Autumn Skincare Tips

Autumn is a time of spectacular natural beauty with the fields and trees so rich in texture and colour. Vibrant reds, orange, and yellow dominate and inspire the landscape.

Unlike the fast pace and excitement of Summer, Autumn is a time of winding-down, taking stock, and preparing for the long winter months ahead.

Fresh grains, nuts, fruits such as apples and pears and berries such as cranberries are typical of the Autumn season, and they all offer wonderful natural properties that nourish, protect and nurture our skin and bodies.

Quite often, major skincare companies attempt to reflect natural ingredients that are typical of each season, and to use those natural ingredients accordingly in customers' skin care routine.

Autumn is the perfect time to look after your skin after the intense, and often damaging and dehydrating, effects of the summer months and over exposure to UV.  Wearing and SPF of 30+ is just as important now as it was in the Summer, and I truly believe that protection and prevention are key in effective skin care.

Below are some of my favourite Autumn natural ingredients and their use in skincare:

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Marigolds are flowers typical of Autumn, though grown all year, as they don’t tolerate extreme cold or heat well. Their yellow and orange hues really remind me of Autumn, and as a plant remedy, well you don’t get more traditional than that! The plant extract or Calendula extract has many pharmacological uses and has long been proven to contain a variety of compounds that are anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory. Calendula is often found in natural skincare balms, lotions, gels, and salves because of its wound healing and skin regenerating properties. The petals are classed as edible and some incorporate them in salads and dishes, and the petals can also be infused at home to make a healing oil (though I must admit I have never tried this!).

Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
This plant flowers in late Autumn and its bark and leaves are made into a well-known and multipurpose skin freshener and toner. Witchhazel has been used as a staple in the medicine chest for at least 300 years, and was even used by Native Americans to heal wounds.

Cranberries (Oxycoccus palustris)
Cranberries are typical of the northern hemisphere, and are vastly grown in the US and Canada, where they form a special part of their Autumn traditional foods such as for Thanksgiving. Cranberry botanical extract is rich in essential fatty acids that are essential for skin nourishment and health.


As autumn fast approaches, here are seven tips on how to keep your skin beautiful in cool weather. When temperatures plummet, a seasonal wardrobe change helps protect most of your body from the elements. However, your face and hands will still be exposed, and even areas protected by clothing can be affected by a harsh climate. An autumn skin-care regime can help ensure your delicate features fare well even as blustery winds blow.

Sunscreen smarts
Most people know that slathering on the sunscreen is a must when heading to the pool or beach, but your skin can actually take a hit from the sun’s damaging rays all year round. Apply a sunscreen lotion or moisturiser containing SPF daily to reduce the risk and minimise your chances of sun spots and wrinkles.

Healthy hydration
When it’s hot, you’re more likely to feel thirsty and drink more, but staying well hydrated is important in colder weather, too. Proper hydration affects numerous body functions, such as ensuring your muscles and joints are well-lubricated and helping your body to regulate its temperature. Water is the solution most experts recommend, but non-sugary options like tea can also help.

Food factors
Although limiting the amount of fat you consume is generally recommended for a nutritious eating plan, in the autumn and winter it’s especially important to be sure you’re consuming enough healthy fats and Omega-3s to promote moisture from the inside out. Good sources include eggs, nuts, avocados and lean proteins like fish, turkey, chicken and beef.

Clothing concerns
Even if you don’t feel the chill, cold wind can do a number on your skin. Be sure to cover up adequately when outdoors to prevent the chapping and irritation that can come from sustained exposure. Also be wary of precipitation; be sure your outer layers repel water and that you can change into dry clothing promptly if you do get wet.

Ample exercise
Getting your heart rate up helps get your blood circulating, which is not only good for burning calories and beefing up your muscles, it also promotes healthy skin. Sweating helps push impurities out of your pores, and the increased circulation helps distribute nutrients throughout your body, including the skin.

Avoid irritants
Especially if you have sensitive skin, cool wind can be brutal. Take care to avoid potential problems by sticking to softly textured fabrics that won’t get itchy. Take it easy on the exfoliating and be mindful of skin care products, soaps and detergents that may be particularly drying to already parched skin. Also skip the temptation to warm up in a hot shower, which can dry your skin even further.

