Skin Care Tips for Active Lifestyles
Swimming, running, netball, football, hiking - we’re covering skin care for athletes and anyone who gets active outdoors. Working up a sweat is great for your skin but you’ve got to take care of it the right way! Skin Care For Sports Exercise boosts blood circulation (hello rosy glow!) while sweating helps the body purge itself of toxins and bacteria. Both of these things can lead to clearer, healthier looking skin but only if you’re looking after it pre and post-exercise. Protect your skin from sun and wind Any outdoor sport exposes you to the weather and windy conditions or sunny days can impact your skin. SPF protection is a non-negotiable for your skin care for sports routine - the positive difference for your skin health when you use sunscreen vs no sunscreen can’t be said enough. Always apply sunscreen (broadspectrum SPF30+ or higher) before heading outside to exercise and if you’re a swimmer, use water-resistant sunscreen. We recommend: Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 Always cleanse immediately after exercise Working up a sweat stimulates lymphatic drainage which helps detoxify your body and skin by releasing toxins through your pores in the form of sweat. Sounds great for your skin, right? Well, only if you cleanse your face ASAP after sport. If sweat stays on your skin it mixes with the oils, bacteria and dead skin cells quickly clogging pores and leading to breakouts. Cleansing your skin immediately after exercise is a key element of healthy skin care for sports. Wear makeup? Removing it before exercise will help minimise the chance of breakouts too. We recommend: The Uncomplicated Cleanser or The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Anti-Redness Stay hydrated Sweat causes your body’s water hydration to dip when it evaporates from your skin. Not only does this impact your physical performance, it leaves your skin parched too which may lead to symptoms including congestion, redness, and inflammation. Sweat isn’t the only thing that can deplete moisture levels. If you’re playing sport outdoors on a windy day, this will pull water from your skin too - a double dehydration combo. Stay hydrated with water and natural electrolyte drinks (like coconut water) while exercising to replace lost fluid. You can also support skin moisture levels by adding a hydrating serum to your sports skincare routine. We recommend: Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum (all skin types) and Probiotic Skin Mylck Plus Hydration (Moisturising fluid for sensitive skin types) Skin Care for Outdoors Regularly spending time outdoors in nature or green spaces is so important for our wellbeing. When we spend time in natural sunlight, it triggers the production of Vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is crucial for overall health (both physical and mental) and it’s often called “the sunshine vitamin.” We shouldn’t ‘fear’ the sun, but we need to be careful about how we can enjoy the benefits of sunlight without compromising the skin. Overexposure to UV light accelerates the signs of premature ageing - it’s responsible for up to 90% of the visible signs of ageing. It causes free radical activity in the cells leading to lines, sagging, and hyperpigmentation. Worse, it increases the risk of skin cancer. Skin can also become dehydrated with too much sun exposure. Signs of dehydration include dullness, tight or itchy skin, and more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles. Find a happy balance by spending time outdoors when UV is usually lower - early morning or late afternoon - and wear sun protection. SPF 30+, hat, and protective clothing if you are spending long days outdoors. We recommend: Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 Need guidance on putting together your best outdoor or sports skincare routine? Book your free skin consultation with one of our skincare experts! We’re here to help.
