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Function of Qi & Spring-time New Beginnings
The beauty of qi has been harnessed for thousands of years in Chinese medicine as part of beauty and self-care rituals. Our Imperial Life Force Qi Elixir creates a fusion between ancient oriental medicine and modern skin technology to awaken the skin functions and your own luminosity.
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Pure Beauty Global Awards Finalist - Discover Our Serums Secret
12 May 2022 Rebalance and lift your natural Qi flow for recovery, radiance and vitality. Each of us carry our own energy source known as Qi (pronounced chee), vital to our wellbeing. Our Qi balance is reflected in our immunity strength, energy levels and skin health. Our Qi is a consistent flow, with no end or beginning, and the harmony of our opposite elements Yin and Yang reflect good health and wellbeing. Selected as a finalist for the Pure Beauty Global Awards for Best New Natural Face Product our bottled Imperial Serum Qi Elixir encapsulates the yin-yang balancing powers of Angelica Root extract and Ginseng to serve vitality and true luminosity to the complexion. Eastern influences meet Western skin technologies to create this power-packed serum to revive dull, uneven, mature skins lacking visible luminosity. This qi-activating super charged serum is packed with vitamins ABCE, TCM qi-herbs, hyaluronic acid complexes, AHA & BHA, phospholipids and its unique smart skin technology hydro-lipo delivery to impart deep hydration showcasing plump, radiant, soft and stronger skin. The mildly resurfacing actives work on stimulating overall clarity and lifting areas of dullness, pigmentation and scarring. The Qi-stimulating actives gift overall vitality to reflect our internal qi harmony through our complexions with a luminating essence. A 3-in-1 lightweight serum that can be used as a serum, primer or overnight mask. Dispense a few drops into the palms and press serum over face. Can be pressed into areas of concerns or all over before makeup application and as a sealing mask over night-time skincare.
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How To Care For Your Delicate Skin Barrier
You may have heard or read lots about the skin barrier, but do you know how important it really is to take care of it?
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Inside Out Guide for Skin & Wellbeing
07 APRIL, 2021 In honour of world health day we have put together an ‘Inside Out Guide for Skin & Wellbeing’ based on Ada’s and 001 Skincare London’s mantra of ‘To Treat from Within”. To really treat issues with the skin you have to ensure that you are treating your body positively and effectively from the inside (foods, mental exercises and drinks etc) and the outside (massage, and choosing the correct products to put on your skin). By being mindful of combining these two aspects in your daily life, your skin will gradually reveal its natural, healthy and radiant glow. Below is our guide on how to treat daily skincare concerns with our ‘To Treat from Within’ Mantra. 1. DRY / OILY SKIN Do you suffer from dry or oily skin? Any imbalance in your skin is also an imbalance in your body, you want to make sure you’ve a good water and oil balance in your body to help battle these issues. INSIDE Ensure you are drinking copious amounts of water everyday which will provide your body function and skin with all the nutrients and hydration it needs to operate at the optimal level. Water is a vital nutrient to the life of every cell in our body to function, it acts first as a building material. The skin contains 64% water, therefore dehydration in the body will show firstly on the face by feeling dry, tight and even red or sensitive. Digesting good oils will keep your skin plump and supple, fighting off signs of ageing. Food like salmon and avocado contain good oils, they also help to fight off inflammation in the body which is another plus. From a Chinese Medicine point of view, dry skin can be a symptom of root causes in internal imbalances between Qi, blood flow, yin, yang, and blockages of different energy pathways within the body. There are many reasons for how the body lands onto this imbalance but generally speaking, when fluids can’t be transformed or delivered to where our body needs, the imbalance occurs. Lack of rest and stress can make our body over work or over think creating a long burning fire that dries our essence out. Ageing can also lead to hormonal disruption or a drop of estrogen obstruct our moisture level. Try to opt for ‘moisture-generating’ food (think food that will make you salivate more) like berries, olives, cucumbers. Massage including Gua Sha can also help stimulate fluids production and enhance its circulation. Oily skin on the other hand can be a symptom of excessive moisture accumulation in the body, adding internal heat that comes from a hectic lifestyle it can easily turn into excessive fire breaking out through our skin as acne. Try regulating with fluid draining food like beans and barley. Massage including Gua Sha can help soften pore linings and loosen excessive sebum to aid with skin purifying and detoxification preventing further acne breakouts. OUTSIDE A good balance of oil and water creates a happy harmony within our skin, strengthening the skin’s natural barrier to keep your skin even and neutral. While humectants like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin can act as effective water magnets for hydrating the skin, non-comedogenic oils include small molecule sized almond or apricot oils are there to moisturise and lock in all the water content within our skin. TRY: Alpha-Glow Flash Facial Serum A light water-based