Sarah,

Pai Skincare Founder

Shop Now

If you have any concerns about your own mental health, or that of someone close to you, visit Mind for further advice and support.

The post Pai Mind Day 2020 appeared first on The Pai Life.

Hand sanitisers are usually alcohol-based gels, used to kill bacteria and viruses on the hands when hand washing isn’t available.  More than ever, we’re now encouraged to carry them with us and use them throughout the day to keep us safe. 

Are Hand Sanitisers More Effective Than Hand Washing?

Truly, the best way to safely clean hands is to wash them with running water and soap. Unlike sanitising gels which work to kill the virus or bacteria, hand washing with soap loosens the viral cells from our skin, washing them away entirely. It’s important to wash for a full 20 seconds to give your hands the best chance of removing every last trace. Here at Pai Labs we’ve just launched our first ever hand wash – Soapsud Island – formulated with sensitive hands in mind. To celebrate its launch we’re giving you a free 250ml Soapsud Island worth £19/€29/$29 with orders over £50/€70/$75 (while stocks last). 

Do Hand Sanitisers Really Kill Viruses?

The simple answer? Sometimes. When hand washing facilities aren’t available – while you’re out and about for example – a sanitising gel is all-important. There are some viruses that hand sanitisers are unable to kill, but when it comes to Covid 19, we know that they are effective. That’s because this particular virus is surrounded by a casing that can be penetrated by alcohol (the main ingredient in sanitising gels). 

What Is The Most Effective Type Of Hand Sanitiser?

The important thing here is the percentage of alcohol inside. To kill most viruses – including Coronavirus –  at least 60% alcohol content is required. The amount you use matters too – there should be enough gel that it takes 20 seconds to rub all over all the hands and fingers until they are dry. 

What Ingredients Are Inside Pai’s Hand Sanitiser?

The alcohol content of our sanitising gel Acton Spirit is 65%. Take a look through Acton Spirit’s reviews and you’ll see one thing pop up again and again – its luxurious, refreshing scent. That’s because we’ve added sensitive skin-friendly Fragonia essential oil which is thought to have similar antibacterial properties to Tea Tree oil.

For every bottle of Acton Spirit Hand Sanitising Gel sold, we donate one to an NHS frontline worker, care home, homeless charity or beauty bank. Learn more about our Buy One, Gift One pledge right here.

Will Sanitiser Make My Hands Dry? 

This will depend on how frequently you’re using it, and the ingredients inside. If hands do feel dry or chapped, it’s important not just to soothe them, but to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier to protect them too. Our fast-absorbing Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream brings intensive, long-lasting hydration without leaving behind a greasy residue. 

Shop Now

The post Everything You Need To Know About Hand Sanitiser Vs Hand Washing appeared first on The Pai Life.

In this post, we answer all of your frequently asked questions around SPF. From the suitability of SPF for different skin types, whether that’s acne-prone skin or dry skin, to whether SPF is safe for pregnancy.

Should SPF be used alongside a moisturiser or day cream?

Although our British Summer Time sunscreen does have hydrating properties, an SPF won’t be enough to hydrate the skin alone. Therefore, we recommend applying a moisturiser underneath. Wait for your moisturiser to be fully absorbed and then add your SPF on top.

Is SPF suitable for acne prone skin?

Whether SPF is good for acne-prone skin is a common concern. This is because SPFs are notoriously thick products in order to protect your skin from UV rays. Luckily, our SPF is suitable for all skin types, making it a good choice for acne-prone skin.

Nevertheless, even if you don’t wear makeup, it’s important to double cleanse each evening to make sure that you completely remove your SPF. This will help prevent any blemishes or congestion occurring.

Do I need to reapply my face SPF throughout the day?

We understand that once your makeup is on and you’re off to go about your day, you don’t want to be reapplying your SPF. That’s why our sunscreen is intended to be worn all day underneath makeup. There should be no need to reapply your SPF unless you spend a prolonged period of time outside with direct exposure to the sun.

Can SPF be used during pregnancy?

In terms of using our SPF during pregnancy, it’s totally up to you and how comfortable you are with essential oils. But to be on the safe side, we recommend using from the second trimester onwards. We do have a number of pregnancy safe skincare products, which can be used from day one of your pregnancy.

Is SPF suitable for eczema?

We use non-irritating ingredients in our SPF. Plus, we patch test on sensitive and eczema-prone skin, so you know you’re in safe hands.

Is the SPF gluten-free?

Yes! It is gluten-free, but there are some derivatives of wheat. The gluten proteins themselves do not trickle down the process into the product though.

Is SPF suitable for dry skin? 

Our SPF has been formulated with all skin types in mind, even dry and dehydrated skin. So although our sunscreen contains zinc, we also use Jojoba Oil. This has good affinity with the skin and helps it to stay hydrated in the sun.

Can the packaging be recycled?

Yes! The tube itself is made from sugar cane sourced polyethylene, so can be recycled. The cap is polypropylene and is recyclable (you might need to check with your local recycling first). Both need to be washed out and recycled separately.

If you’re concerned about your intake it may be worth consulting a naturopath.

Shop Now

The post We Answer Your Most-Asked SPF Questions appeared first on The Pai Life.

Zinc offers a number of impressive benefits for skin. In larger doses, zinc has even been shown to improve the symptoms of acne and rosacea. But before you reach for the nappy rash cream, it’s worth remembering that not all zincs are created equally!

Zinc vs zinc oxide for skin

Zinc is a safe ingredient and well tolerated by those with sensitive skin.

Unlike other derivatives of zinc (such as zinc PCA), zinc oxide is an inorganic substance, which is often added to products such as sun cream, nappy rash cream, calamine lotions and some mineral makeup.

On the other hand, zinc PCA (or ‘zinc salt’) has been hailed as a miracle cure for blemishes. This is due to its ability to reduce redness, protect collagen growth and reduce excess oil.

That’s why it’s one of the magic ingredients in our Copaiba and Zinc Blemish Serum. Zinc PCA is one of the few ingredients that’s gentle on sensitive skin while still being very effective for conditions such as acne and rosacea.

You’ll also find Zinc Oxide in our British Summer Time SPF30. This clever mineral acts as a physical shield to protect skin from UVA and UVB light. We use non-nano Zinc Oxide which means the particles aren’t small enough to be absorbed or to interfere with ocean life.

How can you get more zinc into your diet?

Alongside topical applications, consuming a diet rich in zinc can provide the body with support to help repair and balance the skin.

It’s recommended that adult men consume at least 11 mg of zinc every day, while women should aim for 9 mg. But according to a report by the World Health Organisation, more than 30% of the world’s population is deficient in zinc.

Some good sources of zinc include red meat, poultry, oysters (which contain more zinc than any other food), beans, nuts, and dairy products.

Vegetarians and vegans are particularly at risk of low levels of zinc as it’s much harder to get your recommended daily intake from vegetables. Veggie-friendly zinc-rich foods, such as beans and whole grains, are also high in phytates, which are thought to limit the absorption of the zinc.

If you’re concerned about your intake it may be worth consulting a naturopath.

Shop Now

The post Why is zinc good for your skin? appeared first on The Pai Life.

It’s easy to amass a number of old muslin cloths over the years. If your muslin cloths are starting to pile up, or if you simply want to make the most of your new cloths, here are our pointers for using and recycling them.

How to use a muslin cloth for your face

1. Everyday gentle exfoliation

Using a muslin cloth as part of your cleansing routine is a great way to lift away dead skin cells and impurities that have built up throughout the day. Simply remove your cleanser with circular movements using your muslin cloth for a gentle exfoliation.

This enhanced cleanse is great for both brightening skin on the dull, dry side and helps to stop blackheads forming for oilier and combination complexions.

2. Pout perfector

Chapped lips are a common problem throughout the year and they can look particularly uncomfortable once you layer lipstick on top.

So before applying your lippy, use a damp muslin cloth to gently buff lips in a circular motion. Follow with lip balm for a perfect pout.

3. Facial steaming

Soak your muslin cloth in warm (not too hot) water, wring out, then lie down and place the cloth over your face for 1-2 minutes.

You can do this on top of a face mask to help skin absorb all the nourishing actives, or apply to freshly cleansed skin for a home spa experience!

How use a muslin cloth for your body

4. Eczema-busting body exfoliator

This tip came from a customer who started using a cloth to gently exfoliate her body in the shower.

It’s especially good for Eczema or Keratosis Pilaris sufferers who find many body brushes too rough or redness-inducing. Smoothing away patches of rough skin will really improve the absorption of your body cream or oil afterwards.

5. Ingrown hair remover

Exfoliating areas prone to ingrown hairs with a muslin cloth really helps to prevent them. Gently buffing existing bumps can encourage the hairs underneath to come to the surface.

A really effective prevention method – and much more pleasant that having to tweezer!

Using your muslin cloth around the house

If your cloths are on the older side and have lost their exfoliating edge, there’s still ways you can use them around the house…

6. Goodbye stains

This is something our founder Sarah discovered when mopping up after her baby son!

Muslin cloths have just the right amount of weave to remove the bulk of a stain before it goes in the wash. Just rub the affected area with a little water. Who needs Vanish, eh?!

7. Nut milk strainer

Muslin cloths can be handy in the kitchen for a variety of straining uses. Just make sure to throw them in the machine machine first to remove any lingering cleanser or exfoliator! We love making our own almond milk and old muslin cloths are so brilliant for straining out the nut grains, really! Just cut off one seam so you have a pocket… et voila.

8. Shoe shiner

Old cloths are great for buffing shoes, particularly if they’re made from delicate fabrics like suede that you wouldn’t want to use a traditional shoe brush on.

How do you use yours?

The post 8 ways to use your muslin cloth appeared first on The Pai Life.

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A. When applied, our skin cells work to convert it into retinoic acid, which has been clinically proven to have benefits to skin health.

Though Retinol is known for its ability to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, when it comes to sensitive skin, it can cause irritation. Often when you first start using Retinol there is a ‘break-in’ period, when you can experience redness, peeling or dryness. For those of us with sensitive skin, we already have a compromised skin barrier, and so are more susceptible to these kinds of reactions.

How to use Retinol for sensitive skin

My advice would be to not over do it. It’s always very tempting to load on a product to see the results, but with Retinol this won’t work and will increase the irritation. If you want to introduce the product into your routine, always patch test it first and then do it slowly. Start with lower levels of retinol and then gradually build up if your skin responds well.

What other products to use with Retinol?

While your skin is adjusting to Retinol, try to avoid other products that can be irritating such as harsh soaps. Use a trusted non-irritating cleanser to prevent further irritation or dryness, such as our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. It’s also best to always use a sunscreen.

Use a really nourishing moisturiser to help address any sensitivity you might experience, and also to prevent the skin from any water loss. Our Age Confidence Cream contains Ectoine, which helps to address any irritation as well as Hyaluronic Acid to hold water inside the skin.

Make sure you think about the packaging when you’re choosing a Retinol product. Retinol breaks down with exposure to air and light, so pick something that has an airtight container and an opaque bottle.

How long does Retinol take to work?

It’s important to understand that Retinol does not have an instant effect. You won’t be able to see a difference overnight; it can take months to start seeing results so you need to be quite patient.

Is there an alternative to Retinol?

Our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is an alternative option to Retinol for sensitive skin types. Though it does not contain Vitamin A, it contains Beta-carotene, which is a precursor (inactive form) of Vitamin A. It means the body has to convert the beta-carotene into Vitamin A, which will not happen upon application to the skin (but rather when it is ingested). However, beta-carotene acts as a great antioxidant on the skin, helping to provide protection against free radicals such as UV light or pollution.

If you’re concerned about your intake it may be worth consulting a naturopath.

Shop Now

The post Should you use Retinol if you have sensitive skin? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Whilst we’d love to be able to provide a ‘one-size fits all’ answer, it’s not quite as simple as that.

The amount of product you should be applying varies massively from person to person. But we can provide some simple guidelines to help you get the most out of your Pai favourites.

How much moisturiser to use on face?

A “standard” application of moisturiser should be between 1-3 pumps. The amount you require can easily change on a seasonal or even daily basis. You should simply go with how dry or tight your skin feels.

Here at Pai HQ, some of our team get away with using a smidgen of moisturiser as their skin is on the oilier side. This allows a little to go a long way. However, others with drier skin use a full three pumps.

Even if your skin is very parched, try not to slather on a vast amount of moisturiser every morning. Applying too much cream in one go will prevent it from absorbing properly.

Your best bet is to apply 2-3 pumps of moisturiser first thing in the morning and allow it to absorb. You can then top up during the day, paying particular attention to any dry areas of your complexion that need an extra dose.

Top tip: Spritz your skin with BioAffinity Tonic before applying your moisturiser. It will lock in moisture, allowing your cream greater coverage on your freshly hydrated skin.

How much eye cream to use?

This is one of the most commonly over-applied products – and exceeding the recommended amount can create problems.

The skin that surrounds our eyes is extremely thin, and it doesn’t contain any sebaceous (oil) glands. Applying eye cream directly to this area is likely to cause puffiness and even milia.

Application of our Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream shouldn’t exceed half a pump per eye.

It’s designed to be dotted along the orbital bone that’s found at the top of each of your cheekbones – a lot lower on your face than you’d expect.

Applied correctly, the eye area cleverly draws your cream in from its site of application lower down, absorbing exactly the right amount of hydration it needs.

How much facial oil to use?

It’s wonderful for conditioning, repairing and brightening the skin, but Facial Oil is best applied sparingly.

It’s all too easy to get carried away – but less is most certainly more. A little bit of facial oils goes a very long way. 2-3 drops is more than enough for any skin type.

Top tip: Apply onto your damp skin immediately after cleansing. You’ll be amazed by the speed that your oil absorbs and leaves you with a fresh, dewy complexion.

The post How much moisturiser should I use? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Double Cleanse

If you’ve ever had a free skin consultation with us, you’ll know the Pai team are adamant about getting your cleanse right. Often our customers find that once they nail that, the rest of the skin puzzle seems to come together. While the idea of a double cleanse might seem counterintuitive, it is really important to remove every bit of daily dirt. That way the rest of the products you use afterwards will sink in much better and can actually get to work with the task of hydrating. 

We recommend removing any makeup or SPF first using our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil. Then following up with a luxurious second cleanse using the Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and Cloth. On days that you’re not wearing makeup or SPF, you might like to just use the cream cleanser. 

Use A Hydrating Serum

Serums are clever because they’re made up of tiny molecules, much smaller than those in creams or lotions. This means that they are able to deliver the ingredients inside much deeper into the skin. And that means they get to work much faster and more efficiently. In the case of our Back To Life Hydration Serum, the ingredient delivering into the skin is Hyaluronic Acid. A genius active, it can hold up to 1000x its weight in water so leaves it inside the skin almost like a reservoir. Then your skin can replenish from it throughout the day as it needs to. We recommend sleeping in our Back To Life Hydration Serum two to three times each week, preferably on consecutive nights. 

Moisturise Every Day

When asked how best to take care of dehydrated skin and really commit to a dehydrated skin routine, we always recommend this moisturiser. Our Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream manages to be both light and buttery all at once. Just the thing to quench thirsty skin, and importantly to help protect the skin’s barrier from further moisture loss. Remember it’s all about replenishing and defending. You’ll notice those horizontal dehydration lines and papery dry patches become instantly plumped and smoothed without any greasiness or oiliness. 

Get Into Facial Oils

Not only is our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil a beautifully relaxing nighttime ritual. But it actually does two other really important jobs for dehydrated skin. First of all, it is absolutely packed with regenerative Omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9 and sterols – to repair the damage and irritation that dehydration has caused. But also carotenoids which – as antioxidants – fight off further damage. The second benefit of using a high quality oil for dehydrated skin is that it actually acts as a shield, to help prevent any more moisture loss from the skin.

Has your skin all of a sudden become dehydrated? Our new, Limited Edition Back To Life Hydration Hit contains every single one of our hydration products in sweet travel size. So you can trial the full targeted routine for dehydrated skin, in one handy place!

Shop Now

The post How To Take Care Of Dehydrated Skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

Pai’s in-house facialist Kate shares how to do a spa-worthy, sensitive skin-friendly treatment at home.

First, Double Cleanse 

Every great facial starts with a really thorough cleanse. First remove makeup and SPF using our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil. Follow with our hydrating, calming Camellia & Rose Cream Cleanser.

For oily or blemish-prone skin, try a soft facial brush on the second cleanse, using upward circular motions to gently draw out congestion.

Exfoliate 

Next, apply our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator, letting the Kukui Oil melt into the skin as you massage in upward circular motions. Dampen hands and continue to massage skin, turning the exfoliator into a milk.

For oily skin, you might like to try our Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask instead. The ultra-gentle fruit acids dissolve the ‘glue’ between dead skin cells for a deep clean.

Face Mask Time 

Now your skin is spotlessly clean and smooth, treat it to an intensive dose of nutrients with one of our masks.

One for radiance – the Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask. One for decongestion – our Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask. 

Grab a couple of cucumber slices for your eyes to help de-puff, put on some relaxing music and unwind for 10 minutes while you let the mask work its magic. When the time’s up, remove with a clean muslin cloth.

Hydrate

First spritz the face and neck with a few pumps of our beautiful BioAffinity tonics. Apply our Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream with one finger onto the orbital bone that runs around your eye. With the lightest pressure, use slow circular motions around the eye area to help boost blood flow and reduce puffiness.

Nourish

Just before you pour yourself a well-deserved glass of something, finish off with a facial massage. Spend a few extra minutes working either of our facial oils into the face, neck and décolletage.

Not only will this feed the skin with nutrients, but regular facial massage also helps to firm the skin and boost circulation too..

Remember if you’ve got any questions at all about your own skin, or aren’t sure what the right products or routine are for you, we offer a free 30-minute skin consultation service. Book yours on paiskincare.com now.

The post How To Recreate a Pai Facial at Home appeared first on The Pai Life.

It’s also one of the most common ways to extract organic oils for skincare. You’ll often hear brands singing its praises – but it’s not necessarily the best extraction method.

So what does cold-pressed mean?

Cold-pressed oil is obtained through pressing and grinding fruit or seeds with the use of stainless steel presses.

The raw plant material is placed between horizontal plates which are drawn together by a rotating screw (the ‘expeller’), and the oil is squeezed out.

Despite the name, a certain amount of heat is produced during the process due to friction, averaging at about 40˚C. To be marketed as cold-pressed, the temperature must stay below a rather toasty 49˚C.

Just like if we were subjected to these temperatures, delicate ingredients can end up less than ‘fresh’ and many of their therapeutic properties are lost.

There’s also oxygen present during cold-pressing. This causes oils to oxidise immediately, making them more likely to become rancid before you’ve had a chance to use them up!

What’s the alternative?

At Pai, we use Super Critical CO2 Extraction wherever more delicate ingredients are involved.

This extraction method uses volcanically-sourced CO2 in its super critical (fluid) state. It’s passed through the raw plant material, extracting all biologically ‘active’ components as it goes.

This process takes place at 30°C without any thermal stress and without using organic solvents. Because CO2 is chemically inert the extraction is done in a virtual vacuum, with no oxygen present. 

CO2 extraction vs cold-pressed

CO2 extraction is best because oxygen-free environments and low temperatures are particularly important when extracting fragile oils like Rosehip.

By keeping temperatures low and extracting all the ‘active’ components, we’re able to preserve and protect the complete botanical, skin-loving properties of the Rosehip.

This process delivers twice the regenerative sterols and five times more of those carotenoids than your average Rosehip seed oil. It also means it lasts four times longer in your bathroom cabinet!

This includes the incredible natural colour and smell. You only have to see how orange, concentrated and herbaceously-scented Rosehip BioRegenerate is to witness CO2 extracts at their best!

CO2 extraction also leaves absolutely no solvent residues, so the final oil is impeccably pure. The low temperature and lack of waste streams/emissions make it an extremely environmentally friendly process, too!

Shop Now

The post Why cold-pressed doesn’t mean best appeared first on The Pai Life.

At Pai, we’re committed to reducing our impact on the earth – every single day.

Here’s a few things we’re doing right now:

1. Our Soil Association certification means we source ingredients that are grown to organic standards – without the use of pesticides and solvents. It also means all ingredients must be sustainable; helping us to invest in local communities and prevent over-farming. Organic farming encourages diverse eco-systems, allowing wildlife to flourish naturally with significantly more birds, plant species and pollinators (bees and butterflies) than non-organic farming. It also means that we never use endangered plant species, such as rosewood essential oil, helping preserve and protect the precious remaining sources.
2. Rather than transport heavy pallets of double distilled water from elsewhere in the country, we invested in a bespoke water filtration system. This system reduces our water consumption by 50% per year and uses 80% less energy than some systems. It also allows us to recirculate some of the waste water – meaning the way we make your products is much more efficient and eco-friendly.
3. We do our very best to avoid plastic across the range – opting for glass wherever possible (52% of the range is in glass packaging). Where we have to use plastic, we use hDPE and polypropylene, both of which are recyclable.

While PET is the most easily recyclable plastic, there are concerns about the migration of BPA (a potential hormone disruptor) into the product. It’s not something we feel we can risk, so all of our plastic packaging is BPA-free.

Our 200ml Cleanser Tubes are now made from 100% biodegradable and renewable sugarcane bio-plastic, something we are hoping to move all of our plastic tubes too soon.

The packing chips we use inside boxes are called EcoFlo chips which are made from maize-starch and are 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable too.

Caring for the environment is the right thing to do – and it also helps us sleep at night!

The post Happy Earth Day! appeared first on The Pai Life.

With Rosacea Awareness Month in full swing, we reckon you might like some intel on this very common, but often very disruptive skin condition. So consider this your fact sheet: we’ll explain what rosacea is, typical triggers and the best products to treat it.

Sensitive skin can be particularly susceptible to temperature variations, with Rosacea the most common skin complaint developing as a result.

Very cold weather interspersed with blasts of hot, dry central heating can wreak havoc on rosacea-prone skin and can cause flare-ups.

Equally, humid and sunny weather can also be a trigger – understanding what causes your skin to react is the key in controlling your rosacea.

WHAT IS ROSACEA?

Rosacea is a condition that causes blood vessels to enlarge, giving a flushed appearance to the upper cheeks and nose.

Symptoms include redness, dilated capillaries and, in some cases, small hard spots. Unlike with acne, the skin doesn’t appear more oily or greasy, and blackheads or scarring don’t tend to feature.

Rosacea is most common in women over the age of 30 and – as if you didn’t already have enough on your plate – the condition can also develop during pregnancy. There’s also some evidence to suggest it may be hereditary, but it isn’t contagious.

ROSACEA TRIGGERS – WHAT TO AVOID

Rosacea-prone skin is particularly susceptible to changes in temperature. So if it’s very cold, try protecting your face with a large scarf. If it’s hot and sunny, stick to the shade.

These are the most common (and annoyingly, also some of the most enjoyable) lifestyle triggers for rosacea:

• Caffeine
• Spicy food
• Alcohol
• Sunlight

According to the National Rosacea Society, certain skincare products can aggravate the condition – you might find our list of the top ingredients to avoid if you have rosacea helpful to peruse too.

Like many conditions, rosacea is also triggered by stress. Although it’s easier said than done, try to lower your stress levels with daily meditation or relaxation. It is also a good idea to keep a diary of what causes your rosacea to flare up each day or week, to help identify patterns and triggers specific to you.

BEST PRODUCTS FOR ROSACEA

Many over-the-counter and prescription rosacea treatments and creams contain the irritant Benzoyl Peroxide, which is definitely worth giving a wide berth as it may exacerbate symptoms.

Instead, stick to soothing and strengthening actives like Chamomile and Rosehip. Rosehip is a fantastic skin healer and strengthener. While Chamomile contains azulene, a natural anti-inflammatory which will cool and calm any flushing during a flare-up.

Diet is also important when dealing with all skin allergies and rosacea is no exception.

Try to increase your intake of Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3, 6 & 9) as these help to calm and condition the skin from the inside. Oily fish, seeds and nuts are all good sources, as are supplements like a high-grade flaxseed, hemp or fish oil.

Pycnogenol, or pine bark extract, is also believed to be a good natural remedy for Rosacea as it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Remember if you’ve got any questions at all about your own skin, or aren’t sure what the right products or routine are for you, we offer a free 30-minute skin consultation service. Book yours on paiskincare.com now.

The post What is Rosacea? Causes, Triggers & Treatment appeared first on The Pai Life.

I’m fair-skinned, have always blushed easily, and had very sensitive skin but I just assumed that that was just ‘my normal’. It was only when I left home and went to university that it became obvious that something was wrong: my occasional blushing turned into purple, mottled, burning patches on my face that lasted hours, my cheeks were covered with itchy pustules, and I had no idea what to do. I went to my GP, assuming it was an allergic reaction that a simple cream would sort out. I left that 10-minute appointment with a diagnosis of an incurable skin condition and felt completely lost. I turned to the internet and found US-based forums filled with fellow sufferers offering advice, tips, and – most importantly – support. Seven years ago, I started talking about rosacea on my blog Talonted Lex and have never looked back. I try to offer advice and support to others, remembering exactly how it felt to leave the doctor’s appointment with a diagnosis I didn’t fully understand and not much else.

One of the trickiest things about rosacea is that it is so individual: for each person it may look and feel different, and triggers differ from person to person. But I have a few general tips for managing or minimising the effects of your rosacea:

LISTEN TO YOUR SKIN

I try to look at my rosacea as my body’s way of setting off a distress flare – I am doing something that my skin does not like and it’s desperately trying to tell me. Your skin is not your enemy (although it certainly feels like that at first!), it is your ally. Reframing how I viewed my rosacea was a huge step in not only accepting it but learning from it.

IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS

It took me a long time to work out what my skin did and didn’t like, and I urge you to prioritise identifying your triggers. This not only helps me to physically calm my rosacea, but I find it also helps me cope psychologically as I feel like I am in control and taking steps each day to maintain my skin health. My biggest triggers are stress, extremes of temperature, sun, dairy, illness/pain, and alcohol. Some of these are easier to avoid than others!

BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR TRIGGERS

When I talk about triggers, it can sound overwhelming to some people: they see a huge list of all the things that might aggravate their skin and they are in disbelief, discouraged, or even angry. I have experienced all of those feelings. What I try to show people is that you are in control of your skin and the daily decisions are yours to make with the information you have. I know that my skin doesn’t react well to dairy, but a life without cheese (to me) is unthinkable, so every so often I’ll eat the cheese and accept the consequences. Only you can know what is worth a flare up: cheese, red wine, weekly blow-dries, marathon running… whatever your vice: you are the one who gets to decide.

BE PATIENT

It takes a long time to work out how to listen to your skin and learn from what it tells you. Changes in diet, skincare, lifestyle all take weeks to bear fruit so don’t be discouraged.

TRY TO MINIMISE STRESS

This is the one I still struggle with, because stress in its very nature is unavoidable and can spring from nowhere. A busy week at work, money issues, a global pandemic…! You can’t control the things that happen to you, but you can control the way you deal with them. When I have a flare up I like to remind myself of three things: ‘You’ve had flare ups before. You survived every single one. Worrying about them only makes them worse.’ Other things to introduce into your routine are meditation, positive affirmations (like the one above), and visualisation. These may sound a bit ‘woo-woo’ to some, but the brain is a powerful tool: if stress can induce a negative mindset, it stands to reason that a positive mindset can help to reverse some of the effects. You can read more in my blog post here.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Over time I taught myself to see through the sales tactics, skincare waffle, and confusing claims in order to find products and ingredients that truly work for my skin. I used to trust any brand who claimed that they were ‘suitable for sensitive skin’, and I thought that ‘organic’, ‘natural’, and ‘clean’ automatically meant ‘good’. Ingredients I tend to avoid are tea tree, witch hazel, menthol, SLS, and added fragrance. I also avoid products that ‘revitalise’, ‘energise’, ‘wake up’, ‘refresh’, or use the word ‘tingle’! On the other hand, my skin tends to love products with aloe, cucumber, rose, and camomile and I gravitate towards products that use words like ‘calming’, ‘soothing’, and ‘hydrating’.

SIMPLE IS BEST

When people come to me asking for skincare advice, I always tell them to take everything back to basics. The bare minimum you need is cleanser, moisturiser, SPF. Once you’ve got those three products sorted, then you can build from there if necessary.

You have rosacea, but it does not define you. You are still the same person you were before you were diagnosed. Please remember that your rosacea is the least interesting thing about you.

You can read more from Lex over on her blog Talonted Lex

Remember if you’ve got any questions at all about your own skin, or aren’t sure what the right products or routine are for you, we offer a free 30-minute skin consultation service. Book yours on paiskincare.com now.

The post Talonted Lex talks Rosacea appeared first on The Pai Life.

Still, we often get a lot of questions around stretch marks. What causes them, can you prevent them during pregnancy, and how to get rid of them.

So, what exactly are stretch marks?

Our skin is made up of layers that help to make it strong and elastic. But when the skin is stretched too quickly or isn’t properly prepared, the middle layer of the skin (known as the dermis) can tear.

