Murad City Skin Age Defense SPF50 PA ++++

This must be my third bottle of Murad City Skin since I was introduced to it back in 2020 and it has been one of those products that I simply cannot be without.  Sun cream, lotion call it what you will, is one of those products that for the face, divides opinion.  For me, if it is too thick then it is a no, if it leaves my skin with a white cast, then it is also a no and the same goes for leaving me with greasy, tacky and irritated.  For my face, I can count on one hand which brands I will use.  This is one of them.

The Murad City Skin Age Defense is a mineral, broad spectrum SPF50 PA+++ sunscreen which is suitable for all skin types including those which are sensitive and oily. I sit within the combination-oil category but with dry patches of skin, so come the afternoon, I can be quite shiny, so I need a product which doesn't slide off as soon as it is applied or re-applied.

Packaged in a handy bottle with a nozzle applicator, the sunscreen from Murad was not as I was expecting it to be. It has a slight pinky-beige colour, which doesn't transfer to the skin when applied, rather than being bright white and for me, it is just a dream to use.  Coming from Murad, it is of course more than just a sunscreen, it also works to colour correct and even your skin tone with no ashy residue left behind.

It also helps shield your skin against multiple types of light damage—whether indoor blue light from screens or outdoor UVA and UVB and as well as being a 100% mineral sunscreen, it has some pretty impressive ingredients within the list which include:

• Luetin - this is an antioxidant which comes from Marigold flowers and it helps to defend against blue light
• Iron Oxides - to help protect against infrared radiation

Added to these two you also get the usual Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide which provide the mineral broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, but even more interesting is the inclusion of a polymer matrix that is said to help prevent the adhesion and penetration of toxins to help defend the skin from these common aggressors found in modern life - pollution, infra-red radiation and blue light - so it works perfectly in tandem with other ingredients within this sunscreen.

For me, I adore the lightweight texture when it is applied to my skin, more so because it is going onto my face, I really don’t like overly thick sunscreens which leave your skin just feeling heavy with products. With Murad City Skin, you don’t get that at all, you don’t even know it has been applied and there is no scent either.

Priced at £60 for 50ml does put this product on the pricier side of sunscreen but, it is worth every single penny when it’s a product that lasts for a good length of time, it is easy to wear every single day, it has an amazing texture and is 100% mineral broad spectrum PA++++ and SPF 50.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Fall In Love with Your Morning Routine

There’s something magical about mornings. And hear me out, before all of you groggy night owls roll your eyes! The special thing about mornings is that they’re like a big fat reset button. It’s your chance to stop the negative thought cycles you were stuck in the night before. You have the opportunity to reorient yourself to what’s really important.

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We can wake up and set the narrative for how things are going to go. And oftentimes (in definitely a good AND bad way!), how we feel in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. So if we can set ourselves up with a healing, calming, and focused morning routine, it’s a safe bet our days will go much smoother. A good day can turn into a good life, because every small step matters. 

Let’s go over the key components that make for a magical morning routine, and some ideas for each to jumpstart a new approach you’ll be in love with. Think of your ideal routine as a mix-and-match opportunity to craft the kind of morning that works best for you personally. If you’re struggling to find ideas that work for you, be sure to read some of the articles available on BetterHelp.

Gratitude & And a Calm Mind

It’s so important to wake up and set the mental tone for the day. Put yourself into a good headspace. We all know the feeling of waking up on the wrong side of the bed, so to speak. We maybe had a bad dream, or went to bed upset the night before, and feel that bad energy carrying over into the next day. The morning is your best opportunity to stop the cycle before it moves forward.

Having a small gratitude practice in the morning can put you in the right state of mind. All it takes is sitting up in bed and listing three things you’re thankful for in your mind. Even better, jot them down in a little bed-side notebook before you leave bed.

