FACE: VEGANUARY BEAUTY

Why not show yourself some love while sharing the love for the planet too? This week we’ve compiled a list of our favourite eco-friendly products for you to try out this Veganuary.

Dermalogica 

The choices we make every day are directly linked to our planet’s health. As a global brand Dermalogica are acutely aware of the impact that our actions can have on the environment, and so they are committed to an ambitious new Healthy Skin, Healthy Planet initiative.  

All but 3 of Dermalogica products are cruelty-free + certified vegan so why not introduce some into your January self-care routine like Dynamic Skin Recovery spf50 (€79/ £69) 

Broad Spectrum moisturiser helps combat the appearance of skin ageing. Help minimise the appearance of skin ageing with this medium-weight, emollient daily moisturiser with Broad Spectrum SPF50. Antioxidant White Tea, rich in polyphenols, and a unique polypeptide help improve the appearance of photoaged skin. Active sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays. 

This Works  

This Works have a conscience as clean as their formulas. All of our products contain 100% natural fragrances, 100% pure essential oils and are free from phthalates, sulphates, GMOs, petrolatum and synthetic colours. They also have a 100% cruelty free PETA accreditation and 83% of their products are vegan. 100% of our boxes are fully recyclable, compostable and biodegradable. 

Why not introduce their amazing sleep plus pillow spray 50ml (RRP €/29 £23) into your January routine?  

By encouraging the body to unwind and promoting a state of deep relaxation sleep plus pillow spray eases users to sleep, whilst our Sleep fragrance is gradually released via motion activated technology through the night, offering immediate and sustained relief to those who toss and turn and helping to reintroduce a normal sleep pattern. 
 

Jordan Oral Care Green Clean Range  

Green Clean is all about helping people make green choices, without compromising on effect. This year we want to celebrate all the small changes people do for the environment, and highlight all the little things that might seem small on their own, but together make a difference.  

Since Jordan introduced their sustainability initiative, Green Clean, starting with just one toothbrush Adult Toothbrush (€3.75/£2.67), Jordan has developed and expanded the range to include the Green Clean Cavity Protection and Gentle Whitening Toothpaste (€3.75/£2.67) and a child friendly line Green Clean Kids Toothbrush (€3.75/£2.67) & Green Clean Kids (0-5) and Junior 6+ Toothpaste (€3.75/£2.67), to take care of your teeth and the environment.  In 2022 they build on this with the introduction of their newest launch the Baby (0-2) Green Clean toothbrush.  

NOTE Cosmetique 

If there's one thing, we love even more than makeup it’s vegan makeup! All NOTE Cosmetique products are 100% Vegan Friendly meaning they contain zero animal produce.  

If Cruelty Free / vegan beauty is as important to you as it is us, you can rest assured that NOTE has you covered from flawless foundations to luscious lips!  

Note Detox & Protect Foundation (€13.95) provides SPF15 sun protection and nourishes the skin with powerful anti-oxidants to protect from environmental stress. It is one of the best friends your face can have! Sweet almond oil provides moisture. Achieve the perfect face using this medium to full coverage formula with a satin finish. This luxurious product rival's foundation costing many times more. Packed with Vitamin E that works as an effective defense against environmental stress. 

SEABODY 

For the month of January, hundreds of thousands of people around the world adopt a vegan lifestyle as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving general health. SEABODY is an 100% plant-based brand - with every one of its products being free of animal products, cruelty free and sustainably biodesigned. As sustainable and natural beauty is the core to everything SEABODY does. 
SEABODY skincare ranges from €40-70 and offers a Hydrogel Mask Cleanser, Glycan Enrich Moisturiser, Aquasurge Day Serum and Overnight Elixir Serum. Try the nutritious supplements as well that help Immunity, Movement, Digestion and Beauty from €49-€80.  

wet n wild® 

Not only do wet n wild® have a fabulous range of affordable make-up but they also pride themselves on being 100% cruelty free! wet n wild® believe in beauty without cruelty first and have made it their mission from day one to never test on animals. Most of their products are not only cruelty-free, but vegan as well, and who doesn’t want ultra-glam make-up from a brand that also ensure they are doing the right thing from day one.  

10-Pan Shadow Palette - Heart & Sol (RRP: €6.99) 

Live your best life in color! This Color Icon 10-Pan Palette features an improved, richly pigmented and buttery-smooth vegan formula in matte, satin, shimmer, and metallic finishes. This specially curated palette is perfect for achieving the look of your dreams whether it's naturally soft or jaw-droppingly bold. Each shade is buttery soft for seamless blendability and easy layering. Usable both wet and dry, it's easy to create a true rainbow of creative effects that leave you looking and feeling like a true 10/10. 

Emerald Farm® 

Emerald Farm® are bringing you their natural CBD products that are carefully blended with Vitamins and other ingredients that can contribute to your overall health. Their three core products are Relax, Boost, and Original and with these, they aim to bring you on a wellness journey and provide you with the necessary nutrients your body may need. The crop is grown and hand-picked locally in county Wicklow, dried on-site within 24 hours and then cold-pressed, allowing the crop to retain a majority of its nutrients and keeping nutrition simple.  

You can find Emerald Farm in Boots stores nationwide or on www.emeraldfarm.ie  

Boost (RRP: €37) 

A blended CBD oil containing Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Turmeric, Ginger and the taste of Orange. These multivitamins are added benefits for your immune system. Vitamin D will help protect your bones and teeth health, whilst Vitamin C can help reduce tiredness and fatigue. 

Skingredients 
Skingredients innovative new refill system reduces the amount of plastic used which means that Skingredients skincare is now housed in brand-new refillable and recyclable inner tubes, which maintain the efficacy of each formula’s rock star ingredients. The refills snugly slot inside the protective outer tubes for skin results galore.  The new reusable and durable outer tubes protect the integrity of the formulas found within, while serving your skin the skincare it needs to function at its best. They're your tubes for life!  

The Skingredients Key 4 range is comprised of four products that everyone can (and should) be using for a balanced skin diet and that form the basis of any Skingredients recipe. With a nourishing cleanser, hyaluronic acid pre-serum, pro-ageing vitamin A + C serum, and broad-spectrum SPF, together they promise to help protect, nourish and maintain the skin. 
 

