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

Five of the Best Supplements for Beautiful Skin

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back, bacteria, balanced diet, betacarotene, bilberry fruit, body, breakouts, chest, clarified, clear skin, CoEnzyme Q10, collagen, dehydrated, diet, dietary restriction, dry, drying, face, fatty acid, fine lines, French maritime pine bark extract, grapeseed, grapeseed extract, green tea, gut biome, hair, harsh chemicals, healthy, healthy skin, hydrate, hydration, I make a six, intensive, lutein, lycopene, melon concentrate, minerals, moisturiser, MSM, nails, omega-3, plumpness, problem skin, radiant, science lead, shinier, shoulders, skin issues, smooth, stronger, superoxide dismutase, supple, supplement, thicker, turmeric root, vitamin A, Vitamin C, vitamins, water, wrinkles, yeast, younger, zinc

Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-white-and-yellow-medication-pills-3683077/

As well as following a targeted skincare regime which is made up of products for your specific skin type, one of the best ways to ensure your complexion is in the best condition possible is by following a healthy, balanced diet and making sure you drink enough water. However, making sure that you get the correct amount of vitamins and minerals in your diet isn’t always easy, especially if you have any type of dietary restriction. One of the brands that we carry, Advanced Nutrition Programme, creates supplements which contain patented combinations of the correct vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to tackle a number of different skin issues. Here are five of our favourites:

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Accumax

This supplement is an all-around skin saver, combining vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and phytonutrients to work from the inside out to support healthy skin. It’s completely free from harsh chemicals and contains a combination of ingredients that works to feed every cell in the body to help support all areas including face, chest, back and shoulders without drying out the skin.

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Clear Biome

Many of the signals which control the rest of our body come from the gut biome, and if this is off kilter, it can have a knock-on effect on your health. Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Clear Biome contains four specific strains of yeast and bacteria, as well as other ingredients like zinc, which work to rebalance your gut biome and deal with the underlying causes of problem skin. Skin will be clarified and free from breakouts. 

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Collagen Support

As we age, our body stops making some of the vital elements, such as collagen, which keep us looking youthful. This means that the skin loses its plumpness, and fine lines and wrinkles become more apparent. These plant-based capsules are packed with a clever cocktail of vitamin C, zinc, MSM, grape seed extract and melon concentrate which is rich in superoxide dismutase to help activate your skins’ collagen for younger looking skin. 

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Moisture IQ

If you suffer from very dry skin, sometimes simply applying moisturiser isn’t enough to restore your skin to a normal level of hydration. Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Moisture IQ is a science-led, 28-day smart supplement system uniquely formulated to hydrate dry and dehydrated skin. Carefully calibrated to support the appearance of hydrated, smooth, supple and radiant skin across the whole body, Skin Moisture IQ delivers an intensive moisture shot to skin, working from the inside out.

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Ultimate

This 28-day modern vitamin supplement system doesn’t just work on the skin – it also helps to maintain optimal hair and nail health, too. It contains a combination of vitamins A and D, as well as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, a wide range of antioxidants derived from extracts of green tea, grapeseed, turmeric root, bilberry fruit, betacarotene, lutein and lycopene, AND coenzyme Q10 and French maritime pine bark extract! The supplements are conveniently packaged for daily use and with just 4 weeks of use, you’ll enjoy thicker, shinier hair, stronger nails and clearer skin.

Fake It ‘til You Make it! – Five of the Best Fake Tans

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body, bronzed, bronzing, caffeine, Caribbean, contour, copper, décolletage, deep, DHA, essential oils, exfoliator, face, fake, firm, foundations, glow, golden, gradual tan, hydration boost, long-lasting, magnolia, moisturiser, neck, non greasy, organic, self tanner, skin, South Seas, St Tropez, sun kissed, sweet almond oil, tan, tanner, tanning, tighten, vanilla extract, vitamin A

