At some point in the not so distant past, a new buzzword began to be whispered by those in the know in the beauty world. Microbiome. Or more specifically, the skin microbiome. In no time at all this term seemed to jump from micro scientific research circles to the mainstream scrutiny of social media with the same ease with which a flower opens its petals. But is it all just hype or should we really be using microbiome friendly skincare?
What is it about winter that makes dry skin look a lifeless mess? According to researchers, it’s all down to the cold, dry winter air which causes the outermost layers of our skin cells to shrink. This leads to our skin’s natural hydration factor plummeting and its barrier function weakening, allowing more moisture to evaporate and the condition to worsen. Help!
If there is one new health goal that you want to get right this year it is boosting your lip health. Yes, we are talking about that often-overlooked part of our face left to suffer in silence, unloved and unprotected. Sound familiar? Then read on and discover how to kick dry, chapped lips to the curb with the season’s must-have wonder treatment, a lip oil.
It is no secret that Japanese rituals, especially those focused-on order, cleanliness and purification, have been widely adopted by the West. One of the most popular is Oosouji (Ōsōji), which translates to “the big cleaning,” an age-old Japanese tradition celebrated in December which focuses on cleansing both your soul and your spaces before welcoming a fresh new year.
It’s official. The golden age of clays is back. Thanks to the popular #multimasking trend that has taken over social media, we are reaching for this multifaceted ingredient once again. And if you are not, then maybe you should be. We take a look at why clays deserve a place in your skincare routine.
Skincare diet, skin fasting and skinimalism are similar trends revolutionising how we look after our complexions. Beauty editors around the globe a buzzing with excitement over such a different approach to our skincare routine. We take a look at what all the fuss is about…
Up until now, you may have thought that the effects of ‘jet-lagged skin’ only occurred on changed time zones when travelling. However, truth be told, the simple daylight saving change we go through twice a year is enough to impact your health and especially that of your skin. Why? Because that change in hour disrupts our sleep schedule and throws of internal body clock out of whack.
“When I first met Dara in San Francisco for our initial meet-up to see if her business would be a good fit as our first US retailer partner, the strangest thing happened. It felt like I had known her my whole life. Little did I know that our meeting would lay the foundation for my first non-micellar cleansing water,” says Pedro Catalá. Dara is none other than Dara Kennedy, the founder of Ayla Beauty, and expert at searching the globe for the best skin-safe yet effective natural beauty products on the market. She sets the benchmark in the sector and marks the standards to follow.
Although we have recently seen an unprecedented industry-wide push to develop green beauty products, true sustainability in skincare is about much more than just pandering to the latest customer trends. It is a wholly different working method, mindset and philosophy. It is a challenge for the beauty industry. Yet if undertaken successfully, it also offers a little spark of hope for the rest of humanity and the planet.
Facial oils are currently bang on-trend, with the ‘serum oil’ format becoming increasingly popular with beauty addicts and skincare lovers alike. Although some may initially be reluctant to try an oil (will it be too greasy, cause acne or block my pores?), the truth is that today’s advanced formulation methods have revolutionised the sector, turning a humble oil into a universal beauty elixir.
Charcoal (or activated charcoal) is one of the most sought-after ingredients for everything from our detox drinks, whitening toothpaste to skincare treatments. It is a frantic trend that shows no sign of slowing down. But is it all just hype or is it the real deal?
Marketing gurus all gave the same forecast a few seasons ago: The body care trend would soon surpass that of facial care. Just like when the lengthy 10-step Korean ritual gave way to the birth of ‘skinimalism’, where the focus is on using a select few high-performance products, body care is the category now taking the skincare industry by storm.
The end of 2020 saw a plummet in lipstick sales and a meteoric rise in hand care purchases. The hand care and hand cream market has never been considered a stand-out category in the beauty industry. That is until the use and abuse of hydroalcoholic gels and other hand sanitisers changed consumer preferences.
It is all about the eyes and never more so during the mask-wearing pandemic era. Some beauty trends come and go in the blink of an eye, yet others cement themselves into our way of life. With industry experts currently touting our new normal adapted lifestyles as the driving force behind market predictions, it is safe to say that our need for a good eye cream is here to stay.
A new wave of wellness is washing over consumer choices. Experts call the trend sensory beauty and it centres around beauty products designed to evoke feel-good emotions. From therapeutic aromas that transport us far away to exquisite textures that caress our skin, the sensorial elements of beauty products can go beyond helping our skin concerns.
“What happens to our skin during summer? Quite a lot and none of it good,” says Pedro Catalá. As we return to regular life after the sun-filled holidays, don’t forget to transition your beauty regime also. The sunny season can take its toll on our skin more than you might think. Get the most out of your autumn skincare routine and help your complexion recover from the ravages of summer.
