Caudalie Thé des Vignes: A Fragrant Ode to French Countryside Splendor
Inspired by Caudalie Founder, Mathilde Thomas, the sensual notes of the Thé des Vignes fragrance have been specifically crafted by the renowned master perfumer Jacques Cavallier. More than a mere perfume, it embodies the essence of the picturesque French countryside, harmonizing delicate notes of white musk, neroli, and ginger with a nuanced infusion of orange blossom and jasmine. Its understated allure evokes a sense of tranquility, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate a subtle yet captivating scent that softly lingers on the skin.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse - Sensual Elegance
This multi-purpose dry oil is a cult favorite for a reason. The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is not just a nourishing treat for the skin and hair; its fragrance is a standout. A harmonious blend of orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla creates a warm, floral aroma that is both comforting and addictive. It's a versatile scent that embodies the spirit of French elegance and simplicity.
Jean Marie Farina by Roger & Gallet - A Historical Essence
Roger & Gallet's Jean Marie Farina is a fragrance steeped in history. Revered as one of the first Eau de Colognes, it's a classic that has stood the test of time. This timeless scent is a refreshing blend of citrus notes, including lemon and neroli, combined with herbal and woody undertones. It's a scent that transports you to a Mediterranean garden in the heart of a summer morning.
Mustela - The scent that encapsulates every French baby
Mustela captures the essence of French infancy with its signature scent, evoking the tender fragrance that surrounds newborns across France. Specially formulated for babies, its fragrance is delicate, hypoallergenic, and comforting. The blend of citrus notes and hints of rose, lilac, and amber is soothing and gentle, making it ideal for the youngest skin. It's a reminder of the innocence and purity of childhood.
Aime Parfum de Peau - A Modern French Classic
Aime Parfum de Peau is a modern classic, embodying the contemporary French woman's spirit. This perfume is a sophisticated blend of floral and musk, with a touch of powder for a clean, intimate scent. It's understated yet distinct, perfect for everyday wear. It captures the essence of modern femininity with a nod to traditional French perfumery.
The Role of a Nez:
The role of a 'nez' in perfumery is akin to that of an artist in their studio. These skilled professionals have an in-depth understanding of the properties of various fragrance ingredients and how they interact with each other. Creating a perfume is not just about mixing scents; it's about evoking emotions, memories, and even a sense of place. The nez works meticulously, sometimes for years, to achieve the perfect balance and harmony in a fragrance.
Francis Kurkdjian and Holidermie:
Francis Kurkdjian, a legend in the fragrance industry, has lent his extraordinary olfactory skills to various esteemed brands, including Holidermie. Known for his ability to blend modernity with timeless scents, Kurkdjian’s involvement in Holidermie highlights the brand's commitment to luxury and quality. Holidermie, although primarily focused on skincare, benefits immensely from Kurkdjian's expertise, incorporating subtle scents into their products to enhance the sensory experience.
Papier d'Arménie:
Another intriguing aspect of French olfactory culture is Papier d'Arménie. While not a perfume, this traditional French product is deeply rooted in the country's fragrance history. Papier d'Arménie is a type of scented paper that, when burned, releases a pleasant, lingering aroma. It has been a part of French households for over a century, often used for its deodorizing qualities. This iconic paper owes its unique scent to the masterful blending of aromas, a testament to the skills of the nez who craft it.
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By Dr Marine
As a French pharmacist deeply immersed in skincare traditions, my reflections on experiences in French pharmacies evoke both nostalgia and a Madeleine de Proust moment. NUXE, an enduring brand celebrated in every French pharmacy, is renowned for its iconic Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse and a sensory-driven approach to skincare.
During the early days in France, NUXE's commitment to fully harnessing the extraordinary power of nature was evident and groundbreaking. My journey from a pharmacist in France to establishing The French Pharmacy in London has been fuelled by a passion to share the finest of French skincare globally, with NUXE consistently holding a top spot in my preferences.
Now, as the founder of The French Pharmacy, I am delighted to introduce NUXE's latest marvel—the Nuxuriance range featuring the ground-breaking Alfa [3R] Technology. This innovation, born from nature's remarkable potency, stands as a testament to NUXE's unwavering commitment to skincare excellence.
At the core of Alfa [3R] Technology lies a trio of natural-origin ingredients—Alfalfa extract, Hyaluronic acid, and Day Lily extract. These elements synergize to provide a comprehensive anti-aging correction that goes beyond retinol results, addressing the main signs of aging with less irritation. Yes, really, beyond retinol and less irritating. The dream!
What truly impressed me with this new version of the Nuxuriance hero range is NUXE's commitment to authenticity and quality in its ingredients—the foundation of superior skincare. Through botanical DNA Research, each plant's genetic signature is precisely identified, ensuring the right species and effective active molecules, defining NUXE skincare. NUXE goes further, collaborating with DNA Gensee, a verification agency, ensuring the authenticity, safety, and quality of ingredients while prioritizing sustainable sourcing and plant resource protection.
The trio of ultra-powerful anti-ageing ingredients in Alfa [3R] Technology—Alfalfa extract, Hyaluronic acid, and Day Lily extract—forms a regenerative plant concentrate with a powerful restorative action on the dermis and epidermis. This will be the root for healthy skin by promoting cell regeneration.
This bio-fermented, natural-origin concoction acts as a regenerative force on the skin's supporting fibres, offering antioxidant and anti-glycation properties. Indispensable for protecting the skin for premature signs of aging.
The three patents encapsulated in [3R] Technology resurface the skin, smoothing its surface; renew skin by activating skin renewal; and revitalize skin activity, stimulating a youthful glow.
As retinol would, but with heightened and superior efficacy.
Having personally tested and used the products, I can attest to the uniqueness of the formulations while preserving the essence that made NUXE an iconic French brand in pharmacies: a harmonious blend of sensorial experience and efficiency.
NUXE's commitment to excellence, coupled with the revolutionary Alfa [3R] Technology, elevates the Nuxuriance range to new heights in the realm of skincare. As a French pharmacist deeply ingrained in the worlds of pharmaceuticals and skincare, it brings me immense pleasure to witness and share innovations that redefine standards in beauty and well-being.
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If you ever wonder if your hair falling more in autumn is a myth, this is for you.
A 2009 study is proving that this is a true fact. (2009 study)
There is an annual periodicity in the growth and shedding of hair, mainly in Autumn and Spring.
It sometimes can be confused with another hair shedding, telogen effluvium or stress-induced hair loss but treatment will be similar.
Even if it seems to be a normal and natural cycle for hair, it can be distressful and it doesn’t mean we cannot do anything to support the hair to stay healthy.
These are two keys points I stand behind as a Pharmacist to keep your hair at its best:
If your scalp is dry, sensitive, damaged, your hair won’t be able to get most nutrients they need. The scalp is where the hair follicles grow and therefore where any treatment should start.
My favorites hair serum:
I was impressed by the efficiency as my hair loss stopped after three weeks and my hair went became visibly super healthy. I loved the fact that Phytocyane is a leave in treatment, not greasy at all.
I have received a lot of positive reviews from my customers using this serum. Hair gets thicker and stronger very quickly. Indeed quinine is a molecule with powerful, scientifically shown and patented stimulating
You can couple leave-in hair serums with their shampoos to boost the action but a rinse off shampoo will never work enough by itself.
Hair and nails are the windows of your diet and health,
Certain nutrients and vitamins are scientifically proven to support the growth and strength of nails and hair. For instance, iron deficiency can lead to hair loss.
Biotin, zinc, vitamins C & D are the key ones.
My favorite hair supplement is again from Phyto: Phytophanere, as it also contains Borage oil, a botanical oil widely used in supplements in French Pharmacy, thanks to its high gamma linoleic acid (GLA) content, powerful anti-inflammatory.
Solgar Skin, nail and hair is also very well formulated.
And finally, remember that a scalp treatment and/or supplement must be followed for a minimum of 3 months to respect the hair cycle and therefore see strong results.
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find the original review here
Beautifully presented, and with an interesting back-story, the COTTAN Collection Arséne offers an easy route to fresh, comfortable skin and the opportunity to enjoy a #BeMoreFrench ritual every day.
The three products that make up the COTTAN Collection Arsène are:
Savon Visage Dulcifié (Softened Face Soap)
Vinaigre Micellaire de Beauté (Micellar Beauty Vinegar)
Crème Visage Évanescente (Evanescent Face Cream)
You can buy each one separately, or get them all together in the COTTAN Collection Arsène Ritual Box(the usefully sized tub pictured below). It includes a very interesting booklet that will fill you in on the story of COTTAN and the properties of the products. Oh, and the booklet is in French so if that’s not your first language, it is an educational treat!
For me, being drawn to the packaging is a super-important factor in being drawn to a product. I’m looking for un coup de foudre. Almost without exception, I need to be seduced by the exterior to get interested in what’s inside the box or bottle.
I first set eyes on COTTAN when the French Pharmacy featured them on instagram, and it was, if not yet love, certainly intrigue at first sight. White boxes adorned with a strong, confident blue, set against soft peach and offset with the perfect amount of gold … the colours tell the brand story very well. Blue and white is always associated with medical, with hygiene, with science. Pink, peach, and gold are the colours of the boudoir, suggesting pleasure and unabashed femininity. Font choices and simple design say heritage, but not antique.
