NEW PRODUCT- Face Mask by AZRA Botanical Simplicity

A SOOTHING, FIRMING & HYDRATING FACE MASK TO HELP NOURISH  & PROTECT SKIN BARRIER SKIN GOAL designed to help replenish skin hydration and restore the protective skin barrier. Plums & hydrates skin.  SKIN TYPES All skin types. Particularly effective if dull skin is a concern. Excellent for red, sensitive and devitalised skin. TARGETS  Dryness, dehydration, redness, sensitivity, excellent after laser or IPL treatments GOOD TO KNOW  Can also be used as light serum during the day for very damaged skin under the moisturizer. Made with 100% natural ingredients, mainly organic origin. Mask is an innovative treatment designed to help replenish skin hydration and restore the protective skin barrier. This unique moisturizing-hydration treatment can be used daily to elevate skin appearance and vitality. This product combines different types of ingredients such as: probiotics, red algae, vitamins, plant extracts and peptides to delivery long lasting results for the skin. Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide is a natural prebiotic that helps support a healthy microbiome. Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract  is a type of red algae that, helps improve skin’s hydration and ability to look healthy while also being a good source of antioxidants.   Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides(PFE ) is clinically proven to increase collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin are what help the skin maintain its elasticity. PFE is a powerful anti-aging agent, restructuring skin and reducing puffiness, wrinkles and fine lines. The result is firmer, more supple skin with a visibly youthful appearance. Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein increases skin’s firmness and helps to form a film to retain moisture and provide luminosity. It prevents the skin from drying out and diminishes the appearance of wrinkles. Oat Extract, Niacinamide, Calendula Flower, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder,  Mel, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract deliver potent nutrient synergy to support healthy skin function and help slow skin decline. This Mask assists the skin’s ability to hold onto water delivering plump, soft, hydrated skin. Peptides, such as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18 work on firmer and more supple skin. Our natural face mask has been formulated for all skin types including sensitive skin. Made with 100% natural ingredients, offers instant hydration in just ten relaxing minutes. A soothing, creamy mask  to help soothe, hydrate, nourish, and protect skin that can also be used as light serum during the day for very damaged skin under the moisturizer. HOW TO USE: Apply 3-5 pumps onto freshly cleansed damp face and neck. Leave on for at least 10-25 mins. Mask can be left on overnight as well.  This Mask can also be used as light serum during the day for very damaged skin under the moisturizer. Remove Mask with water and a face cloth.  INGREDIENTS: Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water*, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract*, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower*, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Kaolin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Mel, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maltodextrin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Phytate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol. *- organic origin ingredients 

Daily Support Oil- NEW PRODUCT!

Daily Support Oil

A facial/ body oil is essential – it will literally replace the glow on a face! Our DAILY SUPPORT OIL is lightweight and absorbs easily. It is powered by lipid-rich botanical actives and oil and focuses on instant calming whilst helping to reduce moisture loss and the appearance of redness. This is your hero product during the winter months and a must-have all year round. This is perfect for your facial or body massage. Does not contain essential oils. Cruelty Free. Suitable for Breastfeeding. Suitable for Pregnancy. Vegan. Cold pressed oil, mainly organic origin. RESULTS Brighten & even out skin tone •Target the loss of skin firmness •Reduces inflammation •Hydrates skin •Multitasker (body & face) HOW TO USE On the face, massage 1 – 2 pumps onto a freshly cleansed skin or after your facial serum, but before your moisturiser. It can be used both morning and evening as desired.

