EXPERT ADVICE
TREAT FROM WITHIN
5 common mistakes everyone makes with their skincare routine
I’m pretty evangelistic when it comes to having a good, daily skincare routine. But while most of us would agree on the basics, there are some mistakes that I see people making over and over again. Here are some of the most common misconceptions that people have about looking after the skin - make sure this isn’t you! Mixing cleansing and massaging. A lot of people spend a considerable amount of time massaging their cleanser into their skin, presumably to really get the cleanser to work. But most of these products contain emulsifiers or foaming agents, which can dry skin out (particularly as winter approaches). Ultimately, who wants to be massaging dirt and makeup into their skin? My rule of thumb? Especially with foaming cleanser, massage it between your palms to get the foams up; keep this chemical reaction away from your face. Spread the cleanser across your face and massage just enough for it to identify and lift the dirt and grime. Then rinse, or use a washcloth to remove extra quickly and effectively. When your skin is cleansed, then by all means massage to your heart’s content; indulge in every step of your skincare ritual. Double cleansing morning and night. Unless you sleep with your makeup on (a cardinal sin), then you really don’t need to double cleanse in the morning. Refresh your face with a quick cleanse first thing, then get on with the rest of your skincare routine. Double cleanse at night to remove the day’s debris, but over-cleansing in the morning will just strip your face of its natural oils, leaving skin dry. Over-exfoliating. Don’t get me wrong, exfoliating is a crucial part of any skincare routine, but Clarisonic plus peeling masks plus liquid exfoliants plus scrubs is just going to dry out and damage your skin, leading to inflammation. Exfoliate daily with mild exfoliants that contain agents like lactic acid (which moisturises at the same time), or, if you prefer a more robust approach, try a weekly peel. Personally, I use the Exfoliating & Conditioning Cleanser, which combines lactic and salicylic acids with anti-inflammatory allantoin to dissolve makeup, remove dead skin cells, and calm the skin without drying it out. Going from cleanser straight to moisturiser. I’m a massive fan of toners. They are some of the unsung heroes of skincare. A great toner can brighten, hydrate, minimise pores and repair damaged cells, because it loads skin with water. This allows other products, such as serums and moisturisers, to fully adhere to the skin and sink in. If you haven’t tried it already, get your hands on the Rosa Damascena Essence Mist, which is packed with 98% first budded Damask Rose hydro-droplets, using a steamed essential oil extraction. Full of powerful calming and hydrating properties, this product is great at combating the extreme change in temperature and humidity after cleansing or a shower. Also, going from cleansing to moisturising misses out serums too, some of which are complete skincare powerhouses. Applying skincare on neck with upward strokes. So many people focus on the lifting effect that they want from the skincare they apply to their neck. That’s all well and good - but any folds or wrinkles actually open upwards. To make sure your wonder products are getting to where they need to be, start by applying them with downwards strokes. Then massage your neck upwards for that all-important lifting effect. I’m really excited about our new ‘Alpha-Glow Flash Facial’, which has some of the most powerful ingredients available, tackling wrinkles and dryness and giving a real lifting effect... some even say it's the ONLY serum you'll ever need. - Ada Ooi, Founder of 001 Skincare London
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5 Ways to Age Well and Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful
As we go through our natural ageing process, there are tell-tale signs that begin to show on our face. I’m an advocate for embracing age and accepting the passing of time, but it’s no secret that a good skincare routine can delay the inevitable. Whether it’s dull, dry skin; dark or puffy circles under the eyes; or those pesky fine lines, we all want to find solutions to help us continue to age gracefully. I’m here to share my top tips for keeping the aging process at bay - so that you can look as good as you feel! 1. Moisturise – but do it right. It will come as no surprise that one of the best ways to take care of your skin is to moisturise. But not all moisturisers are considered equal. Choose a serum and/or moisturiser that includes active ingredients that are both hydrophilic (attracts and absorbs water) and hydrophobic (can’t mix with water hence just holding it avoid it to escape). Try the 001 London Alpha-Glow Flash Facial, containing hydrophilic Hyaluronate Sodium (lower molecular size than Hyaluronic Acid, more skin-adaptable) and hydrophobic Phospholipids that were designed to work in synergy, attracting and binding water to keep the skin's moisture at its peak. It also can be used as a serum, primer and night mask ensuring your skin is hydro-plumped at all times. 2. Sleep! This is not only the easiest habit to start, it’s also free! We all lead busy lives, juggling work, family, hobbies, friends – the thought of reducing our time by sleeping more is scary! But at some point you need to put yourself and your health first. The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night, but a study published by sleepcouncil.org.uk found that 70% of us get less than 7 hours, and a third average between 5 and 6 hours. Rebalance your wake/sleep cycle, even if this means having to relook at your priorities. Your body (and skin) will thank you. 3. Stay cool. Sun damage is a big contributor when it comes to premature aging of the skin. It’s no secret that the sun's rays and strong/prolonged sources of indoor light (I’m looking at you mobile phones, laptops and spot lights) can cause temporary burns, pigmentation, collagen and elastin damage. Protect your skin with a high factor sunscreen and reverse existing damage with the 001 London CRYOpress. Easy to use, the CRYOpress uses sub-zero temperatures to cool the skin, increasing blood circulation, pumping oxygen to the top layer of skin which would stimulate new cell growth and flushing impurities away from the skin. The cold pressure can also relieve inflammation caused by conditions that are exacerbated by heat, such as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. 4. Drink more (unless it’s wine, sorry). The average adult woman’s body is made up of as much as 50-60% water. With water being such a key element in keeping the human body functioning, it’s obvious to see why hydration is so important. Our skin is our largest organ and it is the first part of the body that shows signs of dehydration. In order to have dewy, plump skin we should all be drinking AT LEAST two litres of water every day, that’s around four pint glasses. And speaking of pints, part of hydrating your skin is cutting down on the types of beverage which don’t do the body good: coffee, wine, beer and spirits. We’ve all got that blotchy, red-faced uncle who drinks far too much, it isn’t a good look. If you’re going to drink, do it in moderation and make sure you’re alternating alcohol with a glass of water. 5. Cleanse. Now when I say cleanse, I mean cleanse properly – wet wipes don’t count people! Let me be completely clear when I say that, NEVER WET WIPES. One swipe and all of the stubborn waterproof make up is dissolved, can you imagine how strong the cleansing agent is for it to remove that? By the time you’ve wiped the makeup from your face, all of your natural, healthy sebum will have been wiped away with it, leaving your skin extremely dry and prone to irritation. It’s so important to cleanse your face with a proper, skin-friendly cleanser at the end of each day, especially if you wear makeup. But it isn’t just makeup that clogs those pores; SPF, sweat, dirt, dead skin, pollution - it all builds up on your face over the day. Carve out a few minutes to show your skin the love it deserves.
