Your Guide to Sebaceous Filaments
🤍 Let's get started... What exactly are sebaceous filaments? If you look very closely at your nose, you might be able to see the light coloured dots at the surface of your pores. These are sebaceous filaments, which are thread-like structures that reside in the lining of your pores. Their job is to help guide oil flow from the sebaceous gland, through the dermis and to the surface of your skin where that oil can fulfill its purpose fighting dehydration and protecting the skin from environmental triggers. They are a completely natural and normal part of the skin. Many people find that sebaceous filaments are particularly visible on their nose, and they are often mistaken for blackheads. 🤍 Sebaceous filaments vs Blackheads While sebaceous filaments and blackheads can look similar, they serve almost opposite purposes. Sebaceous filaments assist oil flow from deep within the pore to the outer layer of skin. On the other hand, blackheads occur when too much oil is produced and combines with dead skin cells to block pores. In terms of appearance, sebaceous filaments are usually not very noticeable, while blackheads stand out on the skin due to their dark colour. 🤍 How sebaceous filaments improve your skin Sebaceous filaments are an unsung hero. As long as they are functioning properly, they should be almost invisible and help to hydrate your skin and fight any skin aggravators. They are the “ladder” that your natural oils use to move from deep within the dermis to the skin’s surface. These oils moisturise your skin and improve elasticity. They also create a coating on your skin that helps to protect you from things like sun, wind and other environmental triggers. 🤍 The problem with sebaceous filaments The problem with sebaceous filaments occurs when an overproduction of oil causes the pore to fill up with sebum, making the filaments much more visible as they begin to take on the appearance of a blackhead. A sebaceous filament and a blackhead are not the same thing, but if the pore becomes clogged then it can turn into a blackhead. Sebaceous filaments are a naturally occurring part of the skin, and even if they are squeezed or removed they will always come back. However, there are ways to manage the appearance of sebaceous filaments when they become clogged and start to contribute to enlarged pores. 🤍 Sebaceous filaments treatment The best treatment for sebaceous filaments is to have a healthy skin routine that targets congestion. This will prevent pores from overfilling with oil, and help the filaments to do their job properly. We recommend the following routine to ease congestion. 1. Gentle and regular cleaning Gentle and regular cleansing with a detoxifying cleanser will help to draw out impurities from deep within the pores, refreshing and refining your skin texture. We recommend looking for a cleanser with charcoal, as this ingredient will bind to detritus and pull it out of your skin. Our Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Charcoal is ideal for skin prone to congestion, and will reduce the appearance of sebaceous filaments by flushing out the pore. Cleanser should be applied every day, remembering to cleanse twice if you are wearing makeup. 2. Exfoliating to prevent clogged pores Regular exfoliation will prevent dead skin cells from accumulating in your pores so that your sebaceous filaments can keep doing their job. Look for a gentle physical exfoliant with antibacterial additives to help thoroughly cleanser the pores. We recommend our Fresh Sea and Salty Sand Gentle-Foliant to keep your skin fresh, clear and bright. Exfoliant should be applied 1-3 times each week. 3. Serums to buff, detox and purify Find a congestion targeting serum to help your sebaceous filaments pull oil to the skin's surface and clear the pore of any impurities. Our Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum is designed for congested skin to polish away any pore-clogging debris. 🤍 Tips for dealing with sebaceous filaments It is best not to squeeze the skin to try to remove your sebaceous filaments. This can cause skin damage and scarring, and the filaments will be back before long anyway. It is never a good idea to use harsh products on your skin. To treat sebaceous filaments, look for gentle skin products that will cleanse and exfoliate your skin without stripping it of natural oils. Remember that sebaceous filaments are a completely natural and normal part of your skin and that they have an important role to play in directing your skin’s oil flow. More questions on sebaceous filaments and how to manage them? Get in touch with our skin care experts! At esmi, we are here to support you at every step of your skin care journey. Contact us today with any questions you may have.
Selecting your BB Cream Shade
Selecting the right BB Cream Shade for you. esmi Mineral BB Cream - the perfect mix of moisturiser, foundation and sunscreen. Designed to moisturise, protect and correct the skin, our BB Cream is the perfect alternative to foundation on days when you don’t feel like a full face of makeup but would still like a lightweight product to even your skin tone and give a fresh glow. Since it’s a sheer coverage, choosing the right colour BB Cream can be a little daunting, so we’ve put together a simple guide to help you choose the right shade for you. All esmi foundation shades are created based on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale, which is a numerical classification to measure the response of each skin type to UV light. Understanding your skin type and the characteristics your skin can really help to make shade finding easy! Skin Type I: Skin burns very easily and doesn't tan. Likely to have light blonde or red hair with light coloured eyes. Skin Type II: Skin will usually burn in the sun and has difficulty tanning. Skin Type III: Skin will sometimes burn and will tan gradually. Skin Type IV: Skin will tan easily and rarely burn. Skin Type V: Skin will tan without burning. Our BB Cream Shades As they are sheer coverage, our BB Cream shades cover a wider variety of skin types. Check out our below guide to help find your perfect match: Light: Suits Fizpatrick Skin Types 1-3 with a very neutral skin tone and little to no golden tones. Medium: Suits Fitzpatrick Skin Types 3-4 with a lightly tan/golden complexion. Tan: Suits Fitzpatrick Skin Types 4-5+ with deeply tanned skin tones Still not sure of what shade to choose? Send a makeup-free selfie to our skin specialist team who will be able to guide you through to your best match. The team at esmi are always here to support you on your skin journey.
The Best Face Mask for Acne
What is the best face mask for acne? The best face mask for acne is formulated with charcoal or clay to help draw out acne forming bacteria, impurities and soak up excess oil. If you’re using a clay or charcoal face mask choose one formulated with the addition of moisturising ingredients to keep skin hydrated. Clay and charcoal are natural yet powerful ingredients. They can be drying to the skin if not teamed with moisturising elements in a face mask formulation. Why choose a charcoal mask for clear skin? Charcoal makes an effective face mask for clear skin thanks to its pore purifying and refining magic. The type of charcoal used in skincare is known as activated charcoal. It’s not the kind of charcoal lump you’d find at the bottom of a BBQ pit! Instead, activated charcoal is created by burning carbon-rich materials at higher temperatures. This means it’s much more porous than regular charcoal. Thanks to its porous structure, activated charcoal acts like a sponge, drawing out and soaking up excess oil and acne bacteria from the skin. These impurities then bind to the charcoal and are cleansed away along with the face mask. This deep cleansing action is particularly beneficial for combination and acne-prone skin with large pores. Bacteria mixing with oil and dead skin cells blocks pores and creates the perfect environment for acne to thrive. By helping keep pores clear, activated charcoal minimises the chances of breakouts. Face masks with this natural, mineral-rich ingredient can also promote a brighter, smoother skin texture overall. When pores are clogged, they can appear enlarged and ‘dirty’ looking. Skin is also dull and bumpy to touch. With the regular use of activated charcoal, pores become clearer helping them appear smoother and more refined. Why choose a clay mask for clear skin? Like activated charcoal, a clay mask for acne helps detoxify the skin by drawing out impurities and absorbing excess oil. They also do a great job of tightening skin so pores appear smaller. The key to getting the most out of your clay mask is choosing the right type of clay for your skin type and concerns. Both bentonite clay and kaolin clay are great choices for acne-prone skin. Bentonite Clay Bentonite clay is formed from volcanic ash and has been used for centuries as a natural skin care ingredient. It’s highly absorbent and boasts antibacterial activities which can play a role in neutralising breakout causing bacteria on the skin. Kaolin Clay A gentle cleanser, kaolin clay (also known as white clay) helps absorb excess oil, mildly exfoliates the skin, and extracts impurities. It doesn’t cause redness or irritation which makes it ideal for sensitive skin and inflamed breakout-prone skin. The best of both worlds Treat your skin to the detoxifying, breakout busting benefits of both charcoal and clay with esmi Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster Mask. One of the best face masks for acne, the benefits include: Brighter, softer skin Detoxifying More even skin tone Smoother, supple skin Exfoliates Repairs and strengthens The detoxifying, oil-absorbing trio of kaolin clay, bentonite clay, and charcoal help clear pores, control acne, and soften skin. The jojoba oil and sweet almond oil in this charcoal and clay mask for acne help the skin retain moisture while promoting healing. How to use Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster Mask Step 1: After cleansing, use clean fingers or a mask brush to generously apply the mask. Make sure you avoid the eye area. Step 2: After the mask has dried*, massage your face with wet fingertips or esmi Charcoal Brush to gently buff the fine clay particles. This helps loosen dead skin and impurities to be washed away. Step 3: Rinse well or remove with esmi's Microfiber Facial Cleansing Mitt. Follow with your favourite esmi treats. *The length of time to leave the mask on depends on how liberally the mask is applied. It will take longer to dry the more that is applied. The clay mask isn’t the only face mask for pimples in the esmi range! If you’re dealing with inflamed, active breakouts the Anti-inflammation Mint Gel Booster Mask could make a great addition to your weekly routine. This mask is designed to shut down inflammation, redness and breakouts with powerful natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Check out our Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster Mask and Anti-inflammation Mint Gel Booster Mask today!
