BC Skin Journal
BC Blog
These are BC's best anti-ageing wrinkle creams
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 09 2022
Worried about wrinkles? Who isn’t? In fact, wrinkles are a major concern for both men and women, so much so that wrinkle injections are a fast-growing market, accounting for almost 40% of cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the world, and 70% of aesthetic medicine interventions. But what if Botox and the likes aren’t for you? Are there safer, natural and needle-free alternatives that really work to diminish the appearance of wrinkles?Keep reading as we reveal Beauty Collectives’ best performing wrinkles creams, three anti-ageing creams that we promise will have your skin looking younger in next to no time.Firstly, while there is no serum or wrinkle cream that can magically make wrinkles disappear in a week quite like Botox, thanks to the advancement in both technology and skincare ingredients, the natural alternatives can seriously achieve similar smoothing and plumping results. What’s more these non-invasive topical alternatives give you more control over the change in your appearance (no poker-face in sight!), provide a much more natural look, plus when used daily as part of your skincare routine will achieve outstanding on-going results; Vie Collection Time Control Deep Wrinkles Firming Rich Cream Created in conjunction with a respected Cosmetic Surgeon to not only enhance the results of interventions such as BotoxTM and Fillers but also as an alternative for those who would prefer not to have cosmetic medical procedures. This creamy textured wrinkle cream is highly concentrated with advanced anti-ageing and nourishing ingredients including pro-collagen peptides, EGF-like peptides, trace elements and minerals to effectively help to enhance skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles and soothe the discomfort that thin and mature skin types can experience.You’ll notice immediate results as skin feels and appears smoother, softer and more supple and after continued use wrinkles are visibly filled and skin is noticeably firmer. Outstanding! “I have been using this firming cream for a month now and I can honestly say it has reduced the appearance of even my deepest wrinkles! I was even asked if I’d had botox the other day! Winning!” – Anne K Pevonia MyOxy Caviar Timeless Repair Cream This really is the ultimate youth cream. It’s like having several anti-ageing creams in one – a retinol cream, a vitamin e cream, a vitamin c cream, a caviar cream, a neuropeptide (capable of mimicking the effects of Botox) cream. Formulated with up to 19 vitamins! It contains iron, magnesium, escutox, retinol, caviar, pearl and phosphorus too, all needed by cells to utilise oxygen more effectively and to improve cellular metabolism. Silky textured and easily absorbed, it provides outstanding rejuvenating results, smoothing wrinkles while increasing suppleness and oxygenation “The repair cream is wonderful. It smells good, feels good and works in erasing fine lines. Wrinkles disappear almost immediately.” Mauve Medicalia Retinol & “C” Care Cream Retinol has long been worshipped by beauty professionals as the hero ingredient in the fight against wrinkles! Some even say nothing fights the signs of ageing better! Designed to stimulate your skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid and collagen which depletes with age, as well as improve its overall texture, Medicalia’s Retinol & “C” Care Cream delivers potent retinol deep within the skin to enhance cellular performance. Micro Retinol micro particles, combined with anti-agers Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Elastin peptides tighten, revitalise, resurface and rehydrate skin! Wrinkles are dramatically reduced with continued use. “This is the best product for aging skin I have ever found.” Heather
Rosacea vs eczema: What’s the difference?
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 08 2022
Are you suffering from red, inflamed or itchy skin? Dry scaly patches perhaps? Or pustules even? If you answered yes to any of the above, you could be suffering from one of two inflammatory skin conditions – rosacea or eczema, but before being able to treat it, it’s important to understand which one you have!From intermittent flare-ups to skin redness and irritation, both rosacea and eczema can be easily confused, yet both disorders have a number of different triggers and therefore need to be treated in different ways. But how exactly are you supposed to diagnose which of you two you might have? We talked to Beauty Collectives’ Director of Education to find out everything there is to know about the two.What is rosacea? Rosacea is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions which unlike eczema mostly affects the face. Rosacea typically occurs in adults over 30, and while more common in women, men who suffer from the disorder tend to experience more obvious symptoms.What are rosacea symptoms?Signs and symptoms of rosacea include facial flushing which may resemble a blush or sunburn. This can be persistent. This redness mainly occurs on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin and tends to come and go. It can also be accompanied by a sense of heat, warmth or burning.Occasionally rosacea causes papules and pustules to appear which can be confused for acne. And for many people with rosacea, prominent small blood vessels called telangiectasia become visible on the cheeks, nasal bridge and other areas of the central face.Finally, but a much less common symptom – your skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, most commonly on the nose (known as rhinophyma).What causes rosacea?While the cause of rosacea is unknown there are lifestyle and environmental factors which can affect its severity from sunlight to weather changes, alcohol, caffeine, smoking and more.How to get rid of rosacea permanentlySadly, eliminating rosacea altogether is an impossibility, but you can keep symptoms at bay, you just need to be religious about maintaining a good skincare routine using targeted rosacea treatments and by making adjustments to your lifestyle; Avoid sun exposure Unfortunately. sun exposure is the most common trigger for rosacea. While we may all love long days at the beach, if you suffer from rosacea your skin sadly will pay a price. Not only can sunburn make flare-ups even worse, the heat from the sun can also increase your body temperature which in turn dilates blood vessels and triggers inflammation. Relax more, stress less Stress and anxiety can cause rosacea symptoms to worsen, so some stress management techniques will be imperative. Make sure to get plenty of rest where you can as well as practice mindfulness, as this can really help combat the stress-inducing effects of negative thinking.There are several methods for increasing mindfulness a few of which include, mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and yoga.And don’t forget to practice deep breathing when you feel anxiety creeping up. Eliminate any hot, spicy foods from your diet These are two big rosacea triggers for some, so it’s best to steer clear from things like horseradish dip and hot sauce when you’re drinking alcohol as heat dilates the blood vessels in the skin, and since hot foods generate heat, peppers are a big no-no! Reduce your alcohol consumption While you might well love that glass of wine of an evening, sadly it can trigger or potentially worsen any facial redness. Introduce skincare specifically designed to combat rosacea Look for products such as rosacea serum formulated with calming and soothing ingredients like green tea, licorice extract, chamomile extract, and French rose extract. Try Pevonia’s best-selling RS2 rosacea skincare line – a soothing, calming and irritant free collection that not only alleviates redness and discomfort but also helps create a healthy skin barrier. Never skimp on your sunscreen Despite avoiding sun exposure where feasible, it’s not possible to completely steer clear, so wearing SPF daily is a necessity. Just opt for sensitive skin formulations that won’t aggravate your rosacea.Or for the best colour correcting makeup for rosacea that’s also formulated with SPF try ELES Cosmetics Luminous CC Cream 20. Perfect for those with skin sensitivities like rosacea, it’s lightweight, oil-free, hypoallergenic and paraben free, and while it’s technically not a foundation, the full coverage pigments cover redness and other rosacea symptoms flawlessly. You can also try light and laser therapy To reduce rosacea symptoms and use both topical and oral medications from your doctor if symptoms are really aggressive.What is eczema?Otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a very common anti-inflammatory skin disorder, more evident in young children, but also apparent in adults too.What are eczema symptoms?Eczema typically presents with a dry, cracked, red, itchy skin that may be scaly and/or bumpy. Fluid-filled blisters can also form.Eczema most often occurs on the inside of the elbows, the knees, hands, feed, upper chest, neck and sometimes on the face.What causes eczema?Eczema is caused by a combination of genetics, stress and immune system activation. When you suffer from eczema your immune system overreacts to small irritants or allergens. This overreaction can inflame your skin.Eczema can come and go but certain fabrics, soaps, and detergents as well as the environments and certain foods can really cause flare ups. Changes in weather can contribute to dry and eczema prone skin.How to get rid of eczema permanently As with rosacea, it’s not possible to totally cure eczema, but you can effectively manage symptoms by following a few essential steps; Avoid foods that can trigger eczema flare ups These include; refined carbs, processed meats, dairy, citrus fruits, peanuts and soy. Feast on vegetables and fruits that are high in inflammation-fighting flavonoid Such as spinach, kale, broccoli, apples, blueberries, bananas, oranges and cherries (when in season!) these have been found to help improve the overall health of skin and fight inflammatory skin conditions. Do not bathe in hot water Instead, just warm water only. Keep skin moisturised daily with products that will support your skin barrier function Products formulated with shea butter, lanolin, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, fatty acids and Niacinamide are best. In some cases topical medication is paramount. See your doctor. If the condition is bad, oral and injectable options are also available Just remember maintaining a healthy skin barrier and avoiding triggers are key to managing symptoms when it comes to both rosacea and eczema.
Is Hyaluronic acid right for you? Everything you need to know
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 02 2022
You’ve likely heard of the ingredient Hyaluronic Acid. After all every beauty professional, blogger and vlogger raves about it. But do you know exactly why this super skincare ingredient is adored by so many? Or whether it’s right for your skin? Well, we are here to educate you. Keep reading as we reveal all you need to know about this hydration hero, it’s multiple benefits, and the best hyaluronic acid skincare products you should try.Firstly, hyaluronic acid is not a new ingredient, in fact, it has been a staple in skincare and makeup for decades now. The word ‘acid’ can be daunting for many when it comes to their skin, but this ingredient is in fact a paradox as it’s not actually an acid at all! It’s in fact a sugar!Thanks to its sponge like affect, Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in moisture, in other words, one gram of hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to six litres of water! Crazy right? Making it THE super hydrator of the skincare world, especially more recently as advancement in technical innovation has changed it for the better! Now, thanks to its molecular structure Hyaluronic acid has the ability to deeply penetrate to instantly deliver supple, dewy skin in a matter of seconds! In fact, it literally binds moisture to skin cells to keep skin smooth, firm, plump, and undeniably radiant! The extra moisture also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles!But, this skincare-wonder doesn’t stop there, not only does it benefit those with dry, dehydrated skin, it’s also a must for all skin types, especially those concerned with premature ageing. This is because not only does it allow the skin and the connective tissues to retain moisture and remain hydrated, (and hydrated skin is healthy skin that ages slower!) It also helps maintain collagen levels (which dramatically declines with age), and we all know we need collagen to remain youthfulness when it comes to our complexion.Hyaluronic acid also helps with tissue regeneration, it is proven to help wounds heal faster, can reduce scarring and diminish redness and sunburn! This is due to its ability to keep the tissue moist, manage inflammation and signal the body to build more blood vessels in areas with the skin has been damaged so nutrients can get to them!And finally, this multi-tasking wonder is a real acne fighter. Hyaluronic acid has natural antibacterial properties making it perfect for those who are suffering from breakouts. What more could you ask from one skincare ingredient?Hyaluronic acid isn’t just a skincare ingredient though, it’s actually naturally produced by our bodies, but like collagen, as we age its production gradually decreases. Our skin then slowly loses its ability to maintain moisture and stay well balanced! This is where topical hyaluronic acid skincare becomes a necessity. Just remember though the more hyaluronic you put on your face, the more youthful you’ll look – fact! And nowadays we are spoilt with the many hyaluronic acid serums, creams, lotions and potions. Here are our four of our favourites, adored by our customers too! THE SERUMPevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra SerumThis Hyaluronic Acid Serum 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!“I have just started using this serum and the results are already noticeable. My skin is so much more youthful! Smoother, plumper and visibly radiant! I couldn’t recommend more highly!” Mary C, BC Customer THE MOISTURISERPevonia Age Correction Marine Collagen CreamAny Pevonia fan will tell you this is the “go to” cream for rehydrating the skin and smoothing away dehydration lines. This global best-seller is in fact abundant in Hyaluronic and Collagen, and acts like a moisture magnet, plumping and firming the skin immediately.“I absolutely love this cream. It is a day crem and night cream and it helps with puffiness, lines, blemishes, skin tone, you name it! Totally amazing ❤️” Ana Hall, BC customer THE MISTNEW Pevonia Hyaluronic Acid Hydra MistA true multi-tasker, it can be used in the morning to revitalise your senses and replenish the moisture your skin has lost overnight, after your makeup to set it in place, 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!“Completely obsessed! I’m not usually into face mists or even toners but tried this and fell madly in love!!! Not only does it make my skin feel super moist and dewy first thing, but I also noticed it keeps my make-up nicely set. I use it in the am after I’m made up and before bedtime after my moisturizer. Here’s the obsession part, since I’m on a computer all day and it’s become my go-to mist as my skin feels dry and tight from all the blue light exposure, I hydramist away!” Maribella, BC customer THE MASKVie Collection Mesoforce Hyaluronic acid vitamin mask Containing a cocktail of vitamins and hyaluronic acid, this sensational mask reveals hydrated skin and a radiant complexion. With each application, skin is visibly smoothed and plumped.”My skin was feeling patchy with the changing seasons, but after one application of this mask it felt better moisturised and fresher. Dry, flaky patches were soothed and smoothed with my powder foundation sitting much better the very next day. I’ve used it once or twice a week since and my skin tends to feel plump and fresh for a good 4 days after using the mask. Very gentle and soothing.” A McBride, BC Customer
7 reasons you are suffering from sensitive skin and how to fix it
by Jo Boyden
on Sep 02 2022
Whether you’ve always been prone to sensitive skin or have suddenly started to suffer from inflammation, we feel you. Unfortunately, a number of factors can affect our skin and lead to common skin sensitivities but there are steps you can take overcome this!From the weather and our environment to the water and what we eat, read on as we count down 7 sensitive skin triggers and the best products to counteract them! Firstly, though what is sensitive skin exactly?Contrary to popular belief sensitive skin isn’t actually a skin type. Unlike dry, normal, oily and combination skin, sensitive skin is not determined by how much sebum a person's skin produces, in fact those who have dry or oily skin types can also have sensitive skin! Sensitive skin instead refers to a range of conditions, from facial redness, rashes, broken capillaries and inflammation to burning sensations, itchiness and breakouts!And yes, you might be thinking that most people are likely to have at least some sort of skin reaction in their lives whether it be to a product or ingredient for example, those with persistent issues are classified as having sensitive skin. What are the triggers for sensitive skin? and the best way to treat it? The weather Harsh weather conditions be it low temperatures, strong winds and extreme heat can strip the skin’s natural protective barrier compromising our complexion as water escapes and irritants get in! Skin can look and feel irritated from redness and itchiness to inflammation.Solution: While we can’t change the weather (although often wish we could!) you can turn down the heating in the winter and lay of the air conditioning unit in the summer.Also inflamed skin needs calming, so look for products with soothing ingredients like calendula, chamomile aloe and azulene extract.Try; Pevonia’s Sensitive Skin Line. Comprising of a cleanser, lotion, moisturiser and serum, this best-selling collection effectively controls sensitivity, soothes skin irritation and diffusing redness. Over exposure to the sun Ten minutes in the sun and before you know it you are looking and feeling somewhat flushed in the face! This is because UV rays from the sun triggers oxidative stress and inflammation in the skin.Solution: Integrate abroad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher into your daily routine (yes that’s right daily, even in winter!) Fragrance-free and natural sunscreen formulated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are best, oh and wear a hat too!Try: Medicalia Sunscreen SPF 40 with Blue Light Shield. A true triple threat, this smooth, tinted sunscreen contains an exclusive mineral formula including both zinc and iron oxides 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 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. So worth the investment in my books! Taking hot (not warm) showers We all love a hot shower or indulgent bubble bath, especially on a cold winters night but this luxury can lead to taut, itchy, uncomfortable skin – all common signs of sensitivity.Solution: it’s simple enough switch to lukewarm water or at least turn the heat down! Always use a gentle cleanser and apply a nourishing moisturiser packed with ceramides as soon as you come out.Try Medicalia Gentle cleanser. Formulated with a unique natural blend of soothing Green Tea, Chamomile, and Oat Amino-Acids it beautifully cleanses skin both thoroughly and gently while preserving the skin barrier and reducing symptoms of inflammation! Additives in skincare and cosmetics It doesn’t matter what you seem to put on your skin, it reacts! This is because people with sensitive skin typically have a much weaker, thinner and more easily damaged skin barrier making it easier for irritants to penetrate the skin and cause unwanted inflammation!Solution: Don’t overload your skin with multiple products or use skincare with harsh ingredients. Opt for gentle and hypoallergenic formulations specifically designed to address sensitive and reactive skin and always use mineral makeup as it contains no chemical nasties and will allow skin to breath freely.Try; Phytomer Douceur Intemporelle Restorative Shield Cream. It’s an outstanding comforting cream with a beautifully light consistency which literally rescues skin by strengthening it’s protective barrier. It soothes, calms and comforts skin, conveniently remedying red patches. Alcohol You love a good glass of wine in the evening but have noticed every time you indulge you get a flush face and a rash even? This is because alcohol is a stimulant and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The sulphites used in wine are meant to preserve it, however exposure to sulphites induce a number of adverse reactions including the majority of common skin sensitivities.Solution: Buy preservative free alcohol. Yes, it’s a thing! And for every glass of wine consumed, drink two glasses of water! Specific foods Certain food choices can sadly lead it skin inflammation. It’s best to avoid foods such as peanuts, wheat, eggs, cow's milk, soy and shellfish which are among the most common culprits. The itchiness caused by these foods and subsequent scratching can then lead to flare-ups or worsening of sensitive skin symptoms!Solution: Make sure your daily diet is rich in foods such as anti-inflammatory asparagus, red onion, tomatoes, broccoli, berries, peppers, olives oil and avocado. Pollution Every day, our skin is in contact with atmospheric pollution and more specifically ozone and PM2.5, microscopic fine particles (basically soot). These pollutants can stick to the skin, and the smallest particles may even penetrate down to the epidermal cells causing oxidative stress. The result? people with sensitive skin suffering from inflammatory skin conditions are faced with further inflammation.Solution: Use pollution proof skincare!Try: Phytomer Citadine Citylife Face & Eye Contour Sorbet Cream. A combination of three marine sugars create the active ingredient, CITYSAFE®, to depollute, cleanse and oxygenate the skin. CITYSAFE®, along with blue and red algae’s and Phytomer’s patented seawater concentrate – Oligomer®, reset skin repairing damage caused by pollution. CITYLIFE not only sweeps away toxic micro particles but provides an ultra-moisturising facial experience too!
