Bare-faced beauty

WORLD over, the beauty and fashion cognoscenti are dropping their foundation and concealer in favour of the fresh-faced, au naturel look. Thing is, when it comes to getting skin in the best possible condition so as to adopt this bare-faced trend, such folk usually have access to the best products on the market. Fortunately, however, so do I.

During the past few months I’ve sifted through a plethora of products that claim to get skin into tip-top shape. Those I share below are, quite simply, the ones that work. This may sound obvious but you’d be amazed at how slap-dash some beauty writers can be regards recommending products without road-testing them first. So, without further ado, here are several products I recommend you stock up on this spring/summer.

Pai ‘Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil’

This stuff really comes into its own if you’ve been overexposed to the sun or wind and your skin’s none too pleased about it. I have an oily(ish) complexion, so wouldn’t have considered using an oil on my skin, particularly in warmer weather. How wrong was I? This organic oil is incredibly effective at soothing, calming, and dissipating angry pre-menstrual break-outs. Put it on before you go to bed and leave it to work its magic. (It also works like a charm teamed with The Organic Pharmacy’s ‘Carrot Butter Cleanser’.) Trilogy also do a Rosehip Oil and although it’s good, I believe Pai’s offering to be by far the superior of the two. Pai’s Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil (£20 for 30ml) is a must for every bathroom cabinet and an essential if travelling. One of my beauty heroes. Order direct from www.paiskincare.com.

Evolve ‘Multi Action Double Cream’

I adore Evolve’s products. There, I’ve said it. Laura Rudoe, Evolve’s founder, is a skincare genius. She knows skin and she creates cruelty-free, vegan, organically certified products that work. And their ‘Multi Action Double Cream’(£14.99 for 50ml) is no exception. Their ‘Gentle Cleansing Melt’ (£12.99 for 100ml) is one of the best cleansers I’ve used. Ever. I want to shout from the rooftops how consistently brilliant her entire range is. So, here I am. Buy direct from www.evolvebeauty.co.uk.

Weleda ‘Skin Food’

This moisturiser has proved to be a cult beauty product and I’m not surprised. Singer, Adele, recently confessed to slathering herself with this luscious cream when she’s not plastered in stage make-up. I can wear this in autumn/winter when my skin gets a little drier. My boyfriend who has very dry, very sensitive skin, however, can’t get enough of this cream at any time of the year. We’ve been trialling Skin Food for several months now and agree it’s one of the best moisturisers on the market. A little indulgent perhaps but, as a gardener, my hands particularly appreciate the nourishing, softening effects of this cream. £8.50 for 75ml or £4.95 for the 30ml travel size. www.weleda.co.uk.

Lavera ‘Protection Cream’

Lavera is another consistently reliable brand of the natural, organic skincare world and their ‘Protection Cream’(£10.95 for 50ml) is another of my boyfriend’s absolute favourite moisturisers. It’s a tad oily for me to use during the day in spring/summer, but come autumn/winter, my skin laps this up. (I can, however, use this as a night cream year round.)  Free from synthetic preservatives, perfumes, colourants, and mineral oil products, this is a holiday essential for dry and sensitive skin with über-calming jojoba and shea butter. (Please note, however, it contains no SPF.)            Available from www.pravera.co.uk. 

Caudalie ‘Vinosource Riche’

Ay, ay, ay, how I adore this cream – it’s exceptional. Even ‘The Cosmetics Cop’, Paula Begoun – author of the beauty bible ‘Don’t Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me’ – acknowledges that, although it’s overpriced, this is one of the best anti-wrinkle creams on the market. Period stop. I recommend you drop by one of Caudalie’s counters and cop a feel of this ultra-nourishing cream for yourself – the smell and consistency is top-drawer. And although it contains a fragrance, it won’t upset sensitive skin. My favourite luxury feel moisturiser, it contains no parabens or phenoxyethanol either. £27 for 40ml. www.caudalie.com. 

Oskia ‘Get Up & Glow’

There isn’t one bad product in Oskia’s range. And I should know – I’ve tested them all (bar their cleanser). Oskia founder, Georgie Cleeve’s luminescent skin is testament alone to the fact that their products really do work. ‘Get Up & Glow’ (£64.50 for 30ml) is sublime and a must-buy for the current bare-faced trend as it adds an understated, youthful radiance. It works equally well under make-up (particularly wedding make-up). The rose-lychee perfume (Ecocert certified) they use in this product is soothing while also lending it a super-luxurious feel. If you want to get your skin ready for its naked close-up, then I confidently recommend any product from Oskia’s range. Their award-winning ‘Micro-Exfoliating Balm’ (£46.00 for 50ml) is also a triumph in natural, organic skin care and goes hand-in-hand with ‘Get Up & Glow’. (Psst, don’t let the price put you off as a little goes a very long way.) Available direct from www.oskiaskincare.com.

Neal’s Yard ‘Brightening Serum’ and ‘Daily Brightening’

Initially unsure about Neal’s Yard’s ‘Brightening Serum’ (£40.50 for 30ml) and ‘Daily Brightening’ (£22.50 for 100ml) – they left my face smelling like newly mown grass – over the months they’ve proved a potent, stellar combination. I prefer to use these products at night as they provide a bright, fresh-faced complexion on waking (particularly after a night out on the tiles). These products also work well after flying, leaving pallid, dehydrated skin feeling and looking zingy fresh. Available from www.nealsyardremedies.com and Neal’s Yard                            Remedies stores nationwide.

NUDE ‘Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum’

The smell of this product almost put me off initially as it reminded me of a mild detergent. I’m glad I persisted, however, as this silicone-free serum is deeply effective at moisturising, repairing, and soothing skin particularly after over-exposure to the elements proving itself to be a potent powerhouse of a skin elixir. No wonder beauty editors everywhere wax lyrical about it. If your skin really cannot tolerate an oil, this is one of the most effective water-based serums I’ve used. In fact, if you’re a fan of Estee Lauder’s bestselling ‘Advanced Night Repair’, I recommend you switch to this serum by NUDE instead; particularly as their products don’t contain any nasties including parabens, sulphates, propylene glycol, phthalates, and DEA. £68 for 30ml. Buy online at www.nudeskincare.com.

Follow Thea on Twitter @UrbanDeva

Visit Thea’s website at www.theaeuryphaessa.com