Super Glow Vitamin C Serum -NEW PRODUCT

Super Glow Vitamin C Serum

Azra Botanical Simplicity launches  Super Glow Serum that evens out the complexion and does few other things with the help of 20% stable Vitamin C, liquorice extract and peptides. * Vitamin C  prevents hyper pigmentation. Super Glow Serum uses Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, the oil soluble vitamin C.  Tetra in the name indicates it is oil soluble. It is generally better for drier skin types. They can penetrate the skin up to 50x faster than L-ascorbic acid and are considered the next generation in vitamin C technology. * Licorice extract ( Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract) has an anti-inflammatory effect and also prevents pigmentation spots. * Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract helps protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, contributing to anti-aging benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties and it a wonderful remedy for treating loose pores and acne breakouts. * Acetyl Hexapeptide-8  peptide restores the skin’s natural water barrier, and helps bind water to the skin, improving dry skin. It also helps to improve skin elasticity. Acetyl Hexapeptide 8, which is also known as Argireline, is a peptide used in skincare products to reduce the appearance of wrinkles brought on by repeated facial expressions. When it comes to fine lines and wrinkles on the face, especially around the eyes and mouth; they usually form because of repeated facial expressions, such as smiling, frowning, or furrowing the brow in deep concentration or frustration. * Pentapeptide-18 is a peptide that has been studied for its ability to reduce signs of aging, including minimizing the appearance of expression lines and visibly reducing wrinkle depth. Pentapeptide-18 is also noted for its ability to hydrate skin and improve firmness. Does not contain essential oils. Cruelty Free. Suitable for Breastfeeding. Suitable for Pregnancy. Vegan. RESULTS Brightens dull complexions • Firms & hydrates skin Helps maintain & prevent uneven skin texture & tone •Stimulates collagen production

How to minimise your wrinkles? We have a solution!

Dear ASPA friends & clients, We would like to share with you some great news and our November offer. We did independent clinical study of 56 days on our DAY NIGHT CREAM. It was done on the group of people age 25-60 years old. The aim of this clinical study was to  measure the changes in wrinkle depth and width. The results are that over 80% of the participants experienced reduction in both depth and width of the wrinkles over 11%! This cream is now clinically and dermatologically tested and it clerly shows that using this cream daily will give the results. The main ingredients that really make the difference are 2 different types of peptides: Acetyl Hexapeptide 8 peptide, which is also known as Argireline, is a peptide used in skincare products to reduce the appearance of wrinkles brought on by repeated facial expressions. When it comes to fine lines and wrinkles on the face, especially around the eyes and mouth; they usually form because of repeated facial expressions, such as smiling, frowning, or furrowing the brow in deep concentration or frustration. Pentapeptide-18  peptide works by stimulating the deeper, matrix layers of the skin. This peptide increases overall collagen production, the production of collagen IV and hyaluronic acid synthesis in the skin. Our DAY NIGHT CREAM is also great as your daily eye cream! Just to remind you that this cream won Dutch Beauty Award 2023 (bronze). To celebrate this result we are offering: Book your appointment in November 2023 and purchase DAY NIGHT CREAM. We will then give you 12 euro back on each purchased DAY NIGHT CREAM. This offer is valid in November 2023 only and not possible in combination wih any other offer or gift card. 

Layering Your Skincare

Here we would like to share with you 3 simple tips to enhance your routine (and your glow)! 1. Think thinnest to thickest  Thicker, oil based formulas and creams can create a barrier on the skin (which is what makes them so nourishing), so applying your thinner, water based products first will allow them to absorb more effectively. TOP TIP: After cleansing, start with your serum and finish with your cream and SPF. INTENSIVE SERUM  2. Damp skin is more permeable than dry skin Applying your serum to your damp skin will help draw water into your skin and supercharge hydration. TOP TIP: Try misitng your face with hydration spray before applying your serum. CLINISOOTHE+ 3. Finish your morning routing with SPF (all year round) Your SPF should always be your final step to ensure adequate UV protection. TOP TIP: Applying make up can move your skincare around, so make sure you give your SPF time to set in before starting your make up routine. HELIOCARE SUN PROTECTION  If you are looking for more personalized skin tips, we offer Skin Analysis treatment at ASPA. Looking forward to see you at ASPA soon!