A clear, relaxed mind that’s free of racing thoughts is also very beneficial. Before jumping straight into comparison mode, planning mode, or social media mode, give yourself breathing room from your phone. If possible, don’t look through it for the first 15 minutes of your day. Don’t check socials, or texts, or emails. Just breathe, do some gratitude journaling, read a few pages of a book, or brew a coffee. 

A Tension-Free, Pampered Body

These two simple but effective things will transform your morning:

• A personal hygiene routine that you don’t have to think about.
• A 5 or 10-minute stretching session to release your tight muscles.

When we wake up, we often feel tight, tense, or even sore. And we probably have bad breath, sweat, or just feel generally icky. Releasing the tension in our muscles and cleaning ourselves can make all the difference for our motivation and peace of mind.

Stretching for 5 to 10 minutes in the morning after getting out of bed is very underrated. We’ve been laying in awkward positions for 8 hours, and our muscles and joints need a chance to stretch out and release tension. When our bodies move more fluidly, we just feel better, plain and simple. 

It’s useful to have a go-to personal hygiene routine you can do mindlessly, so you can remove the factors of decision-making and motivation. Brush your teeth, hop in the shower, wash your face with a gentle cleanser, moisturize, and put on deodorant. Make it simple, something you can replicate every single morning. 

Prepared, Focused, Ready for Success

After you’ve stretched, spent some time away from your phone, and taken care of your hygiene, it’s time to look forward to what the day has in store. Figuring out concrete to-do tasks for the day and ironing out the details of your schedule will make you feel more level-headed, less frazzled, and more focused. 

One of the best ways to get oriented to your goals is writing a quick handwritten to-do list in a notebook or sticky note. Check your digital calendar as well. A very useful idea is to write down the HIGHLIGHT of the day, which is the #1 goal you absolutely know you have to/want to accomplish that day.

Want one more tip for success? Spend about 30 minutes working on basic administrative tasks in your life before the workday begins – send out emails, add things to your calendar, or make a phone call. These basic preliminary tasks can make you feel more prepared for the bigger things coming up in the day.

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

ASOS x Neom Beauty Box Reveal

There is a new and exciting beauty box from ASOS launching today at 6pm and it is with non-other than NEOM!  In recent months I have become a bit obsessed with Neom and this box ASOS x Neom Takeover Beauty Box is pretty incredible!

Priced at £35, the ASOS x Neom Takeover box gives you a saving of 58% and is the perfect gift for Mother's Day or even for a little bit of self-love! Inside you will find five incredible products from Neom which are as follows.

Contents

• Perfect Nights Sleep Pillow Mist Spray - 50ml
• Perfect Nights Sleep Bath Foam - 200ml
• Perfect Nights Sleep Travel Candle
• Perfect Nights Sleep Magnesium Body Butter - 30ml
• Perfect Nights Sleep Overnight Facial Cream - 10ml

Once again ASOS has managed to put together and absolutely incredible box and having already spoilt us earlier this month with the Sleep Over Essentials Box, this Neom Takeover Box is a lovely surprise.

If this box has caught your attention, you will find it 

here as soon as it goes on sale!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Is Your Anxiety Causing Breakouts? Clear Up and Prevent Stress Acne

Does it seem like every time you get stressed out, your face breaks out? At this point, you’ve probably caught on to the pattern. It’s normal to experience the ups and downs of daily stress and anxiety. It’s also normal to develop new zits and other acne blemishes sometimes, especially if you have acne-prone skin. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating when it happens.

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Luckily, there are some simple ways to clear up stress acne and prevent anxiety-related breakouts. It all comes down to your lifestyle habits and stress management. Read on to learn about stress acne, treatments, and prevention to get your skin glowing and pimple-free again.

What Causes Stress Acne?

Acne happens when sebum – an oil substance – dirt, and dead skin cells clog our pores. The ensuing bacterial buildup causes inflammation and infection, creating acne blemishes. It gets complicated, but acne-related stress comes down to hormonal changes.

