Face oils are bad for oily skin, right? Myth Busted!

Myth Busted!

If you have oily skin, using a facial oil will only make it greasier and shinier, right? WRONG! It’s a myth. Facial oils are excellent for all skin types including oily skin; it’s all about the RIGHT oils that are light, non-comedogenic & suit your skin type.

A great ingredient for oily skin is Jojoba Oil (which is technically a wax). This oil is very lightweight and can help balance your own oil production without leaving a greasy residue. Jojoba oil is nutrient rich & closely resembles the sebum of the skin, making it ideal for oily skin. As an extra bonus, Jojoba oil works to provide long lasting moisture & hydration & reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles.

Want to give it a go? We recommend our Nurture Face Oil for all skin types, especially oily & blemish prone.

Traditional Skincare Ingredients... doing more harm than good?

Have you ever reviewed the ingredients in your beauty products and wondered what they are and how it can affect our health? Traditional skincare products like those found on supermarket shelves, can contain chemical ingredients that slowly build up in our system and on our skin creating dehydrated and sensitive skin.

Some of these ingredients have been known to cause skin irritation, a change in hormone levels, and even increase the risk of cancer. Look out for and avoid these common chemicals in traditional skincare; SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), Parabens & Mineral Oil – just to name a few.

Shampoo Bars Vs Bottled Shampoo

Have you ever wondered why people are rushing to purchase shampoo bars over traditional shampoo bottles, just like us? Here are just a few examples of why shampoo bars are the way of the future.

• The environment... obviously! By eliminating the need for bulky plastic packaging, you are doing your bit to reduce single use plastics & waste. Our shampoo bars are packaged in FSC sustainably sourced cardboard boxes which are recyclable AND biodegradable. Plus, you can order your shampoo bars 'naked' without packaging.

• Shampoo bars can have multiple uses – not only can they be used for hair, but they are also gentle enough to use on your skin, or to wash clothes when you are traveling or even give your pet a quick bath (if you don’t mind sharing with your fury friend!).

• Shampoo bars don’t contain any of the nasties that are associated with traditional shampoos, including silicons, parabens, preservatives, artificial fragrance and so much more. In contrast, most of the ingredients in our soaps are actually edible (before we turned them into soap).

• The Shampoo bars are not only healthier for your hair and scalp but they really work! Say 'Hello' to soft, smooth & healthy hair that stays clean for longer.

• Shampoo bars look good & save space! There is nothing like ruining your bathroom aesthetics with a big bulky, bright green plastic bottle of shampoo. Shampoo bars are easy to store, look great in any space, and won’t create an eyesore in your bathroom. They are also super convenient for travel & won't leak in your luggage.

Menopause And Skincare; How To Come Out The Other Side Glowing

The older we get, the more wisdom and confidence we have, but that wisdom and confidence can arrive with a few challenges on the outside and that dreaded “change” called Menopause on the inside.

It’s not all bad, though! If you look after your skin and take care of yourself during this change, you might just come out the other side glowing and with no PMS…. bonus!

As hormone levels drop during this time, the skin can become dry. Your body also stops making as much collagen, which in turn can see your once plump and firm skin lose its elasticity and bounce.

To ensure you continue to glow, both inside and out, here are 5 tips to help your skin through the change that is Menopause.

1. Hydrate – both inside and out! We all know the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated (aiding digestion, protecting organs and tissue, helps to normalise blood pressure, etc); however, keeping the skin hydrated is also important during this time. Try using a daily facial oil that contains nutrient-rich natural ingredients to rejuvenate tone and refine the skin.

2. Massage – End the day with a soothing facial massage. Use a few drops of your favourite facial oil on damp skin. The massage motion can stimulate your skin's collagen production. Our Rewind Facial Oil is perfect for this. With a combination of oils formulated to fight those pesky visible signs of ageing and to help provide long-lasting moisture and hydration, it’s the perfect ritual to end the day.

3. Sunscreen – Don’t forget to lather up! As we age, our body produces less natural sun protection; you need to ensure you are still using a high SPF sunscreen in your daily skincare routine. Don’t forget to apply it multiple times a day if you find yourself outside for long periods of time.

4. Exercise – Just a 30-minute walk is all it takes. It’s good to stay active during this time. A 30-minute walk in the fresh air is enough to increase endorphins and get the blood pumping. You will feel awake and ready to conquer the world!

5. Supplements – Try taking a collagen supplement to aid with collagen production & elasticity.

The Benefits Of Goats Milk

There are so many benefits to using goats milk in everyday life! We’ve put together just some of the fabulous ways goats milk can boost your skincare regime and protect your skin.

• Goats milk can soothe irritated and inflamed as well as dry and damaged skin – be gone, flaky skin!

• Goats milk is full of nutrients your body needs to stay youthful and healthy, including vitamin C & E, as well as B1, B6 and B12.

• The natural emollients and triglycerides in goats milk soap can help to maintain your skin’s vibrancy and elasticity.

• Goats milk contains lactic acid, which is a natural and gentle exfoliant. This helps to keep pores clear of dirt and can help to prevent acne.

Finding The Right Skincare For Your Skin Type

Now that you’ve identified your true skin type from our previous post, let’s take a look at the right natural ingredients in skincare for you.

