Your Guide to the Best Moisturising Ingredients

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aggressors, area, cells, ceramides, complexion, crows feet, dermatitis, dry, environmental, exfoliant, exfoliates, eye, face, Glycerin, humectant, hyaluronic acid, hydrate, hydrating, hydration, hyperpigmentation, irritants, Lactic Acid, lipids, moisture, moisturise, moisturised, moisturising, pigmentation, pollution, protect, Psoriasis, retain moisture, skin, skin’s barrier, skincare, soft, supple, urea, wrinkle

Photo by Jessica Felicio on Unsplash

Skincare is one of those things which can be entirely subjective – a product which one person swears by could be far less effective for someone else. This is usually down to the key ingredients in each product and how our skin reacts to those ingredients. With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of the best ingredients for hydrating your skin, to help you to choose which might be best for your skins’ individual needs.

Hyaluronic Acid

Most people have heard of hyaluronic acid, but people continue to be surprised that it’s a moisturising ingredient (maybe because of the common perception of what an acid usually does?). When you apply a hyaluronic acid serum to your skin, it acts like a sponge by attracting moisture to boost hydration on the surface of skin. Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer is a 3-in-1 treatment which harnesses the power of hyaluronic acid to offer maximum hydrators to resurface, smooth and brighten the skin without causing irritation or redness.

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids that help form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture, while also helping the skin protect against environmental aggressors like irritants, and pollution. Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum is packed with ceramides which mimic the natural fats found in our skin to help lock in moisture and stop skin from drying out.

Glycerin

Glycerin is actually a bit of a special ingredient as it actually traps moisture from the environment around you, allowing your skin to absorb it, giving you a softer, more supple complexion. It’s often used in hand creams or areas which need an extra boost, but is also found in Elemis Daily Defence Shield SPF30, which protects the skin from environmental micro particles and harmful UV rays, as well as leaving the skin feeling nourished, soft and supple.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is a ‘best of both worlds’ ingredient in that it act a both a mild exfoliant, as well as an humectant. This means that it gets rid of dead, dry skin cells at the same time as locking moisture in. It can be found in Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum, which also exfoliates and reduces unbalanced pigmentation while nourishing the skin with moisture.

Urea

Urea might not sound like something you want to rub on your face, but it’s actually synthetic urea which features in skincare and it can be used to treat even the worst cases of dry skin, dermatitis and psoriasis. Urea works in part by loosening dry skin, and Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex is made to target the eye area by reducing wrinkles, crows feet and puffiness which occur due to dehydration.

When soap won’t cut it turn to Pure Beauty

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acne prone skin, ‘Wash your face with soap water’, balms, cleans, coconut, creamy, Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Make-Up Remover, deep cleansing action, Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser, Dermalogica Precleanse, dirt of the day, dissolves, dry faces, easily rinses away, elderberry and starflower extracts, Elemis BIOTEC Skin Energising Cleanser, Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, excellent products, excess sebum, floral water, fresh, glycolic acid, grandmothers, Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser, jasmine, layer up, light, lips, make-up, mantra, murumuru seed butter, non-irritating, nourishing, oomph, optimum performance, palmarosa, pampers, past generations, plant-based cleansing oil, plump, radiant, rebalance, removes make-up, results, revived, revolutionary formula, Rice Bran, rose, scientific blend of virgin botanical oils, soap free, soft, soothed, stubborn, sunscreen, surface oils and impurities, tired, trio of acids, ultra-clean, vitamin E oils, waterproof lip liners, waterproof make-up

‘Wash your face with soap water’ was often the mantra for our grandmothers, but today there are better, gentler ways to take the dirt of the day off your skin, so we’re going to look at some of the excellent products on the site that we think past generations would’ve approved of.

The Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser is a light creamy product that cleans the skin as well as nourishing it. Perfect for dry faces it takes away dirt and make-up and thanks to lush coconut and murumuru seed butter skin gets stronger and is soothed as well as being refreshed thanks to palmarosa and jasmine.

