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Peptides: How this ingredient is transforming skincare

You’ve probably heard about Peptides, another key ingredient we are told to incorporate into our everyday skincare routine! But when we are already slathering on Vitamin C, Retinol, Collagen, Niacinamide (and more!) in our quest to defy premature ageing and achieve healthy, glowing skin, why are peptides so essential too? Keep reading as we uncover all there is to know about peptides and how these unsung heroes can help to transform your complexion.

 Firstly though, what are peptides?

Hailed as the key to achieving, youthful, radiant skin, peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, including collagen, elastin and keratin, crucial for maintaining skin structure and elasticity.

What do peptides do for your skin?

These small but mighty molecules are gaining recognition for their remarkable ability to address various signs of ageing, making them a coveted ingredient in skincare formulations.

As we age, our production of collagen, elastin and keratin decline, leading to fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Peptides work by signalling the skin to produce more of these proteins replenishing what’s lost and in turn helping to restore a more youthful complexion! Clever stuff hey?

Girl,With,Clean,Healthy,Skin,Face,Close,Up,Isolated,On

Key benefits of peptides in skincare:

  1. Peptides boost collagen production

Peptides stimulate collagen synthesis, promoting firmer, plumper skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

  1. Peptides enhance skin elasticity

By supporting elastin production, peptides help improve skin elasticity, leading to a smoother and more youthful-looking complexion.

  1. Peptides improve skin texture

Peptides can help refine skin texture, minimizing the appearance of pores and promoting a smoother, more even skin tone.

  1. Peptides hydrate and nourish

Some peptides have moisturising properties, helping to hydrate the skin and maintain its barrier function, preventing moisture loss and enhancing overall skin health.

  1. Peptides protect against environmental damage

Certain peptides have antioxidant properties, defending the skin against free radicals and environmental stressors, which can accelerate skin ageing.

How to incorporate peptides into your skincare routine

Look for skincare products containing peptides, such as serums, moisturisers, and eye creams. These products are formulated to deliver peptides directly to the skin, maximizing their effectiveness. Incorporate them into your daily skincare routine, applying them after cleansing and toning, and before moisturising. Consistency is key to seeing visible results, so use peptide-rich products regularly to reap their full benefits.

Happy,Woman,Doing,Routine,Skin,Care,At,Home,With,Beauty

Can you layer peptides with vitamin c and other key ingredients?

Overall, peptides work well with other key skincare ingredients including vitamin c, niacinamide, retinol, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, and can generally be layered with them to address multiple skin concerns and achieve optimal results.

However, layering peptides with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) is not advisable as the AHAs will actually make the peptides work less efficiently.

Are peptides good for all skin types including sensitive skin?

Peptides can be beneficial for all skin types, including sensitive skin, when used in appropriate formulations and concentrations. Since peptides are generally gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, they are less likely to cause irritation or sensitivity reactions. Peptides can offer valuable benefits for sensitive skin, such as improving hydration, enhancing skin barrier function, and promoting a more youthful complexion. However, it’s essential to choose peptide products that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin and free from potential irritants such as fragrances, dyes, and harsh preservatives.

The peptide skincare products we are loving:

Naturys Anti-Age Multi-Peptide Serum – Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this product packs a punch when it comes to hydration but thanks to its additional combination of nourishing and anti-ageing ingredients including an array of peptides and vitamin C, it leaves your skin softer, smoother and visibly radiant too. Oh and its organic and vegan – we love that!

Naturys Antiage Multi-Peptide Serum

HubisLab Premium Active Eternal Face & Eye CreamI not only personally love how this product is a 2-in-1 – your moisturiser and your eye cream, but I also love how baby soft my skin is these days after religiously using it! It’s nourishing but light and has definitely made a difference to not only my face but to the delicate area around my eyes too! What’s more, it’s packed with a plethora of goodies from of course peptides to Hyaluronic acid and Botulinum-derived component, an Ingredient that is similar to Botox! No wonder the wrinkles around my eyes have practically disappeared!

Hubislab - Premium Active Eternal Eye & Face Cream korean skincare korean beauty

ELES Blue Light Radiant BB Cream. This outstanding BB Cream might be classed as makeup, but it’s packed with a powerhouse of skincare goodies including peptides, vitamin c, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin e!

Multi-tasking it protects, primes, tints, nourishes, evens out skin tone and helps to strengthen skin and its game-changing formula shields skin from not only from damaged UV rays but blue light from our devices too!

