GUEST POST | Corinne from Trilogy talks about the science behind their Rosehip Oil

Everything your skin needs

Our NEW Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ combines nature’s most powerful skin restoring and protecting properties in a unique and advanced certified organic formulation called Rosapene™.

With all the benefits of our award-winning Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, plus the addition of super antioxidants (lycopene and phytosterol), Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ represents a new level of innovation in natural skincare. It’s exciting news for lovers of rosehip oil across the globe. 

New clinical studies* on Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ show:

• 75% improvement in brightening and skin tone
• 33% improvement in fine lines and wrinkles
• 25% improvement in elasticity and firmness

With the ability to quench free radicals twice as efficiently as beta-carotene, lycopene is one of the most powerful antioxidants used in skincare. It’s this protective action of antioxidants that provides these glowing results in skin tone and brightening.

And here’s a bonus, its Trilogy gift time.

Enjoy a free limited edition Rosehip Lip Gloss when you purchase any size Trilogy Certified OrganicRosehip Oil or Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+.   

Our 100% natural, tinted lip gloss is a nourishing blend of beeswax and certified organic rosehip oil to soften and soothe, while our signature ‘Trilogy Red’ tint adds a subtle sheen for a touch of glamour.  

*Independent clinical study. Twice daily use – 12 women – 8 weeks. Expert clinician grading.

GUEST POST | Kimberly Sayer talks lightening products

A lot of people associate aging and looking older with fine lines and wrinkles. Yet there are other signs of ageing  that also play a part in how old or young you look. As we age the skin generally becomes more sallow, with uneven skin tone and discoloration (hyperpigmentation). There are also signs of sun damage that become more pronounced as the years go on.

Anti-aging products can only go so far in helping reduce the signs of aging.

So can skin lightening products also help you?

To answer this question about skin lightening products and anti-aging, you must first understand what these products do. Essentially, they are designed to even out your skin tone and can be applied to a specific area where you have uneven skin tone and discoloration, which removes that aged discolored appearance. It also fades sun damage, sun spots and extra freckles over time, too.

How does It Work?

Kimberly Sayer of London’s formulations are all created without the use of chemicals and so we set to work with only premium, clean and organic ingredients that brighten, lighten and even the skin tone naturally. After a year of testing, formulating and reformulating we created our new product Lightening & Brightening Serum which is a synergistic blend of naturally derived brighteners and lighteners that also tighten and firm the skin.

Key Ingredients

• Patented, calibrated Atlantic Algae fights free radicals and inhibits the enzyme that triggers melanin production
• Seaweed Extract from the Arctic Circle inhibits melanin production and reduces pigment formation in the skin
• Wheat Extract and California Bear Berry Leaf also inhibit melanin production and reduce pigment formation in the skin
• Licorice Root diminishes sun induced redness
• Egyptian Neroli Oil brightens and lightens the skin naturally
• Olive and Lemon Extracts brighten and lighten the skin naturally
• Alfalfa Extract stimulates cell renewal and tightens skin.

Benefits

Vegan and organic with only all-natural preservatives

Suitable for all skin types, especially dry and mature skin

Ideal for use under make-up

Skin becomes lighter and brighter with regular daily use

Does NOT contain Phalates, Parabens, Sodium Laureth Sulfates, Petroleum Derivatives, Formaldehyde, Petrochemicals, synthetic color or fragrance

Q&A with Pai Skincare

Last week LoveLula hosted a Facebook chat with the sensitive skin expert Sarah Brown, founder of Pai Skincare. It was a great Q&A, with lots of fab tips from Sarah to get your skin glowing! If you didn't get the chance to join us for the live chat, we picked a few of our favourite question and answers here for you:

Can skin really get lazy, i.e. get too used to products?

I think if you find a regime that works for you, it's best not to chop and change, because every time you do your skin has to adjust to new oil levels and can be thrown out of balance. That said, I think skin can get lazy of you apply too much product - so it's more amount controlling quantity.

Should you exfoliate if you have existing spots?

Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator

It depends on the spot - if they're large or pustular then it's probably best not to. If they're minor spots then it should be fine, so long as you use a non-abrasive product (like our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Exfoliator!) and go gently with it.

I have 29 year old (+2 kids) skin...so a bit tired, a bit dehydrated, some minor wrinkles...but tons of little bumps (blocked pores!?) particularly on my cheeks and hairline, and I get a few spots now and then. I'm struggling to find a moisturiser and foaming cleanser (I need foam to feel clean!) that can deal with all this...any ideas??

It sounds like your skin could just be congested. A good organic facial or two might get it back on track if you can find some me-time (drop us an email if you want a list of salons offering Pai treatments). Occasional spots mean your skin is producing oil which is good and something you'll be thankful of when you hit your late 30s! I would suggest the Geranium & Thistle moisturiser for you - used in the morning only. In terms of cleansing, foaming face washes almost always contain a detergent base which is what creates skin imbalances. If you use a detergent-free cream cleanser alongside a muslin cloth and finish with a splash of cool water you can achieve a really clean feel. A 'squeaky' clean effect means you've stripped your skin of all its natural oil which is a big no-no!

What skincare regime would you recommend for combination dehydrated skin?

Geranium & Thistle Cream

For combination dehydrated skin I'd recommend a regime of our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Toner and Geranium & Thistle Cream. Hydration can only be achieved with a cream, as creams are the vehicle for driving water into the skin – which is why they’re so popular in the skincare industry. You need to use a moisturiser with a high water content, and avoid products that contain alcohol or detergents. Our Geranium & Thistle Cream also rebalances the skin's oil production, so is ideal for evening out combination skin. Although it sounds obvious, drinking plenty of water is also key, and taking a daily Omega 3, 6 & 9 supplement such as Hemp oil can also help condition the skin from within.

Will your rosehip oil help to calm the look of thread veins? I use your wonderful cleanser, eye cream and oilier skin moisturiser. I suddenly seem to be getting more thread veins and some pigmentation around my eyes and its very depressing!

Thread veins are often made worse by alcohol both ingested - (sorry!) and applied topically in cosmetics. Sun exposure is also a bad trigger so make sure you cover up in the midday sun. In terms of treating the thread veins you already have - rosemary is considered to be good for strengthening capillaries so our Rice Plant & Rosemary Toner might be a good bet. Our Rosehip oil does heal and regenerate the skin so will certainly help to soothe and calm thread veins and strengthen the skin to prevent the onset of more of them in the future.

What are the benefits of using the muslin cloth, is it better than using cotton wool or just a normal flannel? Also how often should I wash it, will it get a build up of dirt and bacteria?

Pai Skincare's Muslin Cloth

Our 100% organic Muslin Cloth makes for a more effective cleanse as it has a gentle exfoliating action. Regular flannels stay damp for a long time, allowing bacteria to breed. The open weave of the Muslin Cloth means they dry much quicker so are much more hygienic – I’d recommend washing 2-3 times a week on a cool wash. It’s always good to have a couple on the go! Quick Tip - It’s best not to use these cloths around the eyes but cotton wool for removing eye make-up.

Do you recommend using different creams for day and night? Or will a good moisturiser be good to use twice a day?

I don’t like to be prescriptive about this kind of thing, and think it’s best to get to know your skin and work out its unique needs. That being said, I don’t believe in using heavy moisturisers at night, as this is the time when your skin regenerates and finds its natural balance – too many products can interfere with this process. If you have dry skin then you may well need to moisturise at night, but oily or combination skin can benefit from being left to breathe. At Pai, we subscribe to the less is more philosophy – you want products that support your skin’s natural functions rather than overloading or supressing them.

Is there a difference between cream, foaming and gel cleansers, other than their texture? What would you say is the best type to use (if any)?

