Our Top Five Non-Greasy Skin and Haircare Formulas

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acne, ageing, all skin types, Aloe Vera, antioxidant, bath, bedtime, body, breakouts, brighter, broad spectrum, cashmere, chamomile, coconut, complexion, daily, damaged hair, dry, dry oil, dry skin, even, formula, frizz, Glycerin, greasiness, greasy, harmful, healthier, healthy, heavy, Ho Wood, holiday, hyaluronic acid, hydrated, ingredients, lavender, light, lighter, moisture, moisturiser, night oil, non-greasy, nourished, oil, oils, patchouly, polished, porous, powerful, protect, protection, rays, refine, sensitivity, sensory, sesame oil, Shea butter, shower, skin, skin type, skincare, smooth, smoother, SPF30, SPF50, spots, spray tan, spring, stress, styling creams, summer, sun creams, tea or flour, tension, texture, thick, uncomfortable, UVA, UVB, vetiver, Vitamin C

Photo by cottonbro

There are many reasons for opting for skincare formulas which are non-greasy. For some people, it’s the simple fact that their skin already produces too much oil and greasy formulas are simply not compatible with their skin type. For others, it may be an issue of sensitivity to certain ingredients such as certain oils which may exacerbate breakouts of spots or acne. And for some people, it is simply a sensory issue which means that formulas which are too heavy and greasy feel highly uncomfortable on your skin. 

All of these issues can also be worse depending on the season; wearing thicker formulas in spring and summer when it is hot can feel unpleasant at times. With this in mind, we’ve searched our stock to put together a list of five non-greasy products which are perfect for anyone who prefers lighter skin care:

Decleor Aloe Vera Sun Gel Cream SPF50

When it comes to skincare that feels heavy or greasy on the skin, suncreams are often one of the worst offenders. This Aloe Vera Sun Gel Cream from Decleor is a non-greasy gel which is enriched with aloe vera and sesame oils, to leave the skin feeling nourished and hydrated but fresh and light at the same time. The broad-spectrum SPF50 protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays and it can be used on all skin types on a daily basis.

Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C

If your skin is dry and lacking radiance you may find that many of the formulas designed to relieve this are thick and heavy. This Daily Radiance Vitamin C from Medik8 has a light, cashmere texture to deliver powerful antioxidant protection as well as broad-spectrum SPF 30 without any of the greasiness of other products. It’s enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draws moisture into the skin leaving you with a brighter, more even complexion and skin which is protected from the future signs of ageing.

South Seas – Moorea Moisturiser

Dry skin doesn’t just affect your face; it can happen anywhere on your body and can be difficult to tackle. This moisturiser from South Seas is a non-greasy, lightweight formula to leave your skin feeling healthy and smooth. It is designed specifically to be used alongside a spray tan and for people who have very dry skin, and contains shea butter to deeply nourish, along with tiare flower and coconut to give you a fragrance which makes you feel like you’re always on holiday!

This Works Deep Sleep Night Oil

Finding a product which describes itself as a non-greasy oil may sound like something of an oxymoron, however this Deep Sleep Night Oil from This Works is a dry oil which is easily absorbed. It is formulated using oils of lavender, chamomile, vetiver, patchouly, and ho wood, which combine to create a delicately scented and relaxing oil which will lock moisture into your skin, soothe your muscles and calm your mind before bedtime. It’s perfect for use after a bath or shower and can be used daily to help relieve tension and stress.

Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream

Unless you have a hair type which is extremely dry or porous, some styling creams can feel slightly greasy and leave your hair looking slick and weighed down, rather than natural and weightless. This One Minute Transformation Styling Cream from Colour Wow is designed to banish frizz and refine texture without any greasiness. The formula revives shine and enhances the hair’s moisturisation, leaving dry, damaged hair smoother, more polished and looking healthier than ever.

How to add citrus to your beauty routine

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100% natural, a natural source of vitamin C, accelerates cell renewal, anti-cellulite and body cleansing programme, appearance of ageing, bacteria, balance, Balm Mint, beauty routine, beeswax, bergamot, beta-carotene, blended, breakfast, breakout prone skin, bright, calm inflammation, Camphor, citrus fresh, citrus fruit, citrus fruits, citrus orange, clean, clear, cool, day cream, dazzle, Decleor Green Mandarin Glow Night Balm, Decleor Green Mandarin Sun-Kissed Glow Cream, Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, detoxify stimulate, drink, eat, educe inflammation, Elemis Cellutox Active Body Oil, Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask, energise, energy boost, enrich, essentail oils, eucalyptus, excess oils, fine lines, fresh fragrance, fruit, Ginkgo, goodness, gorgeous blend, Grapefruit, green mandarin, green tea, honey, immune system, key ingredients, lemon, lemon peel extract, lush, massaging, menthol, mimosa, mix, moisturises, natural, natural hyaluronic acid, nourish, powerful, protect, reduce, rejuvenate, rice enzyme powder, sad, Sea Buckthorn, Sea Fennel, sea-rocket, senses, seven days a week, sink in, skin, sleep, smooths, sun-kissed glow, Sweet Orange, tangy taste, Tea Tree, treat, uneven skin pigmentation, universal, vibrant appearance, vitamin-packed food, wrinkles, zest, zing

