Alicia Broadest, Author at mamabella

Best rosacea treatment UK: 6 of our fave rosacea creams and moisturiser that reduce redness

Alicia Broadest — Wed, 24 May 2023 06:48:08 +0000

We’ve put the best rosacea creams and moisturisers to the test to see which actually reduce redness, and which is the best rosacea treatment money can buy

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Best rosacea creams and moisturisers

How to get rid of rosacea permanently

Best skincare for sensitive skin

Many of us experience redness on our face from time to time, particularly those of us with sensitive skin, but if you find it happening regularly you may have rosacea.

If this is the case, regular moisturisers and makeup may not cut it so you’ll need to invest in the best rosacea cream.

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes your complexion to become red and inflamed.

Whilst there is no cure as such, there are a plethora of rosacea treatments to help keep it at bay, or at least tackle flare-ups when they catch you unaware.

Below are some of the best rosacea treatment creams on the market, designed to suit a range of budgets.

We also explain what rosacea is and what causes it at the bottom of the article. Click the link in the box to the left to jump straight to that section.

Alternatively, keep reading to discover our pick of the best rosacea creams, moisturisers and treatments that help calm redness and irritation and leave your complexion looking clear.

Best rosacea creams and moisturisers UK

Editor’s Pick: Dermalex Rosacea Treatment
Bargain buy: Cetaphil PRO Range
Luxury buy: Clarins Calm Essentiel Gel
IT Cosmetics Colour Correcting Cream
Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream
Rosalique 3-in-1 Anti-redness Miracle cream

1. Editor’s Pick: Dermalex Rosacea Treatment

£19 | Buy now

Dermalex

Why we love it: One of the most trusted rosacea creams in the UK is the Dermalux Rosacea Treatment. This is because it’s been clinically proven to treat mild to moderate rosacea in a matter of weeks.

It uses what the brand calls a “unique Tri-solve technology” that repairs and strengthens the skin’s barrier function.

Often, symptoms of rosacea such as redness, flushed cheeks and spider veins are a sign that the skin barrier is broken or weakened. Thus, repairing the barrier can usually help fix a whole host of skincare worse.

This technology also promises to create a protective film over the skin to stop external triggers, such as pollution or the weather, from causing rosacea flare-ups or similar.

It’s gentle enough to be used twice a day, and it can be worn under makeup. All for a relatively low price of £19.

2. Bargain Buy: Cetaphil PRO Range

From £14.99 | Buy now

Cetaphil

Why we love it: Three products are better than one! Cetaphil is a specialist in sensitive and dry skin, and with the launch of its Cetaphil PRO range it has ensured every stage of your daily skincare regime targets your redness-prone skin.

Consisting of Cleansing Facial Wash, Tinted Moisturising Day Cream SPF30+ and Moisturising Night Cream, the Cetaphil PRO range has you covered.

The cleansing facial wash has a mild formulation designed to calm sensitive skin and can be used morning and night to remove impurities, excess oil and makeup.

The night cream does exactly what it says on the tin and is superb for overnight skin repair, strengthening and supporting the skin’s barrier function.

The saving grace in this range, though, has to be the multifunctional tinted moisturising day cream.

Not only does it contain SPF protection with mineral-based UV filters, to help protect the skin, but the neutral tinted formulation helps to even skin tones and reduce the appearance of redness. Ideal for rosacea or any redness caused by sensitivity.

FURTHER READING: Best tinted moisturiser

3. Luxury buy: Clarins Calm Essential Gel

£30 | Buy now

Clarins

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a quick fix rosacea treatment, but one that will also help get rid of redness over time, then look no further than the Calm Essentiel Gel from Clarins.

It’s expensive – one of the most expensive rosacea treatments on this list – but having used it solidly for only two weeks, we’ve seen a drastic reduction in redness, inflammation and skin sensitivity.

What’s more, its lightweight, gel consistency is a great alternative to some of the thicker, pore-clogging rosacea creams we’ve tried in the past. It also makes it an ideal option if you have oily, or acne-prone skin (again, like us.)

It’s effectiveness comes from the fact it contains

Sclareolide: This helps make the skin less sensitive by targeting the receptors below the surface
Organic Camelia Oil: This hydrates and nourishes the skin
White Horehound extract: This helps protect against external triggers and pollution
Squalane: This helps strengthen the skin barrier function

We love this gel so much, we recently filmed a before-and-after video showing just how effective this rosacea treatment is over on TikTok.

@victoria_woolly_web Redness and rosacea queens, this has been a game changer for me (not an ad!) suitable for sensitive skin #mamabella #rosacea #rosaceaskincare #rednesscorrector #clarins #clarinsskincare #calmessentiel #rosaceamakeup @clarinsofficial ♬ CUFF IT – Beyoncé

FURTHER READING: Clarins Double Serum review: Smart mirror reveals before and after results

4. IT Cosmetics Colour Correcting Cream

£32 | Buy now

IT Cosmetics

Why we love it: This CC cream from IT Cosmetics is must-have for colour correction while solving a whole host of other skin and makeup woes.

IT Cosmetics is the cult make-up favourite developed with the help of leading plastic surgeons for clinically proven beauty solutions.

Whilst the colour-correcting cream isn’t a rosacea treatment as such, it certainly goes a long way to providing a confidence pick-me-up.

In fact, the founder of IT Cosmetics experiences rosacea herself and this cream was developed specifically to help relieve it.

