From rashes to dry and itchy patches, menopause – and perimenopause – can do a real number on your skin, hair, body and mood.

In fact, a recent survey found that more than 70% of British women are worried about the negative impact of menopause on their skin.

With just over half of women aged over 45 citing concerns about weight gain and hot flashes.

Just like during puberty and pregnancy, fluctuations in hormone levels as your body goes through menopause are the cause of a whole host of symptoms including completely changing your skin type and tone.

They’re usually coupled with other skin changes that are more widely associated with age – sagging, pigmentation etc – and the result for many of us is having to switch up our routine, techniques and products we’ve used for decades.

Below we explain what happens during menopause when it comes to your skin and hair, and what you can do about it.

We’ve also explained how to use concealer on mature skin, and selected what we consider to be the best eye creams, best firming lotions and best anti-ageing creams if you want to know more about dealing with these changes.

FURTHER READING: Best menopause treatments 

What is menopause?

There are two major stages involved in menopause.

The first is called perimenopause and describes the period of time (usually several years) leading up to when your body stops having periods.

At this point, you enter the menopause phase which ends when your eggs stop being produced. This is, on average, around a year after your final period but can vary. The timings of perimenopause and menopause can also vary by age, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, but in rare cases (1 in 100 in the UK), it can start in your 30s.

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 58. However, a big misconception is that the term menopause covers the entire process. In fact, menopause is just a moment in time. Once a woman hasn’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, she’s finished menopause. Every symptom and change experienced before the end of this 12 months is known as perimenopause – and everything after it is post-menopause.’

In cases where women experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 45, this is clinically classified as early menopause, and anything earlier is classed as premature, or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

FURTHER READING: Worried about saggy boobs? Experts reveal how to beat the ‘boob drop’ or at least delay it

Menopause symptoms

To reach menopause, the body goes through a hormonal shift. Follicles in the ovaries die and stop secreting oestrogen and progesterone.

Oestrogen (the female sex hormone) helps maintain vaginal blood flow, lubrication and elasticity. It’s what causes the lining of the uterus to thicken during the menstrual cycle, but it’s also the hormone that contributes to brain health, bone health, and the function of the cardiovascular system, among other bodily functions.

At the same time, levels of progesterone similarly drop. This hormone is responsible for preparing the lining of the uterus for a fertilised egg and it helps keep the body in balance in early pregnancy.

To make matters worse, these two hormones work together in a delicate balance to keep the body in check so when perimenopause hits, this balance is thrown out of whack. The problem is because women’s bodies go through a state of hormonal flux on a monthly basis, many don’t realise they’re perimenopausal for months or even years.

Others may think they’re in perimenopause because they’re experiencing common symptoms but then these symptoms suddenly stop. This happens because the hormones that had been dropping may suddenly peak. It doesn’t mean the woman has stopped being in perimenopause, and this can be confusing and upsetting.

You can find out more about the symptoms, menopause treatments as well as how it impacts your sex life and more at Menopause Experts. The site offers free training and also offers training for men – the first of its kind.

FURTHER READING: The best intimate products for all your period and feminine hygiene needs

What happens during menopause

mamabella | mamabella

The experience is different for everyone, of course, but because it involves such significant shifts in hormone levels, perimenopause and menopause can also have a noticeable impact on skin and hair.

There are a number of products you can buy to lessen the impact or help manage it, and we’ve included some recommendations below. We’ve also got an entire article on natural menopause treatment options. It also helps to take a look at your diet and make sure that you’re not eating or drinking anything that will make the symptoms worse.

The key changes you can expect to see are summarised in the list below. Click the link next to each menopause symptom to jump straight to that section and learn more.

• Bruising easily – jump to section
• Slack skin and wrinkles – jump to section
• Dry skin – jump to section
• Acne or spots – jump to section
• Rashes – jump to section
• Facial hair – jump to section
• Hair loss – jump to section
• Anxiety and sleep problems – jump to section

︎ You might bruise more easily

During perimenopause, skin can become thinner and more prone to bruising. Using SPF helps slow the thinning of your skin, by reducing the damage caused by sunlight.

Sometimes retinoid treatments can also help prevent further thinning, but start with low concentrations and speak to a dermatologist if you have any questions about using them.

Menopause can also mean any wounds you receive might heal more slowly than before, but it is important not to worry about this happening. Care for the wound as usual and remember it will heal eventually.

READ NEXT: What is SPF and why is it so important?

︎ Slack skin and wrinkles

Lower oestrogen levels result in skin having less collagen, a protein that makes skin strong and elastic.

One study found that women lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen during the first five years after menopause.

Instead of being smooth and tight, this reduction in elasticity causes the skin to become loose and wrinkly. Bags under your eyes might start to become more pronounced, and skin can sag underneath your chin. This is also the reason why perimenopausal women tend to get more skin tags.

Again, the advice for combating wrinkles is to avoid being exposed to sunlight without using SPF and buy skincare products containing retinol or peptides.

We recommend the Elemis Pro-Collagen range, but it’s not cheap. A more affordable alternative is The Ordinary Buffet serum (£13.85) and The Inkey List Collagen Booster (£8.99).

If you can spend a little more – and in this instance, we believe it’s worth it – check out the Prai Beauty range. Not only is it vegan and cruelty-free, with a portion of every sale going to animal charities, but it also specialises in mature skin. It also happens to align very closely with what we at mamabella are striving for – real women and real beauty, whatever your age, skin type or tone.

It’s one of the few brands to sell products that focus purely on your neck and decolletage – the skin on your chest and between your boobs. These areas show signs of ageing as much, if not more,  than on your face so it’s worth paying them attention. The PRAI Ageless cream features in our best anti-ageing cream list and in our best neck cream guide.

All of these creams will certainly help reduce the effects, predominantly because they add a film-like layer to your skin to reduce water loss and protect it from environmental elements, but this is one symptom that will really benefit from an improved diet as well.

A popular choice (although one that doesn’t sound that appealing) is bone broth.

Bone broth draws collagen out of beef, chicken or fish bones by simmering them in water in a slow cooker for a couple of days and this creates a liquid you can drink or add to other dishes. You can also buy so-called beauty powders that contain collagen peptides and can be added to drinks, smoothies, soups, sauces and more.

FURTHER READING: Best anti-ageing creams and the best firming lotion for sagging skin

︎ Dry skin and itching 

Menopause causes dry skin in two ways – it causes your skin to produce fewer oils while also reducing the skin’s ability to hold onto moisture.

“The most common complaint among women around the time of menopause is itching and dry skin,” said Dr Elina Teser, molecular biochemist and founder of ABG Lab. “Oestrogen is required for skin hydration, as it helps the skin produce ceramides, natural hyaluronic acid and sebum.

“Without these substances, moisture in the skin evaporates easier causing the skin to become and feel dry.”

You can compensate for the drop in oil by using more oils in your skincare routine and moisturising daily. We explain more about facial oils in our skincare comparison guide.

You can also opt for products that contain ceramides, the whole CeraVe range is a good, affordable place to start, as well as hyaluronic acid serums.

Using milder cleansing products – check out our best cleanser guide for recommendations – can help reduce your skin’s dryness, too, especially if it is itchy. But dry skin can also be an indication of another underlying problem, a potential vitamin deficiency or a thyroid problem, so consult a doctor if you are concerned.

FURTHER READING: Best moisturiser | Best foundation for dry skin | What causes dry skin | Do you have dry skin or is it just dehydrated?

︎ Acne or spots

Pixabay

Just like during puberty, hormonal changes in menopause can sometimes lead to spots or acne.

“Many women,­ especially those who have a history of acne as a teenager, have acne and flare-ups around menopause and it is not clear why,” continued Dr Tester. “It is possible that a drop in oestrogen means the ratio of male hormones is relatively higher, and this may trigger acne.”

We recently reviewed Aegle’s Acne Clear Now Supplement and it’s made a big difference to our hormonal acne. It specifically targets the oestrogen imbalance that can bring on spots of women of all ages. You can read our Aegle’s review here.

Elsewhere, avoid over-washing the skin and use products with salicylic acid.

Read our guide on what causes acne and how to treat it and if the problem persists, consult a doctor.

Dark spots

iStock

Age and hormonal changes can also increase the chances of dark spots, also known as age spots or sunspots. Sunspots are flat brown marks that show up on the skin. At the same time, thread veins, lines or wrinkles may also develop.

These are caused by years of damage caused by exposure to the sun. It’s why SPF is such an important factor to include in your skincare regime from early on. You can read more in our how to get rid of age spots fast guide.

“Signs of sun damage and photo-sensitivity may become more prominent around menopause, especially for those who live in sunnier climes or have spent a considerable amount of time in the sun over their lifetime,” said Dr Tester. “This can result in irregular skin tone, lacklustre skin and sunspots.”

FURTHER READING: Best skincare for acne | Best dark spot correctors 

︎ Rashes or irritation

Shutterstock

As mentioned above, dry skin can often lead to itchiness, or in some cases rashes and irritated skin. Changes in the skin’s pH levels during menopause can also cause rashes or make conditions such as eczema worse. Using fragrance-free products, mild soaps and moisturising regularly can keep this under control.

We highly recommend Salcura’s Bioskin range for tackling eczema, psoriasis and other dry skin conditions. The Salcura Bioskin Junior Outbreak Rescue Cream, while designed for children, can also be used by adults to reduce itchiness while being gentle. We quite often pinch some of this from our son when our eczema flares up.

SVR is also another fantastic skincare brand designed for sensitive and irritation-prone skin.

FURTHER READING: Best rosacea cream | The surprising, hidden reason why you can’t sort out your skin

︎ Facial hair

The drop in oestrogen that happens during menopause can also lead to hair appearing in places you’ve not seen it before, particularly under your chin, above your top lip and on your jawline. If you want to remove the hair, options include waxing, laser treatment or creams.

You can find out more in our best hair removal cream guide and we’ve explained more permanent, or longer-lasting options in our Science of hair removal guide.

︎ Hair loss

Getty Images/iStockphoto

As we explain in our How to manage hair loss and make hair grow faster article, science suggests we lose between 50 to 100 strands of hair every day normally but as we get older, some of our follicles stop working (or retire!) and this is what causes hair to thin as you age. Making similar diet changes like those mentioned above, in our sagging skin section.

British hair and scalp expert Philip Kingsley treats over 3,000 clients per year and we spoke to the brand’s President and Consultant Trichologist Anabel Kingsley to find out more about how hair is affected by menopause symptoms. She explained:

1. Your hair can lose volume and length

Menopause causes oestrogen levels to decrease. Oestrogen is a hair-friendly hormone, helping to keep your hair in its anagen (growth) phase for longer, and this drop in oestrogen during menopause means the anagen (growth) phase can become shorter. As the hormonal balance is disrupted by less oestrogen protection, hair follicles become more sensitive to the male hormone (dihydrotestosterone) which start to shrink the follicle. Subsequently, each hair produced from the shrinking follicle is finer than the last.

Regaine

2. Your hair can break more easily

This is because the new hairs that your follicles produce become gradually finer, and finer hair is naturally more fragile. Therefore, it is increasingly important when reaching menopause that women seek products to strengthen and protect the hair against mechanical or chemical damage that can cause further weakening.

3. If you have a genetic predisposition for hair loss you are more prone to hair thinning

The drop in oestrogen levels around menopause means that you have a higher ratio of testosterone in your body, allowing it to have a stronger negative affect on your hair follicles. In women whose hair follicles are genetically sensitive to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), hair thinning during menopause is often more pronounced.

The best treatments for menopausal hair thinning should, therefore, address the hormonal sensitivity in the hair follicles. This usually involves a combination of hair follicle stimulants such as minoxidil and methyl nicotinate, stress management (stress can raise androgen levels in your body), and scalp drops containing hormones.

We recommend buying products that help you look after your scalp, rather than just your hair, and you should look out for products that feature ceramides and caffeine. Ceramides have been shown to help improve the barrier function of skin and lead to a more moisturised, less flaky scalp. Caffeine stimulates the skin and helps encourage hair to grow.

READ NEXT: Best hair masks

Philip Kingsley’s trichologists formulate prescription-only scalp drops, containing a combination of anti-androgenic hormones, as well as a follicle stimulant. In most cases, Philip Kingsley’s clients using these drops will see an improvement in their hair density within three-six months.

