5 Skincare Mistakes That Are Making Your Acne Worse

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acne, acne prone, acneic, cleanser, comedones, complexion, Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15, dry, exfoliating brush, exfoliator, face, facial, inflammation, moisture, oil, pimples, redness, rinse, rinsing, sebum, skin, spots, squeeze, squeezing, sunscreen

Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash

Acne is a struggle for a lot of people, and dealing with it usually takes a multi-pronged approach which is different for everyone. There are, however, a lot of mistakes that acne sufferers make which could be making the condition much worse. Here, we look at five of them.

Too Much Abrasive Exfoliation

When you have acne, there’s a tendency to want to over-clean your skin, but using products which are too abrasive can actually exacerbate things. Use a gentle exfoliator a few times a week, and if you’re afraid of being too rough with your hands, try an exfoliating brush, which works to clean pores without irritating your skin.

Squeezing Pimples

We know that pimples can feel unsightly, but squeezing them can do more harm than good. As well as causing inflammation and redness, there’s the risk of scarring and even introducing bacteria, which can cause infections in your face. Opt for a spot treatment which will kill the bacteria and reduce the redness, instead.

Poor Rinsing

Something that a lot of us are guilty of is failing to rinse products off of our faces after washing. This means that not only has the dirt not been washed away, but residual product is left on our faces, which can cause irritation and spot formation. Be sure to rinse your skin thoroughly after washing; about 30 seconds should be enough.

Failing to Moisturise

If your skin is shiny or has an oily feel, it doesn’t mean you should avoid moisturising. After washing, your skin’s relatively dry as a result of the cleansing process. All cleansers, even water, take out some level of moisture. Using a moisturiser will replace this, protect your skin and prep it for makeup – we recommend Dermalogica Matte Moisturiser SPF15 which also contains a sunscreen for extra protection.

Forgetting to Use Sunscreen

While we’re on the topic of sunscreen, skipping it is a bad idea. Sunburn may dry your skin out temporarily, but the damage from drying your skin out so drastically can actually cause your acne to worsen in the long-run. For optimum protection apply a facial moisturiser that contains sunscreen of SPF15 or more every day.

New year, new skincare?

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100% natural, acne and breakout prone skin, anti-oxidant rich night cream, beautiful, beauty products, bleak mid winter, blended, body, Calendula, care, Centella Asiatica Extract, chamomile, chlorella, cleansed skin, Cornflower, cracked, daily moisturiser, daily stress, Decleor Organic Harmonie Calm Soothing Comfort 2 in1 Cream and Mask, Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash, Dermalogica Gentle Soothing Booster, Dermalogica Ultimate Buffing Cloth, dry, dull skin, Elemis Hydra-Nourish Night Cream, Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks, even tone, exfoliate, Eyes, feet, geranium, glycolic acid, gorgeous, honey, hyaluronic acid, intensely moisturised, Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser, Japanese spa, knife, Nailtiques Avocado Foot Cream, new, New Year, non-irritating, oil-free treatment, organic, Padina Pavonica, Persian Silk Tree extract, pick me up, plankton extract, Red Raspberry Extract, redness, rinse, Rose Essential Oil, rough, sensitive skin, serum, sink, skin tightening effect, soap free formula, soothe skin, super rich Avocado Oil, sweet almond oil, tired, Toner, transform, treat, visibly smoother, Ylang-Ylang, youthful eyes.

We all tend to stick with what we know when it comes to beauty products, but with a new year upon us we think it might be time to try something new!

The Decleor Organic Harmonie Calm Soothing Comfort 2 in1 Cream and Mask is an organic, 100% natural product is a great pick me up for sensitive skin. Rose Essential Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Centella Asiatica Extract have been blended together to soothe skin, even tone and keep complexions happy all day. You can either apply to cleansed skin and use as a daily moisturiser, or you can put on a thicker layer once a week and leave to completely sink into your skin and bring it back to life.

