Cosette's Beauty Pantry

Hello everyone! Today I am starting a new blog series titled  Know your ingredients ,   in which I will highlight a specific  active ingredient .  I chose to focus on  niacinamide  as my first ingredient. Why? Because if I had to pick one active ingredient that I can safely recommend to anyone, it would be niacinamide.  Also known as  vitamin B3  or  nicotinamide , this ingredient can be used by almost everyone. Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient that is used for a wide range of skin conditions. Niacinamide also helps the skin produce more ceramides, helping maintain a  healthy skin barrier . Its anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for treating  acne,   rosacea  and   other inflammatory conditions. Because of this, it is recommended for those with sensitive skin. Besides, niacinamide helps  reduce the appearance of pores  by  regulating sebum.  It can help combat  hyperpigmentation  and even help smooth  lines and wrinkles . These properties make this super ingredien

Hello everyone! The pandemic is still with us and, mandatory mask orders are still in effect in various countries. This means that millions of people are, potentially, suffering from skin problems caused by face masks. Related post:  Prevent (and treat) skin problems caused by face masks As we are covering up our mouths and noses to stop the spread of  Covid-19 , some of us are encountering new skin problems. We've all heard of “maskne” (mask-related acne).  Masks are important, but unfortunately, wearing them can cause a range of skin conditions. Wearing a face mask for long hours can cause dry, cracked, chapped lips that come about due to the environment inside. Like many things in life, if you can prevent your lips from getting chapped in the first place, you won’t have to suffer through the recovery process. Here are some tips to help prevent dry lips: Exfoliate your lips  with a soft toothbrush or a sugar scrub. Apply a lip mask   after exfoliating. Try an overnight lip mask

Hello everyone! Now that all the presents have been opened, the delicious food devoured, and the decorations are starting to come down, you probably think you need a detox. What better way to kick off the new year than by taking care of your skin with a  DIY detox mask ?  Let's make one thing clear: strictly speaking, the holidays and comfort food are not toxic! You do not need to "detox" from them! However, a  detoxifying face mask  is always a good idea! To make this DIY mask, you will need only four simple ingredients! Ingredients: 1 tbsp crushed ripe blueberries. 1 tbsp lemon juice. 1 tbsp cucumber juice.  2 tbsp baking soda. Blueberries  contain antioxidants that protect your body from free radicals. Lemon juice  contains citrus enzymes that brighten the skin. Cucumber juice  has a cooling, soothing, de-puffing and refreshing effect. Baking soda  helps dislodge blackheads; its granules will give you extra exfoliation.  Method:  Combine all ingredients together in a b

Hello everyone! For the northern half of Earth, the Northern Hemisphere, today is the first day of winter!  Have you ever noticed how your skin is affected by the changing seasons? If so, you’ve likely noticed that your skin often seems to get  drier and flakier in the colder months . Having dry skin doesn’t necessarily mean that you also have dehydrated skin. These are two different phenomena. While  dehydrated skin lacks water ,  dry skin lacks sebum . Also, dry skin is a  skin type , while dehydration is a  condition . What does dehydrated skin look like? Dehydrated skin  can be dry, itchy and even dull looking. The overall complexion may appear uneven, and fine lines are more noticeable. There are steps you can take to keep your skin looking healthy, even when temperatures dip and there is no escaping the winter cold. Unlike dry skin,  dehydration is treatable with lifestyle changes . Replenishing your hydration is the first step, so it is crucial to  drink plenty of water .  Tips

Hello everyone! It has been raining for days so I can finally say that, autumn  weather is here ! There are many reasons you may feel the need to change your skincare products: breakouts, dryness, sensitivity, etc. A common reason for updating your skincare regimen is seasonal change . As the environment around you changes, so should your skincare routine.  Does your skin need some extra TLC after summer?  (related post) No matter where you live, the autumn months are generally cooler and drier than summer.  Malta, the island where I live, remains very humid throughout the year, thanks to the surrounding sea.  This is how autumn weather affects your skin: Cooler temperatures increase the skin’s proneness to dryness and dehydration .  The skin may experience more irritation, redness, and inflammation due to the weather conditions like wind and rain.  If you live in low humidity: Low humidity levels can aggravate skin conditions like eczema and rosacea . In dry weather the skin produce