skincare tips Archives • SOFIA LATIF®

Fozia Latif 20/05/2022 Healthy skin

A Guide To Your Skin During Menopause

Usually occurring between 45-55 years of age, the period of menopause succeeds perimenopause and officially begins one year after a woman’s last period. It often comes with changes, related to hormone fluctuations. When it comes to our skin, many women feel unsure about how to manage changes like dryness and breakouts. This post is here to guide you …

Fozia Latif 06/05/2022 Healthy skin

A Guide To Your Skin During Perimenopause

When it comes to perimenopause, many women feel unsure about what to expect, especially when it’s related to changes in their skin. It’s particularly difficult to navigate when there’s little mainstream conversation on the subject too. That’s why we’re here, to provide you with information, education and to carry on …

Sofia 22/04/2022 Healthy skin

Moisturisers With SPF vs A Separate SPF

It’s getting brighter, with more sunny days coming. Thoughts turn to spending more time outdoors, and the need for more SPF in our routines to protect our skin from sun damage. Is it enough to use moisturisers with SPF or is it better to have a separate SPF? Let’s take a look at the pros and …

Fozia Latif 03/03/2022 Sofia's blog

Solutions For Sensitised Skin

Sensitised skin is a common skincare challenge that is the result of skin which has been overstimulated by the use of too many or harsh topical products. This is as opposed to sensitive skin, which is the result of genetics, age and thin skin. Whether it relates to redness, rashes or a change in texture, most women across all age&…

Sofia 25/02/2022 Useful to know

Spring Clean Your Beauty & Wellbeing Routine

It feels like we are coming out of hibernation with the days getting longer and brighter, and little blossoms appearing on trees, all giving us a sense of excitement and possibility. Spring is a wonderful season to birth new morning habits and spring clean your home, beauty and wellbeing routine. With lighter mornings helping us to get up a little&…

Fozia Latif 07/01/2022 Healthy skin

What is Skinimalism?

On the surface, ‘skinimalism’ might seem a tongue-twister, but as complex as it sounds, its meaning is, in fact, rooted in simplicity. Coined by users on Pinterest, skinimalism is about stripping back your skincare, bringing your natural skin texture to the surface and embracing slow beauty that supports sustainable skincare and clean products to nourish your best skin …

Sofia 31/12/2021 Healthy Living

Is Matcha Better For You Than Coffee?

Most of us try to lead a healthy lifestyle but sometimes we are looking for that quick energy boost to kick start our morning or to keep us going later in the day. In these times, coffee is probably your go-to for the caffeine ‘hit’. While it does provide the body with a number of benefits and for …

Fozia Latif 29/07/2021 Healthy skin

Night-time Nourishment – Face Oils vs Creams

When it comes to skincare, it can be difficult to know what kinds of products to invest in, when there are just so many different ones on the market. Here at SL Towers, we swear by a few staples – one of these is a good night and day cream duo. The difference is night and day Day creams work&…

Fozia Latif 15/07/2021 Hero Oils

Hydrate and Restore with Meadowfoam Seed Oil

Ever heard of meadowfoam seed oil? If not, it might be something to consider for the spot of hydration hero in your skincare routine. Native to the USA and Canada and pressed from the seeds of the white meadowfoam plant, meadowfoam seed oil is beginning to gain popularity for its dual lightweight quality and ability to pack a hydrating punch.&…

Sofia 09/07/2021 Best of Natural

Best Natural Face Masks For Sensitive Skin

Face masks are a great way to give skin a much-needed boost. Maybe your skin is a bit dull and lacklustre, so you would reach for a radiance mask, or perhaps your skin is dry, then you would reach for a hydrating one. It might be that you don’t like using exfoliators, so you would reach for one …

Fozia Latif 01/07/2021 Useful to know

The Tradition And Skincare Techniques Of Gua sha

Also known as ‘coining,’ Gua sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique, traditionally practiced on the body but now more commonly known in the West as a method of relaxing and reviving stiff neck and facial muscles. It’s an alternative therapy recommended for reducing inflammation and stimulating blood flow, and while the benefits are yet to …

Fozia Latif 06/05/2021 Healthy skin

Are Hormones to Blame for Post 40s Breakouts?

