Why Your Skin Needs CBD Oil

(Collaborative Post)

CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is a natural compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant. Studies have shown that CBD oil derived from the natural plant can benefit and aid the health of your skin and can also be used to help various skin conditions.

In recent years, many people have been purchasing and using various beauty products that contain CBD oil as part of their skincare routine.

Eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne are some of the skin conditions that CBD can treat because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

CBD oil is entirely legal in 50 states and used in different forms such as capsules, powder, and oils. In addition, well-known manufacturers of foods and drinks have also started to use CBD in all of their products.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Unlike its relative named THC, also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is considered to be the "high" compound most often misused by individuals. CBD does not contain THC, making it a much healthier and natural ingredient that improves your well-being and performance.

CBD oil has proven to have many benefits, and individuals can use the oils in various ways. For example, people spray CBD mist onto their pillows to help them sleep, some use CBD oil in their foods, and others consume CBD protein powder to aid in muscle pain relief and performance enhancements.

Our body contains natural cannabinoid neurotransmitters and receptors known as the endocannabinoid receptor system (ECS). Research has shown that ECS and cannabinoids can play a vital role in many of our body processes, and also, our skin contains natural cannabinoid receptors.

CBD oils are perfectly safe to apply directly to your skin.

A few ways CBD oil can aid certain skin conditions

Assists with Acne

Known as the most common skin condition, CBD contains many valuable compounds such as anti-inflammatory, oil reducing, and antibacterial properties that can help to soothe and improve acne breakouts and scarring on the skin.

Many studies have shown that CBD can prevent sebocytes on our skin from creating too much excess sebum. In addition, due to the antifungal and antibacterial properties found in the cannabis plant, CBD oil can help to prevent skin infections and treat the appearance of scars caused by acne.

Sebocytes are the cells that create oils and sebum on our skin which is primarily a waxy substance. It is true that the sebum created helps to protect our skin against harmful factors; however, excessive sebum and oil buildup can cause acne.

Helps with Wrinkles and Aging

CBD Oil contains many beneficial properties, such as antioxidants. Therefore, CBD Oils assisted many individuals with preventing the appearance of aging and wrinkles on their skin because of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants found in CBD.

Moisturises the Skin

CBD oils can help prevent itching and dryness of your skin by providing an extra layer of moisturizer that will help to soothe your skin and reduce irritation and flaking. In addition, CBD oils are perfectly safe for people with sensitive skins to use.

How to Start Your Own Product Line

(Collaborative Post) 

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and we must take care of it. There is a huge market for healthy skin, and if you're as obsessed with skincare as I am, you can turn your obsession into a potentially lucrative business. If you are keen to take the next step and interested in creating beautiful products yourself, here are a few ways you can start your own product line. 

Get Down to Science

Skin care, like all medicine, comes down to science. If science is not your forte, perhaps you should take a class or two. At your local community college or university, you can sometimes audit classes for no credit and no money. The purpose is to just learn and allow yourself to gain knowledge for your own personal growth. By doing this, you can understand science better, which in turn will allow you to know more about how your products are created and why they’re so good for you. 

Learn How to Make Products

Learning continues. Once you get a good grip on the science behind how products are made, take that knowledge and start creating products. Schools like School of Natural Skincare offer programs on how to create products, what makes products successful, and how to get those products out onto the market. It’s a one stop shop for everything that involves the business of skincare. Going to schools like this will enable you to immerse yourself in the business and in the science of skincare, making you able to have the skills and knowledge to really build your product with quality ingredients in a way that is healthy and safe.

Create a Marketing Brand

Why is your skincare line way better than the rest? The main factor is that it is coming from you and no one else. What’s your spin on skincare that is so revolutionary that everyone is going to want to use what you have created? Once you know what that is, market your products around that brand. From social media accounts, to packaging, to online content like commercials and ad campaigns, having a solid brand with a solid message will really resonate with buyers and you will soon find your products in boutiques and stores across the country if not the world. 

Tell Everyone About It

No one is going to know your product exists if you don’t tell them about it. Start with family and friends and have them use your products and then tell all of their friends about it. Word of mouth is a great way to start. Then have those same people like and share your social media pages. Finally, go to where the investors are. Go to where your competition is and start networking and meeting people in the industry who can help you advance your line.

Skincare Tips To Keep Your Skin Blemish-Free

 (Collaborative Post)

 Once you enter your 20s and beyond, blemishes can come out of nowhere. Didn’t you leave those days behind with your teenage years? The truth is that spots and pimples can happen to anyone, well into adulthood and there are several reasons why.

A lot of breakouts can be caused by hormones, while others can be influenced by diet and lifestyle habits that could otherwise be prevented. By following different tips to help prevent blemishes, you can keep your skin as clear as possible.

Check out these essential skincare tips to keep your skin blemish-free.