Not just another BB Cream, this BB Cream will improve your skin’s elasticity while softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and will leave skin with a long-lasting radiant glow every time you apply. It’s brilliant!

ELES Cosmetics Blue Light BB Cream 30

By incorporating peptide-rich skincare products into your routine, you can rejuvenate and revitalize your complexion, revealing a smoother, firmer, and more radiant appearance.

Close,Up,Of,Young,Mother,And,Cute,Little,Daughter,Make

Treat mum to radiant skin: The gift she’ll love this Mother’s Day

Still searching for that perfect gift your mum will truly appreciate this Mother’s Day? Or perhaps you’re looking for something for yourself that your husband can buy you (from the kids of course!) Well, as a busy, working mum myself, something I personally love (aside from the gorgeous Mother’s Day craft my kids create) is anything that’s pampering! Anything that allows me to take time out for myself whether it be for just a few minutes or a few hours! From a visit to the spa or receiving my favourite skincare essentials a little bit of self-care goes along way! Not only does it make me feel better, but my skin is thankful for it too! And right now I am loving the new Phytomer Limited Edition Rejuvenating Ritual Gift Set (yes Mother’s Day came early for me!)

Phytomer - Rejuvenating Ritual Gift Set

Featuring two of my favourite go-tos – Phytomer Expert Youth Wrinkle Plumping Cream and Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream, this outstanding duo will not only truly pamper, indulge and cocoon your skin with silky, marine goodness, but you’ll be elated with the results after only a week or two too! We really are talking smoother, more supple and youthful looking skin. Seriously. What’s more these two Phytomer products are global best-sellers and this Mother’s Day you can have both products for the price of just one!

 

A little bit more about the gift set

The perfect combination, these two products provide skin with your ideal morning and evening anti-ageing, moisturising routine.

Every morning after cleansing, apply Phytomer Expert Youth Wrinkle Plumping Cream. Providing a beautiful sensory experience thanks to its rich, silky texture and subtle floral scent, this deeply nourishing wrinkle plumping and correcting cream enriched with Red Vegetal Coral and Brown Algae Extract, imparts skin with outstanding youthful results. Expression lines are corrected, deep wrinkles filled, skin smoothed and loss of volume reduced.

Phytomer - expert youth wrinkle plumping cream

Every evening before bed and after removing your makeup, apply Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream. This beautifully nourishing cream literally cocoons skin in rich silky goodness. It works to repair signs of ageing overnight, so you wake up to smoother, firmer and visibly radiant skin by morning.

Designed to pamper and rejuvenate the skin, this indulgent set promises to elevate your mums (or yours!) self-care routine to new heights.

Phytomer Night recharge

Why Phytomer?

Phytomer is renowned for its commitment to harnessing the power of the sea to create exceptional skincare products. With a focus on marine-based ingredients and cutting-edge research, Phytomer delivers unparalleled results that nourish, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin. From luxurious textures to innovative formulations, each product is crafted with care to provide a truly transformative experience.

Woman,Without,Makeup,Touching,Cheeks,After,Glycolic,Acid,Peel,,Has

Worried about sagging skin? The best tips to firm your face

Ageing. We all know it’s inevitable, but no one wants to wake up one day and find gravity playing tricks on their face! Sadly though, sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles are all a natural part of the ageing process, but this doesn’t mean we can’t do something to help slow down or improve their appearance. With the right preventive measures and skincare routine, you can prevent your skin from sagging prematurely and maintain firm and youthful-looking skin for years to come. Keep reading as we discuss the best tips for preventing sagging skin and achieving a more lifted, toned complexion.

 

Firstly though what is sagging skin on the face?

Sagging skin on the face refers to the loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin, leading to a drooping or sagging appearance. It occurs when the skin’s supportive structures weaken over time. As a result, the skin loses its ability to bounce back, causing it to sag or droop, particularly in areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and neck.

 

What causes sagging skin?

You could be asking yourself why is your face suddenly sagging? Sagging skin on the face is actually caused by multiple factors. These include;

 Loss of Collagen and Elastin

One of the main contributors to skin sagging is the decrease in the production of collagen and elastin, responsible for skin elasticity and firmness. As we age, our collagen and elastin levels decline and as a result the skin loses its ability to bounce back, resulting in sagging and drooping.

Decreased skin hydration

Hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining the plumpness and suppleness of the skin. With age, the skin’s ability to retain moisture diminishes, resulting in dryness and dehydration. Dehydrated skin is more prone to sagging and wrinkles, as it lacks the necessary moisture to maintain its elasticity.