8 signs of over-exfoliated skin and how to treat it
by Jo Boyden
on Aug 26 2022
We all know the importance of exfoliation, it’s the key to beautiful, clear skin after all. It helps to renew cells, unclog pores, prevent acne, even skin tone, boost circulation, stimulate collagen synthesis and more! But how often should you be exfoliating exactly? And how do you know if you’ve overdone it? Sadly, sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad, and in the case of over exfoliating, it can be detrimental to your skin! Read on as we reveal 8 signs that your skin has been over exfoliated and how to fix it!
Instead of being blemish free, you’re suddenly prone to breakouts!
While exfoliating is a great way to prevent pimples as it keeps pores unclogged, over exfoliating will strip your skin of its natural moisture which then prompts your sebaceous glands to product more oil to compensate for the loss of hydration! When skin starts to product this excess oil, pores can clog, and blemishes start to form!
Your skin is looking shiny
Your complexion tends to be dehydrated, not oily yet your face is constantly shiny? If this is you, you need to lay off the over-exfoliating! Light reflects off of over-exfoliated skin easily thanks to the ultra-smooth surface you’ve created this in turn makes the skin appear shinier!
Your skin feels tight
When you over-exfoliate you can compromise the skin’s natural barrier function. This leads to an increase in TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and a tight feeling in your skin.
You feel as though you’ve been sunburnt
Redness and itchiness, much like sunburn, are one of the most common signs of excessive exfoliation. This happens because the top layer of your skin which acts like a shield against pollutants, irritants and allergens is compromised. When it’s compromised your skin becomes more susceptible to irritants and free radical damage hence the reaction!
Your skin is looking flaky
The natural oils that your skin produces, helps your skin to retain its natural hydration levels. Excess scrubbing though can sadly strip the skin of these oils creating a parched complexion with a flaky appearance.
Your skin is dry
If you’ve noticed dry patches on your face, it might not be because you aren’t using enough moisturiser, instead over-exfoliation can significantly cause dry, crepy skin, worse still peeling. Ease off the exfoliation so to not exacerbate the situation.
How to fix over-exfoliated skin
Firstly, eliminate foaming cleansers (which can be drying and exacerbate existing issues), retinol products (which can be too harsh to use on compromised skin), and, of course, any physical or chemical exfoliators.Next incorporate a vitamin c serum into your routine as this can soothe and help to expedite the healing process. To learn more about the multiple benefits of vitamin c click here.Once skin has settled try using a gentle silicon facial cleaning brush to help keep skin clear. 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!Next you can start to exfoliate again, (once or twice a week no more) using a gentle or enzyme exfoliator.Try Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin. If you do love a granular scrub though opt for a gentle version like Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and chamomile, it gently polishes skin with its unique creamy, granular texture, removing dead skin cells, impurities and toxins to reveal instant radiance and softer, smoother skin too! You’ll love the immediate gratification you’ll get from this formidable favourite of ours.
10 skincare mistakes you could be making and how to fix them
by Jo Boyden
on Aug 19 2022
You’re a stickler when it comes to your skincare routine, you eat an antioxidant rich diet, drink plenty of water and make sure you exercise daily, yet still your skin is dull and lifeless, or perhaps you’re finding yourself constantly prone to pesky pimples, or dryness even? If this is you, chances are you could be doing a few things wrong when it comes to your skincare and believe me, you’d not be the first! Keep reading as we count down 10 common skincare mistakes you may well be making and how to fix them! You are overloading your skin From cleansers to exfoliators, serums, moisturisers, masks, oils and more, it is easy to get carried away with skincare and believe that buying and applying all the products will be best for your skin! The problem is overloading it, particularly when you are using too many actives in your products can actually be detrimental and result in dryness, irritation and redness!The fix: Listen to your skin! The best approach is to understand your own individual needs rather than just adding layers of products because you are under the misconception that using them all will deliver optimum skin results! Remember if you are prone to sensitive skin simplicity is key, if you have an oily complexion cleansing, toning and a light mattifying moisturiser can be enough, and if your skin tends to be on the dry side, then a serum, moisturiser, mist and face oil to lock moisture in will be beneficial.Also, if you are adding in new steps to your skincare routine, do so one product at a time so that your skin has time to adjust. You are using toxic ingredients You think you’ve invested in a moisturiser that will deliver beautifully bright and blemish free results but it’s actually packed with toxins that can irritate skin, leading to reactions and more! Sadly, the products you put on your skin aren’t always safe. So many skincare products are formulated with toxic ingredients including Parabens, Phthalates, Triclosan, chemical sunscreen filter and synthetic fragrance.The fix: Choose natural skincare products, they’ll contain zero toxic nasties and always be aware of what you are buying, don’t just fall for the marketing hype! You aren’t updating your skincare as your skin changes with age You might have been loyal to the same moisturiser for many years but sadly the skincare you’ve used in your 20’s really won’t cut it in your 30’s, 40’s and beyond. This is because as we age our skin’s needs dramatically change. Skin becomes thinner, drier, more sensitive, and loses elasticity as collagen and elastin start to deplete, while fine lines and wrinkles start to form.The fix: As you start to age look for anti-ageing skincare rich in ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, and vitamin C. For more info on this read about the top 5 skincare ingredients as recommended by the experts and adjust your products accordingly. You are skipping your moisturiser because your skin is oily or prone to blemishes It’s that time of the month and a few pesky pimples have reared their ugly head, or you are often prone to adult acne or simply suffer from oily skin, so think it best to lay off the moisturiser which must be exacerbating the issue right? Wrong.The fix: While you are likely not alone in thinking lathering up on moisturiser seems counterproductive, everyone, no matter what your skin type or concern, needs to apply a moisturiser daily! This is because moisturiser maintains skin hydration throughout the day and therefore assists in fighting premature fine lines and wrinkles too. In fact, applying moisturiser will greatly reduce your chance of developing extreme dryness, skin sensitivity, or oiliness! Why? Dehydrated skin can lead to issues like inflammation, premature skin ageing, and even breakouts. When your skin becomes dry, your body responds by making more oil! And we all know excess oil can clog pores leading to more of those darn pesky pimples.When searching for the right moisturiser for your skin type they do tend to be categorised by skin concern so you just need to research and find the right one for your skin’s needs. Just be sure to opt for lighter moisturisers by day, especially in the warmer months, and richer creams at night.For oily skin types, we highly recommend Phytomer’s Oligopur Hydra Matifying Control Cream. It’s an ultra-light cream that controls oil and breakthrough shine throughout the day. No shine, no greasy feeling, no heaving feeling!If your skin is prone to pimples try Phytomer Acnipure Blemish Solution Fluid, it’s a lightweight gel-cream that fights acne without clogging pores or irritating skin. It also helps eliminate shine, diminishes the appearance of blemishes, and prevents future breakouts!! You are over exfoliating or not exfoliating enough As we age our skin’s natural ability to shed dead cells declines, our pores can get clogged and skin can become uneven, dull, lacklustre and spotty even! This is why exfoliation is so imperative, and not a step that should be ignored even if you are prone to acne or suffer from sensitive skin!I’m not talking daily exfoliation though! Just once or twice a week depending on your skin type will suffice, as too much exfoliation can be counterproductive! This is because exfoliators, especially physical ones with granules or beads can damage the outer most layer of your skin when overused. One sign of over exfoliating is skin hypersensitivity. This can cause irritation, breakouts, and even a stinging feeling when you apply products! Eek.The fix: Understand your skin and choose your exfoliator accordingly. We highly recommend Pevonia’s Clarigel Exfoliating Cleanser for blemish prone skin. It combines soapwort, Triclosan, Grapefruit Oil, Salicylic Acid and Citric Acid with Jojoba to gently remove impurities and delivers an intense exfoliating and deep cleansing experience!If your skin is a little on the sensitive side, just be sure to opt for a super gentle formula – I LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, it gently polishes your skin with its unique creamy, granular texture. But if granules scare you, I also highly recommend Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin. You are not wearing sunscreen daily, all year round It’s easy to think why bother with sunscreen if we are in the middle of winter but as I’ve preached many a time before, sunscreen isn’t just a summertime skincare product, it’s necessary to religiously wear it All. Year. Round. Why? Because it is THE best protection against skin ageing. Oh, and if you are staying indoors, and happen to work next to a window like me, the sun has the ability to penetrate the glass and your skin too!And then there is the issue of blue light damage. To read all about it click here. But in short, just like the sun, your devices omit harmful ‘blue light’ rays, so it’s important to wear sunscreen to protect skin against them too!The fix: Sunscreens formulated with iron oxides provide enhanced protection against blue light, especially when combined with zinc oxide. A new favourite of mine is Medicalia’s Sunscreen SPF 30 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! You are taking daily hot showers and baths Who doesn’t love soaking in a boiling bubble bath or indulging in a long hot shower every evening? But do you know how detrimental this actually is for your skin? Hot showers and baths can actually inflame the skin, causing redness, itching, and even peeling. They also can disrupt the skin's natural balance of moisture, robbing you of the natural oils that keep skin healthy. Eek.The Fix: To keep skin happy, healthy and supple, reduce time spent in the shower or bath, keep water to a warm temperature and always apply moisturiser immediately after while skin is still damp. By doing so will prevent damage, dryness, irritation, and itchiness. You are not using your retinol cream correctly We all know retinol is THE no. one ingredient when it comes to combatting skin ageing. The hero ingredient multi tasks like no other. Known for its ability to empower and enhance skin cellular performance it dramatically improves fine lines and wrinkles while repairing sun-damaged and mature skin. It’s also a free radical fighter! Who wouldn’t want to introduce this multitasking miracle ingredient into their daily life! But you need to know how to use it! Using it incorrectly can unfortunately have ramifications.The fix: Because retinol is unstable when exposed to heat and light avoid using it in your morning skincare routine, instead apply before bed. I'll ntroduce it slowly. Apply it only at night, one or two times a week for the first week and gradually increase application. Also it’s best not to layer your retinol cream with other potent ingredients such as your acids. And finally, give the product time to work its magic. This could take a few months, but the results are worth it. We promise! To learn more about this anti-ageing wonder ingredient click here. You are mixing skincare ingredients that are no compatible I’m certain many of us will have mixed our skincare products without knowing that some ingredients do not complement each other, in fact some combinations can actually counteract each other! These ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, AHA’s and BHA’s are simply better suited on their own and can be detrimental to skin when mixed or layered leading to irritation, redness or just general lack of desired results! (Unless of course they’ve been carefully placed in the same product by the clever scientists!)The fix: Let your retinol, vitamin c, benzoyl peroxide, AHA’s and BHA’s be the star of their own show. This doesn’t mean you can’t use your retinol cream and your vitamin c serum! Just use the serum in the morning and your retinol cream at night!Also focus on the combinations that can be mixed! These include; Hyaluronic acid and most ingredients! SPF and vitamin c, AHA’s and BHA’s, vitamin c and vitamin e, retinol and SPF. You are not cleansing your face before bed I’m sure we’ve ALL been guilty of this once or many a time! Especially when we are exhausted after the daily juggle, or perhaps have had one too many and ooh how that bed looks so inviting but removing the days makeup and grime off your face is a must! In fact not cleansing before bed means your skin is unable to regenerate effectively while you sleep, pores clog, and fatigue (ageing!) signs start to appear.The fix: For a fantastic makeup remover which effectively melts away makeup and grime with minimum effort try Phytomer’s Doux Contour Eye and Lip Waterproof Makeup Remover. Combining the effectiveness of an oil (a trio of oils in fact) and the gentleness of a lotion, this ultra-hydrating makeup remover, eradicates even the most stubborn of lips and eye makeup fast! And my absolute favourite cleanser at the moment is Pevonia’s new CleanRefresh Foaming Oil Cleanser. Its oil formulation transforms into a luscious foamy cleanser on application when mixed with water and it leaves skin feeling fantastically refreshed and beautifully clean without the drying effects that other cleansers can leave. Plus its subtle scent is just heavenly. To read more about sleeping in makeup and what it really does to our skin click here.
