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

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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.

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. 

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…Bedtime!

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Aromatherapy Associates Relax Body Oil, bath, bathing, bergamot, camomile, deep tissue, Evolve Organic Beauty Silent Night Bathing Salts, Gua Sha, Hayo'u Bian Stone Body Massager, lavender, massage, mind, natural, Neroli, night, pillow, reflexology, REN Clean Skincare And Now To Sleep Pillow Spray, salts, scent, sleep, spray, This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak, vetiver, ylang ylang

Photo by Ivan Oboleninov 

While this is a busy time of the year for most of us, it’s a time which is also starting to be referred to as “the Sleepy Season” by many. That’s because there’s an increasing movement which encourages people to take advantage of the long winter nights by staying indoors and getting as much sleep as you can. We’ll be honest; as far as fads go, this is one that we can wholeheartedly get onboard with. After all, many creatures hibernate at this time of year, and who are we to argue with nature?! With this in mind, we’ve gathered together a collection of products which can help to give you the best night’s sleep of your life:

REN Clean Skincare And Now To Sleep Pillow Spray

The scent in your sleeping space can have a huge impact on how well you sleep. This pillow spray from REN Clean Skincare contains a soothing blend of fragrances which combine to create an aromatherapy blend which will lull you off to sleep. Frankincense, lavender and hops oil help relax the mind and body and are also safe to be sprayed directly onto your pyjamas, for a stronger hit of scent. 

This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak

For many people, having a bath is the ultimate pre-bedtime ritual for helping to make them feel sleepy and relaxed, and adding some of this bath soak from This Works will enhance that effect hugely. It contains the award-winning Deep Sleep super blend of lavender, camomile and vetivert, which will harmonise your body and mind, leaving skin moisturised and lightly fragranced, and giving you the ultimate pre-sleep wind-down. 

Aromatherapy Associates Relax Body Oil

Self massage is a wonderful way to attune your mind and body, as well as helping you to wind down before bed. Aromatherapy Associates Relax Body Oil works to combat an overractive mind, soothe the body and quieten the senses. The blend of earthy vetiver, gentle camomile and prized Madagascan ylang ylang create the perfect pre-slumber routine or soothing treat to counter moments of daily stress.

Evolve Organic Beauty Silent Night Bathing Salts

Another product to enhance your evening bath, Evolve Organic Beauty Silent Night Bathing Salts are made in small batches and infused with lavender, bergamot, neroli and ylang ylang, a blend of essential oils proven to help you get a better night’s sleep. Add a generous handful to a warm bath and you’ll find that your mind and body start to relax, putting you in the best place for a great night’s sleep. 

Hayo’u Bian Stone Body Massager

Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation and this Bian Stone Body Massager from Hayo’u is designed to help you to get the best sleep. It can be used for pressing and kneading the trigger points as deeply or softly as desired, working not only on the body but also the reflexology zones on the hands and feet, and will not only offer for deep tissue and muscle tension, fatigue and pain but also improves insomnia and supports deeper sleep.

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.

Five of the Best Products for Curly Hair

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all hair types, anti-humidity, coconut oil, coiled, conditioners, curly hair, defrays, diffuser, dry hair, dryness, flexible, flyaways, freeze, gels, GHD, glossy, hair, hair gel, hair products, healthier, heat, heavy, heavy creams, hydrated, L’Oreal, lightweight, mask, natural, naturally curly, non brittle, non-crunchy, nourish, nourishment, oil, repair, scrunching, serums, Shea butter, shine, silky, smoothness, spring, styling routine, technology, tongs, wet hair

Photo by Vlada Karpovich

It wasn’t so long ago that the options for caring for naturally curly hair were pretty much limited to scrunching a bit of gel through after washing and leaving it to dry down to a slightly crunchy finish. Thankfully, the curly haired among us have made it known that they deserve far better when it comes to hair care in recent years and the curly girl revolution is well and truly underway. The rise in demand for dedicated hair products for curly hair means that many brands have risen to meet this, and we have a number of products on our shelves which will care for your curls better than ever before. Here are five of the best products to help you to look after your curly hair:

Color Wow Dream Coat for Curly Hair

If you’re sick and tired of the gels we mentioned above then this product from Color Wow will be a breath of fresh air for your hair. It’s a super-light, alcohol-free formula that delivers all the combined benefits of out-dated gels, serums and heavy creams, rolled into one. The product is enriched with powerful polymers that work to moisturise, condition and de-frizz curly locks whilst restoring bounce and ensuring flexible, non-brittle endurance and glossy shine. The results are waves and spirals that are perfectly bundled, hydrated and non-crunchy with supernatural shine.

GHD Curly Ever After Curl Hold Spray

Depending on your curl type, you may sometimes use tongs or a diffuser to ensure that your curls are uniform and properly coiled. This hold spray from ghd will deliver up to a 12 hour curl hold for a style that lasts all night. It contains the ghd heat protect system to form a protective thermal layer over the surface of the hair for smoothness and a healthier feel. ghd curly ever after spray is suitable for all hair types to maximise your heat styling routine.   

L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Liss Unlimited Masque

Curly hair can often suffer from dryness, but the issue is that many conditioners are too heavy and will weigh your curls down completely. L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Liss Unlimited Masque will nourish, repair and smooth your frizzy hair, working in minutes, leaving you with super silky smooth locks. This mask takes advantage of its key technology, Polymer AR to wrap the hair fibre with a special anti-humidity shield, keeping it smooth and glossy while stopping frizz in its tracks.

Nine Yards Twist N Shout Curl Revival Cream

Nine Yards Twist N Shout Curl Revival Cream is a lightweight cream that functions as a styling and caring product for a full curl comeback. This formula conditions and revives the natural shape of the curls by adding moisture to the hair. It contains natural shea butter and coconut oil to condition dryness and add a natural spring and shine to your curls.

Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil

Olaplex is one of the biggest names in hair care right now, and this bonding oil is a saviour for those of us with a curly mane. This oil provides highly concentrated nourishment to help repair dry and damaged hair whilst improving manageability by minimising frizz and flyaways and providing heat protection up to 232°C. It’s suitable for all hair types and can be used on wet or dry hair, but it will revive and protect your curls without weighing them down.