As the nights draw in I always find myself feeling at a loss during the long evenings.  They just seem to drag.  One of my favourite ways to counter this is to enjoy an extended soak in a luxuriously accessorised bath.  I’m talking bubbles, candles, scents and the softest towels.  More often than not I am accompanied by a small glass of something relaxing.  Heaven! 

So that my experience is not pure self-indulgence I also use these long soaks to give the skin on my body a bit of much needed attention.  I add mineral salts to the bath water to re-mineralise my skin.  Dermalogica’s Hydro Active Mineral Salts are perfect and can also be used as a scrub on those stubborn areas of rough skin such as elbows and knees.  Half way through my soak I am usually able to muster up enough energy for a spot of exfoliation.  After a polish with the Exfoliating Body Scrub my skin always feels rejuvenated. 

The last step as I reluctantly drag myself out of the tub and back to reality is a wonderfully rich all-over moisturiser.  Dermalogica Ultrarich Body Cream is divine and leaves me with super soft skin.  With this cream I really know I have been indulged and my skin will stay soft and smooth for days.

Whilst I’m soaking my mind wanders and I don’t even notice the evening dragging.  My perfect antedote to the winter blues!

Dermalogica have released this year’s Christmas box sets…. and what fantastic sets they are.  Each box set contains 2 free gifts and there are sets for oily, dry and prematurely aging skin. 

Active Moist Gift Set:  perfect for oily skin, this gift set contains everything you need to quench thirsty skin and provide sufficient hydration without leaving skin greasy or more oily.  It is a common mis-perception that oily skin does not require moisture.  In fact, skin with excess oil production requires moisture just as much as any other skin type.  However it requires the right type of moisturisation and products containing oil should be avoided.  The Active Moist gift set contains:

• Active Moist 100ml
• FREE Multi-Active Toner (50ml)
• FREE Skin Hydrating Booster (7ml)

Skin Smoothing Cream Gift Set:  ideal for dry and prematurely aging skin, the Skin Smoothing Cream box set will hydrate and repair.  Nourishing and hydrating, the products in this set will smooth fine lines, improve elasticity and protect against free radicals which can damage and age the skin.  The set contains:

• Skin Smoothing Cream (100ml)
• FREE Multi-Active Toner (50ml)
• FREE Skin Hydrating Booster (7ml)      

Super Rich Repair Gift Set:  the perfect weapon for fighting the signs of aging.  The Super Rich Repair set contains 3 best-selling products from Dermalogica’s AGEsmart range.  Perfect for anyone whose skin has started to age.  Combined the products will stimulate collagen synthesis, promote elasticity, smooth fine lines and polish skin, resulting in younger looking skin.  The set contains:

• Super Rich Repair (50ml)
• FREE MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque (15ml)
• FREE MultiVitamin Thermafoliant (15ml) 

Each of these limited edition gift sets is incredible value and stocks are limited so get yours today.  The perfect Christmas gift for others or yourself… happy Christmas to you!

Find out here why Dermalogica founder Jane Wurwand created Daily Microfoliant all those years ago and read how Japenese ‘Rice Water Beauties’ were the inspiration behind this rice-based exfoliator.

Not tried Daily Microfoliant yet?  Why not request a free sample with your next order.  We’re sure you’ll love it too!

We recently wrote a feature on how to Autumn-Proof Your Skin, with some great tips for keeping the skin on your face happy this season.  However hands can suffer just as much, if not more, during the colder months so don’t forget to pay them some attention too.

Just like your face, you need to continue to protect your hands from damaging UV rays throughout the autumn and winter.  Whereas the rest of your body will be nicely protected under layers of clothing, your hands may still be exposed and the sun’s rays can cause damage to skin even on cloudy days so it’s important to continue with sunscreen.  Using sunscreen on your hands every day of the year is a good tip to keep them youthful looking and avoid the tell-tale signs of aging.  Don’t let your hands give away your true age!

The skin on your hands can dry out very easily and it is dryness which causes the problems commonly experienced in autumn and winter.  Chapped and cracked hands can be unsightly and even painful if the dryness is severe.  To counter this it is important to keep your hands and nails nourished and protected with a good hand cream. 

Dermalogica MultiVitamin Hand and Nail Treatment is like medicine for hands.  This super-nourishing cream absorbs quickly without being greasy.  It keeps hands smooth, helps repair damage, strengthens and protects nails and also contains brightening ingredients to help reduce signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation.  All of this in one amazing little tube! 

Apply MultiVitamin Hand and Nail Treatment whenever hands feel dry and, for extra nourishment, apply before bed then slip your hands into a pair of gloves whilst you sleep.  Guaranteed silky smooth mitts!

Thanks to tebyan.net for the image.

Win A Trip To New York With Dermalogica

Dermalogica have teamed up with the much anticipated Dreamworks film The Help to bring you the chance to win a dream trip for two to New York.  The message behind The Help which releases in cinemas on 26th October resonates with Dermalogica and the FITE initiative that aims to provide micro loans to women across the world to help them achieve Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship.  The prize on offer includes:

• 4 days, 3 nights in New York
• flights and 4* accommodation
• £1,000 spending money
• Dermalogica skin treatment for two at Dermalogica Soho, New York
• Dermalogica products

Entering this sensational competition couldn’t be easier and no purchase is necessary.  Simply go to www.thehelp.dermalogica.co.uk and answer the very easy qualifying question. 

We would be over the moon if this was won by a customer of The Face Beauty.  Get entering and best of luck!