These tears create lesions in this layer of skin. These can look pink, red or purple at first. Much like a scar, these lines fade over time, to become silvery white.

This can happen during puberty, weight loss and weight gain. But despite affecting

men and women equally, stretch marks are most often associated with pregnancy.

Although nine months can feel like a very long time, a baby’s development causes the skin on the belly to stretch rapidly, making it thinner and more fragile.

How to get rid of stretch marks

Although stretch marks are incredibly common and a testament to the amazing changes your body has been through, most of us want to avoid stretch marks where possible. Not least because they can feel itchy and appear raised when they first develop.

There is no quick fix once they appear and genetics can make some people more prone to stretch marks than others. The key is doing what you can to really prepare the skin and support it as it stretches.

Creams and oils

We recommend using a cream and an oil. They offer very different benefits to the skin, helping to support cell structure and elasticity.

The cream helps to hydrate for optimum tissue repair, while a deep conditioning oil helps to keep skin soft and supple for round the clock protection against stretch marks.

Moisturise inside and out

Dry skin is less elastic and therefore more prone to stretch marks. Keep it hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a daily body cream that is high in those Essential Fatty Acids.

Stretch marks and pregnancy

No discussion on skin care during pregnancy would be complete without addressing the issue of stretch marks.

Aside from the filtered and airbrushed bodies you might see on Instagram – in the real world it’s difficult to avoid stretch marks. In fact, around 70% of us will develop them as our pregnant skin stretches beyond its natural ability. 

The good news is that there are a number of things we can do to minimise their severity and appearance. And, if we’re lucky, eliminate them altogether.

How to prevent pregnancy stretch marks?

Natural oils and butters

As stretch marks are an issue that resonates deeply with pregnant women, hundreds of products have flooded the market that claim to keep them at bay.

Adopt a healthy scepticism as many of the stretch mark oils available are paraffin oil based – a petroleum derivative.  Don’t believe us? Check the ingredients list, and try and make this a habit every time you buy.

Natural oils and butters are safest for soon-to-be mums. When massaged into the skin, Jojoba oil can help improve its elasticity and reduce the likelihood of it becoming over-stretched. If those red-purple lines do sneak through, applying this same oil postnatally can help to smooth skin and reduce their appearance.

Shea butter is another great ingredient for taming stretch marks and one that many women swear by. As well as being highly-moisturising, Shea butter also has a unique ability to reduce and heal scars.

Our Pumpkin & Pomegranate Stretch Mark System is bursting with a combination of Vitamins E & C, plus Omegas 3,5,6,7 & 9. These protect skin cell structure and enhance elasticity, helping skin to stretch and bounce back into shape without showing signs of damage.

Feed your skin

A healthy diet is essential for smooth, supple skin. We recommend eating foods rich in Vitamins A, B, & C and Essential Fatty Acids (Omegas 3, 6 & 9) throughout pregnancy. These will allow your skin to stretch better and encourage the replacement of damaged cells with new healthy ones.

Those nine months are among the most important in a woman’s life – remember to stay informed, open-minded, but above all…excited!

Shop Now

The post What are stretch marks and can you prevent them? appeared first on The Pai Life.

And should I be doing it? Two very excellent questions which, do not worry, we’ve got the answers to.

Exactly as you’d imagine, double cleansing is the process of cleaning your face not once, but twice. It can be very beneficial for people who wear SPF every day (as you should!), or if you wear heavy, waterproof makeup. If you fall into one of these categories, it’s likely that one cleanse will not be sufficient to remove all the bacteria and pollutants from your face.

You may just choose to double cleanse occasionally, perhaps after evenings when you’re wearing more makeup than you usually do. If minimal makeup is more your thing, or you feel like your current cleanser removes all of your makeup without leaving behind any dirt or buildup, then we’d recommend you stick to what’s working for you.

Why double cleanse?

As we go about our days, bacteria and pollution can build up on our skin. Add makeup into the mix and it’s easy to see how our skin can become clogged and irritated. Double cleansing with two different types of cleanser ensures you are lifting all the nasties from your face.

This also creates a better base for your other skincare products. Serums, moisturisers and facial oils will all work far more effectively if your skin is clear of excess residue and dead skin cells.

Here’s how to double cleanse

Double cleansing involves using two different types of cleansers. Usually an oil or balm first, followed by a cream cleanser.

The first step is to remove your makeup. Enter our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil. Remove SPF and stubborn makeup (yes, even waterproof mascara) by massaging cleansing oil into dry skin. Add some water to lift off makeup – you’ll notice the texture will become milky – then rinse it all away. Free from alcohol and harsh irritants often found in makeup removers, our clever formula means even the most sensitive skin can now have easy, powerful removal too. No strings attached.

Next up, a calming, moisturising cleanser – and for that our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser has you covered. Pat face dry with a towel after makeup removal, then massage cream cleanser into skin, breathing in that beautiful rose scent as you go. Wet the dual-effect cloth and use it to remove the cleanser. The terry side is best for sensitive eyes while the muslin side is best for gentle exfoliation.

How often should you double cleanse?

The answer to this really depends on your lifestyle. If you wear heavy makeup during the day and work in a polluted city, then you should definitely be double cleansing as part of your evening skincare routine.

There’s no need to double cleanse in the morning as well. It’s important not to over-wash your face, or you risk stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Shop Now

The post What Is Double Cleansing? appeared first on The Pai Life.

I hope you and your family and friends are staying well and coping with the enormous challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has created for everyone in the UK and around the world.

I wanted to reach out to provide reassurance that we have changed our business to look after our team and customers the best we can.

I spoke to Sky News about these challenges as a mum and business owner responsible not just for my kids, but the safety of over 50 people who work at Pai 

Here’s what we have done, and are doing.

Since 2nd March our back office team (70% of our workforce) has worked from home – we use Zoom A LOT! Even our regular office yoga is by video! 

Those who need to be in the office – our, Chemists, Production and Logistics teams have been travelling off-peak. Commutes are mostly by bike and car.  We are launching a taxi service to get people in and home safely.

When people get sick or have to self-isolate, we will pay their wages and send them care packages.  

Our teams operate in a clean zone. The Production Facility has Air Locks, Hepa filter air purification and ISO standard protocols.  The team wears disposable gloves, hairnets and protective clothing.  

All  surfaces are disinfected daily and we have regular deep cleans of the entire building

What we are doing to help

There is a  global shortage of hand sanitising gel.

Two weeks ago we decided to create one.  I am so proud of how the team rallied together to launch a brand new product in two weeks (rather than the 18 months they are used to spending perfecting a product!)

Our ‘Acton Spirit’ Hand Sanitizer launches this week – Pai is based in South Acton and we felt it summed up the amazing resilience and community spirit we are seeing here in West London. 

Much of the initial batch is being given away free to Pai’s neighbouring schools, nurseries, charities and through local business to help support them and our community.

We will have stock soon for Pai’s UK customers* and will give it away with orders first – before it goes on sale to new customers.

The packaging may be a little makeshift initially – we’re over-labelling existing tubes for speed. But I figured you’d be forgiving provided it worked!

(*As soon as we can, we’ll start sending to European customers but we can’t ship to the US or worldwide for now due to restrictions on sending products with high alcohol content .)

Will our service levels change?

We are all working hard to keep up a “normal” service in these far from normal times.  

We conceive, create, manufacture and distribute all of our products from our London HQ.  This brings us enormous freedom to flex when and where we need to. 

We have added extra slots for phone and video consultations and stay tuned on social for helpful home hacks and any content we can muster to lift the spirits. 

On a final note…

This is the time we will find strength and resilience we didn’t know we had in us.

We will get through this surreal time by continuing to find humour in the every day and draw inspiration from those around us. 

For the strong of health and heart, we will work together to bring support and comfort to the vulnerable.  For the elderly and vulnerable, have faith that you will be rallied around.  

I’d love to claim the following words as my own, but they are Ariana Huffington’s. They feel rather apt. 

We all have within us a centred place of wisdom, harmony and strength. As Archimedes said “give me a place to stand, and I will move the earth.”….It’s in this sacred place that life is transformed from struggle to grace and we are suddenly filled with trust, whatever our obstacles, challenges or disappointments.

Sending Pai’s love to you all,

Sarah x

The post A letter from Sarah: What we’re doing to help. appeared first on The Pai Life.

The advice when it comes to preventing the spread of viruses is crystal clear – keep washing those hands. Though necessary and definitely the best thing to do – it can leave sensitive skin feeling just a bit irritated. Repeated washing  – particularly with liquid soaps and hand sanitizers – can strip the hands of their natural oils leaving them dry and rough. Liquid soap usually contains chemical detergents which are notorious skin irritants. These foaming agents can aggravate the skin leaving it inflamed and prone to cracking.

For many, this marks the start of a vicious cycle, as cracked skin can become even more vulnerable to further irritation. It is also likely to become even more sensitised to chemical ingredients in hand washes and hand creams.

As with all skin afflictions, there may not be a simple single solution to the problem. Here are just a few suggested lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of irritation and help nurse your hands back to full health.

1. Avoid liquid soaps (including washing-up liquid)

The chemical detergents in liquid soaps are drying and are known skin irritants.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, or SLS, is one of the worst and is incredibly common in shampoos and body washes. The best washing up liquid for dry and sensitive hands is one without SLS, as well as free from fragrances, dyes and acids.

Always read the ingredients list on your products – good health food shops will stock SLS-free products or vegetable oil soaps which are kinder on the skin.

2. Avoid latex gloves

Many people who suffer from irritated hands turn to washing up gloves as protection from any chemicals or irritants they may come into contact with. The right washing up gloves can provide a much needed protective barrier, preventing any water or irritants from coming into contact with skin.

However, most washing up gloves are made from latex. The latex in these gloves can cause further irritation as a result of mild (or not so mild!) latex allergies.

To avoid added irritation from washing up, try vinyl washing up gloves instead. These are a good alternative to latex and tend to be easier to tolerate.

If you’re unsure as to whether you might have a latex allergy, here’s a little clue. Half of those who have a latex allergy also experience reactions when eating foods such as avocados, bananas and kiwis. Strange but true!

3. Petroleum-based products

A lot of people’s first port of call when trying to treat damaged hands is petroleum-based moisturisers or emollients.

These work as a protective barrier to prevent water loss, but as a result, can suffocate the skin. Though they may appear to work in the short term, they can sometimes worsen dryness and sensitivity in the long term.

Once the triggers have been removed, it’s time to start healing and regenerating any damaged skin.

4. Increase your intake of Essential Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3, 6 & 9) condition the skin from the inside out. Oily fish, seeds and nuts are all good sources. But if your diet is lacking in these then hemp or flaxseed oil are examples of good oil supplements.

These are best taken in pure oil form off the spoon. Always store in the fridge to keep the oil in optimum condition.

5. Moisturise and massage

Moisturise with a certified organic cream that doesn’t contain any of those chemical irritants that aggravated your hands in the first place.

Our Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream is intensely hydrating and its natural-active ingredients soothe skin and promote cell renewal.

For an extra intensive treatment for dry hands, try adding a couple of drops of natural plant oils to your hand cream or directly to your hands. Our best selling Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil happens to be one of the very best! Its high concentration of Vitamin A, Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 nourish the skin and accelerate the natural healing and regeneration process.

Apply products generously at night and wear cotton gloves to allow the cream and oils to soak into your hands rather than your bedsheets!

SHOP NOW

The post How to prevent dry skin from washing hands, dishes & hand sanitiser appeared first on The Pai Life.

We talk regularly on the blog and over on our social channels about the merits – and indeed necessity – of exfoliating sensitive skin. But we thought a refresher on the environmental impact of these wonder products might be helpful too. 

First up, what are microbeads?

Within the skincare industry, these tiny plastic beads had previously been used in scrubs and exfoliators to help remove the skin’s dead surface cells. The microplastics were then flushed down the sink and into our water systems – a direct source of oceanic pollution. 

Since the get go, we’ve been vehemently against the use of microbeads in both personal care and domestic cleaning products. So much so that we – along with three other British beauty brands – wrote to the UK Prime Minister to call for their outright ban back in 2016. The letter coincided with the submission of a #BanTheBead petition with over 300,000 signatures on June 8th, World Oceans Day. Something we’re proud to say has since been put into legislation.  

What’s the alternative to microbeads? 

At Pai – we want to make it easy for our customers to make good choices, by creating products they know will be kind to their skin, as well as the planet. That’s why we make our exfoliator using the gentlest, most effective alternative to plastic microbeads – 100% natural and biodegradable Jojoba Beads. They get to work removing that dull-making dead skin without irritating the healthy cells underneath. And because they’re perfectly spherical, they roll over the skin rather than tearing or cutting it. This is often the case with irregularly shaped and sharp-edged sugar and rice scrubs.

Tried our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator?

Regular exfoliation helps skin feel great for two reasons. Firstly, sloughing away the dead skins on top decongests buildup and helps combat dullness. Even more importantly perhaps, is that by removing the surface cells, all of your carefully chosen skincare and makeup can then get to work much more effectively. Rather than sitting on top of dead skin, revealing those healthy cells below means that all of your products can be fully absorbed and utilised. Our exfoliator is made with nourishing Kukui Oil too – packed with Omegas 3 & 6 to nourish the skin and protect its delicate moisture barrier. Which means even more hydration and radiance for you!

The post All About Our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Exfoliator appeared first on The Pai Life.

Many people buy Rosehip Oil expecting it to smell of roses, when in fact this wonderful hedgerow shrub is much more herbaceous and earthy. We’ve seen people comment that some rosehip oils smell fishy or even like mustard. It can be a bit of a surprise!

What our Rosehip Oil smells like

There’s absolutely no added fragrance in our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. Its organic aroma comes from our complete extraction method.

We extract Oil from the fruit and seed of the hip using CO2 extraction. This gives us the freshest, most concentrated form of Rosehip Oil. It also means we keep the natural scent of the plant.

We think it smells a bit like cold tea. But some customers have suggested it smells like hay or straw, autumnal leaves – even a little like cider!

What your Rosehip Oil shouldn’t smell like

Although not strong, our different perceptions of smell can make the scent a bit divisive; particularly if you’ve never used a high quality Rosehip Oil before.

Whether you love the scent of Rosehip Oil (like most of us at Pai HQ) or you’re not so sure, it doesn’t linger. When applied to the skin, the scent quickly dissipates.

However your Rosehip Oil should never smell rancid or sour on the nose (the way that old butter can).

Another tip…

If you’re unsure whether what you’re smelling is normal, another clue to the freshness of your Rosehip is its colour.

A good Rosehip Oil should be a vibrant orange, which signposts the presence of lots of skin-protecting carotenoids. Paler hues are an indication that your oil may have oxidised.

To keep your Oil fresh as long as possible, keep it in a cool place, out of direct sunlight and avoid leaving unsealed for prolonged periods of time.

Shop Now

The post What Does Rosehip Oil Smell Like? appeared first on The Pai Life.

We’ve covered why exactly you should exfoliate sensitive skin on the blog before. Spoiler: it will allow your products to sink into your skin rather than just sit on top of the dead skin cells. So the next question is of course – how often should you exfoliate your face? 

Is it okay to exfoliate your face every day?

Done right, regular exfoliation can prove to be a real lifesaver for sensitive skin. However, we do get asked regularly – if skin is hypersensitive or reactive – is it okay to exfoliate your face every day? That’s a hard no from us.

You shouldn’t be afraid to slough away dead skin cells using either a mechanical product like our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Brightening Exfoliator or a chemical exfoliant such as our Copaiba AHA Mask. But this shouldn’t be part of your daily routine. 

So, how often should you exfoliate your face?

Our general recommendation is to do so 1-2 times per week, however that does vary depending on your skin type or condition. For hypersensitive skin for example, once every 7-10 days should be sufficient. Those with mild rosacea and sensitive skin should find once per week just right. While combination skin often enjoys a once to twice weekly exfoliation. Finally when it comes to dry, dehydrated, mature and acne-prone skin, our customers find that twice a week is ideal.

Should you exfoliate in the morning or at night?

Another question we get asked all the time is: when should I exfoliate my face – in the morning or evening? With any type of exfoliation, we recommend doing it as part of your evening routine. This goes for manual exfoliation using an exfoliator or muslin cloth, as well as chemical exfoliation using AHAs.

Once you’ve cleansed away the day, then exfoliate, leaving skin smooth and polished. The targeted skincare you use overnight like serums or facial oils will then absorb beautifully into the skin, getting to work while you get some ZZZs.

What happens if you exfoliate your face too much?

If you have been scrubbing a little over-enthusiastically already, how do you know if you’ve over exfoliated? First of all, skin might feel tight, reactive or more sensitive than usual. You might also be experiencing dryness or breakouts, due to the breakdown of the skin’s protective barrier.

To combat this give your face a gentle massage using our regenerating Rosehip Oil. Or, treat skin to our Rosehip Rapid Radiance Mask to deeply nourish, repair and hydrate the sensitised skin.

If you’ve still got some questions, or aren’t sure if exfoliation is right for your skin, why not talk to our sensitive skin experts. Our free 30 minute consultations are available over the phone or video chat – and you can book yours right here.

The post How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Face? appeared first on The Pai Life.

GOOP’s Buckwheat & Banana Pancakes

Deliciously Ella’s Banana Pancakes

Livia’s Salted Peanut Butter Million Squares Pancakes

BBC Good Food’s Easy Vegan Pancakes

The Happy Pear’s Happy Heart Pancakes

The post Our Five Favourite Vegan Pancake Recipes appeared first on The Pai Life.

The words ‘dry’ and ‘dehydrated’ are often used interchangeably by people when describing their skin. However, there are key differences between the two. Just like dry and dehydrated skin mean different things, so does ‘hydration’ and ‘moisturisation’.

It therefore follows that understanding whether your skin is dry or dehydrated is key in helping you tailor your skincare routine.

Dry or dehydrated skin?

The key difference between dry and dehydrated skin is that one is a skin type and one is a skin condition.

On a basic level, ‘dry skin’ is a skin type. It’s the skin that you’re born with or develop over the years. ‘Dehydrated skin’ is a skin condition or temporary state that any skin type can suffer with.

Still not sure whether your skin is dry or dehydrated? Here’s a breakdown…

What is dry skin?

Dry skin produces less oil than normal skin types .Your skin’s natural oil, or sebum, helps to keep pores and the outer layers of the skin conditioned and protected. Without it, skin appears dry and flakey.

Those with dry skin are also more likely to suffer from skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis.

What is dehydrated skin?

Dehydrated skin is simply skin that’s lacking in moisture. Rather than dry or flakey, dehydrated skin will look and feel tight, dull and papery. Dehydrated skin can also encourage premature signs of aging, such as less elasticity and fine lines.

Any person can get dehydrated skin, no matter their skin type. You can have dry and dehydrated skin, and also oily and dehydrated skin.

How to treat dry vs dehydrated skin

Both dry and dehydrated skin will benefit from both hydration and moisturisation. But whether you have dry or dehydrated skin will determine which specific products you should use. Both require slightly different approaches. 

Dry skin

The key to addressing dry skin is moisturisation. To treat dry skin you should opt for a moisturiser that contains rich, fatty oils. These will make up for the lack of natural sebum.

For younger dry skin types, we recommend our Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream. For more mature and dry skin types, our Age Confidence Cream.

Dehydrated skin

For dehydrated skin, it’s best to opt for a lightweight serum for a more concentrated treatment, such as our Back to Life Hydration Serum.

You also need to tackle dehydration from the inside-out, so upping your intake of fluids and ensuring you’re consuming lots of Essential Fatty Acids (Omegas) is key.

Facialist and Nutritional Therapist Lisa Knowles says:

“Drinking plenty of water will help, but eating natural, nutritious foods and keeping processed foods and drinks to a minimum will benefit your skin’s condition immensely. Try adding more organic fruit and vegetables to your daily diet.”

Dehydrated skin can also be exacerbated by environmental factors too. These include central heating, sun exposure and drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, which can all dehydrate the skin. So it’s worth keeping track of this too!

Whether you suffer from dry or dehydrated skin, or both, remember that moisturisation should always follow hydration. This means you should always use a hydrating serum before moisturiser. Your moisturiser is there to help seal in the hydration.

Feel confused by your complexion? Get in touch with one of our skincare experts on support@paiskincare.com or book a free skincare consultation now.

The post Is my skin dry or dehydrated? appeared first on The Pai Life.

We often get asked about how to know when our best-selling facial oil, rosehip, has gone rancid. So how long does rosehip oil last? And what happens if you use expired rosehip oil? 

Whether you use our rosehip oil or another type of facial oil, here’s our advice on how to tell when your facial oil has gone bad…

Why you need to look after your facial oil

Facial oils carry higher price tags than most moisturisers, as they contain higher levels of actives. They therefore tend to deliver quicker results.

However, organic facial oils can be very fragile, oxidising after minimal contact with air and sunlight. As a result, many of us may be using facial oils that are no longer active, and so have far less skin benefits than we think.

The best way to ensure your rosehip oil is at its best is to keep an eye on the following characteristics:

1. Aroma

Rancid oils are best spotted by their aroma, which is usually musty and sour on the nose – a bit like old butter! Rosehip oil should smell quite earthy, so if it starts smelling a bit sour then that may be a sign that it has expired.

1. Colour

Oils can lose their depth of colour as they oxidise. A good rosehip oil, for example, should be a vibrant orange – which indicates the presence of lots of skin-protecting carotenoids! A sign of an expired rosehip oil is therefore a paler colour.

1. Fat profiles

Oils rich in polyunsaturated fats are incredibly popular facials oils, as they feel light and velvety on the skin.

Polyunsaturated fats are, however, much more prone to oxidisation. So be sure to keep a close eye on oils such as Borage, Hemp and Safflower, as these facial oils will expire faster.

How to keep your facial oil at its best

Make your beauty investment worthwhile by maximising the life of your facial oil.

Keep it in a cool place, out of direct sunlight (ideally in its original box), and avoid leaving unsealed for prolonged periods of time.

At Pai, we give you a helping hand by adding 100% natural Vitamin E (from sunflower) to our bestselling Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. This antioxidant prolongs the life of the rosehip oil, as well as protecting the skin from damaging environmental forces like UV rays and pollution.

We also endeavour to use CO2 extracts over cold pressed extracts when it comes to particularly fragile oils such as Rosehip. As no oxygen is present during the extraction process, CO2 extracts remain at their best for 18 months, compared to the 3-6 months lifespan of Cold Pressed extracts.

Shop Now

The post How to know when your facial oil has expired appeared first on The Pai Life.

The benefits of using Gua Sha as part of a skincare routine go far beyond just about feeling relaxed and pampered. Originally used in Chinese and Southeast Asian medicine, this method of scraping the skin has been used for centuries to relieve tension, support lymphatic drainage to flush out toxins and increase blood flow within the body by helping to break up fascia. When done on the face, the technique is much gentler, with the crystal gliding along the skin rather than scraping it. 

There are many different pressures, speeds, edges and directions to choose from – which require some trial and error when it comes to finding what feels good for your skin. In particular, you’ll need to practice going really gentle around the eye area, the lightest touch is all it takes! 

How to use yours

Complete your evening cleansing routine, finishing with your usual serum, facial oil or moisturiser. Anything that will provide a smooth base and reduce friction or pulling. Our favourite is the Age Confidence Oil because you get the added benefit of it’s beautifully relaxing scent too.

Next hold the curved side of the Gua Sha to your face and glide with medium pressure along the jawline and chin working up to the hairline. Then holding the skin to the side of your nose with one hand, use the other to work the Gua Sha below the cheekbones up to the ear, on each side. 

When it comes to the eyes, tread very gently. The skin underneath the eyes is our most-delicate, so without dragging, roll the Gua Sha from the inside corner of the eye, along the undereye to the where the temples meet the hairline. Then along each brow bone and upwards from your eyebrows to the temples. When you get to the hairline at the end of any stroke, increase the pressure slightly and give an extra moment of tension-relieving massage here. Repeat each stroke on each area of the face around five times. 

Last but not least is the forehead. Hold down each eyelid – then the skin between the brows once you’ve done both sides– and with the other hand roll the Gua Sha from underneath the brow bone upwards to the hairline. 

Remember to clean it before you use it next – ideally in warm soapy water. Leave it with your cleanser so you can remember to do so when you’re next washing your face!      

The post How To Use Your Gua Sha appeared first on The Pai Life.

“Well…is it?” I thought to myself.

As a Registered Dietitian, treating acne therapeutically with food wasn’t part of my degree training. I’d consequently been sceptical about the evidence behind any media hype.

But I was also well aware acne has a major impact on people’s self-esteem. So if diet could help, I wanted to know.

What causes acne?

For the majority of us, acne resolves in late teens to early twenties, but it can persist for longer and also develop for the first time in people during their late twenties and thirties.

The exact cause is unknown, but Dermatologists believe factors such as hormones, weight, genetics, inflammation and emotional stress play a role.

The British Association for Dermatologists describe the oil-producing glands of people with acne as being particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of key hormones. This causes glands to produce excess oil.

Skin cells lining the pores may also not shed properly, causing follicles to block. This combined oily and blocked pore environment causes the acne bacteria (which live on everyone’s skin), to multiply.

Diet-acne – going back in history

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, scientists speculated there was a link between diet and acne. Processed fatty foods, chocolate, bananas, nuts, alcohol, sugar and cheese were all to blame.

But then in the 1960s, two highly cited studies seemed to prove there was no such link. So much so, that textbooks were revised and dermatologists took the view that any murmurings about diet and acne were unscientific.

But we now know these studies contained major design flaws, leading to an erroneous conclusion which meant there was no research for a further 40 years!

It’s only recently that an association with acne and food has reemerged.

Recent research

A diet-acne link seemed to resurface in 2002 when scientists reported that acne was almost non-existent in outside Western populations.

From their observations, they concluded that the vast differences in the incidence of acne between non-Western populations and modern societies could not be solely down to genes.

Something environmental must be at play – perhaps diet they thought. These Non-Western individuals ate diets predominantly rich in plant-based, unprocessed low glycemic load foods. A list of which can be seen below.

Table credit: Cordain et al, 2002

If diet does play a role in promoting acne, it’s thought to be due to the ability of some foods to stimulate complex acne-promoting pathways.

The strongest association to date is thought by scientists to be between dairy and glycemic load (GL).

Diet and acne – what you can do

Glycemic Load 

The glycemic index (GI) is a number given to a food to reflect its effect on a person’s blood sugar. High GI foods include sugar breakfast cereals, white flour, biscuits and sweets.

The GL is based on the portion sizes we eat, so is a practical extension of GI science to our daily lives.

The theory is that foods with a high GL are rapidly digested and absorbed, causing a rise in blood glucose. This sends a message to the pancreas causing an acute rise in insulin along with other hormones.

GL and acne research

Overall, this seems to be a controversial area with conflicting evidence between studies.

In a recent study, 248 males and females living in New York were asked to fill out a validated food frequency questionnaire and report their acne severity. Results showed that participants with moderate to severe acne had a significantly higher GL diet and added sugar consumption.

Randomised controlled trials (the gold standard study design) have also been conducted.

Several of these studies have demonstrated improvements in: acne, hormone levels and sebum production following a low GL diet (here, here and here), whilst another hasn’t. In short, more research is needed!

Diet and dairy

There is another theory that milk may aggravate acne development by increasing concentrations of insulin and a hormone called IGF-1 in the blood. Since milk contains carbohydrates, it leads to a rise in blood sugar and insulin, similar to the effects of a high GL diet.

Interestingly, milk has a 3-6 fold higher GL than expected. The addition of just a small amount of milk to a low-GI meal increases the insulin response to levels characteristic of a high-GI meal. This accounts for skimmed milk and whole milk but not for cheese.

Milk may also contribute to acne because of its hormone content which includes IGF-1. This, if drunk in high quantities, has been shown to increase IGF-1 levels in the blood. 

Dairy and acne research

Two large studies provide the most convincing evidence to support a link between milk and acne (here and here).

In both cases they asked the participants to note down what they ate and followed them for three years. In both studies, high milk intake increased risk of acne by about 20%.

Another trial found that acne was positively associated with frequent milk consumption, but not whole milk or cheese.

The problem is that literature investigating milk and acne is observational. There are no randomised controlled trials looking into a dairy-acne link.

This means we can’t conclusively prove that milk causes acne, but we can suggest drinking milk may increase the risk.

Since milk contains over 60 different molecules, it’s extremely difficult to tease apart which of these components might be having an acne promoting effect. Especially when there is such a broad range of dairy products.

Scientists are still trying to discover if it is the hormones, its GL effect or protein in milk that drives any associations.

So if you’re prone to acne, what should you do?

1. Book an appointment
   See your GP to discuss medical treatments such as topical creams which can be used alongside making any dietary changes. The British Association of Dermatologists discuss treatment options here.
2. Go non-comedogenic
   Consider choosing make-up and face products which are labelled non-comedogenic (free from pore-blocking ingredients). Pai’s geranium and thistle rebalancing day cream would tick this box. 
3. Monitor
   Keep a food/symptom diary and look for patterns between foods and breakouts.
4. Trial cutting dairy
   Consider a milk or dairy exclusion period for a couple of months. Make sure you are getting enough calcium by using this British Dietetic Association star guide. Be aware that organic dairy alternatives will not be fortified with calcium. You may need to consider taking a calcium supplement if you are not getting enough.