For many women over 40 sudden skin breakouts, usually associated with teenagers, would be enough to have them reaching for the lotions. But don’t apply them just yet. While breakouts are a barely spoken symptom of perimenopause, they are just one of many challenges characterised by significant fluctuations in hormone levels. We know that the perimenopause is a huge …

Sofia 05/03/2021 Healthy skin

How plant oils strengthen the skin barrier – Part Two

In part one we looked at what the skin barrier does, how it works and introduced the role of plant oils in strengthening it. But which plant oils are particularly important for supporting normal skin function? We’ll be sharing some of the most effective ones in today’s post… 5 OF THE BEST PLANT OILS FOR …

Sofia 05/03/2021 Healthy skin

How plant oils strengthen the skin barrier – Part one

The skin barrier has such an important role in maintaining happy and healthy skin but how can we care for it for optimum strength? In this two part series we’ll be exploring both aspects, with a particular focus on our favourite ingredients – plant oils… WHAT IS THE SKIN BARRIER? The skin has three main …

Sofia 10/12/2020 Sofia's blog

Getting Skin And Hair Ready For Winter’s Bite

Winter is certainly here. The temperature has dropped, the wind can be pretty harsh and snow has been forecast for some parts of the country. But adapting for seasonal changes doesn’t just mean changing from lightweight clothes to layers, sandals to slippers, fans to fires or cold drinks to hot chocolates. We need to make some tweaks …

Sofia 19/11/2020 Useful to know

How Long Should You Use Skincare Before Giving Up?

We are living in an era of instant gratification, where we want things now, sometimes jumping in with both feet and expecting quick results. But when it comes to our skin, any product or routine changes we make require patience to fully reap the benefits. SKINCARE IS MORE THAN JUST THE PRODUCTS Skincare is more than just the&…

Sofia 06/08/2020 Healthy skin

Natural ways to reduce dark circles under eyes

Dark circles. One day they’re not too bad, other days they are prominent and nothing seems to help. Most commonly associated with fatigue, the shadows under the lower eyelids can actually exist for a number of different reasons. Understanding what causes them to appear will help you take steps to prevent them. Here are our tips for naturally …

Sofia 09/07/2020 Best of Natural

Best Natural Body Care For Sensitive Skin

The skin on our body can be as sensitive as the skin on our face, so for the penultimate post in our ‘Best of Natural’ series we wanted to introduce you to body washes, body scrubs and body creams designed to take care of our largest organ. The Best of Natural series so far: Best Natural …

Sofia 29/06/2020 Inflammation series

The Healing Benefits of Turmeric & Curcumin

Knowing how best to use Turmeric to support health and skin is something we are all keen to learn about. We reached out to Sophie Nazareth who is the founder of Your Bodhi, a natural supplement specialising in Turmeric, to tell us more about the healing benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin. Turmeric has become a star of …

Sofia 19/06/2020 Healthy skin

How Much Is My Gut Health Responsible For The Health Of My Skin?

There are times when our skincare products alone aren’t enough when trying to clear up a breakout or reduce inflammation. This is when you have to look at why that might be. But one thing you might not have considered is the responsibility your gut has in the health of your skin. So today that’s exactly …

Sofia 12/06/2020 Healthy skin

Will My Skin Breakout Now I Am Wearing Makeup Again?

We’re slowly coming out of lockdown and getting ready for a new normal. Many of us will have taken a break from wearing makeup; not necessarily a conscious decision but one of not needing to put a face on for the rest of the world. For us, it’s been a good thing taking a break …

Sofia 05/06/2020 Healthy skin

Is Dry Body Brushing Worth The Hype?

Dry body brushing has been practised for centuries in many different cultures but has more recently evolved into one of the hottest trends to try. So what is it? It’s just as it sounds – it involves using a dry, natural brush to exfoliate and massage the skin on your body through brush strokes, most beneficial on …

Sofia 01/06/2020 Inflammation series

Nourishment Tips in Times of Stress

Getting the right nourishment during times of stress is something we are all keen to do, but may not know which foods to choose. We reached out to Rebecca who is a Holistic Health Coach & Culinary Nutrition Expert, as well as the founder of Nourish by Rebecca, for her nourishment tips in times of stress. NOURISHMENT …

Sofia 29/05/2020 Healthy skin

Skincare Tips For Exercisers, Indoors Or Outdoors

Incorporating some exercise into our routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle is becoming second nature, whether it be a gentle walk in the evening or a sweaty hot yoga session. After all, exercise is beneficial for both our mind and our body and is one of the keys to having healthy, youthful-looking skin. If you exercise regularly yourself you&…

Sofia 15/05/2020 Healthy skin

The Importance Of SPF Even When Indoors

Most of us are conscious of the need for SPF when out and about and can be confident that we are maintaining the habit of applying it. However, it is still a common misconception that we don’t need to use SPF when indoors. Getting into a routine of applying SPF to our face, under eyes, neck and …

Sofia 05/04/2020 Healthy skin

Can An SPF Help With Dark Circles Under The Eyes?

