The Powder Room Journal
Ingredients explained, routines analysed, and the questions our community are asking
The Powder Room Journal
Is your skincare vitamin deficient? What to know about supplementing your skin
Did you know that there is a whole other aspect to skin nutrition that goes beyond the surface level? As it happens, some of the latest and greatest skincare technology these days isn’t topical products but vitamins and other nutritional supplements that work to address the skin on a cellular level - essentially transforming it from the inside out. But can these new innovations replace your favorite vitamin C serum? Not exactly. Here’s what you need to know: The benefits of supplementing for your skin The theory behind ingesting vitamins for your skin health is that supplementation can help make up for nutritional deficiencies and other imbalances in the body that affect the skin. Experts say when your diet is lacking certain nutrients, it can manifest a number of ways including acne, dull skin, dry skin, or increased sensitivity to sun exposure. While you should always first consult with your health care professional about your specific dietary needs, studies have shown that vitamins and other supplements designed to support the skin can be very effective. The trick is knowing which components are truly beneficial and which to skip. Worth the Splurge: Supplements we love for skin support ● Collagen - Collagen production is a vital skin function that slows as we age. However, studies show that consuming collagen supplements can help boost hydration levels, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even promote the production of important proteins that support collagen synthesis. ● Vitamin A - Vitamin A is amazing for skin protection and overall skin health. Experts believe that taking a vitamin A supplement has the potential to fight acne, and can even lower your risk of sun damage and certain skin cancers. ● Vitamin D - Vitamin D is known to boost the skin’s metabolism, aiding in cellular repair and better skin immunity. It can also help in the fight against free radical damage, which can cause the skin to age prematurely. ● Probiotics & Gut Health Support - Because so much of skin health is tied to gut health, a good probiotic or other gut health-promoting supplement is key. By balancing gut flora and restoring internal wellness, science has found that you can reduce acne outbreaks and slow aging in the skin. What about vitamins in your products? With all the buzz around vitamin supplements you may be wondering if you still need to apply vitamin-rich skincare products topically. The answer is yes. According to dermatologists, while taking a vitamin supplement has benefits for the whole body, they lack the ability to directly target the skin. Therefore, applying products directly to the skin is still one of the most effective ways to specifically address most skin conditions. Topical application of ingredients allows for a more potent concentration of antioxidants and other active components that can affect change in the skin. Cosmetic formulations ensure that these ingredients are delivered directly to the area in question and work deep within the skin tissue to heal and repair. Topicals to know and love ● Vitamin A - Retinols and other retinoid ingredients are derived from Vitamin A which is naturally rejuvenating and promotes more youthful turnover in the skin. We love Vitamin A for improving acneic, aging or dull skin. ● Vitamin B - Often spotted in your skincare under the name Vitamin B-5 or Niacinamide, Vitamin B is anti-inflammatory and aids in skin healing. It makes a great choice for improving discoloration and overall skin health. ● Vitamin C - Perhaps one of the most important ingredients in topical skincare, Vitamin C is brightening, immune-boosting and helps fight free radical damage. It is also known to boost collagen synthesis for plumper, more glowing skin. Other important things to know When choosing a skin supplement or topical product, ingredients matter. We recommend looking for high-quality formulas from brands you trust. For the best of skin health support and clean, effective supplements that get results, we love brands like OSKIA, Moon Juice and The Nue Co. which use only the best natural, functional ingredients and are designed to take your skin to the next level.
Which 'clean' products are worth the splurge?
There has been no greater time for selfcare and wellbeing than in the last few of months. From food and supplements to the beauty products we slather onto our skin, everyone is paying attention. When it comes to beauty, not all things non-toxic and clean have to rack up your beauty bill or be overly complicated. Luxuriously-formulated clean, vegan and cruelty-free products are more available and accessible than ever before. That said, it can be overwhelming when you are trying to make a start. Below we’re breaking down how you can take a few active steps towards to a clean beauty routine with our little selfcare luxuries. But remember to take your time, it doesn’t have to be a sprint to the finish line. Slow and steady wins the race. It all starts with a good cleanser Remember our note about this not being a sprint? It’s a process. Once you have decided to switch to a clean routine, a good starting point are products you use daily such as your face wash. The key to “perfect” skin is finding your ideal cleanser. For your products to work properly, you have to make sure you apply them to a clean face. We fully-advocate using a milder cleanser with a ‘cleaner’ list of ingredients suited for your skin type. Get a natural full body glow If a clean body scrub isn’t already a part of your beauty routine, then you could be missing out on glowing skin from head to toe Exfoliation is not just for your face and unless you remove that surface dead skin, your body moisturizer simply will not live up to its promise of hydrating your skin. By sloughing away the dead skin cells, freeing ingrown hairs, and unclogging pores, routine body exfoliation creates smoother, softer, and visibly plumper skin. One your lips and face will love you for! Gone are the days when natural meant drab. Clean makeup has certainly come a long way and today’s players are creating products that are richly pigmented, apply beautifully, cater to a wide range of skin tones and wear as well as their more synthetic competitors. Take care of your hair What you put on your body will eventually circulate through your bloodstream. When it comes to shampoos, not only do you work them into your scalp but you end up with them all over your body in the shower. There are so many harsh, harmful chemicals in most haircare products and these absorb very easily through the sensitive skin on your scalp. Treat it with love and nourish it with organic formulas which soothe and repair as they cleanse.
