Katherine Daniels was founded by Beauty Therapists & Beauty Industry Experts Kirsti Shuba & Donna Tait.
With over 70 years of experience between them, there’s not a lot they don’t know about skincare. For decades, this expert duo have helped thousands of women & men to look and feel their best.
Their dream was to create luxurious, professional strength, results driven products. They wanted ‘wow’ results for everyone. To help everyone to achieve ‘Better Skin for Life‘.
From their experience, they had clear idea of what people want to achieve with their skincare. Importantly, they understand what is achievable, what works and what doesn’t.
After drawing up a blueprint of their skincare collection. Kirsti and Donna joined forces with some of the world’s best cosmetic scientists and Katherine Daniels was born.
We promise you will see great results if you only use our products at home. But we would love for you to visit one of our friendly salons or spas too. It’s there that we share our vision through our range of impactful facial & body treatments.
Goodbye long complicated skincare routines, hello to our simple 4 step prescription process and ‘well hello’ to beautiful skin!
Essential Cleansing Milk
£27.00
200ml
Lightweight Cleansing Formulation
Thanks to our dual texture formulation, this salon strength milk-to-fluid product enters every skin pore and line to give you a gentle yet detoxifying cleansing experience. Rich in Minerals and Trace Elements vital to skin health, your skin will be left clean fresh and radiant, while
Glycerine helps to improve your skin hydration.
Key Ingredients
Seaweed Extract (Red Seaweed and Blue Micro Algae)
• Anti-ageing, boosts collagen, elastin and natural defence mechanisms
Glycerine – Hydrating
• Prevents moisture loss
Essential Toning Lotion
£27.00
200ml
Soothing Alcohol-Free Formulation
Our salon strength formulation is alcohol free, enriched with soothing Pumpkin Extract and Sea Water. Your skin will feel completely clean, refreshed and comfortable.
Key ingredients:
Seaweed Extract (Red Seaweed and Blue Micro Algae)
• Anti-ageing, boosts collagen, elastin and natural
defence mechanisms
Pumpkin Extract and Sea Water
• Calming, skin strengthening, inhibits inflammation
Essential Micellar Face & Eye Make-Up Remover
£27.00
250ml
Beauty Bible 2020 Bronze Award – Best Cleanser (Micellar)
Fragrance-Free Formulation
Our salon strength formulation is fragrance-free, with the texture of water, it gently and efficiently removes all traces of make-up whilst caring for your delicate and sensitive eye area.
Efficient cleansing in a single gesture.
Key ingredients:
- Micelles
- Magnetic cleansing effect
- Cornflower Water
- Calming and soothing
Essential Exfoliating Gel
£35.00
75ml
Non-Abrasive Formulation
Our dual texture, non-abrasive formulation dissolves dead skin cells thanks to AHA’s from Red Algae.
Transforming from a gel to a silky oil, our salon strength exfoliator was developed for even the most delicate skin, revealing luminosity without aggression. Your skin will be radiant, smooth and ready to benefit from your Katherine Daniels Step 2 – Skin Boost.
Key ingredients:
Seaweed Extract (Laminaria Digitata)
• Healing, calming, soothing and regenerating
AHA from Red Algae
• Exfoliating and regenerating
Essential Refreshing Cleansing Gel
£29.00
200ml
Facial Wash
A concentrated gel wash that forms a beautiful rich lather over your skin, thanks to the Soap Bark Extract; your skin is left clean, refreshed and matte, while the Aloe Vera soothes, calms and conditions.
Key Ingredients:
Aloe Vera:
• Soothing – Anti-inflammatory – Skin conditioning
Soap Bark Extract:
• Foaming – Soothing – Cleansing – Mattifying
Essential Miracle Cleansing Jelly
£27.00
A Multi-Textured Make-Up Remover and Face Cleanser for All Skin Type
A concentrated salon strength 2-in-1 make-up remover and face cleanser. This beautiful jelly transforms into a delicate oil, lifting impurities and make-up, including waterproof eye make-up. It miraculously changes into a gentle milk when mixed with water to aid removal leaving the skin perfectly cleansed.
