Matis - Réponse Jeunesse MatiSCity Anti-Pollution Hydrating Cream

As we have mentioned in previous posts, the skin is the largest organ of the body, therefore living in a polluted city, we feel a particular need to take care of it! That is why at The Amazing Blog were interested to try the new anti-pollution face cream from one of our favourite salon brands Matis. The Matis Réponse Jeunesse MatiSCity is their latest launch addressing both pollution and hydration. It’s a product bringing together both their scientific finds together with the latest technology for a protective almost shield-like face cream.  The French brand Matis may ring a few bells with regular readers, as we have previously reviewed a few products see here.

Matis is a pedigree French brand, that has been successfully sharing its professional French skincare solutions for more than 80 years. Based in Paris, its team develops tailored-skincare products based on the scientific advances in medicine, molecular and cellular biology in order to address skin solutions. Emphasis is always made on its ingredients, combining specialised actives like hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin C; together with naturally-derived ones like aloe vera, tea tree and rose stem cells.

In the range, Reponse Jeunesse, has been specifically formulated for all skin types and as anti-ageing for those who are 25+ years old. The Matis Reponse Jeunesse MatiSCity Anti-Pollution Hydrating Cream is for face and neck it offers the skin a protective barrier against exposure to toxic air particles. This is a gel-like cream that blocks and limits the adhesion of polluted particles; it is enriched with ingredients like cranberry extract which is full of vitamin C and polyphenols and takes on the role of an antioxidant; as well as aquaregul which is a mixture of the potassium salt of L-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and an aqueous extract of Mexican cactus stems, it has both short and long term moisturiser qualities that stimulates water penetration into the skin cells

We suggest applying MatisCity to your skin on a cleansed skin both mornings and evenings. They also recommend using this in tandem with one of their Reponse Jeunesse Serums for the best results.  Want to give your face more city protection? Then see here to get your 50ml pot of Matis Reponse Jeunesse Matis City anti-pollution hydrating cream for £62.20.

PuraVida Bio

As our readers know, at The Amazing Blog we always veer towards good all-natural products. But, even with all the natural products we use, toxins still find a way to get into our skin through polluted air. We know that we’ll never leave the hustle and bustle of the city, but is the city air messing with our skin? Enter PuraVida Bio with their skin detox line. The Detox Serum, Detox Mask and Anti-age Balm all offer a perfect remedy to polluted skin. Anti-pollution skincare is one of the fastest growing areas in beauty and is something we’re all keen to try more of.

PuraVida Bio is an Italian brand of organic skincare that was started after identifying a need for high quality, innovative skincare products for all age ranges that are also completely safe and effective. We particularly like how they break down the ingredients that they use in each product with a purpose for each one. What makes this brand ‘different’ is that all their products are made with certified natural organic ingredients which are transformed into precious plant Lysates. The ingredients are provided by Alce Nero approved Italian farmers who cultivate under strict guidelines for organic farming. These are then go through a method of biotransformation into certified Lysates through an active process of natural fermentation (called ‘elision’), which strengthens all the antioxidants revitalising all the ingredients used. You can read more about this here.

We were sent three of their key products to test. The first of which was their Detox Serum, which is a concentration of anti-pollution active ingredients. It contains extract of Malvasia grapevines which maintain the correct level of skin microflora and speed up natural detoxification. The serum can be applied alone or before a moisturiser or balm, but we saw the best results when using together with their Anti-age Balm.

The Anti-age Balm we enjoyed using, light in texture, easy to absorb and the fragrance has a delicious powdery sweetness (the beetroot extract?) The extract of beetroot helps bind vitamin D on the skin, essential for toning and hydrating the skin. This is a long lasting formula that goes on working for 24 hours as it’s powerful antioxidants, ceramides and fermented angelica oil protect the skin and keep it toned and uniform. The vitamin C stimulates the renewal of collagen and combats the formation of age spots.

Our favourite of the three products is hands down the Detox Mask. It comes in these perfect single-use travel pods that are so easy to throw in a carry-on bag if you’re traveling. The PuraVida mask is the fastest way to detox your skin. Just apply the mask to the face and neck and leave for 15 minutes, once a week. It’s rich in powerful antioxidants and vitamin D, which is necessary for proper skin hydration.

