Inspira: Med Anti Ageing Sun Protection

Who’s wearing sunscreen today? We hope that it’s all of you! We at The Amazing Blog are very sun leery, particularly with this unpredictable UK summer weather. You can leave home in the morning when it’s overcast and then find yourself stranded at midday in full sun with no SPF and very little shade! That’s why today we want to bring you one of our #amazingfinds with a favourite solution-based skincare brand and their reliable SPF (and after-sun) for face or body. Say hello again to Inspira Cosmetics with their Med Anti Aging Sun Protection. We couldn’t resist trying this range after hearing that they won the LuxLife 2019 Health Beauty & Wellbeing Award here for this Anti Ageing Sun Protection range.

Inspira Cosmetics are based in Aachen and were founded in 2000. They’re known for their solution-based skincare and have a special motto of ‘maximum effect, but as natural as possible’. True trailblazers in the world of skincare, they are leaders in skin technology with natural and biotech active ingredients. As regular readers will know, we’ve already shared with you some of our favourite products here.

They kindly sent us both the Anti-Aging Sun Guard Spray SPF30  and Anti-Aging Sun Guard Spray SPF50. These SPF Sprays are quickly absorbed, with no white residue, non-greasy and have the added bonus of being water-repellent. The key ingredient in their suncare range is the natural active called Ectoin®. This active is obtained from microorganisms that live in extreme environments (e.g. in geysers, salt lakes or the Arctic). This ingredient increases the barrier effect on the skin as it protects it from the damaging effects of the sun and stressful environmental factors related to UV light or pollutants thanks to its antioxidant ability. It also serves as an emollient on the skin and in cosmetic formulas. We found that these two SPF Sprays work as excellent primers under make-up as well as a solo moisturiser/sun protection. We cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a strong SPF. The Ectoin® here contains anti-inflammatory properties and stabilises the skin cells, protecting them from UVA and UVB radiation. If you want an advanced SPF all-in-one moisturiser/primer/sun cream, then these Anti-Aging Sun Guard Sprays in SPF30 or SPF50 are for you! These Sun Guard Sprays contain karanja oil (AKA as pongamia oil) which is obtained from the Indian beech tree. This has soothing properties which also help to slow down the premature ageing process and shields the skin from the sun with its high UV absorption. Like us, you may wish to apply this Sun Guard Spray first thing in the morning under your make up. However, we do strongly recommend reapplying repeatedly if you are exposed directly to sunlight or on a beach or swimming.  We love the clean and subtle floral scent and can guarantee, that if your skin is anything like ours, then it’ll remain dewy and protected throughout the day. Both are 150ml the SPF30 retails at 28.76 Euros here and the SPF50 retails at 32.17 Euros here.

Finally, let’s move onto their After Sun. They kindly sent us the Immediate Soothing After Sun Foam which is mild creamy and crafted specifically for soothing over-exposed or sun-damaged skin. It immediately calms irritated skin thanks to the Ectoin®, panthenol, pumpkin seed extract and, seawater. The panthenol also called provitamin B5 which has a calming effect on the skin – again it increases skin hydration and creates a protective barrier. The pumpkin seed extract is rich in fatty acids such as omega 3 and 6 and also vitamin E, zinc, and other antioxidants that help to keep the skin moisturised for a more youthful appearance. We all know how vital water is for humans, being the most important molecule for the body and skin. What better way to include this ingredient, than by using seawater. Used since ancient times it holds therapeutic qualities and gives a regenerative and mineralising effect to the skin. This gentle foam also contains glycerine the famous water magnet and last but not least aloe vera, which relieves burns and itching thanks to the cooling effect - like a breath of cold air on the skin. This can be bought in 150ml here for 28.76 Euros.

All the range can be used on the face and body and we consider them to be an everyday essential, not just as a one-off holiday wonder. So, if you are still self-isolating or on lockdown at home, you might have forgotten just how intense the sun can be in the park, on your balcony or in the garden. By applying either of these SPF products daily will certainly ensure no more red faces!

Melanoma Awareness Month - A Cautionary Tale from Gillian Robson

Here’s a cautionary tale from Gillian Robson, the co-founder of the suncare/self-tanning brand TanCream with her guide on what to do and look for.

Gillian Robson - Co-founder of Tancream

May is Melanoma Awareness Month and the message here is very clear ‘please be skin savvy during the lockdown.’ As we’re now allowed outside and the lockdown has loosened, the question is: Have you putting on your SPF? Please take a moment to check your skin and if you have any concerns or if anything that does not look quite right, do seek professional advice.

HERE IS GILLIAN’S STORY:

“My first mole appeared on the back of my left leg at the base of my thigh – I first noticed a slight mark and within days it got darker and then within ten days, it became irregular and even darker. My gut instinct kicked in. I knew it didn’t look right so I took myself off to the GP who immediately fast-tracked me. Within a few days, I was in the hospital, had it checked by a dermatologist and it was removed there and then!

