This Is Why Your Skin Is Breaking Out Right Now and Here’s What to Do About It

April 25, 2020 at 06:30AM Since I have found myself with some spare time on my hands, it’s safe to say that I have been spending more time than one probably should scrolling through social media. After a week or so into nationwide social distancing, I started to notice a common topic of conversation taking place across all of my social networks: Since staying at home, people’s skin is starting to seriously freak out, and nobody really knows what to do about it.  And actually, for the first time in months, mine has too. Despite the fact that my skin had been behaving itself for months and looked the best it had done for years, the minute I started working from home and only leaving the house for an hour a day, my chin developed what can only be described as a mountain range of cystic spots. So what is going on? Why are we all breaking out like it’s no body’s business? And what can we do about it? It turns out, there’s a very simple explanation for it all. Keep scrolling to discover the four most-likely reasons your skin isn’t behaving itself right now. There’s no doubt that we’re all feeling a little bit more stressed than normal right now. From health to work, we’re all stressing about something, even if we’re not physically showing it. And unfortunately, stress has a lot to do with the condition of our skin. Get ready to stick your science cap on. Pamela Marshall,

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You Still Need to Wear SPF Right Now, These 14 Are the Best for Oily Skin

April 25, 2020 at 06:30AM As someone (and a beauty editor at that) that has naturally shiny, often greasy-looking skin, it’s fair to say that I have a very turbulent relationship with SPF. I know that I need to wear it everyday, and I do, but finding a formula that works for me has been seriously tough. You see the thing is, the majority of sun cream leaves a white, greasy sheen on the skin, even long after they have been applied, which isn’t a good look for the oily-skinned amongst us. In fact, it’s this shiny finish that puts so many of us off wearing SPF at all. During a recent conversation with a close group of friends, the topic of daily SPF application cropped up. “SPF just ruins my makeup, but since we’re not going out right now I’m taking a break from it,” one said. It was at this point that I realised, actually, most people really don’t get the importance of SPF at all. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but rain or shine, indoors or outdoors, you should be wearing SPF every single day, even if your skin is oily. Not convinced? Keep scrolling for everything you need to know. The sun produces both UVA and UVB rays, both of which can be damaging in their own ways. The way that I like to remember which one is which is that UVA rays are the Ageing rays and UVB rays are the Burning rays.

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If You Want to Make Your Beauty Routine More Sustainable, This Is a Good Start

April 22, 2020 at 02:03PM There’s no denying that consumers are becoming more aware of their environmental impact. A report that was published by ZeroWaste in 2018 revealed that 120 billion units of packaging were being produced by the global cosmetics industry year on year. With statistics like that, it’s imperative and more important than ever that we consume beauty products mindfully. Thankfully, the beauty industry has been taking steps towards helping to create a cleaner and greener planet, with a host of sustainable beauty brands now available.   But first, when we discuss sustainable beauty products, what do we actually mean? Typically, the term is used to describe products using environmentally-friendly formulations, ethical production practices or packaging methods and, for sustainable cosmetic products in particular, the use of natural ingredients produced from renewable raw materials. Thankfully, finding these products is getting easier, thanks to a host of brands that are already pushing towards a more sustainable and greener planet. Ready to revamp your beauty cabinet and routine? Keep scrolling…  A beauty brand that has stood by their sustainable beliefs from the beginning, this brand never tests on animals, uses only sustainable plant ingredients and chooses recyclable or biodegradable packaging where possible. They stand as a business which is trying to minimise their impact on the planet through both its efforts in packaging and ingredients. Their hero product, The Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is formulated with four key ingredients and is the ultimate multi-tasker. It deeply conditions the skin, improves firmness and elasticity as well as

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This Body Care Range Is My Secret to Soft Skin, and It Smells Unbelievable

April 22, 2020 at 06:30AM Anyone that knows me even loosely knows that my love for body care products knows no bounds. I have a very strict routine that involves a nightly bath, body cleanse, shave, moisturise and massage (usually with a variety of different creams and serums) and a thrice-weekly scrub/exfoliate. Some might call it excessive, but for me, my body care regimen is a necessary daily ritual that helps me unwind before hitting the hay. By no means, however, am I easy to please when it comes to body products. Because I rely on my nightly routine as a means to de-stress, I am extremely fussy when it comes to the texture, scent and finish of the products that I use. I like my skin to feel comforted and nourished before slipping straight into bed. A drying body wash simply will not do, and don’t even get my started on the perils of a cloying body cream that refuses to sink in. It is because of this fussiness that when I find a body care treasure, you better believe I’m sticking with it. And that is exactly what I have done with L’Occitane’s Almond Collection. When I first stumbled across the Almond Shower Oil (£20) a few years ago, it was love at first sniff. The idea of a shower oil really didn’t appeal to me given that my skin is naturally quite oily and prone to congestion (especially on my arms and back), but from the moment I