Key Ingredients:
Rice Bran Oil
• Anti-oxidant, anti-free radical
Capric Triglyceride
• Coconut & Glycerine Prevents moisture loss
Lemon Balm & Peppermint
• Both essential oils which have skin conditioning and anti-inflammatory
Micro Cloths
£6
Micro fibre has many virtues, apart from being as soft as a kitten, which means it’s gentle on your skin, even the most delicate skin, will not feel irritated in the same way that it may when muslin cloth or cotton/ towelling cloths are used to remove your cleansing products, exfoliator or masks.
The added benefit comes from the structure of the micro fibre itself. Each loop within the cloth has an invisible (to the eye) hook at the top of the loop. This is why when dry micro fibre feels like it sticks to your hands, especially if they are a little dry.
When used with your Step 1 – Skin Essentials cleansing products, something magical happens!
Concentrate for Dry Skin
£53.00
30ml
Age Defence Formulation for Dry Skin
Our salon strength boost is a unique treatment for your dry skin. Concentrated with Seaweed and plant peptides to enhance the youth mechanisms and natural oil production of your dry skin. Your skin will be plumped, supple, comfortable and protected, while increased cellular energy over time brings a ‘new skin’ effect.
Key Ingredients:
Seaweed Extract (Red Seaweed & Blue Micro Algae Extract)
• Anti-ageing, boost collagen, elastin and natural defence mechanisms
Extract of Myrtle
• Boosts cellular energy to increase cell and tissue life
Phytosqualane & Tryglycerides
• Nourishing and hydrating
Vitamin E
• Anti-oxidant, anti-free radical
Efficiency tests:
• Reduction in the number of deep wrinkles (-34% on average) measured on 62% after 28 days.*
*Clinical tests on 22 volunteers using corneometry to measure hydration.
Multi-Tasking Eye & Lip Balm
£44.00
14ml
Pure Beauty Global Awards 2021 Finalist – Best New Skincare Product
Beauty Shortlist 2019 WINNER – Best Product for Tired Eyes/Signs of Fatigue.
A Silky, Cushioned Skin Finish…
Our salon strength melt in balm brings a soft, smooth finish to your delicate eye & lip area. An extra fine and silky texture cushions with no greasy finish. Key active ingredients bring radiance, as well as lifting your eyelids and working against puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles.
Nurturing Night Balm
£53.00
30ml
Overnight Treatment for Dry and Very Dry Skin
A dual textured balm-oil which offers overnight recovery to your dry or very dry skin. Our salon strength balm combines the nutritive power of an oil with the deep penetration of a serum. Packed with Omega Oils and Vitamins A,C,E and B help to defend skin against oxidative stress and environmental damage. Your skin will become plump, supple and illuminated with health.
Key ingredients:
Seaweed Extract (Alaria)
• Contains Omega 3 & 6, Stimulates hyaluronic acid production, reinforces skins natural defence barrier, protects collagen and elastin fibres
Algae Extract (Spirulina)
• Packed with Vitamins A, C, E and B, trace elements and minerals
Macadamia Oil
• A dry oil packed with Omega 9 and 7
Rose Seed Oil
• Skin permeator, rich in Omega 3 and 6
Sensitive Skin Cream
£53.00
50ml
Lightweight and Soothing Formulation
Our lightweight salon strength gel-cream delivers a soothing sensation to your skins surface, while key ingredients are delivered to the deeper layers to heal, restore and strengthen your skin’s functions. A real treatment for sensitive skin to reduce the 5 phenomena of skin sensitivity: pain, swelling, itching, redness and heat to leave your skin soothed and comforted with no oily residue.
Key ingredients:
Pumpkin Extract & Sea Water
• Calming, strengthening, inhibits inflammation
Seaweed Extract (Laminaria Digitata)
• Healing, calming, soothing, regenerating
Efficiency tests :
• Soothing feeling for 90%*
• Feeling of comfort for 80%*
• Feeling of hydration for 90%*
• Softer skin for 95%**
*Feeling observed by % of volunteers.
**Improvement observed by % of volunteers in a self-
evaluation test carried out by 20 volunteers after 21 days.
