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.

Skincare Products You Should Be Using Exclusively At Night

Do you ever feel a little overwhelmed by all the skincare choices out there? The ever-growing skincare market can be disorienting. Perhaps you’d like to use something other than just face wash and moisturiser, or are thinking about adopting a more intricate skincare routine. But you are not sure where to start. Suddenly there are day creams, night creams, eye creams, serums, skin lighteners, SPF’s, toners, exfoliants. And how are you supposed to know which skincare to only use at night versus during the day? In this post I will be giving you a definitive guide to the skincare to only use at night versus any other time. 

Skincare To Only Use At Night

To begin, these are the skincare products you should be using exclusively at night. There are a number of reasons you want to reserve these ingredients and skincare products for night time use only. In some cases, it may even be detrimental to your skin to use these products during the daytime.

Skincare to only use at night #1: RETINOIDS

Skincare ingredients such as retinol, prescription retinoids, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, adapalene, tazarotene, and variations of retinoic acid should be reserved for use at night only.

This family of ingredients are extremely potent and renowned for their miraculous anti-ageing, anti-acne properties. However, they can be very irritating and sensitising for skin. This is why retinoids are a skincare to only use at night.

Retinoids can greatly increase your skin’s susceptibility to sun damage, which is why I would advise against them for daytime use. Applying them at night gives them more opportunity to really take effect while you sleep.

While some may condone retinol for daytime use, provided it is followed up with sun protection, I would strongly suggest otherwise. Retinol is a powerful ingredient. It is highly transformative, but this can also mean it is taxing on the skin.

As your skin already has to defend against daily and environmental aggressors during the day, I would suggest forgoing retinol use until the night time. In the case of retinoids, more is most certainly not always better, so there is no need to use them twice a day. So, save them for night time use only.

These Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules are a powerhouse of anti-ageing ingredients. Ceramides are used in many rich, anti-ageing skincare products to boost moisture and support collagen. 

The Ceramide Capsules are already iconic, and the retinol version only supercharges them. If you want some intensely anti-ageing skin benefits, these individually packed capsules will not disappoint.

Skincare to only use at night #2: GLYCOLIC ACID

Glycolic acid is another anti-ageing powerhouse ingredient. You will remember from my glycolic acid article that, although glycolic acid is a highly effective ingredient, it can greatly increase sunburn risk and induce sun damage.

Because glycolic acid is chiefly great at eliminating visible signs of sun damage, you do not want to use it only for it to worsen the problem you were originally hoping to amend. For all the details on glycolic acid, and how it differs from other acids, read this glycolic acid post.

Glycolic acid is another ingredient that like retinol, is so powerful I would not recommend using it more than once a day for the majority of people. Once a day use should suffice and you can reserve that for night time use.

If you live in an area that does not see much sun, or during the darker months when sun intensity is not at an all-time high, you may be able to get away with using acids during the day. However, you should exercise precaution and make sure you are wearing an SPF if you live in a sunny area.

With 5% glycolic acid, Alpha H Liquid Gold will absolutely transform your skin. It will diminish any signs of hyperpigmentation and give you a radiant skin glow. Check out this glycolic acid article for more product recommendations.

Skincare to only use at night #3: NIACINAMIDE

Niacinamide is an ingredient you can really use at any time of day. However, those with more easily sensitised skin may not want to mix ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide. Especially if you are using a high percentage of niacinamide specifically to target issues like acne or pores. 

There is concern that ascorbic acid may affect the integrity of niacinamide. If you use a strong vitamin C serum during the day time, you may wish to alternate and use niacinamide products at night instead.

Because vitamin C works best at a lower pH and niacinamide works at a pH closer to neutral, there is fear that the ingredients used in combination may render one another ineffective. 

High doses of niacin have the potential to induce facial flushing. If you have used the ingredients in combination and have had no such issue, using both products in tandem might in fact be beneficial, as both ingredients are great for skin.

Skincare formulations have become so sophisticated that it should not cause issue in most people, provided both ingredients are not used in very high percentage. You will come across various skincare formulations that use vitamin C derivatives and niacinamide and they work beautifully.

You may want to exercise caution if you are using a high dose niacinamide and potent ascorbic acid product. Bombarding your skin with so many strong active ingredients all at once can have negative repercussions.

This 10% Niacinamide Booster contains brightening ingredients to help even out your complexion and target visible signs of ageing.

Skincare to only use at night #4: ACNE SPOT TREATMENTS

Spot treatments such as benzoyl peroxide creams, sulfur, camphor and clay-based products, work to eradicate spots by drying the area out. It is very difficult to lay any makeup over these products without ruining your makeup, so it is best to reserve spot treatments for your night time skincare routine.

EradiKate Blemish Treatment and Indie Lee Blemish Lotion are a type of two-phase blemish treatment. There is this pink sediment that settles at the bottom of the product. You can simply dip a cotton bud into the bottle and then dot the pink product onto any spots.

Most people do not want to be seen parading around with pink and white dots across their faces in a corporate environment. Using them at night gives them the most time to work, without having the potential makeup, sunscreens and other products mixing with the product and redistributing the ingredients around the face.

Skincare to only use at night #5: THICK EYE CREAMS

Eye creams are infamous for being the thickest skincare products you lay on your face. This is because the immediate undereye area does not directly house any oil glands, which means it can easily dry out.

Unless you have particularly dry eyes, I would not call an eye cream a must-do step. However, even those with dry under eyes are likely to find that their night time eye creams are far too thick for day use.

The emollient nature of eye creams can lead to concealer creasing. Not to mention, the excess oil and moisture will cause your eye makeup to smudge and run around your eyes.

Save the eye creams for bed time and let them do their thing at night. During the day time, simply applying your regular moisturiser or sunscreen around the eye area should suffice.

Skincare to only use at night #6: HEAVY MOISTURISERS

Night time moisturisers are notoriously rich in consistency. It is no surprise that such rich moisturisers should exclusively be saved for your night time routine, if indeed your skin type is so dry that it warrants one of these thick moisturisers.

Although creams that target more mature women tend to be thicker and richer, your skin will not magically call for a thick moisturiser once you hit ‘a certain age’. This means that you do not have to feel obliged to opt for a night time cream just because it is labelled as such, unless your skin indeed calls for one.

Unless you have exceptionally dry skin, you will not want to be using rich cream during the day time. The emollience of such creams will cause makeup to shift around after a few hours and feel far too occlusive during the day time. You will want to hydrate with a moisturiser that is less viscous and more breathable in nature.

In some instances, a night cream is simply a day cream with a slightly richer consistency. Day creams without SPF may even be used interchangeably as your night time option. In fact, day and night creams originally began as the same formula, albeit packaged in different jars and labelled separately.

Skincare to only use at night #7: CLEANSING BALMS AND CLEANSING OILS

Some confuse this cleansing product and use it as their only skincare cleansing option both morning and night. Cleansing balms and cleansing oils should solely be used for the removal of makeup. They should then be followed up with a regular gentle cleanser to remove any residue.

The first step of cleansing balm/oil removes your makeup and the second step actually cleanses the face. Cleansing balms and cleansing oils should not be used on their own. Especially not in the morning when you are merely removing last night’s skincare and sweat.

If you only cleanse with a cleansing balm or an oil, some oil may remain on the skin. This makes it difficult for any water-based serums and skincare products to penetrate the skin and work properly. Your makeup may also not lay as well over the skin. So, reserve these products for use in your evening routine only.