We love the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser simply because regular use leaves skin softer, smoother and more refined than ever. The soap free formula is non irritating and when you rinse it away, there is no need for a toner because the work is already done. Excellent for acne and breakout prone skin, the secret to the success of this cleanser is the Glycolic Acid which aids follicular cleansing – give it a go, we think you might like it.

While no one sees them, your feet take the brunt of your body every day, so why not treat them with the Nailtiques Avocado Foot Cream in 2019? This cream has been specially created to help heal rough, dry and cracked skin and it does this with the help of super rich Avocado Oil. Simply apply the silky smooth cream into your legs, feet and heels, concentrating especially on those unloved areas and watch the skin transform from hard and unsightly to soft and beautiful.

If you aren’t ready to go under the knife, but need a little extra care when it comes to your eyes, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks could be what you have been looking for. Potent Plankton Extract has been combined with Padina Pavonica and Chlorella to offer an instant skin tightening effect. Hyaluronic Acid has been added into the mix because of the hydration properties it offers, and the result is visibly smoother, intensely moisturised, youthful eyes after just 20 minutes.

Life is better with a serum, and a good place to start is with the Dermalogica Gentle Soothing Booster. This popular, oil-free treatment helps to reduce redness and gives your skin the chance to recover from daily stress. Thanks to Red Raspberry Extract, Honey as well as Calendula, Chamomile and Cornflower, irritation is eased and natural moisture levels are restored.

If the bleak mid winter has left your skin feeling below par, we suggest you let the Elemis Hydra-Nourish Night Cream get to work as you sleep. This anti-oxidant rich night cream helps to seal in moisture as well as nourishing and de-stressing tired, dull skin, thanks to a blend of Persian Silk Tree Extract and Hyaluronic Acid. A gorgeous blend of Geranium and Ylang Ylang means not only is your calm and rebalanced when you wake, it smells amazing as you fall asleep.

Don’t just wash and go in the shower, take in the Dermalogica Ultimate Buffing Cloth and you can exfoliate your entire body as you cleanse it. Perfect to use with the Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash, this Japanese spa inspired cloth smooths away rough skin, in even the most hard-to-reach areas, and leaves it feeling soft and smooth.

Got your eye on something but not sure if it is for you, then get in touch and we can give you more advice to ensure your skin is in tip-top condition in 2019.

Happy new year.

Team Pure-Beauty

Get Your Toes Sandal Ready

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attention, back to basics, bare feet, beautician, bed, bubble bath, candles, chill, clean, coloured toes, cool coral, cooling, corners, cup of coffee, curve, cut straight across the nail, decent scissors, dry, exfoliation product, extra, feel, feet, flip flips, focus, foot cream, foot crystals, fun, get out of bed, good, goodness, hand, hard, heat, ingrowing nails, jagged sides, job, look, love, melt, paint, pamper night, peppermint, phone, playlist, pop of pink, problematic, protect, pumice stone, rich red, rinse, running for the bus, salon, sharp corners, skin, slick finish, smooth, smudges, soften muscles, stairs, stubborn areas, summer, Sunday, sweat, temperatures, tempted, ticklish, tissues, toe nails, tough, Vitamin E, walking to work, warm water, work

Let’s face it.

Your feet work really hard for you.

From the moment you get out of bed and make that first cup of coffee, to walking to work, running for the bus and then climbing the stairs back to bed, it’s all go for your toes.

The thing is, if you take care of your feet in-between salon pedicures, you can look sandal smart all summer long and we are going to show you how.

Soak Away
Why not set Sunday aside as a pamper night? Once you have switched off your phone and lit some candles and turned on your play list, fill a bowl with warm water and get ready to chill. Add a little of your favourite bubble bath or foot crystals (available in chemists and supermarkets) then let your feet soak for around 10 minutes and use this time to focus on you and your breathing. As your feet sit in the water, the skin will soften and your muscles will relax.

Exfoliate
With your skin nice and soft, rinse and dry them and then use an exfoliation product to get rid of the dead cells that can build up as a result of wearing flip-flops and padding around in bare feet when the temperatures rise.