Skin discolouration, hyperpigmentation. Three words that make us want to run and hide. Yes, we’re talking about those pesky skin imperfections, usually found on our faces, caused by excessive melanin production. Or more precisely, by the activity of erratic melanocytes that deposit pigment where they’re not supposed to or in a haphazard fashion.
Not sure which wonderful Twelve cleanser best suits your skin and its needs? Here’s a quick overview of all our current cleansing options to help you decide.
Developed in collaboration with our US friends at Ayla Beauty, Dara’s Water is the cumulation of Dr Pedro Catalá’s unrivalled expertise in botanical formulation and Ayla founder, Dara’s ten-year search for a remarkably gentle, yet effective surfactant-free cleansing solution suitable for all skin types, including the most stressed and reactive complexions. Read on to discover what makes our all new non-micellar cleansing water so amazing.
Also known as age spots, sun spots or hyperpigmentation, dark spots can occur anywhere on your skin. Although this skin discolouration tends to be associated with the ageing process, this is not always the case as there are many other factors which can trigger it, such as genetics, hormones, certain medications, skin irritants and certain illnesses. In this post we recap some of our go-to tips to help prevent and treat dark spots, ensuring your skin is as radiant as possible.
Summer is synonymous with sunny days, leisure and relaxation. However, for many of us the rising temperatures also mean suffering from swollen, heavy legs as the day goes on. Although normally not serious, this common complaint can prove troublesome and even painful in some cases, but there are ways to relieve and prevent the problem from being the bane of your summer…
Following the launch of yet another fantastic product this month (we’re on a roll!), we’ve put together a Q&A section containing your most frequently asked questions on the latest member of the Twelve Beauty family, Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser …
Summertime is fast approaching and with it rising mercury and hemlines! If the idea of unveiling your bare, dimpled limbs leaves you feeling less than enthusiastic, read on to discover our recommendations on how to tackle one of the most common skincare concerns, cellulite.
We are beyond thrilled with the reception of our new Artemisia Power Protection Moisturiser SPF 50+. As with all new product launches, we have received quite a few questions regarding this SPF moisturising cream, some of which we thought would be great to share in today’s post. Read on to discover which are the most frequently asked questions (and our answers!) about the newest member of the Twelve Beauty family.
As 2021’s biggest beauty trend firmly takes hold, we explain everything you need to know about ‘skinimalism’ and how scaling back your beauty routine could be good for you, your skin and the planet.
Spending time outside helps keep us healthy and sane (!) but with it can come a few unexpected changes in our skin. As we move into Spring, with its longer and warmer days, you may want to keep in mind the following outdoor skin hacks as you venture al fresco…
Last night, I was reviewing one of the new formulas that will see the light this year and it suddenly hit me how much I love pushing natural skincare to create unique products for your skin to revel in.
If left unchecked humidity, sweat, sebum, dead skin cells and environmental aggressors can wreak havoc on our pores, leading to blockages and ‘congested skin’. But what exactly is congested skin and how do you treat it without exacerbating the problem?
Our eyes have gained more prominence than ever over the recent year, with the constant use of face masks making them our only visible facial feature. It’s no wonder then that one of this year’s beauty trends is taking better care of skin around the eyes, and although opinions are generally divided as to whether we actually need a specific product to treat this area or not– I’m here to tell you why I believe in the power of a good eye cream.
Have you ever found yourself asking how long it will take for your new beauty routine or skincare product to work, even though you’ve only just started using it? And when you don’t see immediate results, you’re tempted to throw in the towel and switch to yet another ‘miracle’ product… If this is sounding familiar, you might want to read on to discover just how long beauty products really need to work wonders on your skin …
Blackheads are a fairly common concern, especially in areas of the skin that are richer in sebaceous glands such as the nose, cheeks, or back. Once formed, they can remain for long periods of time; disappear; or degenerate into inflammatory processes of bacterial origin. So, it’s no wonder that in some cases blackheads are considered a precursor to acne. In this post I want to share with you a natural remedy for blackheads.
If the recent adverse weather conditions have left your complexion looking dull and oh-so dry, read on to discover how to boost your skin moisture levels this winter.
Did you know that our free online skin consultation service is now one year old? Read on to discover how we chose to mark the special occasion …
Although we tend to believe that melasma is more prevalent during the summer months when our melanin production is stimulated by sun exposure, symptoms are known to persist during the cold months too. In fact, truth be told, winter time is exactly when you should be upping your melasma treatment game so as to get it under control for the rest of the year.
For many of us, this Christmas will be different from previous ones, which is why at Twelve Beauty we thought we’d try and help make things a little easier for everyone by putting together this gift guide. Choose natural, effective, green skincare this year for a more sustainable, eco-conscious Christmas and start to the new year.
