The Cleanser
In the winter months we must be careful not to over dry the skin but still find product that gets our face perfectly cleansed and makeup free.
REN No.1 Cleansing Balm is luxurious and silky, infused with rose. When applied with water it transforms into a rich milk and leaves skin purified, calm and glowing. It gently melts away dirt and make up (including waterproof mascara). It also protects the skin’s defense barrier against everyday environmental stress, free radicals and pollution.
What’s in it?
- Roman Chamomile Oil and Pink Violet Leaf Extract calm redness and soothe the skin
- Rose Oil is known for its stress relieving aroma therapeutic properties
- Prebiotic Oligosaccharides protect and maintain the skin’s defence barrier by supporting good bacteria
- Lecithin helps retain moisture in the skin
Halloween is all about ghoulish disguise but it doesn’t mean that what’s behind the mask shouldn’t be glowing in a good way. DHC’s Bio Cellulose Mask(£7.50) might make you look like you’re dressed for fright night whilst you’re using it, but the results make skin look plumped, hydrated and far from scary!
Made from fermented coconut water, the unique gel sheet mask clings to the contours of the face to deliver a hydrating serum of botanicals, vitamins and moisturisers. Ingredients include soothing neem leaf, conditioning shell ginger, hydrating amino acids and antioxidant vitamin c.
Apply to a cleansed face, leave for 20 minutes, then remove, pressing any remaining fluid into the skin.
Luxury might sometimes look scary, but the results are nothing less than fabulous.
DHC products are available from www.dhcuk.co.uk
The Oil Moisturiser
The winter weather can leave our skin feeling tired, dry, irritated and in need of some serious TLC. Ironically, whilst Mother Nature can damage our skin she also appears to have provided a solution to the problem in the form of the hedge row fruit – Rosehips.
Rosehip oil is known to be particularly good for the skin, not only moisturising and rejuvenating, but also helping smooth out scars and other marks, making it ideal for treating your skin once you are back in the warm and dry.
Rosehips are also crammed with substances called bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids are found in certain plants and known to be powerful anti-oxidants that have been shown to protect the body and skin against harmful free radicals – the main culprits thought to be responsible for aging skin. What really puts rosehip oil in a class of its own however is the fact that it contains a substance called tretinoin, a Vitamin A derivative. Tretionin was tested for its effects on skin in the US by scientists and it was found that those using it are seen to have fewer wrinkles and smoother skin tones.
Available in two different blends, both blended with natural plant oils, rosehip extract and rosehip seed oil. The rosehip combines with vitamins A and E (both known to help maintain healthy skin), and the natural oils of apricot kernel, jojoba seed, lavender, lime and geranium, which help the skin’s regenerative process. What’s more Phytaoil® and Phytalotion® contain no mineral oils, synthetic preservatives or fragrances.
Available from http://www.phytacol.com/.
The Spot Treatment
80 per cent of 11 to 30-year-olds suffer from acne and winter is a prime time for break outs. Stress, a change in diet, grime from school or work commutes and central heating and the habitual lowered immune system from colds all help bacteria breed on the skin.
But it’s a misconception that ALL bacteria are bad for acne. The skin has both bad AND good bacteria living on its surface. It’s the bad bacteria that leads to acne, but the good skin flora is essential for healthy and youthful skin.
Although the underlying causes of acne may vary, inflammation and puss is caused by bad skin bacteria getting into small acne lesions or blocked pores. New Silver Serum from Skin Shop is the first ‘good flora’ promoting anti-acne skin treatment that contains a patented form of silver called MicroSilver ™ that specifically seeks out and kills bad skin bacteria while letting good skin flora flourish and multiply.
The problem with anti-acne skin treatments is that they kill ALL skin bacteria, both bad and good. So yes they get rid of the spots, but they leave the skin extremely dry and flaky. Skin needs good skin bacteria to stay healthy and balanced.
This is particularly important for people with adult acne as the harsh anti-bacterial agents in treatments aimed primarily at teens can leave adult skin extremely dry and can lead to premature ageing. Silver Serum is free from parabens and perfumes.
Silver Serum costs £12.95 (75ml) and is available from www.skinshop.co.uk