Pigmentation Removal Options

This time of the year is the perfect for several face and body treatments such as: 1. pigment removal (IPL treatment or Photo Facial) 2. laser hair removal Let’s focus on pigment removal today! Melanin is a substance in your body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. The more melanin you produce, the darker your eyes, hair and skin will be. Levels of melanin depend on race and amount of sunlight exposure. Sun exposure increases melanin production to protect the skin against harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays. In addition, hormonal changes can affect melanin production. Furthermore, areas of skin can darken after people have had inflammation of the skin. This can include acne, eczema, lupus, or an injury to the skin. People with darker skin are more likely to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency can also occure and is more common in darker-skinned people. From the above written it is clear that there are many reasons why a person develops pigment issues on the skin.  It is important to find out the cause of it before starting any treatment. Is Vitamin C Wonder Ingredient Against Pigment? The answer is clearly NO. This ingredient is not good for every skin type and please, do not just buy it, always consult the beauty therapist to advise you the best solution for you skin type. Which Ingredients Are The Best Against Pigment? Here are the best ingredients in skincare products if you want to brighten an uneven complexion. The most important is to use the product that contains the good formulation of those ingredients. Please, consult us before going on the buying spree. Retinol Licorice Extract Niacinamide Azelaic Acid Mandelic Acid Arbutin Kojic Acid ASPA Client Story  Here is an example of the client who came at the start of the year. She wanted to improve her pigment issues. We firstly started with the correct skincare at home and SPF50+ sun protection. After several months of only using the skincare, we embarked on our first pigment removal treatment which is called IPL treatment (Intense Pulsating Light treatment).  She will do the second IPL treatment this month and will probably need at least another IPL treatment and then regular top up every year to keep the pigment under control. Photo 1- The skin before we started with the IPL treatment Photo 2- The result after 1 IPL treatment- 4 days after the treatment Photo 3- the result after 1 IPL treatment- 1 week We highly recommend IPL treatments or as some people call it Photo Facials for the whole face and not only for pigment issues. Why? Photo Facial or IPL treatment is a professional treatment to reduce or eliminate the signs of sun damage, minimize rosacea or hyperpigmentation, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to boosting collagen production, Photo Facial or IPL treatment can help tighten skin as well. Reduction of large pores, removal of brown spots, reduction in the appearance of capillaries, and correction of uneven skin tone are some of the major benefits of this popular skin treatment. It is important to remember that every skin is different and personalized approach is the key to the success. The other important factor in skincare is consistency and patience, then results will come! Please, do not forget lifestyle such as using sun protection every day and nutrition. What foods help with skin pigmentation? Eating vitamin C–rich foods like citrus, berries, and leafy green vegetables as well as tomato, salmon, almonds and yogurt may optimize melanin production. Taking a vitamin C supplement such as Altrient vitamin C may help as well. Which food should avoid in pigmentation? Avoid fatty items like foods fried deep in oil as they can cause damage to your skin by causing dark patches, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation. If you have any questions, please contact us via info@aspadirect.com We are looking forward to see you at ASPA soon. Kind Regards, Azra

NEW PRODUCT- DAY & NIGHT CREAM

We are very happy to share with you that our DAY & NIGHT CREAM has finally arrived! It took us 2 years to develop this product and we are very happy to share the news with you. AZRA Botanical Simplicity CREAM is your perfect every day moisturizer. It was created to hydrate and calm the skin whilst protecting the skin barrier and plumping the skin. Active ingredients: Squalane, Ceramide NG, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18. Squalane has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and swelling. Ceramide NG has also been shown to reinforce skin’s barrier strength to better resist external stressors. Overall, it contributes to supple, resilient, hydrated skin. Sodium Hyaluronate is a form of hyaluronic acid that can enter the deep layers of your skin. Here, it attracts moisture and reduces inflammation. When applied topically, sodium hyaluronate is excellent for reducing dryness and wrinkles. Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract- The benefits of Cica read like a who’s-who of skincare needs—it improves scratches, burns, helps heal hypertrophic wounds, enhances collagen, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent for conditions like eczema, and more! Liquorice Root Extract (Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome) acts as an anti inflammatory to help reduce itchy and inflamed skin.  It also offers anti bacterial benefits for the skin and can also reduce skin pigmentation. Acetyl Hexapeptide 8, which is also known as Argireline, is a peptide used in skincare products to reduce the appearance of wrinkles brought on by repeated facial expressions. When it comes to fine lines and wrinkles on the face, especially around the eyes and mouth; they usually form because of repeated facial expressions, such as smiling, frowning, or furrowing the brow in deep concentration or frustration. When people make these expressions, the face contorts based on the contraction of the muscles beneath the skin. Acetyl hexapeptide 8 is designed to temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles by intercepting messages from the brain, thereby preventing muscle contractions, similar to Botox. Pentapeptide-18 works by stimulating the deeper, matrix layers of the skin. This peptide increases overall collagen production, the production of collagen IV and hyaluronic acid synthesis in the skin. It also helps the skin to heal wounds faster. Use: For best results, use 1 pump of the cream on damp skin and massage into your clean face AM & PM.  Breath and take time for yourself!  This fast absorbing face cream will be your favourite cream to plump, balance and hydrate daily. We hope to see you at ASPA soon and let you experience this cream.