We are SO LUCKY to have such an amazing NHS system 

I got my results within about 10 days. A day I will never forget as I walked in to see the consultant only to be faced with a MacMillan nurse when they told me the devastating news. None of us want to hear the word ‘cancer’ but yes it was an aggressive form of Malignant Melanoma (skin cancer) I had to have more surgery to remove more skin, this was the most horrendous and terrifying time. Having to wait for the results to see if it had gone any deeper than 6mm below the surface as this would go into my bones and bloodstream.

This is a mole that Gillian had removed from her face in August 2019

It is so frightening to think if this happens, it spreads rapidly and in most cases, it can be fatal. Thankfully mine was contained in that area and had not spread, what a relief that was! However, 2 months later when I started with back pain the rollercoaster started again. They rushed me in to have some bone scans and blood tests as they were worried it had escaped them – the NHS is incredible – I was fast-tracked to have all the tests, then a wait for 2 weeks for the results seemed like forever, and my life was on hold! I was determined to remain positive and that this wasn’t going to take me away from my family. This I learned from my aunt who died when I was 12, she taught me lots of values in life but most of all to keep smiling and stay positive. Something she did so well during the last few months of her life as she hid her pain from me and that has given me the strength to get through anything. The next two weeks were all a bit of a blur really, but the call came to say I was all clear of any signs that cancer had spread.

My new life began – I was determined to make others understand why it is so important to wear sun protection. I felt guilty that I had used sunbeds, sunbathed with little sun cream on – something that so many of us did as we didn’t know the reality behind the harmful UV rays that the sun did to our skin and how bad sunbeds really are. Now I was paying the price for it all as I now live with skin cancer. I have had 14 lesions removed over the years; basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas all caught in time as I now know what I’m looking for.

Knowing your own skin and any changes is so important. My number one tip would be to photograph all your skin areas. Take them in good lighting and get your partner to take photos of your back and back of the legs – these are the most common areas to get issues as they are the places we miss when applying sun protection.

If there are certain moles or skin issues that your gut feeling makes you feel uneasy then pay more attention to them. Watch those closely every day and take photos (make sure they are taken in the same lighting as previous ones and the same angle). Measure the diameter over a few days if they change then get them checked out – at the moment due to COVID 19 none of us want to have face to face appointments – so give your GP a call, explain exactly how it’s changed and that you have photos. Offer to send them over via email so they can send them direct to the dermatology department and they can look at them more closely – if there are any concerns then they will tell you the next steps.

Early detection in any cancer is key and skin cancer can affect all skin types

Skin cancer is predicted to be the most common cancer by 2024, 86% is preventable if we wear sun protection. Our skin is the largest organ in our body so we must look after it. After all, if there was a cream that we could apply to prevent breast cancer you’d wear it. It is estimated to cost the NHS £180 million this year, so let us start saving them money and looking after our skin.

Gillian as she is today

I also have some more information I can share with you from MelanomaMe a charity in the North East that supports patients and families experiencing skin cancer. Kerry the founder has also had skin cancer so knows only too well how important it is to talk & share your experiences.”

Other UK charities that Gillian suggests are:

• Melonma- Me Foundation

• Melanoma UK

• Macmillan Cancer Support

• Melanoma Fund

• Melanoma Focus

• Donna Annand Melanoma Charity

• British Association of Dermatologists

As a footnote, The Amazing Blog highly recommends Gillian’s Tancream it’s SPF 50 with a 5* UV it’s also a gradual self-tan bronzer that’s anti-ageing, odour and streak-free. As a unique blend of sunscreen and sunless tanning and has become a multi-award winner, recently with The Beauty Shortlist Award for Innovation. See here to purchase your 100ml Tancream at £44.95.

Simply CBD Bronzer - Self Tan Mousse

Have you noticed that the popularity of CBD being used in the beauty sector is growing rapidly by the day? Many spas and salons are eager to add cannabidiol based treatments to their roster which has prompted beauty companies to create an even bigger offering of CBD infused topical products. As regular readers will know, at The Amazing Blog, we’re big fans of all things CBD (see here) and are excited to share with you another one of our #amazingfinds with Simply CBD’s Bronzer. Launched as the UK’s first professional CBD-infused spray tan in 2018, they now have a range of sunless tanning which is for home use, which as regular fake tanners we’ve been itching to try!

Simply CBD Bronzer Tanning Mousse has four key ingredients, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), aloe vera, green tea extract and cannabis oil. The DHA is at 10% which develops into a good even medium tan - it is a safe FDA approved substance derived from glycerine that reacts with the amino acids naturally present in the surface layers of skin, which in turn then produces a brown colour change. Aloe vera offers increased moisture and reduced inflammation with a gentle antiseptic effect. The Green tea extract is rich in vitamin E and supports and maintains collagen levels, it detoxifies and is a powerful antioxidant also rich in anti-inflammatory properties and can serve as an antibacterial to help clear pores and ease acne. The cannabidiol (CBD) hydrates and nourishes the skin by offering moisture retention and regulating oil production for an even and beautiful tan. The CBD used here is 75mg per 200ml and has been refined to contain no trace of THC. Rich in phytocannabinoids, terpenes and fatty acids, the CBD helps to combat dryness. It soothes the skin and is an excellent source of antioxidants with supplementary vitamins A, B, C, D and E.

