The Causes of Acne

So, why do we get pimples? As part of the ‘How To Get Rid Of Acne’ Series on my YouTube channel, I created this video on the causes of breakouts. In this video I explain what acne is, how it forms, and the factors that contribute towards acne. I give a holistic and science-based perspective to treating skin conditions and the importance of investigating the underlying issues that may be inducing them. Whether it’s stress-induced, fungal or cystic acne – knowing the cause of your breakouts can get you a step closer to overcoming your skin woes.

New Beauty & Wellness Videos

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Silk Pillowcase for the Ultimate Beauty Sleep

It is likely you will spend much of your life with your face in a pillow. Hours of cumulative smushing of your skin into a pillowcase can over time etch in permanent lines and wrinkles. We tend to be gentle and cautious with our faces during the waking hours, yet during the sleeping hours we may be causing more damage than we are aware. To skincare addicts like me, women who want to preserve their beauty, or simply people who enjoy their sleep time, a silk pillowcase is the ultimate beauty staple. In this blog post I will tell you all about the silk pillowcase benefits and why it will be your new beauty staple too.

There is a reason we so aptly call it ‘beauty sleep’. During sleep your body works on cellular repair, regeneration and a whole host of other critical processes. Quality sleep ensures you are energetic, your immune system works effectively, you can concentrate clearly, keep disease at bay, regulate mood, quell inflammation, uphold a sharp reaction time, maintain a healthy weight, keep clear skin, maximise athletic performance… the list is endless. A silk pillowcase is the perfect way to upgrade your beauty sleep to ensure you wake up bright eyed and prepared to take on the day. Your silk pillowcase benefits you in a myriad of ways.

Silk Pillowcase Benefits

Encourages healthy hair

The friction elicited between your hair and a cotton pillowcase can encourage hair frizz, knots, tangles and – worst of all – hair breakage. If you are looking to grow out your hair, preserve its shine, or simply keep it in top condition, a silk pillowcase will greatly benefit you. Unlike cotton or other synthetic materials, silk is gentle on hair.

Say goodbye to the dreaded morning bedhead. Knots and tangles will become a thing of the past. You will see less hair on your pillowcase caused by tension of your pillow tugging against your scalp all night. A silk pillowcase is crucial during periods of time where your hair is more delicate and susceptible to breakage. Whether you have chemically treated hair, are dealing with stress or hair thinning – reduce unnecessary overnight hair breakage with a silk pillowcase. You deserve to preserve your precious locks.

Preserves youthful-looking skin

This is one of my favourite silk pillowcase benefits. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand when I wake up with creases on my face from my pillow. Especially when you have to run out the door. Unlike standard cotton pillowcases that leach moisture and hydration from your skin, silk is kind on skin. It helps to maintain skin’s hydration level, thus preserving skin health. While cotton pillowcases can absorb all the skincare products you have so meticulously selected to remain on your face overnight, silk does not do this. This will be essential to your anti-ageing efforts.

We spend a third of our lives on our pillowcase. In fact, we will never have a closer, more intimate, frequent face-to-face (literally!) relationship with anyone outside of our pillowcase. I am sure you have woken up plenty of times with sleep creases etched into your skin, from where your face was planted in your pillow.

When we are young, our skin can bounce back from stressors a lot quicker. However, over time, consistent etching of these sleep creases into our skin results in more permanent wrinkles and lines. Silk has a unique amino acid composition that is very similar to that of human skin. It is soft, gentle, and will minimise any lines that could be caused overnight as a result of using a standard pillowcase.

Promotes shiny hair

When you work so hard to achieve glossy, magazine-quality locks, don’t allow your would-be beauty sleep to ruin them. Regular pillowcases have the tendency to leach colour and lustre from vibrant, shiny hair. Your locks will glide over soft silk, maintaining all your natural hair-loving hydration, keeping hair sleek and shiny. Silk will also help preserve your hair style far better than cotton will. Your hair, as well as your hair stylist, will thank you.

Suitable for sensitive skin

Our Senescence Wellness Silk Pillowcases are hypoallergenic, using only the finest materials and non-toxic dyes. It’s soft and delicate texture is non-abrasive and smooth. This minimises any possible skin irritation or redness caused by regular pillowcases. While other materials such as cotton may absorb oils, sweat and dust, resulting in more frequent breakouts and other skin sensitivity issues, silk will be greatly helpful in your efforts to combat unwanted breakouts.

Not to mention, if you sweat a lot at night, this may be exasperating your facial breakouts. Standard cotton pillowcases will be doing you no favours because of their porous qualities. As with all bed sheets, pillowcases, makeup brushes, or anything that touches your face, just make sure to wash them regularly to reduce bacterial counts.

Cooling and naturally regulates temperature

For those who struggle with overheating at night, silk is naturally cooling and can help to regulate body temperature. Unlike cotton, which can leave you feeling sweaty and hot, silk helps to wick away moisture. This keeps your face cool and dry throughout the night. Studies have shown that keeping the room at a cooler temperature at night time can help you achieve better sleep. So, if you struggle with becoming overly hot, switching to silk can help you achieve better quality beauty sleep.

The Ultimate Form of Self Care

There is simply something about a silk pillowcase that is wonderfully indulgent, like the ultimate form of self care. It makes you feel as though, in using it, you truly are looking after yourself. You are making a statement that you matter and you are important – not only during your waking hours, but while you are dreaming too. Sleep is precious, and so are you. 

It is empowering to know you can actively be looking after your hair and skin in a state as passive as sleeping. You can go to bed and wake up with peace of mind that you are truly getting the most out of your beauty sleep. Now that you’ve heard all about silk pillowcase benefits, I suggest you try it for yourself. For girls who already do their best to care for their hair and skin, a silk pillowcase is a great way to up-level your beauty routine.

The Senescence Wellness Silk Pillowcase 

Today I am revealing for the first time something that I have been working towards for a long time now. Under our sister company, Senescence Wellness, we are releasing Luxury Silk Pillowcases for hair and skin. The product is first launching with Amazon UK. If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know I am extremely passionate about skincare, natural beauty and wellness. The choice of silk pillowcases felt like a natural product to launch our new brand. It is luxurious but simple to use and works universally regardless of your skin/hair type, age or skincare preference.

I wanted to choose a product you could feel great about using, that lasts, and makes a significant difference in your beauty and wellness routine. I chose the type of silk pillowcase that I knew I would love and personally use myself and would not compromise on the kind of quality I wanted. You will not only get all the silk pillowcase benefits, but be a part of a wellness movement. This entire experience has certainly been a learning experience and I hope you enjoy your pillowcase as much as I do.

My Ideal Pillowcase for Silk Pillowcase Benefits

It was unequivocal in my mind that I wanted to go with an envelope pillowcase design. I could not get past the fact that I felt a zippered closure somewhat cheapened a luxurious fabric like silk. I also tend to find zips a little unsightly (in my humble opinion of course). Although pricier to create, the envelope closure is far sleeker and elegant. You do not have to worry about snagging or the breaking of the zipper. There is no concern with your hair getting caught in the zipper, and it is easier to wash.

I chose a 19 momme silk due to its luxuriously soft feel and breathability. I also felt as though it was the right level of lustre; it is not overly shiny as higher mommes can be, but still has a delicate texture, high quality feel and look. The silk is also not too thin and transparent, but also not too thick and thus not cooling enough. I wanted to select a high-quality silk that is smooth and delicate, tactile, breathable and aesthetically pleasing. And I am rather satisfied with the outcome.

I found that a number of silk pillowcases on the market were not actually 100% silk. Some were silk blends with synthetics, or one side was silk and the other cotton. I wanted you to be sure the Senescence Wellness Silk Pillowcase was 100% pure silk, so even the most sensitive skin will love it. You deserve quality, and I will settle for nothing less.

Conscious Branding

For packaging I wanted to keep things minimal but chic. Our main focus is on delivering a great product with a lot of heart, and positive messaging. Many brands will charge above and beyond a premium price on their products, based solely on fancy packaging. (Packaging whose cost of manufacture is often nowhere near justifiable for the inflation in product price that comes with it.) I decided that with my brand I want to try my best to not have to contribute to the excessive packaging problems of today.

Oftentimes, no matter how pretty a box the product comes in, packaging will be discarded soon after. As consumers there are only so many boxes we can stack before entering hoarder territory. Clutter is neither good for our state of mind and wellbeing nor for the planet. As a Wellness centric brand it is of paramount importance that our actions align with our values.

Your Self Care Journey Begins with Beauty Sleep

We are currently offering an introductory price of only £39.99 for our silk pillowcases. All support and feedback is truly appreciated. My aim with this new brand is to bring you the best Beauty and Wellness products that you will use and cherish. Products that make an immense difference to your Wellness routine, and make you feel amazing. My whole aim with this brand is to help you feel empowered. We want to offer the tools for your Beauty & Wellness ritual to assist you on your self care journey.

So, what are you waiting for?

Upgrade your beauty sleep with a Senescence Wellness Silk Pillowcase. 

Follow our Instagram for your daily dose of empowering wellness content @senescencewellness.

You might also enjoy the following blog posts:

Affordable Anti-Ageing Skincare Routine for Your 20’s

Skincare Ingredients To Treat Acne

What is Bakuchiol & Can It Help with Anti Ageing

Salicylic Acid Skincare: The Complete Guide

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limits,

Shannon xo

The post Silk Pillowcase Benefits: My Ultimate Beauty Staple appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

Chemical peels have been around in some form or another for centuries. Professional strength, in-office peels in particular were hugely popular in the 90s. While lasers and other interventions took the spotlight for a while, professional chemical peels are still extremely popular in-office treatments. They are proven effective and results are indisputable. Dullness, signs of ageing, acne and brighter skin are all promised outcomes of the treatment. This blog post introduces the Salicylic Acid Chemical Peel for Acne treatment.

Acne Intervention

June 2019

I must admit that the past few months have not been kind on my skin. While we can try to uphold certain stress-relieving practices in life, stress is sometimes inevitable and unavoidable. Stress will undoubtedly elicit an unfavourable response in anyone’s body. Be it stress-eating, unwanted weight gain or weight loss, diminished hair quality, hair loss, acne, autoimmunity – the list goes on. I have experienced every single one of these adverse reactions to stress. And one way my body unfailingly reacts to stress is flare ups in my skin condition. Not least because stress is inflammatory and sends your entire system into a manic hormonal cascade. It shifts everything out of balance – including your skin.

This has inexorably led to more acne lesions than is typical for me and more reactive skin. Once my eating patterns begin to normalise again (that is to say, I quit my 2am junk food habit I have kept up for a couple months now), and I get a better handle on my stress levels, I am hopeful that my skin will improve. However, an increase in acne lesions also means I have been bestowed with new post-acne hyperpigmentation marks too. Nowadays I do believe in a gentler approach to my skin than the formally abrasive, harsh approach I took as a teenager. However, sometimes a more vigorous intervention is necessary.

Trying A Professional Chemical Peel for Acne

My inner scientist has been curious to try a professional strength chemical peel for acne for a while. Thus, I thought that now might be an opportune time to investigate while my skin is not behaving. Once I see the full extent of the treatment’s efficacy, I can report its effectiveness, and whether I recommend it.

I have decided upon a 30% salicylic acid chemical peel, which has particularly compelling research for acne patients. This blog posts details all about this type of peel in case you were curious to try it yourself. I will also be documenting my experience and journey with the peel in follow up blog posts.

Tailor your treatment to your own needs

I would like to preface by emphasising that a suitable acne treatment varies from individual to individual. Milder cases may only require the use of spot treatments or may even do well with natural interventions or remedies. Moderate cases may be eliminated with a course of antibiotics or even hormonal birth control. More extreme cases of acne may require more urgent interventions. Accutane or other oral medications, for instance, will quickly eliminate the condition and prevent permanent scarring of the skin. At my worst I was given daily antibiotics, abrasive scrubs, along with topical antibiotics.

I am now appalled by the length of time I was kept on these medications. They had deleterious effects on my health and mercilessly tore up my microbiome. However, if you are an acne sufferer, you understand how emotional and distressing it is. When you must look at your acne each and every day, you want nothing more than to eradicate your dreaded skin condition. Admittedly, nothing will do that quite like certain pharmaceuticals. If your acne is taking an emotional toll, such medications can drastically improve your quality of life and self-esteem.

Treatments should complement each other

Unfortunately, a proper skincare regimen was never emphasised by my doctor. I personally found from my own vigorous research that introducing ingredients such benzoyl peroxide and adapalene helped immensely. Here is an entire blog post on the top skincare ingredients for acne. I would encourage addressing the root cause of your acne, as well as introducing a proper skincare routine. These are important even if you are taking medications such as birth control or antibiotics to clear your skin. I made both these mistakes taking hormonal birth control and antibiotics. And I can assure you that your acne will return once you stop the medication.

Each time my acne returned because I was not yet equipped to address my root cause. I did not have a proper skincare regime either at the time. I now maintain my skin solely with OTC skincare products, deciding I do not want to spend my life on medications. There is no magic bullet when it comes to skin. A number of therapies should be used in conjunction with one another for optimal results. The only medication with a track record to truly eliminate acne for good is Accutane. However, I have never personally taken this. If your acne is severe, I strongly advise consulting a dermatologist for a mode of action to suit your needs.

On to the topic of today’s post: chemical peel for acne treatment.

What is a chemical peel for acne?

Chemical peels involve the use of chemical exfoliants, to remove the outer layers of skin and encourage shedding. Acids include Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acids, Jessner’s Solution or Trichloroacetic Acid. This induced exfoliation can encourage rejuvenation and resurfacing of the skin. This reveals smoother, fresh skin with improved texture and tone.

Which chemical peel for acne should you choose?

Commonly used superficial and medium depth chemical peeling agents include: salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, Jessner’s solution and Trichloroacetic acid. For an explanation of the difference between BHA and AHA exfoliants, read this blog post.  

Certain acids are more typically used for the treatment of superficial wrinkles, and other concerns related to anti-ageing. Others are better suited for the treatment of acne and scarring. Today I will be addressing chemical peels for acne-related issues specifically.

Glycolic acid demonstrates clinical efficacy in improving skin condition of acne patients. However, salicylic acid has proven to be even more so effective. Glycolic acid also causes a greater risk of sun sensitivity. This is why I am opting for a salicylic acid chemical peel.

What strength of chemical peel for acne?

Strengths vary from superficial peels, to medium depth peels, to deep peels. Professional chemical peels are much stronger than the daily exfoliants suitable for at-home use. Hence, they provide much quicker, and drastically more noticeable results.