Sensitive Skin Rich Cream
£53.00
50ml
Comforting, Soothing Formulation
Our rich salon strength cream delivers a soothing sensation to your skins surface, while key ingredients are delivered to the deeper layers to heal, restore and strengthen your skin’s functions. A real treatment for sensitive skin to reduce the 5 phenomena of skin sensitivity: pain, swelling, itching, redness and heat to leave your skin soothed, supple and comforted.
Key Ingredients:
Pumpkin Extract & Sea Water
• Calming, strengthening, inhibits inflammation
Seaweed Extract (Laminaria Digitata)
• Healing, calming, soothing, regenerating
Vitamin E
• Anti-ageing, anti-oxidant
Efficiency tests:
• Soothing feeling for 74%*
• Comfortable feeling for 90%*
• Feeling of hydration for 100%*
*Feeling observed by % of volunteers in a self-evaluation test carried out by 19 volunteers after 21 days.
Dry Skin Cream
£53.00
50ml
Age Defence Formulation for Dry Skin
Our easily absorbed, salon strength cream helps to bring new density to your dry skin by boosting collagen and elastin production and reactivating your skin’s natural oil production. Our formulation is rich in nourishing
and hydrating ingredients to leave your skin soft, supple, strengthened and protected.
Key ingredients:
Red Seaweed Extract and Blue Micro Algae Extract
• Anti-ageing – Boosts collagen, elastin and natural defence mechanisms
Regenerating Peptide
• Skin strengthening – Stimulates collagen and elastin production
Efficiency tests:*
• Reduction of the overall wrinkled surface for 81%
• Smoothing effect measured for 77%
*Clinical tests conducted on 31 volunteers after 56 days
Dry Skin Rich Cream
£53.00
50ml
Age Defence Formulation for Very Dry Skin
Our rich easily absorbed, salon strength cream helps to bring new density to your dry skin by boosting collagen and elastin production and reactivating your skin’s natural oil production. Our formulation is rich in nourishing and hydrating ingredients to leave your skin soft, supple, strengthened and protected.
Key ingredients:
Red Seaweed Extract and Blue Micro Algae Extract
• Anti-ageing – Boosts collagen, elastin and natural defence mechanisms
Regenerating Peptide
• Skin strengthening – Stimulates collagen and elastin production
Nourishing oils and butters
• Nourish – soften, protect
Efficiency tests :*
• Smoother skin for 87%
• Firmer skin for 73%
• Less wrinkled skin for 90%
*Self-evaluation test carried out by 30 volunteers after 28 days.
Oily Skin Emulsion
£45.00
50ml
Weightless, Matte Skin Finish
Our salon strength fluid emulsion addresses the needs of your oily skin. Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract reduces excessive oil production, Mastocarpus Extract soothes and Witch Hazel Extract is astringent yet healing. Our weightless emulsion will leave your skin matte and your pore size refined whilst oil levels are balanced.
Key ingredients:
Seaweed Extract (Mastocarpus Extract)
• Soothing
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
• Reduces excess sebum production
Witch Hazel Extract
• Astringent and healing
Mattifying Powders
• Reduce and prevent shine
Efficiency tests :
• Reduction in excess sebum for 91%*
• Reduction in pore size for 77%*
*Self-assessment tests on 22 volunteers after 28 days.
Rehydrating Cream
£53.00
50ml
Age Defence Formulation for Dehydrated Skin
Our salon strength cream uses an intelligent hydration process and turbo moisturising ingredients to deliver a long lasting hydration boost.
Your skin barrier is fortified, protecting against the ageing effect of dehydration. Your skin is left smooth and plump, with renewed density and radiance.
Key ingredients:
Intelligent Aqua Bio Complex
• Stimulates aquaporins to improve distribution of hydration within the skin
• Fortifies the skin’s natural barrier for up to 72 hours to maintain plumpness and improve skin density
• Reduces skins water loss – 15% in 14 days – 25% in 28 days
Flax Seed Extract
• Inhibits the deterioration of Hyaluronic Acid
• Stimulates the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid
Turbo Moisturising Complex
• Advanced rapid hydration delivery system +39% in 30 minutes
• Stimulates elastin synthesis and prevents deterioration of collagen and elastin
Rhodella Violacea Microalgae
• Long term hydration after 7 days which improves the hydrated appearance of your skin.
