Five of the Best Ingredients for Youthful Skin

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acidic, acne, ageing, all skin types, allergic reactions, alternative, anti-aging, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, ayurvedic medicine, bakuchiol, blemish prone, breastfeeding, ceramides, Chinese medicine, collagen, combination skin, complexion, dark spots, dehydrated, delicate, dermatology, dry skin, dryness, eczema, epidermis, Eyes, fats, firm, firmer feeling, germs, glowing, healthy, humectant, hyaluronic acid, Indian Babchi plant, inflammation, leaves, lines, lipids, melanin, moisture, oceans, oil based, oily skin, pigmentation, plump, plumper, potent, pregnant, products, Psoriasis, rainforests, reinforce, retinoids, retinol, rosacea, seeds, sensitive skin, sensitivity, skin, skin barrier, skin care, skin cells, skin issues, smoother, sun damage, topically, useful, vitamin A, Vitamin C, water, wrinkles

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Here at Pure Beauty, we’re well aware of how confusing skincare can feel. There’s a different product for every different skin issue and a wealth of ingredients which vary from things found in your pantry to things found in the deepest oceans or rainforests! Looking at ingredient lists often feels like trying to decipher an unknown language, but there are some key things that you can look for if you’re in the market for anti-ageing products. Here are five of the best ingredients for maintaining a youthful complexion:

Retinol 

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that’s suitable for the skin. It belongs to a group of vitamin A derivatives, known as retinoids. Retinol has multiple uses and can be used to combat conditions like acne and can target areas of pigmentation. It can also reduce signs of ageing and sun damage. Retinoids don’t work equally well on everyone. If you suffer from rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, it’s probably best to avoid retinol since it can be too powerful on skin that needs a gentle touch – it can increase inflammation, dryness and sensitivity in already delicate complexions.

Try Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant — a substance that retains moisture — and it is capable of binding over one thousand times its weight in water. This substance is naturally found in many areas of the human body, including the skin and eyes. Hyaluronic acid helps skin stretch and flex and reduces skin wrinkles and lines. Hyaluronic acid is also proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring. Allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid are rare, so that means whether you have oily skin, sensitive, dry skin, or combination skin, you have the green light to use hyaluronic acid products.

Try SkinCeuticals H.A. (Hyaluronic Acid) Intensifier Serum 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help keep skin looking plump and firm. This is because it’s highly acidic when applied topically and can help to promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of ageing skin. It also contains a property that inhibits the skin’s melanin production levels, two of the culprits that can lead to dark spots and hyperpigmentation, making it an absolute hero at giving you a glowing, healthy complexion. It’s usually found in oil-based products, so may not be ideal for acne and blemish prone skin, but it’s great for pretty much all other skin types. 

Try REN Clean Skincare Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream

Bakuchiol

If you’re looking for an alternative to retinol that can be used on more sensitive skin, bakuchiol is a good place to start. Bakuchiol is found in the seeds and leaves of the Indian Babchi plant and has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. It also has calming anti-inflammatory and healing antibacterial properties and is even safe for use when pregnant and breastfeeding. It’s a potent-yet-kind ingredient which the British Journal of Dermatology found was just as effective as retinol and significantly less irritating, which is great news for anyone looking for an alternative.

Try Medik8 The CSA Bakuchiol Edition Kit

Ceramides

Ceramides are fats or lipids that are found in skin cells and make up 30% to 40% of your outer skin layer, or epidermis. Ceramides are important for retaining your skin’s moisture and preventing the entry of germs into your body. If your skin’s ceramide content decreases, which often happens with age, it can become dehydrated. Skincare products with ceramides will help reinforce your skin’s barrier and increase hydration, giving you plumper, smoother, firmer-feeling skin with fewer visible lines and wrinkles, as well as fewer signs of sensitivity.