After-Sun Skin Care Routine
Sunburn - we’ve all been there! Hot, red, uncomfortable skin and serious regret about skipping SPF. Read on for how to care for sun damaged skin and, more importantly, how to protect your skin to avoid it happening again. How sun exposure affects skin A tan might look good but it’s not a sign of skin health. It’s much safer to get your sun-kissed glow from a bottle than spending hours in the sun. The damage UV rays do to your skin include: ☀️ Fine lines and wrinkles Did you know research estimates up to 80% of premature ageing is caused by UV light? UVA rays reach deep into the layers of skin where they damage collagen and elastin. This weakens the structure of the skin and leads to the premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Fine lines and wrinkles come to all of us eventually, but if you want to hold them off as long as possible (yes please!) daily 30+ SPF protection is a must. ☀️ Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin. Melanin is the natural pigment that gives our skin, hair and eyes their colour. One of the main things to trigger your body to produce more melanin is sun exposure. ☀️ Dryness and irritation The sun isn’t kind to your skin barrier. It depletes the moisture and essential fats in the outer layer of your skin (the barrier) leaving it looking dry and parched. Flakiness, itchiness and a tight uncomfortable feeling are common when the skin gets this dry. ☀️ Skin cancer - including melanoma Too much sun exposure doesn’t only mess with your best skin goals, it can have much more serious health effects. The sun’s UV rays can damage the DNA in skin cells changing how the cells grow and divide. These changes can cause cells to become cancerous and potentially trigger dangerous melanoma. Protecting your skin during sun exposure Prevention really is better than cure. Protect your skin with these tips when enjoying a day outdoors! ☀️ Wear sunscreen Are you diligent with your daily application of SPF or a beach-only blocker? Using sunscreen daily and remembering to reapply is your #1 defence against sun damage. Always choose broad-spectrum SPF 30+ to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays and check the expiration date on sunscreen you’ve had for a while. Expired sunscreen won’t give you optimal protection and may cause irritation. esmi’s Skin Shield Natural Face Sunscreen (SPF 30) is your skin’s antioxidant-infused, daily defence against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. ☀️ Cover up with a wide brim hat Go the extra mile to protect your face, back of the neck, ears, and eyelids with a wide brim hat. ☀️ Wear sunglasses Your best choice is sunglasses with UVB and UVA protection. A good pair blocks 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays from reaching the skin and eyes. ☀️ Stay out of the sun during the hottest times of the day Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is when the sun is at its most intense heat. Try to stay in the shade and undercover during this time. ☀️ Drink plenty of water Keeping your body hydrated is part of smart sun skin care too. If you’re headed to the beach, exercising or another outdoor adventure make sure you take plenty of water to sip throughout the day. After-sun skin care routine Post-sun skin care is all about replenishing skin and helping it recover from the stress of UV light. After sun skin care products should focus on adding hydration, topping up antioxidants and, overall, being gentle with your skin. Avoid any harsh or irritating cleansers or strong treatments to avoid stressing skin further. Step 1: Cleanse Use a gentle cleanser such as The Uncomplicated Cleanser to gently cleanse skin without stripping it of moisture and protective oils. Step 2: Apply a hydrating mask A super saturating and comforting mask treatment will help to replenish moisture lost during the day. Give the Hyaluronic Booster Mask a try! It instantly boosts hydration with skin soaking hyaluronic acid while minerals, vitamins, and oils restore, protect and balance. Step 3: Use a hydrating serum Continue boosting moisture levels with a hydrating serum. We recommend Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum in your after sun care routine. The key active ingredient in this skin soaker is hyaluronic acid which is critical for maintaining skin hydration and replenishing lost moisture. Step 4: Moisturise The final step in your after sun skin care routine is to moisturise with your choice of lotion, cream or facial oil. Caring for sunburned skin Sunburned skin needs extra TLC. Here’s how to care for sunburn immediately after sun exposure and over the following days. ☀️ Stay out of the sun and replenish lost hydration Has your skin got that uh oh red glow? Time to get out of the sun immediately! Reapply sunscreen and stick to shady spots or indoors for the coming days. Keep a bottle of water handy to sip frequency to replenish lost hydration. ☀️ Take a cool shower and avoid putting ice on your skin How to reduce redness of sunburn? Rubbing ice on hot, uncomfortable skin for instant redness relief sure sounds tempting - but don’t do it. Putting ice directly on the skin can cause even more damage. Instead, draw heat out of your body by having a cool shower. Applying a cool face cloth or compact to skin can also reduce redness. In the days following, be gentle with your skin and let it heal. Skip exfoliation treatments, like facial scrubs, chemical exfoliants, and enzymes and avoid waxing or shaving until your skin has recovered. These things will only further irritate tender, damaged skin. A treatment we do recommend post sun exposure is the Anti-inflammation Mint Gel Booster Mask. It’s incredibly soothing and healing for sunburnt skin, instantly cooling the discomfort of red, irritated skin. The Tasmannia lanceolata extract provides powerful, skin rejuvenating antioxidant properties while aloe vera soothes. ☀️ Serious sunburn? See a medical professional ASAP Serious sunburn can cause more than a red face and hot, uncomfortable skin. Severe sunburn can be accompanied by headache, fainting, vomiting, and a fever. If you experience any of these symptoms, please get yourself to a doctor or medical professional ASAP. Keep your skin safe this summer with Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF 30. An easy-to-apply, non-greasy formula with additional anti-ageing benefits of carrot root oil, hyaluronic acid, and green tea for hydrated, smoother skin.
Skin Care for Him
A basic men’s skin care routine can help battle breakouts, avoid shaving irritations, and tackle signs of fine lines and wrinkles. esmi products are gender-neutral and here we step you through creating a cleansing, firming, and protective routine for the man in your life. Simple Skin Care Regimen for Men Cleansing Face Daily A simple yet effective men’s skin care routine starts with cleansing. No matter his skin type, cleansing each day - morning and evening - removes the build up of sweat, dirt, oil, and dead cells. Keeping pores fresh and clear minimises the chance of ingrown hairs and breakouts. The evening cleanse is also important for getting rid of any pollution particles that settle onto his face during the day. Pollution causes free radical damage, speeding up the signs of ageing. Cleansing before shaving also removes and prevents bacteria causing irritation of freshly shaven skin. Does he hit the gym or play sports? Let him know cleansing after a workout is important as part of a male skin care routine too. Sweat is great for detoxifying, but it can mix with dirt and bacteria, clog pores and cause breakouts. The Uncomplicated Cleanser is the ideal cleanser for a men’s skin care routine. Suited to all skin types, this cream cleanser is formulated with aloe vera, green tea extract, and to remove debris with impurities with a double cleanse while calming and protecting skin with aloe vera and camilla leaf extract. How to use The Uncomplicated Cleanser Step 1: Dampen skin with lukewarm water. Step 2: Apply a pearl-sized amount of the cleanser to damp hands and massage gently into skin with an upward motion. Step 3: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water or remove with esmi's Microfibre Facial Cleansing Mitt. While skin is still damp, apply serum, then moisturiser and, in the morning routine, sunscreen. Serum After Shaving Applying a serum after shaving is an easy step that can make a big difference in achieving clearer, younger looking skin. Serums are formulated with high levels of active ingredients. Active ingredients are the workhorses of a skin routine, they’re the ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, hyaluronic acid (Sodium hyaluronate) and peptides, that work to firm, calm and brighten skin. The Hydrating Nourishing Acai Duo is a great choice for a low fuss male skin care routine. With Acai oil, Provitamin B5, Sodium hyaluronate and seaweed extract it offers lightweight hydration plus nourishing anti-aging properties addressing multiple skin concerns at once. The beauty of the Hydrating & Nourishing Acai Duo is that it combines the potency of a serum with the moisturising and repair benefits of an oil. It’s a one stop shop for improving hydration, brightness, and elasticity while protecting the skin. How to use Hydrating & Nourishing Acai Duo Step 1: Shake the bottle well to mix the acai oil and water-based serum together. Step 2: Dispense a pearl size amount of mixed oil/serum directly to the palm of the hand. Step 3: Massage into the skin after cleansing or shaving. Sun Protection To keep your man’s skin young-looking and protected against skin cancer, daily SPF protection is a must. Even if he doesn’t work outdoors. Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 delivers comfortable, non-greasy SPF coverage for all skin types. It’s easy-to-apply and formulated with additional anti-ageing benefits of carrot root oil, hyaluronic acid, and green tea for hydrated, firmer skin. Sunscreen should be applied after the Hydrating & Nourishing Acai Duo or the moisturising step in his routine. If he does work outside or is spending long periods in the sun for sports, hiking, or hitting the beach, SPF reapplication is a must. Other Skin Care Products for Men The basic skin care for men routine we’ve stepped you through above will suit all skin types. However, if he wants to target specific skin concerns - like acne, ageing, and dryness - there are extra or alternative products you can incorporate to tackle these issues. Congested and acne prone oily skin Signs: Whiteheads, blackheads or more inflamed pimples and cysts. Skin may be red, bumpy, oily, and dull. What he needs: Antibacterial and oil regulating ingredients. Men usually have more oily and thicker skin. If he’s dealing with redness due to inflamed acne try The Uncomplicated Cleanser plus Anti-Redness followed by Peppermint Green Oil. The cleanser calms redness while the lightweight oil helps to balance oil flow whilst being cooling and providing anti-bacterial benefits. Dryness Signs: Tight feeling, flaky rough skin with fine lines and cracks. What he needs: Hydration and protection. We suggest adding Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum to his men’s skin care routine. The serum’s hero ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid which is a superior hydrator for dry skin. Apply the serum before the Hydrating & Nourishing Acai Duo or the moisturising step. The flaky, dullness of dry skin can also be improved with gentle exfoliation. This will help remove flaky skin for a brighter complexion and allow the serum and moisturising treatments to work more effectively. We suggest using Hydrating and Ageless Volcanic Sand Gentle-Foliant once or twice a week - depending on his skin type. Exfoliating before shaving can help prevent the razor from getting clogged with dead skin cells. Ageing Signs: Signs of fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, age spots. What he needs: Antioxidants and hydration. Is he worried about new wrinkles creeping in? Suggest the Golden Anti-Ageing Serum for his evening routine. The serum is rich in antioxidants and peptides which work to rejuvenate skin by visibly plumping fine lines, brightening, and conditioning. The serum should be applied after cleansing and before moisturising. Do Men Care About Skin Care? Face care for men is increasing in popularity as more men realise this truth: skin care matters! Taking care of your skin helps your complexion stay fresh, healthy, and more youthful looking. Not to mention incorporating SPF to protect skin from more dangerous concerns like skin cancer. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Healthy skin can boost confidence levels too! A simple, quality male skin care routine that targets his specific skin type and concerns can have a big impact on self-esteem. A practical skincare routine is a perfect gift for the man in your life. If you have any questions about his skin concerns or products, reach out to the esmi Skin Team. We’re here to help!