If you are looking for something with a little oomph, look no further than the Elemis BIOTEC Skin Energising Cleanser. This offers optimum performance, because it is packed with a trio of acids mixed with an energising electrolyte solution and the results are explosive. The unique deep cleansing action reduces surface oils and impurities to rebalance your complexion leaving it fresh and revived.

The Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Make-Up Remover is powered by a scientific blend of virgin botanical oils and floral water, and we love it. This revolutionary formula pampers the skin as it removes make-up (even stubborn, waterproof lip liners) and leaves it feeling soft, plump, soothed, and radiant.

For ultra clean, healthy skin we suggest the Dermalogica PreCleanse which is a fav of the pro’s. This plant-based cleansing oil breaks through the excess sebum, sunscreen, waterproof make-up, and residual products that build up during the day and make our skin look dull. Rice bran and vitamin E oils have been added to create a gentle blend that can be used around the eye area so that panda eyes in the morning will be a thing of the past.

Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser is totally soap free and leaves skin soft, smooth and more refined. It is non irritating, easily rinses away and because it comes with natural sorbitol from berries it leaves your skin soft and hydrated. This cleanser has added glycolic acid and the deep cleansing action makes it perfect for acne-prone skin, but don’t use this if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

Balms aren’t just for your lips! The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm dissolves the make-up, grime and pollution that can layer up and make us look tired. All skin types can benefit from the rose, elderberry and starflower extracts that have been mixed with delicate oils because together, they supercharge your complexion and leave it glowing.

If you have any questions about the best soap free products for you, let us know and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Easy ways to a coconut to your beauty regime

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4-in-1 treatment mist, Aloe Vera, balance, bergamot, broad-spectrum sunscreen, Camellia, citrus, coconut, coconut fans, coconut oil, coconut water, comfort, Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser, Dermalogica Super Rich Repair, dry skin, effective, Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream, Elemis Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist, evening primrose oil, face, ginger, hair, healthy-looking glow, heavy weight cream, hydration, infused, jasmine, kefir ferment, kind, light, lime, luxurious exfoliator, macadamia, Milk Protein, morning and night, murumuru seed butter, natural product, natural resilience, nourished, Oat Kernel, palmarosa, pollution, refresh, rooibos tea extract, salt, samples, satin soft, Shea butter, simple, soft, soothe, super-light, supple, Sweet Almond, tired skin, tropical, UV rays

We’re massive coconut fans here at Pure Beauty because it works for you on so many levels. This simple, but effective natural product is kind to your skin, and hair, and we think you’ll be surprised at just how many products come with the benefits of coconut one way or another.

Let’s great this tropical party started with the Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser. The beauty regime staple is great at cleaning away make-up and dirt, and thanks to coconut oil and murumuru seed butter the natural resilience of skin is boosted too. Extracts of citrus, palmarosa and jasmine have been added into the mix and help soothe and refresh tired skin, so it looks awake and lifted.

It’s the coconut and jojoba oils in the Elemis Daily Defence Shield SPF30 that leave skin protected as well as feeling nourished, soft and supple. Layered liberally every morning over your regular moisturiser, this super-light, broad spectrum sunscreen is a great way to keep UV rays, light and pollution from damaging your skin.

If dry skin gets you down, you might want to think about trying the Dermalogica Super Rich Repair. While this is a heavy weight cream, it doesn’t overload the skin but instead offers hydration thanks to shea butter, coconut oil and evening primrose oil. Used morning and night, after cleansing and toning, this cream could offer the comfort and love you have been looking for.

The Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream might be rich in milk protein, but this isn’t the only reason this product looks after your limbs. Nourishing camellia, macadamia and jojoba oils have been combined with extracts of oat kernel, coconut oil and wheat germ to ensure you skin is satin soft and supple when you step out of the steam.