gel, 3-in-1 serum, primer and mask, this advanced daily “super serum” contains 9 powerhouse ingredients that work in synergy to deliver exceptional results. It contains 9 incredibly effective ingredients to address the 4 ageing concerns, Dehydration, Pigmentation, Wrinkles & Sensitivity. TRY: VF Detox & Balance TCM-Cooling Concentrate A light, silky, easily absorbed and non-comedogenic oil rich in cold-natured ingredients known in TCM to be cooling, astringent and rebalancing, to address conditions linked to heated-nature-induced acne (from stress, hormones imbalance) or irregular sebum secretion. Watermelon, Plant Hormones & Squalane help protect from external aggressions, strengthen moisture barriers and improve the appearance of scars/blemishes. If you are suffering from dry skin, on to pof oils, we suggest you also layer products with water molecules and Humectants which act as ‘water magnets’, absorbing water content from the ambiance to the epidermis keeping it hydrated. Water content also creates water pathways to deliver actives for your targeted concerns. By creating this strong barrier, you’ll be able to deeply hydrate and avoid dryness which is one of the fundamental causes for fine lines and wrinkles. We recommend ingredients like Glycerin, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid, combined with natural plant lipids like,Cocoa and Shea butter. TRY: Amino Acids & Lipids Recovery Cream A nutritional first-aid cream formulated with skin-identical amino-acids, lipid proteins and antioxidant complexes. It helps strengthen the skin barrier, makes the skin appear tighter and helps combat dullness, wrinkles and sagging. Combating against skin dryness, giving you that plumper and fuller appearance. 2. Dull Complexion and feeling stressed ? You need to take steps to manage your stress better as this will have an effect on your skin and its complexion. INSIDE Make a to-do list and don’t forget to include things that will bring you happiness such as hobbies, how to relax, and making time to see important people in our lives. Stress management helps to balance hormones and avoids the over-secretion of cortisol, which contributes to excessive oil production, leading to fuzzy and dull complexion. From a Chinese Medicine, Dull Complexion can be a symptom of a sluggish metabolic rate and excess of waste products, we suggest replenishing the blood and activating its circulation and nourishing the YIN for lubrication. We suggest digesting more ginger, wolfberry fruit and peaches, to brighten that complexion. OUTSIDE Massage, massage massage! This will minimise the tension over your face and neck which can be caused by stress. Increasing more blood circulation and guiding oxygen and nutrients to the skin, enhance lymphatic drainage to reveal a clear, bright and healthy skin tone. Time to get your Gua Sha tools out and Massage, massage, massage ! TRY: microSculptor Joy Kit This kit contains uniquely crafted massage devices that stimulate natural biological reaction via acupressure & lymphatic movements, promoting micro-circulation for enhanced oxygenation, nutrient deliveries and toxins & fluids drainage. Paired with our serum, you are ready to see lifted and sculpted contours with an even complexion & a translucent glow from within. 3. Do you have hyperpigmentation or fine lines and wrinkles ? Time for some science to help you truly understand the reasoning behind our ‘To Treat from Within’ mantra: What are free radicals and why are they so bad you ask? Free radicals come from pollution, dust and even UV rays. They damage the skin's DNA by trying to grab an extra electron from other molecules in the body. When these molecules are stolen, it causes direct damage to our skin’s DNA which results in accelerated skin aging. They are responsible for breaking down our skin’s collagen, resulting in unflattering skin blemishes like wrinkling, dark spots and loose,saggy skin. Antioxidants are compounds which give out an electron to a free radical, therefore the free radical does not consume the electron from the skin’s atom, as a result they fight off the ageing effects caused by free radicals. Neutralising the free radicals and helping to break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in cells in the body. INSIDE Consume antioxidant rich foods, to help replenish the levels of antioxidants in your body. With the purpose of ensuring the body does not suffer from oxidative stress from the free radical process. We would recommend consuming walnuts, almonds, oats, quinoa, berries, oranges, broccoli and spinach etc. All rich in antioxidants to fight off the breakdown of collagen which causes fine lines and wrinkles. OUTSIDE Ingredients to look out for include Vitamin A,C,E, Marine Algae, Berries, Squalane and plant oils. TRY Active Marine Collagen Serum This super concentrated serum with a light and glossy, gliding gel texture. Rich in Multi-Algae actives, Co Q10, Vitamin C and Green Tea, this serum provides lasting hydration and an immediate collagen-plumping effect, to visibly even out lines and wrinkles. An innovative antioxidant-packed complex assists in repairing environmental damage and intensively brightens, reducing dullness and boosting radiance. One big aspect of ‘To Treat from Within’ to us is linking all that are visible on our skin to our internal wellbeing, by joining the dots between our external and internal self, we are able to be more mindful in the lifestyle that we lead. But let’s not forget even the slightest positive lifestyle changes like nourishing our bodies with real food, moderate exercise and allowing our emotions out - not only do they lift our skin, it also takes us a step closer to being healthier and stronger.