Higher strength, deeper peels cause a greater amount of shedding and possible side effects. Because results are more drastic, however, there can be a longer length of time between treatments. Each treatment is also more expensive but results can last up to a year.

Superficial peels, like the salicylic acid 30% I am choosing, involve less down time post-treatment. Peels must also be done more frequently in order to maintain results. I am having a total of 4 treatments done 2 weeks apart, after which I will evaluate the full extent of the peel.

What do salicylic acid peels do?

Essentially, salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant that breaks the bonds holding skin together, in order to slough away the top layer of skin. The comedolytic and lipophilic properties of salicylic acid make it favourable for use in the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne. It encourages shedding of epidermal skin cells, is lipid soluble, decreases sebum, penetrates pores to prevent clogging, and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Not only will salicylic acid improve the prevalence of active acne lesions, but its anti-inflammatory properties may also help to decrease facial erythema and lighten post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. As a naturally medium-toned girl, I develop post-acne dark marks after every blemish. If you too have the same issue, a peel can be of great benefit. Salicylic acid peels can be helpful for use in conditions such as acne vulgaris, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, freckles, mild to moderate photodamage, texturally rough skin and minor wrinkles.

I encourage you to read my in-depth blog post about salicylic acid, to get the most optimal idea of its properties.

Before the peel

Your pre-peel care regimen will vary depending on the condition of your skin and your intended outcome. Some practitioners may encourage use of at-home chemical exfoliants and retinoids prior to your treatment. Others may urge you to discontinue use altogether. Ingredients such as retinoids will thin the skin and enhance penetration of the peeling agent. Personally I am choosing not to use too many active ingredients before my treatment. I want to avoid overloading my skin and increasing any risk of adverse effects. I encourage you to consult your practitioner to decide upon the best regime for your own needs.

The Chemical Peel for Acne Procedure

My practitioner advises avoiding any harsh products on skin the night before the treatment. Instead of applying my regular skincare routine, I only cleansed and applied a basic moisturiser; the Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors.

Before undergoing the procedure, the practitioner will present you with a consent form you have to sign. The treatment itself is fairly quick. Whoever is doing your treatment will cleanse your skin, then wipe your face with alcohol before applying the peel. The smell of both alcohol and acid are pretty strong and do not dissipate until after the treatment.

The peel is applied to the areas of concern, such as the forehead, cheeks and nose. It is left on for a couple of minutes, during which the face begins to burn, tingle and feel hot. Before the burning sensation is almost too much to bear, the practitioner will neutralise the acid.

Following the treatment, you may apply moisturiser and SPF to the skin in order to protect it. Skin feels taut and tight the remainder of the day following the peel. It feels as though you can’t quite move it fully or be over expressive for fear your face might break. The feeling is similar to how it feels after washing with a foaming wash and then not applying moisturiser.

Side effects of a chemical peel

Side effects of chemical peels include stinging, dryness, peeling, flaking, and worsening of hyperpigmentation. Incidences of hyperpigmentation seem to be more prevalent in darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin type IV-VI). Certain medications such as antibiotics and oral contraceptives can also predispose you to developing hyperpigmentation. Due to risk of infection, immunocompromised patients or those susceptible to herpes virus may not want to undergo the treatment. Pregnant women and those allergic to aspirin will also not be able to have a salicylic acid peel. 

After the chemical peel

It is advised to reschedule treatments at regular 10-14 day intervals in order to see optimal results. Because a chemical peel essentially wounds your skin, it is sensible to use only soothing, bland moisturisers and skincare products for up to 48 hours after treatment. Avoid any vitamin A or glycolic acid products for 48 hours post peel, or until peeling resolves.

Once your skin has a chance to calm down, you are free to resume your regular skincare routine and reintroduce active ingredients. Remember that you are revealing a fresh, sensitive layer of skin by undergoing a chemical peel. It is therefore essential to protect skin with SPF after the treatment, to ensure you are not increasing your risk of sun damage. 

It is also advisable that you avoid any activities that will raise skin temperature; instead opt to keep skin cool. That means no hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, or even exercise for 72 hours post peel. Waxing and other forms of hair removal, as well as peeling or picking at the skin for up to a week post procedure may increase risk of dark spots and scarring.

My results: First Treatment

A mere 24 hours has elapsed since receiving my first treatment. So far, I notice a small reduction in blackheads on my nose. I have never personally had a huge issue with blackheads or large pores but I feel noticeable poreless. My skin seems to have a tighter than usual quality to it, likely due to the oil reducing properties of the acid. It almost feels slightly like sunburn.

Due to the rapid exfoliation, the peel also brings any blemishes to a head. I am experiencing mild peeling and flaking over some older blemishes and a slight darkening of the skin around them. I am choosing not to wear makeup yet, however none of these issues are too severe that it would severely impact my makeup application.

The peeling was truly at its most 48 hours post–peel.

Update: October 2019

I had my third chemical peel for acne at the end of September. I was initially hesitant to book my next treatment and had hence left so long between my second and third treatments. This is partly due to the fact that my skin has cleared significantly and for the most part the slough of active acne lesions I was experiencing have disappeared, aside from the odd hormonal blemish. I feared that since I usually experience intense breakouts after peels due to skin purging, it might disrupt my skin’s good recent behaviour. If you struggle with acne and your skin is finally behaving, it can be daunting to try any intense treatments.

Of course in the name of research, I am not one to back down and eventually braved it and returned for my third treatment. The third time round I noticed the stinging, burning sensation during the actual peel application process was significantly diminished. During the post-peel healing process, I did not erupt with quite as many blemishes, and experienced little to no peeling. My skin also felt a lot less tight than with the initial peels.

I am hoping that by my fourth treatment I will have few, if any, new breakouts from the peel. My skin has not been breaking out in clusters of acne lesions for around 8-12 weeks now, so I am praying things are once again on the up-and-up. The next action step will be to treat and heal all my post-blemish hyperpigmentation. Stay tuned for my next post all about how to clear dark spots and hyperpigmentation. For more on how I keep breakouts under control, see this blog post.

At-home treatments

Before embarking upon a professional chemical peel for acne, you will want to try milder at-home exfoliants first. If your skin is not accustomed to the action of chemical exfoliants, I highly suggest starting with at-home, low strength exfoliants before transitioning to more aggressive professional treatments. For daily use, I recommend salicylic acid products such as Paula’s Choice 2% BHA.

I would also suggest The Ordinary 2% Salicylic Acid Masque, which also contains charcoal and clay to remove impurities, as another treatment when your skin is feeling particularly congested.

For a slightly stronger peel, The Ordinary 30% AHA and 2% BHA Peeling Solution is effective and affordable. It is a red solution that you leave on for 10 minutes and then wash off. This is the highest strength I feel comfortable with using at home. Any stronger and urge you to seek professional assistance from a skin specialist. 

If you have never before used salicylic acid and you are a little more sensitive, a rinse-off face wash is also a good way to introduce it to your routine. I recommend the Inkey List Salicylic Acid cleanser.

If you are not considering a chemical peel yet, but would like more advice for clearing blemishes, make sure to read these blog posts:

How to get rid of blackheads for good

Top Acne Supplements for Naturally Clear Skin

Essential Tips for Oily Skin

The Complete Guide to Salicylic Acid

The Complete Guide to Glycolic Acid

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,

Shannon xo

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Affordable Anti-Ageing Skincare Routine For Your Twenties and Beyond

Skin requires a number of efficacious active ingredients to maintain its lustre and health. Is it possible to meet all your skin care needs and not splash out hundreds of pounds? Can you really create an effective skincare routine on a budget? Of course! While marketing and luxury brands may tell you otherwise, there is absolutely no reason you cannot achieve great skin using affordable products – sans the fancy packaging, convoluted verbiage and hefty price tag. If you are in your twenties, on a budget and are considering taking your skincare game to the next level, today’s post is for you. I am going to give you my tried and tested, proven effective, affordable anti-ageing skincare routine – using only products under £20.

After an extended break from blogging, I am so incredibly happy to be back! Because I have not had the opportunity to do so yet, I would like to wish you a very (belated) happy new year. I have missed posting so unbelievably much and I look forward to creating a lot of content this year. Although I will not bore you with the details and particulars of my absence, I hope to soon share with you some very exciting things. I will do my utmost to remain consistent with my future blog posts from here onwards. If you are not already subscribed to the blog, make sure you do so for exciting updates.

Now, let’s get back to the topic of today’s blog post. 

Beauty on a Budget

Skincare is an investment. You take good care of your skin now, in order to reap the benefits for years to come. However, an investment does not mean that your products have to break the bank. Products do not need a huge price tag in order for them to be effective, or to show results. If you are a student, or young person on a budget, there are still plenty of affordable, highly efficacious products that will bring real, noticeable results. 

As a girl on a budget, I am aware that skincare products can get pricey. Perhaps you are in your twenties like me and would like to start taking proper care of your skin. I know what it’s like. There are late nights at the club surrounded by cigarette smoke, a little too much to drink, lights you collapse in bed before ever removing your makeup. In our twenties we are all guilty of being a little naughty to one degree or another. 

As a teen you may have been able to get away with a lack of sleep without much negative effect. However, now the first signs of undereye bags are rearing their ugly little head; you want to nip it in the bud before it proliferates. I am only 22 but recently I really feel the effects of nights out on my skin. As a 17-year-old I could get by on four hours of sleep and do night after night out. It would not phase me the way it does now. Perhaps that sounds precocious at only 22. But after a lot of sleep deprived nights, makeup use and acne in my teens, I appreciate my pillowcase and skin care more and more.

Skincare Must Haves for Your Twenties

I have compiled this affordable anti-ageing skincare routine full of products I use and trust. Every product is highly effective, under £20 each, and has been tested by me for 6+ months. I have done this to demonstrate that beauty can be effective on a budget; you have no excuse not to implement a skincare routine. This routine has yielded great results for my skin, exemplifying that good skincare is not synonymous with expensive skincare. It is all about ingredients and results – not packaging and marketing. 

My skin type is acne-prone and sensitive. I do not have overly oily or overly dry skin. Here are the products I recommend for women in their twenties and an overview of what I will be discussing in this post: 

Cleanser 

Makeup remover

Targeted spot treatment for those pesky unexpected or hormonal breakouts

Chemical exfoliant

Serums and Antioxidant products – niacinamide, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and other antioxidants to shield and protect from environmental stressors

Facial oil – multipurpose, for days your skin is particularly parched and for makeup application

Daily facial moisturiser 

SPF (I will cover SPF products in a separate blog post). Make sure you check out this blog post about what SPF does for skin.

The above are my core, essential products I recommend integrating into your skincare stash. If this seems a little overwhelming at first glance, I will also be explaining how you can easily condense the number of products you use and whittle down your skincare routine if you choose. In addition, depending on your skin type, you may not need every product.

Cleanser

The first step of your affordable anti-ageing skincare routine is cleansing. If you have read my post on how to layer skincare products,you would be aware of the emphasis I put on proper cleansing of the skin. I have gone through countless cleansers and face washes in the past and found that nothing quite eliminates my rosacea and redness like a gentle cleanser. Many cleansers I have tried will cause my skin to flush red and irritated upon washing. If this is something you struggle with and cannot find the culprit, I would suggest switching out your face cleanser and seeing if that solves the issue.

Essential oils, sulphates and fragrances are ingredients I used in the past, in many of my cleansers. I mistakenly was of the view that, because a face wash is on your skin for such a brief time, the variety of cleanser you used was not important. I would purchase the generic face wash at the supermarket and thought that would do the trick. However, I always struggled with redness. As I became more educated on skin care and ingredients, and after experimenting on myself, I realised that switching my cleanser to a gentle, fragrance free non-foaming cleanser made the greatest impact on my skin. 

Cleanser Favourite

At the moment I am using the La Roche Posay Dermocleanser. It is a cream cleanser, it does not foam and has no fragrance. If you are accustomed to foaming cleansers and the squeaky-clean-feel you get from them, this product might take a while to get used to. Do not be fooled though, it does a fantastic job of removing makeup and dirt from the day. It is available here on Amazon for only £9, which is the cheapest price I have found it at.

Other cleansers, even the foaming variety, would leave behind some traces of makeup. I would follow up with a toner and still be able to pick up a lot of excess oil and makeup from my face after cleansing. This cleanser does not give me that issue; it is non-irritating and is safe for use around the eyes. Let’s be honest: no one wants their eyes to sting and burn.

Makeup Removal

I regularly use micellar water to remove my everyday makeup. I do not wear much makeup on a daily basis so it can easily be removed with a swipe of micellar water. If I am wearing eye makeup or waterproof mascara, I will turn to this Simple Dual Effect eye makeup remover. It is among the best eye makeup removers I have tried and will remove any waterproof eye makeup you may have on. I do not spend a great deal of my skincare budget on makeup removers because even simple coconut oil can do the trick. It only has one function; to remove makeup, so I do not resort to anything fancy.

My favourite micellar cleansing water is this one from Bioderma. It is gentle and does a great job. I regularly purchase this variety of Bioderma because it comes in a big bottle with a pump. It is available on Amazon for the best price. Other favourites Simple Micellar Cleansing Water and Garnier Micellar Water.

Exfoliation

A chemical exfoliant will work wonders on your skin. Particularly if you struggle with congested pores and blackheads. If you struggle with acne and blackheads, I would recommend using a salicylic acid product. If you are concerned about dark spots and signs of ageing, you can also opt for glycolic acid. I have written in depth articles about both salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which you can refer back to. Finding a good chemical exfoliant is challenging, because many contain ingredients that irritate my skin. I have narrowed down my search to several key products.

Under £20

Glossier’s daily face exfoliator is a triple threat containing chemical exfoliants BHA, AHA and PHA. It can be used daily for a fresh glowing skin effect. At £19, it is slightly higher in price, but you can get 10% off through this link. This exfoliant will keep your pores clear of blackheads and smooth skin texture. PHAs are a newer exfoliant on the scene. They are beginning to be used in more products and are gentler relative to other exfoliants, as well as moisturising. It also contains soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and niacinamide.

Pixi Glow Tonic is a cult favourite glycolic acid toner. It buffs away dead skin cells, refine pores, and stimulates skin cell regeneration. It is not overly drying and contains aloe vera for additional soothing benefit. If you are new to chemical exfoliants, I would suggest trying them a couple of days per week and gradually increasing your use, to avoid irritation.