Yes! Most foaming cleansers aren’t great for sensitive skin as they contain detergents (normally Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), which strip the skin of everything, including its natural protective oils. Whether a cream or gel cleanser is best is difficult to say – it depends on what your skin likes, and should be judged on a case by case basis depending on their ingredients. Our Camellia & Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser gently lifts away dirt and surface impurities, so leaves skin clean, hydrated and well-conditioned rather than tight and exposed.

I have been looking for a skincare system that will help with existing marks from where a breakout has been that would help those marks fade and eventually disappear, and also take down redness on the chin and irritation around the jawline? If so, which products would be best to use? I also get bad flare ups around the jawline, (rest of my face is clear) when it’s the time of the month, can your products help with this too?

Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil

Don’t worry these marks will eventually fade. I used to have the same concerns after I battled acne in my mid-20s. I’d recommend our Rosehip BioRegenerate oil applied at night – if you have blemish-prone skin apply with a cotton bud direct to the affected areas rather than all over the face. Its healing and regenerative properties improve the appearance of scars and blemishes. For the irritation I’d recommend our Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream, as its anti-inflammatory properties calm the skin beautifully and reduce redness. As a general rule jawline spots and inflammation is linked to hormones so do consider your diet (reduce sugar intake, increase essential fatty acid intake) – a visit to a nutritional therapist might be a good investment in your long-term skin health.

How many times a week should I use your rosehip oil and also morning or evening, having a combination skin?

We recommend using our Rosehip BioRegenerate oil 2-3 times a week to keep your skin at its best. If you have combination skin then you only need to apply 2-3 drops to damp skin at night. Hope of help!

I would love to know how to treat blackheads and also if you could help me to answer if it is possible to have acne prone skin with sensitivity. I have mostly combination skin but for instance around my nose close to my lips my skin is very red, sore and dry.

seI have classic combination skin that's sensitive all over so it's certainly possible! First of all I'd make sure you're avoiding key ingredients that may be irritating your skin - including alcohol, phenoxyethanol, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). I'd also recommend taking a look at the Pai products in blue boxes (Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Toner and Geranium & Thistle Combination Cream) - as these are specifically for combination/sensitive skin. When in comes to treating blackheads, good cleansing and effective exfoliation are key. Exfoliation will remove surface impurities, helping to clear existing blackheads and preventing new ones forming. If you have sensitive skin make sure you use an exfoliator with round beads that don't scratch the skin's surface - I think Love Lula are giving away samples of a good one ;-). Also, cutting down on refined sugar in your diet may help

GUEST POST | Kimberly Sayer helps get your skin ready for summer!

As the days get longer and the sun begins to shine, off go the heavy coats, jumpers and boots and on go the shorter skirts and sandals.

It's also likely your skin is dry, as well as stressed- out, overheated, undernourished. Nothing is worse for skin than a long, cold winter -- the low humidity in conjunction with hot air, heat, and less fresh air often can leave your skin looking dull, dry, rough, and even wrinkled and older. The best place to start, is with a head-to-toe exfoliating and moisturizing treatment.

Gentle Almond & Lavender Face Scrub

Exfoliation is key to rid the build-up of dry dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin especially bad during the cold winter months. Use a gentle exfoliant that will not damage or irritate the surface of the skin that can lead to aging. We can recommend our Gentle Almond and Lavender Face Scrub that is gentle enough to be used daily. Massage a pea size into the face and leaving on the skin for 15 minutes. The Shea Butter, Squalane and Essential Oils will be absorbed into the skin and the three grains of Jojoba Beads, Almond Meal, and Oatmeal will deeply exfoliate and deep clean the skin. This is especially important during and right after the winter months. After 15 minutes remove with warm water and you skin will be less dry, feel so much softer and the color will be more vibrant. Also your daily moisturizer and your night cream will be absorbed a lot more effectively and deeply.

Repairing by moisturising the skin

Gentle Face Cleanser

Always use a good moisturizer with a clean SPF at least SPF15 to be effective. We can recommend our Anti-Oxidant Daily Moisturizer with SPF25 for normal or dry skin and our Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 for Combination, Oily or Acneic skin’s. Our Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer with SPF30 is super light and terrific for the warmer weather.

