Top 5: Skincare Tips For People Who Work Out

Going to the gym will help you to look after your body, but sweating for long periods of time can wreak havoc on your skin. If you’ve recently started working with one of the many certified personal trainers in London and have noticed your skin suffering, you might need to switch up your skincare routine. Don’t worry, with the following steps, you’ll be able to get your skin back on track in no time.

Don’t wear makeup to the gym

If you’re used to wearing makeup every time you leave the house, you’ve probably been working out with a full face without thinking too much about it. While you might look a million dollars, makeup actually contributes to the clogging of your pores as sweat builds up behind it. When you’re at the gym, your skin needs to be able to breathe easily. If you feel very self-conscious going out without makeup, swap your foundation for a light, tinted sunscreen or moisturiser. And if you’re worried about removing your makeup when you turn up at the gym, keep a small bottle of micellar water and some cotton pads to hand.

Wash your face after working out

Once you’ve finished exercising, you’ll want to get any sweat that’s accumulated on your skin washed off as soon as possible. Sometimes using just water will be enough, but if your skin isn’t too dry or sensitive, choose a creamy or oil-based cleanser to really melt any build-ups off your face.

Moisturise your skin

You should always moisturise your face after cleansing, but especially so after sweating in the gym. Choose a hydrating moisturiser that has a light texture that won’t clog your pores. Pay attention to your moisturiser’s packaging and check that the bottle says non-comedogenic, so you know it won’t contribute to any breakouts.

Keep it gentle

If your skincare routine usually contains anti-ageing serums and acid peels, you might want to hold off using them straight after working out. Instead, save them for your nighttime routine before bed. Always give your skin time to recover after sweating in the gym, as it will be more sensitive. To reduce redness and irritation, consider adding a cooling, soothing mist or gel to your post-workout routine. Look for ingredients like green tea, cucumber, aloe vera or cica.

Use a high-quality gym towel

The gym towel you use during your workout can significantly impact your skin, especially if you’re using it to wipe your face. Make sure you invest in a towel that’s of a medium absorbency and wicks away sweat from the surface of your skin. It’s also a good idea to change your towel often and wash it in between uses to avoid transferring bacteria to your skin. You should always have a separate towel for your face that you don’t use anything else, otherwise, it’s like spreading all the germs on your hands over your face. Make sure that this towel is only used for its intended purpose - wiping away sweat. Don’t use it interchangeably to wipe down machines or to sit on whilst your exercise!

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Skincare 101: How to Prevent Your Makeup from Causing Acne #AD

Makeup is definitely there to improve our self-confidence. Wearing makeup is an effective and fun way to cover imperfections, improve skin tone and emphasize facial features. I believe that there is no girl who does not like to wear make-up. However, what happens when makeup ceases to be our way of beautification and begins to cause us a problem? 

Although today's makeup is designed to moisturize and protect the skin, certain cosmetics could potentially lead to irritation, allergies, dry skin, or even acne and pimples! Makeup acne is definitely something that can occur and cause us a real nightmare! These reactions usually disappear over time and by avoiding certain products. However, the symptoms often last. Acne and pimples can be caused by the interaction of hormones, bacteria, skin oils, and makeup which leads to inflammation of the hair follicles. So stay with us until the end of this post and learn how to prevent your makeup from causing acne on your skin.

Use non-comedogenic make-up products

In addition to the low risk of side effects, makeup can definitely have positive effects on the skin. That is why you should use the make-up that is formulated in such a way as to moisturize, hydrate, and nourish the facial skin and to protect it from the harmful effects of the sun. A thin layer of makeup can actually protect the skin from airborne contaminants - which could otherwise penetrate the pores and cause damage associated with acne, wrinkles or other aging effects. Cosmetics and other personal care products are now designed to counteract these harmful effects of pollution.

Makeup hygiene

Make sure that your make-up and tools are always well protected from external influences. So, to be well closed, covered, and clean - since contaminated makeup and dirty brushes can lead to infections and inflammation that can lead to acne and makeup pimples. Replace makeup at least once every few months and don't share cosmetics with others!

Remove your makeup before going to bed

Every night before going to bed, very carefully remove all traces of makeup from the face and neck, because acne also forms around the chin and neck. This reduces the possibility that makeup will clog pores, and also removes dirt and excess oil that accumulates on your skin during the day. There is no need to "scrub" the skin. All you really need is a gentle cleanser for your face and your hands or a soft cloth for washing your face. After cleansing, don't forget to apply a treatment for acne and pimples. We also recommend using a hot towel for acne after removing your makeup, to make sure that nothing is stuck in your pores and to make sure your skin is glowing.