• PreProbiotic Cleanse (Primary Pack €29 / Refill €26) is our nourishing + balancing cleanser that’ll lift away makeup, sebum, pollutant particles + SPF to reveal a blank canvas that’s ready for the skincare that follows.  

• Skin Veg (Primary Pack €55 / Refill €49 is your skin’s super juice that’s powered by hyaluronic acid to hydrate, a pro-collagen peptide to diminish the appearance of fine lines + wrinkles, and fruit, veg + botanical extracts galore for antioxidant protection.  

• Skin Protein (Primary Pack €55 / Refill €49) is your pro-ageing vitamin A, C + E serum that’ll speed up cell renewal and encourage the skin to exfoliate itself for a smoother, tighter + brighter appearance.  

• Skin Shield SPF 50 PA+++ (Primary Pack €55 / Refill €49) is your skin’s invisible parasol that’ll protect against UVA + UVB rays, blue light, infrared and pollution, while leaving a peachy glow without camera flashback.  

Shop now at skingredients.com 

FACE | BEAUTIEDIT COSMETICS TAN: A 3-IN-1 TO TAN, TREAT & HYDRATE YOUR SKIN

It’s not often I do a standalone article on a tan, as I find many are similar in their offering, but this month I was sent the latest offer from the Irish gal duo at BeautiEdit Cosmetics and I have to say, I’m impressed.

I made myself a pact this year that I’d move away from reviewing and featuring products on here and on my Instagram which are not at least making efforts to be sustainable & ethical in both their ingredients and their packaging, and this tan passes that first test for me, with a formula that is ‘clean’ with no nasties like parabens, sulphates, dimethicone or alcohol.  It is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and contains ethically sourced ingredients which deliver goodness to the skin, as well as a natural tan colour.

There are extracts of collagen, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, so it’s ultra-nourishing, anti-aging and (apparently), anti-cellulite. The goal of developers (and best friends) Jennifer Cullen and Lisa McDermott was to come up with a tan product which delivered an anti-aging treatment that moisturises and nourishes your skin all at the same time, making it an innovative 3-in-1 product to tan, treat and hydrate skin. And as I have slightly thicker (read: older/drier!) skin, I have to be aware that tanning can be tricky without oodles of moisturiser beforehand, however less so with this product. (Note: I personally chose to slather on my usual Body Shop body butter before my review application, as I love my skin almost dewy with moisture and oil! You could easily go without, or just with some barrier moisturiser on elbows, ankles and the bony bits on feet and hands).  I also added some NUXE dry oil afterwards and when i went out for brunch the next day for extra glow & again, further moisture.

Also, on that note, I must add that it glides on super easily and blends well with the mitt. It’s not sticky either and has a non-transferable formula which means you can get dressed right away, although personally I do love to lounge around when I apply anything to my body! There is no biscuity (or other) smell, and in fact there is only a very light fragrance of sandalwood, jasmine and coconut. It lasts 5-7 days and fades beautifully with no snakeskin wear off – even with my post-holiday flaky skin!

All in all a lovely tanning product and certainly one that I would choose to buy (my initial one was gifted for review). It’s available across Ireland/NI in pharmacies as well as online at www.beautiedit.com

Here are my key takeaways:

• NO NASTIES - over 95% Natural ingredients

• CLEAN FORMULA USING THE HIGHEST QUALITY INGREDIENTS

• NO PARABENS + NO HARSH CHEMICALS + NO ALCOHOL

• NO SULPHATES + NO DIMETHICONE

• 99% NATURAL ORGANIC ECOCERT DHA

• VEGAN FRIENDLY + NO ANIMAL DERIVATIVES + CRUELTY FREE

• INSTANT COLOUR TINT THAT IS QUICK DRYING & DEVELOPS INTO A BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN GLOW.

• NO ORANGE TONES – the colour guide system adapts to your natural skin tone giving you a natural looking tan

• ANTI-AGINGb + ULTRA HYDRATING • SOOTHING AND CONDITIONING FOR THE SKIN

• SMOOTHING FOAM LEAVING YOUR SKIN FEELING LIKE SILK

• FAST DRYING IN SECONDS

• STREAK FREE FINISH

• NON STICKY

• NO TRANSFER

• EVEN FADE WITH NO SNAKESKIN WEAR OFF

• NO UNPLEASANT ODOUR - COCONUT, SANDALWOOD AND JASMINE SCENT

FACE | YON-KA NUDE PERFECT IS THE PERFECT NUDE

I’ve been using Yon-Ka’s Nude Perfect since last year and I can honestly say it is my in-person and on-zoom secret weapon to fantastic-looking skin. I mean, who needs an on-screen filter when you have one in a bottle?!

Yon-Ka’s Nude Perfect is a champion of illusion which creates a ‘blur’ effect that conceals any skin imperfections, minimises pores, evens out skin texture, and smooths fine lines using a simple optical effect. And the bonus? It’s made with 96% natural ingredients!. Now it really is possible to enjoy a perfectly even, natural complexion that is instantly Instagrammable.

The almost entirely plant formula is guaranteed not to contain silicones, a well known polymer found in many soft-focus products. It also features an additional two COSMOS-certified organic ingredients: ashwagandha to protect the epidermis from the harmful effects of light emitted by screens (blue light), and prickly pear cactus, for comfort.  

THE SCIENCE BIT

Thanks to a deep knowledge of the skin, how it works, and what it needs, Yon-Ka uses the latest advances in scientific research and plant biology to create in NUDE PERFECT Fluide both:

1: Instant Action

A STUNNING SURFACE EFFECT: The instant soft-focus effect visibly improves skin quality, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines while revealing a naturally brighter and more even complexion from the moment of application.

2. Long Term Action

Deeply Perfecting Treatment: Its long-lasting multi-perfecting action minimizes imperfections and irregularities, refines the skin’s surface, and tightens pores.    

 The end result is a naturally improved complexion and smoother skin that grows more beautiful with each passing day, even without makeup.