The COSRX AHA/BHA toner is a little-known gem. It contains both AHAs and BHAs for thorough skin resurfacing, and at only £15 it is a no brainer. If fragrance tends to irritate your skin, I would highly suggest this product. It is non irritating and contains soothing allantoin. If your main concern is blackheads and breakouts, the COSRX Blackhead Power Liquid is another great option. The brand is available on SokoGlam, iHerb, and Lookfantastic. Check out my Korean Skincare post for more on this brand and the top Korean skincare products you need.

Under £10

At only £9.99, the Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid is a new no-nonsense, fragrance free exfoliant. You only need a drop to benefit from its pore clearing, breakout preventing properties. The Inkey List also has an inexpensive Glycolic Acid exfoliating toner for only £6.99, giving Pixi Glow Tonic a run for its money. If you have less of an issue with breakouts but struggle with skin dullness and dryness, this product will improve skin radiance. Make sure you have read my complete guide to Glycolic Acid for more information on what the ingredient does for your skin.

Targeted Spot Treatment

Whether or not your skin is immaculate for most of the month, or you are a Vogue cover model, you will experience a spot at some point in your journey. If you are a woman, you will likely experience a breakout or two around that wonderful time of the month. And when you do, you will want to be armed with some sort of spot treatment, in case a zit appears at a most inopportune time. If you do struggle with acne, I would suggest taking a look at the following posts: The Best Ingredients to Eliminate Acne and How to Get Rid Of Blackheads for Good.

Your best, quickest resolution is a tube of benzoyl peroxide that you can get over the counter from your local drugstore/pharmacy. If you are not a fan of BPO, there are a number of other inexpensive, effective spot treatments. La Roche Posay Breakout Corrector and Alpha H Blemish Control Gel contain salicylic acid and antimicrobial ingredients to clear your blemishes. Sulphur containing treatments such as Bye Bye Blemish will draw out bacteria from the spot. I would also recommend trying out these hydrocolloid acne patches to get rid of that pesky blemish overnight.

Serums and Antioxidants

Your twenties is the time where you want to start stepping up your skincare game a fraction from the basic moisturiser you always used. Now is the time to begin incorporating certain serums, antioxidants and other active ingredients that will help preserve and maintain healthy collagen production in skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

If you do not already incorporate hyaluronic acid into your routine, read this complete guide to hyaluronic acid. Regardless of your skin type, a hyaluronic acid based product is sure to benefit your skin. It is a humectant and will help provide much needed skin hydration. Some simple, very affordable hyaluronic acid serums include the Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum for £4.99 and the Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid at £6. Meanwhile, Makeup Revolution has recently launched their take on brands such as the Ordinary. Thus we have Revolution Skincare Hyaluronic Acid as another inexpensive alternative option.

Hyaluronic acid is available in many skincare products. However, you should choose your products wisely. If a pricey product contains hyaluronic acid as its only selling point, I would suggest looking for one that incorporates a larger mix of skin-loving ingredients. Although HA is important, it is not the only ingredient your skin needs. If your standard moisturiser already contains a good dose of hyaluronic acid, you may not necessarily need a dedicated serum with HA.

Peptides

Once the first signs of fine lines begin to show up, you may wish to consider incorporating a peptide serum into your routine. Peptides are the building blocks of protein and specifically collagen, crucial for youthful skin. One of my favourite affordable peptide serums is the Ordinary Buffet. It contains an array of powerful peptides and hyaluronic acid to encourage skin plumpness and elasticity. In addition, it has a nice light texture and absorbs quickly. I love using it around any smile lines or forehead lines in particular. In the same vein, Revolution Skincare has launched their own peptide serum for only £10 and I was pleasantly surprised by their largely irritant free ingredient list.

Antioxidants

I have spoken at length about the importance of antioxidants in your routine. Oftentimes, the all-encompassing, antioxidant rich skincare products lean on the pricier side due to the nature of the ingredients. Brands like The Ordinary and The Inkey List make it easy to choose individual antioxidants. However, you can see how purchasing a number of antioxidants can add up to give the same effect as a single product that includes multiple antioxidants.

If I were to choose only one budget serum, it would hands down be a niacinamide-based product. Niacinamide is my skincare star ingredient and has truly altered my skin. It has a myriad of benefits; from diminishing the appearance of large pores, uneven skin tone, skin discolouration and even blemishes. Moreover, it strengthens an impaired skin barrier, which is critical for maintaining healthy skin throughout life. My holy grail is this niacinamide product and, at only £5, it is well worth the spend.

While vitamin C is an extremely beneficial skincare ingredient, it is not particularly easy to find a cheap vitamin C product. If you would like to learn its benefits, read this post about vitamin C skincare. Vitamin C is very difficult to formulate due to the speed at which is oxidises and degrades in air. Many cheaper versions of ascorbic acid are a little gritty and not very elegant in texture. I discovered Elf Antioxidant Booster Drops recently, which contains vitamins C, E and niacinamide and can be used alone or added to other products for an extra boost. The Inkey List and The Ordinary have very affordable options, however due to the texture they are not my absolute favourites.

Further antioxidant products I would thoroughly recommend are Resveratrol + Ferulic Acid, and CoQ10, which will protect against environmental stressors that lead to early signs of ageing. Both products have pleasant textures that can easily be integrated into your routine.

Facial Oils

If you do not have an oily skin type, you may overlook or even cringe away from the possibility of using face oils. Face oils are arguably one of the most versatile treasures in your skincare wardrobe. They are kind of like that little black dress you can dress up or down and will match with most anything.

When your skin is feeling particularly parched or dehydrated, applying a little facial oil over the rest of your skincare acts as a barrier for the rest of your products. It helps to trap in moisture and prevent water loss from the skin. To double up your skincare, consider mixing it in to your standard moisturiser during the drier months. Face oils are also great to use under your makeup base. Furthermore, you can use oil to alter the consistency of formulas. Adding a drop to foundations and cream products will enhance the slip and emollience of these products. Be aware of the silicone content of your products, however, because mixing too many oils and other skincare products with silicones may cause pilling.

An oil for every occasion

My favourite facial oils of the moment include rosehip oil, which you can read all about in this blog post, squalane oil and marula oil. Each of these oils have their own individual benefits and best uses. I recommend rosehip oil if you have any concerns with dark spots or general signs of ageing and all round anti-ageing benefits. It absorbs quickly into skin so even oily skin types will benefit from its use.

Squalane is amazing for use as a standalone face oil or simply as a pre-makeup step. I tend to use it to mix in with base products that are more matte in texture in order to enhance the slip. It is also great for adding a couple of drops to your hair to enhance shine. Marula oil is best for drier skin types and has an excellent fatty acid profile for deep skin moisture and suppleness. BYBI Buriti Oil is another great cold pressed, all natural choice for only £12.

Moisturiser

Lastly, there is an abundance of affordable moisturisers to choose from. Both the drugstore and online beauty retailers provide an array of great moisturisers. I do not typically splurge on moisturisers for the simple fact that it is merely designed to moisturise skin. While the top tier, higher ticket moisturisers will have a myriad of skin-replenishing ingredients, antioxidants and other goodies, so do serums. If you use a separate serum, the function of a moisturiser can simply be providing moisture and reinforcing the skin barrier. Look out for moisturisers with skin-boosting ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and various non fragrant plant oils.

Cerave moisturising lotion is a good option containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides that strengthen skin barrier and prevent premature signs of ageing. For a natural option, I like the Burts Bees Sensitive Moisturising Cream as it is soothing, fragrance free and non greasy. Another favourite of mine is the Simple Hydrating Gel. It is lightweight in consistency but still hydrating and perfect under makeup.

Eye Cream

Typically, I will not use a separate eye cream. All the moisturisers I mentioned work perfectly fine around the eye area. Eye creams often seemed to me another excuse to release a product that is half the size, at double the price. As long as you bring all other products around your eye area, it should suffice. If you suffer with puffy eyes, perhaps a separate eye cream may be desirable for you, but it is not necessary.

With that in mind, recently I decided to try out this affordable eye cream and I must say I really enjoy using it. It feels refreshing and replenishing around the eye area and the addition of ceramides adds an extra anti-ageing boost. If you struggle with particularly dry under eyes, I would highly recommend this product. Burts Bees also has a sensitive eye cream that I have repurchased a number of times through the years.

Condensing Your Routine

Phew! That was a lot to get through.

For the girl who does not want to spend a tonne of time on her skincare routine, you can simplify it and still get good results. If you asked me what my must-haves are for travel, or if I wanted to just take it easy on the products for a night, I would opt for:

Cleanser, Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic Acid serum (oily skin) or moisturiser (dry) or face oil.

Yes, it really is that simple.

Those are the essential products I need for everyday to maintain my skin. The rest of the products reinforce and are great additions to my routine to keep my skin in top shape. Your individual skin needs may be different to mine. Therefore, it is important to experiment and test various products to see which best suit your needs.

I hope that this post was helpful and you have a better idea of how to put together your own affordable anti-ageing skincare routine. If you need some direction as to how to layer all these products, read this article about skincare layering.

I know that today’s post was a long one (who am I kidding, most of my posts are!). But, I like to be thorough and really explain my choices and recommendations so that you can make an educated decision. Besides, I have missed blogging so please excuse me for spewing all this information at once.

Subscribe to the Blog for more Beauty and Wellness content. Plus, keep an eye out for some exciting announcements to come. 😉

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,

Shannon xo

• Why Do We Get Acne Breakouts?
• Things To Do During Coronavirus Lockdown
• Silk Pillowcase Benefits: My Ultimate Beauty Staple
• Chemical Peel for Acne Treatment
• Affordable Anti-Ageing Skincare Routine for Your 20’s

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

The post Affordable Anti-Ageing Skincare Routine for Your 20’s appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

Amazon Skin Care Tools Every Girl Needs

Amazon truly is the Everything Store. It is a place where you can purchase anything from spare light bulbs to toothpaste to baby nappies, and have them all conveniently delivered to your door within 24 hours. This phenomenon would have positively been considered witchcraft mere decades back. Yet, here it is today. And because it is the Everything Store, there is plenty opportunity for lovers of Beauty and Skin Care, like you and I, to take advantage and throw in some beauty goodies to our next Amazon delivery. This blog post is all about the amazon skin care tools that every girl needs.

SILK PILLOWCASE

We spend a third of our lives sleeping. That’s a whole lot of time with our heads planted in a pillow. If you are a back sleeper, I salute you. However, there are benefits with detoxification to sleeping on your side (I can cover that in a separate post). The repeated action of your face up against a surface, day after day, year after year causes creasing in your skin, and over time leads to the formation of unwanted lines and wrinkles.

A silk pillowcase will not leach moisture from your skin like a cotton pillow case. You will no longer have to wake up with crazy creases on the side of your face before you head out to work. You’ll find less hair breakage because of the soft surface. A silk pillowcase is a must-have the sake of your anti-ageing strategy, and for your beauty. Even more so if you, like me, prefer to sleep on your side for as many hours as possible. 

GUA SHA

If you read my travel skin care essentials post, I explained the benefits of facial massage after long haul flights. You can use a Gua Sha skin care tool to promote lymphatic drainage and effectively de-puff the face. 

Gua sha is an alternative therapy method used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a means of promoting circulation and redirecting energy flow in the body. It can help promote healing, reduce inflammation and stimulate the lymphatic system.

The daily ritual of Gua Sha can provide a multitude of long term skin benefits. Gua sha use can reduce wrinkles, firm and tone, even out complexion, define the jaw line, de-puff and combat pigmentation and puffy eyes. Gua sha can also be used to relieve tension and relax the muscles.

This tool from Amazon is a great, inexpensive option if you would like to try out Gua Sha but do not want a substantial expense before deciding if you like the results from Gua Sha. But trust that if you are consistent with this practice, your skin results will soon speak for itself.

JADE ROLLER

Jade rolling is another way to stimulate the lymphatic system and reduce puffiness in the face. It consists of a larger roller on one side and a smaller roller on the other, for more targeted areas such as around the eyes. In some respects, it requires less of a skilled technique than Gua Sha and is an extremely gentle approach.

You should use the jade roller on clean skin. For extra coolness you can store it in the fridge before use. You want to make sure you are draining down the neck and towards the lymph nodes. It should feel cooling and relaxing on the face. And if anything, it is a perfectly calming ritual to add to your self-care routine.

FOREO FACIAL BRUSH

A Foreo is the ultimate cleansing and massage device for your skin. I have toyed with a number of cleansing devices in the past, including the Clarisonic. While I thoroughly enjoyed using the Clarisonic, the constant need to change brush heads became far too cumbersome and uneconomical (£20 per brush head?!) It just didn’t make sense anymore for me to continue purchasing brush head after brush head, when I had already invested a significant amount of money on the brush body to begin with.

The Foreo is made of silicone. This makes it far more hygienic and convenient as you will not have to constantly replace brush heads every six weeks.  It will really give a deep cleanse to the skin and pull every last trace of makeup from your pores. They even have adorable mini versions of the Foreo so you can leave your main cleansing brush at home and take along with you a convenient, portable one on your travels. It will soon be one of your must have Amazon skin care tools.

KONJAC SPONGE

Perhaps you are not sold on the idea of an electronic skin cleansing device. Maybe they are a little out of your budget. Or perhaps the case is just that you are an eco conscious consumer. Konjac sponges tick all the boxes and are a biodegradable, inexpensive alternative.

Konjac sponges are a popular Japanese means of cleaning the skin. They are completely vegan and eco-friendly approach to your cleansing routine. Made from the konjac root, these sponges are hard when dry and become soft and sponge-like when soaked with water for cleansing.

These sponges are very gentle and non-abrasive on the skin, while still being effective at cleansing and removing makeup. There are various properties infused into different konjac sponges, such as charcoal for detoxifying the skin.

The sponge allows you to use less cleanser per use, so your product goes further. It is also biodegradable, so once the time comes to replace it at 6-8 weeks, it can be easily composted. These sponges are economical, environmentally friendly, and do wonders for your skin too. What’s not to love?

FACIAL HAIR REMOVER

These little razors are very useful to have on hand at all times. For ladies who experience a little peach fuzz they don’t particularly enjoy, or some rogue eyebrows or upper lip hair, these razors work like a charm.

Some women swear by shaving their face and claim that makeup applies much more smoothly to a hairless complexion. There is also the argument that men age more slowly than women due to their daily shaving practices, which provide additional exfoliation. I do not dispute that, but I have fortunately never felt the need to shave my own face. If you are someone who would like to begin shaving your peach fuzz, using a little tool like this will be of great use to you.

Even if you have no interest in shaving your entire face, these razors can be used to groom around eyebrows and upper lip area between waxing appointments. And who knows what else.

