Over the last few years, beauty ideals have gradually begun to veer towards a more natural, subtle appearance. These days, the focus lies more on healthy skin. And one of the pinnacles of a thriving complexion is “the glow”. We’re not talking early 00’s body glitter, either. No, we mean that “lit from within, swallowed a light bulb iridescence”. While the outcome of glowing skin seems effortless, the key is to use the right products, in order to achieve the coveted look.
But what are those products? Well, that’s where things can get a bit complicated. The reason being that no matter what you use, if it’s not for your SKIN TYPE, results will always fall short. This is because “glowing skin” is a side effect of healthy skin. You can’t get to it without firstly attending to some basic skin steps. Fret not however, for we’re going to walk you through all the before mentioned steps and recommend some stellar products for each skin type to address them.
Exfoliation
Roughly (no pun intended) every 25-28 days, our skin renews itself. The epidermis sheds its dead, devitalised cells, revealing newer skin underneath. However, as we age, this renewal simultaneously slows down, leading to dull, uneven and textured skin. The good news is, we can prod this process along with exfoliating ingredients that can help achieve glowing skin all year round. When you exfoliate skin, not only do you get rid of the rough texture, but you also reveal a brighter complexion.
As great as exfoliating is, you should aim to exfoliate correctly. Not all products are created the same, and not all skin needs the same levels of exfoliation. If your skin tends to flake often, or if it regularly feels tight, then you probably have dry or dehydrated skin. These skin types ideally require exfoliators that work by gently buffing away dead skin cells without stripping and irritating the skin. Almond Face Scrub from Irene Forte is the ideal choice for dry and dehydrated skins. This cream-based formula combines non-abrasive almond and hazelnut granules to resurface while hyaluronic acid hydrates, aloe vera juice soothes and omega rich oils nourish the skin barrier. Your skin will be left revitalised, refined and conditioned.
Lotion P50W from Biologique Recherche is perfect for oily and blemish prone skin. Stemming from the OG exfoliating toner, this variant contains soothing extract of arnica to calm redness and irritation that is often is associated with acne. Its cocktail of AHAs, BHAs and PHAs provide gentle chemical exfoliation while Cider Vinegar, Horseradish extract and Burdock extract effectively balance and purify the skin while minimising the appearance of enlarged pores. Oily skin contains an excess of sebum, resulting in shine that may be look like a “glow”, but ultimately is not and may lead to breakouts. Niacinamide and Soapbark extracts in Lotion P50W are well known for their sebum-regulating properties which help to reduce excess oil production and keep blemishes at bay.
If you experience skin sensitivity, please keep in mind that this is a skin condition and not a skin type. That being said, there’s a limit to the amount of active ingredients you can use, and also an ideal concentration. The Ayuna Facial Low is another unique offering from the brand that works to restore healthy microflora, purify and refine without relying on exfoliating acids. While the product does contain 'acids' in its formula, they differ from your typical AHAs and BHAs, as they promote cell renewal without causing harsh exfoliation. For instance, acetic acid from raspberry vinegar balances the skin's pH, succinic acid from corn aids in purification and sebum regulation, and glutamic acid boosts hydration. The total acid content of 20% is encapsulated within a colloidal system (powder-in-lotion), which enhances delivery to the skin for maximum results and comfort. Combined with Plasma Rich in Noni Cell Factors, a potent prebiotic complex, this refining concentrate leaves your skin balanced, hydrated, unified, and, of course, visibly glowing!
As we mentioned above, ageing results in a slower skin cell renewal. Reaching for a suitable exfoliating serum such as Biologique Recherche Serum 3R is your best bet towards skin as soft as your younger years. A triple action serum, it renews, rejuvenates, and repairs skin. PHAs lactobionic and gluconolactone acids intensely brighten and renew the skin, while white willow bark and sodium salicylate resurfaces uneven skin texture. A blend of antioxidants featuring cranberry and walnut extracts shield the skin against environmental aggressors protecting collagen and elastin in the dermis. Further enriched with a complex of firming and reconditioning actives, this targeted formula works overtime to tackle wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
After your exfoliating treatments, adding an extra boost of brightening ingredients can enhance their results tremendously. Masque PIGM400, also from Biologique Recherche, is a wonderful cellulose sheet mask for skins in need of brightening and revitalising. Ideal for those with visible hyperpigmentation, photo-damaged and dull-looking skins. Formulated with a stable vitamin C derivative, ascorbyl glucoside. Unlike ascorbic acid, it doesn’t deteriorate as quickly, allowing you to enjoy its skin evening, complexion brightening benefits. Finger lime and pea extracts alongside A-glucan detox supercharge targeted action on dark spots, further unveiling a luminous glow.