DUTCH BEAUTY AWARD WINNERS

We would like to share with you some great news! Dutch Beauty Award 2022 event was last night in Amsterdam. We won 2 awards. In the category of Salon Treatments our ASPA Signature Facial won SILVER. In the category of Cosmeceuticals our brand AZRA Botanical Simplicity won BRONZE. Dutch Beauty Award is the most coveted Beauty Award in the Netherlands. This award is organized every year by the Experts of Beauty association and the jury of 10 independent beauty journalists and experts make the final decision. Participants included all big and famous brands such as Lancome, Gucci, but also niche brands such as ours. To celebrate this achievement we will be making donation to our own Stichting Emina Foundation which work is largely supported by the sales of our products from AZRA Botanical Simplicity. We truly believe that going forward in business should be in socially and environmentally responsible way. This is our mission.

What is the best way to remove blackheads?

What are blackheads? Blackheads are immediately recognizable by the small black dots on your nose and/or chin. Many people have them, but what are they really? And more importantly how can you remove blackheads? In this blog I will tell you all about it! Blackheads, also called comedones, are actually blocked pores.  When your pores become clogged by dead skin cells, sebum or dirt, the white or black dots that we call blackheads arise. Also known as blackheads. Most people have blackheads on their forehead, nose and chin. Make no mistake, the little black dots are not the same as pimples. With a pimple there is always an inflammatory reaction and redness is visible. Nevertheless, blackheads can become an inflammation. If the blackhead remains on your skin for too long, the blackheads can still become inflamed and become a pimple. What is the difference between white and black blackheads? Many people think that blackheads are by definition black. However, that is not the case! Blackheads can be either black or white in color. The difference lies in the depth they are found in the skin. Black blackheads are more on the surface of your skin. The black color is not caused by dirt in the pore, but by the reaction of sebum to oxygen. As soon as the blackheads come out more and come into contact with oxygen, you will see a black dot. White blackheads lie deeper in your pore. This is the reason what makes them more difficult to remove than black blackheads. Because white blackheads have not (yet) come into contact with the air, they have a different color. You can often recognize them because they are small white balls under the skin. What is the difference between a blackhead and a pimple? Both blackheads and pimples are clogged pores filled with dead skin cells, sebum and bacteria. The big difference is only that a pimple has become inflamed and completely closed off. Because the sebum and dead skin cells cannot get out, your pimples get bigger and bigger and grow. The inflammatory reaction causes redness and a white head. So keep in mind that blackheads can easily turn into pimples. Do not squeeze blackheads yourself, because when they come into contact with bacteria, they can become inflamed and grow larger. I How do blackheads arise? How blackheads arise is simple. Your pore has become clogged with sweat, dead skin cells, traces of make up, foundation and an excess of sebum. Because this dirt has accumulated, the passage becomes clogged and blackheads arise. This applies to both white blackheads (closed comedones) and black blackheads (open comedones). The cause for the development of blackheads can differ per person. Below you will find the various factors that influence the development of blackheads: 1. Fluctuations in hormones, for example during puberty or pregnancy (increased sebum production) 2. (Bad) nutrition 3. Makeup, especially foundation 4. Aggressive ingredients in skin care products 5. Medicines 6. Medical condition 7. Dry skin (this prevents the sebum from leaving your skin) 8. Stress (increased sebum production) Unfortunately, your skin can also have a predisposition to blackheads, luckily that doesn’t mean that nothing can be done about it. How do I remove blackheads? It can be very tempting to squeeze blackheads yourself, but be careful with this. As with pimples, scars can easily be left behind. In addition, a blackhead can also become irritated or inflamed even worse. That only makes the problem worse. We advise to have the blackheads removed by a skin therapist, so that you can get started with clean skin to prevent those blackheads. OUR TIPS 1. Cleanse your skin with 2 different cleansers- DOUBLE CLEANSING Just cleaning your skin with water is not enough to reduce blackheads. Throughout the day, your skin collects all kinds of dirt. This dirt is a combination of air pollution, makeup, sebum and dead skin cells. This dirt is not only superficial, but also deeper in your skin. By cleaning your skin twice, you first remove the superficial dirt and you already clear the way for your second cleanser. In this way, you ensure that dirt in your pores is loosened and cleaned up every day. In addition, a good cleaning ensures that your pores will clog less quickly and new blackheads arise. We recommend you to use our Double Cleanse by AZRA Botanical Simplicity which we offer for the very special price! 2. Exfoliate your skin regularly Exfoliating is the most effective way to remove skin cells from the top layer of skin. If you quickly suffer from clogged pores, it is important that you regularly exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating your skin removes dead skin cells and accumulations of sebum. This reduces blackheads and prevents new blackheads from developing. Large pores are also less noticeable when your pores are clean. Contact us to recommend you the best exfoliating option for your skin. Are you used to using face scrub on your skin? Then stop that immediately! Scrubs contain hard, coarse particles that damage and irritate your skin. This can actually increase your sebum production and cause (extra) pimples and blackheads. In addition, blackheads are deep in your skin, making scrubbing pointless. Using a peel replaces the use of a scrub, however, the peel don’t do any damage like the scrub does. 3. Get your balance back Blackheads are an indication that your skin is out of balance. Due to an imbalance in your skin, your skin barrier function is also less strong, which increases the chance of skin problems. Whatever skin problem you have, there is no single miracle product that can solve it for you. It is important to have a skin care routine that consists of ingredients that complement and work together. If your skin is well balanced, you prevent an accumulation of dead skin cells and an overproduction of sebum. The first step is to improve the hydration level. 4. Hydration Even though you may think you have hydrated skin, don’t be

