Can I Eat My Retinol?
Glowing skin is always in!
But did you know that what we eat could make all the difference to how our skin looks. Our outward skin health tells a story of what is happening on the inside! It spills the beans on whether you are making good or bad food choices!
Most of us have been there, the morning after the night before, too much alcohol, caffeine, sugar or processed foods and the tell tale signs appear! Our skin becomes puffy or dehydrated, and we wonder how those lines and wrinkles got there overnight! All signs that our diet (and lifestyle choices) may be affecting our skin! And what’s more, the more we do it, the longer the effects of our bad choices last!
So lets turn this around! One of the best things we can do for our skin health is use nutrition to our advantage! Of all of the vitamins, vitamin A is known to be the most important for maintaining optimum levels of skin health and function. So a nutrient rich balanced diet with foods rich in Vitamin A could be just the ticket!
The Benefits Of Vitamin A In The Diet
- It’ll give you glowing skin
- It keeps your eyesight healthy
- Protects against premature ageing and wrinkles
- It keeps your immune system in tip-top shape
- It protects the mucus membranes in our respiratory system
Which Vitamin A Rich Foods Should I Eat?
Vitamin A (in the form of retinyl palmitate) is found in foods such as Beef, chicken livers, Eggs, Fish oils, whole milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese and butter.
The body can actually make vitamin A from beta-carotene and other carotenoids. These are fat-soluble nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that give them their colour. These include most dark-green leafy vegetables and deep yellow/orange vegetables, fruits, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and other winter squashes, cantaloupe, apricots, peaches, and mangoes.
There You Have It!
Now, we all know that following a balanced nutritionally rich diet is not going to happen all of the time, the odd night on the town, or sugar binge is going to happen! Life sometimes gets in the way! A good rule to stick to is to follow a healthy eating plan at lease 80% of the time! And if in doubt take a supplement!
If your struggle with some of the foods on the list a supplement such a Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Vit A can provide you with your daily dose of Vitamin A.
So there you are, get munching away to achieve a glowing and happy skin!
If you require any further supplement advice, please contact us and speak with one of our Skincare Pro’s who will be happy to talk you through your options.
Is Screen Time Damaging Your Skin?
By now, you’re probably aware of the dangers from UVA & UVB to your skin, however, did you know that there is another ‘Silent Ager’ damaging your skin? Blue Light!
What Is Blue Light?
Blue Light is the bright light the emanates from our digital devices; our computers, tablets, smartphones and televisions, even fluorescent light bulbs.
How Can It Damage My Skin?
Although the research into this is still in it’s early stages, the evidence gathered so far is suggesting that over exposure to blue light can have the same effect on your skin as being directly in the sun! Blue light is thought to effect the production of collagen and elastin by penetrating the skin and causing DNA damage and inflammation, which could increase the likelihood of showing the signs of ageing sooner.
It is also though to effect our skin as we sleep - if you are exposed to blue light at night it is thought to impact on the skins natural nightime repair process!
So What Can We Do To Prevent Blue Light Damage?
Screen time reports can make for dismal reading and according to Ofcom, we’re spending more than a day a week online. People are, on average, online for 24 hours a week, twice as long as 10 years ago. And those are the figures for mobile devises, not taking into account the time spent on the computer, or in front of the tv!
While the idea of reducing our screen time might not seem possible, there are other alternatives; such as: Turning down the screen brightness, this will reduce the amount of blue light being emitted. You can also use ‘Tech Sheilds’ that can be attached to your device which will have a similar effect. You can also try to avoid bright screens beginning 2-3 hours before your go to bed!
The temptation may be to use a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, but this won’t defend against blue light unless it contains a ‘physical’ mineral sunscreen like iron oxide.
What Can I Do To Protect My Skin?
Apply a physical sunscreen like Environ’s RAD Antioxidant Sunscreen which will filter out those damaging blue lights. Speak with our Skincare Pro’s or why not book on our next Environ Expert Event and have a full Skin Analysis including a Skin Scan?
Garforth - 0113 286 2222 | Rothwell - 0113 393 4281
https://beautymattersleeds.co.uk/book-online/
Wine-No! - The Effect Alcohol Can Have On Your Skin, And It’s No Joke!