Wake Up with esmi Skin Minerals
Start your morning right, with a smile and your favourite skin care. Quiet house. Fresh morning breeze. Sun coming up over the trees. The smell of fresh coffee brewing. Birds chirping through the window. It’s a fresh new day. A chance for a restart. First thing in the morning is by far, our favourite time of day. How do you spend it? Is it usually complete chaos and you feel like you’re forever chasing your tail? Or do you set aside some time for self-care, so you start the day in a calmer setting? However, you start the day it’s important to make some space and time for yourself. Create a calm environment and be totally present, to set your intentions for the day ahead. Carving out this time at the start of your day can have a very profound, positive effect on the way in which the rest of your day pans out - or at least how you handle it! So... First things first! Wake up your skin The feeling of fresh clean skin to wake you from your slumber can feel like pure magic, so we like to start with a little morning skin care routine. Whether you keep it simple with our five minute skin care routine or set some extra time aside to enjoy your morning skin care regimen, there is nothing better than waking up your skin. We like to keep it simple with just four simple products that cleanse the skin and refresh you for the day ahead. Start by cleansing the skin with our Uncomplicated Cleanser. It creates a clean, calm and supple base while balancing the skin so it’s not left feeling dry or tight and perfectly prepares the skin for the rest of your skin care routine. Followed by a hydrating serum like our Hyaluronic Acid which is quick-absorbing, fights dehydration and helps to plump the skin. It can also be used as a primer substitute under your makeup! Did you know your skin is like an ecosystem? Different parts of your body need different good-bacteria to be at their best. Our new Probiotic Skin Mylck features specially selected Australian Made probiotic Lysates scientifically proven to be ideal probiotics for skin application. Yes, you heard us right, probiotics for your SKIN! Finish your morning skin routine with SPF! Our Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 enriched with antioxidant protection that protects your skin from any UV light you may be exposed to throughout the day and fight the first signs of ageing. Grab your coffee Or tea, lemon water, juice, or whatever is your morning beverage of choice and begin the day with something that will make your heart sing. Feel as good as you deserve to. Start your day with intention. Not sure what products you should use for your morning skin care routine? Get in touch with our skin service team for your FREE skin consultation and put your freshest face forward!
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles
Dark circles under the eyes are very common for both women and men. Dark circles age your entire face, make you look tired, and can be difficult to get rid of. However, there are ways to fade and reduce the appearance of dark circles. What causes dark circles under the eyes? Dark circles can occur for a variety of reasons, most commonly either lifestyle related or genetic. The reason for your dark circles will determine the best way to treat them and reduce their appearance. The key causes of dark circles are: Lack of sleep This is one of the most common causes of dark circles and it is the easiest to fix! Solution: Get more zzz'sThe good news about dark circles as a result of sleep is that they are almost always temporary, and can be fixed with a good night’s sleep. To treat the immediate appearance of sleep-related dark circles, try applying cool eye compresses to your eyes after waking up. A Brightening Eye Serum will also help to instantly revive and illuminate tired eyes. Poor diet You might be surprised to learn that diet can cause dark circles to appear under your eyes. Studies show that a diet high in sodium (salt) can contribute to fluid retention in the face, causing puffiness and dark circles. Solution: Reduce your salt intakeTo treat the appearance of diet related dark circles, try tweaking your diet to include less salt. This will help to reduce water retention in your face and even out the appearance of your under eyes. Natural ageing As you get older, the skin under the eyes becomes thinner and loses elasticity. The looser skin can create a shadow under your eyes, giving the appearance of under eye circles. Solution: Anti-ageing skin careA high quality eye treatment will help to fight the signs of ageing around the eyes, refreshing and reinforcing the skin over time. Our Anti-Ageing Eye Treatment is packed with multi-action age-fighters including the revolutionary SNAP-8™. This lightweight serum lifts and tightens, reduces wrinkle depth, and moisturises the eye area. It can also be used with a Booster Mask and Golden Anti-Ageing Serum for a full anti-ageing routine. Pigmentation Pigmentation under the eyes can occur genetically or over time. Solution: An eye serumTo target this kind of pigmentation, we recommend introducing a brightening eye serum into your routine. The esmi Brightening Eye Serum contains a unique blend of plankton extract, active ingredients, and peptides to target dark circles, brightness, and fine lines in the delicate eye area. Allergies If your eyes feel itchy and irritated, then your dark circles could be related to allergies. Solution: Visit your GPThe best treatment for allergies will be determined by your doctor, and symptoms should ease once treated. Do you have more questions on how to get rid of your dark circles? We encourage you to get in touch with our skin specialist team to help you get on top of your skin concerns today. Our team will help you create your own free, personalised skin care plan. Get in touch with us today.
How to Remove Blackheads
Did you know that blackheads are one of the most common forms of acne? Blackheads look like small, black dots on your face, often forming around the nose and chin. Blackheads are formed deep in the pore, making them hard to remove. The deep set nature of blackheads makes hard scrubbing and squeezing very tempting. However, once you understand how blackheads are formed and why you have them, the way to safely remove them is much clearer. What exactly are blackheads? Blackheads (also called comedones) form when pores become clogged with dead skin cells, sebum and excess oil. Despite their appearance, blackheads aren’t due to dirty skin. They have open surfaces, meaning the oil and build up of dead skin at the top of the pore is exposed to air. This exposure creates oxidation, which is why blackheads appear dark in colour. Blackheads are most common in the t-zone, which is the forehead, nose and chin, as this area tends to produce more oil than the rest of the face. How are blackheads formed? Blackheads are caused by two key things: 1. Overproduction of oil People who have oily skin can be more vulnerable to blackheads. This is because the excess oil (or sebum) makes it hard for it to flow naturally to the surface of the skin. The obstruction causes the sebum to sit in the pore for longer, where it can coagulate, narrowing and blocking the pore. Sebum accumulating at the “top” of the pore is exposed to air, which turns it black and causes a blackhead. 2. Dead skin cells Dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin surface also contribute to the narrowing of the pore exit. They gather in the pore, preventing sebum from being secreted naturally. This blocks the pore and causes the formation of a blackhead. This overproduction of oil and dead skin cells can occur for a number of reasons, including: Lifestyle and diet Medical conditions and medications Use of the wrong skin care and cosmetics Hormones The difference between blackheads and whiteheads Blackheads occur when pores become clogged with sebum, with the open pore exposing the sebum to air and causing oxidation. Whiteheads are formed in a similar way, however the pore is closed by a thin layer of skin. This covering prevents the sebum from reaching the pore surface and causes the bumpy, whitehead appearance. Guide to removing and preventing blackheads Many people try to remove blackheads by squeezing them out of the skin, which can cause serious damage to the skin and leads to scarring. The key to removing blackheads safely is to use gentle and safe products to flush out and deep clean your pores. The steps to remove blackheads are: 1. Remove the blackhead The best way to do this is by using a mask that you can leave on your face for some time so it can really work it’s magic. Look for a face mask that is gentle but includes charcoal. Charcoal deep cleans pores using a process called adsorption, where toxic particles cling to the charcoal’s porous surface. It will bind to the sebum and skin cells clogged to your pores and pull it out. 2. Exfoliate to prevent further blackheads Ensure you exfoliate your skin gently to remove dead skin cells and prevent build up. Steer clear of harsh exfoliators which will dry and damage your skin, making blackheads more likely. Instead, choose something gentle with antibacterial properties to aid in removing pore clogging debris. We recommend our Fresh Sea and Salty Sand Gentle-Foliant used 1-3 times per week. 3. Use a daily cleanser Using a gentle cleanser each day will help keep oil production in check without stripping your face of all natural oils (which can actually send oil production into overdrive). Our Uncomplicated Cleanser with Charcoal is infused with the detoxifying power of charcoal, making it ideal for skin types prone to blackheads and congestion. 4. Keep skin hydrated Ensure you are drinking plenty of water and using hydrating products each day. Dry skin can send oil production into overdrive, so it’s important to keep moisturised. We recommend our best selling Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum, which is the ultimate skin hydrator to fight dehydration, plump skin and boost radiance. For a full skin care routine to target blackheads, check out our article Getting Rid of Blackheads. Blackhead do’s and don'ts 1. DON’T squeeze, scrub or pick, DO deep cleanse pores. We know how tempting it can be to squeeze blackheads. However, this can cause damage to your skin, which can sometimes be permanent. Also, the bacteria on your hands can worsen skin condition and cause further blackheads and breakouts. Instead of squeezing, scrubbing and picking, use a gentle mask to draw out impurities from deep within the pores. 2. DON’T use hard peels and blackhead strips, DO draw out impurities with a mask. There has been a recent trend for peel off masks and pore strips that adhere to the face and must then be torn off to “remove” the blackhead. The truth is, these products only remove the surface of the blackhead (and your skin!), so you’ll see it back before long. Stay away from these products, and instead use a charcoal mask to draw out dirt and impurities from the pore. 3. DON’T use jagged and abrasive scrubs, DO use a soft exfoliator. Steer clear of harsh scrubs, which can damage and tear the skin. Products that irritate skin will trigger more oil production, and more blackheads. Instead, use an ever-so-gentle exfoliator with fine sand to clear congestion. 4. DON’T overwash your face with harsh products, DO use a gentle cleanser. Harsh cleansers with salicylic acid are popular products to get rid of blackheads. The problem is, salicylic acid can excessively irritate and dry the skin. This leads to the skin compensating by overproducing oil, worsening blackheads. Instead, use a gentle cleanser with low doses of active ingredients. Can I remove blackheads at home? If you still have very stubborn blackheads that won’t shift, you can visit a skin aesthetician who will be able to extract blackheads without damaging your skin. However, we strongly recommend against attempting to do this without a trained professional, as when done incorrectly extraction can cause permanent skin damage and scarring. More questions? Not sure where to start? Get in touch with our skin specialist team to create your own free personal Skin Care Plan and help you get on top of your skin concerns today. The team at esmi are always here to support you on your skin journey. Learn more about skincare 10 Ways to Get Rid of Pimples Oily Skin Care Routine How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars
What Order to Apply Skin Care Products
Your skincare order matters... but how to layer products can be a little confusing. Serums before oils or oils before serums? Mask then exfoliate or is it the other way around? Learn to layer like an expert with this skincare routine order breakdown and our product recommendations. Skincare routine order A more simplified routine for your daily routine with your 'core' skin care products. Step 1: Cleanse It might seem obvious that cleansing is first in your skincare order. However, it’s an easy mistake to skip the cleanse and head straight to exfoliation on days you are exfoliating. Or, apply a mask without cleansing first. Cleansing, no matter if your masking or exfoliating, is always the first step in your morning and evening face routine order. A double cleanse with a gentle cleanser is a must in your evening routine. This removes makeup and the sweat, natural oils, debris, and pollution particles that all accumulate on your skin. You can double cleanse in the morning too to remove bacteria and oil that builds up on your face while you sleep. How to cleanse your skin Splash your skin with lukewarm water and massage a pearl-sized amount of cream cleanser into damp skin with clean fingers. Rinse with lukewarm water. You may like to use the esmi Microfibre Face Cleansing Mitt to remove all traces of product residue. Pat dry with a clean, soft face cloth. Repeat to double cleanse. If you’re wearing non-tubular mascara, we suggest using an eye makeup remover before the first cleanse. Your Step 1 Cleanser options You’ll discover the ideal cleanser for a range of skin concerns. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Suited to: All skin types The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Anti-Redness Suited to: Sensitive skin prone to redness and inflammation. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Anti-Ageing Suited to: All skin types dealing with fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Brightening Suited to: All skin types prone to dullness, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Charcoal Suited to: Oily and combination skin types prone to acne, congestion, and large pores. Probiotic Skin Mylck Cleanser Suited to: All skin types, especially hyper sensitive and acne-prone skin. Step 2: Exfoliate Next up - exfoliation! Using a gentle exfoliant helps remove dead skin cells from the surface and debris clogging pores to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. You can exfoliate your skin with a physical method, chemical method or combination of both. The esmi range offers the Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum for chemical exfoliation and the Gentle-Foliants which combine both physical and chemical exfoliants. How to exfoliate your skin with esmi Gentle-Foliants Apply a pea-sized amount of exfoliant to damp, cleansed skin. In small, circular motions, very gently apply the exfoliant to skin. Massage around your face to remove build-up and allow enzymes to deeply cleanse pores. Don’t apply too much pressure. Leave on for 2–5 minutes and rinse with cool water or with your dampened esmi Face Mitt. The Gentle-Foliants are designed to use 1–3 times per week depending on your skin type or as advised by your esmi skin consultant. How to exfoliate your skin with the Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum Using the dropper, drip a pearl size amount onto your charcoal brush or fingers and massage into freshly cleansed skin, avoiding the under eye area. Leave for 5-10 minutes before wetting the charcoal brush or fingers and massage around the face to remove any softened dead skin cells before washing off. We suggest using the Charcoal serum 2 times a week, however, it can be used up to 5 consecutive nights. Use less frequently if you have sensitive skin. Your step 2 exfoliant options Smooth, brighten, and clear with our selection of Gentle-Foliants containing physical and enzyme exfoliant properties or the Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum. Rose and Bamboo (Gentle-Foliant) Suited to: All skin types, especially sensitive and dry skin. Hydrating and Ageless Volcanic Sand (Gentle-Foliant) Suited to: Normal and combination skin. Fresh Sea and Salty Sand (Gentle-Foliant) Suited to: Oily, breakout-prone skin. Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum Suited to: Most skin types tackling blackheads, acne, and underlying skin congestion. Step 3: Masks (Wash off) Face masks deliver a big hit of active ingredients to help address specific skin concerns. Incorporate a masking session into your routine after exfoliating 1- 3 times a week depending on your skin type. How to use esmi Booster Masks Apply generously to cleansed face with fingers or mask brush while avoiding the eye area. Leave the mask on for at least 10 minutes. When ready to wash off, gently massage the face with damp hands to promote circulation. Rinse well or remove with esmi's Microfiber Facial Cleansing Mitt. Your step 3 mask options You’ll find an indulgent esmi Booster Mask for every skin challenge right here! Hyaluronic Hydrating Booster Mask Suited to: All skin types. Ultra Nourishing Booster Mask Suited to: Dry, mature and sensitive skin types. Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster Mask Suited to: All skin types, including sensitive skin. Bouncy Brightening Silky Booster Mask. Suited to: Most skin types. Anti-Ageing Repair Gel Booster Mask Suited to: Most skin types. If you don’t have time to exfoliate and mask, simply choose one or the other to follow the cleansing step. Step 4: Eye Serum and Eye Balm The skin around your eye area is super thin, delicate and one of the first places fine lines begin to show. This area can use the extra TLC of a separate eye treatment, especially to address the signs of ageing. esmi offers Eye Serums and our Eye Delight Reflection Balm. Both types of formulations (serum and balm) work to treat the eye area but go about it differently. Eye Serums target specific under-eye concerns like wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, loss of firmness with active ingredients while the Eye Balm moisturises and nourishes. If using both, first apply the eye serum then follow with the eye balm. How to use Eye Serums (AM and/or PM) Apply a grain of rice-sized amount (per eye) Massage to below the eye area and above on to the brow bone in an outwards motion. Your step 4 eye treatment options Brightening Eye Serum Hydrating Eye Serum Anti-Ageing Eye Serum How to use the Eye Balm (AM and/or PM) Remove the lid, place your Eye Delight applicator on the area around the eye. Gently squeeze the tube until the product starts to appear from the tip, a grain of rice size is enough for both eyes. Gently massage in a circular motion using the steel tip or fingers until all product is absorbed. Step 5: Water-Based Skin Treats esmi range of Skin Treats include two types of formulas - serums (which are water-based) and face oils. In your skincare routine order, the serum comes first. How to apply water based Skin Treats (AM and /or PM) Dispense a pearl size amount of serum from the dropper onto fingertips. Massage into the skin. Your step 5 serum options Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum Suited to: All skin types Pomegranate Brightening Serum Suited to: Most skin types Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie Suited to: All skin types Golden Anti-Ageing Serum (Apply in the evening) Suited to: All skin types and ages Step 6: Masks (Overnight) esmi Booster Masks can be left on overnight for an intensive treatment and cleansed off in your morning routine. Follow the same process of application as discussed in Step 3, however you can apply your serum before the mask (follow Step 5) when leaving on overnight. If you’re new to using the Booster Masks it’s best to begin by leaving the mask on for shorter periods and work up to an overnight treatment. Step 7: Skin Mylck Probiotic Moisturising Lotion Probiotic Skin Mylck is moisturising lotion formulated with 100% Australian made probiotics to help heal and strengthen hyper sensitive skin. How to apply Probiotic Skin Mylck Using the dropper drip a thumb size amount of Mylck onto your fingertips or palm. Gentle massage into your skin. Your step 7 moisturising lotion options The beneficial bacteria in the esmi Probiotic Lysates have been researched and found to help heal and support skin’s natural defences. Probiotic Skin Mylck Suited to: All skin types, especially hyper sensitive skin. Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Hydration Suited to: All skin types to help restore a damaged skin barrier, and increase hydration. Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Anti-Redness Suited to: All skin types prone to redness, flushing, and hypersensitivity. Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Brightening Suited to: All skin types, especially sensitive skin to gentle brighten with antioxidants. Ideal if your skin is usually too sensitive to handle stronger brightening skincare products. All Probiotic Skin Mylcks are lightweight formulations. If you have extremely dry skin, we recommend following with an Oil Based Skin Treat to boost moisturisation. Step 8: Oil-Based Skin Treats Face oils are the last layer before SPF in your routine. An easy rule of thumb to remember the order of skincare is lighter (water-based) products are first and the heaviest products (oil-based) come last. Face oil maximises the effectiveness of the ingredients your previous Skin Treats by sealing them into the skin. How to apply Face Oil Skin Treats (AM and PM) Use the dropper to apply 2-3 drops of oil directly to your palm. Gently massage into the skin. Can be used around the eye area. Your step 8 face oil options Face oils 24k Gold Nourishing Oil Suited to: Combination and dry skin types. Peppermint Green Oil Suited to: Skin prone to blemishes, acne and oil balance concerns. Acai Skin Balancing Face Oil Suited to: All skin types, especially oily skin. Face Duos esmi Duos combine the intensity of a water-based serum and moisturising benefits of an oil. Duos make it easy to address specific skin concerns with a face oil and serum in one simple step. Hydrating and Nourishing Acai Duo Suited to: Dry and normal types dealing with dehydration and ageing concerns. Sunrise Skin Energising Acai Duo Suited to: all skin types to brighten a dull, dehydrated complexion. Sunset Skin Anti-Ageing Acai Duo Suited to: All skin types to address fine lines, dehydration and environmental stress. Other Skin Products Sunscreen One of the most important skincare steps is sunscreen application in your morning routine. SPF is the final step. Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF Comfortable, non-greasy SPF 30 enriched with antioxidant protection for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. How to apply Skin Shield Shake well before use. Apply lotion liberally and massage into skin. Allow to absorb at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Face Mist Keep skin hydrated throughout the day with esmi Refreshing and Hydrating Skin Snack Face Mist. How to apply Skin Snack Face Mist Shake the bottle to combine the oils and extracts. Spray a few pumps of the mist. Use over the top of makeup to set or throughout the day for a quick refresh of your skin. Skincare Order FAQs Do I have to do all of these steps to have a great skin care routine? We recommend a cleanser, serum, face oil and/or moisturising lotion and SPF for a great basic routine. From there you can add products to suit your skin’s needs. What goes first serum or oil? Apply serum first and then your face oil. Can you use serum and face oil together? Yes. They are designed to complement each other. You should always follow a serum with a face oil or moisturising lotion as serums aren’t a replacement for a moisturising product. Our Face Duos range is a combination of both an oil and a serum so you get the best of both worlds. Does face oil go before or after moisturiser? Face oil goes after a moisturiser and before sunscreen. What goes first cleanser or exfoliant? Cleanser. Always wash your face first before exfoliating. What goes on first sunscreen or serum? Serum should be applied before sunscreen. Sunscreen is the final (and most important!) step in your morning skincare order. Talk to one of the esmi Skin Consultants for a free skin care plan!
