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Aqua-Tox is a luxury wellness destination, just 30 minutes outside central London offering some of the latest technology and science backed facilities for ultimate health optimisation.  Based in Hertfordshire, they focus on four pillars; wellness, recovery, laser and aesthetics.  There are very few clinics outside of London that you could call a true wellness destination offering treatments from the Hyperbaric Hydroxy AirPod that speeds up the body’s healing process, a whole body Cryotherapy Chamber, to enhanced recovery treatments such as their Infrared Sauna and NormaTec compression therapy. 

The team here know their stuff, whether you are looking to recharge your inner battery, recover from an intense training session or perk up a dull complexion there’s a slew of preventative and regenerative treatments.  I’d recommend starting with a consultation with one of the therapists who will then design a carefully curated treatment plan.

But let’s talk about what really sets Aqua-Tox apart – their skincare game.  Aqua-Tox has highly effective skincare programmes for a wide range of skin concerns including acne, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. I was looking to combat a lack lustre complexion that was dry and in need of a glow up.  I had a skincare consultation with their in-house nurse prescriber and skincare expert, Lucy who recommended a customised series of treatments and personalised skincare advice including Dermalux LED phototherapy and Obagi Blue Peel facials.  Alongside this Lucy provided me with an at-home skincare regime using the Obagi Medical range which is used during all their facial treatments and can be purchased from the clinic. 

The Obagi Blue Peel Radiance, is a light chemical peel that includes deep pore cleansing, mild exfoliation and moisturisation to help rejuvenate and improve your complexion. This peel enhances skin smoothness and radiance to reveal tighter, brighter, glowing results. Following the peel Lucy popped me under an LED mask to accelerate the results.

LED masks are working their way into our beauty routine and with Victoria Beckham a firm favourite LED light therapy is fast becoming a quick way to supercharge your skin.  The Dermalux treatment at Aqua-Tox is the gold standard.  It’s large and arcs across all the face and neck.  Using three shades of light, combined, they stimulate the skin’s cellular functions.

Blue light has an antibacterial action, preventing breakouts from forming while red light boosts cell renewal, promoting the production of collagen and elastin. Near-infrared travels all the way to the subcutaneous tissue, where it increases circulation, increasing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells.    The results are great and after just two sessions I noticed that my skin looked less red and calm.

The great thing about Dermalux LED phototherapy is that the results are cumulative, the more treatments you have the better your skin looks. It also compliments some of the other skincare treatments Aqua-Tox provides like dermal fillers, Profhilo and Polynucleotides due to its ability to accelerate healing and calm inflammation.

After eight sessions, alongside using the Obagi products, I’d achieved the glow I was after.  My skin was brighter, tighter and smoother.  The best bit, others had noticed, my other half said I had a healthy glow and my sister asked me if I’d changed my products as my skin looked great.  if you’re looking to invest in your skin over the winter then a visit to Aqua-Tox is a must.  I’ve already recommended friends and my sister booked a consultation as soon as I let her in on my secret.

To book your skin consultation contact Aqua-Tox

In the realm of hair and beauty, creativity is not just welcomed, it’s essential. This industry provides an incredible platform for individuals to express their artistic flair. Whether you are experimenting with new hairstyles, exploring vibrant colours, or innovating in beauty treatments, each day presents a new canvas. This field is ideal for those who view the world through a creative lens and yearn to bring their unique vision to life.

Building a Career in a Thriving Industry

The beauty industry is not only about glamour; it’s a thriving business sector. This is why many individuals consider Cosmetology School in Iowa to be the first step in a journey towards a rewarding and dynamic career. With an ever-growing demand for beauty services and new trends constantly emerging, professionals in this field enjoy a stable and potentially lucrative career path. The satisfaction of enhancing someone’s appearance and boosting their confidence is a bonus that comes with the job.

Flexibility and Freedom

One of the most attractive aspects of a career in hair and beauty is the flexibility it offers. Whether you want to work in a high-end salon, start your own business, or even travel the world as a freelance stylist or makeup artist, the options are vast. This career path allows for a balance between professional and personal life, offering freedom that is hard to find in other professions.