Proper facial hygiene

When the damage has already been done and you already have makeup acne - you know what to do. Proper facial cleansing at home is crucial to solve this problem and prevent it from spreading and getting worse. Mandatory washing and cleansing of the face 2 times a day (morning and evening) with adequate non-comedogenic and water-based products (oil clogs pores). Make sure that these are some natural ingredients that will not further irritate your skin. After cleansing the face, hydration and care with a moisturizing cream should follow. Again, it would be desirable for your facial cosmetics to be on a natural basis - because natural ingredients are far better and safer for your skin, but also overall health. In particular, since you need to get rid of acne caused by makeup - you should use a cream (or even better, an acne gel) that removes acne and pimples.

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The Weekend Post: Is Botox The Right Way To Get Rid Of Wrinkles? by Austin K

If how you look is important to you, ageing is bound to be your biggest challenge. Some of the signs of ageing can be hidden easily by simple procedures. Hair colour can hide your grey hairs pretty easily. Other signs like fine lines and wrinkles that appear on your face are a lot harder to deal with. Ageing cannot be reversed, there's no cure for it. There are a lot of good habits one can inculcate to delay the signs of ageing from appearing. Habits like smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol have been known to make things worse faster. Apart from taking preventive steps, there are options one can consider even after fine lines and wrinkles appear on your face. 

Why do wrinkles appear? 

Ageing coincides with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The exact causes may vary depending on where they appear. The way to treat wrinkles depends on the precise cause of why they appear or where they appear. Our facial expressions make our skin fold. This is caused by the contraction of certain facial muscles. Once the face returns to a resting state the skin straightens out due to its elasticity. Ageing reduces the elasticity of the skin. Due to the frequent contraction of the muscles in a similar pattern over the years the skin forms lines where it folds and over the years these lines deepen. For these types of wrinkles, Botox is the best solution available. 

What does Botox do? 

Botox is a powerful toxin that can temporarily paralyse muscles when injected into them. When injected into the facial muscles responsible for wrinkles they get paralysed and the wrinkles get smoothed out. This effect will last between three to six months depending on a few factors. After that period another dose would be required to maintain a wrinkle-free appearance. Botox cannot remove all types of wrinkles though. It is typically used to treat wrinkles that form on the top one-third portion of the face. Most reputed organizations that offer Botox treatments like ​Therapie Clinic ​also offer other solutions. The most common being dermal fillers. 

What are other treatments? 

All wrinkles do not form because of the contraction of facial muscles. Ageing also reduces the tissue volume in the face. This causes the skin to shrink or sag leading to the appearance of wrinkles. Botox cannot help with such wrinkles. Dermal fillers are a range of substances that can be directly injected into the skin to replace the lost volume thereby letting the wrinkles vanish. The treatment will have to be repeated in around ten months. 

Apart from injectables and preventive good habits, there are surgical methods to treat wrinkles. These methods like a facelift are a lot more expensive. It will also involve a longer recovery period. It also comes with the risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia. Injectables are a safe and relatively hassle-free process to get rid of wrinkles. When it comes to wrinkles that form due to muscle contractions Botox is the best option.

Article contributed by Austin K

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A Face Oil For Every Skin Type & Concern: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Mini Gift Set review

Face oils have got to be one of the best products that I've ever added to my skincare routine, and I have several different bottles that I like to reach for, depending on how my skin is feeling that day. I think it's really important to try and understand what your skin needs, rather than just slapping on a 'fix it all' type of product, as these rarely work for everyone.

Instead, grab a mirror and take a good look at your complexion. Is it looking dull? Feeling tight? Are there any oily parts?  Or any extremely dry areas? Is it red or feeling irritated? Can I see the first signs of ageing? Am I breaking out? Next, ask yourself what, if anything, you'd like to address with your skin. Do you want it to feel softer and have a more even skin tone? Be less oily? Feel more hydrated? Look more radiant?

All of these questions can help you to find the best products for your skin at this present moment and don't be alarmed if your answers are different the next day or within the next week or month - that's totally normal! Your skin can change depending on lots of different factors such as seasonal changes with the weather, what you're eating or drinking, stress levels and of course for us ladies, whether Mother Nature is dropping off her monthly 'treat' or not. 