One of my absolute favourites is this Cleansing Balm from Clinique. It will melt away any makeup you could possible have on, along with the toughest waterproof mascara. Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm is also a great one and is smoothing and lovely on the skin. It is slightly pricier than Clinique but the website I linked regularly does sales.

Skincare Products to Use at Any Time of Day

Because I like to be thorough, and to give context to the rest of my post, here’s a list of skincare you can feel free to use any time of day. They work equally well as part of a morning or evening skincare routine.

1. Hyaluronic acid serums

Water-based serums with hyaluronic acid are usually thinner in consistency. This makes them a great lightweight option, ideal for use during the day or night. Read this article all about hyaluronic acid for everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid and my favourite hyaluronic acid products.

2. Salicylic acid

This chemical exfoliant is a favourite among the acne-prone. Unlike glycolic acid, salicylic acid does not induce sun sensitivity, so you can use it both day and night. Read this complete guide to salicylic acid for everything you need to know about the skincare ingredient as well as my favourite products.

3. Dry oils

Dry oils are light and easily absorbed into the skin. They do not form that greasy film over the skin that seemingly never dissipates. Fast-absorbing oils such as rosehip oil and squalane are perfect for use any time of day and will not leave you a greasy mess. I love to use fast-absorbing oils in the morning just before I apply my sunscreen, as it makes everything I layer over it apply a lot more smoothly. I have an article dedicated to rosehip oil, so make sure to read that for rosehip oil skin benefits.

4. Sheet masks

Although I would tell you to save the deep hydration masks until the night time, sheet masks are a lighter weight option to infuse instant hydration into the skin. This makes them great to apply before makeup if your skin needs a boost for the day.

Use them at night time as part of your unwinding ritual. Or even just on a day where you are feeling like pampering yourself. K-beauty famously offers an array of sheet masks. I have listed a few in this article about the top Korean Skincare products you need to try.

5. Skin brighteners

All-over skin brighteners can be used both in the morning and at night. These products help to fade dark spots and discolouration, encouraging a brighter complexion.

Skincare Products To Only Use During The Day

A few things differentiate day time and night time skincare. There are certain properties of day time skincare products that make them optimal for use during the day.

1. Antioxidant serums

Serums with antioxidants such as resveratrol and vitamin C, will safeguard your skin from environmental aggressors, pollution and UV damage throughout the day. I explained it all in this post about antioxidants and free radicals. This means they are important ingredients to wear on a daily basis so that you are giving your skin as much protection as possible.

As I stated previously, you are using a high strength vitamin C in the morning, you want to save any potent niacinamide products for the evening time. For the best vitamin C skincare products and benefits, read this vitamin C skincare article. 

2. SPF

It seems obvious, but any products containing SPF are solely for daytime use. Whether it is sunscreens, face creams with any SPF, BB creams and the like, you should not be wearing any SPF products to sleep.

If the product has SPF in it, you should not be sleeping in it, even if it is a colourless cream. Anything with SPF is often heavier, and not in a deeply nourishing way. Not to mention, certain sunscreen actives like zinc oxide, are astringent and can potentially dry out skin.

Aside for the obvious fact that there is no sun during the night time, the ingredients that give SPF rating are often occlusive. Ingredients such as titanium dioxide are used in colour cosmetics. Like makeup pigments, SPF molecules are larger, heavier and have a higher chance of clogging pores.

If you aren’t wearing makeup to sleep (which you should never do anyway), why would you wear SPF? Give your skin a break and save any SPF for the day time. Invest in a separate moisturiser for night time use alone. 

For more on what SPF means, and exactly how sunscreen protects your skin, read this post about sun damage and skin.

Nighttime skincare is different from daytime skincare

I hope this post helps to make clear which products you should be using by time of day. It is important to establish a day time and night time skincare routine with specific products for each. Depending on the time of day, you can decide which products and ingredients will suit your skin best. 

You should now understand the skincare to only use at night, the products you should be saving for daytime use, and the products you are free to use at any time of day. So go ahead and put together your skincare routine with confidence! If you’d like to know how to layer the products mentioned, read this post on how to layer skincare products for best results. 

Subscribe to the Blog so you don’t miss out on future posts. I’ll also give you access to my essential skincare checklist as a bonus.

For more skincare advice, check out these posts:

How to properly layer skincare products

How to transition your skincare routine from Summer to Fall

Essential Makeup and Skincare Advice for Oily Skin

How to get rid of blackheads

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 Skincare Products You Should Only Use At Night appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

Glycolic Acid Benefits

If you take even a remote interest in skincare, it is likely you have heard of glycolic acid. I have mentioned glycolic acid briefly in previous posts and have even recommended a number of glycolic acid products. In my last post about how to transition your skincare into Fall, I encouraged you to start looking at more chemical exfoliants. But I have not yet done a dedicated post on glycolic acid benefits. Hence, I decided to make one today. This post will be touching upon glycolic acid benefits, uses and what exactly glycolic acid is in skincare.

Notice:

It has been brought to my attention that the comment section of my blog has not been working over the past few weeks. I have been receiving messages from readers who have been unable to leave their comments. Many were getting popups saying that they were being mistaken for ‘bots’ by the system or simply unable to write a comment altogether. Looking into this issue, I checked my software and it was the case that over the past couple of weeks, over 40 of your lovely comments were mistaken for spam and discarded without my knowledge. 

I want to apologise to those of you who have so kindly taken the time to comment. I love hearing from my readers. The thought that you take the time out of your day to leave me a message means the world. I create this content to bring as much value as I can to you. So, to think I was not able to respond to your questions devastates me. I created this site entirely on my own and am not a professional web developer, so I am still in the learning process. 

If you have a query please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will get back to you. As of 6th September, the issue is now resolved. So, if there is anything you would like to say, I would love to hear from you.

I hope you are enjoying the blog and getting value out of the content I am publishing. Your support is more appreciated than you know. 

What is glycolic acid?

As you would know from my previous post about BHAs, chemical exfoliants are a non-abrasive means of exfoliating without manually scrubbing skin. Glycolic acid is yet another type of acid, but instead of belonging to the beta hydroxy acid group, it belongs to a branch known as alpha hydroxy acids.

Glycolic acid is derived from plants like sugar cane. Of all AHA’s, glycolic acid has the smallest molecular weight. This means it is able to penetrate skin easily. This readiness to penetrate skin also makes it the strongest AHA. It is used in a variety of skin peels at higher concentrations, and topical skincare at lower concentrations.

Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid

Unlike BHA skincare which comprises only salicylic acid, AHAs comprise a number of acids. Such AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and mandelic acid. The most common AHA you will likely come across in skincare are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Although I have seen increasingly seen the other acids making more and more of an appearance.

In my previous Skin Science post about all things BHA, I explained that salicylic acid is soluble in oil and is therefore great for pore clarification. Unlike BHAs, AHAs are water soluble. BHAs are lipophilic, as explained in my previous salicylic acid post, whereas AHA’s are hydrophilic. This means that they are more adept at working on the skin surface, rather than deep within the pore lining.

Why use glycolic acid?

I prefer chemical exfoliation to scrubs and physical exfoliants because you are not causing the same level of inflammation from physical abrasion of your skin. In the past I would use harsh facial scrubs twice a day for my acne. This only further inflamed my skin and caused a great deal of redness and irritation.