New Nordic Hair Volume Supplements can also help because they contain vitamins that support healthy hair volume and growth including natural apple proanthocyanidine-B2 growth factor. This stimulates hair epithelial cells and boosts your hair follicles, skin and nails. Although these supplements are great for menopausal woman, they equally benefit anyone with hair loss concerns.

You can read more about the truth behind beauty supplements in our guide. 

You should also do the following:

• Eat a healthy diet. Make sure that you have a diet rich in Vitamin C, D, B, A, and E, as well as iron, zinc, and protein
• Keep stress levels in check. Reduced estrogen levels can affect your brain chemistry, causing anxiety, depression, and mood swings (read on to learn more). Stress aggravates hair loss so trying meditation, yoga, pilates or mindfulness can help
• Shorten your hair. Cutting your hair can add volume and reduce the weight of your hair, helping you hide problem spots and camouflage the issue. Minimising heat damage can also help
• Try hair growth products. Try using hair-thickening shampoos and topical solutions. You can explore more in our menopause treatment guide.

FURTHER READING: How to hair oil

︎ Anxiety and sleep problems

Not a direct skin or hair impact, per se, but according to the National Sleep Foundation, 61% of women report experiencing symptoms of insomnia as they go through the stages of menopause.

Similarly, a recent survey by Anxiety UK found that 98% of women report feelings of anxiety during menopause and perimenopause and that 61% of these women have been recommended anti-depressants to treat their anxiety.

Kalms

“Anxiety occurs when your body’s fight or flight defence works continuously. An ‘imbalance’ in the way the body processes environmental and sensory stimuli leads to a disproportionate ‘excitatory’ response and excessive release of neurotransmitters between nerve cells in the brain. Leading to overstimulation of the nervous system and feelings of anxiety.

“During the menopause and perimenopause, changing hormone levels contribute to this imbalance in the brain and heightened levels of anxiety,” Immediate Past Chair of the British Menopause Society Kathy Abernethy explains: “When you start the menopause, oestrogen levels begin to decline and fluctuate. Your body also produces less progesterone.

“Both hormones influence the production of a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which is a mood-regulating transmitter. Alongside these emotional changes, coping with physical symptoms, such as sleeplessness and hot flushes, can leave women feeling worn out, frustrated and of course anxious.”

According to a Public Health England (PHE) report, women are 1.5 times more likely to be prescribed drugs, including SSRIs & Benzodiazepines, than men, too.

As an alternative, pharmaceutical-quality lavender oil – such as Kalms Lavender One-A-Day Capsules – taken orally can reduce excessive neurotransmitter activity, reduce overstimulation and hyperactivity of the nervous response, and improve symptoms of anxiety.

There is also a relatively new product, called The Night Drink from London-based wellness brand, TEN PM. Unlike other products focused on helping you feel relaxed and sleepy, The Night Drink has been made specifically with peri-menopausal and menopausal women in mind.

It contains a blend of seven natural ingredients that have been proven to help promote relaxation and induce sleep, including magnesium, L-theanine and L-Glycine. It doesn’t have harmful side effects and is a good option for women looking for natural menopause treatments.

READ NEXT: The truth about beauty supplements: Do they work and which ones should you take?

︎ How does hormone replacement therapy affect the skin?

Some people going through perimenopause choose to treat their symptoms with hormone replacement therapy – taking combinations of hormones to replace those no longer being produced by the body. In some cases, this can prevent many unwanted changes to the skin by addressing the root cause.

As its name implies, hormone replacement therapy is a treatment used to replace oestrogen and progesterone lost during perimenopause and menopause.

Treatment involves either taking both of these hormones, known as combined HRT, or by taking oestrogen-only HRT, usually only recommended if you’ve had a hysterectomy.

Historically, studies found that HRT could increase the risk of breast cancer but this has been largely refuted.

Older forms of HRT relied on synthetic forms of progesterone, and an oestrogen replacement typically made from mare’s urine, administered via a pill. More modern forms of HRT instead use what’s known as bioidentical hormones.

This means the chemical structure of the hormones in the treatment is identical to what women create naturally. And they’re now available in sprays, gels or patches – known as transdermal HRT.

Due to the fact modern, bioidentical HRT uses hormones that mimic those created naturally in the body, studies have reported fewer side effects including a lower risk of breast cancer than previously thought.

What’s more, transdermal HRT lowers the risk of breast cancer further because the hormones aren’t being transported into the body via the liver.

Medical reports found that it was the metabolism of oestrogen as it travelled through the liver, when delivered in pill-form, that was linked to increased instances of breast cancer, as well as blood clots and strokes. Delivering oestrogen via the skin lowers this risk, even for women with a past history of these conditions.

One study showed taking oestrogen supplements for one year could improve skin’s thickness by 30%. Another showed taking HRT for a year increased collagen by 6%

Not everyone will be eligible to undergo HRT and the decision to start taking hormone supplements should be made by taking into account all the pros and cons and consulting with your doctor.

What is regenerative therapy for menopausal skin?

Regenerative skin therapy, based on the principles of mesotherapy, can be extremely beneficial for peri and menopausal skin.

“This is because it effectively prejuvenates, or “buys time” for the skin, allowing it to stimulate collagen synthesis and bank collagen that is used to effectively stave off the first signs of wrinkles, and maintain the skin’s elasticity and firmness,” said Dr Tester who offers the treatment at ABG Labs. “As well as correcting areas of hyperpigmentation and imparting overall skin-tone uniformity and radiance.”

While many conventional menopause beauty treatments provide temporary results, regenerative beauty technologies aim to stimulate the skin’s own repair mechanisms. This leads to longer-lasting and more natural-looking outcomes, as the skin continues to heal and rejuvenate itself over time.

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post What happens to skin and hair during menopause? Tips on how to manage menopause symptoms appeared first on mamabella.

UPDATE: The Typology Advent Calendar 2023 has arrived. Coming in at £189 – but worth more than £370 – the 24-day calendar contains some of the French brand’s bestselling items. What’s more, 15 of them are full-size. You can see the full list of what’s in the Typology calendar below, or by going to our best beauty advent calendar, or best skincare advent calendar guide.

• 100% Squalane Serum for Dry Skin 15ml – full size
• 9-Ingredient Face Moisturizer – 15ml
• 9-Ingredient Lip Balm – 15ml – full size
• 9-Ingredient Soothing Serum – full size
• Exfoliating Serum with 8% Glycolic Acid – full size
• Exfoliating Toner with 8% Glycolic Acid – 50ml
• Eye Cream for Wrinkles & Fine Lines 1% Q10 + Prickly Pear Oil – full size
• Eye Serum with 5% Caffeine + 5% Niacinamide – 8ml
• Hand & Nail Serum with 1% Plant Keratin + 2% Hyaluronic Acid – 15ml – full size
• Hydrating Serum with 3% Hyaluronic Acid + 2% B5 – 8ml
• Lash & Brow Serum with 2% Pea Peptides + Castor Oil – full size
• Lip & Cheek Tinted Balm – Coral Orange – full size
• Mattifying Serum with 10% Azelaic Acid – 15 ml – full size
• Organic Peppermint Hydrosol – 50ml
• Plumping Serum with 3% Polyglutamic Acid + Red Seaweed Extract – 15ml – full size
• Purifying Botanical Blend with Peony – 8ml
• Purifying Mask with Charcoal + Nettle Extract – 15ml
• Purifying Moisturizer with 4% Zinc PCA + Bamboo Extract – 15ml
• Radiance Botanical Blend with Organic White Rose – full-size
• Radiance Serum with 11% Vitamin C – 8ml
• Repairing Lip Mask with 1% Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid – full size
• Serum for Fine Lines & Wrinkles with 0.3% Retinol – full-size
• Targeted Blemish Treatment with 1% Bakuchiol + Tea Tree Oil – full-size
• Tinted Lip Oil – Plum Purple – full-size

Alternatively, click the link below to go to Typology’s website.

Buy now

Original Typology guide continues below

After gaining an almost cult following in its home country of France, Typology is now on sale in the UK.

If you’re not yet familiar with Typology, it was set up by Made.com’s founder Ning Li to take skincare and beauty “back to basics.”

Channeling the likes of The Ordinary and Inkey List, Typology strips all the BS and unnecessary chemicals from its range in favour of high-quality, natural, ethically sourced, vegan skincare at an affordable price.

The brand even has an “ingredient blacklist” which lists all the ingredients it refuses to use, which range from SLS to parabens, silicone, and nanomaterials.

What’s more, the brand’s packaging is sustainable – coming in either glass for smaller items or recyclable plastic for larger ones, once a bottle is empty it can be repurposed.

READ NEXT: What’s all the fuss about clean beauty?

Typology Skincare UK

To introduce you to Typology Skincare, we’ve handpicked the best Typology Skincare products to get you started, based on different skin concerns.

Jump straight to each section using the links below

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Blemishes and acne
• Dark circles and eyebags
• Makeup
• Haircare

The best Typology Skincare for wrinkles and fine lines 

On the Typology Skincare site, you can search by product name or by skin concern. Our pick of the best product designed to target fine lines and wrinkles is the retinol serum.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles Serum 

£14.80 | Buy now

Typology Skincare

This serum contains three key active ingredients: Retinol (0.3%), Soy Oil and Castor Oil.

Retinol (also known as Vitamin A) is one of the most effective, and common, ingredients found in skincare designed to treat the signs of ageing.

It has a high level of antioxidants, meaning it fights off free radicals – the annoying molecules that cause premature ageing.

Retinol also targets inflammation, and pigmentation while boosting the skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid, leaving it hydrated and plump.

Soy oil is known to activate cell renewal, while castor oil helps cleanse the skin.

FURTHER READING: How to prevent wrinkles

Buy now from Typology

Face Routine for Mature Skin

£86 | Buy now from Typology

Typology Skincare

This Face Routine kit is designed to tighten and firm your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles:

• Hydrolate toner made from organic Damascus Rose – £8.80
• Antioxidant Serum made with 3% Ferulic Acid and 3% Resveratrol – £14.80
• 9-Ingredient Face Moisturiser – £17.80
• 7-Ingredient Makeup Removing Oil – £14.80
• Botanical Oil made from Organic Prickly Pear – £29.80

This kit cost £86 but you can remove any products you don’t want or need.

Buy now from Typology

The best Typology Skincare for acne and spots

Our pick of the best product designed to target acne, spots, blemishes, and imperfections is the Purifying Toner.

Purifying Toner

£17.80 | Buy now

Typology Skincare

The skin is naturally acidic and, as a result, cleansers with a higher pH can sometimes disturb this balance. If this balance is thrown off and the skin’s barrier is damaged, it can’t defend itself as well against bacteria and this can end up causing pimples and inflammation.

Typology Skincare’s purifying toner has an acidic pH similar to the skin’s and works to rebalance its pH after cleansing. This toner also removes the limestone and mineral residues found in tap water.

It contains four key ingredients including Salicylic Acid (1%), Centifolia Rose Hydrolat, Zinc, and Aloe Vera.

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) used to exfoliate the skin and get rid of the dead skin cells linked to larger pores, blackheads. It also helps manage the production of sebum, which is what leaves skin looking and feeling oily. You can read more in our The science of oily skin and how to get rid of it for good guide.

Centifolia Rose is a fragrant flower from which soothing floral water is extracted. This water is astringent, firms the skin and cleans pores.

Derived from beetroot, zinc is ideal for oily skin and significantly reduces how much sebum is produced. It promotes healthy cells and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier. While Aloe Vera hydrates and soothes the skin, relieving irritation and itching.

FURTHER READING: What does face toner do?

Buy now from Typology

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Face Routine for visible pores and blackheads

£53.20 | Buy now

Typology Skincare

 

This Face Routine kit is designed to tighten your pores and reduce their appearance, which in turn helps reduce the appearance of blackheads through the use of:

• Hydrolate Organic Peppermint – £8.80
• Exfoliating Toner 8% Glycolic Acid – £17.80
• Exfoliating Serum 10% Glycolic Acid – £11.80
• Botanical Oil Organic hazelnut – £14.80

Buy now from Typology

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The best Typology Skincare for dark circles and bags

Our pick of the best product designed to target dark circles and bags is the Typology Eye Serum.

Eye Serum

£11.80 | Buy now

Typology Skincare

Eye bags are caused by a build-up of water and fat. While dark circles are caused by poor blood circulation. Typology Skincare’s Eye Serum contains three key active ingredients to target both of these problems – Caffeine, Niacinamide and Albizia Julibrissin extract.