Always remove makeup at night

Removing your makeup before you go to bed is the ultimate skincare rule. But let’s face it, how many of us have gone to bed after a heavy night or couldn’t be bothered to take the makeup off? 

Getting into the habit of removing makeup at night gives your skin the chance to breathe. It also gives you the chance to apply beneficial skincare products that your skin can absorb overnight.  

There are a lot of effective techniques for removing makeup, but makeup removing cloths with some micellar water can be particularly useful to remove makeup gently and leave your face glowing and clean.

Adopt an effective skincare routine

The right skincare routine can make all the difference to your skin. Choosing products that are right for your skin type will help you experience the most benefits, leaving you with skin that glows. Your day and night skincare routine should feature a cleanser, toner and moisturiser as a minimum, but you can also apply serum, masks and oil to provide you with further benefits.

If you’re unsure about the right skincare for your needs, book a facial and speak to an expert. They can recommend products that will help improve your skin, and show you how to use them too.

Clean your makeup brushes

Your makeup brushes can be a key cause behind blemishes. If you don’t wash them regularly, they could end up collecting unwanted bacteria, which then makes its way onto your skin, clogging your pores. Get into a routine of cleaning your makeup brushes regularly - at least once a week if you can. This will not only help keep your skin clear, but it will help your brushes last longer too.

Change your bedding regularly

Did you know your bedding can be responsible for causing breakouts. The oils from your hair, as well as sweat can mean your bedding becomes a big contributor to your breakouts. Aim to change your bedding once a week, and flip your pillowcases over regularly to help give your skin a boost. The summer can be particularly uncomfortable, so you might want to change your bedding to a light, natural fabric like cotton to help give your skin the chance to breathe at night.

Sleep on a silk pillow

Changing your bedding regularly is a good way to keep blemishes at bay, but you could also sleep on a silk pillowcase to help keep your skin clear. Silk pillowcases have a lot of benefits for your skin, but they can also help protect your hair from breakage and leave it frizz-free. If a silk pillow isn’t your thing, you could also consider a silk sleep turban instead to keep your hair and skin looking their best.

Pay attention to your glasses

Do you clean your glasses regularly? They could be another reason behind some unwanted blemishes. You should clean the edges of your glasses with some antibacterial wipes, and make sure you store them in a case when they’re not in use.

You should also consider the style of your glasses, especially if you’re noticing breakouts around where your glasses sit. You’ve got the perfect excuse to treat yourself to some designer frames and switch up your look. Don’t forget to clean your sunglasses too - they can easily end up caked in makeup and sweat on a hot summer day.

Hydrate and nourish

Your nutrition is important for maintaining clear and glowing skin. Firstly, you should stay hydrated by drinking at least two litres of water a day.

Secondly, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can help keep your skin looking radiant. You should avoid processed foods as much as possible, and focus on a healthy mix of protein, carbohydrates and fats to give your body the nutrition it needs.

Superfoods such as spinach, avocados, etc., are packed with nutrients that can also benefit your skin. They are rich in antioxidants, providing various health benefits including boosted immunity and fighting against the free-radicals that could cause your skin to age quicker. 

While it’s not always easy, cutting down on your alcohol intake, as well as the junk food you eat can also help you skin radiate with health.

Use the right SPF formula

Do you tend to use sun cream as a face cream in the summer? The oily, rich formula could be causing you to break out. There are some great face creams that contain SPF that will nourish your skin without leaving it greasy. Ideal for wearing under makeup, your skin will be protected, but it will also have a great base for keeping blemishes at bay.

Go lighter in warmer weather

As the temperatures increase, the amount of makeup you wear should decrease. Having a lighter base can help your skin breathe and can help you sweat less under your makeup. Choose products that are designed to be long-lasting and consider some sheer formulas to create a more natural, glowing look. A sweat-proof look is easy to achieve with the right products, helping your makeup last on those particularly hot days. Let your natural radiance will shine through, and your skin will thank you for it.

Keeping your skin blemish-free can feel like an endless battle. But with the right skincare products and some healthier habits, you can see an improvement in your skin’s appearance. Pay attention to potential triggers and change up your habits to help you take better care of your skin.

Skin Proud Frozen Over Gel-to-Ice Hydrator

Lately I’ve spent more time than I care to disclose browsing 'cooling' skincare products. Googling things on my phone like ‘best cooling moisturisers’, ‘skincare products to cool down in summer’ and ‘tricks to keep cool’ is how I’ve spent most evenings since the clocks went forward. I have become obsessed with not feeling the heat this summer and while I’m grateful to be pregnant, I’m not going to lie and say I’m looking forward to restless nights made worse by stifling heat. 

I’m therefore starting a collection of body and face skincare bits designed to cool things down (there are already a few sprays and face rollers stashed in the fridge), with the most intriguing so far being the Frozen Over Gel to Ice Hydrator from Skin Proud.