Whether you’re planning on jetting off for an early holiday or just hoping to get your legs out over the Easter bank holiday, it’s unlikely that you’re still rocking a golden glow from your last jaunt abroad. Here at Pure Beauty, we abide by the “fake it ‘til you make it” mantra when it comes to our tans, so we thought we’d share with you five of our favourite fake tan products for the very best bronzed look which could be straight from a Caribbean vacation. Oh, and as a bonus pro tip; don’t forget to get yourself a St.Tropez Dual Sided Luxe Applicator Mitt for flawless application!:

St.Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Golden Glow Medium Lotion

Anyone who knows anything about fake tan knows that St Tropez is pretty much the industry standard, and this product is no exception. It takes the hassle out of self tan application as it can be applied in the shower to gradually build a golden glow and doesn’t leave you with that typical self tan smell. It only needs to be used for three days in a row for a beautiful deep tan and the formulation contains sweet almond oil to give 24 hour hydration.

South Seas – Tahitian Glow Self Tanner

This self tanner from South Seas is an easy to apply tinted formula which promises a streak free finish and a rich, natural looking tan. It contains organic DHA to give your skin immediate colour, as well as copper and caffeine which will tighten and firm your skin. For best results we recommend using a body exfoliator before application.

Decleor Neroli Bigarade Gradual Glow Lotion

This Gradual Glow Lotion from Décleor is so much more than a self tanner. It contains magnolia essential oils and vanilla extract as well as DHA, all of which combine to intensely moisturise the skin and give you a soft and radiant top to toe golden glow. Should be applied daily until the desired level of bronzing is achieved.

HD Brows Sun Stick

Not everyone likes to use a self tanner on their face but achieving a sun kissed glow on your face can be easily achieved with this Sun Stick from HD Brows. It can be used to contour the face for a subtle sculpted look, or all over the face for a beautiful bronze glow. It can be blended using a brush and is compatible with all foundations and base products. 

St.Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Everyday Light/Medium Face Cream

If you want to tan your face with a more permanent effect then this gradual tan face cream from St Tropez is the perfect product. It is ultra hydrating and doesn’t block the pores, and builds a perfect tan over time with daily application. Once you’ve exfoliated and moisturised your face it can be applied like a regular moisturiser to the face, neck and decolletage and will give you a hydration boost and a long lasting tan.

Beautify Your Brows with Precision

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accentuate, angled brush, arch, biotin, blend, blending, brows, condition, eyebrows, gel, HD Brows Angled Brow Brush, HD Brows Brow Beater, HD Brows Eye and Brow Palette, HD Brows Spoolie Brush, lipids, natural, nourish, overplucking, Panthenol, peptides, plucking, redness, regrowth, Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, shape, shaping, spoolie, thin, threading, vitamin A, Vitamin C, waxing

Photo by Garin Chadwick on Unsplash

If you’d have taken a poll of all of your female friends a decade ago and asked what they felt was the most important area of their face when it came to their make-up routine, you probably would have got a variety of answers ranging from eyes to lips to cheeks. These days if you were to ask the same people that same question, there is a very good chance that the vast majority of them would answer “eyebrows”. 

In the last few years the focus on brows has become much more intense and many women say they wouldn’t mind leaving the house without any make up, as long as their brows are done. With this in mind we’ve put together a list of five products which create a kit for the perfect brows and will keep your eyebrows in great shape.

Revitabrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner

If you are fairly new to working with your eyebrows, there’s a good chance that you’ve probably got quite a thick natural brow. However, those of us who have been doing things to our eyebrows since the 80s, 90s, or even the early noughties have probably plucked their eyebrows into oblivion so that they now barely grow past a thin line! Fortunately Revitabrow has created the Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner which helps to address the visible signs of eyebrow ageing and encourage regrowth, to remedy over plucking. The combination of peptides, lipids, biotin and panthenol combine to create healthier looking more luxurious eyebrows.

HD Brows Spoolie Brush

Most brow experts, whether they be amateur or professional, will agree that the most important tool in your eyebrow kit is a spoolie. A spoolie brush looks like a mascara wand and is fairly essential for shaping your brows and keeping them neat and tidy, however not all spoolies are created equal and many are cheap and abrasive. This Spoolie Brush from HD Brows is specifically designed for blending make-up throughout the brow and is an ultimate for any brow lover.

