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woman cleansing skin

How a great cleanser will improve your skin ten fold

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Here at Beauty Collective, we are strong advocates of cleansing; after all it is one of the most effective ways to achieve skin that’s healthier, clearer and more radiant.

And while you might think a quick swipe of a face wipe or micellar water might seem sufficient at times (I’m sure we’ve all been tempted to do this after a long day) taking the time to remove your make-up and really clean your skin daily will ensure that you see visible improvements in your complexion day after day, cleanse after cleanse.

So, if you want to learn more about the benefits of cleansing and discover why a great cleanser is the foundation to any great skincare routine, keep reading. You’ll even learn about the cleansing tools you might well not be using but definitely should be…

Firstly, what exactly is cleansing?

The role of a cleanser is to totally remove the days remnants. We are talking everything from makeup, dirt and grime to other skin impurities.

Whether your skincare routine consists of two or five products (eight if you’re a lover of the infamous Korean skincare routine) it should always start with a cleanser. Without this step impurities will cling to your skin and dead skin cells will build up.

 

How does cleansing improve your skin?

  1. Skin will be clearer and more refined

Without regular cleansing your pores will become congested, leading to breakouts and a lacklustre complexion. Washing your face every morning and evening will remove impurities (that have built up as a result of pollutants, bacteria, dead skin cells and sebum), decongest the pores and reveal clearer, healthier skin.

  1. Skin will look fresher and brighter

While cleansing isn’t able to remove dead skin cells quite like an exfoliator it will help sweep away surface dry and dead skin cells, revealing a fresh layer of skin underneath for a beautifully brighter, natural glow.

  1. Skin will be more hydrated, soft, supple and youthful looking

Cleansing is more than just cleaning your skin; it’s also the best way to prep your skin for other skincare products. This is because congested pores can not only cause breakouts but also prevent the absorption of other skincare products, cleansing daily will help to clear your pores and ensure that the active ingredients in your moisturisers and serums can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, hydrating it more effectively.

 

The cleansing tools you might be missing

First is the humble muslin cloth. They might not be the top of your skincare wishlist, but these unsung heroes are one of the best ways to gently exfoliate your skin daily and ensure product is completely removed. After applying your cleanser, simply soak the muslin cloth in warm water and sweep in upwards motions away from the face to leave your skin looking and feeling, softer and smoother.

 

Secondly for optimum cleansing results use a Facial Cleansing Brush.  With this little genius gadget you can get your deepest clean yet as gentle but powerful sonic massage works with ultra-hygienic silicone touchpoints and your chosen cleanser to thoroughly remove any build-up of dead skin cells, dirt, oil and sweat, preventing skin problems and resulting in clean & radiant skin, but that’s not all! It preps your skin perfectly for the absorption of your favourite skincare products for maximum effect and results, the tiny pulses help awaken the skin by stimulating the circulation of blood in the skin’s layers (when the blood is stimulated more oxygen is produced in the blood and this feeds the skin cells) and the cleansing brush will aid in keeping your pores clear from debris banishing those breakouts!

Beauty Collective - Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush

 

For the perfect cleanser it is also essential to find the best facial cleanser for your skin, a product that works with and not against your skin type. For our top recommendations click here.

Beauty Collective - Best cleanser for your skin

cakey makeup

How to fix cakey makeup for good

If you love makeup and like to layer it, it’s likely you will have fallen victim to cakey makeup on occasion! Unfortunately, ‘cakiness’ is an issue that happens to the best of us, but why so you might ask? Applying makeup to dry skin or using too much product are two reasons for cakey makeup but if you want to know how to fix this makeup mishap for good, keep reading as we reveal 8 top tips!

What to do to avoid cakey makeup

Both your skincare routine and how you apply your makeup are crucial factors to avoiding a cakey makeup look so make sure you focus on properly prepping your skin and then make sure you apply your makeup with precision.

 

Tip 1: Always make sure you prep your skin by exfoliating and moisturising to help makeup go on smoothly

Exfoliating your face once or twice weekly will remove dead skin cells and debris, this in turn will help create a smooth surface for your makeup products.

Moisturising is also essential as you want to eliminate dryness all together. Unfortunately, when your skin is dry your foundation is more likely to cake, so choosing moisturising skincare products formulated with skin nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, shea butter and squalane is paramount.

 

Tip 2: Always wear an eye cream

One of the most common areas of cakiness is around the eyes so you want to make sure this delicate area is perfectly prepped too! Apply a nourishing eye cream or mask such as Pevonia’s Evolutive Eye Cream and massage in with gentle tapping movements. Formulated with Squalane, Vitamins A & E, this perfectly nourishing eye cream not only tightens and firms the area around your eyes, but also works to repair fine lines and eliminate crepiness too! Thus, creating a perfectly smooth, supple surface for under eye concealer.