Balance
Now that we’ve exfoliated, the next step is to balance. Yes, acids do balance your skin, and you will definitely notice some of those benefits after using your peeling concoctions. But, for those with a few extra skin concerns, adding a clay or cream mask will do your skin even more good.
Biologique Recherche’s Masque Vivant is famous worldwide for it’s potent purifying, detoxifying and brightening benefits. This vibrantly coloured (and scented) clay mask is powered by yeast extract which helps to re-balance and detoxify the skin while bentonite clay helps to purify and regulate sebum. The addition of antioxidant rich cider vinegar, hydrating cucumber extract and anti-inflammatory actives ensure the mask leaves your skin clear, revitalised and poreless without drying it out.
Many skin sensitivities are a result of unbalanced skin. This can affect all types, including oily, dry, or combination. Ayuna Balm K is a soft clay mask that repairs and calms skin, ideal for redness-prone, congested and pigmented skin. Tasmanian Pepper works to visibly reduce the appearance of epidermal redness and decongest, while Luminous Clay reveals brighter and more unified complexion. Gentle yet highly effective formula also includes Broccoli Sprouts which are naturally rich in potassium providing boost of hydration and glycation protection.
Hydration
Ensuring your skin is adequately hydrated plays a huge role in its health, and healthy skin is as we know, glowing skin. However, hydration is often times confused with nourishment, but they are not one in the same. Whereas nourishment involves the levels of lipids in your skin, hydration deals with the amount of water in your cells.
For those with extremely dehydrated skin, hyaluronic acid may be one of the best possible ingredients to use. That’s why we’re head over heels with the Irene Forte Triple Level Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This skin plumping treatment contains three molecular sizes of the iconic ingredient, allowing it to penetrate into different areas of skin. Perfect for those that need a surge of hydration, such as dry skin types, it’s lightweight non-comedogenic formula also works well for all skin types. Making this serum quite an all-rounder indeed.
Protection
Skin is an organ. A resilient, tough and powerful one. Yet due to environmental factors, diet, and lifestyle habits, modern skin needs some support to be at its best. This is where creams come into play. They not only add nourishing lipids into the epidermis, but depending on how they’re formulated, they can provide skin with an extra layer of protection. When skin is protected, everything else can work its best, setting the stage for you to glow.
Many oily skin types like to skip moisturiser, and we get it, why add more oil to all that sheen? But moisturisers like Crème Iso-Placenta are magic workers for our sisters (and brothers) of sebum. Featuring Biomimetic Placenta, an active ingredient that contains five essential growth factors that you would find in human placenta. This powerful active works by regenerating and healing the skin, making it wonderful choice for post-acne marks and scars. Centella Asiatica, Vitamin B3 and Yeast work in synergy to soothe, balance and protect skin while boosting its natural luminosity.
For compromised or drier skin, Emulsion Originelle Regenerante offers extraordinary regenerative, hydrating and protective benefits. A soothing emulsion enriched with macadamia oil and squalane er breathes life into the lipid barrier. Extracts of mimosa and colostrum protect skin from external aggressors, allowing it to heal itself, leaving room for a more balanced and unified complexion.
As mature skin types usually require higher levels of support, here at Embassy of Beauty we love to prescribe finishing serums for them to round off their routine. Finishing serums are a unique offering that seal in the rest of your skincare regimen, allowing it to work at optimum levels, while also imbuing skin with additional benefits. The Fluide Vip O2 from Biologique Recherche is a protective elixir that shields skin from the effects of life in the city. Its patented oxygenating complex helps to tackle oxidative stress, gradually revealing skin’s natural radiance. Cotton and strawberry leaf extracts nourish the epidermis, while walnut and niacinamide provides enhanced protection from irritating and ageing external factors.
Glowing skin may be in now, but like any trend, it’s only a matter of time before we pivot. Healthy skin however, will always be on trend. Ensuring you use the right products for you will keep your skin hip no matter the decade.
Thank you for reading, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
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