So if you're new to face oils and want to introduce one (or more) into your skincare routine, I'd recommend getting your hands on some samples or travel sizes to try out first. This way, you can find out which oils work best for you and your skin, before you splurge on some full-size bottles. To make this slightly easier, I've been testing out the Ooh Oils of Heaven Mini Gift Set which is a brilliant way to try out five 100% pure and natural oils that you can use on their own, or you can mix and match them to create the perfect blend for your skin's needs. Easy!  

 Best for Sensitive, Sun Damaged, Oily & Problem Prone Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Rejuvenating Face Oil

If you're a health and fitness fan, you may already be aware of the benefits of taking Baobab as a superfood supplement, but did you know that it's great for your skin too? Derived from the seeds that come from the pods of the African Adansonia tree, Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Oil is carefully cold-pressed to retain as many of its nutrients as possible. Rich in vitamins A, D, E and K, it also contains a range of fatty acids including the essential omega 3, 6 and 9 which means this oil is amazing for helping to heal any skin damage (especially from the sun) and is ideal for anyone who has eczema, rosacea and psoriasis thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. It's also easily absorbed and feels balancing, making it a good one for oily skin types to try out as well.  

 Best for Dry and Damaged Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Argan Oil has soared in popularity over the past few years and for good reason. It's incredibly rich in Vitamin E and contains essential fatty acids such as Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid and Oleic Acid which really help to lock moisture into the skin, keeping it happy and hydrated for longer. Argan Oil is also great for anyone who has damaged skin as it helps to repair delicate skin tissue - those with wrinkles and scars may see some noticeable benefits by using it on a long-term basis. Sadly, due to Argan Oil's popularity, there are a lot of poorly diluted versions on the market (often blended with much cheaper oils), so always make sure that you purchase yours from a reputable brand or retailer. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil contains just pure Argan Oil that has been cold-pressed from Argan kernels in Morocco, with nothing else added to it.

 Best for Anti-Aging & Mature Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Cacay Anti-Aging Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £39, link) 

The newest discovery in the world of natural face oils is Cacay, and this superstar oil has been making some serious waves in the beauty world due to its incredible anti-aging benefits. Made from wild Cacay nuts that are harvested in the Columbian jungle, Cacay Oil contains 50% more Vitamin E and twice the amount of Linoleic Acid than Argan Oil, as well as three times more Retinol than Rosehip Oil, so there's no wonder that it's quickly become a go-to oil for anyone who wants to fight the signs of aging! It also helps to seal in moisture, fend off ageing free radicals and it promotes healthy collagen production. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Cacay Anti-Aging Face Oil is 100% pure and cold-pressed, making it a must-try for those seeking a more younger, fresher, smoother and plumped-up complexion. I highly recommend it as a night treatment in your evening skincare routine!

 Best for Normal, Oily & Combination Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Moringa Anti-Oxidant Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Moringa Anti-Oxidant Oil is the one that I tend to suggest the most for people who have 'normal' skin as it's a fantastic all-rounder, but it's also useful for oily and combination skin types as I find it's rather balancing and it helps to promote a clearer complexion overall. Moringa Oil is packed full of antioxidants and contains high levels of  Oleic Acid, Vitamin A and Vitamin C which not only help to heal acne scars and blemish marks, but also make it suitable as a natural defence against free radicals and for tackling the first signs of ageing. It's been a well-used beauty treatment oil throughout time and was regularly used by the ancient Egyptians - no surprise then to hear that it's harvested from the Himalayan 'Tree of Life'. 

Best for Uneven Skin Tones, Scars & Pigmentation: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Rosehip Nourishing Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Along with Argan Oil, Rosehip Oil is another hugely popular oil and features regularly in many skincare gurus' daily routines. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Rosehip Nourishing Face Oil is cold-pressed from Chilean Rosa Canina seeds and contains Vitamins C, K, and A, alongside Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, and Linoleic acid. Rosehip Oil is well known and revered for its powerful cell-regenerative properties that make a noticeable difference in improving skin tone and reducing areas of pigmentation. It's also brilliant for helping to fade scars, boost collagen production and it's great for smoothing out any fine lines and wrinkles. 

How do I use Face Oils?