Citrus fruits have a tangy taste, fresh fragrance and vibrant appearance and this winning combo makes them a universal favourite. As well as being great to eat and drink, the goodness of citrus fruits are often used in beauty products.

We have had a look at how adding a little citrus to your beauty routine could add zest and zing to your skin.

The Decleor Green Mandarin Glow Night Balm is 100% natural and can really help to energise your skin and reduce the appearance of ageing. This really is a citrus packed dream as green mandarin, grapefruit, lemon and sweet orange essential oils have been blended with beeswax to offer an energy boost to your skin as you sleep.

It’s the lemon peel extract, a natural source of vitamin C, that helps to protect skin and reduce inflammation in the popular Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash. This fabulous foaming cleanser clears the problem causing excess oils and bacteria on breakout-prone skin. Balm mint, eucalyptus and tea tree oils, plus menthol and camphor all come together with the lemon to clean and cool skin so it can settle and breathe.

Did you know that citrus can be part of an anti-cellulite and body cleansing programme? Well, it can with the gorgeous Elemis Cellutox Active Body Oil. A powerful mix of sea buckthorn and sea fennel extracts have been added to lemon and juniper essential oils to create a beauty routine staple you won’t want to be without. Massaging just a little of the oil into the skin will nourish, detoxify and stimulate. Regular use can help smooth cellulite, boost a sluggish system, lift lethargy and even help ease constipation when rubbed into the tummy and lower back.

We know that eating vitamin-packed food is good for our immune system but using those same ingredients on our skin can be positive too. This is where the Decleor Green Mandarin Sun-Kissed Glow Cream comes into play. This lush day cream moisturises the skin, helps ease fine lines and wrinkles gives you an even sun-kissed glow. This is thanks to a gorgeous blend of citrus essential oils, natural hyaluronic acid and beta-carotene which together re-energise tired-looking skin. Not only does simply sink into your skin and leave it looking great but with green mandarin, grapefruit, lemon and orange oils being part of the mix, it makes you smell amazing too.

Grapefruit is often eaten for breakfast, but it is one of the key ingredients in the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. This unique rice enzyme powder smooths the skin, accelerates cell renewal and is gentle enough to be used seven days a week. Grapefruit is part of the skin brightening complex together with aspergillus, liquorice and bearberry which come together to balance uneven skin pigmentation. We love that green tea, ginkgo and oatmeal have been added to help to calm inflammation so that skin is clear, bright and citrus fresh.

If your skin is feeling sad, why not treat it to a session with the Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask? Mimosa and honey have been expertly blended with extracts of sea rocket, bergamot and citrus orange which together moisturise and enrich the skin. Using for ten minutes twice a week or leaving on overnight will rejuvenate your skin and dazzle your senses.

If you need a little citrus in your life, get in touch and let’s see what would work for you.

Team Pure-Beauty

Minty Fresh Products from Pure Beauty

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Arnica and Cucumber extracts, bathroom, beach, Calming Balm Mint and Lavender, chamomile, chewing gum, clove, condition, dead skin cells, deep cleansing balm, Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Devils Apron Seaweed, dirt, easy task, elderberry, Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub, Elemis Lip Revive, Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, Elemis Sharp Shower Body Wash, eucalyptus, fresh, gel, gently cleanses, geranium, gym bag, happy, heat, Ho Wood, intensely cleansed, invigorating body wash, lavender, like, love, mint, Mint Balm, multi-talented herb, must-haves, natural moisture balance, nourished, orange, peppermint, Peppermint Essential Oil, pocket rocket, polishes, pool, powerful, Quillaja Saponaria, revived, rinse, Rose and Mimosa waxes, Seaplant Particles, senses, smile, soap free, soya, spearmint, Spearmint and Peppermint essential oils, spring to mind, starflower, suitcase, tastes, tea, tepid water, toothpaste, toxins, wet skin, wheat, Wild Mint

Chewing gum, tea and toothpaste are probably what spring to mind when it comes to mint, but thanks to the cooling properties of this multi-talented herb, it is also the key ingredient in many beauty products.

