Best Natural Skincare of 2019

It’s that time of year again when I share some of my favourite natural and organic skincare and beauty products I’ve come across. From moisturizer to hair dye, here are my top picks!

Thanks to my retreats, jobs and events I’m lucky to try products and brands that are given to me - this doesn’t guarantee them a spot in this list. But please know I have worked with some of the brands mentioned below.

1. Best natural moisturiser: Evolu: Active Age-Defence Protective Day Cream SPF30

   I have fair skin, and absolutely need sunscreen in my daily routine, and by using an SPF30 moisturiser, I don’t have to remember to put sunscreen on my face as well!

2. Best natural face oil: Samson & Charlie’s The Gift Blue Tansy & Marula Balancing Face Oil

I never used to use oil on my face for fear of breakouts, but this goodie has ingredients to hydrate and fight acne. Plus it smells so fresh.

3. Best natural face scrub: Tailor Skincare Polish - Every other day scrub and mask

4. Best natural hair dye: Natulique organic, ammonia-free hair dye for blonde hair

5. Best natural cleanser: Samson & Charlie Renewal Anti-aging Exfoliating Cleanser

6. Best natural body wash: Only Good Awaken Body Wash

7. Best natural hand cream: Pure Fiji Nourishing Hand Cream

8. Best forest-friendly toilet paper: Who Gives A Crap Premium Toilet Paper

9. Best natural hand wash: Thank you Sage X Clare Botanical Aloe Vera & Lemon oil hand wash

10. Best natural skincare mini kit: Tailor Skincare Mini Kit

10 Best Natural Skincare Products of 2017

Australia and New Zealand Natural Beauty Awards

It's that time again! It's the natural beauty awards where I share my absolute favourite natural skincare and beauty brands from Australia and New Zealand for 2017. Some of these brands aren't very well known, and some are certified organic, you've just got to try them!

1. Best Natural Hand Cream - Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Hand Cream

Find it here

2. Best Natural Face Oil - True Serene Face Oil

Find it here

3. Best Natural Face Scrub - Edible Beauty & DESERT LIME FLAWLESS MICRO-EXFOLIANT

Find it here

4. Best Natural Moisturiser with SPF - Kelapa SPF15 Face Moisturiser

Find it here

5. Best Natural Lipstick - Luk Lip Nourish - Tea Rose

Find it here

6. Best Natural Hand Wash - thankyou. Botanical Bergamot & Spiced Clove Foaming Hand Wash

Find it here

7. Best Natural Shampoo - Organic Care Colour Shield Shampoo & Conditioner

Find it here

8. Best Natural Night Cream - Divine Woman Collagen Enhancing Night Cream

Find it here

9. Best Natural Body Wash - Only Good Awaken Natural Body Wash

Find it here

10. Best Natural Fake Tan - Eco Tan Invisible Tan

Find it here

So there you have it! My top fave organic and natural skincare products from Australia and New Zealand for 2017. You'll see True and Only Good are in the list for the second year running. They really are great!

What are your favourite organic and skincare brands from Australia and NZ?

The Secrets to Successful Skin

With Sara of Tailor Skincare

I find healthy skin with a dewy glow almost impossible to achieve in winter, so I spoke to Sara of NZ natural skincare brand Tailor, to get some tips for you.

I have sensitive, dry skin living in Queenstown, and struggle to find great products that work. But! Tailor skincare face oil and masks have really helped me this winter, so Sara knows her stuff! Check out her tips to keep your skin healthy this winter.

1. What's the number one problem people have with their skin in winter & why?

Definitely dryness. In winter, your sebum production slows down and you sweat less. Sebum is the skin’s natural oil and it mixes together with sweat to form a protective layer called the acid mantle. The acid mantle acts as a protective barrier to prevent water loss from the skin and it also helps to defend your skin against environmental irritants. 

2. What are the common mistakes people make with their skincare?

Over exfoliation, over cleansing and avoiding oils. Daily exfoliation can be too much for your skin, even gentle exfoliation. Everyone's skin is different but as a general rule I recommend exfoliation every other day with a gentle (non microbead) exfoliant like Tailor Dry Cleanse (but no more than this). Over exfoliation can lead to dryness and irritation because it compromises your skin’s acid mantle. 

Over cleansing can also lead to dryness and irritation.

Using oil on your skin doesn't actually make it oily! Using a gentle oil cleanser or facial oil can be a great way to rebalance oily breakout prone skin or bring dry skin back into balance by supporting the skin.

