Cosrx

Renude

barrier support

dehydration

impaired barrier

lack of radiance

redness

uneven texture

I have chosen this deeply nourishing serum for its superior anti-inflammatory properties, it's like a skin saviour in a bottle.  Formulated with an advanced 'anti-inflammatory complex' which helps to rapidly soothe irritation, reduce redness, hydrates and repair the skin barrier.

Asiatic acid is one of the active constituents found in Centella Asiatica (also known as Gotu Kola or Tiger grass). This plant has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine for it’s healing properties.

asiatic acid

Centella Asiatica (also known as Gotu Kola or Tiger grass) has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine for its healing properties. It contains phytochemicals which research shows can stimulate blood flow, strengthen the skin and provide antioxidant protection, all of which combined accelerate the wound healing process.

It is also believed to have the ability to stimulate the fibroblasts to produce type 1 collagen, which further supports wound healing as well as providing anti-ageing benefits. Collagen is also a protein whose production decreases with age, and is essential for maintaining skin firmness & smoothness, so this collagen-boosting property gives the added benefit of reducing wrinkles and firming the skin. It has also been shown to stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin, another molecule whose production slows with age, but is essential for keeping skin looking hydrated, plump & youthful.

Asiaticoside is one of the active constituents found in Centella Asiatica (also known as Gotu Kola or Tiger grass). This plant has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine for it’s healing properties.

asiaticoside

Centella asiatica, also known as 'Cica' or 'Gotu Kala' is a medicinal herb that has been used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for centuries. It is primarily used in skincare for its soothing, hydrating and antioxidant properties.

centella asiatica leaf extract

Glycerin is a humectant present in all natural lipids. It works to attract water molecules towards it, plumping & hydrating the applied area, resulting in smooth, soft, hydrated skin. It is one of the most widely used humectants in skincare, due to it’s high performance and broad availability (making it very cost-effective). Recent research has shown that it’s ability to penetrate the layers of the skin is superior to that of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, making it a brilliant choice for overall skin hydration, and suitable for all skin types.

glycerin

Madecassic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene by classification, is one of the active constituents found in Centella Asiatica (also known as Gotu Kola or Tiger grass). This plant has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine for it’s healing properties.

madecassic acid

madecassoside

Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid (a polysaccharide which occurs naturally in the body), created to improve the ingredient stability. It works as an extremely powerful humectant, able to attract 1000x its own weight in water, to immediately plump and hydrate the area it is applied to. The body’s own production of hyaluronic acid slows with age, so supplementing this ingredient in topical formulations helps to support the skin’s natural moisture-binding, anti-ageing mechanisms.

sodium hyaluronate

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide which occurs naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid works as an extremely powerful humectant, able to attract 1000x its own weight in water, to immediately plump and hydrate the area it is applied to. The body’s own production of hyaluronic acid slows with age, so supplementing this ingredient in topical formulations helps to support the skin’s natural moisture-binding, anti-ageing mechanisms.

Restoring the natural power of the skin A plant-based serum that consists of highly concentrated 76% of CICA-7 Complex improves skin concern, reduces redness, and helps to rebuild the healthier foundation of the skin barrier.Rapid calming effect with fast-absorbing texture. Non-sticky, light-weight texture penetrates deeply which lets the skin get the soothing effect promptly and effectively.

Cruelty free

blemishes

I have chosen these discreet blemish patches as an overnight SOSremedy for individual blemishes.

Hydrocolloid patches that protect wounded or troubled area from getting worse while maintaining humidity of skin to prevent further breakouts.

Vegan

blackheads

dull skin

enlarged pores

fine lines

This toner combines 7% glycolic acid with soothing niacinamide, protecting vitamin b5 and hydrating hyaluronic acid to resurface whilst keeping the skin barrier balanced. Consistent use results in brighter, smoother, clearer skin.

**Phase in slowly. Start with 1x per week, building up usage (if tolerated) to every night over several weeks. Avoid the corners of the mouth, the eye area and the neck.

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), derived from sugar cane. AHAs work by dissolving the keratin binding the outermost layer of skin cells, speeding up the skin’s natural exfoliation process. This leads to smoother, brighter, clearer skin, whilst reducing skin discolouration & fine lines/wrinkles with continued use.

Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular weight of all the AHAs, meaning it can penetrate the skin quickest, producing the fastest results, but also most likely to cause skin sensitivity, so it is best for those with fairly tolerant skin types.

glycolic acid

Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3 and Nicotinamide, has many skincare benefits. Firstly, it regulates sebum production in the skin, which in turn reduces blemishes and visible pore size. It also reduces facial redness by improving microcirculation, which means moving the blood inside the capillaries away from the face to reduce visible redness. It also has the ability to strengthen the natural lipid barrier of the skin by encouraging ceramide production (the building blocks which seal our skin cells together), which in turn increases the hydration within the epidermis. Lastly, niacinamide works to help reduce hyperpigmentation by blocking melanin from being deposited on the skin cells.

niacinamide

Panthenol is a form of Vitamin B5, which is converted into Pantothenic acid within the epidermis when applied topically. Its main benefit in cosmetics is as a humectant, meaning it can draw water molecules to it, hydrating and plumping the area it has been applied to.

Panthenol also supports the natural lipid barrier of the skin, by encouraging the production of a precursor to fatty acids & sphingolipids, both of which are essential parts of the skin barrier. This mechanism helps to moisturise the skin by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), therefore retaining more moisture within the skin. This also helps to reduce inflammation in dry or broken skin, as an intact skin barrier will prevent potential irritants from getting into the epidermis.

panthenol

Vitamin B5 is as a humectant, meaning it can draw water molecules to it, hydrating and plumping the area it has been applied to. It also supports the natural lipid barrier of the skin, by encouraging the production of a precursor to fatty acids & sphingolipids, both of which are essential parts of the skin barrier. This mechanism helps to moisturise the skin by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), therefore retaining more moisture within the skin. This also helps to reduce inflammation in dry or broken skin, as an intact skin barrier will prevent potential irritants from getting into the epidermis.

Purify and refresh your complexion with the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid; a renewing, resurfacing treatment dedicated to improving skin tone and texture. Harnessing the powers of 7% Glycolic Acid and Apple Water (an ingredient containing natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids), the lightweight exfoliant expertly removes dead skin cells and pore-clogging impurities, whilst helping to minimise the appearance of whiteheads, fine lines and roughness. Expect a smoother, more refined complexion with revived radiance and a clear, healthy-looking finish.

Glycolic acid is the smallest alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) so delivers results fast. It exfoliates the skin to make it smoother, clearer and more radiant.

Glycolic acid exfoliator picks

This toner combines 7% glycolic acid with soothing niacinamide, protecting vitamin b5 and hydrating hyaluronic acid to resurface whilst keeping the skin barrier balanced. Consistent use results in brighter, smoother, clearer skin.

Diverse founder

Hypoallergenic

Unfragranced

I have chosen this mixed-acid treatment toner to help decongest the skin, reducing breakouts and blackheads.

**Phase in slowly. Start with 1x per week, building up usage (if tolerated) to every night over several weeks. Avoid the corners of the mouth, the eye area and the neck.

Allantoin occurs naturally in the body, but can also be derived from the root of the Comfrey plant or Chamomile, or produced synthetically. It is used in skincare for its ability to promote wound healing and healthy tissue growth, by stimulating the fibroblasts in the dermis to produce collagen and elastin fibres, essential tissues for skin regeneration and healing. Allantoin has also been shown to have soothing and anti-irritant properties, which is thought to be down to its ability to form complexes with irritating agents, thus preventing them from activating inflammatory mechanisms within the skin.

allantoin

Apple extract is used in cosmetics for its antioxidant abilities, as it is very high in polyphenols. This means it is able to help protect the skin from free radical damage, one of the largest external factors which contributes to ageing of the skin (after UV light).

pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract

Salix Alba (white willow) bark extract, is a plant extract containing naturally-occurring salicylic acid as it’s active constituent.

Salicylic acid works as an exfoliating acid to dissolve the keratin that binds the outermost layers of the skin, encouraging the natural exfoliation process of the skin. Due to its oil-soluble form, salicylic acid can penetrate inside the pore, to clear out dead skin cell build up and prevent comedones (blocked pores) from occurring, or acne-causing bacteria to overpopulate within the pore. This P.Acnes bacteria is anaerobic so needs an oxygen-free environment to thrive, and thus require a pore to be blocked.

salix alba (willow) bark extract

Willow bark contains naturally-occurring salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works as an exfoliating acid to dissolve the keratin that binds the outermost layers of the skin, encouraging the natural exfoliation process of the skin. Due to its oil-soluble form, salicylic acid can penetrate inside the pore, to clear out dead skin cell build up and prevent comedones (blocked pores) from occurring, or acne-causing bacteria to overpopulate within the pore. This P.Acnes bacteria is anaerobic so needs an oxygen-free environment to thrive, and thus require a pore to be blocked.