Go low GL
Consider a low GL diet. This low GL recipe book by Registered Dietitian Nigel Denby is excellent. He explains that a GL rating of <10 = low, 11-19 = medium and 20+ = high. To have a low GL day, you would be aiming for a GL total of 80 or under. A total of 120 or over would be a high GL day.

An example low GL day:

Breakfast: Two poached eggs, one slice of pumpernickel bread, avocado and fresh tomatoes.

Snack: Small handful of almonds

Lunch: Lentils with fresh spinach, grated fennel and goats cheese.

Snack: Two oatcakes with a tablespoon of hummus.

Evening meal: Chicken and quinoa salad with butternut squash, chilli and broccoli

Summary: the link between diet and acne

There is no strong evidence that diet causes acne, but there is emerging evidence it can aggravate it. There are some dietary strategies worth trying alongside medical treatment.

A typical Western diet based on refined high GL carbohydrates and dairy may be accountable.

Eat a healthy varied diet, high in plant-based whole-foods such as fruit, veg, pulses and nuts to see if acne symptoms improve. The exclusion of milk could also be considered, as long as daily calcium levels can be met.

The exclusion of milk could also be considered, as long as daily calcium levels can be met.

Looking into the future, we need research to understand what’s going on before any evidenced-based recommendations can be developed.

Registered Nutritionists, Dietitians and Dermatologists should be open-minded. They should be aware of their potential to make an extremely positive impact on someone’s life by improving their skin with food.

Hopefully we will see more collaboration between both professions in years to come.

Rosie Saunt (Registered Dietitian) @rosie-saunt

The post Diet & Acne – Is there really a link? appeared first on The Pai Life.

What causes back acne?

Identifying the causes of back acne is the first step to eliminating them. As with facial acne, back spots occur when pores or hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and excess sebum.

The causes are much the same as face spots, but body acne can be harder to treat than facial acne. This is because the skin on your back is thicker, has larger pores and is in constant contact with clothing. This can suffocate the skin and spread bacteria.

Common causes of back acne

One possible cause of back acne is the products you are using on both your body and your hair. Any lotions and creams could be blocking your pores – from shower gel to sunscreen. Opt for lighter, non-comedogenic products. And be sure thoroughly wash away any residue from shampoo and conditioner.

Wearing tight, non-breathable clothing is another common cause of back spots. This is a particular problem if you’re doing exercise in these types of clothes. Either way, be sure to shower after sweating underneath your clothes as soon as possible. If it’s after the gym, don’t wait until your home – shower right away and you’ll reduce the chances of pimples forming.

There’s also a chance that your back acne could be diet related. Or it could be linked to stress or a hormone imbalance. High testosterone levels promote acne, as does low oestrogen levels, which explains those pesky pre-period breakouts.

Unfortunately for some, back acne can be genetic – just like facial acne and other skin conditions, it can run in the family. So if your parents battled with back blemishes then you may have inherited the problem. You can still take steps to combat your back acne though – more on this in a bit.

How to get rid of back acne?

There are lots of simple steps that will help see off those pesky pimples before summer arrives, so you can wear those strappy vest tops with confidence!

1. Soaps & body wash

Medicated soaps are often suggested but these dry out the skin (causing further oil to be produced) and can also irritate sensitive skin.

We swear by Castille Soap which contains 80% olive oil. This means it is less drying than regular soaps. The soap is best used with a shower pouf, as you then only need a tiny amount of soap to work up a generous gentle lather.

Try adding a drop or two of Tea Tree or Lavender oil directly to the lather before applying to the back.

2. Exfoliation

Exfoliating is also important to slough away dead skin cells, help decongest the pores and promote cell turnover. Exfoliating gloves are ideal and make light work of those hard to reach areas. They’re best used twice a week.

Follow each wash and exfoliation with a pump of Comfrey and Calendula Calming Body Cream and a couple of drops of Rosehip Oil – the latter will help speed up scar healing.

3. Clothing

Clothing can be an important factor in minimising spots. Avoid synthetic or tight-fitting fabrics to minimise sweating – cotton is perfect as it’s soft and breathable. Be sure to regularly wash any clothes which you’ve sweated in, particularly your gym clothes. Just be wary of the detergent you’re using, as some very fragrant ones can cause irritation and inflammation to sensitive skin.

Be careful of wearing a backpack too. This can trap sweat between your skin and your clothes, plus the friction can encourage those pesky pimples.

4. Hair

When washing your hair, be sure to wash away any residue left from your shampoo and conditioner. Aim to keep your hair off your back, as the oils from your hair can contribute to clogging the skin.

5. Diet

Small changes to your diet can also make a huge difference to your skin health.

We’re forever waxing on about Essential Fatty Acids. Increase your intake of EFAs and reduce your intake of sugar – the former are excellent anti-inflammatories and the latter will stabilise sebum production.

Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruit too. Apricots and mangoes are brilliant skin foods due to their Vitamin A content. Dandelion tea is also a great skin purifier though it’s not particularly appetising!

The post What causes back acne & how to get rid of it appeared first on The Pai Life.

What do oil cleansers do?  

We often get asked whether oil cleansers really work – the answer is a resounding yes! The way an oil cleanser vs a water cleanser works is pretty clever. Oils – like the blend in our Rosehip Cleansing Oil – naturally cling to other oils, such as those naturally produced by your skin (aka sebum), and those found in makeup.

How do oil cleansers work and how to use?

When you massage an oil cleanser into your skin, the cleanser attaches itself to all that excess sebum and makeup, to lift them all right off. 

Once you wet your hands and add water into the mix, the cleanser becomes cloudy and a little milky as it emulsifies. That means as you wash the cleanser off, it takes the day’s dirt away with it. 

Do you use cleanser after cleansing oil?

If you regularly wear SPF or heavy makeup, then we recommend double cleansing. This involves following your oil cleanser with a regular cream cleanser. It ensures that every speck of dirt and buildup is removed, leaving you with super clean skin. We recommend our double cleanse bundle, as it offers a calming deep cleanse for sensitive skin.

It’s not necessary to follow your oil cleanser with a cream cleanser. Just make sure you wash off the oil cleanser so that no residue is left on your skin.

Why use an oil cleanser?

The best bits? Not only is it suitable for sensitive skin and eczema, but it cuts down on the use of wasteful makeup removal wipes and cotton pads too. No equipment required! 

Wipes are not only unnecessarily wasteful – but it should be noted that they also require high levels of irritating preservatives, parabens, and alcohol to keep them stable (i.e. permanently moist). Definitely not great for sensitive skin in need of some calm, right?

Shop Now

The post How Oil Cleansers Work appeared first on The Pai Life.

Cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling and aerobics pump oxygen-rich blood around our bodies. This causes our blood vessels to dilate, giving skin a plumped, healthy glow. While sweating may not make you feel gorgeous in the short term, shedding liquid in this way flushes surface dirt from pores and detoxifies the skin. It also helps to protect our complexions from bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. It does this by treating the skin with a dose of Dermcidin, a natural antibiotic which attacks bacteria on the skin. 

An intro to acne

Many people worry that exercise – or sweating specifically – might cause acne. While this technically this isn’t true, it could indeed worsen already-existing acne if not done properly. Acne isn’t caused by a lack of cleanliness. Most acne we see is in fact hormonal acne. This is caused by a change in hormone levels, most commonly triggered by puberty, periods, the pill (coming off it specifically) and pregnancy. Other acne may be diet or stress-related. When any of our hormones become off-balance, it can cause our glands to overproduce oil (sebum). This then throws the skin’s usually harmless skin bacterium (P. acnes) out of whack. Making the pores inflamed. Add any dead skin cells and hair follicles into the mix, and pores become blocked. And that, is your breakout. 

Exercise and acne

According to the NHS, ‘Regular exercise cannot improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising as sweat can irritate your acne.” This bit is key. Even though lack of cleansing didn’t cause your acne, in the case of exercise, it can make things much worse.

Exercising with makeup on in particular will only add to that already-blocked pore situation. Even if you’re not wearing any makeup it is important to wash your face both before and after exercise. That means when you get to the gym, do it just before you leave the changing rooms, and again straight afterwards, even if you’re showering properly at home later. While we usually recommend not over-cleansing acne (as it can cause further irritation), the exception to the rule is when sweat is left on the skin.

Katie Gray – Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor and founder of ‘Kind by KG’ explained to us recently; ‘ Double cleansing has changed my life! Dramatic, but true. Our sweat also contains Ammonia and Urea, which when left on the skin too long can cause irritation and inflammation.’

What about exercise and other sensitive skin conditions?

Other aggravated skin conditions may be triggered by intensive activity. Urticaria, for example, often breaks out when the body overheats, and Rosacea can appear worse when blood flow increases. Rosacea is also notoriously worsened by exposure to sunlight, so if you’re exercising outdoors be sure to keep your face in the shade by wearing a cap.

In cases of these conditions, lower impact activities like yoga may be more suitable. With its emphasis on relaxation, yoga makes an ideal exercise for stress-triggered conditions like Eczema and Psoriasis. 

3 simple rules for exercising with sensitive skin

1. Never wear makeup when working out – it mixes with sweat and can block pores, making those breakouts much more likely.
2. Shower as soon as possible after exercising. Physical activity encourages cell renewal throughout the body. This is a good thing provided the excess dead cells are washed away, keeping pores clear and revealing the fresher skin underneath.
3. Avoid tight-fitting clothes or head wear as this can cause Acne Mechanica, a form of acne caused by heat or constant pressure. Opt for loose-fitting cotton clothes instead, which will also stop the skin from suffocating or overheating.

The post Does exercise reduce or cause acne? appeared first on The Pai Life.

For the most part, breakouts occur in oily or dry skin types. In oily skin, the breakouts occur because the skin is overproducing oils, which can get trapped along with dead skin cells and bacteria within hair follicles and clog pores. The opposite occurs in dry skin where it underproduces oils, leaving the skin vulnerable without its protective barrier (or acid mantle). 

When it comes to calming all types of sensitive skin, we recommend stripping your routine right back to basics, starting with just a nourishing daily cleanse. Then when your skin feels ready for those gentle next steps, try our trusted routine below for blemish-prone, combination and oily skin. 

Morning skin routine:

For oily or combination skin, we recommend beginning with a spritz of Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Tonic. The natural antioxidants in Rosemary Water help to purify and rebalance congested skin and oily T-zones. Leaving skin damp after applying a Tonic also helps the next products in your routine absorb easily into the skin. 

For dry skin, swap out the Rice Plant & Rosemary Tonic for our Lotus & Orange Blossom one instead.

Follow by hydrating skin with Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream. Thistle Oil helps to mattify skin and reduce the appearance of large pores. 

Evening skin routine:

First remove makeup and SPF using the Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil. Even oily skin types shouldn’t shy away from this step. Oils cling to oils – so using a cleaning oil will help to lift every last trace of stubborn makeup and waterproof makeup off the skin without stripping it or causing irritation. 

Pat face dry first, then double cleanse thoroughly using Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. It’s important to massage it into dry skin because the nourishing oils inside would slide off wet skin rather than gripping to and removing any dirt or residue on top. 

Two to three consecutive nights per week, apply Copaiba & Zinc Perfect Balance Blemish Serum. It gently alleviates redness, inflammation and bacteria without drying the spot or causing irritation. 

On the nights you’re not using a serum, massage Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil into skin before bed. The regenerative sterols soothe inflammation surrounding the blemish and encourage healing. Suitable for all skin types, a facial oil is an important skincare step to maintain when skin is clear of breakouts too. 

Once or twice weekly: 

Treat skin to our Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask – the gentle fruit acids inside exfoliate and clear congestion by dissolving dead skin cells and drawing out impurities.

Add exfoliation into your evening cleanse routine – applying Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator to dry skin after cleansing. Then continue with your Tonic plus Serum or Facial Oil afterwards.

If you’re not sure if this routine is what your skin needs right now, or have any questions, our customer experience team are here to talk things through. You can book a free one-to-one phone or video skincare consultation using the link below.

Book Free Consultation Now

The post The Routine You Need If You’re Breaking Out appeared first on The Pai Life.

1. INTRODUCING HELLO SUNSHINE OUR DAILY SPF30

2. WHAT IS DOUBLE CLEANSING?

3. HOW TO KEEP A SKIN DIARY

The post Your Year In Skincare: The Best Of The Blog 2019 appeared first on The Pai Life.

The most common bad skin complaint after coming off the pill is adult acne. I, for one, know how upsetting and confidence shattering that can be.

I don’t want to give false hope here by telling you that one skincare product will magic your spots away! Everyone’s skin and hormone levels vary, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Also, hormone led acne is extremely hard to shift with topical products. You need to look inwards at the root cause.

Allowing your hormones to rebalance naturally can take time and patience. But there are a few things you can do to help your skin transition when coming off the pill.

Why do you get bad skin after coming off the pill?

Female hormones are so delicately tuned that balancing them is rather like walking a tightrope.

In the most basic terms, when you are taking the contraceptive pill your hormone levels are controlled to prevent pregnancy. When you stop, the carefully maintained hormone levels are thrown off balance. These hormone disruptions play out on your skin, which can result in acne and more oily or greasy skin after coming off the pill.

How to come off the pill without getting acne?

While your hormones will eventually settle, it can take time – for some people, this may be weeks, for others it may be many months or years.

Maintaining a consistent skincare, detergent-free cleansing routine will help combat post-pill acne. As will packing your diet full of skin-boosting vitamins, minerals and avoiding inflammatory foods. Good skin foods to eat include: apricot, mango and dandelion tea.

There are some natural supplements you can also consider to help encourage your hormones to rebalance after coming off the pill. I’ve caught up with Lorna from the NutriCentre to get her advice on this.

“The three most important supplements to help balance hormones after coming off the pill are:

Vitamin B6

Dose: 1 capsule a day with breakfast.

Vitamin B6 is really important for hormone balancing. In this formula, you also get all the other ‘Bs’ which offer additional support.

Agnus Castus

Dose: 2 capsules with breakfast.

This is a fantastic herb for re-balancing the menstrual cycle. It doesn’t contain hormones in itself, but works by naturally encouraging your body to balance itself. It is often recommended for alleviating numerous PMS symptoms (premenstrual syndrome).

Plus Kenko Omega Supplement

Dose: Refer to directions on the label.

This is a really good all-round omega formula for women – to support hormone production and rebalancing.

All of these supplements should be used for at least three months, as it can take at least three menstrual cycles to really begin correcting hormones.”

Shop Now

The post Post-pill acne: How to care for your skin when coming off the pill appeared first on The Pai Life.

This is something we see ring true time and time again, especially when it comes to pinpointing the causes of spots. Many of our blemish-prone customers tend to have a specific area where they break out more often.

To help you work out whether there may be an underlying reason for this, we’ve put together our ‘Face Map’ to show which organ each area is thought to relate to:

1.    Forehead

Spots on the forehead tend to indicate a stressed bladder or digestive system. To help ease this, try increasing your intake or water, green tea and fibre-rich foods that help dispel toxins and excess waste.

Contact spots are also common in this area where grease from the hair can creep onto the face, so try and keep your hair up and out of the way if you’re exercising or between hair washes.

2.    Between the brows

Spots between the eyebrows are thought to be linked to the liver, so they can often crop up the morning after a night out!

They can also be a result of over-indulging in rich or processed food, so try cutting back on foods high in refined sugar, salt and stick to fresh, home-cooked meals.

Reducing your alcohol intake will not only help see off between brow blemishes but will also help to brighten your skin. Alcohol is a diuretic which not only causes dehydration but also depletes vital skin nutrients, giving your skin the classic ‘grey’ hue the next day.

3.    Cheeks

Typically, the cheeks and nose are related to the lungs, so you may be prone to spots here if you regularly suffer from colds or chest infections. Check out our tips for fighting colds and boosting your immune system naturally.

But if you’re cold-free and have a healthy respiratory system, your phone could be the blemish culprit… The average phone screen supposedly harbours more bacteria than a toilet seat, so make sure you wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe every few days, to avoid spot-causing bacteria transferring to your skin.

If you suffer from small spots and redness on the cheeks, it could be a sign of Rosacea. See our tips for keeping Rosacea under control for more information.

4.    Chin & Jawline

Spots on the chin and along the jawline are often linked to hormonal issues.

They often crop up at the same time of the month or may be linked to contraception, new medication, illness or pregnancy. It is notoriously difficult to treat hormonal acne with topical products alone, you need to take a more holistic approach to restore any imbalances.

Have a look at our guide to hormonal acne for some more information and ideas for where to get started.

The areas and links listed are just guidelines and may not be true for everyone. So, what do you think? Can you link any of your spots to your general health?

Shop Now

The post Spot the problem: What spots on different parts of the face mean appeared first on The Pai Life.

Here are some of our most-trusted tips for knowing, understanding and avoiding those triggers this festive season.

Sleep

Good quality sleep is essential for healthy skin. Our skin cells repair at double speed while we sleep and shut-eye also helps to regulate stress levels. If we’re stressed or tired, our natural defences are low and that can cause flare-ups. This is because the hormones affected by stress can cause the skin to slow down. Over time, your skin’s natural barrier won’t do its job properly and can become sensitive. In your diary try blocking out one evening per week in the run-up to Christmas for an early night, or restorative yoga class if you can.

Glam

If you’re noticing unexplained breakouts on your cheeks, the culprit could be bacteria or build up on your mobile phone screen or makeup brushes. Make sure to give them a clean every few days, particularly during party season when makeup really steps up a notch! Removing heavy makeup properly is also key. Don’t be tempted to reach for makeup wipes! Instead treat your skin to a double cleanse to remove every last trace of makeup, whilst leaving your skin happy and hydrated. 

Festive feasting

Our skin acts as an excretory system to get rid of things that our body doesn’t agree with. So what we eat has a huge impact on how our skin behaves. Some studies have linked high GI food to flare-ups of inflammatory skin conditions, including acne. When you’re at home or in control of your own meal planning over the Christmas season, try opting for lower GI options and track any changes in your diary.

Travel

Not only is travelling in December stressful enough, flying will 100% have an effect on your skin too. The re-circulated, filtered air in planes is incredibly dry. As we breathe this air, our bodies become dehydrated from the inside out. Moisture is drawn out of the skin, leaving it tight and lacklustre. This rapid dehydration is a nightmare for all skin types, but in allergy sufferers already prone to dryness it can lead to excessively itchy, cracked or flaky skin.

Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after your flight. And, if you can, bring a BioAffinity Tonic in your hand luggage. Their unique ‘living waters’ actively hydrate, brighten and soothe the skin, and feel so refreshing and cooling too.

Shop Now

The post Knowing and avoiding your Christmas skin triggers appeared first on The Pai Life.

1. But first, exfoliate

Exfoliating often gets forgotten about, especially for sensitive skin. But it’s so important, especially when it comes to putting makeup on top. Without gentle exfoliation everything you put on your skin sits on top of the dead skin cells, not actually absorbing. This is firstly, a real waste of products and money. It also means your makeup won’t sit right, it’ll smudge, clump and generally look a bit cakey. We recommend exfoliating at least once a week to keep that buildup of dead skin cells at bay. We’ve written a handy how-to guide here to get you started. 

1. Party prep is key

Celebrity Makeup Artist Wendy Rowe recently used Pai while preparing Sienna Miller’s skin for the red carpet and shared her pointers with us afterwards. “The best way to ensure flawless makeup is to start with great skin prep. I started Sienna’s prep with the Camellia & Rose Hydrating Cleanser as it is super gentle on the skin, followed by a refreshing spritz of the Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Tonic to calm any redness on the skin. I never forget to use eye cream as this is an essential part of the skin prep. I loved using the Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream.”

1. Then, we wait

When Farzana from @textbookbeauty spoke to us about sensitive skin and makeup recently (you can read the full interview here) she explained that for her, it’s all about giving your skin plenty of time to absorb the products fully before applying your makeup. Which FYI, is ten minutes in her case. We recommend you use this little time-out to get dressed, do your hair or even better, get the fizz out of the fridge. 

1. Choose wisely

If your skincare is working a treat but adding makeup into the mix causes irritation or reactions, then it might be time to look at those ingredients lists. Especially on your heavy-rotation makeup products. Common irritants for sensitive skin found in makeup include Talc, PEGs, Silicones, Polymers, Stabilizers and fragrance. In mineral makeup look out for Bismuth Oxychloride – a by-product of lead, copper and tin. Silicones are great for keeping makeup in place, but that’s also why they can be tricky – they stick to the skin making them hard to remove afterwards. If you’re looking for alternative makeup brand suggestions, we’re big fans of Lily Lolo, Vapour, Inika and RMS.

1. Cleanse kindly

We don’t need to tell you not to sleep in your makeup, that’s a given. And while late nights make reaching for makeup wipes very tempting, they’re for the most part terrible for your skin and even worse for the environment. That’s a hard no from us!

Instead find a powerful and speedy makeup remover that doesn’t irritate your skin. Our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil just so happens to be one of the very best. It quickly removes even the most stubborn waterproof makeup. Plus it’s formulated specifically for sensitive skin and eyes so will leave skin soft, nourished and soothed, no strings attached. You don’t need any complicated steps or extra tools – which at 2am you will really appreciate. 

Wishing a happy festive season to you all, and more-importantly, happy skin too.

The post 5 Ways To Win Party Season With Sensitive Skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

Whilst watching them work their magic on our wreaths, the brilliantly-talented team there explained: “The rosehip is nature’s most beautiful by-product, glorious in its own right. We source our rosehips from a Hampshire Farm, homegrown free from pesticides, nurtured purely with organic fertiliser. They make the perfect choice for a winter wreath, as they’re a hardy berry with a beautiful rosy red hue. By nature, they will dry to a paler peachy tone whilst holding on to their berries to ensure longevity through the season.”

Ready to let the beautiful Rosehips work their magic not just on your skin but on your front door too? The Hayford & Rhodes teams have helpfully created this step-by-step guide, so you can get crafting your very own version at home.

Step One: Gather Your Materials

“Part of the pleasure of making your wreath is finding the products, readily available from nature during Autumn and Winter. Simply forage your pliable twigs and rosehip stems on a wintery walk or source them through your local florist. Be sure to wear gloves when gathering your bounty. You’ll also need scissors/secateurs, reel wire, pliable twigs like Salim or Birch, 20 – 30 Rosehip stems, ribbon and clear nylon thread”

Step Two: Form Your Base

“For a completely natural wreath ring, form a soft circle, approximately 25cm, with the pliable twigs. Bind them into place with the reel of wire making sure not to over-bind. This will help retain the twigs’ natural form.”

Step Three: Prepare The Rosehips

“Remove the majority of the leaves from your rosehip stems and snip 8cm florets from each branch.”

Step Four: Attach The Rosehips

“Begin forming your wreath by twisting a loop of your reel of wire on to your base. Lay your first floret of rosehip onto the twig base. Then wrap the wire around the rosehip stem and the wreath to ensure it is secured into place. Lay another rosehip bundle onto the previous stem and again secure into place. Follow this system until you have covered 90% of your frame with rosehips.”

Tip: As you successively add more rosehips to the wreath, ensure they are all facing in the same direction. Each successive floret you add should cover the stems of the previous placement to give a full look to your design.

Step Five: Finishing Your Wreath

“As you near the end of your wreath, tuck the stems of your last rosehip bundle into the rosehip berries of your first placement to give a neat finish. Loop the reel of wire through the rosehip stems and secure into place on your twig base. Make sure that the wire is held tightly in place to guarantee your wreath and all its materials stay secure.”

Step six: Complete With Ribbon

“Tie a ribbon around your newly finished rosehip wreath and complete with a two-loop bow. Then all that’s left to do is to hang your wreath with clear nylon thread, stand back and admire your handywork!”

—

For more festive inspiration or to find the perfect bunch of flowers to gift this Christmas, follow Hayford & Rhodes on Instagram, Facebook or visit their website HayfordandRhodes.co.uk.

The post How To Make Your Own Rosehip Christmas Wreath appeared first on The Pai Life.

Caroline, what’s your role here at Pai?

“I’m Pai’s resident wordsmith, so if you’ve ever got an email from us, or noticed our ads on the tube – chances are I’ll have written it.”

Tell us why you’re our resident ‘Frequent Flyer’?

“I’m a total travel junkie. One of the main reasons I’m a freelance writer is because it means no limit on my annual leave allowance! Also my family live in Ireland so I fly back and forth every month to see them. I spend a lot of my time in airports and aisle seats.”

Would you describe your skin as sensitive?

“Yes, that’s why I love Pai so much. I couldn’t use sunscreen on my face before Hello Sunshine SPF30 launched last summer – it’s saved my pale Irish skin! I also find showering and stress make my arms and legs incredibly itchy, so Pai’s Body Cream has been a complete game changer.”

What’s your #1 Pai product when you travel?

“By now I’ve got packing my in-flight liquids down to a fine art. I like to wash my face in the airport before I fly to rid it of any Piccadilly Line pollution, then apply a few drops of Back To Life Hydration Serum. I can’t fly without a BioAffinity tonic to cool and hydrate my skin on the plane, otherwise my face feels so hot and dry. The Lotus & Orange Blossom Tonic is my #1 MVP. 

While I’m in the air I will slather on the richest most-hydrating face cream I can get my hands on. Pai’s Age Confidence one is so luxurious. On top of that depending how dehydrated I’m feeling – spoiler alert, usually very – I’ll massage a facial oil on top of that. I’m yet to find one that feels and smells as great as the Echium & Amaranth Age Confidence Facial Oil. It’s pricey but genuinely lasts for ages.”

The product you’re most likely to give as a gift?

“That’s easy, Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. I’m yet to meet someone that hasn’t found it useful for something. I know most of my friends love it as a face oil at night but for me it really comes into its own on holidays. I use it as a face oil, to remove eye makeup, to soothe sunburn and to take the itch out of mosquito bites. It’s so handy.”

Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

“No, I’m quite last minute with these things. The only gift I’ve bought is treat-filled advent calendars for my in-laws dogs and cats. Which yes, is totally ridiculous but also incredibly cute.”

Now that Caroline’s got presents for your frequent flyers figured out, head over to our Christmas Gift Guide to get the rest of the gang sorted too. From wellness warriors to those never-knowingly-indoors friends, we’ve made getting it so right, so easy. 

TAKE ME TO THE GIFT GUIDE

The post How To Shop For Wanderlusting Loved Ones appeared first on The Pai Life.

The long-term effects of UV damage

While you may not experience the tell-tale short term effects of sun damage (burn season is thankfully over for now), the cumulative impact of everyday exposure can lead to long-term damaging effects. This causes the collagen and elastin in the skin to become damaged. And because they act as the skin’s natural scaffolding, damaging them can permanently change the skin’s actual structure. Which then triggers premature aging. Even worse, if the DNA in skin cells also changes, this might increase skin cancer risk.

What SPF should you use in winter?

Whether you’re choosing an SPF for winter or summer, be sure to look out for broad spectrum protection. Everyday SPFs shouldn’t just protect from UVA and UVB rays, but from other rays too such as Blue Light or HEV light. While UVB rays penetrate the outer epidermis, blue light from the sun, phone and laptop screens as well as fluorescent and LED lights, penetrates deeper into the dermis. Blue light alone won’t cause sunburn, but it is known to cause cell damage, photoaging and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Our sensitive skin SPF30 – Hello Sunshine contains active ingredient Gossypium Herbaceum, or cotton extract. This provides skin with broad spectrum protection and helps to overcome induced photo-aging. 

How much SPF to apply?

We recommend applying two fingertip sized amounts of Hello Sunshine SPF each morning after your moisturiser. Then you can apply makeup after that. It’s unlikely during the working week in winter that you’ll need to top up your SPF during the day. Unless of course you’re enjoying a full day in the great outdoors, and should definitely be reapplied if skiing or spending time in the snow.

The post Should I Wear An SPF In Winter Too? appeared first on The Pai Life.

We asked out resident Wellness Wonder Kate to share her favourite products and what she’d like to see under the tree…

What’s your role here at Pai Kate?

I lead the Customer Experience Team.

Tell us why you’re our resident ‘Wellness Wonder’?

Well, aside from my role in the company which involves giving holistic advice as well as skin advice, I live and breathe this stuff! I love reading books on wellness and I’m all about the self-care and self-love. Me-time is so important for everyone and for me it’s having a bath with my favourite mask, natural bath products and a gorgeous aromatherapy candle. They are my little ‘at-home’ spa evenings. I’m also a big fan of yoga and meditation which I do daily and I’m also vegan.

Would you describe your skin as sensitive?

Yes and no. My eyes will always water if I use any product too high in essential oils so I’m thankful to work for Pai and use products that only have a tiny amount. I also have Scalp Psoriasis and more recently developed Guttate Psoriasis.

What’s your #1 Pai Product?

Comfrey & Calendula Body Cream! Everyone here at Pai knows this about me! It’s literally my lifesaver for my Psoriasis, it really helps to soothe any itching and drive that moisture into my skin. If we go out of stock of it at any time you can blame me!