In addition to washing our hands with soap and water regularly, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers has become one of the main preventative measures for controlling the spread of COVID-19. However, as time passes, the continuous use of products that contain ethyl alcohol are starting to cause problems for all skin types, and especially for those, who like me, have sensitive skin …
If dry skin is the bane of your life (especially as we head towards winter), read on to discover why ceramides are the key to keeping your skin happy and hydrated…
It is no secret that my desert island product is without a shadow of a doubt, the Purifying Cleansing Beauty Cream. From the outset I had a very clear idea my mind – To create an effective cleanser that would also minimise the negative impact the act of cleansing has on our skin. I remember my tutor at the time questioning why I would choose to include such a huge dose of plant-based squalane in a product that rinses off. My reasoning was and still is that by using this coveted ingredient in such a high concentration restores our beneficial skin oil levels, which have been compromised during cleansing – Something that our skin is very grateful for! I’m extremely proud of our plant-based squalane cleanser and judging by the feedback we regularly receive, I know that it’s also much loved by the entire #twelvelovers community.
Rather than a new normal, I prefer to call it a new reality, as “normal” has very little to do with the current situation we’re all living at the moment. Over the last few months, due to the continuous use of masks and other PPE, many of us have started to suffer from seriously stressed-out skin – Redness, irritation, and what some are calling ‘maskne‘, breakouts caused by wearing masks. If for you the struggle with maskne is only too real right now, you’re not alone. Here are a few tips on how to get your skin back under control.
If we took a peek at times gone by, we’d realise that the use of exfoliating acids in skin care is nothing new. Cleopatra, Queen of Ancient Egypt regularly bathed in donkey’s milk, now known to be rich in lactic acid, while French women used aged wine that contains tartaric acid. Personally, I find chemical face peels quite harsh on the skin and I believe that the benefits they offer can be obtained by other means, but never the less they are very popular. Therefore, as quite a few of you have asked for my opinion on the matter, I’ve prepared a quick guide with their properties, dosage and uses.
Whilst the best “cure” for sunburn is to have avoided damaging your skin in the first place, applying after-sun can work wonders to cool down and soothe hot, angry skin. So, if you’ve been slacking on the sunscreen and you’re looking more lobster-like than bronzed goddess right now, look no further than your bottle of Nutritive Repair Emulsion for the ultimate after-sun treatment.
The term “exposome” relates to all the exposures, either environmental or lifestyle, an individual is subjected to from birth to death. In other words, it’s the analysis of non-genetic risk factors (synthetic chemicals, dietary constituents, psychosocial stressors, and physical factors) and our corresponding biological responses. Therefore, unfortunately, even if you live on a paradise island in the middle of a (clean) ocean, this means that your environment could still be affecting you! So, are you ready to discover more about the exposome and how it affects your skin health? Let’s take a peek…
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.
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.
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…
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 chestnut, centella and echinacea. Also the massage is as important as the actual product or the oil we use.
Once the stretch marks are formed are more difficult to get rid off, but not impossible.
How to deal with hyperpigmentation:
The most common hyperpigmentation case is called melasma, known also as “pregnancy mask” due to the aspect of the dark patches across the face or “moustache” if it appears above the upper lip. It usually fades away, right after giving birth. To prevent, but also to treat, the following ingredients work wonders: mallow, Yarrow, Peppermint, Heath speedwell, Lemon balm, Cucumber, Primula, Buddleja, Lady’s mantle, niacinamide (at least 5%)
Sometimes a vertical line across your abdomen, called “linia nigra” appears, however it fades post-partum.
How to deal with acne:
In an ideal world, it would help to keep your acne under control before pregnancy as it could get worse later on. So if you are thinking of getting pregnant the following ingredients should be part of your routine: panthenol (decreases sebum), vitamin E (avoids the oils secreted from the sebaceous glands to go rancid, linoleic acid (keeps a healthy balanced skin). Also, I always recommend to use a toner, which have usually lowers the pH of the skin, by using this, it avoids bacteria proliferation as they prefer to live in more alkaline (higher pH) environments.
Once you are pregnant and acne appears, I personally like a combination of clay masks together with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and sebum-like jojoba oil. The use of exfoliating acids is strictly discouraged.
How to deal with itchy skin:
It is a very common symptom linked to high levels of oestrogens. It usually appears without a rash.
Incorporating ingredients such as bisabolol, allantoin, calendula oil, squalane, oat, chamazulene, rice oil or ruscus aculeatus extract will bring temporary relief.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Acne rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterised by facial flushing and abnormal dilation of the capillaries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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”.
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.
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.
Reflective in Twelve Beauty, and his philosophy towards health and beauty. Below, Pedro shares his favourite tips on Summer care, both inside and out…
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