The French Pharmacy were kind enough to offer me the chance to try the range, so I picked the Ritual Box up from them on the same day that I went in to buy my SansCigarettes aids.
I was very pleased to realise that the COTTAN Collection Arsène was a suite of three products that would allow me to perform the classic skincare waltz that is the three-step Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise routine.
I’ve used these products for roughly one month now. Initially I used all three, every night and morning, to get a good feel for them and see how my skin responded. I then began mixing and matching as the fancy took me with other products, to see how nicely they played with other brands. (The answer is very well indeed.)
The COTTAN softened face soap arrives in a chic card container, as elegant and fancy as you could wish for, and is paper-wrapped, like a little gourmet treat. On visual and tactile appeal alone, it would make an excellent present for any soap enthusiast.
The COTTAN Collection Arséne Softened Face Soap is fragranced with violets, but very, very gently fragranced, which is reassuring. If I was choosing a violet soap for the body, I would want it as heady and over-powering as possible, but when it’s for use on my face, I prefer that my nose not be overwhelmed by perfume.
The ingredients list includes Shea and two seed oils (jojoba and hemp), and as I anticipate, the COTTAN soap leaves my face feeling squeaky-clean but not uncomfortably dry or tight.
On days when I’ve worn makeup I use eye-make-up remover but no other cleanser than this soap: it gets every bit of grime off with ease. And it makes for a good start to the morning, too, which is a bonus.
I’m not a fan of the hours before noon and so it is very nice to have a perk-me-up treat like the COTTAN Collection Arséne Softened Face Soap to encourage me to face the day.
The COTTAN Arséne Collection Micellar Beauty Vinegar was the unknown quantity for me in this collection. I had very good reasons to believe I’d like the other two products, but I was less sure how I’d respond to this one.
Vinegar, vinaigre: until recently an unfamiliar term in the anglosphere in a beauty context. But Vinaigres de toilette were all the rage in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and no courtesan worth her salt would have been without one for soothing and clarifying her skin.
The COTTAN Arséne Collection Vinaigre Micellaire claims to purify, regenerate and brighten. Inside the amber glass bottle is a concoction of apple vinegar and fruit and sugar cane extracts, a combination believed to work harmoniously to gently exfoliate and encourage cell turnover whilst respecting and supporting the skin’s natural PH balance.
To begin with, I approach this product with some caution. That doesn’t last long! It’s lovely to use, and any fears I have about it being too harsh for my skin abate very quickly.
I’m cowardly about toners because I’m of the generation that were sold really harsh ones in our teens. Seriously, stuff that scratched or burned. Toners or astringents used to be marketed (heavily) as being essential to ‘close pores’ (they don’t do this!) and remove every scrap of god-knows-what from a face that you had already cleansed.
This is not the way that I approach step two in the ‘cleanse-tone-moisturise’ waltz. The ‘tone’ part for me is about gently sweeping something that feels soothing (eg NOT harshly astringent or crazily exfoliating) over my lovely clean face, whilst I think noble thoughts. The COTTAN Collection Arséne Vinaigre Micellaire is perfect for this.
The perfume of this product is described as ‘notes du verger’. This means it smells like an orchard, and, yes, it does also smell of vinegar! But the fragrance is cheerful and exuberant. So much so that when I use it, for a brief moment I’m not five floors up with a view on to brick and concrete; I’m scampering through some idyllic French countryside, like Angélique in Poitou, or Claudine in Montigny. It’s also a very more-ish fragrance, and I have on occasion uncapped the bottle in the middle of the day just to have a little sniff.
Since meeting AllergyCertified and becoming aware of fragrance allergy, I have tried to make it a rule that if I use a fragranced product (especially one with a high concentration of naturals) it should be glorious enough that if I wereto react badly, the game would have been worth the candle. The COTTAN Collection Arséne Vinaigre Micellaire, for me, is one of those ‘glorious enough’ products.
It also really does seem to help my skin stay soft and balanced. I realised last week that I hadn’t felt any inclination to use a mask or thought that it would be nice to apply a (very gentle) exfoliating product since first beginning to test the COTTAN Collection Arséne. My skin has felt perfectly comfortable and looked pretty good (if I say so myself) using just these three products and no others.
This product has one of the most enchantingly insane pieces of marketing speak I’ve ever seen proudly emblazoned on the box (of which more later) and that alone would make me want to try it, but – the real pull of this face cream for me is also emblazoned on the box: for this is an ‘evanescent’ cream!
I am so happy to see this type of face cream coming back into fashion. English speakers are more likely to know evanescent cream as vanishing cream.
In the UK, Ponds Vanishing Cream, was an object of fascination to teenage me. No-one seemed to know what exactly was supposed to vanish with its careful application … not the ladies in Boots, not my Granny, no-one! Did it vanish pores? Freckles? Wrinkles? Popular opinion was divided, but I bought some anyway because I like a mystery. And thus I discovered that vanishing cream had the loveliest texture imaginable.
I can now say with confidence that the vanishing element of a vanishing cream is all about its formulation: it ‘vanishes’ into the skin. It was a good choice for teenage me with her slightly oily T-zone and plump little cheeks, although at the time it was seen as very much an older person’s product, and an old fashioned choice.
COTTAN describe the texture of their Evanescent Face Cream in beautifully poetic terms: ‘the vanishing cream melts on your skin like snow under your fingers’. Isn’t that lovely? Back in the days when I would dip my fingers into a pot of vanishing cream, it always gave me the same thrill as when you gently press your fingertip into fresh-fallen virgin snow, and it yields then gives beneath your touch. One of my favourite sensations! I’m happy to see that whoever writes copy for COTTAN is on the same wavelength with the texture.
This is a perfect cream for me, because although it’s more than 35 years since I first fell for Vanishing Cream, I stillrequire my moisturisers to be light in texture and a pleasure to all the senses. I can’t bear any feeling of weight or stickiness, and I’m always super-impatient to get my make-up on (if I’m wearing some), so the faster a cream ‘disappears’, the better I like it.
I ignore the majority of creams that address ‘age-related concerns’ , partly because I’m 54 now and don’t find that happy fact concerning at all, and partly because I assume those particular miracle potions are likely to be too expensive or too heavy, and cause me to go broke, break out, or both.
One little note about the packaging of the COTTAN Colection Arséne Evanescent Face Cream. It comes in one of those tubes that have to be squeezed carefully from the bottom lest you trap valuable product in the crinkles and creases that can form if you go at it like someone in a Tom & Jerry cartoon fighting with a toothpaste tube.
Usually, these tubes have a little pointy bit on the top to pierce the seal, but this doesn’t. With the benefit of hindsight I realise that there was probably a little tab available somewhere to peel the seal off, but I failed to notice it, and instead cleaned one of my Chinese hairpins and stabbed through the top like a beast. (Picture above) It was very satisfying!
You might now be asking yourself ‘what’s on the box that can out-do the poetry of that melting snow metaphor?’ If you want to find out for yourself, skip over the following paragraph and rejoin us at the next photograph that you see …
It says on the box: Fragrance: Perle de Rosée
Do you know what this means without having to turn to Reverso on your phone? If so, you are probably French and I envy you for it. Perle de Rosée translates as ‘dewdrop’.
French speakers, I beg you, if there is a more prosaic translation for ‘perle de rosée’, please don’t tell me what it is! I adore the idea that my face cream smells like dewdrops, even though I believe that you’d have to be a fairy or a molecular scientist to know what dewdrops actually smell like. Exaggerated claims on important factors (commonly seen now with clean and green washing being so lucrative) drive me insane with range, but poetic lunacy like this (that does no harm) makes my heart sing with joy!
Why have COTTAN called this the Collection Arséne?
Although Arséne is a French name familiar to the English (thanks to the work of gentleman thief Arséne Lupin, and former Arsenal football manager Arséne Wenger) I had no idea of the meaning of the name, or if it had an English equivalent. It turns out that it means ‘virile’ – how amazing is that? I love the flamboyant swagger of names like Beau Soleil and Beau Regard and now I can add Arséne to that list.
This COTTAN collection is called Collection Arséne in an homage to the original founder of COTTAN: Dr Jean-François Arséne Cottan, an innovative formulator and entrepreneur who founded his eponymous skincare line in Paris in 1840.
With an emphasis on skin freshness and health, COTTAN achieved international success in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. But sadly, the house didn’t survive into the 1920s and so has been une belle au bois dormant, for roughly 100 years.
Ganaël Bascoul has given COTTAN the metaphorical reviving kiss and a consequent second life, and is the founder of COTTAN in its new incarnation. His stated aim is to draw on and respect Dr Cottan’s original formulations, but to adjust where appropriate to suit modern sensibilities and meet today’s needs.
I approve of such a goal wholeheartedly. I have a fondness for heritage brands, but I’m all for taking advantage of subsequent discoveries and new technologies to deliver the best product possible today.
This sensibility often causes me to feel like an outlier when talking with perfume enthusiasts because I am seemingly alone in having no desire to wear an ‘original’ fragrance. I couldn’t care less if enormous amounts of oakmoss are essential to create the ‘true’ fragrance of any classic perfume: I’ll happily wear the adapted modern version to lessen my risk of developing perfume allergy, thanks all the same.
