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3 Reasons why you NEED to be using Facial Oils

The Truth about Retinol

What the R? The truth about Retinol

How Pollution is Damaging your skin and how to prevent it

How Pollution is damaging your skin and how to prevent it.

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A Well Travelled Beauty

the_beauty_explorer

A-Z of skincare ingredients. C is for Ceramides!⁠
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As far as anti-ageing ingredients go, ceramides have a proven record but are often overlooked. They help skin retain moisture, fortify its protective barrier, and keep its appearance firm and plump. What's not to love!⁠
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What are ceramides?⁠
Simply put, ceramides are lipids (fats) that are found naturally in high concentrations in the uppermost layers of skin. They make up over 50% of skin’s composition, so it’s no surprise they play a vital role in determining how your skin looks (and how it responds to environmental threats).⁠
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What do ceramides do?⁠
Think of ceramides as the mortar between bricks—if the bricks are your skin cells. Ceramides help hold skin together by forming a protective layer that limits moisture loss and protects against visible damage from pollution and other environmental stressors. In addition, ceramides—even more than retinol, niacinamide, and peptides—are one of the anti-aging “powerhouses” responsible for supporting skin’s dynamic nature. Two particular ceramide precursors—phytosphingosine and sphingolipids—actually help skin make more ceramides.⁠
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If my skin already contains ceramides, why do I need them in my beauty products?⁠
Age and sun damage reduce the effectiveness of your skin’s natural ceramides—and can eventually deplete them, which weakens your skin’s barrier. The results are drier, rougher skin, wrinkles, irritation, redness, and visible signs of dehydration. ⁠
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What are the benefits of ceramides?⁠
Skincare products containing ceramides will help reinforce your skin’s barrier and increase hydration—giving you plumper, smoother, firmer-feeling skin with fewer visible lines and wrinkles, as well as fewer signs of sensitivity.⁠
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Because they’re naturally a part of your skin, ceramides are ideal for all skin types—even the most sensitive, breakout-prone, or oily skin.⁠
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This @Purito sleeping mask contains ceramides and is like a sweater for your skin! ⁠
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How adorable are these mini!!!!!⁠ ⁠ In an edit

How adorable are these mini!!!!!⁠
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In an edition of #instagrammademebuy I've been wanting to get these beauty favourites for ages but really couldn't justify getting full sizes. So I was delighted to see that they come in minis - and they are super cute!⁠
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1. I'm From Mugwort Essence 30ml⁠
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Formulated with 100% mugwort extract harvest from Ganghwa County in Korea this Mugwort Essence harnesses Mugwort’s natural detoxifying properties, in Korea it is used in a similar way to Tea Tree Oil⁠
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2. I'm From Rice Toner 30ml⁠
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Created with organic rice grown free from pesticides, this toner moisturizes and brightens skin. While gently getting rid of skin impurities and excess oils, this rice toner effectively rebalances and instantly rejuvenates dry, dull and irritated skin.⁠
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3. I'm From Fig Boosting Essence 30ml⁠
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Formulated with 62.7% Fig Extract, its lightweight texture is quickly absorbed to effectively hydrated skin. Using the power of BHAs, it gently exfoliates and smooths skin, while also prepping it for the subsequent steps of your skincare regime.⁠
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AD info I bought these minis from @yestyle and you can get an extra discout with my code BEAUTYEXPLOR and there is a link in the bio (affiliate)⁠
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but @_tonic15 also have a great deal when you buy the three of them as a trio? ⁠
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Have you tried them? Which one is your favourite?

Want to step up your preventative skincare game?⠀
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I have a new post up on the blog all about beauty devices that help delay skin ageing. But let's have a chat about the wonder LED devices first.⠀
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This little cutie is the @quasar_md Pure Rayz LED device which I've been using for nearly a year now. LED red light technology works by delivering light energy to your skin cells that stimulates the cells to undergo self-repair. ⠀
It has 4 wavelengths of amber, red, and infrared light for the deepest penetration.⠀
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Other LED devices can have different colours like blue (kills acne-causing bacteria, regulates oil and sebum plus it’s anti-inflammatory). Green (to target pigmentation) and yellow (helps wound healing), are also available.⠀
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While at-home LED devices are made with fewer bulbs than ones you might find in a clinic, they can still be effective! I haven't noticed a huge difference in some of my fine line but what I love is the glow it gives my skin. Even after using it just a few times, I found myself thinking "dam my skin looks good". It also helps to stimulate collagen production that starts to slow down as we get older. Hence helping to delay skins ageing.⠀
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To begin with, you use it about 5 times a week. You hold the device up to areas of your face for three minutes, then move on to the next area. So it is quite time-consuming. You also have to keep it plugged in, which limits your movement. Because of this, I keep it beside my bed and use it while watching youtube or reading stuff on my computer.⠀
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For under €200 it's a lower price point than most other LED devices, though it seems that they have stopped making them. They are sold out on my FAV beauty device website @currentbody and the Quaser Md website. ⠀
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If you are thinking about an LED device and can invest a bit more, the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask is next on my list! It has amazing reviews (my beloved @gossmakeupartist is a fan) and much quicker to use.⠀
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If its a bit out of your price range @silknukofficial Silkn Facetite combines LED and RF (radio frequency) energy is a great option.⠀
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Want to know how micro-current, RF and even cleansing tools can help delay ageing? Link

Some picks from my @yesstyle haul. May have gone o

Some picks from my @yesstyle haul. May have gone overboard on the minis...
Theres so many products I've heard great things about that I had to get. Luckily a lot of them come in mini sizes.⁠
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What was in my order.⁠
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@imfrom_global⁠
Rice Toner,⁠
Mugwort Essence⁠
Fig Boosting Essence⁠
Honey Mask⁠
Mugwort Mask⁠
⁠@innisfreeofficial⁠
Green Tea Toner⁠
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@Purito⁠
Dermide Cica Barrier Sleeping Pack⁠
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@pyunkangyul⁠
Essence Toner⁠
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@bywishtrend⁠
Pure Vitamin C 15% with Ferulic Acid (Kindly gifted by yesstyle for review)⁠
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Can't wait to crack into these! Do you have any favourites here? ⁠
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ps if you want to get any yesstyle deals for yourself the link is in the bio (af) and you can use the code BEAUTYEXPLOR for an extra discount!⁠

Little pink wednesday post for you! How everyone d

Little pink wednesday post for you! How everyone doing?⁠
Not gonna lie feeling very frustrated with the latest lockdown restrictions!⁠
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Spot any favourites?