Chemical exfoliants are a painless and more effective way of keeping acne in check and refining pores. Not to mention, you are getting all the additional glycolic acid benefits that I will touch on in this post. For those who have never used acid exfoliants before, the results can be almost instantaneous. Apply them and you are sure to wake up to a gorgeous, glowing complexion.

Glycolic acid benefits for acne and marks

Salicylic acid is a known hero for acne-prone skin. However, glycolic acid can also be very useful in the treatment of acne. In studies using higher strength glycolic peels have consistently shown a decrease in comedonic and nodular acne. The exfoliating action encourages skin cell turnover and prevents the plugging of follicles that lead to acne. It will further help to accelerate healing of those pesky post-acne marks left after a blemish has occurred.

Skin smoothing

Because you are consistently resurfacing skin and encouraging the shedding of old, dead skin cells from the surface, glycolic acid use results in smoother, improved skin texture. If you are experiencing dullness, glycolic acid can help you get your glow back. It will also diminish the appearance of enlarged pores. If you struggle with uneven skin texture, large pores, small bumps, or blemishes, you will benefit greatly from regular use of glycolic acid. It is also beneficial in conditions like keratosis pilaris and psoriasis.

Suitable for all skin types

While salicylic acid works wonders for oily skin, glycolic acid is greatly suited to drier skin types. The beauty of glycolic acid is it can be used by oily, combination, or dry skin alike. This means most people will be able to receive the glycolic acid benefits. It encourages collagen synthesis and increases skin’s natural moisturising factors. So, while over exfoliation can dry out skin, one of the great glycolic acid benefits is it can actually have a replenishing effect. Just don’t overdo it.

Anti-ageing benefits

Glycolic acid is probably the number one most widely used acid for anti-ageing. The accelerated collagen production and increased hyaluronic acid resulting from the application of glycolic acid makes it a firm favourite for diminishing the appearance of fine lines. Regular use of glycolic acid will result in a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles as it smooths the skin surface. It dissolves excess buildup of dead skin cells to reveal younger cells beneath. 

The ability to decrease visible fine lines makes it one of the most exciting glycolic acid benefits amongst skin anti agers. But notice I said ‘fine lines’. If you have already developed deep wrinkles, your results will be much more limited and you may wish to turn to in-office cosmetic interventions for greater results.

Fades dark spots

Glycolic acid helps fade post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dark spots and melasma. This makes it highly versatile in treating all sorts of skin discolouration in those who struggle with everything from post acne marks to melasma to visible sun spots. If you are struggling with signs of sun damage, glycolic acid is proven to be highly effective in reducing visible signs of skin discolouration and hyperpigmentation.

Shedding the superficial layer of skin helps to resurface and speed up the fading of hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid also has the ability to inhibit tyrosinase, which reduces melanin formation and lessens the appearance of dark spots. I went into a lot of detail about melanin and how dark spots form in this sun damage article.

Careful in the Sun

One caveat of glycolic acid is that it will increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Salicylic acid is not shown to increase sun sensitivity biomarkers. However, studies have consistently shown that the application of glycolic acid without properly protecting skin from UV radiation increases erythema (sunburn), DNA damage and sunburn cell formation. It is therefore important to be weary of your level sun exposure while using this ingredient.

If you are using glycolic acid products, you must be wearing a daily sunscreen to protect your skin from possible unfavourable side effects like burning and increased hyperpigmentation. While glycolic acid is great at fading your dark spots caused by excess sun exposure, it also has the potential to worsen them if you are not protecting your skin from further damage. So, to get maximum glycolic acid benefits, be mindful of your sun exposure. Read this facial sunscreen post about what to look for in a sunscreen.

How often to use glycolic acid

Glycolic acid is safe for use as much as your skin is able to tolerate it. The exact dose will be individual for everyone. You can start a couple of days a week and work your way up as you build tolerance. Be aware of how your skin is reacting. I began using a certain 30% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid peel a few times a week and my skin was showing signs of irritation. I found that I was having increased darkening on my upper lip that I had never before experienced. Since then I have had to be more diligent about my sunscreen application when I am using the product.

Some may find that using both an AHA and BHA product at the same can be too much for their skin. If this is the case for you, alternating between both acids may be the solution. Some may even find that they prefer using a BHA on certain parts of their face and AHAs elsewhere. If you struggle with blackheads for instance, you may wish to apply salycilic acid to your T zone and glycolic acid on the perimeters of your face. It is all dependent on your skin type and preferences.

Concentrations between 5% and 15% are most optimal for daily use. If your skin becomes uncomfortably itchy or burns, you know you are overdoing it. If your skin is extremely sensitive, you will want to patch test before using any type of strong acid on a regular basis. For most intense results, a medical spa or dermatologist can carry out high strength chemical peels on your skin. This is great for people with severe skin discolourations caused by cystic acne or other pigmentary lesions. Always consult a specialist before undergoing any high strength peels.

Best Glycolic Acid Skincare Products

There are a number of expertly formulated glycolic acid skincare products on the market. Here are links to some tried and true favourites:

Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum – I recommended this product in my skincare you need from Sephora post (which you must have a look at if you have not already). I stand by this product completely. It contains a 12% AHA blend with 1% BHAs and will do wonders for your skin. 

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel – These are two step pads in convenient individual packs. The exfoliant step has glycolic acid, followed by the anti-ageing step with retinol and vitamin C. Reveals your best, glowing complexion. 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads – Easy to use, pre-soaked pads with lactic and glycolic acid. Contains additional brightening ingredients for radiant skin.

Peter Thomas Roth 8% Glycolic Toner – The bottle has a convenient pump to dispense the product. The acid is at has a good pH to ensure effectiveness and includes soothinng ingredients such as aloe and allantoin. 

Alpha H Liquid Gold – There’s a reason this is called liquid gold. It contains 5% glycolic acid goodness, is not overly fragranced, and will deliver results. You won’t be disappointed.

Pixi Glow Tonic – Glow Tonic earned its name. Regular application of this product will leave your skin glowing, keep pores clear and brighten your complexion.Considering the amount you get in one bottle, it is good value for money. 

Paula’s Choice Smoothing Treatment – A blend of 10% AHAs with salicylic acid to target skin from all angles. Contains a variety of antioxidants and skin smoothing ingredients so you know you are getting maximum benefits from your products. Non irritating and can be used up to twice a day.

Glycolic Acid Products to Use Weekly

Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial – This at-home facial peel contains 25% AHA and 2% BHA. It also contains a wonderful blend of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and oils to replenish while resurfacing skin. Use it a couple of times a week and you are guaranteed to see a notable difference in skin texture, tone, clarity and skin radiance. 

The Ordinary 30% AHA + BHA Peeling Solution – In light of recent events and controversies, I am hesitant to recommend this brand. It is unfortunate the beauty industry currently has so much controversy surrounding certain companies. I will say from what I have seen, the way this company responds to customers is disappointing. However, I have purchased this product before and like to keep positive on my blog. I have not personally had a negative confrontation with the brand or its owner. I only ever purchase their products from sites like Amazon and Beauty Bay, not the Deciem site, so I cannot speak to that either. Because this brand is popular and affordable, I feel inclined to mention it. I know inquiring minds want to hear about others’ experience with the product.