Vitamin C and your skin: Everything you need to know
by Jo Boyden
on Aug 12 2022
Ask anyone with beautifully radiant skin what their secret is and they’ll likely tell you they’re using Vitamin C! Recommended by every beauty expert, Vitamin C is THE go-to ingredient to dramatically brighten skin, but that’s not all it does, the notorious glow-getter offers a multitude of other benefits too. Read on as we reveal everything you need to know about this antioxidant powerhouse and why it should be a staple in your daily skincare routine. Firstly though, what exactly is Vitamin C? In short Vitamin C is a nutrient that our body and skin cells need to function and stay healthy. It is a potent antioxidant (the best of the best!) that helps prevent cell damage caused by age-accelerating free radicals, (highly reactive molecules which are produced either from normal essential metabolic processes in our bodies, or from external sources such as pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, medication and industrial chemicals.) So, what exactly does this sought-after ingredient do for your skin? Free radicals can wreak havoc on our skin by harming healthy cells and promoting premature ageing! In fact, they are responsible for breaking down our skin's collagen, resulting in unflattering skin blemishes like wrinkling, dark spots, fine lines and loose, saggy skin.Antioxidants like Vitamin C, interact with and neutralize these free radicals preventing them from causing damage. The body makes some of the antioxidants that it uses to neutralize free radicals but topical antioxidants like Vitamin C dramatically help too! So, just as eating a diet rich in antioxidant food helps your body in fighting off free radicals, topical Vitamin C does the same for your skin by helping to offset daily aggressors like UV damage, air pollution exposure and other premature agers, stress even!But amazingly, this outstanding ingredient’s skin-saving benefits aren’t limited to its antioxidant status. It has plenty more going for it too!Vitamin C is also well known for boosting collagen (the protein hailed for keeping our skin supple and youthful!) through the process of collagen synthesis. In fact, collagen synthesis can’t happen without vitamin C! And although ccollagen is naturally present in our skin, as we age our natural collagen production dramatically slows! Vitamin C applied to the skin in the form of Vitamin C Serum can encourage new collagen to grow. It also helps maintain the collagen you do have and protects the precious protein from damage! Amazing stuff right?By adding vitamin C into your daily skincare routine will also make a noticeable difference to hyperpigmentation, dramatically reducing it in fact. Studies show that vitamin C helps inhibit melanin production — the pigment responsible for skin colour and the appearance of dark spots, this in turn reduces dullness and gives skin that youthful glow we all desire. And if you combine the best vitamin C skincare, such as Vitamin C Serums with your daily Sunscreen in the morning, you’ll be applying a powerful protective layer to help ward off the signs of ageing.Vitamin C skincare will also treat uneven skin, improving skin tone and texture. Plus, it’s an anti-inflammatory so will help reduce skin inflammation and redness too! When should you use vitamin c in your skincare routine? Free radical damage can occur throughout the day so it’s best to apply your Vitamin C serum in the morning. For best results, follow with sunscreen as this will give your skin the best antioxidant defence to protect it from pollutants and free radical damage which as we know can accelerate signs of ageing.When it comes to vitamin C serums apply them after cleansing and before your moisturiser and or SPF. Is Vitamin C safe to us with other active ingredients? The great news is, vitamin c can be safely used with other active ingredients, although using alongside niacinamide may make vitamin C less effective. Is vitamin c for everyone? Vitamin C is a versatile ingredient that can cater to different skin types depending on its formulation. For those with sensitive, reactive skin, certain forms of vitamin C can actually aggravate skin leading to dryness, peeling, and redness so you have to be careful about which products you use.Look for vitamin C serums formulated with a gentle derivative such as sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, these vitamin C forms are considered more stable and less irritating.So, if you suffer from hyperpigmentation or dark spots or if your skin is lacking life and needs some serious brightening, vitamin c should be your go-to. Here are our favourite Vitamin C products, adored by our customers too! Pevonia Vitamin C Complexe This Vitamin C Serum is a-mazing for that perfect pick-me-up. Vitamin C and hydration hero hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing skin while correcting photo-damage. Not only does it have the most beautiful citrus aroma, when applied, skin looks instantly brighter and dewier too!Phytomer Cyfolia Radiance Cleansing CreamThis rich, velvety cleanser literally melts on contact with your skin to gently cleanse and remove makeup, oil and impurities! Organic Orange water delivers vitamin C for skin radiance and optimal glow while Cyfolia Algae enhances the glow by providing a reflective effect! Like a burst of radiance to the complexion, skin is soft, supple and glowing after every cleanse!Vie Collection Photo C Bright Radiance MaskThis brilliant brightening mask delivers radiant skin by morning! It will help draw out any build-up of impurities, dirt and pollution, reduce the appearance of dull skin and increase the look of luminosity!Power packed with vitamin c, exfoliating papain, marine minerals and more we promise after the very first application an incredibly radiant and brightened skin appearance will be revealed!Pevonia “C” Evolutive Eye GelInstantly say goodbye to dark, puffy eyes with this this nourishing and cooling eye gel formulated with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Ginkgo Biloba. The power trio combine to smooth wrinkles while effectively reducing dark circles and under eye puffiness and thanks to its delivery of decongesting benefits throughout the day, eyes remain beautifully refreshed and rejuvenated morning to night.
We’re obsessed with Pevonia’s latest skincare launch
by Jo Boyden
on Aug 12 2022
From the latest breakthrough moisturiser to the newest lipstick on the block, here at Beauty Collective we are blessed to be able to try copious amounts of amazing products! And while yes, we are biased and couldn’t speak more highly of all our brands, every so often a product comes along that is such a standout, we feel the need to give it a huge shout out! And now, that special product is Pevonia’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Mist!Much like its predecessor – Pevonia’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum, this breakthrough beauty is a true hydration hero thanks to its high concentration of hyaluronic acid. Worth it’s weight in gold hyaluronic acid is considered to have greater capacity to hold moisture than any other polymer. In fact, one gram of hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to six litres of water! What exactly does this mean you might ask. Well, it literally binds moisture to skin cells, instantly delivering supple, dewy skin in a matter of seconds!As well as Hyaluronic Acid, it’s formulated with a blend of ultra-calming Chamomile, Aloe, Green Tea and aromatic essential oils too! Making this powerhouse product ideal for all skin types, especially dehydrated, irritated, and ageing skin!I’ve been using the Hydra Mist myself for a month now and wow does it deliver! I’m IN LOVE. Often it takes time to see results when it comes to skincare, but with this product the results are almost instant – brighter, plumper, healthier skin fast! From the moment you spritz it, you can feel it going to work on your skin and oh does it pack a punch! You’ll experience an unparalleled surge of moisture as it deeply nourishes skin counteracting dehydration. And the more hydrated your skin’s cells become, the more they swell and become beautifully bouncy and plumped, reducing the appearance of those unwanted fine lines and wrinkles! And should your skin be on the sensitive side, a little itchy or irritated even, it will work its magic to calm, nurture and alleviate too.A true multi-tasker, it can be used in the morning to revitalise your senses and replenish the moisture your skin has lost overnight, after your makeup to set it in place, 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!So, if you are after a product that does it all, with undeniably radiant skin as the end result, look no further than Pevonia’s New Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Mist, you won’t be disappointed I promise!
Want younger looking eyes? 14 tips from the BC Pros
by Jo Boyden
on Aug 05 2022
Noticed your eyes looking particularly tired of late? Dark and puffy perhaps? Or have those fine line and wrinkles you fear really started to show but the idea of Botox and fillers isn’t for you? Unfortunately, the delicate skin around our eyes is one of the first areas to show signs of ageing, so it’s essential we give it the same level of TLC as the rest of our skin! Keep reading as we reveal 15 expert tips on how to look after our eyes and make them look younger naturally.
1. Start caring for your eyes from a young age
Prevention is paramount we all know that and like with our skin you are never too young to start caring for your eyes. But fear not, just in case you’ve left it until now to really look after this most delicate area, there are still many things you can do to keep eyes looking younger so read on!
2. Give yourself a mini facial massage every day
By doing so you’ll help improve circulation and calm the fluid build-up around your eye area. Try using a gemstone roller. As well as their many medicinal benefits, they can dramatically reduce puffiness by removing excess fluid around the eyes towards your lymph nodes where it filters out toxins! So clever! To find out more about gemstone rollers and their multitude of benefits click here.
3. Apply an eye cream morning and night
You do not want to leave the skin around your eyes dry, ever! Applying an eye cream morning and night will not only ensure eyes are receiving the nourishment they require but will also help target signs of ageing and fatigue such as puffiness, under eye bags, lines and wrinkles.
Look for products formulated with hyaluronic acid and shea butter for nourishment, vitamin c for brightening and caffeine which helps reduce swelling by constricting the blood vessels. Also use a tapping motion with your finger which you apply it. This can help get rid of any excess fluid that’s accumulated under the delicate eye area.
In the morning opt for a cooling eye gel. Try Pevonia’s C Evolutive Eye Gel, it’s a personal favourite of mine and highly recommended by the BC Pros. It’s a wonderful, cooling gel, formulated with anti-ageing dynamo Vitamin C, skin saviours’ hyaluronic acid and Ginkgo biloba, as well as green coffee and it’ll have your peepers decongested and depuffed in one swift application!At night choose a nourishing eye cream like Vie Collection’s Chrono Eyes Puffiness-Dark Circles Wrinkles Cream. Yes, a mouthful to say, but a product that does exactly what it says. It’s a beautifully fine cream enriched with moisturising ingredients to nourish the eye area while reversing puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles! Seriously! it gives immediate gratification thanks to a pearlescent finish that instantly brightens the eye area, and it has definitely calmed my puffiness, lightened my dark circles, and even smoothed my wrinkles!
4. Use a primer under your eyes before applying makeup
As you age your skin becomes more prone to fine lines around your eyes. You want to conceal them but it’s best to do so by using a primer first. This will help fill in any lines and make the skin appear smoother (essential if you want to prevent makeup falling into the creases and exacerbating the appearance of the lines!) Use your ring finger and gentle dab your primer over the wrinkles to the sides of your eyes and spread.
5. Invest in a good concealer
As well as becoming prone to fine lines and wrinkles, the delicate skin around our eyes becomes thinner with age too! This unfortunately makes it easier to see the blood vessels beneath you skin which is what causes the appearance of dark circles. It’s best to choose a concealer that is lighter than your foundation (this will help brighten your eyes) and one that is yellow based as this will counteract any purple or blue that you may have in your undereye thanks to the blood vessels. Use a concealer brush, beauty blender or your fingers to blend.
Try ELES Dual Action Concealer. This anti-aging concealer actually helps to gradually improve skin’s texture while concealing those obvious under eye dark circles. Its moisturising formula provides continuous hydration as well as a natural longwearing finish meaning it lasts for hours without seeping into fine lines and wrinkles!
6. Line the outer edges of your upper lid to make your eyes look lifted
Annoyingly as we get older the skin on our eyelids tends to droop too! By using an eyeliner on your top lash line from the middle to the outer corners with a tiny flick at the end (we are talking very subtle cats’ eye) will bring back the youthful shape to your eyes. Just be sure the line is thin as you want it to look natural and not over done!
7. Curl your lashes!
While applying lashings of mascara to lashes will enhance your eyes, remember to curl your lashes first. This will open up your eyes for a wide-eyed look. While it might be a small step, it’s a subtle one that can make a big difference so don’t skip on it.
Just be sure to apply two coats of mascara after curling. This will help lock the curl in place as well as add volume to your lashes.
8. Add definition and shape to your thinning eyebrows
As you age your eyebrows get naturally thinner. By adding definition and shape to them you can completely transform your face and give the appearance of an instant eye lift! Start by brushing your eyebrows so the hairs are sitting naturally, then use a soft, waxy brow pencil like the ELES Precision Brow Pencil to shape and fill in your brows using short, hair-like strokes. Read more on how to create the perfect brows.
9. Reduce your sodium (salt!) intake
Believe it or not, too much salt in your diet can affect your eyes and make them look older. Unfortunately, the delicate skin around your eyes is at higher risk of getting puffy the more salt you consume. Extra sodium unfortunately makes your body retain water. This excess water causes puffiness. Aghhh. So, try to ditch (ok maybe just cut down!) on the chips, takeaway and if you’re a fan like me, the margarita’s too!
10. Take a break from screen time
We are all guilty of spending hours in front of our devices, but this excessive screen time can actually reap havoc with our precious peepers thanks to the blue light they omit! The thing is screens are a part of our daily lives so while it’s not possible to get rid of them, reducing the time spent in front of them or having breaks in between to rest our eyes can help dramatically. To learn more about blue light damage and how it affects your eyes, click here.
11. Apply cucumbers (and chamomile tea bags) to your eyes
It’s no myth, by placing slices of cool cucumber over your closed eyelids for 5-10 minutes will help brighten and hydrate your eyes as well as reduce puffiness thanks to the Vitamin C and caffeic acid. While applying lukewarm chamomile tea bags directly on the eyelids will calm the skin and reduce inflammation.
12. As well as cucumbers, apply raw potato slices to your eyes!
That’s right, applying slices of refrigerated potato to your eyes is another fantastic natural remedy to reduce undereye circles and puffiness. The enzymes and the astringent properties in the potatoes also help reduce inflammation as well as tighten the skin too. Genius!
13. Get enough shut eye
Lack of sleep can affect our eyes, fact. Afterall who hasn’t woken up with saggy, puffy eyes of a morning when they haven’t had enough sleep? Sleep helps the body renew and repair itself and allows your eyes to rest, while letting that eye cream you’ve applied before bed work its magic!
So, it’s time to make sleep a priority. I know easier said than done for some, but I also know myself that I need to practice what I preach, and if I wanted to, I could put down that book or turn off the tv or close my laptop an hour before I actually do each night!
14. Wear sunglasses religiously
After all, you want to protect those sensitive peepers of yours as much as possible and we all know the sun is THE no. 1 cause of premature ageing!
