Healthy Skin

Youth & Earth : Preservage

We cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of your body from the inside out and new supplements always pique our interest. At The Amazing Blog, we’re constantly reading up on ‘biohacking’ and were thrilled to test Preservage from the award-winning Youth & Earth, where it recently won ‘Best Wellbeing Brand’ and ‘Best Supplement - Age Well’ at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards.

Youth & Earth is a British brand that produces natural anti-ageing supplements, using cutting edge science to slow down ageing at a cellular level. Although life expectancy has been increasing in the UK for the past few decades; there has been a slowdown over the last decade. There are ‘Blue Zones’, which are geographic areas where people are expected to live longer than elsewhere. In these zones, some people live to 90-100 years old. Youth & Earth explore this in their feature on ‘Blue Zones’ here. The brand is the largest supplier of NAD+ boosters in the United Kingdom and Europe - these are the natural fuel cells use to function. However, they become more depleted in our bodies as we age and “drop as much as 50% by we are 50.” Youth & Earth supplements target the nine hallmarks of ageing: Cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, poor intercellular communication, genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient-sensing, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The products target these by recreating the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle. Youth & Earth’s founder, Ed Van Harmelen, founded the company after learning that his NAD+ levels were dropping. He started learning about the principles of longevity pathways and researched the hallmarks of ageing back in 2017. He looked for supplements that address ageing at the cellular level, and found a gap in the market, so Youth & Earth was born. As they say, “Backed by science, rooted in rigorous research and, when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, are designed to slow down, stop or even reverse the ageing process.” All ingredients are researched, scientifically backed and have very high bioavailability. Products are all-natural, pure and vegan, with sublingual powders, delayed-release capsules, and liposomal formulas.

Preservage helps with cell health and antioxidant protection and is an all-natural supplement designed to optimise intestinal absorption of ingredients like Resveratrol (350%) and Curcumin (200%). The key three of quercetin, resveratrol and curcumin have scientific proof here. The full ingredients listed for Preservage are trans-resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, bioperine (black pepper extract), rice flour, microcrystalline cellulose (plant fibre), and silicon dioxide.

The trans-resveratrol is commonly sourced from red wine, grapes, berries and chocolate (theirs comes from a surprising source - Japanese knotweed!) It is a natural polyphenol with many benefits, such as protecting the heart, helping the body fight disease, and lowering cholesterol. Trans-resveratrol versus resveratrol is more effective because it can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Curcumin is full of antioxidants and the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory compound and a potent antioxidant that can neutralise free radicals and may increase brain levels of BDNF protein which plays a role in memory and learning.

Quercetin mainly comes from onions, and is also found in many other fruits and vegetables like capers, asparagus, and apples, It is also rich in antioxidants. It’s thought to help protect the body from cardiovascular diseases and contains flavonoids with potent antioxidant properties.

Bioperine is a black pepper extra, which helps enhance nutrient absorption (particularly the curcumin)> It decreases inflammation, and stabilises blood sugar levels; and is also said to combat cancer cell growth, decrease inflammation, and boost brain function. The fillers are rice flour, which contains vitamin E and other nutrients such as calcium; Microcrystalline Cellulose which acts as an absorbent and emulsifier, and silicone dioxide, a natural compound and anti-caking agent that ensures full absorption.

Youth & Earth recommends taking two capsules of Preservage every morning on an empty stomach, which provides 200mg Trans-Resveratrol, 200mg Curcumin, 400mg Quercetin, and 20mg Bioperine. Taking the supplement daily allows it to naturally slow down ageing in the body, and it delays cellular ageing and boosts the longevity gene sirtuin. By the way, sirtuins are a family of 7 proteins, with each one playing a variety of roles. However, they all work in synergy to keep the body healthy and functioning efficiently. Again, best explained by Youth & Earth detail more about this here.