The Benefits of Face Steaming
Face steaming is making a comeback! Give yourself a salon-worthy facial at home with our tips on how to steam your face and the skin beautifying benefits of doing so. The Benefits of Face Steaming Facial steaming has been around for a long time. It's a traditional way to cleanse and invigorate the skin and often done during an in-salon facial. Lately, though, it seems more of us are incorporating face steaming into our home DIY facials! It’s not surprising. The benefits of steaming your face are big, especially if you have large pores and congestion-prone skin. What are the benefits of face steaming for your skin? Most skin types can benefit with a regular, gentle face steaming session which can help; Open pores to release trapped sebum and debris The heat from the steam does a wonderful job at loosening dirt, sebum, and any other debris trapped deep within the pore. It softens the build-up, allowing stubborn blackheads to be purged from the pore, leaving skin brighter and clearer. Energise and brighten skin Face steaming boosts circulation. The result is a natural, glowing flush - a sign of blood stimulation energising the skin. Improve product absorption One of the lesser-known benefits of steaming your face? It helps your other skincare products do their best work. Steam makes skin more permeable which means products and ingredients are better absorbed into the skin. Any skincare you apply directly after your steam your face will be working extra hard! Release toxins Sweating helps cleanse your body's largest organ (your skin) of impurities by releasing toxins. If you’re not up for a sweaty HIIT session, a gentle facial steam or sauna is a great alternative to purge toxins from within your body. You relax! It’s the perfect soothing self-care activity Face steaming is skincare, relaxation, and self-care all wrapped up together. Include steaming your face as part of your at home pamper session to unwind and enjoy the calming benefits. Steaming your face at home Steaming your face at home is simple, effective, and so enjoyable! Here’s how to do it; Step 1: Cleanse with a gentle cleanser Start by using a gentle cleanser to wash away any impurities, dirt, and oil. We recommend using a cleanser from The Uncomplicated Cleanser range. Have oily, congestion-prone skin? Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Charcoal is an ideal choice. If you wear makeup, double cleanse at this step. This helps remove every trace of makeup and sunscreen from your skin. Step 2: Heat water and add to a big bowl Ideally, it’s safest to heat the water to around 40 degrees. You can bring the water to the boil in a jug, pour it into a large bowl and wait for it to cool down. Never steam your face using boiling water or you’ll risk scalding your skin and broken capillaries. Step 3: Steam your face Once the water is at a safe temperature, hover your face about 30-45 cms above the bowl. Staying a comfortable distance away will avoid overheating your skin. If this is your first time steaming, we recommend face steaming initially for 2 minutes and observe how your skin reacts. If everything seems to be fine, without irritation, steam for another 8 minutes. Then, blot your face with a clean, soft towel. Tips for using a facial steamer You can turn up the salon-type experience up a notch with a facial steaming machine. A few tips for getting the most out of your face steamer; Always use purified or distilled water in your face steamer. Tap water contains minerals that build up and mess with the facial steamer functionality. Don’t put essential oils or any other additives into the water. Clean your facial steamer regularly - at least monthly - to demineralise the steamer and keep it working properly. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Step 4: Apply a face mask Next, it’s time to take advantage of your fresh, open pores and put a face mask to work! While your skin is extra permeable and warm, the active ingredients in your masking product will be deeply absorbed. Discover our range of Booster Face Masks. They’re designed to treat a range of common skin concerns. Dull skin and pigmentation: Bouncy Brightening Silky Booster Mask Ageing concerns: Anti-Ageing Repair Gel Booster Mask Dehydration: Hyaluronic Hydrating Booster Mask Congested, oily skin: Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster Redness and inflammation: Anti-inflammation Mint Gel Booster Mask Dry, sensitive, and mature skin: Ultra Nourishing Booster Mask Refer to the “How to use” guide (located on the product page) to apply your mask of choice as per the application directions. Step 5: Apply a serum After removing the mask apply a serum from our Skin Treats range to clean skin to double down on post-steam benefits. Face serums and masks can be mixed and matched but see our handy guide for suggested pairing below. Dull skin and pigmentation: Bouncy Brightening Silky Booster Mask | Pomegranate Brightening Serum or Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum Ageing concerns: Anti-Ageing Repair Gel Booster Mask | Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum or Golden Anti-Ageing Serum Dehydration: Hyaluronic Hydrating Booster Mask | Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum Congested, oily skin: Soft Skin Refining Charcoal Clay Booster | Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum Redness and inflammation: Anti-inflammation Mint Gel Booster Mask | Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie Dry, sensitive, and mature skin: Ultra Nourishing Booster Mask | Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum Always finish with a moisturising lotion or facial oil to quench the skin after steaming and lock in moisture. What to avoid Unfortunately, not all skin types will benefit from steaming. If you have inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea, eczema or psoriasis, steaming is not recommended. It will only aggravate sensitive skin and trigger uncomfortable flares of prolonged flushing and heat for rosacea-prone complexions. Even if your skin can benefit from steaming, please don’t go overboard! Ease facial steaming into your routine with sessions once a fortnight. See how your skin reacts and increase to once a week (at most) if your skin is reacting well. If you’ve got any questions about how to steam your face or what products to use reach out to the esmi Skin Team!
How to Get Rid of Under Eye Wrinkles
One of the most common skin concerns is fine lines and wrinkles that appear under the eyes, usually as part of the first signs of ageing. These are a perfectly normal part of ageing, but we understand that many people would prefer them to go away! So we have put together all the information you need to treat under eye ageing. Why fine lines and eye wrinkles occur To begin with, let’s address how under eye wrinkles and fine lines form. Generally, the causes fall into one of two key categories: lifestyle influences or genetic predisposition. Fine lines and wrinkles can occur from: Smoking Sun exposure Not enough sleep Facial movements & expressions The appearance of under eye ageing can range from very fine lines that are not very visible, to deep set wrinkles. The good news is that there are ways to treat even very deep set wrinkles to reduce their appearance and improve your overall skin quality. Ingredients for treating under eye ageing The first step to treating under eye wrinkles is to start using topicals as soon as you see the first signs of ageing. There are plenty of products on the market that claim to be anti-ageing, but always make sure you check to see what active ingredients they are using. We recommend adding products to your routine that contain the following ingredients: 1. Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid is a skin care powerhouse. The molecule behaves like a sponge by pulling water from the air around you and into the dermis. It is fast acting and has zero irritation. It will improve the appearance of fine lines by plumping the skin and increasing elasticity. We recommend our beloved Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum which combines hyaluronic acid with niacinamide, which has also been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines. 2. Vitamin A / Retinol Retinol is one of the most popular anti-ageing ingredients, with good reason. It is one of the only ingredients that increases collagen production and prevents collagen breakdown - making it both a treatment and a preventative. A key consideration when using retinol is that this ingredient requires consistent use over a considerable period to see results. It should also be introduced slowly to your routine and built up over time, because it is a potent ingredient that can cause dryness and flakiness when overused. This also means it pairs very well with hyaluronic acid products, as the hydration will combat any dryness or irritation. We recommend using an Anti Ageing Eye Serum which contains retinyl palmitate, which is one of the least irritating retinols. 3. Peptides Peptides are a type of protein that can help to boost collagen levels, smooth fine lines, and minimise the appearance of pores. To reduce the appearance of fine lines under your eyes, Peptides are best applied in a serum so that they can fully penetrate the dermis. We recommend our Golden Anti-Ageing Serum for use overnight over your entire face, including the under eye area. The serum contains powerful peptides and antioxidants to visibly plump fine lines, brighten and condition. Other ways to treat under eye wrinkles Microneedling, fraxel and botox are all more intrusive ways of treating wrinkles and fine lines. These procedures need to be administered by a trained professional. We recommend trying topical solutions first as in many cases fine lines and wrinkles can be significantly reduced this way. Tips for preventing under eye wrinkles You can delay eye wrinkles and reduce their severity after onset with the following tips: Avoid sun exposure Always make sure you are wearing sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure. We know that sun exposure speeds ageing and increases the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Using sun protection like our Skin Shield Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen is your best defence against this. Preventative skin care It is important to begin using anti-ageing skin care at the first signs of ageing, however we also recommend starting earlier and taking preventative measures. Introducing an eye serum to your routine early on will help to slow and prevent the onset of under eye wrinkles, and can be more effective than retroactive skin care. Get plenty of sleep Getting enough sleep will help you to slow the onset of under eye wrinkles. Sleep affects the health of your skin significantly. While you sleep, your cellular repair increases, collagen growth is stimulated and cortisol is reduced. Find out more about how sleep affects skin. Remove eye makeup at night Use a gentle cleanser to remove eye makeup at night. Impurities and toxins from your eye makeup can penetrate the skin, causing fine lines and wrinkles. We recommend cleansing every evening, and double cleansing when wearing makeup, with an anti ageing cleanser like our Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Ageing. We are here to support you on your skin journey. If you have any questions about how to reduce the appearance of under eye wrinkles and fine lines, get in touch with our skin team today. We will help you to create your own personalised skin care plan to target your unique concerns.