3. Top tips for looking after skin this winter?

• Clean the skin and remove make up with an oil cleanser to keep the skin nourished and balanced without destroying the protective layer.

• Get a good quality facial oil. Be sure to check the ingredients list because not all facial oils are created equal.

• Sweat it out! Go to a hot yoga class, have a blast on the treadmill or relax in the sauna, whatever you do make sure you sweat it out, not only to cleanse your skin but to help your skin rebuild it’s protective layer - the acid mantle.

4. Why are natural products better for winter skin problems?

Natural skincare which contains good quality (i.e cold pressed) plant based oils is beneficial for the skin because the fatty acids in these oils will help to boost your skin’s metabolism, helping to give your skin energy to regenerate itself.

Mineral makeup and products are bad for your skin. Mineral oil is a by-product of the petrochemical industry and a common ingredient in many skincare formulas. Rather than it creating moisture though, it simply forms a barrier, preventing water loss, but clogging the skin barrier.

4. Do chemicals impact hormones as the media tells us they do?

Some chemicals mimic hormones - oestrogen in particular. These chemicals are referred to as xenoestrogens when they are synthetic (man made) and phytoestrogens when coming from a plant source. These oestrogen mimicking chemicals can build up in your system putting pressure on your liver to detoxify them. In abundance they have been associated with “man boobs” in men and PMS, bloating, painful periods, weight gain, headaches and anxiety in women. You’ll find phytoestrogens in soy, tempeh, wheat, barley and flax.

Chemicals with xenoestrogenic effects include some parabens (a common preservative in personal care), 4-MBC (4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor; a synthetic SPF), Phthalates (a plasticising material found in mascara and nail polish) and tri-sodium phosphate (TSP; used as a cleaning agent, food additive and stain remover). Please note this list is by no means exhaustive and I urge you to do your own research. 

6. Special offer for the Aprivé Wellness Community!

And for the Aprive Wellness community we have a limited time 10% discount offer. Simply use the code: Aprive at checkout between now and Aug 31st 2016.

We have a brand new product launch in the works. Check out the facebook page to stay in the loop: https://www.facebook.com/events/729962783773206/

Thank you so much to Sara for all the great info! Tailor is one of those special brands that are hard to find - definitely check them out online.

14 Best Natural Beauty & Skincare Products 2016

Australia and New Zealand Natural Beauty Awards

I've been lucky enough to work with some of the best natural skincare and beauty brands in Australia and New Zealand, and I've compiled a list of my favourites. I didn't want to keep these treasures to myself, so here they are!

1. Best Natural Cleanser - True Hydrating Facial Cleanser

2. Best Natural Face Moisturiser - By Nature Hydrating SPF 15 Day Cream

It's so important to have SPF in your daily moisturiser! Especially in Australia and New Zealand!

Buy online here

3. Best Natural Makeup - Arbonne

Available online in NZ soon!

4. Best Natural Body Wash - Only Good NZ

Buy online here

5. Best Natural Facial Oil - True Rejuvinating Face Oil

6. Best Natural Hand Cream - Olive NZ

Buy online here

7. Best Natural Body Scrub - The Skin Kitchen NZ

8. Best Non-Toxic Nail Polish - Butter London

Buy online here

9. Best Natural Soap - Ashley & Co.

Buy online here

10. Best Natural Face Mask - Tailor Skincare Masque Minis

11. Best Natural Fake Tan - Ecotan

Buy online here

12. Best Natural Shampoo - Holistic Hair

Buy online here

13. Best Natural Conditioner - Organic Care Colour Shield Conditioner

Buy online here

14. Best Natural Sunscreen - Arbonne Liquid Sunshine Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 For Face

Available online in NZ soon!

Queenstown Wellness Retreat Gifts

You're all amazing, and to show you how special you are, when you come to my Queenstown Wellness Retreat on November 14th, I'll give you some special gifts from brands I love.

Beautiful natural products from local NZ brands

I'm passionate about supporting businesses I believe in, especially those that embrace balance and happy, healthy lifestyles! Luckily in New Zealand, there are some really clever brands making beautiful natural products that are luxurious and free from nasty chemicals. A few really stand out, and I just had to ask them to come on board for our retreat. And they did!

Special gifts for Wellness Retreat guests

I'm so excited to give every retreat guest a beautiful gift bag of goodies from these wonderful local brands. Click on the images below to learn about these amazing brands.