The product you’re most likely to give as a self care gift?

I love mini’s and double cleansing so I will definitely be gifting our travel-size Light Work Cleansing Oil and you can’t go wrong with gifting someone a Rosehip Oil!

Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

I’m normally so organised with my Christmas shopping, I usually start in October! Sadly, this year I’ve not been as organised and I’ve only bought one thing so far!

Need more self care gift ideas? Our Christmas Gift Guide has got everyone covered, from Beauty Buffs to Frequent Flyers. Keep an eye on the blog next week when we get to grips with gifts for the frequent flyers among us…

SHOP NOW

The post Self Care Gift Ideas for Wellness Wonders appeared first on The Pai Life.

We quizzed our resident wild one, Franziska, for her pointers on gifting outdoorsy types just like her. 

Fran, can you explain what your role is at Pai?

“I am one of two Graphic Designers at Pai. We sit within the marketing team working on digital design (that’s emails, homepage, social media visuals, digital ad campaigns) as well as print design; packaging, marketing materials, visual merchandise for events and brand partnerships.  

Tell us why you’re our resident ‘Outdoor Type’?

“I genuinely love nature and try to be outside as much as I can. I love to hike, go on long walks, do gardening. But I guess the main reason why is my love for surfing – even in Cornwall’s cold water! I travel a lot and base my destinations on where I can surf and do other outdoor activities.”

Would you describe your skin as sensitive?

“Yes and no. Some particular areas of my skin are very sensitive like my scalp (psoriasis) or my eyelids (chronic blepharitis), but I am blessed with the rest of my body which usually acts quite well-behaved.” 

What’s your #1 Pai Product?

“Well, I have two, the first is Rosehip Oil! I use it everywhere and for everything – my face, my body, my hair, my nails. The fact it only has four ingredients makes it so pure, and it’s the only product I need when I’m out and about. 

I love the Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. The texture is from heaven (I had that wow-moment the first time I tried it) and it leaves my skin extremely soft and relaxed. Plus I can also use it as a calming mask for my scalp when it acts up.”

The product you’re most likely to give as a gift for an outdoor enthusiast?

“Rosehip Oil, without a doubt. I gave it to two of my friends and they loved it, even my boyfriend is a fan. My sister is about to get it as a Christmas present and I can’t wait to find out if she loves it as much as I do.”

Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

“Not only have I started Christmas shopping, I already completed Christmas shopping. And it gets worse: I have already given one of them! I won’t spend Christmas with my family this year because I’m going surfing in Sri Lanka, so I couldn’t wait until the last minute to plan their gifts like I normally do.”

Got more of the gang to buy for? Our Christmas Gift Guide has got everyone covered, from Beauty Buffs to Frequent Flyers. Stay tuned to the blog next week too as we enlist our resident Wellness Wonder to help navigate gifting your very own feel-good guru. 

SHOP NOW

The post What your outdoorsy friends really want appeared first on The Pai Life.

All of our ingredients are natural or organic, and most-importantly are kind to sensitive skin. And we think that deserves a little celebration, right? This Christmas you’ll be able to give your loved ones the gift of happy skin, with Pai products made using these all-natural, all-good, all-stars.

Natural Treasure: Rosehip Oil

First up, our superstar Rosehip. We started using Rosehip Oil in our Chamomile and Rosehip Day Cream but when our customers saw such great results, they asked us to sell the pure oil too. And as always, they were so right. 

Rosehip Oil is unbelievably powerful, if you get the right one. We tried cold-pressed oils, but they just didn’t cut it and lots of the good stuff inside was actually lost in the manufacturing process. So we went with volcanically sourced CO2 supercritical extraction instead. This costs more to produce but means we get the nutrients from both the seed and fruit oils, perfectly intact. That’s why ours has that uniquely potent pigment and earthy fragrance. It’s packed full of certified organic goodness. 

What does it do for your sensitive skin?

It would probably be easier to list what it doesn’t do really. But in the interest of being helpful, here’s the short version. Used regularly it helps improve any dullness, blemishes, pigmentation, dryness, firmness and elasticity. And because it contains high concentrations of Omega 3 & 6 (which help with skin repair) it also helps to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, sun damage and fine lines. Plus, if you’ve ever woken up feeling a bit ‘meh’, you’ll know it’s instant-glow-in-a-bottle.

You’ll also find our Rosehip Oil in…

Natural Treasures Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil

Natural Treasures Hero Collection Set

Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream

Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask

Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil 10ml mini

Natural Treasure: Camellia Oil

Another nourishing oil we love, Camellia has actually been used in Japan for centuries as a skin cleanser and conditioner. An oldie, but definitely a goodie.

While many cleansers do a great job of removing dirt from the skin, they less often manage to go the extra mile and feed the skin nutrients too. Because ours contains this rare and powerful oil, it means the skin gets not only a comforting cleanse but a generous helping of Omega 9 and Vitamin E too. Leaving skin soft, calm and conditioned, never dry or tight. 

Customers <3 Camellia

“My only issue is that I didn’t discover this Cleanser sooner. I have struggled with breakouts and eczema/sensitive skin all my life and although my skin is far from perfect now it is so much better. I even feel brave enough to have non makeup days once or twice a week. Fantastic! ” – Hayley E

You’ll find Camellia Oil in…

Natural Treasures Hero Collection Set

Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash

Natural Treasure: Chamomile

Our certified organic (by the Soil Association of course) chamomile extract is bursting with Matricine and Chamazulene. And because those words mean pretty much nothing without a science degree, we’ll explain.

These compounds are treasured for their ability to soothe, calm and cool. Plus their anti-inflammatory properties mean Chamomile makes the perfect soother for reactive and sensitive skin.  

“This Chamomile & Rosehip cream has changed my life! Used together with the cleanser it has completely changed the appearance of my skin. I have been wrestling with acne rosacea for three years – spots, red patches, dry patches – and had tried pretty much everything, including dietary changes. Now I have my face back – and my confidence. – Jane B

You’ll find Chamomile in…

Natural Treasures Hero Collection Set

Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream

The post What Exactly Are Natural Treasures? appeared first on The Pai Life.

The perfect partnership

“I work in a very cute shed at the back of my garden and I get to look out at the birds and the plants, it’s lovely. I’ve got a big interest in lots of different subjects and I think that informs my work quite a lot. I am obsessed with nature, and I love gardening. My parents were both big gardeners so that’s a big interest for me. I think I’ve always loved drawing plants and flowers, and it’s been really fun to get paid to do that, rather than just doing it for myself!”

Instantly inspired

“I loved doing the Rosehip illustrations – I’d never painted them before and they’re such beautiful colours and lovely shapes. Doing the Camellias was great as well – I’ve literally got a white Camellia right outside my window so I get to look at them the whole time.”

Illustrating the ingredients

“Usually I work in watercolour, that’s my favourite medium. But I pretty much use whatever is fitting for the project. For the Rosehip illustrations I tried a few different things; first ink, then I tried watercolour. Actually the sketches that came out best were the ones that I did in coloured pencil. 

They just had a nice texture to them, and then when I scanned them in and started working with them on the computer, they were the ones where the lines were the most effective, and they looked like the most spontaneous illustrations.”

Bringing the designs to life

“Once I’d scanned them in, I worked with the designer at Pai. We tried lots of different colourways and worked out what would work best for these products. And that was really lovely, I love working with colour like that. So that was fantastic.”

Eleanor’s Pai picks

“The Natural Treasures Collection are products that I actually use, so it was nice to think about them in connection to other people discovering them too. The Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil is one of my absolute favourites! It’s really easy to use but still feels quite luxurious and my god the smell is amazing! It’s a brilliant product to use when you’re feeling lazy, but you also want something quite special. My other favourite product is the Age Confidence Oil, it feels totally luxurious too!”

Our Natural Treasures Christmas sets are now available – wrapped-up in gift boxes featuring Eleanor’s beautiful illustrations of course. Choose from our full-size Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, Limited Edition 40ml Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil, as well as our full size heros in the Natural Treasures Hero Set. Inside you’ll find a full size Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil (30ml), Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (200ml) and Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream (10ml). Shop these Natural Treasures and more skin-saving gifts on our Christmas Gift Guide now.

SHOP GIFT GUIDE

The post Meet The Illustrator Behind Our Natural Treasures Collection appeared first on The Pai Life.

With beauty buffs coming up again and again as impossible-to-please pals, we enlisted Pai’s resident glam girl Jade, to share her pointers for the best Christmas gift ideas for beauty lovers.

Jade, what’s your role here at Pai?

“I’m Social Media Manager here at Pai, so anything emoji, caption or Instagram-related I’m your girl!”

Tell us why you’re our resident ‘Beauty Buff’?

“I think I have been nominated as ‘beauty buff’ here at Pai HQ because I’m always having the latest beauty treatments. Whether it’s laminated brows or vitamin facials, I’m just a sucker for testing out the latest trends! I also love to do my research into trends and ingredients so I actually know what I’m putting on my face. So, as much as I’m a makeup junkie and own more palettes than I would like to admit, I know the key to good makeup is having a good base, which starts with your skincare routine.”

Would you describe your skin as sensitive?

“I actually wouldn’t have described my skin as sensitive until recently. I went for a facial and I was told my cheek area is very sensitive, and this will be the first place my skin would react to products first. I don’t tend to notice it that much unless I use a mask. It usually just means I have some redness in those areas. It is something I try to consider when choosing skincare products though.”

My current go-to when I want to spend a bit more time on my evening routine is the Pai Kukui and Jojoba Bead Exfoliator. I think it is such an unsung hero! I personally use it around three times a week and it just makes my skin so soft without hurting it or leaving it red. Next up is the Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA mask. It’s also a gentle exfoliator but doesn’t dry my skin out. I would say my skin is more oily and acne prone which is why I love to use the Perfect Balance Blemish Serum on the days when I need to give my skin some oil-balancing TLC.”

What’s your #1 Pai Product?

“This is a tricky one because I have a whole shelfie full of Pai! But as I am a solid fan of double cleansing it would have to be both the Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil and our Camellia and Rose Gentle Cleanser. I actually can’t live without this duo!”

The product you’re most likely to give as a gift?

“The ideal Christmas beauty gift is definitely Rosehip Oil! First of all it’s beautiful, so giving it as a gift just makes sense! I also think if you’ve never used Pai before it’s such a good place to start as it’s such an effective oil. Plus I watched them make this in the lab here at Pai and it’s amazing to see how all the best ingredients are used.”

Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

“I would like to pretend to be low key and chilled about Christmas but I LOVE IT! So I actually bought my first present back in July (much to some friends’ horror) but it makes sense to start early so you can budget over the months!”

If you’re not a Christmas-in-July sort of shopper but are just about ready to start, make sure to head over to our Gift Guide. You’ll find our edit for Beauty Buffs just like Jade, as well as presents for your whole gang. Stay tuned to the blog too to meet our next resident hard-to-please gift-getter, your park-running, wild-swimming outdoorsy type! 

SHOP NOW

The post What To Buy For The Beauty Buff In Your Life appeared first on The Pai Life.

What is a jade roller?

Made from A grade, non-chemically treated nephrite jade, your pretty roller is a facial massage tool. The reason why they’re made from jade? Jade is a semi-precious stone that has been used in crystal and gemstone healing for thousands of years. The benefits of jade for the body as well for overall health and wellness are believed to range from balancing energy, emotional healing, immune system, kidney and adrenal gland health as well as for its protective qualities. 

Jade face roller benefits for the skin

1. Unlike our hands, jade stays cool when it rolls across the skin. This is particularly great news for those of us with hot, reactive and easily irritated skin. You might like to keep yours in the fridge for an even cooler facial massage. Even the most sensitive skin gets to enjoy this calming daily ritual.
2. By massaging the face, we are actually performing lymphatic drainage. This is key for our body’s ability to naturally detox and an important jade roller benefit.
3. Any facial massage – tapping, rolling or manual movement – will get blood flowing beneath the surface. This boosts circulation and moves all that glow-giving, repairing oxygen around too. 
4. Having a tool on your bathroom shelf will encourage and remind you to take a moment each day for yourself. A soothing, nourishing ritual like facial massage can be a powerful way to help reduce stress and anxiety too. 

How to use a jade roller

Firstly, the good news is that you can’t overdo it. So feel free to use your jade roller as often as you like, for as long as you like. If you have time, try to use it for a minute every morning and evening. 

We recommend you start each rolling movement from the point just between your eyebrows. Then gently roll back and forth 3-5 times from there outwards to the hairline. 

When you want to roll with a bit more pressure to release any tension – do so on the upwards strokes. This way you’re working with the facial muscles rather than against them.

Don’t forget your jawline too. For this area, begin at your chin and roll along the jaw to where it meets your ears, then continue down this natural groove to your neck. 

How a jade roller works with your routine

Morning: Use your roller on clean skin, without any products. This will wake up skin perfectly before you apply your moisturiser. 

Evening: You might like to use your roller with products at the end of the day when you’re less likely to be in a rush! Once you’ve cleansed skin thoroughly, apply your serum or facial oil as normal. Then, you’ll do your facial massage. Each evening, make sure to clean your roller with water and a towel to remove any product that might be left behind. 

Remember, if you’re stocking up on skincare this month, you’ll get your very own free jade roller with every order over £80, while stocks last. 

SHOP NOW

The post How To Use Your Pai Jade Roller appeared first on The Pai Life.

I’m really thrilled to be unveiling our Christmas gift sets for this year! We’ve called them our Natural Treasures, and that’s because they’re focused on a few core ingredients which we particularly love, and think are extra magical. 

It will come as no surprise that Rosehip is in that number. We were inspired to do a full size giftable Rosehip Oil because of a customer I met in New York once. She told me how much she loved our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. Every time she buys one for herself, she actually buys five bottles, and gives the other four to her friends.

This is because she felt that all her friends need it in their lives too. I was so touched by this, and also really agree that every bathroom cabinet needs one no matter your age or skin type. It is such a great restorative, repairing oil and suitable for every skin type, so makes such a brilliant gift. 

The second of our Limited Edition gifts is our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil which has been our absolute knockout launch this year. It has had such an incredible response because it just such a beautiful, gentle cleansing oil that also blitzes through makeup so easily. We made it in this sweet travel-friendly size just for Christmas, so makes a great stocking filler too.

“ A lot of our customers actually told us they bought it for themselves because buying them together gives you a lovely discount too!”

Last up, is our biggest kit – featuring all of our Pai heroes. So you’ll find our creamy Camellia and Rose Cleanser, Chamomile and Rosehip Day Cream and of course a full-size Rosehip Oil. You might remember we did a similar hero kit in the past and it did so brilliantly – a lot of our customers actually told us they bought it for themselves because buying them together gives you a lovely discount too. And why not, a little self-gifting and self-love goes a long way! 

I really hope you – and of course the lucky recipients of your Pai presents –  love our Christmas gifts sets as much as we do. For more gift ideas, my edit of the best gifts for sensitive skin as well as all of our beautifully illustrated gift sets in one place, make sure you visit our Christmas Gift Guide. 

The post Sarah Introduces Our Christmas Gift Sets appeared first on The Pai Life.

Q. How did first get into beauty?

A. “I initially started documenting my enthusiasm for all things beauty on my Instagram account. That’s where I’d present looks I created – bold wing liners, gems, glitter statement lips – the works! I then created a dedicated account showcasing all my love for beauty in 2012. I do find that my beauty routine has provided me with a getaway to other creative avenues.”

Q. What’s the most challenging thing about your skin? How does that affect your relationship with makeup?

A. “For me, my skincare routine changes depending on a few things. That could be the way I am feeling, the state of my skin etc. My skincare ritual is key, having eczema on my face just means I have to be cautious about what I place on my skin, I always look for products that would help with the healing process for my eczema, without having to rely on steroids. Following on with a clear canvas complexion is my next priority. Once I found the right products that suited my style and aided all my creative looks it was all up from there.”

Q. Is good skincare important to you?

A. “I have had really sensitive skin starting from a very young age. My eczema continued to develop as I started school, and then it progressed. So skincare has been a ritual for me. Understanding what might cause a flare-up and how I can help prevent it has been vital to my mental well being and overall happiness. You don’t realise how much a healthy skincare routine helps overall.”

Q. Any tips for preparing sensitive skin for makeup?

A. “I always prep the skin ten minutes before applying any makeup. This allows the products to soak into the skin and the ingredients to activate. I recommend to always keep a hydrating mist at hand, and look into good moisturisers that work for your skin type. It’s a trial and error process, identifying what skin type you have is curial, before looking into products that cater to your needs. I have very dehydrated skin so I always look for hydrating products that can help prepare my skin for a flawless base.”

Q. What are your tips for removing makeup from sensitive skin?

A. “Avoid wet wipes at all costs. We can do better than that! Also a cleansing cloth will be your best friend, especially when you have flare-ups.”

Q. How do you care for sensitive skin once you’re removed makeup?

1. Try not to overwhelm yourself with too many products.
2. Apply an SPF every day.
3. Do not over-exfoliate as this can irritate sensitive skin even more.

Q. What’s your favourite thing about Halloween?

A. “Being able to become a whole new character. And being able to really push all boundaries through makeup, hair and fashion with no-one thinking it’s odd. I do it all year round anyway!”

Q. Will you be getting involved in Halloween this year?

A. “I love seeing people going all-out with their makeup and costumes and to see people actually making the effort for Halloween! This year I plan to create some of my favourite characters from my favourite films, like Beetlejuice!”

Q. What are your favourite Pai products

A. My ultimate favourites of all time are…

• Moisuriser: The Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream
• Facial Oil: Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil
• Body moisturiser: Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream

See more of Farzana’s work at textbookbeauty.co.uk or follow her @textbookbeauty

The post @textbookbeauty shares her makeup & halloween how tos appeared first on The Pai Life.

But, it’s not just our faces that suffer at this time of year. Central heating and winter clothing made from irritating fabrics can make sensitive skin even more uncomfortable.

To help combat a seasonal flare-up, we’ve jotted down some simple tips and tweaks you can make to your winter skincare routine. Keep your skin nourished, calm and happy from head to toe with our guide on how to take care of dry skin in winter.

Bathtime

A long, hot soak in the bath often sounds like a good-for-you self-care treat when the temperature drops. Sadly that’s not always the case for sensitive skin. Hot water can break down the lipids (fats) in your skin. 

It is these essential fats that help the skin retain moisture, like a barrier holding all the hydration inside. Without these lipids the skin can get dry, dehydrated, itchy and irritable. So when you can, we recommend to choose shorter baths or showers using lukewarm water instead.

The products you use while you’re in there matter too. We’re big fans of our Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash. The nourishing organic ingredients have been chosen to keep skin feeling hydrated and calm – not tight or irritated. Just what you need for this drying season.

Moisturise

Choose your winter moisturiser wisely. A lot of moisturisers have petroleum-based ingredients, which can actually dry out your skin. Go for a moisturiser with natural, nourishing ingredients instead. For dry or dehydrated skin, think about introducing a hydrating serum like our Back To Life Hydration Serum into your routine every second night. The Hyaluronic Acid inside can hold 1000x its weight in water, delivering it deeper into the skin than a cream can. 

Face sorted, it’s time to think about moisturising the body next. We recommend you try our Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream. It’s specially formulated with certified organic plant oils and butters that deeply nourishes very dry or aggravated skin. Calming Calendula helps relieve irritation, while Confrey helps soothe itchy skin. A perfect addition to your winter skincare routine.

Lock it down

We get asked so often about what job facial oil does exactly. It’s important to remember that an oil won’t hydrate the skin as it contains no water. So it can’t be used in place of your moisturiser. Their role is to feed the skin with nutrients – and our Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil is just so good at this. That’s down to all the Omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9, and antioxidant carotenoids inside.

As well as acting like a food supplement for the skin, oils have the ability to lock in any hydration you’ve already got in there. Which is really important this time of year when the central heating comes on! So think of them as a nutrient-rich final step in your winter skincare routine, always applying them after your moisturiser. 

Hydrate

To take care of dry skin in winter, it’s important to hydrate our skin from the inside too. As well as upping your intake of water, eating fruits and vegetables that are high in water can also boost hydration levels.

Vitamin C-rich sources, such as oranges, increase collagen production and plump up your complexion too. Not to mention helping to ward off the seasonal colds.

Exfoliate

It’s easy to forget to slough off dead skin cells, impurities and dirt in the colder months, especially on our hands. By exfoliating regularly, the bright, healthy skin beneath can really shine through.

Be sure to use a non-abrasive exfoliator, like our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator. With perfectly round jojoba beads it gently buffs the skin without scratching or irritating it. Regular, gentle exfoliation is a key step in effectively taking care of dry winter skin.

Detergent detox

Winter skin tends to be more fragile. So it’s a good idea to keep track of your wardrobe when you’re experiencing flare-ups. Fabrics like wool may cause irritation for some, and washing detergents can have a huge impact too. This is especially important if you’re prone to eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis.

Here’s to happy skin all winter long!

The post Winter skincare: how to take care of dry skin in winter  appeared first on The Pai Life.

But if you’ve ever used an exfoliator containing fruit stone powders or ground rice, you’ll know that feeling can quickly be followed by redness, irritation and even breakouts.

The jagged edges of gritty scrubs can cause micro-tears in the skin’s surface and strip away protective lipids.

A delicate balance

However skipping exfoliation altogether can leave skin dull and congested.

It can also make your favourite Moisturiser or Facial Oil feel less effective, as much of the product absorbs into the dead surface skin cells – leading to tightness, dry patches and a less-than-ideal surface for makeup!

Gentle, regular exfoliation supports skin cell turn over to lift away these dead surface cells and reveal the fresh, healthy skin beneath.

How to exfoliate sensitive skin

Our Organic Muslin Cloth, or the textured side of our Dual-Effect Sensitive Skin Cloth, used alongside your Cleanser will offer gentle daily buffing.

For an extra boost, try our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator.

Ideal for skin that’s usually too sensitive for exfoliation, the perfectly spherical natural Jojoba wax beads gently roll across the skin to polish away dead skin cells and impurities – without scratching the healthy cells below.

Rich in Kukui Oil, it also conditions and protects the moisture barrier of sensitive skin while it exfoliates.

Chemical exfoliants like AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acids) offer another grit-free alternative, but they’re often formulated with high levels of drying alcohols and can be far too harsh on delicate skin.

We use ultra gentle, naturally-derived AHAs from Pink Pomelo (and absolutely no drying alcohol) in our Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask, to gently loosen dull skin cells and smooth the skin.

Gently does it

Most skin types will benefit from gentle exfoliation once or twice a week.

If your skin is very sensitive or prone to inflammation (such as those with Eczema or Rosacea), we recommend limiting it to once a week or week and a half.

Keep the glow going

Post-exfoliation is the perfect time to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin and support its natural repair processes. Massage in a few drops of Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil for a guaranteed glow.

The post How to exfoliate sensitive skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

While completely harmless, they can lead to breakouts and can make you feel pretty self-conscious. Blackheads are an extremely common skin concern, although people with oily skin are usually more prone.

But what is the best way to get rid of blackheads? Despite the temptation to squeeze them out, there are various ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of dealing with blackheads. In this post, we explain how to get rid of blackheads and prevent future breakouts.

What causes blackheads?

First, let’s understand what causes blackheads, as there are some common misconceptions around them.

A blackhead occurs when a pore becomes blocked with a mixture of sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells. Sometimes this blocked pore becomes inflamed or infected, turning into a spot or pustule.

The biggest misconception about blackheads is that they’re caused by “dirt” blocking the pore, or having “dirty” skin – totally untrue!

The telltale dark hue comes from the melanin within sebum oxidizing with the air – not from dirt, as many believe. Blackheads differ from whiteheads in that they are open, while whiteheads are closed. This is why blackheads have the dark hue, because of their exposure to the air.

What shouldn’t I do?

Whatever you do, don’t start gouging at the skin. It will only cause irritation to the pore, leading to potential infection (a big spot) or scarring.

Don’t over-cleanse

Likewise, scrubbing or frantically cleansing will not send blackheads on their way. If anything, it can actually make them worse as over-cleansing leaves the skin imbalanced and can lead to increased sebum production, meaning more blackheads. 

Avoid home extraction

As a general rule, home extraction should generally be avoided. Although it’s tempting, try not to squeeze them as you’re likely to cause more damage than good. 

Be wary of pore strips

You should also be wary of those popular pore strips. It may be satisfying to see those black dots all over the strip once removed, but they can irritate sensitive skin. And they don’t do anything to prevent future blackhead breakouts, so you’ll find yourself in a vicious cycle.

Don’t sleep in your makeup

We’ve all heard it many times before, but don’t sleep in your makeup. It will only clog up your pores and encourage more blackheads. If you often wear heavy makeup, get into the routine of double cleansing. This will ensure that you don’t leave behind any dirt or buildup that could clog pores.

Ok, so how to get rid of blackheads?

Exfoliation is really key when it comes to shifting stubborn blackheads. By regularly sloughing off dead skin cells you not only prevent new blackheads appearing, but you also help release some of the existing material blocking the pore.

Gentle exfoliation

Daily exfoliation with your warm Muslin Cloth is a great place to start – just focus on gently buffing any congested areas whilst you cleanse. A gentle exfoliator is also a must. Use it 2-3 times a week for optimum results and smooth, radiant skin.

Remember to be gentle, as you want to avoid irritating the skin or pushing the buildup further down into your pores.

Use a cleansing mask

You can also help see off blackheads with a deep cleansing mask, like our Copaiba AHA Deep Cleanse Mask. This draws out impurities while gently exfoliating with gentle fruit enzymes.

Moisturise

Don’t forget to always moisturise, even if you have oily skin. Oils are essential to maintaining healthy skin, and moisturising regularly will help you achieve the right balance.

Regular workouts

Want to clear your pores and tone up at the same time? Head outside and get sweaty! A good workout (i.e. one that makes you sweat) will also help shift any stubborn, pore-blocking debris and is an instant mood enhancer.

Unfortunately, there is no magic overnight cure for blackheads. But making some simple changes to your skincare routine can reduce and prevent blackhead breakouts in time.

The post How to get rid of blackheads appeared first on The Pai Life.

With a host of amazing organic oils available, it might be tempting to make the switch and  and leave more traditional face creams behind. But it’s important to understand the difference between face oils and creams, as they both serve different functions. Should you be using oil or cream – or both?

We believe that a good skincare regime combines both creams and oils. So it’s not a case of oil vs cream. It’s more about understanding how they perform differently on the skin and how you should be incorporating them into your skincare routine.

So what exactly are the key functions, benefits and tips for oils and creams?

The difference between oils and creams

Oils consist only of oil, with no water. Creams on the other hand are a mixture of fat ‘emulsions’ and water. Both contain active ingredients, but actives are present at a much higher concentration in oils than in creams.

Both oils and creams are essential in hydrating your skin. Moisturisation is arguably the most important part of a skincare routine. Moisturised, hydrated skin helps protect it from irritation and enables you to shed dead skin cells effectively.

Facial oil – an overview

As mentioned above, the key difference with oils is that the actives are present at a much higher concentration as they’re not diluted. This means they have a more tangible effect on the skin.

Choose your facial oil carefully and it can make a huge and very visible difference to your skin. If you suffer from acne then make sure you avoid pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil and other saturated fats. For sensitive skin, we strongly recommend avoiding fragrant oils, as these are likely to irritate your delicate facial skin.

A fatty, Omega-rich Oil like our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil or Echium & Amaranth Age Confidence Oil deeply conditions, nourishes and improves skin tone and elasticity. Natural ingredients are the key to a good facial oil – you won’t find any parabens, detergents, or other nasties in any of the Pai products.

When it comes to facial oils, it’s important to remember that you cannot receive hydration from an oil alone – despite what some brands may claim. What they do brilliantly though, is actually lock moisture into the skin, helping the skin to hold onto precious hydration for longer. So where do you get this hydration? That’s where creams come in…

Face creams – an overview

The simple purpose of a Cream is to hydrate and protect the skin. A cream is a mixture of ‘emulsion’ of fats, water and actives. These are able to hydrate skin thanks to their very high water content, which is around 60-80%.

A cream drives moisture into the skin, while fatty oils and ingredients like vegetable-derived glycerin prevent the water from evaporating. This hydration boost means that skin cells retain moisture, leaving skin supple, healthy and glowing.

Additional actives are also able to target specific skin needs. But the results may be less visible than with an oil, as actives are present at much lower concentrations.

Should you apply oil or cream first?

This is a question we get asked so often! But once you understand the role of each – to hydrate (creams) then hold it all in (oils) – it becomes a lot simpler to remember.

Oil should always be applied after your cream or moisturiser. This is because oils are able to penetrate moisturisers, but not the other way around. So even if you apply a cream first, the actives and nutrients in your facial oil will still be able to get to work on your skin.

Wondering when is best to apply each? We’ve written a handy guide for you right here.

Shop Now

The post Oil vs cream: what’s the difference? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Serums are amazing for lots of things, from locking in moisture to calming redness or blemishes. With a higher concentration of active ingredients, their effects on skin are strengthened. But as they’re so powerful, they can feel too scary to try for sensitive skin types.

