The A-Z of Wellbeing The 2017 Edition
Gone are the days in which a beauty and wellbeing alphabet would include abrasive chemical peels and the current fad diets. Times are changing, and we all need to be re-schooled in what beauty and wellbeing looks like today.
Let’s commence class, shall we?
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Active Ingredients
A key component of skincare products are it’s active ingredients, the elements essential in making the product ‘work’. The star players in your beauty product, active ingredients have been scientifically proven to actually change your skin and produce the benefits that are being touted. Our favourites? Alpha hydroxy acids, vitamins (particularly vitamin C), retinol and caffeine.
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Beauty Chef
The world’s very first living skincare range, Beauty Chef believes in ‘Beauty from the Belly’, creating ingestible and skincare products that use a natural fermentation process. Beauty products that make you glow from the inside, out.
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Certified Organic
When it comes to organic beauty, knowledge is power. Read your labels carefully because if you truly want to live a clean beauty lifestyle, you’ll have to get to grips with your certification terminology. Products must have a minimum of 70 percent organic ingredients to be able to claim on its label that it “Contains Organic ingredients” while to be able to use a certified seal - the standard is USDA Organic or NSF - a product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients.
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Detox
Whether it be a detox tea – our current favourite is a 100% certified organic herbal version from Dr. Jackson – or a digital detox, the wellbeing world’s most frequently used word still withholds its relevancy in 2017. The only question is - what kind of detox is next?
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Eat Me
Why put on your face what you wouldn’t put in your mouth? We love Edible Beauty Australia, which uses the highest quality pure, botanical and wild crafted ingredients that are literally good enough to eat. It’s range of beauty products are teeming with restorative and regenerating nutrients to help nourish your skin, body and mind.
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Fermentation
Changing the landscape of the skincare industry, fermentation involves yeast breaking down the molecular structure of the active ingredients into smaller particles. In turn, this creates nutrients, minerals and actives that are far more rapidly absorbed by the skin, while producing additional skin-loving amino acids and antioxidants. The result? Super-boosted skincare products that are more potent than their non-fermented counterparts, as well as more effective for sensitive and dry skin.
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Goals
More than just a hashtag, setting personal and achievable wellbeing goals is incredibly important to your journey. Remember, it’s all about the long game and slow and steady wins the race.
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Health is Wealth
Move over dollar, dollar bills - today health is the new currency of the world.
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Ice, Ice, Baby!
Besides the fact that this is amazingly fun to use, Vanessa Megan’s Cryo Facelift Ice Cube Treatment works a treat at combating puffiness, dehydration and creating a radiant glow that feels like you’ve had an extra night sleep. Simply freeze the treatment blocks in the freezer like ice cubes, and apply over your face. Our favourite new all-natural beauty treatment that deserves all the hype.
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Jackson
Dr Jackson, that is! The niche, science-led cosmetics company that creates luxury skincare products and herbal tea blends using nature’s best. The ecologically minded brand’s products are harvested from rural communities worldwide and his coconut products have become a cult favourite.
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Kakadu Plum Extract
The newest skincare superfood. As dermatologist Dr. Melissa Levin tells Lane Crawford, “The Kakadu plum is exposed to extremely high UV radiation due to the thin ozone layer in its native location in Australia. Kakadu plum has the highest source of vitamin C (100x more than an orange), making it one of the most robust antioxidants we currently have. It also contains vitamin E (antioxidant), vitamin A (anti-aging, collagen booster), and polyphenols (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial).” Vanessa Megan’s Two Phase Vitamin C Brightening System, which has a potent blend of the exact, is our new favourite daily source.
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Less is More
Because when it comes to beauty and wellbeing in 2017 – a little goes a long way. Plus, consuming less is a whole lot better for our environment. A double win.
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Making a Difference
In today’s world, more and more of the industry’s top beauty players are striving to not just make a product – but to make a difference in the world. From Chantecaille’s wildlife protection initiatives to Vanessa Megan’s 100% recyclable packaging, beauty with a conscience is bigger than ever.
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Natural
Natural and organic are terms that are often used interchangeably, but have vastly different meanings. Natural refers to ingredients that are sourced from nature such as from plants, animals and minerals, rather than created synthetically. This means, natural products don’t generally contain synthetic dyes, colours, parabens, sodium lauryl and laureth sulphate. What’s important to remember is that natural does not mean that it’s organic nor does it mean it’s cruelty-free or vegan.
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Own It!
This is the year of taking ownership – of what you put into your own body and what you put out into the world from emotional energy to physical wastage. Whether you’re finally going to take a stance on climate change or decide to make the leap to veganism, make sure you put 100 percent into everything you do and own it.
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Prebiotics and Probiotics
“Prebiotics and probiotics work to improve gut health and boost your immune system. They also support the body’s detoxification and elimination pathways. Probiotics directly neutralise certain chemicals and toxins so that they don’t have to be processed through the liver. This helps to ease the burden on the liver and the skin. A happy gut also means a healthy immune system, healthier skin, better absorption of nutrients, metabolism of hormones,” explains founder of The Beauty Chef, Carla Oates, who’s collection of internal and external skincare products all include prebiotics and probiotics.
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Quench
Quench your insides and your skin with some good old H2o. Essential to the body, great for the skin. Remember, you should be getting two litres a day. Sip up!
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Routine
Find a personalised routine that works for you. For the most tailored approach to your daily routine, we love CODAGE. Inherited from the method of traditional French pharmacies, the brand focuses on solving individual beauty issues through their expert knowledge of active ingredient properties. Meaning? Targeted solutions for suited just for your skin. Yes, please.
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Slip, Slop, Slap!
… on some sunscreen! This daily essential is the number one presentative measure for youthful skin. Dermatology specialist Dr. Joyce Tang says, “Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen which protects against both UVA and UVB, and make sure you apply enough - for your face, that means half a teaspoon of sunscreen.”
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This Works
An antidote to modern life and its impact on skin and wellbeing, This Works offers a collection of high quality products that deliver results without using unnecessary chemicals. The collection works with your natural Circadian Rhythm to support and maximise skin performance 24 hours a day.
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Under the Microscope
Now more than ever, beauty customers are putting exactly what goes in and on their body under the microscope. The shift towards demanding complete transparency is growing in leaps and bounds, hence a spike in all-natural skincare where ingredients lists are short, sweet and easy to digest.
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Vibes
Positive vibes, positive life. Always remember that you attract what you put out to the world.
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Within
True beauty comes from within, not only because true beauty is far from physical, but also because some of our favourite new beauty brands, including Beauty Chef, are all about improving your internal health first, which in turns equals glowing, healthy skin.
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X Marks the Beauty Spot
Because it’s okay to have that mole, freckle, birthmark or scar. It’s all about celebrating diversity and individuality.
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You
Who, you? Yes, you! Beauty and wellness starts within each of us.
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Zzzzz
Good old fashion sleep is your best friend when it comes to beauty and wellness. Good night.