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These Brands Are Dedicated to Helping in the Age of the Coronavirus

April 24, 2020 at 05:13PM A few weeks back, I began to wonder how the fashion industry would respond to the mass upheaval happening in the world. I got my first response when Christian Siriano announced he’d be personally making masks to address the shortage in New York City. Since then, we’ve shifted our own editorial strategy, and fashion-industry leaders have taken up arms to address the toll COVID-19 has taken on employment, the healthcare system, and life itself. As the world changes before our eyes, we as consumers have the power to re-envision what our world will look like and what brands to support and rally behind. Who wouldn’t want to support the brands that are creating coalitions, maintaining employment, investing in small businesses, and even opening their factories to produce essential medical supplies like face masks? Why wouldn’t we want to consume more consciously and support all those in need during this time? So ahead, we’re shedding light on the fashion brands and retailers that have donated during the crisis (totaling upward of $70 million and 700,000 masks) so that if you do choose to shop during this time, you know what your money is going toward. How it’s helping: AG Jeans announced on its social media channels that it would be committing $1 million to COVID-19 Los Angeles County Response Fund to help support clinics and hospitals across the county and scale up COVID-19 testing. In addition to donating, the company has personally vowed to fight unemployment by continuing to pay and providing

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3 Signs You’re Not Exfoliating Enough If You’re Over 40

April 24, 2020 at 02:00PM Exfoliating is an essential step in any skincare routine. It sloughs off dead skin cells and unclogs pores while leaving your skin fresh and glowy. You could be using the nicest skincare products in the world, but if you’re not exfoliating on the regular, those fancy serums, creams, etc. might not be living up to their potential because you’ve got a lot of dead skin cell buildup. Not to mention, starting your exfoliating routine early will have your future self thanking you. “Exfoliating young skin serves mostly to keep skin glowing and blemish-free,” says Suneel Chilukuri, MD, of Refresh Dermatology. “As a teenager and young adult, your body naturally has more cellular turnover and often greater sebum production. Natural cell turnover slows with age, which results in pigmentary changes (sun spots), fine lines, and dryness. Some would say exfoliating becomes even more important at this stage to keep stimulate new cell growth and healthier skin.” But that doesn’t mean it’s just for those with youthful skin. It benefits everyone, regardless of age. For those with “mature” skin, Chilukuri says that regular exfoliating will promote cell turnover and prevent a sallow appearance over time. Women with mature skin might be afraid to exfoliate because they’re wary of damaging or drying out their skin, but it’s still an important step if you’re doing it correctly and using the right products. So what are some signs that you’re not exfoliating enough if you’re over 40? Chilukuri gave us a few watch-outs: 1. Your skin is dull:

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3 Signs You’re Not Exfoliating Enough If You’re Over 40

April 24, 2020 at 02:00PM Exfoliating is an essential step in any skincare routine. It sloughs off dead skin cells and unclogs pores while leaving your skin fresh and glowy. You could be using the nicest skincare products in the world, but if you’re not exfoliating on the regular, those fancy serums, creams, etc. might not be living up to their potential because you’ve got a lot of dead skin cell buildup. Not to mention, starting your exfoliating routine early will have your future self thanking you. “Exfoliating young skin serves mostly to keep skin glowing and blemish-free,” says Suneel Chilukuri, MD, of Refresh Dermatology. “As a teenager and young adult, your body naturally has more cellular turnover and often greater sebum production. Natural cell turnover slows with age, which results in pigmentary changes (sun spots), fine lines, and dryness. Some would say exfoliating becomes even more important at this stage to keep stimulate new cell growth and healthier skin.” But that doesn’t mean it’s just for those with youthful skin. It benefits everyone, regardless of age. For those with “mature” skin, Chilukuri says that regular exfoliating will promote cell turnover and prevent a sallow appearance over time. Women with mature skin might be afraid to exfoliate because they’re wary of damaging or drying out their skin, but it’s still an important step if you’re doing it correctly and using the right products. So what are some signs that you’re not exfoliating enough if you’re over 40? Chilukuri gave us a few watch-outs: 1. Your skin is dull:

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