We have had a look at just a few of the ones we love here at Pure Beauty and think you might like them too.

The Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub gently cleanses the body, whilst removing dead cells, leaving skin feeling smooth and this is why it is on our list of bathroom must-haves. Packed with Seaplant Particles, Devils Apron Seaweed and Peppermint Essential Oil when applied to damp skin using circular motions, the results are impressive. Especially effective on problem areas like your feet, knees and elbows, continued use will leave your skin looking better than ever so you will want to show it off by the pool or on the beach.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a soap-free, foaming gel designed to remove the impurities on our skin without disturbing the natural moisture balance, and that is no easy task. Calming Balm Mint and Lavender Extracts soothe the skin, while Quillaja Saponaria foams away dirt and toxins. Simply apply a small amount of lathered gel to wet skin and concentrate on areas of congestion and oiliness. Then rinse with tepid water and repeat to ensure toxins and debris have been washed away and skin is revived and happy once again.

Together with Geranium, Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Ho Wood, Orange and Clove, Mint is one of the ingredients in the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. This powerful, deep cleansing balm also contains Rose and Mimosa waxes which are infused with nourishing Elderberry, Starflower and Optimega oils and supercharged with anti-ageing algae – wow! After using to remove the dirt of the day, skin is intensely cleansed, nourished and renewed leaving you with a glowing complexion and a smile.

Formulated without artificial fragrances and colours, the Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner helps to condition your skin and prepare it for when you apply your moisturiser. Arnica and Cucumber extracts help keep skin smooth and refreshed, while Lavender purifies it and Balm Mint cools and softens it. Add a bottle to your gym bag or suitcase when you go on holiday and it really will help to keep your skin calm when the heat is on.

If waking up is a hard job for you, why not jump into the shower with the Elemis Sharp Shower Body Wash? This fresh, invigorating body wash is packed with both Spearmint and Peppermint essential oils as well as Nettle, Wild Marjoram, Marshmallow, Chamomile and Thyme which are all wrapped up in a Soya, Wheat and Milk Protein base. As well as you skin being cleaned your senses are woken and your brain is alert for the day ahead.

If you want to care for your lips, you need to add the Elemis Lip Revive to your basket. Sunflower Oil helps to moisturise, nourish and regenerate the skin, while Beeswax repairs it. Wild Mint has been added for cooling and soothing, while Peppermint refreshes. This really is a mint fuelled pocket rocket of skin goodness that tastes great too!

If you are interested in more information about these fresh products, or would like to try some samples, get in touch and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Your summer reading list is here

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America, another woman, Atlantic, bold, breathtaking book, clever, clothes, cocktail, commute, compelling story, crying, dreams, drift off to sleep, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, emotional, empowering and heartfelt, enchants and captives, end, England, Faking Friends by Jane Fallon, feel good novel, first novel, first page, flat, focus, free fall, fun, funny, Gail Honeyman, Gail O’Porter, glasses, great reads, hilarious, home, inspiring authors, Internet sensation, iPad, Julie Cohen, Kindle, laughing, limit, long-term relationship, love, lunch, marrying, meal deal, mission, modern day life, Monday to Friday, moving, murkey waters, pain, paperback, penny drops, poignant, powerful, raw, reader, relatable, resonate, secrets and lies, single mum, Sophie Kinsella, Special, story, success, suncream, Surprise Me, The Cows, tissues, twists and turns, vodka, weekend, work, world famous blogger

Whether it’s found in a paperback, Kindle or iPad, having a decent book to read can help take the pain out of the commute, give you a focus away from work or help you drift off to sleep at night.

There are some really great reads out there at the moment from some inspiring authors and thought we would share some of our favourites with you.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine might look like a simple read about a women who seems to lead a pretty normal life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, buys the same meal deal for lunch Monday to Friday and has a thing for vodka, but there’s nothing unusual about that. However, as a little bit of kindness and compassion comes into Eleanor’s life, a raw, emotional, compelling story unfolds and the twists and turns keep you turning every page of Gail Honeyman’s first novel, to the very end.

If you are looking for a book you will not want to put down, Gail O’Porter’s, The Cows is the one for you. This brilliant story captures and entwines the lives of three woman all navigating the murky waters of modern-day life in a fun, clever way that will resonate with readers on so many levels. A single mum who becomes an Internet sensation, a world-famous blogger and a grieving twin might not seem like a cocktail for success, but O’Porter has created something very special that must not be missed.