For something special this winter, why not try out the Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow? We adore this luxurious exfoliator because it is packed with lime, ginger and salt which come together to stimulate, warm and tone the skin. The magic doesn’t stop there because a unique blend of bergamot, coconut and sweet almond oils have been added into the mix, so skin is left smooth, soft and smelling sensational.

We can’t go without mentioning the Elemis Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist. This super hydrating 4-in-1 treatment mist is infused with antioxidant rich rooibos tea extract and kefir ferment which soothe and brighten complexions. Organic aloe vera, coconut water and a natural prebiotic, balance the skin so it is hydrated, and you have a healthy-looking glow – what more can you ask for?

If you would like more information, samples, or advice on how to get your best skin ever, drop us a line or give us a call and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Salad, but not as you know it

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apricots, Asparagus, Balsamic vinegar, BBQ, beef tomato, cherry tomatoes, cold water, crushed, dinner, Extra virgin olive oil, free range chicken breasts, friends, garlic, grated, Hot Tuna and Sweetcorn Salad, ingredients, lemon juice, lemon zest, lunch, luscious green salad, olive oil, organic butter, pan, pan of salted water, peppery leaves, picnic, pitta, plates, red chilli, red onion, Red wine, roasting, rocket, salt and pepper, serve, slivers, soft, steaks, Summer chicken salad, tasty, trimmed, tuna, Vegan, very finely sliced, Watercress, Watercress and apricot pitta bread

How many times do you buy luscious green salad, only to find it limp and sad at the back of the fridge because you don’t know what to do with it?

Full of flavour, the peppery leaves of watercress and rocket contain essential vitamins and can be a great addition to any diet.

Whether you are having friends for dinner, planning an end of term BBQ or packing a picnic for the park, we are here to share some ideas of how to get the most out of your salad leaves.

Watercress and apricot pitta bread
This vegan option takes around 10 minutes to get ready and serves two, making it a quick, easy lunch that is light but tasty.

Ingredients
1 bag of watercress and rocket (washed)
4 ripe apricots
½ a head of fresh fennel
Extra virgin olive oil
Wholemeal pitta breads
For the dressing:
75ml of extra virgin olive oil
1 clove of garlic, peeled and crushed
½ teaspoon of lemon zest
Fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper

To start, halve the apricots, cut them into slices, brush them with oil and place in a hot, dry pan and cook for a minute or so, turning so they are soft.

To make the dressing, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and salt and pepper, adding more lemon juice if required.

Toast and break open the pitta bread, add the salad and apricot slices, and enjoy.

Summer chicken salad
This is perfect for a mid-week treat or a lighter alternative to a full roast with all the trimmings.

Ingredients
2 free range chicken breasts
1 x bag of watercress and rocket
1 beef tomato, sliced
60ml olive oil
Large bunch of fresh asparagus, trimmed and washed
Salt and pepper to season

For the dressing
1 red onion, very finely sliced
1 red chilli, grated
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of cold water
Salt and pepper to season

Method
Start by making the dressing as giving it time to settle before eating makes it taste best. Ensure that the onion is finely sliced into slivers and the garlic is well crushed. Put all the ingredients into a glass bowl and beat with a fork until you have a smooth mixture. Pour into a jar and put in the fridge.

We would suggest either putting the chicken on the BBQ or roasting for around 25 minutes, using any left-over garlic plus salt and pepper to season.

Cook your asparagus for two minutes in boiling salted water, then drain and set aside.
Wash the watercress and place onto each plate, then add the chicken and asparagus before drizzling on your dressing – and enjoy.

Hot Tuna and Sweetcorn Salad

Ingredients
1 bag of watercress and rocket
2 fresh tuna steaks
Cherry tomatoes
2 fresh corn on the cob
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar to drizzle
A large knob of organic salted butter
Salt and vinegar

Method
Firstly, boil your corn on the cob in a pan of salted water, chop the tomatoes and wash them, together with the watercress and place on plates.

