skin

“I had a skincare routine from about 10 years old, which was quite unnecessary, but I was just copying my mum,” laughs Maya Jama. It’s clear that the TV and radio presenter has always had a soft spot for skincare, but she has no qualms about its role in her life: “I’ve always been a bit of a party girl, and I’ve never really eaten that well, so in my mind, I make up for all of my sins with skincare.” It’s this refreshingly honest attitude that sets Jama’s skincare brand, MIJ Masks, apart from other celebrity beauty lines and the overarching trend towards skincare therapy that we’ve seen this year. That’s not to say that MIJ Masks can’t be used therapeutically—Jama swears by them on mornings whe...

Of course, there are many serums out there making the same promises, but what I really enjoy about this product is the texture. It’s non-greasy, allowing me to apply makeup straight after application if I’m running late (which, as my track record would show, is probably very likely). It also boasts a gel-like consistency, which feels more hydrating than just about any other serum I’ve come across. It goes a long way, too—just one pump is more than enough to cover my face, my neck, and even my décolletage. I’ve only been using this serum for 10 days, but I can already see a marked improvement in the elasticity of my skin as well as an enhanced glow. All of that for £25? I’ve paid triple that in the past for products that do very little other than brea...

Of course, there are many serums out there making the same promises, but what I really enjoy about this product is the texture. It’s non-greasy, allowing me to apply makeup straight after application if I’m running late (which, as my track record would show, is probably very likely). It also boasts a gel-like consistency, which feels more hydrating than just about any other serum I’ve come across. It goes a long way, too—just one pump is more than enough to cover my face, my neck, and even my décolletage. I’ve only been using this serum for 10 days, but I can already see a marked improvement in the elasticity of my skin as well as an enhanced glow. All of that for £25? I’ve paid triple that in the past for products that do very little other than brea...

In short, retinol can prove irritating and isn’t a feasible option for many. “Traditional retinol can potentially cause irritation in the form of dryness, redness and flaking, especially in those with sensitive skin,” says Joyce Park, MD, BareMinerals global dermatology ambassador. Even those who have skin types deemed more tolerant should slowly build up their retinol usage to avoid upset. On top of this, retinol products should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. So what’s the answer? Well, the bad news is that those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have sensitive skin won’t be able to truly embrace the wonders of retinol. The good news, however, is that there are other options out there in the form of plant-based ingredients that deliver similar resul...

In short, retinol can prove irritating and isn’t a feasible option for many. “Traditional retinol can potentially cause irritation in the form of dryness, redness and flaking, especially in those with sensitive skin,” says Joyce Park, MD, BareMinerals global dermatology ambassador. Even those who have skin types deemed more tolerant should slowly build up their retinol usage to avoid upset. On top of this, retinol products should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. So what’s the answer? Well, the bad news is that those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have sensitive skin won’t be able to truly embrace the wonders of retinol. The good news, however, is that there are other options out there in the form of plant-based ingredients that deliver similar resul...

Whatever your thoughts on anti-ageing as a term, there’s no denying that moisturisers, which are created to specifically tackle things like fine lines, pigmentation and dryness, can be incredibly expensive due to their potent ingredients and advanced formulations. And while I truly believe that ageing is a privilege we should fully embrace—wrinkles and all—it doesn’t mean that taking good care of our skin as we grow older should cost a small fortune. This is why I’ve made it my mission to seek out anti-ageing products that genuinely work without breaking the bank. I’ve already discovered some brilliant serums and eye creams that rival counterparts with three-figure price tags, but today we’re here to talk ...

There’s a good reason that anti-ageing is one of the most hotly contested terms in the beauty industry: While there are some potent antioxidants and scientifically-proven ingredients that can slow down things like fine lines and loss of elasticity, nothing that you apply to your face can totally stop ageing in its tracks. Sure, wearing SPF will undoubtedly protect your skin and keep it healthy, and using a retinol can definitely improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin texture, but a lot of skin ageing is simply down to genetics. I love beauty products, but I have always looked younger than my years. Would I still look young if I stopped using them? Possibly. But as the mother to an 18-month-old that likes ...

Whether it’s a face-lifting workout, a buzzy new makeup brand or a £10 hair treatment, I’ve always got an ear to the ground and an eye on social media to figure out what’s trending in the world of beauty. And I have to say that there isn’t much that I wouldn’t try once in the name of deciphering whether a new beauty trend is genuinely worth the hype. So when I saw an increasing amount of mint green and pastel blue face masks starting to dominate my Instagram feed I knew that I had some investigating to do. The face mask in question? Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Mask (£10). When it comes to launching a product that’s guaranteed to create a buzz on TikTok, Dr. Jart+ is  undoubtedly leading the charge in ...

I’m lucky enough in my job to have access to celebrity facialists, top beauty brands and the best experts in the industry, but I’ve noticed more and more that it’s A-listers themselves who are becoming all the more influential when it comes to serving up legitimately good beauty advice. Of course, celebrities like Beyoncé and Jennifer Aniston are surrounded by the beauty industry’s cream of the crop on a daily basis—from makeup artists to hairstylists—so it’s really no surprise that they’ve picked up some expert beauty tips along the way. There’s one celebrity in particular, however, whose skincare knowledge I trust more than most: Victoria Beckham. With her very own beauty line under her belt and a dedicated ...

As a beauty editor, I’ve seen a lot of trends that have caused me to raise a cynical eyebrow over the years—including but not exclusive to LED masks, snail slime and cryotherapy. But one trend I’ve always been really dubious about is eye patches. I’m not the biggest fan of sheet masks anyway, so I kind of put eye patches in the same category. Sure, they might feel like a fun, self-care ritual, but I wouldn’t reach for them if I wanted an efficacious product that would create a noticeable change in my skin. Then I re-entered society, post-lockdown 2.0. With sunny days spent at the park with rosé, friends, more rosé and way less sleep than I’d been getting before, I was waking up post-weekend with puffy bags and dark circles under my eyes. Despite ...

Brown thinks it’s high-time that we started talking about menopause earlier too. “I think there’s a real drive within the menopause community to ensure that we’re talking to women in their early and mid-30s and that they get it, and that they understand that their hormones are actually a superpower. They’re brilliant and if you can harness them well then your menopause should actually be a positive experience,” says Brown. “At the moment, younger women don’t really want to hear about it, they’re frightened of it because it sounds horrid. But it doesn’t to be if we can reframe this mid-life stage. We know statistically that post-menopause, if you’ve been looked after properly, then you have this creative surge and you̵...

As a beauty editor, I’ve seen a lot of trends that have caused me to raise a cynical eyebrow at over the years—including, but not exclusive to, LED masks, snail slime and cryotherapy. But one that I’ve always been really dubious about is eye patches. I’m not the biggest fan of sheet masks anyway, so I kind put eye patches in the same category. Sure, they might feel like a fun, self-care ritual but I wouldn’t reach for them if I wanted an efficacious product that would create noticeable change in my skin. Then I re-entered society, post-lockdown 2.0. With sunny days spent at the park, rosé, friends, more rosé and way less sleep than I’d been getting before, I was waking up post-weekend with puffy bags and dark circles under my eyes. Despite incorp...