When our body experiences anxiety and stress, it causes our adrenal system to release the hormone cortisol, which among many other negative effects increases the production of sebum. Our bodies also develop inflammation. These two factors – excess sebum and inflammation – are prime conditions for an acne flare-up. Studies show that stress is far more likely to trigger acne in individuals who already struggle with acne-prone skin.

How To Know If Stress Is Causing Your Acne

You might be trying to figure out whether the cause of your acne is stress, diet, your beauty products, or something else. Many people have a difficult time trying to figure out the root causes of their acne. Even dermatologists have to do plenty of investigating to figure out how to help people clear it up.

The causes of acne are usually a combination of lifestyle habits, genetics, beauty products, and personal hygiene. That’s why taking a holistic approach to fixing and preventing the problem is the most effective.

So, is your stress what’s causing major breakouts? Here are a few tips to help you figure it out:

• Do you break out at the end of a really stressful work-week? Acne that shows up soon after stress is a sign.
• Do you break out far more frequently or severely during extended periods of depression or especially challenging life circumstances? Acne that persists during a longer period marked by grief or trauma is a sign.
• Does the acne show up in random, various places across your face? Acne that pops up in a wide variety of spots on your face could be stress-related.

Also pay attention to where on your face the acne is. If there is seemingly no rhyme or reason to its location, it could be linked to stress. But if it always shows up on your right cheek, chin, or hairline, it may have more to do with environmental factors like a dirty phone or oily scalp.

How To Clear Up Anxiety-Related Acne and Manage Stress

You’ve found yourself with a face full of acne after a stressful week. Maybe you’ve been preparing for your wedding, or on a tight deadline at work, or going through a really hard life circumstance. The stress has triggered pimple after pimple.

While this can feel distressing, there are a few things you can do to clear up your breakout faster. The two most important components are managing your anxiety, and improving your lifestyle habits. If you’d like to learn more about anxiety, and how to effectively manage it, check out some of the articles on BetterHelp.

Cut back on sugary foods, alcohol, and dairy.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sugary foods, alcohol, and even dairy can actually worsen acne. That’s because high-glycemic foods, like sugary drinks, desserts, and fast-food spike insulin levels in the body and increase inflammation. Acne-prone individuals always want to focus on managing the inflammation in their bodies. Do this by eating low-glycemic whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and white meats.

1. Get a really good night’s sleep.

It’s likely that when you’re experiencing high levels of stress, you’re also getting poor-quality sleep. Sleep is our body’s chance to recover and reduce inflammation. If we are not properly entering an extended, deep REM state, our bodies cannot properly recover. Try to put the screens away at least one hour before sleep, and if needed take a melatonin supplement to aid your sleep. Quality sleep is essential for healthy skin.

2. Improve your skincare routine.

Your skincare routine may need some help to clear up acne faster. This should always include a core routine of washing your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day, then moisturizing with a sensitive skin lotion. And witch hazel toner will even out red skin tones.

For clearing up acne, use a salicylic acid acne treatment to clean out your pores. Make sure to follow it up with a good moisturizer, as salicylic acid is very drying and overly dry skin can actually worsen acne. In addition, it’s crucial to implement using an exfoliating scrub or face mask once or twice a week. This helps pull out the dirt and dead skin from your pores.

3. Exercise regularly.

Exercise, like sleep, is another effective strategy in managing inflammation in the body. It helps our bodies regulate hormones better, keeps our cortisol levels down, and causes sweating that expels excess toxins that can contribute to unhealthy skin. Get your body moving, and your glowing skin will thank you for it.

4. Incorporate mindfulness and calming techniques into your day.

Being able to manage your stress is key to preventing stress breakouts. Besides exercise and good sleep, you can incorporate relaxing, calming habits into your daily routine.

For example, set aside the first half-hour of your day to sip tea and read a good book. Or try using a guided meditation before you fall asleep at night. Anything to keep your mind steady and in the present moment, so the stress doesn’t take control of you.

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.