For a daily skincare routine, we suggest always using a good cleanser twice a day, a good exfoliant twice a week (more if excessively dry), toner twice and day and always, always use a good moisturizer with SPF (at least 15). Also use a good night cream and eye product twice daily.

For treatment and at home care (which can extend the life of a facial treatment), use a good facial mask once or twice a week. Try our Deep Cleansing French Clay Mask to brighten and cleanse skin without stripping it of its natural oils.

Guest Post | Kimberly Sayer Shares Her Expert Tips for Ultra Hydrated Skin

The best way to hydrate the skin, is to have a preventative lifestyle that creates internal health and well-being. The skin is the largest organ of the body and will respond well to a healthy lifestyle. 

Say no to smoking which ages the skin prematurely. It causes your skin to lose its elasticity earlier, which makes it more difficult for it to hold onto moisture.

Start from the inside out. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods rich in antioxidants. The first step to hydrate your skin is to give your body the things it needs to repair itself.

Use a humidifier. You can use a humidifier while you sleep which can aid in giving dry skin a boost, which will prevent your skin from drying out throughout the day. Make sure you clean the humidifier every 5 days with distilled vinegar; otherwise bacteria can build up from use.

Protect your skin. Wear sunscreen every day. Sun damage does a great deal of damage to our skin, and even more so as we age. Exposure to the harmful effects of the sun can create more wrinkles, as well as discoloration and age spots, so if you are in the process of hydrating and restoring your skin so you have a more youthful glow, don't set yourself back by forgetting to wear sunscreen every day.

Find an excellent moisturizer and other skin care products that help to hydrate your skin. Use products with clean ingredients that will be absorbed internally into the cellular level. This will replenish your skin like moisturizers with Squalane from Olives to hydrate your thirsty aging skin. Maintain elasticity, promote cell turnover, and create a moisture barrier between your face and the environment for the greatest benefits.

     PRODUCTS

Exfoliation is key to rid the build up of dry dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin. Use a gentle exfoliant that will not damage or irritate the surface of the skin that can lead to aging. We can recommend our Gentle Almond and Lavender Face Scrub that is gentle enough to be used daily if needed. If you have excessively dry skin use this scrub daily as an exfoliating mask by massaging a pea size into the face and letting it sit on the skin for 15 minutes. The Shea Butter, Squalane and Essential Oils will be absorbed into the skin and the three grains of Jojoba Beads, Almond Meal, and Oatmeal will deeply exfoliate and deep clean the skin. After 15 minutes remove with warm water and you skin will be less dry, feel so much softer and the color will be more vibrant. Also your daily moisturizer and your night cream will be absorbed a lot more effectively and deeply.

Always use a good moisturizer with a clean SPF at least SPF15 to be effective. If using a moisturizer or SPF made from minerals make sure that the company does not use micronized particles of Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide that will create a toxic compound and be absorbed into the liver. We at Kimberly Sayer of London have never and will never use Nano particles in our daily moisturizers.

We can recommend our Anti-Oxidant DailyMoisturizer with SPF25 for normal or dry skin and our Ultra Light FacialMoisturizer with SPF 30 for Combination, Oily or Acneic skin’s.

Use a good night cream to repair and restore while you sleep and a good treatment mask once or twice a week to hydrate and restore the skin back to a youthfull firmness and appearance. In the colder weather we suggest double layering by using a night cream or hydrating mask underneath your moisturizer to double layer, hydrate and protect and support the skin’s invisible protective layer, “the acid mantle”.

We can recommend our Hydrating Anti-OxidantFacial Mask and our Night creams.

SUPPLEMENTS

I personally love Vitamin B Complex with VitaminC to combat stress and speed repair and absorption of nutrients, which will give healthy and restorative properties to the skin.

For hydration fish oils can prevent and repair skin conditions that range from dryness to psoriasis and may be effective in counteracting sun damage. They may also hydrate the skin and soften wrinkles.