• Oxygenating properties leave a radiant glow
Hydranov
• Faster and 3 times more efficient than Hyaluronic
Acid to hydrate and restructure your skin.
Rehydrating Concentrate
£59.00
30ml
Intense Hydration & Pollution Shield
Our salon strength skin boost brings an immediate and long-term moisture surge to rehydrate your parched skin. A fluid complex which sinks in quickly without stickiness. Our key ingredients work independently to hydrate, firm and oxygenate your skin. Together they work to form an invisible shield protecting your skin against pollution particles.
Our powerful Moisturising Complex delivers long term hydration. For over 8 hours your skin will feel supple and hydrated, while redness from environmental exposure will be instantly soothed and calm.
Key ingredients:
Hyaluronic Acid
• Natural moisturising factor, skin hydrator
Seaweed Extract (Alginate)
• Aids hydration within the skin,oxygenates
Mushroom Extract
• Prevents moisture loss, skin firming
Chamomile Extract (Bisabolol)
• Skin soothing, calming
Moisturising Complex (Glycerine, Serine,Trehalose)
• Brings long-term hydration
Total Skin Repair Concentrate
£63.00
SOS Treatment for all Skin Types
Our salon strength skin boost uses an exceptional combination of dynamic ingredients to deliver an SOS treatment to ignite the youth mechanisms of your skin. Upon application your skin’s senses will awaken. Our key ingredients will tingle and energise your skin as they are absorbed.
Over time, your skin function will become more youthful, naturally defending itself against the visible indications of skin ageing and repairing damage caused by pollution particles, UV and blue light radiation.
Ideal for all skin types, our lightweight gel complex absorbs quickly with no residue, leaving your skin hydrated and silky.
Key Ingredients:
Linefactor C ™
• A fibroblast growth factor that encourages your skin to perform more youthfully (by 10 years in 42 days*), Stimulates total skin function, improves skin texture and elasticity. Aids the repair of your skin’s barrier to prevent moisture loss
Lipochroman 6®
• A powerful anti-oxidant and anti–free radical that reduces the ageing effects of reactive oxidative stress within cells and prevents cell DNA damage. Offers detoxification to your cells from pollution particles, UV and blue light
Juveleven ™
• A peptide that repairs DNA damage, efficiently rejuvenates skin cells and protects them from the toxic effects of pollutants, as well as restoring UV induced DNA damage
Skinasensyl ™–
• A peptide that calms and soothes your skin after exposure to radiation . Enables the skin’s tolerance threshold to increase, allowing a more sensitive skin to benefit from our high-performance ingredients
*Clinical study with 60 panelists over 42 days.
Daily DNA Defence SPF30
£59.00
50ml
Beauty Shortlist 2020 Editors Choice Award
UVA & UVB, Blue Light & Pollution Protection
Our ultra-light fluid quickly transforms into an invisible veil, with no oily or white residue. Advanced photo ageing technology to tackle the skin damaging effect of UV, blue light and pollution.
High UVA+UVB protection formulated with Active DNA Defence Enzymes which defend and repair, protecting your DNA from the damage caused by UV, pollution and blue light (emitted from smart phones and computers).
Non-comedogenic, fragrance free, perfect for sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients:
Active DNA Defence and Repair Enzymes
• Defends your DNA during UV, pollution and blue light exposure
• Protects against skin hyper-pigmentation patches induced by UV and pollution
• Repairs your damaged DNA after UV, pollution and blue light exposure
• Powerful anti-oxidant and anti-free radical
Camomile Extract
• Calming and soothing, anti-inflammatory
Tocopherol Acetate
• Anti-oxidant and anti-free radical
Smoothing Resurfacing Mask
£35.00
75ml
Deep Cleansing Formulation
Our salon strength mask deep cleanses your skin while refining your open pores thanks to the action of our 3 clays. Aloe Vera ensures your skin is left hydrated and soothed. After one use your skin will look smooth and fresh as though resurfaced with a more even texture and tone. Ideal as a deep cleansing mask or a pre-makeup skin saviour.