Sodium lactate is a salt produced by the fermentation of lactic acid. It acts as a humectant in the skin, drawing water molecules from the atmosphere towards it to plump and hydrate. It is present in the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), as both sodium and lactate. Studies have shown that lactate levels in the stratum corneum directly correlate with the hydration levels within the skin, with low levels resulting in dry, rough, flaky skin. Applying this ingredient topically helps the natural water-binding capacity of the epidermis, resulting in smoother, softer, more hydrated skin.

sodium lactate

Natural moisturising factor (NMF) is a substance produced by the body, made up of minerals, lactate, urea, amino acids & humectants, which coats the surface skin cells to keep them moisturised. NMF increases the skin’s ability to retain moisture, which results in more hydrated, plump, smoother skin.

Refresh and reset your complexion with the AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. This gentle toner is suitable for everyday use to help clear your skin of impurities, dead skin cells and clogged pores. Willow bark water and apple fruit water help to clear pores and improve skin texture, whilst glycolic acid and betaine salicylate work to remove dead skin cells that can lead to clogged pores.

These treatments combine AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate the skin, decongest pores, reduce blemishes and breakouts, and refine overall texture and tone.

AHA & BHA mixed acid exfoliant picks

This formula includes a blend of acids to decongest and brighten the skin. This include mandelic, glycolic, dioic, salicylic and gluconolactone. On top of this, hydrating and soothing ingredients such as panthenol, liquorice and aloe vera work to balance the skin to support the skin barrier.

This toner includes a blend of natural salicylic acid from willow bark water, alongside natural malic acid from apple fruit water. Combined with allantoin and panthenol to soothe and hydrate, this formula works well to decongest and brighten without drying or stripping the skin.

This resurfacing toner combines 5 different acids to deliver multiple benefits to the skin. AHAs lactic acid and glycolic acid refine skin texture and add radiance, BHA salicylic acid works to decongest pores, reducing blemishes and breakouts, whilst PHAs gluconolactone and lactobiotic acid even out skin tone. The toner also includes niacinamide to regulate oil production and soothe any redness.

daily protection

This formula is a great option for you, as it provides broad-spectrum UV protection whilst soothing and hydrating the skin and alleviating dryness.

aloe barbadensis leaf extract

Aloe vera has been used for millennia as a natural medicine across many regions of the world, with references as early as Cleopatra using it as part of her beauty routine. It contains around 75 active constituents, including Vitamins A,C & E to provide antioxidant protection, 8 enzymes to inhibit inflammatory processes in the body and 9 different minerals to support the body’s natural functioning. It also includes sugars to provide hydrating humectant properties, fatty acids to provide anti-inflammatory & antiseptic properties, and hormones to promote wound healing. 

dipotassium glycyrrhizate (liquorice)

Liquorice is a legume which grows in the Mediterranean, the Middle East & Russia. It contains the active constituent glabridin, which has been shown to prevent and reverse UV-induced skin damage, to provide visible skin-lightening properties to the skin.

Its second active component, Glycyrrhetinic acid is used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It works by inhibiting the production of inflammatory substances, such as cortisone, within the body, with some research showing results to be comparable to prescription hydrocortisone cream.

Tocopheryl acetate is a specific form of the fat-soluble Vitamin E, with improved stability vs. Tocopherol. Vitamin E is found naturally in our own skin, and it’s main benefit is to offer powerful antioxidant protection against pollution and free radical damage. It also helps to support our skin’s natural lipid barrier, which in turn improves the hydration levels within the epidermis, as water loss through the skin is minimised.

tocopheryl acetate

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble Vitamin contained in many plant oils, or can also be produced synthetically. Vitamin E is found naturally in our own skin, and it’s main benefit is to offer powerful antioxidant protection against pollution and free radical damage. It also helps to support our skin’s natural lipid barrier, which in turn improves the hydration levels within the epidermis, as water loss through the skin is minimised.

Shield skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with the Aloe Soothing SPF50 PA+++ Sun Cream from Korean brand, COSRX. Harnessing the powers of Aloe, the ultra-hydrating sunscreen absorbs quickly into skin to defend against sun damage and environmental aggressors, whilst delivering long-lasting moisture and hydration to leave skin smooth, comfortable and replenished. Provides superior protection without greasy or sticky residue.

