skin

In case you missed it, Sephora has officially landed in the UK online. It’s quite possibly the biggest beauty news of the year, and we could not be more excited for it. Before now, us UK-based beauty aficionados would have to head to the U.S. or make a trip across the channel to access the famed beauty store. Not only is it a beauty emporium filled with brands from Tom Ford to Glow Recipe, but it also has so many brand exclusives that you can only get at Sephora, including Sephora’s own line, Sephora Collection. Sephora UK (which was formerly Feel Unique) is online only for now, but, Sephora has confirmed that we can expect to see a store opening in London next year, so watch this space. For now, Sephora UK has a number of exclusive brands, including Tarte Cosmetics, Ilia, Make...

Understanding the role of probiotics starts with understanding the role of the microbiome. Essentially, our bodies function alongside a whole network of microorganisms that cohabit in certain areas. For example, we have very prominent microbiomes in our guts and up our noses—in fact, we have living microbiomes in virtually every part of our bodies. These microbiomes are made up of trillions of microbes, consisting of bacteria, fungi and viruses, that help our bodies function and protect it from harm. And yep, you guessed it, our skin’s microbiome is really important, too. “Essentially, your skin’s microbiome prevents organisms such as fungi, viruses and infections penetrating your skin and causing issues such as infection and inflammation,” explains Lau...

If you also find your skin starts playing up as the temperature drops, know there’s very good reason for it. “Rapid fluctuations in temperature can take a toll on our skin. As it gets colder, and the humidity levels drop—loss of hydration kicks in,” says Sonia Khorana, a GP with special interest in dermatology. “This can affect the skin barrier and lead to dryness, itching, irritation and lowered skin defences against environmental stressors. To help with these issues, I would advise incorporating thicker moisturisers. Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid.” Yep, moisturiser is the secret to healthy skin come winter. And this is something I don’t love to admit. You see, as someone with particularly oily skin, fo...

Black Friday is the time to stock up on all things beauty. It’s the ideal opportunity to replenish your skincare and makeup favourites and take the plunge on that coveted fragrance you’ve had your eye on. However, if there’s one Black Friday beauty item you should be bookmarking for a serious saving, it’s beauty tools. In my experience as a beauty editor, you generally get the best Black Friday deals on beauty tools. Be it skincare gadgets or hairstyling tools, there are big discounts and savings to be had on beauty devices across the board.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the proce...

“Always cleanse at night,” says consultant dermatologist Zainab Laftah. “Dead skin cells, sebum, pollution and impurities accumulate on the skin during the day, which can lead to blocked pores and comedones.” If you wear makeup, then it’s especially important to follow this rule since makeup that’s left on skin will further clog pores and in doing so reduces the efficacy of any skincare products you apply. When you do wash your face, Khorana recommends using lukewarm water, not hot water. “Hot water can do more harm than good,” she advises. “It strips the skin of sebum, healthy fats and oils (cholesterol, fatty acids, ceramides), which are necessary for skin health, and this compromises the skin barrier function.”  To wash off a day’s worth of makeup, sweat and dirt, remove ...

Amazon’s Prime Day Sale has landed, and there are some great beauty buys to be had if you’re in the mood to shop, or just need to stock up on your favourite products. We always keep our eyes peeled on Amazon’s sale to find the best beauty products, and this time around there are some great deals to be had on everything from skincare to beauty gadgets and makeup to nails. Amazon has become a one-stop from for beauty lately. Whether you want to stock up on affordable skincare essentials, or shop makeup products with next-day delivery, it can be relied on for finding a good deal on some of the best beauty brands. Amazon has even launched into premium beauty, welcoming luxury brands like Dr Barbara Sturm and Omorovicza into its offering. Who said Amazon was just for...

I’m really not the type of person to get swept up into beauty sales hype. During a time when beauty brands are launching left, right and centre, I try make considered purchases. Not only save space on my bathroom shelf, but to prevent skin irritation that can come from trying too many products at once. But trust me, when I heard that CeraVe was in Amazon’s Early Access Sale, I wanted in.  What’s so special about CeraVe, I hear you ask? Not only is this skincare brand loved and recommended by just about every dermatologist that I’ve spoken to, but it’s also loved by beauty editors too. The formulas are very effective and well-formulated, and CeraVe is also seriously affordable. Everything comes in under £16, so its one of the more affordable skin...

There’s no denying that night creams are one of the more expensive skincare products out there. Some can even set you back over £100, which some people might deem a worthy investment, and others might freak out at the number. One thing’s for certain, though: A night cream is an important beauty product. “A night cream hydrates the skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Elyse Love, MD, who practices at GlamDerm in New York City. “Nighttime moisturizers are important because we typically use drying ingredients, like retinols, at night. Night creams help restore the skin’s balance so that these active ingredients don’t dry out the skin.” So, yes, a night cream is an essential skincare step for most, but that doesn’t m...

C.O. Bigelow is a New York-based pharmaceutical institution. And when I said institution, I mean it in the sense that it has essentially become a New York landmark. Having existed in Greenwich Village since 1838, the apothecary-pharmacy is one of beauty’s biggest success stories. Stocking various brands across skincare, fragrance and body care, the store also produces its own line of products, and they’re available to buy here in the UK. While the brand’s products are by no means budget, they are slightly more affordable than my go-to Aesop buys. While an Aesop hand wash might set me back circa £30, my favourite C.O. Bigelow hand wash costs £16. However, despite the pricing differences, C.O. Bigelow products really do possess every bit as much of luxury and...

Most people associate breakouts with oily skin but actually dry skin can be acne-prone, too. Don’t be tempted to skip out on moisturising just because you’ve had a breakout, however. Remember that hydrated skin is healthy skin and healthy skin is better able to defend against acne-causing bacteria, as well as faster at healing breakouts and pigmentation. The key, of course, is in choosing the right products and ingredients. “If you’re experiencing dryness and breakouts, avoiding products with comedogenic (pore clogging) oils such as coconut and avocado oil is very important,” says Hughes. “My favourite face oil to help replenish lack of moisture without causing breakouts is rosehip seed oil since you can layer it under moisturiser in the evening.” In addition, choose non-drying spot treatm...

“External factors contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, with UV damage from the sun’s rays being the biggest contributor to overall skin ageing. Around 80% of skin-ageing is thought to be due to UV damage,” says Thompson. So not only is it important to protect your skin from the sun (more on that below), but quitting smoking or vaping can also help. “Smoking (including vaping) can also have a big effect on accelerating the ageing process. Smokers will usually develop deep vertical lines on the skin above the upper lip—what we call smoker’s lines,” he adds. Granite agrees, “Cigarette and vape smoke create free radicals, which damage skin elastin and collagen, accelerating skin ageing.” Plus, the act of pursing your lips&nbs...

Black culture has informed and inspired the beauty space for decades—a fact that we need to celebrate, credit and sustain. Now and forever. That’s why supporting the Black community and Black-owned businesses is important, not just right now during Black History Month, but always. There is a need and an opportunity to supply this kind of support, love and commitment every single day, and right now, we’ll be doing this by shining a light on some of the brilliant Black-owned skincare, hair and makeup brands that we swear by.  We acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done. As we’ve communicated before, it’s about continuing to rise above (not simply to) the occasion and make actionable steps with deep indentati...