Ultra-light and comfortable, NUDE PERFECT Fluide blends into the skin to the point that you forget you’re wearing it. No greasy film or caked-on feel, but instead mattifying, purifying, antioxidant effects and total anti-pollution action to protect against fine particulate matter and blue light.

Integrated into your morning and evening beauty routine, this fluid, with its matte, velvety finish, enhanced with Yon-Ka Quintessence and a delicate all-natural scent combining ylang-ylang and magnolia, is applied after cleansing the skin and spraying on Yon-Ka Lotion.

YON-KA TIP: Apply a Yon-Ka serum for your skin type before the NUDE PERFECT fluide for optimum comfort for your skin. And to perfect your regime, add a Yon-Ka soft exfoliant and mask twice per week. 

Yon-Ka products are made in France, are not tested on animals, and comply with strict formulation guidelines. Yon-ka Paris skincare is available from professional salons nationwide. For local stockist information visit www.renaissance-skincare.com/Yon-Ka/

RRP: €65 / £57

FACE | MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPLMENTS

TREATING OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS IS IMPORTANT NOW MORE THAN EVER

Marie Reynolds is one of the UK’s most sought-after skin and wellness experts. Marie’s expert understanding of holistic health is available to all through her exceptional range of skin care, internal supplement products and her unique system for skin and internal wellbeing. Her unparalleled understanding of the skin’s composition has led her to build one of the world’s only genuinely incorporated skincare regimes, covering supplements, topical products, and even specially designed tools to create her modern vision of healthy skin. Marie Reynolds’ holistic view of skin incorporates several pillars which she believes are essential to creating magnificent skin. Not only that but Marie Reynolds London’s range of impressive supplements target many different areas of concern ranging from gut health, immunity, fatigue, and perimenopausal symptoms.

Now more than ever people across the globe want to build a strong immune system to ward off viral infections, to help with that the team at Marie Reynolds London have compiled the best in immunity to assist you in doing just that!

DEFEND - €35.00/£31.45

We are bombarded with external and internal pathogens that constantly place strain on the immune system. In today’s current climate the need to boost immunity and fight infection is ever more in need. Marie Reynolds London Defend is a tailored combination of both immunity ingredients and highly potent herbal anti-virals and anti-bacterials based on protocols Traditional Chinese Medicine. It contains high dose vitamin C (512mg) from multiple sources, i.e. herbs, berries, plants, and ascorbic acid PLUS 19 additional ingredients from herbs, berries, fruits, leaves, roots, mushroom, bulbs, vitamins, and minerals, as well as probiotics to boost gut immunity. This supplement is an exciting immune boosting and anti-viral formula to help give your body the support it needs against attack.

OCEAN EFA - €36.00/ £32.50

This 500mg supplement contains omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and good fats that are required for a healthy body and mind. Ocean EFA also contains the powerful antioxidant, astaxanthin. Antioxidants protect our cells from damage by harmful free radicals - unstable substances that are thought to contribute to certain chronic diseases. Unlike many other antioxidants, astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it can protect the eye, brain and central nervous system from free radical damage. Unlike fish oil, krill oil does not cause a fishy aftertaste, a common side effect of fish oil. Krill oil is also more easily absorbed by the body and contains higher amounts of astaxanthin than fish oil.

Benefits:

Circulation, Skin health, Liver function, Blood sugar health, Brain function, Blood lipid health, Vision, Premenstrual syndrome, Low mood, Immune function, Healthy joints, Inflammation, Memory, and concentration, Fighting the signs of ageing, Protection for cell membranes, Nervous system function.

VEGAN C - €32.00/ £28.95

The human body struggles to recognise synthetic substances, and this includes vitamins. Food form supplements offer a convenient and effective means of topping up on vitamin and mineral intake, because they present nutrients in a form that is as close as possible to the foods where those micro-nutrients naturally occur. As well as providing vitamin C, it is packed with a multitude of other natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, pectin’s, essential oils, lycopene, carotenoids, plant sterols, catechins, polyphenolics and other Phyto-nutrients. This vitamin C combination is made up of natural food ingredients, as recognised and required by the body for maximum digestion, absorption, and utilisation. This natural combination is also one of the few vitamin C supplements that: is not rapidly excreted from the body; is easily absorbed (a lower intake is required); is not acidic - many people are unable to tolerate citrus-based supplements, which can aggravate certain medical conditions.

Benefits:

Immunity Collagen formation, Blood vessels, Bones and cartilage, Gums, skin and teeth, Energy levels, Nervous system, Oxidative, stress, Iron absorption.

YVE - €32.00/ £28.95

This gentle and completely natural helper is a favourite amongst women, not least because it does not contain hormones, such as those found in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) drugs. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal homocysteine metabolism, normal protein and glycogen metabolism, normal psychological function, normal red blood cell formation, normal function of the immune system and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, as well as the maintenance of normal bones, hair, nails, skin, vision, immune system, and normal cognitive function.

3-SET – €35.00 / £31.45

3-Set Is a dynamic apoptogenic Botanical Complex with EFSA approved health claims, a synergistic combination of herbs, roots, and vitamins, formulated to combat stress physically, chemically, or biologically while also supporting the immune system, energy levels, mental performance, and a general sense of calm, focus and vitality. These clever herbs help the body adapt to what it needs and regulate the system up or down, as required in the moment. The nature of adaptogenic herbs is to help a person “adapt” to their environment, as well as to normalise, regulate the body’s functioning and support the adrenals. It combines important nutrients and nutraceuticals that support hormonal and adrenal health.

Marie Reynolds London is available to purchase from SkinandBeauty.ie and MarieReynoldsLondon.ie

FACE | DISCOVER THE TROPICS WITH GUAVA AND GOLD

‘Barrister’ seems like such an important job and a pretty grand title. You’re a Queen’s counsel after all, aren’t you?  So to give that all up and, quite literally follow your nose and the scents of the tropics to do something entirely different seems quite radical doesn’t it? This is exactly what Claire Price did just over a year ago, in founding Guava and Gold – and we couldn’t love her more for it.