Tip 3: Use a primer

A good primer evens out your skin texture, making the surface of your skin smoother, so that your makeup glides on effortlessly and appears well blended. It can also help with longevity meaning your makeup will remain perfectly intact for longer!

Oily skin can also cause makeup to split on the face so using a pore perfecting face primer is a must! The ELES Pore Perfecting Face Primer combats shine, absorbs oil and reduces the appearance of pores to keep foundation looking flawless all day long! Genius.

ELES Pore Perfecting Face Primer

Tip 4: Chose the right foundation for your skin type

Choosing a foundation formula for your skin type is essential when it comes to fixing and preventing cakey makeup. If your skin is dry, you’ll want to select liquid foundations as these tend to be more nourishing and hydrating than powders. For those prone to oily or combination skin, matte and powder foundations will be best since they will help absorb excess oil.

ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15

Tip 5: Apply foundation in thin layers and gradually build it up

One of the main reasons for cakey makeup is in the amount of product you are applying.

Remember less is always best, but if you want to hide those pesky pimples or blemishes make sure you blend a small amount of product at a time. You want to avoid looking overdone and remember you can always add more if need be.

 

Tip 6: Use a makeup blender or sponge to apply foundation

A slightly damp makeup blender can help soften your makeup, preventing cakiness from happening. Blend the foundation into your skin with the damp beauty blender, gently dabbing the product onto your skin. You can then use it to blend your concealer too focusing on blemishes and dark spots. This will help the product better settle into the skin preventing flakiness.

ELES Pro-Blender sponge

Tip 7: Use a finishing powder to set makeup

A finishing powder will provide a more-airbrushed finish to your makeup as well as help your foundation to stay put for longer wear without “caking”.

It will also absorb any unwanted or excess oil and can also work to blur the appearance of pores, uneven texture, and sometimes even discoloration. Try the new ELES HD Translucent Powder. Made from 100% mineral silica powder it mattifies the skin without “caking” and softens the appearance of imperfections.

Tip 8: Remove excess product

Excess makeup and oil, especially in a full-coverage foundation look, can help create a cakey appearance. So, when you notice your makeup looks a little cakey or your skin looks shiny, gently blot with a blotting sheet or sponge, this will remove excess oil and foundation.

 

Tip 9: Use a setting spray

Once your makeup is complete, finish with a nourishing face mist (or setting spray) as they will add additional hydration to the skin as well as locking in moisture which will help keep makeup in place. Pevonia’s new Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Mist is a favourite of mine. Not only does it deeply nourish the skin, rejuvenating, plumping and relieving dry flaky skin, it also helps maintain your makeup look throughout the day.

premature skin ageing

What to do when moisturiser isn’t enough for your dry skin

Perhaps you’ve been a loyal fan of your trusty moisturiser for some time now but have recently realised it’s just not enough for your devitalised, dry skin? Or maybe you’ve read all the reviews on that ‘miracle’ face cream so many are raving about but find isn’t it working for your parched complexion.

If you’ve been asking yourself why your skin is still so dry even when you moisturise religiously, something isn’t right, and we are here to tell you what! Keep reading as we explain what you need to do when that moisturiser of yours simply isn’t enough for your dry skin.

 

  1. Properly cleanse your skin morning and night

A moisturiser isn’t going to work as well if your face isn’t clean! Moisturisers should be applied to perfectly cleansed skin as they prevent skin from drying out post wash and are actually most effective when applied to slightly damp skin as they seal in moisture.

Cleanse skin twice daily, morning and night with a gentle creamy cleanser to wash away the day’s dirt, makeup and grim that can dry out the skin.

Try: Pevonia – CleanRefresh™ Foaming Oil Cleanser

Suitable for all skin types, but especially recommended for dry skin, this innovative, triple duty oil cleanser features an advanced, lipid rich, alcohol-free, soap-free, exclusive formula which transforms into a luscious, foamy cleanser for a truly luxurious cleansing experience.

Beauty Collective - Pevonia - CleanRefresh™ Foaming Oil Cleanser

  1. Exfoliate weekly

Exfoliation is essential. It will help remove dead skin cell build up that could be blocking your complexion and in turn preventing your moisturiser from properly absorbing into your skin.

If your skin is dry exfoliate just once a week and try using a gentle exfoliator formulated with nourishing ingredients. A gentle exfoliant will help remove the dry cell barrier that prevents absorption of moisturising ingredients and will brighten dull skin at the same time.