Oily: Try products that contain Jojoba oil as it is nutrient-rich & closely resembles the sebum of the skin, making it ideal for oily skin. Check out our Nurture Face Oil.

Combination: As a skin conditioner, Calendula Extract stimulates collagen production and reduces dry skin occurrence. Look out for Calendula extract in the ingredients. Relax in our Yellow Clay and Calendula Clay Mask.

Normal: Try a mask with French Pink Clay, as this is renowned for cleansing the skin of impurities, improving skin tone, enhancing skin elasticity & skin regeneration. Try our Pink Clay & Oatmeal Clay Mask.

Dry: Look for products with Carrot Seed essential oil as this promotes a clear, bright & evenly toned complexion while assisting with skin conditions such as acne, eczema & dermatitis, & it is an excellent ingredient for embracing your best skin at every age. You can’t go past our Rewind Face Oil.

Sensitive: Be on the lookout for products that contain Grape Seed Oil in the ingredients. Grape Seed Oil is excellent for sensitive & acne-prone skin. Use our Mud & Honey facial bar to soothe your skin & help clear blemishes.

Determining Your Skin Type

Identifying and understanding your own skin type is essential for caring for your skin in a way that is customised to your own needs. Using the wrong products can make oily skin more prone to breakouts or sensitive skin, itchy, red, and dry. We’ve put together a quiz below to make it easy for you to determine your skin type.

Does your entire face feel oily and look shiny?
Skin Type: Oily

Is your T-zone shiny, but the rest of your face has a matte look?
Skin Type: Combination 

Do you have minimal to no spots of shine, redness, or flakiness?
Skin Type: Normal

Does your skin feel tight and look flaky?
Skin Type: Dry

Is your skin red, itchy, or inflamed?
Skin Type: Sensitive

Next time, we will look at the right natural ingredient you should be on the lookout for.

A Country Connection Equals Happiness

In 2012, my lifelong dream of living in the country became a reality. My husband and I relocated from the Gold Coast where I was born and bred, to Cohuna; a picturesque dairy town located in North Central Victoria. Many of the locals were dumbfounded as to why we would leave the Gold Coast for rural Victoria, however my grandparents had been dairy farmers and first settlers nearby, so the region held fond memories for me. Memories of horse riding along irrigation channels, creamy milk scooped straight from the vat and the earthy scent of my grandparents in the dairy. 

Seven years have passed and each year I fall more in love with our rural lifestyle and the beautiful community that has embraced us. On a recent drive along the long, straight roads of northern Victoria I contemplated what it was that made me feel so fulfilled with our country lifestyle and I believe it has a lot to do with feelings of ‘connectedness’. 

Firstly, I feel connected to my heritage. While my mum made the move north to the Gold Coast when she was a young adult, my great grandparents were pioneers in northern Victoria and so farming is deeply ingrained in my family history within this region. Sadly, my grandparents had passed by the time we had relocated to Victoria, but I know that they would have been so proud that both my sister and I have chosen lives on the farm in Victoria. 

As my husband and I carved out our own path in Cohuna, we ventured in to dairy goats. While our farm is just a fraction of the size of our neighbours', there is a really wholesome sense of connectedness to the land and our beautiful country that comes with being a part of the basic necessity of food production. When your daily life and income is directly impacted by the seasons, the weather, the soil, the bugs, the grass… the earth becomes more of a part of you and it truly feels like ‘putting down roots’. The vast landscape and ruggedness takes on a different meaning when you view it not only as beautiful scenery but also as an essential cycle of life and food.

Perhaps surprisingly, as Shayne and I were not very social on the Gold Coast, we have thrived in the real sense of connectedness to our community in Cohuna. The community spirit in small country towns is kind of like a hidden fairy door… you don’t know it’s there or what it feels like until you open the door and enter. Since living in Cohuna we have found that it is full of down to earth, genuine people and we are so proud to call many of them true friends. There are different friendship groups, all who offer so much and whom we treasure dearly. There are the friends that I love horseriding in the bush with as we enjoy vibrant catch-ups while meandering through the forest. There are friends whom are fellow entrepreneurs and 'lady startups' who are always quick to support each other and applaud each other's success. There are friends who you have over for slow cooked BBQ tea (it’s not called dinner here) and it’s perfectly acceptable to wear track pants and Ugg boots while you laugh together over a bottle of wine and bond over the shared struggles and triumphs of rural life. But the true sense of community in a small country town really shines bright in the tough times. In remote areas where people’s livelihoods depend on the land, the tough times can be devastating and the only way through is with the support of the community. This is when those who are already doing it tough give up something to help those who are even worse off. The community rallies to help in any way they can and to make sure that no one feels they are alone. 

My final thought on why country life is so fulfilling is that it has enabled me to find a connection to myself. A blank slate with exciting new opportunities left me feeling open to exploring new passions and finding out what would bring me personal satisfaction. My creativity found an outlet in soap making and as my hobby developed into a business, I found great personal reward in creating something from the ground up. Our local community has been so very supportive of both mine and my husband’s business ventures and for that we are truly grateful. It has given us the opportunity to find ourselves and do what we are passionate about in a place that we love.