M. Bascoul wrote the preface to the little booklet that you’ll find inside the COTTAN Collection Arséne box, and the full text is written by Jean-Claude le Jollif. It’s a very enjoyable read. I don’t trust my French translation skills to give you a TLDR of the brand’s history and its current vision here, but I very much enjoyed having twelve pages of text to challenge myself with, and it’s a graceful touch that adds an extra #BeMoreFrench element to the COTTAN Collection Arséne skincare experience.
Individually, the three products cost:
COTTAN Arséne Collection Savon Visage Dulcifié (Softened Face Soap) £15.00
COTTAN Arséne Collection Vinaigre Micellaire de Beauté (Micellar Beauty Vinegar) £25.00
COTTAN Arséne Collection Crème Visage Évanescente (Evanescent Face Cream) £35.00
COTTAN Ritual Box Arséne Collection (all three products) as reviewed here: £75.00
Very well! I firmly believe that over-working and worrying your poor peau in the endless pursuit of ‘perfect’ skin is a counter-productive waste of time and energy.
I’m always on the lookout for products that don’t terrify me with wild claims of transformation, or horrify me with marketing that suggests the only good skin is skin without expression lines. I want my skincare to be a pleasure to choose, and a pleasure to use – and the COTTAN Collection Arséne is exactly that.
If you are only in the market for one purchase, and can’t decide which of these three COTTAN products will best suit your needs, allow me to suggest that channeling your favourite French literary heroine might help you make your selection!
I think that the Savon Visage (Softened Face Soap) is the one to choose to feel like Colette’s Claudine, scrubbing off her ink-stains at the tap in the Montigny school playground, and hoping the sleazy school inspector passes by.
Opt for the more fruity and exuberant pleasures of the Vinaigre Micellaire (Micellar Beauty Vinegar) if you want to channel the flashing eyes and heaving bosom bravura of Sergeanne Golon’s Angélique.
If you want soft, soft skin, that glows like innocence itself, to press up against the whiskery cheek of some disgraceful old roué, like Colette’s Gigi or Zola’s Nana, then the Crème Visage Évanescent (Evanescent Face Cream) offers a level of sensuous pleasure that any self-respecting courtesan would demand!
And if you yourself are a disgraceful old roué, bring out your billfold and treat yourself or a friend to the COTTAN Collection Arséne Ritual Box!
The COTTAN Collection Arséne launched in the UK at The French Pharmacy and (at the time of writing) is exclusive to them. Find the products in-store at Marylebone (10 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 8UL) and online.
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by AMBER VOLLER
full article here
Ordinarily, you'd have to visit one of Dr Marine Vincent's two London-based stores to pick her incredibly knowledgeable brain but thanks to the launch of her digital consultation service, anyone can now gain access to this health and skincare guru.
The registered pharmacist founded her businesses – The French Pharmacy and Make Me Feel Pharmacie – after noticing stark contrasts between pharmacies here and her native France.
The smart concept took off and now she stocks almost 70 different brands – all chosen based on her decades of experience and elite French pharmacy training. At the heart of her offering is independent, expert personal advice – just like you'd get back in France – so consultancy is innate to Dr Marine.
Get the Gloss contributor Amber Voller gave her five stars:
"Dr Marine really is an unsung hero of the skincare world. The key thing about digital consultations is connecting with the expert and sharing the same ethos. If, you've found other services intimidating or, like me, are cautious of sensitising your skin with potent formulas and a complex routine, she's 'The One.'
"It felt I could ask her all kinds of questions and get an honest and impartial answer. Dr Marine will even recommend other independent experts – like acupuncturists, nutritionists and hypnotherapists – to help get to the root of a problem.
"In my case, she listened to my concerns (wanting to gently combat pigmentation and pores) and explained how I could incorporate just one additional product – either La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum, £38.50, or A313 Pommade 50, £18.99 – into my routine."
Price: £45 for 30 minutes, redeemable against products.
]]>The secret is there is no secret. Like skincare and wellness, all you need is for your hair to be healthy inside out. And like everything else, prevention is the most important step in our routine.
We are big in supplementing.
A lot of things can impact the state of your hair but especially vitamin and minerals deficiencies. For example, research has shown that vitamin D plays a role in stimulating new and old follicles. According to Dr Almohanna 'micronutrients are major elements in the normal hair follicle cycle, playing a role in cellular turnover'. Iron deficiency is also very common in hair loss.
We will often do 'une cure' of supplements, getting the right nutrients until your hair feels and looks healthy.
Phyto phanere hair&skin supplements £37
PhytoPhanère is a dietary supplement formulated with renowned vitamins, plant extracts, and minerals as zinc which contributes to the maintenance of normal hairs and nails to strengthen and help the growth of them. Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis. Biotin (Vitamin B8) contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
Sugarbear hair £20.99
Sugar Bear Hair was formulated with essential hair-friendly vitamins like biotin, folic acid, and Vitamin D.
Just chew and swallow 2 gummy bears a day to get all the nutrients needed to meet your hair goals! Unlike the conventional large, gross vitamins, our gummies are easy to take and are gentle on your stomach.
Massage your scalp.
During your shampoo, take the time to massage your scalp. Use light circular mouvements with the tips of your fingers. This will activate microcirculation from your roots and make your hair stronger.
You can also add a scalp massage when you do your hair treatment once a week.
A weekly hair mask (oil or cream) can strenghten and protect your hair strands and make even the driest hair look healthy.
Lazartigue Intensive Repair Mask.
Resuscitate and rejuvenate fine, dry hair with the Lazartigue Nourish Light Nutrition Mask. This ultra-nourishing formula invigorates thinner tresses with enviable lustre and shine without adding uncomfortable weight.
Hei Poa Hair Mask Nourishing Repair
Enriched with Tahiti Monoi Oil, this mask intensely nourishes dry, damaged and brittle hair. A veritable treatment, it repairs and strengthens hair fibres, providing anti-breakage action. Nourished and repaired, hair regains its softness and shine, and is left with the sweet scent of coconut water.
Protect your hair from the sun.
In high doses, sun exposure weakens the scalp and hair. Too long exposure can even cause dandruff, as well as impacting the roots. The result is hair that thins, breaks or falls more easily. Needless to say, if your hair is already very fragile, exposing it several hours a day will not help. Use a protective hair care, which will protect your hair from the sun’s rays.
Phyto Plage Original protective sun oil £17
A luxurious sun protective oil that delivers water-resistant protection against damaging UV rays and guards color while creating a sleek, polished finish.
Hei Poa Hair oil £9.99
Let yourself be transported by the rich and exotic notes of Pure Tahiti Monoi Oil AO. Made by soaking fresh Tiare flowers in Copra Oil, Monoi oil is Tahiti's best-kept beauty secret.A multi-purpose product, it is used to hydrate*, nourish, soften and repair your skin and hair.
Brush your hair.
Make a habit of brushing your hair every morning and especially in the evening before bedtime. This action frees them from the impurities and pollution they have accumulated during the day and oxygens the roots. Be careful, however, to use a high-quality hair brush and to overdo this beauty ritual at the risk of breaking the hair fiber.
Tangle Teezer £14
Perfect for use on wet hair, it gently but confidently detangles vulnerable hair, helping to cause less breakage. Use it to draw conditioning treatments through the hair to prepare for your healthiest ever blow-dry. It has an ergonomically designed handle for a comfortable and non-slip grip when using in the shower.
Use the right hair care
The products you choose to maintain your hair are also important for their vitality. The main thing is to choose products adapted to the needs of your hair. Hair dull and weakened? Try restorative care with keratin. Oily and flat hair? Try shampoos and purifying or sebo-regulating care. It’s all about respecting the nature of your hair.
Testosterone determines the masculine characteristics of men’s skin and gives it a different structure than that of women’s skin. Men skin, body and face, is generally thicker, oilier and therefore ages differently.
On average, male skin is about 20% thicker than female skin. It contains more collagen and looks thicker and firmer.
It also encounters more aggressions especially with shaving.
Dr Marine Vincent recommends these skincare products.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast baume B5
Keep your skin free from irritation and inflammation by applying a soothing balm after shaving. Cicaplast Baume B5 is a multi-purpose antibacterial cream that makes a perfect post-shaving balm. Enriched with soothing Madecassoside, Glycerin and Shea Butter, it can also be used on a variety of other skin irritations such as rashes, chapped skin, grazes and minor burns – preventing infection and calming sore, sensitive skin.
Phyto Phytolium + Stimulating Shampoo
PHYTOLIUM+, the anti-hair loss treatment for men for the first signs of thinning
With shiitake extract and rosemary extraction, the 82% natural formula cleanses the scalp without causing irritation using very mild and biodegradable surfactants derived from coconut.
Nuxe Men moisturising multi purpose gel
This face cream with oak and hornbeam extracts and hyaluronic acid moisturises, restores energy to the skin and mattifies oily areas of the face. It immediately soothes and delivers instant comfort with no greasy effect. It moisturises and reduces signs of stress and fatigue.
What does SPF mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number next to it indicates how long until your skin gets red without sunscreen.
What’s the difference between sunscreens?
Chemical sunscreens, also known as filters.