There are many reasons why some people have dark circles under their eyes. Most of these can be grouped into two categories: genetics and dilation. But did you know that using an SPF regularly on the skin around the eyes not only protects this delicate area but also helps to prevent the overproduction of melanin which may make hereditary dark&…

Sofia 22/03/2020 Healthy skin

Using Your Skincare Routine As A Form Of Self Care

When we put ourselves first, we build up the energy and reserves to be able to show up for and give to others. Making time for ourselves comes in many forms, such as going for a run, having a cup of tea in your favourite armchair before everyone wakes up, running a bath, reading your favourite book, doing some&…

Sofia 15/03/2020 Sofia's blog

The Benefits Of Cleansing Your Skin In The Morning

Back in our post, Should You Cleanse Your Face In The Morning? we discussed the concept of not cleansing during your morning skincare routine. While some think that by cleansing in the morning we are removing an essential level of protection which comes from natural oils and dead skin cells, we believe that if you use the best products&…

Sofia 08/03/2020 Useful to know

The Easiest Way To Seal In Moisture For Hydrated Skin

We all know that winter can play havoc with our skin. With colder weather, central heating on and most of us drinking less water, moisture loss from our bodies is increased and can ultimately lead to poorly hydrated skin. One misconception is that if we slather on more moisturiser than in the warmer months we will increase hydration levels sufficiently&…

Sofia 01/03/2020 Healthy skin

How Lymphatic Facials Help With Skin Health

Lymphatic drainage treatments have been around for many years and have multiple benefits. From boosting circulation to ensuring the body is deeply cleansed and nourished, in this post, we’ll be revealing why lymphatic massage (and in particular, lymphatic facials) is so important to making sure our lymphatic system is working at its best… WHAT IS LYMPHATIC …

Sofia 23/02/2020 Healthy skin

Opting For Natural Retinol To Improve The Appearance Of Skin

Retinol is considered a must-have in skincare. With so many skin-benefiting properties, it’s unsurprising that companies are keen to include it. But the synthetic retinol ingredient itself which is used by so many of these brands isn’t the only option out there for us. Following on from our post, Rosehip Oil – A Natural Retinol, we&…

Sofia 16/02/2020 Healthy skin

Is Skin Fasting Good For Skin?

Skin fasting is a trend we’ve seen recently which originally came from Japan and involves completely taking a break from skincare products. It is thought that by not using any products, you allow your skin to breathe and reset itself so it can function naturally; improving its condition and detoxifying. As the skin produces sebum (which helps prevent …

Sofia 19/01/2020 Best of Natural

Best Natural Face Exfoliators For Sensitive Skin

Exfoliating is such an important process for the health of skin, but using products that aren’t too harsh and gently applying them is essential. To help you narrow down the choice and find one which ticks all the boxes – from efficacy to ethics – we are sharing the best natural face exfoliators we’ve come across …

Sofia 12/01/2020 Best of Natural

Best Natural Face Moisturisers For Sensitive Skin

Today we are continuing with our ‘Best of Natural’ series, bringing you our favourite natural face moisturisers suitable for sensitive skin (some more suited to dry skin and others to normal/oily skin), plus a few of our founder’s top tips for choosing and using them! PS, if you missed the previous posts in the …

Sofia 13/09/2019 Healthy skin

Could your dry skin be caused by hormonal changes?

We all know the usual culprits of dry skin: lack of water, naturally dry skin and chemicals in our products such as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) stripping it of our natural oils, but as women, one of the areas we don’t focus on as much when trying to understand the cause(s) of our dry skin is …

Sofia 12/07/2019 Useful to know

How to keep your skin glowing after a facial

We all love how our skin looks and feels after a facial – that smoothness and plumpness; that clarity and glow which our friends and family comment on with envy. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could keep skin glowing for longer? Giving yourself a mini-facial at home is one way to keep your glow long after your …

Sofia 17/01/2019 Healthy skin

Winter skin – Do we need a whole new routine?

Do you suffer from different feeling skin in winter or the colder months? And do you overhaul your skincare routine (and products) with the change of seasons? What is winter skin? Winter skin is a catch-all term used to describe a change to the way skin feels and looks in the cold. Skin can feel uncomfortable – dry, tight,&…