The CC cream helps to cover redness, get rid of dark circles under the eyes and minimise the appearance of pores whilst providing hydration. All complete with SPF 50.

Infused with hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins, this cream will leave your skin luminous, supple, and with a flawless-looking complexion.

This makes the IT Cosmetics Colour Correcting Cream a win for people with mature skin as well as a highly effective rosacea treatment.

5. Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Cream

£16 | Buy now

Dr Jart+

Why we love it: This colour-correcting cream was a huge TikTok favourite in 2021 and it’s become a daily must-have in our skincare and makeup routine.

We either use this cream on its own, to create an even base when we’re going makeup-free, or we wear it as a primer underneath our foundation. This is because it both calms redness and blurs imperfections.

It goes on green but as you blend, it’s designed to camouflage with your own skin tone.

Formulated with a tiger grass complex plus houttuynia cordata and yarrow plants, and raspberry leaf extract, the formula also helps reduce inflammation.

Elsewhere it contains sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium to increase moisture and lessen the signs of fatigue, while a blend of minerals and panthenol soothes and hydrates.

6. Rosalique 3-in-1 Anti-Redness Miracle formula

£30 | Buy now

Rosalique

Why we love it: Developed by bioscientists, and especially suited for people with sensitive skin, this Rosalique cream can help with rosacea, cuperose, blemishes, spots and flushes.

The micro-encapsulated pigments in the Rosalique cream mask redness and unevenness instantly and the green outer layer of the micro balls neutralises inflamed patches.

This means that when you first apply the 3-in-1 cream to your skin, it goes on green before developing into an orange colour as you massage it in. It eventually blends to a more neutral tone, having neutralised redness and other uneven patches of skin in the process.

In addition to simply masking redness, this rosacea cream also helps calm and soothe the skin. Plus, because of its SPF50 rating it protects from damaging or irritating UVA and UVB rays.

The Rosalique Rosacea cream can be used as a primer, a CC cream or as a standalone foundation. We’ve also used it as a concealer, which all helps justify its high price, a little, and makes it good value for money.

What is rosacea?

Shutterstock

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition – meaning it persists for a long time and keeps coming back – that primarily affects the face. We explain more about the rosacea symptoms below, but it’s largely characterised by redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps.

According to the NHS, 1 in 10 people suffer from rosacea in the UK and it’s believed that rosacea’s inflammatory nature is due to an “abnormal immune response,” according to skincare expert Sarah, founder of Sarah Louise Aesthetics.

Under the wider rosacea umbrella, there are different forms that manifest in different ways. These include:

Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea: This is characterised by persistent redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels. If you have this form of rosacea you may also experience a burning or stinging sensation and your skin will feel more dry and sensitive.
Papulopustular Rosacea: Along with redness, this type of rosacea also comes with acne-like bumps and breakouts. It may look like regular acne, but rarely features blackheads.
Phymatous Rosacea: People with this type of rosacea have thicker skin on their noses, making them look bulbous and enlarged. Phymatous rosacea can also affect other areas of the face, such as the forehead, chin, and ears and this type is more common in men.
Ocular Rosacea: This type of rosacea affects the eyes and symptoms include redness, dryness, itching, burning, and sensitivity to light. Ocular rosacea can cause conjunctivitis and other eye-related complications if left untreated.

Rosacea triggers

“Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown it has been found that certain things are more likely to trigger flare-ups,” Group Director of Aesthetic Services at Élan Laser Clinics, Lisa Mason-Poyner told mamabella.

Two of the biggest rosacea triggers are stress and anxiety. Other rosacea triggers include:

Sun exposure
Increased heat
Alcohol consumption
Poor diet/too much sugar
Menopause

The redness and inflammation of rosacea is more common among women than men. This is because between the ages of 45-60 in women, “there is a reduction in collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which are essential for skin hydration and repair,” continued Sarah. “Reduced oestrogen during menopause can also contribute to hot flushes and aggregate redness and irritation.”

Rosacea symptoms

Your rosacea symptoms will depend on the type and severity of rosacea you have but as a general rule, the common signs of rosacea include:

Redness or flushing of the skin after exercising, drinking alcohol or being exposed to heat
Persistent skin discolouration that looks like sunburn or blusher
Uneven skin texture
Spots and pustules that can feel sore to the touch
Broken or visible capillaries, and thread veins
Skin thickening – this is more common in men

If you’re unsure your redness is rosacea, sensitive skin or another skin condition, it’s best to visit a specialist who can clinically diagnose your skin condition to make sure you get the correct advice.

How to get rid of rosacea permanently

mamabella | mamabella

Wearing SPF daily can help get rid of rosacea. Our top five are pictured (L-R) Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel, HadaLabo Sun Face Cream, Ultra Violette Supreme Screen, Thank You Farmer Sun Protect, Altruist Sunscreen

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to get rid of rosacea permanently. It’s a chronic condition and because we still don’t know the exact causes, it can be hard to treat the problem at source.

There are ways to get rid of rosacea semi-permanently to the point where you have fewer flare-ups, and it doesn’t impact your self-confidence as much.

“You can reduce symptoms by leading a healthy lifestyle”, added Sarah Louise. “Eating natural and low spicy foods and staying hydrated.”

It’s also vital to protect your skin from external stressors that have a tendency to make things worse.