Reduction in Facial Fat and Muscle Tone

As we age, the fat pads in our face begin to weaken, causing the skin to lose volume and support. Additionally, weakening of the facial muscles over time can contribute to sagging and drooping of facial tissues. These changes in fat distribution and muscle tone can result in a loss of facial contour and definition.

UV and Blue Light damage

Prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun and Blue Light damage from our devices accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres in the skin. UV and Blue Light damage weakens the skin’s structural support, leading to premature ageing signs such as sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Lifestyle Factors

Certain lifestyle habits, such as smoking, poor nutrition, and excessive alcohol consumption, can contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin. Smoking, in particular, has been linked to accelerated skin ageing and sagging due to its detrimental effects on blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin tissues.

Genetics

This one you can blame on your parents for! Unfortunately genetics can also influence the rate at which our skin ages and how saggy it becomes! Sadly some of us will develop sagging skin much earlier than others due to our genetic makeup! Eek.

 

How to prevent sagging skin

While some degree of face sagging is a natural part of the ageing process, there are various things we can do to help improve skin firmness and minimize the appearance of sagging skin.

  1. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key to maintaining the elasticity and suppleness of our skin. It’s nothing new but drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out is essential. Water helps keep your skin cells plump and hydrated which in turn promotes elasticity. Additionally, use hydrating skincare products containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and plump up the skin.

Close,Up,Of,Young,Woman,Hold,Glass,Drink,Clear,Mineral

  1. Always wear sunscreen

Protecting our skin from UV rays and Blue Light damage with sunscreen and sun-protective measures can dramatically help prevent premature ageing and in turn sagging skin. Wear sunscreen with a high SPF every. single. day no matter what the weather, always consider wearing a hat and seek shade during peak hours when UV is at its most damaging.

Young,Woman,Applying,The,Correct,Amount,Of,Sunscreen,For,Face

  1. Follow a Healthy Diet

Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can support skin health and prevent sagging. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet to provide your skin with essential nutrients and promote collagen production. Including foods such as broccoli, spinach, sweet potato, avocado, nuts and blueberries will work wonders!!

Healthy,Food,Clean,Eating:,Fruit,,Vegetable,,Seeds,,Superfood,,Cereals,,Leafs

  1. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise not only helps maintain a healthy weight but also helps keep sagging skin at bay! This is because it promotes circulation and muscle tone, which can contribute to firmer, more lifted skin. Incorporate strength training exercises targeting the face, neck, and body to keep your muscles toned and prevent sagging.

Relaxing,After,Training.,Top,View,Of,Beautiful,Young,Woman,Looking

  1. Practice Good Skincare Habits

Follow a consistent skincare routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising, this will keep skin supple and looking younger for longer.

Woman,Wiping,Her,Face,With,Cotton,Pad,In,The,Bathroom

  1. Use Skincare Products with Active Ingredients

As well as products formulated with Hyaluronic acid, you’ll want to use skincare containing active ingredients known for their firming and tightening properties. The most effective ingredients to help prevent premature skin sagging includes retinol, peptides, vitamin C, and niacinamide. These ingredients can help stimulate collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and reduce the appearance of sagging.

skincare ingredients for sagging skin

  1. Incorporate facial massage into your daily routine

Gentle facial massage techniques can help improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, promoting firmer, glowy and more lifted skin over time. Because it stimulates the facial muscles, a massage is like a mini-workout for your face. It engorges the muscles with blood to oxygenate the skin cells and gives “tone” to your muscles.

Incorporate a gentle facial massage using your fingertips or a jade roller into your daily skincare routine.

To learn more about the many benefits of facial massage click here

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  1. Get enough zzzz’s

We all know that getting enough sleep is important for our overall health, but did you know it can also improve your skin’s elasticity? During sleep, our body produces collagen and repairs any damage that’s been done to our skin throughout the day. However when we are sleep deprived, our bodies produce more cortisol, a stress hormone that can actually break down collagen!

It’s best to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night to give your skin the rest it needs.

Happy,Young,Woman,In,Bathrobe,Or,Pajama,Sleep,Peacefully,On

The best skincare products to prevent or improve sagging skin on your face

Phytomer Structuriste Firming Contour Serum

No one likes seeing their skin start to sag as we age thanks to the breakdown in collagen and elastin, but with this miracle firming face serum all is not lost! It’s beautifully lightweight and milky and effectively moisturises and improves skin tissue density by smoothing, firming and plumping the skin as well as enhancing the look of facial contours! Seriously!