Chemical sunscreens get absorbed in the skin and then absorb UV rays. Those UV rays are converted into heat.
Chemicals sunscreens active ingredients are:
They can result in skin irritation as they are absorbed in the skin.
They need to be applied at least 20 mins before sun exposure but because of the chemical composition these sunscreens need to be re-applied often.
Mineral sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreens.
these work by absorbing and then scattering or deflecting the UV radiation in addition to absorbing the UV light and releasing as heat. There two chemicals used:
Mineral sunscreens provide protection from the sun immediately after application. They tend to last longer in the sun; however will be washed off with sweat and water. They are less irritant on the skin. They leave whitish cast on the skin and therefore are often not cosmetically acceptable for people with darker skin tones. Often larger amounts are required to achieve adequate protection.
Mineral sunscreens are also used for children under 3 years and by people allergic to Filter or even sun.
Do you have any recommendations for darker skin tones?
The "water" type sunscreens do not leave any residue and therefore are not interacting with skin colour.
Also any fluid textures such as La Roche Posay Fluid are ideal.
What protection should I use?
For any sun exposure longer than 15-20 mins then I would recommend at least SPF 30. But if you have light to very light skin tone, you will need an SPF 50.
Babies under the age of 6 months should not be in direct sunlight and older children should be applying SPF 50.
How often should I apply and can I apply over makeup?
You should apply sun protection every 2 hours.
There are some formulations such as mists that can be used as a top up during the day over make up but in general we apply sunscreen after your skincare routine (cleansing, serum and cream) and before your make up.
How much should I use?
For face and neck: Half a teaspoon
Arms: One teaspoon
Legs: Two teaspoons
Front and Back of torso: Two teaspoons
Which one do you personally use?
I personally love the mists or sprays as I am not very good at rubbing creams!
I started using Vichy waters two years ago and I love that it is so easy to use and really feels like water.
In doubt which one would you recommend?
Anthelios stays the number one sun protection in Pharmacies and you can't go wrong with it!
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How do you define ‘good sleep’?
A “good quality of sleep” is defined by a few criteria:
- falling asleep soon after getting into bed, within 30 minutes or less.
Sleep deprivation is a serious matter and a growing issue within our modern lives and even more with the recent Covid situation. There are many consequences and can lead to physical effects (sleepiness, hypertension, reduced immune system functions), cognitive impairment (lack of performance, poor attention and motivation) and mental health issues (depression).
The good news is that sleep has been very well studied and understood and there is a lot of options available.
And how do you make good sleep happen?
There is no magic there and we are not all equal with sleep pattern.
I believe that good sleep starts with good lifestyle.
A balanced diet, regular exercise, relaxation, not going too late to bed, etc .. are the basic elements for a good quality of sleep.
There is also a lot of natural help which have been well documented such has plants, magnesium and sophrology techniques.
What can you do if stress affects your sleep?
Stress is proven to affect sleep and sleep deprivation is also proven to be linked with increase of stress so it very important to stop this vicious circle.
This year have seen a massive increase of sleep disturbances caused by stress related to the Covid situation and I have been solicited much more than usual for this issue.
For sleep issues caused by recent stress, I recommend a combination of things:
What is called “sleeping pills” is generally the medicines category called “hypnotic” as they induce sleep.
They can be a great help for people who are sleep deprived and have tried a lot of others options.
They are always prescribed by a doctor for a short period of time as they can cause addiction and they are not inducing a good quality sleep.
Thankfully they are not the only option and they have to be reserved to specific cases.
As a Dr in pharmacie, what would you recommend for sleeping issues?
First, I ask a few questions to understand where the problem. Is the issue falling asleep, is it interrupted sleep, is it a recent issue, did you travel recently, or are you under a lot of stress, what is your age?
Indeed, every sleep issue is different and should be addressed individually.
For instance, if the sleep disturbance is caused by recent changes in your life (in the case of a new job, moving, etc), I would recommend scientifically proven herbal remedies such as Valerian or Passiflora combined with magnesium.
But if the problem is more related with falling asleep, I would probably suggest some over the counter sleep aids.
It is also important to remember that medication is not always the answer and it is important to change some habits such as no screens one hour before going to bed, practice regular exercise and meditation for example.
And what do you personally do for a good night sleep?
I am lucky to be a good sleeper. However, like everyone I have periods of stress and I did experiment with a few things that work for me.
A warm bath with magnesium flakes and lavender essential oils is always of a good help for releasing tensions.
Another technique I use if I wake up in the middle of the night with too many thoughts running in circles is body scan visualisation and deep breaths.
Also I never miss reading at least few pages in my bed, I usually fall asleep very shortly after!
My recommendation:
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Here are some key, science-backed, facts.
La créme de la créme of French Pharmacy skin care and treatments as chosen by you (and endorsed by us)
Collosol milk water was conceived in Paris in the 50s. Located near the Champs Elysees Theater, a pharmacy was regularly visited by famous actresses, in search of an exceptional product capable of erasing makeup and tired after the performances. To satisfy these artists, the pharmacist has designed a unique formulation, half milk and half water, subtle perfume and incomparable sweetness. This precious fluid, inspired by ancient beauty rituals, gives the skin clarity, splendour and scented sweetness, and could be used on the face or in the bath. Collosol Milk Water was born.
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As a medical professional, Dr Marine firmly believes that prevention is better than cure. September usually brings extra stress with school runs and going back to work.
This September is even more stressful for obvious reasons. So this is the perfect time to put all necessary steps in place to support your immune system.
According to Harvard Medical School, 'the immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balance and harmony.'
It is best to take a global approach to best support that system.
Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as these:
Like any fighting force, the immune system army marches on its stomach. Healthy immune system warriors need good, regular nourishment. Scientists have long recognized that people who live in poverty and are malnourished are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Whether the increased rate of disease is caused by malnutrition's effect on the immune system, however, is not certain. There are still relatively few studies of the effects of nutrition on the immune system of humans.
There is some evidence that various micronutrient deficiencies — for example, deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E — alter immune responses in animals, as measured in the test tube. However, the impact of these immune system changes on the health of animals is less clear, and the effect of similar deficiencies on the human immune response has yet to be assessed.
Regular exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. It improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against a variety of diseases. But does it help to boost your immune system naturally and keep it healthy? Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.
Originally published in The Harvard Medical School Health Publishing
Did you know that unprotected exposure to the sun is the #1 cause of premature skin aging?
There are two main types of UV rays that cause sun damage: UVA and UVB.
UVA (longer-wave) rays activate skin in an unhealthy way to become tan, but they are not the rays responsible for sunburn. UVA rays go far deeper into skin and trigger skin-cancer and premature aging damage.
UVB (shorter-wave) rays are responsible for causing sunburn and also trigger premature aging damage. UVB is considered the common cause of most skin cancers.
A new study by Zachary W. Lipsky, a biomedical engineering PhD candidate at Binghamton University and overseen by Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Guy K. German found is that no UV range is more harmful than another -rather, the damage scales with the amount of UV energy that the skin absorbs. A more significant discovery, however, is the mechanism for how exactly UV damages skin. The study shows that UV weakens the bonds between cells in the stratum corneum -- the top layer of skin -- by affecting proteins in corneodesmosomes that help the cells to adhere together. That's why sunburn leads to skin peeling. It damages the skin's structural integrity.
"We're trying to push the message to use sunscreen not just for preventing skin cancer, but also to keep the integrity of your skin so you don't get infections or other problems," Lipsky said.
"The stratum corneum is the first barrier to the outside environment, so we need to protect it against all these different bacteria and nasty stuff that can get into our bodies."
CONSEQUENCES OF SUN DAMAGE
Sun damage has short- and long-term consequences. The immediate visible results are sunburns. In its moderate form, it gives red skin and slight burns. In more serious cases, it is accompanied by blisters, nausea and dizziness.
The long-term consequence of unprotected exposure to the sun is a dull, uneven complexion and dry skin. The sun can dry out the skin and empty it of its essential fatty acids, leaving a dry feeling and appearance, and over time a wrinkled surface. Damage from the sun slows down cell renewal, causing an accumulation of dead cells.
They can also cause persistent pigmentation and brown spots.
Damage from the sun can also destroy collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein that maintains skin firmness and elastin a fiber support that gives the skin its elasticity. A breakdown of collagen and elastin in the dermis causes premature aging of the skin, a loss of elasticity and firmness resulting in wrinkles and fine lines.
Most of the effects of sun damage are cosmetic, but it can become a real problem for your health when it comes to skin cancers. Repeated sunburns and unprotected exposure can increase the risk of several forms of skin cancer.
This is also why sun protection is so important.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Prevention is better than cure, so be sure to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun every day. It is never too early (or too late) to start using an SPF. More precisely, the older you get, the harder it is for your skin to repair the effects of sun damage, so it is better to start early. For a day with average sunshine, your morning SPF should suffice. But if you go out for a long time or if you sweat a lot, it will be necessary to reapply SPF regularly to ensure full protection. Also be aware that some medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Sun damage also affects the lips. Do not forget to protect them with a SPF 30 balm at least. Reapply regularly, as the actions of eating, drinking and talking quickly eliminate protection.