Her goal was to create an elegant, capsule collection of products with ethical credentials, inspired by heady reflections of the tropics and a desire to capture unforgettable, exotic holiday memories in a bottle - and then ultimately on skin and hair.

There’s really nothing like a smell to truly capture the essence of a memory and transport you off to a moment of sheer bliss; so drawing on the expertise, flair and imagination of an international fine fragrance house, Claire’s team used the distinctive scents of a delicious array of tropical fruits and flowers to create her products -  including delicious guava and cherimoya, fragrant pink magnolia, white floral facets of tuberose (‘the carnal flower’), sweet vanilla orchid and enchanting orange and plum blossom.

 To complement the fragrances, natural oils have been blended with botanical ingredients, specially selected for the health of the user’s skin and hair – these are all to enhance personal wellbeing and no fragrance used is to mask a chemical ingredient, because there are none!

Manuka oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, while sweet almond oil boosts collagen production and keeps skin hydrated. Grapeseed oil, found in most products in the range, is a natural moisturiser which helps to maintain soft, radiant skin and hair, while rich shea butter and vitamins feature across many products in her ranges.

But while what’s *in* the product is natural, we have to applaud Claire and her team for their sustainability efforts in packaging also. All products are currently packaged in fully recyclable bottles and packaging; but the work doesn’t stop there, as there are plans to move to bio-polymer bottles made from sugar cane extract, and to incorporate water-free products into the collection so as to further limit Guava & Gold’s impact on the environment, so you can feel good about the products you use while enjoying a momentary memory – or a daydream trip – to the far-flung shores of the tropics.

You can purchase the full Guava & Gold range at Orlagh Maye salon via BODYCARE Archives - Orlagh Maye

FACE | THE C WORD: VITAMIN C!

If there is one skincare step almost guaranteed to elicit a wowser compliment-cum-question like: ‘What are you doing to your skin, you look different/you’re glowing!?’, it’s topical Vitamin C. Used when it’s at its most potent, Vitamin C brightens, firms, smooths, and nourishes skin, no matter what your skin type - whether it’s breakout-prone, very dry, or anything in between.

Vitamin C is one of those truly multi-use beauty products, and aside from giving your skin a radiance boost, it can also help to fade fine lines, reduce the look of dark spots and tighten loose skin. Perhaps most importantly, it also protects your skin from environmental pollutants. 

 At face value though, (and this is what generates those compliments), Vitamin C makes you positively glow. Use it once and see instant results; but keep at it and your skin’s clarity and radiance will continue to improve.

We’ve put together a list of our favourite Vitamin C products to Celebrate National Vitamin C Day, which is on 04 April (who knew, right?) and I suppose that’s as good a day as any, 4 x 4 is a good numerical descriptor because this super Vitamin is such a fab all rounder…

Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum Deluxe 100ML RRP: €127.00 /£109.22 

Today, the VITAL C hydrating anti-aging serum remains IMAGE Skincare’s #1 bestselling product for 17 years and counting. Seeing the need for more VITAL C, IMAGE Skincare are introducing the deluxe sized serum for those who can’t live without this hydrating, anti-aging and brightening vitamin c experience. This deluxe size is a first for IMAGE Skincare and there is no better product to honour in this unique way than everyone’s favourite VITAL C HYDRATING ANTI-AGING SERUM. 

This high-potency serum softens the appearance of wrinkles, supports skin elasticity and fights environmental damage. Hyaluronic acid helps to lock in hydration and supports the look of plump, bouncy skin. It contains multiple forms of vitamin C to help brighten the skin and fight visible signs of dullness and fatigue.

This Works Morning Expert CBD Booster + Vitamin C RRP: € 43
This Works Morning Expert CBD Booster + Vitamin C is a wakeup call for your skin. Reinvigorate your skin with this expertly blended serum which helps protect your skin against environmental stressors in the day ahead. Add it to your morning routine to fight skin fatigue and brighten the appearance of dullness on waking. 

This facial serum is 98% naturally-derived and contains 1% CBD from Hemp and 20% Vitamin C. They work together promote a more even skin tone, reducing pigmentation and dark spots while calm and soothe away redness to restore your morning glow. Use it alone or add a few drops to your moisturiser.

Nimue Vitamin C Moisture Mist (RRP: €33.50) 

A hydrating antioxidant spray for the face that stimulates endorphins, resulting in an uplifted and invigorated feeling. Can be used throughout the day as required and perfect for spritzing over foundation.

Skingredients Skin Protein €45, 30ml 

Your vitamin A anti-ageing serum, the skincare game changer. An active formula of vitamin A, C + Eantioxidants + a pro-collagen peptide + tea extracts for smoother, tighter, brighter skin.

Ultraceuticals Ultra C Firming Eye Cream €73, 15ml 

This advanced age defying eye cream contains pure Vitamin C in a CSIRO* developed delivery system for Asorbic Acid, plus Ultraceuticals peptides Microelastin® and MicroCollagen. It visibly improves elasticity, firmness and smooths the delicate eye area. This Pro Collagen formula has also been enhanced with a potent cocktail of calming and moisturising ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin.

Dermalogica Bio Lumin C Eye Serum €76 

Supercharged Vitamin C eye serum outsmarts visible premature skin ageing caused by daily eye movements and environmental stress. Lightweight serum delivers a highly-bioavailable Vitamin C complex to the skin around the eyes to dramatically brighten and visibly firm

Yonka Beauty Box Vitality, €53.00/£46.50 

Give your skin a boost! Let yourself be transported by the freshness of citrus fruits … a true shot of energy! 

This set includes: 

·         Yon-Ka Pamplemousse cream PS, 50ml  

·         Créme Mains hand cream, 50ml 

Pamplemousse cream lights up the complexion. The ultra-comforting Crème Mains (hand cream) nourishes and repairs the driest, roughest skin. This duo gives your skin an instant boost. 

Yon-Ka Pamplemousse Creme is a vibrant energising cocktail. A real shot of energy, this light, luscious cream with an invigorating citrus scent lights up the complexion and vitalises the epidermis. The version for dry skin is enriched with fine oils for enhanced comfort. Your complexion is radiant. YOUR skin and spirit revitalised, thanks to citrus aromas. 