Naturally found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans, caffeine helps improve blood circulation and reduce water retention, helping to get rid of dark circles under the eyes. Blood also carries nutrients around your body, so the more blood you can get to the surface of your skin, the more nutrients it can deliver.

Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, similarly improves the regulation of blood circulation in the capillary veins (small blood vessels around the eyes) and can reduce redness.

Meanwhile, Albizia Julibrissin extract restores radiance to the skin. Tired-looking skin is caused by what’s known as glycation and glycoxidation. Glycation is a natural chemical reaction of sugar molecules attaching themselves to proteins in the skin.

Once attached, it makes the proteins more sensitive to oxidation (glycoxidation). This leads to oxidative stress, which results in more free radicals being released. These free radicals then cause fine lines to appear around the eyes. Cutting down on sugar can help. As can this serum.

You can read more about free radicals in our guide to the best foods for skin guide. 

READ NEXT: Best eye cream for dark circles and bags

Buy now from Typology

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Face Routine for Dull and Tired Skin

£62 | Buy now

Typology Skincare

This Face Routine kit is designed to brighten your skin and revitalise your under eye area through the use of:

• Hydrolate— Organic Cornflower – £8.80
• Eye Serum— 5% Caffeine + 5% Niacinamide – £11.80
• Radiance Serum— 11% Vitamin C – £11.80
• 9-Ingredient Face Moisturiser – £17.80
• Macerated Oil Organic Carrot – £11.80

Buy now from Typology

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The best Typology Skincare makeup

Typology Skincare also sells products that combine the benefits of skincare with the coverage of makeup. It’s a rising trend that was made popular by IT Cosmetics with its Your Skin But Better Foundation+Skincare’ staple, and more recently with the launch of the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation. Glossier should also get a shoutout for its Skin Tint, as should The Ordinary for its Serum foundation.

Tinted Concealer

£21.20 | Buy now

Typology

The beauty of the Typology Tinted Concealer is that it combines the skincare benefits of an eye cream with the medium, natural coverage of concealer.

This is because it contains caffeine – a wonder ingredient for making your skin look more awake – with niacinamide and cornflower hydrolate. These ingredients combine to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Not just when it’s being worn, but over time too.

There are only six shades available in the Typology Tinted range, but this because they’ve been created on what’s known as the Fitzpatrick Phototype Scale.

Developed by an American dermatologist from Harvard, this scale classifies different people’s skin tones – or phototypes – based on how they react to sun exposure.

For example, the more melanin your skin releases, the darker it gets and the better protected it is from sun damage. People who burn easily sit at the lower end of the scale, while people who never burn and only tan are at the upper end.

Typology has a useful Shade Finder guide to help you know which concealer you need.

Buy now from Typology

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Tinted Serum

£25.80 | Buy now

Typology

The Tinted Serum from Typology combines all of its skincare expertise into a formula that improves the skin while making you glow. It’s silicone-free and non-comedogenic and provides a light coverage that is perfect for a natural no-makeup finish.

On the skincare side, this tinted serum contains Vitamin C to brighten your skin and leave it looking radiant; squalane to help with hydration and anti-ageing, and aloe vera which calms and cools redness and helps with breakouts.

As with all Typology products, the formula of this serum is naturally derived and vegan and like with the Tinted Concealer, there are only six shades to choose from when buying this Tinted Serum.

Typology has a useful Shade Finder guide to help you know which concealer you need.

Buy now from Typology

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Typology Haircare UK: Racines

Following the Typology Skincare launch in the UK, the brand released a haircare range under the sub-brand, Racines.

Typology Skincare

Racines, which means “roots” in French, is born from the idea that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.

After all, your scalp is covered in skin so it’s no surprise that more skincare brands are venturing into this space. A trend that’s known as the “skinification” of hair.

One of the leading manufacturers and authorities in this space is Monpure, but more recently The Ordinary and The Inkey List have entered this space. You can read more about this in our guides on Women’s hair thinning, and How to make hair grow faster.

There are four products in the Typology Racines range, at launch, and these include:

• Racines 2002 Calming Scalp Treatment with Bisabolol 1% + Cotton Extract: Best for irritation and itchy scalps
• Racines 2003 Densifying Scalp Treatment with Peptides 2% + Ginger Extract: Best for hair loss and thinning hair
• Racines 4001 Repairing Hair Oil Acai 5% + Hibiscus: Best for fine, dry hair
• Racines 2001 Purifying scalp treatment with Zinc PCA 4% + nettle extract: Best for oily scalps

If you’re not sure which products in this range are best for you, take our What type of hair do I have? quiz.

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Typology Skincare comes to the UK: Here’s our pick of the best Typology products you need appeared first on mamabella.

If you’ve tried all the creams, lotions, treatments, and trends and your skin still suffers from acne, eczema, redness, or other forms of irritation, it might be your colon that’s to blame.

While maintaining colon and gut health is generally a good idea for your overall mental and physical well-being, it also affects your skin.

This is because gut health plays an important role in the balance of your body and immune system. As studies have shown, imbalances and disruption to the microbiome the gut can cause the release of so-called pro-inflammatory cytokines.

These cytokines travel through your body and affect your organs and, since the skin is the largest organ in the body, it reacts to the pro-inflammatory cytokines in a number of ways. For example, it’s been linked to rosacea, eczema, acne, and more.

By contrast, when your gut biome is balanced, you’ll find that your skin looks clearer, healthier, and glowing.

Here’s how your gut and colon health affect your skin health, and what to do about it.

FURTHER READING: Skin food: The best foods for clear, healthy skin – and why they work

How colon health can improve your skin

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Gut microbiota

Balanced gut microbiota is the foundation of healthy skin.

These microbiotas are a diverse ecosystem of “good-type” bacteria and other microorganisms that live in and help your digestive tract. These beneficial bacteria and microorganisms work together to break down everything you eat into essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

When your body is getting the correct amount of nutrients for the food you’re eating, it promotes a healthy immune system, which in turn helps improve the health of your skin, and makes it more resilient to skin conditions. This not only gets rid of any problems but can prevent them from occurring.

Elsewhere, a good microbiome keeps the gut lining intact. This is needed to stop harmful substances from leaking into your bloodstream.

That’s why it is recommended to eat foods that are rich in prebiotics. It will help keep this diverse microbiome healthy, which will eventually lead to good gut health and, ultimately, radiant and glowing skin.

Balanced hormones

mamabella | mamabella

This photo shows Before using the Aegle’s Acne Clear Now supplement, versus six week later. This supplement helps balance hormones for clearer skin

A hormone imbalance can be one of the biggest things responsible for poor skin. A good hormone balance keeps skin looking its best, while an imbalance in certain hormones can lead to skin problems. The colon plays an important role in maintaining a balance of these hormones.

When your colon is healthy, it makes sure that excess hormones in your body, like oestrogen, are processed and removed. This helps to prevent oestrogen levels from becoming imbalanced and, as you can read in our Aegle’s Acne Clear Now supplement review, when oestrogen levels are out of whack, it interferes with progesterone levels.

Progesterone is a hormone that rises during the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle for about five days, at the same time sebum production ramps up.

Someone with a healthy oestrogen-to-progesterone ratio is less likely to experience excess sebum production and therefore acne, “simply because she has sufficient levels of sebum-reducing progesterone,” said Aegle’s founder Zoe Williams.

To ensure your colon is working properly, make sure you’re eating fibre-rich foods. If you’re still experiencing skin flare-ups, it could be that you need to look for the best colon cleanser supplement for your needs. This supplement can promote good gut health, which will result in healthier skin.

Detoxification 

You might have heard from your doctor that your skin condition may be because of “disturbed gut health.”

The overall detoxification of your body is carried out in the colon. It filters out the toxins and waste products from the food and bloodstream and this detoxification is important for fighting skin diseases and maintaining healthy skin because when your colon is congested, and the gut lining has become hard, it can lead to toxin buildup.

This is often the cause of skin issues such as persistent acne or a dull complexion.

Again, eating a healthy diet rich in fibre and antioxidants will help support your liver and colon’s natural detoxification processes. This will enhance your body’s ability to eliminate any harmful substances and promote clearer and healthier skin.

Nutrient Absorption

Getty Images/iStockphoto

As mentioned above, all the essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and proteins are absorbed by the colon into the bloodstream. This is important to keep your skin health in check, especially with Vitamin A.

Vitamin A helps in cell turnover and collagen production. It’s also the family of vitamins from which retinol comes, and retinol has been found across many, many studies to contribute to youthful-looking skin.

Minerals like Zinc and Selenium also play vital roles in maintaining skin structure and elasticity. Both of which help in giving you clearer and younger-looking skin.

FURTHER READING: The best collagen powders and liquids to help with wrinkles and fine lines

Reducing Inflammation

Many skin conditions, like acne and eczema, occur due to inflammation. Similarly, lower levels of inflammation have been linked to healthier skin. A healthy colon plays an important role in dampening inflammation by regulating the immune response.

A well-balanced and healthy gut microbiome also produces anti-inflammatory compounds that help maintain the integrity of the gut barrier. This can stop inflammatory substances from getting into the bloodstream and causing skin and other organ problems.

Eating more anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, turmeric, and berries can help.

Preventing Food Sensitivities and Allergies

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A healthy colon helps promote a robust gut lining and this lining acts as a barrier for preventing undigested and unprocessed food particles from entering the bloodstream.

If, somehow, this barrier is compromised, you can have food sensitivities and allergies.

These allergies can then be reflected in your skin, through redness, itching, and acne.

Having a balanced probiotic-rich diet can help promote a healthy gut lining, which leads to more radiant skin.

Balanced pH Levels for Healthy Skin

The pH levels in your body are linked to skin health because they influence factors like sebum production and the growth of beneficial skin microorganisms.

A healthy colon supports a balanced pH by regulating acid-base levels and creating an environment that promotes vibrant and healthy skin.

You can regulate the pH levels of your body by including alkaline-rich foods in your diet.

These foods include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and almonds. They will further contribute to this pH balance and will promote a clear and radiant complexion.

Managing Stress

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Just like your colon health affects your skin, it affects your mental health, too and when your mental health is disturbed, it can be linked to problems with your skin.

This is because a healthy colon supports the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation.

By nurturing a balanced gut environment, with healthy bacteria and other microorganisms, you positively affect your mental wellbeing, leading to reduced stress levels.

These reduced stress levels, in turn, directly impact skin health and have even been linked to your weight as you get older.

You can read more about that in our guide to what happens during menopause.

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post The surprising, hidden reason why you can’t sort out your skin appeared first on mamabella.

UPDATE: There’s a new The Ordinary serum and it’s designed to soothe and support irritated skin.

Called The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum, the brand describes it as a “multi-active solution” and it promises to soothe feelings of discomfort, and reduce signs of redness over time.

The Ordinary

It contains:

• Vitamin B12: This helps to support the skin barrier by reducing dryness and the look of redness.
• Gallic Acid Derivatives: Three forms of gallic acid which helps to soothe skin discomfort.
• Bisabolol: Helps reduce the look of redness.
• Ceramide Complex: Ceramides include sphingolipids and phospholipids to help take the ingredients to where it’s needed most.
• 2% Niacinamide: Supports skin components that help hydrate the skin.

The serum is currently available from Sephora UK. We’ve ordered it and once it arrives, we’ll put it to the test to see if it’s worth including in our best The Ordinary guide below.

Or keep reading to discover which are the best The Ordinary products for your skin concerns.

Original The best The Ordinary products guide continues below

With product names straight out of the chemistry textbook, The Ordinary has become one of the most talked-about – yet slightly overwhelming – skincare brands on the market.

Known for its effective and affordable product range, it’s a great way to improve your skin without breaking the bank. You can read more about why we love the brand so much and how it got started in our Brand Spotlight.

The reason its huge range of products can seem daunting is that rather than selling products that contain a mixture of ingredients, The Ordinary sells the ingredients individually.

This means that not only do you know exactly what you’re putting on your face, but it also means you can create your own The Ordinary Regimen that’s perfectly tailored to you and your skincare needs. It’s also why The Ordinary is so cheap. You’re not paying extra for excess marketing and packaging or ingredients that may be of no use to you.

READ NEXT: Spotlight on The Ordinary

The best The Ordinary products

To help you choose which are the best The Ordinary products, we’ve divided this article into the skin concerns you’re looking to solve.