The Preservage is a potent polyphenol booster and mTOR inhibitor. Polyphenols are full of antioxidants that protect body tissue and help maintain healthy and youthful skin, whereas mTOR is a longevity pathway that helps slow the ageing process. How was it for us? We love the ingredients and what they offer, and are big fans of curcumin and trans-resveratrol already. Here the combination of trans-resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin and bioperine offers us pretty much all we need to increase our energy levels, aid anti-inflammatory issues, with the added bonus of slowing premature ageing - all in two daily capsules! Youth & Earth also recommends taking their NMN with Preservage for the ultimate anti-ageing effects - something we’ve yet to do. Start your anti-ageing journey today and purchase Preservage here 60 x 410mg capsules for £29.99 as a one time purchase, or subscribe and save 15% off.

Stellar Décolletage – Velvet Restore Sleep Complex

Regular readers of The Amazing Blog, will know that we love anti-ageing products because no matter your age, it is essential to protect your skin against the sun and pollution. If you’re hitting 30 years old, then it’s a good moment to consider using skincare products that both hydrate and firm the skin; leaving it looking better than when you were a teenager (well that might be pushing it!) We must point out that like many individuals, we often forget  to take care of our neck and décolletage, which are just as sensitive as our faces and need the same diligent care. This is when we discovered The Beauty Shortlist award winning Stellar Décolletage who have created a luxurious conditioning treatment that will rejuvenate this neglected area and doesn’t require a 10-step process!

The brand was founded by Helen Erichsen, who noticed a gap in the beauty market for products that improve the appearance of your décolletage, an area that can age almost three years faster than your face. She was always keenly interested in beauty items which contained high performance and natural ingredients and worked to achieve noticeable results. Each product of her products has carefully chosen ingredients for this specific area, including hyaluronic acid with the lowest molecular weight to moisturise  (so as not clog your décolletage’s small pores). This thoughtful formulation is particularly evident in the Velvet Restore Sleep Complex anti-ageing treatment which we tried.

The complex is full of countless beneficial elements and has quickly visible results, making it no surprise to us why it won the 2019 Beauty Shortlist Award for Best Neck & Décolletage Product. There are a few ingredients that immediately jump out at us to help regenerate skin cells and nourish skin. The first is MPC Milk Peptide Complex, and this boosts your skin’s protein, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin levels—all of which promote smoother skin texture and firmness. Secondly, SalSphere AquaSkin, which adds extra hydration and repairs skin that, has redness and hyperpigmentation. Finally, the treatment is infused with six different vitamins like Vitamin E to keep skin healthy and fight ageing.

To use the product, apply a small amount (2-3 pumps) to your neck, décolletage, and chest before going to bed. It has a creamy texture that is not greasy and has a clean scent. The complex works overnight, allowing you to wake up the next morning with immensely soft and velvety skin. While the price is quite high, a little goes a long way, and the results are really worth it. Helen explained: “The Complex is 150ml and is therefore over double or triple in some cases, the quantity of most products for this specific area of the body. This was a deliberate decision, following a recommendation by the women who trialled this, who felt it was important not to have a 50 or 75ml product that they would run out of in a shorter time. It is the equivalent of £26 per 50ml, which we feel is incredibly reasonable for the high efficiency and level of active ingredients included in the formulation.” We were very impressed by the results and will certainly be going on to buy more. To begin reviving your décolletage now or to protect it, purchase this British made and cruelty-free Velvet Restore Sleep Complex (150ml) here for £78.

Skin Dewi – Ginkgo Biloba Firming Facial Cream

No matter how old you are, it’s always good to have a product that is anti-ageing – or a lot (The Amazing Blog isn’t a place to judge). In addition to products that fight off fine lines and wrinkles, it’s a bonus when they firm skin. So, we were very excited to try Skin Dewy’s line of natural and organic skin care products, especially their Gingko Biloba Firming Facial Cream.

The Indonesian-based brand was founded by Dewi Kauw, a mother who found it difficult to find organic and non-toxic products for her baby with allergies and atopic eczema. Kauw became highly educated in natural preservation and essential oils as well as chemical engineering, which has her approaching skin care scientifically and creating products that are effective at a cellular level. However, the fact that she is motivated by her children is seen in the all-natural ingredients of products like the Gingko Biloba Firming Facial Cream.