Endless Learning Opportunities

The beauty industry is ever-evolving, with new techniques, products, and styles emerging regularly. This constant evolution means there’s always something new to learn. For those who love to stay ahead of trends and continuously develop their skills, a career in hair and beauty is ideal. Moreover, attending cosmetology school and workshops ensures that you’re always at the forefront of the latest industry developments.

The Power of Making Others Feel Good

Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of a career in hair and beauty is the ability to make others feel good about themselves. Whether it’s a haircut that boosts a client’s self-esteem or a makeup session for a special occasion, the work you do has a direct impact on people’s happiness and confidence. This aspect of the job provides a sense of fulfilment that is deeply gratifying and unique to this profession.

Networking and Community

The hair and beauty industry is not just about individual skills; it’s also about the community and network you build. Working in this sector allows you to meet a diverse range of people, from clients to other professionals. Attending events, participating in collaborations, and engaging in social media platforms can expand your professional network and open doors to new opportunities.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, the hair and beauty industry offers ample opportunities to start and grow your own business. From opening a salon to developing a beauty product line, the possibilities are endless. This career path encourages innovative thinking and business acumen, making it an ideal choice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Personal Satisfaction and Job Security

In a world where job satisfaction can be elusive, a career in hair and beauty offers a unique blend of personal fulfilment and security. As people always seek beauty services, there’s a consistent demand for skilled professionals. This industry not only allows you to follow your passion but also provides a stable and secure career path.

Conclusion

Turning your passion for hair and beauty into a career is not just about following your dreams; it’s about embarking on a journey that offers creativity, flexibility, continuous learning, and the joy of making a difference in people’s lives. It’s a career path that not only offers a fulfilling professional life but also enriches your personal growth and happiness.

Large pores on your face can be pretty annoying. Not only because they look bad, but because they may eventually make your skin greasy & enhance the growth of acne. Luckily, you’re not alone. This is something that happens to millions of people around the world. So there are many ways to get rid of it.

If you have large pores your face, you’ll be glad to know it is not something to worry about. WomenAngle.com we want to help you get rid of those unwanted pores as fast as possible.

Just remember it all comes down to taking good care of your skin and treating it nicely. So you’ll have to invest some time and money into it.

If you are ready to start learning about large pores & how to treat them, here you’ll find everything you need to know. So come further to find out!

Why Do Large Pores Happen?

A pore is a part of the skin that has the only purpose of giving space for hairs to grow. Like other primates, we humans can grow hair in almost every part of our bodies. So we have pores in every piece of skin, including our face.

But some face pores don’t grow hair at all. Still, these hair follicles have a sebaceous gland, the one that produces sebum or what we know as oil. Eventually, pores start creating an oil buildup from this sebum, which enlarges the pores and provides a weird-looking appearance.

However, there’s still more to it. Some pores enlarge because the skin around may not be elastic enough to let oil out. This creates a pore that looks large because it is swelled.

Another cause is when the pores get clogged. This could happen in follicles that have hairs growing internally, so they enlarge the pores from the inside making them look huge.

But the most common reason for large pores to happen is when you wear too much makeup, and it gets mixed with oil and dirt. This blocks pores, which eventually makes them look bigger than they really are. And what’s even worse, it produces pimples and acne.

Usually, it just happens that the sebaceous gland is too active. This is something genetic and may not have any relation with either habits or hygiene. And surely, large pores are nothing to be scared about. As long as you know how to treat them, you can always keep your pores small and your skin healthy.

5 Ways to Minimise Large Pores

There’s no use in getting scared when you see your face with large & awkward pores. It’s pretty common and happens to almost everyone. However, there are a few ways you can get rid of them. You’ll just need to learn to do the following with consistency:

  1. Cleanse Every Day

The easiest and probably most obvious way to minimize pore obstruction and prevent them from getting big is to clean your skin every day. This gets rid of oil, prevents dirt & debris from entering pores, and keeps your skin hydrated.

At least two cleanses a day, one in the morning and one in the night will keep your skin clean and free of oil that eventually blocks your pores. Just use a mild cleanser with no oil, preferably made with natural ingredients, and you’ll be cleaning your face to prevent enlarging follicles.

Some of the best ingredients for cleanser are salicylic acid and lactic acid. Both are pretty useful to get rid of large pores, as they penetrate the skin effectively and clean the pores from the inside. This helps to open up clogged pores.

