BeautyFresh Blog

Beauty Ideas, Tips & Hints

Winter Proof Skin

November 4, 2020 by Sarah Dandy

The changing seasons can play havoc on the skin. In a recent study of 80 adults, levels of filaggrin, the protein that helps maintain skin barrier function, dropped between summer and winter. The study found that Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs) were reduced, resulting in facial skin becoming much drier and textured in the colder months. Increasingly chilly conditions mean it is time for us to start preparing a new programme of skincare.

Temperature Control

Colder temperatures, harsh winds, central heating and dry air reduce the NMFs in the skin, leading to dehydration, roughness and flakiness. In addition to exacerbating dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, moving from centrally heated environments into the biting cold can cause broken capillaries and make rosacea worse.

Another factor to consider is your age. Oestrogen and progesterone levels decline as women get older which can result in dry skin, even in people who have never suffered from the condition before. A recent study found levels of fatty acids, in particular ceramides, decreased significantly with age, are dramatically depleted in winter compared with spring and summer. In this instance the issue may need to be addressed internally, as well as topically.

Safeguard with Fatty Acids

When the weather turns colder, it’s often tempting to reach for carbohydrate rich, sugary comfort foods. Instead, increase the healthy fats in your diet such as nuts, seeds, oily fish and avocados, and include an omega oil supplement such as Skin Omegas+, to safeguard essential fatty acid levels.

Research suggests the fatty acids in fish oil can improve skin barrier function, inhibit UV-induced inflammation and attenuate dry skin.

Skin Omegas+ synergises omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids with vitamin A to create a specialised sustainable skin-glowing formula. Skin Omegas+ carefully calibrates EPA and DHA from fish oil, GLA from evening primrose oil and vitamin A for notable benefits to hydration, skin smoothness and wrinkle depth.

The aim is to make healthy keratinocytes that product the right keratins and ceramides to maintain a healthy multi-layered stratum corneum and minimise transepidermal water loss. Support skin further by slotting in Skin Moisture Lock, which features ceramides, into your regime.

Turn down the ….. moisture

A common misconception is that clients should switch to a richer ‘winter moisturiser’ but in fact this can exacerbate dry skin conditions. This might seem counter-intuitive, because when suffering from dryness the first instinct is to reach for a heavier cream. In fact, this can have disastrous effects on skin hydration levels in the long term, as rich creams ‘fool’ the skin to stop the natural moisturising process. The answer is to use the correct moisturiser and enhance with boosters.

‘The balance of NMFs in the skin is upset when people use rich creamy products’, says Advanced Nutrition Programme Founder Dr Des Fernandes. ‘People love them but their surreptitious and nefarious effects become apparent when they stop using these creams. They immediately complain of dry skin. What they don’t realise is that the reason their skin becomes dry is not because of the new, less-oily product but because their skin is virtually depleted of NMFs and their stratum corneum is now capable of holding in the water. All because the skin us under the misapprehension that moisture levels are adequate’.

Vitamin A based creams, which contain active levels of vitamin A can enhance production of ceramides and keratins to keep skin moisturised at the correct levels. The nutrients increase production of glycosaminoglycan molecules (moisturising factors) which help to enrich the space in between skin cells with water and therefore boost hydration levels.

‘The balance of NMFs in the skin is upset when people use rich creamy products’ Says Dr Des Fernandes

Stop the scrub

It may be VERY tempting to remove a dull, dry layer of skin, but be cautious with that granular scrub or micro-dermabrasion kit.

‘With exfoliation we remove the skin’s fine protective layer and water can easily escape. This results in the system becoming stressed by trying to restore the Natural Moisturising Factors or maybe even to increase then beyond normal levels to try and make up for the water that is being lost through the inadequate stratum corneum’ says Dr Des Fernandes.

A safer alternative is to use exfoliators with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which are much kinder to the skin’s protective layer. Gently dissolving the ‘glue’ between cells, without the need for harsh scrubbing or compromising the integrity of the epidermis.

Cleanse with care

Another simple and effective way to improve dry skin is to adjust a cleansing routine. The stratum corneum is extremely delicate, only 0.02mm thick, so it’s very easily damaged by soaps or cleanser which contain harsh chemicals or require vigorous techniques. Switch them to an oil-based cleanse which is far kinder to the stratum corneum and won’t strip skin of its natural lipids.

Protect to perfect

Skin can sometimes be particularly vulnerable to the elements and this is heightened after any professional treatment, so always care for your skin by using protective ingredients found within the Jane Iredale range.

3 benefits of using Jane Iredale PurePressed Base:

  1. Camouflages redness
  2. Maintains skin hydration levels by allowing it to breathe
  3. Cares for dryer winter complexions.

Filed Under: Beauty Tips Tagged With: beauty, better skin, dry skin, hydrated skin, rosacea, rough skin, skincare, skincare routines for men, skincare tips, winter skin care, winter skincare tips

The Ultimate Men’s skincare Routine

July 8, 2020 by Sarah Dandy

The Ultimate Men’s Skincare Routine for 2020

Us men are just as susceptible to irritants, damages & skin conditions as women – yet why is our gender so underrepresented in the media? I’ve learned, trialled and tested some of the most popular ways to take care of skin, specifically male skin (yes everybody, it’s very different to female skin) and I am blown away by some of my findings…

Sleep.