REDUCE VISIBLE SUN DAMAGE
Even if the skin damage caused by sun is irreversible, there are products that can help reduce the appearance of these damages.
An AHA exfoliator: it exfoliates the surface of the skin, helping to blur pigmentation spots and reduce dryness. Your complexion will be more even and look healthier.
Retinol: stimulates the natural process of cell renewal, reduces wrinkles and depigmentation associated with the sun.
Vitamin C: it reduces brown spots, helps lighten and even out the complexion, protects against external aggressions.
Antioxidant serums: their powerful antioxidants protect against external aggressions and boost the effectiveness of your SPF protection against the sun.
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Dr Marine Vincent is a French docteur in pharmacy and started her career working at La Pharmacie du parc in Neuilly sur Seine, Paris; before moving to London. After several years working as Head of Pharmacie at Medicare Français the idea for Make Me Feel French pharmacy was born and she set up her London Parapharmacie and dedicated online store Thefrenchpharmacy.co which, due to its ongoing success, is now being franchised.
“A good skincare routine for a French girl will involve cleansing, moisturising, putting on an SPF and a bit of lipstick…et voilà!” says Dr Marine Vincent, founder of The French Pharmacy and French girl herself, of the simple 4-part beauty regime we all long to adopt in our everlasting quest to be as insouciant as a real French girl. “We want simplicity; we stick to our favourite products and are loyal to the essentials which we love forever once we’ve found them. Plus, there is a really strong intergenerational loyalty to a brand,” she continues.
Many of us Brits seek the latest big skincare trend or product du jour, enjoying a roster of different brands on our shelves – and, why not? – but, as Vincent points out, our French sisters take a more measured approach to their routines: “They use few products but choose them carefully for their quality rather than based on hype, taking their mother’s and grandmothers’ advice for skincare tips and regimen. Their bathroom cabinets are usually full of pharmaceutical dermocosmetics.”
The French aesthetic has always been minimalistic when it comes to beauty, with healthy, fresh skin being a key element to any look; the cardinal rule, however, is never to look too “done”: “It’s rare to see fake eyelashes, fake nails or self tan on a French girl,” says Vincent. “She embraces her imperfections, which make her unique, but will take time over her skin, deploying a preventative approach.” With an innate knowledge of what their skin needs – and conversely what it doesn’t – French women rarely go too far on the sun exposure (guilty) or forget to remove their make-up at night (guilty again).
Dry skin, as a skin type is known as alipidic skin. This means the skin does not produce much oil. If your skin doesn’t retain moisture, it becomes dry.
How do you recognise dry skin?
Pores are medium to small and often even nearly invisible which usually results in a smoother texture. Follicles don’t have a chance to dilate and stretch pores because there isn’t as much oil production. Oily skin types have to use retinol to achieve smaller-looking pores.
There is minimal to no acne as oil is one of the main causes of blemishes.
Skin feels tight and dry, and appears rough and flaky. And the skin can take on a dull or ashy look. Dry skin also has fine lines and wrinkles that are pronounced. Dry skin means the skin barrier is compromised, and that’s why you might see an increase in sensitivity. Inflammation causes a chain of biochemical reactions that lead to collagen and elastin breakdown. Keeping skin irritation to a minimum is essential.
What causes dry skin?
Genetics: Dryness, unlike dehydration, is something you’re born with.
Age: The skin has a harder time retaining moisture, as you get older.
Lifestyle: Airplane travel, alcohol consumption, and antihistamines taken for allergies are big contributors.
Environment: This can include climate, heaters, and air conditioning units.
Prolonged exposure to the sun and heat
Overly drying skincare products such as bar soaps, high-foaming cleansers, and prescription retinoids
Hormones: Oestrogen, which normally retains water in the dermis for a plump, moist look, naturally diminishes with age. The skin deflates and wrinkles become more pronounced.
How can you treat dry skin?
The best way is to use a skincare routine designed for dry skin. A routine, which includes gentle exfoliants to smooth away the dry cells leading to a rough texture, the right type of moisturiser or oil with protectants and emollients to create a barrier preventing moisture loss.
Wash your face with mild cleansing lotions formulated for dry skin and avoids using bar soap or harsh foaming cleansers.
After washing your face, never leave the skin bare for more than 60 seconds, as it will help prevent loss of moisture. You should always immediately apply your next product.
Apply a moisturising serum before your moisturiser to provide an additional layer of protection.
Finally, layer oil on top of your moisturiser and use retinol very carefully.
What Exactly is Dehydrated Skin?
Dehydrated skin is skin which lacks water content.
If you get breakouts but your skin seems dry, it is simply dehydrated not dry. Dehydration is common in oily to combination skin and is often a direct result of using overly harsh products.
How to recognise dehydrated skin?
Your skin feels tight and easily forms fine lines due to lack of water in surface cells. It may feel tight one day and normal the next day. If you are regularly using drying products or regularly over-exfoliating then it will feel tight consistently.
Causes for dehydrated skin includes lifestyle such as air travel and alcohol consumption as well as age, which slows down cell cycle significantly. Another culprit is overly drying skin care products such as bar soaps, high-foaming cleansers, and prescription retinoids.
How to treat dehydrated skin?
The best way is to use a skincare routine designed for keeping moisture in the skin. This should include gentle exfoliators to smooth away the surface dehydrated cells that can contribute to skin tightness.
Use a moisturiser containing humectants with ingredients like glycerine, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, sorbitol, allantoin and algae. Humectants are good to draw water from the second layer of skin into the outer layer. Use alcohol-free toners containing humectants.
After cleansing, never leave the skin bare for more than 60 seconds to prevent moisture evaporation. You must immediately apply your next products which should be a moisturising toner
Apply a serum underneath your moisturiser for a better hydration.
Do not use exfoliants and scrubs too often and too much as they can cause dehydration and inflammation.
Choose sulphate-free cleansing gels as it prevents unnecessary dehydration.
When the skin is dry or dehydrated, it’s usually more sensitive.
Because dry skin does not retain water easily, you need to use oil in order to properly retain water.
Choose your moisturiser wisely : moisturisers are comprised of emollients and hydrators, or humectants. Emollients keep moisture in the skin, and hydrators attract water to the skin. All moisturisers contain a mixture of both. If your skin is on the oily side, you should choose a light lotion that contains more humectants and fewer emollients. But if your skin does not produce oil, then you need a richer cream with more emollients. These will act as a seal and protect the skin from water loss.
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What is 'Lockdown skin'?
Surely with less makeup, less exposure to pollution and sun, you'd think your skin would be glowing and clear? So what's with the extra oily skin or super dry skin? The sudden breakouts? This is 'Lockdown skin'. Bad skin is not the end of the world and put in perspective there are worse things to think about in the middle of a pandemic, but we think skincare is self care. And self care is essential.
Let's look at what might be the culprits.
Snacks attack
You are more likely to be snacking all day long, I know we are... from boredom and for comfort. Which will impact on your skin as most comfort snacks are highly processed and full of sugar. Sugar breaks down collagen, the protein responsible for your skin looking plump, youthful, and lifted. Also, sugar can weaken the immune system, and a suppressed immune system is bad at fighting off bacteria.
While it is not realistic to quit sugar during a stressful quarantine, you might be able to switch some of the sugary snacks to less harmful ones like fruits.
Stress
Let's face it, the whole world is under traumatic stress right now. Fear and uncertainty will raise your cortisol through the roof.
Stress is a recognised trigger for inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.
Your body creates cortisol under stress. Cortisol is often called the "stress hormone" because of its connection to the stress response. Too much cortisol results in acne and accelerate the ageing process, leading to the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
According to dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, if you don’t sleep enough and you’re under a lot of stress, your brain releases cortisol, and then that causes your skin to get really dried out and inflamed, and acne, psoriasis, and everything gets worse. “That’s called ‘transepidermal water loss,’ and it basically means that your skin barrier isn’t strong anymore and the water’s just evaporating. Then, you’re set up for infections and inflammation.” Otherwise known as acne.
Dehydration
Dehydration can be from two factors; not drinking enough water and drinking too many cups of coffee, tea or sugary beverages which will dehydrate your skin. While it is very important to drink water daily (you need water to live), it might not be the best or fastest way to hydrate your skin.
Celebrity facialist Renée Rouleau says that 'You’ve heard about the importance of drinking water to hydrate the skin yet no matter how much you drink, your skin still feels tight and dry. Sound familiar? The reason why this occurs is that research shows drinking water to be the least efficient way to hydrate the skin.
Drinking water does not hydrate the skin in the way you’ve always been lead to believe. Skin cells are like fish and need water to live and applying topical hydration with skincare products will always be the most effective way to plump up thirsty skin cells. The result will be dewy, fresh and healthy-looking skin.'
Self-care is important at the moment, but don’t worry if you are breaking out or struggling with dryness. If you have bigger things to worry about right now, that is completely understandable. But making little changes to help your skin will likely help to boost you overall health and mental wellbeing too.
La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallego Serum
Institut Esthederm Eau Cellulaire mist
Vichy Mineral 89 Fortifying Recovery Mask
Synonymous with adolescence in the collective imagination, acne can persist - or even appear - in adulthood.
All acne is hormonal. Acne occurs when your body produces an increased amount of certain hormones that stimulate the production of sebum.