7 causes of dry skin and how to treat it
by Jo Boyden
on Jul 14 2022
If your skin has been feeling somewhat tight of late, itchy and irritated even, or if you’re prone to dry patches and flakiness on your face, it’s likely you have ‘dry’ skin. But what exactly is causing your dry complexion you might ask? And why doesn’t your current skincare routine appear to be working to help counteract this condition? If you’re looking for answers as well as effective remedies, look no further! But first what exactly is dry skin?Dry skin is a very common skin type and can affect anyone at any age. Typically, it happens when our sebaceous glands don’t produce enough oil (sebum) and our skin in turn loses too much water. This is because our natural oils help trap in moisture to keep the skin soft, smooth and supple, if there isn’t enough oil, moisture can escape, leaving the top layer of skin prone to dryness.Unfortunately, the lack of oil production is caused by a number of external factors, but fear not once you know what they are you can start to salvage your skin!Read on as we reveal the 7 main causes of dry skin and the best skincare solutions to treat it. Genetics That’s right, dry skin can indeed be inherited! Another thing we can thank our parents for!If you’ve always been prone to dry skin, it’s essential that you are diligent when it comes to daily skincare routine.Solution:Look for skincare specifically targeted for dry skin. You need to replace moisture in the form of hyaluronic acid and collagen, and natural oils such as squalane. Products rich in ceramides (fatty acids) such as safflower oil are also very important and will help build and reinforce your skin barrier – these include rich creams, balms and soothing cleansers that deliver intense and lasting hydration for visibly plump, smooth and radiant skin.Try: Pevonia Rejuvenating Dry Skin Cream. Formulated with some of the best natural ingredients to counteract dry skin including pear seed extract, hyaluronic acid, collagen, shea butter and squalane, this deeply nourishing and skin smoothing cream diminishes dry and flaky skin while combatting fine lines and wrinkles for a truly rejuvenated, hydrated appearance. Hard water When tap water contains a high concentration of minerals including calcium and magnesium it's known as hard water. Those minerals change the pH balance of your skin as well as leave a film over your skin’s surface that may clog pores, cause dryness and even trigger breakouts, itching and flaking! Aside from upsetting the delicate skin barrier, hard water also prevents skincare products such as your moisturiser from being absorbed into the skin, sapping it of moisture. Eek.Solution: Re-balancing and rehydration are key.Use pH balancing cleansers. They leave the skin with a healthy acidic pH so your moisturiser doesn’t have to work so hard.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! It’s outstanding!However, if your skin is a little on the dry/sensitive side opt for Phytomer’s Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk. Its creamy texture melts on your skin to gently remove makeup and impurities without disturbing the skin's protective barrier.Toners are great if you have hard water as they melt away any remaining residue also helping to maintain a healthy pH and optimise skin functioning. Using it while the skin is still damp will interrupt the process of the minerals from the water settling on the skin.Try Phytomer Rosee Visage Toning Cleansing Lotion. This genius all-in-one makeup remover and toner is THE perfect multi-tasking product for beautifully clean skin! It’s quick, effective and oh so easy to use. Plus, it’s alcohol-free and extremely gentle on the skin so perfect for all skin types! It removes any excess makeup and residue on the skin like a dream and tones without leaving an oily film, just a silky soft fresh-faced complexion instead!Add skin-care products that contain vitamin C to your routine because they also help counteract the coating deposited by hard water.Try Pevonia “C” Complexe with Oxyzomes, it’s a firm favourite of the team at BC and for very good reason.Follow with a moisturiser that will sufficiently restore your skin's softness. Harsh products Maybe your cleanser is too harsh or you’re using your Sonic facial cleansing brush too often. Or perhaps you’re overusing retinol or the salicylic acid in your cleanser is great at treating your blemishes but it’s also drying out your skin. Whatever the case may be, all these daily habits can damage your skin’s moisture barrier without you being aware! This in turn results in surface dryness and skin irritation.Solution;The good news is that you don't have to give up these skin-care heroes (after all they also offer a multitude of benefits), you just need to use them cautiously and reduce the frequency of which you are using them. Cutting down on their use may deliver the results you want without irritation. Over exfoliating Exfoliating is imperative, it allows you to clear your clogged pores, remove excess dry skin and encourage increased cell turnover making way for blemish free skin, but we can all fall victim to exfoliation which can have ramifications on our skin damaging the protective skin barrier which in turn can trigger excessive dryness! Eek.Solution: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 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! Dry air and indoor heating Sometimes the air inside can be as punishing on your skin as the air outside (especially in winter when there is low humidity and cooler temperatures). Forced air, especially heat, can draw humidity levels down, making skin feel dry and itchy.Solution;Skin moisturisers which rehydrate the top layer of skin cells and seal in moisture are the first step in combating your dry skin. Moisturisers rich in humectants which help attract moisture, and emollients, like ceramides and oils are the way to go!Humidifiers are a great solution too! By adding moisture to the air you’ll be encouraging the moisture in your skin to stay put!Try: Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream. This restorative anti-aging night cream restores youthful vitality to your skin with a nourishing blend of active marine botanicals, alpha hydroxy acids and conditioning oils. The rich texture cocoons skin in nourishing hydration so your complexion gets all the benefits while you slumber. Long hot showers Ahhh who doesn’t love a long, hot shower, especially on a cold winter’s day, it really is one of life’s little pleasures, the problem is though, that while it will indeed make you feel better, it’s not doing any good to your skin! Hot showers and baths can actually inflame the skin, causing redness, itching, and excessive dryness. They can also disrupt the skin's natural balance of moisture, robbing you of the natural oils, fats, and proteins that keep skin healthy!Solution;Now I’m not asking you to forgo your shower, or that long indulgent bath of an evening, but try to limit your shower time and keep the temperature down! Afterwards, apply a moisturising cream within one minute of getting out of the shower to seal in moisture whilst skin is damp as moisturisers work best on damp skin.At night up your game by applying a low molecular oil, they absorb into the skin to stimulate the cells and prevent water evaporation. Many people avoid using products at night in the belief they should allow their skin to ‘breathe’ but on the contrary skincare in the way of a moisturiser and oil at night is imperative. At night your skin is no longer having to play the position of defence, instead, skin is resting, and this is when its permeability is at its highest allowing the active ingredients in your skincare to absorb deep into the skin, and really tackle your dry skin concerns!Try Pevonia’s Vitaminic Concentrate. This soothing, silky oil with the most amazing mandarin aroma, is worth its weight in gold! It’s fast-absorbing and radically combats dryness by locking in hydration and delivering moisture that stays! So you’ll wake up to smooth, supple and seriously glowy skin every morning. Ageing! Dry skin tends to become more of an issue as we get older, this is because our skin produces less oil and gets drier. For women, it could also be due to the hormone changes associated with menopause.Solution;For those with advanced signs of ageing who need optimal cell turnover, choose sulphate-free dry skin skincare products that are infused with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and retinol. These ingredients help replenish lost moisture and quickly repair the skin barrier. We also recommend selecting skincare for dry skin that’s enriched with marine collagen to help preserve moisture and your skin’s hydrolipidic film. Hydrating Serums are great as they penetrate deep into the skin to hydrate between the skin cells and help skin weave new collagen and elastin. Make sure you moisturise every day too (or multiple times a day if needed).Try Pevonia Micro-Retinol Essential Serum formulated with retinol, hyaluronic, and glycerin, it deeply hydrates, smooths, brightens and firms!Worried about using retinol since your skin is sensitive and dry? Don’t stress! Simply check out our blog and learn all there is to know about this anti-ageing holy grail of the skincare world!
Look 10 years younger with these top 10 makeup tips
by Jo Boyden
on Jul 07 2022
Ah makeup! My saving grace! Not only can it create the illusion of flawless skin, totally transform our appearance, cover up imperfections and boost our confidence, it can also take years off our face! You just need to arm yourself with the right makeup products and follow these top tips and we’ll have you looking 10 years younger in next to no time! Always moisturise your skin before applying your base I mean it’s a given, no matter what your skin type you should always moisturise your face every morning anyway, but applying a moisturiser before your makeup will not only hydrate your skin but also smooth your skin’s surface for a more even foundation application, and no one wants their makeup to look cakey! Oh! and if you have combination to dry skin, it’ll be next to impossible to create that perfect canvas for your foundation without moisturising first! Choose the right foundation You really can disguise the ageing process and look years younger with makeup, but you have to choose your products carefully. For example face powder, when used correctly and frugally can be a fantastic makeup staple (I have been I’m in love with the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation for years!) however, no matter your skin type, too much face powder can actually age you! That’s right, it can highlight fine lines and wrinkles instead of helping to conceal them, so it’s best to use powder sparingly – on your t-zone or as the perfect tool for quick touch ups.Foundations that have sheer to light coverage and a luminous finish will be your best choice especially for older skin or those concerned about fine lines and wrinkles. Dewy liquid foundations tend to be better than matte, also make sure the foundation is formulated with hydrating ingredients.I am a huge advocate for both the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint and ELES Cosmetics best-selling Age Defying BB Cream 30. It primes, tints, nourishes, protects, blurs and evens out your skin tone for a truly, natural, flawless finish. And thanks to its skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Goji berry, Squalane; its multi-mineral complex, and age defying peptides, over time it will help to promote cell health, strengthen elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and restore that natural glow you once donned! What’s more, you’ll feel as though you aren’t even wearing makeup! Use a good under-eye concealer for an instant eye lift Concealer is another amazing staple in your beauty arsenal that can dramatically change your appearance. Used correctly, concealer can brighten a tired complexion, cover up any blemishes, conceal dark under-eye circles and have you looking bright-eyed in seconds! Therefore, to hide those dark circles and puffy tired eyes which can make us look and feel every bit of our age, ensure you are armed with a goood concealer! I’m currently obsessed with the ELES Dual Action Concealer. It honestly gives me an instant eye lift every morning! It’s packed with amazing anti-ageing and eye nurturing ingredients, and on application dark circles and puffiness literally diminish within seconds, oh and any blemishes I might have too! Just be sure to keep concealer from drawing attention to your wrinkles by applying it correctly and selecting the correct shade!Choose a shade that’s lighter than your natural skin tone as this will help brighten your under eye area. And for the most brightening effect, apply your concealer in a “V” or upside-down triangle shape beneath your eye. Swipe it directly under the eye, but bring it down to a point on your cheek beside your nostril and fill in the entire area. Blend well with a small makeup brush and then finish with a very light dusting of powder to set the concealer so it doesn’t crease. Apply a little bronzer We are all on a quest for that healthy youthful glow, especially in the winter months when it’s almost non-existent, but dusting copious amounts of bronzer all over our nose, chin, cheeks and forehead can play up fine lines and large pores as the powder sinks into them. The best (and the most flattering!) way is to apply your bronzer with a bronzer brush to the perimeter of your face in the shape of a number three. Start on your forehead near your temples and loop down to the tops of your cheekbones, then curve out and around again along your jaw. Illuminate your face with a highlighter Along with freshening up your complexion and giving it a gorgeous glow, highlighter can be used strategically to lift and contour your face, making it appear more youthful. Apply highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones and Cupid’s bow. Try ELES Stick Illuminator. I personally can’t get enough of it! Always use a blush Just a few swipes of blush will not only add colour and depth to your cheeks but can make your entire complexion look healthier, and your skin more youthful. It adds an extra glow that bronzer and highlighter just can’t mimic. Just be sure to apply it correctly – use a blush brush and lift colour upwards towards your temple from the apple of your cheek. I’ve been using the ELES Baked Blush for years now and just love its pigmented colour, easy application and the healthy-looking finish it gives me. Keep eye makeup simple As we get older our collagen and elastin decreases and the skin around our delecate eye area tends to thin out and start to droop. Heavy or droopy lids can make eyes look tired so you want to keep eye makeup light but also create the illusion of depth in the lids. To do this brush a wash of light brown shadow into the creases of your eye lids and add a tough of light shimmer shadow to the inner corners of your eyes. Brighten eyes with a waterline eyeliner Investing in a waterline eyeliner will be a game changer for tired eyes. All you need to do is line your bottom waterline for an instantly wide-eyed effect. We promise you it’s worth the money as one swipe will truly create brighter, younger looking eyes. Always use mascara It’s no secret that beautiful eyelashes make you look 10 times prettier, and younger! Curl your eyelashes (With a proper curl, lashes will look longer, thicker and fuller) and always apply lashings of mascara, by doing so eyes will appear larger and more awake, something that is synonymous with youth! Fake full brows Just as the hair on our heads can thin with age, so do our eyebrows! The thing is your brows can completely change how your face looks, and fuller, well shaped brows will add immediate dimension and help to sculpt the face making you look younger and more awake!Actually, filling in your eyebrows from the top of the brow and elongating it gives eyes a more youthful look. Just be sure you don’t overfill the front part of your brow though! This area should have soft hair that graduates into more density. If you overfill this area you can make your eye brows look way too harsh.For longevity it’s best to build up your brows with a combo of brow pencil then set with a powder shadow one shade lighter than brows. Try ELES Precision Brow Pencil and ELES Brow Sculpt. Read more on how to create perfect brows.And for a bonus tip always add a pop of colour to your pout! As we age our lips get drier and thinner. By using a lipliner you can add definition to lips, then follow with a sweep of hydrating lip balm like the ELES Colour Balm as this can make your lips appear plumper and give them a youthful fullness we all desire!
Want clear skin? 13 beauty tips you need to know
by Jo Boyden
on Jun 30 2022
Whether you are currently dealing with adult acne, are prone to the occasional breakout, or get hormonal pimples when it’s ‘that time of month’, it is possible to get clear skin and maintain it, you just need to know how!From blemish busting products to best practices, we asked the BC pros how to get clear skin fast! Here’s their top 13 beauty tips…. Make sure you use skincare rich in blemish-fighting ingredients Just as you’d search for products rich in Hyaluronic Acid if we have dry or dehydrated skin, or collagen if you’re concerned about ageing, if you want to target any blemishes you may already have and urgently eliminate you need to make sure your skincare is formulated with a few key ingredients! These include;Salicylic AcidWhen it comes to breakouts, salicylic acid should always be your trusty go-to. This is because it’s calming, decongesting and antibacterial, as well as a proven superstar in reducing and preventing further pore clogging! Salicylic Acid is a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) that penetrates deep into the skin to exfoliate sebum-filled pores, as well as dissolve oil build-up and dead cells from the skin’s surface!Benzoyl PeroxideBenzoyl Peroxide is the most effective ingredient for actually treating spots as opposed to preventing them. This is because it actually kills bacteria! It can however be a little drying and irritating which is why it’s best used in specific targeted spot treatments.AHA’s (Glycolic and Lactic Acids)These two alpha-hydroxy acids slough away the dead skin cells that cause pimple-producing clogged pores. The result? Smoother, softer skin.Vitamin COfficially known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help decrease redness and swelling in blemish-prone skin. Firstly though, when it comes to blemishes the first port of call is to understand what exactly you are dealing with, whether it be hormonal pimples around your chin to one big bulbus bump on your forehead to all out acne, blemishes come in all different shapes and sizes and the products you use can differ too! To find out more about the different types of blemishes and the best product for you click here. Use a facial cleansing brush daily The secret to getting clearer skin is not just in the formulas we use but the practices we establish too! Used in unison with your cleanser, a cleansing brush will provide skin with deeper cleaning, removing any remnants of dirt, bacteria and makeup from your skin you’re your cleanser alone may not have.A good facial cleansing brush will also exfoliate the skin’s surface, leaving it looking and feeling so much smoother. Just be sure that it is made with gentle silicon as some cleansing devices can be to harsh for blemish prone and reactive skin, causing any redness and sensitivity to be exacerbated. The best facial cleansing brush as recommended by the BC pros is the Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush. We all know about the importance of cleansing, but 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!All it takes is 2 minutes per day! Watch what you eat Sadly, certain foods can exacerbate blemishes and cause full on acne breakouts eek! While other foods can actually help fight them! To pave the way to clear skin you want to follow an anti-acne diet stat. This is a diet rich in the following goodness; Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apricots, and sweet potatoes Spinach, kale and other dark green and leafy vegetables Tomatoes Blueberries Avocados whole-wheat bread brown rice quinoa Soybeans Foods to avoid include; Refined grains and sugars Dairy products Fast food Chocolate Whey protein powder Stay hydrated Staying hydrated is imperative when it comes to maintaining clear skin. It’s important to consume your 8 glasses of water a day, as well as religiously moisturising your skin both morning and night to keep it supple, soft, well-nourished and blemish free! Never skip on your sunscreen Sun, heat and humidity can cause oil glands to become overactive, which in turn can lead to acne breakouts! To prevent these breakouts choose and oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen and apply it liberally daily! Keep your phone clean and try not to touch your face! We are all guilty of spending many an hour stuck to our phones but did you know the bacteria on your phone can lead to breakouts! It’s best to use earbuds instead of pressing the phone against your face or simply use an anti-bacterial wipe to clean your phone daily! It’s also important to be mindful of how often you touch your face with your hands (eek guilty as charged!) like your phone your hands pick up dirt and bacteria and transfer this onto your skin when you rub your face can lead to further blemishes! Exercise every day, even if it’s only a little Exercise is imperative for optimum skin health, by exercising we increase blood flow, by increasing blood flow we help nourish skin cells and keep them vital. Exercise has also been accountable for reducing stress-related acne. Take time out to relax In a fast-paced world where many of us barely stop it’s easy to fall victim to stress! The thing is stress can, unfortunately, trigger breakouts and if you already suffer from acne, stress will only make it worse! So it’s important to try and take time out of our busy schedule for some relaxation. Anything from practicing breathing techniques, reading a good book, taking a bubble bath, meditating, listening to music, or practicing yoga can and will help! Wear mineral makeup as opposed to traditional formulations If you want clear skin and you’re not willing to let makeup go, choose mineral makeup products. They don’t contain any chemical nasties or pore clogging ingredients like some traditional formulations and will allow skin to breath freely all day long. Here at BC from the staff to the experts we all love ELES Cosmetics Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. And for more translucent coverage the ELES Mineral Foundation Powder. Both products are perfect for those with skin sensitives, are free of any chemical nasties, provide effortless and natural coverage and most importantly will allow your skin to brief freely (so no pore clogging in sight) and feel like you aren’t wearing makeup at all! What more could you ask for? Clean your makeup tools! I’m sure many of us are guilty of putting this off but regularly cleaning our makeup brushes and sponges can make a huge difference to our skin! Yes, that’s right! Your makeup tools are meant to be washed! Besides bacteria, both brushes and sponges also accumulate dead skin cells and oil which can clog your pores leading to skin irritation and pesky pimples! Also, if you apply your makeup with a dirty bush the end result can be a streaky and patchy complexion! Clean brushes definitely make for a smoother makeup application! So get to cleaning them stat! Change your pillowcase frequently! While no one loves to do lots of laundry, switching up your pillowcase every few days will help on the quest for clear skin! Unfortunately like with our hands, makeup brushes and our phones, our pillowcases can harbour any excess oil, dirt and bacteria too (urgh) and in turn, become a breeding ground for acne. So, make sure you change that pillowcase to reduce the risk of breakouts! Better still, if you’re prone to blemishes opt for a silk pillowcase! Silk pillowcases absorb less moisture and dirt, therefore, making them the better choice. Always remove makeup before you go to sleep! It doesn’t matter how tired you are, removing your makeup every night is paramount! While you are asleep at night, your skin isn’t! It’s actually the time your skin recharge, repair, recuperate and renew itself! When you leave makeup on, you are preventing that from happening. The skin ceases to breathe properly, pores get clogged and blemishes start to appear! Get some quality sleep! We don’t call it ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing! When we sleep our skin repairs itself, producing collagen and the more collagen produced means skin is plumper and less likely to wrinkle! If we’re sleep-deprived, not only will we wake with dark under-eye circles and bags, but we are also more likely to experience skin irritation, dehydration, fine lines, and dare I say blemishes! Us adults need a minimum of 7 hours of restful slumber a night, 8 preferred! Just be sure you switch off any electronics an hour or so before a practice some relaxation techniques!
