(propionibacterium acne) is the name of the bacteria that lives on the skin and contributes to breakouts. When your pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells, the P.acne bacteria then gets trapped in there causing that inflammatory response creating those red, painful breakouts that tend to leave scarring. When we work with our peels, Clearlift Laser and LED treatments and say we are fighting p.acne it means we are helping to stop this reaction from happening preventing breakouts working towards clearer, healthier skin.

We can’t guarantee you’ve heard of Palm Oil but we can almost guarantee you’ve used it without realizing. It is extremely common and used in thousands of beauty products as an emulsifier and surfactant – a substance that, when added to liquid, reduces its surface tension so that it can interact with other formulas. The better the interaction = the better the result. However, if there is palm oil in a product, chances are it has played a part in the cutting and burning down of tropical forests across Asia, Latin America and West Africa to make way for palm tree plantations. Not only does this negatively impact the trees but also the people and wildlife living there. There are other knock-on effects too - air pollution, climate change, the contribution to the rise of rural poverty in the countries in which it is produced, not to mention the work provided on the plantations being dangerous, poorly paid and possibly involving child labour. So it’ll come as no surprise that we have a Palm Oil-free policy and believe there is always a safer, kinder way to get great skin.

Papain is an enzyme found in papaya. It is a proteolytic enzyme which means it is able to break down proteins including your skin.Papain is known for its exfoliating powers. It works in a similar way to Alpha Hydroxy Acids by melting the ‘glue’ in the upper layer of the skin that bonds skin cells together.

If you’ve ever wondered how your beauty products stay fresh, it’s probably down to chemicals like Parabens which act as a clever preservative to prevent bacteria. In fact, a huge 85% of health and beauty products contain them - now that’s one hard-working chemical! However, there’s a ‘but’. Parabens can sometimes irritate the skin and traces of them have even been found in marine life which certainly doesn’t go hand in hand with our ongoing desire to help the planet. There is also evidence to suggest that some absorb into the blood stream and wreak havoc with the endocrine – or, hormone – systems. As a result, Parabens such as phenylparaben, isobutylparaben and benzylparaben have actually been banned in the EU. But despite some brands replacing Parabens with chemicals that are, ironically, less wellbeing-friendly, as well as scientific proof about them remaining a little hazy, we don’t use any in our products just in case. Because why would we put your skin – and the planet - at risk unnecessarily?

No, not what you hang the washing up with but Polyethelene Glycol –which can either be naturally derived or sourced from environmentally unfriendly mineral oil. In skincare, it is highly beneficial for your products to be penetrated beneath its surface so that it can work to its full potential. However, it needs something to give it a boost, which is where PEGs come in. They work behind the scenes to enhance the penetration of products - so, if you use a regenerating cream, PEGs are the clever things that help all the goodness from the product reach underneath the skin, for better results. But what if there isn’t any goodness in the product, or furthermore, what if it contains ingredients that aren’t skin-friendly? Regardless, the PEGs may continue to carry them into the deeper layers of the skin, and it may negatively impacted as a result. So, we generally avoid PEGs just in case where at all possible.

Peptides are short protein chains which act as little messengers in the body. These short protein chains can instruct the skin to do different things. Individual peptides carry very specific messages for each skin cell. The roles of peptides are extremely varied. Depending on the peptide, they can encourage collagen production, target hyperpigmentation, accelerate healing and have an antibacterial effect. The most well known peptides include matrixyl and copper tripeptides.

Perioral dermatitis is an inflammatory skin rash localised around the mouth area.  It comes in many forms and has multiple causes but often presents itself as redness, dry skin, rashes, swelling or blistered skin. Dermatitis is not contagious.

Otherwise known as a softener, binding agent, solvent or plasticizer in cosmetics, this organic chemical compound is commonly used because it is an agent that something else can be dissolved into. It’s used in things like nail polish to avoid cracking, hairspray to create a flexible film on the hair and in perfume to make the fragrance linger a little longer. However, just like Parabens, it has shown to disrupt hormones, plus the production of phthalates has been the cause of water waste and water pollution. It isn’t alone in causing problems – it works in combination with other chemicals in consumer products – but the fact that even the least strict-on-ingredients companies are working towards removing it from their products rings alarm bells. And just in case you hadn’t guessed, we’re not working towards getting rid of it because we’ve already done it. 

Pigmentation is a form of skin discolouration. It can show on the skin as hypo or hyperpigmentation. Hypopigmentation are white patches where the skin lost melanocytes and is not able to produce the pigment to bring back the original tone of the skin. Hyperpigmentation, on the other hand, are areas of pigment darkening due to overproduction of melanin. Pigmentation can come in many forms including vitiligo, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma and the most frequently diagnosed type, sun damage.

