101 Skincare Ingredients Guide

Despite not writing as much beauty content last year, my skincare addiction is still intact and thirsty as ever to try more. I am a bit of a geek when it comes to skincare, therefore I have spent a great deal of time with my head buried in beauty dictionaries and upping my skincare-ingredients knowledge.

Skincare is evolving and brands are beginning to offer more honest, stripped-back unnecessary packaging and misleading ingredients. The Ordinary is a prime example of this, when this brand first came about I honestly didn't have a clue what terms such as 'Niacinamide' or 'Matrixyl' meant. It was because of this brand that I decided to properly get into skincare.

I decided to share the knowledge I discovered, some of which you may be familiar with, on what certain skincare ingredients do for your skin. I am also considering making this into like a 'skincare guide series' of what I've learnt, the dos + don'ts.

AHA/BHA

What is it? It took me a while to get my head around this, but to give you it straight AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) have very similar benefits for different skin types. If you use the wrong one for your skin type you will realise it won't be doing much good. If you have normal to dry skin AHA exfoliants are best for you as these products love water and if you have combination/oily skin BHA exfoliants will work best as they love oil.

Glycolic Acid

What is it? So this little wonder worker is a form of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that exfoliates the skin, reduces pigmentation, uneven skin tone and dark spots. It is suitable for all skin types, but from personal experience it works best on normal to dry skin. 

The brands I like: Alpha H Liquid Gold or The Ordinary Glycolic Solution.

Salicylic Acid

What is it? This one I have been familiar with throughout my teenage years and it has come in handy over the years. Salicylic acid is a form of BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) aimed at oily, combination or acne prone skin types. Which basically helps with clearing pores, reducing breakouts and builds collagen (which is the main structural protein found in skin).

The brands I like: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% or Origin Super Spot Remover.

Hyaluronic Acid

What is it? I had always heard of Hyaluronic, but never really knew what it did, until now. It hydrates and plumps skin by drawing in moisture. It is suitable for pretty much all skin types, but best for dry or acne-prone skin that needs an oil free option.

The brands I like: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid.

Retinoid/Retinol

What is it? Retin based skincare products are worth understanding because of their ability to reduce wrinkles, reduce acne and boost collagen. Retinoids work by correcting pigmentation and killing old cells in order to boost new ones Whereas, Retinol improves lines and discoloration issues. Both very similar products and can be used on all skin types, preferably aging skin. Best to start young right??

The brands I like: No surprise The Ordinary Retinol 1%.

Niacinamide

What is it? This is a very effective skin-restoring ingredient that offers multiple benefits to help improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines and weakened skin. I find this great for my skin, which is oily/combination/acne, but I can imagine this would be great for all skin types.

The brands I like: La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.

Rosehip Oil

What is it? This oil is full of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids that are known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin. It also helps reducing scars, fine lines and is known to help with treating a cold. Can be used on all skin types, I like to use this maybe once a week.

The brands I like: Trilogy Rosehip Oil

What skincare advice have you learnt??

Beating the January Blues

I think I speak for most of us when I say January is a sluggish month that needs to just hurry up and end. You've already broken your New Year resolutions, the Christmas decorations are tucked back in the attic, the days are short and gloomy, oh, and all the good Quality Streets are gone. Could this month get any worse? Oh, yeah, there is also a 5 week till payday, which will be spent on recovering from January.

Even though the end is nigh I still find this month ticking by very slow, so I've been making conscious efforts to try to ditch the 'January Blues' and decided to share what I've been doing.

Do Minimum

Even though January tends to be a month of organizing life, joining/getting back into fitness, eat healthy, clear-out, etc. I find January a much more of a productive month if I don't put pressure on myself to get everything done all at once. It just comes naturally. Take one goal at a time and the rest will follow suit.

Declutter

One of the first things I have done this month was organised my room, I am all about that tidy house, tidy mind motto. Therefore, I have given lots of old clothes to charity, thrown out of date makeup out and revamped my room up. I've definitely had a more positive and productive attitude since doing this. I have a 51 Things To Declutter post going up soon also.

'Me' Time

One of the things I mentioned in the 13 Things I've Learnt in 2017 post was that self-care is so important. Therefore, because January seems to be an intense and demanding month, I've made sure to give myself more time to myself. Things like reading more, skincare treats and having long baths, have made this month a lot more a little manageable.

Prioritize Your Money

Ha, it makes me laugh even writing this one down because money has definitely been the biggest stress this month. 5 week pays are the worst, especially when you are trying to recover from Christmas and have a trip to Iceland in February to buy for. I have however been checking my online banking every other day to see what payments come out on what days. I've also not been eating out as often this month, as that seems to be where all my money goes!

How are you surviving this dreary month??

13 Things I've Learnt In 2017

How do you even start these thingy's off anymore? I am so out of sync I forgot what it's like to be sitting at my desk typing away. I guess I could start off by saying Happy New Year and hello 2018! I think it's fair to say I sucked last year at keeping up to date with my little blog, and although I did miss Katie's World of Beauty, a lot of personal things happened in my life that I needed to take a massive little break from this. 

Despite 2017 being quite possibly *no drama intended* the worst year I've ever experienced, I learnt a great deal and came out the other end a much stronger person. I miss writing, therefore, I am going to be writing much more content on here this year and decided to start the year off by wrapping up 2017 and sharing some things that I have learnt.

Even though 13 is ironically an unlucky number, here's 13 things I've learnt in 2017:

1. Life is just too damn short.
Life Lesson: I've learned this very well last year with two deaths in the family. Use time wisely and surround yourself with loved ones.

2. Eliminate what doesn't help you evolve.
Life Lesson: 2 words, 1 finger. Cut all negative vibes from your life, even if it seems impossible, you'll feel better in the long run.

3. Owning less is better than organizing more.
Life Lesson: I've been using more products I've forgotten about instead of buying new bits. I've also saved money doing so which is a bonus!

4. Self-care comes first.
Life Lesson: After doubting myself numerous times I have realised my health and well-being are so much more important than I thought.

5. You can't recycle wasted time.
Life Lesson: I've been using my time much more wisely and doing more things I keep telling myself I will do eventually: read more, watch my Netflix list, try new foods etc.

6. Salmon is amazing for my hair.
Life Lesson: I tried lots of food in 2017, one being salmon and it has completely changed how my hair looks!

7. I'm much stronger than I was in 2016.

Life Lesson: I don't mean I can lift a 2000kg car, I mean mentally I am a lot stronger than I was and can handle a lot more.

8. I'll always have spots.

Life Lesson: No matter how much money and research I spend on treating spots, I have come to the conclusion I am always going to get them even after the teenage years and to just accept it. Ugh.

9. Having local anaesthetic surgery isn't as bad as I thought.

Life Lesson: I have had a ganglion cyst on my left wrist for a good few years and decided to finally get it removed. I was awake during the operation, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I did, however, have a very numb arm for 24 hours which was...interesting.

10. Snuggling on the sofa watching Game of Thrones is my favourite thing.
Life Lesson: Need I say more?

11. Early nights are bliss.
Life Lesson: I am so over the 2am bedtimes, I much prefer to be tucked up in bed with a book or my boyfriend *hehe* at 10pm.

12. Let shit go.
Life Lesson: I spent an awfully long time rationalizing scenarios and getting anxious rather than just moving on. I've definitely learnt to let things go more and to not waste time worrying about pointless nonsense.

13. I don't like 2017 let's leave it behind.
Life Lesson: I found 2017 a dreadful year and a year I won't miss so let's hope 2018 is better!

What have you learnt in 2017??