This product does not have a tonne of bells and whistles aside from the AHA and BHA but it does the job, especially considering its price point. The high percentage of acid does cause quite a tingling sensation upon application unlike anything I have ever felt. It is intense but it works. I did see visibly smoother, brighter skin after use, which is pretty rare nowadays because I am so acclimatised to acid exfoliant use. It did however cause me increased sun sensitivity due to the high 32% concentration total acid used in the thick of Summer.

A word on alcohol in skincare

One point to consider is that some of these products do contain denatured alcohol. Not all alcohols are harmful. In fact, fatty alcohols such as cetearyl alcohol can be beneficial for skin. However, denatured alcohol is one ingredient people tend to be weary about. It is often used as a solvent for ‘toning’ products. One could argue that the alcohol present in these products evaporates before even being able to cause significant harm to skin. If it is a concern to you, you may wish to dispense the product and waft it around a little on a cotton pad to wait for the alcohol to evaporate before applying. Regardless, these products are still highly efficacious and will deliver great results. 

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Glycolic Acid Benefits in a nutshell

I hope that this post is helpful in explaining glycolic acid benefits and that it demystified any questions you had regarding glycolic acid for skin. In summary, glycolic acid is a versatile chemical exfoliant. There are a number of glycolic acid benefits. It is suitable for most skin types from oily to dry. It can help with collagen production, decreasing the look of fine lines, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and blemishes. But remember to be diligent about sun protection while using glycolic acid. 

Make sure you Subscribe to the Blog for more skin care insights, skin science articles, and ingredient spotlights in upcoming posts. When you Subscribe, you will also get instant access to my Free Skincare Essentials Checklist. You are not going to want to miss the plethora of posts I have lined up for the blog. 

For more Skincare Ingredient Spotlight articles, check out these blog posts:

Salicylic Acid in Skincare 

Vitamin C for Brighter, Firmer skin

The Skin Benefits of Rosehip Oil 

The Natural Retinol Alternative You Need To Try

Hyaluronic Acid: The Complete Guide

What kind of results have you experienced with glycolic acid? Do you have any favourite glycolic acid products?

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

Shannon xo

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

References:

Kornhauser, A. (2010). Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, p.135.

Bernstein, E., Lee, J., Brown, D., Yu, R. and Van Scott, E. (2001). Glycolic Acid Treatment Increases Type I Collagen mRNA and Hyaluronic Acid Content of Human Skin. Dermatologic Surgery, 27(5), pp.429-433.

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Natural Retinol Alternative Bakuchiol for Skin

In my previous article all about Rosehip Oil Skin Benefits, I touched upon the vitamin A content of rosehip oil. I acknowledged that, although some natural skincare enthusiasts claim rosehip oil to be somewhat of a natural alternative to retinol (a form of vitamin A), this is simply not the case. Retinol is extremely efficacious and extremely potent. So much so, that percentages of the ingredient must be clearly labelled. Many retinoids are so strong that they are only available via medical prescription. Certain individuals do worry about retinol toxicity because of this and search for more natural alternatives. This article is all about the natural retinol alternative bakuchiol.

What does retinol do?

Retinol is characterised by its astounding anti-ageing properties. It decreases depth of wrinkles and lines, smooths the skin’s surface, increases skin firmness, and evens out skin tone. It has been scientifically proven and extensively researched for years because of its ability to visibly turn the clock back in time. For this reason, it is one of the most revered skincare ingredients in the anti-ageing sphere.

There is one caveat: not everyone can tolerate retinol. It causes skin sensitivity, flaking, dryness, redness, irritation and makes you more susceptible to sun damage. Because the ingredient is so potent, many people experience some alarmingly adverse reactions to it.

The reason people are attempting to associate ingredients like rosehip oil with retinol is because of the vitamin A content. As I mentioned in my post about rosehip oil, the vitamin A present in rosehip oil is different from retinol. Rosehip oil contains beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Retinol, on the other hand, naturally occurs in animal sources such as dairy, meat, eggs, fish and poultry. And so, they behave in the body somewhat differently.

While beta carotene can convert to vitamin A in skin, it is not entirely that simple. This means that just because they both contain vitamin A, it is not necessarily accurate to group together certain skincare products as having the same efficacy. The source of vitamin A is also important. They may both function through different pathways.

The only clinically-proven natural retinol alternative

Enter Bakuchiol. This compound is a plant extract and antioxidant. It is found in the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. This plant has traditionally been used in Aurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat diseases of the skin. It bears no structural resemblance to retinol. Rather, it displays retinol-like functionality when applied to skin. And while retinol can make your face burn and peel off if you are not careful, bakuchiol does not show any of this irritation.

There is a constant search to find ingredients that match up to retinol and are less sensitising but still effective. Thus far, bakuchiol is the only botanical extract to clinically prove its viability at such a feat. According to a 2014 study, the twice a day application of bakuchiol was shown to exhibit anti-ageing effects on skin. After 12 weeks, there was a significant improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation lessened, skin elasticity and firmness improved, and even photo-damage reduced. All this, without the undesirable effects of retinol use on skin.

The way in which retinol displays such remarkable anti-ageing effects on skin is through its interaction with specific receptors in the nucleus of the cell. This is turn will increase the production of collagen and blocks inflammatory mediators. In other words, retinol communicates with cells and tells them to do their job better and behave in a younger manner. The way in which bakuchiol delivers results is through the regulation of gene expression. It too will upregulate and stimulate collagen production. The pathways through which both compounds work is similar, however bakuchiol does not seem to induce the same level of irritation.

Can it help acne like retinol?

Besides its powerful anti-ageing properties, retinol also has acne fighting effects. Retinoids act as a comedolytic agent to keep pores clear and prevent breakouts. There are many varieties of retinoids that professionals successfully prescribe for the treatment of acne. Adapalene, tretinoin and tazarotene are a few such retinoids that acne patients require prescriptions to obtain. So how does bakuchiol match up to this?

Bakuchiol has not been as comprehensively researched in the treatment of acne as retinol has. However there have been studies to suggest it may play a role in acne treatment. Bakuchiol has strong antibacterial and antioxidant effects. In a pilot clinical study, 1% bakuchiol was shown to reduce acne by about 57%. By comparison, salicylic acid only reduced acne by 48%. You may recall salicylic acid effects on acne from my complete guide to salicylic acid. The combination was shown to reduce acne and inflammation by 70%.

Retinol and irritation

Retinoids are a very commonly irritating ingredient. People try to push through the adverse side effects in the hope of reaping its extraordinary promises of anti-ageing and acne prevention. However, as I emphasise in each and every post, we are all different. We each have individual needs and tolerances. While retinol may work wonders for someone else’s skin, this may not be the case with you.

Typically, your skin takes a few weeks to acclimate to retinol. When I first began using retinoids, my skin was extremely irritated. It felt as though my face was perpetually sunburned, my skin was peeling at a mere touch, and always looked dry. After some time, your skin will acclimate to the dosage and you will no longer get those negative side effects.

It may also be worth experimenting with different types of retinoids as you may experience terrible reactions from some and you may be fine with others. I have found certain retinol products have been so strong they have triggered the worst flare ups of acne I have ever experienced. Others improve the condition of my skin. It is extremely individual and up to you to judge for yourself.

Who should use bakuchiol?