Normal sebum production keeps your skin fresh, smooth and healthy. However, overproduction of sebum can clog hair follicles and cause you to develop acne.
Everyone has a different sensitivity to certain hormones, meaning an increase in hormone levels that could cause one person to break out with acne could have no effect on a person with lower sensitive to acne-causing hormones.
The biggest culprit is testosterone, an androgen hormone that can stimulate sebum production and increase clogging of your hair follicles.
Hormones exist in a delicate balance in your body. Even a small increase in one hormone can have a noticeable effect on your skin.
If acne is always hormonal, its late onset is related to factors that can be identified… And therefore limited. Acne may, for example, be related to the prescription of drugs (especially hormone or cortisone treatments) or to the exercise of certain professions (especially for all those who work in contact with chlorine or tar).
For others, it is special circumstances that will trigger the appearance of spots. The most common is abuse of cosmetics or the use of poor-quality cosmetics. Products that are too greasy, especially too oily, may clog the pores of the skin. Over cleansing your face destroys the normal cutaneous flora and will leave room for more aggressive microbes.
What is the appropriate care?
You must adapt your skincare to prevent further 'attacks' to the skin. First step: swap your soap for a mild cleanser. And do not wash your face excessively. In the evening, use a non-comedogenic makeup remover. Then rinse the entire face with warm water and apply a non-alcoholic tonic lotion followed by a moisturiser, which should also be non-comedogenic.
Some of the most common treatments are vitamin A derivatives that can be used locally or generally. Retinoids work by speeding up your skin’s growth process and causing your skin to turn over more quickly than normal. But be careful, these treatments do make the skin thinner and therefore more sensitive to the sun. Avoid exposure and rely on maximum sun protection at all times. It is also possible to prescribe anti-androgens to reverse the effects of testosterone.
Natural treatments
Phytotherapy can help alleviate mild to moderate acne. For example you can clean your face with an infusion of thyme or lavender. Those can also be used to make warm compresses to be applied directly to spots. A traditional remedy that has been widely proven are green clay masks, with optional sage oil. It protects the epidermis from microbes and bacteria and absorbs excess sebum. It can even have regenerating power for mature skins.
Dr Marine Vincent recommended products
La Roche Posay Effaclar H Cream Cleanser
La Roche Posay Toleriane Cleanser
La Roche Posay Toleriance Riche Moisturiser
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What exactly is thermal water?
A spring is a point at which water flows from an aquifer to the Earth's surface. During this process minerals are dissolved into the water as it passes through underground rocks. When collected correctly, the water is pure, clean and free from pollution. In addition spring water usually has a neutral pH.
A thermal spring is a spring of naturally hot water. The heat is produced by water which rises from the Earth’s crust. These thermal springs are a popular source of tourism all over the world due to their skin healing benefits. Heated water is able to contain more dissolved solids than cold water, so thermal springs often have a high mineral content.
Depending on geographical areas and soil geology, thermal water contains different trace elements. Some are richer in bicarbonate, some are richer in sulphur, some are richer in selenium.
In order to be used for therapeutic purposes, a thermal water is subject to rigorous standards as set out by the Public Health Code. Thermal water is thus used for its many health benefits, especially in dermatology.
We hear a lot about thermal water in French skincare products. Why do French pharmacists use thermal water to heal the skin?
Because thermal water contains minerals with healing properties and is pure without bacteria or pollution, it is recognised for its therapeutic properties, particularly for atopic skins.
Avène Thermal Spring Water has been clinically shown by over 150 studies to soothe, soften and calm the skin for example.
In France, 'les cures thermales" are so popular (and proven efficient) that spa treatments are covered by the government. Doctors even prescribe thermal water treatments for their patients.
Thermal water has been proven to heal arthritis, joint pain and even burns, but nowadays in French parapharmacies, thermal water is mostly used for skin issues, specifically for atopic skins.
Thermal water is particularly recommended to soothe sunburn, irritation, razor burns and even eczema. The composition of the water helps relieve the skin and thus calm most burns. For optimal efficiency in these cases, go for less mineralised water and especially rich in trace elements. They have the ability to help with healing.
Some of France's favourite thermal waters:
The well-known product from Avène is obviously Avène Eau Thermal spring water. French girls use it as a base before foundation to moisturise the skin, or as a refreshing spray during summer.
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is naturally mineral-rich and is sourced from a 1,700 year-old spring at the heart of a Medieval French village. La Roche Posay thermal water is valued for its high natural selenium content, a powerful healing antioxidant with neutral PH levels.
Vichy thermal water secret ingredient is the naturally occurring Mineralizing Water, which is rich in 15 rare minerals including calcium, potassium and manganese.Vichy thermal water is sourced in a protected area that’s been preserved from pollution since 1874, this water, pure and 100% natural reinforces skin’s natural defences against daily aggressions.
Uriage Thermal Water has flowed for 75 years through the rocks. As the seasons pass by, it gets enriched with minerals and trace elements. Uriage thermal water is an active Water with a unique mineral composition of 11g/L and an isotonic water that acts, like a physiological serum, in osmosis with the skin’s cells.
All French families have at least one of these in their home pharmacy kit, and of course, the whole family can use it as it is suitable for all ages.
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Where are you from in France ?
I come from Montpellier, but I live in Marseille. I have provencal roots.
I’m a hundred percent southern french girl.
What is your daily skincare routine?
I start my day by cleansing my face with Bioderma's Sensibio micellar water. Then, before applying make-up, I use the Prodigious boost cream from Nuxe.
Every evening I wash my face with the Cleanance cleanser from Avène, then I moisturise my face with the Avène crème compensatrice et nutritive.
How do you get ready for a night out or an event? Any secret tips?
For a party, it's important to be 'stylée' from head to toe. I wash my hair and nourish using Klorane Nourishing Leave-in Cream with Mango Butter before and after using a hair dryer and curling or straightening iron, and I also take care to apply a green clay mask to my face in the morning.
My little trick that makes the difference is to apply a little bit of l’Huile prodifieuse Or from Nuxe to the body and hair.
How do you take care of your body and wellbeing in general?
I try to eat as healthy as possible and drink plenty of water as it helps to stabilise my acne problems. When I have time I like to get up early in the morning and go for a walk to get some fresh air, I feel better after that.
If you had to choose one beauty or skincare products only to take with you, which one would it be ?
Definitely a gloss. I find that it looks great and enhances the rest of the makeup while moisturising the lips. My favourites are definitely the Fenty beauty one and Hoola lip gloss from benefit.
How do you relax?
To feel relaxed I take a hot shower, wash my hair and put on soft pyjamas to go to bed to watch a show, while lighting a candle on my bedside table.
Favourite place in London?
Very touristy cliché, but I'd say Camden Town and Soho.
Favourite holiday or travel destination?
Nothing better than a holiday in my family home in Alpes de Hautes Provence, I could spend all my days going to the small local markets and taking pictures of the lavender fields.
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Are we totally over flowers and chocolate?
We might be... How to make the right gesture without being boring or too cheesy (romance= oui, cheese= non, even if we are French)
Here's a few ideas from our team (to their other half; this is as big of a hint you will get).
A staycation in a hotel.
A night away but not too far just for yourself? Yes, please. Time for yourself feels insanely luxurious especially if you spend most of your week juggling career, children and making dinners and friends... You can enjoy relax and quiet time together (20 minutes) away from home.
With a staycation, there is no complicated organisation, no packing and no guilt over an expensive trip. And you can visit all your favourite places.
A floating experience.
According to FloatWorks, Floating heals your body and rebalances your mind.
Floatation therapy is the practice of lying back in one of FloatWorks world-leading floatation tanks and experiencing a blissful, healing state.
Floating heals the body and mind, and provides the perfect antidote to a busy, city lifestyle.
Getting your body healed and your mind rebalanced together might very well be the most romantic thing ever, non?
A tailored massage.
Experiences are better than things they say. In the case of massages, it is very true indeed. Regardless if you choose a deep tissue massage or Reflexology, you will always come out feeling better. And feeling good is the point. This can be a gift of self love and self care as well. The perfect excuse to show how much you love yourself this Valentine's Day.
An immersive dining experience.
Instead of sitting down in an ultra romantic restaurant filled with tables for two only, why not try something a little (or a lot) different? If you fancy an unconventional, unforgettable dining adventure, then immersive dining is for you.
Immersive dining is a when you enjoy your dining in a theatrical surrounding. Every event or location will follow a theme, and the setting's decor, and actors or performers will make the experience come to life.
From The Medieval Banquet to Cabaret via or even a Hidden Woodland Foraged Feast, there are plenty of unique dining experiences.
A romantic dinner.
That you cook together. You can even take a class prior to the big evening and enjoy the results together. This is also major bonding time with your partner. Très romantique.
You can’t underestimate the power of cooking a meal together with your partner to actually help strengthen your relationship over all. Good food means happiness in the relationship.
Selection of gifts for Valentine's Day we love:
Signature scent with a luxurious caress Subtle and elegant notes of warm sand blend with silky-smooth, sensuous sandalwood and slight sweetness of vanilla. A delicious amber pairing with slight caramel notes with a finish of white musk, tuberous and sensual ylang-ylang that feels beautiful on the skin.