Spotted a face oil that you want to try? To incorporate it into your skincare routine, simply apply 2-3 drops after your serum (or after cleansing and toning if you don't use a serum), making sure to massage it gently into the skin, and that's it! Think of it as the last step instead of using a moisturiser - you don't need to use anything else after applying an oil. I mainly use face oils in the evening, but you can use them in the morning as well if you prefer (I sometimes like to mix 1-2 drops into my morning moisturiser if my skin needs an extra boost). If you want to mix and match any of the oils above to create your own custom blend, go on right ahead! 

Ooh! Oils of Heaven Mini Gift* (5 x 5ml, £12.50) is available exclusively from Lovelula.com who offer worldwide shipping.

Have you tried Ooh! Oils of Heaven?

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When Does Makeup Expire? A Quick Guide to Expiration Dates & How To Tell If Your Makeup Has Already Gone Bad

Over the weekend, I went through my entire makeup collection and had a proper Spring Clean where I ended up throwing away a lot of makeup that had gone off. It was terribly sad looking at bags of products that I'd neglected or just hadn't gotten around to using before they'd expired, and I couldn't help thinking about how much money I'd wasted!

I'm guessing this happens to many beauty bloggers and makeup fans alike; we often buy far more than we could ever use, and inevitably situations like this will happen when you finally take the plunge and do a big old clearout.

But how do you know when your makeup expires or goes off if there's no 'best before' date on it? There are two main ways; the common 'period after opening' symbol below, and the easy look/smell/performance test, and you use both of these methods to determine whether your makeup has already gone off or can be used a little longer.

Look For The 'Period After Opening' Symbol 

This PAO symbol is one that features on pretty much all beauty and toiletries products that have been manufactured in a factory. Whether it's makeup, haircare, skincare or bath and body stuff, it will most likely have this symbol on the container somewhere (usually on the back). The symbol applies to the amount of time that you have to use that product after it has been opened. 

Once a product is opened, it's immediately exposed to the air which is when bacteria can start to get inside it - this is why many products have those foil 'safety seals' to keep them airtight until they're opened. Most mainstream brands will use preservatives in their formulas which keep the product going for a standard 12 months (12M) and some can be even longer (such as 24M and 36M) before it starts to go off, or the ingredients inside become less effective. 

If you're a green beauty fan and buy a lot of natural and organic-based products, you may have spotted lots of PAO symbols that feature 3M or 6M, as many natural products generally don't use preservatives or use a lot less of them, so they naturally have a much shorter shelf life.

So that's easy yeah? Well, it is if you can remember when you actually opened something. If not, you can enlist the help of the look/smell/performance test.

The Look/Smell/Performance Test

This three question test is super easy. Grab a product and ask yourself:-

1. Does it look OK? A liquid foundation that has expired may have separated (be more watery at the top for example), a lipstick might look mouldy and discoloured, or a powder compact may have developed a hard coating. If it doesn't look like something that you'd buy from a shop, it's probably gone off.

2. Does it smell OK? Makeup that has gone off may develop a really nasty/pungent smell (often the case with mascaras), others will have a more subtle mouldy or damp scent to them. If it didn't smell like that when you bought it, it's time to bin it!

3. Does it still perform as it should? Expired products generally won't work as well as they used to, which is an indicator that it's been exposed to the air for too long or that the ingredients have gone bad. If a product no longer blends as well, has gone gloopy/sticky, dried out or changed texture, or you don't get the colour payoff that you used to with it, it's time to say goodbye.

A General Guide to Common Expiration Dates for Makeup

Natural & Organic Makeup (3-6 Months) - As I mentioned earlier, most natural and organic based makeup don't use preservatives or use a lot less of them in their formulas, so keep an eye on your green beauty buys. Mineral foundations and mineral based powder products seem to be the exception to this rule as they will often keep for 1-3 years depending on which brands you buy.

Mascaras & Liquid Eyeliners (3-6 Months) - Mascaras typically have the shortest lifespan in your makeup bag, and many experts recommend that you bin them after they've been open for 3 months to avoid getting eye infections caused by bacteria getting into the tube (this is also why you should NEVER share your mascara with your friends!). If your mascara hasn't dried out by then, and you don't have any problems with eye infections, you can use it for anywhere between 4-6 months, but keep an eye on that look/smell/performance test and bin it when it doesn't tick one of those boxes. Same goes for liquid eyeliners.  

Any Liquid & Cream Products: Foundations, Concealers, Lipglosses, Cheek Stains, Cream Eyeshadows etc (1 year) -  The guideline for any product that has a liquid/cream consistency is around a year as they contain a lot more water and hydrating ingredients that bacteria likes to grow in. Again, enlist the look/smell/performance test as these products will often change texture or separate when they start going bad.