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Tips for Transitioning to Spring Skincare
FEBURARY 23, 2021 As February draws to a close, we can wave farewell to the dark, cold winter months and finally begin to welcome in the spring. After what has been an incredibly challenging winter for so many of us, we will all be grateful for the lighter nights and hopefully some warmer weather too. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this transitional period calls for us to mimic and embrace the blossoming we witness in nature in order to reenergise the body and mind. Spending the first couple of months of 2021 applying thick layers of moisturising creams and serums to combat dry skin, how do we now adapt our skincare routine for the warmer air and increased humidity? Here are our top tips to prepare your skin for spring! TIP 1: Change your products into a lighter texture Whilst we advocate the use of a thicker moisturiser during the winter, once spring arrives, swapping to a lighter alternative is key. Our skin tends to hold more water during spring and summer meaning it is less susceptible to becoming dry and flaky. We encourage opting for a lighter texture, sebum balancing formula with lots of anti-oxidants and water-magnet ingredients when the weather warms up, such as our ZINC & PROTEIN A+ CLARIFYING COMFORT CREAM. Of course, this doesn’t have to mean throwing out what you’ve already got. Make use of what is left of your winter moisturisers and serums simply by combining the product with a water based serum, such as our Alpha Glow Flash Facial Serum. This will lighten up the consistency whilst allowing you to still benefit from both the moisture retaining and emollient properties. TIP 2: Introduce a foaming cleanser back into your night routine Foaming cleansers are usually suggested for oily and acne-prone skin types since they are meant to deep clean the skin by getting rid of excess oil and sebum. With warmer months brings increased perspiration which it can trap bacteria, especially under our masks. Making sure your skin is clean and refreshed is key. Our EXFOLIATING & CONDITIONING SILK-GEL CLEANSER is a dual action foaming gel that deep cleanses while gently exfoliating. This hardworking multitasker is a pleasure to use, providing a deep cleanse without stripping or irritating the skin. TIP 3: Increase peeling & exfoliation frequency Humidity, SPF and sweat can all contribute to congested pores. Clogged pores equal blackheads, pimples and a dry lackluster complexion. During the warmer months, exfoliation is key to keep the skin clear by encouraging metabolic activities. At 001 Skincare, we believe in gentle exfoliation treatment done regularly rather than a harsh exfoliation treatment done occasionally. Our PURE ACTIVE AHA & ENZYME PEEL is formulated with natural acids and enzymes at a concentration that is sufficient to loosen top layer dead skin cells and accumulated sebum around the pores, resulting in ‘baby bottom’ smooth and soft skin. TIP 4: Remember your SPF! For many of us, suncream is something we save for hot summer days but in reality, we should be wearing it all year round. With the sun peeping out more often, we should be protecting our skin against harmful UV rays which can result in breaking collagen and elastin chains further contributing to skin care issues like wrinkles and pigmentation. TIP 5: Have a mist on hand all the time Face mists are perfect for cooling down and hydrating the face and body. Our ROSA DAMASCENA ESSENCE MIST is provides an instant boost of moisture to brighten and plump the skin from within. Its rich molecular composition has strong soothing and rejuvenating properties, as well as antibacterial and glow enhancing features. Stick to this routine and your skin will thank you! Want to see these tips in action? Check out our Instagram reel to see how our products can be used to prepare your skin during this transitional period. Spring is just on the horizon, better days are ahead.