All products are natural, gluten free, nickel tested no parabens or artificial preservatives and are not tested on animal. They are also approved by ICEA, one of the most important institutes for ethical and environmental certification. If you would like to remove some of the effects of pollution from your skin, the PuraVida Bio Detox products  can all be purchased here. The 50 ml Anti-age Balm is €32. You can purchase the 30 ml Detox Serum for €45 and the pack of 4 (8ml) Detox Masks retails for €22.

Nunaïa's Nourishing Radiance Serum

Spring has sprung, and the year seems to be flying by! This provoked a question in the office, how often do we take the time to switch off completely? It seems we do so very infrequently at The Amazing Blog, a revelation that has pushed us to think more consciously about including wellbeing rituals into our daily routines. When Nunaïa introduced their brand to us, we quickly realised it was the perfect way to do so with our skincare. Sharing our concerns for living in the fast lane, founder Nicola Connolly has created a brand focused on ritual, wellbeing and health – so you can imagine that we were eager to try their philosophy for ourselves. Not only that, but this seedling company are truly a great discovery, as they were recently awarded ‘winners’ in the category of The Best Facial Oil for Dry Skin in the prestigious 2019 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Nicola believes that there are means and ways of bringing greater meaning and balance. Through travels to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuadorian Amazon and Andes Mountains of Peru, she discovered a unique and balanced way of life; one in which nature, wisdom of the land and oneself could live harmoniously. More simply, she realised that her work/life balance was somewhat out of sync, driving her goal to create a skincare brand that would bring intention and meaning into people’s lives (and glowing skin as a result of this). This is where Nunaïa was born – providing raw, living and superfood products from ‘Soil to Skin’.

We couldn’t wait to try their star product: Nourishing Radiance Serum; a vegan, cruelty-free and dermatologically tested serum, containing top-notch ingredients. These include sacha inchi, maracuja, chia and avocado – rich in essential plant actives and sourced uniquely from both the Peruvian Rainforest and Andes Mountains. We particularly love the texture of this oil; it has a perfect juxtaposition of a rich oil with a non-greasy finish, helping to soothe redness and inflammation simultaneously. Thanks to the use of vitamins A, B, C and E, our skin felt smoother and nourished after use, and if that’s not enough, the concoction of ingredients also protects against pollution, and both UV and blue lights. The packaging is also eye-catching, the serum itself is in a delicate glass bottle, encased in a mint green box. Nicole has thought of everything!

To use this oil, we recommend using every night after cleansing. If you have dry skin (or are taking the time to pamper yourself one weekend morning) then it is also a treat for a dehydrated complexion. You can purchase Nunaïa's bottle of goodness for 79 Euros Here. Enjoy!

Anti-Pollution Skin Supplement Essence - FoM London

We here at The Amazing Blog love new and cutting edge skincare. Which is why we haven’t been able to get enough of FoM London’s new, and beauty awards shortlisted. This miracle product left our skin feeling both softer and cleaner throughout the whole day, while protecting it from the ageing and damaging effects of pollution.

The Anti-Pollution Skin Supplement Essence radical skin care at it's best. The unique ingredients in the essence help  the product act as a second skin, almost like a physical barrier between you and the unavoidable pollution in the air. At the base of the treatment a silk a floral bouquet bathes the face in moisture, while juniper and sage help to protect the skin from free radicals and pollution. The red raspberry leaves in the essence contain tannins and flavonoids which reduces discoloration and dark spots on the face. All the ingredients help give the product a naturally fruity and delightful scent, which will certainly keep you coming back for more! Incorporating this product into your routine is not only easy but is worth it as the essence deeply hydrates your skin, protects the antioxidants in it, supports collagen growth and leaves skin looking much brighter.

With a watery texture, the product is very easy to use. To apply, you simply need to put two pumps of the essence onto a cotton pad, and gently brush it over your face and neck, before using your favourite moisturiser. It is recommended that you use the product twice a day, in the mornings and evening.

If you’re worried about the effects of pollution on the skin, and even if you're not, we could not recommend this product enough. You can purchase it here for £32.00.