Roger & Gallet - L'Homme Eau de Toilette
L'Homme Eau de Toilette is a timeless cypress wood fragrance, very masculine, reflecting a rare vitality. The head is a duo combining lemon and fizzy aromatic mint, bewitched by a heart of lavender, clove and ylang-ylang, a veritable natural link between the Hesperidean opening and the woody base notes of vetiver, oak moss, sandalwood and patchouli to complete the deal.
Caudalie French Kiss Tinted Lip Balm
French Kiss lip balms melt onto your lips for hydration and protection in one single step.
Both elegant and sophisticated, French Kiss Séduction subtly caresses your lips with a soft pink tint.
Created by expert nose Fabrice Pellegrin, this uplifting fragrance contains a balancing mix of neroli, orange flower absolute and immortelle absolute, as well as distilled precious essences of ylang ylang, small grain angelical seeds and vetiver.
When it comes to hair care, vinegar is one of the first ingredients on the list, a real gift from nature. Its many health and beauty benefits make it an indispensable in a bathroom. Vinegar is indeed very interesting for the scalp and hair thanks to its acetic acid content and its low pH.
It is used mainly as an acid rinse, mixed with water, after washing the hair.
Be careful with the dosage, respecting the right ratio of water to vinegar to make an acid rinse water is very important if you do not want the vinegar to have the opposite effect and end up damaging your hair. It is therefore not a matter of mixing a little vinegar or lemon juice with water «by the nose», but of respecting precise quantities, studied specifically for this use.
Vinegar cannot strip the scalp and hair of their sebum and other oils, as does a shampoo. The hydrolipidic film is respected. However, the acidic pH of vinegar allows oily molecules to “break”, decompose and migrate elsewhere more easily. Thus, if there is an accumulation of sebum or oily products on the scalp, using vinegar makes it possible to distribute these fatty deposits over the entire hair more easily.
This is useful between two shampoos, if you want to eliminate the accumulation of sebum and oily or oil-based hair products on the scalp, and make them migrate to lengths and tips. Or to refresh the scalp after playing sports, for example. The vinegar will then be used as a spray, mixed with water.
Thanks to its acidic pH, vinegar also benefits length and tips by tightening the cuticles of the hair. When shampooing, the scales open, leaving the hair rough, dry, which become tangled easily. Normally, a conditioner is supposed to have an acidic pH in order to then tighten the scales and make the hair shiny and easier to comb. Unfortunately, this is not often the case. So a last rinse with vinegar is recommended to tighten the cuticles well, and thus preserve the beauty and health of your hair.
If you want to rinse acid with cider vinegar more regularly, it is advisable to increase the pH to about 4. Because using something too acidic too often can gnaw the scales of the hair.
To reach a pH of 4, mix 1 dose of vinegar with 48 doses of water (30ml or 2 tablespoons for 1.5L for example).
Shampoo and condition as usual, add the vinegar rinse on your wet hair, leave for a minute and rinse. Then just blow dry as you would usually do et voilà! shiny hair.
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What is Retinol?
Retinol aka Vitamin A is a cosmetic molecule, which for years has been the subject of studies comparable to those regulating drugs.
Retinol improves the renewal of epidermis cells, boost collagen synthesis and GAG (glycosaminoglycans), which hyaluronic acid is a part of, act on Langerhans cells, key cells of skin immune deficit, but also regulate melanocytes and oppose metalloproteins, which are responsible for the breakdown of collagen and elastin.
Since all these actions have been scientifically proven, dermatologists have made Retinol their favourite molecule, along with vitamin C and AHA.
Except for vitamin C, no molecules are known to have such visible and effective action on the signs of age.
Don't be scared of retinol
Until recently, people with sensitive skin could not use retinol because of its irritating effects. Today, retinol has been reworked, associated with anti-inflammatory agents and compatibility between active ingredients is more than ever monitored.
The “effective” concentration of the molecule can also cause irritations. Formulators believe that, in order to see results, cosmetic retinol needs to be dosed at 0.3%. However, at this concentration, sensitive skins can't handle it. It was therefore necessary to find a method to obtain this same concentration, but gradually release it into the skin, in order for the skin to adapt to it.
It is advisable to use Retinol in the evening to avoid photosensitivity, a heightened skin sensitivity or an unusual reaction when your skin is exposed to UV radiation from sunlight or a tanning bed. .
Because Retinol stimulates cell renewal to produce new skin cells; the new skin that develops is more delicate and thinner and therefore should not be exposed directly to sunlight. It is also wiser for this reason to start a retinol routine in winter. You should always use a strong sunscreen protection but especially if you use retinol.
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These are the most wanted, most searched for, don't leave 2019 without them...
Unfortunately the favourite Homeostick has been (temporarily?) discontinued but fear not because the lesser known but just as good if not better Dermophyl Indien is here to the rescue. This is probably the first 'beauty' product every French girl uses, I remember everyone having one on school ski trips. It has been around for a hundred years after all. The formula is second to none for chapped lips and it works wonder for deep deep hydration.
9. Bioderma Atoderm Huile Douche
Dermatologist Dr. Lily Talakoub says “It is the best moisturizing body wash I have ever used in my life, I give it to every single patient—it’s so inexpensive, and I use it to wash my body as well as to shave my legs. It’s amazing.”
A favourite for any eczema sufferer and anyone with super dry skin, the formulation with vegetal biolipids and niacinamide protects your skin barrier. “Anything that’s lipophilic is going to penetrate the skin better, so in general, the penetration of products that works best is an ointment or oil, then a cream, then a lotion, then a gel,” explains Dr. Talakoub.
Used worldwide by celebrity hairstylists and French women for years, this dry shampoo instantly gives volume, texture and removes greasy residue from hair in between shampoo. Le crème de la crème of dry shampoo.
This all natural French brand has already cult status in France but is lesser known over here. A mask in stick form? you might ask, oui. It is so perfect for application, we wonder why all our masks don't come in stick form now. And it is multi-tasking as well; repairs, detoxes and purifies in 5 minutes! No wonder it's fast becoming a bestseller.
With one sold every 28 seconds throughout the world, this is more than a lip balm. You can use it on every part of the body that needs it.
This intensive nutritive formula, the potent blend of Honey, plant oils, Shea Butter and Grapefruit Essence delivers consistent hydration and protection without any stickiness. Perfect as an overnight lip treatment, this can also be mixed with a bit of brown sugar to gently exfoliate lips, or massaged into cracked cuticles to accelerate healing. It can also be applied to especially dry patches – if you have any eczema or psoriasis, this will soothe itchiness and encourage skin to repair itself.
5. Institut Esthederm EVE Serum
Thanks to a raving review from Huda Beauty, this launch from Institut Esthederm has sold out in its first week. We couldn't agree more, try it and you'll never go back. It provides the ideal environment to help your skin naturally regenerate itself and thereby restore quality and firmness.
4. Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré
No, this does not contain embryos as we are often asked. Originally prescribed by doctors and a real beauty secret, favoured by dermatologists for decades; a combination of ingredients of natural origin, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins. Provides the skin with all the nutrients and water needed for its balance, and accelerates cell renewal. Embryolisse became cult also because so many makeup artists use it. Primer, moisturiser, hydrating mask... Embryolisse can do it all.
Biafine Act is a French bathroom cabinet staple and can be found in every French home. Bought as a general first aid cream, Biafine Act was originally developed for use on burn victims in hospitals to support skin healing by boosting cell production while simultaneously eliminating dead and damaged cells. This ointment is so common that basically if you are French, you have this in the medicine cabinet, and you will use it on everything from bruises to burns, dry skin, scars, and sunburn. If it is not bleeding or infected, this cream is for you. Ideal for post chemical peel and any cosmetic treatments leaving the skin in need of repair.
2. Filorga Time Filler Correction Cream
Filorga which was founded in 1978, creates products that promise similar anti-ageing effects to injectibles have in an at-home formula. Their Botox-like tripeptide limits muscular contractions and relaxes the skin for a younger-looking face. This cream which is like botox in a jar visibly reduces appearance of frown lines is reduced by 19% after just 3 days.
And the Number 1 is Collosol Eau de Lait
It has been a big year for Collosol Eau de Lait. This Cult French cleanser which was previously a french beauty secret you would get from the back room at La pharmacie has launched in the Uk and the Usa. And people are loving it. With celebrities such as the late Karl Lagerfeld literally bathing in it à la Cleopatra, this milky micellar water sold out four times when it launched. You can check the raving reviews in Get the Gloss, Harper's Bazaar and Cosmo if you still need more convincing...
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And your skin is already suffering.
Fear not, Dr Marine has the solutions.
First, it is best to understand what happens to your skin when the weather change for the colder (and drier).
The skin has three layers, each with a distinct role. The lowest or innermost layer consists of subcutaneous fat, which provides insulation, energy storage, and shock absorption. Above that is the dermis, which contains blood vessels, nerves, sweat and oil glands, and hair follicles. The top layer is the epidermis, the skin's main protective barrier and the level where drying occurs. It consists of stacked layers of cells that are constantly in transition, as younger, living cells rise from the lower part of the epidermis and eventually die and fall off after reaching the surface. This continuous cycle completely renews the skin about once a month.
Did you know that as temperatures decrease, your skin will produce 10% less oil for each degree drop in temperature leaving your skin feeling drier and tighter.
