What The F*** Is Mandelic Acid?

Mandelic acid is an exfoliating ingredient that you need to know about. 

Derived from bitter almonds, mandelic acid is a super gentle AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that actively treats the skin without causing redness and irritation. 

News | Simon Ourian M.D. Launches In The UK

Simon Ourian M.D., the LA-based cosmeceutical brand providing tailor-made skincare regimens, has launched in the UK.

A Guide To Skin Cycling

Although the concept has been around for a while, skin cycling is a new term coined by New York dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe. It is a minimalist skincare routine that allows skin 'rest days' after using certain active ingredients.

The four-day technique starts with an evening of exfoliation, followed by an evening of retinol. It ends with two evenings of recovery and hydration, and, once the cycle is complete, the process is then repeated. Skin cycling offers a balanced approach to skin rejuvenation, ensuring skin gets the treatment it needs while also allowing for crucial recovery time.

Review | Teoxane RHA® Vit C Serum

Teoxane has always been a firm favourite amongst skincare obsessives, so I was excited to try the cosmeceutical brand's new RHA Vit C Serum.

Beauty Backstory | Wildsmith Skin

Wildsmith Skin is a British skincare brand born out of the beautiful grounds of Heckfield Estate in Hampshire. Taking its name from the 19th-century horticulturist William Walker Wildsmith, whose visionary Heckfield Estate continues to evolve, educate, and delight to this day, Wilsmith Skin is a brand for those who demand responsible skincare without compromising on results.

Best New Serums of 2023

Serums make up a huge part of my skincare obsession. They have a light, fluid texture that enables them to penetrate deeper into the skin for maximum benefit. It's why they contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, such as antioxidants, acids, peptides, and vitamins.

Luckily for all us serum addicts out there, 2023 has delivered a number of serum launches (and it's only March!). Here are my top picks...

A Guide To Acids | Part 2

Acids make for popular skincare ingredients but not all acids are created equal. Different acids provide different skincare benefits, so, to ensure you're up to date, I've shared a rundown of the most popular ones in the beauty business. Here is part two of my guide to acids...

News | Estée Lauder launches Nutritious

Estée Lauder has expanded its skincare offering with the launch of a new range, Nutritious. 

Created for ingredient-conscious, sustainability-minded skincare lovers, Nutritious is a responsibly sourced, high-performance range that targets pores, post-acne marks, and dullness.

Pregnancy | A Dermatologist's Skincare Guide

"How do I look after my skin during pregnancy?" is a question every woman will ask herself at some stage during her pregnancy. This is because hormones, though famous for playing havoc with our skin throughout our lifetime, cause the most destruction during pregnancy. Of course, some women are luckily enough to get the gorgeous ‘glow’, however some aren’t so lucky and have to handle adult acne, heightened skin sensitivity, and pigmentation. This is made worst by the fact some skincare ingredients and treatments are off limits; due to the risk they pose to the baby...

Magic Mushrooms

The Mushroom Kingdom is huge and enigmatic, even from the point of the view of modern science.

Mushrooms can be highly toxic for one species and enormously beneficial for another, many of them containing powerful antioxidants protecting them from harm. They can absorb and sometimes neutralise toxins, and they are often highly nutritional.

Beauty Backstory | Hello Sunday

Hello Sunday is a skincare brand that is all about the SPF.

With a team of beauty formulation experts and creative specialists on hand, Hello Sunday launched a line of science-led SPF products that care for the skin, as well as protect it. The British brand wanted to shake up the skincare industry, by creating sun protection products that don't use the thick, sticky, or white cast formulas that we're used to. The aim was to show customers that you can have the right dose of protection without irritating your skin, killing your complexion, or ruining your makeup.

Vegan Beauty That Actually Works

Veganism has become big business in the last five years and the beauty industry, like many others, has been quick to embrace it.

The beauty shelves are now saturated with brands that are either vegan or boast vegan products. However, much like fries are (unintentionally) vegan but unhealthy, not all vegan beauty products are kind or beneficial to skin. Products celebrated for their vegan credentials can be loaded with questionable ingredients or bulking agents that provide little benefit to the skin. Even worse, some vegan beauty products are actually tested on animals!

Skincare Infused Makeup

If there has been one slow-to-grow beauty trend that has really sparked my interest, it is skincare infused makeup. It is the beauty hybrid I never knew I needed.

When I was younger, I would shovel makeup on without a care in the world for my skin. I would regularly avoid cleansing before bed but, by some miracle, would never suffer the consequences. Sadly times have changed and, since hitting my thirties, prolonged makeup wear causes my skin to become dry, irritated, and dull.

Now more than ever I need skincare infused makeup - products that cover, correct, and enhance, all while benefitting my skin through enriching ingredients. Here are some of my favourites...

New Brand Alert | WeTwo

WeTwo is a new luxury haircare and skincare brand designed to support women during pregnancy, post pregnancy, and menopause.

Behind The Brand | IMAGE Skincare

IMAGE Skincare is an American cosmeceutical brand that was born out of Janna Ronert's tiny apartment in 2003. At the time, Ronert was an aesthetician who was battling rosacea but unable to find adequate products on the market that would provide real results and treat the problem. So, like all good beauty entrepreneurs, she decided to create her own cosmeceutical brand. She poured blood, sweat and tears into creating IMAGE Skincare and her first collection was Vital C, which remains the brand's best selling product.

Winter Skin Saviours

Winter brings strong winds, low humidity levels, and a bitter chill, causing skin to quickly become dry, dull, irritated, and damaged. Even taking shelter in the warm and dry indoors can makes things worse, as sudden temperature fluctuations can cause dry and dehydrated skin.

So, when it comes to surviving this cold season, a good skincare routine is essential. You'll need skincare products that protect, hydrate, brighten, and repair. Here are some of my favourites:

New Brand Alert | Love, MeMeMe

Say hello to the new self care brand celebrating pure unadulterated self indulgence. It's aptly titled Love, MeMeMe.

New Brand Alert | FEWE

FEWE is a new self-care brand putting customers in control of their menstrual cycle.

Having launched only last week, FEWE is the the first skincare brand to introduce whole cycle self-care to everyone. It offers a range of CBD infused products that help customers hack their hormones and treat their body, skin, and mind during each step of their menstrual cycle.

The Lowdown | Extrinsic Ageing

Extrinsic ageing refers to skin ageing caused by environmental factors and lifestyle choices. It helps explain why some people age prematurely and can look ten years older than their genetic age. UV exposure, pollution, smoking, and a poor diet are the most common causes of extrinsic ageing.

New Brand Alert | Dermatology M

Dermatology M is a skincare brand specialising in the treatment of acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Designed and formulated within the UK, Dermatology M's products go beyond conventional creams – they are authentic modern formulas inspired by ancient Chinese herbal medicine.