Serums are designed to sink into your skin as quickly and deeply as possible. Choosing a serum that isn’t right for your skin type could leave yours feeling prickly and uncomfortable.

I tried, and reacted to them all. I just couldn’t find anything that didn’t make my skin tingle. Which is why I wanted to formulate serums for people like me, who can’t tolerate serums. And now I’m proud to say we have.” – Sarah Brown, Founder of Pai Skincare

What face serum should I use?

First and foremost, what face serum you use should be determined by your skin type. When it comes to choosing a face serum, you need to pick one that is tailored to your own individual skin properties.

Begin by considering your skincare objectives. For example, someone with oily skin is likely to want to reduce the occurrence and appearance of blemishes. A serum that regulates oil production would therefore be suitable.

With so many different active ingredients to consider, it can be a little tricky to determine the best serum for your skin. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you choose a face serum that is best suited to your skin type.

Your skin can be…

Oily/combination/blemish-prone

You could try…

The Copaiba & Zinc Perfect Balance Blemish Serum

Our ultra gentle serum is formulated without those common blemish-focused ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide, alcohol and salicylic acid. These ingredients can dry and irritate the skin further. Instead, we’ve included Copaiba as well as Zinc PCA which, by regulating oil production, helps reduce skin shine, blackheads and congestion.

Designed to improve the appearance of persistent blemishes the gentle way and prevent future breakouts. This lightweight hydrating serum helps to reduce visible oiliness for a satin finish.

Your skin can be…

Prone to redness/hypersensitivity

You could try…

The Sea Aster & Wild Oat Instant Calm Redness Serum

We created this serum to restore calm and confidence to reactive complexions. This lightweight and hydrating serum is enriched with Sea Aster, a flowering plant that actively calms troubled skin and reduces visible redness and blotchiness.

Combined with Wild Oat, a rich source of Oleic and Linoleic fatty acids, it helps to comfort areas of dryness and soothe sensitivity. To reduce flare-ups caused by dehydration and dryness, this ultra-gentle formula is carefully balanced with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid.

Your skin can be…

Dry and/or dehydrated

You could try…

The Back to Life Hydration Serum

Specifically formulated for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, our Back To Life Hydrating Serum is carefully designed to provide hydration without irritation. While dryness is a skin “type”, dehydration is a skin “state” that affects us all from time to time. Finding a serum to combat dehydration can be a challenge when you have sensitive skin.

A blend of three indigenous Australian berries, rich in antioxidants, help support the skin’s natural moisture barrier and protect against moisture loss.

We also use ultra-low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid. These clever molecules hold 1000x their weight in water and help bind it to the skin, keeping it healthy and plumped. To help lock in hydration and keep the skin’s surface smooth, we also include coconut extract.

After application, skin immediately feels hydrated and settled. With regular use, dry patches are reduced, skin feels less tight and looks more radiant.

Shop Now

The post Which serum is right for me? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Pai: What are the potential negative impacts of stress and mental wellbeing on skin?

Lucy: ‘Ultimately what we are feeling within us is reflected in our skin and this can tell us a lot about what is going on. Does our self care need a boost? Do we need to slow down a bit? Are we looking after ourselves? If we are not nourishing ourselves it can show through on our skin.’ 

P: How about the positive impacts mental wellbeing can have?

L: ‘When we are kind to ourselves and feeling in flow with our lives it’s impossible to ignore that glow on our skin.’

P: What’s the one piece of advice you could give that’s related to happy healthy skin? 

L: ‘Invest in yourself and seek some specialist knowledge. I’m 36 and my skin has changed a lot in the last five years. Had I not found a brand like Pai and benefitted from a consultation I know my skin would not be as healthy as it is today.’

P: What are your go-to skincare products?

L: ‘ I LOVE the Pai Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil.’

P: What’s the one skincare step you can’t live without?

L: ‘It has to be cleansing. A busy work life, heavy makeup some days, there’s nothing better than washing the day away and feeling new again.’

P: What’s your experience with sensitive skin?

L: ‘My skin has sensitive phases that mean I have to ensure I’m thinking well ahead so I don’t get a flare up e.g. before being in the sun, I must moisturise within five minutes of getting out of the shower etc. If I’m stressed and it’s a certain time of my cycle I can break out across my neck and chin and this makes me feel really self-conscious.’

P: Favourite mantra or quote?

L: ‘Dream it. Real life it.’

For more tips and daily inspiration follow Lucy on Instagram @lucysheridan

The post Life Coach Lucy Sheridan Shares Her Happy Skin Tips appeared first on The Pai Life.

Pai: What are the positive effects of exercise on skin?

Katie:‘First of all, sweating helps flush toxins from the body and subsequently helps regenerate skin cells. Exercise is also a mood lifter and can help to decrease stress levels – both of which help fight the signs of premature ageing.’

the negative impacts of exercise on skin are not down to the activity itself but relating to how well we prep beforehand and fast we can shower afterwards.

P: Can it have a negative effect on the skin too?

K:  ‘Even though exercise has great benefits for the skin it can also increase free radicals and oxidative stress. Not removing make-up before exercise can cause congestion and blemishes as make-up enters the pores. Double cleansing has changed my life! Dramatic, but true. Our sweat also contains Ammonia and Urea, which when left on the skin too long can cause irritation and inflammation.’

P: What’s the one piece of advice you could give that’s related to happy healthy skin? 

K: ‘Take your make-up off properly every evening before you go to bed. Oh and be careful in the sun always…your older self will thank you!’

P: ‘What would be your top tips for people wanting to make nutritional improvements? 

1. ‘Make sure you’re drinking enough water, especially if you are exercising that day too. I find it easier to just carry a reusable bottle in my bag as so many places these days have a refilling station. It’s much better for the environment and much cheaper than buying lots of water bottles!
2. One meat free day every week! #meatfreemonday is all over social media and for good reason. You’ll already know the health and environmental benefits but it also can be more cost effective, plus adding variety to your diet is always a good thing. 
3. Finally, take care of your gut health with probiotics. A disruption in gut bacteria is linked to some of the world’s most serious chronic diseases. I take one called Symprove first thing every morning and really notice a difference in terms of bloating but also just how I feel overall.’

P: What are your go-to skincare products?

K: ‘Before I started to use Pai products I never double cleansed – but now I’m obsessed and have noticed such a difference in how clear my skin is. So obviously, my two favourite products are the Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil  and Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser!’

P: Have you ever had a bad skin day, month, year?

K: ‘Yes a few years ago when I was experiencing issues with my cycle (or lack thereof) I went through a long spell of breakouts on my chin which I hated! I’ve always been someone who was lucky enough to have clear skin and I felt really uncomfortable in trying to cover up the breakouts while trying not to make them any worse. Around this time I felt that I really lacked confidence.’

Quotes to live by… 

“A calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence – and that’s very important for good health” – Dalai Lama 

Find Katie on Instagram @katiegrayfit.

The post Personal Trainer Katie Gray Shares Her Happy Skin Tips appeared first on The Pai Life.

What is melasma?

The British Skin Foundation defines melasma – also referred to as chloasma or pregnancy mask – as

A common skin condition of adults in which brown or greyish patches of pigmentation (colour) develop, usually on the face.

Firstly, it’s important to do some myth busting, in case that helps put your mind at ease. Melasma is not contagious. It is also neither an allergy nor an infection so skin shouldn’t feel itchy, raised or painful as a result. Finally, it is totally unrelated to cancer and won’t develop into skin cancer in the future.

Why do I have it?

Melasma is thought to be caused when too much pigment is produced by the skin’s cells, It is quite a complex condition and so can be hard to offer a solution because it has to be looked at on a case by case basis. What is key, is understanding what caused the melasma onset, as that will often help present the solution. 

For example, a lot of women during pregnancy or on hormonal birth control can develop melasma, and it seems to be a common side effect. Once the baby comes or once they’ve changed birth control method, it can begin to fade. So melasma can naturally fade and you just need to be patient in those cases. If that’s you, I would recommend you focus on prevention, first and foremost.

Sarah’s advice on how to get rid of Melasma 

To prevent it from getting worse, I strongly recommend you avoid sun exposure, as well as use an SPF every day. Adding a nourishing Rosehip Oil into your evening routine will also help because it is a lovely skin regenerator. 

If the onset is for a different reason – it could be genetic or from over-exposure to UV light – then you might think about seeing a dermatologist. There are lots of different treatment methods, some of which are quite rigorous, so you’ll want to get a professional dermatologist’s advice before you embark on that route.

Remember if you’ve got any questions at all about your own skin, or aren’t sure what the right products or routine are for you, we offer a free 30-minute skin consultation service. Book yours on paiskincare.com now. 

The post What Is Melasma And How Can I Treat It? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Pai: How does lack of sleep affect skin?

Hope: ‘There are two main ways that sleep deprivation impacts skin; The first way is when sleep-deprived, even in the short term, your hormonal system is out of balance and the stress response is poorly regulated. High levels of stress causes the hormone cortisol to be released in excess, which not only triggers existing skin care issues but can cause irritations and sensitivities. 

Sleep deprivation also impacts collagen production. Collagen makes the skin nice and elastic. Most of it is produced during sleep, so when you are getting less sleep than your body needs, your face will appear sagging and less plump. You will also probably notice dark puffy circles around the eyes – this is caused by poor circulation and hydration levels as your body goes into survival mode and your evolutionary brain prioritises breathing over beauty.’ 

Good quality sleep on the other hand keeps your hormonal system in balance

P: What are the benefits of sleep for skin?

H: ‘Good quality sleep on the other hand keeps your hormonal system in balance, which will stave off skin health issues. It also maintains collagen hyaluronic acid production helping to make your skin look youthful, translucent and glowing. Your hydration and circulation system is also maintained during sleep so that will banish dark circles and puffy skin.’

P: What’s the one piece of advice you could give that’s related to happy healthy skin?

H: ‘Prioritise enough and good quality sleep, it’ll give your skin the best possible chance at looking youthful and healthy for longer.’

P: What are your go-to skincare products?

H: ‘The Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream because it has magnesium and B vitamins –  all essential for producing and metabolising melatonin. Magnesium is also an effective muscle relaxant so reduces stress levels making sleep possible and is best absorbed topically. 

The Lotus and Orange Blossom BioAffinity Tonic is great way to hydrate the skin without drinking too much water before bed. It’s a tricky balance drinking enough water before bed so that you stay hydrated, but not drinking too much so that you end up getting up a lot throughout the night to go to the bathroom. Find creative ways to improve the moisture quality in the air.’

P: What’s the one skincare step you can’t live without?

H: Serum! 

P: What’s your experience with sensitive skin?

H:  ‘I have sensitive skin and react badly to high levels of pollution, products with sodium lauryl sulfate, and laundry soap.’

P: What three nutritional changes can people make to improve their sleep?

1. ‘Eat your greens! Green vegetables are high in magnesium which is crucial for muscle relaxation and production of melatonin with an added benefit, they also have B vitamins, zinc a host of other minerals need to absorb the magnesium. If you are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, it hampers your absorption capacity. 
2. Get good fats. Foods high in good fats like salmon, mackerel, nuts, and avocado have a cross-purpose application. Not only are they essential for healthy skin but are also high in serotonin and tryptophan which are necessary for the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin. 
3. Prioritise protein. The protein tryptophan found in pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, tofu, and fish are a must for melatonin production.’

P: Favourite mantra or quote?

H: ‘You have permission to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously’ by Sophia Bush.

For more follow Hope on Instagram @freshperception

The post Sleep Psychologist Hope Bastine Shares Her Happy Skin Tips appeared first on The Pai Life.

According to the National Rosacea Society, 41% of 1,066 patients surveyed said that certain skincare products aggravated their condition. Choosing gentle skincare products that minimise irritation is key to managing rosacea.

Skin care ingredients to avoid for rosacea

Here are the top six skincare ingredients to avoid for rosacea based on their reactions:

1. 66% said Alcohol
2. 30% said Witch Hazel
3. 30% said Fragrance
4. 21% said Menthol
5. 14% said Peppermint
6. 13% said Eucalyptus

Confusingly, some of those are natural and plant ingredients, so why is it that these are the skin care ingredients to avoid if you have rosacea? Let’s take a closer look at each of these potential irritants.

1. Alcohol

Whether you have sensitive skin or not, alcohol is best avoided as a skincare ingredient. Although there are some small benefits to using alcohol as an ingredient, there are far better ways of reaping these benefits. The negative effects of alcohol far outweigh the pros. Such effects include dryness, damaging the skin surface, and diminishing of your skin’s natural ability to replenish.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news for the wine lovers out there, but it’s not just the alcohol in your skincare products that can cause a rosacea flare-up. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol is a well-known trigger of rosacea too. 

2. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel gets quite a lot of positive press regarding its ability to fix various skin problems. Afterall, it’s a completely natural ingredient with known antioxidant and astringent properties. So what’s the issue? 

For those who suffer from rosacea, witch hazel is commonly known to cause irritation. This is primarily because it is often mixed with alcohol during the distillation process. It may provide a short-term solution to your skincare problem, but is likely to cause more issues in the long-term. Best avoided altogether we think!

3. Fragrance

Fragrance ingredients are likely to cause a negative skin reaction in just about everyone with sensitive skin. It’s understandable that consumers prefer to use products which have a pleasant smell. But, an appealing fragrance can come with a heavy price for rosacea sufferers.

It can be quite tricky to tell from the ingredients list whether a product contains fragrance, as there are many different types, with many different names too. It’s also not always as easy to simply give the product a quick sniff. Afterall, there are some natural ingredients that smell delightful. Or, even if the product has no smell, fragrance may have been used to mask an unpleasant smell.

Rest assured that at Pai Skincare, we never use fragrance in any of our products.

4. Menthol

Known for its pleasant cooling sensation, menthol is often used to provide a soothing or pain-reducing effect. In actual fact, it has a sensitising effect on the skin, meaning that skin is likely to become irritated rather than calmed.

It’s also worth remembering that menthol is an alcohol, and we’ve already covered the issues caused by using alcohol in your skincare.

5. Peppermint

Although this ingredient does boast some beneficial properties, like menthol it can cause sensitivity on the skin. This makes it bad news for anyone who suffers from rosacea and facial redness.

In short, any form of mint oil is generally quite potent and therefore a common trigger for sensitive skin – whether it’s rosacea or dermatitis. They are common triggers of allergic reactions too.

6. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus may be known for its antibacterial properties, but it’s also a very fragrant oil. This means it’s an ingredient to avoid for rosacea sufferers.

At Pai, we never use eucalyptus and other known irritants in our products. That’s why all of our skincare collections are suitable for sensitive, rosacea-prone skin.

Advice for choosing products with rosacea

As a general rule, we suggest using products which are specifically formulated for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. Opt for natural and organic ingredients, as these are far less likely to cause irritation. Take a close look at the ingredients and try to avoid as many of the ingredients listed above.

You may need to take a more personal approach, as everybody reacts differently. Try keeping a skin diary and record which products you use, along with any reactions. This will help you identify the products that cause stinging, burning or redness and irritation.  Over time, you’ll become increasingly familiar with the ingredients which cause your skin to flare up. Armed with this knowledge, you can be sure to avoid them in the future.

We advise testing products on a small patch of skin before using them all over your face. Check whether a brand offers sample or travel-sized versions of their products. This means you don’t have to invest a fortune in trialling products which may not be suitable for your skin.

Further support and advice

For more advice on how to manage rosacea, have a read through our previous post: What is rosacea and how can I treat it?  You might like to read the full report from the National Rosacea Society here. 

You can also book a free telephone consultation with our Sensitive Skin Experts for advice and non-pushy product recommendations based on your actual needs and lifestyle.

BOOK CONSULTATION

The post Ingredients to avoid if you have rosacea appeared first on The Pai Life.

Pai: What are the potential negative impacts of bad nutrition on skin?

Fran: ‘Sugar negatively impacts the quality of the collagen in our skin. The wrong food choices can also lead to hormonal imbalance – the primary driver of adult acne. Plus pro-inflammatory foods can exacerbate conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. Basically, you can’t hide from a bad diet when it comes to skin.’ 

Basically, you can’t hide from a bad diet when it comes to skin. 

 

P: So how is your skin effected by good nutrition?

F: ‘I believe that good skin starts from within. No amount of topical product is going to compensate for that. As well as being able to help the skin conditions mentioned above, there are plenty of positive impacts that food can have on our skin. Foods containing vitamin C play a key role in collagen formation and synthesis, omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and assist in skin healing and antioxidants protect our skin from the damaging free radicals in our environment.’

F: ‘Yes! I used to suffer with chronic eczema & cystic acne. It was definitely a really challenging time for me as I was also modelling. It massively affected every area of my life- work, sleep, mental health, relationships, social life! Coming out the other end of that, I appreciate every compliment I get about my skin now.’

P: What’s the one piece of advice you could give that’s related to happy healthy skin?

F: “’Stress less! Stress negatively impacts our health in many ways – including the health of our skin.’

P: Which products are your go tos?

F: ‘I love the Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA mask – my skin always feels amazing after that. I also love the Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream and have been using it for years.’

P: What’s the one skincare step you can’t live without?

F: ‘All of them! But if I had to choose just one then cleansing because I can never leave make-up on my skin.’

P: What’s your experience with sensitive skin?

F: ‘I’ve suffered with eczema on and off all my life so I’m used to only being able to use a very small proportion of the body care products available. When I travel I take all my regular products with me because nine times out of ten the products in a hotel won’t be suitable. ‘

I’d say I’m quite lucky now as my skin is mostly normal all the time. I do have to keep on top of my stress levels and nutrition choices though to prevent eczema flare-ups.’

P: What would be your top tips for people wanting to make nutritional improvements? 

1. ‘Try to include as much variety in your diet as possible to ensure you’re getting a wide range of vitamins and minerals and won’t get bored 
2. Make sure you’re eating good fats such as avocados, nuts & seeds & oily fish
3. Don’t think you have to take an “all or nothing” approach. Healthy eating is a lifestyle and not a diet.’ 

P: Favourite mantra or quote?

F: ‘When it comes to nutrition I like the quote “everything in moderation, including moderation!” I believe there isn’t any harm in indulging if you’re taking care of yourself most of the time.’

For more, visit www.thenaturaledit.com and follow @franvphillips

The post Nutritional Therapist Frances Phillips Shares Her Happy Skin Tips appeared first on The Pai Life.

If you’ve heard of facial mapping, you’ll be familiar with the idea that what’s happening on our face can be an indicator of what’s going on inside our bodies. If you experience regular breakouts of spots on your temples and around your hairline, you may be wondering why and what it means.

The forehead is often said to indicate a stressed bladder or digestive system. But what if breakouts are just appearing around the temples (the area between the hairline and eyes)? In this article, we discuss the possible reasons behind spots on temples and suggest steps you can take to combat the issue.

Drink up!

Spots on temples are often a sign of dehydration. Not drinking enough water can cause the oil glands at your temples to go into overdrive, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.

Get into the habit of drinking water regularly throughout the day, to ensure you stay hydrated. Indulging in a few glasses of wine? Balance your intake with water to avoid extra blemishes in this area the next day.

Swerve the salty snacks

When we eat lots of salty food, we need more water to balance the sodium we’ve consumed. If we don’t drink enough to compensate, those savoury snacks can be a fast track to dehydration.

Try combining salty food, like a spoonful of peanut butter, with water-rich celery sticks or sliced apple to help keep your body hydrated.

Be aware of headwear

Acne and spots on temples can often be caused by wearing headwear, such as helmets or hats. Perhaps you cycle to work everyday and need to wear a helmet, or maybe you’re never seen without a hat. Headwear can lead to sweat getting trapped close to your skin around your temples and hairline, leading to breakouts.

If you do need to wear headwear, then we suggest just cleaning the area with natural skincare products once you remove your headwear. The sooner you can remove the sweat, the more likely it is that your pores won’t get clogged and those pesky pimples won’t have a chance to form.

Switch your hair care

According to facialist Kate Kerr, mysterious breakouts around the temples or hairline are often caused by what we put on our hair.

Serums, conditioners, hairsprays and gels tend to be the main culprits, thanks to irritating fragrances or ingredients that build up and cause congestion.

Avoid getting shampoo on your face while washing your hair, particularly if it contains sulphates. Try to avoid synthetic fragrances, silicones and panthenol (often used in conditioners), to help keep skin clear.

Avoid spots when sleeping

If you’re dealing with persistent breakouts of spots on temples, try sleeping with your hair wrapped in a scarf or pulled away from your face with a soft headband.

We also recommend changing your pillowcase regularly. You’ll find that a lot of bacteria gets transferred from your hair to your pillowcase every night. You then rub your face in that bacteria, which can lead to spots. Making a point of switching your pillowcases more regularly should help you combat this.

Keep a skin kit in your gym kit

When we exercise hard, our forehead is often the first place to break a sweat. Sweat glands around your hairline and temple can easily become clogged and lead to pesky pimples.

Shower swiftly after exercising and cleanse thoroughly to avoid blemishes. Invest in a mini skincare kit for your gym bag so you’re not tempted to chop and change products (or use the free shower gel!) to get your skin clean.

Shop Now

The post What do spots on temples mean? appeared first on The Pai Life.

My son’s first episode of eczema came when he was two and a half, the second when he was just turning six. I found both times really upsetting – it really took me back to the dark days of my own skin challenges. Seeing your child in emotional and physical discomfort is a killer. As a parent you feel like It’s your job to fix it, but anyone who knows eczema knows that applying a cream and clearing it up in three days just doesn’t happen. It really is a process.

I think it’ll be helpful for me to share what worked for us both times, the first, potentially difficult to hear insight being that it took about six months each time to clear it up from onset to finish. It appeared differently each time on different parts of the body, and he responded to different treatments each time too. What I’m getting at is that eczema is a complex beast. My first piece of advice is to take a deep breath, try to remain super-calm and embark on clearing your child’s eczema through trial and error, methodically noting down everything as you go.

As is the case with many sensitive skin reactions, his first flare-up developed at a time of high stress for him. You guessed it, the tell tale rashes began to appear shortly after his little brother was born. We don’t think about the impact of stress on children and their skin in the same way we do with adults, but I am sure he felt displaced and upset at the time. I tried a bunch of things. It is a lot of guesswork – but cutting out washing powders definitely helped. Washing detergents leave behind residue, which can take five water-only washes to get out of clothes. So I completely eliminated all washing powder. A few months later, it did seem to make a difference, and for some people that can actually be all that’s needed.

The second thing was bathing. Ingesting oats is sometimes problematic with certain skin issues but used topically can be brilliant. I filled a tights sock with oats, tied it and left to really soak in a warm (never hot) bath so that the bath water looked like milk. This was particularly powerful as his rashes were on the backs of his legs, ankles, all the way to his bottom. The redness would be visibly reduced each time after soaking.

I think people jump to exclusion diets too quickly with children – our very experienced and trusted childminder at the time cautioned me about excluding entire food groups from children so young without proper supervision. Especially if you don’t reintroduce the foods quickly, and properly. So I didn’t go down that route, but I did consult our local naturopath and looked at some supplements instead – we went for omega 3 drops (on toast so he couldn’t taste it) – and that really helped clear up his legs.

Episode two was when he was five going on six, and at school! This time it was made worse because he felt quite self-conscious, even though I told him how it was totally normal and lots of other children experienced it too. He still felt like he was the only one though. The eczema was on his arms this time, the whole length of them, and his skin was cracked and very sore. I did lots of the same stuff as before – some worked, some didn’t. This time I really wanted to stop him from scratching, and break the cycle of irritation so his skin could start healing. Even though he tried so hard not to scratch, he did actually do it in his sleep! So we found the best thing was for him to sleep in cotton gloves every night. And it made a huge difference.

One thing I wish I’d known the first time around is that even though it feels counterintuitive, when their skin is really dry and sore you actually should bathe them every single day. Sufficient time in the bath is important to really hydrate – between five and 10 minutes, Do make sure to time it, overdoing it isn’t helpful either. Then once they’re out pat the skin dry very carefully, making sure not to rub. Essentially, you need to remove the moisture within 30 seconds before the air removes all that hydration, we then applied our Petit Pai cream straight away. Once he had his shortie pyjamas on – they let the skin breathe and stop sweat forming in the skin’s creases – I’d apply our Buriti Balm on top just to lock in all that moisture. I did lots of the same things as before too – like cutting out washing detergents and taking the supplements – but that combination of cotton gloves and oat baths every single day seemed to make a big difference the second time around.

Remember it is a long process. We managed to crack it in six months but it can take an awful lot longer. Try not to lose faith though, and keep working at it meticulously. We’ve been doing this a long time here at Pai – and have helped so many customers and their children with their skin reactions and flare-ups. So if you need to talk things through – perhaps you’d like help starting a skin journal, or maybe you just need a refresher in ways to manage flare-ups – we offer a free consultation service which can be booked online. Our Sensitive Skin Experts will be on hand, ready to help.

BOOK CONSULTATION

The post What I learned from my son’s eczema appeared first on The Pai Life.

Why we’re popping up?

We get so many requests from our customers in London to meet with us, come by to try our products in person, or to talk through their own skin challenges with us, face to face. So we thought it was about time we gave the people what they wanted! Then when our foodie friends at Detox Kitchen offered up their beautiful Mortimer Street deli for us to use well the rest – is Happy Skin history.

What’s going on?

As well panel talks, events and 30 minute consultations every day – all of which pretty much instantly sold out – visitors to the Happy Skin Pop Up will also be the first to try our just-launched five-step routine, our Sensitive Skin Toolkit.

To treat the early morning breakfast crowd, the first 50 customers every day to quote Pai at the deli checkout will also receive a full size Pai product, on the house. Making your coffee and breakfast bowl taste even sweeter. Oh, the amazing Detox Kitchen team have also whipped up a Pai smoothie just for the week too – packed with hydrating, nourishing ingredients to help get your skin back on side.

The brilliant team behind our skincare consultations – Pai’s Sensitive Skin Experts – will be on hand to chat, answer your questions, plus help recommend the right products and regime for you. And if you do decide to stock up on skincare – it’s a great time to do so because we’re giving customers 10% off all Pai products purchased at the pop-up too.

Where you’ll find us?

Our Happy Skin Pop-up isn’t going to be around for long. Make sure to get to Detox Kitchen on 10 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3JJ before it finishes this Sunday 15th September. We can’t wait to meet you there!

SEE EVENTS

The post What’s Going On At Our Pop-Up This Week? appeared first on The Pai Life.

One in two of us have sensitive skin – and that can range from Acne to Rosacea, Eczema to just plain old itchy. The way we see it, the more we see real, unretouched skin, the more comfortable we’ll all feel with our own. 

We were so happy to chat in between shots to the loveliest model Hellana – the face of our recent ad campaign. Her sensitive skin story started just two years ago, but with a career in modelling focused so much on appearance and looking her best, we thought it might be interesting to hear how she deals with reactions, irritations and shoot day skin SOS. 

Pai: How would you describe your skin?

Hellana: I’ve been quite lucky in terms of genetics because I do have quite good skin. I don’t have ‘perfect’ skin – I do eat lots of sugar – but don’t tend to get spots or outbreaks. In the last two years though, I have developed Rosacea. 

Pai: Did it come out of nowhere? 

Hellana: Pretty much! I only get it when I eat certain things, like spicy food. Which is one of my favourite foods! Now if I eat something with lots of chilli in it, I will get redness around my cheeks – it comes on pretty quick. Also if I drink red wine. I used to think I was just flushed but now it’s become so intense that people ask if I’m ok.

Pai: How does it make you feel? 

Hellana:  I become quite self conscious of it in the moment – it’s ok if it’s evening time in a restaurant because it’s dark outside but if it’s during the day I feel like everyone’s looking at me. I can feel the burning and the heat on my cheeks! It doesn’t last and I know it’s going to go away but it still isn’t the best. Also, when I go to the gym, and I sweat a lot and get really hot, my face will be so red… beetroot red! 

Pai: Did you ever think you’d develop a skin sensitivity? 

Hellana: Well yes, my mum has it too, really badly. So I‘m actually quite worried it’s going to get worse! Growing up, because my mum has it I almost had a phobia about it. As it started to develop though, I’d go for facials and they’d tell me I had the onset of Rosacea, so I knew it was coming!  

Pai: Has it ever affected your work?

Hellana: Recently I did have a flare-up while I was on a shoot and I was really worried about it. There’s not much you can do and obviously in my job it really matters how I look and how my skin looks. It got me thinking oh no if this keeps happening in the future, I’m not going to be able to model, what’s going to happen to me? Actually though, all they had to do was put extra makeup on me to hide it! I feel like more and more people are coming forward and saying that they have skin concerns, it seems to be a lot more common than I realised.

Pai: Apart from avoiding too much chilli and wine, what else helps you manage your skin?

Hellana: I’m being much more careful about going in the sun. When I lived in Australia I used to surf for five hours straight, and no matter how much sunscreen I would use you’re still in the sun you know? I’ve noticed now that I’m in my early thirties I’ve started to get pigmentation spots from that prolonged sun exposure.

Pai: Can you tell us about your routine?