But you’ll have thousands of cleansers to choose. Just remember that it all falls into cleansing daily without fault. You will eventually get a more beautiful and cleaner skin to boast.

  1. Exfoliate Twice a Week

Apart from cleaning your skin, exfoliating is also helpful to get rid of clogged pores. But more importantly, this helps to remove all the dead skin cells that tend to appear after a long day. When you don’t wash these dead cell flakes consistently, they end up inside the pores causing clogging.

Exfoliating will leave a radiant look on your face with a smooth feeling. The reason behind the soft texture on your skin is that clean pores close down and minimize. Eventually, this makes your skin softer and much smoother than when it is dirty & filled with dead cells.

For the best results, you should try exfoliators with salicylic acid. It is one of the most effective ingredients you can have in cleansing & exfoliating products, as it is a natural acid that gets rid of all debris & dirt inside pores.

We recommend exfoliating your skin up to twice a week. While salicylic acid is helpful to clean, it could also dry out your skin which could produce even larger pores eventually. So remember to exfoliate but also keep it simple to prevent the problem from scaling further.

If you have stubborn blackheads, don’t forget to use blackhead remover to clean the pores.

  1. Moisturize Before Wearing Makeup

You want your skin to look fantastic at all times, and large pores won’t let you do so. Well, moisturizing and keeping your skin hydrated is one of the best ways to do so.

Some people don’t recommend moisturizer because they think it can stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil. But in reality, what this does is clean pores and keep the skin fresh to prevent further production of sebum.

The most important effect of moisturizers is that they hydrate and soften up the skin which prevents sebum from entering pores and clogging them. So your skin will not only look and feel better but also prevent the further creation of sebum that enlarges pores with time.

Just make sure you use a water-based moisturizer instead of an oily one. This will help you avoid any unwanted side-effect with an excess of oil on your skin, something that will probably increase sebum and widen your pores.

  1. Treat Your Skin

You need to treat your skin if you have large pores. This is not taking medications or wearing protective products, but instead using certain substances that could clean your skin and enhance how your pores look.

Among the many different treatments out there, we recommend those that contain alpha hydroxyl acid, salicylic acid, retinol and benzoyl peroxides. All these acids are beneficial on your skin, as they remove bacteria, get rid of skin flakes, and even reduce the size of pores in the process. You can also treat burns and acne with them.

Other recommended choices for this are chemical peels or unique facial masks for pores. They clean your skin well enough using one of the previously mentioned acids. You’ll end up with a soft, clean, healthy and fresh skin which will make you look amazing.

  1. Use the Right Makeup & Primer

One of the first actions women take when they see a large pore on their face is to open the bag and hide their pores with makeup. While this is effective, it doesn’t last long. As soon as you clean the makeup off your face, the large pores will still be there. With time, they will just get larger.

So to fix this, there’s nothing better than using the right kind of makeup. This way, you won’t only get a product that hides your large pores away, but also helps to improve how your skin looks and feel.

You’ll need to pick natural origin makeup if possible. Some options such as clay masks a few times a week can be really helpful, especially before wearing makeup. But the best kind of product is the one that doesn’t contain any oil. The same happens with any item that’s water-based with little to no chemicals.

Using a nice primer for large pores plus the ideal foundation can give an amazing effect as well. As this is the first layer of makeup you wear, it will make sure not to harm the skin in any way or produce unwanted oil in the process. You’ll just need to apply carefully, and that’s it.

If you wear the right kind of makeup, you’ll end up with smaller pores and with a more beautiful skin overall. And of course, you’ll still be able to enjoy exciting & enticing looks without having to hide anything behind layers of product.

Say Goodbye to Large Pores Now!

So, what are you waiting for? You already know why pores get large and what you can do to prevent this. Instead of waiting for a miracle fix, you can start acting today to get rid of such an annoying condition as large pores are.

With all the information in this article, eliminating large pores from your facial skin will be a piece of cake. Just remember to follow each tip correctly and not overdo it. After some time, your skin will look and feel like never before. So don’t hesitate and start taking action now!

We’re sure that #TeamCoco aren’t the only girls in the world that are raving about WUNDER2 and their products, are we?