Rich in hydrating and nourishing comforting agents, Yon-Ka Créme Mains repairs and protects the driest and roughest skins thanks to its formula which combines Shea butter, vegetal glycerine, grape seed oil, Bisabolol and vitamins A, C and E.

And that’s it - the best of the C word, on the F Words! As always, I’ve tried all products here so ping me a message or a comment if you’d like to know anything else besides the info given here.

FACE | CODEX BEAUTY - AN IRISH SKINCARE BRAND THAT'S CHANTING ALL MY SKINCARE MANTRAS

Quarantine has made us rethink not only our skincare, but also our lifestyles. Makeup can help give you a temporary glow, but nothing can really replace the beauty of naturally glowing skin. And as my fave, age-old expression goes, “Beauty comes from within”…. and from a scientific perspective, it does!

Exfoliating regularly, a simple daily skin care routine, and leading a healthy lifestyle are the best ways to keep your skin smooth and radiant.

When it comes to skincare, despite trying and reviewing everything(!) I have always advocated the less is more mantra. A simple, regular skincare routine avoiding too many products and layering is key. Too many actives can irritate your skin and even cancel out each other’s benefit.

A basic routine including only three steps is more than enough:

• Gentle exfoliation and cleansing (used at most twice daily), reduces the build-up of dead cells and doesn’t irritate your skin.

• Toning to help provide anti-oxidants and promote cell turnover

• Hydration using a nourishing moisturizer that helps soothe irritated skin and potentially an oil that locks in the moisture and helps control oiliness.

And find products that support the microbiome – the last thing you want to do is strip your microbiome as then your skin will become red and irritated.

The Codex Bia Hydration line is ideal for the exfoliation and moisturization functions as it is MyMicrobiome certified and is designed to maximize hydration. Specifically, the exfoliating wash (€50) does not strip the skin of moisture but gently removes dead cells. The Bia Skin Superfood (€55) has been scientifically proven in efficacy trials to moisturize, soothe and protect the skin with the patented Biacomplex. The Bia Facial Oil (€100) locks in moisture to increase it up to +168% while controlling sebum production.

About Codex Beauty

Codex Beauty is a collective of global skin care lines built on science, natural ingredients, plant-based preservatives, pharmaceutical-grade processes, safety and efficacy trials, sustainability, and consumer transparency. Its offering is entirely organic, free of harmful chemical compounds, and rigorously tested according to biotechnology practices.

SSSSHHHH! THE HUSH AND HUSH SECRET IS OUT!

Regular readers will know that I have tried and tested (and loved!) a few Hush and Hush luxury beauty supplements before (The Mind Your Mind pre-bedtime supplement and the Deeply Rooted hair product to name a few). But in January of this year the brand announced its first line extension, SkinCapsule which I’ve been trialling here at home since. Comprised of clean, clinical, plant-based ingredients, this trio of skin-perfecting supplements hones in on three of the most common age-related skin issues: discoloration and uneven skin tone, dryness, and breakouts.

 SkinCapsule is backed by the same clinical research that Hush & Hush is widely known for—scientifically-sound data that supports results-oriented products. The three-piece skin-centric line can be used as part of a long-term treatment plan or as needed. Formulated with only clean ingredients, each supplement addresses a specific skin-related concern to tackle problematic issues once and for all.

Deep-rooted in real regenerative science, Hush & Hush is the culmination of more than 15 years of cellular and nutritional research and is dedicated to delaying the inevitable aging process. All of the formulations are designed to support the body’s natural defence and regenerative powers with a unique blend of scientifically proven vitamins, herbs, and botanicals coupled with modern-day technology.

 The vegan, NON-GMO, gluten-free SkinCapsule line is created without gelatin, artificial colorants, flavourings, or additives. Designed to be used in tandem with traditional topical skincare products, SkinCapsule works internally to feed the cells with the necessary nutrients it needs to mitigate skin-related issues.

Meet the lineup for the skin you desire:

SkinCapsule™ BRIGHTEN+ - RRP €65.00/ £60.50 

This naturally derived dark spot and discoloration reducing supplement relies on clean, clinical ingredients to brighten dull-looking skin. It also helps to diminish the appearance of age-related skin tone changes, sunspots, redness, and age spots for brighter, healthier-looking skin. Vitamin C plus proprietary ingredients like SkinAx2, Lutemax, and Saberry® regulate melanin synthesis.

SkinCapsule™ HYDRATE+ - RRP €65.00/ £60.50 

This super hydrating supplement harnesses the power of clean, clinical, plant-based ingredients, including vitamin C, vegan fermented hyaluronic acid, Korean red ginseng, Cococin™, and Ceramosides, to create optimally hydrated, perfectly balanced, glowy skin for that ‘lit-from-within’ look. Ideal for those with dry, dehydrated, rough, and weathered skin that craves moisture, a bevy of skin hydrating ingredients work from the inside out to reduce dryness and increase skin hydration in just 15 days.

This is the one I’ve been trialling and I have to say, I LOVE IT. I’ve been raving about skin from within for years now and I’m delighted the experts Janna & Marc Ronert (of IMAGE Skincare fame) have yet again taken an industry lead in creating a formula which blends the very best of science and nature to the benefit of our skin.

SkinCapsule™ CLEAR+ - RRP €50.00/ £46.50

This skin balancing, anti-blemish supplement is formulated with clean, clinical, plant-based ingredients and botanicals to help reduce pore-clogging oil, soothe reddened skin, and help to diminish the severity and number of breakouts on the face, chest, and back. It helps to alleviate blemishes and breakouts, redness, and excess oil without drying out the skin thanks to a unique blend of ingredients including selenium, zinc, turmeric, vitamin A, and pantothenic acid.

Dr. Marc Ronert, MD, Ph.D., founder of Hush & Hush says, “We had so much success with the initial Hush & Hush products, and our customers wanted more. They were asking for us to develop a specialty line that focuses just on the skin,”

Janna Ronert, founder of Hush & Hush says, “We wanted to feed the needs of our customers and that need was a line of professional, science-based supplements that works on these often hard-to-tackle skin problems from an internal approach.”