Beauty Collective - Phytomer - Structuriste Firming Contour Serum 30ml

Pevonia’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum

It features one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the skincare market, combined with a powerful duo of marine collagen and hibiscus esculentus extract for optimum anti-ageing results. It penetrates deeply into the skin delivering smoother, softer, plumper, firming and brighter skin! What’s more it’s ideal for all skin types!

Pevonia - Power Repair Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum

Pevonia Firming Marine Elastin Cream

Formulated with hydrating superstars’ hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and also elastin, this rich, nourishing, firming face cream, delivers powerful repairing and tightening benefits to the skin visibly increasing moisture while improving elasticity! Oh and it smells pretty divine too!

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Age Correction Firming Marine Elastin Cream

Pevonia Micro-Retinol Essential Moisturiser

For those with advanced signs of aging – wrinkles, loose and sagging skin, and uneven skin tone or dark spots, Pevonia’s Micro Retinol Essential Moisturiser should be your go-to! This powerhouse product (and range!) is the perfect all-rounder! Formulated with Retinol, Hyaluronic, Squalane, and Marine Collagen, it deeply hydrates, smooths, brightens and firms! Best results when used in conjunction with Pevonia’s Micro-Retinol Essential Serum.

BeautyCollective - Pevonia - Micro-Retinol Moisturiser

Medicalia – Sunscreen SPF 40 with Blue Light Shield

If you’re a little reluctant to wear your sunscreen because quite frankly its smell and greasy texture puts you off, you are going to love this lightweight emulsion! This everyday sunscreen contains an exclusive mineral formula to shield skin from harmful sun rays, blue light and pollution. It delivers all-natural protection with the addition of zinc oxide which acts to form a protective seal over the skin to reflect blue light away. It also rubs into skin seamlessly without leaving a white cast or greasy residue behind. And even better, the formula is reef-safe and works for all skin types and tones!

Beauty Collective - Medicalia - Sunscreen SPF 40 with Blue Light Shield

BC Jade facial roller

Ideal for those concerned with wrinkles and loose skin, jade helps raise the immunity of the skin. It’s known for its ability to help tone and firm skin cells, stimulate collagen production, increase elasticity, calm puffiness and promote cell turnover!

Physically, this crystal has more resistance on skin than rose quartz and amethyst, so while it’s not as silky and glass-like in texture, it is better for achieving firming and lifting results including smoothing wrinkles, sculpting muscle, and tightening loose skin.

It’s best to use this roller in the morning since jade has a revitalising energy that helps skin to feel fresh and invigorated.

To learn more about jade rollers and why they are the perfect additional to your skincare routine click here.

BC Jade Facial Roller

 

By following these steps, you can maintain firm, toned skin and enjoy a more youthful complexion for years to come. Remember, consistency is key, so make skincare a priority in your daily routine and reap the rewards of healthy, radiant skin.

Beautiful,Woman,Dropping,Collagen,Moisturizer,Into,Her,Hand,At,Home

Skin Cycling: What is it and how will it improve your skin?

Ever wondered how some people seem to effortlessly maintain glowing, radiant skin? Well the answer could be due to skin cycling, a skincare concept that has gained huge popularity over recent months and for very good reason, after all skin cycling has the ability to transform your skin in a short period of time! If you aren’t familiar with skin cycling, you’re probably wondering how this is so, and what it even is! Keep reading as we reveal all there is to know about this skincare trend and how it may help improve your complexion too!

What is skin cycling?

Skin cycling is a strategic approach to your skincare routine that aims to improve results while minimising irritation. It involves alternating between using active ingredients and nourishing ingredients. Instead of bombarding your skin by applying active ingredients every single night, you cycle through them over a four-night period, enabling your skin to rest for a few nights.

How does skin cycling work?

While there are plenty of variations to skin cycling, a typical skin cycle lasts for four daystwo days “on” (otherwise known as active nights using active ingredients) and two days “off” (otherwise known as “rest nights” using nourishing ingredients). The theory behind this particular trend is to give the skin a break from products such asexfoliants and retinols which can be harsh or stripping if used consecutively over a period of time.

Your classic skin cycling routine

The skin cycling rotation begins with exfoliation on the first night(preferably with a chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or glycolic acid), followed by retinol on the second. The third and fourth nights are dedicated to recovery with skin barrier-protecting serums and moisturisers to nurture and hydrate the skin. Then, the cycle repeats.

