New Year, New You?
A new year is upon us and resolutions are in everyone's thoughts!
Although now's the perfect time for taking stock, whether of daily habits or cupboards full of clutter, we'd like to recommend taking a gentler approach to looking after your precious skin.
Turning over a new leaf this January might mean valuing what you've already got. You can simplify your skincare routine - and be more eco-friendly while you're at it - by using just a few natural multitasking products you may already have, rather than dozens of different synthetic-laden toiletries. It's a pretty simple win!
The four basics
So what does your skin actually need to stay soft, clean and healthy, especially at this time of year when cold, dry air is wreaking havoc on sensitive skin?
Well, as an absolute minimum, we’d suggest four natural skincare essentials: a balm, an oil, a cream and a wash.
These four products cover pretty much all the basics, and mean that you’re being kind to the Earth - and your wallet - as well as your skin.
Balmonds Skin Salvation
100% natural and made simply with oils, herbal tinctures, and beeswax, Skin Salvation is an essential skincare all-rounder - rightly hailed by thousands as their winter skin hero.
Whether you call them balms, salves or ointments, anhydrous (water-free) oil-based moisturisers have been used for thousands of years to look after skin. One of their great plus points is that they tend not to contain the preservatives that water-based creams have to include, but which can irritate sensitive skin.
Oil-based balms are also much less likely to sting on application, which is great if you need to look after any flaky or scratched patches, or if you have little ones who object to having creams put on! They're also much better at reducing trans-epidermal water loss than creams or lotions, and do a brilliant job of supporting a depleted or fragile skin barrier.
Balmonds Skin Salvation balm is a fantastically versatile beauty balm as well as a dry skin salve. Use it to:
- remove stubborn makeup, even mascara
- soften and smooth rough skin
- hydrate sore or sensitive areas (ie around the nose and under the eyes)
- smooth brows
- prime under foundation
- soften cuticles
- moisturise dry hands
- smooth flaky skin
- soften rough elbows or heels
- hydrate thirsty lips
Balmonds Hydrating Body Oil
Face and body oils can also be really useful at this time of year when the skin is in particular need of intensive barrier support. 100% natural and blended from skin-kind plant-based oils, Balmonds Hydrating Body Oil will protect and nourish as it moisturises.
Oils have the advantage of being able to cover large areas of skin very quickly, which makes them a good choice for locking in essential moisture after a bath or shower especially in the colder months.
Use Hydrating Body Oil as a:
- bath oil - just add a few drops to warm water
- ‘soak-and-seal’ emollient after bathing
- shaving oil
- facial cleanser
- makeup remover
- massage oil
Balmonds Daily Moisturiser
Skin on the face is especially delicate and sensitive, so choosing a cream that is as free as possible from all unnecessary additives means you’re decreasing your chance of reactions, dryness and breakouts. While all water-based formulations need a preservation system to restrict microbial growth, it’s worth checking ingredient lists for creams that only use one or two naturally-derived or nature-identical preservatives that are going to be less likely to disrupt the skin’s natural functions or cause irritation.
Creams are more easily absorbed than oils or ointments, and are a good choice if you're going to be applying them quickly and frequently throughout a busy day.
Use Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream as a:
- face cream
- body lotion
- hand cream
- cleansing lotion
- foot massage lotion
- makeup remover
Balmonds Body, Hand & Hair Wash
Finally, you need a cleanser to take off the grime and grease of the day! Despite being able to use oils or creams to remove makeup or as super gentler cleansers, sometimes only a foaming wash will do the job.
If you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin, it’s sensible to avoid soap or washes which use sulphates such as sodium lauryl sulphate (aka SLS) as their cleansing agents. As detergents which bind to oils, these powerful surfactants can strip the skin of its natural oils as well as grease and dirt, leaving it vulnerable to irritation and damage. Instead, find washes that use mild, plant-based non-ionic surfactants, and use them less often.
You can use Balmonds multipurpose Body, Hand & Hair Wash for hair, face, hands and body; it’s over 99% natural, and free from synthetic fragrances, making it a great choice for little ones with sensitive skin.
Use our natural SLS-free hair & body wash as:
- shampoo
- shower gel
- hand wash
- face wash
We’ve got your ‘New Year New You!’ journey covered: get our All-Natural Starter Set for just £45.07, saving £9.90 on full priced products! (Full price when bought separately £54.97). The set consists of one balm, one cream, one oil and one wash, covering all bases for the start of a new, more natural year.