Key ingredients:
Green Clay
• Purifying, absorbs excess sebum
White Clay
• Comforting
Red Clay
• Deep Cleansing, skin brightening
Aloe Vera
• Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, hydrating, soothing
Repairing Nourishing Mask
£35.00
75ml
Multi-Use Cream Mask
Our salon strength rich, creamy mask is fully absorbed by your skin. Avocado Oil and Shea Butter boost the natural levels of oil to your dry or very dry skin, leaving it supple, nourished, comfortable and protected while Brown Seaweed Osmolyte, Red Seaweed and Blue Micro Algae Extract boost hydration levels and add new density to your skin.
Key ingredients:
Brown Seaweed Extract (Osmolyte)
• Hydrating and prevents dehydration
Red Seaweed & Blue Micro Algae Extract
• Anti-ageing – Boost Collagen, Elastin and natural defence mechanisms
Nourishing Complex (Shea Butter, Avocado Oil Wheat Germ Oil & Vitamin E)
• Nourishing, softening, repairing
Instant Effect Eye Masks
£71.00
Beauty Shortlist 2020 WINNER – Best Eye Therapy
Beauty Bible 2020 Bronze Award – Best Eye Treatment (mask)
Beauty Shortlist 2019 WINNER – Best Eye Masks
70% Reduction in Wrinkles
85% Revitalised Skin
80% Plumped Up Skin
This salon strength, Instant Effect Eye Mask is activated right before you use it.
You will experience results of freshly combined concentrated Sea Kelp and a Mineral Complex, saturated with hydra-boosting Hyaluronic Acid.
Your skin around the delicate eye area will look visibly luminous, plumped and smooth and will feel hydrated, firm and revitalised.
This superior anti-ageing eye mask delivers instant visible results after just one use, and sustained visible effectiveness if used two times per week.
“The tell-tale signs of a stressful lifestyle are often seen around the eyes. We created the Instant Effect Eye mask for you! This mask promises to plump, smooth and bring luminosity to your eye area in just 20 minutes”
Kirsti and Donna, Co-Founders of Katherine Daniels.
4 pairs of eye masks in each box.
Deep Cleansing & Exfoliating Discs
£12
2 x soft silicon Deep Cleansing & Exfoliating Discs to be used alongside any of our Essential Cleansing Collection. To enhance the effectiveness of your cleanser and give the feeling of a deep cleanse and exfoliating scrub.
Essential Deep Cleansing & Skin Rejuvenating System
£70.00
Dual Action Skincare Device
Combining ultra-high frequency vibrations with 1500 soft silicone massage points, you will achieve a supreme skin cleansing experience. Your skin will feel soft and smooth, as it would after a professional salon treatment. With daily use, skin congestion and superficial imperfections are greatly reduced. This system will also aid penetration of active ingredients from concentrates and creams and will work to tone and firm your skin.
• Deep Cleansing • Firming • Decongesting • Toning • Exfoliating • Rejuvenating
Contains
1 x Essential Deep Cleansing & Skin Rejuvenating Device
1 x USB Charging Lead
Nourishing Hydrating Balm
£35.00
200ml
For Hands and Body
Our salon strength rich buttery balm is easily absorbed to bring comfort and immediate hydration to all skin types. Brown Seaweed Osmolyte hydrates and prevents skin dehydration while moisturising butters and oils keep your skin nourished all day long. Your skin will be soft, supple, energised and freshly fragranced.
Key ingredients:
Brown Seaweed Extract (Osmolyte)
• Hydrating and prevents skin dehydration
Shea Butter
• Nourishing, protecting
Vitamin E
• Anti-oxidant, anti-free radical
Efficiency tests :
• +39% in the level of skin hydration at 2hrs*
• +21% in the level of skin hydration at 4hrs*
• +10% in the level of skin hydration at 6hrs*
*Clinical tests conducted on 11 volunteers.