Guide to Niacinamide Skin Care
Niacinamide - tricky to say (and spell!), but this powerful ingredient is taking the skin care world by storm. You might recognise the name from your favourite skin products. Niacinamide is a versatile ingredient, which is what makes it stand out. It’s a skin care all-rounder, with a range of benefits from reducing inflammation and redness, to strengthening the skin barrier, to improving overall skin texture and appearance. Almost every skin type can benefit from niacinamide, a crowd-pleasing ingredient that deserves the hype. What is topical niacinamide? Niacinamide is a water-soluble version of vitamin b3 which has extensive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically in skin care. Many topical niacinamide or vitamin b3 products come in the form of serums, treatments or masks. How to introduce niacinamide to your skin routine For acne prone skin Vitamin B3/niacinamide will assist in regulating oil flow and reducing pore size. This is ideal for acne or breakout prone skin, where niacinamide can help to reduce breakouts and make your skin more manageable. Niacinamide regulates oil flow without stripping the skin of it’s natural barrier, allowing you to skip harsh ingredients that cause overproduction of oil and worsens breakouts in the long term. For acne prone skin, we recommend niacinamide as found in our Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie. This lightweight formula with a gorgeous wild mint aroma will help to repair and restore skin and treat post breakout redness. For further information on an acne prone skin routine, see our Guide to Getting Rid of Acne. For red or inflamed skin Niacinamide calms the skin and reduces inflammation, making it a great ingredient to treat rosacea, skin redness and sensitivity. It has also been found to strengthen the skin barrier, which is the first line of defence against environmental triggers. This means that skin is less likely to become inflamed to begin with. For inflamed skin, we recommend our Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie alongside our Anti Inflammatory Mint Gel Booster Mask. These products will help calm existing inflammation and reduce the likelihood of future inflammation by strengthening the skin. For pigmentation Vitamin B3/niacinamide can help to lighten pigmentation, age spots and melasma by stopping the transfer of melanin at a cellular level. Niacinamide does this by helping to rebuild healthy skin cells and protecting the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. To harness the power of niacinamide for pigmentation, we recommend using our Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum. This plumping serum will give your skin a boost of hydration in conjunction with pigment targeting niacinamide. To target pigmentation potently, use in conjunction with our Pomegranate Brightening Serum. Layer your serums with the Pomegranate Brightening serum followed by the Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum. For fine lines and wrinkles It is suggested that Niacinamide works to increase collagen production in the dermis. The effect of this is a significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. To slow the signs of ageing, we recommend our Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum used in conjunction with our Anti-Ageing Eye Serum to really target lines in the delicate eye area. Layer with the eye serum first to really treat your skin. For dry skin Niacinamide can also be used to treat dry skin. It works preventatively and decreases water loss from the skin, meaning the skin remains more hydrated across all layers. For a massive hydration injection, you cannot go past our best selling Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum. This is the ultimate skin hydrater that moisturises from the inside out. Reap the benefits of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid combined. Combining niacinamide and vitamin c It is a common skin care myth that niacinamide and vitamin c can’t be combined. However, niacinamide has actually been shown to improve and enhance the effectiveness of vitamin c. Since both of these ingredients target pigmentation and ageing, combining them will potently (but gently) target these concerns. The science behind niacinamide in skin care The research around niacinamide is impressive, with studies showing it can offer a wide range of skin care benefits, including: Niacinamide is used to improve overall skin texture. In one study, 3.5% niacinamide was administered topically to a sample group for four weeks and demonstrated a 14.8% reduction in skin roughness (compared to a placebo). It can be used to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In a 2004 clinical trial, a 50 person sample group applied 5% niacinamide twice daily for 12 weeks. Results showed significant improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, yellowing, and skin elasticity. Niacinamide increases the barrier function of the skin, resulting in less irritation when the skin encounters environmental triggers and reducing inflammation. As a powerful antioxidant, niacinamide has been shown to reduce skin redness and inflammation like acne. A 12-week study cited found that niacinamide (used in conjunction with salicylic acid) significantly reduced pore size and bumpy skin texture. Niacinamide is a fantastic skin care ingredient for a huge range of skin concerns. This incredible ingredient will supercharge your skin care routine and enhance the effectiveness of many other skin products. Citations Gehring W. Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2004 Apr;3(2):88-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x. PMID: 17147561. Hakozaki, T., et al. "The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer." British Journal of Dermatology 147.1 (2002): 20-31.
How and When to Double Cleanse Your Face
We’re sharing how to double cleanse your skin for a deep yet gentle cleanse. Most skin types, especially if you wear makeup and have oily, congestion-prone skin, will benefit from a double cleanse. What does it mean to double cleanse? This double cleansing method uses a cream cleanser. The first cleanse helps remove makeup, SPF, and any impurities. The second cleanse clears any remaining residue from within the pores. How to double cleanse So, how to double cleanse your face, exactly? By cleansing with a gentle cream cleanser not once, but twice! Step 1: Use a Cream Cleanser Splash your skin with lukewarm water and massage a cream cleanser into damp skin with clean fingers. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean, soft face cloth. Why choose a cream cleanser? They’re ideal for a double cleanse as they’re formulated with ingredients to help the skin retain moisture, like plant-based oils, and maintain the skin’s important oil / water balance. Avoid double cleansing with a strong gel-based cleanser or foaming face wash. Even a single cleanse with a strong product can leave the skin stripped of oils and moisture. A double cleanse will do even more damage! The Uncomplicated Cleanser is a great choice. All skin types will love this cream cleanser - especially mature, dry, and sensitive skin. Step 2: Cleanse again. Consider a cleanser with actives for the second cleanse It really is that simple for your double cleanse routine; simply repeat the first step. After the first cleanse, most of the daily build up (SPF, makeup, dirt, etc) will be washed away but a second cleanse makes sure all impurities are removed. You might like to consider a cleanser with active ingredients for the second step. The actives in esmi Uncomplicated Cleanser range help target different skin concerns. With makeup and SPF out of the way, the active ingredients can better penetrate your skin. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Anti-Redness Suited to: Sensitive skin prone to redness and inflammation. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Anti-Ageing Suited to: All skin types dealing with fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Brightening Suited to: All skin types prone to dullness, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The Uncomplicated Cleanser Plus Charcoal Suited to: Oily and combination skin types prone to acne, congestion, and large pores. Finally, rinse away with lukewarm water. You might like to use the esmi Microfibre Face Cleansing Mitt to remove all traces of product residue. Follow with a Skin Treat facial oil or moisturising lotion of your choice. Who should double cleanse? Most skin types, especially oily, congestion-prone skin, will benefit from the double cleanse process we’ve shared above. Now you know how to double cleanse, when should you do it? You can double cleanse in your morning and evening routine. If you’ve worn makeup and SPF during the day, a double cleanse will help remove all traces of product. In the morning, it helps remove excess oil, sweat and bacteria that has accumulated on your skin overnight. Plus, it’s a great way to remove any residue from night time products and prep your skin for makeup! View The Uncomplicated Cleanser range. Reach out to our esmi skin team if you have any questions about the right choice for your skin!