Jump straight to each section using the links below

• Enlarged pores
• Redness
• Blemishes and acne
• Ageing
• Hair loss

︎ The best The Ordinary products for enlarged pores

Enlarged pores are caused by a variety of lifestyle and genetic factors. If you have oily skin, for example, you’ll likely have enlarged pores. It’s not possible to shrink pores, no matter what skincare brands claim. but it is possible to clear them and make them appear smaller. You can read more about the science of pores here and how to unclog pores in six steps here. 

At a glance

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: Jump to section 
• The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser: Jump to section 
• The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: Jump to section 
• The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution: Jump to section 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Vicky Woollaston

The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is by far the best The Ordinary product for enlarged pores and, having used this product for years, we can see why it regularly sells out.

It targets the main cause of enlarged pores, which is congestion. In this way, it de-clogs your pores of dirt, makeup and pollution while the zinc in this treatment targets excess oils and helps reduce breakouts. It should be noted that it’s not possible to shrink pores – their size is based on your genetics – but when they become full of gunk, they become enlarged and look bigger than they should.

How to use: Apply after cleansing and before heavier creams either to the whole face or to target problem areas.

Avoid: Do not use this product at the same time as any products containing Vitamin C or Vitamin C serums. If you are using Vitamin C, ensure that you use them on opposite ends of the day, for example, Vitamin C in the morning and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% at night.

Read our full The Ordinary Niacinamide serum review

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution provides chemical exfoliation deep into your pores to improve radiance. It looks and feels just like blood – but it’s not, we promise.

The AHAs (which stands for alpha-hydroxy acids) exfoliate the top layer of your skin, resulting in a brighter complexion, whilst the BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) go below the skin’s surface to clear congestion. You can read more about this in our guide to The truth about the acids lurking in your skincare.

This mask instantly improves the appearance of your skin, and with regular use, has been proven to have long-term anti-ageing benefits.

How to use: We’d recommend using this once every two weeks for five minutes at a time, at first. This mask can cause some inflammation and a stinging sensation. Once you’ve got used to it, you can use it once a week for a maximum of ten minutes. Apply this mask to dry skin and remove with lukewarm water.

Avoid: This product is not suitable for sensitive skin and should not be used if you do not have prior experience with chemical/acid exfoliants. Do not use this product on wet skin either as it causes irritation. Do not use it alongside retinol. Avoid direct sunlight and use SPF.

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

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mamabella | mamabella

One of the newest launches from The Ordinary, this Glucoside Foaming Cleanser could have sat in almost all of the sections in our best The Ordinary products guide. However, we’ve included it in our best The Ordinary products for enlarged pores section because it helps keep your complexion free from dirt, debris and product build-up. All of which clog the pores and make them look enlarged.

Glucoside is found in plants and gets its name from the fact it contains glucose (a type of sugar). In plants, glucoside is used for storing energy and protection. In skincare, it moisturises the skin but also helps to improve the skin’s barrier function. Some types of glucosides also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which help protect the skin from damage caused by environmental stressors and ageing.

This new cleanser is a gentle gel-like face wash that foams to lift away dirt and gunk in your pores. This makes it suitable for all skin types but is particularly good for oily, sensitive skin.

How to use: This cleanser is gentle enough to use twice a day – morning and evening. Add the cleanser to water in your hands and as you massage it into your face, it will start to foam and clean the skin. We recommend massaging it into the skin for at least a minute, to make sure all the dirt and debris are removed. Due to its moisturising benefits, you needn’t worry about it drying your face.

Avoid: This product is suitable for all skin types and for use with all other ingredients.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

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This Salicylic Acid solution is a great The Ordinary product for large pores because it helps clear your skin and stops it from getting congested with sebum and gunk.

As its name suggests, the active ingredient in this solution is salicylic acid, which is a type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates and helps to unclog your pores. This can be particularly helpful for people with acne-prone skin, as clogged pores can contribute to blemishes.

In addition to its exfoliating properties, salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness and swelling associated with acne. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Solution is formulated to be a gentle yet effective treatment for acne-prone skin.

This product is different to The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Masque featured further down, in the acne and blemishes section, but it works in a similar way.

How to use: Apply a small dot of this solution to target areas, or all over the face, once a day in the evening.

Avoid: Do not use on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. Avoid the eye area and make sure you wear SPF while using this product and for a week afterwards. This is because BHAs can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

︎ The best The Ordinary products for redness

From sensitive skin to rosacea and eczema, the causes of redness and inflammation vary in severity. It’s usually a sign that your skin isn’t happy about something so be careful when introducing new products and keep an eye on any that cause a reaction or make things worse.

At a glance

• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Jump to section
• The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%: Jump to section
• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: Jump to section
• The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + Phytoceramides: Jump to section

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Vicky Woollaston

A hero product for all ages and skin types, The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 provides hydration that soothes red and irritated skin and assists with general skin repair.

Hyaluronic acid is a strong humectant, meaning that it can attract up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, providing deep hydration.

This specific formula is enhanced with Vitamin B5 to encourage hydration on the surface of the skin. We firmly believe this is an essential product in your skincare routine, regardless of skin type.

How to use: Apply morning and evening after cleansing onto damp skin (we like to use a facial spray but water is fine). Use before any serums or heavier creams.

FURTHER READING: What does hyaluronic acid do to your skin?

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

Another multitasker, the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% targets dullness and uneven skin tone by brightening any redness. It can also be used to effectively combat irregular skin texture, all around improving the appearance of the skin.

Its lightweight formula means that it sinks into the skin without leaving any sticky residue. It also doesn’t make the skin look oily, which can be common with products of this type.

You can read more about azelaic acid benefits in our Ingredient Spotlight.

How to use: Can be used in the AM or PM, after cleansing, toning, and any water-based serum. Follow with a moisturiser.

Avoid: Do not use alongside any other strong acids, peptides or antioxidants.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + PhytoCeramides

mamabella | mamabella

One of the new The Ordinary products on the block, the Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides moisturiser, is designed to hydrate and repair the skin barrier. In this way, it’s great for targeting and reducing redness (because redness is usually a sign of a damaged skin barrier).

Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs) are found naturally in the skin. They’re a mix of amino acids, urea, and sugars that help keep the skin hydrated and protected from pollution and other environmental factors.

PhytoCeramides, on the other hand, are plant-derived lipids that have been shown to boost the skin’s moisture retention and barrier function. They’ve similar in structure to ceramides found naturally in the skin and this means they help improve the function of the skin’s lipid layer.

When combined in The Ordinary’s moisturiser, this cream promises immediate hydration, and moisture retention and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing.

If this moisturiser is too thick or rich (or too expensive because £20 for a The Ordinary product is a lot), The Ordinary also sells a standard Natural Moisturising Factors moisturiser. It’s lightweight and cheaper, at £9.90, but does a similar job to the new, more expensive version.

How to use: Can be used in the AM or PM as the last step of your skincare routine.

Avoid: Safe to use with all products

︎ The best The Ordinary products for blemishes and acne

We’re back with a quick reminder: whilst these are effective treatments for blemishes, none of these products should be used as a long-term treatment for acne.

If you suffer from persistent or severe breakouts, we recommend consulting a doctor to discuss the best course of treatment. You can read more in our What is acne? guide. 

At a glance

• The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser: Jump to section 
• The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Jump to section 
• The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner: Jump to section
• The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NGA 2% Solution: Jump to section

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

The best cleanser forms the foundation of any skincare routine, especially for blemish-prone skin. We love this Squalane Cleanser because it transforms from a balm consistency to oil when applied to your hands or face, providing effective cleansing. Plus it removes makeup like magic.

Squalane is a gentle ingredient that dissolves trapped makeup and facial impurities that can cause blemishes if not removed properly. This product is suitable for all skin types as an essential first step in a skincare routine.

How to use: We recommend a double-cleansing routine, using the Squalane Cleanser as your first step to removing makeup, dirt or pollution from the day. Massage between your palms for 30 seconds in order to activate the oil-like consistency, then apply to the face. Remove with a warm washcloth. Can be used morning and evening.

Then follow with a gentle foaming cleanser (Clarins Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind is our fave) to leave the skin fresh and clean.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

Salicylic Acid is a miracle product for reducing the appearance of blemishes and fighting acne.

It gets deep into your pores to remove impurities and dead skin cells, and it reduces the production of excess oils which can exacerbate blemish-prone skin.

We love this product as a gentler alternative to The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% serum. Although, this serum can be used with the masque to increase the effectiveness of this routine for blemish-prone skin.

How to use: Apply once a week to dry skin and leave on for no longer than 10 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Avoid: Do not use this product if you have especially dry or sensitive skin.

FURTHER READING: Salicylic acid: What does salicylic acid do and why is it so good for acne?

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

Due to the presence of glycolic acid, this toner offers mild exfoliation for the skin. In particular, it removes dead skin cells to give you fresher, brighter skin.

It also improves skin texture to the point that if you’ve got scarring from acne, using this on a continued basis should help reduce it and make it less visible.

To avoid the irritation that can come from using AHAs, The Ordinary has found that using Tasmanian Pepperberry helps reduce the impact. The Pepperberry is what gives the toner its pale peachy colour.

This glycolic acid toner also contains ginseng root and aloe vera which gives you radiance and soothing benefits, with results being seen in as little as a week.

How to use: After cleansing, saturate a cotton pad and sweep across the face and neck. Use this in the evening and no more frequently than once per day.

Avoid: You may notice an increase in skin sensitivity so avoid direct sun contact and use an SPF product to avoid the chances of sunburn. Limit sun exposure while using this product for a week after while your skin adjusts.

FURTHER READING: Skincare ingredient checker: Get to grips with what’s in your skincare with our ingredients guide

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NGA 2% Solution

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mamabella | mamabella

One of the lesser-known The Ordinary for acne products, the Aloe 2% + NGA 2% Solution is great for spots and blemishes, as well as redness and irritation.

The key ingredients in this serum are aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, which soothes the skin, hydrates dry patches and calms lingering redness, alongside N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) derived from bio-technology that helps balance the appearance of uneven skin tone and post-acne marks and acne scars.

The serum is also enriched with peptides that help smooth texture and bumpy skin – those annoying spots that sit under the skin.

These peptides also strengthen the skin’s barrier, making it more resilient. An all-round solution for acne-prone skin.

How to use: This solution is gentle enough to be used in the morning and/or evening, after cleansing. You can then follow it up with your favourite moisturiser.

Avoid: Do not use the Aloe + NGA solution at the same time as acids, Vitamin C, resveratrol and ferulic acid or salicylic acid.

︎ The best The Ordinary products for ageing

We explain more about the science of ageing in our How to prevent wrinkles guide but as we get older, our skin’s natural elasticity and structure drop and becomes weaker.

You can read more in our skincare ingredients guide and discover retinol alternatives in our best anti-ageing cream, best eye cream and best neck cream lists. 

At a glance

• The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalene: Jump to section 
• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil: Jump to section
• The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA: Jump to section 
• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum: Jump to section

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalene 

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

If exploring retinoid and retinol treatments feels like a minefield to you, we recommend you start with The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalene.

We love this retinoid treatment as it is an especially gentle formula that offers anti-ageing benefits without the irritation associated with other retinoid and retinol treatments on the market. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s suitable for everyone.

Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should avoid this product.

We explain more about this in our What skincare ingredients to avoid when pregnant or breastfeeding guide. We also have more information about retinol in our Retinol for beginners guide.

How to use: Introduce this product slowly into your skincare routine, starting twice a week in the evening until you are confident that it will not cause irritation. Even though it causes less irritation than many other retinoid products, it could still cause problems if your skin is particularly sensitive.

We also recommend using this treatment every evening after water-based serums, followed by heavier creams or moisturiser.

Eventually, you can progress to the higher potency Granactive 5% in Squalene. SPF is an absolute must when using this product.

Avoid: Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Use caution if you have acne-prone skin as this product may cause breakouts for the first few weeks of use. Do not use with any other retinoid or retinol treatment. Do not use with Vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide (common in acne treatment creams), or AHA/BHA products.

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

Rich in linoleic acid and pro-Vitamin A, The Ordinary’s 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil is an excellent gentle anti-ageing treatment.

Vitamin A has been proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and research suggests that it may even assist in skin reconstruction.