Try Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Moisture IQ

How to feed your skin with Vitamin E

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Active HydraMesh Technology, antioxidant, Avellana Seed oil, cleansing, combination, complexion, creams, Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Firm, Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream 2.0, deserve, dirt, elements, Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser, Elemis Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream, essential fatty acids, excess surface oils, Eyes, fine lines, free radical activity, fresh, goodness, green tea, hand creams, hands, healthy, healthy serving, hyaluronic acid, hydrate, hyperpigmentation, important, Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus Mask, Jan Marini Luminate Eye Gel, jasmine, lecithin, lime blossom, Litsea, locks in, lotions, lush, luxurious cream, magnolia, make-up, Milk Protein, moisturisers, mouth, new formulation, nourishing, nutrient, oil, Omega 7, polish skin, pollutant build up, products, protect, protecting, purest, Red Seaweed, removes, repair, retinol, samples, Shea butter, silky barrier, skin brighteners, smooth skin, soft, sooth, sun damage, sunscreens, sweet smelling, toners, under eye circles, vanilla, versatile, vulnerable skin, wrinkles

Vitamin E is both a nutrient and an antioxidant, and the oil in its purest form is extremely versatile and nourishing and a great way to feed your skin. You can find Vitamin E in many creams, lotions, hand creams and cleaners as well as sunscreens, moisturisers and skin brighteners.

We have had a look at some of the products we stock that could help you get the skin your deserve because they come with a healthy serving of Vitamin E.

Cleansing your skin is really important, and we would suggest trying the Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser if you have combination or congested skin. This lush product removes pollutant build up, dirt and make-up and thanks to extracts of Lime Blossom, Lecithin and that all important Vitamin E, it also helps to balance excess surface oils and soothe your skin.

We love the Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream 2.0 and the new formulation means it is better than ever for your complexion. Incorporating Active HydraMesh Technology™ this cream can hydrate your skin for up to 48 hours as well as protecting it from the elements. Vitamin E is just one of the antioxidants that helps reduce free radical activity, and because this cream locks in moisture and protects your skin’s beneficial bacteria, you are left with healthy, soft, smooth skin that you will love.

Vitamin E is also found in the Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus Mask which is great when it comes to dealing with the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation. Packed with Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Shea Butter and Vitamin E, when applied to the face for just ten minutes, twice a week, you are left with fresh, polish skin that is glowing and healthy.

If dry, ageing skin is a problem for you, we would suggest trying the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm because the blend of ingredients in this firming complex, help to protect, repair and strengthen your skin. Vitamin E, along with Vitamins A and C have been mixed with Red Seaweed and Green Tea to protect vulnerable skin and prevent the moisture loss that can be so ageing around your eyes and mouth.

Dry hands are a problem for many of us and it isn’t surprising given what we subject them to on a daily basis. For hands that are soft and smooth, as well as sweet-smelling, the Elemis Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream is just the ticket. This luxurious cream contains Milk Protein, Avellana Seed Oil, Omega 7, Vitamin E, Camellia, Virgin Plum and Macadamia Oils which together form a silky barrier that locks in moisture. Thanks to Litsea, Jasmine, Magnolia and Vanilla, this cream smells amazing and we think you will be hooked from the very first application.

We are big fans of the Jan Marini Luminate Eye Gel and for good reason. This little pot of goodness not only brightens skin but also helps to reduce the appearance of under eye circles, fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E is just one of the ingredients in this gel which will get to work hydrating the eye area, making it look smoother, healthier and brighter.

If you would like more information, or are interested in samples so you can try new products out before investing in them, get in touch today and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

There’s More to Gel Than Hair Products

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active sebaceous glands, ageing, an Marini Luminate Eye Gel, analgesic properties, Arnica, bacteria, beauty routine, Birch, breakouts, Calming Balm Mint and Lavender extracts, Cherry, damaged, deep cleanse, dehydrated complexions, delicate eye area, delicious cake, Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel, Dermalogica Sleep Sound Cocoon Night Gel-Cream, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, dirt, Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask, Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel, Erysimum, fine lines, foaming gel, gel, gel based products, Great Burdock, hair gel, heal, Jan Marini Luminate Eye Gel, Linolenic Acid, motion activated essential oils, natural, natural pH levels, naturally-antiseptic Tea Tree Oil, night time recovery, oily, Persian Silk Tree extract, Quillaja Saponaria, re-texturising, reducing dark circles, residue, retinol, rinsed away, Rosemary and Spiraea extracts, sensitive, shine, skin’s natural moisture balance, smoothed, soap free, soft, sooth irritation, sore skin, sparingly, sticky hair products, Tamarind Seed Extract, toxins, transforms, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin E, White Truffle, witch hazel, wrinkles, wu-zhu-yu extract, Yeast Extract and Caffeine, young, Zinc Gluconate

Say gel, and people immediately think of sticky hair products or shaving toiletries.