SPRING CLEAN FACIALS WITH NIMUE

Just like our homes need a springtime scrub, our beauty routine will benefit from a spring clean too. Spring is a time of birth and rejuvenation. It is the season for new life, rejuvenation and for our skin to come out of hibernation. Hopefully, skincare lovers everywhere have meticulously kept up a regular skin regime throughout the Winter months, but fear not, now is as good a time as any to start. What better time than spring to breathe some new life back into your skin?

I’ve been trying Nimue over the last few months and I have to say i LOVE the products…. So I have rounded up seven products to show you the way to clean, soft, healthy skin with this very exciting skinceutical brand.

Age Intelligence Cleansing Cream – €63.00

A superior, rich, and creamy cleanser which removes all traces of make-up and impurities and rapidly hydrates and leaves skin glowing.

Cleansing Gel – €41.00

A soap-free, 2-in-1, gel cleanser that gently removes eye and face make-up and impurities and provides light exfoliation.

Y:Skin Facial Wash – €36.00

A gentle, soap-free gel cleanser with a light consistency that removes impurities and exfoliates the skin, leaving it soft and smooth.

Cleansing Milk – €41.00

The Nimue Cleansing Milk is a creamy milk emulsion with a soft, smooth, and delicate texture that gently and effectively removes make-up, pollutants, and daily impurities, leaving the skin with a delicate smooth finish.

Clarifying Mask – €44.00

A cream face mask formulated to remove impurities and excess oil while still retaining moisture. Use weekly for a refined and smooth skin texture and a cleansed, hydrated feel.

Glyco Mask – €50.50

A fast-acting resurfacing treatment mask that rapidly exfoliates and tightens, for improved skin texture, radiance, and a more youthful, glowing complexion. The ideal skin boost before a special occasion.

Exfoliating Enzyme – €46.00

An enzymatic exfoliator that gently removes dead skin cells and promotes cell renewal.

FACE | LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT PAYOT….

Let me tell you a little bit about Payot, a brilliant beauty and skincare brand created by a formidable woman 100 years ago in my second home, France. Nadia Payot was the inventor of the ‘facial gymnastics’ concept, a pre-curser to all modern facial techniques, and, later that year, in 1920, she developed the 42-step facial massage which revolutionised skin treatments forever. 

Later, as her business developed, she worked on creating take-home products for everyday skin types which women could use themselves. In 1947 she developed the Pâté Grise, a brilliantly simple grey paste made from natural ingredients which continues to soar in popularity today. In fact, one pot of Pate Grise is sold every five minutes around the world – and there are quite a few fans here and across our network of online customers too.

What’s the secret sauce?; I hear you ask! Well, Nadia Payot’s Pâte Grise contains an optimum formula to bring small blemishes to a maturation phase. It works while you sleep to accelerate the maturation of minor sub-cutaneous spots and make them disappear, almost overnight. This cult beauty, anti-blemish secret has been passed from generation to generation of French women and across the world.

Payot Masque Charbon - Ultra-absorbent Mattifying Care - Orlagh Maye

FACE | SKINGREDIENTS TURNS ONE!

With so many products on shelf and so many skincare options available, I thought we would take you on a journey with me as I introduce you to the amazing Skingredients range one by one. I’ve featured its founder Jennifer Rock here on the blog before, she is the person behind The Cleanse Off Mitt (the banisher of the facial wipe!!) , and i have demo’ed that plus the Skingredients products over on my Instagram stories ( @cathymartin ) but i think it’s time we put pen to paper so to speak, and covered the details in black and white.

SKINGREDIENTS is as simple as 01,02, 03, 04. It is a balanced skin diet, a capsule skincare collection made up of all the key ingredients that skin needs. In this range we have the Core 4 and the Mix + Match products. The Core 4 is the basis of any Skingredients skincare recipe, with a kick ass cleanser, a punch-packing pre-serum, a ‘fill up my cup’ serum and a sun shielding SPF 50 PA +++. All of which are filled to the brim with vitamins, fats, fruit and veggies and botanical extracts for glowing healthy skin. The Mix + Match products allow you to turbocharge and customise your Skingredients recipe for that extra va va voom.

Your skincare routine should be like a balanced dinner plate of nutritious ingredients that your skin needs. Regular readers will know that i am a fan of feeding skin from the inside, so I truly believe what goes on the inside should also go on the outside.

00 Cleanse Off Mitt (£6) This is the very first step of the Skingredients routine. Cleanse Off Mitt is best used as a pre-cleansing step before using your favourite cleansing product, we recommend PreProbiotic Cleanser. It removes all makeup naturally – including heavy duty mascara and is free of any product and causes no irritation.

Not only is the Cleanse Off Mitt friendlier to the skin than wipes, it’s friendlier to the planet. The majority of wipes are not recyclable or compostable and end up contributing greatly to landfill, or being flushed and ending up in the ocean. When washing, turning your COM inside out and popping it in the washing machine under 60 degrees Celsius once a week too!

01 PreProbiotic Cleanser (£23.00, 100ml) is step 1 in your Core 4 routine, and is ideal for alternating with active, exfoliating treatment cleansers like Sally Cleanse from the Mix + Match range. The Skingredients® Core 4 is the basis of any Skingredients® skincare recipe, with a cleanser, pre-serum, serum and SPF filled with vitamins, fats, and fruit, veg and botanical extracts for healthy skin. It’s food for your face!

02 Skin Veg (£38.00, 30ml) is your skin’s 10+-a-day, a hero, highlighter and hydrator. It works to prep your skin to best absorb the active ingredients in your other products with penetrant-enhancing PHA (polyhydroxy acid). It also provides your skin with tonnes of goodness, including extracts from tomato, broccoli and cucumber, as well as liquorice root, aloe vera, beta-glucan, beta carotene and hyaluronic acid, and a clinically-proven pro-collagen peptide, to brighten, exfoliate and hydrate your skin. Suitable for all and ideal for using AM + PM prior to your serums, moisturisers and masques.

