who feels that their skin needs a boost. If you have dull skin, dry skin, sun damage, fine lines, keratosis pilaris, sensitive skin, rosacea, acne or any other skin condition which causes you you bother dermaplaning is probably worth a go.

Is there anything I need to bear in mind?

Dermaplaning is considered safe for all skin types, however, if you do have highly sensitive skin it’s worth bearing in mind that dermaplaning might cause you added irritation. As we mentioned above, dermaplaning should only be carried out by a professional so we definitely do not recommend going out and buying scalpels and trying this yourself. Scalpels and faces really do not mix!

Which products should I use before and after?

If you have sensitive skin, it’s worth bearing in mind that dermaplaning can cause a little irritation. We’d recommend adding Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate to your daily skin routine in the run up to your appointment as this will help to keep irritation and inflammation to a minimum.

Lots of people also opt for a chemical peeling treatment immediately after dermaplaning as the newly revealed skin is more receptive to strong treatments. If you want to do this yourself, we recommend Decleor Thyme Gentle Peeling Cream, a gentle cream exfoliator that removes dead skin cells for a clear and radiant complexion.

Finally, you’ll need to protect your skin from the sun for a few weeks after treatment, so make sure you start using Decleor Ultra Protective Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF50 Face on a daily basis, too.