Did you know that screen time can have a detrimental effect on your skin’s health? Yes, that’s right, that screen you sit in front of all day at work and that much-loved smartphone which NEVER leaves your side (even more so now we’re on lockdown!), are both not just bad for your eyes but also for your skin as well. If you’re serious about preventing premature ageing, read on to find out why you need to protect yourself from the potential long-term effects of blue light on your skin and just how to go about it. Joined at the hip Since lockdown...

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You could be forgiven for thinking that looking after your skin microbiome - your skin’s living protective layer – is just another beauty fad. But what if we told you it’s just as important as other valid skincare movements (peptides, stem cells, organic/natural/wild/aeroponic ingredients to name but a few…)? In fact, recent studies show just how crucial our cutaneous microbiome’s role is in skin health and why it shouldn’t be overlooked if we want a healthy, glowing complexion. What do these new studies have to say? After some quite exhaustive investigation, results show that many acne sufferers have an elevated level of...

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Hailed as a the ultimate one-stop practical cleanser that’s readily available everywhere, micellar water is seemingly a god-send for many…But if we press pause for a minute and actually think about it, do we really know what it’s made from and how it works? And more importantly, the effect it’s prolonged use can have on our skin (if any)? So you can make up your own mind, here I am to help you understand the science behind this apparent ‘must-have’ beauty product… This week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the wonderful Cristina Mitre for her podcast where I...

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Do you long for smooth, supple, beautifully toned skin all year round? Then you’ll love the latest addition to the Twelve Beauty collection, a firming antioxidant body oil. This figure sculpting wonder is guaranteed to become your new beauty BFF! If there’s one thing we pride ourselves on here at Twelve Beauty HQ it’s listening to customer feedback and demands. We adore hearing about your hopes for the brand together with which products you’d like to see in the collection, and after careful consideration (Read: A lot of love and prep), I would like to introduce you to the newest Twelve...

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Why your skin needs a good serum? Back in the days when I was still formulating the Twelve Beauty range, I knew that facial serums would play a pivotal part in the line-up. Why? Because I believe that they are an essential step in our daily skincare routine. Aiming for rapidly absorbing serum formulas packed with high concentrations of active ingredients, I wanted not only immediate visible results but long-lasting ones too. The philosophy behind the Twelve Beauty collection was after all to keep skin healthier for longer. I always say that we must listen to our skin and by that...

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Struggling with sensitive skin that's prone to extreme redness and inflammation? Plagued by the constant feeling of burning or stinging skin that is likened to having sun or wind burn all the time? If your highly reactive complexion has left you desperate for relief yet you don’t know where to start, read on to discover our top skincare hacks for this super sensitive skin type… Affecting over 400 million people world-wide according to the most recent studies (you’re not alone), rosacea is a skin condition caused by excessive inflammation and vascular dysfunction. This means that the capillaries on the face become...

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Keeping your skin glowing and feeling healthy during these cold months can be a challenge. If you live in a part of the world that experiences cold weather, you’ll know that falling temperatures combined with indoor heating and strong winds can all wreak havoc on your skin. A compromised barrier function, loss of moisture and a heightened sensitivity all leaves us with a dull and lifeless complexion which longs for a supportive skin care routine. After many years of investigation and research into the gentle botanical power Nature provides, we believe we have identified the most nutritive and potent ingredients needed...

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As most of our clients and followers know, two of our key themes here at Twelve Beauty are innovation and sustainability. Last year saw us undertake many important changes in both these areas, so much so that for 2020 we wanted to do something even bigger and better. With the effort to combat climate change increasingly urgent, it was only natural for us want to take our environmentally friendly philosophy one step further and install solar energy, making our laboratory totally self-sufficient! Twelve Beauty is now greener than ever and we couldn’t be prouder to add renewable energy to our other eco-friendly...

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It is no secret that I have a soft spot for San Francisco, one of the most iconic cities in the US. Back in the mid 90’s, when I was introduced to the Armistead Maupin books, I became increasingly eager to visit the city. I always had a great imagination, so his books were the best way of escapism when I felt a bit overwhelmed at university. Fast forward two decades, when I received an email — not from 28 Barbary Lane, but from 1825 Bush Street — and I was over the moon. Dara, the founder of Ayla, my first...