These creamy combination sunscreen formulations use both chemical and mineral filters to offer high-level protection against daily uv exposure.

Daily SPF50 Sunscreen picks

This combination sunscreen uses a blend of chemical and mineral UV filters to provide broad-spectrum UV protection. It also include aloe vera and liquorice extracts to soothe, glycerin to hydrate and antioxidant vitamin e to protect against free radicals.

A non-comedogenic SPF50 gel formula which provides daily protection without any heaviness. It offers broad-spectrum sun protection, whilst Heliocare's FernBlock technology supports the skin's own DNA repair mechanism to minimise any damage caused by sun exposure.

This cult-Korean formula provides a silky smooth application. It's nourishing cream texture and soothing & hydrating ingredients make this more of a day cream and sunscreen in one.

Sensitive

I have chosen this nourishing, ceramide-packed cream to moisturise the skin and support the skin's natural barrier. This is perfect for dry skin, leaving it plump, smooth and soft.

ceramide np

Ceramides are long chains of lipids, which occur naturally within the epidermis. Their function is to hold the skin cells together by creating a barrier against water-loss from the inside-out, and external aggressors from the outside-in. They make up almost 50% of our skins composition, but they can be depleted by UV, free radicals & pollution, and their production also naturally slows with age. This leads to an impaired skin barrier, which results in dry, rough skin with more visible wrinkling and redness. Applying ceramides topically can increase the levels of ceramides in the epidermis, and therefore supports the natural healthy functioning of the skin.

Lightweight yet rich moisturizer for suffered skin by sensitivity. Calm, soothe, and strengthen your skin without clogging the pores.

When skin is compromised and needs an extra bit of tlc, these barrier creams offer accelerated healing and repair.

Barrier cream picks

A wonderful, rich nourishing cream loaded with ceramides, healing centella asiatica and hydrating humectants to moisturise the skin and protect the natural lipid barrier.

Often recommended post-procedure, this thick nourishing formula contains ceramides and essential lipids to help support the natural skin barrier, alongside 10% hyaluronic acid and 1% panthenol (vitamin b5) to hydrate, and occlusive ingredients to reduce water loss through the skin, allowing the barrier underneath to heal. It has some seriously impressive testimonials of those using this post-burn or surgery, and is clinically proven to heal wounds, burns and scarring.

This rich, fragrance free barrier cream has been proven to heal the skin 2.5x faster than the skin's natural healing mechanism. It contains a fermented extract to acts as an anti-inflammatory, alongside minerals to soothe, and occlusive oils to reduce water loss through the skin, allowing the natural barrier to heal.

This simple, rich nourishing cream is perfect for support our skin's natural barrier. The formula contains just 10 ingredients and is designed specifically for sensitive skin including hydrating panthenol and natural emollients shea butter and squalane.

Female founder

skin redness

I have chosen this gel mask for your skin for it's intensely hydrating properties. Formulated with more than 70% of Propolis Extract and natural beeswax which are rich in antioxidants which protect the skin from oxidative stress as well as boosting radiance. In addition, helps to reduce inflammation, soothe irritation and intensely hydrate the skin and boost moisture within the skin.

"Enriched with more than 70% of Propolis Extract and natural beeswax, this mask provides intensive hydration with refreshing moisture. Also, the moisturizer is so lightweight that it is absorbed into the skin very quickly, leaving the skin hydrated and baby soft.
• Intensive hydration
• Refreshing moisture
• Cooling down sunburn or heated skin ."

dehydrated skin

ultra dry skin

I have chosen this hyaluronic-acid based essence to add hydration into your skin. Used daily, this will ensure skin remains hydrated and healthy.

Boost skin’s moisture levels with the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence; a nourishing hydrator that works to alleviate rough and dry patches of skin.

Effortlessly gliding onto the face, the fast absorbing essence delivers instant nourishment. Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, the potent formula delivers a rich and long-lasting veil of moisture to the complexion, which ensures skin is comfortably hydrated and ultra-soft. Dry skin is gently and effectively banished, leaving behind smooth skin.

These serums all contain hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful humectant, meaning it can attract surrounding water molecules towards it to hydrate and plump the skin.

Hyaluronic acid serum picks

This best-selling formula is a lightweight gel-serum texture, containing hyaluronic acid, alongside two forms of panthenol (Vitamin B5) to hydrate thirsty skin.