We Scream for Sunscreen
We Scream for Sunscreen... Why we think you should too! ‘Oh my skin just feels so tight, dehydrated and hot’ Said NO ONE EVER.... right? After a long day, at work in and out of meetings, spending your day off outdoors, or running around after the kiddies, the last thing you want to feel is tight leathery skin. You know the kind where your face literally prevents you from showing emotion past a small grin! #notcute The reality is, we’re ALL going to spend time in the sun over the course of our lifetime. So sun protection should be a priority for us all! Especially in seasons where we’re likely to spend a lot MORE time than we usually would. Because of this, our skin is going to be constantly exposed to all sorts of environmental impacts, that can create long, lasting effects on the health of our skin. We understand you may be thinking: Sunscreen is too greasy on my skin. It always seems to break me out. Sunscreen creates a ‘cakey’ look under my makeup. I HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN!? Perhaps one or even a few of these points, have been keeping you from reaching for an SPF. And we totally understand! But don’t fret! We are here to let you in on a little secret. You no longer need to let these things deter you from using a daily SPF. We have THE product for you! Here is all you need to know, about how our Esmi Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen, can help you avoid these common problems! ‘Al Naturale’ Our sunscreen is created with all-natural ingredients! So it’s suitable for ALL skin types. Our formula is also preservative and fragrance free, so it really is the best sunscreen for sensitive skin. SPF 30 Protection With Zinc Oxide as a key ingredient, our SPF blocks out both UVA/UVB rays which are the culprits of the damage caused to our skin cells. UVA rays can penetrate your skin on a deeper level causing cells to age prematurely, so protection from both of these is extremely important to have in your daily skin care routine! Zinc Oxide aids in the halt of the ageing process, so this sunscreen is perfect for mature aged skin. Non-greasy Formula Designed specifically for the face, this product has a non-greasy application that is ideal for wearing under makeup, or for those who battle with oily skin. It applies softly and smoothly, absorbing quickly into the skin so you can follow with your makeup application, without getting that ‘cakey’ effect. Hydrating and Nourishing Our formula includes very hydrating and nourishing ingredients to ensure your sunscreen is not only protecting your skin but giving your skin some TLC in the process! The main ingredients include: Carrot Root Oil - antioxidant, rich in vitamin E and A, increases cell regeneration, moisturising, soothing, and softening. Hyaluronic Acid - intensely hydrating and holds 1000 times its weight in water! Certified Organic Green Tea Extract - power antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and reduces sebum production. Certified Organic Cucumber Extract - skin superfood, hydrating, cooling, calming, and reduces puffiness. Certified Organic Rosehip Extract - antioxidant, rich source of vitamin A and C, moisturising, brightening, promotes skin regeneration, and improves skin texture. Aloe Vera - hydrating, soothing, calming and healing. Adding in an SPF like our Skin Shield will not only gain you a layer of protection from the sun (or an added layer if you’re already wearing makeup with a good SPF in it) but you’ll also be adding a dose of nutrients and hydration to your existing skin care routine! Convinced? We sure hope so! So, why is sunscreen important? The use of a daily SPF helps to prevent sun damage to the skin, avoid premature ageing, avoid uneven skin complexion and protect it against the harmful UV rays of the sun. Get ready to say goodbye to that leathery, tight, dry skin. And say hello to your now protected, supple, nourished and hydrated skin! BONUS TIP! Our Refreshing and Hydrating Skin Snack Face Mist is the perfect sidekick to take with you, for an on-the-go hydration option! Pop it in your beach bag, in your carry on. Take it outside while you’re tending to the garden or even have it on your desk while working away in an air-conditioned office! (cue the dry skin right?!) Really want to level up that refreshed feeling? Keep your face mist in your fridge for an added cooling effect. Want to find other skin care products to use alongside your new SPF? Get in touch with our skin service team for your FREE skin consultation and find the perfect products for your skin!
Eye Serum vs Eye Cream
Eye serum vs eye cream. What’s the difference and how exactly do they work? We explain the benefits of both and how they fit into your routine to help address signs of ageing, fatigue, and puffiness around the eyes. Which Is Better: Eye Serum or Eye Cream? Under eye serum and eye cream both offer benefits for perking up tired, puffy, crepey or dull skin but they work in different ways. What is eye cream? Moisturising and nourishing Reduces under eye dryness Improves skin texture Works on the skin’s surface Heavier texture Cream-based formula Eye creams and eye balms are a cream-based formula with a richer texture than a serum. What does eye cream do? They focus on delivering intense moisturisation to the delicate eye area to improve texture, nourishment and concerns of puffiness and dryness. Eye creams and balms contain emollient and occlusive ingredients which work on the skin’s surface to lock moisture in. What is eye serum? Targets specific under-eye concerns: wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, loss of firmness Contain active ingredients Penetrate deeply into the skin Light texture Rapidly absorbed Water-based formula Lighter than a cream, under eye serum contains active ingredients like anti-aging peptides, antioxidants, and humectants to target specific skin concerns. With less (or no) occlusive or emollient ingredients, they don’t offer the same moisturising benefits as a cream. Eye serums are quickly and deeply absorbed into the skin where the active ingredients get to work targeting under-eye concerns like dark circles, fine lines, dark spots, and sagging. You might be wondering “If I’m using a serum is eye cream necessary?” They make a great team to address moisturisation (cream) and specific concerns (serum). Our Favourite Under Eye Serums Which eye serum is best? esmi range of Intensive Eye Serums are designed to help address a range of common concerns from fine lines and puffiness to dehydration and dullness. Anti-Ageing Eye Serum Ideal for: Crows feet, puffiness, fine lines, and dryness. Anti-Ageing Eye Serum fights signs of ageing around the delicate eye area - crows feet, puffiness, dryness, and fine lines. Eyes are instantly refreshed and results are reinforced over time. This lightweight serum lifts, tightens, and reduces wrinkle depth in the eye area. Hydrating Eye Serum Ideal for: Dehydration, signs of fatigue, puffiness and fine lines. The hero ingredient of our Hydrating Eye Serum is hyaluronic acid, which delivers long-lasting hydration to help restore under-eye skin. This lightweight serum also contains a potent formulation of marine extracts and antioxidants for skin conditioning and nourishment. Used consistently, it helps promote a firmer, softer and brighter eye area. Brightening Eye Serum Ideal for: Dark circles, age spots, eye bags, and wrinkles. Feeling less than bright-eyed? With a unique blend of plankton extract, peptides, and active ingredients (including potent skin brightener Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) Brightening Eye Serum acts on signs of dark circles, eye bags, and wrinkles. Promote a brighter, tighter and more youthful eye area with this lightweight, fast absorbing serum. How to apply eye serum After cleansing or exfoliating, and before moisturising, apply a grain of rice-sized amount (per eye) and massage to below the eye area and above on to the brow bone in an outwards motion. Massage until the product has completely absorbed. How to Layer Eye Cream and Eye Serum Using an under eye serum and cream? Make sure you’re layering these eye care products correctly to maximise results. After cleansing, apply the eye serum in the step outlined above. When the serum is absorbed, follow with your eye cream or eye balm. Apply a rice grain size of the cream or balm (per eye) and massage in. The cream locks in the active ingredients of the serum (remember those actives are working deep in the skin layers!) while moisturising and nourishing the surface. Both eye serum and eye cream can fit into your daily AM and PM routine. If you are using a heavier eye cream, you may prefer to apply it only in your PM routine.
The Truth About Alcohol in Skincare
Alcohol in skin care doesn’t have the best reputation. While some alcohol deserves its skin-ruining rep, alcohols are an extremely diverse bunch and many are beneficial! The truth is, Benzyl alcohol and fatty alcohols can be helpful and even necessary in your skincare routine. Depending on the type of alcohol, it can play a few different roles in your products. Most commonly alcohol in skin care acts as a preservative to keep mould from growing. No one likes to find fungus in their face cream or cleanser! If a product contains water, it needs a preservative to keep bacteria out and keep the formulation stable. Alcohols can also be used to enhance product texture for a silky smooth feeling and help boost moisture levels in the skin. Some alcohols are also known to increase the penetration of active ingredients like vitamin C and retinol in the skin. Benzyl Alcohol in Skin Care Benzyl alcohol is found naturally in essential oils, plants and can also be synthetically made. Thanks to its preservative properties it’s commonly used in skincare to prevent bacteria growing and formulations becoming mouldy. Is benzyl alcohol bad for the skin? When used in a correct concentration, benzyl alcohol is considered a safe ingredient. It’s an approved preservative under the COSMOS Organic Certification criteria. Although it is a very safe ingredient, if you have sensitive skin, we always recommend doing a patch test with any product containing benzyl alcohol. Alcohols Derived from Fats Fatty alcohols are derived from natural plant and animal fats. The different types of fatty alcohols you might see on an ingredients list include cetearyl, steararyl, cetyl and behenyl alcohol. They’re usually included in products used as emollients and thickeners to improve the texture of the product and help trap moisture into the skin. Fatty alcohols are very safe and unlikely to irritate the skin. They can actually be very beneficial for dry skin thanks to their emollient properties which help make the outer layer of the skin feel smoother and softer. Alcohol Denat in Skin Care This is the type of alcohol you want to avoid in skincare! Denatured alcohol, also known as alcohol denat, isopropyl alcohol, and SD alcohol is often used to preserve products. It’s also used in some over-the-counter acne treatments as the alcohol acts as an astringent to target bacteria and excess oil. While you might see an improvement initially using acne products with alcohol denat in skin care, it’s very harsh on the skin. Over time it will damage the skin barrier, stripping the skin of the healthy oils it needs. This results in inflammation, sensitivity, patches of extremely dry skin as well as increased oiliness and more breakouts. Is Alcohol Bad in Skin Care? Ultimately, it depends on the kind of alcohol and the concentration in your skin care products. Benzyl alcohol and fatty alcohols are generally considered very safe for skin. When used in safe concentration, some alcohols are necessary preservatives used to create high quality, long lasting products and prevent formulations going bad. Plus, some have the added benefit of improving moisture levels and softening the skin. If you’re concerned, the best thing to do is patch test a small amount of your neck area. This can help you avoid a potential allergic reaction to any type of alcohol in the product. If you have any questions at all about the ingredients used in esmi Skin Minerals range, reach out! Our expert team of skin consultants are here to help you!