Next, cook the tuna steaks but do note, this doesn’t take long and burning can happen easily, so don’t walk away mid-cook! Brush the tuna lightly with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place the fish in a heated frying pan over a high heat and cook for just a couple of minutes, depending on how thick the steaks are. Then, turn the tuna over and cook for another couple of minutes.

Add a drizzle of the balsamic vinegar to the salad, place the tuna on the leaves, drain and butter the corn and enjoy with seasoning as required.

Team Pure Beauty

Pure Beauty tones up like no other

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50ml bottle, Aloe, antiseptic qualities, bacteria, botanical ingredients, breakout prone skin, cleanse, clear complexion, conditions tight, critical hydration, Decleor Essential Tonifying Lotion, Dermalogica All Over Toner, Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster, Dermalogica UltraCalming™ Mist, dry skin, Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner, Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner, excess oil, face, fresh, goodness, happy skin, holidays, inflammation, irritation, missing out, mist, moisturise, natural oils, neck, paraben-free, PH levels, Phytoplankton Extract, radiant, recover, redness, reduces dryness, Salicylic Acid, scrimp, seaweed-derived extract, showcase, skin care routine, sluggish complexions, soft, soothing toner, spray, stimulates, Sweet Betty flower, Tea Tree, teenagers, throat, tip-top condition, tone, UltraCalming™ Complex

We bet you cleanse and moisturise, but we suspect that you don’t always tone.

Are we right?

If we are, you are missing out on a vital step in your skin care routine, so today we are going to showcase some of the toners we sell at Pure Beauty, and talk about why they are worth using.

We love the Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist, as do many of our customers. This soothing toner offers critical hydration, relieves inflammation and helps your skin to recover from damage. The unique UltraCalming™ Complex helps reduce sensitivity, redness and irritation, while Aloe soothes and the antiseptic qualities of Lavender, desensitises. After cleansing, spray the mist over your face, throat and neck and let the goodness sink in.

The Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner is fabulous because as well as helping to level out PH levels, it also preserves your important natural oils. It’s the Ginseng that stimulates sluggish complexions, but also soothes and conditions tight, dry skin. Sweet Betty Flower rebalances skin without the need for alcohol and the overall effect is soft, happy skin that is fresh and ready to be moisturised.

Holidays might seem like a time when you can scrimp on toner, but there’s no excuse with the Decleor Essential Tonifying Lotion. This gorgeous toner now comes in a 50ml bottle, making it perfect for keeping your skin in tip-top condition when you are away. The soft lotion gently tones and reduces dryness as it moisturises your skin. Gentle and paraben-free, with Néroli Essential Oil that protects and repairs the skin whilst helping to fight dehydration, means your skin will look radiant.

Teenagers, or anyone with breakout prone skin, might think less is more when it comes to beauty products, but if you don’t use a toner you are missing a trick. The Dermalogica All Over Toner is a beautiful mist that controls excess oil and helps to eliminate breakouts thanks to the inclusion of Salicylic Acid. A blend of twelve gentle botanical ingredients refresh, energise and revive skin and thanks to antiseptic and anti-microbial Tea Tree, bacteria is no more. If you do have problem areas, before using a moisturiser, you could use the Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster. This fast-acting treatment works in 15 minutes and is great for rapid skin clearing. Phytoplankton Extract works with skin’s natural microbiome so it isn’t over dried, and a seaweed-derived extract soothes irritated skin.

The Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner tones your skin and leaves you with a fresh, clear complexion. Free from alcohol and harsh chemicals, this toner contains Extracts of Lavender, Sweet Betty Flower and Saponins which come together to soften your skin. By simply wiping a little of the liquid over your face after cleansing, you will remove any traces of your cleanser, brighten your complexion and encourage your moisturiser or night cream to really work for you.

If a toner is missing from your life, get in touch and we will help find your missing skincare link.

Team Pure Beauty