03 Skin Protein (£38.00, 30ml) is a serum enriched with vitamin A and C enriched to protect and maintain healthy skin. Skin Protein is an all-rounder that revamps, revitalises and restores for smoother, tighter, firmer, hydrated and generally healthier skin. Containing two forms of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, a clinically-proven pro-collagen peptide, essential fatty acid rich sunflower seed oil plus super potent antioxidants such as green tea extract, it supports your skin while protecting it from environmental damage.

04 Skin Shield SPF 50 PA+++ (£38.00) is not only your daily broad-spectrum SPF, it’s your primer, with a peachy universal tint and a dewy finish – no need to stress about a chalky white cast and no photo flashback, no wonder why it’s the top selling product in the Skingredients range. Non-comedogenic, oil-free, water-resistant and non-greasy, so it’s perfect for all hoomans® Be sun-savvy, not sun-fearful: an even application is key. Avoid the sun at peak times and remember that we’re exposed to UVA, HEV, UVB and IR rays even on the dullest and cloudiest of days.

MIX + MATCH PRODUCTS: Skingredients Sally Cleanse (£23.00, 100ml) is formulated with 2% salicylic acid, the highest amount of salicylic acid permitted for use in skincare in the EU. Sally’s rock star ingredient is salicylic acid, an oil-soluble exfoliating acid, which means that it can dissolve oil and dead skin cells in our pores to help prevent congestion such as blackheads, whiteheads, lumps and bumps while assisting in our skin’s natural exfoliation process and aiding in oil regulation.

Sally also picked up an award in MARIE CLAIRE for the best cleanser for acne prone skin! Skin Good Fats (£38.00, 30ml) works to hydrate, soothe and protect dry, irritated, sensitised, flaky or sensitive skin prone to redness, and contains a clinically proven anti-itch ingredient.

On top of this, it features antioxidants vitamin B3 and vitamin E to help protect your skin from environmental damage. Skin Good Fats is also perfect for those who crave the feeling of a moisturiser after their lightweight hydrators. Use PM after the skin is cleansed and serumed. Skin Good Fats can be used in the AM for extra skin balance and moisture. It is also great for irritation post-peel, and on dry and cracked elbows and heels.

And there you have it - the full low-down on Skingredients. You can purchase all products and more via the skingredients website, and follow them on insta at @skingredients too. You’ll thank me for it!

x

FACE | The DL and the WTH of SPF

“Nothing looks better in your 50’s than suncream in your 20’s”

Jennifer Garner

The DL and the WTH of SPF

We all know we’re supposed to use it, yet so many of us still skip sunscreen. If you’re young, count yourself lucky that we’re so much more clued up about UV damage these days and start using SPF today. We may not be able to turn back time, and of course it’s good to get a dose of Vitamin D when we can, but all of us can take a moment to protect our skin and help prevent further damage.

If you do like a tan, fake it with my favourite, He-Shi – so many products right across the range - and/or add a few drops of Tan Luxe or Clarins tanning drops to your regular moisturiser for a golden glow on the face. 

5 reasons to slather on sunscreen - rain, hail or shine ...

1. Depletion of the ozone layer has increased our risk of damage from ultra violet rays.

2. Not a single ray of sun is required for skin damage to occur; UV rays are out in force every day, every season (even here in the UK & Ireland!).

3. Sunscreen protects against skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the UK & Ireland, accounting for 31% of all cancers.

4. Sunscreen is the most powerful anti-ageing product. There is zero point in spending a fortune on the best skincare around if you don't add sun protection, end of. And if you only use one product on your skin, it should be sunscreen.

5. Products containing retinol, liquid exfoliants and some serums leave skin particularly vulnerable to UV damage and must be paired with SPF50+.

Sun Facts

• Most sun damage is done in our youth. (Count yourself lucky if you didn't grow up when SPF4 was the norm like me. I used actual olive oil on my skin in my teens, eek!).

• You can't layer SPFs. Makeup with SPF15 + sunscreen with SPF30 = protection of SPF30, not 45. Only the highest factor counts.

• Broad spectrum means you are covered for both UVA and UVB protection.

• SPF should be reapplied every 2 hours (more often if swimming, although please also think of the environment and the water pollution you can cause, so try not to jump straight in after applying, then reapplying and so on…)

• Sunscreen may be water resistant but not waterproof - and should always be replenished after swimming.

• Sunscreen has a shelf life and must be replaced every Summer to work optimally.

• SPF rarely causes breakouts; not removing it properly does. It's designed to stay around, so double cleansing is advisable for complete removal.

I like to use a separate SPF for my face as these are usually non-comedogenic (won’t block pores), have a lighter texture for under make-up and offer higher protection.  Always extend your facial sunscreen down your neck and décolleté - both of which are very delicate and equally prone to sun damage. I also apply any excess to the backs of my hands, one of the first areas to show signs of ageing.

My SPF tick list:

·                     high protection

·                     light, quickly absorbed formula

·                     no greasy feel

·                     no white cast

·                     won’t interfere with make-up application

·                     won’t cause breakouts

Which Sunscreen?

Choosing the best sun screen can be a bit of a minefield and with so many formulas available, it’s difficult to know where to start. Gone are the days of thick white creams that leave a white cast and greasy texture... facial SPFs are much more sophisticated now and as pleasurable to use as skincare. Speaking of which, SPF should be the last step in your skincare routine, directly before any makeup.

Note whether the active ingredients are chemical or physical sunscreens. Physical (often described as natural or mineral) sunscreens most commonly contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which provide a physical barrier on the skin that reflect UV rays. Chemical sunscreens contain chemicals, which protect the skin by interacting with and absorbing ultraviolet energy.

The Hawaii state legislature recently passed a bill to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals found in most non-mineral sunscreen products. Studies show that these two chemicals have damaged Hawaii’s marine environment, causing coral bleaching and possible coral death. If the bill becomes law (in 2021), it will affect most chemical sunscreens sold in the United States and force manufacturers to reformulate or stop selling these products in Hawaii.

Suncare Favourites

While you’re probably used lashing on the SPF to help protect your skin over the summer, there’s more you can do to protect your skin against the sun: namely, antioxidants. Antioxidants are a great way to help neutralise the visible effects the sun may have on skin (such as dark spots and wrinkles), so picking products with antioxidants can go a long way.