Ways to get rid of rosacea include:

Applying a sunscreen for face with an SPF factor of at least 30. This should be applied everyday, and reapplied frequently when you’re outdoors.
Using a non-fragranced rosacea moisturiser regularly if your skin is dry or sensitive.
Swapping your soap for a soap substitute, in the form of an emollient, to cleanse your face.
Keeping a diary of days where your rosacea has been at its worse and note down what you’ve done that day to try to pinpoint potential triggers

What to avoid when trying to get rid of rosacea:

Don’t rub or scrub your face when cleansing as this can make rosacea worse
Don’t over-exfoliate and choose a gentle, yet effective exfoliator. We recommend the Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant because it’s gentle enough to use every day.
Don’t use skincare products that contain fragrances. This is the case for all sensitive skin, but especially for rosacea.

Rosacea treatments UK

mamabella | mamabella

If none of these rosacea creams and moisturisers go far enough to manage your rosacea, or you want a more targeted rosacea treatment you can try the following:

Skin Peels: These use natural and active ingredients to deeply exfoliate and stimulate new cell growth. They also deliver guaranteed results to improve skin health, tone and texture. Note: At-home chemical skin peels can be too harsh for rosacea so we advise you to seek professional help if you want to go down this route.

RE-Microneedling: This is one of the fastest-growing treatments in the UK and it uses dual-wave technology to target abnormal blood vessels and tissue. This makes it a great rosacea treatment but it also works to address other skincare conditions too.

LED Treatment: LED treatments work to target skin conditions like rosacea at a cellular level. It helps reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of the skin. We advise going to a clinic, like one of the Élan Laser Clinics, to get an LED treatment if you want to see the best and safest results. However, you can buy LED masks for use at home which can help at least make a dent in the problem. We’ve put the best LED masks to the test and you can read our reviews here.

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Alicia Broadest

Alicia is a PR consultant and freelance journalist with more than a decade specialising in all things tech. In her free time, when not juggling three children, she writes beauty articles and can be found wining and dining writing food and drink reviews

The post Best rosacea treatment UK: 6 of our fave rosacea creams and moisturiser that reduce redness appeared first on mamabella.

Best eczema treatment UK: Five eczema creams for treating atopic to dyshidrotic dermatitis

Alicia Broadest — Mon, 22 May 2023 07:00:31 +0000

We’ve handpicked the best eczema treatment creams in the UK that help soothe and calm the skin without making things worse

With no cure, eczema can have a significant impact on daily life and may be difficult to cope with physically and mentally so finding the best eczema treatment can make all the difference.

We recently spoke to experts to learn more about the different eczema types and what eczema looks like and in this guide, we’re rounding up the best eczema treatment options to help bring you some relief.

Each of these eczema creams comes highly recommended by skincare experts and consumers alike and has been proven to calm skin and keep flare-ups to a minimum.

We should point out that if you find an eczema treatment that makes your condition worse, stop using whatever product you’ve chosen, give your skin a chance to settle down and speak to a doctor or dermatologist if symptoms persist.

Best eczema treatment creams

CeraVe Moisturising Cream
Aveeno Dermexa Cream
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+M
Balneum Dry and Itch Relief Cream
Ecooking Multi Balm

CeraVe Moisturising Cream

£17 | Buy now

CeraVe

Why we love it: The CeraVe Moisturising cream is a go-to eczema treatment because it’s a great all-rounder.

Not only does this protective moisturising body cream provide all-day hydration for dry skin, but the cream contains three naturally occurring ceramides.

Ceramides are your skin’s natural fats – or lipids – and they make up around 30-40% of the outer layer of our skin.

You can read more in our guide to ceramides, but in short, these lipids help to maintain your skin’s moisture and are essentially what holds the skin together in the way mortar does with bricks.

Elsewhere, this formula contains hyaluronic acid, which is essential in supporting the skin barrier and attracting and locking in hydration.

In our CeraVe Moisturising Cream review, our editor Victoria said:

“As soon as our skin was used to the cream, our complexion was the best it’s looked in a long time.” It reduced her redness and her skin looked less angry.

Plus, because it’s a thick cream, a little goes a long way which makes it great value for money.

See our science of moisturiser article or our What is hyaluronic acid guide? for more info.

Read our full CeraVe Moisturising Cream review here

Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream

£12 | Buy now

Aveeno

Why we love it: Experts claim that oatmeal baths can relieve many skin conditions, and Aveeno has long been exploring the benefits of this throughout its entire skincare range.

In particular, oats have been found to soothe inflammation and gently exfoliate, while supporting the skin barrier, making them great for eczema.

The Aveeno Dermexa Daily cream – known as the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Cream outside of the UK – uses colloidal oatmeal as a key ingredient.

In fact, it contains what the brand calls its Active Naturals Triple Oat Complex, which consists of avenanthramides, oat oil, and colloidal oatmeal.

Avenanthramides are bioactive compounds found in oats and have been shown to help with itching and redness associated with eczema and dermatitis.

They can also help repair the skin barrier function thanks to their antioxidant properties.

Elsewhere, it contains ceramides and it helps to balance the skin microbiome.

This cream is a must-have to reduce the itching and irritation of eczema when it all gets a little too much to bear.

It revives dry, itchy skin; its nourishing formula works to restore the skin’s own protective function, and it provides an impressive 24 hours of moisture as part of an eczema treatment.

Read our Aveeno Oat Gel moisturiser review here

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+M

From £15 | Buy now

La Roche-Posay

Why we love it: La Roche-Posay is certainly up there as one of our favourite skin care brands right now, and the Lipikar Balm AP+M did not let us down.

This is a hydrating, soothing balm for dry skin and is suitable for everyone, including babies from three months old.