This serum is loaded with hydrators, soothers and antioxidants to support overall skin health. Plant extract of bisabolol (derived from chamomile) to soothe the skin, hyaluronic and panthenol, gluconolactone to gentle exfoliate plus liquorice, prebiotics and black tea for added plant protection.

This is an excellent hyaluronic acid serum, packed with hydrators and skin lipids for extra support of the skin barrier. Ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and panthenol work to keep skin hydrated, plump and dewy.

This hydrating essence is a silky smooth, absorbs quickly and leaves skin hydrated and dewy. It contains a powerful blend of hydrating humectants: hyaluronic acid, panthenol and glycerin.

This hydrating hyaluronic acid serum contains two different size of hyaluronic acid for adding a quick hit of hydration to the skin, at a fantastic price point.

This affordable formula contains hyaluronic acid alongside other natural hydrators lactic acid, betaine and biosaccharide gum. A fantastic affordable option for adding an extra layer of hydration to the skin.

UK made

This gentle formula is pH balanced to cleanse the skin whilst respecting the natural lipid barrier and acidic nature of the skin's surface. It's a great option for you as a simple daily cleanse to remove impurities whilst maintaing skin hydration.

Yeast extract (e.g. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) is used in skincare for its benefits as a moisturising and soothing agent. It has strong antioxidant properties to protect against free radical damage and it’s fermented nature means it also functions as a prebiotic on the skin (meaning it acts as a food source for beneficial skin bacteria to thrive).

saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) extract

Prebiotics in simple terms, can be classed as a food source that encourages the growth of good bacteria on the skin. The microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria on the skin) is a relatively new discovery and we are learning that this is linked to many different aspects of our health, mood and appearance. A diverse breadth in the strains of bacteria living on the skin results in a healthy microbiome, and some early research has linked certain imbalances in this microbiome to skin conditions such as acne, ezcema and psoriasis.

This natural plant extract has been shown to have multi-functional benefits, targeting both pigmentation and wrinkles. Studies have shown the extract to be effective at inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in producing the pigment melanin in the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots. It has also been shown to help firm the skin, by slowing the rate at which elastin, an important protein for skin firmness, is degraded.

sacred lotus flower extract

Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, native to Australia. Tea tree leaf oil is known to have antibacterial qualities, the mechanism for this is not completely understood, but research shows that it could be due to an ability to damage the bacterial cell wall.

It also has anti-inflammatory effects, due to its content of terpen-4-ol, which studies have shown reduces inflammation in the skin when applied topically. These functions make it a great ingredient for the use in acne treatments, both to kill p.acnes bacteria, but also reduce the associated inflammation.

tea tree leaf oil

Discover day-long moisture with the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Cleanser; a daily face wash that is gentle enough for sensitive skin types. Boasting a mildly acidic pH, the cleansing formula is similar to skin’s natural pH level. The effective gel formula works to remove waste produced by skin during sleep, leaving the complexion clean and clear. A healthy dose of Tea Tree Oil is ideal for those with oily skin types. This works to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and control excess sebum production.

These gentle SLES/SLS free foaming cleansers work to remove the build up of dead skin cells and excess oils to leave skin clean but not stripped.

Gentle foaming cleanser picks

A cult Korean beauty classic, this cleanser boasts an average star rating of 4.5 with neary 3000 reviews. It's pH balanced formula is slightly acidic (just like our skin's surface), so it gently removes dirt and excess sebum, without throwing the skin out of balance. It includes tea tree oil to act as an antibacterial so can also help to minimise blemishes.

A fragrance-free, dermatologist favourite, this gentle foaming formula uses non-stripping cleansing agents to gently remove excess oils and dirt. The formula also includes ceramides to support the natural lipid barrier, niacinamide to soothe and regulate sebum production, and glycerin to hydrate.

Awarded

I have chosen this oil-free moisturiser to hydrate the skin without any heaviness. It has a watery lightweight texture that sinks in straight away so will be a perfect option for your more natural oily skin.

Recommended for sensitive, oily or acne-prone skin, this watery moisturiser is enriched with all-natural birch sap to improve hydration levels in skin while maintaining oil and water balance to prevent excess sebum production and further breakouts. The result is calmer, soother skin with an improved texture and tone.

These oil-free gel cream formulas all work to deliver hydration into the skin without any heaviness.