Try Phytomer Vegetal Exfoliant. It’s seriously soft, silky and subtle scented plus it’s ideal for all skin types even the most sensitive or dry! It eliminates impurities by gently removing dead skin cells with natural enzymes (so no scrubbing or irritating the skin whatsoever) and naturally encourages cell turnover. The result? Beautifully luminous and youthful skin after every use – no jokes!

Phytomer's Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes

  1. Always use a serum

Serums have multiple benefits but the most important is that they can hydrate more effectively than any moisturiser because the molecules in a serum are able to truly penetrate your skin much deeper than any other skincare product. So, while your moisturiser tends to sit on the skin’s surface nourishing the toy layers, your serum hydrates on the deepest level.

Serums do not, however, replace your moisturiser, but instead, when applied prior to your moisturiser, boost its effects and help lock in moisture. Vital for those with dry skin!

Try: Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum. Featuring one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market (12%), combined with the powerful anti-ageing duo of marine collagen and Hibiscus Esculentus extract, this ultimate serum for seriously thirsty skin, delivers immediate skin soothing results and deep hydration. It eliminates dryness almost instantly as it quite literally blasts even the most dry of complexions with a surge of moisture, maintaining surface hydration throughout the day. Oh and not only does it help rejuvenate skin cells but will bind any moisturiser you apply on top like a magnet too!

  1. Make sure your moisturiser is formulated with skin specific nourishing ingredients

A deeply nourishing moisturiser is a must when it comes to a dry complexion but the only way you’ll truly get this is if it’s loaded with specific hydrating ingredients including; Hydration hero Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Glycerin and Squalane.

Try: Pevonia Age Defying Marine Collagen Cream. This global best seller is my personal absolute can’t live without product and the no. 1 recommendation of the BC Pros too. It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream – formulated with Squalane, Collagen, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid – that feels amazing on application and really does leave skin super soft, supple and like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day!

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Marine Collagen Cream

  1. Use a facial mist in the morning (and throughout the day)

Once you’ve applied your makeup it’s highly unlikely you’d reapply your moisturiser (after all you wouldn’t want to mess up that makeup of yours!) but by spritzing a face mist formulated with extra hydrating ingredients, will help give skin that extra boost of moisture every time you apply it throughout the day.

Try: Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Mist. Formulated with super hydrator hyaluronic acid, this true multi-tasker can be used in the morning to revitalise your senses and replenish the moisture your skin has lost overnight, throughout the day to help your skin stay supple and fresh (or as the perfect pick-me-up), and as a toner to enhance your evening cleanse. What’s more it will actually improve the absorption of your serum and moisturiser optimising the benefits and overall results too! Oh, and it doubles as a finishing or setting spray, locking your makeup in place and increasing its length of wear!

  1. At night, lock in moisture with a facial oil

Yes, your moisturiser will indeed moisturise your skin but without using a barrier cream or oil, moisture can escape, and skin will become dry again. Face Oils have the ability to help boost your moisturiser’s hydrating efforts by sealing in all the nourishing ingredients, making your skin more likely to hold onto that added hydration. In fact, face oils are integral to healthy skin as without them, moisture just continuously leeches out from the skin until the next time you apply your cream!

Try:  Pevonia Vitaminic Concentrate. It’s a soothing, silky antioxidant oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma, is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats premature ageing, dehydration, and excessive dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple, and seriously glowy skin every morning.

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Vitaminic Concentrate

 

adult acne

How to get rid of acne: 5 steps to pimple free skin

You might well have suffered from acne when you were younger, or perhaps you were just prone to the occasional pimple, but why oh why years later are you still getting these darn spots you might be wondering?

Acne, or ‘adult acne’ as it’s more commonly known once you approach or 40’s or 50’s, is actually a very common skin condition that affects not only teenagers but men and woman of all ages! In fact, there is no age limit! Why?  Because acne, whether it presents as whiteheads, pimples, blackheads or cysts, occurs when your skin follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells. Something that is very easily done, but also something that can be prevented when you follow a few simple steps. So, if you are suddenly finding yourself with a face full of pimples, keep reading as we explain the best ways to get rid of them and how you can stay pimple free too!

  1. Watch what you eat

As good a staple as it can be, dairy in your daily diet can sadly lead to an increase in acne breakouts. Try cutting it out to see if it could be causing your breakouts to occur. Also cut down on the amount of sugar and caffeine you consume!

Instead indulge in foods such as almonds, blueberries, avocados and kidney beans as they are among a range of foods which may help to reduce and prevent inflammation.