Julie Cohen is a gifted novelist and her latest book, Together, is a bold, breathtaking book that enchants and captives the reader from the first page to the last. Robbie and Emily have been together forever and have a love for one another that has no limit. The story crosses the Atlantic from America to England and Cohen goes back and forth and across the decades with ease and transparency to create a powerful, moving and truly beautiful tale. Be warned, tissues might be needed at the end as secrets and lies are uncovered.

If you are spending a day by the pool, pack your sun cream, glasses and Faking Friends by Jane Fallon and you are good to go. Amy was on the verge of marrying the man of her dreams but when she pays a surprise trip home to London from New York it becomes clear that another woman has been making herself at home in their flat. When the penny drops, and Amy realises her best has taken over her life but rather than go into free fall she sets out on a mission to get her own back and he journey is hilarious, empowering and heartfelt – don’t get sad, get better.

Sophie Kinsella is the goddess of good reads and her latest feel good novel, Surprise Me, will delight fans old and new. This is an emotionally charged, witty read about love and long-term relationship survival and questions just how well we know our nearest and dearest. Funny, poignant and relatable, this can’t put down read will have you laughing, crying and even questioning what you think is oh so safe in your life.

Got a summer read you want to share, let us know, we are all ears.

Team Pure Beauty

Chicken soup, the soul lifter

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anti-biotics, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties, betacarotene, blender, bones, bowl, brown rice, bug busting, butternut squash, chicken, chicken soup, chillies, cold viruses, fresh ginger, garlic, ginger, gut-friendly bacteria, hydrate, immune system boosters, ingredients, live yogurt, mix, mushrooms, nasal membranes, natural decongestant, nose, onion, pan, potent, powerful, quinoa, sauté, Shiitake mushrooms, shred, smooth, sniff, spoonful, spoonful of live yoghurt, stir, stock, stuffy nose, super-nourishing, zinc

Old wives tale or not, there is something magical about chicken soup.

Clear broths for poorly tums, spicy chicken noodle soup for a stuffy nose and there is nothing like a lovely bowl of hot, creamy soup to cheer you up when you are feeling below par.

You can of course get it in a can, but if you want something super-nourishing that will warm you up and make you feel better and brighter, we have the perfect recipe for you.

For our winning bug buster you will need:

5 chicken thighs (ideally organic)
1 small butternut squash, deseeded
1 small pack of Shiitake mushrooms, washed
4 cloves of garlic
1 red onion
2 green chillies
1 piece of fresh ginger (a 5cm square should work)
1 litre of fresh chicken stock
To make a perfect pan soup, you will need to:

Chop the chillies, garlic, onion and sauté them together until the onion softens and goes slightly brown.

Next, chop the butternut squash into manageable cubes, slice the mushrooms and add to the pan together with the chicken. Stir all of this together and then add enough stock to cover the ingredients.

Turn down the heat and simmer the mix until the squash is soft and the chicken is cooked.

This is the bit many people don’t do, and makes all the difference. Carefully remove the chicken from the soup and put on plate, put the other ingredients in a blender and mix until you have a smooth soup base.

Loosen the chicken from the bones, shred and then put back into the now smooth soup and serve.

Individually these ingredients are powerful, together they are potent, and this is why.

Let’s start with the chicken. We all know chicken is a source of protein which is vital for your immune systems but it also packed with zinc, which is believed to reduce the severity and length of colds.

The chicken stock is added because that extra bit of liquid will not only help hydrate you but also clear blocked noses.

Green chillies are a brilliant natural decongestant that stimulates nasal membranes and helps clear nasty mucus.

Garlic contains the compound allicin, which is full of antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help mop up cold viruses and get rid of them a little bit faster.

We suggest using red, rather than white onions, because they contain antibacterial properties and offer and added blast of goodness.

Butternut squash isn’t always used in soup but we like it because it is full of betacarotene, which an anti-inflammatory that will also helping clear up a stuff nose. Bet you didn’t know that?

Ginger is an all round natural bug busting wonder product. It fires up you circulation so those white blood cells can deal with any infection fast, it warms up if you are feeling cold and because it has anti-inflammatory properties it can clear bunged up noses and heavy heads.

We love this soup served piping hot with a slice of garlic bread and large glass of water with lemon, but there are other ways to enjoy it.

If bread isn’t for you, but you need a little more energy, why not add a handful of brown rice or quinoa.

If you have been on antibiotics, adding a spoonful of live yoghurt will give you a much-needed serving of gut-friendly bacteria.

If you are a vegetarian, don’t despair. Swapping the chicken thighs for a handful of almonds will give you a healthy serving of essential amino acids that are brilliant immune system boosters.

What’s your favourite soup, we would love to know.

Team Pure-Beauty