5 signs you have combination skin and how to manage it
by Jo Boyden
on Jun 24 2022
While many of us tend to self-diagnose our skin with one specific condition, be it dry, oily, sensitive, ageing, the list goes on, it might actually surprise you that the most common skin type is actually combination skin - a mix of both oily and dry!So, if you’ve noticed that you have dry areas on your face but experience excess oil at the same time, you could well be one of the millions, billions even, with combination skin. The problem is it can be tricky to figure out how to care for your skin properly considering that different parts of your face have different needs! The good news is however that you can indeed perfectly balance your combination skin by following a few tips and tricks!Read on a we explain the tell-tale signs of combination skin, what exactly causes it and how best to care for it. Your t-zone is oily, while your cheeks are dry Combination skin tends to display certain characteristics – excess oil, large pores, shine, and blackheads on the forehead, nose and chin (otherwise known as the T’zone) this is due to over-active oil glands in these areas, and then dryness, dullness, fine line and wrinkles elsewhere (predominantly on your cheeks). As a result, it’s very important for those of us with combination skin to regulate sebum and oil production along the T-zone so be sure to steer clear of greasy, creamy products as they will be too rich for your skin and may lead to clogged pores, at the same time though you don’t want to use products that can dry out your skin in turn activating even more oil production! The goal is to treat both oily and dry areas at the same time for a clear, balanced complexion!Solution:Multi-mask your skin once a week! Apply a moisturising mask to your dry areas and an oil-absorbing charcoal or clay mask to your oily T-zone. It’ll do wonders for combination skin.It’s tricky to soak up excess oil without over-drying the skin but products containing charcoal and clay do just that! They work by attracting and absorbing dirt and oil. As a lightweight natural ash residue hydrocarbon, charcoal easily pulls toxins out of the skin for a clean, purified, and healthy complexion as it restores a normalized cellular function. Try Pevonia’s Pure Skin Charcoal Mask. Apply once a week to oily areas of your skin and watch it work its magic. You get breakouts in the oily area of your face Thanks to excess oil production in the t-zone, combination skin can often lead to breakouts when the pores get clogged.Solution: To fight these breakouts, we suggest using a salicylic acid-based cleanser like Medicalia Clarifying Cleanser which provides pore-clearing benefits in a super gentle lather that won’t dry out the skin, stripping it of moisture.We also love 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! Your oily-to-dry skin ratio tends to change dependant on the season With combination skin, your oily-to-dry ratio tends to vary with a change in seasons. During summer the heat and humidity cause oil production to increase, causing your T-zone to feel extra oily while your dry areas are actually quite “normal”. During winter, the opposite happens this is because environmental exposure sucks moisture from your skin which means your T-zone will appear “normal” while your dry areas will look really dry.Solution:Use Pevonia Balancing Combination Skin Cream, it’ll keep your skin perfectly balanced all year round no matter what the weather. With a subtle lemongrass scent to die for and a soothing, silky texture which perfectly dissolves into skin on application, this moisturiser is a BC best-seller for very good reason! Perfect for those with combination skin, prone to oily t-zones, it effectively refines pores and controls oil and shine with skin nourishing ingredients including vitamin e, arnica and aloe. Get ready for smooth, soft and supple skin minus the excessive oil and congestion that it brings! Yes! You have enlarged pores on your nose, chin and forehead Unfortunately the more oily your skin (thank you overactive oil glands in our forehead, nose and chin area!) the more prone this area is to clogged pores. When sebum builds inside pores, they expand giving them an enlarged appearance!Solution: You can reduce the appearance of these pores by following a number of tips. Your makeup always looks patchy! That’s right, your makeup looked flawless when you left the house but come midday it’s slid straight off your t-zone and clung to those cheese of yours looking like a patchwork piece!Solution: Apply a hydrating and mattifying makeup primer before your foundation.A good skin primer will become your lifeline. Not only will it stop your foundation from sliding off your face quite literally, it’ll keep your base smooth while reducing the appearance of pores (and fine lines!) too!Our go-to is the ELES Pore Perfecting Face Primer. It’s oil-free, perfectly lightweight and seems to combat shiny areas on your skin almost instantly! This is because it contains a natural dermat complex which enables it to absorb oil and effectively reduce pores size in one hit! Outstanding for those of us with oily T-Zones!The good news is it’s also formulated with nourishing ingredients to keep the dryer parts of your skin happy too! So now you know you definitely have combination skin, what exactly causes it you might wonder…Like with all skin types, genetics play a major role so you can thank your parents for the skin you’ve landed! It’s not all their fault though! Environmental factors as well as your lifestyle choices play a large part too. For instance, prolonged humid conditions in the summer months cause sweat glands to produce more sweat leaving the skin moist and shiny, whereas prolonged heat causes skin to dehydrate resulting in dryness! And then let’s not forget those darn hormones of ours that can play havoc on our skin during certain times of the month! Skin issues can be exacerbated by our hormones. Your sebaceous glands (sebum) have receptors on them which respond to our hormones. The more testosterone produced, the more oil is produced in the skin!
by Jo Boyden
on Jun 23 2022
We are all on the quest to look forever young, after all why would we invest so much in our daily appearance? But what exactly is the secret to younger looking skin? And no, I’m not talking about the likes of cosmetic surgery or Botox injections, I mean skin that ages naturally and slowly like fine wine….While ageing is inevitable there are a number of steps we can take to keep our skin looking younger, longer! We asked the experts at BC what they are. Read on as we reveal their answers. Invest in a collagen cream stat As we get older, our skin loses its perky plumpness! This is because the collagen that forms in our dermis and keeps our skin youthful starts to diminish! This ‘fountain of youth’ as it’s fondly referred to, therefore needs to be replenished!Taking collagen supplements as well as investing in a good collagen cream will help! They can improve skin elasticity, reduce visible wrinkles, and increase blood flow to the skin!The problem is applying collagen topically is easier said than done. The collagen molecule can’t actually penetrate our skin unless you choose a product with collagen amino acids that are small enough to get to the deeper layer of the dermis to deliver that plumping effect. Cue Pevonia’s best-selling Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream. Personally, I can’t get enough of it! I swear this jar of anti-ageing goodness has hugely benefited my skin over the years keeping it soft, supple and firm! Give retinol a go Retinol – hailed as the Holy Grail of the skincare world and for very good reason, counteracts ageing like no other! A derivative of Vitamin A, this ‘superhero’ ingredient offers a multitude of benefits including boosting collagen production and erasing dark spots. It can also increase your cell turnover rate making cells function like that of a child! Amazing right? I couldn’t recommend this ingredient more but you do need to be sure to understand how and when to use it first! And which retinol product will be right for you according to your skin type.Try; Pevonia’s Micro-Retinol Moisturiser and find out for yourself what all the fuss is about! For those with advanced signs of ageing – wrinkles, loose and sagging skin, and uneven skin tone or dark spots, it will be your go-to night cream! 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!As well as applying your collagen moisturiser and retinol cream, ensuring you use a serum formulated with one of the top 5 skincare ingredients will also stand you in good stead! Ensure your daily diet includes lots of anti-oxidant rich foods Antioxidants are SO important when it comes to protecting our DNA from damage – they are the last line of defence against premature ageing. Thankfully our bodies produce antioxidants on their own, but we can definitely strengthen our protection against ageing by eating an antioxidant-rich diet. Multiple studies show that a diet rich in antioxidants can help keep your skin healthy, your immune system strong, your digestive system working smoothly and can also help you look and feel younger longer. Yassssss!Anti-oxidant Vitamin C, as well as amino acids can increase the levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the body (both which we know are very important for the skin) essential fatty acids and foods rich in sulphur are also imperative!So what foods do we need to consume to help our skin stay younger, longer? Foods such as oranges, red peppers, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries are all rich in vitamin C. Foods rich in sulphur include beans, cabbage and garlic and foods high in essential fatty acids are salmon, tuna, flaxseed, chia seeds and walnuts, plus your everyday staples such as eggs, carrots, avocado and also soy! Yum! Wear sunscreen daily, all year round Surely by now, we all know that the NO. 1 cause of premature skin aging is sun exposure! This is why one of the most important things we can do to slow down premature skin aging is to diligently protect our skin from said sun! Using products with SPF is imperative, not only will it prevent awful sun burn, it’ll also slow down the development of brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles!Fortunately, there is a myriad of products out there with SPF, from sunscreen to daily moisturisers, foundations and more, and many are now formulated to work with specific skin types, so if you are a sensitive skin sufferer and the idea of slathering on sunscreen scares you, worry no more! Here at BC we have a few firm favourites;Foundation – ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15Daily moisturiser – ELES Luminous Defence Brightening Day Protection SPF 50Sunscreen face & body – Medicalia Sunscreen SPF 40 with Blue Light Shield Don’t forget to look after your neck, chest and hands! While most of us don't forget to look after our face, we often neglect our neck, chest and hands! Even if our face looks young, an aged neck, chest and hands will reveal our real age so it’s time to get serious about these delicate areas!Firstly, be sure you apply sunscreen to the back of your hands and then moisturise them as you would your face daily. Try Phytomer’s Oleocreme Ultra-Nourishing Hand Cream.Same goes with your neck and chest. After all, you want to avoid turkey neck the most obvious sign of ageing in that area! Cleanse correctly On the quest for a clear, youthful complexion cleansing is a must. But cleansing with conventional, harsh products can simply dry out skin which will age you! Worse, it can make skin over-produce oil so you could be hit with rather a few pesky pimples too!! Teenage acne? No thanks.So be sure to use a cleanser specific to your skin type. Beauty Collective has a myriad of cleansers for every skin type and concern so get searching! Make sure you exfoliate A good weekly exfoliation is key to preventing dry, dull skin which lacks youthful luminosity. Exfoliation will break up dead surface skin cells and reveal a fresh glowy complexion.If your skin is a little on the sensitive side, exfoliation is still important just be sure to opt for a super gentle formula – we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, it gently polishes your skin with its unique creamy, granular texture. But if granules scare you, we also highly recommend Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin. Give yourself a daily facial massage Facial massage stimulates blood circulation, cell growth and collagen production as well as strengthening muscle memory! It helps in the prevention of fine lines and new wrinkle formation, while at the same time tightening the skin and making it plumper! And there is more! To learn more about the benefits of facial massage click here.Not sure where to start when it comes to facial massage? Look no further. For a step by step simply click here.You can use your fingers or invest in a facial roller which offers a multitude of more benefits!If you opt for a roller here’s how;1) Before you reach for your roller, cleanse and then prep your skin applying your serums and oils. Just be sure not to rub it in completely so that the jade roller can get to work.2) Simply roll outwards and slightly upwards on your face and neck. This is a great treatment to do with a serum or as a final step with your facial oil.And for the month of June, 2022, when you purchase a Pevonia Facial oil on BC you’ll receive a Gemstone Jade Facial Roller for FREE Drink your 8 glasses of water a day Drinking enough water, a day will not only do amazing things for your overall health, it’ll benefit your skin too!Dehydration can sap your skin of moisture and elasticity, leading to sagginess, dryness, and wrinkles, whereas hydrated skin equals plumper skin and plump skin helps hides current signs of ageing so that any wrinkles you already have are minimised! Win, win!And yes, I know we all have days where we don’t drink the necessary amount. The thing is when I don’t, I feel it! I’m tried and sluggish and my skin appears that way too! This is because drinking those 8 glasses or 2 litres of water helps the body to flush out toxins while increasing blood flow to the skin which gives it an even tone and dewy appearance not the dull, devilised skin we all don’t want! Oh and supple, dewy skin equals youthful skin right?If you aren’t a huge fan of water, herbal tea counts!! Get onto it and reap the benefits! Look after your lips Often overlooked, lips can really show your age so it’s important to show them as much love as you would your skin. This means applying a lip cream daily. We are huge advocates for Pevonia’s LipRenew Plump & De-Age treatment which deeply moisturises and volumises the lips, blurs imperfections, and, unlike other lip plumpers, also smooths the surrounding skin folds, lines and wrinkles!We also recommend using a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture and get lips lipstick ready, after all applying lipstick to dry, chapped lips is a definite no no, as your lipstick won’t apply evenly, it’ll seep into any lip lines making your lips appear even more dry than they already are. Choose the right foundation You really can disguise the ageing process and look years younger with makeup, but you have to choose carefully. For example face powder, when used correctly and frugally can be a fantastic makeup staple (I have been I’m in love with the ELES Mineral Powder Foundation for years!) however, no matter your skin type, too much face powder can actually age you! That’s right, it can highlight fine lines and wrinkles instead of helping to conceal them, so it’s best to use powder sparingly – on your t-zone or as the perfect tool for touch ups.A hydrating or satin-finish liquid foundation will be your best choice, especially as skin gets drier with age. Choose a formula that has hydrating ingredients. Foundations that have sheer coverage and dewy luminous foundations will be your best youth enhancing options especially for those concerned about lines and wrinkles.I am a huge advocate for both the ELES Mineral Sheer Tint and ELES Age Defying BB Cream 30 but if you do love a slightly more matte finish the best-selling ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 will be your go-to. Illuminate your face with a highlighter As well as giving your skin a lovely glow, highlighter can be used strategically to lift and contour the face, making it look more youthful.Apply it to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bones and Cupid’s bow. Try ELES Stick Illuminator. I personally can’t get enough of it! Never go to bed with makeup on I’ve sure we’ve all been guilty of this one in our time! From a few too many wines to being just plain old exhausted, sometimes it hard to peel yourself off your bed to go and remove your makeup but remove your makeup you must!Cleansing your face especially at night to remove not only your makeup but any remnants of the days sweat, dirt and grime is imperative for healthy skin. Not removing your makeup means your skin is unable to regenerate effectively while you sleep, pores clog, and fatigue (ageing!) signs start to appear. For a fantastic makeup remover which effectively melts away makeup and grime with minimum effort try Phytomer’s Doux Contour Eye and Lip Waterproof Makeup Remover. Combining the effectiveness of an oil (a trio of oils in fact) and the gentleness of a lotion, this ultra-hydrating makeup remover, eradicates even the most stubborn of lips and eye makeup fast!To read more about sleeping in makeup and what it really does to our skin click here. Go to sleep early and get 8 hours of slumber a night! Getting enough sleep comes with plenty of benefits - improved mood, better concentration and healthier, happier skin to name but a few! Research also suggests that people who go to bed earlier enjoy longer, better quality sleep and better quality sleep equals better skin! Why? Because while we sleep our skin goes into repair mode. Skin cells regenerate, our skin’s blood flow increases, it rebuilds its collagen (which as we know is essential for youthful skin) and repairs damage from any UV exposure.Late nights and lack of sleep on the other hand can show on your skin in fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, swollen or droopy eyelids and dark under eye circles. It can also contribute to acne. Eek. So we need to think of sleep as an essential step in our daily skincare routine. And we know, no one is choosing to be sleep deprived, the stresses of everyday life can seriously prevent us from getting the amount of sleep we crave, but if it’s possible to try and get our heads down at a reasonable time (I’m talking to myself here too!) and stick to it nightly, it’ll improve quality of sleep and in turn have a positive impact on our complexion too!For more information on what really happens to your skin while your sleep, click here.