Our Guide to Glowing Skin
Want to know how to get glowing skin? It’s all about taking a holistic approach to skin care. What you eat, drink, the skincare products you use and lifestyle factors all contribute to a glowing skin routine. Everyday routine for glowing Skin Your daily routine for glowing skin starts with what you put in your mouth! Loading your plate with skin friendly foods and drinking hydrating liquids is vital for glowing skin. Regular exercise plays a big role in skin health too. It improves blood circulation and gets more oxygen to the skin which helps give it a healthy glow. Then, of course, there’s skincare! Below we’ve detailed a daily 4 step skincare routine to get glowing skin. Plus, how you can treat yourself to a weekly indulgence and turn up the glow. Step 1: Cleanse Cleansing is the basis for every glowing skin routine. It refreshes your skin removing excess oil, makeup, dead skin cells, SPF, pollution particles, and other debris. Without cleansing your skin, this debris builds up on the surface of your skin and can lead to blocked pores resulting in congestion and acne. You may also find skin develops a rougher texture and becomes dull if you’re not cleansing properly. The effect of pollution is also problematic for skin. Toxic nanoparticles of smog and other air pollution can settle onto your face during the day. Without washing them away in the evening, these particles can trigger free radical activity that accelerates the signs of ageing. A clean canvas also allows other skincare products and their ingredients to better penetrate your skin. You maximise their benefits! How often should you cleanse? Cleansing should be part of both your morning and evening routine. We recommend a double cleanse in the evening to remove all traces of build up for deeply cleansed pores. Consider using a textured microfibre face cleansing mitt with your cleanser. Microfibre helps eliminate 80% more dirt, makeup and product residue than a regular face washer! What ingredients to look for in a cleanser No matter your skin type or concerns, a gentle cleanser is the way to go. Gentle formulations cleanse your skin and leave it balanced and supple not strip of the oils and moisture it needs. A few gentle yet effective ingredients for cleansing formulations include; Aloe vera: Containing mostly (95%) water, aloe vera is hydrating and calming for skin. It also has excellent cleansing and very gentle exfoliant properties. Green tea extract: Brimming with antioxidant activity, Green tea is also an anti-inflammatory with the ability to soothe and calm redness. Stearic acid: Helps cleanse debris from the skin while its emollient properties protect skin's surface against water loss. Capric triglyceride: Helps to reduce skin dryness by minimising moisture loss by creating a barrier on the skin's surface. We recommend The Uncomplicated Cleanser (All skin types) Infused with aloe vera to calm and heal and the protective, antioxidant properties of camellia leaf (green tea) extract the cleanser balances skin and won’t leave it dry or tight, just clean, calm, and supple. Perfect for all skin types and concerns, The Uncomplicated Cleanser works gently but deeply to lift away dirt and foundation without stripping away the oils and good bacteria essential for healthy, balanced skin. Step 2: Hydrate Wondering how to get glowing skin? Hydration, hydration, hydration. H2O helps your skin by improving elasticity, regulating oil production, flushing toxins, and increasing skin radiance. Dehydration occurs when the skin barrier, the protective uppermost layer of the skin known as the stratum corneum, lacks moisture. Signs your skin is dehydrated can include tightness, dryness, sensitivity, dullness, and congestion. Several factors can contribute to depleting the water content in your skin. Changes in the weather, using the wrong skincare, lifestyle choice (excessive alcohol consumption/smoking for example), diet, and other environmental factors. To combat dehydration for all skin types, the skin cell’s water content needs to be replenished. Serums vs Moisturisers There is a difference between ‘hydrating’ and ‘moisturising’ ingredients - both share the same goal (to improve the skin’s water content) but go about it differently. Hydrating ingredients (known as humectants) attract water to the deeper layers of skin and rehydrate cells from the inside out. Moisturising ingredients (emollients and occlusives) work to lock the hydration into the skin. This means a two step approach is needed in your glowing skin routine to achieve the best results. 1) Serum: Get water to thirsty skin cells to rehydrate and replenish. Serums are water-based formulations and have a smaller molecular structure than moisturisers. This allows them to provide an intense hit of hydration - carrying hydrating ingredients deep within the skin. 2) Moisturiser: Seal the water in to prevent it from escaping off the skin. Moisturisers don’t penetrate the skin as deeply, instead, they sit on top of the skin to trap moisture in. What ingredients to look for in a hydrating serum Hyaluronic acid: One of the best ingredients to look for in a hydrating serum is hyaluronic acid. It draws water to the cells and can hold up to 1000x its weight in water. Allantoin: An extract from the comfrey plant, allantoin’s properties can increase the water contents of cells. It has the added benefit of acting as an emollient to keep skin moisturised. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Effective at restoring the skin barrier to guard against moisture loss and dehydration. How often should you use a hydrating serum? You can use a hydrating serum in both your morning and evening routine. Apply it as the next step after cleansing and before your moisturiser. Gently pat the serum into the skin with your fingers. We recommend: Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum (all skin types) The esmi Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum is like a big drink of water for your cells containing triple action Hyaluron which increases hydration by 25% within 2 hours. The hydrating serum contains niacinamide (Vitamin B3) for skin repair, restoration and to regulate oil flow which in turn aids in breakout prevention. It also contains allantoin to promote cell longevity. Hydration and your diet How to get glowing skin naturally? Keeping your skin hydrated isn’t only about using the right skincare products. Including water-rich foods in your diet and drinking hydrating fluids is crucial to get glowing skin. Foods with high water content include cucumber, tomatoes, watermelon, spinach, oranges, and mushrooms. Sip on plain water, coconut water, and water flavoured with real fruit pieces to keep hydration levels up. Read: Best foods to eat to improve your skin Step 3: Moisturise As we mentioned above, the moisturising step helps lock moisture into the skin. It also delivers antioxidant support and strengthens the skin barrier. When we talk about how to get glowing skin and the role moisturiser plays, don’t think creams are your only option! Oil based moisturisers are an excellent choice for many skin types and concerns. How an energising serum works Or, you could opt for an energising serum - a hybrid combination of a serum and an oil. The serum component of the formulation delivers active ingredients deep into the skin while the oil offers moisturising benefits. Best of both worlds! How often should you use an energising serum? You can use an energising serum in both your morning and evening routine. Apply it as the next step after your hydrating serum and before SPF. Gently pat the serum into the skin with your fingers. We recommend: Sunrise Skin Energising Acai Duo (all skin types) Help brighten, tone and moisturise tired skin with the intensity of a water-based serum and moisturising benefits of an oil. The serum component contains Kakadu Plum extract - nature’s highest level of vitamin C - to help brighten skin and aid in collagen production for a firmer, smoother tone while niacinamide aids in repair and breakout prevention. The oil component contains Acai oil which offers moisture increasing benefits and helps address ageing concerns. Step 4: Sun protection Our guide on how to get glowing skin wouldn’t be complete without including daily SPF protection. When it comes to signs of premature ageing, the sun is your skin’s number 1 enemy and SPF is your skin-saving staple. Both UV and UVB rays damage the skin but go about it in different ways. UVB are shorter rays that affect the surface of the skin; causing the visible redness and pain that comes with sunburn. They can also result in skin cancer, including melanoma. UVA rays, on the other hand, are longer and reach deep into the layers of skin. Causing damage to collagen and elastin, UVA rays are responsible for accelerating the signs of ageing - wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. They can also trigger hyperpigmentation. What to look for in a sunscreen The key is to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen which protects from both UVA and UVB rays. If a sunscreen isn’t broad spectrum, it only protects your skin from UVB rays. The SPF (sun protection factor) rating is also important. An SPF rating of 15+ or higher is recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation for daily use and 30+ if you’re spending the day outdoors. Choosing a sunscreen that works with makeup Your best bet when looking for sunscreen to wear under makeup? Go for a formulation that is lightweight and non-comedogenic - meaning it won’t clog pores. Some SPF creams can be heavy, greasy, and packed with mineral oil. This increases the risk of congestion and can cause makeup to ‘slide’ off your skin. Don’t rule out oil in your sunscreen entirely though, some oils are very beneficial. For example, we use carrot root oil in our Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF30 to help tone and tighten skin. We also suggest making mineral makeup your friend. It allows the skin to breathe and contains natural SPF too. You get the bonus of added sun protection as you layer your cosmetics and skincare. We recommend: Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 (all skin types) Comfortable, non-greasy broad-spectrum SPF 30 coverage for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. Skin Shield Natural Face Sunscreen is easy-to-apply and enriched with antioxidant protection of carrot root oil, hyaluronic acid, and green tea to help support hydrated, smoother skin. Weekly skin treatments to refresh & revitalise How to get glowing skin and indulge in a little self care at the same time? By refreshing and revitalising your skin with weekly treatments. Exfoliation and face mask treatments A face mask is ideal to help target specific skin concerns including