PRP is a medical skin treatment. The blood of the client is drawn prior to treatment and the plasma from the blood is extracted through a centrifuge process. This plasma is then injected into back into the skin to stimulate cell turnover, skin healing and collagen renewal. 

Pores the small openings of hair follicle and are visible on the surface of the skin. Each pore has a sebaceous gland which releases sebum onto the skin’s surface. The size of pores depends on genes, ethnicity, skin type and skincare routine. They may appear bigger over time due to the pressure that goes onto the skin during sebum secretion - skin stretches and muscle becomes weaker so the pore loses its tightness. You can not open or close pores as they have no muscle attached to them. You can only reduce the appearance of them.

PIH is a type of pigmentation that occurs as a result of trauma to the skin tissue. It usually appears as red or darker patches. It occurs as melanocytes, the pigment producing cells, assist in the healing process of the skin. If the melanocytes produce too much pigment, this can leave a mark on the skin. PIH can be temporary (think of the red marks post breakouts that disappear) or permanent depending on the type of injury and skin type. If you are experiencing PIH, it’s important to wear sun protection as the melanocytes will be very sensitive and this can lead to longer lasting pigmentation.

Prebiotics are special types of sugar that encourage the growth of beneficial organisms in your microbiome. 

We are all familiar with probiotics for our gut, helping to calm and soothe stomach problems but they are also highly effective at doing this for our skin too. We now know there are trillions of microbes living in and on our bodies. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that work to support our skin’s microbiome, helping the cells to flourish. So for happy skin you need lots of happy bacteria. Things to avoid that can damage you microbiome are antibiotics, soaps, chlorinated water and a processed diet. If your skin is not functioning as it should be the best place to start is by introducing probiotics as not only does it calm irritated skin, it helps with breakouts, improves skin elasticity and firmness. In addition to this, probiotic help to rebuild and restore your skin barrier which is ultimately key in you achieving your best skin health.

Propolis is a resin made by worker bees. In the hive, its function is to build, repair and strengthen the hive. It is full of vitamins and minerals and has been shown to be fantastic at wound healing, is naturally antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory when applied topically. It also has antioxidant properties.

Also known as panthenol, provitamin B5 is a common ingredient in skincare products. It’s a humectant, meaning it is able to attract and retain water, and is used to improve hydration levels, plump the skin and improve the feel of the skin.

PS Beauty Secrets #1 is our exclusive formula for our treatments that comprises of four complimentary skin nutrients: Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium DNA, Organic Silicon and DMAE. These building blocks have been combined to renew skin texture as well as enhance the firmness and elasticity of our barrier function, stimulate collagen and elastin production, and deeply hydrate. 

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. It has potent antioxidant properties and studies have also shown that it can aid repair and stimulate healing however there is not a huge amount of evidence to support its efficacy.

Retinol is part of the vitamin A family and the most powerful form of vitamin A that can be included in skin care formulations without a prescription. Vitamin A is one of the most proven actives in skincare. It works in so many ways; as a messenger telling your skin cells to behave like the best version of themselves, by encouraging cell turnover for improved texture, and by stimulating collagen and elastin production.

Retinoids are chemical compounds of vitamin A. Some examples of retinoids that fall under this umbrella term are tretinoin (retinoic acid), retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinyl acetate.

Retinyl palmitate us an ester (fat) form of retinol. It is a low strength form of vitamin A and is naturally found in our skin where it works as an antioxidant. It absorbs gently into our skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skins or first time retinol users.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition connected to over activity of the skin's blood supply.  Those who are experiencing rosacea typically develop redness across the cheeks, nose, and chin. On this inflammatory background, skin may start to break out leading to acne rosacea. The core cause of rosacea is unknown but can be linked to gut imbalances, intolerances, genetics, or lifestyle factors. 

Rice bran is sourced from, you guessed it, rice. In its powder form, it has been used for centuries in Japan as a gentle physical exfoliator. It is also rich in vitamins and nutrients including vitamin E which is fantastic for soothing sensitive skin and squalene which aids skin hydration. Along with its powder form, it can also be applied as oil to reap its rewards.

Rosehip oil is sourced from the rosehip plant. It is extremely rich in omega 6 and 9 fatty acids which are fantastic at maintaining hydration levels in the skin. It is also rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage as well as vitamin A which aids cell turnover and stimulates collagen and elastin production.