FACT: Alcohol isn’t good for you! But most of us love it! I know how that sounds, but it’s a big part of most or our daily lives. A de-stress drink, or a boozy catch up with friend can be the end of a workday norm! Not to mention extended happy hours and weekends full of late nights and boozy brunches. Life with alcohol can be fun, right! Of course we can gleefully skim through stories about how red wine helps us live longer, but ignore that that’s the occasional glass, not a carafe or two!
But here’s the thing, not everyone knows that, alcohol can have a damaging effect on our skin! In-fact it’s actually one of the most aggressive compounds to destroy our skin. So lets break down the effects of alcohol on your skin. But brace yourself, because it isn’t pretty!
Dehydration Is An Issue
We guess you kind of knew this one already? You know what it’s like, the morning after the night before, waking up bleary eyed and gagging for a drink of water - Knocking a few back the night before causes dehydration, making our skin puffy, dull and lacklustre. You might also notice more fines lines and wrinkles appearing over time. This is because the skin is starved of hydration - alcohol is a diuretic that actually takes the fluid out of the skin.
Puffiness, Bloating And Inflammation Too
Alcohol can also cause inflammation: puffy eyes and a bloated appearance as well as flushing of the skin - which with prolonged excessive drinking, can become a prominent facial feature that you can’t get away from! Drinking heavily can have other more permanent detrimental effects on your skin - Rosacea; a skin disorder that starts with a tendency to blush and flush easily is linked to alcohol. And then there’s cellulite; many believe the toxins in alcohol contribute to its build up.
Breakouts Setting Up Camp
It’s no secret that alcohol contains a lot of sugar. If you’re over indulging too often this will show up in your skin. Too much sugar can quite literally crystallise your skin cells leading to a less plump and supple skin plus a duller complexion with more breakouts. What’s more after a night on the town, removing our make-up off goes way down our lists of priorities and that can result in breakouts which can become prolonged to the point of claiming squatters rights!
Gut imbalance
You might find that alcohol bloats your tummy too. It can deplete healthy levels of the important bacteria that live in our gut - ‘The Micro Biome’ - that helps to regulate our immune system, which is so important for managing inflammatory skin conditions. If you have an unhealthy gut it can have a big impact on your overall health and especially the appearance of your skin.
So What Can We Do To Help Hung-Over Skin?
Alcohol is a toxin with little to no nutritional value that impacts the quality and appearance of our skin. So if you want a radiant, dewy glow, put down the champers! Or at least cut back on your daily consumption.
Give your body a helping hand and incorporate a little TLC into your skincare. Skincare with Retinol or Vitamin A are a great way to encourage your skin to regenerate and repair. Nutrition is key, taking a good nutritional supplement can help your skin recover by dosing it with healing vitamins and minerals. Invest in some Professional Skincare Treatments to turbo charge your efforts.
Drinking at least two litres of water a day with a squeeze of lemon will kick-start the detoxification process and will work wonders for re-hydrating the skin!
As we age the rate that drink leaves the body is slower, so give yourself a break. If you do continue to drink, try to limit it to every other day or less. The lower and less frequent the intake, the lower the damage to your skin. But remember if you have been hitting it hard for an extended time, it will take time to reverse the damage that’s been done.
Are You Getting Your Beauty Sleep?
Are you getting your beauty sleep?
Everything you need to know about sound sleep and stunning skin!
It’s fair to say that for many of us, our bathroom cupboards are filled to the brim with lotions and potions to ensure that we have healthy glowing skin - but did you know that sleep is when some of the most important internal — and epidermal — recovery takes place!
We’ve all fallen victim to a poor nights sleep and woken up with dark circles and puffy eyes, paler skin with fine lines appearing!
So what can we do to ensure we rise and shine with glowing skin?
Get a full nights sleep
Although this might sound easier said than done; getting a full 8- 9 hours sleep is the best place to start for your skin. The results of a poor night sleep include:
Skin ages faster
Skin that doesn’t recover as well from environmental stressors
Tips for getting a good night sleep include; Exercise, avoiding caffeine and nicotine, avoiding large meals and beverages after 8pm.