Hellana: I am quite religious about my Rosacea skin care regime – especially now that I’m getting older. I’m interested in anti-redness, natural, organic skincare, that is cruelty-free as opposed to the cool thing that’s on Instagram or that the bloggers are using. As I get older, the ingredients inside are so much more important to me than the pretty packaging on the outside! 

Looking to get your reactive skin back on track? Meet your NEW Sensitive Skin Toolkit. What’s inside? A certified organic skincare routine featuring five of our bestselling products designed to hit reset, and restore balance and calm to your skin. 

SHOP NOW

The post Real Skin Real People – Meet Hellana appeared first on The Pai Life.

If you live in London it will be gracing your tube carriages from today and we’ll be ‘popping-up’ with it too.

I’m particularly proud of this campaign because it carries a simple but important message that, above all, is gripped in a skin reality that you seldom see.

Its message is deeply personal – and conveys my own experiences of living with erratic skin and how rubbish it can make you feel. Some things are best spoken from the heart.

As such it had to be authentic in every aspect, so we wanted to find a model with real-life rosacea to front the campaign. Easier said than done…

We have always had a strict no retouching policy at Pai and this project was no exception – We searched high and low for Hellana as it was crucial to me that we work with a model with real skin challenges and that their skin was shown in its true state (and frankly, beauty).

Finding Hellana took some doing – Many models put forward didn’t want to lay their skin issues bare to the camera (or world!) – which proved to us just why this campaign is so important.

During our shoot, we dug a little deeper and asked Hellana about her skin troubles, starting with when she developed Rosacea two years ago, to how she manages her skin today.

“Growing up, because my mum had Rosacea, I almost had a phobia about it. Recently I had a flare-up while on a shoot and I was really worried. There’s not much you can do and obviously in my job it really matters how I look and how my skin looks.

It got me thinking, oh no if this keeps happening in the future, I’m not going to be able to model, what’s going to happen to me? Actually though, all they had to do was put extra makeup on me! I feel like more and more people are coming forward and saying that they have skin concerns, it seems to be a lot more common than I realised.”

Finding the right products and ingredients that your skin responds happily to can be a revelation and life-changing. Being able to guide our customers through these skin journeys to a point of enlightenment has been one of the most satisfying parts of building Pai.

This September, we’re growing our Pai community but in a more intimate way. That means giving our customers an opportunity to connect, talk to us and try our products in person.

Cue…our Happy Skin Pop-up at Detox Kitchen in Fitzrovia from September 9th-15th.

We’ll be offering 30-minute one-to-one skin consultations with our sensitive skin experts as well as a full schedule of panel talks and events (see the line-up here).

For those that can’t reach our pop-up, we offer free 30-minute phone consultations, bookable online. Our customers are already loving them, so we’ve made even more slots available.

Here’s what one customer had to say about her consultation with one of our sensitive skin coaches Katya –

“She listened to my concerns… was infinitely patient and I was left with the feeling that she really cared about my issues, not just products. I would say it was a more holistic approach than I’ve experienced before.”

With September’s inescapable new (school) year feeling in the air, it’s the perfect time to take action if you’ve been struggling with your skin for a while. We’re here to help put you back in the driving seat.

Hope to see you there.

Sarah x

SEE ALL EVENTS

BOOK CONSULTATION

The post How my ‘bad skin days’ inspired our latest ad campaign appeared first on The Pai Life.

The key to understanding sensitive skin is learning the effects that everyday situations, activities and mindsets can have. It’s often a case of identifying these triggers, understanding them, and taking steps to avoid or address them.

Keeping a skin diary is a great way of really getting to know your skin. But what exactly does it involve and what should you include? Here’s our guide on why and how to keep a skin diary or journal.

Keeping track of your skin

Jotting down how certain things affect your skin can be so useful. By keeping a skin diary, you’ll be able to see what impact both external factors and internal factors have on your skin. External influences include stress and the environment, while internal factors include your diet and hormones.

By identifying these factors, you’ll be able to build a clearer picture of your skin and spot any patterns. As a result, you’ll get to know and better understand the triggers for those seemingly random breakouts and reactions. You’ll then be in a position to know what to do or avoid in the future.

How long to keep a skin diary for?

Try to keep a skin diary for at least 28 days. Ideally, we’d recommend a period of three months, as this will give you a really good overview. The longer you keep a skin care diary for, the more likely you are to spot patterns.

Despite your efforts, you may find at the end of this period a clear picture hasn’t emerged. Or, perhaps you’d like some help putting the next steps into action. If so, we recommend booking a free skin consultation with one of our Sensitive Skin Coaches. You can book your 30 minute phone consultation online right here.

What to include in a skin diary

We’ve listed some questions you may want to ask yourself each day, to help you fill out your skin care diary. Your daily entries shouldn’t take long to fill in, so it doesn’t become a chore.

Sleep

1. What time did you go to bed?
2. What time did you wake up?
3. How well did you sleep?
4. How many hours did you sleep?

Skincare

1. What did you do/use for your morning skincare routine?
2. What did you do/use for your evening skincare routine?
3. Did you use anything else throughout the day?
4. What did your skin look like when you woke up?
5. What did your skin look like when you went to bed?

Diet

1. What did you eat for your meals?
2. Did you eat any snacks?
3. How much water did you drink?
4. How much caffeine did you drink?

Mood and activity

1. Did you exercise?
2. What was your mood like?
3. How were your stress levels?
4. Where are you in your menstrual cycle?

Environment

1. What was your environment like?
2. Were you in the sun? If so, for how long?
3. Were you in the wind? If so, for how long?
4. Did you have the heating on?
5. Did you have the air conditioning on?

Clothing

1. What did you wear?
2. What fabrics are they made from?

After three months, take some time to look through your skin diary entries and see what it reveals. You’ll probably be surprised how much these factors and products are affecting your skin.

While a skin diary may not treat your skin condition, it may just shine a light on what throws your skin off balance. And if nothing else, it’s a good reminder of what products your skin likes and doesn’t like.

The post How to keep a skin diary appeared first on The Pai Life.

Morning

Splash skin with cool water, or if you’ve slept in a mask or need to remove any product, cleanse using your Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and Cloth.

Follow with one or two pumps of Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream, and if eyes feel particularly dry a tiny amount of Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream.

Evening

Remove any heavy makeup and SPF with two or three pumps of Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil. Otherwise use two or three pumps of Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and remove using the soft terry side of the double effect cloth. If you like to double cleanse, just double up (Cleansing Oil first).

Next, apply a tiny amount of Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream along the orbital bone with your ring finger. We recommend applying Eye Cream to the orbital bone – the bones surrounding your eyes – rather than directly around the eye’s delicate, thin skin to avoid overloading it or weighing it down. The skin will actually draw up the moisture it needs from wherever you apply the cream, so don’t worry about it not getting to work!

Occasionally

Once skin feels a little more under control, then you can incorporate a nourishing treatment every two or three days. In the evening once skin has been cleansed, massage two or three drops of Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil into skin. As well as making a relaxing bedtime routine, our multi-use Rosehip Oil will get to work to improve firmness as well as the appearance of dry patches and blemishes, improve dull skin tone, fine lines, scars and even sun damage.

When your skin is in flux, keeping a skin journal can really help identify your its triggers as well as what other lifestyle factors may be impacting your skin’s health. We recommend you keep one for one month to really notice any patterns or other helpful information. That’s why we’ve made the prettiest Pai X Papier one to help get you started, free with every order over £35 now.

Still want to talk things through? Maybe you’ve got more questions for our sensitive skin experts? We offer free 30 minute consultations, tailored to your skin’s needs. We’ll look at your skincare regime as well as diet, sleep and lifestyle factors, to help recommend the right products and routine for you. You can book your complimentary consultation right here.

The post Routine Reset: How And When To Use Your Sensitive Skin Toolkit appeared first on The Pai Life.

It’s far too easy to get confused when it comes to the different claims that brands make. So I wanted to explain exactly what goes into our patch testing.

– Patch tests are conducted by dermatology doctors and dermatology nurses.
– We test our products on both Sensitive skin, and Eczema-prone skin.
– The 96 hour tests are conducted every day, for four days alongside a control sample.
– If the products do not aggravate the skin in the majority of tests, they are then deemed suitable for Sensitive, and Eczema-prone skin.
– Our Petit Pai range – formulated for babies and children – as well as our pregnancy-safe Stretch Mark System are dermatologically tested in the presence of a qualified midwife too, who deems the final test results Midwife Approved.

This level of rigorous testing is something that businesses of any size have to think long and hard about doing, because of the financial investment involved. We really hope that the steps we’ve taken help to give you reassurance and comfort on your own skin journey.

The post Why Pai Products Are Patch Tested appeared first on The Pai Life.

Sarah our Founder always felt like she had to choose between having calm, happy skin or giving it the broad spectrum protection it needed. Nothing out there could do both for her easily-irritated skin. That’s why we got to work creating our very own, and we’re thrilled to announce it’s here, Hello Sunshine!

In order for it to be suitable for everyone to use, we had to patch test for eczema-prone and sensitive skin. And because we wanted every shade and type of skin to love it too – whitening or greasiness wasn’t an option.

Hello Sunshine uses non-nano sized Zinc Oxide mineral particles which unlike Titanium Dioxide leaves no white cast on the skin and gives better protection too. What else is in there? Only good stuff. Our COSMOS Natural sensitive skin SPF also includes…

Pongamia Extract
It naturally boosts the product’s UVA and UVB properties while also moisturising skin.

Cotton Extract
AKA Gossypium Herbaceum, this clever multi-functional ingredient helps protect skin oxidative damage caused by UVA, UVB, Infra-red and Visible radiation.

Organic Jojoba Oil
Soothes and softens skin and can resist oxidation caused by high temperatures.

Vanilla Extract & Mandarin Essential Oil
We chose these soft scents as they’re non-photosensitising, so don’t cause reactions when exposed to sunlight.

SHOP NOW >

The post Introducing Hello Sunshine our daily SPF30 appeared first on The Pai Life.

So, how to avoid congestion?

Think about ingredients:
Rather than add to the problem, some products actually combat blemishes, if they’re packed with decongestive ingredients. Our favourites? First up Thistle oil, that’s why you’ll find it in our Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream. For a more targeted solution, our Copaiba & Zinc Perfect Balance Blemish Serum contains Zinc PCA, an ingredient which inhibits sebum production to reduce blackheads and congestion, while hydrating delicate skin and protecting collagen levels.

Think about cleansing:
Keeping on top of pesky pores is a two pronged attack. First up, exfoliation is key to gently remove any dead skin, meaning products are less likely to build up on top. Next up, cleansing. If in warmer weather you’re more likely to wear SPF, you might find it necessary to double cleanse, to rid skin of that extra product. Our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil – a powerful makeup and SPF remover– makes the perfect pre-cleanse. Once you’ve rinsed it off, skin should feel soft without any tackiness, that’s how you’ll know your SPF is all gone. Follow with our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser for a nourishing, double cleanse.

Think about diet:
Beautiful weather does indeed call for balmy beer gardens, but it’s still best to approach the wine list with caution. Alcohol not only dehydrates skin, but also decreases important antioxidants in the skin – Vitamin A and C – which help to keep skin radiant and soft. Steering relatively clear of refined sugar and saturated animal fats will also help regulate sebum production too.

Shop Now

The post How does warmer weather affect blemish-prone skin? appeared first on The Pai Life.

The main problem with scrubs is the exfoliating grains used in them. Whether you buy scrubs or make them yourself – common exfoliants include sugar, crushed shells and rice. Under a microscope all have sharp jagged edges which cause micro tears in the skin and strip away protective lipids. And yep, you guessed it, next comes redness and inflammation.

Our founder Sarah, says “I was so horrified at the harshness of exfoliators on the market it prompted us to create our all-natural, Jojoba bead alternative around six years ago. It’s become one of our most popular products in the line-up and is a personal fave of mine. It was the product that saved my skin and sanity when I had newborns to look after. It would clean, smooth, soften and enliven my skin all in one go – and the aroma (of gorgeous May Chang) would give me a mental boost too. Helping me keep the show on the road during the worst bouts of sleep deprivation!”

So what exactly are Jojoba Wax beads? Perfectly spherical, 100% natural and biodegradable, they gently roll across the skin to polish away dead skin cells and impurities – without scratching the healthy cells below.

The second issue is of course, in the name, and it’s the scrubbing. That’s an aggressive action – especially for sensitive skin. We recommend you approach exfoliation from the position of a ‘polish’ instead. The action should be gentle and provide just enough friction to slough away dead skin cells without it feeling abrasive. You will get the same end result of a smooth and invigorated complexion but without damaging the skin in the process. No brute force required!

Body scrubs on the other hand, we do actually encourage you to make yourself. Sarah shares her homemade body scrub recipe below:

“I used to make a homemade scrub (for the body only) from fine oatmeal and manuka honey. I sometimes added in a base oil like almond to loosen the texture and give it a bit more slip. It’s important to use manuka honey instead of regular honey because of its antimicrobial properties – always look for a high UMF or MGO rating on front of pack. You could use it as a scrub to exfoliate and then leave it on for 10 mins before washing off. The honey makes it very sticky so a shower afterwards is very necessary!”

The post DIY face scrubs and sensitive skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

There has always been a love hate relationship between us sensitive-skinned-souls and makeup. We instinctively want to reach for it when our faces are flaring up, but then the ingredients inside can so often be irritating, that things get worse.

There are ways around this though. From choosing natural products to careful and kind makeup removal techniques, our sensitive skin specialists have got the answers to your burning questions…

What makes makeup tricky for sensitive skin?

There are certain ingredients in mainstream makeup that can aggravate sensitive skin. Talc, PEGs, Silicones, Polymers, Stabilizers and Mineral Oil are toxic ingredients and can make the skin itchy and uncomfortable. Avoid ingredients such as: Bismuth Oxychloride – a by-product of lead, copper and tin and is often found in mineral makeup, Fragrance – a big one for sensitive skin, Silicones which are used to hold colour in place on the skin and will give it some waterproofing properties. Even though they give a smooth texture they act like cling film on the skin. Synthetic colours which are derived from petroleum and suspected to be human carcinogens and skin irritants. Go for natural and organic where you can to avoid these ingredients.

What makeup brands might be best for sensitive skin?

We always suggest these brilliant brands; Inika, RMS, Lily Lolo and Vapour.

How can you be as gentle as possible while removing eye makeup with a Cleansing Oil?

Make sure eyes are firmly closed when gently massaging cleansing oil over the eyelids and across the lash line.

Are makeup wipes okay once in a while?

For so many reasons, no. Not only do they contain irritants which can aggravate sensitive skin but they’re also not effective at lifting-off dirt and bacteria, increasing the chance of breakouts. And don’t even get us started on their environmental impact…

How do you know if you’ve taken SPF off properly?

If using our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil, once you’ve rinsed it off, skin should feel soft without any tackiness.

Can I use the Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil to wash my skin without makeup?

Yes – it gently dissolves dirt, excess oil and surface debris leaving the skin feeling clean and nourished.

Will rubbing my eyes with this oil to remove makeup me more prone to wrinkles?

Quite the opposite! The oil provides slip so there is no wrinkle-inducing tugging on the skin.

The post Makeup -vs- Sensitive Skin. Your Burning Qs appeared first on The Pai Life.

They are, however, the one thing the majority of Pai customers simply cannot tolerate, with many reporting stinging, burning or redness after use.

In fact, a close friend of mine who isn’t prone to sensitivity at all recently woke up with flakey, inflamed and itchy eyes after using a well-known brand of ‘gentle’ wipes nightly.

Why are face wipes bad for your skin?

While they are super convenient, by their very nature facial wipes have to be soaked in some pretty potent ingredients.

Moist cloths packed on top of each other are a breeding ground for bacteria.

They sit on shelves for up to 18 months on a warm shop floor, and so require high levels of preservatives, alcohol and anti-bacterial agents to keep them usable.

These harsh synthetics are then rubbed vigorously into the skin, particularly around the delicate and extra-thin eye area.

As well as irritation, high levels of alcohol can also cause extreme dryness and premature ageing.

Particular ingredients to watch out for are:

–    Propylene Glycol and Dipropylene Glycol (irritants)
–    Parabens (controversial ingredients, here’s why)
–    Phenoxyethanol (irritant)
–    2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1, 3-Dio (potent anti-microbial agent that carries the highest hazard rating, 8-10, on the Skin Deep Ingredients database. Read more here).

Why cleansers are better

Face wipes only remove impurities from the skin’s surface, and so have no other meaningful skin benefits.

A high-performance oil cleanser, like our NEW Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil removes every last trace of makeup, without any stinging or irritation. And because it contains our wonder-ingredient Rosehip Oil, skin is left feeling nourished and radiant too.

If a cream cleanser is more your thing, our bestselling Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is completely chemical, irritant and alcohol-free, and its high levels of Omega 3, Vitamin A, B, C & E keep skin soft and supple. Depending on how much makeup or SPF you wear, you might even like to use them both, as part of a double cleanse routine each evening.

Remember every part of your skincare regime contributes to a clear, glowing complexion, so there’s no point investing in a premium moisturiser and then using face wipes!

The post Why Face Wipes are so bad for your skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

As Jimmy’s joke points out, ever since the confectionery egg came along Easter time has been synonymous with chocolate overindulgence.

The good news is that, though many of you may blame your breakouts on a sweet tooth, it isn’t chocolate per se that plays havoc with your skin.

The bad news is that the bucket load of refined sugar and animal fats in popular milk chocolate eggs do (more on that here)! To get your chocolate fix without the dreaded breakouts, follow my three top tips:

GO DARK

I’ve said it before but unlike its unhealthier relatives, dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) is full of antioxidants, promotes heart health and even makes us happier!

There are plenty of dark eggs available and some are even Fair Trade too – double brownie points!

PACE YOURSELF

Although it can be easy to get over-excited about your egg, put that mindfulness into practice and eat it in small portions throughout the day rather than munching the whole thing in one go!

Dramatic increases in our sugar levels cause the body to produce more insulin, which in turn causes more sebum to be produced. Excess sebum can clog pores and cause blemishes.

Moderating your sugar intake prevents these sudden spikes, and though chocolate may still result in a little extra sebum, the skin is more likely to be able to adjust to it without breaking out. If it is breaking out regardless, scroll down to the bottom of this blog post for the products we recommend to restore balance to blemish-prone skin.

STROLL IN THE SUNSHINE

If it’s a glorious Easter weekend, why not go out for a walk? This may not strictly prevent you from getting spots, but it’s great for the mind (and for de-stressing generally) and will stop those unsaturated fats from depositing themselves in any unwanted areas…!

Happy Easter from Pai!

Shop Now

The post Chocolate And Spots – Is there a link? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Few things feel nicer than putting on a freshly washed pair of pyjamas, but a few days ago I did just this and almost instantly broke out in an unbearably itchy bout of hives.

In my search for the cause, I inspected the laundry detergent box – and it left me none the wiser. Amongst ‘other ingredients’, the vague list named:

• 15-30% Oxygen based bleaching agents
• 5-15% Non-ionic surfactants
• >5% Zeolite, Cationic surfactants, Poly carboxylates, Phosphonates, Soap
• Also contains Optical brightener, Perfume

For me, “oxygen based bleaching agents” and “optical brighteners” are far too vague, and clearly made-up ingredient names!

Now I know we’re not ingesting the stuff, but environmental triggers such as household products can cause serious flare-ups, as my sore and itchy back is proving.

For that reason, us sensitive skin sufferers need to know exactly what’s in the box.

Here’s what I’ve learnt about selecting more sensitive skin-friendly suds, just in time for World Allergy Week!

1. Pick a liquid detergent over a powder, as it’s less likely to leave residues in your fabric.
2. Choose a non-biological detergent as these are enzyme-free. It’s thought that enzymes can aggravate damaged skin and many report an immediate improvement after switching from biological.
3. Use half of the recommend amount of detergent or opt for Eco wash balls instead.
4. Use less detergent on garments and bed linen that is going to be in direct contact with the skin for sustained periods of time.
5. Pick an un-fragranced detergent as artificial fragrances are one of the most common skin irritants.
6. Opt for a long rinse cycle to ensure all detergent residues have been washed away.
7. Don’t overload your machine as this can prevent thorough rinsing.

The post Are you allergic to your washing powder? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Shifting our wardrobes from winter to summer has also got us thinking about giving our skincare shelves a Spring clean, too.

The reason? Warmer temperatures, lower winds and higher humidity all combine to have a seasonal effect on your skin. Here’s four things you can do to help your skin through the change in weather:

SWITCH YOUR MOISTURISER

Without cold whipping winds and skin-drying central heating, many people find they can switch to a lighter cream during the summer months.

Currently using Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream? A swap to Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream may suit you during the warmer weather.

Or if you’re already using the Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream, consider applying the lighter Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream instead.

For those with complexions that are a little on the oily side, try applying a couple of spritzes of BioAffinity Tonic to refresh and rebalance your skin; that may be all you need.

TIME TO EXFOLIATE

Promoting repair and renewal is essential for your complexion – whatever the weather!

Buff away dead skin cells with our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator to reveal bright, healthy skin. Follow it up with the application of either of our Masks for juicy, plump skin.

HYDRATE

As well as drinking plenty of water, you can hydrate your body through the skin too. Using a serum after cleansing and before applying your facial oil or day cream, means that all the hydrating ingredients in there get delivered much further into the skin (due to the size of the tiny water-carrying molecules inside).

We’d recommend our new Back To Life Hydration Serum, which provides your skin with a serious dose of hydration, perfect for warmer-weather skin changes.

DON’T FORGET THE BODY!

Your feet and legs have most likely been encased in tights, thick socks and boots for the last few months.

The arrival of spring signals the countdown to summer; it’s now not long until sandals (and, dare we say it – bare legs) are a daily occurrence!

It’s often hard to exit winter without feeling distinctly ‘reptilian’. Exfoliate scaly body skin with our sulphate-free Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash which comes with a 100% natural Konjac Sponge.

Daily applications of Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream are the perfect follow-up.

This Cream is a skin saviour for anyone suffering from conditions like eczema or psoriasis, but it’s also the ultimate multi-tasker in transforming dry winter skin. 

It excels in locking-in moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and supple throughout the warmer months.

DAILY SPF TOO

More sunshine and more time outdoors means more risk of damage from UVA and UVB rays. Think about a daily SPF to provide broad spectrum protection – because if there’s one thing that won’t make your sensitive skin feel better it is sun damage. Last year we launched our first ever sun protection: Hello Sunshine Sensitive Skin SPF30. More on how it works, why it’s so great for sensitive skin and how often to apply it, right here.

If you are upping your SPF game – it is worth remembering that because of the long-lasting protection it offers, sun cream calls for slightly more rigorous cleansing than normal. That means on the days that you are wearing SPF, we recommend first removing SPF and any waterproof makeup with an oil cleanser – our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil just so happens to be our award-winning favourite. Then follow with a hydrating cleanse using our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and Cloth.

Here’s to happy complexions this summer!

Shop Now

The post 5 Skin Care Changes To Make This Spring appeared first on The Pai Life.

This year, like every year we want to get on board to help highlight just how prevalent skin allergies and reactions really are.

So, we commissioned some exclusive research and found that:

1 in every 2 British women have experienced a reaction to their beauty products, and are wasting an estimated £148 million on products they can’t use after reacting to them.

These huge figures should hopefully help sensitive skin sufferers feel a little less alone, and also encourage you to think twice before you pick up that next beauty product without reading the ingredients list first.

I dread to think how much money I wasted on unsuitable or misleading products before I started Pai!

Money aside, it’s terrible to have so many products languishing in bathroom cabinets or heading to landfill.

Seemingly reassuring terms like ‘hypoallergenic’ and ‘dermatologically tested’ on product packaging don’t help, as in reality they mean very little.

‘Hypoallergenic’ simply means it’s ‘less likely to cause a reaction than other harsh irritants’, while ‘dermatologically tested’ just means that a dermatologist carried out ‘tolerance’ tests – not what the results of these tests were.

We know shopping for sensitive skin can be a real nightmare, so we’ll give you a whole 90 days to really get to know your new Pai products. And if things don’t work out, just let us know and we’ll either help you find a better match or give you a full refund.

The post It’s World Allergy Week appeared first on The Pai Life.

The answer to that is probably yes, since 1 in 2 women we asked said they’d reacted badly to theirs too.

In recent years our customers have been asking us to formulate a Pai makeup remover suitable for even the most sensitive skin and eyes. The brief? Gentle on skin, without compromising on efficacy; no rubbing, no stinging, no nasties. No problem!

Enter: our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil. Die hard fans of our pure, organic Rosehip Oil will be pleased to find it inside too. This radiance-booster conditions skin, helping it to regenerate without irritation.

It also happens to be one of our Founder Sarah’s favourite things about the Cleansing Oil… “I love the aroma (the uplifting blend of Basil, Orange, Geranium, Lime and Jasmine Essential Oils) and the fact it has my beloved Rosehip Oil in it, which my skin responds to so well. Perhaps above all, I love its ease of use – this is my on-the-hop cleanser now when I need to shift make-up at speed.”

Ready to try it for yourself?

Shop Now

The post Our Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil is here! appeared first on The Pai Life.

We’ve made it easy! Here are our top tips for washing your baby from Pai’s team of sensitive skin experts (and mums!), to help keep their delicate skin calm and healthy.

Avoid baths (for a couple of weeks)!

When a baby is born their skin is 30% thinner and the acid mantle which protects the skin from infection is much more alkaline than adult’s skin, making it more susceptible to water loss and dryness.

This is why midwives advise not bathing your baby for the first two weeks after birth to protect the baby’s skin as much as possible in those early days.

Instead, stick to top and tail cleaning using water and cotton or as advised by your midwife.

Keep it short

Brief, infrequent baths are all baby needs after those first couple of weeks.

3-5 minutes initially is all that is needed. Bathing too long and too frequently can increase the chances of impairing the skin’s natural barrier by stripping away natural oils.

…and lukewarm

Water that’s too warm will increase activation of histamine and can cause transepidermal water loss (TEWL) leading to inflamed and dry skin.

Test with your elbow or a thermometer if unsure – the ideal temperature should be 37℃.

Avoid foam

Detergents like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) can really irritate and dry the skin.

We advise using our Apple & Mallow Blossom Hair & Body Wash once baby reaches 3 months old, however, there is no risk attached to using it prior to that.

A little goes a long way

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is incredibly intelligent!

Be careful not to interfere too much especially with young skin. A little product goes a long way, so it’s important not to overuse – remember the skin is 30% thinner than adult’s!

Our Apple & Mallow Blossom Hair & Body Wash comes with a Konjac sponge so just a drop of product is needed allowing the sponge to do the work!

Bathing is the ideal time to wash your baby’s hair and dislodge any cradle cap that may have built up on the baby’s scalp. Use a gentle formula that won’t cause irritation to the eyes or skin. 

After bathing

If your baby or child suffers with dry or difficult skin, avoid rubbing with a towel after bathing and instead pat dry to avoid irritation.

This is best time to apply cream or to treat your little one to a soothing baby massage.

It also helps to keep your bathroom warm during the winter months so the change in temperature isn’t too stressful for baby.

Shop Now

The post Our top tips for washing your baby appeared first on The Pai Life.

While most Mums enjoy pregnancy, they‘re not so keen on the souvenirs that it leaves behind – particularly when faced with the distinctly mark-free, post-bump bodies celebrities are forever flaunting.

First of all, let me say that those bodies have probably been a) airbrushed, b) covered in make-up, or c) surgically enhanced!

In the real world, it is difficult to avoid stretch marks – around 70% of us will develop them as our pregnant skin stretches beyond its natural ability. However, the good news is that there are a number of things we can do to minimise their severity and appearance…and if we’re lucky, eliminate them altogether.

Natural Oils and Butters

As stretch marks are an issue that resonates deeply with pregnant women, hundreds of products have flooded the market that claim to keep them at bay.

Adopt a healthy scepticism as many of the stretch mark oils available are paraffin oil based – a petroleum derivative.  Don’t believe me? Check the ingredients list, and try and make this a habit every time you buy.

Natural oils and butters are safest for soon-to-be Mums. When massaged into the skin, Jojoba oil can help improve its elasticity and reduce the likelihood of it becoming over-stretched. If those red-purple lines do sneak through, applying this same oil post-natally can help to smooth skin and reduce their appearance.

Shea butter is another great ingredient for taming stretch marks and one that many women swear by. As well as being highly-moisturizing, Shea butter also has a unique ability to reduce and heal scars.

Our Pumpkin & Pomegranate Stretch Mark System is bursting with a combination of Vitamins E & C, plus Omegas 3,5,6,7 & 9 protect skin cell structure and enhance elasticity, helping skin to stretch and bounce back into shape without showing signs of damage.

Feed your skin

A healthy diet is essential for smooth, supple skin.

Eating foods that are rich in Vitamins A, B, & C and Essential Fatty Acids (Omegas 3, 6 & 9) throughout pregnancy will allow your skin to stretch better and encourage the replacement of damaged cells with new healthy ones.

Nourished and conditioned skin is also more likely to ‘bounce back’ into shape after birth.