7 products that’ll turn dull, devitalised skin to radically radiant
by Jo Boyden
on Jun 09 2022
Have you found yourself staring in the mirror lately wondering “why does my skin looks so dull and old?” If so, you wouldn’t be alone! We all deal with the occasional bout of dull skin. But if you’re regularly waking up to a tired, lacklustre complexion, you’ll likely be wondering what you can do to improve it!Unfortunately, the winter months only exacerbate this skin condition thanks to the cooler weather and constant need for indoor heating which, let’s face it, sucks the life out of our already depleted complexion! but this doesn’t mean we can’t take action and turn our dull, devitalised skin to radically radiant in next to no time! Chances are your skincare routine could just be missing a few key elements that are vital for beautifully brightened skin - if your skin is lacking life, you’ll want to choose skincare with hydrating and skin brightening benefits. Look for products formulated with vitamin c, hyaluronic and/or retinol as these superlative ingredients will help skin appear more hydrated, plumped and radiant!Keep reading as we countdown 7 products that will breathe life back into your lifeless skin, the products I personally swear by and come highly recommended by our customers and the BC experts too! THE CLEANSERPhytomer Cyfolia Radiance Cleansing CreamWhen you have dull skin cleansing should be the first step in your skin care routine. So, look for a cleanser that is formulated to help brighten the appearance of your complexion, like Phytomer’s Cyfolia Radiance Cleansing Cream. This rich, velvety cleanser literally melts on contact with your skin to gently cleanse and remove makeup, oil and impurities!Organic Orange water delivers vitamin C for skin radiance and optimal glow while Cyfolia Algae enhances the glow by providing a reflective effect! Like a burst of radiance to the complexion, skin is soft, supple and glowing after every cleanse!“I love this new cleanser from Phytomer. I’ve been using it for a few months now and can say my skin is definitely softer and more radiant after use and I love the scent too.” – Sarah M THE MOISTURISERPhytomer Hydra Continue Radiance Energising CreamAfter cleansing dull skin, it’s important to reach for the right moisturiser - a skin-brightening cream like Phytomer’s Hydra Continue Radiance Energising Cream. Thanks to its beautifully lightweight texture, this radiance cream helps keep that outer layer of skin perfectly nourished without feeling too heavy. Rich in vitamins, it revitalizes, activates your skin’s cellular activity to promote natural regrowth, hydrates, softens and smooths skin for a radiant youthful appearance. Goodbye dull, devitalized skin!“I am in love with this product, it’s become my go-to moisturiser this summer since it’s silky and light yet keeps my skin moisturised all day long! It has a lovely subtle scent, and the products name definitely reflects the results – it’s energising and radiance inducing that’s for sure!” – JoJo B THE SERUMPevonia “C” Complexe with OxyzomesAnother tip for reviving dull skin? Adding a vitamin C serum to your daily routine! It can totally transform your skin I’m telling you!We love Pevonia’s “C” Complexe. Vitamin C, hyaluronic and oxygen work together in this amazing product to enliven dull skin leaving it visibly brighter and more youthful after every single application! It’s a truly powerful anti-oxidant that not only delivers immediate luminosity but protects the skin from premature skin ageing too! Yesss! Oh and if smells and feels amazing too!“This is a beautiful serum. You only require two pumps and the coverage is excellent. Radiant looking skin instantaneously. Definitely worth the investment.” – Deborah THE EXFOLIATORPevonia Gentle Exfoliating CleanserThe most common cause of dull, lacklustre skin is a build-up of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. This happens when we neglect to slough them away. So if your skin is looking dull and lacklustre, chances are you need to up the ante and exfoliate properly! No matter what your skin type, exfoliation is paramount when it comes to removing those skin dulling dead cells! They need to be removed in order to allow new, glowing cells to come forward. Look for an exfoliator that will help brighten your complexion as well as smooth your skin.Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser is not only ideal for all skin types, it’s a creamy, granular, exfoliating cream formulated with jojoba beads, Saponaria and Chamomile that very gently polishes away dul, dead skin cells, impurities and toxins to reveal instant radiance and softer, smoother skin too! You’ll love the immediate gratification you’ll get from this formidable favourite of ours. Use 1-2 times weekly.“I love this exfoliator, my skin always feels so smooth and hydrated after using it. It also makes my skin look a lot brighter.” – Orielly R THE FACIAL MASKVie Collection Photo C Bright Radiance MaskTreat yourself to an at-home spa day with a facial mask. It will help draw out any build-up of impurities, dirt and pollution, reduce the appearance of dull skin and increase the look of luminosity! So to brighten a dull complexion, you’ll want a glow mask like Vie Collection’s Photo C Bright Radiance Mask which delivers radiant skin by morning! It is power packed with vitamin c, exfoliating papain, marine minerals and more and we promise after the very first application an incredibly radiant and brightened skin appearance will be revealed!“Love this mask, I use it once a week and what a difference it makes! I leave it one for about 20 minutes and when I rinse it off my skin is literally glowing! Highly recommend.” – Sarah M THE NIGHT CREAMPevonia Micro Retinol Essential MoisturizerThis light and gentle moisturiser increases cell turnover, stimulates collagen and elastin production (essential for youthful, plump skin), fades hyperpigmentation and helps skin stay hydrated and glowing without irritation. It’s a multi-tasking wonder!You should introduce it slowly though and at night. This is because Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product. To find out more about retinol and this Pevonia’s Micro Retinol range click here.“This is the most beautiful cream I have ever used; light texture, non-greasy, non-shiny. Changes in my skin are an increased smoothing of lines and crepe-skin areas, softening, hydrating and contouring, and reduced pigmentation. Some results were instantly visible and now after three weeks my skin just keeps improving. It appears luminous and more refined. So, I am going to purchase the whole range. It’s a surprise to see a brighter smoother complexion at my age. (60)” – Annie THE FACIAL OILPevonia De-Stress Escape Aromatic OilTo complete your skincare routine introducing a facial oil specifically designed to brighten dull skin is key!Pevonia’s De-Stress Escape Aromatic Oil is the ultimate barrier warrior featuring a blend of premium and delicate natural oils including safflower, squalane, lavender, chamomile, grapefruit and rose to instantaneously deliver intense hydration while soothing, calming, relaxing, brightening and protecting the skin barrier for ongoing optimal skin health!“I love this face oil! I’ve been using it for a month now as a night-time treatment for my dull, dry skin and the results next morning are fantastic! Smoother, plumper, brighter skin! The scent is also heavenly and definitely transports me into a relaxed state of mind. Such amazing stuff!” – Amy K
10 reasons your skin is dehydrated and how to fix it
by Jo Boyden
on Jun 09 2022
Winter, darn winter! Unfortunately, it’s the time of year that your skin can look and feel seriously parched. We’re talking tighter, drier, duller, shiner or just plain devitalized. If that sounds like you, chances are your skin is simply dehydrated and in need of some serious moisture boosting love! And let’s not forget, even those with naturally oily skin can be suffering from dehydration too! After all just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean you are immune to external factors and lifestyle choices that deplete your skin’s water content. Dehydration is in fact characterised by a lack of water not oil!Luckily dehydrated skin can be relieved with a combination of lifestyle changes and topical treatments. Below are 10 reasons you could be battling dehydrated skin and our recommendations for how to fix it. You aren’t drinking your 8 glasses of water a day! Yes, we all know that the number one way to counteract dehydration is to drink plenty of water! But there is the when and the how! This water intake actually needs to commence as soon as you awaken from blissful slumber! It is suggested that drinking approximately 2 glasses of water first thing is hands down the most ideal way to bring back your hydration levels, after all you’ve not replenished fluid levels for a number of hours over night and make sure you drink at least 8 glasses a day. You aren’t getting enough ‘quality’ sleep Remember this as you will! Poor sleep leads to dehydration, dehydration causes poor sleep. Eek we have ourselves a vicious cycle here. Firstly, before bed, prise that mobile phone out of your fingers (sooo guilty here!) and put it down! I don’t need to tell you the impact screen time has on your skin, secondly drink a glass of water prior to sleep, yes you may think bad idea as surely you’ll be up in the night stumbling to the bathroom but believe me your skin (and all other vital organs) will lap up that glass of water and you’ll be able to notice the difference in the morning! Finally turn off the light and get that precious shut eye as apparently those that sleep for an average of six hours a night are up to 59% more likely to be dehydrated that someone who sleeps for say 8 hours. That’ll be me then. Pass me a glass of water someone! You’re consuming too much caffeine & alcohol I’m not saying go cold turkey or anything as like me I love a good cuppa and won’t say no to a glass of vino in an evening, but if dehydration could be something you are suffering from, significantly reducing your intake of both caffeine and alcohol will dramatically benefit your skin. Instead enjoy a cup of herbal tea or a fruit juice!Oh and for every coffee or alcoholic beverage you do indulge in, be sure to drink a glass of water too! You aren’t using the right skincare products Unfortunately, your skin is the last part of your body to receive hydration from water, so it’s important to provide hydration from the outside as well!One of the best ways to achieve this is with a topical treatment to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss.The best ingredient to beat dehydration is hyaluronic acid. a) Use A Hyaluronic Acid SerumUsing a serum containing hyaluronic acid is the quickest way to deliver moisture to a thirsty complexion as serums are quickly and deeply absorbed into the skin. Plus, Hyaluronic acid is the number one go to ingredient for effectively replenishing dehydrated skin, it delivers a burst of moisture thanks to its ability to hold 1000 times its weight in hydration! It helps bind and retain moisture and draws moisture from the air to the skin plumping and rehydrating skin cells from inside out. Amazing stuff right? Well we are in love with the Pevonia’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Serum. This hydration hero is worth its weight in gold. Just a few drops of the super serum will not only help to rejuvenate skin cells but will bind any moisturiser you apply on top like a magnet too!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, it delivers immediate skin soothing results and deep hydration. Plus it quite literally blasts even the most dehydrated of complexions with a surge of moisture, maintaining surface hydration throughout the day. b) Wear a rich, hydrating moisturiser morning and night Moisturising is paramount no matter what your skin type. To battle dehydration we highly recommend both the Pevonia Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream which is rich in both Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen the perfect combination to replenish devitalised skin. As well as the Phytomer Hydrasea Night Plumping Rich Cream, which provides optimum skin hydration during the night. From the very first use, the skin appears drenched in moisture!c) Apply a nourishing face oil before bedWe all naturally lose moisture while we sleep so using a nourishing face oil prior to bed will stand your skin in good stead! Pevonia’s Vitaminic Concentrate should be your go-to every evening! It’s a dream come true! With its amazing mandarin aroma and rich formulation of vitamin A and E, it drenches skin in antioxidant goodness and hydration, locking in moisture that says! This means you’ll wake up to smooth, supple and seriously glowy skin every morning, we promise!d) Don’t use harsh face Scrub but do exfoliate!As dead skin builds up, it can diminish the absorption of important skincare essentials like your serum and moisturiser, exfoliation is therefore an important skincare step in aiding the recovery of dehydrated skin, however be sure to use a gentle exfoliating cleanser and once or twice a week only. You’re showering with water that is way too hot! Hot water will strip your skin of its natural oils fact! and those natural oils are what protect your skin against water loss by forming a barrier. Eek.Believe me I love me a hot bath or shower! Especially on a cold morning or evening, but you will thank me by telling you to turn down that heat and opt for a more lukewarm temp. Your daily diet needs adjusting We already know that what you eat can impact your skin but did you know that our skin is reliant on essential fatty acids like oily fish, nuts, and fresh green veggies to battle dehydration? In addition to nourishing the skin, essential fatty acids also form part of the acid mantle which is the skins protective barrier against environmental damage. They keep the cells moist and reduce the amount of transepidermal water loss giving the appearance of plump skin!In general, when you consume foods that are high in water you can help to add hydration to your skin too! Fruits such as watermelon can increase the level of moisture in your skin. Your heating/air conditioning As much as many of us have become reliant on heating in winter or air con in the warmer months, both can dramatically disrupt the natural moisture balance in your skin. Now while it’s highly unlikely we’d be prepared to suffer the consequence of not turning the heating on, brrrrr, or indulging in the cool aircon air in the sweltering hot months, just make sure you balance your day with fresh air and if your skin is feeling particularly parched, keep on hand a spritz to add a burst of rehydration when needed. The weather Cold, hot, dry, and windy weather can literally suck moisture out of the skin. This is because cold temperatures and low humidity levels result in dry air that draws moisture away from the skin while hot weather increases water loss from the body due to sweating, leading to dehydration! Sun exposure Too much sun can disrupt your skin and compromise its protective layer. Think of that tight feeling your skin has after a day in the sun. Make sure to always wear your daily sunscreen! Age! Yes, that’s right, as we get older hormone changes cause our skin to lose the ability to produce as much oil and tends to dry out. Oh the joys!