Stop right there, because that simply isn’t the case.

At Pure Beauty, we sell a wide range of gel based products for sensitive, oily, ageing, young and dehydrated complexions that are lightweight, melt into the skin and don’t leave shine or residue.

The Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is an easy to use, soap-free, foaming gel designed to remove the dirt of the day without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance. Calming Balm Mint and Lavender extracts have been blended with Quillaja Saponaria and together they foam away toxins and deep-cleanse the skin. Used morning and night, this is the perfect gel addition to any effective beauty routine.

Great Burdock and Erysimum, White Truffle and Cherry might sound like the ingredients of a delicious cake, but are acutally at the heart of the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask. Used for around ten minutes at a time, the gel gets to work encouraging re-texturising of the skin and sebum level balancing and because the natural pH levels aren’t damaged, when it is rinsed away skin feels soft, smoothed and looks radient.

If you suffer with breakouts, you might want to give the Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel a go? A Vitamin B complex has been combined with Zinc Gluconate, Yeast Extract and Caffeine which come together to sooth irritation, deal with over active sebaceous glands and purify the skin. Rosemary and Spiraea extracts stop bacteria from growing and naturally-antiseptic Tea Tree Oil helps to gently heal sore skin.

We love the Jan Marini Luminate Eye Gel when it comes to reducing dark circles and as well as the fine lines and wrinkles that can get you down. Suitable for all skin types, and rich in Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid and Retinol, this gel has been designed to be used sparingly morning and evening and leaves the delicate eye area looking smoother because it is more hydrated.

If the heat is playing havoc with your skin, then the lush Dermalogica Sleep Sound Cocoon Night Gel-Cream is here to help. This revitalising treatment transforms skin overnight by optimising natural night time recovery. Tamarind Seed Extract helps with the hydration process, Wu-Zhu-Yu Extract provides visibly radiant skin by morning, while Persian Silk Tree Extract reduces signs of skin fatigue and restores vitality. What’s not to like? Smooth over face and neck after toning and let the motion activated essential oils get to work as your dream.

The Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel is just what you need for tired legs and tight muscles around the shoulders, neck, temples and forehead. Arnica, Birch and Witch Hazel have been blended with Camphor and Menthol to create a multi-functional, instant revitaliser that is very popular with our customers. The cooling action of the Menthol reduces swelling and relieves muscle strains, the analgesic properties of the Camphor speeds up the recovery of aches and pains while Arnica helps reduce swelling and is an excellent treatment for bruising.

If you have questions about these, or any of our products, get in touch and we would love to help find the right gel for you.

Team Pure Beauty

Getting to grips with hyperpigmentation

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acne, age, age spots, antioxidants, appearance, bed, boosted, brighter, cleansing, clearer skin, clinically proven, concern, Daisy, Dermalogica C-12 Pure Bright Serum, Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum, Dermalogica PowerBright TRx, Dermalogica PowerBright TRx Treatment Kit, Dermalogica Pure Light SPF50, elasticity levels, Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Cleanser, Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Serum, fine lines, genetics, GP, happier, hormones, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, intensive approach, Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus Mask, Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclear Lotion, Kiwi Extract, light to dark skin, melanin, naturally illuminated, patches, peptides, pregnancy and skin injuries, reduces excess oil, removes impurities, retinol, Rice Silk, rosacea, self-conscious, smoother, softer, soothing agents, Sophora, sun damage, sun exposure, sunflower butter, travel-size, Vitamin C, winner, wrinkles

Hyperpigmentation occurs when there is the overproduction of melanin and results in patches of light to dark skin that and vary in size and shape.

Sun exposure, genetics, age, hormones, pregnancy and skin injuries or inflammation can all be contributing factors and while hyperpigmentation isn’t usually a concern, it can make people feel self-conscious.

While there is no cure, at Pure Beauty we stock a number of products that can help deal with hyperpigmentation but we do suggest that if you have any concerns about your skin, you check in with your GP.

Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Cleanser is great for uneven skin tone. It gently removes impurities and reduces excess oil so that skin is left brighter, softer, smoother and naturally illuminated. A complex of Daisy, Vitamin C, Sophora and Kiwi Extract have been blended to help deal with the appearance of hyperpigmentation and brightens the skin the natural way.

We also like the Elemis White Brightening Even Tone Serum. Daisy and Pea Extracts have been mixed with Vitamin C to helps to reduce the appearance of imperfections, and thanks to added Rice Silk, skin feels silky soft feel from the very first application. Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of pigmentation in just 28 days, if you have a big event coming up and want to look and feel great, this could be a winner for you.

For a more intensive approach, we like the Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus Mask. Used once or twice a week, retinol, peptides, antioxidants and soothing agents give skin a fresh polished look and helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and hyperpigmentation. This can be used in conjunction with the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclear Lotion, a multi-functional resurfacing solution containing three acids that help reduce the appearance of skin concerns including acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, fine lines and wrinkles.

We have said it before and we will say it again, but we love the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum. Microencapsulated Vitamins A, C and E have been blended with Sunflower butter which all sink into your skin and help decrease fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Elasticity levels are boosted and the overall effect, when applied before moisturiser, is smoother, happier, clearer skin.

The Dermalogica PowerBright TRx range has been designed to brighten skin and even tone and is excellent for anyone dealing with hyperpigmentation. The Dermalogica PowerBright TRx Treatment Kit contains travel-sizes of all three products and can be a good starting point for anyone new to this brand. After cleansing apply the Dermalogica C-12 Pure Bright Serum and wait for a minute or two for the ingredients to absorb into the skin. In the morning, follow with the Dermalogica Pure Light SPF50 and use the Dermalogica Pure Night before going to bed.

For more information get in touch today and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Retinol – A Powerful Ally in the Fight Against Ageing

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ageing, anti ageing, Jessica Alba, retinol, vitamin A

What is Retinol?

Put simply, retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is widely considered to be one of the most powerful ingredients in anti-ageing products. Hollywood superstar Jessica Alba is a huge fan of retinol, choosing to shun injectable products in favour of products containing the ingredient and says retinol is “the greatest thing in the whole world! It takes away fine lines, it takes away spots and makes the texture of my skin better.”

How Does it Work?

According to Wikipedia: “Vitamin A is essential for the correct functioning of epithelial cells. In vitamin A deficiency, mucus-secreting cells are replaced by keratin producing cells, leading to xerosis” – to those of us without a biology degree and medical dictionary, what this basically means is that it encourages the right kind of cell growth in areas which have succumbed to the signs of ageing.

Are There Any Downsides?

Well, yes. Retinol is not an ingredient to be used lightly, given how powerful it can be. Use of retinoids can increase photosensitivity of the skin, which means that the best time to use it is at night or alongside a good sunscreen. Pregnant women are encouraged to avoid retinols and people with sensitive skin should also be careful, and opt for a weaker product so as not to irritate existing skin conditions such as rosacea.

What Else Should I Bear In Mind?

It may seem like products containing retinol are making your skin worse, but it’s one of those situations where perseverance is key. Most people who use retinols experience initial redness or sensitivity before they notice an improvement but almost everyone who sticks with it notes a marked improvement in the overall appearance of their skin and a reduction in the signs of ageing. It’s also wise to always use retinol-based products in tandem with a good moisturiser as it can have a negative effect on the moisture balance of the skin if used too heavily.

When Should I Start Using Retinol-Containing Products?

Starting an anti-ageing skincare regimen is best done when you’re in your 30’s and by the time you’re in your 40’s, you should be using a rich, preferably retinol-based, night cream for added benefits.

Which are the Best Retinol Products to Use?

Dermalogica offers a whole host of retinol-containing products, such as Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair, a concentrated serum which is used at night to dramatically reduce the signs of ageing. The Dermalogica Clean Bar is a cleansing bar which also contains retinol and is perfect for smoothing the skin for a clean, close shave. One of Dermalogica’s most remarkable products is their Multivitamin Microfoliant, which actually heats itself up whilst on the skin and deeply penetrates the skin to repair and renew, whilst removing old skin cells. For treatment around the eye-area, Dermalogica UltraSmoothing Eye Serum is gentle enough so that it won’t irritate this delicate area whilst offering powerful age-reversing effects.