Ingredient Focus: Linoleic Acid

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acid, barrier, brightening, cacay oil, collagen, Dermalogica Melting Moisture Masque, Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Cream, Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood 360 Serum, fatty acids, free radicals, hyperpigmentation, ingredient, irritants, lipid, luminosity, Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe, Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil, moisture, oil, oils, omega, omega 6, red ginseng, rejuvenation, serum, skin, skin protection, skin tone, smoke, soft, squalene, superfoods, supple, texture, vitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin F, wrinkle depth

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Here at Pure Beauty, we make it our business to know exactly what’s in the products we sell so that we can make targeted recommendations for our clients’ skincare needs. One ingredient we’ve seen popping up a lot lately is linoleic acid, also sometimes referred to as vitamin F. Linoleic acid is actually an essential fatty acid, which means it’s essential for human health but isn’t created by the body.

Linoleic acid, or vitamin F, provides moisture and plumpness without making the skin feel heavy or weighed down. It fortifies the skin’s barrier, helping to fend off UV rays and air pollutants such as smoke, both of which cause free radical activity that can result in wrinkles and signs of ageing. It also lightens sun induced hyperpigmentation, making it an excellent all-rounder in the skincare game. It’s found in a number of naturally occurring oils, such as sunflower seed oil, hemp oil, grapeseed oil, and prickly pear seed oil.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite products which contain vitamin F. 

Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil

Oils are perfect for cleansing the skin as they can melt away dirt and make-up without stripping away the skin’s own barrier. This cleansing oil from Medik8 features an optimised ratio of essential lipids to replenish the skin’s natural defense barrier. This leaves the complexion soft, supple and protected from everyday irritants. The Omega-6 (yet another name for linoleic acid!) helps to rebalance the skin’s lipid levels to encourage a healthy complexion. 

Dermalogica Melting Moisture Masque

This mask from Dermalogica starts as a balm but melts to become a highly hydrating oil for your face. Activated by skin’s natural heat, this luxurious mask delivers a satisfying melting sensation as it penetrates skin’s surface layers to deeply nourish and rehydrate. As well as containing linoleic acid, which helps protect against skin-damaging free radicals for healthier-looking skin, it also contains micro-algae. This marine algae contains hydrating properties which help soothe and protect skin against the drying effects of pollution

Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Body Cream

It’s not just the skin on your face which benefits from the use of linoleic acid. This body cream from Elemis contains sesame oil which is hugely rich in linoleic acid and antioxidants, and has a well-balanced lipid profile, providing excellent emollient and skin softening properties. The unique infusion of exotic Tahitian monoi oil, a blend of tiare flowers soaked in coprah oil, is fragranced with frangipani flowers to leave skin feeling beautifully soft, supple and delicately scented.

Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood 360 Serum

This lightweight serum from Evolve Organic Beauty is pretty unique in that it can be used by all skin types and ages! The formulation is packed with highly effective natural superfoods which deliver comprehensive skin protection and rejuvenation benefits including improvement in skin tone, wrinkle depth, texture and luminosity. The linoleic acid contained is sourced from cacay oil, obtained from the seeds of a majestic Amazonian tree. Cacay oil is also packed with bio-retinol to support the skin barrier layer and to lock moisture into the skin.

Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe

The final product on our linoleic list is this lipid Vitamin C enhanced radiance serum from Medik8. As well as being packed with vitamin F and C, it contains vitamin E, which protects the skin from free radicals as well as optimised red ginseng, which boosts the serum’s brightening powers while stimulating collagen production. It’s also got a dose of squalane, which  helps to restore the skin’s natural defensive barrier while deeply hydrating the skin. What more could you ask for?!

Don’t Skip Your Brussels Sprouts This Christmas!

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acid, alpha lipoic acid, antioxidant, antioxidants, Brussels sprouts, cells, collagen, compounds, prebiotic, probiotic, skin, sprouts, superfoods, vitamin, Vitamin C, vitamin K

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When it comes to Christmas dinner, almost everybody has their own favourite part of the plate. For many of us, it’s the roast potatoes, while others like to savour the turkey, but some people out there (believe it or not) actually like the Brussels sprout part of the meal the best! Despite the fact that many people find them slightly bitter and not the easiest veg to eat, there are actually a bunch of reasons that you shouldn’t be skipping the Brussels this year, many of which will hugely benefit your skin and complexion. Here are five reasons why you should make sure you don’t leave a single Brussels sprouts on your plate this year.

They’re Packed With Prebiotics

Most of us have heard of probiotics, but not everyone knows what prebiotics are. If you think about probiotics as being the seeds of the good bacteria that you want to grow in your tummy, then prebiotics are like the compost in which you would plant those seeds in order to get them to grow. Sprouts contain high levels of insoluble fibre and it’s within this that the pre-biotics can be found. This is all part of protecting your microbiome, which is hugely important. 