Pre-Shave

Clean Bar soap-free cleansing bar   Daily Clean Scrub dual-action exfoliating cleanser   Pre-Shave Guard shielding shave prep

£15.83 RRP £19.59   £18.69 RRP £24.00   £18.03 RRP £23.50

Shave

Close Shave Oil ultra-smooth shave barrier   Invigorating Shave Gel lightweight shave gel   Soothing Shave Cream ultra-lubricating cream

£18.69 RRP £24.00   £15.01 RRP £17.50   £14.29 RRP £18.50

Post-Shave

Daily Defense Block SPF15 multi-tasking UV protection Post-Shave Balm shortening recovery time

£29.61 RRP £35.00 £19.81 RRP £25.50

Why not try the Dermalogica Shave System? This great skin kit contains 5 essential shave products – the perfect gift

The Dos and Don’ts of Shaving

For a great shave and healthier skin, you have to go beyond gliding a razor over skin.  Combine these tips with the right pre-shave and post-shave regimen for the ultimate shave.

• Shave after showing to pre-soften the skin.
• Pay attention to hair growth direction: the best time to determine the pattern of your beard is to run your hand along beard growth approximately one to three days after shaving.
• Avoid alkaline-based products and soap which can dry skin.
• Avoid after-shave lotions containing alcohol: they not only cause pain, but contribute to irritation and fail to replace the skin’s natural protective barrier.
• Shave with the right pressure: pressing hard won’t deliver a closer shave, just more irritation.
• Use a steady, constant motion when shaving , making each stroke around one to two inches long.
• Rinse the blade clean before each stroke.
• Use a sharp, clean razor and shave with the grain.
• If you have a heavy, coarse beard: shave against the grain only after first shaving with the grain.   

Let us introduce Dermalogica’s Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover.  This is both oil and alcohol free and actually dissolves make-up whilst being gentle on the delicate skin around the eye area.  As the make-up is dissolved it is much easier to remove completely and we guarantee no panda eyes in the morning with this product.  The water soluble gel won’t sting, irritate or leave an oily residue.  Milia sufferers will benefit from removing make-up with this product as it will help reduce the risk of dead skin cells becoming stuck under the skin. 

This make-up remover couldn’t be simpler to use either.  Just apply a small amount to a wet cloth and gently massage over the face, lips and eyes until all traces of make-up have been removed.  Then rinse away with water.  If you are not happy with your current make-up remover, give this a try.  We don’t think you’ll revert back!

As the nights draw in and the leaves begin to fall, you may start to notice the first signs of autumn on your skin.  Autumn brings with it new challenges for your skin and it is important to stay ahead of the game and adjust your skin care regime early in order to keep your skin healthy now that autumn is upon us (or is it, the weather doesn’t seem to have made it’s mind up yet?!…..).  Here we tell you how to tweak your routine in order to avoid some of the common skin problems associated with the change in season.

Too Much Sun?

If you have over-done the sun exposure this summer, you may find your skin is dehydrated and lacking in moisture with more fine lines than normal.  If you don’t remedy this now, the problem will only get worse as temperatures drop and the central heating goes on.  So now is the time to ensure your skin is well-hydrated.  See our recent post How Can I Cure Dehydrated Skin? for the best ways to balance your skin’s moisture levels.

Protection Still Paramount

Just because temperatures have dropped a few degress doesn’t mean you can ditch your sunscreen.  Even on cloudy days the sun’s rays can cause damage to your skin and our advice is to wear a spf product every day, 365 days a year.  If you don’t want the hassle of applying a separate sunscreen every day, you can incorporate sun protection into your daily regime by choosing a moisturiser or make-up with added spf.  Dermalogica’s Dynamic Skin Recovery, UltraCalming Redness Relief and Sheer Tint Moisture are all good examples of every day products which have built-in spf.      

Dry Skin

Colder temperatures affect our skin’s ability to retain moisture and central heating dries the air and leeches moisture from the body.  These environmental influences often result in dry skin which can become cracked or flaky.  To keep your skin healthy it is time to switch to a more nourishing moisturiser.  In autumn and winter, most skin types will benefit from a richer moisturiser.  For intense moisturisation try Dermalogica’s Skin Smoothing Cream, Intensive Moisture Balance or Super Rich Repair.  Even oily skin can become dried out in autumn and require additional moisturisation.  If your skin is oily though, opt for an oil-free product such as Active Moist.

Shield

Shielding skin against environmental assaults becomes important as the weather starts to change.  Cold temperatures, blustery winds and rain are all unkind to your skin and can quickly cause damage to the skin’s natural lipid barrier level.  To keep skin healthy and protect against damage, include a shielding booster into your daily routine.  Barrier Repair is the perfect way to maintain a healthy lipid barrier level and protect your skin from future environmental assaults.            

So what are you waiting for?  Go tweak your skincare regime today!

We have been guest blogging!  For the lovely Laura of www.bonfirenightbride.co.uk.  Laura has been planning her bonfire night wedding since becoming engaged to Tom in 2009 and started her blog to capture her thoughts, feelings and wedding-related ideas.  Her blog is now a mecca for brides everywhere and we were delighted to be able to contribute with a post about how to achieve flawless wedding day skin.  Read our post and visit Laura’s blog here.      

Beauty news is hottest in the summer, there’s no doubt about that.  But now that the UK has turned well and truly autumnal, we take a look back, courtesy of Dermalogica, at some of their stars of summer.