Autumn is always a great chance to update our makeup collections and we start with the all-important foundation. The true testament to anyone’s daily makeup longevity is whether your choice of foundation stays put all day or whether it slowly falls from your face at any given moment. We are all about the seriousness of all-day foundation.

Look no further than this little beaut, WUNDER2 Last & Found(ation) 24+ Hour Flawless Coverage.

WUNDER2 specialises in high tech beauty that is made to stand the test of time. And this little tube of wonderment is waterproof and transfer-proof, plus it’s comfortable to wear and lightweight which also deeply nourishes the skin giving a fab complexion as a result.

Available in a choice of 7 different shades for light through to dark skin tones. Priced at £24.95 for 30ml, available from Wunder2 online.

Yes, listen up y’all it’s World Afro Day this Saturday 15th September and we are loving the sass that comes with it. Our very own Editor-in-Chief Laura Bartlett has the best afro curly hair you have ever seen, we all swoon after her locks.

The afro has been around since as far back as we can remember, and it evolves beautifully over time. Famous afro’s over the decades include those of Nina Simone, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Mel B, Lenny Kravitz, Jamelia, Beyonce, Solange Knowles and so many more.

We are into Cantu’s full collection of products that help maintain the beauty, strength and style of a great afro in 2018.

To achieve a full fro we recommend Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment. It prevents breakage and conditions fragile hair whilst replacing vital moisture lost through styling damage. Priced at £5.49.

For a smooth and enhanced natural curl pattern we love Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream as it reveals fizz-free volume with a subtle hold. Priced at £7.99.

Cantu Define & Shine Custard elongates curls and gives long lasting hold, perfect to achieve a natural textured curl. We adore this product for curly hair. Priced at £5.49.

To keep a fro on point we’re into Cantu Coconut Oil Shine & Hold Mist. It seals in moisture and tames frizz and flyaways. This is a must have product for all afro wearers. Priced at £6.99.

If it’s serious curl definition that you are looking for with your fro then our go to is Cantu Coconut Curling Cream, it leaves the hair super soft and super shiny. Priced at £7.99.

All Cantu products can be purchased at high street Boots stores, Superdrug stores, and online via FeelUnique.

You might think your have your skin care routine on point, and you’ve had the same one for years. But is it actually working for your skin? When the humidity drops, and we move into the colder months of the year, the air is colder – tightening our skin, central heating is baking – drying our skin out and everything in between just feels like an irritant. When seasons change, so should you skin care routine, and if you suffer with dry skin you need to be ready for whatever this season throws at you.

Whether it’s the best bb cream for dry skin or a trip to the spa for a hydrating facial, we all have our ways of dealing with flaky, patchy dry skin. Read on for some handy skin tips that will help your skin stay soft and hydrated for longer.

Baths and showers…more harm than good?

We all love a refreshing hot shower in the morning, or a relaxing soak in hot bath to unwind in the evening – maybe a glass of wine or two. But hot water and prolonged exposure to it might be making your dry skin worse. Stripping it of all its essential oils and natural moisturisers. If you skin is dry stick to these bathroom rules.

  1. Keep the bathroom door closed. Steam will help open your pores, which means that when you apply your bb cream or moisturiser it’s more likely to absorb the nutrients and hydrating elements it needs.
  2. Only bathe/shower for five to ten minutes. Your skin won’t dry out this way.
  3. Use warm – not hot water. Hot water instantly dries the skin.
  4. Fragrance free potions and lotions only! Perfumes will irritate dry skin.
  5. Blot your skin try. Don’t rub.
  6. As soon as you’re dry – apply your moisturiser. It’ll be absorbed faster and more effectively.

Wear lip balm

We often neglect our lips in cold weather until it’s too late. There’s nothing worse then having peeling, sore and uncomfortable lips all day. Find yourself a lip balm that feels good on your skin. If your lips tingle when you use it, then switch to a different one asap.

Your products

As mentioned before, avoid using products with drying chemicals in them. These include:

  1. Deodorant Soaps
  2. Anything that contains alcohol
  3. Anything that contains Retinoids
  4. Perfume
  5. Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid – or AHA to you and me.

Stop using these and your skin will have a better chance at retaining it’s essential, natural oils.