Skin Proud is a brand I wasn’t actually aware of until my quest for all things cooling began. From what I can gather, Skin Proud is a sister brand of Lottie London and is home to a curation of skincare products designed to be simple to use and straight to the point. They’re also suitable for vegans.

Exclusive to ASOS, Frozen Over is pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Ultra-cooling, instantly gratifying and satisfyingly hydrating. The gel formula can be used as is, at room temperature, or popped in the freezer for two to three hours so it’s semi-solidified and slushy. Or you can follow my lead and put it in the freezer, forget it’s there, then (in)patiently wait a little while for it to defrost enough to dig a spatula/finger into the formula.

The de-puffing gel contains hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, soothing Aloe Vera and brightening Lemon Extracts and it’s really quite inoffensive and pleasant to use – it’s even suitable as an after-sun product. I imagine it would feel amazing melting on burnt or hot skin.

 I’ve been using Frozen Over as a serum as well as any time I like throughout the day on top of whatever skincare I’ve already got on. For some people it will be moisturising enough on its own but I find it’s not quite enough for me so I need something extra. To be honest though, I mainly enjoy it for the novelty factor of putting something freezing cold on my face!

As mentioned, Skin Proud Frozen Over Gel-to-Ice Hydrator is exclusive to ASOS and retails for £16.95 for a 50ml pot right here.

Why Laser Hair Removal Is Better Than Other Methods of Removing Hair

 The treatment revolves around the use of a high-powered laser focusing on the hair roots and destroying the follicle to stop hair growth. First, your skin is numbed and cooled, and then applied the laser on the desired body part. There are several other treatment options also available. But laser treatment is more effective compared to others. Let’s understand how:-

● Less time consuming comparing other methods 

This laser hair removal London treatment is the best one if you have been hunting for long-term results. Moreover, it is also considered in the form of permanent results comparing other methods of removing hair. To save your precious time, laser hair treatment is indeed good. Its sessions always remain quick and easy. You will have to remain under the laser for a couple of minutes and it will be done. Waxing is quite time-consuming. To find the best results, you probably have to wax the expected area every few weeks and it could be exhausting for already-busy people.

● Doesn’t result into any sort of long term damage

Your skin is precious and it requires the same caring treatment any other body part needs. Laser hair removal London is ideal to have if you truly want the best results without letting your skin be damaged. Some people do have quite sensitive skin and they also find this treatment quite good compared to other methods. It is important to get it done by an authorized and certified doctor. Waxing can lead to damage to your skin especially if you have sensitive skin. Moreover, waxing does not suit everybody's part. You cannot use it around your face including your upper lip or eyebrows.

● Any part of the body can be treated under laser

Yes, indeed, anybody's part can easily be treated with a laser. You probably would not be able to get your body fully waxed. You cannot do wax on your back or around the bikini by yourself. But laser treatment can easily be done. You do not need to worry about pain as it would not be as much as waxing.

● Less post treatment irritation

You would not have to bother about going through post-treatment irritation. You will have only a little inconvenience such as a bit of swelling or irritation. These are quite common and generally fade away in a few days. You can feel better by applying a cold or warm compress around the affected area.

● Laser cost depends as per the size of the area

The laser does not cost too much. It is a misconception though. There are many new clinics and platforms introducing laser treatment at a reasonable price. There is no specific cost of laser treatment since it depends on the size of the area such as small, medium, or laser treatment area.

Conclusion

So, what are you waiting for? It is time to take an ideal decision when it comes to getting rid of unwanted body hair. Laser treatment seems an incredible option to choose compared to others.

End #SunPoverty with Escentual

(Article contains affiliate links)

 

Escentual.com is on a mission to provide free sun lotion to 30,000 Welsh children this year as part of the newly launched #SunPoverty campaign. As well as donating free sun lotion, Escentual are also appealing to the government to get rid of VAT on children's sunscreens because sun protection for kids is not 'discretionary' - it's necessary to help prevent skin cancer!

Organised by the CEO of Escentual.com, Rakesh Aggarwal, the SunPoverty campaign will provide Escentual's brand new SPF50+ for Kids to any primary school child eligible for free school meals.

I think this is such a brilliant initiative from Escentual and sends a very important message - while the UK might not be particularly known for intense UV and blistering sun, we have had some exceptionally harsh summer days and there's no excuse for children to be suffering sunburn and damage.

According to statistics, malignant melanoma is now the fastest growing type of cancer in the UK, with numbers nearly tripling in the past 30 years. In 2018 there were 17,852 new cases and 2,764 deaths, and yet 86% of these cases could have been prevented through the use of high protection sun lotions.

High levels of sun exposure in childhood is the most significant risk factor for developing Melanoma and if a child or young adult experiences blistering sunburn it doubles the chance of developing skin cancer in later life.