Amongst all the Amazon skin care tools, there is also this inexpensive, cute electric pink facial hair remover. If you have decided that you do enjoy the results you see from shaving your peach fuzz, you’ll love this handy little device. It can be easily cleaned under running water and has a handy LED light for use in even dimly light environments.

TANNING GLOVE

If you are a user of self-tanners, you will recognise the importance of using a glove to cover your palms while you apply the tanner to your body. You will also be aware of how gross these mitts get after only a few uses and how they don’t last.

This luxury velvet self-tan mitt will last you far longer than other conventional tanning mitts. It will apply any self-tan formula from mousses to creams and lotions. It is also soft and velvety, so will smoothly apply product for a streak-free finish.

FACE WASH HEADBAND

We all know the struggle of attempting to wash our face while trying not to wet our hair. These flannel headbands will absorb any water and keep it off your hair, so you can soundly wash your face without worrying about ruining your hair or having to dry it afterwards. You can also use it while applying makeup to keep flyaway hairs from your face and prevent any foundation and other products from getting in your hair.

DRY BODY BRUSH

A dry body brush is a great way to exfoliate the skin and encourage blood circulation as well as remove toxins from the body. Because it stimulates blood flow, it plays a role in diminishing the look of cellulite and promoting a smooth, soft skin.

Dry body brushing is invigorating and energising because it speeds up the delivery of oxygen and nutrient to cells. When brushing your limbs, make sure you are brushing in an upwards motion towards the heart.

MIRCROFIBRE FACE CLOTH

It can be a pain having to re-purchase makeup remover products. Not to mention, they quickly run out if you wear makeup on the daily. A microfibre face cloth will remove your makeup easily, with only water, no product needed. It simply needs to be wet in order to remove your makeup. You can then easily wash and re-use it. No more having to reach for the makeup wipes, or cotton pads and makeup remover solution.

BRUSH FOR FACIAL MASKS

If you’re a fan of beauty self-care and facial masks, you’ll definitely want a brush on hand. The brush will distribute the mask evenly over the face far more effectively than hands alone. And it can be used to mix the ingredients before application. It’s just a handy tool for your lazy Sundays or Friday nights in when you just fancy a little extra pampering.

HUMIDIFIER

The days are becoming colder and drier. Pretty soon Winter leave your skin parched and screaming for hydration. This cold, dry air steals moisture from your skin and damages your skin care efforts. If you live in arid regions, a humidifier is a must.

The humidifier will introduce moisture back into the air so that your skin does not dry out overnight. Products like hyaluronic acid can actually work to attract moisture from the air to your skin. So you do ideally want some level of humidity for best results. Read this post on how hyaluronic acid benefits your skin and how you should be using it.

FACIAL FLANNEL

These are boring but so necessary. I recommend you use a new flannel every time you wash your face to minimise the introduction of any bacteria to your skin. Your regular bath towel that you use for a week straight will not suffice as a face towel. Hand towels and body towels used multiple times become a breeding ground for bacteria and trust me, you do not want that on your face.

EXTRACTION TOOL

Mama said not to pick your face, but sometimes we can’t help it. Sometimes it’s a straight up emergency and you need to be somewhere and look cute. And you most definitely cannot have Mr Zit looking like he’s ready to erupt in front of the whole world to see. It’s understandable.

This extraction kit will make sure you are hygienically doing away with Mr Zit, without encouraging the proliferation of further bacteria to your skin. It is one of those Amazon skin care tools you should probably have on hand for emergencies.

TONGUE SCRAPER

But these don’t count as Amazon skin care tools, you say. Well hear me out. This is a wellness tool that you absolutely need to have because when you promote health within, it shows on the outside. Tongue scraping is a necessary hygiene step that not enough people do. 

No one wants a build up of toxins and bad breath. Or even worse, that foul coating some people have over their tongues. Tongue scraping can help prevent bacteria from proliferating, causing gum disease and infections in the mouth (gross!), and promotes overall oral health.

It is believed in Ayurveda that this movement cleanses digestive tissues and internal organs. Anything that promotes health on the inside will reflect to what you see on the outside. A healthy internal environment will reflect in your skin. So get to tongue scraping, girlfriend.

NAIL CUTICLE KIT

Not all of us have the time, nor do we have the finances to head to a weekly manicure appointment. Especially during this time of year in the colder weather, your cuticles can get dry, flaky and far less than cute. This little rose gold cuticle kit will keep your cuticles maintained and ensure you do not have to deal with pesky dry nail beds.

LIGHT UP MIRROR

Doing your face makeup in a dimly lit room is less than conducive to a good makeup day. If the lighting in your house is terrible, natural window light is not an option or you typically have to get ready before sunrise or after the sun goes down, you need a light up mirror.

A lighted mirror will make doing your makeup and other facial grooming tasks infinitely easier. This mirror has one side with 1x magnification and the other with 10x magnification. I think this quality is essential when choosing a makeup mirror because the extra magnification really helps you to scrutinise the little details when it comes to makeup or just tweezing your eyebrows.

TWEEZERS

Every lady knows tweezers are an absolute essential. We should have one in our skin care cabinet, on our counter, in our makeup bags and in our purses at all times. We all know those emergencies. 

Tweezerman is by far my favourite brand of tweezers. Their blades are sharp and precise and easy to use with even the smallest hairs. I have tried my fair share of cheap tweezers and most of them are too blunt and cannot grasp small hairs or remove them in one piece.

I personally use and love these little tweezers and make sure to have a set with me at all times.

Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Makeup Brush Set

Of course, a brush set is essential for every beauty lover out there. Brushes are must have Amazon skin care tools because they encourage hygienic makeup application (just remember to wash them!). Nothing quite changes your beauty game like brushes. 

This brush set includes my favourite tools for a perfect everyday face. I really do not think you would need more than these brushes on a daily basis. Despite what you may see in makeup tutorials and on social media, you do not need dozens of brushes for a makeup look.

On the contrary, I often use only 2 makeup brushes on an everyday basis (both of which are from Real Techniques). Yes, downsizing your makeup brushes is absolutely possible. It is never about a lack of resources, or in this case makeup brushes, but about how you are resourceful with the brushes you have.

This Everyday Essentials makeup brush set contains four brushes and a sponge, all of which are my favourite brushes to use and all you will need for an everyday look. Great looking skin should be the focal point of an everyday makeup look and this set has some excellent face brushes. 

Durable and affordable makeup brushes

Real Techniques was one of the first makeup brush lines I purchased from, over 6 years ago when I first started to properly wear makeup. I will tell you with all earnestness, that these brushes are the best affordable brushes you will invest in.

I have washed them countless times and they have never once failed me, shed profusely or broken apart. Unlike some makeup brushes I own from other companies (I am looking at you, Morphe), they are extremely durable. They wash well, are cruelty free and will last you.

This set comes with the blush brush, face sponge, setting brush, deluxe crease brush and expert face brush. I use the blush brush and expert face brush every single day. Whether I am doing a more natural makeup look or a more polished makeup. If I am trying to look a little more dolled up, I will add the setting brush, eye brush and sponge too.

Face brushes

The blush brush is the perfect large fluffy brush for bronzer and blusher application. On an everyday basis I do not want harsh lines or streaks on my face, so I use the blush brush to diffuse colour around my face after foundation, to revive my complexion but not make it appear as though I am wearing a lot of bronzer or blusher. Just looking healthy.

I primarily use my ring finger to disperse concealer under my eyes. However, when I am aiming to look more “done up” I will use the face sponge for this task. It also does a perfect job at pushing liquid foundation or creams into the skin so that you do not appear streaky or unblended. I will always make sure my sponge is wet before use as the dry sponge soaks too much product.

Lastly, the expert face brush. This is a flawless foundation brush that will make your foundation lay on the skin beautifully. It distributes any liquids or even powder foundations evenly over the face and is dense enough that it will not soak up a lot of product, so your foundation goes further.

Eye brushes

The setting brush in this kit is hands down my favourite brush for setting the under eyes after applying concealer. I have tried a number of brushes and not a single one holds a candle to this setting brush. This brush is small enough that it perfectly fits in the under-eye area. But it is large enough that it actually lays down product as you push it into the skin.

The deluxe crease brush is perfect for defining the crease or socket line. On a daily basis, this is the only eye brush you need. Contour the eye with a little bronzer or blush then apply mascara. I think it’s a great look for weekdays when you don’t have copious time for an extravagant eye look. A subtly defined socket just brings definition to your eyes and makes them look awake. Of course, this brush can be used for more intricate eye looks too.

Amazon skin care tools are abundant

I hope that this post was helpful in determining the Amazon skin care tools you really need as part of your skin care strategy. These Amazon skin care tools are absolutely essential for me and make taking care of my skin so much easier. I think that every girl should consider adding some of these products into their beauty routines. 

There clearly is an abundance of awesome Amazon skin care tools to choose from, and these were just the tip of the iceberg. Amazon always makes everything easy and seamless with things like one-day shipping so that your goodies can be with you in no time.

Remember to Subscribe to the Blog for more skin care and beauty posts like these. I will even give you access to the daily skin care essentials checklist when you Subscribe.

Check out some more skin care advice blog posts:

How To Get Rid of Blackheads For Good

The Top Oily Skin Tips You Need To Know

Essential Travel Skin Care Advice for Flying 

How to Take Care of Your Skin During The Fall Season

How many of these Amazon skin care tools do you use? Do you have any must-have skin care tools from Amazon?

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

The post Amazon Skin Care Tools Every Girl Needs appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

Essential Oily Skin Tips

Oily skin can be a pain point for many people. Your makeup just never seems to last, you are plagued with blackheads and breakouts, and you can’t seem to shake that pesky shine from your forehead. In this post I will be giving you 9 essential oily skin tips so that you can tackle your oily skin, drama free. Along with oily skin tips, this post will dispel some oily skin myths and helping you understand the causes of oily skin.

The Oily Skin Dilemma 

You may be familiar with this scenario.

You wake up and diligently apply your skincare and makeup for the day. Even rising a little earlier than you would like to, just so you can execute your routine properly.

Feeling fabulous, you head off to work/college/university and go about your day.

By the time midday rolls around, you whip out your compact mirror and suddenly you’re pretty horrified. You are definitely not looking as cute as you remember.

Despite how meticulously you applied your base this morning, your foundation has caked up and broken apart.

Your eye makeup has ended up everywhere but your eyes, and you now resemble a panda – albeit not as adorable when rocking black eyes.

And your forehead and cheeks are so greasy you could fry an egg over your face.

If you can relate to this, chances are you have oily skin.

Oily Skin Agony 

Sure, you’ve heard it before, when people try to console you about your oily skin. “You’ll age slower” you’ve been told. 

Firstly, you should celebrate this fact. Your skin will not appear as visibly wrinkled as your counterparts with dry skin. So celebrate the youthful effect.

But girl, I know the struggle is real.

It can be a pain to have to deal with oily skin on the day to day, when all you really want is to be as low maintenance as possible. No one wants to constantly check whether their face has melted off. You are in need of some oily skin tips and tricks. 

Also, oily skin tends to be more prone to breakouts than dry skin. Isn’t that a pain considering you thought you were over the acne phase after you passed puberty?

So you’re telling me that now I have to deal with acne and wrinkles?! That most certainly does not sound like what I bargained for when I officially graduated from being a teenager. You’re not alone, my friend.

While you can’t actually do anything to drastically alter your skin type overnight – other than changing your hormones or using isotretinoin to dry out your oil glands – there are ways to manage oily skin.

So, embrace your skin for the way it is now and don’t sweat it. I have you covered with these oily skin tips.

Oily Skin Causes

Your skin comprises sebaceous glands. The role of sebum in sebaceous glands is to help keep skin lubricated and protect it. When your sebaceous glands begin producing too much, sebum, this results in oily skin. An excess of sebum not only contributes to oily skin, but also increases the likeliness of clogged pores and acne as sebum plugs up the pore.

Oily skin is primarily dictated by hormones. This is why, during periods where your hormones go crazy, such as during puberty, pregnancy or menopause, you will notice changes in your skin type. This is why, when we think of oily skin, we typically think of greasy pubescent teenagers with acne. Typically, high levels of androgens can trigger excess oil production.

Because your skin type is majorly dictated by hormones, there is only so much skincare can do to treat oily skin types. You may not necessarily be able to have an immediate result in terms of completely eradicating oily skin, but you may find your skin grows less oily with time. As your hormones shift with age, you may experience your oily skin beginning to balance out.

Many women find that as they grow older, their skin becomes increasingly drier. However, there is no telling when exactly your skin will stop being oily. Not all women will automatically experience dry skin as soon as they reach 50 or 60 or whatever age the media considers to be “mature”. Which is why I always express the importance of individualising your routine.

Although I know oily skin can be a pain, try to appreciate it while you have it. On the bright side, it certainly can be seen as a sign of youth.

Skin Care Oily Skin Tips

Your skin care products will be your first line of defence when combatting oily skin.

1. Choose a non-stripping cleanser.

Of all the oily skin tips I could give you, I am going to start with the basics: proper cleansing. Conventional wisdom might tell you to choose only oil-free cleansers, or cleansers specifically for oily skin. But frankly, many cleansers tailored specifically to oily skin can simply be stripping.

During my first stint with skincare, when I hit 10 years old and began developing the occasional spot, I was taken to the only beauty shop that existed at the time in my hometown. The shop assistant insisted I be put on a routine of a bar soap, alcohol-based toner and oil free moisturiser. The moisturiser I was told at the time, was to get rid of the “tight” feeling from the soap. This should have been the warning to me – that “tight” feeling is a sign the soap is stripping my skin!

Of course, I knew nothing about skincare at that age and proceeded with my cleanse, tone, moisturiser regimen that did nothing for my skin except make me increasingly oilier and accrued a whole new family of spots. If you want to hear my take on bar soaps, check out this previous post about blackheads. The article on how to get rid of blackheads also gives a lot of oily skin tips that you will benefit from.

You do not need an antibacterial face wash.

At 13, when I began to experience a full flare up of acne and oily skin, I headed to a dermatologist who of course prescribed antibiotics and a scrub. Nothing more. So, I diligently used this scrub 2 to 3 times per day until my skin was red and raw, for years. Without any moisturiser might I add, because my skin was oily, and I thought it already had enough moisture.

Nearly a decade later, I am somewhat of a chemistry aficionado. I am able to read ingredient labels and understand the substances on an ingredient list, so I realise that this scrub was severely damaging to my skin. This scrub contained what I now know to be an antibacterial agent that has since been banned from use in cosmetics and soap. So, fantastic – I might as well have been scrubbing my face with a suspension of rocks in antibacterial hand wash.