They’re High in Vitamin C

Brussels sprouts are full of nutrients and contain significant amounts of vitamin C. In fact, gram for gram, Brussels sprouts contain nearly 50 per cent more vitamin C than an orange. Just four to six Brussels sprouts contain the adult daily requirement for vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important vitamin for the skin as it can help to brighten the complexion, reduce hyperpigmentation and boost collagen production through the process of collagen synthesis.

They Contain a HUGE Amount of Vitamin K

Another hero vitamin which can be found in abundance in Brussels sprouts is vitamin K. Often used to help skin recover from surgery or cosmetic procedures like laser treatment, vitamin K is believed to help cuts, wounds and bruises heal considerably faster than usual. It’s also a star ingredient in many eye creams with studies showing it can help brighten dark circles and boost skin elasticity.

They’re Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants are protective compounds that reduce oxidative stress in your cells, and as a result may help lower your risk of chronic disease and can also help to slow the signs of ageing. Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants, compounds that contribute to healthier cells and a lower risk of cancer, making them the perfect superfood to enjoy all year round. 

They Contain Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid, like so many great skincare ingredients, is an antioxidant produced naturally by your body. However, the quantities produced are at such a low level that people are increasingly looking for ways to supplement their levels of ALA through other sources – and that’s where your Brussels sprouts come in! When applied topically, Alpha Lipoic Acid penetrates the surface layers of the skin and begins to work its magic. The skin has a brighter, more youthful appearance and benefits from the cellular protection that ALA offers.

Why hydrated skin equals happy skin

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acne, ageing and environmental elements, an antioxidant shield, antioxidant rich day cream, balanced and supple, bodies, brains, Broccoli, Camellia, chia seeds, cool blend, daily intake, Decleor Essential Tonifying Lotion, deeper, dehydrated, delicate, Dermalogica Hydrating Lotion r, Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil, drink water, dryness, Elemis Hydra-Balance Day Cream, Elemis Superfood Facial Oil, Eyes, flax seed, game changer, good shape, green tea, grey and tired, happy, healthy, highly concentrated plant-based superfoods, hydrate, hydrated, impurities, issue, Jan Marini Transformation Eye Cream, lines, lower eyelids, macadamia, moisture, natural barrier, natural ingredients, natural moisturising factor, natural pH levels, neroli oil, NMF, normal skin, oleic, orchid flower, pores, radish, refreshed, restore, revitalised, Rice Bran, rosemary extracts, saggy, secret, simple, smooth, soften, solve, soothes discomfort, spots, sunflower, superfoods, tamanu, tender, thin, tight, twice a day, ultra-light, visible dehydration lines, Why hydrated skin equals happy skin, working, young skin

The secret to happy skin is a simple one; hydration.

Just like we need to drink water to keep our bodies and brains working properly, our skin needs a daily intake of moisture to keep it healthy and in good shape. As well as skin looking grey and tired, a lack of hydration can make it feel tight, lines look deeper and cell turnover can slow down.

At Pure Beauty we sell a range of fantastic products that keep your skin hydrated and happy, so let’s see what might work for you.

We know that ageing and environmental elements can lead to dryness and dehydration, but the Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil uses nature to help solve this issue. First of all, camellia and tamanu oils help restore the skin’s natural barrier, then orchid flower and chia seeds sweep in and smooth visible dehydration lines and lock in moisture. If this wasn’t enough, sunflower, rice bran and rosemary extracts create an antioxidant shield against the free radicals that can do so much damage. This all means you are left with happy, hydrated skin!

You might think that a toner will dehydrate your skin, but this isn’t true. Using the Decleor Essential Tonifying Lotion twice a day balances the skin’s natural pH and leaves it refreshed, revitalised and hydrated. Green tea gently removes impurities and tightens pores, while Neroli oil protects, repairs and fights dehydration.

Even normal skin can become dehydrated and that’s when the Elemis Hydra-Balance Day Cream comes into play. This ultra-light, antioxidant rich day cream gives normal and combination skin ongoing hydration, so it is balanced and supple. It works with the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF) to help maintain a balanced moisture level and used morning and night can help you get the skin you love and deserve.

Even young skin can become dehydrated, and even more so if acne and spots are on the scene. We love how the lightweight Dermalogica Hydrating Lotion really helps dehydrated, breakout-irritated skin that is tender and sad. The sheer, easy-to-apply formula soothes discomfort and hydrates thanks to a cool blend of natural ingredients that work with nature, not against it.

The skin around the eyes is super delicate and thin, so it can soon look sad and saggy when dehydration hits. If this sounds familiar to you, we joke not when we say that the Jan Marini Transformation Eye Cream is a game changer. The clever complex visibly improves skin texture and restores hydration around eyes, while helping prevent future damage. When used sparingly morning and evening on the lower eyelids and across the brow bones, this cream can make big changes.