Wear gloves

When it gets colder outside, you notice it in your hands first. So make sure you have a pair of good quality gloves with you. Keep a spare pair in the car if you’re likely to forget them! Wear gloves whenever you head outdoors, are likely to get your hands wet or you’re going to be touching something chemically or greasy.

Add moisture to the air

Banish your dry skin with these 5 easy skin tips
You might think your have your skin care routine on point, and you’ve had the same one for years. But is it actually working for your skin? When the humidity drops, and we move into the colder months of the year, the air is colder – tightening our skin, central heating is baking – drying our skin out and everything in between just feels like an irritant. When seasons change, so should you skin care routine, and if you suffer with dry skin you need to be ready for whatever this season throws at you.
Whether it’s the best bb cream for dry skin or a trip to the spa for a hydrating facial, we all have our ways of dealing with flaky, patchy dry skin. Read on for some handy skin tips that will help your skin stay soft and hydrated for longer.
Baths and showers…more harm than good?
We all love a refreshing hot shower in the morning, or a relaxing soak in hot bath to unwind in the evening – maybe a glass of wine or two. But hot water and prolonged exposure to it might be making your dry skin worse. Stripping it of all its essential oils and natural moisturisers. If you skin is dry stick to these bathroom rules.
Keep the bathroom door closed. Steam will help open your pores, which means that when you apply your bb cream or moisturiser it’s more likely to absorb the nutrients and hydrating elements it needs.
Only bathe/shower for five to ten minutes. Your skin won’t dry out this way.
Use warm – not hot water. Hot water instantly dries the skin.
Fragrance free potions and lotions only! Perfumes will irritate dry skin.
Blot your skin try. Don’t rub.
As soon as you’re dry – apply your moisturiser. It’ll be absorbed faster and more effectively.
Wear lip balm
We often neglect our lips in cold weather until it’s too late. There’s nothing worse then having peeling, sore and uncomfortable lips all day. Find yourself a lip balm that feels good on your skin. If your lips tingle when you use it, then switch to a different one asap.
Your products
As mentioned before, avoid using products with drying chemicals in them. These include:
Deodorant Soaps
Anything that contains alcohol
Anything that contains Retinoids
Perfume
Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid – or AHA to you and me.
Stop using these and your skin will have a better chance at retaining it’s essential, natural oils.
Wear gloves
When it gets colder outside, you notice it in your hands first. So make sure you have a pair of good quality gloves with you. Keep a spare pair in the car if you’re likely to forget them! Wear gloves whenever you head outdoors, are likely to get your hands wet or you’re going to be touching something chemically or greasy.
Add moisture to the air
Plugging in a humidifier will inject some much needed moisture into the air.

Plugging in a humidifier will inject some much needed moisture into the air.

Do you have a few excess pounds you want to shed but lifestyle changes aren’t possible for you? Or, maybe, you just want to speed up the results? Whatever your reason is, today you have plenty of options when it comes to non-surgical fat-reduction treatments, for example you can burn fat with cold thermogenesis which is a revolutionary technique that can help reshape your body within weeks.

In fact, there are so many of them now that it’s easy to get confused when trying to choose the best solution for you. Considering that each of these options has both advantages and disadvantages, you should research them thoroughly before making the final decision.

Top Fat-Reduction Treatments You Can Get Today

SculpSure

SculpSure treatment is FDA approved to use on the stomach, thighs, back, “double chin”, and “love handles”. This is a non-invasive treatment that uses a laser to heat up and irreparably damage the fat cells under your skin. Once they are disturbed, they get flushed out of your body by your own lymphatic system.

There is no downtime for this procedure, but it takes about 4 weeks to get noticeable results, and 8-12 weeks to achieve maximum benefits. The risk of burns is minimal, but it exists, so it’s imperative that you get this treatment only from a qualified and experienced professional. This particular treatment may cause discomfort and even pain, depending on your sensitivity level. However, like with all procedures that involve lasers, it’s the burns that should be your main concern.

CoolSculpting

Unlike the method above, CoolSculpting freezes your fat instead of heating it up. Due to its safety, ease, and efficiency, this is one of the most popular non-invasive fat-reduction treatments today. It’s even effective for removing fat pockets that consistently resist exercise.