And while Rose Hip Seed Oil also offers great anti-ageing benefits, this product suits all skin types because of its moisturising properties and its ability to reduce the appearance of acne scarring and dark marks.

How to use: Apply once a day in the evening after water-based serums. We recommend letting this fully dry first before sleeping on any white pillows (trust us!).

FURTHER READING: How old does your skin REALLY look?

The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA

Victoria Woollaston-Webber | mamabella

If you’re after a more intense anti-ageing treatment, give The Ordinary’s peptides range – and namely the Matrixyl 10% + HA – a try. Peptides are like the bricks in proteins that give our skin bounce and elasticity – namely collagen, elastin and keratin.

As these proteins decrease, our skin becomes sallow, saggy and wrinkled. Applying peptides to the skin triggers cells to build more collagen and elastin, to make your skin look younger.

Matrixyl is a trademarked peptide composition that has been shown to improve the appearance of wrinkles. Even deep-set ones.

The formula in The Ordinary’s product contains two generations of Matrixyl – Matrixyl 3000 and Matrixyl synthe’6 – at a combined concentration of 10% and the peptides in these are palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-38.

These peptides are carried in hyaluronic acid (hence the HA in this product’s name) to help sink them deep into your skin.

How to use: Apply a few drops to your face morning and night.

What to avoid: Do not combine with Vitamin C or products containing Ascorbic Acid, and do not use on broken skin.

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum

mamabella | mamabella

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum is designed to target multiple signs of ageing around the eye area.

The serum contains a blend of peptides, which are short chains of amino acids that help to support the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production.

The peptides in this eye serum are intended to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and Crow’s feet, while also working to improve the overall texture and firmness of the skin around the eyes.

In addition to peptides, the serum also contains a range of other ingredients, including caffeine to help reduce puffiness and dark circles, and hyaluronic acid to provide hydration and plumpness to the skin.

How to use: Gently pat a dropper of serum around your eye socket – above and below your eye – morning and night.

What to avoid: Do not use on broken skin and perform a patch test first to minimise the chances of irritation.

︎ The best The Ordinary products for hair loss

The Ordinary doesn’t just sell skincare lines. It also sells a range of products designed to help prevent hair loss, deal with hair thinning and leave your locks looking their best. This range began with The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum but was recently expanded. Here are the best The Ordinary products for your hair.

Also, if you’re into affordable, science-led haircare products, give The Inkey List a look, too.

At a glance

• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density: Buy now
• The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: Buy now
• The Ordinary 4% Sulphate Cleanser for Body and Hair: Buy now
• The Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner: Buy now

The Ordinary: A word of warning

Whilst The Ordinary seems to be everywhere, not all of its products are for everyone. Some of the direct acids may not be suitable for sensitive skin, and all products require a patch test first. We suggest introducing one product at a time in order to reduce the chance of irritation. You can read more in our The truth about the acids in your skincare guide. 

If you have any skin conditions such as acne, rosacea or eczema, or if you are using any medicated creams or treatments such as Accutane, speak to your doctor or dermatologist before introducing any of these products.

And of course, while you should be using an SPF daily anyway, it is especially important to use SPF after using any of the direct acids mentioned here. This is because they make the skin particularly sensitive to the sun and sun damage. You can read more in our What is SPF? guide.

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post The best The Ordinary products for all your skincare concerns – from large pores to redness, wrinkles and acne appeared first on mamabella.

From being printed on the front of foundations, powders, moisturisers, concealers, sunscreen, primers and just about anything that is applied to your face, to appearing on adverts, it’s worth explaining what comedogenic means before moving onto the meaning of non-comedogenic.

What does comedogenic mean?

Any ingredients found in makeup and skincare products that block your pores, and which cause the natural balance of oils in your skin to be disrupted, are known as comedogenic.

They get their name from the fact they cause comedones, which in turn can lead to comedonal acne – a non-inflammatory skin condition.

More specifically, comedones refers to the small, skin-coloured bumps that appear on the forehead and chin of people with acne.

READ NEXT: What causes acne and how to get rid of it?

A series of blocked follicles, known as closed comedones, are more commonly referred to as whiteheads, while open comedones – in which the build of dirt, dead skin cells, and product oxidises and turns black – are what we call blackheads.

On its own, comedonal acne is a relatively mild – yet very annoying – skin condition. But if it’s left untreated, or you introduce a beauty product with ingredients that make comedones worse, you can end up developing inflammatory acne. A form of red, swollen and painful pustules.

What does non comedogenic mean?

As you can therefore imagine, any ingredient or product described as non-comedogenic refers to the fact that it doesn’t (or at least shouldn’t) clog your pores or exacerbate skin conditions.

The reason we’ve emphasised the word ‘shouldn’t’ is because that while the definition of non-comedogenic is pretty black and white – excuse the pun – how beauty brands use this term and its definition is measured on an increasing, somewhat subjective, scale.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Comedogenic ratings explained

In an attempt to quantify how comedogenic, or otherwise, a product is, the comedogenic rating scale was created, ranging from 0-5, with 0 being non comedogenic and 5 being severely comedogenic.

• 0: Non comedogenic
• 1: Slightly comedogenic
• 2-3: Moderately comedogenic
• 4-5: Severely comedogenic

So far, so good.

However, because there are no regulations or rules about the use of the word ‘non comedogenic’ for beauty products, there’s also no standard.

This means companies each determine what qualifies as comedogenic, or non comedogenic, in different ways.

Some tests will simply count the number of comedones a product creates, while others will only count the most severe comedones from a sample.

Depending on the sample size, the testing method and the type of product being developed, the rating can be wildly misleading.

To make matters even worse, the percentage of ingredient used can drastically affect how comedogenic it is!

This means you could, in theory, buy a non comedogenic product and still experience breakouts.

How to find non comedogenic products

Although it’s not 100% accurate, an ingredient’s comedogenic rating can at least help you narrow down your choices.

If you know that cocoa butter is highly comedogenic, for instance, avoiding products that contain this ingredient will reduce the chances of breakouts.

Similarly, if you know that a product ranks as zero or one, suggesting is non comedogenic it’s much safer to use.

Comedogenic and non comedogenic ingredients

Antioxidants

• Beta Carotene – 1
• BHA – 2

Botanicals

• Algae Extract – 5
• Aloe Vera Gel – 0
• Calendula – 1
• Carrageenans – 5
• Chamomile – 2
• Chamomile Extract – 0
• Cold Pressed Aloe – 0
• Red Algae – 5

Minerals

• Algin – 4
• Colloidal Sulfur – 3
• Potassium Chloride – 5
• Precipitated Sulfur – 0
• Sodium Chloride – 5
• Talc – 1
• Zinc Stearate – 0

Oils

• Almond Oil – 2
• Apricot Kernel Oil – 2
• Avocado Oil – 2
• Camphor – 2
• Castor Oil – 1
• Cocoa Butter – 4
• Coconut Butter – 4
• Coconut Oil – 4
• Corn Oil – 3
• Cotton Seed Oil – 3
• Evening Primrose Oil – 2
• Grape Seed Oil – 2
• Hazelnut Oil – 2
• Hemp Seed Oil – 0
• Mineral Oil – 0
• Mink Oil – 3
• Olive Oil – 2
• Peanut Oil – 2
• Petrolatum – 0
• Sandalwood Seed Oil – 2
• Sesame Oil – 2
• Shea Butter – 0
• Soybean Oil – 3
• Sunflower Oil – 0
• Wheat Germ Oil – 5
• Shark Liver Oil – 3

Emulsifiers and Detergents

• Hydroxypropyl Cellulose – 1
• Kaolin – 0
• Magnesium Aluminum Silicate – 0
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate – 3
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – 5
• Sorbitan Oleate – 3

Vitamins and Herbs

• Ascorbic Acid – 0
• Black Walnut Extract – 0
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – 2
• Vitamin A Palmitate – 2
• Panthenol – 0

Waxes

• Beeswax – 2
• Candelilla Wax – 1
• Carnuba Wax – 1
• Ceresin Wax – 0
• Emulsifying Wax NF – 2
• Jojoba Oil – 2
• Lanolin Wax – 1
• Sulfated Jojoba Oil – 3

Other ingredients

• Polysorbate 20 – 0
• Polysorbate 80 – 0
• Sterol Esters – 0
• Behenyl Triglyceride – 0
• Butylene Glycol – 1
• Cetearyl Alcohol – 2
• Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether-0
• Glycerin – 0
• Glyceryl Stearate NSE – 1
• Glyceryl Stearate SE – 3
• Glyceryl Tricapylo/Caprate – 1
• Glyceryl-3-Diisostearate – 4
• Hexadecyl Alcohol – 5
• Isocetyl Stearate – 5
• Isopropyl Alcohol – 0
• Laureth 23 – 3
• Laureth 4 – 5
• Octyl Stearate – 5
• Oleth-10 – 2
• Oleth-3 – 5
• Oleyl Alcohol – 4
• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400) – 1
• Polyethylene Glycol 300 – 1
• Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate – 4
• Propylene Glycol – 0
• Propylene Glycol Monostearate – 4
• SD Alcohol 40 – 0
• Sorbitan Laurate – 1
• Sorbitol – 0
• Wheat Germ Glyceride – 3

Source: Beneficial Botanicals

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post What does non-comedogenic mean when it comes to makeup and skincare? appeared first on mamabella.

Charlotte Tilbury has been on a roll in recent months, releasing a whole host of new skincare and makeup products and the next on the list is Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream.

The Water Cream is a fragrance-free, gel-like version of the original Magic Cream that is designed to strengthen the skin barrier and deliver instant hydration.

Keep reading to learn more about the new cream, as well as our other favourite products in the Charlotte Tilbury skincare range.

Buy the Hydrator Mist

Charlotte Tilbury Skincare

The latest Charlotte Tilbury skincare launch is Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream.

Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream

Coming soon

Charlotte Tilbury

The full details of the Magic Water Cream are due to be revealed later this week when the cream goes on sale on 29 August.

All we know is that it’s a fragrance-free version of the original and rather than a thick cream, it feels more like a gel.

If you sign up for the waitlist via the Charlotte Tilbury app, you’ll get early access to the cream and be entered into a competition to win a Charlotte Tilbury skincare set from the brand.

Charlotte Tilbury describes the Magic Water Cream as being “infused with hydrating ingredients that work in synergy to train your skin barrier to retain moisture and deliver intense hydration in seconds.”

Charlotte’s Magic Hydrator Mist

£35 | Buy now

Charlotte Tilbury

Described as “an oxygenating, hydrating face mist for an instant dewy glow on-the-go”, it contains hyaluronic acid, Kombu extract and niacinamide to hydrate, refresh and brighten the skin.

The brand claims the mist was inspired by the power of an oxygen facial and in real-world tests, 88% of participants said the mist reduced how tired their skin looked, and 75% said it looked firmer and plumper.

It can be used to freshen up your skin throughout the day, it can also help refresh makeup and be used between makeup layers to keep your base looking its best.

We imagine it will help in hot weather too – although being in the UK, we don’t get much of it so can’t confirm yet until we’ve had time to test the mist properly.

FURTHER READING: Best hyaluronic acid serum UK | The best moisturiser for oily skin and acne, based on 100+ real-world tests 

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

£52 | Buy now

Charlotte Tilbury

The full Charlotte Tilbury skincare range has grown considerably in recent years, but it all started with Charlotte’s Magic Cream.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream is a moisturiser said to contain a series of “Magic” ingredients designed to help make skin look brighter, softer, plumper and refreshed. All while protecting from pollution.

The cream is made using:

• Rosehip oil for hydrating and plumping skin
• Hyaluronic acid for attracting water to the skin and keeping it hydrated.
• Vitamin C  is an antioxidant that promises to brighten and protect the skin.
• Vitamin E is another antioxidant that can protect the skin from damage.
• Peptides are small proteins that help firm and smooth skin

It’s quite a thick cream but a very small amount goes a long way and as soon as you start massaging it into the skin, it becomes thinner and lightweight in reaction to the heat of your skin.

In addition to the standard Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream you can buy:

• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue: A concentrated version designed for use around the eyes
• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream: A thicker cream that you apply at night to nourish your skin as you sleep.
• Charlotte’s Magic Body Cream: A body cream that’s closer to a lotion, but offers similar benefits to the original Magic Cream.

Read more in our full Charlotte’s Magic Cream review.

Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil

£25 | Buy now

Charlotte Tilbury

Having officially launched on 24 February, the Superfusion Facial Oil falls within the wider Miracle Skincare range, which also includes the Miracle Cream, Miracle Eye Rescue and the Crystal Elixir.

In tests, Charlotte Tilbury claims that this oily makes “skin look 337% more radiant, smooth and even.”

This is a bold claim and is based on tests with just 30 people, so we’ll be putting this facial oil to the test ourselves to reveal if it really is as good as the brand says.

In the meantime, you can read more about facial oils and how they differ from serums and moisturisers here.  We also explain how to use facial oils for at-home facial massages here.

Buy the Superfusion Facial Oil

Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Mask and Serum

£25 | Buy now

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury skincare recently entered a completely new market – the cryotherapy market.

The brand’s Cryo-Recovery face mask is said to have been “inspired by the high-performance ice-tech of cryotherapy and the ancient art of facial acupressure techniques” to help firm, smooth, lift and refresh the skin.

It’s a reusable mask that you put in the freezer for 30 minutes before use. Inside the rubber mask are metal beads, inside cooling gel bead pockets situated over areas that typically show the first signs of ageing. These include the chin, jawline, forehead, cheekbones and nasolabial lines (the creases on either side of your nose going down to your mouth).

It’s designed to be used alongside Charlotte Tilbury’s Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum (£45) and between them, they’re said to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

In tests, users said their skin felt lifted by 251%, firmer by 238%, and fine lines and wrinkles were reduced by 52%. That’s according to the brand, of course, and it was only based on 33 people. That said, those are some pretty incredible numbers so we have bought the £49 mask for ourselves and will be putting it through our own tests.

Buy now from Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury SPF Primer

£39 | Buy now

Charlotte Tilbury

It’s not the first product in the Charlotte Tilbury range to include SPF, but it is the first to be dedicated solely to it, and the first to come in at the highest level of SPF commercially possible, SPF 50 PA++++.

Instead of selling a straight-up sunscreen for face, the new product is a primer called the Charlotte Tilbury SPF 50 Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer and it comes in at £39.

As the brand explains: “This research-powered SPF primer is infused with hyaluronic acid, 100% pollution defence and SPF 50 PA++++ to protect, hydrate and perfectly prime your skin! The weightless, satin-smooth texture glides on and instantly absorbs into your skin with an invisible finish!”

Speak to any makeup or skincare expert, or even aficionado, and they’ll tell you *the most important* step in your skincare routine is SPF. It prevents so many skincare woes including dark spots, premature ageing and hyperpigmentation. However, some people don’t want to add sunscreen to their routine because it has a bad rep for being greasy and comedogenic.

FURTHER READING: What SPF do I need?

This may be why Charlotte Tilbury is adding it to a product that many people will feel comfortable using; one that has added skincare benefits, and which can be worn with or without other products.

According to the brand’s clinical tests, the primer hydrates for 24 hours, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by 50%, shrinks pores by 65% and helps reduce redness. Some 91% said that it additionally provides the perfect makeup base.

More specifically, it contains the following ingredients and compounds:

• Citysystem: An urban “pollution defence matrix” that uses botanical extracts to protect the skin from pollution
• Sun Defence SPF 50: A combination of UVA and UVB sun filters help protect the skin against the harmful effects of the sun
• Collalift 18: Taken from the bark of the African mahogany tree, Collalift 18 is an anti-ageing active that puts a protective shield over the skin and improves skin elasticity.
• Hyaluronic acid

Buy now from Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury facial peel

£52 | Buy now

The primer joins another recent addition to the skincare range from Charlotte Tilbury, the Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial acid peel.

If you’ve not used an acid peel before, they exfoliate the skin – as in, they remove the dead skin cells and build-up in your pores – using chemicals rather than scrubs.

Charlotte Tilbury

Depending on the type of peel and the concentration of ingredients, you either wipe it over the skin using a cotton pad or reusable wipe or apply it to the skin like a face mask and leave it to do its work over a set period of time.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial falls into the latter category and the brand recommends leaving it on for 20-minutes, once a week. You can read more about using an exfoliator in our How to layer your skincare guide.

The Charlotte Tilbury facial peel costs £52 for a 50ml tube and it doesn’t appear to be available (yet) in a smaller, or larger pot. You can currently get a free 3.6ml sample of Charlotte’s facial serum with every facial peel.

You can read what we think of this serum in our Charlotte Tilbury Serum review.

The Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial acid peel contains a blend of three so-called hydroxy acids. If you’re not familiar with hydroxy acids, they come in two major forms – alpha hydroxy (AHA), and beta hydroxy (BHA), which are common in skincare. You can read more about the specifics and benefits of both in our guide to the acid in your skincare. 

Charlotte Tilbury’s facial peel contains glycolic acid as its AHA, salicylic acid as its BHA, plus a third, polyhydroxy acid (PHA) called Bio Agave.

Glycolic acid is the smallest AHA molecule meaning it penetrates deeper into the epidermis and provides lower-layer exfoliation. This is great if you have congestion under the skin that no amount of scrubbing is going to shift.

Salicylic Acid is an oil-soluble BHA that helps to unclog your pores and purify the look of the skin. While Bio Agave Acid is a gentle source of PHA that helps to brighten the appearance of skin by removing dead skin cells.

In addition to these acids, the Charlotte Tilbury facial peel also includes:

• Exfolactive, a natural extract taken from the Prickly Pear cactus that helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and leaves skin looking more radiant over time
• Polyglutamic acid, one of the ingredients found in Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir that the brand claims is four times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid
• Hyaluronic acid
• Resurrection leaf
• Avocado 0il
• Glycerin
• Aloe Vera
• Allantoin
• A natural lemon and rose fragrance

Charlotte Tilbury claims that this peel is suitable for all skin types and has been clinically tested to not cause any irritation. However, if you haven’t used acids in your skincare routine before, build up usage slowly, applying it for five minutes extra each time until you reach the recommended 20-minutes.

Don’t leave it on for longer than 20 minutes, and if you have acne or broken skin, and/or you’re being treated for a skin condition, speak to a doctor or dermatologist before introducing acid to your routine.

Buy now from Charlotte Tilbury

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Charlotte Tilbury skincare: Iconic brand launches Magic Water Cream appeared first on mamabella.

Azelaic acid may not be as well known as the likes of glycolic acid or hyaluronic acid but it’s become a hugely popular ingredient, generating more than 22,000 searches a month because of the benefits it brings to acne sufferers.

Not only do doctors swear by its ability to tackle mild to moderately inflamed acne, azelaic acid can also be used to treat moderate rosacea as well as hyperpigmentation.

Although higher strengths of azelaic acid are available via your doctor, the good news is you can get azelaic acid over the counter without a prescription, so if you haven’t tried it already it may well be worth trying products with azelaic acid.

There’s also an increasing number of skincare brands, including mamabella favourite The Ordinary, that now have bestselling products full of this wonder ingredient.

Azelaic acid

Read on to find out more about azelaic acid – from what it does to how it works, how to use it, and what to look for when adding it to your skincare routine.

This guide is the latest in our Ingredient Spotlight series where we attempt to demystify the art of understanding what the many, many ingredients in skincare and makeup do.

What is azelaic acid?

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid derived from grains, such as rye, wheat, and barley. It’s not an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), nor a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) and instead is produced by yeast that occurs on our skin naturally.

However, in skincare, it’s almost always chemically engineered in a lab to make sure it’s stable and effective.

In addition to being comedolytic, meaning it prevents blackheads and works to exfoliate deep within the pores, it’s also keratolytic, which means it breaks down excess keratin that causes rough or bumpy skin.

What does azelaic acid do?

The reason azelaic acid is so good is because it has a range of benefits. It gently exfoliates, reduces inflammation, evens skin tone, helps with both acne and rosacea, and possibly in the future could be used to treat alopecia and hair loss.

Azelaic acid can be found in gel, foam, or cream skincare products and each is designed to be used on different parts of your body.

For example, a foam may be better for larger parts of your body, whereas a gel may be better to be used on your face.

The azelaic acid treatments available on prescription are usually prescribed in two concentrations of 15% or 20%. The azelaic acid products available over the counter are around 10% or less in concentration, but they’ll still benefit your skin in a big way and results can be seen after just eight weeks of use.

Azelaic acid benefits

Shutterstock

There is a wide number of azelaic acid benefits for a wide range of skin types and concerns.

Azelaic acid for acne: Azelaic acid has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it’s good for acne. Azelaic acid can also prevent future outbreaks by cleaning the bacteria from your pores that cause acne. Azelaic acid works well for acne because it gently encourages cell turnover, so your skin heals more quickly and your acne scars are minimised. Note: If you have severe acne then azelaic acid is probably too mild for you. You may be better off using salicylic acid or glycolic acid instead.

Azelaic acid for rosacea: Azelaic acid treats rosacea in a number of ways. It is a mild exfoliator that helps to remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation. It also has antibacterial properties that can help to reduce the overgrowth of bacteria on the skin. Additionally, azelaic acid can help to improve the appearance of redness and flushing.

Azelaic acid for hyperpigmentation and dark spots: Azelaic acid is known to block the enzyme tyrosinase, meaning it reduces melanin production within the skin. This makes it a good ingredient to treat hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Just be aware that the less melanin you produce, the less natural protection you have from the sun’s rays, so make sure to use an SPF daily.

Azelaic acid for textured skin: If you’ve found glycolic acid, lactic acid, or mandelic acids too harsh for your skin, azelaic acid is a great alternative because it’s a milder exfoliant. This means if you have rough, bumpy skin; mildly or moderately inflamed acne; as well as dry or sensitive skin, then azelaic acid is worth a try.

Azeliac acid for melasma: Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that appears are patches of dark skin on your face, chest, and other parts of your body. It’s sometimes called “pregnancy mask” because it is a common side effect of being pregnant. In the same way azelaic acid treats other forms of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, it’s good for melasma because it inhibits tyrosinase. This means it helps to block the production of melanin. Additionally, azelaic acid can help to exfoliate the skin, which can help to improve the appearance of dark patches.

How to use azelaic acid

Like with all new ingredients, when you first start using azelaic acid, make sure you introduce it gradually. Just in case it causes a reaction. This also gives your skin time to get used to the exfoliating properties. It’s more gentle than other acids, but that doesn’t mean it is always problem-free.

We recommend applying it at night three-four times a week for a fortnight before increasing the frequency. Once your skin is used to it, you can use azelaic acid daily, morning and night.

For the best results, use it after cleansing and toning but before applying moisturiser.

In the morning, follow with SPF. We’ve recently tested the best sunscreens for your face here if you’re looking for recommendations.

Azelaic acid is safe to use when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding but if you’re unsure, or if you have acne and you’re using other acne treatments, we recommend you speak to your doctor or dermatologist first.

Can you use azelaic acid with retinol?

Shutterstock

Yes, azelaic acid can be used with retinol. In fact, the two ingredients can be very effective when used together.

Retinol is a type of Vitamin A that was originally developed as an acne treatment before its anti-ageing benefits were discovered. It can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve the overall texture of the skin.

When used together, azelaic acid and retinol boost each other’s effects. Retinol can help to increase the production of collagen, while azelaic acid can help to reduce inflammation and improve the skin’s texture.

However, it is important to start slowly when using these two ingredients together. You may want to start by using each ingredient on its own for a few weeks before combining them. This will help to assess your skin’s tolerance for both ingredients.

Azelaic acid also works well with other ingredients including hydroxy acids, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, benzoyl peroxide and antioxidants like Vitamin C.

Just be aware that azelaic acid is an exfoliant, so just make sure you don’t use too many other acids and if you do use more than one, maybe start with just one other resurfacing ingredient and then build up to more.

Although azelaic acid is milder than other acids, there’s still a small chance it could make your skin flare up and become red if your skin is overly sensitive.

FURTHER READING: The truth about the acids lurking in your skincare

Does azelaic acid cause purging?

If your skin is congested and you haven’t used azelaic acid before there is a chance that it will cause skin purging.

Purging is your body’s way of clearing out all the gunk and while it can be disconcerting when a product you’re using to treat acne makes it look worse, this is usually temporary. It can also be more than worth the hassle.

This is because, after a few weeks of purging, your skin will start to clear and look much better than before. You just need to be patient and persevere. We explain more about purging and how to handle it here.

The one caveat to add to this, however, is that if you find your skin becomes more inflamed or your acne becomes more painful, you may be having a reaction to the azelaic acid. This isn’t purging and you should stop using the product, or reduce its usage.