congestion, dullness, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and ageing concerns. Whether you choose a face mask treatment to leave on overnight or a quick 10 minute treatment, your skin can benefit. All skin types can benefit from different types of exfoliation too. We recommend introducing weekly mask and exfoliation treatments into your routine one at a time. Targeted treatments usually contain a stronger dose of active ingredients which your skin may need time to adjust to. Basically, you don’t want to overwhelm the skin, especially using products with exfoliation properties. We recommend: Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster Mask The mild exfoliation action of kaolin clay is kind to sensitive and breakout-prone skin, it helps to soothe and aid in balancing oil production while deeply cleansing to remove impurities. Bentonite clay helps lift away dead skin cells and assists with pore purification for a touchably soft, glowing complexion. We recommend: Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum An exfoliating charcoal serum with gentle chemical exfoliation properties to help detox and purify congested skin to promote a clearer, smoother complexion. Ideal for most skin types tackling blackheads, acne, and underlying skin congestion to help draw out impurities and unclog pores for smoother looking skin. Turn your treatments into self care Why not turn your weekly skincare treatments into a self-care practice? Instead of rushing through the motions, slow down and pay attention to each step. Enjoy the texture and fragrance of the products and the way they feel on your skin. Listening to relaxing music or burning an aromatic candle while you go through your skincare routine will also boost the indulgence factor!
Probiotics in Skincare: What You Need To Know
Probiotics for the skin? We're breaking down all the information you need to know about probiotics and how they benefit your skin. Probiotics as we know it: The potential beneficial effects of taking probiotics such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium orally has been extensively studied for intestinal health. Benefits include prevention of pathogenic (bad bacteria), strengthening the gut barrier, repair and modulation of your immunity. Since their potential for maintaining gut health has been so effective, various strains of probiotic(bacteria) have been tested on other areas of the body such as the mouth, reproductive system and of course, skin… About your skin and how it operates: Our skin forms the barrier between the outside world and your internal body. Without it, life would be impossible. Our epidermis prevents water loss and protects our insides from external pathogens (bad bacteria) and potential infections. An extreme case of the barrier being compromised would be severe burns or wounding. Less extreme breaches of the skin barrier can easily occur in everyday life. Scratches, acne where the skin is compromised/open and a high level of pathogens (bad bacteria) are present, wounds, slow healing ability (diabetes and other immune disorders), eczema and dermatitis where the oil glands have not fully matured. This skin is often compromised and broken leaving the cells exposed. If it’s been proven that in gut (health) probiotics can help with effective healing, barrier repair and immunity modulation, could we find a probiotic to live and benefit the skin conditions specifically? After extensive testing on keratinocyte monolayer scratches (one cell thick scratches) it was found that only a couple of lysate materials were effective in the healing and repair of the scratch. This good-bacteria can help kill pathogens (bad bacteria) or places good bacteria in an environment that is compromised (such as eczema and dermatitis) and open to bad bacteria to infect the skin. What is a lysate? A lysate is a concentrated dose of probiotic function A more stable way to include probiotic function in formulations Lysates probiotic bacteria possess a wide range of properties: it can be immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant and stabilizing Can stimulate proliferation (rapid skin cell healing) accelerating wound healing To put it simply: Your skin is like an ecosystem. Different parts of your body have good and bad bacteria living there. The same way the rainforest, great barrier reef etc need specific conditions to thrive your skin is the same. It needs good bacteria to thrive and too much bad bacteria can lead to skin issues. esmi is your first skincare brand to use a 100% Australian made probiotic. The esmi Probiotic Skin Mylck features your specially selected and researched Australian Made probiotic Lysate ideal for skin application, helping create an ideal environment for your skin to thrive if compromised by outside elements and bad-bacteria. It can be great for extremely sensitive, compromised skin. We suggest you also use our Probiotic Skin Mylck with our Uncomplicated Cleanser original for best results. Have questions about choosing the best probiotic skincare for you? Have a chat with our team of skincare experts. Book your free skin consultation today! Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4633615/ *esmi Skin Minerals are the first skincare company using a 100% Australian made Lacticaseibacillus.rhamnosus Lysate produced in Australia’s first and only cGMP/TGA certified facility for probiotic API manufacturing.