You may find retinol products irritate your skin to no end. Instead of trying to push through the pain, your skin may simply be intolerant to retinol. Retinol may not agree with your skin, regardless of the percentage you use or type of derivative. In this case, natural retinol alternative bakuchiol may be the answer to your skincare woes. Many natural skincare advocates will appreciate this ingredient due to its botanical nature. Typically, retinoids available via prescription will contain ingredients and certain preservatives that natural skincare advocates do not like, so bakuchiol is definitely a viable choice.

Because of the minimal irritation in comparison to retinol, anyone will be able to use bakuchiol. If you are pregnant or have any urgent medical conditions, it is always wise to consult with your doctor. As I said, it is not as widely researched as retinol, so you may find you prefer the visible results you see from retinol products. If you are running out of your current retinol, would like a break from retinol, would like to introduce a retinol-like product into your routine, or just love new skincare, it is worth seeing how your skin reacts to it.

Bakuchiol Products Worth Trying

Although it is a relatively new retinol-like skin care discovery, a number of skincare brands are already beginning to incorporate natural retinol alternative bakuchiol into their line.

Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum – This line contains purely non toxic, clean beauty products. Alongside bakuchiol, the serum includes squalane and sodium hyaluronate for hydration. It also contains a good dose of niacinamide which will also help to visibly reduce pore size, keep skin clear and even out skin tone.

Ole Henriksen Glow Cycle Serum – This serum is very lightweight and brightening. It contains AHAs to improve skin texture and for additional anti-ageing benefits. The lavender tint also helps to combat dullness by colour correcting skin tone.

Ole Henriksen Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Creme – For those with drier skin types, you may prefer a more hydrating, thicker cream to a serum. This product is just that. The AHAs will provide overnight exfoliation. For more on chemical exfoliants read this. The inclusion of shea butter ensures that your skin does not become dehydrated overnight. It contains the lavender tint to brighten skin.

Whish Recovering Night Cream – This entire range incorporates bakuchiol into every product. Whish Face Oil is a lovely blend of plant oils that are rich in essential fatty acids. They do not use synthetic dyes, petrochemicals or parabens.

Ren Clean Skincare Bio Retinoid – This anti-ageing cream contains bakuchiol alongside a number of plant extracts. The brand is a more natural line so all products do not contain parabens, formaldehyde and other potentially carcinogenic ingredients. 

If you are feeling fancy

Lancer Advanced Retinol Treatment – Dr Lancer has included both retinol and buckachiol in this powerful anti-ageing formula. The product also contains a number of antioxidants and hydrolysed collagen. Lancer is a higher price point, but the line does not disappoint when it comes to effective products. 

Oskia Super 16 Serum – This serum is hydrating and contains a number of antioxidants to further provide anti-ageing benefits alongside bakuchiol. It does also contain retinol palmitate, another vitamin A derivative. 

Omorovicza Miracle Oil – Omorovicza is a brand that by no means skimps on luxury. This product contains a blend of some of my favourite oils such as almond and sea buckthorn oil, and additional antioxidants. 

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I hope that this post helps to shed some light on the natural retinol alternative bakuchiol. It is a great, gentle option if you are new to retinol or find it does not suit your skin. Perhaps you need a break from retinol and want something that still gives excellent results. 

If you found this post informative, remember to Subscribe to the Blog for more articles like this.

I have a number of articles on the topic of anti-ageing skincare. For more on anti-ageing take a look at these posts:

All about Vitamin C For Anti-ageing

The Complete Guide to Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare 

The Crucial Role of Antioxidants

The Best Korean Skincare Brands You Simply Must Try

Share this post with someone you care about because we all deserve to love the skin we are in. If anything, I’d appreciate the show of support for the simple fact that I wrote this entire article, lost it, then had to re-write it entirely all over again!

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

Shannon xo

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

References:

Chaudhuri, R. and Bojanowski, K. (2014). Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 36(3), pp.221-230.

Chaudhuri RK, Marchio F. Bakuchiol in the management of acne-affected skin. Cosmetics & Toiletries Magazine. 2011;126(7):502–510.

The post Natural Retinol Alternative Bakuchiol Works Miracles appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

How does the Sun damage your skin?

You might have heard by now the importance of sun protection for your skin in the prevention of sun damage and skin cancers. Despite this, many of us do not always make sun protection a priority. As someone born and raised in the Mediterranean, I am accustomed to sunny weather. I do not burn easily and am not aware of the Sun’s immediate effects. It is therefore not natural behaviour for me to be pedantic about sun protection. After all, can it really be that damaging?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Oftentimes in the face of a skin issue like sun damage, we want to be told the solution lies in latest and greatest innovation in skincare formulations. Or the newest technological advances in laser therapy, the strongest acid peels. Not that we should be wearing sunscreen. We want to be in on this big high-tech secret that solves all our problems and even raises our children in the process. The idea that one magic pill or potion could erase years of misbehaviour is just more appealing. The truth is years of sun damage can easily be averted, provided we take some small steps of prevention. But we must first understand how it occurs so we can identify how to prevent it. 

The lowdown

So, we are aware of sun damage. But what exactly are the implications of prolonged sun exposure and why does sun damage even happen? We often wait until we see the visible signs of an issue to take action. However, the small steps we take each day will make the greatest impact. And this applies to our skin and preventing sun damage. Instead of waiting for the visible signs of sun damage to surface, we should be actively working to mitigate the effects.

If you’re a science nerd like me, sometimes it is only the factual information that is able to persuade me to act on something. Simply being told that I should do something without being given the facts is not enough. Partly because I don’t like being told what to do – period. And partly because I don’t ever trust only one source of information. I like to look at the mechanisms behind a problem and conduct my own investigations from multiple sources. So, here is the stripped back essence of what UV radiation does to skin.

UV radiation

Ultraviolet (UV) is part of the electromagnetic spectrum of radiation falling between visible light and X-rays. The sun emits this UV radiation, but unlike light rays or infrared, it cannot be seen or felt. UV radiation has been classed as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it has strong cancer-causing potential.

There are a few different types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC. UV radiation is classified as a carcinogen due its tumour promoting and tumour initiating effect. When we are exposed to the sun, UV radiation contributes to the depletion of stem cells, causes stem cell DNA damage and eventually leads to photoinduced ageing of skin.

Saving the ozone layer will not only save the environment, but it will save our skin too!

The ozone layer acts as a protective barrier to absorb a lot of UV radiation from the sun. UVC is completely filtered out by the ozone layer but UVA and UVB are still able to reach the earth’s surface. The continual depletion of ozone, as a result of certain compounds and pollutants being released into the atmosphere, poses a risk in aggravating the health effects caused by these harmful rays.

In this post, I am going to focus on ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B as they relate to sun damage of the skin and aging.

The difference between UVA and UVB

What are UVA rays?

UVA rays account for most of the sunlight reaching the earth and penetrate more deeply than UVB. This means that they can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin at the dermis. These rays are responsible for the adaptive melanisation (or tanning) of our skin. Melanocyte cells respond to UVA rays by triggering melanin to darken the skin in an attempt to protect it. The darkening of the skin from a tan is in fact the skin’s response to the damage of DNA.

Silent killer

You do not physically feel the effects of the damage on your skin in the sense that unlike sunburn, solely tanning is not unpleasant and does not cause discomfort. However, this is bad news for those of us who thought that if we simply tan and are not prone to sunburn, we are at less risk than those who burn. Just because our body does not show the immediate adverse effects of the sun does not mean sun damage is not occurring. 