Why Did We Make Our Own Skincare Brand?

AZRA Botanical Simplicity

Luxury, natural and science-backed brand made by the skin expert It was my mission to use my experience from the practice in ASPA mixed with my study of plant science and chemistry to make effective plant-based skincare for the real skin needs of the modern woman and man. Products made with all the know-how of the skin expert are really something! Because not all cosmetics are made by experts, although it often seems that way. When I was 25, I got very bad skin overnight. I was living in London at the time and war had just broken out in my native country … I had terrible acne that took me to the doctor. I received medication from him, the complaints disappeared, but my skin became terribly dry. And as soon as I stopped taking the medication, my complaints came back. From that moment on I started to study skincare and nutrition even more. That is where my passion arose and when I was 40, I retrained as a skin therapist. Skincare made in practice To find the best and most effective botanical ingredients for effective skincare, you need to know your business. And that’s what you get if you, as a skin therapist, treat women and men day in day out and provide the right solutions for their skin needs. My philosophy is simple: I formulate products that I personally use, that I am confident will achieve the result I want, with ingredients I know, trust, love, and am deeply proud to share with you. Why is AZRA Botanical Simplicity Different?  Our products combine high-potency, scientific, cosmeceutical active ingredients with refined botanical plant extracts for outstanding long term results. AZRA Botanical Simplicity products are made to simplify skincare routine without sacrificing results, multi-functional skincare! Our mission is to create products unbound by gender, age or time; effective formulas that respect the integrity of skin and provide real results. I studied plant science and worked for many years as the skin therapist, therefore I understand exactly which ingredients function well and work together in skincare routine of different skin types. It became my mission to create a truly effective skincare brand in which high-tech and natural ingredients are combined with not too many ingredients, so that the simple but powerful formulas minimize the chance of irritation. We offer two different types of face cleansers Soothing Cleansing Gel and ALL CLEAN BALM. INTENSIVE SERUM can be used in the morning and evening routine, but our SUPER GLOW SERUM is really only for the morning use. NO RINSE HAND CLEANSER  is effective yet mild on-the-go hand gel from Azra Botanical Simplicity that smells nice thanks to a little bit of peppermint essential oil which has an invigorating aromatherapy function. It will clean your hands, but not dry your hands out. Why not?  It contains an extract of White Water Lily and glycerin which ensure that your hands do not dry out. Comfrey extract, a medicinal herb, protects and conditions. This quick-drying, non-greasy hand gel for in your bag cleans and cares for your hands at the same time.