Three Wise Beauty Product Ingredients

Beauty Writer, Frankie Rozwadowska, brings you beauty in the style of the three kings

“We three kings of Orient are….bearing gifts we traverse afar….”. We all know how the song goes, but did you know that those rare, precious and expensive gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh make for a skin miracle? It’s true – the Three Wise Men certainly knew their stuff, for these natural ingredients hold healing properties of almighty proportions. Meet the three Kings of beauty…

 GOLD
A word synonymous with luxury the world over – Gold is more than flashy jewellery and an (annoyingly catchy) Spandau Ballet song. Cleopatra is said to have slept in a gold face mask every night over 5,000 years ago to keep her looking young and beautiful, and although that may be a somewhat expensive option – you too can reap the rewards of gold in your skincare. This precious metal has been proven to slow the ageing process, boost the production of collagen and elastin, activate cell regeneration and protect against UV damage. All this and it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties – creating a radiant complexion and skin as bright as a button. We all deserve to be spoilt at this time of year – because baby, it’s gold outside.

Gold and silk – a match made in heaven when you want to feel beautiful and glamorous. So when a cream contains them both, it can only mean good things. Chantecaille’s Nano Gold Energizing Cream (£370) contains tiny particles of gold that are bound with silk – a natural protein that’s highly moisturising and soothes stressed skin. Together, they battle UVA and UVB rays and act as a healing and preserving force, with an army of sidekicks at hand to up the ante – algae extract to tighten, Butcher’s Broom to calm irritation and Vitamin C to even skin-tone.

Omorovicza – Hungarian skincare that harnesses the power of the country’s mineral-rich healing waters. Buff yourself beautiful with the Gold Sugar Scrub (£57) – it not only rids you of dead, dry cells, but it also helps to energise and repair sensitive skin. With arjuna bark to strengthen, apricot seed oil to nourish, and natural sugars to provide a gentle and effective exfoliation – the powerful small gold particles provide anti-inflammatory and beautifying properties.

For skin that gives a golden glow – the Nourish Golden Glow Toning Soufflé (£24.95) does just that. With golden resins of frankincense and myrrh, it nourishes, firms, tones, and improves the surface of the skin whilst repairing and restoring elasticity and protecting against environmental damage. It also smells divine thanks to the addition of neroli oil, leaving skin moisturised and soft with a sun-kissed shimmer.

FRANKINCENSE
Native to plants of Northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, frankincense is so much more than an oh-so-seasonal scent – it’s magic. Really. Boasting amazing skin regeneration properties, it not only prevents scars but reduces the appearance of them, be it from acne, burns or stretch marks. It is a natural antiseptic (ideal for blemishes) and as an astringent, it strengthens and tightens skin – reducing excess dryness or oiliness so your skin is back at its best.

Wash away the day with the Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Face Wash (£16.50) – a gentle creamy cleanser with nourishing apricot and jojoba oils that will leave even the driest of faces soft and supple. Vitamin and antioxidant rich, no nasties, vegan and organic – it, quite frankly, makes sense.

De-stress – it sounds all too easy as Christmas looms, presents are still to be bought and the entire family is preparing to descend upon you. But it is that easy – as with the Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil (£24.50), one sniff will leave you calmer, brighter and instantly uplifted. Frankincense has been used for centuries in medicine and meditation to clear the mind, fight off anxiety and stress and to restore energy levels. Massage into pressure points or onto the scalp for a truly calming experience (it’s a dry oil so no drama of greasy looking hair) and with nothing else added, it’s pure, 100% nature at its best.

REN have done it again. The Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream (£38) is so good, one die-hard fan reportedly had one FedExed to him after departing on a ski trip and leaving it at home. And it’s not hard to see why. Containing vitamin A to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, vitamin C to even out skin tone and provide radiance, Vitamin E to fight off free radicals and protect from damage, and boswellic acid to relax facial tissue and smooth fine lines – it’s also anti-ageing, moisturising and protective. Just massage gently into face and neck and you’re good to go.

MYRRH
Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and with antioxidants and antiseptic properties – Myrrh was used in ancient times to treat numerous skin conditions (eczema, wounds, cracked or chapped skin and even wrinkles) and is still very much a skin saviour today. It softens dry skin, prevents premature ageing and tissue degeneration, improves circulation and rejuvenates. Like Frankincense, it contains a high volume of sesquiterpenes compounds that help balance emotions, which – when mixed with its warm and woody aroma – will relax and soothe. This reddish-brown resin really is myrrh-aculous.

Particularly good for oily or problem skin, Sisley’s Tropical Resin Lotion (£52.50) is a purifier containing myrrh, plantain, incense and burdock to eliminate impurities and excess sebum – enhancing the complexion and leaving skin matte and magnificent, with its astringent effect tightening dilated pores. It can be used topically to treat blemishes and spots, and if you use under makeup it helps it stay on longer.

For drier skin, the Darphin Organic Myrrh Aromatic Care (£38) is the ultimate in essential oil care. Mixing myrrh with coriander, sandalwood, apricot kernel oil and myrtle essential oils – tight, dry skin is nourished and comforted to leave you radiant and glowing.

Or if you have normal to combination skin, the Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion (£13.95) is a lighter alternative to a thick face cream. Containing pure plant extracts of sedum, myrrh and horsetail – it counteracts fine lines, dryness and dull skin, whilst strengthening and revitalising. Cold-pressed wild rose seed oil (which smells heavenly) supports the skin’s natural protective barrier with its essential fatty acids, providing extra nourishment and care.