The treatment is painless and safe for the vast majority of people because CoolSculpting side effects are minimal. If issues like redness or sensitivity persist for over a week, you should take to your dermatologist. However, they usually pass within a day or two and the treatment requires no downtime. This treatment shouldn’t cause any pain, only some mild discomfort at the beginning at most. The treatment is FDA approved.

Vanquish

Vanquish is a fat-reduction treatment that uses radiofrequency waves to heat up the fat. During the treatment, no instrument comes into contact with your skin and the risks are minimal. This is a good option for dealing with localizes fat bulges that persist despite your best efforts at dieting and exercising.

Note that Vanquish isn’t the only tool to use this technology, it’s just the most popular one. You should look into what other options are available in your area. But bear in mind that if you have loose skin, for example caused by rapid fat loss, this might not be the right treatment for you. Consult an experienced dermatologist to determine possible efficiency levels.

There is evidence to prove the efficiency of radiofrequency fat-reduction treatment of the abdominal area. But you need to understand that to achieve those results you’ll need to get the treatment consistently for four weeks. Also, some people don’t achieve a measurable change.

Injections

Injection treatments for fat reduction are gaining popularity, although few are FDA-approved today. One of those is Kybella, which is approved for use at the “double chin” area. Injections use deoxycholic acid, a chemical that triggers the death of fat cells.

This isn’t the right treatment for you if your skin tone is poor and you have loose skin. Therefore, it’s imperative to consult a qualified dermatologist before you decide to try it. You’ll need local anesthesia for the procedure because it can be quite painful. Technically, there is no downtime after injection fat-reduction therapy. However, many patients develop swelling and redness. There is a very low risk of nerve damage, so you should only get this treatment from qualified and certified professionals.

We love hearing stories about how travel sparks new ideas and passions. For Gloria, founder of Melon & Starfish , a ‘brave decision’ to head to Korea to sharpen her languages skills left her with a burning desire to bring the K-Beauty market to the UK…

HOC: Hey, Gloria! Tell us about your journey to being an entrepreneur?

Gloria: I guess, when people talk about their entrepreneur stories, most of the time, it starts with a passion, a dream, or an idea. For me, it’s more of a journey of discovery.

I started my career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. in London and Singapore. During my time there, I had a real privilege to work with many people who were actually entrepreneurs. The thought of setting up my own business never occurred to me at the time but this probably planted the seed.

On weekends, I enjoyed watching Korean dramas. Initially, it was just for fun, and relaxation. Then, I thought it might be a good idea to pick up a new language skill so I began taking evening classes to learn Korean.

One thing led to another. After spending two years in Singapore, before returning to the UK, I made a ‘brave’ decision to go to Korea to sharpen my language skill and experience the Korean culture.I enrolled into a university language programme and spent 8 months in Seoul where I discovered, in addition to K-pop and K-dramas, there is this huge K-beauty industry.

After returning back to London, I started my research of K-beauty in the European market. After six-month preparation, we set up our online store with the hope to bring the Korean skin care philosophy to the UK and spark some joy in people’s skincare journeys.

HOC: Such an exciting journey! When did Melon & Starfish come into being? And what’s the meaning behind the name?

Gloria: We started preparing our online store around September 2017 and it went live in January 2018.

Our name, Melon & Starfish, symbolises our mission – to bring you high quality skincare products because we want you to have the best skin possible.

Melons are smooth, supple and resilient; Starfish are one of the only animals that can regenerate itself. We always have this imagery in mind when we select our products.

HOC: And how do you go about selecting your products, there must be tonnes of great ones out there!

Gloria: We purposefully seek out products that are natural, plant-based and packed with unique ingredients that are difficult to find anywhere else. We personally test all the products and learn what we love about these products before bringing them to our website.

HOC: I have to admit, I’m new to Korean beauty products! Where should I start?

Gloria: When I told my friends that I am now running an online K-beauty store, the first thing they reply: ah, I’ve heard of the 10-step routine! True, K-beauty made its name with the ’10-step’ routine. But the truth is, it’s much simpler than it sounds. If you ask me how many steps it should really be. I would say it’s really up you and how your skin feels. It should be adjusted to your own skin type, the climate you’re in or how busy your life is.

The essence of Korean Beauty is “skincare always comes first”. Start with taking care of your skin beforeeverything else. A classic Korean skin care routine includes: double-cleansing (both oil-based and water-based cleansers), toner, essence, moisturiser, and SPF.

