Autumn is here with its beautiful weather change. In my part of Australia it is one of my favourite time. The maximum temperatures are dropping and the morning light is soft. On the property it spells time to plant the calendula and I love it. A lot of time is spent outside with the plants and the ground.
Although the sun is much softer on the skin the humidity level does drop. The skin needs to adjust to this change and care it needs.
Here are my top six recommendations to make sure your skin is protected and nurtured during that time of the year.
Number 1. Keep your skin hydration up. When the temperatures drop we can easily drink less and this will show on our skin. Stay well hydrated with at least one liter of good quality water. This does not include tea or coffee (sorry) yet it does include herbal tea. My all time favourite is nettle tea. My herbalist teacher, Danièle Laberge, would say: “If you have one cup of herbal tea each for the rest of your life, let it be nettle”. Wise word which everyone (yes everyone) would benefit to apply. Most herbs should be taken on a short term basis so the body does not get used to its effects. This is not true for nettle as it is a nurturing herb which increases the absorption of the minerals. It has many more beneficial qualities but we shall leave it at that for now as I am transgressing. Back to skin care.
Number 2. Be sure to include good quality oil in your diet. I favor the polyunsaturated certified vegetable oil such as olive, sunflower, walnut to name a few. If you prefer other oils (as long as they are extra virgin, certified) all good. Some people would disagree with this saying that saturated fat are the only good ones. There are debate around this question. I would say to this aspect: choose your fat and have some in your diet. I you choose, like me to have vegetable oil it must good quality ones: extra virgin, first cold pressed, certified. Do not use the mixed vegetable oil found in plastic bottles on the shelves of supermarket. Those oils I would not consume. I rest my case. Onward we go onto #3.
Number 3. Nurture your skin daily. Choose a natural skincare which has the consistency that appeals to you and make it a daily rendez-vous. Your self care ritual. It can be in the morning or at night. It might be at both of these times if your skin needs it. The use of A natural skincare (even if maybe too light in texture) will do better work than not using any skincare at all. Your skin is an organ and it needs food. The nurturing comes from inside as suggested in the two points above and also from outside.
Number 4. Morning ritual. After a water-cleanse, pat dry lightly and apply either a facial oil (see our certified calendula oil) and or a light moisturiser (we offer quite a few options). It will protect your skin from the elements during the day. If the humidity level is low, this will keep your skin hydrated.
Number 5. Night ritual. After a water-cleanse, pat dry lightly and apply a richer moisturiser (the Rich Facial is the best selling product among our range, yet if you want really, really rich the Rose Geranium and Honey is extra rich) compare to the daytime one. During the night, your skin will absorb the nurturing component of your natural skincare. In the morning will skin will be soft and supple.
Number 6. Layering. This simple practice brings amazing results. I have shared it with many clients who have all commented back to me how wonderful it is for their skin. It is so simple. After a water-cleanse, pat dry lightly (I feel I am repeating myself here) then apply a facial oil. Let it absorbs for a few minutes. Follow it with the application of your favourite moisturiser be it light, rich or extra rich. Let the products do their work and feel how beautiful your skin is a few hours later. I suggest to apply this practice particularly at night. If your skin needs extra nourishing depending on your age, the climatic conditions where you live and where you spend most of your day being inside or outside you can do this every night for a few days in a row. It might more appropriate for you to do it every second day or a few times per week. Take time to observe how your skin feels and adapt the frequency based on your needs.
One last word: do not wait until your skin is dry and dull. Nurture, care and repair it on a day to day basis so it keeps its soft and supple texture for years to come.
Voilà! Six tips which are set to make a difference for you this winter.
May these months be rich, generous and fruitful for you and your family.