My point is, conventional advice will tell you that your oily skin needs a specific face wash. And because you are oily, the more aggressive the better. You need to hit it with menthol, camphor, acids, alcohol and every ingredient you can to dry out the oil. In truth, bombarding your skin with all these harsh ingredients only aggravates your skin’s response. Your skin is being sensitised. While it initially feels dried out, there’s a reason the oiliness returns so quickly. The result? More oiliness. And so, the cycle continues.

Cleansing is key.

Many people assume that because a cleanser is only in contact with your face for a couple of minutes then rinsed off, the variety you use is not overly important. I beg to differ. Every time I have used a cleanser that my skin does not agree with, it will instantly flare up a bout of redness and rosacea in my skin. This means that using a cleanser that your skin does not tolerate well, could further worsen your skin issues.

Depending on your tolerance to certain oils, you do not necessarily have to go oil-free with all your cleansers. For instance, if you wish to remove your makeup with an oil or balm, it should not aggravate your oily skin, provided you follow up with another cleanser. I would recommend following up an oil-based cleanser with a water-soluble cleanser just to ensure you have not left any residue on your face that could potentially clog your pores.

Unless you are allergic to certain ingredients or oils in a cleanser, I do not think it will do too much in the way of exacerbating oily skin. Even if you are using an oil-free cleanser, it could potentially cause issues for you should you not rinse it off properly. So, provided you are not leaving excess residue on the skin, you should worry more about a cleanser being gentle than just oil-free.

There are certain scrubs that are gentle and would be fine for your skin. Just make sure the beads are perfectly spherical and not so sharp you feel like you are cutting your face. Cleansers with ingredients such as clay, salicylic acid, AHA’s and charcoal are great for oily skin.

Gentle Cleansers to Try

2. Chemical exfoliants.

If you are not already using salicylic acid in your routine and you have oily skin, you must seriously consider it. Salicylic acid is one of the must-do oily skin tips. I have an entire post dedicated to everything you need to know about salicylic acid, so make sure to check that out.

Salicylic acid is oil soluble. This makes it a godsend for oily skin. With oily skin, sebum and waxy substances accumulate in the pore and there is a larger deposit of dead skin cells. Salicylic acid will help dissolve this build up and prevent it from plugging up the pore lining.

Think of it like a plugged drain. Everything is stuck and only accumulates until the drain is de-clogged. Instead of these waxy and sticky substances hanging around your pore lining, using salicylic acid means your oils can flow with ease again.

While you don’t need to be scrubbing your skin on the regular, you should be exfoliating. Salicylic acid and other chemical exfoliants will help slough away dead skin cells, preventing blackheads and acne, and keeping your oily skin under control.

In my complete guide to salicylic acid, I explain the entire process and exactly how salicylic acid works for your skin. Head on over to my salicylic acid post for all the benefits and the exact products I would recommend you use.

3. Use a mattifying or gel moisturiser.

By now, oily skin people should know the importance of adequately hydrating the skin. Forgoing a moisturiser will do your skin no favours as you need to replenish any protective substances lost from cleansing. A mattifying moisturiser can provide you with adequate moisturisation without encouraging a greasy mess. Your makeup will also lay on prepped skin much better than on bare skin.

If you have oily skin, you may not necessarily want to reach for face oils for hydration. There are dry oils that you can use as I explain in this post about my favourite face oil of the moment. However, if your skin is extremely oily, it may be a better option to go with a more mattifying product that will still provide moisture. A gel moisturiser works great for this. Your skin probably does not need additional oil over your pores.

A moisturiser that is oil-free does not necessarily equate to a mattifying moisturiser. Under makeup, a mattifying moisturiser is ideal because it ensures your skin is remaining hydrated but also preventing your face from becoming an oil slick. I actually prefer a mattifying moisturiser to a face primer. But it is worth noting, if you are extremely oily, you may not want to skimp on a mattifying face primer too.

Great Gel Moisturisers

4. Or just use serums.

Serums are a lightweight way to hydrate and deliver beneficial ingredients into skin.

There is this misconception I’ve heard that oily skin needs moisturiser because it somehow tricks your skin into being less oily. Honestly, I cringe whenever I hear this advice, particularly the way I’ve heard some people word it through the grape vine. Especially because this leads people to believe they should reach for any run-of-the-mill occlusive moisturiser as it will somehow cause their skin to produce less oil.

If it were the case that oily skin is overcompensating for a lack of oil in the form of some jar moisturiser, all dry skin people would not have dry skin. As I previously stated, oily skin is mainly the result of hormones. Before skincare products were even a thing, people had oily skin. So, it is not by some virtue that oily skin is caused by a deficiency in face lotion. Moisturising does not have to mean slathering on a thick cream.

Your oily skin may just need a serum.

All skin needs hydration and to retain moisture. It needs skin-replenishing ingredients and antioxidants, much like your body does. You can get all these ingredients from a light serum or other skincare product. It does not specifically have to be labelled “moisturiser”. Even your sunscreen could be used as a moisturiser, rather than thinking you need a designated moisturiser for the simple fact it is labelled as such.

For oily skin, a hyaluronic acid serum may be all you need to attract moisture to the skin. Most are lightweight and absorbs into skin quickly without leaving a film over the skin or adding to your oily skin. Read this complete guide to hyaluronic acid for all the best products and how hyaluronic acid can benefit your skin.

Instead of being rigid with about a step-by-step specific textbook approach to your skin, I encourage you to see what works best for your skin type. You may find that after layering a couple of well-regulated serums, your skin is perfectly well hydrated. You may not need a moisturiser for the sake of using a moisturiser. For more on how to effectively layer skincare, read this post on how to properly layer skincare products.

5. Keep Oil At Bay With Clay.

In my previous post about how to get rid of blackheads, I explained the helpful nature of clay masks. If you are finding your skin is particularly oily, it may be worth using a clay mask every so often to draw out skin impurities and absorb excess oil. Additional ingredients such as charcoal provide extra detoxifying benefits.

Before a special occasion, clay can be especially helpful to eradicate a lot of surface oil from your skin. Apply the clay mask and allow it to do its thing for 20 minutes. Rinse your face and proceed with your base. You will find that if you have trouble with your makeup caking and getting shiny, this will greatly reduce it.

All about that base

Stage 2 of dealing with oily skin is proper, specific makeup application. Oils in the skin can cause makeup to break apart and not wear well.

Luckily, there are a whole host of oily skin tips that will keep your makeup looking as great as possible for as long as possible.

I have listed a few of my favourite oily skin tips for makeup. These oily skin tips will help you keep your makeup locked in place until you actually decide to remove it.

For my male readers, these oily skin tips are also fine to apply to men. Men can forgo the full coverage foundation and just do the mattifying steps alone. Unless you like the bold, full coverage look, then do your thing. 

6. Blot your skin before makeup.

Once you are done with your skincare application, your skin may still be a little slick. Before you apply any makeup or even face primers, simply blot your face first. You can do this by using one ply of tissue paper or a blotting sheet. This will absorb the final layer of oil that could later contribute to your makeup becoming a sliding fiasco.

Follow up with your pore-fillers or mattifying primers and blot again lightly. This also minimises the excess oil and ingredients that could cause slipping.

Before you apply foundation, proceed with a light dusting of translucent powder. I know, *gasp* powder before liquid foundation? Remember I said light dusting, so go easy on it. Ingredients in the powder such as talc, rice starch, silica or cornstarch will help absorb oil and ensure that extra layer of protection throughout the day.

And don’t forget to bring some blotting sheets with you in your handbag for touch-ups.

7. Oil-free Foundations.

This one is a no-brainer. While certain oils in well-formulated skincare products can be beneficial for skin, oils and waxes in makeup tend to mean thick and heavy products. Oily skin and waxy, emollient, stage makeup does not mix. Cream compact foundations or stick foundations, although they make skin look flawless, will not do your oily skin any favours.  

The struggle with oily skin is that oil will break makeup apart. This is why oil cleansing is a thing. It is therefore crucial to properly prep your skin, first and foremost before applying any foundations. This ensures your skin is as matte as possible, for as long as possible. 

Your first thought might be to go completely liquid and oil-free and opt for a dry powder foundation. Many compact powder foundations have the tendency to cake up throughout the day. And with touch-ups, that could mean you are just layering cake upon your face.

There are however, mineral foundations that do play nicely with your oils throughout the day and wear beautifully. Although such mineral foundations will never provide complete full coverage, they are a safer powder option and look more realistic than a “full-coverage” pressed powder.

There is a myriad of bulletproof liquid foundations on the market today that are guaranteed to keep your oil at bay. And, paired with the correct primer and powder, you can rest assured your makeup will not budge.

Best Foundations for Oily Skin

Fenty Beauty Soft Matte Longwear Foundation – This foundation would be great for anyone from combination to oily skin. It provides a matte finish that does not budge. And there is a huge selection of shades to choose from, so you are sure to find the one that suits you just right. For my UK readers, you can order Fenty Beauty foundation here. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear – Double Wear is a relentless, unmoving formula. It will stay on through a 20 hour trek through the tropics (although I would not recommend you do that). There’s a reason it is a holy grail for so many people. If you have a wedding or event where you know you need your makeup to stay in place through thick or thin, this is the foundation to go for. And of course, Estee Lauder provides a whopping 55 shade colours so everyone can try it. You can also shop Estee Lauder at Sephora. 

Cover FX Power Play – This foundation is fully matte, sweat proof, and has completely full coverage. It will cover your deepest secrets. It does not transfer and you do not have to worry about shine peeking through in the middle of the day. You can also get Cover FX at Sephora online. 

Urban Decay All Nighter – When I first tried this foundation, I was pretty shocked at how matte it was. If you aren’t extremely oily, you likely will not need to powder it. Once it sets, it is locked in and will not budge. Shop Urban Decay at Sephora.

More Bulletproof Foundations 

Choosing the correct foundation shade

It is worth noting that oily skin girls tend to have the issue of foundations darkening, due to their skin’s oils. When testing for your foundation shade, swatch it and then wait 15 minutes or so to see how the shade looks. Then match yourself according to that shade. 

Dialling down the foundation coverage

Tinted moisturisers are some of my favourite products because they wear beautifully and keep skin looking radiant throughout the day. Most bases targeting oily skin tend to be pretty heavy and full-coverage. As a result, it can be difficult for oily skin that does not need a tonne of coverage. There are a number of oil-free tinted moisturisers, but they do provide a dewier finish. If you’re oily, I understand it is difficult to embrace the dew.

But it is possible to strategically appear dewy without looking like the bottom of a greasy pizza box. I will be writing an entirely separate article on how to achieve dewy skin without looking oily. Make sure you Subscribe to the Blog so you are alerted about when that post comes out. 

8. Powder away the shine.

Your final step should be a powder. I would suggest opting for a translucent powder to avoid unnecessary additional coverage that could potentially result in further caking.

Very oily skin types are the only group of people I would suggest “baking” to. I use the term very lightly, though. I do not particularly like the trend of smothering your skin in inches of powder and waiting half an hour before dusting it off. This can severely dry out your skin.

If your skin is not very oily and you choose to bake you can run the risk of looking aged by 80 years. It most certainly will emphasise every crevice of your face and draw attention to lines you didn’t even know you had.

At 17 years old, before baking was even known to me, I experimented with piling on some powder to prevent my concealer moving. And holy smokes did I suddenly look 105 years old. And I was 17, without a fine line in sight.

A few years later, the baking trend really took off and I tried it again with several different powders. Still no luck looking under 50. I would therefore not recommend this practice to anyone who is concerned about fine lines.

But don’t go over-the-top with powder.

Instead of the conventional “baking” technique, I prefer to take a different approach. Typically in baking you reach for more and more powder and apply a visible white layer on the face. Rather than smothering your sponge in a jar of powder, dip it in powder and only get as much as your sponge or brush will cover. Then press, roll and distribute into the skin. You do not need to dump a container of powder over your face. A fine veil will be enough to mattify the skin and hold in your oil, without overemphasising all your wrinkles.

Best Translucent Face Powders for Oily Skin

9. Help for Oily Eyelids.

If you have spent time on your eye makeup, you want it to stay on your eyes. As cute as pandas are, that is not the look most of us are going for when we head to work in the morning.

You can apply the exact same protocol to oily eyelids as you did with the rest of the face. Blot your eyelids, apply a primer, blot again, and then apply a powder base. You can then proceed with eyeshadow.

Powdering the tips of your eyelashes will also prevent the dreaded panda eyes from mascara smudges.

These oily skin tips will improve your skin

If you have been struggling with excess oil on your skin, these essential oily skin tips will make a noticeable difference. I hope this post was informative and that you picked up a few oily skin tips to help you devise your plan of action to combat oily skin. 

If your oily skin condition is extreme and you are also dealing with severe cystic acne breakouts, it would be best to seek the help of a dermatologist. Although I would not recommend drugs as a first line of defence, medications such as isotretinoin, birth control and anti-androgens can really help in improving your skin where skincare alone is limited.

Please share this post with anyone you know that is struggling with their skin. Subscribe to the Blog for more skin care advice and tips to help you achieve your best skin ever. You also get instant access to my Skincare Essentials Checklist when you Subscribe!

Let me know, do you have any oily skin tips that you use? Which oily skin tips will you be implementing in your skincare and makeup routine?

Make sure you check out these skin care blog posts that will also provide help for oily skin:

How to get rid of blackheads (for good!)

The Complete Guide to Salicylic Acid

The Complete Guide to Hyaluronic Acid 

How to properly layer skincare products for maximum benefit

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material is strictly prohibited.

The post Oily Skin Tips: Essential Skin Care & Makeup Advice appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

Best of August 2018: Skincare, Beauty and Wellness

August has officially come to an end and so begins the phasing out of Summer. I hope your month has been beautiful and you have had the chance to savour every day. In this post I will be presenting the best of August 2018. This is a roundup of all the articles I have published over the past month in case you missed any, along with a few favourite product finds.

Best of August 2018: Product Finds

These are a few great products I have been loving over the month of August but have not yet had the opportunity to talk about in blog posts. For many more of my favourite products and recommendations, make sure to check out my previous blog posts.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

I have only just been able to try this cult classic product after hearing about it for years. I purchased a mini size on a trip to Madrid a few weeks ago. The price has typically deferred me from trying it before, but when I saw the mini size I decided it was a good time to purchase it and try it out.