The most essential steps out of all? Double-cleansing for the night and SFP for the day (and, yes! You need to wear SPF even on the rainy days).

After all, skincare should be fun; not a burden or a chore. It’s all about experimenting and finding out what’s best for you.

HOC: So interesting. As an expert, what is your favourite ingredient / product?

Gloria: My favourite product is Lan’s Tamanu Cream from the newest curation LANBELLE. It’s like a miracle cream that work for all skin types and it has the softest texture that I’ve ever encountered for a cream. The smell is quite unique, probably not for everyone’s taste but it grows on you.

The key ingredient of Lan’s Tamanu Cream is Tamanu oil (Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil). The precious Tamanu oil is extracted from the kernel of Tamanu fruit. Approximately only 5L of oil can be extracted from one tree of Tamanu.

Tamanu tree also has unique nickname: God’s tree, and Tamanu fruit is known as miraculously omnipotent fruit among natives who live in Pacific Islands area such as India, Vietnam, Southern Pacific Area, and it is known to promote wound healing and skin cell regeneration.

HOC: For our entrepreneurial readers, what advice do you have for them to start their own thing?

Gloria: I would say, just be brave and go ahead!

Many say you need to have a well-laid plan before you start. However, the reality is things always change, so does your plan. One of the most important things I learnt so far is to start with a small step, and then one step at the time. Many things can be learnt along the way.

Sometimes, the longer you wait, the less willing you become to take that first step.

HOC: What product you’ve brought to the UK means the most to you and why?

Gloria: The brand Olivarrier means the most to us. The name Olivarrier is the combination of ‘Oliva (latin for Olive)’ + ‘Skin Barrier’.

It is the very first brand we curated for our ‘clean beauty’ collection. The brand’s philosophy 100% matches with what we believe and look for in a skincare brand – i.e. with natural, plant-based ingredients, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, vegan-certified, free of toxins, EWG-verified and cruelty-free. What more to ask?

Their star ingredients are the plant-based triple hyaluronic acid and 100% pure olive squalene. The ‘dual moist’ line is named with these two ingredients in mind.

HOC: How do you keep yourself motivated and on track?

Gloria: The Korean beauty industry is relatively fast moving – there are always new brands, new technology and innovationscoming out each year – so it never gets boring.We all love shopping.

Researching brands and products is like you get to go window shopping every day!

It is also quite fun to learn about those new, unique ingredients. For example, you probably heard of snail mucin which is great for moisturising; also, pearls for brightening, centella for soothing and calming, etc.Plus, we regularly travel to Korea to see what’s hot in their local market and, you get to eat amazing food there too!

HOC: Finally, if you ever have a creative block / funk; how do you get yourself out of it?

Gloria: Probably hit the gym or grab a coffee with my friends.

HOC:What does 2019 look like for Melon & Starfish? What plans do you have for the brand?

Gloria: In 2019 we have seen that consumers are becoming more considered when making their purchasing choices. People become more aware of topics such as climate change, food waste, etc.The once-a-niche concept of ‘clean beauty’ also has moved to the mainstream – we often hear that our customers are actively searching for skin care products that are vegan, natural, organic…

As people, we also care about this ‘one strange rock’ that we are living on. As a business, we will continue focusing on our ‘organic and natural’ collection this year – we are not only hunting for the brands/products with ‘clean’ ingredients but also ‘clean’ in packaging and manufacturing processes.

What an honourable mission!

To find out more about Melon & Starfish head over to MelonAndStarfish.com

Follow the brand on instagram @MelonAndStarfish

We here at House of Coco LOVE to travel. But as many frequent travellers out there might know, sometimes all that travel can take a toll on your health. We have come up with three tips to help you stay healthy on holiday so that you can enjoy yourself to the full without compromising on health.

Stock up on Polyphenol 5 supplements when fruit and veg are hard to come by

Does anyone else find that when they are eating out a lot on holiday that they don’t get their recommended five fruit/veg a day? Even when there is delicious-looking fruit and veg at a market stall, in some countries you need to wash these thoroughly before eating, and this can be tricky if you are on the go!

