All posts tagged: skincare

How to Apply Cologne Without Overdoing It

How to Apply Cologne Without Overdoing It

If you’ve ever suffered the unfortunate fate of applying too much cologne on your way out the door, you know that it’s an irreversible misstep that leaves you with basically no choice but to spend the next few hours steeping in the consequences of your actions. Thankfully, there’s a pretty simple way to avoid it entirely—even when you’re in a hurry. There’s no reason why applying cologne should ever feel like a roll of the dice. The proper technique—as we’ll explain in detail below—is as foolproof as it is effective. That said, achieving a balanced scent (and your intended vibe) is about more than just application. What you choose to spray on is just as important as how you do it, with factors like concentration, bouquet, and even seasonality playing a role. From finding the best cologne for you to applying it like a pro, here’s how to get it right on the nose. Cologne Concentration Determines Its Strength When we use the word “cologne”, we’re just using a consumer term that includes all fragrances …

I tried out the Validation Facial skincare trend. This is what I found out

I tried out the Validation Facial skincare trend. This is what I found out

Spring often brings a focus on skincare, and after months of cold weather, many complexions can feel dull, dry and in need of a reset. At the same time, juggling a busy lifestyle in London, from work deadlines to marathon training, had left me feeling just as depleted as my skin. So when I heard about the ‘Validation Facial’ at Lush Spa – a 60 minute, bespoke treatment designed to support both skin health and emotional wellbeing – I was curious to see whether it could deliver a true spring reset, inside and out. The process A Validation Facial emphasises the idea that wellbeing is more than skin-deep. I am told that the products used are fresh and handmade, paired with choreographed massage, expert application techniques and a carefully designed soundscape, inspired by the founder Mark Constantine’s love for bird watching and the idea of training your ears to understand sound. open image in gallery A Validation Facial focuses on the idea that beauty is more than skin deep. Pictures, someone getting the treatment (PA) …

Best Acne-Fighting Buys, From Serums To Cleansers

Best Acne-Fighting Buys, From Serums To Cleansers

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI – prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. Acne is far from uncommon, but there’s somehow still so much stigma around it. The skin condition can also have a massive impact on self-esteem. “Many adults experiencing acne feel lost and unsupported, simply because skincare advice and marketing often don’t reflect the reality of acne at different life stages,” she added. According to new research from Face The Future, just 39% of adults are aware that acne can pop up during menopause and pregnancy. Meanwhile, 66% worry their acne will never clear up, and 79% feel overwhelmed by the number of products that claim to “fix” their breakouts. If you count yourself among the overwhelmed, here’s a list of acne-fighting buys that have …

Does Injecting Your Penis With Hyaluronic Acid Actually Make It Bigger?

Does Injecting Your Penis With Hyaluronic Acid Actually Make It Bigger?

So far, the most headline-making Olympic news has nothing to do with gold medals. But rather, what some male Olympians are willing to do for them. Enter: Penisgate. Mere days after the Olympics began, word spread about male ski jumpers allegedly injecting their penises with hyaluronic acid to fly further. The claim (which so far is just a rumor and is being investigated by the World Anti-Doping (WADA) agency) is that ski jumpers used the aforementioned penis filler before getting fitted for their ski suits, causing a temporary increase in penis size and giving them a slightly baggier suit. The bagginess (allegedly) acts as a sail in just the right place, leading to a slightly longer jump. It should be noted that hyaluronic acid isn’t one of the substances banned by WADA, but if it’s giving competitors an edge, that may change. Seem far-fetched? There’s actually been scientific research on this. A 2025 scientific study published in Frontiers found that a two-centimeter change in a ski suit can give an extra 5.8 meters in jump …

A skincare splurge that’s (almost) worth the hype: Shark FacialPro Glow + DePuffi review

A skincare splurge that’s (almost) worth the hype: Shark FacialPro Glow + DePuffi review

The beauty tech market has boomed in the past few years, with countless brands launching products that promise clinic-quality results from home. After its LED face mask, the Cryoglow, made every beauty lover’s 2025 wishlist, Shark’s latest beauty launch, the FacialPro Glow, promises access to the sort of hydrofacial tech previously reserved for professional facialists. If you’re familiar with hydrofacials (AKA hydradermabrasion), then you’ll be aware that they have impressive pore cleansing and hydrating powers when performed in a clinic by a trained facialist. However, I was intrigued to see whether a portable device could be powerful enough to rival a facial that costs more than £100 – and concerned it would be unwise to put such power in the hands of non-professionals. View at Shark View at John Lewis How I tested Ready to glow: Writer Sarah with the Shark FacialPro Glow kit. Photograph: Sarah Matthews I’m a beauty writer who has tested a huge range of skincare products, but testing the FacialPro Glowwas on another level, involving layered skincare serums alongside physical exfoliation …

American Sunscreen Is About to Get So Much Better

American Sunscreen Is About to Get So Much Better

Ask any dermatologist to name their one non-negotiable skincare product and the answer is almost always the same: sunscreen. The problem? Most Americans still don’t use it consistently. According to some reports, a mere third of adults in the United States routinely apply sunscreen, and women are almost twice as likely to do so compared to men. Knowledge gaps around sun safety are likely one culprit. But outdated, chalky formulas may also be to blame. There may finally be hope on the formula front, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently proposed adding bemotrizinol (aka Tinosorb S, or BEMT) as a permitted active ingredient for use in sunscreens. Here’s why it’s a big deal for consumers, derms, and the American sunscreen market alike. What is bemotrizinol? Bemotrizinol is a chemical filter that provides broad-spectrum protection, meaning it shields against both UVA and UVB rays. (The former is associated with skin aging and long-term skin cancer risk, while the latter is responsible for sunburn.) The ingredient has long been a staple in sunscreens across Europe, …

Sali Hughes on beauty: why cica creams belong in every first-aid kit

Sali Hughes on beauty: why cica creams belong in every first-aid kit

If you were to open the smallest cupboard in my kitchen, you’d find some Elastoplast, paper-wrapped wound dressings, sterile latex gloves, surgical tape and some La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume (£11). I could name a good handful of consultant dermatologists who would probably say the same. Some cosmetic creams are more – at least in practice – than mere beauty products, and no home should be without them. A rich, no frills, multipurpose emollient is essential family kit to support the soothing and healing of scalds, grazes, rashes and any other signs of vexed skin. And what the best ones generally have in common is the inclusion of cica, AKA Centella asiatica or (as it’s known in much South Korean skincare) tiger grass. This wild plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and is known for its skin-calming benefits and ability to support a skin barrier compromised by illness, everyday injury and lifestyle. Cica creams with SPF are particularly useful, given that injured, broken and postoperative skin is more susceptible to …