Best azelaic acid skincare products

Here’s our pick of the best azelaic acid skincare products for a range of skin conditions and budgets.

Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

£40 | Buy now

Paula's Choice

This lightweight serum is formulated with 10% azelaic acid.

The serum also contains niacinamide, which helps to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes.

It is particularly good as an alternative for people sensitive to benzoyl peroxide and it visibly fades brown spots caused by sun damage, reduces breakouts and red marks from past blemishes as well as making the skin look more radiant and even.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

£9.90 | Buy now

The Ordinary

This affordable serum is a great option if you’re looking for a simple, effective azelaic acid treatment. It contains 10% azelaic acid, which is suspended in a silicone base.

This makes the serum lightweight and easy to apply however, it can be drying for some skin types so is great for oily skin types but might be worth avoiding if you have combination or dry skin.

We explain more about why we love this serum in our The best The Ordinary products for all your skincare concerns guide.

Face Theory Lumizela Serum A15

£26 | Buy now

Face Theory

Face Theory is a brand renowned for helping clear acne and skin problems and its Lumizela Azelaic Acid serum is now exception.

Formulated with 15% azelaic acid, which is a higher concentration than many other azelaic acid products, the serum also contains niacinamide, licorice extract, and hyaluronic acid, which help to soothe and hydrate the skin.

FURTHER READING: Clogged pores? Here’s how to unclog pores on your nose and face in six steps

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 20% Cream

£19.99 | Buy now

Dermatica

The Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid cream is formulated with 20% azelaic acid.

Designed by dermatologists to work alongside active ingredients and this lightweight cream also comes with squalane and glycerin to counteract any drying effect of the azelaic acid.

It’s non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin, too.

If you’re not sure if this serum is right for you, you can book a consultation with a Dermatica specialist and they’ll be able to explain more and create a personalised formula.

Typology Mattifying Serum

£26 | Buy now

Typology

If you haven’t heard of Typology, it’s a no-BS, affordable skincare brand from France. It recently launched in the UK and one of its bestselling products is the Mattifying serum.

It’s formulated with 10% azelaic acid well as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extract.

As the name suggests, this serum helps to mattify the skin, reduce the appearance of blemishes, and protect the skin from free radicals.

All of these products are effective in treating a variety of skin conditions, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. It is important to choose the product that is right for your individual needs and skin type.

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Katherine O'Shea

Kat is a freelance journalist, photographer, and the founder of Simply Gender Free – a company dedicated to smashing gender stereotypes in kids’ products. As a mum of two, Kat is passionate about making the world a better place for the next generation

The post Azelaic acid: Everything you need to know about the acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation saviour appeared first on mamabella.

Thanks to the likes of The Ordinary, The Inkey List, and a rising number of affordable, stripped-back, science-led skincare brands, many of us are now much more informed about what we’re putting on our faces, and what our skin needs.

The latest brand looking to capitalise on this, while also hoping to reach a wider audience, is Marks and Spencer with the launch of its new Fresh Elements collection.

M&S describes its Fresh Elements range as “a new smart… results-driven selection” that includes toners, cleansers, and moisturisers you can use to build a routine that suits your skin.

There is a total of 17 products across the entire range, and you if you’re not sure which collection you need, M&S lets you filter the range by skin type. You can also keep reading to learn more about the new Fresh Elements range, and what we think are the best products to try first.

Shop the Fresh Elements range

M&S Fresh Elements skincare line

Each of the Fresh Elements products falls within one of three categories – Glow, Clarify, or Hydrate.

• Glow: The flagship ingredient in the M&S Fresh Elements Glow range is Vitamin C. This range is for dull skin and is designed to brighten, remove dark spots, and leave your skin glowing – jump straight to Glow section
• Clarify: Designed for acne-prone and oily skin, the Clarify range is full of clay masks, blemish-controlling gel, and clarifying toners  – jump straight to Clarify section
• Hydrate: This range is for dry and dehydrated skin and each of the products is packed with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5, alongside other nourishing ingredients – jump straight to Hydrate section

Shop the Fresh Elements range

M&S Fresh Elements Glow Range

M&S

The Fresh Elements Glow range is designed for dull, normal, and dry skin. 

The Vitamin C across this range is also great for helping to get rid of acne scars.

• Glow Protecting Day Cream SPF25
• Glow Purifying Exfoliating Treatment
• Glow Brightening Eye Cream
• Glow Glycolic Acid Toner
• Glow Radiant Overnight Serum
• Glow Brightening Night Cream

Which products should you start with? Our favourite products from the Glow range are the Radiant Overnight Serum and the Brightening Eye Cream.

Not only does the serum contain 10% Vitamin C to brighten the skin, but it also contains glycolic acid, to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells, and squalane to help smooth and moisturise.

Meanwhile, the Brightening Eye Cream is great for helping to get rid of dark circles. The Vitamin C brightens and lifts the dark pigments in the skin around your eyes, while hyaluronic acid hydrates and tackles fine lines, and jojoba oil locks this hydration in to make you look more awake and refreshed.

If you want to know more about why Vitamin C is so good for the skin, how to use it, and get other Vitamin C serum and cream recommendations, check out our: Get brighter, smoother skin and reduce acne scars with the best Vitamin C serum and creams guide.

M&S Fresh Elements Clarify Range

M&S

The Fresh Elements Clarify range has been designed for oily, acne-prone skin. It’s also suitable for combination skin. 

• Clarify Skin-Perfecting Jelly Cleanser
• Clarify Refining Overnight Serum
• Clarify Calming Night Cream
• Clarify AHA Pore Minimising Toner
• Clarify Deep Cleansing Clay Mask
• Clarify Blemish Control Gel

Which products should you start with? The standout products in this range include the Skin-Perfecting Jelly Cleanser and AHA Pore Minimising Toner.

The cleanser gently cleanses the skin and clears the pores by removing product build-up, dead skin cells and acne-causing bacteria. It contains mandelic acid, to exfoliate and fight blemishes; white willow bark to help increase skin cell turnover. This, in turn, helps boost the production of collagen, and elastin and helps with your skin barrier; while witch hazel has astringent properties to remove bacteria and balance the skin

The cleanser alone is great for clearing your pores, but if you want an added boost, the AHA Pore Minimising Toner uses the same mandelic acid, and willow bark to exfoliate the skin but additionally comes with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and calm the skin after exfoliation.

M&S Fresh Elements Hydrate Range

M&S

As you may have guessed from the name, the Fresh Elements Hydrate Range is designed for dry, dehydrated skin.

If you don’t know if your skin is dry, dehydrated, or both, read our guide: Do you have dry skin or is just dehydrated? Here’s how to tell the difference

• Hydrate Daily Serum
• Hydrate Overnight Moisture Cream
• Hydrate Ultra Lightweight Face Oil
• Hydrate Refreshing Overnight Mask
• Hydrate Soothing Micellar Water

Which products should you start with? The Overnight Moisture Cream and Micellar Water are two great products to get started with from the Fresh Elements Hydrate range.

When applied before bed, the cream spends the night hydrating the skin and helping to repair your skin barrier thanks to the use of hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5 which helps to keep skin soft, smooth, and healthy, and an ingredient called Sweet White Lupine which helps to maintain the quality of your skin barrier.

The Overnight Mask is good too, and if you’re suffering particularly badly with dry, flaky patches, you may want to start there first. However, it’s thicker and is designed for use once to twice a week, so the Overnight Cream may be a better all-rounder.

If you find most cleansers and toners have a tendency to strip the skin of its natural oils and make your dry skin worse, the Soothing Micellar Water helps remove dirt and build-up while soothing and hydrating the skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5 as well as cucumber extract to calm redness and irritation.

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post M&S takes aim at The Ordinary with launch of cheap, science-led Fresh Elements skincare line appeared first on mamabella.

Clogged and enlarged pores are such a common skincare problem that 10,000 searches are made every month by people looking for information on how to get rid of them.

In an analysis, carried out by skincare brand Kiehl’s, “large pores” was found to be more of a concern for people across the UK than fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

Yet getting rid of them is much easier said than done.

Firstly, because pores are an essential part of your face. They’re the follicles from which the hairs across your face and body grow. Secondly, their size is determined by your genetics.

While it’s true oily skin, sweating in hot weather, and not washing your face properly can cause them to become enlarged, it’s not possible to shrink or get rid of pores permanently. The best you can do is minimise their “appearance’ by keeping them clear.

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We explain more about why you can’t get rid of pores permanently in our guide: The hard truth about pores but there are things you can do to unclog clogged pores and prevent making their appearance worse.

Note: It should be noted that pores are completely natural. While we share in your desire to want smooth and clear skin, pores and texture are a way of life, and everyone – even influencers – has pores, bumps, uneven texture, and more. No matter how much they manage to disguise them with ring lights and filters.

FURTHER READING: The best The Ordinary products for all your skincare concerns – from large pores to redness, wrinkles and acne

Clogged pores

Getty Images/iStockphoto

What causes clogged pores?

Pores can become clogged for a number of reasons and when they do it causes a build-up of oil, dead skin cells, and other debris to get stuck in the hair follicles.

Once the pore is clogged, it can trap bacteria and this can lead to breakouts, blemishes (also known as comedones), and acne.

The main causes of clogged pores are:

• Dead skin cell buildup: The top layer of your skin is constantly shedding dead skin cells. Many of these will naturally “slough” off. The rest need to be cleaned away by cleansing and exfoliating the skin. If these cells remain on the skin, they end up clogging the pores and getting mixed up with oil on the skin.
• Too much oil/sebum: If you have naturally oily skin you’re more likely to get clogged pores. This is because the excess sebum produced by your overactive sebaceous glands mixes with dead skin cells to form a sort of sticky plug. This not only clogs the pore but can cause it to swell up, thus attracting more oil and dead skin cells.  the production of sebum increases, it can mix with dead skin cells and form a sticky plug, blocking the pore.
• Genetics: As above, some people are genetically predisposed to having naturally oily skin or producing excess sebum, making them more prone to clogged pores. The size of your pores are also determined by your genetics, meaning that even if you keep them clear, they may appear more noticeable than other people who follow the same skincare routine.
• Weather and environmental reasons: When you go outside – and even inside sometimes – your skin is exposed to all sorts of pollutants, such as dirt, dust, and airborne particles. These can land on the skin’s surface, get stuck to the oils in your face and cause clogged pores.
• Hormones: Hormonal changes, during puberty, your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, can cause havoc with your skin. This can cause excess oil to be produced, or it can accelerate your skin’s natural shedding cycle. This can make you more prone to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
• Comedogenic makeup and skincare: Certain beauty products, particularly those that are heavy or oil-based, can clog the pores. These are known as comedogenic ingredients or products. If you want to keep your pores clear, you need to look for non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) products and ingredients.
• Poor skincare hygiene: Not adopting the best skincare routine – which includes not cleansing your skin properly, or not exfoliating – can create a build-up of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells on the skin, increasing the likelihood of clogged pores.
• Ageing: As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity. This can cause our skin to stretch and sag and this can make pores look enlarged, and increase the chances of them becoming clogged. Our skin also thickens as we age and this has been shown to cause skin cells to gather around our pores, making them look bigger.
• Sun exposure: Similarly, exposing your skin to too much sun causes a drop in elastin, water, and collagen and thickens the skin.

FURTHER READING: Acne scars: How to get rid of acne scars or prevent pockmarks forming

How to unclog pores: A step-by-step guide

If you’re suffering from clogged pores, there are a number of things you can do to unclog them and reduce their appearance.

Step 1: Cleanse daily, ideally with an exfoliating cleanser

If you have clogged pores, you need to be keeping on top of your skincare routine. This means you need to be cleansing twice daily – morning and night. You also need to make sure that you cleanse for at least one minute to make sure you get rid of any build-up of dirt, pollution, excess oil, and makeup. This should be enough to manage minor clogged pores.

However, if you have enlarged pores and it’s a recurring problem, look for cleansers with exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid. It unclogs pores and helps get rid of the texture and bumps that clogged pores can cause.

mamabella recommends: CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser (£14) ; Face Theory Clarifying Cleanser C2 (£13); Kiehl’s Rare Earth Pore Minimising Cleanser (£22.50)

Step 2: Toner

Paula's Choice

After cleansing, sweep a gentle toner across your skin and neck to remove any leftover cleanser, and any dead skin cells or oil that you missed while cleansing. You should opt for a hydrating toner that doesn’t strip the skin of natural oils, but keeps excess oil in check.