No more Drunk Elephant. Why you should try testers

No more Drunk Elephant. Why you should try testers and travel size before investing.⁠
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A few #empties for a #minimonday⁠
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I'm so glad I got these Drunk Elephant minis instead of spending the considerable amount for the full size, cause I haven't been that impressed them. The products or the company.⁠
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There was a point last year where it seemed everyone on Instagram was obsessed with Drunk Elephant and I can see why. They do have good formulations and the packaging is super pretty.⁠
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Starting off with my favourite and working my way down to my least favourite.⁠
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💖 D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops ⁠
- This would have been a repurchase. Gives a lovely natural bronze that you can tailor to how dark you want to go. It mixes easily with your moisturiser or spf and most importantly doesn't cause it to pill.⁠
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💕 B Hydra ⁠
This is a great hydration serum, that does give your skin a decent boost. However, if you have extra dry skin I don't think this would be enough. But you can get just as good a hydration boost for a lot less.⁠
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💕 C-Firma Day Serum⁠
I had such high hopes for this serum, and it's one of the better Vit Cs I used. It just didn't really do it for me.⁠
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💕 Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil⁠
This is the famous facial oil that the founder of The Ordinary Brandan Truaxe (RIP) said you would have to be drunk to pay that much for. And I have to agree with him. ⁠
Why would you pay €70 for the Drunk Elephant when you can get The Ordinary one for €10?⁠
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💔 A-Passioni Retinol Cream⁠
I've tried a lot of different retinol products and did not get on with this one. I'm used to introducing stronger retinols but this continued to cause peeling on my skin unlike any other retinol I've tried.⁠
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I also have to comment on how Drunk Elephant has been treating it's customer feedback (by arguing and deleting comments) and how it responded to @carolinehirons review. A brands values are just as important to me as how good the product is.⁠
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So it's a no for me for Drunk Elephant⁠
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Hello October! Do you switch up your skincare rout

Hello October! Do you switch up your skincare routine when the seasons change?⁠
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Like our wardrobe we need to change up our skincare routine per season. As the temperature drops, it’s the perfect time to have a switch-up in the skincare department. You don’t need to overhaul your skincare routine entirely, but you do need to make some minor adjustments to your regimen to ensure that the skin stays healthy and balanced during this seasonal change.⁠
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During autumn and winter, the air has less humidity which can upset the skin's balance, and central heating can strip skin of more moisture.⁠
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Switch your cleanser to a cream/oil/balm formula⁠
Switching your foaming face wash for a nourishing balm or cream cleanser will remove your make-up whilst deeply cleansing, giving your skin the comfort and nourishment it needs rather than stripping it. ⁠
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Reduce acids to more gentle AHAS ⁠
You might think that exfoliation would worsen dryness, but it’s important to keep at it – just ramp down the strength a little to avoid potential irritation as your skin’s sensitivity changes. Rather than a scrub, a chemical exfoliant will help both to treat tight, flaky skin and to improve moisture retention. Try the gentlest AHA available, mandelic acid (which will also help to hide evidence of summer skin sins by targeting sun spots). ⁠
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Introduce Oils ⁠
Switching temperatures constantly (OTT central heating, cold commutes, hot showers) disrupts the skin’s moisture balance, meaning skin can become a lot flakier and drier in the autumn months. Introducing an oil into your routine will not only hydrate in the short-term but will also help your skin to improve moisture rentention in the long haul. ⁠
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Invest in a thicker moisturiser ⁠
A lightweight moisturiser will have been enough for most skin types in the summer, but cooling temperatures and central heating kicking in are signs that you need to reach for a slightly more hydrating moisturiser. Even if you prefer oil-free creams or are using an oil elsewhere in your routine, skin can benefit from something with a thicker consistency to seal in hydration (think of it as the skincare equivalent of your winter coat). ⁠

Sticky and gooey, this one texture that I'm not a

Sticky and gooey, this one texture that I'm not a fan of and it also smells weird... But oh are the results are worth it!⁠
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@Deciem NIOD Voicemail mask is one of those products that you don't quite understand what it does but dam it makes your skin look good!⁠
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NIOD describes it as "a nighttime leave-on masque treatment that fights many of the signs associated with impaired cellular communication"
And in English... basically our cells chat to each other and as we grow older that communication starts to break down. I imagine them as old deaf cells yelling at each other 🤣 unfortunately this breakdown results in dullness and uneven skin tone.
Most skincare products only focus on specific skin cells and there isn’t many that concentrate on cell communication.
NIOD Voicemail Masque does exactly this. ⁠
I won’t go into the ingredients, the main thing you need to know is plant stem cells who you need to thank.
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An overnight leave-on treatment, you apply it over your serums before bed. The trick is to apply a very very thin layer and give it as much time as possible before hitting the hay or your going to end up with a stained pillow!
The mask is about €35 and available from @cloud10beauty , @beautyfeatures.ie and of course @deciem

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