Buff Up
For this step, we suggest you go back to basics and use a pumice stone as these can make a big difference to the way your feet look and feel. Very gently rub the stone over those stubborn areas where the skin is tough and problematic. If you do need an extra hand with this, then speak to your beautician the next time you are in the salon.

Tidy Up
There is no point in making sure your feet look good if your toenails leave a lot to be desired. As they will also be softer than usual after a warm water soak, this is the time to pay them some attention and we would suggest you buy some decent scissors just for the job. You need to cut straight across the nail, do not be tempted to go for a curve or to tidy up the corners, as you could cut too much away or end up with ingrowing nails – neither of which you want. Toes are ticklish, but needs must when it comes to beauty, so next take a clean file and make sure they are smooth and tidy with no sharp corners or jagged sides.

Moisturise
Just like other parts of the body, your feet need to be moisturised if you want them to be happy and healthy. Go for a foot cream which is rich in Vitamin E and contains peppermint, which is super cooling as this is a winning combination. Work the cream into the problem areas and let the goodness melt in.

Paint
Yes, this is the really fun bit. We love coloured toes but the key to a clean, slick finish is to either use separators or place a twisted tissue between each toe and this will protect against smudges. Whether you opt for rich red, a pop of pink or maybe a cool coral, add a clear finish and you will have happy feet and a smile.

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

Healthy hair growth

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apply, boucne, bounce, celebrity, circulation, damaged, diet, dry, exercise, extensions, food, friend, GP, grow, growth, hair, hair cycle, hair-dryer, healthy diet, heat damage, mask, meditation, no gain, No pain, normal, oil, oil treatments, results, rinse, scalp, session, shine, sleep, split ends, straighteners, stress, trigger, trim

Ever had your hair chopped to get the latest celebrity style only to step out of the salon and wish you’d had a trim instead?

We have been there too and no how disappointing it can be.

The good news is, it’s only hair which is thought that hair grows about a centimetre a month.

Whilst there are no shortcuts to getting your luscious, long locks back, there are ways you can encourage hair growth and we have a few ideas to get you started.

Dry scalp massages can help stimulate the blood flow to your scalp, which helps nutrients get to your hair follicles quicker so your hair is stronger and longer in no time.

When you wash your hair, take time to massage your scalp with your fingertips, starting at the back of the neck and moving around the hairline. Relaxing and well as growth encouraging.

A decent shampoo will remove dirt and grime but it is your conditioner that replenishes the nutrients your hair needs to grow, so don’t skip this step.

A blast of cold-water can help seal the hair cuticles, and prevent moisture loss and heat damage. No pain, no gain.

Once a week it is a good idea to treat your hair to a deep conditioning session. There are many great hot oil treatments and deep conditioning masks out there that bring the life and bounce back into your hair and leave it looking sleek and shiny, whatever the length. For the best results apply the product to your hair and then rub your fingers on your scalp in a circular motion for three to five minutes. Rinse the oil or mask out of your hair and leave to dry naturally.

Do go to the hairdresser on a regular basis. We know you are trying to grow your hair but a trim keeps those pesky split ends at bay so growth can happen.

Deep down, you know heat damage isn’t good for your hair. Use your hair-dryer and straighteners less and when you do, apply a heat protectant product to locks from getting damaged and breaking off.

It might feel silly, but flip your head upside down if you want to promote faster hair growth. Sitting upside down for two to four minutes a day is believed to improve circulation and in turn hair growth. It’s got be worth a go and it’s way cheaper than extensions!

If it is longer hair you want, cut the stress out of your life. It is believed that stress can disrupt the normal hair cycle and can trigger hair falling-out. We know this is easy to say, but try to manage your stress using meditation, taking exercise and getting enough sleep. If you feel things are getting on top of you, talk to a trusted friend or your GP and get some extra support.

It goes without saying the a healthy diet will also keep hair growing and looking healthy, so next week we will look at what to eat and why.

Team Pure-Beauty