Monitor your weight

Although it’s a pregnant woman’s prerogative to eat whatever she likes, gaining weight too quickly can increase the likelihood of getting stretch marks and worsen their appearance.

If you have a healthy BMI you should expect to carry an extra 25-34 lbs – gaining 1-5 lbs in the first trimester, and 1lb a week from then on.

Moisturise inside and out

Dry skin is less elastic and so more prone to stretch marks. Keep it hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a daily body cream that is high in those Essential Fatty Acids.

So that’s it for my pregnancy blog series.

Of course, I’ve only covered the tip of the iceberg – pregnancy affects women in different ways and what works for some may not for others.

Those nine months are among the most important in a woman’s life – remember to stay informed, open-minded, but above all…excited!

Shop Now

The post How can I prevent stretch marks during pregnancy? appeared first on The Pai Life.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there about pregnancy, what to use and what to avoid. We’ve done our research and consulted with Pai-Mum’s to see what they recommend.

First Trimester

During the first trimester, it is recommended you don’t use any essential oils. Our products contain such minuscule amounts of essential oils that we don’t consider these a risk. Our Founder, Sarah, used all of our products throughout her pregnancy and was very comfortable with this decision. She now has two beautiful baby boys. That being said, it’s important that you are comfortable with this so take time to consider your decision. The following products do not contain any essential oils, and are 100% safe for your first trimester:

• Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil
• Rosehip Instant Radiance Mask
• Head To Toe Buriti Balm
• Pumpkin & Pomegranate Stretch Mark System

Second and Third Trimester

At this point, you should be fine with a complete routine. However, there are three products which we would recommend not using throughout your pregnancy: Rosemary & Rice Plant BioAffinity Tonic, the Echium & Amaranth Age Confidence Oil and the Copaiba & Zinc Blemish Serum. This is because these both contain higher levels of essential oils such as rosemary, which could harm your baby’s development.

BABY BREAKOUTS?

We hear from a lot of women that suffer from irregular breakouts and spots during their pregnancies especially during the first trimester when hormone levels are really surging. Extra oestrogen increases sebum production, making blackheads, spots and breakouts more likely than usual. These hormone related spots are most likely to appear around your chin and jawline.

We advise avoiding all foaming face washes to keeps your natural oil and pH balance in check. Also, switch to a detergent-free cream cleanser – our Camellia & Rose Cleanser might be a good choice.

The more you can leave skin to rebalance itself the better, so a light layer of moisturiser in the morning should be more than sufficient. In terms of food and nutrition, ensuring a good intake of Omegas 3, 6 & 9 will also help calm skin from the inside, but also try to cut down on foods that are rich in refined sugars and low-grade animal fats, here’s why.

ULTRA-SENSITIVE SKIN?

If your skin has become more sensitive or you have started to get itchiness or heat-rashes, you are not alone. As your bump gets bigger, your skin expands and grows thinner. Thinner skin is less able to retain moisture, becoming dry, itchy and more prone to irritation.

First of all wearing light cotton fabrics will definitely help relieve the itchiness. Try to avoid tights/leggings or vest tops that are made with synthetic fibres. Cotton maternity bras are important too as many women tend to contact itch – e.g. round bra clasps and straps that are applying pressure on the skin.

Try to avoid foaming shower gels, and steer clear of detergents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine – as these are irritants and will also upset your skin’s natural oil/pH balance. Keep an eye out for them on Ingredient Lists.

Our founder Sarah swears by a good 80%+ Olive Oil soap applied with a soft loofah. Follow with a natural/organic Body Cream. Creams contain a high level of water so will help to ease your skin dryness and dehydration. Our Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream is super gentle and specifically designed for aggravated or allergy-prone skin.

STRETCH MARK STRESS?

To help skin repair and get back into shape post-pregnancy, it needs to be as supple and elastic as possible. That means lots and lots of Creams and Oils – hence why we’ve put the two together in our new Stretch Mark System. This blog should help explain exactly how they work.

Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is also completely safe to use throughout pregnancy as it is fragrance-free. Rather than Vitamin A, which is best avoided, Rosehip contains the beta-carotene form which is perfectly safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding and is, in fact, the recommended source of Vitamin A. Its high concentrations of Omegas 3,6,7 & 9 help to deep-condition the skin, enhancing its elasticity and suppleness. Rosehip has also been proven to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, fine lines and uneven skin tone, so is a great skin healer.

Shop Now

The post Pregnancy safe skincare appeared first on The Pai Life.

Echium (pronounced eck-ee-um, in case you were curious!) or Echium plantagineum is a shrub with striking purple-blue flowers typically found in Mediterranean climates.

In ancient Greece it was believed this powerful plant could protect against venomous snake bites, which is where the name comes from – Echis is Latin for Viper.

It’s the oil in the seeds which make this plant really special. They are thought to be the world’s richest plant source of Omegas 3, 6 and 9 – Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), Stearidonic Acid (SDA) and Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA).

This incredibly effective form of ‘good fats’ is a wonderful source of essential fatty acids which can help cells regenerate, rebuild and strengthen the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss.

What’s more, Stearidonic acid has anti-inflammatory properties with a concentration of SDA, thought to be higher than any other vegetable oil.

Studies also show that echium oil can improve the texture of the skin, helping to plump and smooth skin.

All this makes echium seed oil a powerful, but gentle ingredient for healthy skin at any age, but it’s especially good for mature or very dry skin that’s prone to sensitivity.

The post What is Echium? appeared first on The Pai Life.

So, if you’re wondering just what makes Ectoine a wonder skin ingredient, then read on.

Scientists surprisingly discovered Ectoine in an Egyptian desert in 1985. It’s a substance that protects small microorganisms growing in some of the earth’s most hostile and severe environments, such as salt lakes and deserts.

Ectoine is an amino acid known as an ‘Extremolyte’. Extremolytes are natural stress protection molecules that microorganisms and plants produce to help counter stresses like dryness and extreme temperature changes in their habitats.

Ectoine’s self-defence and survival substance is a natural moisture binder. When it binds with water on the skin it helps to restructure the cell membrane. This is highly effective at protecting our skin cells from UV damage, fluctuating temperatures and pollution, as well as helping prevent early signs of skin damage.

Studies show that Ectoine also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help calm skin inflammations. It protects against allergens too and can help soothe skin that’s prone to redness and sensitivity.

It’s also thought to increase the effect of the skin’s barrier which can help lock in moisture for longer.

We’ve included Ectoine in our new formulation to help boost the skin’s hydration, elasticity and surface structure and help keep skin looking plump and smooth.

We’d love to know what you think of our new formula.

The post The lowdown on Ectoine appeared first on The Pai Life.

So in the interest of spreading and celebrating goodness this International Women’s Day, we’ve asked Sarah to share her thoughts on leadership, mentoring and what inspires her!

What does the term ‘dream job’ mean to you?

Somewhere I feel a strong raison d’etre and where I believe I can change the world a little bit for the better. An environment where I can create, that ultimately pushes me beyond the realms of what I believe I am capable of.

What one thing motivates you to get out of bed and into the office day in, day out?

I have two giant spurs to action in the morning.

The notion that there are millions (actually billions!) of people out there who don’t yet know about Pai who we could be helping with their skin frustrations and upset.

As well as the thought of every one of our fantastic team at Pai – whose livelihoods I am ultimately responsible for!

What qualities do you think you need to have to make a really great mentor?

I mentor a few start-up entrepreneurs. Where I have found I add best value is when we focus on just one thing that is an obstacle to their progress or wellbeing. The one thing they have the power to fix or change that day or week.

Clearing that blockage can have a profound effect in removing a weight off their shoulders and freeing them to do what they do best.

Also, fuelling their ambition is crucial. Because running a business or climbing the career ladder requires 100% commitment and can feel relentless. Sometimes people’s early passion and ‘fire in the belly’ can turn to embers and need re-stoking.

How would you mentor your staff to overcome lack of confidence, and encourage them to ‘lean in’?

I would remind them that success never comes easily and that life is all about the climb.

Gold medals aren’t won from an amble in the park! They require slog, patience and a degree of frustration, setbacks and pain too.
For someone to grow in confidence on that climb, they must never worry about making mistakes. Trip-ups are part of the course and escape no one.
The greatest achievements often follow failures. Dyson had 500 aborted attempts at inventing his vacuum cleaner – spanning 15 years!

No one will ever judge you on the mistakes or errors of judgement you make – only what follows, in how you respond to them.

What do you think makes a company ‘good’ to work for?

One that has a higher purpose beyond making money. Somewhere you can feel part of an authentic mission and crucially be able to see where you fit into that picture and the impact you are having.

Also, somewhere company owners put their customer and staff’s needs ahead of their own personal interests. Who believe in the power of ‘we’ over ‘me’.

One piece of advice you wish you’d received when you were starting out?

When things go wrong or you face adversity ask yourself the following questions. Am I going to still feel stressed about this in one month’s time?
Am I going to remember this in one year’s time?

If the answer is No to either question (which, by the way, it usually is) – then don’t waste another second worrying about it. Move on.

Who is your greatest female inspiration?

Hard to pick one! Kresse Wesling of Elvis & Kresse is pretty remarkable and regularly tops my list.

I saw her speak in the very early years of Pai and her story blew me away. She’s continued to sustain a really strong social and environmental purpose and pulse to her business.

The post International Women’s Day 2019 appeared first on The Pai Life.

Remember – lanolin doesn’t only come in tubs and tubes. You might find traces in your wardrobe too!

If woolly fibres are leaving you itchy, try alpaca wool instead. These fuzzy friends have lanolin-free fluff  – it’s also softer and less scratchy than sheep’s wool.

The post Lanolin and Sensitive Skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

The first thing to know is that dehydrated skin is different to dry skin. Dry skin is a skin type – it’s the skin that you’re born with or develops over the years. Dehydrated skin is a skin condition or temporary state that any skin type can suffer with.

Simply put, the difference is that dehydrated skin is lacking in moisture, whilst a dry skin type is lacking in oil.

It’s likely that you will have experienced dehydrated skin at one point or another, no matter what your skin type. Read on to find out easy ways to check if your skin is dehydrated, and what the common causes of dehydrated skin are.

Look and feel

Have a look in the mirror. Does your skin seem dull and papery? Does it ever feel tight? Particularly after cleansing? These are all the tell-tale signs of dehydration.

Those of us with sensitive skin are more prone to this kind of dehydration than others, as the skin’s barrier is already compromised so we’re more susceptible to this lack of moisture.

One way to check for sure is by doing the pinch test.

Gently lift the skin on your cheek with your forefinger and see if any horizontal lines show. If the skin is very dehydrated these lines may appear without even lifting the skin. The more lines you have when lifting the skin, the more dehydrated your skin is.

Another way to tell is when you apply your products. Dry skin will be slow to absorb them. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is really thirsty and will drink them up quickly.

The moisture-sappers

Some of the key culprits in causing dehydrated skin include:

(1) Air conditioning and central heating

Though central heating and air-con make things a lot more comfortable in cold or hot weather, they could be responsible for depleting your precious moisture levels.

(2) Sun exposure

Known to be damaging to skin, it’s UVA that is the main factor here. Spending too much time in the sun will ultimately cause your skin to dehydrate from the inside out.

(3) Harsh skincare products

If you’re using products that are too harsh, they could be stripping your skin of its natural moisture levels.

The best way to tackle dehydration is from the inside-out. Up your intake of water and fluids. Keep an eye on how much alcohol and coffee you’re drinking. Also making sure you eat plenty of water-rich fruit, vegetables and omegas to give your skin a much-needed hydration hit.

Our Back to Life Hydration Serum will also give dehydrated skin that moisture boost. The lightweight formula penetrates the skin deeply and quickly to provide long-lasting hydration without irritation.

If you’re confused over your skin type, remember the team at Pai are sensitive skin experts and are always here to help.

Shop Now

The post Is your skin dehydrated? appeared first on The Pai Life.

We understand that panicked feeling when your skin is reactive or seriously dehydrated, and the temptation is to throw every product available at the problem. If you can resist the urge to do so, we recommend establishing a simple routine at first with two or three key steps. For example, cleanse, tone and moisturise.

Once you have established a consistent routine that your skin is responding well to, you can start to expand your routine and add other items which are more targeted to help with particular issues, as Serums do.

We suggest using serums at night time to help boost your skin’s natural repair process while you sleep. For an extra hit of hydration, you can also use in the morning, before applying your day cream.

An easy way to remember what order to use your products in is to always apply them from lightest to heaviest.

Step one: Prepare your skin

Cleanser

We recommend cleansing only in the evening to avoid overwashing your face, using our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and Dual-Effect Sensitive Skin Cloth.

and/or Tonic

Try this morning and evening, so if you do skip cleansing in the morning just splash on the tonic first thing (or some water) to wake up the skin. We recommend our vitamin rich Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Tonic.

Step two: Nourish your skin

Serum

Massage a few drops of the Back To Life Hydration Serum into damp skin straight after your tonic, and let it start to sink in. One-to-two drops are plenty; Serums are packed full of highly concentrated ingredients so a little goes a long way.

or Oil

To make sure you don’t overload your skin, swap your Serum for an oil two or three nights per week. Try our best-selling skin hero Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil.

Step three: Lock in the goodness

Moisturise

Apply your moisturiser. Our Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream gently locks in your skin’s own moisture.

Shop Now

The post When do I use a serum? appeared first on The Pai Life.

Oily:

Oily skin literally produces more oil, or sebum, than normal skin. It can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, using the wrong products or hormone imbalances.

Combination:

Combination skin is oily in places (usually the t-zone) and normal or dry in others (usually the cheeks). It can be tricky to care for as you’re dealing with two skin types in one, but the key lies in rebalancing the skin’s oil production for a more even complexion.

Blemish-prone:

Blemish-prone skin is usually either oily or combination. Blemishes occur when an oil or sebum gland becomes blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells.

What you should look for in a product:

Rebalancing: The key to healthy skin is balance, but this is particularly important when skin is over-producing oil – actives that ‘rebalance’ your skin will help address this issue. Blemish-prone skin can often become inflamed and uncomfortable – ingredients such as Geranium are brilliant as they also help reduce redness.

Decongesting: Thistle oil has a decongesting effect on the skin while also reducing the appearance of large pores. This gem of an ingredient is in our Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream.

What you should avoid

Detergents: Steer well clear of irritating foaming detergents such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Ammonium Laureth Sulphate. These literally strip away all your natural oils, sending your skin into a panic and causing it to produce even more sebum than normal to make up for the deficit.

Alcohol: Alcohol has a similar effect on the skin – stripping away surface oils and encouraging sebum over-production.

Top Tips:

Embrace Oils!: One of the most common misconceptions about oily skin is that you should avoid applying oils to it. Although it seems counterintuitive – applying oils to the skin can actually help rebalance its natural oil production.

Our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is really popular with combination and oily skin types as it also has the dual benefit of improving blemish scars. By adding a little oil to your skin you’re essentially telling it that it has enough, and can slow down on the oil production front.

Look at your diet: A huge number of skin problems stem from the gut, so it’s always worth looking at your diet if simple skincare switches don’t work. I’m a big believer in eating a slightly alkaline diet to help minimise inflammation and keep the skin calm and clear. Avoiding refined sugar and saturated animal fats will also help steady sebum production.

Shop Now

The post Oily, Combination and Blemish-prone Skin Guide appeared first on The Pai Life.

Kim Kardashian has also helped to bring this much-misunderstood condition to the fore in recent months but it still needs more air time. Joan’s experiences were life-changing and impairing. Sadly her story is all too familiar.

Psoriasis is a baffling beast of a condition and one we are approached about most often. It is a regular topic we give coaching on via our free consultation service. One of our skin coaches is a long sufferer of it – so provides a very empathetic ear!

Psoriasis is hereditary, auto-immune and so closely linked to our emotions. Sudden emotional trauma often triggers it for the first time – and stress (in whatever form) can be a recurring factor in subsequent flare-ups.  It then becomes a vicious cycle because flare-ups cause such discomfort, anxiety and sense of powerlessness.

All this means topical products are rarely the solution but are just one piece of the puzzle.

In Juliet’s case trying many different things now means it is hard for her to identify which ended up being her salvation. In reality, it may have been a combination of them all.

She references detergents – she cut out Cocamidopropyl betaine – which is a personal pet hate and something I’m often clambering on my soapbox about (pardon the pun).  The term ‘detergents’ I mean in its broadest sense. Both common ‘surfactants’ in skincare, especially face and body cleansing products – think sulfates and betaines.  Our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is of course 100% detergent free.

But also washing detergents. This post is one of our most read.  We have managed to eliminate mild eczema in some young children purely by getting parents to ditch them.

If you are struggling to manage your Psoriasis then let us help you to take control. You can book a phone consultation via our website – they are 30 minutes and completely free. The objective of them? To put you back in the driving seat.  

Book Now

The post Sarah’s thoughts on Psoriasis appeared first on The Pai Life.

If you’ve signed up for the London Marathon this year, then by now you’ll be well and truly in the swing of things training-wise. Or maybe you’ve just ramped up your exercise regime this year? Props to you for that too. This does raise the question though, for both distance runners and all active people that are keeping fit, does all of this exercise have an impact on the look and feel of our skin?

In a word, yes. Cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling and aerobics pump oxygen-rich blood around our bodies and cause our blood vessels to dilate, giving skin a plumped, healthy glow.

While sweating may not make you feel gorgeous in the short term, shedding liquid in this way flushes surface dirt from pores and detoxifying it, while also helping to protect our complexions from bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. It does this by treating the skin with a dose of Dermcidin, a natural antibiotic, potentially preventing breakouts or reactions.

HOW ABOUT TRICKY SKIN?

That being said, certain easily aggravated skin conditions can be triggered by intensive activity.

Urticaria, for example, often breaks out when the body overheats, and Rosacea can appear worse when blood flow increases.

Rosacea is also notoriously worsened by exposure to sunlight, so if you’re exercising outdoors be sure to keep your cheeks in the shade by wearing a cap.

In the cases of these conditions, lower impact activities like yoga may be more suitable – and with its emphasis on relaxation, yoga is also the ideal exercise for stress-related condition like Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis.

Proven to lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone that triggers the production of sebum, yoga may prevent the breakouts which more intensive exercise can often cause.

However, if you do have combination skin and are more marathon-runner than meditator, follow these simple rules to best maintain a clear complexion:

1. Never wear make-up when working out – it mixes with sweat and can blocks pores, making those breakouts much more likely.
2.  Always shower after exercising. Physical activity encourages cell renewal throughout the body, which is a good thing providing the excess dead cells are washed away, keeping pores clear and revealing the fresher skin underneath.
3.  Avoid tight fitting clothes or head wear – which can cause Acne Mechanica, a form of acne caused by heat or constant pressure. Opt for loose-fitting cotton clothes instead, which will also stop the skin from suffocating or overheating.

The post Exercise versus your skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that eye cream is just for eyes. In fact, eye creams are a brilliant multi-tasking staple for your bathroom cabinet or your handbag.

A gentle and hydrating eye cream can be used in many different ways. Here are some of our favourite new ways to try out.

Eye soother

It goes without saying that, first and foremost, a good eye cream is designed for the delicate skin around the eyes. This area can be more prone to dryness and irritation and really needs expert care.

Our Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream isn’t heavy at all – it’s been carefully formulated to comfort and hydrate the skin, without overloading it.

Organic Echium is what helps to plump and smooth those fine lines. And as always at Pai, we’ve not included any potential irritants such as alcohol and artificial fragrance, so it won’t irritate sensitive eyes.

Gently pat one pump along the orbital bone and onto any other areas of irritation or dryness around the eyes, using the ring fingers.  

Lip quencher

Much like the eyes, the lips can be a really delicate area. If your lips are on the dry side, which is common at this time of year, a hydrating eye cream can work faster and deeper than a lip balm.

Try patting some on and letting it seep in, before layering on your regular lip balm. You should notice the extra hydration straight away.  

Cuticle smoother

The same principle applies to those dry and damaged cuticles. Resist the temptation to pick at that hangnail and pat on the eye cream instead. The extra hydration will work wonders to keep them moisturised and your hands will definitely thank you.

Fine line improver

Eye cream really helps to improve the appearance of fine lines around the delicate eye area. But it will also help with other areas. A good tip is to smooth some between your brows on those furrowing fine lines.

Skin shiner

That highlighted look is not always easy to obtain, especially in the winter. Here’s a simple trick to achieving an effortless glow.

Once you’ve finished your makeup, gently dab a thin layer of your favourite eye cream along your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and chin. This adds an instant sheen and injects moisture to the areas that need it.

How do you use yours?

Shop Now

The post 5 ways to use our Echium & Argan Eye Cream appeared first on The Pai Life.

One of the most common questions we receive is ‘Do I need an Eye Cream?’

The facts

The skin that surrounds our eyes is extremely thin and it doesn’t contain any sebaceous (oil) glands. This means it’s more prone to dehydration and fine lines.

Using an eye cream rich in nourishing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as Essential Fatty Acids and Echium can help to hydrate and support this delicate area – and prevent these fine lines appearing prematurely.

It’s a delicate balance

If you’ve ever experienced itchy, stinging or watering eyes, you’ll know just how sensitive our eyes can be. If you’re investing in an eye cream, it’s key to choose one free from irritating ingredients such as alcohol and artificial fragrance.

Our Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream is suitable for easily irritated eyes, with Stearidonic and Gamma Linolenic acids to soothe and smooth fine lines.

Our nourishing formula is incredibly light – but eye cream is one of the most over-applied products so remember less is more! Applying too much product to this sensitive region can cause puffiness and milia.

How to apply

For best results, we recommend applying half a pump to both eyes in the morning after spritzing a Tonic and then applying a Day Cream to the rest of the face.

Dot the cream along the top of the cheekbones and allow the eye area to draw the cream upwards, absorbing exactly the right amount of hydration it needs.

For an extra treat, and to stimulate the skin around the eye, try lightly massaging the cream into the skin by tracing around the orbital bone (the bony area that circles your eye) with your ring finger.

If you have the odd patch of eczema or dry skin around the eye area our Echium & Argan Eye Cream is ideal as it is rich in inflammatory and non-irritating ingredients.  Simply apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area.

Whether you’re using Eye Cream or not – we’d always recommend wearing sunglasses, hat & SPF when in direct sunlight to avoid sun damage and squinting!

Shop Now

The post Do I need an eye cream? appeared first on The Pai Life.

To ensure your products are all animal-friendly, look out for the following when scanning your ingredient lists.

Beeswax

All Pai creams are free from beeswax – which is relatively unusual in the natural beauty world.

I don’t just leave out beeswax for our vegan customers. I also leave it out because it’s not great for the skin.

Beeswax is considered an animal ‘by-product’ because it is produced from the honeycomb made by busy bees. It is commonly used in natural cosmetics as an emulsifier or thickener – an ingredient that helps the water and oil elements of a cream bind together.

Beeswax also forms the basis of balms, which create a protective barrier on the skin. Though beeswax is a great natural ingredient, it is not absorbed well by the skin and can make face creams feel cloying and leave behind greasy residues. Because it can’t penetrate the epidermis, it can also suffocate sensitive skin and block pores.

Lanolin

This is an oily residue from lamb’s wool that is used in a lot of mainstream hair and skincare products for its moisturising and emulsifying qualities.

For more information on lanolin and sensitive skin, take a look at my earlier blog.

Retinol

Vitamin A is great for the skin but it’s important to note that it exists in two forms. Retinol is the animal-derived form and can be found in products such as anti-wrinkle and eye creams.

Lactic Acid

This can be found in animal tissue and can be derived from milk. Lactic Acid is often used in exfoliators and even skin peels and can work well as a line and scar reducer. It is also used as a pH regulator. Pai only ever uses plant-derived lactic acid extracted from sugar beet.

The post Vegan skincare: Ingredients to avoid appeared first on The Pai Life.

We all know that too much alcohol can take its toll on our health. And it’s not so good for our skin either.

Here’s the lowdown on how alcohol can damage our skin, and why going alcohol-free this January can help get your skin back on track.

Dehydration

The skin is your body’s largest organ, but drinking alcohol leaves it dehydrated. That’s because alcohol hinders the production of vasopressin – an anti-diuretic hormone which makes your kidneys work harder to remove excess water.  

This is why your skin probably feels tight and looks lacklustre after a heavy night.

Ageing

Dehydrated skin is one of the known causes of the signs of ageing. Alcohol also robs your body of Vitamin A, which is crucial for cell renewal. A lack of Vitamin A can make your complexion look dull and grey.  

Inflammation

Ever wondered what causes flushing after drinking? Alcohol inflames the body’s tissues and creates a histamine reaction that causes redness.  Alcohol also increases the blood flow, which dilates the blood vessels in our face. This can lead to broken capillaries and red spots that are difficult to get rid of.

If you have a skin condition like rosacea or acne, alcohol can also aggravate it. Many alcoholic drinks are loaded with sugar, which causes insulin levels to spike, further inflaming the skin.

Bloating

As your body is depleted of vital nutrients, electrolytes and fluids, it looks to store whatever it can. Any water intake can make tissues swell and in turn make your face bloated and puffy.

Drinking lots of water and hydrating from within can help keep your skin looking radiant, youthful and fresh. But going further and giving up alcohol for a while can do even more to combat the effects of alcohol.

What happens to your body in Dry January

How much and how often you drink will determine how you feel if you go alcohol-free for a month. But, these are some of the changes you can expect according to GP Richard Spence:

To begin with, energy and mood levels are likely to be low. Sleep patterns may be disrupted to too.

If you’re exercising, make sure you drink plenty of water. Without alcohol in your system, you’ll find it much easier to maintain hydration levels.

By week two you may feel more motivated and even have lost a bit of weight. Your quality of sleep should improve too, helping you feel more energised and active.

All this has a positive effect on our skin. By the end of the month, you should notice any redness or blotchiness is starting to fade, and your complexion looks clearer and healthier.

The post Why Dry January is good for your skin appeared first on The Pai Life.

We’re so proud of these videos because we’ve decided not to use any models but instead asked our very own Pai staffers to star in them instead. We wanted you to see what Pai looks like on skin just like yours, never retouched, never airbrushed.

So many of the Pai team came to work at the company because they had experienced their own sensitive skin challenges in the past, and wanted to work for a brand they could really get behind when it came to helping others find calm skin too. That’s why we think they’re the best women for the job when it comes to demonstrating our products for you.

If like the Pai team you’re ready to get your skin back on side and under control, you can book a complimentary consultation with our skincare specialists online, right now.

Book Now

The post Why we say no to airbrushing and retouching appeared first on The Pai Life.

It is a really reflective time for me, when I think about how I want to live my life better or differently to the year prior.

T.S. Elliot says it best.

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

My looking forward isn’t just about setting career or business milestones (though I do do this!) – it is much more about considering my general wellbeing.  In my experience, the latter anyway impacts the former.

I talk a lot about the importance of balance in the skin – getting oil and pH levels in proper balance is the simplest and fastest route to happy and healthy skin.  Increasingly I’m realising this mantra holds some sway in wider life!

In 2019 I have a singular mission to eat better. Running a busy business and having two children under 5 means life is chaotic and continually run at full pelt. That means when I do fall, I fall hard. Colds and bugs can wipe me out for days and I find myself veering from one extreme of self care to another of self-negligence!

So next year is going to be about continuing to muddle through but a bit more in the middle lane. Making sure I eat well at least 50% of the time so I don’t have to feel guilty about the other 50%.

How do I plan to achieve this? I’m going to create a 30/30 recipe book – comprising 30 easy, nutritious family meals that can all be prepared in under 30 minutes. Happy to share as I road test them!

Happy New Year. I hope 2019 brings plenty of fun and fulfilment in equal measure. It’s all about the balance apparently

The post Happy New Year from Sarah! appeared first on The Pai Life.

But here are some other things you can do to help keep your child’s skin calm and happy this winter.

Don’t make a splash

When babies are born, their skin has a higher pH to that of adults, which takes a little time to adjust, so avoid bathing your baby for the first week or so.

When you do start washing your baby, keep baths short and sweet and avoid products containing harsh detergents that may irritate or imbalance their developing skin.

Keep an eye out for common triggers

Common additives, including detergents and fragrance in personal care and laundry products, can trigger flare-ups in delicate young skin.

Look for unscented non-biological washing powders and try using half the recommended amount.

Soothe and protect

While the skin’s protective layer (known as the acid mantle) is developing during the first year, your child’s skin needs extra protection.

Regular use of a balanced Face & Body Cream will help to soothe the skin and protect against further irritation, dryness or itchiness.

Extra protection

Sunscreen isn’t just for summer holidays. UV rays can damage our skin in winter too, particularly when reflecting off any snowy surfaces while skiing or playing outside.

The post How to care for your child’s skin in winter appeared first on The Pai Life.

The business has continued to grow and evolve and every day continues to push, stretch and inspire me in different ways. It’s what I truly love about life at Pai, there is never dullness.

Particular highlights have been my trips to North America and France – chatting to customers, who always teach me something new! As well as visiting our many lovely retailers who are spreading the Pai love far and wide.