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Detoxing the Mind & the Body
FEBRUARY 3, 2021 The long, cold winter months are beginning to draw to a close and spring can be seen on the horizon. In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this changing of the seasons has a direct effect on our health, affecting the balance of the elements inside each one of us. In relation to these external changes, we too should adapt accordingly to promote good health. By living in harmony with the environment, we can encourage a renewal within ourselves reflective of the re-growth of nature during Spring. In TCM spring is associated with the liver. Responsible for renewing, cleaning and energising the body, Chinese Medicine theory teaches us that the liver is linked to our emotions. By detoxing the liver of negative feelings, we become reinvigorated and ready for new beginnings both within ourselves and our environmental surroundings. DETOXING: WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN? By definition, detoxing means to abstain from or rid the body of toxic or unhealthy substances. Most commonly, people will focus on the first half of the solution by reducing their intake of sugar, alcohol and salt. Considering the second aspect, introducing self-care rituals can be an effective way to remove these toxins from the body. By learning how to respond to the body’s natural rhythm you can often avoid the over use of drugs or medications. In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), body's main detoxification systems are the liver, lungs, skin, kidney, digestive and lymph system. Keeping your lymphatic system moving during these cold winter months is the number one way to boost your immune system whilst detoxing the body. Unlike the circulatory system, it does not have a ‘pump’ to keep it moving and therefore relies on us staying active. Carrying toxins, such as cigarette particles and food additives, away from the tissues and into the blood, the detoxification organs then filter the toxins away. HOW TO DETOX AT HOME Pairing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with western apothecary, we have created the perfect kit to keep your lymphatic rivers flowing, detoxify the body and improve your immunity. Introducing the microSCULPT™ JOY KIT. This kit contains uniquely crafted massage devices that stimulate a natural biological reaction through lymphatic movements. Promoting nutrient deliveries as well as toxin and fluid drainage, additional benefits include enhanced oxygenation, sculpted contours and a translucent glow from within. Including two massage tools and your choice of serum, you simply follow the 001 facial massage guide to feel the full benefits of this simple self-care ritual. Lets talk you through the tools : microSculptor™ n.1 – The Pick Inspired by TCM, The Pick is a double ended tool designed to perform modern therapeutic techniques. For those of you who are familiar with facial massage methods, this tool can be used to perform Gua Sha and Meridian Stimulation. If you have no idea what those terms mean, no need to panic. Our Instagram is full of tutorials and information to help you get maximum use from your kit such as this video. Ideal for Lymphatic Drainage, the skin benefits include a notable lift and sculpt, depuffing, as well as improved tone, texture and radiance. microSculptor™ n.3 – The Three Slopes The Three Slopes is designed to fit precisely with every facial contour to perform both a stimulating and relaxing massage across the face, neck, jawline and décollete while ergonomically sitting comfortably in the hand. All of our microSculptors™ are made of polished, medic grade, natural Bian Stone, a precious, ancient Chinese stone and one of the six major medical techniques of Chinese medicine. Used for centuries in TCM, these effective tools perform the ultimate at home detox whilst smoothing wrinkles, firming the face contours and brightening your complexion. Our serums are light, silky, easily absorbed and non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog up your pores. For those of you who suffer from weak, dry or stressed skin, we recommend selecting the VA Repair & Reglow TCM-Warming Concentrate. If you suffer from hormone imbalances, heated-nature-induced acne or irregular sebum secretion, opt for the VF Detox & Balance TCM-Cooling Concentrate. We propose pairing these tools with the serum best suited to you and adding this self-care ritual to your daily practice. Now more than ever, preserving your health on all levels is of the utmost importance. With so many of us now sat at home behind a screen, even if its just for 10 minutes a day, establishing a self-care, detox routine can be the perfect ‘pick me up’.
