By Jill O'Donoghue from Killarney Toning and Beauty Studio

Vegan skincare is the newest buzz word in this growing world of beauty as we all become more aware of our impact on our surroundings.

You would not be alone if you were unsure what exactly it meant. Even if you are a vegan or a meat lover, you might be interested in these new products due to the benefits it delivers for your skin and the environment.

Don't confuse vegan with cruelty free. Not every cruelty free product is vegan, as they may contain milk, honey or lanolin.

I was delighted that we could take part in the launch of the new Sothys organics range which has a one hundred percent vegan formula combining advanced efficiency and natural active ingredients. It's important to use plant derived ingredients as they can contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to repair and hydrate. Animal ingredients can be harsh and clog pores, so vegan products are a soothing alternative. You feel far better if you eat healthier foods in their natural state and the same logic applies to skincare. Your skin will thrive off being fed natural vegan ingredients.

In the heart of Correze, France, through their advanced research laboratory, Sothys created the new organics line.

To offer transparency, Sothys has chosen to have the entire range certified by Ecocert, which is in accordance to international Cosmos standard. The team at Sothys formulation laboratory have successfully developed ultra-efficient formulas while complying with rigorous and restrictive specifications. Highly specialised, Sothys has stood out ever since its founding by its unfailing commitment to beauty research and innovations and so offer the best nature has to offer.

Plants don't grow or contain collagen like humans or animals do but they do play a large role in how animals and humans continue to produce collagen. Having a diet consisting of high healthy fats and vitamins especially Vitamin C, will produce more collagen in your body. As we age collagen production slows down, although it never stops, and if you supply your body with proper nutrition to make healthy collagen, ageing isn't as noticeable. Some food sources which are great are oranges, kiwis, red peppers, kale, broccoli to name a few. Vitamin C really helps to protect and support the skin's cells, reduce inflammation, strengthen skin and lessen hyperpigmentation.

For more information or to book a skin analysis, please call Jill on 064 6632966.