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When you marry botanical extracts and technology you are in for a rewarding skincare treat, this combination undeniably feeds the skin with functional ingredients that are both, effective and safe. Right now, some innovative raw material companies are shaking up the industry by launching new ingredients, which are the epitome of soft power, gentle to the skin yet highly performing. Earlier last year, I came across to a new mallow concentrate which caught my eye for numerous reasons, scientific studies, purity, amount of active compounds, amongst other grounds. I have not been that excited for a long time so I started...

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It’s not a totally straightforward answer, but I’m inclined to say no. Skincare products are designed to be stored at room temperature. However, before they launch new products, reputable manufacturers undertake several tests in skincare fridges to assess the stability of the new product. One of the tests is to leave a sample in a fridge (4C) and observe the behaviour, changes of colour, precipitation of ingredients and a range of other variations over 3 to 6 months. These tests are not compulsory. So, some brands (who will remain nameless!) rush to launch new products in this skincare fridges; most likely...

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I have received many emails lately regarding which products are suitable to treat some skin issues during pregnancy, especially, which ingredients to look out for. For this reason, I decided to dedicate today’s post to share all the information I know about this subject. How to deal with stretch marks: To prevent them I recommend the following oils, wheat germ, avocado, St John Wort and sweet almond. These oils, increase the softness and elasticity of the skin. They are also very soothing and are able to stimulate the production of fibroblasts (connective tissue cells). Other key ingredients include, ginseng, ivy, horsetail, horse...

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Today I do not want to talk about the threat to the skin of heated indoor enviroments while it’s cold outside (at least in most of the north hemisphere), instead, I want to highlight the importance of the skin’s main function, which we tend to forget. The skin’s main function is to protect the body from external substances and excessive loss of water. Water is an essential element for the wellbeing of the skin, therefore cleansing and hydration are essential steps to keep it in good condition. The water follows a well-defined path within the different skin layers: from the bloodstream reaches the...

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Toners were originally created for cleansing and the general care of the skin. They were also marketed as a “skin refresher” due to the cooling abilities of these formulations. Toners have come a long way from the first preparations mainly alcohol based mixtures with rose water, borax, glycerine, zinc and aluminium salts, menthol and camphor amongst other ingredients. I even read in a 1970’s pseudoscientific article, that “turtle oil” was the star ingredient in so many toners, I mean seriously?? The new generation of toners, deliver antioxidants, hydration and elasticity. A well formulated natural toner, is a great option to save on...

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Ever wondered why I do not have a face scrub or peeling in the collection?. Here are few reasons why I believe exfoliation is not necessary. The "cemetery" of cells is necessary. The dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin act as a barrier and offer protection. By exfoliating the skin, it is unprotected and is more vulnerable to external factors, such as weather or even possible infections.   It is irritating. The burning sensation, redness and irritation disappears easily, but it can not be denied that the most aggressive peels are uncomfortable for the skin.   Don’t be fooled by the quick...

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In my opinion, skin cleansing is the most important step of the beauty routine. The cleanser has to be highly compatible with the skin composition to avoid the harsh effect of the process but at the same time it has to be effective. I have tried so many other products from different brands, and I must say that some formulas out there are outstanding. However I have never found a cleanser as effective and mild to the skin like mine, it is more of a treatment than a face wash, leaving the skin, soft and soothed. The mechanical action of cleansing can...

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Acne rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterised  by  facial flushing and abnormal dilation of the capillaries. Symptoms range from a tendency to blush easily and persistent redness of the cheeks to severe lessions on the face. Factors that can trigger the redness are hot food, sun exposure and temperature changes. Using sunscreen all year round has been shown to help but choose a natural one, as chemical screens can irritate the skin. Azelaic acid is a  natural antibiotic found in rye, wheat and barley. It is a great alternative to conventional medicated preparations such metronidazole gels, frequently prescribed by dermatologists. You...

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According to the World Health Organisation the urban population in 2016 accounts for almost 58% of the total global population, up from 34% in 1960.  Little wonder that pollution seems to be the word that appears in every beauty chat across the globe. Despite the hype, it is not a new marketing strategy; pollution, unfortunately, affects the skin. Are there any anti-pollutant ingredients as such? Not really however there are anti-pollutant beauty products which are rich in antioxidants and moisturising agents to fight free radicals due to pollution and to strengthen the epidermis barrier. Also, ingredients like mallow and hyaluronic acid...