Keeping the skin clean before bed
This may sound obvious, but going to bed without removing your make up or washing your face will have a knock on effect.
Cleansing your skin before bed is essential to remove the days dirt, grime, pollution and makeup that rests in your pores. Cleaning your skin is going to help avoid creating acne outbreaks, dry skin, inflammation and large pores.
Cleansing your skin before bed is essential to remove the days dirt, grime, pollution and makeup that rests in your pores. Cleaning your skin is going to help avoid creating acne outbreaks, dry skin, inflammation and large pores.
Use a night cream and have a glass of water before bed
Washing your skin can dry it out and sleeping can also dehydrate the skin so having a glass of water by the bed to keep you hydrated through the night can help along with using a topical moisturiser.
We recommend using the Environ Alpha Hydroxy Night Cream. Its mild exfoliating formula helps to refine the texture of your skin and energise the appearance of tired, dull skin to help restore radiance.
For more information about skin care and how you can improve the tone and texture of your skin, visit Beauty Matters for a consultation with our Skin Care Experts and together we can help turn tired, lack lustre skin back to a healthy, youthful glow!
Beauty Matters - Garforth 0113 286 2222 | Rothwell 0113 393 4281
https://beautymattersleeds.co.uk/book-online/
How is your skin feeling and looking after summer?
How is your skin feeling and looking after the Summer?
After the summer months we experience skin can be looking a bit dull, a little dehydrated and lacklustre. If this is the case here are some therapist tips to help restore that radiant and hydrated glow!
- Treat deeper than you can see…
Do you struggle with dryness, dehydration, inflamed skin, eczema or psoriasis?
Let us introduce you to Skin Omegas+ 
Packed with the highest quality of Omega oils these supplements will build a barrier around the skin cells re-hydrating skin and adding moisture to any skin condition.
But don’t just take our word for it, check out our clients before and after pictures!!
- Whats the worst kept secret to ensuring and maintaining skin health? ...Vitamin A!
The daily replenishment of vitamin A is vital for skin to look healthy and radiant for life. Start low and go slow!
Replenishing vitamin A and other skin nutrients is best done slowly.
Environs Vitamin Step-Up System helps skin become ‘acclimated’ to increasing levels of Vitamin A.
Speak to our skin care experts to create a bespoke skin care regime tailored to your needs!
- Have you experienced our Environ facials yet?
Environ facials are highly effective results driven treatments, just one of these is equivalent to approx 70hrs of a manual facial - using advanced technology we push active vitamins into the skin 4,400 times deeper than any manual facial ever could.
Not only is it relaxing but it actually helps restore your skin to a beautiful dewy, glow giving visible results after just 1 treatment.
Packed with nourishing and anti-ageing ingredients this facial is suitable for all skin types and any skin concerns. It is particularly effective at addressing sun-damage, pigmentation, premature ageing, dryness, uneven skin tone and scarring.
This truly is a signature treatment, and ideal for those whose skin needs a pick me up after being in the sun.
Or call us on
Garforth 0113 286 2222
Rothwell 0113 393 4281
Top Tip For Nailing The I Woke Up Like This Trend?
LVL Lashes, the perfect year round natural lash treatment to nail the I just woke up like this trend!
LVL lashes are also the no.1 pre-holiday essential treatment, want to know why?
After just 1 hour treatment your lashes are tinted, lifted, volumised and lengthened and last for an incredible 6-8 weeks.
No worrying about panda eyes by the pool your Lashes are perfect and beach ready!
Check out our amazing before and afters by the Beauty Matters lash experts!
How does it work?
By straightening your natural lashes at the root this lifts the lashes up, like you have done a lash curl but turbo charged, then the lashes are tinted to give that 'I just applied my mascara look' the overall effect is the appearance of longer, thicker lashes. No mascara. No messing. Just perfect lashes 24 hours a day.
How long will it take?
Around 1 hour with an expert LVL lash technician. Just close your eyes and relax! then you’re set for up to 6-8 weeks.
What aftercare is involved?
LVL is a low maintenance treatment so it’s easy to keep your lashes looking fresh.
