Turns out that the cleaner lifestyle is making its way onto our faces and bodies, too
It was only a matter of time before our beauty products started echoing our health-conscious lifestyles. In particular, we’ve started to see the likes of vegan ingredients, prebiotic formulas and more controversially, hemp seed oil, make their way into our bathroom cabinets.
“We are seeing these elements in our skin care and beauty offerings more as wellness becomes the new essential in the industry,” says Philippa Curnow, Head of Skincare Education at Elizabeth Arden. “The health and wellness sector is now a global 3.7 trillion dollar industry and expected to grow by 17 per cent in the next five years.”
But it’s not just about reaping the rewards of these wellness trends for our faces; it seems that we’re trying to do our bit for the earth as well. “With the growing trend to avoid cruelty to animals as well as eliminating eating or using animal bi-products for various health and social responsibility reasons, this has transcended into the growing demand for vegan-friendly skin care products,” explains Emma Hobson, Education Manager of the International Dermal Institute.
And we’re all for it. Here are five of the biggest beauty trends that have a wellness edge.
Get to know… Prebiotic skin care
The lowdown: You know that ingesting probiotics is associated with gut health, but bacteria-based skin care can benefit your face, too. “Our skin naturally contains certain species which we can consider as ‘good bacteria’, just like our gut has good and bad bacteria,” explains dermatologist Dr Eleni Yiasemides. Curnow adds, “The idea is that [prebiotic skin care can deliver] ‘good’ bacteria [to] our skin, which creates a healthier environment for probiotics [in our skin] to grow”.
Why we love it: The probiotic drink kombucha may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but prebiotic skin care sure is. “It’s beneficial to all skin types, from oily to dry, but particularly useful to people with sensitive, dry or cracked skin, or who are acne- or eczema-prone,” says Curnow. Prebiotics can also protect skin from environmental threats and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
Find it in:
Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask: Regular use can strengthen skin all thanks to the dual prebiotic and probiotic formula.
Cosmedix Reboot Overnight Probiotic Hydration Complex: It’s packed with aloe to soothe and lactobacillus to hydrate and balance.
Payot Crème No. 2 L’Essentielle: The addition of prebiotics can support the function of probiotics, making the skin’s natural barrier stronger.
Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask
Cosmedix Reboot Overnight Probiotic Hydration Complex
Payot Crème No. 2 L’Essentielle
Get to know… Hemp seed oil
The lowdown: Get ready to meet one of the biggest wellness trends for 2019. Hemp seed oil is sourced by pressing the seeds of the cannabis plant. This ingredient differs to marijuana as there is little to no THC content found in the oil, which is the psychoactive ingredient associated with the drug. On its own, “hemp seed oil is rich in vitamins A and E, [as well as] minerals such as potassium, magnesium and zinc,” says Gina Cook, National Training Manager of Ella Baché. “Hemp seed oil [also] has anti-inflammatory properties which decrease puffiness and calm skin,” she adds.
Why we love it: Safe to say, you can add hemp oil to your list of good oils to slather on your face. “Unlike many other oils, hemp seed oil nourishes dry skin without sticking to it, [and therefore] won’t clog pores as easily as other heavier oils. It’s particularly great for mature, sore and dry skin as it is highly nourishing and moisturising,” explains Cook.
Find it in:
Ella Baché Collagen+ Treatment Oil: In addition to Australian native hemp seed oil, this skin care serum contains botanic ingredients to diminish fine lines and support firmer skin.
Votary Super Seed Nutrient Cream: 21 different super seed oils in this formula, including hemp, work to nourish and soften skin. Psst, it’s also free from parabens, artificial fragrances and preservatives.
Andalou Naturals CannaCell Glow Mask: Powered by pure plant essential oils, apply this jelly-like mask onto skin to soothe and improve luminosity.
Ella Baché Collagen+ Treatment Oil
Votary Super Seed Nutrient Cream
Andalou Naturals CannaCell Glow Mask
Get to know… vegan ingredients
The lowdown: One of the main themes within the ‘clean beauty’ movement is ethically-sourced products that are free from animal-based ingredients. “With the growing trend to avoid cruelty to animals as well as eliminating eating or using animal by-products for various health and social responsibility reasons, this has transcended into the growing demand for vegan-friendly skin care products,” says Hobson. So, this means eliminating ingredients such as egg, pearl powder and silk amino acids from the ingredients list.
Why we love it: Research has shown that vegan ingredients can perform just as well as their animal-based counterparts. “They function just the same way as any other skin care product and can be highly active and very results driven,” finishes Hobson.
Find it in:
Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF15: Matcha tea provides antioxidant protection, whilst a bio-ferment of sage can brighten dull skin.
Garnier Fructis Protecting Goji Hair Food: The formula is sourced from naturally-derived ingredients and can protect coloured hair from fading.
Mecca Max Desert Queen Eye & Face Palette: It’s free from common non-vegan ingredients such as silk powder and honey.
Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF15
Garnier Fructis Protecting Goji Hair Food
Mecca Max Desert Queen Eye & Face Palette
Get to know… vitamin C
The lowdown: Vitamin C is a no-brainer when it comes to strengthening your body’s natural defences (especially when you’re feeling under the weather). Now, beauty products are really singing out about this ingredient due to its multifaceted benefits.
Why we love it: You may usually associate vitamin C with brightening your complexion, but this super ingredient can do so much more. “The potent antioxidant can reduce the appearance of sun damaged skin, including having documented effects on pigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines as well as skin roughness,” explains Yiasemides. “It also promotes collagen growth.”
Find it in:
Clinique Fresh Pressed 7-Day System with Pure Vitamin C: Mix two drops into your day and night moisturiser to seriously up the glow factor.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer: Layer this under foundation to blur and perfect your skin in the long run.
Tarte Youth or Dare Multi-Acid & C Serum: Besides being able to brighten, this skin care treatment can also hydrate and exfoliate all thanks to its glycolic acid formula.
Clinique Fresh Pressed 7-Day System with Pure Vitamin C
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer
Tarte Youth or Dare Multi-Acid & C Serum
Get to know… Wellness hubs
Australian spas have gone beyond just offering facials and relaxing massages; there’s now a greater focus on wellness and holistic beauty. The Westin offers complimentary yoga and pilates to guests, and even a ‘run club’ for those who want to explore the city. Forgot your gear? No sweat; their New Balance Gear Lending program offers freshly laundered activewear and trainers for guests to use during their stay for $5.
At the All Saints Clinic in Sydney, they offer treatments like AcuEnergetics that focus on clearing blocked energy channels, stress relief and improving emotional health.
Our Review Crew® recently tried this hemp-based product from Andalou Naturals - here's what they thought of it.
Have you tried any of these beauty products before? What did you think of them? Let us know in the comments below.
This article appeared in the July 2019 issue of Women's Health.
Main image credit: @georgiafowler
Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.