The AP+M stands for Aqua Posae filiformis, and Microresyl. Both ingredients are unique, trademarked ingredients only found in La Roche Posay products.

AP grows naturally in LRP’s Thermal Spring Water – the flagship ingredient found in all LRP products – and has been shown to increase hydration and balance the “microbial diversity” of the skin.

Not having enough microbes, or lacking microbial diversity has been linked with poor skin health and it can cause damage to the skin barrier, particularly in people with atopic eczema and dermatitis.

Meanwhile, Microresyl has been shown to prevent the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus’ from latching itself onto the skin.

As Staphylococcus aureus is one of the biggest causes of skin itching and irritation for atopic-prone skin, Microresyl reduces the chances of irritation and thus helps with itching.

The triple-action balm penetrates the skin almost instantly to soothe the skin and provides up to 48-hour hydration.

The AP+M formula also restores the skin barrier function, reducing the frequency of dry skin flare-ups, and helping to rebalance the skin microbiome over time.

Read our La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleanser review here

Balneum Eczema Treatment Cream

£13 | Buy now

Balneum

Why we love it: The Balneum Dry and Itch Relief Cream has to be a top contender in terms of eczema treatment creams.

With so many big-name brands on the market, this cream deserves a top spot alongside those that have come before because it’s dedicated solely to improving the life of eczema sufferers.

Not only is it clinically proven to relieve itchy skin in five minutes or less, thanks to the use of urea, but this comfort lasts up to 24 hours.

Elsewhere, it contains an ingredient called Lauromacrogols – also known as lauromacrogol 400 or polidocanol.

This is a chemical compound that’s a mix of fatty alcohols (the good kind of alcohol, not the drying kind!).

They come from lauric acid which is used as a local anesthetic.

As a result, the Balneum Dry and Itch Relief Cream helps hydrate and soothe all types of dry skin, including those requiring eczema treatment and psoriasis.

There are a number of other great eczema products in the range too, including the Balneum Lotion and the Oleo Wash so we’ve linked to the brand’s Amazon homepage above rather than individual products.

If you just want the cream, click the link below to get the best deals.

Ecooking Multi Balm

£20 | Buy now

Ecooking

Why we love it: Ecooking is another beauty brand that’s making waves (we’re big fans of its eye cream and it recently featured in our best rosacea cream list), and its Multi Balm is a dry skin saviour.

The balm makes for the perfect ‘spot treatment’ cream or can be used as an all-over moisturiser.

It’s suitable for use on dry skin on the face as well as the body, too.

This balm has a softening and calming effect that banishes uncomfortable, irritated skin in no time, making it an ideal eczema treatment.

It’s ultra-hydrating, and super soothing – formulated with organic argan oil and shea butter, as well as natural vitamin E to hydrate cracked skin, dehydrated complexions, and dry lips.

Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that help to tackle free radicals, which are to blame for causing signs of premature ageing as well as damage to the skin barrier, and dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

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Alicia Broadest

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Cellulite: What is cellulite and how to get rid of the dreaded orange peel

Alicia Broadest — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 19:00:08 +0000

Below we explain the causes of cellulite as well as the different ways in which you can get rid of it or at least reduce its appearance

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What is cellulite?

What causes cellulite?

How to get rid of cellulite

The best cellulite creams, lotions and leggings

An estimated 90% of women, and 10% of men, have cellulite. It’s much more common than you might think, and it doesn’t just affect people who are overweight – far from it.

The cellulite treatment and cream market has been growing steadily in recent years and is set to soar in the next five years, which just goes to show that we’ve been waging war on the dreaded orange peel for years!

But what is cellulite, and why is it so hard to get rid of? To help get to the bottom of this, we’ve spoken to experts to reveal what causes cellulite and the science of cellulite removal.

You can also see our tried-and-tested recommended cellulite treatments here.

FURTHER READING: Best cellulite cream: Say goodbye to cellulite on your bum and thighs with these anti-cellulite treatments

Cellulite

Unfortunately, we are not about to reveal any magic remedies or cellulite cures because there aren’t any. There isn’t a quick fix to get rid of cellulite but there are products that can reduce or minimise its appearance.

There is also a number of common myths that our experts are on hand to debunk. But first, let’s explain what cellulite is and what causes it.

What is cellulite?

Underneath the skin lies a layer of fibrous connective tissue that is responsible for holding the skin to the muscle beneath it.

In women particularly, this connective tissue runs perpendicular to the skin and tethers the skin to the underlying tissue causing fat cells to push up on the skin while the bands pull the skin downward.

Over time, this connective tissue becomes less supple and elastic. This can create an increased pull on the skin whilst increasing fat stores push outward. This results in the dimples and ‘orange peel skin’ many of us recognise as cellulite.

What causes cellulite?

Keegan Hurd

Some women are more predisposed to cellulite than others, according to a number of studies, and cellulite is more commonly found on the buttocks and thighs as a result of fat cells pushing up against the skin over the fibrous connective tissue bands.

According to Shabir Daya, MRPharmS, co-founder at Victoria Health, “this may be related to the female hormone, oestrogen, which plays a key role in the breakdown of collagen, the substance that gives skin its elasticity and structure.

“Current thinking is that it is the destruction of collagen, which would normally keep fat tissue contained in well-organised structures, which results in the release of fats and toxins giving cellulite its characteristic appearance.”

FURTHER READING: The science of wrinkles and collagen

Does this mean men can’t get cellulite?