Repetitive UVA exposure ages skin cells, damages DNA, precipitates the formation of wrinkles and is responsible for the majority of skin cancers. As long as the sun is out, UVA rays are present. They penetrate glass so that even when you are indoors, if you are in a building with windows, you are being exposed to UVA rays.

What are UVB rays?

UVB rays are slightly higher in energy than UVA rays. They are especially prevalent at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces (explaining that bad sunburn you got on your ski holiday) but do not penetrate glass significantly in the way UVA rays do. UVB is chiefly responsible for the reddening of skin and erythema (sunburn) and plays a role in skin cancer. Its inflammatory effect kills keratinocytes and voila, you have sunburn.

This type of UV radiation affects the more superficial epidermal layers of skin but also contribute to tanning and photo-ageing. It induces skin pigmentation by increasing melanin synthesis. The oxidative stress induced by UV exposure increases the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. These accumulate and increase epidermal thickness so that the surface layer is dull, dense and crepey.

B is for burn

UVB is more efficient in inducing immediate erythema (or sunburn) but does trigger melanin synthesis and will eventually lead to delayed tanning. The overproduction of melanin skin cells can form clusters of darker skin. Cue hyper pigmentation, dark spots and dullness. With age, the outer layer of skin becomes dense, dry and dull. Think that leathery skin texture with dark patches that you see on people who lay on the beach without protection for years.

Vitamin D

UVB however, also plays a vital role in generating vitamin D, which is a steroid hormone that regulates over 1000 biochemical processes in the body. It is important to keep vitamin D levels in check while also being smart about sun protection. It is a myth that tanning booths are a good source of vitamin D since UVA rays are the type mainly used in tanning, and not UVB (so don’t buy into the lie that indoor tanning booths are a good source of vitamin D, folks).

Keeping your skin protected from the Sun

Some simple steps you can take to keep your skin protected from the sun:

• Liberally apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to the exposed areas of your skin
• Reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating as it can wash off
• Wear sunglasses to shield your eye area
• Stay in the shade during peak hours of sun
• Wear hats to protect your scalp and face
• Avoid skincare ingredients that may induce photosensitivity
• Do not allow your skin to burn
• Avoid tanning booths and use self-tanners instead. Or go au naturale. 

Certain ingredients make you more sun sensitive

There are a number of skincare ingredients that can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the Sun. Such ingredients include various fragrant plant oils, glycolic or lactic acids, and benzoyl peroxide. This means that, if your skincare routine contains any of these ingredients, there is even greater reason to use an SPF daily.

Various ingredients also help to lessen the effects of excess sun exposure. I wrote an entire article about vitamin C skincare benefits – spoiler, it also helps with photo-protection. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can help to strengthen the skin barrier. Read this article for what HA does for skin. And read this article for why antioxidants help protect skin alongside SPF. 

What does SPF do?

The SPF rating on sunscreens refers to the protection from UVB rays. It essentially lets you know how long you can stay in direct contact with the sun before your skin begins to burn. For instance, if your skin begins to burn after 20 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 30 means it will take 30 times longer before you burn.

Because of the lack of liberal sunscreen application, it is best to apply an SPF 30 or greater so that you can be sure you are getting adequate sun protection. An SPF beyond 50 can be misleading. It is probably more beneficial to frequently reapply an SPF 30, than to assume an SPF 100 will protect you 100 times more effectively. Many countries ban a rating over SPF 50 due to the false sense of security it gives.

In terms of percentage of UVB radiation that SPF will block out, SPF 15 sunscreens will filter about 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%, SPF 50 sunscreens about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. As the SPF rating increases, the difference between consecutive ratings becomes smaller. It should be noted that no sunscreen will block out 100% of all UV rays.

What to look for in a sunscreen

Because SPF relates only to protection from UVB, opt for a “broad spectrum” sunscreen. This means it will shield you from both the UVA and UVB rays and will safeguard you from the visible surface level effects of sun damage as well as the deeper level damage to skin.

In an upcoming article, I will be giving a complete overview of all the very best SPF products with the best textures, best ingredients and best under makeup. As a teaser, I will mention this Murad SPF 50 is a game changer. And this non toxic sunscreen is the best “natural” option I have tried yet. You will also want to check out this mineral sunscreen review as a great option for under makeup wear. I will explain everything you want to know in the upcoming post. Let me know in the meantime: do you have a favourite sunscreen?

Stay vigilant

At times it might feel a little wasteful or redundant to slap on sunscreen just to pop outside for five minutes, or during a cloudy day. I must admit I am still having to acclimate to the practice of daily sunscreen use. Keep in mind that although you cannot feel or see the UV rays, they are still present at all times – apart from at night when the sun is no longer in the sky. As long as you can see outside, sun damage is able to occur, and the damage is cumulative. 

It is never too late to begin to take adequate protection of your skin and prevent further harm. The fact is, this isn’t even an aesthetic matter. Being mindful of UV exposure is simply ensuring that you are taking care of your health. Your skin is your largest organ; it’s a living organism. Take care of it and it will take care of you. 

If you found value in this blog post, please share this article so we can spread the message. Follow the blog for more skincare posts. 

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

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions belong to the author.

Sources:
Panich, U., Sittithumcharee, G., Rathviboon, N. and Jirawatnotai, S. (2016). Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Skin Aging: The Role of DNA Damage and Oxidative Stress in Epidermal Stem Cell Damage Mediated Skin Aging. Stem Cells International, 2016, pp.1-14.

D’Orazio, J., Jarrett, S., Amaro-Ortiz, A. and Scott, T. (2013). UV Radiation and the Skin. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 14(6), pp.12222-12248.

Fda.gov. (2018). Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. [online] Available at: https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emittingproducts/radiationemittingproductsandprocedures/tanning/ucm116425.htm

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The Beauty of Antioxidants For Skin

Antioxidants. Even if you are not remotely interested in science or health, you likely have heard the term ‘antioxidant’ thrown around before. Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind is a bowl of blueberries, or even dark chocolate. Both of these foods are often touted for their antioxidant benefits. But what are antioxidants exactly and what do they do for us?

The role of antioxidants

Take a look at the word ‘antioxidant’. ‘Anti’ means ‘opposed to’, and ‘oxidant’ is the term given to an oxidising agent. That is, a substance that gains electrons. Free radicals are unstable, highly reactive molecular species. To best explain the action between antioxidants and free radicals, let’s briefly throw in some basic chemistry. A stable and unreactive atom or molecule has a full outer shell of electrons. If its outer shell is incomplete, it will form bonds with other atoms or ions in order to achieve a full outer shell.

A free radical is a chemical species with an unpaired electron. The unpaired electron means that this free radical atom or molecule is desperately attempting to fill its outermost atomic orbital. This is why it is so reactive. Free radicals are able to undergo a number of chain reactions. They attack cells and cause damage in the body, leading to a number of diseases, oxidative stress and what we know as ‘ageing’.

Antioxidants work to oppose free radicals in the body. They do this in a number of ways. For the sake of our original definition of ‘antioxidant’, they do this by donating an electron to these unstable free radicals. Thus lessening the harmful effects of cellular damage. If you’ve ever heard that antioxidants help to ‘keep you young’, this is what they mean. The antioxidants will act as a defense against the damage from free radicals, thus curtailing the ageing effects on the body.

Free radicals are everywhere

You might be aware that free radical exposure increases as a result of environmental pollution, smoking or excess UV exposure. However, free radicals can also be formed internally by our body’s own processes. They are produced internally through exercise, inflammation and by our own mitochondria.