My two take-outs from this year are to never stop dreaming big – that’s where real progress and change happens. And also to realise the power of creation.

We are so lucky to formulate and manufacture our own products, with our own team of chemists. While working on one product we magically stumbled upon another completely different one. When you keep an open mind, magic can happen. We fell upon an unexpected hero and I can’t wait to unveil it in the Spring.

A huge thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Sarah x

The post Happy Holidays from Sarah appeared first on The Pai Life.

This is Ruby, our Production Assistant, a Libra and Air sign. Got a Pai product on your shelf? Chances are this Air sign made it!

Describe your character in five words…

“Laid-back, indecisive, kind, good-listener & empathetic.”

On morning routines

“I like to have a shower to wake myself up, have breakfast with a cup of tea or coffee then off to the gym.”

On bedtime routines

“After my drenching my face in Rosehip Oil I like to read or watch a movie before bed.”

On working out

“I love a HIIT class before work to really get the day started”

On star signs

“I know that we are supposed to be balanced, fair and stubborn at times?“

On productivity

“I always do the longest tasks first, prioritise and batch tasks together.”

On buying gifts

“I’ve always wanted to get a pony, but will also be extremely happy with a puppy. I love shopping for my boyfriend, he is grateful for even the smallest of gifts!”

On Christmas shopping

“By December I’m usually finished, I am too excited so start buying presents in October! Growing up I didn’t love it though, I always remember Christmas shopping with my mum when I was young and I’d literally just turn around and she’d have disappeared off!”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Libra are you? Ruby appeared first on The Pai Life.

This is Amy, our Communications & Connections Manager, a Virgo and Earth sign.

Describe your character in five words…

“Organised, ambitious, caring, methodical, encouraging”

On morning routines

“I wash my face in the shower, apply Copaiba & Zinc Perfect Balance Serum followed by Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream before my makeup.”

On bedtime routines

“Firstly I remove makeup with the Rosehip Cleansing Oil (sample I’m trialling), follow with a double cleanse using Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and Cloth. Three spritzes of the Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Tonic followed by the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Echium & Argan Calming Eye Cream.”

On star signs

“Virgos are very organised, analytical and can be very critical. But also loyal. I also know that we don’t like asking for help.“

On productivity

“I have a checklist each day of what I have to get done, that I thoroughly enjoy ticking off. I also try to find somewhere quiet to work if I have a lot to get through.”

On buying gifts

“I love shopping for my Mum because she’s quite predictable and easy to buy for. My Father in Law is great too because he will love literally anything you get him.”

On what not to buy a Virgo

“I love all gifts! I can’t think of one I didn’t like. However – when I was about 10 my parents got me a boombox but gave it to my 4-year-old brother to open – that was kind of upsetting.”

On last-minute Christmas shopping

“Please! Never have, never will, I’m all done early!”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Virgo are you?  Amy appeared first on The Pai Life.

Describe your character in five words…

“Dependable, loyal, uncouth, loud, impatient!”

On morning routines

“I’m the worst for snoozing my alarm, therefore everything needs to be quick. I tend to run out of bed, fall over the cat and shower for precisely 1.5 seconds. I then spend most of my time trying to figure out what overly patterned shirt to wear and try and blow dry my hair into a decent quiff!”

On bedtime routines

“This is the where I tend to have a bit more time to pamper! If I’m having a night in I’m a big fan of sitting in the bath with our Copaiba Mask on and a large glass of red! After a long soak, I slather myself in Rosehip Oil and catch up on something trashy (no brain power required) and most importantly pour another glass of wine.”

On star signs

“I’m pretty sure I epitomise the traits of being a Leo- I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing!”

On productivity

“Bullet points save lives at work, having a cleaner saves lives at home!”

On buying gifts

“I mostly enjoy buying gifts for myself! Who honestly gives to receive – I’m an only child!”

On what not to buy a Leo

“One year I received a Sat Nav. For some context, I’d just failed my first driving test and I didn’t even have a car.”

On Christmas shopping

“The week before Christmas usually haven’t shopped yet, I’d be in Selfridges panic buying overly expensive gifts for the important ones and giving everyone else chocolates from Liberty. Every year I panic and get drunk first.”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Leo are you? Sam appeared first on The Pai Life.

This is Katya, our Content & Experience Specialist, a Cancer and Water sign. If you have ever called or help number, chances are you’ve chatted to this Water sign!

On morning routines

“I wash my face, apply skincare routine and makeup, get dressed and have breakfast with a cup of tea.”

On bedtime routines

“Remove my makeup, have a shower, apply my skincare routine, get into pjs, then get into bed with another cup of tea!”

On star signs

“I know I’m a Cancer and our element is water and we’re home-birds (I think?)”

On buying gifts

“I love shopping for my boyfriend because I usually go rogue so I love seeing his reaction when he opens it.”

On what not to buy a Cancer

“Once I got an assortment of bold shimmery lip glosses. I know it’s a cliche but I’d love a puppy!”

On Christmas shopping

“I’m SO last minute when it comes to Christmas shopping and usually do it all in the last week December, but I love the Christmas buzz of everyone running around grabbing last minute gifts. It gets me so excited.”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Cancer are you? Katya appeared first on The Pai Life.

Meet Emily, Pai’s bubbly Trade Marketing Manager, a Gemini and an Air sign!

Describe your character in five words…

“Excitable / Optimistic / Creative / Weird / FUN.”

On morning routines

“I wake up, shower, go back to bed for half an hour and then scramble to get ready in 20 minutes and run to the train. When it comes to my skin, I cleanse with Pai’s Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, Moisturise with Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream then apply makeup.”

On bedtime routines

“I cleanse and apply some Rosehip Oil, then watch Netflix until I fall asleep (currently watching Maniac… SO good).”

On star signs

“Gemini Twins – we’re always in two minds. I’m a different gal every day, bit of a mixed bag, you never know what you’re going to get! Keeps life interesting. “

On productivity

“I save time by applying my face mask while brushing teeth and then wash off in the shower.”

On buying gifts

“I love shopping for my nieces – because they are angels and deserve the world.”

On what not to buy a Gemini

“Once I got a Daily shoe calendar from my ex-boyfriend’s Mum… ew.”

On Christmas shopping

“By late December I’m beginning to think about the potential of starting to consider Christmas shopping. I always seem to endure overcrowded shopping malls and long line-ups in a last minute scramble. THE JOY! ”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Gemini are you? Emily appeared first on The Pai Life.

Carmen, Pai’s Cosmetic Chemist is a Taurus and an Earth sign!

Describe your character in five words…

“Thoughtful, open-minded, adventurous, organised, expressive”

On morning routines

“I snooze a few times, then get up and put the radio on. Brush teeth,  do my skincare and makeup routine, then get dressed and head out!”

On bedtime routines

“I put Netflix on in the background, shower and remove my makeup, followed by my skincare routine. Once in bed I finish the Netflix show I’ve started, then it’s eye mask on and ear plugs in. Oh, and check that my alarm has been set!”

On star signs

“I am a Taurus but I don’t believe in horoscopes… I much prefer the Myers-Brigg test!”

On productivity

“I put my phone on Do Not Disturb so it doesn’t flag up all my notifications.”

On buying gifts

“I love buying presents for my closest friends because I know exactly what they want or need.”

On what not to buy a Taurus

“Once I got an A5 notebook from a Secret Santa.”

On last-minute Christmas shopping

“By the week before Christmas, I usually have bought all of my presents and am midway through wrapping. I try to avoid the shops and get most things online if possible.”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Taurus are you? Carmen appeared first on The Pai Life.

Claire is Pai’s Content & Community Executive, an Aries and more importantly a Fire sign!

Describe your character in five words…

“Obnoxious, weird, definitely a hugger.”

On morning routines

“I usually do a spritz of Pai’s  Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Tonic and Chamomile & Rosehip Cream then am out the door.”

On bedtime routines

“I cleanse using Pai’s Cleanser, then our Rosehip Oil or Blemish Serum if I’m feeling spotty.”

On star signs

“I’m a Fire sign, so I guess I’m aggressive and a little bit kooky. My Sun sign is Aries, which the head of the zodiac – I can’t remember what that means, but it sounds fun. ”

On productivity

“If I need to get something done, I’ll put on some cheesy music and see how much I can get done by the end of the track. Long songs are obviously preferred.”

On buying gifts

“I love shopping for my little sister – she loves a surprise but also loves knowing what she’s going to get. So I try to come up with something that will shock her each year. She doesn’t have much of a poker face so when you’ve given a golden gift, it is easy to tell.”

On festive food

“My favourite Christmas food is tourtiere (a Canadian meat pie) that we sometimes have for Christmas eve BUT if I was to be an Xmas food I’d likely be a parsnip.”

On Christmas shopping

“I leave all my wrapping to just before Christmas, then plan a night in to wrap presents, while listening to Michael Bublé. I don’t find shopping that bad myself, but working in retail over Christmas, at a fancy bedding store was fairly stressful. Don’t mess with a posh person and their thread count.”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Aries are you? Claire appeared first on The Pai Life.

The People

At the heart of what this company stands for, is to respect the people who produce their bags. Firstly, the farmers. Bags of Ethics work only with cotton farmers who are verified by the Fairtrade, Global Organic Textile Standards, and SEDEX ethical auditing bodies.

Next up, their factories. Nine out of ten employees in their (carbon-neutral) Pondicherry manufacturing plant are women, many of the main breadwinners in their family. They know they will be always be fairly paid, in an environment which is both safe and where their workers’ rights are respected and supported.

The Planet

Never designed for single use, their bags are always reusable. The cotton in their bags is Global Organic Textile Standard certified which means their farmers do not use pesticides (which contain nitrates). The inks they use are non-toxic and REACH compliant, so the use of chemical substances is regulated, as is the potential impacts on both human health and the environment.

Also, their factory in Pondicherry in South India (where the Pai gift pouches were made) runs a carbon-neutral operation.

Want to find out more? Check out on their website right here. 

Don’t forget, get our limited edition Pouch and Hand Cream when you spend $80/£50/65€.

Shop Now

The post Why your Pai gift pouches are made by Bags of Ethics appeared first on The Pai Life.

Up next is Gemma, Pai’s animal-loving International Business Executive for the US, a Pisces and Water sign.

Describe your character in five words…

“Empathetic, worrier, sensitive, dreamer, organised ”

On morning routines

“First I cuddle my cat, have a cup of herbal tea, shower, clothes on, simple skin routine (face cream) and out! Breakfast comes later at work.”

On bedtime routines

“Exfoliate, cleanse, apply my serum and / or Rosehip Oil to my face. Brush my teeth and light a candle!”

On star signs

“I’m a Pisces. Romantic, sensitive, a dreamer.”

On productivity

“I do a lot of meal prep and also being consistently tidy so that cleaning my flat never becomes a big job.”

On buying gifts

“I love shopping for my mum – we have lots in common so it’s easy.”

On what to buy a Pisces

“I’ve always wanted a gift of a kitten.”

On Christmas shopping

“I usually only start shopping the week before Christmas!”

On Sundays

“…you’ll find me doing a restorative yoga class.”

What is your ultimate Christmas food?

“Tofurkey!”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Pisces are you? Gemma appeared first on The Pai Life.

Girl vs Cancer was founded by Lauren Mahon when she discovered she had stage 3 breast cancer aged 31.

In an effort to change the way people perceive cancer, Lauren began documenting her experience under the hashtag #GIRLvsCANCER.

What began as an emotional outlet has evolved into an online community and incredible charitable fundraising effort.

Girl vs Cancer raises thousands of pounds on behalf of four partner charities which were lifelines for Lauren throughout her own treatment – CoppaFeel!, Trekstock, Future Dreams and Look Good Feel Better. From financial advice to holistic therapies and counselling, these charities offer much-needed support to those facing the challenges of cancer when they need it the most.

Girl vs Cancer sells amazing, sassy t-shirts, aka  ‘tit-tees’ to help “grab Breast Cancer by the boobs and beat the cancer taboo”.  25% of sales are donated to GIRLvsCANCER’s Partner Charities. Keep an eye out for more pictures of the Pai Team rocking them over Black Pai-day!

We’re so happy to partner with Lauren and Girl vs Cancer again for 2018, bring on Black Friday weekend!

Code: BLACKPAIDAY

Shop Now

The post Our Black Pai-Day Partnership appeared first on The Pai Life.

Air signs are bright and eternally curious. Our nourishing Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream might just be their next great discovery.

Morning

A day started without experimenting with products is a wasted day right? Start with our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator, a spritz of Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Tonic, a few drops of Back To Life Hydration Serum and then a generous application of Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream.

Evening

After cleansing with our Camellia & Rose Cleanser, you pop Netflix on to catch up on the box-set du jour as well as apply a Copaiba AHA Mask for a really deep cleanse. Once washed off try a couple of spritzes of Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Tonic. Gently massage a few drops of Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil into skin, as well as into Body Cream for a full-body moisturise.

Shop Now

The post Skincare routines for Air Signs appeared first on The Pai Life.

Lizzie is Pai’s Business Development Manager for the UK, US and Canada, and loves adventures, dancing and learning new languages – more importantly, an Aquarius and Air sign!

Describe your character in five words…

“Persistent, driven, open-minded, curious”

On morning routines

“Micellar water to cleanse then Pai’s Kukui Exfoliator, Lotus Tonic, Hydration Serum and then Chamomile Day Cream.”

On bedtime routines

“Micellar water again to cleanse, then Pai’s Copaiba AHA Mask, Lotus Tonic, Rosehip Oil on face and mixed into Body Cream, Chamomile Day Cream. Sometimes I use a Body Shop Bouncy Sleeping Mask on top.”

On star signs

“I’m SUCH an Aquarius! I am definitely organised and ambitious, but can be a little stubborn at times…”

On workouts

“Whatever the latest fad is I’m up for trying it, from 1Rebel to Barry’s”

On productivity

“Start each day with ten minutes of quiet time to think about your priorities and what you want to achieve that day.”

On buying gifts

“I quite enjoy Secret Santa, because it makes you think outside the box and be inventive!”

On what not to buy an Aquarius

“My main Christmas present when I was in my early 20s was a state of the art toolkit from my Dad.”

On Christmas shopping

“By the third week of December all my present shopping is done and the gifts are wrapped, sitting under the tree. I can’t stand Oxford Street close to Christmas. My top tip if you’re in London is to go to Peter Jones and the King’s Road!”

Which Christmas decoration best personifies you?

“I think I’m going to say a Christmas wreath because I’m quite warm and welcoming”

On Christmas movies

“Love Actually is my favourite. And I currently live in Wandsworth, the dodgy end, so there’s no excuse not to watch it every day in December now.”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Aquarius are you? Lizzie appeared first on The Pai Life.

Earth signs are practical, disciplined and results-driven. So their skincare routine needs to deliver.

Morning

Preparation is the key to success right? Right, so start the day by prepping skin with a BioAffinity Tonic before applying a hard-working targeted Serum. Follow with a nourishing Day Cream and you’re out the door, Keepcup in hand.

Evening

This is where you really take your time. After cleansing (at least once, thorough is your thing), treat skin to a Rapid Radiance Rosehip face mask. Once removed, spritz face with a BioAffinity Tonic. Gently massage a few drops of Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil into skin, followed with a little Echium & Argan Calming Eye Cream. Then it’s alarm set, eye mask on and earplugs in.

Shop Now

The post Skincare routines for Earth Signs appeared first on The Pai Life.

This is Plamena, our Sales Administrator, a Capricorn and Earth sign.

Describe your character in five words…

“Serious, honest, sociable, hard-working, caring”

On morning routines

“I start off by washing my face with cold water and prepping it with a toner. Then I apply some moisturizer and finally make-up.”

On bedtime routines

“In the evenings I take my time to make sure my skin is properly cleansed and hydrated. First, I strip all impurities with my Clarisonic brush. Then, a couple of times a week I exfoliate and use a mask to replenish my skin. Finally, I apply micellar water to condition followed by a cream/oil.”

On star signs

“Capricorns are very stubborn, ambitious, results-driven and punctual. But we’re also very caring, reliable and loyal. We avoid dilly-dallying at all costs.”

On productivity

“I keep to-do lists. I like to put everything on paper, then divide and conquer. Lists help me stay focused and keep track of what’s been done and what’s still pending.”

On buying gifts

“After myself, I find it easiest to shop for my sister, because she likes the same stuff as me.”

On what not to buy a Capricorn

“Once my brother and his girlfriend gave me this white wool knit bag that looked like a shepherd’s bag. I loved the effort and the thought they put into it, but it was so not my style. Naturally, it went straight into a drawer and never left.”

On Christmas shopping

“By Christmas week my shopping will most likely be 100% done, maybe halfway through the wrapping stage.”

Which Christmas decoration best personifies you?

“I absolutely love Xmas lights. I love how they brighten up everything and ooze warmth.”

What is your ultimate Christmas food?

“My mom’s. That’s how I know it’s Christmas.“

Favourite Christmas movie?

“Love Actually followed closely by The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Capricorn are you? Plamena appeared first on The Pai Life.

Fire signs are impulsive, passionate and larger than life. Our Limited Edition Rosehip Oil and Neroli & Ginger-scented candle are the perfect excuses for a much-needed timeout.

Morning

Chances are you’ve hit snooze a few times already, and discarded a number of outfits on the bedroom floor too, so speed is of the essence here. Try a spritz of our Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Tonic to wake your skin up. Save time by adding a couple of drops of your Rosehip Oil into your Day Cream, for a nourishing hydrating double hit.

Evening

After a day of giving 110% energy-wise, this is your opportunity to wind right down. After cleansing with our Camellia & Rose Cleanser, why not run a bath, light a candle and do a face mask – our Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask decongests skin prone to blemishes and takes just ten relaxing minutes to work. After a long soak, massage Rosehip Oil into skin and catch up on all the TV you’ve missed while hardcore socialising all week.

Shop Now

The post Skincare routines for Fire Signs appeared first on The Pai Life.

Describe your character in five words…

“Friendly, smiley, kind, honest & outgoing”

On morning routines

“Once I’ve woken up, it’s shower, skincare routine, make lunch, eat breakfast, do hair and makeup, out the door.”

On bedtime routines

“Dinner, Netflix (watching Suits at the moment!), brush teeth, bed!”

On working out

“I’m all about a Sunday morning restorative yoga class.”

On productivity

“Focus on one thing at a time and don’t distract yourself with other things.”

On buying gifts

“My mum is the best to buy for, she is easy to please. I’ve always wanted to get a Mulberry Bag…hint!”

On what not to buy a Sagittarius

“I got salt & pepper shakers once, they were cute but just useless to me!”

On Christmas shopping

“My only bad experiences have just been waiting in line for ages wishing I had ordered online!”

Which Christmas decoration best personifies you?

“Fairy lights!”

What is your ultimate Christmas food?

“It’s more on Boxing Day when we have leftover turkey toasties with stuffing and cranberry sauce”

Favourite Christmas movie?

“Jingle all the way”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Sagittarius are you? Kate appeared first on The Pai Life.

Water signs are sensitive and empathetic, always looking out for everyone else. Our gentle Cleanser and Rosehip Oil kit will show them the love right back.

Morning

But first, tea. That’s a given. Then its a quick splash of water in the shower followed with a few pumps of Day Cream. Morning is no time for faffing.

Evening

A treasured bedtime ritual, remove the day with our Camellia & Rose Cleanser, using the soft terry side of our muslin cloth. Take time to massage the cleansing cream into skin including along lash line to remove eye makeup. Finish with a spritz of Tonic followed with by massaging 3-4 drops of Rosehip Oil into skin. Apply one pump of eye cream and climb into bed feeling totally pampered.

Shop Now

The post Skincare routines for Water Signs appeared first on The Pai Life.

First up is Sarah, Pai’s Founder and importantly, a Scorpio and Water sign.

Describe your character in five words…

Driven, Intuitive, Caring and Fun-loving

On morning routines

“I give my face a quick splash of water in the shower and then I use my beloved Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream. Occasionally I’ll apply a serum underneath, I’m using our Back to Life Serum as it starts to get colder.”

On bedtime routines

“I use our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser with the soft side of our Dual Effect Cloth. This is a ritual for me and I really take my time to massage the cleansing cream into my skin, including along my lash line to remove eye makeup. I finish with a spritz of the Rice Plant & Rosemary BioAffinity Tonic and 3-4 drops of Rosehip Oil or Age Confidence Oil. I use the latter once per week. I also apply one pump of Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream.”

On star signs

“I know I’m water sign. And that means I’m quite caring and loyal, which I think is true! I’m a Scorpio and we get a bad rep. But our emotions run deep and we are really committed to our loved ones.”

On patience

“I’m quite impatient. I think you have to be as an entrepreneur – continually reaching ahead and never standing still.”

On productivity

“At home I’ll pop a mask on and go about some cleaning or laundry for 10 minutes. I wash my hair once a week only (shock) but rely heavily on dry shampoo. I’ve found a great all-natural one.  I’ll then really take my time on my blow dry and it means I can wear my hair down for at least 3 days before the curl and frizz starts to set in. I have deceptively thick hair which is hard to tame.”

On what not to buy a Scorpio

“Once I received a pair of hand-knitted gloves with six fingers.”

On Christmas shopping

“By the week before Christmas gifts will be 50% bought, but nothing wrapped yet. That all happens Christmas eve.”

Which Christmas decoration best personifies you?

“I’m the lights because of my illuminating character (!) and the pièce de résistance.”

What is your ultimate Christmas food?

“Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. I can’t single anything out because they all go together in perfect harmony.”

Favourite Christmas movie?

“Sound of Music. OF COURSE! I know it’s not Christmas themed as such but it’s always on the telly at Christmas. Quite right too.”

Shopping for other star signs? Get to know the Pai staffers for tips on how to nail the right gifts for their signs. 

Shop Now

The post How Scorpio are you? Sarah appeared first on The Pai Life.

The 12 signs of the zodiac belong to four Elements – choose from Earth, Air, Water and Fire kits to help find the perfect, personalised gift for your loved ones this year.

The best bit? Being Pai, you know they’re all 100% natural and suitable for sensitive skin. Meet the line-up:

FIRE SIGNS:

That’s Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

Fire signs are impulsive, passionate and larger than life. Our Limited Edition Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Neroli & Ginger-scented candle are the perfect excuse for a much-needed timeout.

Aries are March 21 – April 19, Leos July 23 – August 22 and Sagittarius November 22 – December 21. Their set includes:

Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil 9ml

Our best selling Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is rich in Omegas, helping to regenerate skin without irritation. Restores balance and confidence to unpredictable skin.

Neroli & Ginger Soy Candle

A limited edition soy wax candle blended with Neroli and Ginger, to make their unwind, a little more Pai.

EARTH SIGNS:

That’s Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn

Earth signs are practical, disciplined and results-driven. Follow our two-step Rosehip routine for rapid radiance in just 10 minutes.

Taurus are April 20 – May 20, Virgo are August 23 – September 22 and Capricorn are December 22 – January 19. Their set includes:

Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil 9ml:

Our best selling Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is rich in Omegas, helping to regenerate skin without irritation. Restores balance and confidence to unpredictable skin.

Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask:

The Mask to restore radiance to dull, lacklustre skin. Deeply replenishes dry skin with an intensive hydration boost while calming actives reduce the appearance of redness, soothing sensitivity.

AIR SIGNS:

That’s Gemini,  Libra and Aquarius

Air signs are bright and eternally curious. Let our nourishing Rosehip Oil and Calming Day Cream be their next great discovery.

Geminis are May 21 – June 20,  Libra September 23 – October 22, and Aquarius January 20 – February 18. Their set includes:

Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream 10ml

Our Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream instantly soothes, moisturising while reducing redness and improving the appearance of conditions including Eczema and Rosacea.

Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil 9ml

Our best selling Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is rich in Omegas, helping to regenerate skin without irritation. Restores balance and confidence to unpredictable skin.

WATER SIGNS:

That’s Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

Water signs are sensitive and empathetic, always looking out for everyone else. Our gentle Cleanser and Rosehip Oil kit will show them the love right back.

Cancer are June 21 – July 22, Scorpios October 23 – November 21 and Pisces February 19 – March 20. Their set includes:

Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser 30ml and Muslin Cloth

Our Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, which comes with an organic Muslin Cloth, melts away makeup and impurities while nourishing skin with Omega 3 and Vitamins A, B & E.

Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil 9ml

Our best selling Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is rich in Omegas, helping to regenerate skin without irritation. Restores balance and confidence to unpredictable skin.

Shop Now

The post Christmas gifts for every sign appeared first on The Pai Life.

Find Some Zen

“Closely linked to your emotional wellbeing, Psoriasis tends to trigger during emotional stress, shock or grief. I’ve suffered from this skin condition on my scalp since I was about 16 (around the time of my exams!).

Since then it’s been on and off, but a couple of years ago I went through a big emotional upheaval and that really set it off. It covered the back of my scalp and was very itchy and flaky.

Trying to control your emotions and stress levels are easier said than done; sometimes it’s only when our skin flares up that we realise we’re stressed!

I find yoga really helps to calm my mind. For that hour I just concentrate on the poses and forget about my day and thoughts.

Soothe and Hydrate

Dealing with tricky skin can lead to some inventive new uses for your favourite products. I’ve always loved our Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream, but I now use it most on…my scalp!

Once or twice a week I part my hair and apply the Cream directly onto patches of Psoriasis. I go to sleep with a hat on and wash it out in the morning.

It can look a bit silly, but it brings so much relief. As soon as the Cream touches my scalp it instantly cools and the itching stops. It’s my life-saver!

To rinse it out, I use Hope’s Relief shampoo and conditioner, which can be found in our stockists Whole Foods and As Nature Intended. It’s the only shampoo I’ve tried that leaves my hair feeling soft and without making my scalp tight or dry.

Keep Cool

We all love a hot shower or bath when the temperature drops – but this is one of the easiest ways to aggravate Psoriasis. Another tip that I’ve found really helpful is sticking to warm water and avoiding long soaks.

Psoriasis can leave skin very dry (especially if you have it on your scalp, like me), so keep hair washing to a minimum to prevent stripping the scalp of natural protective oils.”

The post World Psoriasis Day appeared first on The Pai Life.

For those experiencing sensitive skin, in particular, cool temperatures, rampant central heating and irritating fabrics can mean much more uncomfortable skin at this time of year.

Here are my top five tips for staying body Beautiful this season:

1. Avoid overheating the skin

While you might crave a long hot soak, try and avoid washing in overly hot water as it causes the lipids in the skin to break down. Lipids are the essential fats responsible for helping the skin retain moisture, so without them, skin becomes dry, itchy and irritable.

2. Step-up hydration

Hydration is the key to soft, soothed and smooth skin. Remember hydration can only be achieved with a Cream, so massage Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream into the skin after every shower.

Its powerful anti-inflammatory properties help heal and relieve sensitive skin. They also make this the perfect lotion for post-shaven (or unshaven) legs!

3. Dry skin brushing

By stimulating blood flow and regeneration, dry skin brushing helps keep your healthiest, brightest and freshest skin cells at the surface. Move in circular motions, towards the heart for best effect. Avoid tough or scratchy bristles if your skin is particularly sensitive.

4. Deep Condition

Combine a Cream’s hydration with the deep-conditioning effects of an Oil for the ultimate Body Beautiful skin treatment.

Rich in essential Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9, plus antioxidant carotenoids, our Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil repairs and regenerates the skin, locking in moisture for a long-lasting silky smooth finish. Try adding a few drops into your Body Cream

5. Drink Up

Warm weather in summer means we consciously drink lots of water, but in winter keeping hydrated can often slip our minds.

If you’re struggling to keep up, try eating water-rich foods such as soups and stews, or cutting out caffeine and replacing your coffee with herbal teas and hot lemon water. As well as keeping skin supple, they’ll also help flush out toxins for a clear, healthy and vibrant complexion.

Do you have any top tips to share?

The post 5 tips for beautiful skin this Winter appeared first on The Pai Life.

I think most of us suffer from congested skin at some point in our lives, but pollution and other environmental factors can make it appear more visible.

A:

One of the best ways to tackle clogged pores and blackheads is by exfoliating once or twice a week. This helps to remove dead surface skin cells and also helps to boost skin cell renewal.

Our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator is a gentle but effective way to buff away any impurities. It is 100% micro-bead free, using natural jojoba beads that roll across the surface of the skin without causing tearing or irritation.

When we skip exfoliation these dead skin cells sit on the surface of the skin. This means when we apply other products, like our moisturiser, the product can’t penetrate the skin properly and this can lead to congestion.

Another product I always recommend to help ease congestion is our Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask. It not only exfoliates by gently dissolving the ‘glue’ between dead skin cells but also helps to draw out impurities for clearer skin.

Please do get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss your skincare routine in detail with one of our Customer Experience Representatives. We’d be happy to help!

Get in touch

The post FAQ: How can I get rid of congestion? appeared first on The Pai Life.

They might be hidden away in the orange mush, but these little pips are packed with skin-loving nutrients.

The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and rich in protein, they’re an excellent source of Vitamin A, Thiamin, Niacin and Iron to boost energy levels.

They’re also delicious cleaned, tossed in a little salt and baked in the oven!