The best toner doesn’t just reduce the appearance of enlarged pores but it can balance the skin’s moisture levels and leave you with a healthy, smooth complexion. Toner isn’t always an essential step in a skincare routine but if you have oily skin, it’s advised.

mamabella recommends: Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant (£34); Fenty Skin Fat Water Toner Serum (£27); Simple Soothing Toner (£2.29)

You can read more about our recommendations in our Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant review, or our best toner list.

Step 3: Retinol

No7

This step won’t be for everyone, but if you’re suffering from clogged pores, try adding a retinol product to your skincare routine. Retinol helps to increase cell turnover – which is why it’s so good for reducing the signs of ageing. This helps prevent pores from becoming clogged, which can make them appear smaller and reduce the chances of getting spots.

The downside is that retinol can cause problems for people with sensitive skin, or people who have never used it before. It can take some time for your skin to get used to retinol so we advise introducing it gradually, and starting off with a low dosage.

There are alternatives to retinol that work in a similar way, such as protinol and bakuchiol. You can read more in our retinol for beginners guide.

mamabella recommends:  The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% (£8); La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum (£45); BYBI Beauty Bakuchiol Booster (£13)

Step 4: Use a lightweight moisturiser

Lightweight moisturisers, that feel closer to the texture of lotions than thicker creams, are great for hydrating the skin while minimising the chances of clogged pores.

In the same way that cleansing the skin helps unclog pores, using a lightweight moisturiser helps to balance the skin and control oil and shine. The best moisturiser can also strengthen the skin barrier and increase hydration.

After all, even oily skin needs hydration. No matter what you may believe.

If you have oily skin, look for a lighter textured oil-free gel. If you have combination skin, you can get away with an oil-based moisturiser, which has the added benefit of hydrating your dry patches too.

mamabella recommends: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream (£32); The Inkey List Bakuchiol (£12.99); Simple Daily Hydrating Light Moisturiser (£3.45)

Step 5: SPF

iStock

Protecting your skin from sun damage should be a number one priority all day every day, but it’s especially important if you’re looking to unclog clogged pores.

It’s one of the simplest ways to keep your skin looking healthy and if you opt for a lightweight, hydrating SPF, it could double up as a moisturiser while also providing protection.

What’s more, in the summer months as you sweat more, the chances of your pores becoming clogged becomes even greater. Choosing the best sunscreen for your face, as well as following the rest of this clogged pores routine, minimises this risk.

mamabella recommends: Isntree Watery Sun Gel (£21); Thank You Farmer Sun Protect Water Sun Cream (£20); Kiehl’s Aqua Gel SPF50 PA++++ (£33)

Step 6: Face mask

The first five steps in this clogged pores routine should be enough to keep your skin clean and clear but if you want to go deeper and make sure you’ve got all of the build-up and debris, we also recommend adding a pore-cleansing mask to your routine at least once a week.

Look for face masks that contain clay, such as kaolin clay. Clay helps draw out oil and impurities from within the pores and you can apply the mask just in the areas where you need it most, or all over your face.

The key is to make sure you apply a thin layer to cleansed skin and make sure you remove it fully.

mamabella recommends: Sand & Sky Brilliant Skin Purifying Pink Clay Mask (£33.95); Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask (£31.50); Revolution Skincare Pink Clay Detoxifying Face Mask (£8)

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Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Clogged pores? Here’s how to unclog pores on your nose and face in six steps appeared first on mamabella.

Ever tried a new product, immediately experienced breakouts, and thrown the product away in despair? Well chances are, you’ve experienced skin purging.

Put simply, skin purging is your body’s way of kicking out all the gunk and build-up.

It usually happens when you introduce a new skincare product, especially if that product is designed to clear your skin because it increases how quickly your skin cells renew which, in turn, pushes dead skin cells to the surface of your pores.

Skin purging is one of the most annoying, and confusing parts of adopting any sort of skincare routine because it can be hard to know if it’s purging, your skin just doesn’t like the product, or the spots are completely unrelated.

Whilst it mystifies even dermatologists, we aim to break down what causes purging, how to avoid it, and what to do should it happen to you.

FURTHER READING: Best skincare for acne: Here are our top tried-and-tested products for acne-prone skin

What is skin purging?

Scientifically speaking, skin purging occurs when an active ingredient in a product increases skin turnover rate, pushing excess sebum, dead skin cells, and build-up to the surface of your pores, resulting in breakouts.

This is why it’s particularly common when you add a new exfoliator to your routine or a product with an exfoliant in it.

However, if you’ve not changed any skincare products and you’re getting a reaction, it could be a number of other things. We’ve listed some of these below.

• Acne cosmetica: This is a form of acne triggered by the use of certain cosmetic products. These products are known as comedogenic and create small rash-like bumpy pimples. It’s best to look out for products labelled non-comedogenic to be on the safe side.
• Inflammation: Mild inflammation causes excess skin turnover and can clog your pores. The worst offenders are mineral oils.
• Irritant dermatitis: This accounts for most of the reactions you’ll get from makeup and skincare and it causes an itchy, scaly red rash. Symptoms can make themselves known straight away, but some may take weeks or even months to develop if they are only weak or mild irritants. This can make it tough to identify the cause.  Irritant dermatitis can affect anyone but it’s more common in people with sensitive skin or those with eczema or rosacea.
• Allergic contact dermatitis: This occurs when a person has become sensitised to an ingredient that has been applied to the skin. A red, itchy rash, sometimes with swelling or blisters, will appear 12-48 hours after the product has come into contact with the skin.
• READ NEXT: Best face exfoliator: Get smoother skin using scrubs from Upcircle, The Ordinary, Nip+Fab and more

What does skin purging look like? 

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The reason why skin purging has baffled experts for years – and why you may not have even realised you’ve experienced a skin purge – is that it’s similar to regular breakouts.

They can take the form of whiteheads, blackheads, and even painful cystic acne. Purging can also present as dry, peeling skin. There are a few differentiators to look out for though.

Skin purging doesn’t usually last as long as a regular breakout, maybe even a day or two compared to breakouts that can take around a week to heal. That said, skin purging can also take a couple of weeks to come out and for your skin to get used to the product. Especially if you’ve not used an exfoliator of any kind before, so this timing isn’t an exact science.

Skin purging also tends to trigger breakouts in the places where you already get spots or acne symptoms. For us, this is always on our chin and jaw.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

If you’re suddenly getting large breakouts of spots in new places, there’s a strong chance it’s not skin purging. Again, though. It’s not an exact science!

Telling the difference between purging and a breakout is essential to maintaining the long-term health of your skin.

Whilst purging is an indicator that a product is working, if a product is breaking you out more severely, or causing other symptoms, it may suggest you are allergic or sensitive to an ingredient in that product and you need to reconsider your usage of it.

READ NEXT: Acne scars: How to get rid of acne scars or prevent pockmarks forming

What causes skin to purge?

Any new products or ingredients when added to a skincare routine can cause skin purging but there are some ingredients that are common culprits. Particularly so-called active ingredients.

Retinols and retinoids are among the worst/best, and are often present in acne and anti-ageing products because they help to get rid of blocked pores.

This may sound contradictory but they cause spots in order for them to clear.

The Ordinary

Chemical exfoliants can also cause a purging effect, including alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy-acids (BHAs). You can read more about AHAs and BHAs in our guide to the acids in your skincare. 

However, with many ingredients such as niacinamide and salicylic acid, it is less clear whether these can cause purging.

We should note that if you’re experiencing breakouts in new areas, or if you’re experiencing other symptoms of sensitivity such as itching, redness, burning or a rash, stop using the product immediately.

You likely have an allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in the product. It may be worth visiting a professional to establish which ingredient you have a sensitivity to in order to avoid this reaction happening again.

If you’re using products that don’t seemingly have any obvious culprits, breakouts can also be caused by products that are simply too heavy for your skin, such as rich creams or thicker foundations that may be clogging your pores.

Introducing too many new products at once or having an over-complicated skincare routine can also result in unwanted breakouts, so try cutting back to a basic skincare routine to establish whether you’re experiencing purging or a breakout.

FURTHER READING: The best The Ordinary products for all your skincare concerns – from large pores to redness, wrinkles and acne 

How can I avoid purging? 

If we’ve scared you into never wanting to introduce a new product to your skincare routine ever again, please know that hope is not lost!

Whilst skin purging isn’t preventable, per se, it’s very much controllable. The key is to introduce it slowly. Start by using a new product two evenings a week for two weeks, and if you don’t experience a reaction, try three evenings a week. Keep increasing your usage if you experience a minimal reaction, and decrease your usage accordingly.  

Also make sure you only introduce one new product into your skincare routine at a time. We’d recommend waiting six weeks before introducing an additional new product to your routine. This reduces the likelihood of your skin experiencing a purging reaction but also allows you to identify quickly which product is causing the reaction.

It’s also worth checking that you’re not using two products that clash. Sometimes clashing ingredients will merely reduce the effectiveness of the product, but often they can cause a reaction. Some key combinations to avoid include

• Vitamin C with AHAs/BHAs
• Retinol with AHAs/BHAs
• Retinol with Vitamin C
• Niacinamide with Vitamin C 

As always, it’s very important to test products first before applying them to your face. Place a pea-sized quantity of the product to the side of your neck or inside of your elbow and watch for a reaction for 48 hours.

How to get rid of purges 

Purging can be uncomfortable and upsetting, especially if you were expecting miracle results from your expensive new cream. Thankfully, there are things you can do to minimise the breakouts.

Step 1: Keep things simple

CeraVe

Firstly, a simple skincare routine is vital.

Stick to a gentle cleanser, such as CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser (£9.50), and try to avoid any products with fragrances and harsh chemicals.

We have more recommendations in our best cleanser or best cleanser for acne list.

Additionally, if you’re experiencing skin purging it’s beneficial to use a light, oil-free moisturiser that won’t clog your pores. The best moisturiser we’ve used is the Purito Deep Sea Water Cream.

Step 2: Always use SPF

It’s also important to make sure you’re using SPF every day to protect against sun damage, as many active ingredients can also increase your sensitivity to the sun.

The Inkey List’s SPF 30 Daily Sunscreen (£14.99) uses mineral filters to protect against harmful UVA and UVB without causing further irritation.

During the summer months, we recommend opting for a stronger formula, such as the Body Shop’s Skin Defense Multi-Protection Lotion SPF50+ PA++++ (£22), which hydrates damaged skin while protecting against sun damage, pollution, and signs of ageing.

We’re also big fans of the Super Health Skin Ultralight UVA/UVB SPF 25 from Beauty Pie. This is super lightweight and hydrating, so even doubles up as a moisturiser, and acts as a great primer too. This is ideal if you want to reduce the number of products you put on your purging skin.

Just note that it’s not got the highest SPF rating so if you’re fair, you’ll need something stronger.

READ NEXT: Best sunscreen for face UK: Which sunscreen is best for your skin type and budget?

Step 3: Avoid harsh chemicals 

Caudalie

We touched upon this in Step 1 but to reiterate: Don’t use any harsh physical or chemical exfoliators while your skin is adjusting and purging.

This can cause more purging to happen, or cause a painful reaction.

If you really need to exfoliate, use a gentle physical exfoliator that won’t further aggravate the skin.

We love the Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator (£20), which has a 97% natural ingredient formula that purifies and restores skin, without leaving it feeling dry and sensitive.

We’ve also got the best skin of our life while using the Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant because it’s gentle enough to use every day, and you leave it on the skin.

FURTHER READING: Best face exfoliator: Get smoother skin using scrubs from Upcircle, The Ordinary, Nip+Fab and more

 Step 4: Be patient! 

And finally, patience is key. Purging will usually last for at least one cycle of the skin, and this is around a month. If it lasts longer than six weeks, slow down or cease use of the product as it may be a sensitivity or allergy.

However, after those six weeks, you should experience the glowy and revitalised skin you’ve been promised! And you can then look to add a new product, should you want to.

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Katie Lynch

After graduating from the University of East Anglia with a degree in History, Katie has gone on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Human Rights at University College London and is currently interning at a legal representation charity. When she’s not poring over books on politics and legal theory, she’s obsessing over cat TikToks, playing with makeup, or prowling ASOS

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