Free radicals are not inherently evil per se; it is their presence in excess without the adequate level of antioxidants to combat them that causes trouble. Therefore a balance between free radicals and antioxidants is needed to ensure the proper function of physiological processes. As I always say, the dose makes the poison and an imbalance in anything can lead to an unfavourable result.

Give me all the antioxidants

Antioxidants come from enzymatic sources such as glutathione, as well as non-enzymatic sources such as good ol’ vitamins C and E. Just by topping off your breakfast with some vitamin C-rich citrus or berries, and vitamin E-rich nuts and seeds, you are already starting your day off with some potent antioxidant activity. You may have noticed if you drizzle some lemon juice over chopped fruit you can prevent it from turning brown. The lemon juice prevents the oxidation of the fruit when it is exposed to air. 

Other great sources of antioxidants are green tea, goji berries, blackberries, dark chocolate, herbs and spices like cinnamon and parsley, just to name a few. In future blog posts, I will be diving deeper in to the very best food sources of antioxidants and the anti-aging compounds you need in your life.

Antioxidants in skin care

Unlike other active ingredients, antioxidant usage does not necessarily show immediate results. They do however have a protective effect against the cumulative damage caused by oxidative stress in the long-term. You might not get that instant gratification result from using an antioxidant serum for example. However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and regular use pays off.

People tend to turn to vitamin C as their go-to antioxidant product, and while topical application of vitamin C does have remarkable benefits for skin, it is not the only antioxidant around. Many vitamin C products don’t always agree with my skin. Although, I must say I have been enjoying this vitamin C product recently. I’ll explain all the details and why I like this particular product in an upcoming post, but *spoiler alert* vitamin C is not easy to formulate and this is one of the better ones. Click here for the post all about vitamin C skin care benefits. I will also be publishing an article on more about vitamin C derivatives and esters, and which product to choose for your skin needs.

Some people (including myself) find that certain variations of vitamin C do not work for their skin and even cause breakouts. But you don’t have to put up with breakouts just to feel as though you are getting the benefits of antioxidants. There are plenty to choose from. I will be going in-depth into what to look out for in antioxidant products in an upcoming article very soon. Click here for a must-read article on everything you want to know about the antioxidant hyaluronic acid.

Get the biggest results

Antioxidant ingredients break down in the presence of oxygen and light. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the packaging of whatever antioxidant product you choose to use. Opaque packaging that does not come in contact with the air is the best choice.

Pair your daily sun protection with a product containing antioxidants. This can help to ensure you are getting maximum protection throughout the day from environmental stressors, pollution, and UV radiation. Read this post about why you need sun protection and follow the blog for upcoming posts on the best tried and tested SPF products. Do you use antioxidants in your routine? If so, what are your go-to products or foods with antioxidants?

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

Shannon xo

This post is in no way sponsored. All opinions are my own.

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Hyaluronic acid in the body

Hyaluronic acid has become a big beauty buzzword over the years. Marketers seem to have capitalised on the ingredient to no end, with the molecule being endorsed in every product from moisturisers to foundations to lipstick. With the constant reiteration of a term we may know so much as it is somehow beneficial and improves the look of skin. However, beyond simply being told that I should use an ingredient, I do like to look deeper into the science behind it so that I can make my own informed choice. So for those who, like me, hunger for even more information, here is everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid in skin care. 

Hyaluronic acid (or hyaluronan) belongs to a group of polysaccharides (a long chain carbohydrate) known as glycosaminoglycans. It is a key component of the extracellular matrix, forming part of the tissue that surrounds collagen and elastin fibres. Basically, it is a vital substance that occurs naturally in the body. It lubricates the eyes, joints and connective tissue, and works to bind and hold water molecules in the skin. Approximately 50% of hyaluronan found in the body is found in the skin.

Typically, when we think of acids in relation to skincare, we might think of chemical peels and chemical exfoliants. However, hyaluronic acid is not an acid exfoliant in the way that acids such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid are, but rather a humectant whose function is to attract and retain moisture. In fact, hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Think of the plump, bouncy, hydrated skin of a baby; it is chock-full of hyaluronic acid.

Decreased hyaluronic acid levels lead to visible ageing

The hyaluronic acid levels in our skin decrease with age, which explains why our skin with every passing decade gets further and further from that pillowy, supple, smooth baby skin. Due to the loss of this water-binding molecule in the skin, skin’s moisture levels also decrease with age. This leads to visible lines, dryness and loss of volume. The lip-plumping, cheeking-filling, face-volumising properties of HA make it a popular choice for injectable fillers such as Juvederm.

As a humectant, hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the environment to the skin, keeping it supple and replenished without the need of heavy or occlusive moisturisers. This makes it an ideal choice for hot and humid weather conditions and works for all skin types from oily to dry. A great way to hydrate during the current hot summer weather is incorporating a HA with pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is known for its moisturising and soothing properties so works nicely with HA to regenerate dehydrated skin.

Some great examples of this are:

Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-wrinkle Serum – Fabulous for keeping skin hydrated during the hot weather. It contains two types of pure HA as well as B5 protect your skin barrier and moisturise. It is a very elegant texture, not heavy, great for summer time. And it’s currently on sale through this beauty site!

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is an affordable hyaluronic acid and B5 serum. It contains HA of varying molecular weights for increased skin penetration. Again, very lightweight and great for hot and humid weather.  If you are already in love with the serums you are using and do not want to have to add another substantial layer or serum, try a HA essence.

This lotion from a great Japanese brand is brimming with hyaluronic acid and goes on light and liquid. Simply pat on your face before you apply your usual serums and you are good to go. One thing is for sure: the Japanese certainly know what they are doing when it comes to skin.

Does HA work for everyone?

There has been concern that, due to its ability to pull moisture from the environment, hyaluronic acid may not be ideal for use in extremely dry arid desert conditions. The lack of moisture in the air may potentially result in the pulling of moisture from the deeper levels of your own skin. While there isn’t substantial research to support this, you should always pay attention to your skin’s needs and your current environment.

If you feel that this ingredient does not work for your current needs, there are plenty of alternative ways to provide your skin with moisture. If you’d still like to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your routine, try layering emollient and occlusive moisturisers over your hyaluronic acid product to prevent the evaporation of water from your skin. Read this for the best emollient face oils.

All the benefits

Hyaluronic acid has additional benefits that go beyond attracting moisture to skin.

• It provides potent antioxidant activity and reduces oxidative damage from free radicals. Read this for why your skin needs antioxidants and more on free radicals.
• Ageing caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors result in the breakdown of collagen protein. Hyaluronic acid helps to slow down this process of collagen loss.
• It is a not a commonly allergenic ingredient so works well even on sensitive skin.
• Strengthens the skin barrier so skin is more resilient and protected.
• Increases skin ceramide production.
• Improves skin elasticity.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the number one cause of ageing. This means we want to mitigate its effects on the body as much as possible.
• Beneficial for use on sunburned, UV-damaged skin, wounds and other inflammatory skin issues. Read this post on how UV rays damage skin.

Molecular size matters

Hyaluronic acid forms a film over the skin to reduce trans epidermal water loss. Incorporating a well formulated hyaluronic acid product can help to diminish the effects of the skin’s natural loss of hyaluronan over time. One caveat of the topical application of hyaluronic acid is that it is a larger molecule so does not easily penetrate into the skin’s deeper layers.

