Skin Care

Sometimes it’s the most obvious questions that get overlooked. We spend so much of our time asking which products will most benefit our skin and when to use them, that very often we forget to ask the simplest thing; how much should I be using?

So, if you’re confused whether ‘less’ really is ‘more’ or if you should be generous with your favourite products then this is the post for you. Let me break it down.

Cleanser – This depends on your choice of cleanser and which cleanse you’re doing:

Balm cleanser (used for first cleanse or make-up removal): a heaped teaspoon

Cleansing milk (used for first cleanse or make-up removal): a heaped teaspoon or two pumps, depending on your applicator.

Second cleanse or your morning cleanse – a level teaspoon or just one pump

Toner

Make sure you’re using a cotton pad. Dampen it with your toner until it’s ¾ wet. To make your product go further, use both sides of the pad.

Eye cream

The aim here is to cover your entire eye area, both below and over your eye. If you don’t struggle with a dry or overly ageing eye area, a small amount on the edge of your ring finger will be more than enough. Remember, you need not ‘rub’ in an eye cream. The heat from your fingers will do the work, so just pat the product in gently. If your eyes are dry or showing signs of ageing, then you may want slightly more. Remember, you can always add, but you can’t take away.

Serums 

I tend to find that products such as serums are easier to gauge because the majority of them come with a pump. The thought process here is 1 pump per application. Simple. But for argument sake, your looking for a 20p piece size.

Moisturiser

This will depend on the consistency, but as a rule, 20p piece size should suffice.

Night cream

Here you can afford to be a little more generous. Your skin does most of its regenerating work and moisture absorption while we sleep, so make sure to pack in the hydrating products now. I’d say a grape size amount will be more than enough here.

Seems simple, but so many of us get it wrong. Remember though, everyone’s skin is different. If your skin feels like it needs a bit more, then listen. It’s asking you for a reason.

We all think we know what it means to have sensitive skin. You notice your skin feels tight, red, stinging, itchy, flushed or hot. Classic signs of sensitive skin right? Wrong. Sensitive skin is inherited. Sensitised skin is acquired. The behaviours of the two conditions are often similar, and treatments may be similar as well, but here’s the crucial difference: if you have truly genetically-inherited sensitive skin, then the sensitivity cannot be fully erased but it can be treated. But here’s the good news! Sensitisation is a response to an external factor and is generally triggered by lifestyle choices…so with a few changes and key product choices, it is possible to kiss goodbye to sensitisation.

So, how will you know it’s sensitisation? The primary signs of sensitisation tend to be; dehydration on the cheek and forehead area, excessive dryness, uneven texture, tightness after washing and stinging on product application, broken capillaries across cheeks and nose, blushing and itching, burning sensations and small, rash-like bumps or breakouts. Sounds brutal I know, but it doesn’t have to be forever.

So, why you? The simplest answer is always “stress”. It never ceases to amaze me how a mental issue can cause havoc with our skin. Sheer physical stress can have an impact too as it’s caused by fatigue, dehydration or malnutrition and or recovery from illness. Its important to be aware too of environmental and lifestyle factors that can contribute greatly to sensitisation, such as; extremes of climate and smoking (which dehydrates the skin by depleting barrier lipids). Sometimes it can even be a result of an overzealous skincare regime. Excessive exfoliation can lead to over-processed skin, excessive washing, especially with alkaline products like conventional soap (just no people), and especially showering/bathing in too-hot water. Remember, your skin prefers gently warm/tepid versus steaming-hot. Over indulging in alcohol and caffeine can also have an impact on your skin in a bad way (grieves for morning Starbucks…)

So where do you even begin to combat all that?  The first step in breaking the cycle of sensitisation is removing as many triggers as possible. Lifestyle choices which are under your control are an obvious place to start, such as smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption. Likewise, stress may be managed to some degree through other lifestyle choices, such as the decision to exercise (rich I know coming from a girl whose gym membership card is gathering dust)

Cleansing the skin properly is the best way to keep sensitization at bay. Look for an extremely gentle, sulfate-free, nonstripping gel or cream cleanser which will fortify the protective barrier function without leaving a residue. Try Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser. Make sure you remove your cleanser with a damp cotton or a soft cloth. A spritz of calming spray is a recommended next step. Look for a soothing, hydrating mist to immediately relieve irritation, such as Dermalogica Ultracalming Mist or Thalgo Reviving Marine Mist. Serums can help speed the healing process at times of severe inflammation and ease the discomfort of long-term sensitisation too. I love Thalgo’s Multi-Soothing Concentrate. Your moisturiser is essential to managing sensitisation, since dehydration, excess heat and free radical damage are often triggers. A rich, medium-to-heavy weight product works best, to form a substantial layer of lipid barrier protections. I reach for Dermalogica’s Barrier Repair.

Taking care of sensitisation is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll notice significant differences by using the right products, but it really demands a lifestyle change and regular professional treatments to really beat and keep sensitisation at bay. There is hope!

To be a truly organic beauty brand you have to have something really special. So many brands have dabbled in organic product lines, but few have truly stuck to the brief. True Organics of Sweden are here to put organic beauty on the map and prove that chemical free doesn’t have to mean results free.

True Organics of Sweden have a clear philosophy when it comes to their products; love your skin, love our planet. They source the best, certified organic and natural ingredients they can find, with the goal of creating natural skincare products that have as few ingredients in them as possible and still deliver amazing results.

The way they see it, what you put on your skin will e
ventually wind up in your bloodstream. When you use organic skin care you are working with natural ingredients that work harmoniously with the sophisticated natural systems of your skin. Well I’m sold.

I guess you could say they stick to the concept of ‘less is more’ and you can truly see that when you scan their product portfolio. It’s home to just three products. That’s right, three. No doubt they’ll increase this as time goes on, but it’s great to see a brand taking the time to get things right and producing three outstanding products instead of rushing to get a full range up and running.

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty; the products themselves. My personal favourite from their capsule collection is the All You Need Is Me Balm 50ml. Think Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and you’ll get the concept here. This baby boasts just six ingredients and nothing more, but is a truly versatile product that can be used for just about anything. From chapped lips, dry cuticles and dry skin patches to split ends on your hair, this balm/ointment has them all covered. It’s a real multi-tasker and is a must for your handbag.

There’s been a few mentions in the press for a while now about the adverse effects of aerosol deodorants and their link with cancer in women. So if you’re looking for an alternative that you can rest assured contains no nasties, you’re going to want to reach for Undercover Agent 50ml. This roll on deodorant is natural, safe and smells really fresh. It gives genuine, long-lasting protection without synthetic aluminium and alcohol. This stuff really works.

Last but not least, it’s their Face It Serum 30ml. This is a real luxurious organic serum for radiant and glowing skin that is formulated with the finest blend of pure organic oils. It’s rich in antioxidants which helps promote cell renewal, stimulates new collagen production and improves skin tone, texture and pigmentation.  It is truly nourishing and revitalizing and best of all it’s perfect for any type of skin.

If you try just one new product range this Autumn, make it True Organics of Sweden. They are a true champion of organic skincare and they create outstanding products that your skin will thank you for.

Why not say Hej (Swedish for hi!) in the comments and let me know your thought’s on this new range.

xoxo