We can’t go without mentioning the fabulous Elemis Superfood Facial Oil. A blend of highly concentrated plant-based superfoods are packed into this beautiful bottle, and means your skin is deeply nourished and hydrated after the very first application. Broccoli, flax seed and radish soften and smooth the skin while macadamia, oleic and poppy seed oils nourish and moisturise. The results are a healthy, radiant glow like no other.

If you would like more help on happy, hydrated skin, get in touch and we would love to see what could work for you.

Team Pure Beauty

Products to soothe summer skin at Pure Beauty

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Amazonian trees, anti-oxidant, apple, Aspergillus, balance, Bearberry, buff, burning, care, chlorine, comfort, creamy lathe, de-stresses, dead cells, Decleor Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk, dehydration, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate, dry skin, easily absorbed, Elemis Gentle Foaming Facial Wash, Elemis Hydra-Nourish Night Cream, Elemis Superfood Facial Oil, exfoliator, extra softening ingredients, Extracts of Vanilla, feed, fig, flare ups, flax seed, geranium, Ginkgo, glow, Grapefruit, green tea, hyaluronic acid, increased temperatures, life, lightweight, Liquorice, luxurious, Magnolia Essential Oil, massaged, natural oil levels, nature, non-greasy product, nourishes, Oatmeal, omega-rich broccoli, overdone, Persian Silk Tree extract, prevent moisture loss, radish, recovers, redness, relief, replenished, rested, rich cream, samples, sea salt, sensitive skin, showering, skin, sleep, soften, soothe summer skin, stronger rays, suds, summer, sun, sun-kissed glow, super moisturising, superfoods, tan, the ageing signs of fatigue, tired skin, trouble, uneven skin pigmentation, unique blend, warm water, Ylang-Ylang

If you’ve overdone things out in the sun this summer, don’t panic, it happens to all of us at some point. Burning, redness and dehydration are all a result of stronger rays, increased temperatures as well as sea salt and chlorine which stick to our skin when we jump into the water to cool down our bodies.

We have put together some of the products we sell at Pure Beauty that can help soothe summer skin and offer you comfort and relief.

Dry skin recovers overnight, so give nature a helping hand by applying the Elemis Hydra-Nourish Night Cream before you go to sleep. This rich cream helps prevent moisture loss while it nourishes and de-stresses tired skin. The magic happens thanks to Persian silk tree extract which reduces the ageing signs of fatigue, while hyaluronic acid steps in and provides added hydration, which we need after a day by the pool. A sensual blend of geranium and ylang-ylang calms and rebalances the skin so that in the morning it feels as rested and replenished as you.

You might think that using an exfoliator in the summer will take away your tan, but what it will actually do is help your skin be better than ever. We adore the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant because it can be used everyday to gently buff away dead cells so that skin is left smoother and brighter. A magic blend of green tea, ginkgo and oatmeal calm inflammation, while bearberry, aspergillus, grapefruit and liquorice balance uneven skin pigmentation which can strike when the sun beats down on us. Use daily and we think you will be delighted with the results.

Washing the day, and night away can be one way to ensure your skin doesn’t get tight and dehydrated in the summer. The Elemis Gentle Foaming Facial Wash comes with extracts of fig and apple as well as oils from Amazonian trees, and together they soften the skin and maintain key natural oil levels. Mix with warm water and massage the luxurious, creamy lather into your skin and when you rinse the suds away, your skin will thank you for the care and attention you have given it.

We all react differently to the sun. If you find your complexion gets red and inflamed, however careful you are, you might want to give the Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate a go. This super silky serum is perfect for treating, correcting and defending against inflammation and redness and can even prevent flare-ups. Best suited for sensitive skin, which often doesn’t like the sun anyway, this can be used morning and night and will help keep trouble at bay.

Our faces really can take the brunt of the summer, so if you need a little extra loving, the Elemis Superfood Facial Oil delivers! This unique blend of superfoods deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin and brings it back to life. Anti-oxidant, omega-rich broccoli, flax seed and radish come together to feed sad skin, and because this is a lightweight, non-greasy product, it is easily absorbed so your complexion becomes soft, balanced and healthy.

If you want to stay out of the sun but still glow, our money is on the Decleor Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk. Packed with super moisturising, extra softening ingredients, Decleor has bought together extracts of vanilla and magnolia essential oil to create a light melting cream that ensures your skin has the sun-kissed glow we love, without the burn we don’t. For best results, apply to your skin daily after showering and exfoliating and once you have massaged it evenly into your body, wash your hands so there are no signs that you’ve had behind the scenes help to look so fantastic.

For more information, samples or if you just want to ask us what we think might work for you, get in touch and we are here to help you get your best skin ever.

Team Pure Beauty