It provides excellent coverage, goes on smoothly and does not cake up excessively. It does not easily settle into the fine lines under my eyes like other typical radiant concealers tend to do. I use the shade ‘Custard’.

Nars Concealer UK

Nars Concealer US

Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Lipstick

This alarmingly green lipstick is actually not green at all. It is in fact colour-adapting once applied. Kind of like the mood rings we had in the 90s. It applies as a sheer, rose-toned wash of colour that gradually intensifies. The shade is very natural and simply looks like your lips are healthy and hydrated. Whereas some lipsticks make it look as though you are wearing an obvious opaque layer of paint, this is a more “my lips but better” shade.

Frog Prince Lipstick UK

Frog Prince Lipstick US

Simple Hydrating Gel Cream

I picked this up while it was on sale at Boots for around £3. Let me tell you it is fantastic! Typically formulas claiming they are for dry dehydrated skin are a little heavier so I was apprehensive about that. However, this moisturiser is completely light, non greasy, with a gel texture. I actually think it would work great for anyone with acne prone or even oily skin. It sinks in quickly and is still hydrating. Definitely worth the find.

Simple in the UK

Simple in the US

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick

Yacht Lyfe is a gorgeous pinky-peach with a shimmering finish. The sheen in this product is not overly glittery or obvious. Although many products in Fenty’s line are meant to be played up for full-face glam, I do like to play down intense colours for a more effortless effect. You can swipe this shade onto the cheeks for a glowy flush of colour or you can dial down the intensity to suit you. 

On “no makeup” makeup days, it is a nice shade to pick up with your fingers then just pat onto the cheeks. After lip balm I will pat this into my lips and also like to sweep some on to my lids too. I find it just livens up the face and gives a more cohesive look.

Fenty Beauty is available here in the UK

Fenty Beauty is available here in the US

Tech Fave

Lastly, I have a random favourite. I have been travelling frequently and needed something that would protect my laptop but also make it look cute. I found this sparkling silver laptop case and it is so pretty. While it is very affordable, it is probably not the most sturdy in terms of security. It just makes me happy every time I look at it on my laptop. This is the exact seller I bought my laptop case from.

I did not want to be too overwhelming with a favourites overload of 50 products. So, this is just a few products I have been using and loving on a daily basis that I have not before mentioned in a previous blog post. In the future, I would be happy to dedicate entire blog posts to monthly favourites. But for now, I feel as though you will get a sense of my taste and the product I enjoy from my regular articles. I frequently recommend products and provide in depth reviews of many of the products I mention in my blog posts. 

Best of August 2018 Blog Posts To Check Out

Skin Science

The Complete Guide to Hyaluronic Acid

All About Antioxidants 

Sun Damage and the effects of UV radiation

The Complete Guide to Salicylic Acid in Skincare

All About Vitamin C: Brighter, Firmer Skin

Natural Beauty & Wellness

Avocado Oil Benefits for Skin and Health

The Benefits of Rosehip Oil For Skin

The Only Natural Alternative To Retinol Clinically Proven By Science

Beauty and Skin Care Advice

How to Properly Layer Skincare Products 

Top 10 Essential Tips To Keep Skin Healthy During Travel

Top Korean Skincare Products You Need To Try

9 Things You Must Consider Before You Start A New Skincare Routine 

Sephora Skincare To Add To Your Shopping Cart

Self Development

The Importance of Inner Beauty and Mindset 

How to Live Your Truth and Be Your Authentic Self

I have a lot of new and very exciting articles coming your way in the upcoming months, so make sure you are Subscribed to the Blog. 

Let me know the products or experiences that have been your Best of August 2018. What have you been loving this month?

Wishing you boundless love, endless light and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

The post Best of August 2018: Skin Care, Beauty and Wellness appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

The Rosehip Oil Skin Benefits

For those with oily or acne-prone skin, facial oils can be intimidating or a no-go altogether. I certainly have had my share of breakouts and have not always used the correct oils or emollients for my skin type. However, it has not deterred me from trying facial oils. After much searching and testing and trial, I have assembled my own carefully curated list of facial oils that I must always include in my skincare rotation. Rosehip Seed Oil is one such oil. This article is dedicated to the many rosehip oil skin benefits, so that you too have reason to try out this facial oil.

Where does rosehip oil come from?

Before diving into all the rosehip oil skin benefits, it is worth explaining what exactly rosehip seed oil is. Contrary to what you may think, rosehip seed oil is not extracted from roses. Rosehip seed oil, as the name would suggest is instead extracted from the seeds of rose hips. These are berry-like seeds that are small and red (they look a little like goji berries) and remain after a rose has lost its petals.

Extracting oil from these small seeds can be a laborious process. They can be cold pressed or extracted a number of alternative ways in order to preserve the delicate nutritional content of the oil. Due to the arduous extraction process, rosehip oil can be rather high in price. In the case of this oil, a lower price point may mean cutting corners to diminish some of the rosehip oil benefits for skin.

I would not usually advocate more expensive skincare choices, but it may be worthwhile forgoing the cheapest option in this case. To ensure quality and that you are getting all the rosehip oil skin benefits possible, it is a good idea to search for a sustainably sourced, carefully extracted variety.

Moisturising rosehip oil skin benefits

One of the most obvious rosehip oil skin benefits is its ability to act as an emollient. Like other plant oils, the emollient nature of rosehip oil allows it to soothe and moisturise skin on application. Oils can also act as a protective barrier or occlusive so that the skin retains moisture. While some ingredients like humectants keep skin hydrated by attracting water from the environment, emollients protect and condition skin. Take a look at this must-read article about humectant hyaluronic acid.

Essential fatty acid content

Another of the primary rosehip oil skin benefits is its impressive nutritional profile. Rosehip seed oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids. Our own bodies cannot synthesise these fatty acids. They play a critical role in normal skin function and are a huge component of cell membranes. Essential fatty acids support the formation of ceramides in the skin, which in turn help to reinforce skin barrier function.

Everyday damage to collagen in the skin’s dermis lead to skin ageing. Both dietary consumption and topical application of EFAs will help to reduce photodamage from UV rays and skin inflammation. Thus, EFAs have the ability to minimise skin ageing. Read this article all about what can be done to attenuate UV-induced sun damage.

Vitamin A

The high vitamin A content via carotenoids is perhaps one of the most valuable rosehip oil skin benefits. Vitamin A in rosehip oil will protect skin from environmental damage and inflammation. It is, after all, a powerful antioxidant. The antioxidants aid in the prevention of hyperpigmentation and improve skin tone. For an explanation as to why this is one of the most important rosehip oil skin benefits, read this article about antioxidants.

The use of retinoids and vitamin A derivatives is becoming increasingly prevalent for the prevention of wrinkles. Prescription retinoids or retinols used in skincare contain retinoic acid for its potent wrinkle-fighting, skin firming properties. Retinol is pre-formed vitamin A, while beta carotene is a precursor that must be converted into vitamin A by the body.

Alternative to retinol?

Some natural skincare advocates claim that the carotenoids found in rosehip oil are a viable alternative to retinol. However, the amount of vitamin A in rosehip oil simply isn’t enough to rival clinically proven retinoids. Beta carotene found in rosehip oil does not have the extensive backing that conventional retinol does for anti-ageing and wrinkle reduction. It can however be a useful substitute in those with skin that is simply intolerant to retinols, or women who are pregnant. If you are a more “natural” beauty advocate, you are going to want to take a look at this article about the best botanical extract alternative to retinol.

(Tangent: I use the word anti-ageing as a blanket term to describe the process of ageing “gracefully” with intention, using health and skincare methods. As I have mentioned before, I am not at all against ageing. Ageing is a privilege. I am not advocating the complete prevention of ageing or doing everything in your power to freeze your face in time. The term in this case describes the process of embracing getting older, while taking steps to care for yourself along the way. I know it doesn’t need clarification, but I would not want anyone to misunderstand my use of the word.)

Vitamin C

Rosehip seeds are packed with the powerful antioxidant vitamin C. I wrote an entire article going in depth about all the rest of vitamin C’s skin care benefits. This vitamin is great at brightening the skin and fading dark marks. In fact, rosehips are one of the best sources of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). In spite of this, much of the vitamin C content is degraded during the pressing and extraction process. Not to mention, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and so this may mean that the vitamin C from rosehips is not actually bioavailable.

Anti-inflammatory

The potential to combat inflammation is one of my favourite rosehip oil skin benefits. Rosehips are a source of natural lycopene, also found in fruits like tomatoes. Lycopene promotes healthy skin due to its UV-protecting abilities and anti-inflammatory properties. As a child I was encouraged to eat toast with olive oil and tomatoes for this reason and tomatoes are now one of my favourite fruits!

Along with flavonoids and antioxidants, rosehip oil’s high composition of unsaturated fatty acids provides additional protection from inflammation. The anti-inflammatory factor is such a key aspect of rosehip oil benefits for skin in those with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.

Wound healing

The essential fatty acids found in rosehip oil also help to promote skin regeneration. At the same time, rosehip oil contains vitamin E, yet another robust antioxidant. Vitamin E has impressive wound-healing, nourishing qualities. Vitamin E can also help boost protection when paired with other antioxidants like vitamin C.

A non-greasy oil

Rosehip oil is a dry oil – that is, it absorbs into skin quickly. This is one of the many rosehip oil benefits for skin especially for acne-prone, oily skin individuals. It does not leave a greasy film over the skin, but sinks in with ease while still infusing your skin with moisture. For oily or acne-prone individuals who are apprehensive about adding a facial oil to their routine, I would definitely recommend trying rosehip oil.

What to look for in a rosehip oil

Rosehip oil should be a rich amber colour. A pale hue may be an indication that the oil has been more refined or obtained from an inferior source.

Because of the delicate composition of the oil, rosehip oil is light sensitive and can easily go rancid. One should therefore store rosehip oil in a dark container away from direct sunlight or heat exposure.

Choosing an organic cold-pressed variety will ensure you are preserving the nutritional content and integrity of the oil.

In order to retain the rosehip oil skin benefits, the method of extraction should be taken into consideration. A less highly processed means of extracting the oil will often result in a higher price point. This is due to the preservation of the oil’s nutritional content and overall quality. Because of how delicate rosehip oil is, I would be careful about trying to cut corners and expenses when choosing your rosehip oil.

To find out exactly where a facial oil should go in your routine, check out this guide to layering skincare.

Rosehip Oil Recommendations

Here are a few fantastic, tried and true organic rosehip oil options:

Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil – This is a high quality, certified organic, pure rosehip oil sourced from South America. The bottle comes with a hefty 45ml of product but is also available in a smaller bottle. I would suggest purchasing the rosehip oil from here if you are in the USA.

Pai Rosehip Oil – This rosehip oil is sourced by supercritical extraction, rather than cold pressing. The process promises a purer, less refined product than other extraction methods. It contains added rosemary extract and vitamin E for increased stability. If you’re in the US, you need to check out this oil at this amazing clean beauty store.

The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil – For a relatively affordable rosehip oil, check out this one from The Ordinary. They aren’t the best at keeping up stock – which is frustrating – but can easily be found on Amazon.

Make sure to Subscribe to the Blog for more Skin Care, Beauty and Wellness posts. I will also give you instant access to the Free Skincare Essentials Checklist when your Subscribe here.

Let me know, have you tried rosehip oil? What is your favourite oil to use on your skin? If you would like to read about another of my favourite oils, take a look at this article about avocado oil for skin.

Wishing you boundless love, endless light and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored in any way. All opinions are my own.

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The Top Korean Skincare Products On The Market

In recent years, there has been an increasing fascination with Asian Beauty products in the West. Korean beauty products in particular have risen in prominence for their effective, advanced formulations, unusual textures, and downright adorable packaging choices. We have become fascinated with the seemingly elaborate skincare routines from places like Korea and want in on it too. A mere few years ago, you were only able to find these beauty products on shelves in Asian countries. Today, some of the top Korean skincare products are increasingly being brought over and introduced into mainstream Western beauty stores. The availability of Korean skincare from online retailers is also escalating. With the broadening selection, what are the top Korean skincare products you need to try?

In This Post

Click the brand name to jump to a particular section of this post.

• COSRX
• Blithe
• Dr Jart
• Erborian
• Laneige

Korean Beauty Expanding Worldwide

When I return to Asia, I relish being able to browse the skincare shelves of beauty stores such as Sasa. Everything from snail mucin face masks, to egg pore masks and miracle-working BB creams are immense fixtures in Asian beauty stores. The kind of peculiar formulations that would have made us wince at the sound a few years ago, are now beginning to adorn the shelves of our beauty stores in the West as well.

It is a dream of mine to be able to go to Korea and immerse myself into all their top Korean skincare products and beauty offerings. For now, the wonderful phenomenon of the internet means that we are able to indulge in the same products, without having to splash thousands of dollars on an air ticket and accommodation. The distance most definitely has not stopped me from investigating the beauty of all things K-beauty.

While in the West we are greatly reliant on the makeup and beauty products we put on our faces, in Asia women place a great deal of significance on fostering a good skincare routine. In the West we tend to splurge on the detailed makeup routine, false lashes and beauty treatments. Asian women will keep their makeup more minimal, emphasising proper skin care before any makeup or additional embellishments.

First Part of the Korean Skincare Series

In this post, I have compiled a list of some of the hottest K-beauty skincare brands and their star products. Because there are so many Korean skincare lines to choose from, this blog post sums up five of my top Korean skincare products that are also available online globally. Unfortunately not every retailer will stock every product from a certain brand, and many online retailers offer a limited selection from each line. In this post I will also be letting you know the exact destinations you can source each product, from reputable retailers.

The purpose of this blog post is to act as a little introduction to some of the star Korean brands and their hero products. Perhaps you are already familiar with Korean skincare or would like some guidance so you can dip your toe into it. In subsequent posts I will be following up with additional K-beauty brands that you need to look out for and introducing more K-beauty products to be aware of.

So, whether you are planning a trip to Asia, or would like a little introduction to these brands before making an online purchase, this blog post has you covered. Make sure to keep an eye out for my upcoming articles about more of the top Korean skincare products, and posts all about K-beauty makeup. If there is a particular brand you would like to know more about, please leave me a request and I will happily look into it for you in my upcoming posts.

COSRX

Top Korean Skincare Products

COSRX is a Korean brand that incorporates some seriously interesting ingredients into their formulations. With a minimalistic packaging design, the brand’s main focus is their formulas. They include a substantial array of acne products, chemical exfoliants, and the ever-famous snail secretion filtrate. I am a fan of this brand because while presenting innovative formulations, they do not include overly fragranced options or many harsh preservatives in their products.

