A Little Something On Skincare

WRITTEN BY NEDA VRANICI

For us, skin is ideally cared for from the outside in and the inside out simultaneously. This post is about the external care which always starts with cleansing.

The epidermis is a living layer that breathes, sweats, looses water, produces oils, contains its own microbiome and regenerates. Add to that buildup as a result of the environment and you’ll get a clear picture on what needs to be washed away.

These below are our 4 of our favourite natural cleansers that are carefully formulated to clear accumulated dirt off of your skin:

• Fitglow Beauty Vita-Active Cleanser: Loaded with certified organic botanical extracts including Organic Calendula, Burdock Root, Rosemary and Nettle Leaf to clean, hydrate and protect skin. Vitamin C defends from free radical damage and brightens skin. Great for all skin types – gentle enough to use day and night.
• Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash: Using some of the most powerful antioxidants known, Acai and Goji berry with a mixture of citrus oils, it revitalizes and balances your skin. This facial cleanser will leave your skin clean, clear, and glowing.
• 100% PURE Rose Micellar Cleansing Water: Hydrating rose cleansing water gently rinses away makeup, sunblock, excess oil, pollution and other impurities while anti-inflammatory cornflower and mallow soothe your skin.
• Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser: for hydrated skin that looks clean and glowy. Gently remove free radicals and impurities while moisturizing the skin with this balancing cream cleanser. Crafted from chemical-free, antioxidant-rich ingredients, this Certified Vegan formula rejuvenates and hydrates while working to eliminate signs of aging.

Exfoliate

When lathering on its own doesn’t penetrate deep enough and dead skin cells have created dry skin patches and with it possible discolouration, something more thorough such as exfoliation is needed. Exfoliation comes in different methods and not only helps you reach the healthy supple layer of your skin but also stimulates blood flow in different ways to aid in regeneration.

Have a look at these amazing exfoliators we carry:

• Patyka Double Action Smoothing Scrub: Stimulates cellular renewal and makes skin more supple and radiant, combining smoothing, anti-ageing, exfoliating and softening properties in one product. Its creamy texture offers the comfort of a mask and the gentle exfoliation of a scrub to refine skin texture, brighten the complexion, blur any pigmentation issues and visibly smooth wrinkles.
• The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%: Lactic Acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid that exfoliates the skin. This 5% formulation offers very mild exfoliation and is supported with a purified Tasmanian pepperberry known to reduce signs of inflammation and sensitivity that is often associated with exfoliation. A stronger 10% formula is available here.
• NIOD Non-Acid Precursor 15%: Instead of using direct acids like AHA/BHA or retinoids that are common in skincare, Non-Acid Precursor 15% uses fermentation bio-derivatives and amino isolates that act as precursors to skin-compatible acids, encouraging visible radiance and visible surface regularity without the redness and inflammation associated with acids.
• Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum: Mother Nature & modern science unite to reduce the appearance of skin discoloration & wrinkles in this alpha hydroxy acid based serum. Contains both Glycolic and Lactic Acid along with tons of other effective ingredients.
• Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask: This mask is designed to clarify and resurface skin with soothing blue tansy, naturally resurfacing white willow bark, and gently exfoliating fruit enzymes. It leaves skin soft and renewed, and skin gains increased clarity and smoothness with continual use. Gently clarifies acne-prone skin and to soothes the appearance of redness.

Heal

Once we’ve reached the supple and alive layer of our skin, we can take advantage of its readiness to receive.

This is where formulations with healing properties can do miracles.

• Patyka Witch Hazel Water Toning Lotion: This alcohol-free lotion oxygenates, balances and clarifies skin on a daily basis. Skin is toned and purified and can breathe again.
• Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum: Utilizing the natural collagen-boosting qualities found in vitamin C, this award-winning serum helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Its wonder-working formula is backed by an antioxidant-rich blend of grapefruit, chamomile and clary sage.
• Consonant Skincare HydrExtreme: An oil-free, award-winning hydrator infused with active polysaccharide to lock in hydration. Consonant HydrExtreme will reveal your best skin, leaving it looking plump and hydrated, dewy, and youthful.
• Joanna Vargas Daily Serum: This refreshing serum effortlessly moisturizes with hyaluronic acid, leaving skin refreshed and naturally glowing. The Daily Serum acts fast to revitalize your skin’s appearance, improving skin tone, minimizing pores, raising moisture levels and giving you remarkably radiant skin.
• Antipodes Hosanna Skin-Plumping Serum: A water-charged serum that immediately plumps thirsty skin while helping to intensively improve your skin appearance over time.

Feed

Time and again we carry products that remind us of the fact that what you put on your skin gets absorbed. So let’s feed it! Creams and oils that are not only non-toxic, but rich in different substances that nourish depending on your individual skin’s needs are how to feed your skin.

• Herbivore Botanicals Orchid Oil: Lush, exotic floral oils give skin a bright new glow while gently preserving its youth and replenishing hydration. An exquisite blend of Orchid extract, precious Jasmine Sambac, and Japanese Camellia Flower Oil combine to defend against free radicals, increase elasticity, and feed the skin with beneficial vitamins and fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6 to protect against premature aging.
• Joanna Vargas Daily Hydrating Cream: This ultra moisturizing cream is packed with a nourishing blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to keep the skin hydrated, while protecting it from elements that speed up the signs of aging. This gentle cream also reverses fine lines and wrinkles, for an overall smooth and youthful appearance, while offering protection from the sun. The Daily Hydrating Cream has a light, refreshing scent of Coconut Milk and Lemongrass and is formulated for all skin types for daily use.
• Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream: Powered by the superior restorative qualities of 100% pure Avocado Oil, this facial night cream replenishes the skin with essential Fatty Acids and naturally high contents of Vitamins A & C.
• Fitglow Beauty Age Clear Lotion: Plant powdered Age Clear Complex improves skin turnover, clears pore buildup and smooths the texture of skin. The rare organic Tonka Bean extract inhibits bacteria on the skin to reduce blemish formation and nourishing skin with antioxidants. The luxurious light lotion gives a balanced amount of moisture to prevent glands from overworking and leading to excessive oiliness.

Enjoy

Now is the time to enjoy this beautifully prepared canvas and simply have fun. Have a look at the luscious foundations we carry and your inner artist can take it from there:

• Ilia Beauty True Skin Foundation:  Aloe leaf, rose hip, jojoba and marula oils soothe irritations tame redness, plump fine lines, and ensure the formula effortlessly melts into skin for a more even, luminous appearance. Blurs imperfections and minimizes pores for a complexion that looks refined and refreshed.
• Fitglow Beauty Vegan Good Lash + Mascara: The multitasking mascara/serum/conditioner enhances the look of lashes on a day-to-day basis plus provides potent vitamins and antioxidants to help lashes grow thicker, denser and fuller. Frail and brittle lashes are strengthened and protected by organic emulsion which prevents breakage and leaves lashes looking rich and full.
• 100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Cocoa Butter Matter Lipstick: 100% PURE's innovative all-natural formula ensures your lip color always looks vibrant, rich and full, never dry.
• Lily Lolo Pressed Bronzer: A lightweight natural mineral bronzer to instantly create a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow. Get soft, buildable colour for your desired level of tan. Easy to use, the pressed formula makes it great for on the go! The matte shades are also fantastic for contouring chiselled cheeks.