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Palm oil continues to be one of the most popular ingredients used in the beauty industry. It has formed the basis of soaps for years, with the first brands to use it being Lever Brothers (now known as Unilever), Sunlight Soap and Palmolive. It appears on the label as Elaeis guineensis Oil and it is obtained from the pulp of the fruit of the palm. Its material state at room temperature is a red solid mass due to natural occurring carotenoids (pro Vitamin A) and in this form it is sometimes used as a natural colourant. With great emollient properties, it can...

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Alcohol, is a commonly used ingredient in the cosmetic industry. It's mainly used in fragrances for its ability to blend and disperse the scent and evaporates quickly once it contacts the skin. Alcohol also has preserving qualities and is used in particular in natural and organic skincare formulations, where you might expect to find a higher concentration up to 10%. It can be derived synthetically or naturally, through the fermentation of sugar- whereby it is obtained by chemical reaction of starch in the presence of yeast, at the temperature below 37 ° C. Alcohol is commonly found in men's grooming products...

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Skincare expert Pedro Catalá opens up the debate on creams and oils and examines how we can hidrate our skin in the best possible way. So much has been said on what to use to moisturise the skin, that even the scientific community seems to be divided between those who swear by using paraffin or barrier products only, and those who have more moderate views claiming that a combination of water and oil is essential to act on every layer of the skin. So which is better – creams or oils? First, let’s look at the four ways in which we can...

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With temperatures soaring an UV levels at an all time high, Pedro Catalá of Twelve Beauty counts down the 10 natural ingredients with SPF benefits you need to stock up on. For those who have a greener approach to beauty it can be very daunting to choose the right suncare product. The choice is limited, with only two sunscreens considered to be ‘natural'; titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These two minerals can provide the right protection, however they might leave an unpleasant white residue on our skin (though new formulations are improving). Are there any other choices? Luckily, we can find in...

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Discovered in the 70’s, Hyaluronic Acid was initially found in chicken’s crests and until recently, was still extracted from animal sources. Luckily, in the last few years scientists have developed several methods to obtain Hyaluronic Acid from some species of friendly bacteria. Via fermentation, bacteria is able to produce Hyaluronic Acid in established conditions of temperature and pH, often referred to as ‘Bio-technology’, due to its natural origin and extraction with the help of technology. The Molecule – Composed of two vital sugars;  glycuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine – this unique combination has incredible properties. It is highly soluble in water and provides hydration and elasticity to skin tissue. Produced naturally...

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“As a formulator, I always get excited when I find out about new and exotic ingredients. However, I always keep in mind how great and beneficial some of the more traditional ingredients are. Today, we will focus on Aloe Vera, known as the prodigy of nature”. The Origins Originally from Africa, the Aloe Vera plant is also found widely throughout Central America and Southern Europe. It doesn’t like much water nor temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius which is why it grows most prevalently within these warmer climates. The Extraction Both the juice and gel can be extracted from any part of the plant. It is...

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Our skin changes season to season and so too should our skincare. Long winters, fluctuating temperatures in the Spring and overexposure to Sun in the Summer can play havoc on our skin if we don’t take the right measures to ensure it remains as healthy as possible. While the sun has lots of benefits for our health and wellbeing and is necessary to ensure adequate vitamin D production, it can also be dangerous to the health of our skin always ensure the skin is protected from the sun between the hours where it is at its most potent; from 11am and 4pm, especially when...

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The run up to the festive season can be chaotic with braving the crowds for shopping, Christmas parties and work deadlines. The lack of sleep, increased tension and fluctuations of temperature (normal during the cold season) can lead to a dull complexion. This is the time of the year when we need to step up our beauty routine. It is all about keeping moisturised and being consistent. No matter how tired or busy we are, we must find those five minutes in the morning and evening to reward our skin with our favourite all natural and organic products. Keeping faithful to this...

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Reflective in Twelve Beauty, and his philosophy towards health and beauty. Below, Pedro shares his favourite tips on Summer care, both inside and out… Changing seasons inevitably means a wardrobe change – weather permitting.  However, do we stop to think about changing up our skincare and make-up routine? Well we should. Our skin reacts differently to distinct temperatures and environments, and it is a delicate balancing act to ensure our complexion is kept nourished and cell regeneration is stimulated, as it is zapped by the sun’s rays.  Ideally we should switch to lighter textures so during daytime it is more effective to use a serum than...

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