So that you don’t have to worry about it, Hellenia has launched a handy little supplement called Polyphenol 5. It gives you the equivalent antioxidants of consuming five fruit and veg a day. It is such an easy vitamin like hack that I sometimes use it in everyday life too! But when you are travelling, it is a must.

Available online at hellenia.co.uk/polyphenol-5-225mg-60-capsules.html.

Get a blast of oxygen with Boost Oxygen when the air quality is poor

I adore navigating the streets of Bangkok, New Delhi or Hong Kong. But the air quality can be so poor in big, polluted cities with a really negative impact on our health.

Initially used by athletes, Boost Oxygen’s fans include Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss. It is a natural solution to the negative effects of low oxygen levels such as low energy, a lack of concentration and exhaustion. The portable, travel size can comes in aromas such as pink grapefruit, eucalyptus and peppermint and can even help with travel sickness.

Available online at boostoxygen.life.

Keep Skin Glowing with Saint Iris Adriatica Wake-Up Droplets

Getting out in the sun is one of my favourite things about travelling but it can leave the skin parched and sun damaged.

Fab beauty brand, Saint Iris Adriatica, has launched new wake-up droplets to be used on the face and body to soothe inflammation, protect against free radicals, encourage even skin tone and boost skin health. With mountain daisy extract and pomegranate enzymes, it smells as good as it feels on the skin and aids good quality sleep too – vital when recovering from jet lag!

Available online at wolfandbadger.com and siadriatica.com.

Cover photo: Love Exploring

If you have heard that laser treatments are a great way to improve the quality of your skin you might be right. But there are also many other ways to do so, depending on how much improvement your skin quality requires. The earlier you treat skin problems, the more likely mild treatments are to reverse or prevent damage. Below are brief descriptions of a few common treatment methods, including lasers.

Types of Laser Treatments to Try for Healthier Skin

There are several types of laser treatments you can try for healthier skin, but you must understand that they all work in varying ways and some are stronger than others. For example, cosmetic medical equipment that uses ablative lasers to treat the skin is often used for peel procedures. Such procedures strip away dead skin cells and other material from the surface of the skin. They can help you if your skin concerns are localized and surface-based. Ablative lasers can also be used for treatment of multiple skin layers in many instances.

Non-ablative lasers work quite differently. They have no visible impact on the top layer of the skin immediately. Therefore, you won’t see any difference in your skin quality right after treatment. What they can do is provide you with improved skin quality over time by encouraging repairs within your skin cells over the course of several appointments. They can do that by causing just enough cellular disruption to cause your body to make extra collagen and dispatch it to the cells where it is needed.

You may also encounter other laser treatments. For example, Fraxel laser skincare methods treat all skin layers at once. When comparing laser treatment methods your clinician can help you. He or she will tell you which laser devices are capable of treating the specific skin concerns you have.

Use Light Treatments Where Laser Therapy Isn’t Required

Milder forms of light therapy like intense pulsed light (IPL) and LED therapy do not heat the skin as much as lasers. They may be useful to you if your skin condition is mild. They can also be good substitutes for lasers if your clinician thinks used lasers would not be suitable treatments for you for other reasons. Such reasons include your skin color and general condition. For example, some laser procedures do not work well on darker skin tones, but milder light therapies often do not have such restrictions.

Avoid Light Therapy Entirely in Favor of Sound Treatments

If light therapies of all sorts do not appeal to you then you can explore other skincare therapies. Among them are sound treatments like radio frequency and ultrasound. Radio frequency treatment is the milder of the two. But it can be quite effective for general revitalization of your skin when done in a series of treatments. In LipoTherapeia, they offer radiofrequency treatment that will help keep your skin revitalized.

Try Lotions and Creams for Improved Skin Quality

Lotions and creams can also be used to improve the health and quality of your skin in some cases. If your skin concerns are mild or non-existent so far they can be used in a preventative capacity. Proper application of the right medicated creams can slow down your skin’s aging process. Such serums can also be used after other treatments, such as those listed above, to enhance or maintain the results for longer time periods. The best topical skin serums include such ingredients as peptides, vitamin A, and antioxidants. However, if you already have skin concerns it is best to consult with your dermatologist before choosing one. He or she can suggest an over-the-counter brand or write you a prescription for a higher intensity medicated product.