Suggesting men don’t get cellulite is fallacious – “both men and women have a layer of fat under the skin and although women develop cellulite more often than men, it can affect both sexes and tends to get worse as we age and lose collagen/muscle mass,” Lucy Dawe, Senior Consultant at Pulse Light Clinic told mamabella.

Additionally, in most men, this connective tissue is arranged in a cross-hatched or diagonal manner and their skin is thicker, making cellulite less noticeable.

Does it only affect overweight people?

People of all body types and weights can get cellulite – it is not the reserve of overweight people or people carrying excess fat.

While fat deposits do exacerbate the condition, fat itself is not the primary cause.

“Cellulite is subcutaneous fat (fat that is under the layers of skin). If someone is leaner, there is less fat, but they can still have cellulite,” added Lucy.

The amount of cellulite you have, and how noticeable it is, can be down to genes, body fat percentage, age, and even the thickness of your skin.

How to get rid of cellulite

The bottom line is that there is no cellulite treatment that will rid you completely of your dimply skin. There’s no simple solution or miracle product, but there are ways you can look to minimise its appearance and boost your body confidence.

Diet, exercise, and increased water intake can help boost collagen and get rid of cellulite – or at least a significant amount of it. There are also numerous surgical and clinical procedures that can help.

However, below we’ve focused on the non-invasive options and recommended products that have proven results in getting rid of cellulite, or at least a lot of it.

Cellulite treatment: Vellashape

Pulse Light Clinic

The Vellashape cellulite treatment uses Vela technology, which uses a combination of infrared light and radio-frequency energy with a vacuum . This technology causes deep heating of the fat cells, their surrounding connective tissue and the underlying dermal collagen fibres.

This type of efficient heating and vacuum stimulates the growth of new collagen and elastin which results in the reduction of skin laxity, body volume and an overall improvement in skin structure and texture.

Gradual improvement of the treated area can be seen following the first treatment – with the skin surface of the treated area feeling smoother and firmer. You can read more about this cellulite treatment here.

Get rid of cellulite with dry brushing

The Body Shop

Dry brushing, whilst not the most favourable exercise in our beauty regime, can have numerous benefits.

It is known to increase circulation, stimulate your lymph helping your body metabolise toxins more efficiently, and ultimately decrease cellulite.

Additionally, it clears pores, removes dry and dead skin, discourages fluid retention and softens and tones the skin.

We highly recommend the Cactus Long Handle brush from The Body Shop (£10) as well as the Elemis Detox Skin Brush (£21). They both use cactus bristles that kickstart the circulation and sweep away dead skin cells.

The Body Shop cactus brush can only be used with the long handle attached, but the extra you pay for the Elemis brush allows you to remove the brush head and get better access to your inner legs, as an example.

To get the best results of this quite painful and uncomfortable cellulite treatment, brush upwards towards the heart, from the soles of your feet, avoiding sensitive areas. This should be done every day before you shower.

Get rid of orange peel skin with Birch Oil

Weleda

Whist we’ve previously provided our pick of the best body firming creams, the Weleda Birch Oil (£25) is one to add to the list.

This is a genuinely natural product that visibly improves the smoothness of the skin after just one month of regular use, massaging into the skin with a circular motion.

Formulated to tone and firm skin, and tackle areas of cellulite, this natural body oil is made from organic silver birch, to encourage elimination processes, flush out toxins and restore skin radiance.

Combined with organic rosemary extract to stimulate circulation and metabolic processes, toning ruscus extract, and skin-smoothing oils of revitalising apricot, vitamin-rich wheat-germ and replenishing jojoba and a refreshing citrus fragrance.

Get more cellulite product recommendations in our guide to the best cellulite cream or read our Weleda Skin Food review here

Tighten your skin with smart anti-cellulite leggings

Assome!

That’s right, you can get rid of cellulite just by wearing clothes! The Assome! Smart Leggings are one of many on the market designed to effortlessly fight dimples.

Made with anti-cellulite fibres and Assome! Microcapsules, which lock in the anti-cellulite and anti-ageing plant extracts including kelp, gotu kola and ginkgo which make up the leggings fabric.

The leggings provide all-day cellulite reduction, improved skin hydration and moisture, revamped blood circulation and boosted collagen production.

The leggings are beyond comfortable, the fabric is soft, and they are high-waisted thus giving great shape. Additionally, there is an instant reduction in the visibility of cellulite through the fabric even before they start working their magic.

They’re not cheap though, coming in at £74.90!

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Alicia Broadest

The post Cellulite: What is cellulite and how to get rid of the dreaded orange peel appeared first on mamabella.

How to get straight, sleek hair with our pick of the best hair straightening products

Alicia Broadest — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Tousled, wavy hair is one fashion style that doesn’t seem to have lost its appeal – it’s perfectly chic and an ideal way to avoid excess damage from heat styling. We love it so much we recently detailed all the best products for wavy and curly hair.

Yet, if catwalks and editorial features are anything to go by, straight, sleek hair is making a strong comeback.

Pin-straight locks provide a simple, glossy, polished look but they’re much harder to achieve than they may first appear. Certainly without causing your hair all sorts of damage in the process.

Thankfully, the market is saturated with straighteners and straightening products, the challenge now is creating ‘poker straight’ precision.

mamabella takes a look at a selection of the best straightening products to help you get that sleek finish.