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How Do I Keep The Post-Summer Glow?
EXFOLIATE FOR A NEW GLOW As much as we know that sunscreen is important to protect the skin especially in the summer when the UV is most fierce throughout the whole year, frequent repeated application though, can on the other hand intrude our regular sebum secretion: Physical sunscreen with high percentage of Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide tend to be relatively drying ingredients (These are ingredients you usually find in your Powder/mineral foundation) Waterproof chemical sunscreen with ingredients Avobenzone or Ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) can clog pores by creating a thin layer on top of the skin, and keeping it from breathing ONE OF THE KEY RITUALS THAT CAN AVOID OUR SKIN THROWING A “POST-SUMMER TANTRUM” WOULD BE EXFOLIATION. You want to shred skin cells and really deep cleanse your skin and pores. Your skin might be a little stressed and easily irritated at the moment due to the exposure to the heat and sunlight so try to opt for a non-abrasive exfoliant. Pure Active Peel provides a mild and effective exfoliating solution: Enzymes from Muscavado Sugar and pineapple extracts un-dull skin complexion by dissolving built-up dead skin cells, soften skin texture and revitalise pores. Made of three close-to-lipids anti-oxidant oils, it utilizes the natural chemical mechanism of ‘oil attracts oil’ to draw oil from the pores onto the surface hence it’s also a great deep cleanse solution. Essential oils like Chinese peppermint, Citrus essences purify the skin and clear the skin thanks to their anti-bacterial properties. Twice a week and see the difference.
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Ginkgo Has Plenty Of Benefits For Skincare, Which Are They?
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extracts are derived from an Asian tree known as Ginkgo. This tree is well-known to be among the oldest trees on the planet have a huge reputation for being tough and being able to withstand the harshest environments. WHAT MAKES IT SO POPULAR IN SKINCARE IS THAT IT CONTAINS MORE THAN 40 COMPONENTS THAT CAN BENEFIT THE SKIN. Terpenoids improve the blood flow, improving sebaceous secretions, decreasing capillary hyper-permeability, improving tissue irrigation and it will help protecting your skin from issues like acne, eczema, skin sensitivity, rosacea and also help with the skin healing process. It will also boost cell metabolism and increase the production of collagen. Ginkgo provides many antioxidant benefits thanks to its high levels of flavonoids, and more particularly quercetin. This antioxidant will fight and neutralize free radicals, which is the main cause of aging (fine lines, wrinkes), as well as limiting the damage from the sun rays on the skin. Ginkgo Biloba is extremely rich in Vitamin E wich will prevent from skin problems such as scars, stretch marks, acne, patchiness and pimples. It has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which helps to treat acne, eczema, or other types of facial redness and inflammation. Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extracts may aid your skin in balancing its melanin content, improving skin conditions such as hyper pigmentation or vitiligo. You can find Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract in our Supreme Equilibrium Mask, to apply twice a week for a healthy skin.
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A Little History On Facial Massage
Swedish massage – the ‘Classical’ massage was developed by Per Henrik Ling [1776-1838] from traditional Chinese medicine. From it, we get the techniques of effleurage (stroking), petrissage (lifting and kneading), friction (pressure), tapotement (tapping) and vibration (vibrating). Why massage? Signs of age appearing in the skin—wrinkles, flabbiness and sagging—are due mainly to four factors—sluggish circulation, loss of skin elasticity, loss of subcutaneous fat, and a disturbance in muscle tonus (a condition resulting from repeated use of the muscles). All of these conditions respond to massage. (Modern Beauty, 1930) What massage does? – Exercises the muscles gently and makes the tissues firmer– Brings about an improvement in the friction of the skin, thus causing an improvement in coloring and general appearance– Increases nutrition by attracting blood to the surface– Destroys effete matter and stimulates lymph channels in their work of carrying away this waste– Stimulates the nerves to greater activity– Increases blood and lymph supply by effect on nerves – Eradicates superficial lines and imparts a more youthful expression to the face (Lloyd, 1915, pp. 132-133) Until today, Swedish massage is still being widely trained and practised all around the world, Treatments for both the face and body performed with vibration and suction motions are still very common nowadays!
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