  1. Stress less

Sounds easier said than done I know, we all have those days, weeks, months even where we are super stressed but said stress can lead to acne flare ups!

This is because stress-related hormone CRH can bind to receptors in the skin’s sebaceous glands, increasing oil production. Excess oil production can then cause pimples. So, if you keep breaking out and just can’t understand why, stress might be to blame, so try to relax!

Try listening to relaxation music or meditate. Also, something as simple as taking a relaxing bubble bath every evening can really help. Exercise is also imperative! While exercising will increase blood flow, helping nourish skin cells and keeping them vital, it has also been accountable for reducing stress-related acne.

  1. Keep your phone clean! And your pillowcase too!

Yup, a sudden breakout can be from something as simple as your phone or pillowcase (well anything that touches your face really that could be hosts for harmful bacteria!) And anytime you hold your phone to your face or lie on your pillowcase you are spreading the bacteria to your skin. So, if you haven’t done so for a while, try sanitizing your phone screen and wash that pillowcase of yours more often, it could make a big difference to your skin.

  1. Use mineral makeup

Makeup can be a real trigger for pesky pimples. Especially if it’s full of pore clogging ingredients and oils. If you have acne, you are likely going to want to try and conceal it without exacerbating the condition, this is where mineral makeup will become your best friend! Each product in the ELES Mineral Makeup range is free of skin irritants and pore clogging nasties and instead are rich in skin nourishing and nurturing ingredients that will not only allow skin to breathe freely but will help to improve its condition too!

ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15

Our favourite? The ELES best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. But if you love powder, the Mineral Powder Foundation is pretty outstanding too, especially if your skin is a little on the sensitive side.

ELES - Mineral Powder Foundation

  1. Choose skincare wisely

You might well love your moisturiser but if it’s too rich for your skin it could well be doing more bad than good. Choosing skincare specifically designed to counteract acne is imperative. You want to make sure your products are formulated with acne-fighting ingredients including powerhouse salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. This is because salicylic acid dissolves the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the surface of the skin so the skin will gently shed, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath, while super ingredient Benzoyl peroxide is helpful for treating acne not only because it kills bacteria that contribute to acne, but because it helps prevent and clear out clogged pores too!

Try;

Medicalia Clarifying Cleanser

The key to fighting persistent breakouts is to find a high-impact cleansing product that will help to clear up your skin while thoroughly cleaning it.

Formulated with both lactic and salicylic acids to deeply penetrate pores, remove dead skin cells, and eliminate toxins, surface bacteria, and makeup, Medicalia’s Clarifying Cleanser is a must! It provides skin with a super gentle lather that won’t dry out the skin like some acne treatments do!

Beauty Collective - Medicalia - Clarifying Cleanser

Pevonia Soothing Propolis Concentrate

If you’re a sufferer of reactive, sensitive or acne prone skin a soothing serum could be your new go-to if it’s not already! Pevonia’s Soothing Propolis Concentrate is a beautiful rich gel-like serum with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties! It combines calming lavender, vetiver oil and a high concentration of healing propolis from the Jura Mountains of France to desensitize, decongest, heal, strengthen, and really enrich skin! Outstanding stuff!

Pevonia - Soothing Propolis Concentrate

Pevonia Problematic Skincare Cream 

You might be thinking that applying a moisturiser is counterintuitive if you have acne prone skin? After all you’d do everything in your power to keep oiliness away right? The thing is not all acne-prone skin is oily, in fact, dry skin, normal skin, sensitive skin, basically any skin can be prone to breakouts as well! Whatever your skin, moisturising is an essential step in every skincare routine, after all they protect the skin’s barrier function and can even help soothe and prevent acne if done correctly.

The experts at BC can’t get enough of Pevonia’s Problematic Skincare Cream rich in Glycolic Acid. It works amazingly on problematic skin reducing overall breakouts while leaving your complexion soft, supple and pores clog-free!

Beauty Collective - Pevonia Problematic Skin Care Cream

Phytomer Oligopur Blemish Target Gel

When a pimple rears its head, a potent spot correction treatment will encourage rapid healing by controlling bacteria, reducing inflammation, and diminishing the follicular accumulation of keratin. Try Phytomer’s’ Oligopur Blemish Target Gel, it’s a phenomenal spot treatment which targets blemishes with precision, rapidly improving the skin’s appearance and eliminating spots almost overnight! Simply apply a small amount of product to your pimple and let the powerful ingredients keep your skin follicles clean to achieve an even and bright complexion.

Beauty Collective - Phytomer Blemish Target Gel