Pencil Liners: Lipliners & Eyeliners (1-2 years) - Most pencil liners will keep for around 2 years, but if you don't put their lids back on properly and don't sharpen them regularly, they can start to go off in a year due to air exposure and bacteria build-up.

Lipsticks (2 years) - Lipsticks are the main exception to the cream based rule as they are often formulated with 'sturdier' binding ingredients to help it keep its form for longer. However, you do need to keep them clean and make sure the lids are put straight back on after use. If you carry a lippie in your handbag, go for one with a magnetic lid to stop it falling off in your bag.

Powder Products: Eyeshadows, Blushers, Bronzers, Highlighters, Foundations (2 years) - If you don't wear makeup daily or often, powder products are a much better option than their liquid counterparts, as the lack of water content means they can fend off bacteria for longer periods of time. That said, you do still need to use them with clean makeup brushes, and close lids on any compacts after use.

Nail Polish (2 years) - Nail Polish is a funny one. Most people say around 2 years, but I've found that different brands keep longer than others, so I always go by how it looks and how it still performs, before deciding whether to throw it out. If it's gone gloopy though, I'll bin it. 

Have you had a Spring Clean through your makeup collection recently?

Do you throw out expired products regularly?

*Special thanks to Just My Look for providing the makeup products above to illustrate this feature. Check them out if you need to stock up on any new makeup here!

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Christmas Party Prep: The Quick Fixes

The countdown to Christmas is upon us, so if you're running around like a mad hatter in need of some quick beauty fixes for an important party or evening out, this is the post for you!

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Two Easy Ways To Enhance Your Hair Colour Without Damaging It

Dyeing your hair is a fun way to get a brand new look instantly, but if you just want to add a little more depth and shine without completely changing the colour (and without the damage), here are two easy ways to enhance what you've already got.

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Green Beauty: Trying Out A Natural Dental / Oral Hygiene Routine

For the past month, I've been experimenting with a more natural based oral hygiene routine to see if it would help my sensitive teeth. Here are a few words about my experience, and why I would recommend everyone to give it a go at least once.

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Beauty Tips: 5 Ways To Keep Your Face Looking Matte & Flawless This Summer

Summer is officially here (hooray!) and the weather is slowly but surely heating up. Keep your makeup looking flawless with one or two of these mattifying heroes, and you'll look picture perfect in all of your holiday snaps.

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6 Easy Makeup & Skincare Tricks to Make Tired Eyes Look More Awake

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely not a morning person and always wake up looking like a zombie with huge dark circles.  In order for me to look more awake, I rely on these easy skincare and makeup tricks.

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The Skincare Tag!

I was tagged a while back by the lovely Joanna from Mademoiselle Lala to do this skincare tag.  I always enjoy reading about other bloggers skincare routines and habits, so I knew I had to do it myself.

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Review: Primavera Organic Juniper Berry & Cypress Body Scrub + Tips to Maintain Your Summer Tan

 Primavera Organic Juniper Berry & Cypress Body Scrub* (200ml, £20, link)

Mornings are usually a bleary eyed, stumbling-around-like-a-new-born-lamb experience for me, so I rely on a couple of things to help me wake up.  Loud upbeat music (cheesy 90s dance classics are always a winner!), a cup or two of green tea, and fresh scented products in the bathroom generally do the trick.  This body scrub from Primavera has been a welcome addition to my waking-up routine. 

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Beauty News: Balance Me Skincare Advice Chats throughout May

Balance Me are hosting several interactive skincare clinics, via their social media platforms, throughout the month of May.  Whether you'd like a free personalised skincare consulation or simply want a skincare related question or query answered, all you have to do is tweet them (and use #skinclinic) or post on their Facebook page.  

Opening hours for live chat and conversations with Balance Me experts are on the following days between 1 pm and 2 pm:  
Tuesday 14th, 
Friday 17th (Live chat with co-founder Rebecca Hopkins - ask her all of your complexion questions!)

, Tuesday 21st, 
Wednesday 22nd

, Thursday 30th and 
Friday 31st.

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How To: Getting the most out of your Hair Masks & Treatments

If you like to keep your hair in tip top condition and/or you're just plagued with problematic hair like I am, then this post is for you.  Here are my top five pieces of advice for getting the most out of your hair masks and treatments.

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