Top Korean Skincare Products from COSRX

Acne Pimple Patches

How can we mention COSRX without a tribute to their highly acclaimed pimple patches? They are a top Korean skincare product because of the smart concept behind them. These patches treat blemishes as a wound using a hydrocolloid material similar to that of the dressings used for wounds. The hydrocolloid patches will keep you from touching your blemishes and eliminates the acne-causing bacteria without drying out skin. Stick them on overnight and wake up to find your raised spot has flattened or your whitehead has disappeared entirely. An absolute gamechanger in your acne fighting tool kit.

Acne pimple patches available here internationally, from one of my favourite beauty sites. You can also find the acne pimple patches at Beautytap. 

Galactomyces Alcohol Free Toner

Galactomyces is quite an obscure skincare ingredient in the Western world but is used in Asian beauty products. It is a type of yeast that has undergone a filtration and fermentation process. If that sounds a little gross to you, have no fear. Although I am a little sick of learning about filtration, fermentation and other chemical processes from my Chemical Engineering degree, I absolutely love fermented products. I am a huge fan of fermented food products and I love that these ingredients are increasing in popularity in skincare. I will give you all the details for exactly why I love fermented ingredients in a future post. But for now, trust me when I say that fermentation is awesome.

Galactomyces has been shown in dermatological studies to reduce skin pigmentation and oxidative stress. For more details about oxidative stress, click here. It has an antioxidant effect and hydrates the skin. Aside from galactomyces, this COSRX toner also contains skin soothing allantoin, hyaluronic acid in the form of sodium hyaluronate, and panthenol for additional moisture. Read this article for more of the best products containing hyaluronic acid and pathenol. This toner is perfect if you are wanting to try the seven-skin toner method (more on that in an upcoming article) and is also free of any stripping or drying denatured alcohols.

You can check out the Galactomyces toner on this beauty site. Also available here.

Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream

If you are in search of some deep moisturisation, this rich COSRX cream will certainly give you just that. It contains humectants like glycerine and hyaluronic acid to plump up the skin while containing various non-fragrant plant oils. It provides intense hydration without feeling overly occlusive or heavy on and contains no fragrance or very irritating preservatives. Read this complete comprehensive guide to hyaluronic acid.

Available here (currently out of stock) or from Beautytap. 

If you would like to save some money, click on this link to save $15 off all orders over $100 with code BEAUTYTAP100 at Beautytap. They ship globally for orders over $60 and stock a huge range of K-beauty products. 

Low PH PHA Barrier Mist

I wanted to include this product with the top Korean skincare products to check out because it contains the polyhydroxy acid gluconolactone. You do not commonly find PHA products in many Western brands, which tend to focus more heavily on AHA and BHA products instead. However, PHA is included in some of the top Korean skincare products for a reason. Gluconolactone is far gentler than regular alpha hydroxy acids but has similar benefits. This makes it ideal for those with extra sensitive skin conditions such as rosacea prone skin. 

COSRX PHA mist can be used for “sandwiching” between skincare steps. Damp skin allows greater penetration of subsequent product ingredients so it is great for this purpose. It works to hydrate the skin, chelate metals, and provide antioxidant activity. If you want to know why I’m so crazy about antioxidants, check out this post about antioxidants.

Mist available here.

Shop COSRX

Blithe

Top Korean Skincare Products from Blithe

Blithe has some of the top Korean skincare products available. The brand places an emphasis on protecting from this concept of “polluaging” (that is, ageing as a result of environmental pollution). It has been designed for the women who leads an urban lifestyle, with a view to combat everyday environmental and city stressors. Blithe has got you covered to maintain glowing skin regardless of your environment. From luxurious pressed serums to its ingenious splash masks and essences, they are amongst the top Korean skincare products. The entire line is free of parabens and synthetic fragrance, which is fabulous for those of us who have problematic or highly reactive skin.

Top Korean Skincare Products from Blithe

Patting Splash Mask

The Koreans love their face mask ritual. And some of the top Korean skincare products available are the face masks. These Blithe splash masks are intended to give similar benefits of regular face masks and sheet masks without having to wait 20 minutes for your mask to work its magic. These masks are designed to be added to water then splashed and pat onto the face after cleansing for instant visible results. You can choose between the Energy Yellow Citrus and Honey, Soothing and Healing Green tea, or Rejuvenating variety.

I prefer the Rejuvenating Purple Berry because it does not contain lavender or peppermint, both of which I find have the tendency to aggravate my skin. Each variation of the splash mask contains lactic acid to help exfoliate for a brighter skin tone. I do not advocate for relying on face masks over a regular consistent skin care routine, but you have to admit they do add some fun into your regimen.

If you are in the UK, I like to purchase my Blithe products over here. In the US, they are available at Sephora online.

Tundra Chaga Pressed Serum

A pressed serum is Blithe’s serum and moisturiser hybrid. It can be used in as a replacement to the separate serum and moisturiser steps in your routine. This product comes with a spatula for a more hygienic application of the serum. It has a pudding-like texture that melts into skin on application.

This serum contains 60% Chaga mushroom extract and various oils like argan and olive oil. Chaga mushrooms are rich in nutrients and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. If you want to know why you need antioxidants, read this article. There is also interesting research showing these mushrooms may have some cancer fighting properties!

You can find Chaga Serum in the US and Chaga Serum in the UK.

Vital Treatment Essence

My blog post all about what essences are is coming up. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek recommendation for a great Korean essence line. The Blithe 8 Nourishing Beans essence contains a number of beans, such as soybeans, black beans and kidney beans, which are rich in amino acids and vitamins. It is very hydrating and contains vitamin E for additional healing and antioxidant benefits.

This formula does contain a small amount of peppermint. As I previously mentioned, peppermint can be a little sensitising to my skin. I do not find that I have too much of a problem with this essence relative to other peppermint containing products I have tried. But it does depend on how my skin is behaving on a particular day. If you aren’t quite as ridiculously sensitive as I am and are on the hunt for an essence to add to your routine, I don’t think you will be disappointed in this choice.

More options

The slightly more underrated variety, Blithe 9 Essential Seeds essence, agrees with my skin a little more. I love it for its brightening properties. As an acne-prone individual with Mediterranean/Asian skin, I tend to deal with a great deal of hyperpigmentation after I have had a blemish. What I love about the top Korean skincare products and ranges, is the emphasis on brightening and correcting the uneven skin tone I struggle with.

The Hydrating Essence with 5 Energy Roots is also a wonderful choice. Not only will it combat dull, dehydrated skin, but also works to calm inflammation. It contains some of my favourite ingredients like burdock root and ginseng. I consume both herbs on a regular basis and they are popular ingredients in Asian medicine. Let me know if you would like a blog post about more Asian herbal remedies and ingredients like these!

Shop Blithe

Dr Jart

Top Korean Skincare Products from Dr Jart

The Dr Jart brand is the result of a Korean dermatologist’s foray into skincare back in the early 2000s. The line now has developed somewhat of a worldwide cult following. I was first introduced to this line after hearing about their outstanding BB creams, which if you haven’t heard, are pretty fantastic. 

Dr Jart has a vivid selection of products ranging from sheet masks to ceramide-rich creams to beauty balms. The brand has definitely introduced some of the top Korean skincare products to the market. The line is not heavy on irritants and the clean packaging takes on somewhat of a pharmaceutical quality.

Top Korean Skincare Products from Dr Jart

Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45

This Dr Jart product instigated the BB cream craze of a few years ago when it was brought to the West. Its introduction catalysed every other brand’s jump on the Beauty Balm bandwagon. It provides a light tint although the shade range is a little limited. As opposed to pink or yellow undertone shades, Korean beauty lies within a more neutral spectrum. You will find many K-beauty BB creams lean towards a somewhat grey, neutral undertone, and this BB cream is no exception. 

On days when you simply don’t have the time to go through an elaborate skincare routine and makeup application, BB creams are a great, easy option. This product works just fine without a moisturiser and I don’t find I need a primer. Like many top Korean skincare products, it also provides a good amount of SPF. Be aware that you would need to use a significant amount of product to achieve sufficient protection. You may not want to rely on this as your sole SPF on particularly sunny days. Make sure to read this post about sun damage and the fundamentals of SPF.

Ceramidin Cream

This cream contains a number of ceramides, a few variations of hyaluronic acid, shea butter and other hydrating ingredients. If you struggle with dry, flaky skin, this product is worth trying. It does not feel overly greasy while still providing deep moisturisation. If you are experiencing a lot of irritation from overdoing the active ingredients and retinols, this cream is good to use to dilute the effects of harsher ingredients. Ceramides help the skin to retain moisture and enforce skin barrier function. This in turn helps to combat signs of irritation and dehydration.

You can get Dr Jart Ceramidin in the UK at Selfridges, or in the US at Sephora online. 

Masks

Although I don’t believe sheet masks will ever be a substitute for an adequate daily skin care ritual, Korean skincare brands are huge on masking. Dr Jart offers a vast array of such sheet masks. These types of masks are designed to give you instant results, which is great for use before a big occasion. In the event you want to temporarily fill in lines or brighten skin, sheet masks are a must have. They also help makeup apply a lot more smoothly and are the perfect fix if you are feeling in need of a pamper session.

Aside from sheet masks, Dr Jart has recently introduced rubber-like masks to their line. The Dr Jart Shake and Shot Rubber masks are so much fun to use. They are rubbery and dry down to later be peeled off the face. The brightening mask contains the antioxidants sea buckthorn and Vitamin C to even skin tone (which, as I said, I absolutely love). Make sure to read more about antioxidants here. The rubber masks are even available in the UK.

Shop Dr Jart

Erborian

Top Korean Skincare Products from Erborian

This line is inspired by ancient Korean traditions and herbs, coupled with new technologies to create innovative formulations and skincare products. Erborian features an expansive range of BB and CC cremes in different textures and finishes. Ancient herbs like ginseng and purifying ingredients like charcoal are a recurring theme in the line.

There is a particular focus on luminous skin, which is highly coveted in Asia, and of which I am a huge fan. Luminous skin is youthful, vibrant and full of life, as opposed to a dull, or overtly mattified look. The packaging is exquisite, and while certain products in the range can creep up in price, the line as a whole is not too overly pricey for the generous packaging sizes available.

Top Korean Skincare Products from Erborian

CC crème

Following the BB cream was the dawn of the CC cream. This particular skin perfecting cream has a luminous finish and leaves your skin with an extremely dewy finish. In Asia the transluscent, especially radiant “glass skin” is very popular. The Erborian CC cream will assist in achieving that look. It seamlessly blends into skin, correcting uneven tone and texture. It may not be officially a “skincare” product but its skin multitasking benefits do earn it a place with the top Korean skincare products. 

Although the shade range is very limited, the finish of this product will aid in blending into a multitude of skin tones. It would be great to have a broader range of shades that more accurately match a variety of skin tones. However, it is important to note that many Asian brands tend to cater for a limited shade range. If you were to look at the market of people they are serving in Asia, skin tones tend to be particularly light in shade. Because these brands originated in Asia, they were originally intended for this Asian market.

Fortunately for us UK consumers, we can find this CC cream in a number of places. Available at:

SPACE NK

Feelunique

Selfridges

And of course, US readers can easily purchase it from Sephora. 

Eau Ginseng

This is a ginseng infused “lotion” that can be used as your toner or essence step. It contains soothing ingredients like licorice root extract and ginger. The addition of ginseng is great for energising and brightening. You can pat this onto clean skin before moisturising for additional hydration and to ensure a greater penetration of consecutive skincare ingredients.

This website is the only place you can reputably find Erborian Eau Giseng here in the UK (be quick because they are about to go out of stock!) In the US, get your Eau Ginseng here.

Black Cleansing Oil

Erborian’s Black Cleansing Oil contains charcoal for drawing out impurities from pores. It is to be massaged onto a dry face and is gentle enough for use on eyes. On contact with water, it transforms into an emulsion and dissolves your entire face of makeup. Cleansing oils and balms are great for when you have a face of heavy makeup on. With a full face, you do not want to have to use up endless makeup wipes or cotton pads soaked in makeup remover just to remove your makeup. It is an easy, one-step affair that does not leave your skin feeling stripped or excessively taut.

This brand also offers a broad range of konjac sponges for use with cleansers. These sponges are a brilliant, gentle, natural alternative to cleansing brushes and other abrasive facial tools.

In the UK, I have purchased my cleansing oil through this well-loved beauty store. If you’re in the US, get yourself over here for your black cleansing oil. 

Shop Erborian

Laneige

Best of Laneige Skincare

Laneige is a brand under the branch of AmorePacific, a South Korean beauty conglomerate. The company also produces brands such as Etude House, a very popular makeup line in Asia. I was made familiar with this brand as a result of encountering their cushion foundation five or six years ago, on a trip to Sephora in Asia.

It is a line that is primarily focused on hydration and adopting trendy new skincare concepts. Laneige products capitalise on the Asian fixation with glowing, sparkling skin. Their innovative products are created to help you achieve just that.

Top Korean Skincare Products from Laneige

BB Cushion Hydra Radiance SPF 50

Cushion foundations and BB creams are extremely prominent in Korea and other parts of Asia. While the trend has not quite taken off with the same enthusiasm in the West, in Asia you will find BB cushions from every beauty brand. Even brands that are available globally such as Urban Decay produce a BB cushion that is exclusive to the Asian market. The Laneige BB Cushion is a high-quality option with sturdy, beautifully chic packaging. I would not usually include makeup products in a post dedicated to skin care. However, these BB cream options I have been listing are more makeup/skincare hybrids.

The Laneige BB cushion is perfect for brightening a dull skin tone and improving signs of dehydration. If you find your skin is looking a little lacklustre, a radiance boosting base product like this is perfect. It is great for women of any age who would like to restore radiance to their complexion and maintain a youthful glow. The fact that it comes in a cushion compact makes it convenient for touch ups. Because it contains SPF 50, it is great for SPF top ups throughout the day. This version contains fine pearls, but if you don’t love the look of dewy skin, the regular BB cushion is less radiant in finish. You may also wish to set it to minimise shine. If you are extremely oily, this type of product will likely not be to your taste because of its luminosity.

Korean Beauty is all about radiance

Many Asian base products focus on enhancing skin and improving tone, rather like skincare, before providing coverage. Western beauty brands tend to focus on the level of coverage and longevity. They may then include additional selling points such as certain skin-friendly ingredients. By contrast, you will find that Asian products will provide less coverage and be less of that bulletproof staying power. They prefer to endorse the skin benefits you will be achieving from wearing the product. After all, they were the pioneers of the BB cream, which was intended as the original fusion of skincare and makeup. Basically, with Western brands the skincare benefits are just a bonus. With Asian brands, the coverage or tint is the bonus. 