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5 DAYS OF WELLNESS
Treat Your Skin From Within
25 JANUARY, 2021 The typical January wellness conversations can often leave us feeling deflated and unaccomplished when our New Years resolutions fail to make it past the first week. For us at 001 Skincare, prioritising your wellbeing will never be a seasonal trend; it is in fact at the heart of what we do and what we believe in. Inspired by our ethos, we wanted to introduce joy to your January by sharing with you multiple routes to relaxation. Our 5 Days of Wellness festival set out to do exactly that. Bringing together wellness practitioners from a range of backgrounds, the week long event covered all things ‘self-care’ from multiple angles, providing you at home with plenty of opportunities to get involved. Whether the event introduced you to something brand new or allowed you to revisit old hobbies, we want to help you radiate positivity not just this month but for the rest of the year and beyond by incorporating simple wellness activities into your day-to-day lives. If you’re wondering which discussion to dive into first, let’s run through some of the highlights from the week to get you inspired and show you where to find them. DAY 1 On Day 1, we kicked things off with award winning journalist, Beatrice Aidin, who joined our founder, Ada Ooi, for a tension release massage. Focusing not just on the face but also the head, neck and chest, Beatrice was amazed by how quickly she was able to feel the benefits of these TCM methods. Our uniquely crafted microSculptor tools and indulgent serums create the perfect pair for this at home massage. As many of us find ourselves hunched over our laptops all day, this ritual is ideal for anyone who feels they hold a lot of tension in their body. Be sure to save and revisit this video whenever you wish to take part in a relaxing ritual. DAY 2 Day 2 welcomed Nathalia Grisard, the founder of conscious activewear brand GNGR Bees. Covering a range of topics across the sustainable and ethical fashion spectrum, Nat stressed the importance of caring for the clothing we already have and when we do make new purchases, to really consider the impact of our choices on both people and the planet. This chat was swiftly followed by a quick 10 minute seated stretch with yoga teacher Jenna Samji. Keeping active is super important not just for our physical wellbeing but also mentally. This stretch is the ideal routine to revisit for a spot of midday mobility - click here to watch again! DAY 3 Nutritional Therapist, Jackie Lynch, joined us on Day 3 to dissect a few New Year diet myths. Sharing her top tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, she covered everything from the importance of protein to her thoughts on intermittent fasting. Jackie also talked about menopause and how no two women will share the same experience. We believe these conversations are super important; we never want you to feel isolated or left in the dark! The response to this discussion was fantastic, with many of you seeking further advice from Jackie following the live. For anyone interested in health and nutrition, this chat is the one for you! DAY 4 Our guest on Day 4 was environmental artist and illustrator, Olivier Leger. Introducing us to a world of ecology, biology and nature, Oli discussed his passion for marine life conservation and the current crisis our oceans are facing. He then talked us through his step-by-step tutorial to draw a couple of his favourite creatures, a whale and an octopus! Maybe you are an avid doodler or someone who hasn’t put pen to paper since you were a child. Whatever level of experience you have, never underestimate the cathartic exercise of sketching, allowing your mind to take a break and instead to focus on your creative output. DAY 5 To wrap up our wellness festival, on Day 5, Ada was joined by celebrity makeup artist, Florrie White for a ‘look good feel good’ makeup and skincare masterclass. Appropriately held on a Friday evening, this live reminded us all how fun it is to get dressed up with your friends and enjoy a drink or two. Although we can’t do this in real life, what’s to stop you from arranging a Friday night ‘pick me up’ with the people we're missing at the moment? Whether its a bold red lip or a simple bit of skincare, experimenting with makeup and beauty products is great fun and can really lift your spirts. Why not revisit this video to get inspired and then pencil in an evening of skincare and glam with your friends? The best part of our 5 Days of Wellness festival was seeing all of you at home getting involved. We absolutely loved receiving your comments and seeing your photos. Don’t let January be where your positive mindset ends, lets keep it up by introducing simple wellness activities into our day-to-day lives. Head over to our Instagram to revisit all five of these fantastic live chats and keep discovering new ways to incorporate wellness and self-care into your routine!
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Guide to Winter Glowing Skin - Part III
Moisturising is all the more essential in the winter months. A good moisturiser should provide your skin with the nourishment and moisture it needs, as well as locking in all the nutrients provided by the previous steps in your skincare routine.
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Guide to Winter Glowing Skin - Part II
Dropping temperatures and lower humidity levels can leave our complexion thirsty and dry. So it’s even more important to introduce some deeply hydrating serums into our skincare routine.
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