Sleep is probably one of the most important things that I researched with VERY clear definitive answers. When we sleep our whole body goes into a resting state, and it’s not just our muscles that relax during sleep, our organs also relax and start to shut down, going into stasis.  Failure to maintain a healthy and frequent sleep pattern drives our bodies to produce more of the stress hormone Cortisol (not good!). Lack of sleep also prevents the skin from naturally repairing itself from inflammation & damage, research also suggests that this increases existing immune-related skin concerns such as psoriasis and eczema.

Regular Facial.

As innovative as skincare labelled for use at home is, it can only do so much, so if you’re trying to get to a happy place with your skin OR maintain healthy looking skin, it is paramount that you pair your homecare with a professional ‘in clinic’ facial; the products used are of a higher potency, and the methods available in clinics simply aren’t available for homecare.  As men’s skin is generally around 25% thicker than female skin, it’s essential to ensure that you’re getting active ingredients into the deeper layers of skin.  You can do this through pain-free clinical treatments such as the ‘H20 Glow’ or ‘Frozen Facial’, which consists of a Deep Cleanse, Microdermabrasion, Micro-channelling & Cryo-Oxygen – actors such as Jude Law, Colin Firth & Celebrity MUA Mario Dedivanovic are known fans of these in-clinic treatments. I had a course of the Frozen Facial (6 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks) and my skin has truly never looked clearer, younger & more even! I now have one per month to maintain a good skin quality.

Homecare

Like anything in life, doing just one thing is not going to give you the results you’re looking for. Adding a simple anti-bacterial exfoliator such as ‘Crystal Clear Oxygen Face Polish’ and a lightweight, mattifying moisturiser with plenty of Vitamin C, such as ‘No Shine Serum’ is the perfect introduction to a homecare skincare routine. Try adding a few drops of an Active Skin Booster such as ‘Pollution Defence’ to your moisturiser to protect from pollutants and irritants in the natural air (especially if you’re working outside); this will also hydrate, reduce puffiness & actively anti-age your skin throughout the day. Consistency is key and I found that after 21 days, I really started noticing the difference!

https://blog.beautyfresh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/98149906_537005567204533_32996606117027120_n.mp4

Ditch the Shaving Foam!

Shaving Foam is historically known to dry out the skin as it can contain a selection of irritating ingredients such as Butylated Hydroxtoluene: BHT for short. This nasty preservative is one of the most toxic chemicals on the shelves and is linked to a number of negative side-effects, including skin irritation. Shaving foams can also contain Mineral Oils which can clog pores, cause inflammation and trigger acne breakouts.  Reduce shaving rash & skin inflammation by switching your Shaving Foam out for our smooth and gentle ‘Soothing Cleansing Gel’ and up your Shaving Game! The ingredients and the consistency creates a moisture-rich barrier against a dragging razorblade. Shaving foam, despite its fluffy texture, does not provide quite the same level of protecting lubricant for your skin!

Water

Drinking the recommended daily amount of water sometimes seems impossible; tie that in with work, the gym, seeing mates and a good night’s sleep and we’re left with very little time! But I wanted to really put this to the test so I decided I would attack really trying to get as much water intake as possible. I would wake up and have 500ml of cold water straight away, then make sure I drank 1L of water whilst I was sat at my desk throughout the day and then on the drive home again finish another 500ml of cold water.  I did this for 10 days and I was truly blown away by the results; my skin appeared clearer and much more hydrated and when I woke up in the mornings I was A LOT less puffy. What really surprised me however, was how much more energy I had at the gym, I wasn’t getting cramp, and I seemed to have a lot more strength… had I found the secret behind protein shakes? Was it actually the water over the powder that was boosting my energy levels? Now I imagine I will never be totally clear on what was fuelling me but overall, the increase in water intake has genuinely benefitted my life in multiple areas – the Water is here to stay!

Filed Under: Beauty Tips Tagged With: crystal clear, crystal clear skincare, men tighter skin, men younger skin, mens skincare, skincare for men, skincare routines for men

Beauty Fresh UK

Beauty, Fashion, Make-up & More…

Beauty Fresh are official UK stockists of Health & Beauty products including Advanced Nutrition Programme, Crystal Clear, Decleor, Gatineau, Guerlain, Matis, Wolford & Much, Much More…

Beauty Fresh

SUPERSIZE GATINEAU PERFECTION ULTIME MIRACLE EYE CONTOUR CREAM!

We all have those … [Read More...]

What is a Serum?

Serums are skin care … [Read More...]

Stressed Out?

Look … [Read More...]

Wellbeing and Immunity Support

Advanced Nutrition … [Read More...]

Winter Proof Skin

The changing seasons … [Read More...]

Merino Wool Season

Beautifully … [Read More...]

Super Cleansers

Crystal Clear … [Read More...]

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXFOLIATION!

The world of … [Read More...]

Miracle Moisturisers & Serums

Crystal Clear have … [Read More...]

Get Free UK Delivery On All Orders & 5% Off your First Online Order.
Browse All Top Brands & Bestsellers

Guerlain

Wolford

Advanced Nutrition

Decleor

Gatineau

Matis

bareMinerals