Best products for sleek, straight hair

Best shampoo and conditioner for straight hair: Virtue Smooth – From £14
Best serum for straight hair: Fudge Aqua Shine Serum – £11
Best leave-in conditioner for straight hair: Palmer’s Coconut Oil Leave-In – £5
Best wide-plate iron: Paul Mitchell Neuro Smooth XL – £135
Best smart straightener: GHD Platinum Plus – £169
Best cordless straightener: Dyson Corrale straighteners – £400

︎ Virtue Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner

From £14 | Buy now from SpaceNK

Virtue

Why we love it? The Virtue Smooth range is designed for those less fortunate souls who dream of perfectly pressed locks but were blessed with frizz and curls.

Each product in the range complements each other to give a super sleek finish.

Skip a couple of weeks of using the shampoo and conditioner and we have silky straight hair that smells divine! With fragrant notes of calming lavender, rejuvenating mint and creamy woods, coupled with a nourishing cocktail of pink pomelo, it’s a sensory overload. Like Herbal Essences on crack, and without the damaging chemicals.

What’s more, the products are clinically proven to smooth cuticles and reduce frizz with exclusive, multi-patented Alpha Keratin 60ku technology. Alpha Keratin 60ku smooths and seals the hair shaft, making it more resistant to humidity and environmental factors. Something that we ca vouch for!

FURTHER READING: Why sodium lauryl sulfate found in high-street shampoos is being shunned by experts

Buy now from SpaceNK

︎ Fudge Aqua Shine Serum

From £11 | Buy now from Amazon

Fudge

Why we love it? No matter how skilful you are at dealing with frizz, when you are in humid weather it is likely to puff into a cloud like state atop your head.

This is because it draws the moisture from the air and delivers it back into the strands, causing them to go back to their natural state.

Just a pea-sized amount of the lightweight Fudge Professional Aqua Shine Serum, smoothed through dry hair, will ensure a super glossy finish with its Weather-Shield technology that delivers all-day humidity resistance and frizz control.

Infused with hyaluronic acid and our Shine-Lock technology to envelop each strand, Fudge Professional Aqua Shine Enhancing Hair Serum smooths down cuticles for long-lasting shine.

Buy now from Amazon

︎ Palmer’s Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner

£5 | Buy now from Superdrug

Palmer's

Why we love it? Sprayed through damp hair, the Palmer’s Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner instantly detangles, putting an end to tugging and pulling at knotty hair. Just a few sprays in the hair creates an instant silkiness for easier comb-through and styling.

This conditioner won’t leave your hair looking greasy and the hair-nourishing emollients fortify hair, control frizz, reduce split-ends and guarantee you’re left with more supple, softer tamed tresses.

Plus, Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula products contain ethically and sustainably sourced Coconut Oil and Tahitian Monoï, infused with Tiaré flower petals.

Palmer’s offers a great range of other products too. The Coconut Oil Formula Dry Oil Mist (£9.99) will re-hydrate, revitalise and add silkiness to hair without weighing it down. Ideal if you are using straightening irons on a regular basis.

Buy now from Superdrug

︎ Paul Mitchell Neuro Smooth XL

£135 | Buy now from Treat Your Skin

Paul Mitchell

Why we love it? Perfect for long, thick or coarse hair, these wide straighteners have 1.5-inch IsoTherm titanium plates, with bevelled edges to glide through hair and protect it from stress and demarcation lines.

They boast a programmable temperature setting making them easy to use, and the SmartSense microchip regulates temperature 50 times per second for lightning-fast heat recovery. The temp can reach 230°C in as little as 45 seconds – but if you have fine hair, we recommend keeping it at around 185°C or less to prevent excess damage.

Having raved about GHDs for years, we found it hard to believe there was anything else like it on the market. Much to our disbelief, the Neuro Smooth XL is certainly a strong contender.

As a side note, the wide plates mean that should you get bored of your straight locks, you can easily revert to some beautifully soft curls if you’ve mastered the art of curling with straightening irons – oh the irony!

FURTHER READING: How to curl hair with straighteners according to the experts at GHD and Trevor Sorbie

Buy now from Treat Your Skin

︎ GHD Platinum Plus

£189 | Buy now from GHD

GHD

Why we love it? As if you needed an excuse to invest in a set of GHDs – a product no woman should be without – it’s flagship model is the GHD Platinum Plus.

This straightening iron certainly lives up to the reputation that beholds GHD stylers, but now offers so much more to boot.

The so-called smart styler incorporates groundbreaking ultra-zone technology that predicts the needs of your hair and adjusts the temperature accordingly, so you don’t end up burning your lengths, leaving you with a flawless finish, personalised to you.

Infinity sensors monitor heat 250 times a second across the high-gloss plates, so no matter your hair type or length, the results are amazing. The proof is in the finish and there is no bolder statement than shiny, dead-straight locks.

What’s more, long gone are the days of black GHDs with yellow plates. You can buy the GHD Platinum Plus in baby pink, scarlet, cobalt blue, black and white.

FURTHER READING: GHD Platinum Plus review

Buy now from GHD

︎ Dyson Corrale – £400

£400 | Buy now from Dyson

Dyson

Why we love it? If you are looking for revolutionary hair technology, this is it!

Dyson has disrupted the haircare market with its breakthrough heat styling products and while they’re all incredibly pricey, they pack a punch in terms of the features they offers.

What’s more, we recently took a virtual tour of the Dyson research labs and the amount of effort that goes into testing the products on real hair is mind-blowing (and goes someway towards justifying the high price).

By far the biggest selling point is the fact the Corrale can be used as a cordless straightener.