Sources: Melanoma UK

Melanoma UK

Royal Marsden

Escentual CEO and Founder Rakesh Aggarwal says- 

"Due to Covid safety issues this year we will be distributing the sun-creams through food banks across Wales instead of direct to schools. If the scheme is a success we hope to be able to extend the campaign to all primary school children in the UK by 2022.” 

Escentual.com is based in Cardiff, hence Wales is a starting point for the campaign. How extraordinary will it be if the initiative extends to UK-wide by next year?!

The Escentual Sunscreen for Kids SPF50+ (pictured) has been launched in line with the campaign and is available to purchase from today. Available in a 45ml bottle, with a handy clasp to attach to school bags, baby bags and handbags, the high protection lotion offers 4 hours of water resistance and comes with a bespoke application guide and sun safety leaflets - there's a space on the bottle to write the child's name too, which is a nice touch.

In terms of the formula, it's light, smells great (that classic suncream scent) and is very, very easy to rub in as it absorbs very easily - really important when we're talking about applying this to little ones. The cream leaves a dry-touch finish with absolutely zero greasy feel. It's actually one of the most pleasant-to-apply sun lotions I've used in a while to be honest.

 On top of the 30,000 bottles of lotion being given away, Escentual.com will donate another to the SunPoverty campaign for each bottle purchased.

 The same applies to any Clarins, Eucerin or Bioderma sun lotions purchased on the site - you can find the products included in the donation campaign here. Escentual.com estimate that on this basis they expect to donate as many as 50,000 bottles by the end of summer this year. Pretty amazing!

You can buy your own bottle of the Escentual Sunscreen for Kids SPF50+ here at Escentual for £6.95. If you don't have kids or you've already got them covered, this is a good option for the face as it's designed with sensitive skin in mind. The plastic part of the bottle is recyclable and the metal clip can be removed and used for something else.

If you can, please take the time to read more about this brilliant campaign at Escentual.com.

De Mamiel Sample Service

I saw Annee De Mamiel on one of Caroline Hirons' Instagram lives' a while ago and was instantly drawn to her. Not only because she has a clear passion for skincare, but I detected an Australian accent which gave me a familiar, warm and fuzzy feeling.

In fact, if I had known the De Mamiel founder was a fellow Aussie, I probably would have tried the brand long ago, rather than dipped my toe in now via their sampling service.

Available on the official website, De Mamiel offer try-before-you-by tasters of their skincare delights for £5 each and you can select up to three. This is a brilliant idea for a brand who's products have a luxury price point because it means people can get a feel for the product before deciding if they want to spend £££. It's also ideal for finding out how your skin will react; particularly good for people with sensitivity to essential oils.

I chose the Restorative Cleansing Balm (pretty much always wanted to try this), the Brightening Cleanse and Exfoliate and the Skin Recovery Blend.

Each sample comes in a luxurious dark violet glass jar with enough product (in my case) for at least a few days, with the Skin Recovery Blend lasting a good few days more due to its high concentration, so you really only need a fingertip or so.

The glass jars come in a little fabric bag along with cards with instructions for the products. It's all very sweet and opening the delivery was a real treat as it felt like a lot of thought had gone into the packaging. I really wish I'd saved the other little jars and bag so I could have included images of them - the jar above contained the Skin Recover Blend.

A brief overview of the products I chose:

The Restorative Cleansing Balm is, in fact, all it's cracked up to be. The emulsifying balm is fantastic at removing makeup (though you might not want to waste it on that!) and using it is a real sensorial experience. The texture is buttery and beautiful and the scent is herbal, refreshing and lovely. One of those cleansers you'll want to really take your time with.

The Brightening Cleanse and Exfoliate is a powder formula - you just add a little water to activate. With a natural chocolate scent, the Cleanse and Exfoliate instantly reveals glowing skin thanks to a mix of Vitamin C, Cocoa Seed and Buttermilk powders, along with a blend of Silica, flower and fruit powders. The gently exfoliating formula can also be added to the Restorative Cleansing Balm.

The Skin Recovery Blend. Ok, I audibly sighed when I opened this jar. The scent is just beautiful and incredibly relaxing and I was instantly reminded of May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon. In fact, Blue Cocoon has been my ultimate product for a few years now but after trying the Skin Recovery Blend I would happily alternate between the two. The two products are actually quite different in terms of ingredients but it's the blue tansy oil and melting-on-contact-with-skin pressed serum formula that just does it for me. 

The Skin Recovery Blend has a long ingredients list of butters, oils and extracts with Kaolin Clay in the mix for its soothing properties and it's really, really gorgeous. I have not only been using it on my face, but massaging a little on the back of my neck after a long day. I absolutely love this product and have since purchased the full size.

You can find out more and pick your three samples at De Mamiel.