 Just to give you a quick recap about just what exactly antioxidants do - free radicals (or as scientists call them, “reactive oxygen species”) form in our bodies from different causes, particularly UV rays. These molecules are missing an electron, so they scavenge around for one and in this process, they cause damage to other cells. This is where antioxidants come in to save the day. By “donating” an electron to free radicals, antioxidants manage to neutralize them and halt or minimize the damage.

One of my faves is Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract; it is often credited as the source behind the flawless complexions of the Japanese and green tea has long been known for its amazing health benefits. It’s also a potent antioxidant, making it a popular ingredient in skincare products like the IMAGE ORMEDIC Balancing Antioxidant Serum €70.50…

And two of my all-time favourite products, the IMAGE VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum €76.00, and VITAL C Hydrating Antioxidant ACE Serum €67.00 are also formulated with green tea extract for a burst of antioxidant power.

Face:

• La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ Tinted BB Cream (available in different formulas for normal-dry or oily) (RRP £17.00)

• ·Sisley Sisley Super Soin Facial Sun Cream SPF50+, 40ml (RRP £114.75)

• Eucerin SPF50 CC crème - ideal for sensitive skin (RRP £12.00)

• Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50 PA+++ (RRP £28.00)

• Tropic Tinted Skin Shade SPF50 (RRP £28.00)

Clarins Sun Care Body Cream UVA/UVB 30

• Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Lotion Extra Light SPF30 (RRP £18.00)

• Vichy Idéal Soleil Sun-Milk for Face and Body SPF 30 300ml (RRP £19.00)

•  · Green People Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF30 (RRP £22.50)

For after sun I love LANCASTER After Sun Tan Maximizer (RRP £26.00) and then rich body oils, butter butters (my old faves The Body Shop butters are fab here and usually available in all airports) as well as Aloe products for anyone who has overdone it.  

 

FACE | INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER ROCK AKA THE SKIN NERD AS SHE LAUNCHES NEW BOOK

In a world where beauty consumers are inundated with marketing messages and every product is said to be the ONE you need for your skin, where does one turn to for truthful and helpful advice without agenda?

Look no further because The Skin Nerd, Jennifer Rock shares all her skincare expertise, and the passion and knowledge gathered in her extensive career in this helpful beginner’s guide. The Skin Nerd: Your straight-talking guide to feeding, protecting and respecting your skin is a 360° approach to your healthiest skin.

Written with Jennifer’s unique brand of humour and honesty, her first book is jam-packed with skinformation and advice, which will educate and empower you to know what your skin needs and how to achieve better skin health. Readers will learn how the skin works from the inside out with information on nutrition and beneficial skin vitamins and supplements, to managing the ageing process and tackling skin conditions. Jennifer also shares her core Nerd Philosophies and Commandments and the benefits of Spritz O'Clock. With all this information and more The Skin Nerd: Your straight talking guide to feeding, protecting and respecting your skin will be your skin bible for life.

Extractable sections:

·       The ideal skin diet

·       The skin test - assess your skin situation

·       Spot quick fixes/remedies

·       Jennifer’s favourite skingredients and makeup products

·       The Korean skincare regime and other skincare trends

·       Jennifer’s special event skincare schedule

Our editor Cathy caught up with Jenn for a bit of a chit chat on how she got to where she is today.

What was your tipping point, getting you to actually turn The Cleanse Off Mitt into a business? 

I was a skin therapist in London and I had clients who were buying premium results-driven skincare but using face wipes to “cleanse” first so the fantastic skincare wasn’t able to properly penetrate into the skin and do its job. They may as well have been pouring half of the serum directly from the bottle onto their bathroom counter (and expecting skin results). 

I knew that there was a gap in the market for an accessible, affordable and skin-friendly alternative to face wipes so I created it and so the Cleanse Off Mitt® was born. 

#cleansewithme is the new #getreadywithme - but can you overcleanse?

Yes! Of course you can! I think it more has to do with what you’re using to cleanse than the amount of cleansing you're doing. I advocate for a double cleanse - remove your makeup and debris with your first step and then cleanse with something that is either soothing or pacifying the skin or delivering active ingredients after.

Overcleansing is when you are using too many skin-stripping ingredients, you’re using active cleansers too frequently (such as a cleanser with a high salicylic acid content twice a day) and you’re essentially damaging your skin’s barrier. 

Everyone wants to know about adult breakouts - are they caused by food, hormones or products? Or a mixture of all three?

They can be caused by any of these or combinations. I believe it is important to investigate the root of the concern, to figure out whether it’s stress that is causing your breakouts, whether it’s lifestyle, whether it’s products that no longer work for you or whether it’s an intolerance, for example. 

This is why we send all clients of the Nerd Network a skin diary to complete, to track whether they slept correctly and how much sugar they ate, for example, and see if these things correlate with their skin troubles. 

Skin from within - which supplements would you recommend for healthiest skin?

All of them. First and foremost, vitamin A in some shape or form so long as you are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Probiotics are something that everyone should take, as are omegas. Vitamin C is key for tackling pigmentation, boosting our collagen production and strengthening capillaries to aid with redness. If you’re looking for plump, youthful skin, collagen supplements like IMAGE’s Yana are the ticket. 

Is sugar the devil? Should we stay away from it for our skin - for our health in general? 

Unpopular opinion but yes, sugar should be avoided whenever possible. Sugar increases inflammation throughout the body (thus in the skin) and helps to form AGEs (advanced glycation end-products) which attack our collagen and elastin and age our skin faster. 

That being said, all in moderation. Every once in a while, it’s not the end of the world if you have some chocolate. If that same chocolate helps to reduce stress, then isn’t it having a positive effect on your skin nonetheless?! 

For the blurb about book at end, can we feature the consultations too like so? (I've attached the book press release again below)

For an online skin consultation and personalised results-driven routine from an expert, as well as access to your recommended products on The Skin Nerd® store, exclusive content, events, webinars and so much more, visit www.theskinnerd.com/onlineskinconsultations/ and join the Nerd Network.