HD Brows Brow Beater

Once you’ve got your eyebrows to a shape that is acceptable, you will need a product to help keep them that way. HD Brows Brow Beater is a lightweight eyebrow gel which helps to condition your brows and has a completely translucent formula to give you a totally natural finish. It keeps brows in place and can even help, over time, to train your brow hairs to stay in the correct position.

HD Brows Angled Brow Brush

An angled brow brush is another tool which many brow experts will agree is essential to have on hand. This Angled Brow Brush from HD Brows has slimline bristles and natural fibres which are firm enough to create precise lines when shaping your brows but is gentle on the skin and won’t leave any redness even when creating the cleanest lines.

HD Brows Eye and Brow Palette

Our final recommendation for your brow kit is an Eye and Brow Palette from HD Brows. It contains several shades of brow colours, as well as a highlighter to accentuate your brow arch. The powders are silicon-rich and blend beautifully with their silky smooth textures, while also being enriched with vitamins C and A to nourish your brow area while keeping it looking slick.

How to Handle Combination Skin

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acids, acne scarring, balance, bioenergy complex, cleanse, combination, control, copper, decleor, dehydrate, dehydrated, dry, dryness, Elemis, encapsulated, excess, fine lines, fresh, harness, hydrate, hydrated, irritation, Jan Marini, large pores, lime blossom, natural moisturising factor, oil, oiliness, oily, patent-pending, rebalance, redness, rosacea, sebum, skin, soothe, surface oils, uneven texture, vitamin A, wrinkles, zinc

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We all know how difficult it can be to deal with skin issues such as dry skin, oily skin or aging skin. However, dealing with combination skin often means that you’re dealing with two or more of these problems at once, which can make skin care all the more difficult. Combination skin requires targeted products and sometimes more than one product in different areas of your face so that you can adequately deal with all of the issues at once. With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of products which are perfect for combination skin and should help you to bring all your issues into line.

Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser

Cleansing combination skin can be particularly difficult because you have areas of dryness where flaky skin is an issue, as well as oily areas which need something a bit more potent to help control sebum overproduction. This cleanser from Elemis balances the skin by deep cleansing it, removing the build up of daily pollutants and getting rid of makeup. It contains extracts of lime blossom and vitamin A which will soothe your skin and helps to rid you of excess surface oil.

Decleor Ylang Ylang Purifying Night Balm

Often combination skin mains that your skin has an all over dryness problem, but will over-produce sebum in some areas to overcompensate, while other areas remain dry. This night balm from decleor is made from 100% natural ingredients and has a melt-in texture which will care for combination and oily skin. It’s a balancing product which will reduce inflammation, cure underlying dryness and prevent the skin from producing too much oil. You’ll wake-up with cleaner healthier and more radiant skin.

Elemis Hydra Balance Day Cream – Normal/Combination

Combination skin usually benefits from all-day moisturisation, which is why you need a product like this cream from Elemis. It’s an ultralight cream which provides hydration all day long and works with the skin’s natural moisturising factor to help maintain a balanced moisture level. It improves the texture of the skin, balances dryness, oiliness and soothes irritation.

Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclear Cream

This cream from Jan Marini combines glycolic acid, salicylic acid and azelaic acid to provide a dramatically smoother, clearer, more luminous complexion. It’s perfect for combination and dry skin and will help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also dealing with redness, acne scarring, large pores and uneven texture. It’s also great for skin which suffers from acne, hyperpigmentation and rosacea and gives the skin a deep wash of moisture, which will balance dryness and redness.

Elemis Biotec Skin Energising Day Cream – Combination

This highly-scientific formula from Elemis harnesses patent-pending Bioenergy Complex, which is made up of encapsulated zinc and copper. It contains a trio of acids which help support combination skin for optimum skin function. It contains ingredients such as cold pressed desert date oil, which will balance the skin, control excess sebum while smoothing and hydrating the complexion, leaving it fresh and shine free. It can be used every morning and should be applied to cleansed skin.