We found this natural, cruelty-free and vegan self-tan super easy to apply. After showering and exfoliating body we moisturised the dry bits like knees and elbows before applying the mousse with a microfibre mitt. Simply CBD recommends leaving the tan on for 6 to 8 hours; we left it on overnight. In the morning, we rinsed it off in the shower and were left with the stunning, even and natural bronze colour. Unlike many other sunless tanning products that with regular use have dried out our skin, with this Simply CBD Bronzer Tanning Mousse we found to our surprise that it actually helped to boost our skin’s suppleness and hydration! We’ll certainly be looking to try more from this brand.  It’s the perfect way to keep your summer glow without basking in the sun’s harmful rays, and for keeping the skin looking sun-kissed all year long; you too can purchase Simply CBD Bronzer 200ml for £29.95 or a Travel Mousse size 50 ml for £12.95, both are available here. 

Dr Russo - Once A Day Sun Protection SPF 30 & SPF 50 Invisible Face Gel

Good skin starts with prevention, and here at The Amazing Blog we’re always on the lookout for the best SPF and suncare. Today we’ve got one of our #amazingfinds, meet Dr Russo’s Sun Protection Invisible Face Gel ideal for protecting the complexion and combatting harmful rays when out and about. 

The founder Dr Luca Russo is renowned internationally for his work in reversing sun damage and premature ageing. He is a London-based cosmetic and dermatologic surgeon who lecturers on skin rejuvenation. This sun protection gel features Dr Russo’s innovative long-wear SPF technology that creates a force-field on the skin to deflect the harmful sun’s rays. His philosophy is to protect the skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30 and SPF 50 sunscreens and potent antioxidants throughout the day, followed by reversal agents that stimulate new collagen production and repair all signs of photo-ageing. The beneficial ingredients are antioxidants, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. All of these repair existing signs of DNA damage, inhibit tyrosinase, help to maintain elastin and collagen levels, reduce glycation of proteins and soothes inflammation, so the skin becomes stronger, more luminous and resilient. These ingredients also help repair existing signs of damage, as well as stopping the production of melanin which causes dark spots. The product is free from PABAs, parabens, artificial fragrance and compatible with all sensitive skin types.

The formula is light-weight, non-greasy, and does not leave a chalky film on the skin, making it perfect to wear everyday under makeup. Protect, moisturise and repair your complexion with a single sweep with this once a day application.  It keeps skin protected and is waterproof and sweatproof for up to 80 minutes. The product comes in SPF 30 and SPF 50 variants, to apply, use the unique click brush applicator, sweeping the product over the face and neck area. It retails for £26 for 15ml and can be purchased here. In a 15ml bottle, this is the perfect size for your handbag or to take on a bike ride.

U Glow - Anti-Ageing Tanning Water

I think you’ll agree, that one feels happier and healthier when you’ve got a little bit of a tan. As we’ve mentioned before at The Amazing Blog we’re not sun worshippers. Therefore we’re always on the look-out for new self-tanning products, particularly if they are fragrance-free and offer no mess and. This is when we came across U Glow at the showcase for the CEW awards earlier this year. This self-tanning water is a mist poised to give an even glow from just a light misting application.

U Glow has just launched this year with their clear anti-ageing tanning water. First of all say goodbye to tanning products staining your clothes, and secondly, we like that it’s anti-ageing. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this tanning water will give you not only a natural summer glow but also a deeply moisturised and nourished skin. Thirdly, it’s tanning water, so forget about creams, foams and oils, tanning water is even easier to apply and absorbs quickly into the skin. Finally, it’s a fragrance-free self-tanning product which as they claim leaves no marks, no mess, or sticky feeling.

What we love the most, is that it is hassle-free. To apply the tanning water, simply place the spray at arms length and lightly mist the water over the desired area you want to tan. With the mitt, buff the area gently covering all areas to ensure a streak-free tan. The tan will fully develop within 6-8 hours, being dry to the touch in 60 seconds. It is specifically formulated so you can shower just three hours after applying the tanning water and will continue to develop after showering. The mitt is very durable, giving for months of wear (pop into the washing machine). We recommend waxing or shaving at least 24 hours before using the product to achieve a long-lasting effect, as well as ensuring your skin is exfoliated and free from any other products. When applying the mist to your face and hands,  they say it’s suitable for contouring (we suggest blending the mist with a makeup brush). An easy, clean, practical way to achieve a flawless natural all over body tan, which adapts to your individual skin tone.

Purchase your U Glow mitt and Tanning Water here , for the mitt £4.95 and U Glow £19.50 for the 100ml.  It’s so good that it’s also now available as a professional range for salons.  Say hello to a reduced odour, fast acting solution with clear application. U Glow, U Go!