Want smaller pores? Here’s how
by Jo Boyden
on Jun 03 2022
You might not think it, but enlarged pores is one of the most common skin concerns and how to reduce them, one of the most googled skincare questions too – in fact How do I reduce the size of my large pores? has almost 3 billion hits! Crazy right? But not really when we are a nation obsessed with pore size!Well, if you are one of the millions, billions even, that need help with your pores, keep reading, as we have the answers. Firstly, though what exactly are pores and what is their purpose?Essentially pores are an opening on the surface of our skin. In fact, they are tiny openings around our hair follicles and oil glands that help sebum (our body’s natural oils) move through the surface of your skin. When the sebum is released to the skins surface it helps keep it naturally moisturised, so while their appearance, if enlarged, can be frustrating, pores are actually helpful for maintaining skin health! What causes enlarged pores?Believe it or not, our pore size is genetically determined (thanks parents!) but, oily skin, sun damage and aging are other factors that can make your pores look bigger. For instance, if oil, toxins, dirt, and makeup collect in the pore, they can weigh it down and stretch it! And as we age the skin around our pores become less elastic as our bodies start to produce less elastin and collagen (the proteins that actually strengthen the walls of our pores making them tighter), so the already stretched pores can stay stretched as well as sag, this in turn can cause pores to expand and therefore become much more visible!Also, when we are hormonal our bodies can produce more oil, this can make pores appear larger than they really are because the excess sebum collects on the skin’s surface magnifying these small openings. How can we shrink our pores?While you can't actually get rid of your pores or change the size of them even – eek! You can minimize their appearance by following a specific skincare routine, making a few lifestyle changes and introducing pore minimizing products and/or treatments. Keep reading to learn more… Choose makeup wisely – opt for mineral formulations Unfortunately, our makeup can make pores seem bigger than they actually are. Products like our powders and foundation can settle into our pores over the course of the day, making them appear larger, so your best bet because, let’s face it we aren’t going to want to forego our miraculous makeup, is to opt for mineral products! A huge benefit of using mineral makeup is that it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores! We love ELES Cosmetics range of mineral formulations. Try the best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation or if you’re a lover of powder foundations we highly recommend the Mineral Powder Foundation. Use a makeup primer A makeup primer not only helps your makeup stay in place all day, but it also smooths and fills the surface of the skin which can help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. We love ELES Cosmetics Pore Perfecting Face Primer. It’s a game changer for those with large pores! It’s oil-free, perfectly lightweight and seems to combat shine almost instantly. It contains a natural Dermat Complex which enables it to absorb oil and effectively reduce pore size in one hit Genius. Cleanse your skin morning and evening If you want to help minimise the appearance of your pores it’s essential to keep your skin clean by cleansing morning and night to remove any excess oil, dirt and makeup. Be mindful of what type of cleanser you choose though as the best ones will get rid of dirt and grime without stripping your skin of moisture. If your skin is oily look for gel-based cleansers like Pevonia’s Phyto-Gel Cleanser. It deeply cleanses the skin with a luxurious foaming consistency. It works by removing the excess and unnecessary oil from the skin’s surface, unclogging pores and ridding it of impurities and surface toxins.If you have a normal to dry complexion, you’ll benefit best from creamy cleansers. Try Phytomer’s Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk, it’s creamy texture melts on your skin to gently remove makeup and impurities without disturbing the skin’s protective barrier.Just remember too much cleansing can actually cause your pores to produce more oil though and we don’t want that! Exfoliating your skin is a necessity Exfoliating 1-3 times a week in order to remove dead cells and unclog pores is a must! Exfoliators with AHA’s and BHA’s (hydroxy acids) such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and salicylic acid are best. These are the holy grail of ingredients when it comes to penetrating and cleaning out your clogged pores, and clogged pores look bigger, fact. So by unblocking them you are already halfway there in terms of reducing their size.While all four acids exfoliate on a cellular level, Glycolic, Citric and Lactic works on a more surface level to brighten and smooth your skin, whereas Salicylic Acid penetrates much deeper to effectively remove dead skin cells clogged in pores. Minimise sun exposure UV radiation breaks down our collagen and elastin, which in turn leads to saggy pores which expands pore size! So minimising your exposure to the sun is a must. Never skip wearing your sunscreen, even on cold, cloudy days Sunscreen is a necessity for everyone no matter your skin type! Overexposure to the sun is not only the cause of premature ageing and cancer even, it can also dry out skin making pores look bigger.You can also choose foundations that contain SPF in them like ELES’s Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15. Make sure you do a weekly face mask Clay masks are best. They can help remove oil, dirt, and dead skin deep inside your pores to make them look smaller. Phytomer’s CityLife Radiance Reviving Mask is our go-to. This unique cream-mousse mask instantly counters dehydration, signs of fatigue, dark spots and enlarged pores. Combining 100% natural red and white clays, blue microalgae, red algae and a comprehensive depolluting complex of 3 marine sugars, it reveals luminosity, radiance and refined pores after just one application! Never fall asleep with your make up Falling asleep with your makeup on is detrimental to your skin, fact. Failing to remove makeup at the end of every day is a major missed opportunity for skin to be able to regenerate while you sleep, you see not removing your makeup means the skin ceases to breathe freely and pores clog. This can make them look larger than life the next day when you awake!That’s why it’s so important to wash your makeup off at night, no matter how tired you are or how late you get home. For added benefit, you can also use a makeup-removing product before cleansing, such as Vie Collection’s Micellar Water. It purifies, conditions and cleanses your complexion in one easy step gently removing makeup from your lips, eyes and face for a fresh and flawless appearance.. Make sure you moisturise daily even if your skin is oily Those who have oily skin tend to suffer from oversized pores. The problem is though that one of the most common mistakes people with oily skin make is to skip out on moisturiser for fear that it will add more oil to their face. Moisturising actually helps your natural sebum penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin though. This not only reduces the appearance of oiliness, but it also helps to condition your skin effectively. Without it, your skin could produce even more oil. And finally use a pore perfecting moisturiser When it comes to large pores, the key is to choose a pore-minimizing moisturiser as they work by stimulating and plumping the collagen that surrounds pores.Yes it’s a thing! If you aren’t already using one, you simply must now. Formulated to quite literally refine pores for a smoother, flawless complexion free of shine you won’t believe the results. Our go-to is Pevonia’s Age Correction Micro-Pores Refine Cream. It’s a mattifying treatment cream which radically reduces oil production and pore size, while providing long-lasting hydration at the same time.“I have seen the difference in my pores since using the micro pores range, my pores have slowly minimise. The moisturizer is hydrating and mattifying on the skin”. Sally S “I've only started using this cream as I am now in my 40's and need a cream to suit my skin's needs. It really helps to reduce pores (particularly on my nose).” Rhiannon K “It did exactly what it's formulated to do. I saw great improvement in reducing large open pores....Thank u Pevonia.” Anne K
How to get flawless photo-filter skin naturally
by Jo Boyden
on May 27 2022
We are all on the pursuit of perfect skin - that youthful, radiant and smooth complexion, and with the many amazing-photo-editing apps available today our skin can look that good in photos, but is it possible to get filter-effect flawless skin naturally too?While achieving our desired complexion isn’t as easy in ‘real life’, it is of course possible you just need to be armed with the right products and follow a few essential tips, so keep scrolling as we count them down! Just as face filter apps can make you look flawless even on bad days, we promise you these tips can too! Cleanse and exfoliate Or better still you can combine the two in one! After all you want to create the perfect canvas so ensuring that your skin is clean and smooth is imperative!It’s best to use a mild exfoliating cleanser to ensure any dead skin cells are removed from your face. This will also ensure your makeup is in no way “cakey” when you apply. Try Phytomer’s best-settling Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s a silky soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive skin, which uses natural enzymes to gently eliminate dead skin cells without any scrubbing, evening out your complexion for effortless makeup application! Make sure skin is moisturised While your skin is still damp after cleansing, apply your face cream to lock in moisture. This will ensure your skin is smooth, soft and supple!If your skin is dry and dehydrated opt for a nourishing cream rich in hyaluronic and wait for it to fully absorb.On the other hand, if you tend to have an oily complexion make sure you chose a mattifying moisturiser to help keep your foundation in place. We love Pevonia’s Mattifying Oily Skin Cream. It hydrates, refines, mattifies and visibly controls excess oiliness for an attractive matte yet glowy complexion. Never forget to prime! While your moisturiser will help hydrate your skin to eliminate rough patches, you should still apply a primer before your foundation. Why? Because makeup primers are the one product that have the power to literally make your makeup stay put all day long, as well as smooth the way for better foundation!We LOVE ELES Cosmetics Pore Perfecting Face Primer. Not only does it keep makeup in place it also combats shine, absorbs excess oil and also reduces the appearance of pores to keep your foundation looking flawless! Genius! Find the perfect foundation You need to choose your base wisely. Remember you want a foundation that will deliver enough coverage but not overdo it. Foundation that is too heavy can look caked on. Eek.For that filter-effect flawless finish you can achieve in photos, choosing the right foundation finish is key. A matte foundation is usually your best bet because it reflects less light, which makes pores less obvious and gives your skin a smoother look. It also cuts down on shine, so your makeup will look smooth and flawless as long as possible. Try ELES Cosmetics best-selling Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. It’s a silky, mineral-enriched liquid foundation that glides on beautifully and sets to a soft, powder finish. Oh and it has broad spectrum sun protection too!if your skin is very dry though you might want to opt for a dewier finish.As well as choosing the right type of foundation for your skin, make sure you select the right colour too! For more information on how to choose the right foundation for your skin type click here. Use the right application tools How you apply your foundation is key to filter-effect skin. A beauty blender will allow you to seamlessly blend your choice of base into your skin to create the illusion of a flawless complexion, good enough for a magazine cover! The sponge is strangely soothing on your skin too! Don’t forget your concealer! Nothing takes the years off more than a great under-eye concealer. To create the illusion of younger, photo-filtered eyes apply the ELES Dual Action Concealer. packed with collagen and vitamins C & E, it not only conceals fine lines and dark circles, it smooths, brightens and treats them too! Apply beneath the eyes and pat into the skin to look as though you’ve just slept 10 hours. Apply a little powder A “setting" powder will help your foundation to look airbrushed all day long.Use a lightweight, translucent formula, and apply it with a large, fluffy brush that will deposit a light layer.Just remember if you have dry skin you don’t want to exacerbate it so be sure not to apply the powder all over your face but instead dust it on your T-zone, or forehead, nose, and chin, which is most prone to getting shiny. Add a little instant radiance to finish For that soft filtered finish sweep the ELES Baked Finishing Powder in Diffused Light over skin. It’s the compact of miracles I tell you and will totally transform your skin in seconds! It acts itself like a photo filter on your skin, subtle enough for daily wear, yet gives you that truly “lit from within glow”! The microfine powder’s jet milled pigments bring a soft-focus finish for a blurring effect over imperfections and fine lines. The deeper tones in the powder enhance contours, while the highlight softly strobe and reflect away imperfections to make skin look professionally retouched and simply sublime every time!For the month of May when you purchase the powder, you’ll receive a Duo Fibre brush for FREE.