Post-Depilation Concentrate
£31.00
125ml
After Wax Hair Growth Inhibitor
Our salon strength after-wax treatment works to inhibit hair re-growth, reduce the quantity and quality of your hair, help reduce the problem of
in-growing hairs and make waxing less painful.
Key ingredients:
Capislow™
• Moderates hair re-growth after depilation
Chamomile Extract (Bisabolol)
• Soothing, anti-inflammatory
Homarine HCL
• Skin conditioning
Efficiency tests :
• Pilosity reduced by 35% after 28 days.*
*Clinical tests on volunteers, average loss after 28 days on natural forms of hair growth.
Katherine Daniels NEW Treatment Boost
At the heart of this collection is the exceptional regenerating potential of plant stem cells. Rich in amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and growth factors.
These support your salon treatments with a new generation of advanced scientific ingredients. Each bottle houses a potent cocktail of hyper effective concentrate to tackle the 4 most common skin conditions (ageing, sensitivity & rosacea, pigmentation, acne & blemished skin).
Our stem cell technology is unique. We use Plasma Rich Cell Factors (PRCF) a sustainable stem cell technology. Developed by Katherine Daniels Skin Scientists, they are experts in plant bio-technology.
Stem cells are an excellent and innovative source of active ingredients for skin and hair care
Plants have a constant supply of potent stem cells, these cells repair their own damaged tissue. In fact a complete and functional plant can be regenerated from a single stem cell under laboratory conditions.
Through a new process of cellular programming plant stem cells are extracted from plant tissues. Thanks to our advanced technology we can now grow a new plant stem cell without growing the whole plant.
By repeating this in sterile laboratory conditions we have created an endless source of the highest quality potent stem cells, which we use as key ingredients. This innovation is the science within our Treatment Boosts.
Ingredients must be ‘stand out’ to make it into a Katherine Daniels product. Each Plasma Rich Cell Factor (PRCF) has been chosen for its ability to deliver results. Our Treatment Boosts will up your skincare game and show remarkable results with regular at home use and greater results when combined with our corrective salon treatments.
Quora Noni
The microbiome communication hacker.
Turmeria Zen
Relax the stress of your brain-skin connection.
Luminia Granatum
The smart skin brightener.
Arabian Cotton
The broad spectrum protector against photo-ageing.
Cantella Reversa
Signalling peptides to reverse skin ageing.
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Treatment Boost for Rosacea & Sensitive Skin
£93.00
Our salon strength Treatment Boost uses the power of calcium rich red algae and plant stem cells to quickly calm and soothe your skin. Inflammation and your restricted microcirculation associated with sensitivity & rosacea will be reduced. Your fragile skin will become stronger, calmer, and more comfortable. More able to defend itself from external and internal aggressors.
Sensitivity can affect all skin types, but most commonly a condition effecting a dryer skin. We recognise that sensitive skin can be uncomfortable to live with.
Our Treatment Boost packs a powerful punch. Up your skincare game up and achieve outstanding results with regular at home use.
Treatment Boost for Anti-Ageing & Rejuvenation
£93.00
Our salon strength Treatment Boost uses the exceptional power of rejuvenating plant stem cells for a global anti-ageing effect. Thanks to our dynamic blend of skin strengthening ingredients we target lines, wrinkles, loss of tone, pigmentation & dark spots, redness, dehydration, dryness and an uneven skin texture.
Our Treatment Boost packs a powerful punch. Up your skincare game up and achieve outstanding results with regular at home use.
Treatment Boost for Pigmentation & Dark Spots
£93.00
Our salon strength Treatment Boost uses powerful antioxidant rich plant stem cells to lighten your existing pigmentation marks. Thanks to our skin strengthening ingredients the formation of new marks and dark spots can be prevented. Your skin tone will become more even.
Our Treatment Boost packs a powerful punch. Up your skincare game up and achieve outstanding results with regular at home use.
Treatment Boost for Acne & Blemished Skin
£84.00
Our salon strength Treatment Boost uses the power of bacteriostatic plant stem cells. It protects your skins delicate microbiome, this promotes skin health and prevents bacteria from multiplying which may lead to breakouts. Your skin imperfections will become less as we work towards a clear complexion. A lightweight formulation that leaves no oily residue on your skin.