Maintain the condition of your lashes with the Nouveau Lash and Brow Conditioning Serum. Packed full of vitamins and nourishing goodness, the conditioner will ensure your lashes remain fuller looking and appear instantly conditioned. Think hair colour and perm, lashes can de-hydrate too so conditioning is an essential part of keeping them in tip-top condition. Then return for your next treatment in 6-8 weeks.. it's as simple as that!
A patch test is required 48hrs prior to treatment. Yes really, your safety is our no.1 priority.
Contact your preferred branch
Garforth - 0113 286 2222
Rothwell - 0113 393 4281
or book online - https://beautymattersleeds.co.uk/eye-treatments/
4 Must have holiday treatments
Full Body Exfoliating Salt Scrub
Do you imagine yourself walking down the beach with smooth sun kissed skin? An Exfoliating Salt Scrub is the first step to that being a reality!
Massaging mineral rich salts over the skin sloughs off dulling dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking radiant and nourished.
Tanning onto exfoliated skin also helps give a longer lasting tan.... but remember....Be sun aware and regularly apply your sun protection!
No one should leave for holiday without being Pedi prepped! Our feet are constantly on show as we bare all in our flip-flops or walk down the beach bare foot. There is no excuse for dry hard heels or unpainted toes hanging over the bottom of the sun-loungers!
A full pedicure will tackle dry, hard and flaking skin leaving your feet beach ready! Add Shellac the 14- day gel polish to ensure your toes stay beautifully painted for the whole holiday and beyond!
The Bikini Wax
The only way to be 100% confident in those bikini bottoms! If you know what we mean!
Bikini waxing is available in many different forms from a ‘tidy up’ to ‘the lot off’, whatever your preference our advice is always opt for hot wax. Lycon hot wax is extremely gentle in sensitive areas, and ensures the hair is taken from the root with less hair breakage, resulting in being hair free for longer with less chance of ingrown hairs! Don’t worry if you’re not ready to go all the way you can always try The Brazilian which will make you bikini ready too!
No one wants black panda eyes as they leave the pool and our worst nightmare is to go mascara free! Eyelash tinting colours the eyelashes giving the look of mascara. This 15- minute treatment will enhance natural lashes and keep them looking darker for up to 4 weeks.
Lashes can be taken be taken the next level with a lash lift, which includes a tint too! This fabulous treatment lifts your natural lashes at the root creating the effect of longer, volumised lashes for up to 8 weeks! Amazing lashes with no effort for the whole of your holiday!
Beauty Matter’s solutions to our top 4 recommendations...
ELEMIS Frangipani Cleansing Salt Scrub 40.00
Luxury Shellac Pedicure 39.00
Shellac Pedicure £29.50
Eyelash Tint 15.00
Nouveau LVL Lashes 49.00
Lycon Sphinx Wax (all off) 32.00
Lycon Brazilian Wax 29.00
To discuss your holiday requirements call to book for your complimentary consultation
Garforth | 01132862222
Rothwell | 01133934281
4 Easy Steps to Improve Your Skin
- Diet -
If you fuel your car with sand it won’t run properly. The same applies to your body. If you put junk food into your body, it will inhibit the functions of skin and body.
If you want to reduce the likelihood of acne, dermatitis and other skin concerns, start with your diet and reduce inflammatory foods and drinks like sugar, dairy and alcohol.
Fuel your body by indulging regularly in nutrient-rich fruits & vegetables and drinking lots of water.
- Cleansing -
As you go throughout the day, your skin will naturally perspire and collect debris, even if you can’t see it it’s there.
Always cleanse your skin and take off makeup every night before bed.
Use exfoliating masks and scrubs to eliminate dead skin cells and always follow up your cleansing routine with a good moisturiser.
- Protection -
Always wear sunscreen! If the day is overcast and dull and you can’t see or feel the sun it’s still there. UVA rays contribute to the majority of ageing in the skin.
Skin cancer still effects millions of people each year, you can help start the preventative process by protecting your skin daily with a good sunscreen.
- Professional Treatments -
Having an expert look at your skin and advice on the specific needs of your skin has is essential.
Once you have a trained eye working on your skin, they can ensure you have a proactive in salon and homecare maintenance routine to keep your skin healthy.
Visit our website to view the skincare treatments available