The New Dynamic Duo | Natural Skincare + Self Care

When we think of the perfect selfcare routine, we think of a nice warm bath, a cup of herbal tea, and beautiful skincare products. Is there anything more relaxing than that?

When choosing skincare products to use, we always look for brands producing interesting, natural, and conscious products. If you’re thinking of switching up your skincare routine or incorporating some new products into the mix, here are some important factors for you to consider.

What constitutes natural skincare?

Natural skincare and organic skincare can often get muddled up and used in the same light, but there are some significant differences you should be aware of when choosing the right skincare for you.

Natural skincare is a product that solely utilizes ingredients derived from natural sources, such as plants and seeds. Organic simply means the ingredients are organically farmed, without the use of pesticides, or in animal products, without the use of hormones and antibiotics. So natural doesn’t necessarily mean organic but organic always means natural.

Why Choose natural skincare?

The reason we believe it is so important to choose natural over synthetic is because your body is like a big sponge. What you use on your skin is absorbed directly into the body, so you probably don’t want to be absorbing nasty chemicals or toxins. Besides not covering yourself in synthetic chemicals, there are a variety of benefits when you choose natural skincare brands.

1. Better for your skin and health

You might have heard the word paraben thrown around recently. This is a chemical used in a lot of beauty products, that prolongs shelf life. However, research has shown a variety of negative effects parabens can have on humans and the environment. Choosing natural paraben-free skincare ensures you’re not absorbing potentially harmful ingredients.

Furthermore, natural ingredients contain an extensive list of health benefits. For example; Avocado oil is rich in Vitamin E and potassium which helps nourish and moisturize the skin. It also contains oleic acid which promotes collagen production and helps grow new skin.

2. Better for the environment

The process required to make synthetic skincare products often allows harmful chemicals and toxins to be released into the air and water. This process is not only harmful to us humans, but to the ecosystem. Natural skincare only uses ingredients found in nature, meaning leftovers from production are safe for the environment.

3. Safer for the workers and animals

If your skincare product contains synthetic chemicals and ingredients, someone down the line has been exposed to these elements whilst making the product. Additionally, due to the potential and unknown harmful reaction synthetic ingredients may cause humans, many of these products will be tested on animals first. So, if you are looking for a conscious skincare routine, this is definitely something to consider.

4. It could be cheaper in the long run

When you’re comparing drug store products to natural and organic skincare products, there’s bound to be a significant price difference. But think about this, how much money have you spent trying to find the right product for you? Ending up with multiple bottles and tubes, and possibly still suffering from the same skin concerns that you had before.

Taking the time to research and find a natural skincare that works for you, should improve your skin dramatically and simplify your routine, and in the end, save you money!

ARDDUN STORES and Natural Skincare

At ARDDUN STORES we take natural and honest skincare very seriously. Only presenting you with the best natural skincare brands. Some of these include;

Maryse

Maryse O’Donnell started off as a beauty therapist and saw a gap in the market for high-quality, organic, honest skincare. She decided to embark on her own skincare journey and create Maryse.

Not only does Maryse look beautiful, but consists of only the highest quality natural and organic ingredients. They have been carefully selected from New Zealand natives, delivering pure and effective botanical skincare.

Our favourite: Bio Nutrient Face Oil

This light and quickly absorbed face oil leaves your skin looking bright and feeling refreshed and invigorated. Suitable for all skin types and can be used all times of the year. Oh, and did we mention it smells like a tropical fruit basket.

Austin Austin

Austin Austin was founded by Norfolk father and daughter duo, Bessie and Richard Austin. Richard has been working with organics for 50 years and his daughter subsequently grew up eating organic food and using natural products. With Richard’s expertise and Bessie’s design and advertising background, they decided to create Austin Austin.

We love this brand as no detail has been overlooked. All their ingredients are certified organic, vegan and produced locally. Packaging is made from 100% recycled materials and can be recycled after use. Even their product boxes are made from FSC accredited sustainably managed forests.

Our favourite: Neroli & Petitgrain Body Soap

This beautifully scented body soap has notes of grapefruit, cardamom and cedarwood. It’s 100% organic and free of any nasties. With a thick lather this body soap will transport you to your ‘happy place’, ridding you of all the stresses and worries of the day.

Bondi Wash

Bondi Wash, as you might have gathered, is an Australian brand launched by mother of three Belinda Everingham. She was originally inspired by the novel ‘Perfume’ and wondered whether she could create beautiful fragrances and products from Australian native botanicals.

All of Bondi Wash fragrances are plant-derived and contain naturally active Australian ingredients. Their products are 99-100% plant based, utilising a small amount of food grade preservatives to ensure a longer shelf life. These beauties are non-toxic, bio-degradable and contain ingredients sourced from the best Australian suppliers.

Our favourite: HAND LOTION TASMANIAN PEPPER & LAVENDER

Enriched with Australian super-plant Lilly Pilly, this formulation is 100% botanically-derived and will nourish, smooth and moisturise your hands. Lilly Pilly extract has high levels of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants to improve firmness and elasticity of the skin. Lightly fragranced with our pure essential oil blend of Tasmanian Pepper & Lavender and Native Citrus.

Adding Natural Into Your Daily Skincare Routine

Now that you know a bit more about skincare, you can begin discovering the perfect natural skincare routine for you. Bare in mind this does not mean you should throw out all your old products!! That would be a waste of money. Instead, start to replace your products only when they run out.

Whilst we can’t always trust labelling, we can trust the ingredient list. Start reading the ingredient list, and if it’s all natural you should be able to understand most of what’s on it.

Lastly, go into store! Whilst this may be difficult at the moment with continuing lock down restrictions looming, there’s nothing better than going into a store and getting a shop assistant’s help and expertise. You should be able to test the products, see the full ingredient list, and ask the staff for their honest opinion.

Allowing that little bit of time in your day for a self-care routine is incredibly important, so allow yourself to indulge in some quality “me time” and some quality natural skincare products.