In a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, researchers found that a protein called Filaggrin plays a very important role in keeping your skin barrier.
Filaggrin is degraded to amino acids that maintain hydration within the cells and provide protection against solar UVB photons. The process is essential for making sure your skin keeps producing its natural moisturising factor.
Cold, dry air can make your the skin cells shrink and push your filaggrin to degrade, which leads to that dry, scaly texture. You are likely to experience the texture change on your cheeks and hands, since that area of your skin is naturally lower in Filaggrin. Any further change in those areas will cause dry skin and even inflammation (why your skin gets really red in winter).
For those suffering from eczema or psoriasis, cold and dry weather can have an even bigger effect on your skin leading to seasonal flare-ups.
It is most important to update your skin care routine and switch to more hydrating skincare products. Hydrating products hydrate your skin cells meaning they increase their water content. Moisturising products, on the other hand, help prevent moisture from evaporating from your skin thus reinforcing your skin's barrier.
Look for ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, urea or glycerin for hydrating properties and ceramides, shea butter or dimethicone for moisture.
You should also be using a humidifier to help with indoor dry air.
Winter Skincare Recommended by Dr Marine
Avène Eau Thermale Hydrance Aqua Gel
Institut Esthederm Intensive Hyaluronic Cream
Three different types of hyaluronic acid to intensively hydrate and stimulate the natural production of hyaluronic acid
La Roche Posay Lipikar Surgras
Avgel-cream made up of a 10% lipid replenishing concentrate that is soap-free and paraben-free, and is specifically designed for the dried out and uncomfortable skin of children and adults.
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Almost everyone thinks their skin is sensitive but there is more than one type of sensitive skin.
Sensitive skin is generally defined as skin that is easily reactive.
Some people have a genetic predisposition for sensitivity and others because of something they are doing.
There are different types of sensitivity.
Allergic sensitivity occurs when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it. Because anyone can have an allergy, all skin types can experience this type of sensitivity. It can be triggered by something you ate and will show anywhere where the allergen touched your skin (mouth, neck, face) but also some skincare components. Allergic sensitivity will show as redness, skin that is hot to the touch, swelling or rash.
Stop using the allergen immediately and focus on calming the skin. Do stick to a simplified skincare routine: cleanse, tone, moisturise.
For instant calming effect to an irritated skin, Dr Marine recommends Avène Skin Recovery Cream, which rapidly calms irritations and gives long-lasting protection to naturally sensitive skin or skin that has become irritable.
Then there is sensitivity caused by skincare products and irritants which lead to breakouts.
Some skincare and makeup can make you pores clogged which turns into breakouts. This type of sensitive skin is characterise by bumpy skin, whiteheads and Milia. You should avoid heavy makeup such as liquid foundation and creamy blushers as well as heavy face oil or water resistant sunscreens.
Use lightweight skincare products including calming and anti-bacterial products to get rid of any inflammation.
Dr Marine recommends using Avène Cicalfate Repair cream which combines repairing and antibacterial properties.
Sensitivity activated by heat.
Some people have skin that is sensitive to heat. This is because heat causes an increase in blood flow to the small blood vessels just below the skin’s surface. This causes capillaries to dilate and expand, which makes the skin appear red.
Unfortunately permanently enlarged capillaries will remain visible on the skin.
Avoid exposing skin to high temperatures. So no hot yoga, very spicy food or very hot water. Use ice compress and put your skincare and tools in the fridge. Use skincare products that has soothing ingredients. We recommend La Roche Posay Rosaliac moisturiser which helps reduce the appearance of redness
Sensitive skin caused by dehydration
This is where skin has become fragile as the moisture barrier is compromised. When this barrier is not working properly, irritants can get in more easily which leads to skin inflammation usually such as skin burning or stinging.
That type of sensitive skin will show some flaking and peeling as well as redness and rough texture.
A big contributing factor is changing seasons (winter...) but also drying products such as acne treatments and over exfoliating.
To help with this type of skin sensitivity, Dr Marine recommends using a gentle and hydrating toner followed by a moisturiser with repairing properties such as Institut Esthederm Intensive Spiruline Cream
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pic @creativecurator
Why is the end of summer so depressing?
According to psychologist Dr Céline Tran, it is because it rings as "the end of a freedom" for some people. The start of a 'new' year is linked to stress and constraints that we have not necessarily chosen, contrary to holidays where we choose our lifestyle, our schedules, etc. According to professionals, some also see their stress increase as they are unable to let go of those feelings.
Can you keep your spirit up by keeping your tan and glow?
Well it doesn't hurt. Studies show that people tend to feel better about themselves when they look tanned or have a summer glow. As light changes and tan begins to fade, you can swap your tan for a 'bonne mine' effect which translates as a healthy glow effect.
UV has a magical power which is it thickens the epidermis, which in turn gives the impression that the skin is more beautiful and less prone to imperfections... but watch out for the rebound effect: when it returns to its normal state, you may see a bunch of spots, blackheads and other wonderful skin conditions. To prevent this, make sure you exfoliate and wash your face and body (double cleansing is a must to keep that glow). We love Terre de Mars Luminance coffee scrub for body and face. Follow by a very good moisturising routine and voilà, your summer glow should stay that much longer.
The idea is to slowly replace a fading tan with a healthy complexion.
Dr Marine recommends the application of a BB or CC cream like Bioderma Sensibio BB cream, perfect for the transition period before the foundation. They are especially suited because most contain sun protection.
Keep using sun protection
Just because you are no longer on the beach does not mean that you have to stop using SPF: end of summer sun still is dangerous for the skin if you are exposed without sun protection. So we continue to use sun protection with a high SPF (at least 30) on body and face. Ideally we should use sun protection all year round.
We love the Anthelios Shaka Tinted Fluid from Cult French brand La Roche Posay with its SPF 50 and a tint to hide imperfections.
Care for your drenched summer hair
During summer, hair fibre is put to the test between UV, wind, sand, salt and/or chlorine.You often get a wavy effect that is rather nice when you’re in a bathing suit or in a summer dress, but when you look closer, you realise that the fibre is weakened. You either can enjoy it or get a fresh going-back-to-work haircut.
If you want to keep the length, you need to do overnight oil masks and deep treatments every other shampoo. We use Phytoelixir by Phyto for oil masks and Phytomillesime Hair Mask for that deep repair action.
Use only mild shampoos and refrain for overheating your hair with irons or hairdryers.
Boost your metabolism
And get some energy for 'la rentrée'.
We are not talking about doubling your caffeine intake but making sure you get the vital nutrients and vitamins needed to face the change from a slow paced summer to school runs and work deadlines.
Simply adding flaxseed or Chia seeds on your cereals or morning breakfast will boost your fibre intake and Omegas making things 'flow' better and a good digestion really does help maximising the absorption of nutrients.
Most of us are not getting enough vitamin B12, you are probably deficient if you don’t get enough from your diet or aren’t able to absorb enough from the food you eat. B12 deficiency can lead to anaemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage and mood disturbances. Dr Marine recommends BetterYou Boost B12 oral spray for maximum absorption and energy boost.
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What made want to start your own business?
When I launched Gallinée, the thing I heard the most from my friends and family was “good! You’ve been talking about it forEVER”.
I was never a really good employee, and I used to be so stressed about life being too short. Since I created Gallinée, I never been happier and I am learning every day. I also got to meet a lot of amazing people along the way, which I think is my favourite part about being an entrepreneur.
What was the hardest about starting the business ?
I’d never lived without a salary, so that was quite a challenging step for me. But once I realised that the worst possible outcome was I would have to take a job again, it became a lot easier.
Where are you from in France ?
I’m as Parisian as it gets, but one of the nice ones. I was born in the 15th arrondissement, raised in the 16th and lived in the 18th. I have the accent to prove it
How do you get ready for a night out or an event? Any secret tips?
I put my makeup on at the last minute and never wear high heels. I’m not sure it’s the best tips…
How do you take care of your body and wellbeing in general?
I love food and I agree with Hippocrates that you should have food be your medicine. As a good French girl, I tend to cook from scratch. I also have quite a special diet that help with my autoimmune problems, based on a lot of fermented food and prebiotic fibres. I’m the queen of the fibre smoothie.
If you had to choose one beauty or skincare products only to take with you, which one would it be ?
The Gallinée cleansing Bar. It’s the one thing to take on a holiday: perfect for face, body and even hair. Plus it’s not a liquid, so more room in the little airport bag for the rest!
How do you relax ?
I really like bouldering. It’s really physical, and it’s loads of little problems to solve that only take a couple of minute.
I also spend as much time as possible with my friends and family. It’s easy to want to work non-stop, but life is short and should not be spent working.
I am also a big fan of Bruce Chatwin. He’s a writer who said everything can be cured with a walk. I walk a lot, and London is the perfect city for this.
Favourite place in London ?
Smithfield and around. It’s full of history, little hidden places and great food. I recommend a cocktail at Oriole, hidden below the market
Favourite holiday or travel destination
I’m just back from Siberia and it had been the most incredible experience. The best way to make me happy is to drop me in a place where I don’t understand the language, I can walk the whole day and the food looks weird.
You can shop Gallinée Skincare range here
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