A 70-minute charge will provide sufficient power for 30 minutes of cord-free styling, so if there are any campers amongst us, or anyone rushing out the door in a hurry, it’s so easy to drop it in your bag and run it over your hair on the go.

It may be heavier and a little more cumbersome than the average hair straightener, because of the built-in battery, but it also comes with flexing copper plates which regulate the temperature 100 times a second, to avoid heat fluctuation, and in turn less hair damage (50% less breakage according to Dyson).

You also don’t need to go over the same section of hair more than once .There are three heat settings 165°C, 185°C and 210°C that can be adjusted according to your hair type for less frizz and fewer flyaways.

FURTHER READING: Dyson Corrale straightener review

Buy now from SpaceNK

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Alicia Broadest

The post How to get straight, sleek hair with our pick of the best hair straightening products appeared first on mamabella.

Eczema: What is it, what causes it and can you ever truly get rid of it?

Alicia Broadest — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 10:19:24 +0000

Picture credit: Shutterstock

Whether it’s because we now know more about eczema, or because our lifestyles have changed so rapidly in recent years, but the number of people with the skin condition has been rising for more than a decade.

Although it predominantly affects children (10-20%) – with 60% of them developing it before the age of one, and 80% before age five – it’s also prevalent in around 1-3% of adults.

This percentage drops so significantly because the majority of children outgrow having eczema but, even if it hasn’t reappeared for years, this chronic condition can result in regular flare-ups.

Although there are a series of paid research studies on the condition, up until today, eczema has no cure – particularly severe forms – and can have a significant impact on daily life, making it difficult to cope with physically and mentally.

To help manage its symptoms, we’ve spoken to experts to learn more about the different types, what causes it, and the best eczema treatments to give you some relief.

READ NEXT: Best eczema treatments

What is eczema?

This is a complicated question to answer because there are various types, yet all of them manifest themselves as typically itchy or painful skin conditions.

It is suggested that where there is a breakdown of the skin barrier, it can lead to exposure of allergens via the skin which results in sensitisation (production of IgE antibodies) and the development of an allergy.

According to Dr Ross Perry, owner of skin clinics chain Cosmedics, “there is no set pattern to what triggers eczema and at what age. There is a vast range of potential triggers that could influence a person’s eczema.

“For some, it is external factors, such as exposure to irritants. So if a person’s career requires them to use products such as hand gel or cleaning agents, then that could easily cause flare-ups. Having the hands wet a lot, or exposed to the cold can also make it flare up in later life.

Eczema is worse in winter as cold weather tends to make the skin drier and more reactive to the inflammatory process. Hormones can also be a factor, so while some may find that their eczema improves after childhood and puberty, others may find that it gets worse during or after the menopause.”

Eczema types

Atopic eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is the most common type.

This causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked, and it’s estimated that as many as 15 million people in the UK could be living with the condition.

PSORIASIS VS ECZEMA

We should also note that psoriasis is not a form of eczema. They are separate skin conditions, even though they look similar.

Psoriasis causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales, usually on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. The patches are usually small, can can be itchy and sore.

It affects 2% of people in the UK and is believed to be an auto-immune condition that develops in people between the ages of 15-35.

The second most common type of eczema is irritant eczema.

As its name suggests, this is caused by irritants in soaps, hand washes and similar and is especially prevalent in people who frequently wash their hands.

In fact, the increased hand washing, lifestyle changes, and heightened stress levels throughout lockdown will certainly have impacted many irritant eczema sufferers.

Dyshidrotic eczema: This form, also known as pompholyx eczema, leads to small, very itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet.

It tend to affect women more than men and is linked to seasonal allergies. The blisters can last up to three weeks before they dry and become cracked.

Discoid eczema: Also known as nummular eczema or discoid dermatitis, this type causes skin to become itchy, swollen and cracked in circular or oval patches.

Without treatment, discoid eczema can last for weeks, months or years and is one of the most likely to flare up regularly, often in the same areas each time.

Varicose eczema: This type affects the lower legs and is also known as venous, gravitational or stasis eczema. People with varicose veins are more likely to have this type of eczema and it makes the skin look red or brown, and crusty.

“Individuals may find the condition is cyclical, where it goes in stages of flaring up and bothering them to being non-existent.

“There is no cure, however you can manage the condition through effective emollient use, lifestyle changes and meditation”, dermatologist Dr Mary Sommerlad on behalf of Cetraben told mamabella.

How to get rid of eczema (or at least keep it at bay)

“The best advice is to try to work out what your triggers are and avoid them where possible,” advised Dr Perry. “For all sufferers, regular moisturising with a non-irritant is vital to keep the condition at bay.

“Also try to avoid scented creams and retinol based products. Whenever there’s a flare-up, try to get it under control as quickly as possible.”

Other top tips include:

Try to avoid using too many soaps as this dries out the skin and irritates
Use a moisturising shower wash or bath emollient helps prevent the skin from drying
Pat skin dry rather than rubbing it dry with a towel after bathing
Use general moisturiser like double base or Aveeno after washing.

“If the flare-up is not controlled then some simple hydrocortisone cream may help, but stronger creams will need to be prescribed by your doctor”, Dr Perry added.

The simple basics with eczema is to apply creams to all key trigger areas such as the face, hands, neck and elbow creases, for example.

Applying moisturisers daily will keep the skin well moisturised and clean and help to prevent the rubbing and scratching of the skin –anti-inflammatory creams should be applied when the skin is particularly irritable.

