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Asian skincare has held the beauty world’s attention for the past few years with wacky ingredients (Snail gel) and zany tools (nose lifting clips and face razors etc) but there’s real science behind the latest K-Beauty export. And, if you already own a Soda Stream, it’s pretty much free.
Cleopatra reportedly bathed in milk but Soko Glam’s founder Charlotte Cho recommends stepping up your cleansing routine by swapping out H2O from the tap for seltzer water. As carbonated water has a lower pH (between pH3 and 4, which makes it slightly more acidic) than tap water (between pH6.5-8.5) it’s less likely to lead to dryness. Plus, it dilates the skin and widens blood vessels to create a smoother, brighter complexion.
See: The Cult Beauty Products That Actually Work
Cult Beauty Products
1 of 17It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC + Cream Home and Away Kit, £22.40 (was £32)
A foundation has to be great, not just good, to be considered switching for. And this is exactly that - it provides full coverage whilst brightening and hydrating skin - leaving a dewy glow that stays put for hours.
2 of 17Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk, £25
What started out as a best-selling lip liner soon turned into a much-loved lipstick due to popular demand. It's a soft, nude-pink that lends lips a natural, creamy finish.
3 of 17Nars Blush in Orgasm, £25
Two Orgasm blushers sell every minute which is pretty impressive. Swirl the prettifying rosy blush atop cheeks to understand why.
4 of 17Beautyblender Pro, £17
When this elliptical shape sponge hit the market it literally changed the face of the industry. Reusable and easy to clean, it waves goodbye to the streaky lines of traditional brushes.
5 of 17Augustinus Bader The Cream, £205
Yes, it's expensive. But this luxurious, souped-up cream is loved by every beauty editor and A-lister alike for it's more or less instant results. Skin looks plumper and firmer after use.
6 of 17Sachajuan Anti Pollution Conditioner, £18 (was £24)
Cult Stockholm hair brand, Sachajuan provide salon-quality results with hard-working formulas. Give this anti-pollution conditioner a whirl for smooth strands that are protected from the elements.
7 of 17Huda Beaty, #FauxFilter Foundation, £23.10 (was £33)
This full-coverage matte foundation comes in a myriad of shades and tones, there's one for every complexion on the spectrum. It feels light, even when you build up the coverage.
8 of 17Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, £42
The perfect antidote to stressed-out, jet-lagged skin. This hydrating mask formulated with vitamins, ceramides and antioxidants counts Kim K and Jessica Alba as big fans.
9 of 17Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector, £26
This pre-wash treatment works to repair damaged and broken bonds with its patented formula. Trust us, it's a total mane-changer.
10 of 17Weleda Skin Food, £13.50
A nourishing rich cream, made with plant extracts and essential oils, that's ideal for combatting dry skin on the face and body. Victoria Beckham swears by it to prolong her summer tan!
11 of 17The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, £5.90
For less than the price of lunch at Pret, this runway success story will deliver moisture to your skin at a depth of hydration you may not even know you needed.
12 of 17Virtue Texturizing Spray, £12.75 (was £17)
A favourite with hairdressers and influencers alike for a very legitimate reason: it works.
13 of 17Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution, £15.80
Credited with kickstarting the micellar water trend, Bioderma's make-up remover is gentle but efficient. No more waking up with leftovers from last night's crusty eyeliner.
14 of 17MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, £17.50
We are yet to meet someone who doesn't get on like a house-on-fire with this nourishing matte lipstick.
15 of 17White Lotus A Grade Rose Quartz Facial Roller, £34.40 (was £42.99)
Give your skin a workout with a jade roller to see puffiness decrease and your natural glow increase. Plus it feels like heaven on a hangover.
16 of 17Anastasia Beverly Hills, Dipbrow Pomade, £19
The founder is known as the 'Queen of Brows' and once you use this high-pigmented buildable smudge-proof product you'll know why.
17 of 17Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, £19
The world's first pre-shampoo conditioning treatment was designed by Philip Kingsley for Audrey Hepburn to add bounce and shine to her famous locks. Fast forward several years and you've got a cult classic that is loved the world over for its amazing, nourishing results.
‘Sparkling water not only helps cleanse your skin in a deeper way—its carbonation helps to break up the dirt and oil embedded in your pores—there are real benefits aesthetically,’ cosmetic dermatologist Dendy Engleman confirmed to Cosmopolitan. ‘For example, at room temperature, carbonated water becomes a vasodilator [normal water needs to be heated to have a vasodilation effect], meaning it triggers your blood vessels to open up, bringing the blood supply to your skin's tissue. This, in turn, enhances nutrient delivery, like oxygen, to the dermis [skin]; and the better your circulation is, the better your system will function, and the healthier your skin will look.’
Of course, the effects of washing your face with sparkling water is entirely dependent on the type of cleanser you use and its pH. But, there’s no doubt this would add razzmatazz to our bedtime rituals.