The gingko biloba and green tea extracts are what really set this anti-ageing cream apart from others on the market. These two ingredients work together to boost collagen production and prevent skin water loss, which results in more radiant and firm skin after only a few uses. The face cream is part of the Skin Dewi Brightening series and uses rosehip oil to brighten your complexion for a more youthful glow as well as protect skin cells from the sun. The formula has ingredients like botanical extracts and omega-rich oils for extra hydration, but the moisturiser itself is lightweight, sinks in quickly, and leaves your face feeling fresh rather than greasy. Did we mention it’s also recommended for sensitive and dry skin? This face cream is truly able to do it all in terms of making your skin look soft and supple whether you’re 25 or 45.

You can purchase the moisturiser (30g) here for 65.85€.

Procoal - Activated Charcoal Purifying Detox Mask

At The Amazing Blog we’re fully aware of the current charcoal trend  in many beauty and wellness products, which is where we have covered it here from Restoria’s Charcoal Exfoliating Wash to White Glo’s Charcoal Deep Stain Remover Toothpaste and Just For Tummies Food Supplements. What we like about activated charcoal it removes excess oil, dirt, environmental pollutants, and dead skin cells from pores, leaving us feeling detoxed, helping us to achieve a more radiant complexion. With this in mind, we were keen to try the new Procoal Activated Charcoal Purifying Detox Face Mask.

Procoal is a UK-based company and was started in 2016 after its founders set out to create high-quality products without lower-cost filler ingredients, like a few charcoal brands that can be found in this sector. The company prides itself on ‘prioritising quality over profit’ and uses natural ingredients that are traceable, ethically sourced, free of parabens, and cruelty-free.

The Purifying Detox Mask uses one of its four key ingredients, charcoal, to deep clean pores and remove pollutants. We can see why Egyptians have used activated charcoal for centuries for its many different uses-including drawing poison from wounds-because you can feel clearer pores after just one use of this mask. Natural clays kaolin, montmorillonite, and ghassoul work to absorb and eliminate impurities and sebum as well as even out your complexion. Besides making your skin feel fresh, this product is effective on all skin types (charcoal is very gentle and won’t irritate sensitive skin) and helps fight acne. So, take 5-10 minutes out of your day to relax and treat your skin with this face mask while knowing that what is in it is all-natural. You can buy the mask for yourself here for £8.99 .

Potion London - The Beauty Formula

While we’ve been succeeding in maintaining our healthy lifestyles at The Amazing Blog, some of us felt that there was still something missing from our diet. Eating the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables can only do so much for your body so that’s where incorporating food supplements like The Beauty Formula from Potion London into your diet can make a difference.

Health and wellness brand Potion London have sought out to make a “healthy lifestyle that little bit easier”  with their range of health and beauty supplements that targets your specific health goals from within. We‘re already fan of this brand and have written about their Hyaluronic Complex here Their supplement lines address anything from gut and immune system health. After trying two Potion London products (the aforementioned Hyaluronic Complex) we conclude that Potion London has made it very easy to choose which supplements to complement any diet and lifestyle.

This we think is perfect for anyone with weak or brittle nails and with it’s combination of  19 different vitamins and minerals. The Beauty Formula is specifically aimed to support strong and healthy hair, skin and nails with the Zinc, Biotin, Vitamin C and Vitamin E enriched in the formula. All of which contributes, supports and maintains your cells’ optimal maintenance and formation.  These along with the other vital ingredients in this supplement will help to leave your nails healthy, complexion radiant and hair luscious. If you want a supplement that targets all three of these areas, then one capsule of The Beauty Formula taken daily with food will be the one for you. To purchase 60 capsules or a two month’s supply of The Beauty Formula for £25 click here. Also available is a subscription service to get the supplement delivered every one or two months for an added 20% discount. I’m a particular fan of addressing any hair, nail and skin issues by starting from within and Potion London nail it!