Category Archives: anti aging

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Get Greasy: Must Have Beauty Oils

“You’re not putting that greasy c$@& on me!” is a line my mom quite often heard as she forced her coconut oiled hands to my hair each Saturday night from the ages of 0-16yrs. After this i could run faster than her. 

Using oils has been key to my beauty regime since i was a child. I actually use to hate it as i thought it was so ‘uncool’, however i have since realised the super benefits my amazing mom knew long before i did.
Here are my most used beauty oils, i usually buy oils in pure form and create my own little potions.
Sweet Almond Oil
This vegetable oil is quite versatile. I like to use it on my body most days – especially in the winter months. It has a silky texture which nourishes and protects, plus is easily absorbed without leaving any greasy residue. Nothing worse than grease on your clothes. Derived from the kernals of the Almond Tree, i also love using this oil as a hair treatment. I literally massage a small amount into my roots and ends, and wash it out the next morning. Not only does it help the condition of my hair, but has also helped me with my never ending mission for looong length hair.
The high concentration of vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and E makes it a perfect all rounder oil. I quite often add essential oils such as Lavender, Rose or Lemongrass to this, creating an invigorating or calming experience. 

Jojoba Oil
This is one on my favourite oils for my face. It’s been my saviour through spotty and dry moments, helping to balance my skin. The reason it is so good is because it has a similar composition to our skin’s natural oils, so mimics the way skin works. Jojoba also contains myristic acid which has anti inflammatory actions helping to calm irritated skin.
Argan Oil

The Argan Tree

The benefits of this Moroccan oil have sent the skin and hair care experts into frenzy. This is this the current ‘gold’ of oil. Used for centuries by the Moroccan women on their hair, face and body, Argan oil has been added to many western cosmetics. In pure form, its benefits are neverending. Containing vitamins A and E, rich in anti oxidants and fatty acids as well as omega 3 and 6, Argan is nourishing, protecting, anti-ageing and smoothing all in one. A must in my life.
I quite like playing with various carrier oils and essential oils, creating new potions which i hope my beauty regime will benefit from. However, if you don’t have the same obsession as me, there are some really good oils out there ready for you to treat yourself with. 
Here are some of my faves:
Betty Hula ‘The Secret’ Oil £15.99
With a blend of Grapeseed Oil, Rose, Jojoba and Vitamin E,  The Secret Oil helps repair damaged skin, combat dryness and reduce wrinkles.
Aromatherapy Associates Nourishing Face Oil £37If you have quite dry and dehydrated skin (which most of us experience at some point during winter) this little concoction will help. Containing Evening primrose oil, Rose and sandalwood to lock in moisture, nourish and renew the complexion. 

REN Morrocan Rose Otto Body Oil £34
Infused with the anti-ageing and smoothing Rose, this oil not only smells lush but will help skin to look healthy, feel soft and protect against damage.
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Origins Plantscription Anti Aging Serum

It was with military precision that my mom used to enforce a twice daily cleanse, tone and moisturise ritual on my teenage skin, i thank her for it, but have moved on as the mighty skincare universe has definitely changed since then. Now, my absolute skincare must have is a hard working serum. I won’t be without one under my moisturiser, and I generally tend to have a different one for day and night.

I have a fair few issues with my skin, from monthly breakouts and open pores, random dullness and dehydration to slight sun damage and the first signs of ageing….wow, sounds awful, could it be worse? I want it all fixed, and want it fixed now!
My most recent serum love has been the Origins Plantscription Anti Aging Serum which i have been using day and night under my usual moisturiser. A product bursting with only natural ingredients’, it is said to have 90% of the wrinkle reducing benefits as non natural alternatives with none of the possible side effects.
For a start, it smells amazing, the essential oils literally blast through as i pump out the treatment. The serum is calming on my sometimes tight skin, it glides on effortlessly and instantly soothes and brightens. A lot of serums i have used previously have had quite a watery consistency, this one is different, its thicker but still light and easily absorbed.
The key ingredient in the Plantscription Anti Aging Serum is a plant extract called Siiga from the sacred ‘Anogeissus‘ tree. Found in the Republic of Ghana, this tree is know to have powerful benefits in the battle against ageing skin, even being hailed as the ‘natual’ retinoid – whoop to the ‘Anogeissus’ tree. Trials revealed that after just four weeks, 51% of testers noticed a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Over the weeks i have been using this serum, i have seen my skin go from dull to much perkier looking, it’s also firmer to touch and healthier overall in appearance. Although pores have not disappeared, they have slightly diminished. However, I have yet to see a change in the fine lines, but believe i need to give it more time. I’m going to stick with this serum as i really like the effect it has had so far. I also love that Plantscription is a natural product but still manages to work as hard as many of the standard anti aging formulas out there. It somehow makes me feel like i am doing something good for my skin. It’s a great choice for green beauty lovers as well as those who find many general skincare ranges too harsh or irritating on their skin. Thumbs up from me!