When treating acne and blemished prone skin we need to treat it gently – we don’t use harsh stripping ingredients. We treat your skin at surface and cellular level, and get to the heart of your skin problem.
Our Treatment Boost packs a powerful punch. Up your skincare game up and achieve outstanding results with regular at home use.
Daily DNA Defence Vlog – credits Katherine Daniels
Watch our NEW vlog on our Daily DNA Defence SPF30.
Kirsti talks through why its important to add an SPF into your daily skincare routine. Product retailed at Pure Indulgence – ask your therapist for more details.
We’re talking Hyperpigmentation patches
Hyperpigmentation is caused by aggressors such as the sun, sun beds, blue light, hormonal changes, and medication. Treating hyperpigmentation can be tricky, but we’re here to help…
Pigmentation and Dark Spots
Hyperpigmentation is caused by aggressors such as the sun, sun beds, blue light, hormonal changes, and medication. Often appearing as part of the natural ageing process. Usually, the hyperpigmentation marks are not visible until years after the damage has been done.
Treating hyperpigmentation can be tricky, it’s not as simple as applying the latest serum or cream. If you want great results, you must strengthen your skin first because pigmentation marks are produced by your skin, as a way of protecting itself. Unless you address the strength of your skin it will continue with its own self protection techniques.
How is it formed?
Melanin is the natural pigment in your skin (and hair) it gives your skin its colour. But melanin also acts as one of your skins major defence mechanisms.
It has 2 roles; to protect your skin from UV rays and to mop up free radicals from pollution and the environment (free radicals act as scavengers in your skin – they cause premature cell death, known as Reactive Oxidative Stress).
Melanin is produced within cells called Melanocytes. When the skin is exposed to aggressors it triggers a natural chemical response within the cells. This chemical response leads to the creation of melanin. When called upon melanin is there to protect your skin.
The quantity and quality of your melanin depends on your skin colour.
Fair skins produce more Pheomelanin which are the orange/red pigments, giving a light golden tan. In very fair skin melanin cannot reach the skins surface. This skin when exposed to UV, often goes red, but then goes white again without tanning.
Darker skins produce more Eumelanin, the brown/black pigments. The darker the skin the more natural protection you have. But this is not to say darker skin cannot burn, it can.
Melanocytes have a ‘good memory’
If you have been burnt by the sun in the past, next time the area is exposed the melanocytes will give more melanin to the affected, vulnerable areas. Dark patches appear, freckly shoulders are a good example of this reoccurring sign of damage.
If you’ve never burnt your skin but still get hyper pigmentation patches.
Melanin synthesis is also triggered by hormones, more so from the contraceptive pill, during pregnancy, peri-menopause and the menopause proper. This is because the skin is vulnerable at these times. Remember melanin is one of your skins major defence mechanisms. It’s there to protect your skin when damaged or in times of vulnerability.
Light reaction & medication
Using antibiotics when exposed to the sun can also cause hyperpigmentation to form. This is photosensitivity.
Ageing & Hyperpigmentation
As you age your skin becomes more vulnerable, this is thanks to lower amounts of collagen and elastin production. Resulting in a finer, thinner skin. The slowing of oil production means your skin may become drier, more sensitive. Melanin is called upon to defend your skin more often resulting in age spots or dark marks to be visible.
Never use harsh or aggressive products
Some believe that if you have hyperpigmentation, you have tough skin. This is untrue. Don’t use harsh or aggressive products to ‘irradicate’ the patches. Quite the reverse is true. Some treatments could make the problem worse over time.
We must strengthen and nurture your vulnerable skin
If you try to treat only the pigmentation patch you will get a minimal result. If you strengthen your skin first, before treating your hyperpigmentation you will get a superior result. You will protect and defend your skin against further harm too.
We’re here to help you
We can help you treat hyperpigmentation with our Treatment Boost for Pigmentation & Dark Spots. But its not as simple as one magical product. To get real results, you must nurture and care for the fundamental needs of your skin before we go onto treating your hyperpigmentation marks.
Blog Credits to Donna Tait, Co-Founder Katherine Daniels