LANEIGE BB Cushion (UK)

Laneige BB Cushion Hydra Radiance (US)

Water Sleeping Mask

Sleeping Masks are hands down one of the top Korean skincare products invented. I mentioned this product in my previous post about travel skin care hacks. A Sleeping Mask is like an intense overnight moisturiser. But rather than feeling thick and occlusive as is typically the case with rich moisturisers. For those of you who have struggled with eczema like me, you know exactly how thick and greasy moisturisers can be. Instead, it feels rather replenishing and nourishing. I would liken it to a drink of water in terms of quenching dehydration, rather than a weighty barrier of petroleum.

This Laneige sleeping mask is rich in humectants such as glycerine and sodium hyaluronate to attract water to the skin. It even contains some vitamin C derivatives for extra brightening properties. Use this product as the final step in your night-time skin care routine. You can apply it a couple of times a week after moisturiser, on days your skin is feeling particularly parched. After being left on overnight, you will wake up with plump, bouncy skin.

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack (Sleeping Mask) (UK)

Water Sleeping Mask (US)

Lip Sleeping Mask

As I have said time and time again, K-beauty are King of masks. And now they have nailed lip masks too. Rather than mess with lip scrubs and exfoliators on my lips, I make sure that I am actively preventing my lips from drying out. During sleep your lips are at their most likely to become dry. It is therefore critical that you do not leave lips bare overnight. A good lip balm or moisturiser will act as a barrier, preventing the evaporation of moisture from lips.

This Laneige lip mask is designed to work in the same way as the facial sleeping mask. It retains moisture overnight and prevents the drying out of skin. Unlike the Water Sleeping Mask, which you may not want to be using every single night, this lip mask is great for your nightly routine. I really appreciate that both this mask and the water mask come with spatulas for sanitation purposes.

Lip Sleeping Mask (US) and the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in the UK.

Shop Laneige

More K-beauty to come

I could talk K-beauty and top Korean skincare products all day, but I will spare you from information overload in one post. Keep an eye out for the upcoming instalments to my Korean skincare series. This has been the first part in my Asian and K-beauty series and there are many more articles to come. I hope you found this informative and were introduced to some great failproof K-beauty brands and top Korean skincare products you need to try.

Subscribe to the Blog for more upcoming skin care and beauty posts. You also get instant access to my Skincare Essentials Checklist when you sign up. So what are you waiting for?

Please share if you found this article helpful. Follow me on Pinterest, where I post daily skin tips to keep you up to date with the latest in skincare. You can also pin this article so you are able to refer back to it next time you are in the mood to shop K-beauty.

Have you tried any K-beauty brands? What are your top Korean skincare products? 

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit,

Shannon xo

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

The post Top Korean Skincare Products You Need To Try appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

Morning Skincare Routine

Attempting to gauge the order in which certain products should go in your routine can be nothing short of confusing. Especially with so many products on the market nowadays. Long gone are the days of using a single cold cream to fill all your skincare needs. The diverse range of products emerging nowadays seem to have new unusual textures, various interesting functions and different unique properties. At times it can result in a level of product overwhelm. You might find you want to use a certain product in your morning skincare but don’t exactly know how or when to use it. Moreover, without the luxury of time in the mornings, morning skincare can be overlooked. In this post I will be clarifying exactly how to effectively layer the skincare products in your morning routine for best results.

Keep in mind this is an extensive version of a routine, and not necessarily products you need to be using on a daily basis. Most people, including myself, value those extra few minutes in bed and prefer to simplify their mornings to the basics. This article is purely a guideline and instructional in nature so that you are informed of how to layer your morning skincare products confidently and in which order you should be applying them.

1. Cleanse

Some may argue that they should not have to use a cleanser in their morning skincare routine. They assume that if they have already washed their face the night before, and all they did was sleep, their face must not be dirty. As a result they mistakenly reason that cleansing must be an optional part of morning skincare. I, however, am of a different stance. While you are sleeping, your body temperature fluctuates, and your glands are still secreting sweat and sebum. Your eyes may have watered over the course of the night, and there is that dreaded mouth drool some deal with.

In the morning, you want to properly cleanse in order to remove all the residue from the night before. Your cells are renewing and regenerating over the course of the night, making it the optimum time to use heavier textures and active ingredients like glycolic acid and retinol. Your morning skincare products will be lighter and not layer well over last night’s heavy moisturisers. Therefore, cleansing in the morning gives your face a clean slate and a better chance for your morning skincare products to penetrate. Simply applying your morning skincare routine over last night’s products will hinder the effectiveness your morning skincare application. So, get the most out of your products and money, and begin with a fresh face.

Does cleansing twice a day strip skin?

Those with skin that is extremely dry or reactive may be apprehensive about over-washing their face. If you feel you simply cannot wash your face without feeling stripped, at least rinse your skin with water to remove any bacteria from pillowcases or sweat and oil from the night. If you have sensitive or redness-prone skin and are worried about stripping you skin, consider a gentle, non foaming cleanser.

I have very reactive skin and struggle with redness myself so many face washes tend to trigger flushing and rosacea for me. For my morning skincare, I like to use this soothing cleanser from Clinique. It is a creamy texture that does not lather, it is extremely gentle and perfect for a morning cleanse. Unlike other face washes, it will not provoke redness. I notice that when I try out new face cleansers, I really notice the switch because my redness tends to get out of control. For this reason, I keep coming back to this particular cleanser. 

2. Toner / essence

The first product you should be applying to your face after cleansing should be the products with a liquid consistency. This is the step in your morning skincare where you pour your liquid product on a cotton pad and swipe it over your face. Alternatively, simply pour some of your liquid lotion/toner/essence on to your palms and pat into skin. For those who would like to know more about what this step does for skin, I will be explaining the function of a toner and its disparity from an essence in an upcoming blog post.

In the mornings, I prefer something non astringent and not overly harsh to prepare my face for the day. I feel like more aggressive treatments are better suited to the night, to make sure your pores are free of the day’s debris and makeup. If you’re looking for a hydrating, gentle toner, this toner from Indie Lee is a beautiful product. It also contains the antioxidant CoQ10, which of course I will be dedicating an entire blog post to very soon so make sure you are subscribed to the blog. Read this post for the fundamentals of antioxidants. Aside from being a lovely toner, the story behind the brand is equally touching. They are a relatively smaller company, but it always feels great to know you are supporting brands with a worthy ethos.

3. Liquid exfoliant

Following your toning product, you can now apply your liquid exfoliant. This is an AHA or BHA product such as glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid. Apply your liquid exfoliant on to a cotton pad and swipe over the face. Glow Tonic is a classic can’t-go-wrong AHA option. A BHA exfoliant will also help keep pores clear. If your exfoliant comes in the form of a pre-soaked pad, you may also use it in this step. A product like this Dr Dennis Gross Peel is a pre-soaked treatment and perfect to simply swipe and go.

This step can also be used in place of the toner for those who do not feel they need a toner or an essence. I suppose you could call it your “acid tone” step. I do not find I need to exfoliate twice a day so I usually skip this step in my morning skincare, but if you cannot live without your exfoliants, go ahead and apply them here. This article about the  acid exfoliant salicylic acid gives you everything you need to know.

4. Lightweight serums

This is the step in which you can apply the serums that are thinnest in texture. This may be an antioxidant serum or booster or a hydrating serum. They tend to absorb into skin quickly and effectively so are great for busy mornings. Using an antioxidant serum in your morning skincare will help to abate damage from environmental aggressors such as pollution and UV radiation. If you have read the article about vitamin C skincare, you may wish to opt for a vitamin C serum. Make sure to also take a look at this article for more about antioxidants and this one for what UV radiation does to the skin. 

5. Viscous serums and treatments

Next you should apply the serums and treatments that are more viscous in consistency. This could be anything from a vitamin C treatment to a hyaluronic acid serum depending on the thickness of the product you choose. For more on whether you should be using a hyaluronic acid serum, read this post. I found a dupe for my favourite hyaluronic acid serum from Clinique. It’s this serum from Neutrogena and it is fabulous. I am not entirely sure yet whether it will replace my Clinique one, but it is a worthy contender for a fraction of the price. 

I would not personally apply an acne treatment such as benzoyl peroxide with my morning skincare because of its texture and inability to work well under makeup. Trying to work your makeup over the top of such an ingredient can result in it being redistributed throughout the face, thus rendering it ineffective to the area you were aiming to target anyway. 

6. Moisturiser

These tend to be slightly heavier in texture than serums and do a superb job of sealing in the previous ingredients. Some may find they do not necessarily need this step in their morning skincare routine if they do not have dry skin, and that the previous products already provided adequate hydration to the skin. Others may find they prefer this moisturiser step and want to skip serums altogether. 

7. Facial oils

Depending on the finish of the SPF I choose to wear that day, I do enjoy applying a non-comedogenic, less heavy oil in my morning skincare. This should be applied after the previous steps due to the larger molecular size of the oil. If you have ever poured oil over water, you will have noticed it floats on top. Applying oil prior to a water-based serum for instance, will inhibit the serum’s penetration. 

8. Sun protection

Your sunscreen or chosen SPF product should be the final step to your morning skincare routine. This ensures that other skincare products are not diluting the SPF’s effectiveness and that you are getting sufficient protection. If you’re not already on the SPF train, read this post. It can be difficult to find an SPF that works well under makeup. The La Roche Posay SPF 50+ Ultra-Light Fluid is non greasy, undetectable on skin and works well under makeup. I’ll be sharing all the best SPF products in a blog post soon. 

9. Face Primer

If you feel you need to use a face primer to keep your makeup in place, this is the step in which you can apply it. A mattifying primer placed strategically on the T-zone can help to take down the shine of a sunscreen. If your sunscreen is already matte in texture, you may not need a primer. For those with very dry skin and like to use a moisturising primer, I would personally prefer to use a heavier moisturiser before my SPF, rather than slather another layer of moisture over.

If you want to consolidate your morning skincare a little without having to apply a separate antioxidant product, SPF and primer, there are some great options. Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen for instance is invisible while providing antioxidant protection and SPF. I did an entire review about this recent mineral sunscreen find, explaining all the factors I look for in a great facial sunscreen that performs and plays well with makeup.

10. Makeup

Now that you have completed your entire routine, you are free to proceed with your makeup application for the day. During the day, a face base product with additional SPF is a great multitasker. Dry skin may want to opt for a tinted moisturiser with SPF while oilier skin may prefer a powder. One of my classically favourite bases for daytime is the Bareminerals Gel Cream. It gives a hydrated, dewy glow. It’s on sale right now through one of my fave beauty sites that also offers free worldwide delivery. Yay! A newer find is the BFF cream SPF30 from Trinny London, which has a lovely radiant finish that both is lightweight and moisturising. I might also skip the base altogether and just pat a little concealer under my eyes if my skin is doing well. I like this concealer from Urban Decay.

Some of you lucky ladies/gentlemen may feel you don’t even need much makeup to even out your skin tone or perfect your complexion. Others may simply enjoy the routine of applying their daily face. Have fun experimenting and seeing which products work for you. I have gone through periods where I have done a full face of full coverage every single day while other phases I haven’t been able to stand the feel of foundation on my skin. Experiment to see what works for you. But above all, just feel wonderful in your own skin.

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If you have issues with makeup wearing off

If you are steadfast on implementing every single skincare step into your morning routine, first of all I salute you. Secondly if you layer a lot of emollients, you may find you have issues with your makeup slipping and sliding. As someone who dealt with severe cystic acne in the past, I needed my makeup to stay in place. I also had to learn to keep my makeup as undetectable as possible. With textured blemishes, this is not always easy. It does require particular application methods. You want your makeup locked down until you chose to remove it. After much trial and error, I developed a number of ways to ensure long lasting makeup. Even when I have had others do my makeup, it never lasted because I know my face better than they do. This is why I encourage you to experiment to see what works for you.

As for the type of makeup I prefer, I lean towards a more polished version of yourself as opposed to a conspicuous layer of makeup. Even for events and occasion makeup, I am a huge proponent of not allowing your makeup to wear you. Over time I have developed an abundance of tricks to keep makeup looking seamless. The key to great makeup is making sure it is as realistic as possible in person, as well as studio lights. I’d love to share some tricks in subsequent blog posts to achieve makeup that looks seamless in person and photographs beautifully too. Makeup that looks flawless in pictures but like a mask in real life isn’t really to my taste or aesthetic. So, for anyone who shares similar sentiments, I’ll be giving away some secrets and recommendations in future posts. 

You don’t need all the steps for your morning skincare routine

I would like to emphasise that many of these products are entirely optional. Some people may really enjoy the entire ritual of applying an extensive number of products and that is completely wonderful. But it most definitely is not necessary for everyone. I am of the view that your routine should be based upon how your skin looks and feels on any given day, rather than forcing yourself to adhere to a strict regime with a delegated number of products. Oftentimes, overdoing your routine does not always provide optimum results. In fact, overwhelming your skin with products can be counterintuitive to achieving great skin. It is more beneficial to focus your skin’s needs on a particular day, rather than implement a strict set of products without any awareness as to the way your skin is behaving day to day.

Pay attention to your individual needs

I do not personally implement all of these products in my own morning skincare routine. At the moment my morning skincare in particular is very streamlined. It simply involves applying a non-greasy face oil after cleansing, followed by SPF, and I am ready for the day. I am even enjoying a completely bare everyday face without makeup, especially now the hot weather is upon us. It is all up to your own individual skin concerns and needs. We are all individual, we all have different needs and preferences. Tailor your routine to suit your own needs. Do not be swayed in to believing you should be using a certain number of products a certain way. Cut out the external noise and do what feels best for your needs.

I hope you found this article informative. I encourage you to please share this post so that we can help other people with their morning skincare routine. In an upcoming post I will be giving a run down of exactly how to put together your night time skincare routine.

Subscribe to the Blog for more skin care and beauty advice. You will also get instant access to my Free Skincare Essentials Checklist as a bonus!

And let me know, what does your morning skincare routine look like? Do you have any favourite products? I’m intrigued to hear all about your routine. 

For more skin care advice check out these posts:

How to Prepare Your Skin Care Routine For Fall

9 Things You Must Consider Before Starting A New Skincare Routine

10 Valuable Travel Skin Tips You Have Never Heard Before

Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limits,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

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