Lower molecular weight alternatives can be used to enhance the ingredient’s penetration. Sodium hyaluronate is a salt of hyaluronic acid with a smaller size molecule. It can therefore be more easily absorbed into skin rather than sit on the surface as a larger molecule would. Other ingredients you may come across on an INCI list include hydrolysed hyaluronic acid and sodium acetylated hyaluronate.

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What about supplements?

I am a big fan of improving yourself from the inside out. I maintain that the best way to get any nutrient is by nutrition first of all. And I do question how mandatory certain supplements are, or whether they truly have an effect. However, as it would turn out, hyaluronan supplements may actually have some benefit. According to a randomised double blind, placebo controlled study (aka the best type of study) published in a 2017 paper, oral hyaluronan was shown to improve the look of wrinkles and overall skin condition.

I have looked at other studies using different molecular weight HA and, whether it was 2k, 300k or 800k molecular weight HA, there were notable skin improvements. The higher molecular weight of 300k did show sooner significant improvements than 2k however. This has been repeated in various other studies and the results look promising. There will be a notable improvement around 8 to 12 weeks, so it might be a supplement worth experimenting with.

You might want to try

Hyaluronic Acid 300mg 90 capsules by Nu U Nutrition – This supplement is vegetarian/vegan friendly. It is free of wheat, lactose, gluten and GMO. I have family members who are both lactose and gluten intolerant, so I like to take that into consideration when opting for a supplement. I hope it will be helpful for those of you who also struggle with intolerances. It does contain soy for its source of HA though, for those who are sensitive to soy.

Hyaluronic Acid 300mg Triple Strength Hyaluronic Acid – A hyaluronic acid is derived from fermentable bacteria and not soy. The dose of HA given in the studies was 120mg daily, which means there may not be a spectacular improvement below this. Both supplements I have listed contain a good 300mg dose of HA for a noticeable difference. They also contain a 3 month supply which is in line with the study conducted over 12 weeks.

We all have different gut flora, enzymes, genetic dispositions, DNA, and our cellular processes all run differently. Therefore I can’t guarantee these will be a good fit for everyone. But I do hope some of you find benefit from taking HA orally. Please keep me updated if you try it!

Best hyaluronic acid products

Some underrated stars 

Pestle and Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum – This serum is one of my new favourite finds. The ingredients are quite minimal with nothing overly harsh or fragrant. There are a few additional soothing ingredients and vitamin E. It is incredibly lightweight and works well under makeup. A few drops is all you need and it leaves your face feeling deeply hydrated. 

Dermadoctor Hyaluronic Serum – Dermadoctor is an excellent, under the radar brand. I’m not sure why because their products are very well formulated. This particular serum contains various size HA and sodium hyaluronate along with antioxidants. The one thing that irks me about dropper bottles, as used in many of the HA products I will mention, is their tendency to be easily knocked over. Just make sure when you are spending money on a good product, you are careful with the packaging as I have knocked mine over time and time again. 

Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster – Dr Dennis Gross’ line is a fantastic option in general. If you want to treat yourself to a great HA product Dr Dennis Gross is great for more sophisticated formulations. This serum is non greasy and weightless. Not only does it contain HA in the form of sodium hyaluronate but does also offer additional free radical protection from antioxidant extracts. Read this post for more on why we need free radical protection. 

Classic Favourites

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Serum – This is a classic staple of mine. Fragrance free, oil free, gentle and soothing. Does not cause breakouts or irritation. Perfect and lightweight for summer. Not as pricey as Dennis Gross but still quite moderately-high priced for Clinique. Although I will say you do tend to save a significant amount of money (over 20%) on this through the Everything Store (aka Amazon) than regular beauty retailers (seeing as I already buy everything from toothpaste to electronics from there).

Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster  – A well formulated HA from Paula’s Choice with an elegant texture. This is intended to go alongside your regular products for that extra ‘boost’ of hydration. You could also use it alone as a little goes a long way. It also includes ceramides, an ingredient I will be going in depth with in a future article, so stay tuned. *Spoiler* you want to be incorporating ceramides into your routine.

If you want to get really fancy

Of course the brands I have listed are moderately priced in comparison to a number of luxe brands. In fact, in my research I found a number of hyaluronic acid products listed in the hundreds of dollars territory! Dr Barbara Sturm has a hyaluronic acid serum priced at a cool £230! I have obviously not tried this particular product as I have all other recommendations  due to the fact that unfortunately I am not currently in possession of a spare £230 to spend on a mere 30ml of product. The product does contain probiotics which are proving more and more an interesting ingredient though. But I still cannot say I feel the hefty price tag is justified. 

Omorovicza carries a product they call Blue Diamond Concentrate, which is essentially Sodium Hyaluronate and some fragrance for £295. Okay, it throws in a few other ingredients too and I’m sure there’s someone out there who swears by it, so no judgement. It may be of interest to a few princesses of the world who happen to have a spare few hundred pounds lying around. I don’t personally believe more expensive equates to being better, but if you enjoy splurging and have the means to do so, that’s awesome too! For those who do have a budget, please don’t feel you need to spend an exorbitant amount of money on hyaluronic acid by any means. You can get great results with something affordable. 

If you just want pure HA

Hyaluronic Acid Serum 100% Pure  – This serum from Timeless Skincare is a natural, gentle formula of purely hyaluronic acid. Great for those who want to add the ingredient to boost your current routine. One container holds a generous amount product. 

100% Pure-Highest Quality, Anti-Aging Serum Intense Hydration + Moisture, Non-greasy, Paraben-free – Straight up pure HA. Fabulous to mix with other serums and feel like your own cosmetic chemist. Very thin texture. It won’t irritate your skin and will last a long while. 

If you want to hydrate and still beat the heat

Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Serum – You’re going to want to add this to your summer skincare routine. Keeps your skin radiant and hydrated without the heaviness.

Affordable but just as great

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – Absorbs quickly while still providing excellent moisture that lasts. Oil free and non comedogenic, so dry skin can still benefit from the hydration without worrying it will clog pores.  

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5  – Don’t let the price of this affordable serum fool you; it is still extremely effective. The Ordinary’s sister brand NIOD has a great hyaluronic acid product too, if you want a formula that is a little more sophisticated.

I hope you found this post helpful and informative. Do you have a favourite hyaluronic acid product? What is your can’t-live-without HA skincare?

Remember to share this article, and Subscribe to the Blog for more for more daily blog posts covering all things skincare and wellness-related. 

Check out more great blog posts about Skin Science:

The Complete Guide to Salicylic Acid: Demystifying BHAs

All About Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Unravelling All Things UV Radiation and SPF 

Everything You Need To Know About Vitamin C For Brighter Skin

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

Shannon xo

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

Sources: Oe, M., Sakai, S., Yoshida, H., Okado, N., Kaneda, H., Masuda, Y. and Urushibata, O. (2018). Oral hyaluronan relieves wrinkles: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study over a 12-week period.

Kawada, C., Yoshida, T., Yoshida, H., Sakamoto, W., Odanaka, W., Sato, T., Yamasaki, T., Kanemitsu, T., Masuda, Y. and Urushibata, O. (2018). Ingestion of hyaluronans (molecular weights 800 k and 300 k) improves dry skin conditions: a randomized, double blind, controlled study.

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