My 5 Minute Skin Care Routine
Working mum? Stay at home mum? Working multiple jobs? Does anyone else have those days where you go out in public with your kids, they are dressed and ready, looking good enough to step onto a catwalk. But then you catch yourself in the reflection of the car window and realise you look like you just stepped out of bed?! Don’t stress. We’ve all been there. Often when we’ve been asked ‘How have you been?”, we tend to answer ‘busy’, myself included. And because of this new pace of life, we may not all have the time to get ourselves ready for the day like we once had, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get the same results! As a working mum of one very energetic ‘fournager’, and currently stepping into the third trimester of my pregnancy with my second, I no longer have the time I once had to do a full skin care routine! Whether I’m running out the door for work, attempting to squeeze in some early morning me time, or just juggling a grumpy toddler, mornings are usually a very busy time for our household. So any beauty tricks or skin care hacks that can save me a bit of time, I am all for! Thanks to this lack of time though, I have now got my 5 minute beauty hack on the run - MASTERED! A few things I’ve learned along the way: Keep it simple. Find products that tick more than one box. Consistency is key! So, let’s start the day. I like to set my alarm to go off 30 mins before my family wakes up. This gives me that little window of time to get myself ready, so I feel less stressed once the rest of the house is up and getting into the day. It makes me feel refreshed, awake, and ready to start my day. THIS is where I sneak my five minute skin care routine. Cleanse I use the Uncomplicated Cleanser to do a gentle cleanse and pat dry with a fresh face towel. If you have acne-prone skin like myself, you may want to try using a fresh towel or face washer after cleansing to minimize breakouts! Serum I have used our Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum for nearly 3 years now and it has transformed my skin! It boosts internal hydration, helps to regulate oil flow and improves the overall skin complexion to create a fantastic base for your makeup! Sun Protection I follow this with the Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen which has an SPF30 to ensure my skin is protected for the day ahead. Again, with very acne-prone skin that is also very sensitive, adding this to my routine was a game-changer. Makeup If I’m wearing makeup that day, I will usually do a light, everyday look with the Loose Mineral Foundation or Mineral BB Cream if I’m wanting some extra coverage or extra SPF! To finish my makeup I spray my face with the Skin Snack Misting Spray which helps me feel refreshed and ready to go! I also carry this around in my handbag for a nice little spruce up throughout my busy day. To end the day, I use my skincare routine to help me wind down before bed. After a long day of running around like a headless chook, the time before bed can become quite precious. And giving yourself, even just 10 mins, to practice some self-care, can help calm your mind (and your skin!) So here’s what I like to do once I’ve put my daughter to bed and made myself a cup of sleep tea! Double Cleanse Using my Uncomplicated Cleanser again, I first do a cleanse to remove any makeup from the day and then cleanse again to thoroughly clean the skin. Patting dry with the other side of my new face towel from this morning! Moisturise I always apply my Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Anti-Redness to ensure my skin is replenished. Then depending on how my skin is feeling, sometimes I’ll also go in with the 24k Gold Nourishing Oil as it helps on those days that you feel a bit of dryness to the skin. Plus it makes you feel super luxurious! Get everything you need for your five minute skin care routine with one of our Skin Care Bundles or get in touch with our skin specialist team to help you get on top of your skin concerns today!
Start Your Day with a Minty Green Smoothie
A green smoothie for my face? You bet! What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘green smoothie’? Maybe it’s words like health, glowing skin, and nourishment. Or maybe it’s more along the lines of “why would I ever drink that?!” Well the benefits of eating greens, as we all know, are astounding for overall health! It’s amazing for your digestive health, bone strength, immunity support, lowers cholesterol, and drinking them is a great way to bump up your intake of those precious B Vitamins we all need. So why not take all those benefits, and apply them to your SKIN! I’m going to what?! No no! Put the blender jug down! We are not suggesting you pour the remnants of your morning kale smoothie directly onto your face. We have a much more effective solution for you. Say hello to our Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie Serum! (Cue the hallelujah chorus). A lightweight skin serum with an energising wild mint aroma. This anti-redness serum cools and heals damaged, red skin with potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hydrating properties. Suitable for all skin types, it can help treat red, puffy, or acne inflamed skin. It’s also an ideal skin redness treatment to use after laser, IPL or diathermy treatments! Why do we love this anti-redness face serum? It’s cooling and calming. Think cold shower after a hot day at work, or drinking an icy cold drink after a day trip to the beach (is that the hallelujah chorus I can hear again?). Our Minty Green Serum contains Aloe Vera, providing a soothing, calming effect to the skin while also working to heal the skin. Hot tip! You can even carry your application of the serum down to your decolletage, to help relieve redness from too much time in the sun! It’s great for acne-prone skin. Having acne-prone skin can be a constant source of frustration. Trying to find products that are sensitive and won’t break you out, but will also be effective in giving you the results you’re looking for can be one tough gig. We all know the feeling of having a whole bathroom vanity full of skin care products that you spent precious money on but never continued to use because they under-delivered. Well, you won’t find that problem here! Our Green Smoothie’s anti-bacterial, anti-septic and anti-microbial properties make for the perfect skin serum to apply to acne-prone skin with confidence. It is also wonderful in the management of acne rosacea, with one of the active ingredients being Arnica which helps to speed the healing process. Collagen production! Our Minty Green Smoothie contains an ingredient known as Glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s), which is not something you need to be able to pronounce, but it is something for you to know about! Why? It hydrates the skin and maintains good skin condition by supporting collagen and a healthy elastin structure. So you can wave goodbye to pre-mature ageing! #winning And one final thing we love... Vegetables! Okay, so maybe you don’t LOVE eating veggies, or perhaps you’re a total veggie fan, either way - you can now have it as a part of your skin care routine! That’s right. The Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie contains broccoli, cabbage, and alfalfa! And with a wild mint aroma, you’re absolutely set for a win. So instead of getting the side-eye from bystanders watching you rub a broccoli floret all over your face, consider applying our green serum instead! Are there other products I can pair my green serum with? Glad you asked! We have a whole range of skin care products, specifically designed to work together. So try pairing your Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie with: The Uncomplicated Cleanser - a gentle cleanser that removes all traces of foundation and impurities with a double cleanse while calming and protecting skin with aloe vera and camilla leaf extract. Fresh Sea and Salty Sand Gentle-Foliant - an ever-so-gentle exfoliation of exotic Polynesian sand and tropical papaya enzymes that help fight congestion and keep oily skin clear, fresh, and bright. Probiotic Skin Mylck plus Anti-Redness - say goodbye to red, inflamed skin. This lightweight moisturising lotion is formulated with 100% Australian-made probiotics and anti-inflammatories to help cool flushing flare-ups and strengthen hypersensitive skin. So next time you reach for that delicious green smoothie, don’t forget to grab one for your skin too! Want to chat about your current skin concerns and find out what products will suit your skin type? Get in touch with our skin service team for your FREE skin consultation and find the perfect products for your skin!
Repurpose your Empty esmi Bottles
DIY home decor or skincare on the run? Maybe you’re the person who cuts up their veggies for dinner and chucks the scraps straight in the bin. Maybe you’re the person who cuts up their veggies for dinner and chucks the scraps into the compost to pop out into the garden. Or perhaps you’re the one we all aspire to be, the person who cuts up their veggies for dinner and proceeds to re-use the offcuts to make your own veggie stock, flu-fighting remedy, roast veggie skin chips AND feeds their garden #goals No matter where you sit in these categories - we all know by now how important it is to do our part in the re-use/recycle reality of where our world is headed. Have you ever thought, I wonder what I could do with my empty esmi bottles? (maybe you haven’t, but we’re sure you are now!) Well, we’re here to give you some ideas! We’ve seen some great ways and also come up with a few of our own on how you can repurpose your skincare bottles. Plus when they’re that pretty to look at… why would you want to chuck them in the bin?! So let’s jump straight in! Plant babies! That’s right. All of you green thumbs out there will now have another cute little way to pop some greenery around your window sills, bookshelves and bathroom vanity. #vibes Use an offcut from one of your over-performing devil’s ivy to pop in with some water and place into an old skin treat bottle! Or get yourself some miniature succulents like the ones pictured above. This is a good one for those of us whose thumbs are less green in colour! #whydomyplantsalwaysdie Skincare in the air! So maybe you’re not much for plants around the house…. But maybe you’re all for a good holiday? Let’s say you’ve planned your next overseas (#postpandemic) trip and you couldn’t possibly imagine having to go without your beloved skincare. We hear you! And boy do we have THE travel skincare hack for you! Traveling on a plane means you have a limit on the volume of liquids you can pack in your luggage. Most of our products are actually within this allocated volume. But our booster masks aren’t! I’m sure if you’ve used one of our booster masks before, you’ll agree they quickly become an essential part of your skin care routine, especially when on holiday’s and wanting to indulge in some #treatyoself #selfcaretime Did you know that once you’ve used that last drop of serum, you can actually re-purpose your empty skin serum bottles (the ones with the glass dropper) by filling them with a mask or even a cleanser? Plus the great Marie Kondo would also be in the background applauding you on your impressive space-saving abilities, so really, it’s a win on all fronts. To do this, all you need to do is use the dropper from the empty serum bottle to remove the product from your mask or cleanser container and squeeze it into your empty bottle! Fill to whatever level you desire, give it a little shake and you’re good to go! Not sure what we mean? Head over to our Instagram Highlight called ‘Fun Facts’ and watch the step-by-step video on how best to do this, so you’re well prepared next time you’re off and away! Go, you environmental warrior! How else could you re-purpose your bottles? We’re always on the look out for great ways to do this so please be sure to comment below or reach out to us on Instagram with how you’ve found a continued purpose for our beautiful bottles in your life! And if you try anything we’ve mentioned above - be sure to send us a photo!