Real Results: Erica's Story
“I have never felt so confident in my own skin, I am beautiful.” We’re really excited to introduce Erica and share the amazing results she’s achieved treating acute adult acne with esmi Skin Minerals. Erica struggled with acne throughout her teenage years but dealing with adult acne, she says, was even more challenging. “Having adult acne was worse for me.” “I’m a working mum, I’m busy and rushing around. Always feeling so self-conscious about leaving the house with no makeup was consuming. I would just feel awful about myself.” After a bad reaction to prescription medication and loss at what to do next, overwhelmed Erica reached out to our skincare team to seek help for her acne. “I was honestly lost, I had tried so many brands and treatments, I just didn’t know what to do. After reaching out to the skincare team on Facebook they jumped on board to help me with a skincare routine.” “The response was so fast, lovely, and compassionate because it was obviously something I was really self-conscious about.” After helping Erica choose the right products to begin treating her skin, our consultants continued to guide her on slowly introducing new products over the next 12 months. This steady approach helped strengthen and improve Erica’s skin without overwhelming it. “Over the last 12 months, they’ve been there the whole way through.” “They’ve helped with slight changes along the way and have always been there to answer all my questions.” Erica’s before and after photos say it all. Her results are incredible! “My breakouts have significantly reduced - pretty much gone. If I do have breakouts I have the tools to fight them so I no longer get the awfully painful acne.” “The esmi team has helped me work on the acne scarring I have which has also improved so much.” Erica’s advice if you’re considering esmi Skin Minerals and a consultation with our skin consultants? “100% go for it.” “I have never felt so confident in my own skin. I am beautiful.” We’re SO happy to see your results Erica! Thank you for sharing your skin journey with esmi Skin Minerals. Meet more beautiful people who have achieved amazing results with esmi Skin Minerals on our Real Results page. If you’d like to book a free skin consultation with our skin specialists, speak to us on chat or send an email to skin@makeupcartel.com.au
Q + A with Erin Barnett
“Always clean your skin before bed. No matter how tired or busy you are.” Former Love Island and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! contestant Erin Barnett is known and loved for her honest, no-nonsense personality. Erin’s most powerful social message? She wants women who deal with endometriosis and PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) to know they’re not alone. Erin shares her personal experience and challenges with endometriosis, including her surgery journey, to her half a million Instagram followers. She’s on a mission to raise awareness of this common, yet complex and often debilitating, condition. Gorgeous Erin is also a fan of esmi Skin Minerals (yay!) and we’re excited to share our Q+A with her today! What was your biggest skin challenge prior to using esmi? Dry & oily skin. Can never seem to find a happy medium between them both. How did that challenge make you feel? Exhausted from trialling 100s of different products. What made you want to try esmi for the first time? The ingredients in Esmi products seemed too good to be true. Had to try it out myself. What are some ways that you practice self-care in such a busy, demanding world? ALWAYS clean your skin before bed. No matter how tired or busy you are. Everyone has 5 minutes before bed to cleanse their face. What do you believe will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you? Hmmm, maybe body confidence insecurities driven by social media. Meet the esmi Intensive Eye Serum Erin calls her “FOREVER skin care product” Brightening Eye Serum helps revive and illuminate tired eyes with a unique blend of plankton extract, active ingredients, and peptides. This intensive eye serum acts on common signs of tiredness and ageing in the delicate skin area: dark circles, eye bags, and wrinkles to promote a brighter, tighter and more youthful eye area. Brightening Eye Serum is cruelty-free and vegan too! Are you dealing with dry and oily skin like Erin? Try esmi Acai Balancing Face Oil! A lightweight face oil brimming with superfood ingredients to increase elasticity and hydration, reduce redness and regulate oil. Ideal for all skin types, especially oily skin with balance concerns, this nourishing oil can replace moisturiser to improve tone, calm and hydrate while regulating oil flow.