We’ve picked what we consider to be the best and most effective creams and lotions on our eczema treatment page.

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Alicia Broadest

The post Eczema: What is it, what causes it and can you ever truly get rid of it? appeared first on mamabella.

Best hair removal cream: Fight the fuzz with our fave hair removal creams from Veet, Nair and more

Alicia Broadest — Tue, 26 May 2020 12:03:42 +0000

Quarantine certainly has a lot to answer for, and while there’s many things we’ve had to let slip during lockdown, grooming and beauty treatments are high up there. As a result, we’ve well and truly reached the need for the best hair removal cream stage of isolation!

While it’s not the most pressing issue during the current climate, a little self-care goes a long way and, in some ways, our bodies can benefit from the break. Be it healthier hair through less bleach and heat styling, or allowing nail repair and regrowth.

That said, there is one beauty regime some of us just can’t do without – hair removal.

READ NEXT: How do hair removal creams work?

Probably one of the least glamorous and slightly more fear-inducing beauty treatments, hair removal is definitely one usually best left to the professionals.

But before you recoil in horror at the thought of stripping wax from your nether regions, or leaving behind an unsightly shaving rash, we’ve rounded up some super home remedies by way of the best hair removal creams.

Best hair removal cream

Editor’s Pick: Laidbare Hair Today Gone Tomorrow – £10
Bargain buy: Nair TOUGH HAIR Hair Removal Cream – £6.19
Luxury buy: Skin Doctors Hair No More Hair Removal System Pack – £18.99
Best in-shower hair removal cream: WooWoo Tame It – £6.75
Best hair removal for sensitive skin: Veet Hair Removal Cream – £12.59

1. Editor’s pick: Laidbare Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

£10 | Buy now

Laidbare

Why we love it: It’s not the cheapest on this list of best hair removal creams, but it’s certainly less costly than a series of laser hair removal treatments!

Offering something a little different, the Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow cream is a clever hair-minimising daily moisturiser designed to help slow down hair regrowth after waxing and shaving.

If applied daily, and ideally after shaving or waxing, the cream helps to stunt future hair growth by targeting it with its inhibiting ingredients. Ingredients such as a botanical complex of Liquorice extract, Caffeine, and Horse Chestnut seed extract.

What’s even better is that it also makes for a fantastic moisturiser and will leave your legs silky smooth whilst simultaneously targeting regrowth. To top it off, it has a delicate citrus scent, unlike the unfavourable smells we have come to recognise with traditional hair removal creams. This is why it’s our Editor’s Pick.

Buy now from Amazon

2. Bargain Buy: Nair TOUGH HAIR Hair Removal Cream

£6.19 | Buy now from Superdrug

mamabella | mamabella

Why we love it: This has to be the holy grail of hair removal and from a brand many of us will be familiar with. With a host of hair removal products on the market, Nair’s offers something for everyone at a highly affordable price.

Whether you are blessed with naturally fair, easy-to-remove hair or more coarse stubborn stubble, Nair TOUGH HAIR Hair Removal Cream is one of the brand’s bestsellers and will leave you with smooth results that last for up to seven days.

What’s more is it’s super simple, efficient and effective. Just smooth on and leave for the desired time depending on the thickness of your hair – once ready simply rinse and wipe off in the shower. No lasting odour and no spatula/scraper required – ideal!

Buy now from Superdrug

3. Luxury buy: Skin Doctors Hair No More Hair Removal System Pack

£18.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Skin Doctors

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a luxurious treatment that gives the best of both worlds, the Skin Doctors Hair No More Hair Removal System Pack takes a two-pronged attack in the fight against fuzz. Get super-smooth legs with the two-step system that includes hair removal cream and hair growth inhibitor spray.

The cream works by dissolving the proteins that naturally grow your hair, for a soft and smooth finish.

The inhibitor spray then weakens the hair’s reappearance by entering the pores of your skin, saturating the hair bulb and preventing it from returning to growth, so you are left with hair free skin that’s insanely soft to the touch.

It may be pricier than the other treatments but it certainly has that spa feel about it, and if you shop around there are some great bargains to be found.

Buy now from Amazon

4. WooWoo Tame It

£6.75 | Buy now from Superdrug

WooWoo

Why we love it: We were a little sceptical about this hair removal cream, having not come across the brand previously, but it was shockingly good! You’ve got to time it just right – if you have coarse hair you’ll need leave it on for the full recommended time – but the results are incredible.

Easily applied with the application spatula before being simple to rinse off in the shower, the WooWoo Tame It is the strongest smelling hair removal creams of all those tested but it’s also one of the easiest, and the results are more than worth it.

Buy now from Superdrug

5. Veet Hair Removal Cream with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E for Sensitive Skin

£12.59 | Buy now from Amazon

Veet

Why we love it: Definitely a firm favourite and a hero product in the hair removal market, the Veet Hair Removal Cream is the perfect choice for those of us with delicate and sensitive skin.

While creams are always kinder than shaving, some can leave a burning sensation on the skin, but not this product.

Its Hydro’Restor formula with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E helps to restore skin’s hydration levels leaving you with super smooth, hair-free skin.

Particularly in those nether areas that are prone to irritation, this cream is great, though it does have the familiar tinge of traditional hair removal creams.

Buy now from Amazon

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Alicia Broadest

The post Best hair removal cream: Fight the fuzz with our fave hair removal creams from Veet, Nair and more appeared first on mamabella.