Five beauty resolutions to make during quarantine
Lockdown living has become the new norm for many of us around the globe, with social distancing likely to continue for the foreseeable future. It can feel increasingly difficult to focus on staying positive but in the spirit of silver linings, quarantine life is a great opportunity to step up your beauty game. We’re talking about making those time-consuming beauty investments that you’ve always wanted to try in theory but never had the time (or the privacy, because things don’t always go to plan) for. Well, the time has now come so line up those #throwbacks and commit to making-over your beauty routine: Start using actives Trying new skincare products can be a little risky if you have sensitive skin or have suffered from adverse reactions in the past. This is an ideal time to try all the products you’ve been coveting from afar (not all at once!) particularly those formulated with actives such as retinol, acids or vitamin C. These types of products often lead to temporary side-effects such as peeling, dryness or breakouts, which fade as your skin adjusts. Retinoids are particularly notorious for their adjustment period and if you’ve always wanted to step up your anti-ageing routine but didn’t have 6 – 8 weeks, now’s the time. Adjust to natural deodorant You may already be thinking about making some long-term changes to live a cleaner lifestyle, and avoiding the preservatives and aluminium in deodorant could be one of them. We are going to be honest - it can be a little painful. Natural deodorants do just that – remove odor. ‘Regular’ deodorants are often also antiperspirants, which work to inhibit sweat by plugging your pores, usually with aluminium salts. Sweat is actually odorless, and body odor occurs as a result of bacteria breaking down on your skin. Deodorants allow your body to sweat but target this bacteria, usually alongside masking it with a particular scent. When you stop using an antiperspirant and switch to a natural deodorant, you’ll not only feel sweatier but will likely also experience an increase in odor as your sweat glands will be purging years of trapped toxins and bacteria. Don’t give up! It’s a temporary phase and your body will eventually re-balance as the bacteria subsides and moisture levels decrease. This whole process may take up to 30 days so lockdown is an ideal time to start (maybe not for your family or housemates). Adjust to clean haircare Just like our armpits, our scalps may need a break from the potentially harmful chemicals they’re bombarded with daily. And just like with our armpits, the journey can be rough. Most conventional shampoos are formulated with foaming agents, such as sulfates, which work to create the rich lather we associate with feeling clean. Unfortunately, this lather can also strip your hair and sensitive scalp area of their natural oils, leading to dryness, itching and a rough hair texture. In addition to the wellness benefits, switching to ‘clean’ haircare can actually make your hair look and feel much stronger and healthier in the long term, but may require a detox period. Your hair may over-produce oil for a period of time – around two weeks – until it rebalances. Deep condition your hair Not only is the lockdown an ideal break from heat styling, it’s also a great time to treat yourself to some serious deep conditioning (should we be calling it a lockdown? Too much? Are we losing it?) Grab your favourite mask or treatment, apply to freshly washed damp hair and leave on for a few hours if not all day. When you’re done, lightly shampoo before sealing with a conditioner for best results. If you don’t have any hair masks to hand, substitute with coconut or olive oil before washing and voila! Soft, silky hair you can’t stop admiring. It is possible to over-do it, however, so we don’t recommend this type of deep-conditioning more than once a week to avoid build-up. Reacquaint yourself with your natural beauty We love makeup. It enhances your best features, lets you have fun, and makes you feel confident and ready to face the world. It’s incredibly addictive. We also haven’t worn any for weeks now and are starting to like it! In the beginning, it felt strange, but over time our natural features become more comfortable, familiar and beautiful. This doesn’t mean that when this experience is behind us, we won’t be wearing and enjoying our makeup again. We may just appreciate what's underneath a little more.