By alternating between active and rest nights, you allow your skin to repair itself and avoid overloading it with too many actives at once. The result? Better results without the irritation!

Woman,Applying,Essential,Oil,Onto,Face,,Closeup

Why Skin Cycling?

With so many products out there from cleansers and exfoliators to serums, oils and more, (and let’s not forget the game-changing ingredients we all need to look out for in our skincare) it’s easy to overload our skin. So many of us will layer multiple ingredients night after night without considering recovery. Skin Cycling prevents this. Using specific products on different days regenerates the skin and improves skin quality.

Who will benefit from skin cycling?

Anyone can! If you aren’t getting the results you want out of your skincare routine despite using products with the best skincare ingredients, skin cycling could be for you! Or ff you suffer from skin irritation, skin cycling can work wonders! It prevents you overloading your skin with multiple active ingredients day after day. By avoiding overloading the skin you’ll maintain its health, balance, and overall well-being. Remember overloading the skin with excessive skincare products and ingredients can lead to skin issues or exacerbate an already existing condition! Firstly, it can disrupt the skin barrier, compromising its ability to retain moisture and protect against external aggressors. This disruption may result in increased sensitivity, irritation, and dryness. Furthermore, overloading the skin can clog pores and contribute to acne breakouts, particularly if heavy or occlusive products are used. Finally, layering too many products may interfere with the absorption and efficacy of active ingredients, leading to diminished results. Simplifying your skincare routine can help streamline your regimen and ensure that each product effectively addresses your skin’s needs.

The best products to use for skin cycling?

Since skin cycling is all about exfoliation and retinol followed by repair and nourishment, these are the products we would highly recommend:

Days 1 & 2

Vie Collection Cleansing Gel with Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic AcidsThis foaming cleansing gel combines glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids to stimulate cellular activity, break the intercellular glue between dead cells and thoroughly cleanse skin.

Beauty Collective - VIE Collection - Vie Collection - Cleansing Gel with Glycolic, Lactic & Salicylic Acids

Pevonia Renewing Glycocides CreamCombining glycolic acid with hydration hero hyaluronic acid, this treatment cream works to dissolve dead skin cells, improving skin texture and diminishing fine lines too! Skin resurfaces smoother, brighter and younger…seriously.

Pevonia Renewing Glycocides Cream

Medicalia L Retinol Smoothing CreamThe ultimate anti-ageing night cream, Medicalia’s L Retinol Smoothing Cream is a must have for photodamaged skin. Formulated with micro-retinol®, glycolic, and lactic acid, it effectively lightens, brightens and smooths skin.

L retinol cream

Pevonia’s Micro-Retinol® range. Every product in the range which includes Micro-Retinol® Foaming CleanserMicro-Retinol® Essential TonerMicro-Retinol® Serum and Micro-Retinol® Essential Moisturiser utilizes a specialized technology to create Retinol micro-particles that get delivered deep into the epidermis. This means complete product absorption, no skin irritation, and immediate results!

Micro Retinol

It’s a great, safe, and side-effect free alternative to using prescription Retinoic Acid. What’s more, every product in the Micro-Retinol® line contains a powerhouse trio of vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Micro-Retinol®! The addition of Vitamins C and E not only ensures Micro-Retinol®’s stability but also that the skin’s nutrients and density are renewed and preserved!

Days 2 & 3

Hubislab Premium Active B-tol Ampoule – anti-ageing and skin protecting this complex emulsion is formulated with a botulinum-derivative ingredient (similar to Botox) and hyaluronic acid which provides the skin with deep moisturization to maintain a radiant complexion.

Hubislab - Post Rays Chamomile Complex 70% Ampoule

Hubislab Moisture Max Hyaluron Complex 65% Ampoule – this outstanding complex serum combines hyaluronic acid, collagen and rosa centifolia flower water to quite literally blast skin with intensive moisture restoring elasticity and balance while protecting skin cells from free radical damage.

Hubislab - Moisture Max Hyaluron Complex 65% Ampoule

Hubislab Moisture Max Hydro Moisturiserpacked with hyaluronic acid, this moisture-rich, yet beautifully lightweight cream absorbs quickly into skin without any greasiness, providing skin with deep nourishment and a long-lasting luxurious feeling. 

Hubislab - Moisture Max Hydro Moisturiser

Remember, everyone’s skin is different, so it’s essential to pay attention to how your skin responds. If you decide to try skin cycling, start slowly and observe how your skin adapts.