Oil free moisturiser picks

A K-Beauty favourite, this watery light moisturising lotion sinks into the skin immediately whilst still offering deep hydration. It includes humectants glycerin, panthenol, sodium lactate and sodium hyaluronate alongside soothing allantoin.

This is an antioxidant-packed gel cream moisturiser, loaded with plant extracts and hydrators to keep skin hydrated, plump and healthy.

This hydrating gel cream is hypoallegenic, and is perfect for adding hydration into combination and oilier skin types. It's non-comedogenic lightweight gel texture contains their exclusive ingredient Aquagenium, which stimulates the skin's own water transport system to ensure hydration throughout. It also includes Vitamin PP (niacin) to promote ceramide production in the skin to support the lipid barrier, plus Vitamin E to provide antioxidant protection and low level salicylic acid to gently resurface and clear pores.

I have chosen triple calming effect cleanser for your redness prone/sensitive/inflamed skin type. This creamy, gentle foaming restorative cleanser delivers a a triple calming effect on the skin helping to calm, soothe and bring comfort to the skin. Formulated with Cica 7- complex and Pinus bark which help to reduce inflammation, calm redness, strengthen and repair the skin barrier.

centella asiatica

Formulated with CICA-7 Complex and Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, this highly concentrated formula gives the skin a triple calming effect which helps recover and strengthen weakened skin, to break the vicious circle of repeated damage and temporary relief of sensitive skin. CICA-7 Complex, which contains one of the highest concentrations of Cica, is infused with 7 Centella ingredients (Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside) to provide an advanced solution for delicate, fragile skin.

eye wrinkles

This formula is great for congested skin, prone to dehydration. It includes salicylic acid to deep-clean pores and prevent blemishes, in a hydrating formula that doesn't strip the skin or leave any dry feeling.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which occurs naturally in willow bark. Salicylic acid works as an exfoliating acid to dissolve the keratin that binds the outermost layers of the skin, encouraging the natural exfoliation process of the skin.

Due to its oil-soluble form, salicylic acid can penetrate inside the pore, to clear out dead skin cell build up and prevent comedones (blocked pores) from occurring, or acne-causing bacteria to overpopulate within the pore. This P.Acnes bacteria is anaerobic so needs an oxygen-free environment to thrive, and thus require a pore to be blocked.

salicylic acid

Melt away the skin’s impurities with COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, a nourishing cleansing wash that helps to treat and prevent breakouts. Infused with a potent blend of Tea Tree Oil, Willow Bark Water and 0.5% Salicylic Acid, the cleanser gently removes dirt, excess oil and product build-up while replenishing moisture in order to combat the underlying causes of blemishes and breakouts. The result is a touchably soft, visibly clearer complexion that boasts a natural glow.

These cleansers will exfoliate the skin, decongest pores, minimise breakouts and blackheads, leaving skin clearer, smoother & more even-toned.

Resurfacing cleanser picks

A cult classic, this potent foaming gel cleanser includes sugarcane, bilberry and willowbark extracts, containing naturally-occurring AHAs and BHAs (glycolic, lactic & salicylic acids), to resurface the skin, deep clean pores and leaving the skin smoother, brighter and clearer. Fragrance free.

Designed for oily and congested skin types, this foaming gel cleanser contains a blend of PHAs (3% gluconolactone), BHAs (5% salicylic acid), and AHAs (mandelic acid) to deep the clean the skin, removing dead cell build up from the pores, and in turn reducing blemishes and blackheads.

Containing a blend of AHAs (lactic & mandelic acid), and BHAs (salicylic acid), this best-selling foaming gel formula works to exfoliate the skin, deep cleaning pores and targeting blemishes, blackheads and enlarged pores. Essential oils provide a delicate scent.

A 5* rated, creamy foaming cleanser, this formula contains 0.5% salicylic acid alongside tea tree oil as an antibacterial and prebiotics to balance the skin and further reduce blemishes.

I have chosen this hydrating serum for you to add moisture into the skin and support your skin barrier. It contains hyaluronic acid to pull hydration into the skin, as well as ceramides and amino acids to support a healthy skin barrier.