It's seriously time to adopt these skincare and wellness habits
For many of us, time has been the scarce and luxurious commodity that we simply don't have enough of. Between career and family commitments and trying to stay fit, healthy and informed, time often falls short. But in our new common reality of social distancing, the vast majority of us responsible adults who have the freedom to do so are doing our part and staying inside for the foreseeable future. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, these unusual circumstances have given us the opportunity to reflect on our lifestyles. If you are reading this, there is a chance that you are either a skincare newbie or a full-blown addict. Either way, there is no better time (or fewer excuses!) to start or improve on building the following good habits for your skin and health. Getting your beauty sleep We are constantly reminded about the importance of getting a good night’s rest however with our busy schedules this sometimes just doesn’t happen. There seems to be a million things that keep us from getting our solid eight hours (looking at you, Netflix) but now with more time at home, we hopefully have that chance. Not getting enough sleep can have detrimental effects on our skin and general health, not to mention compromising our immune systems. Besides feeling cranky, a lack of shut-eye can dehydrate the skin, lead to breakouts, and those dreaded dark circles. A good night’s sleep can also do wonders when it comes to slowing down the appearance of fine lines and loose skin, as sleep is necessary to maintain collagen and skin elasticity. Practicing skincare as a ritual If you have never had the time to truly enjoy your morning and evening skincare regime, now is the time to do so. The truth is, even if you have the best skincare products in the world, if you are applying them incorrectly, you are essentially wasting your time and money. So start making the most out of your beloved (or neglected) products today. The rule of thumb is simple, apply your skincare from the thinnest to the thickest in consistency, and wait a couple of minutes in between for proper absorption. Following your favourite cleanser, apply your toner then serums and give them enough time to sink in. From there, you can proceed to your moisturisers and oils. Drinking enough water We all know that drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day is essential for our health, but how many of us can sometimes go almost a full day before the dreaded realisation that we haven't had any water? So instead of trying to make up your 8 glasses close to bedtime, which is not ideal as it disturbs your sleep, make the conscious decision to sip throughout the day to stay hydrated. It's easier than ever when you're at home as you can monitor your intake. Letting go of excuses not to exercise Let the recent gym and park closures remind us how fortunate we are that we have access to workout instruction online anywhere, anytime, and it's time to take advantage of them! If you already workout regularly, it's more than likely that your gym is streaming workouts during this period, which you can keep up with in the comfort of your home. Kicking picking to the curb If you're a frequent picker, you don't need us to tell you to stop. But seriously, it's time to stop. Not only does picking damage your skin, slow down healing and leave unsightly red marks that take forever to fade, there's now the added risk that touching your face will expose you to potentially harmful germs. It's time to use this incentive to make a commitment to keeping your hands away from your face! Making the most of masks Nothing feels more like you’re really taking care of yourself than applying a mask. They are easy to use, affordable, instantly make you feel relaxed, and can be genuinely effective in the short term, working to hydrate, soothe and bestow the glow! However, being a multi-masker can take some practise and this is the perfect time. Once you get into the rhythm of masking, it becomes second nature, and you can be doing anything from cooking, cleaning, reading or watching TV. You now can enjoy the experience in its full glory without scaring the delivery person.
Is your nail polish toxic?
We love our manicures. The only dilemmas most of us have at the salon are whether to go for a classic mani-pedi or for a gelish colour. Maybe we debate whether to choose the safe nude colours or to go funky and bold for a change. There are even times when we flirt with the idea of having nail art! Unfortunately, what we are not usually thinking about is how our manicure/pedicure habit is affecting our health. So what's in my nail polish? Contrary to popular belief, your nails are actually quite porous. So, while we might think that nail polish sits on top of the nails and it shouldn’t matter what goes on this outer layer, this is simply a misconception. It is therefore important that, as with any other product you use on your skin, you check the ingredients included in your nail polish. Particularly if you are trying to make the transition to a non-toxic and organic lifestyle, you may be surprised to find that some of these beauty staples are formulated with harmful chemicals such as toluene, dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) and formaldehyde - collectively known as the ‘toxic trio’. This is because Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer, dibutyl phthalate is a known endocrine disruptor which may impact the reproductive system, and toluene can be harmful to unborn fetuses and lead to respiratory complications. Although the subject of how much exposure is required for the average woman to be seriously affected is up for debate and further research, the potential risk is still concerning. The good news The good news is that there are now alternative options, and a few health-conscious brands that are “three-free,” foregoing formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and toluene. Some even go further by creating nail varnishes that are five-, seven-, or even nine-free formulas. One of our favorites, Smith & Cult, make long-wearing, pigment-rich nail colors with an exclusive ‘8-Free formula’ excluding nasties such as Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide and Triphenyl Phosphate from their ingredients. With a few safer options now available in the market, it is no longer necessary to compromise on luxury, quality or wear and to still have the beautiful, glossy nails you deserve.