The best beauty products on BC according to YOU
by Jo Boyden
on May 20 2022
As part of the team at BC, I’m blessed to work with some of the best brands in the skincare business, and yes, I know I’m biased but for very good reason! After all, if something is worth investing in, it’s your skincare right? But don’t let me tell you what we think you should invest in, instead, we’ve rounded up the best-sellers across makeup, skincare and body care, the best products on BC, according to you! Want to find out what made the cut? Keep scrolling… Best-selling foundationELES Cosmetics Liquid Powder Mineral FoundationOne of the original products from cosmetics brand ELES, the Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation has been a favourite of celebrities, beauty editors, bloggers and our customers for years. Coming in 10 different shades, this silky matte foundation will quickly become a firm favourite of yours too if it isn’t already! Not only does it provide a beautifully, soft, subtle matte finish (it glides on as a silky liquid but sets as a soft powder finish), it’s also mineral-enriched (so great for your skin) and provides broad spectrum sun protection! Honestly what more could you ask for!“I've been using this foundation for years and I can't live without it. The texture and the way it makes my skin feel is amazing. It gives such even, natural and flawless coverage. It's seriously the best foundation I've ever used.” - Sia P Best-selling blusherELES Baked BlushThis silky, soft, highly pigmented blush with slight sheen will quickly become a daily go-to product in your make-up arsenal. We love that it gives a subtle healthy flush with even the smallest application. If you’re undecided which shade to try, ‘Bouquet’ is the most popular and for good reason.“This is a beautiful blush. Depending on the look you want to achieve, it can add the perfect subtle glow to your complexion of more intense colour should you want. It has a lovely soft, satin finish” - Zoe T Best-selling lip productELES Colour BalmThis high shine balm (with the payoff of a sheer lipstick) provides just the right amount of pigment for that perfect pout! Available in 6 gorgeous shades and formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and aloe, it provides lips with long-lasting hydration and glowing colour in a single sweep.“Great colour payoff while keeping the lips hydrated. 5/5 stars!” - Cassy M Best-selling serumPevonia Optimal C ComplexeIt’s not hard to see why this glow-giving complexion booster has made the best sellers cut! Powerhouses Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, work together to quite literally drench skin with repairing antioxidants, deeply nourishing your complexion while also effectively correcting photo-damage! Not only does it also have the most beautiful citrus aroma, when applied skin looks instantly brighter and dewier too! Definitely a no-brainer when it comes to the search of the best beauty products for your daily skincare ritual.“This is a beautiful serum. You only require two pumps and the coverage is excellent. Radiant looking skin instantaneously. Definitely worth the investment.” Deborah W Best-selling moisturiserPevonia Power Repair Age Correction Marine Collagen CreamMy personal absolute can’t live without product and the no. 1 favourite of many customers not just in Australia but around the globe, the Marine Collagen Cream isn’t a BC bestseller for nothing! It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream that feels amazing on application and leaves skin super soft, supple and gorgeously glowy (like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture.) Also, thanks to its outstanding formulation of skin friendly ingredients including hydration hero Hyaluronic Acid, and anti-ageing holy grail Marine Collagen, plus Squalane and Glycerin, this superstar cream plumps, smooths and deeply nourishes skin for optimal radiance.“I absolutely love this cream. It is a day cream and a night cream and it helps with puffiness, lines, blemishes, skin tone, you name it! Totally amazing ❤️” - Ana Hall For more on our best-selling moisturisers as per skin condition click here.Best-selling face oilPevonia Vitaminic ConcentrateIf you’re concerned about premature ageing, dehydration and excessive dryness this should be your go-to every evening! It’s a dream come true! With its amazing mandarin aroma and rich formulation of vitamin A and E, it drenches skin in anti-oxidant goodness and hydration, locking in moisture that says! This means you’ll wake up to smooth, supple and seriously glowy skin every morning, we promise!“This is beautiful and everything it promises. My skin absorbs it really quickly, there's no greasy finish, just a glow.” Melinda A Best-selling cleanserPevonia CleanRefresh Foaming Oil CleanserA fairly new product to the BC fold but none the less it’s become a firm favourite fast! And if it’s not on your radar already, this outstanding cleanser should be now and here’s why…It’s a truly innovative, triple duty oil cleanser with a gel like consistency which features an advanced lipid-rich, alcohol-free, soap-free exclusive formula which transforms into a luscious, foaming cleanser on application (when mixed with water). It acts like a super magnet entrapping pollutants, impurities and bacteria to leave skin radiantly refreshed, soft and supple after every application. What’s more its suitable for all skin types, but especially great for those suffering from dry skin because of its perfect blend of foaming surfactants, skin-friendly oils and soothing, nourishing ingredients.“I recently started using this cleanser and now I am a complete convert and will never look back. I LOVE it. I thoroughly enjoy the cleansing experience it brings as well as the amazing results after only a few applications. Beautifully cleansed, clear, smooth and healthy-looking skin every day! Yay!” Jo Best-selling exfoliatorPhytomer Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural EnzymesWhether you are a suffering from sensitive skin, are dealing will a dull lack lustre complexion or are prone to acne, we all need to exfoliate! We just need to be careful what type of exfoliator we use as many (but not all!) physical exfoliators can exacerbate skin irritations.Cue Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s no surprise that this formidable exfoliator is one of your most loved products since it’s seriously soft, silky, subtle scented and ideal for all skin types! 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!“I have the most sensitive skin, so I can't use those exfoliants that contain microbeads or scrubs...this is a great alternative. It sloughs off all of the dead skin cells without ever irritating my skin! I use it once a week at the minimum, and it keeps my face glowing and smooth. It's the most wonderful exfoliant ever!” Sarah R Best-selling body moisturiserPevonia Dry Oil Body MoisturiserNot only a BC best-seller but a Pevonia global sensation too, this body beauty feels like silk on application! Despite being a dry “oil” it leaves no greasy residue at all because it absorbs immediately into the skin, quite literally nourishing every inch of your body. Formulated with Lavender and Chamomile the scent is heaven, and it renders skin beautifully soft and supple with a radiant healthy glow. It will not disappoint, and the many customer reviews speak for themselves! “This is amazing, I feel like I have been to a day spa when I put it on, luxury & pampering at home! It smells divine. Feels like silk, not too greasy, goes on easy, love this product ;-)” Lisa C Best overallELES Cosmetics Age Defying BB Cream 30Part primer, part highlighter, and part foundation, it’s easy to see why this skin-perfecting, multi-tasking miracle cream has become one of your makeup must-haves!We love that it creates a truly natural, radiant finish with even the smallest application, seamlessly obscuring any imperfections. And thanks to its skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Goji berry, Squalane, a multi-mineral complex, and age defying peptides, over time it will help to promote cell health, strengthen elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines.If you’re not a huge fan of foundation but need a base this will become your daily go-to!Absolutely love this product. I used it years ago, tried others but nothing compares. Such a beautiful feel on your skin and the perfect amount of glowy/dewy coverage. I love the spf included, I don’t need to use any other product but this on my Face of a morning. Perfect for aging skin when you want a lighter coverage that makes your skin look younger.” Krystle W
5 acne treatments and tips the experts swear by
by Jo Boyden
on May 12 2022
If you’ve been suffering from pimples or all out acne for some years now, or have recently noticed a sudden change in your once clear, smooth skin, you are not alone. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, even in adults, and is unfortunately triggered by a number of factors, from hormones to stress, excess oil production, bacteria, blocked pores and more!While acne can range in severity, we’re talking anything from whiteheads to large cysts, there are several steps you can take to try to reduce, or in some cases eliminate the condition all together - from specialised skincare to calm inflammation, eradicate impurities, remove toxins and alleviate symptoms, to something as simple as making a few lifestyle changes! Read on as we reveal the best tips and beauty products to help combat acne, as recommended by the experts. Use skincare specifically designed to target acne If you’ve been searching for a science-backed acne treatment that both targets and treats blemishes, look no further, you’ll find all you need in BC’s high-end acne products. From cleansers to moisturisers, spot creams to facial masks, each of the products are formulated with skin loving ingredients that’ll specially target blemishes of all kinds. And if you ask any skincare expert, when it comes to acne, they swear by a couple of skin-saving ingredients - salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.Powerhouse 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! The best Cleanser – Medicalia Clarifying CleanserThe 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! The best Exfoliator – Phytomer Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural EnzymesWhether your acne is mild or more severe, regular exfoliation will smooth and soften the skin and brighten your complexion. It also helps reduce breakouts by keeping the pores from becoming clogged with the pus of dead cells and sebum (skin oil).We are talking gentle exfoliation though! People often think daily “scrubbing” will prevent blackheads, but it can actually increase the shedding of skin cells therefore causing further clogging on the pores! Make sure you use exfoliators that don’t require physical scrubbing. The BC experts highly recommend Phytomer Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. The best Moisturiser – Pevonia Problematic Skincare Cream We get it. Isn’t applying a moisturiser 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! The best Serum – Pevonia Soothing Propolis ConcentrateIf 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! The best Spot treatment – Phytomer Oligopur Blemish Target GelWhen 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. If you need to conceal your skin, opt for mineral makeup We get it, your natural inclination is to conceal your blemishes, the thing is makeup can exacerbate an already highly irritated complexion, so instead of slathering on your foundation, opt for a breathable base instead. Mineral makeup is the answer as it doesn’t contain any chemical nasties or additional oils, nor will it aggravate skin or clog pores. Genius! Here at BC from the staff to the experts we all love ELES Cosmetics Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation. And for more translucent coverage the ELES Mineral Foundation Powder. Both products are perfect for those with skin sensitives, are free of any chemical nasties, provide effortless and natural coverage and most importantly will allow your skin to brief freely (so no pore clogging in sight) and feel like you aren’t wearing makeup at all! What more could you ask for? Review your daily diet A poor diet and an imbalanced gut can contribute to acne breakouts. To keep your skin clear and pimple-free, prevent breakouts by attempting to avoid the following foods; Refined grains and sugars Dairy products Fast food Chocolate Whey protein powder 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. Keep up the exercise Its easy to think you should forgo exercise if you are an acne sufferer in fear that sweating will only make your condition oh so much worse. The thing is sweating can actually help dislodge blocked pores! You just need to make sure you cleanse your skin straight after exercising and before the sweat has had time to dry! Exercise is also imperative for optimum skin health, by exercising we increase blood flow, by increasing blood flow we help nourish skin cells and keep them vital. Exercise has also been accountable for reducing stress-related acne. Always remove your makeup before bed It doesn’t matter how tired you are, removing your makeup is paramount! While you are asleep at night, your skin isn’t! It’s actually the time your skin recharges, repairs and recuperates! Removing your makeup and other dirt and grime before bed unblocks those clogged pores meaning skin can breathe once again, this in turn reduces the likelihood of further skin inflammation and acne eruptions. Phew. To learn more about which type of acne you are prone to click here.
12 tips to prevent premature skin ageing
by Jo Boyden
on May 09 2022
If you’re in your 30’s and 40’s and have started to notice some significant signs of early skin ageing (tears) we feel you. From dryness to loss of elasticity, wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and more, skin ageing is unfortunately inevitable. The great news is, however, that it’s possible to slow down the rate in which our skin ages by simply following a few key steps.From anti-ageing skincare to lifestyle choices, follow these top tips and help prolong your healthy, youthful glow naturally! Get serious about sunscreen - protect your skin from the sun every. single. day. The sun is THE no. 1 cause of premature ageing (amongst other serious issues) so you need to get serious about sunscreen from an early age! I’m talking about religiously applying it daily even when it’s cloudy! Just as you use a cleanser to wash your face, apply a sunscreen to protect your face! The harmful UV rays from the sun causes proteins in our skin to deteriorate, leading to the loss of our youthful appearance over time but a good sunscreen can help to prevent this!Fortunately, there is a myriad of products out there with SPF, from sunscreen to daily moisturisers, foundations and more, and many are now formulated to work with specific skin types, so if you are a sensitive skin sufferer and the idea of slathering on sunscreen scares you, worry no more! We love The ELES Luminous Defence Brightening Day protection SPF 50, it’s light and smooth on the skin and hydrates, protects and corrects skin!And when it comes to foundation, we highly recommend ELES Cosmetics best-selling Age-Defying BB Cream 30. multi-tasking makeup miracle, suitable for all skin types! Your moisturiser, primer, sunscreen and foundation in one! It primes, tints, nourishes, protects, blurs and evens out your skin tone for a truly, natural, flawless finish. And thanks to its skin-loving ingredients including Vitamin E, Goji berry, Squalane; its multi-mineral complex, and age defying peptides, over time it will help to promote cell health, strengthen elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and restore that natural glow you once donned! What’s more, you’ll feel as though you aren’t even wearing makeup, no easy feat for a foundation or any product with SPF for that matter! Genius! Cleanse correctly In the quest for a clear complexion cleansing is a must. But cleansing with conventional, harsh products can simply dry out skin which will age you! Worse, it can make skin over-produce oil so you could be hit with rather a few pesky pimples too!! Teenage acne? No thanks.So be sure to use a cleanser specific to your skin type. Beauty Collective has a myriad of cleansers for every skin type and concern so get searching! Don’t forget to exfoliate your skin once a week Dry, dull skin lacks youthful luminosity, so exfoliating is a necessity! We’re not talking daily though, just once or twice a week depending on your skin type will suffice, as too much exfoliation can be counterproductive. It can actually increase the aging process of the skin. If you exfoliate too much, too often, you'll end up with thin, dry skin and wrinkles!A good weekly exfoliation will break up dead surface skin cells and improve circulation to your skin revealing a fresh glowy complexion. But that’s not all! Exfoliation can also help your body produce more collagen and elastin, keeping your skin extra plump for longer! This makes exfoliating a great way to slow down and even delay the appearance of wrinkles!If your skin is a little on the sensitive side, exfoliation is still important just be sure to opt for a super gentle formula – we LOVE Pevonia’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, it gently polishes your skin with its unique creamy, granular texture. But if granules scare you, we also highly recommend Phytomer’s Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes. It’s a soft exfoliant for even the most sensitive or rosacea prone skin and uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin. Moisturise your skin daily morning and night Moisturisers trap water in your skin which can actually help your skin look more plumped and youthful. Moisturiser can also reduce appearance of fine lines exacerbated by dry skin. Using a moisturiser with anti-ageing properties such as retinol which can stimulate collagen production, hyaluronic acid which traps moisture in skin, vitamin C which is a natural antioxidant that helps produce collagen, and peptides which is tied to the body’s production of collagen and elastin, will hugely benefit the skin and help in the path to preventing premature ageing. Formulated with both Retinol and Vitamin C to help boost collagen production (the oh so important protein for prolonging youthful skin) we highly recommend Vie Collection’s Retinopur Wrinkles Imperfections Fluid.I’m also personally in love with Pevonia’s best-selling Age Correction Marine Collagen Cream. It’s a gorgeously rich, yet fine cream that feels amazing on application and leaves skin super soft, supple and like it’s had that much-needed boost of moisture, a feeling that lasts all day! I swear my 42-year-old self has less visible lines and wrinkles thanks to this superstar cream! Always remove makeup before going to bed! From a few too many wines to being just plain old exhausted, sometimes it hard to peel yourself off your bed to go and remove your makeup but remove your makeup you must!Cleansing your face especially at night to remove not only your makeup but any remnants of the days sweat, dirt and grime is imperative for healthy skin. Not removing your makeup means your skin is unable to regenerate effectively while you sleep, pores clog, and fatigue (ageing!) signs start to appear. For a fantastic makeup remover which effectively melts away makeup and grime with minimum effort try Phytomer’s Doux Contour Eye and Lip Waterproof Makeup Remover. Combining the effectiveness of an oil (a trio of oils in fact) and the gentleness of a lotion, this ultra-hydrating makeup remover, eradicates even the most stubborn of lips and eye makeup fast!To read more about sleeping in makeup and what it really does to our skin click here. Don’t rub your eyes! When we are tired it’s easy to fall into the trap of rubbing our eyes, hey I’m told I’m guilty of this by my husband all the time! The problem is the area around our eyes is the most delicate on our face and tugging, rubbing or pulling at your eye area can cause tiny blood vessels to break resulting in dark circles that make you look older and tired All. Of. The. Time. Instead, start applying an anti-ageing eye cream morning and night pronto! I am currently loving Vie Collection’s Chrono Eyes Puffiness-Dark Circles Wrinkles Cream. It’s a beautifully fine cream enriched with moisturising ingredients to nourish the eye area. Indulge in an antioxidant rich diet Antioxidants are SO important when it comes to protecting our DNA from damage – they are the last line of defence against premature ageing. Thankfully our bodies produce antioxidants on their own, but we can definitely strengthen our protection against ageing by eating an antioxidant-rich diet. So what foods are rich in antioxidants? The favourites in our house include raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, spinach and kale! Eat less sugar A diet high in sugar can accelerate aging! This is sadly true. Although quitting sugar may not reverse signs of aging that have already manifested, it can slow their progression. Cut down on alcohol While a glass of red wine can be good for our health, excess alcohol will damage and dehydrate your skin making you look older! So if you love a drink or 5, try to cut down your intake. Exercise daily Exercise is good for your health as well as your soul! Moderate exercise every day can improve circulation and boost your immune system oh and it releases endorphins which make you feel pretty good too. This is turn can give your skin a more youthful appearance.Exercise can also improve conditions that are damaging to the skin, like eczema and acne. Try to reduce stress in your life! When you’re stressed your body releases cortisol (the stress hormone). Sadly, it’s infamous for breaking down collagen, the protein which keeps your complexion supple and firm! If like me, when you’re stressed you’ll also be more guilty of frowning, which unfortunately can lead to deeper, permanent wrinkles in these areas over time. Eek.Gentle exercise or relaxation activities such as yoga, meditation or even just walking has been shown to reduce stress so practice these on a daily basis and help prevent premature ageing. Get enough shut eye I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a hundred times, and we all know it’s the truth, not enough shut-eye can have serious ramifications on our skin! From premature ageing, to dermatitis, eczema, acne, loss of collagen and more! Scary right? So we need to think of sleep as an essential step in our daily skincare routine. Not only will plenty of shut-eye let skin cells regenerate overnight, it will also help prevent dark under-eye circles which can really make us look so much older than we are! We know, no one is choosing to be sleep deprived, the stresses of everyday life can seriously prevent us from getting the amount of sleep we crave, but if it’s possible to try and get our heads down at a reasonable time (I’m talking to myself here too!) and stick to it nightly, it’ll improve quality of sleep and in turn have a positive impact on our complexion too!For more information on what really happens to your skin while your sleep, click here.
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