Cholesterol is a fatty acid which occurs naturally in the skin’s lipid barrier. Applying cholesterol topically supports the skin barrier, reducing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and maintaining healthy skin functioning. Strengthening this lipid barrier also leads to improved skin hydration, which in turn leads to smoother, plumper, younger-looking skin.

cholesterol

Our outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, has a multilamellar structure (essentially a fine membrane), made up of lipids (fats), to form a non-permeable barrier. This keeps water inside the skin, and acts as the first defense against external aggressors. The lipids which make up the majority of this are known as ceramides, which are produced naturally in the body from a range of other naturally-occurring lipids, which we class here as essential lipids (not the same as essential fatty acids, which are deemed ‘essential’ as the body cannot produce these naturally.) Using these lipids in skincare helps to support the natural skin barrier, preventing water-loss to keep skin hydrated and balanced.

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which occurs naturally in the body, as well as being found in dairy products, but is typically derived synthetically for cosmetics today.

AHAs work by dissolving the keratin binding the outermost layer of skin cells, speeding up the skin’s natural exfoliation process. This leads to smoother, brighter, clearer skin, whilst reducing skin discolouration & fine lines/wrinkles with continued use.  

lactic acid

serine

Amino acids are the small building blocks that make up peptides, and proteins. Each amino acid has a unique structure, and as such plays a specific role within the body. There are around 20 different types considered to be most important for human health. In the outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, they are present in the ‘natural moisturising factors’, our skin’s own moisturising mechanism, and they help to support water transport between skin cells to keep our surface smooth and hydrated.

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA), which is found naturally in the body, and in the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF). PCA acts as a humectant, meaning it draws water to it, plumping and hydrating the area. The skin’s NMF ensures adequate hydration of the stratum corneum, which also works to support the overall barrier function of the skin, regulating trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Including Sodium PCA in skincare supports this natural mechanism of the skin.

sodium pca

Tocopherol, aka Vitamin E, is a fat-soluble Vitamin contained in many plant oils, or can also be produced synthetically. Vitamin E is found naturally in our own skin, and it’s main benefit is to offer powerful antioxidant protection against pollution and free radical damage. It also helps to support our skin’s natural lipid barrier, which in turn improves the hydration levels within the epidermis, as water loss through the skin is minimised.

tocopherol

Highly concentrated 3% hyaluronic acid serum that hydrates, plumps, soothes and supports the skin's moisture barrier.

Clinically proven

Dermatologically tested

I have chosen this niacinamide serum for your routine, as it has wonderful multi-functional benefits for the skin. Niacinamide works to balances oil production, reduces redness and inflammation, as well as support the skin's natural barrier.

Acetyl Glucosamine is an amino acid sugar

acetyl glucosamine

Zinc PCA is a synthetic active, derived from zinc and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. Zinc is known to regulate sebum production, as well as inhibit the growth of the P.Acnes bacteria to improve acne symptoms. PCA is a component of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF), which acts as a humectant to draw water to it, and when synthesized with zinc, it can actually improve the efficacy of zinc, by making it more bioavailable and easily-absorbed.

Studies have also shown that zinc PCA can inhibit the activity of destructive enzymes within the skin, therefore providing a protective, anti-ageing mechanism to the skin. 

zinc pca

Zinc is known to regulate sebum production, as well as inhibit the growth of the P.Acnes bacteria to improve acne symptoms.

Highly concentrated serum that combines the maximum concentration of 15% niacinamide with optimal ratios of synergistic ingredients for total acne control.

These treatments contain niacinamide, which works to regulate oil production, minimise redness, fade hyperpigmentation and support the skin barrier.

Niacinamide treatment picks

This serum combines 10% niacinamide alongside peptides. So you get all of the multi-functional benefits of niacinamide, alongside the youth-boosting properties of peptides.

This serum contains 5% niacinamide alongside 3 different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (meaning they can absorb to different layers of the skin to maximise hydration ). It is clinically proven to soothe and plump skin, as well as repair dry or damaged skin.

This serum contains 15% niacinamide alongside zinc, allantoin and amino acids. This is designed to support overall skin health - regulating oil production, calming redness, strengthening the natural lipid barrier and reducing hyperpigmentation.

This water-based serum contains 5% niacinamide, alongside panthenol (vitamin b5) to act as a humectant, drawing water to the skin to plump and hydrate.

Non-comedogenic

I have chosen this intesive overnight nourishing mask to help support your skin and skin goals along side your day to day fundementals. This mask provides intensive moisturisation and nourishment, helping to smooth,soften and plump the skin, boost radiance and improve fine lines.

Wake up in the morning as if you have gone out of spa! Enriched with more than 68% of Rice Extract, this mask provides intensive nourishment and deep moisturisation to deeply soften and nourish the skin.

Cosrx Pure fit cica serum

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