Manage moisture
Even oilier skin types may need extra moisture when dry, cold conditions prevail. Oil-free options let you add moisture without over-stimulating oil glands, while natural oils such as coconut or jojoba are ideal for dryer skin. Apply a lotion after every shower to trap in moisture and as needed throughout the day to prevent chapping and cracking, and give special attention to areas that are prone to damage, such as your lips and hands. Find more ways to weather through this winter at eLivingToday.com.

Ways to perfect a carefree style
A carefree style may appear effortless, but creating a look that stands up to a busy day still requires some simple work. Keep your skin in top condition and your hair and makeup on point with these tips from the beauty experts at US department store Macy’s to help you look and feel your best.

Protect your skin
If there’s only one skin care product you use, it has to be sunscreen. Not only is daily SPF important for avoiding sunburn, it also helps prevent wrinkles and spots caused by sun damage. Apply early and often, and don’t be fooled by a cloudy day. Even when skies are overcast, those UV rays can inflict plenty of harm. If you’ll be out for an extended period, consider a stylish hat to lend extra protection to your scalp, ears and face. Also remember to cover or apply sunscreen to often-overlooked places, such as the tops of your feet.

Go for all-day eyes
When you’re embracing a laid-back look, a fully done eye can be overkill. A basic tint and some mascara is a simple way to achieve a put-together but fuss-free style. Using a waterproof formula can give you the confidence that your lashes are in perfect condition and ready for whatever the day may bring. If you have a favourite formula, check to see whether a waterproof version is available.

Make it matte
For lip colour that lasts from sunrise to moonlight, matte lipstick is the real deal. In addition to being long-lasting, matte lipsticks pack an intense punch of colour perfect for a bright and cheerful lip. If a little sparkle or shine is more your thing, go ahead and add a light layer of clear gloss and give yourself bonus points if one layer or both include SPF.

Explore new ideas
Pamper yourself with products you already love but explore new ideas and discover all-new cleansers, serums, moisturisers and a mask that will help .... Face oils can also do wonders on your skin.

Exploring the Hype - Argan Oil

Argan Oil This new 'miracle' product has many uses: medicinal/ health, culinary and cosmetic. Argan oil has been touted as a panacea of all ails and the answer to long life, vitality and vibrant skin health. But what is the real deal?

Argan oil has a long tradition of use by the Berber tribe of Morocco who extract the oil from the seed of the fruit of of the evergreen Argan tree (Argania spinosa) also known as the Moroccon Ironwood or more popularly, the Tree of Life for its many properties and uses.. Its life span is said to be anywhere between 125 to 450 years and the tree may not come into full production until it is at least 40-60 years old. The tree grows mainly in the southwestern regions of Morocco (and found sparsely in Algeria and Israel) but due to its popularity in the West, the oil from this tree has become almost synonymous with Morocco. So what is so special about Argan oil? There are essentially 3 categories for which argan oil is sought after:

1. medicinal (internal use)

2. culinary (internal use)

3. cosmetic (external use)

 

Medicinal & Health Benefits The unique and powerful health benefits of argan oil have given rise to it being labelled as 'liquid gold'. Analysis of the oil has shown that it contains twice as much essential fatty acids (EFA) than olive oil as well as containing other key nutrients such as Vitamin E, polyphenols, antioxidants, carotenoids and plant sterols. Because of this, it is easy to see the appeal regarding health benefits: it will lower cholesterol (probably by promoting the 'good' cholesterol or HDL cholesterol in relation to the 'bad' cholesterol or LDL cholesterol), therefore it promotes heart health. It also promotes liver health, blood circulation, immunity, prevents cancer (antioxidant properties), alleviates arthritis and rheumatism (probably due to its high EFA content), it is anti-imflammatory (involved in endogenous pain-relieveing pathways probably due to prostaglandin production), alleviates dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and relieves the pain and skin symptoms of chicken pox.

 

Culinary Uses The culinary uses of argan oil is really based on its EFA content in addition to the other key ingredients which confer numerous health properties. It can used as a cooking oil without degrading the chemical configuration of the oils, unlike many of the other oils such as olive oil. As a salad dressing, it has a very pleasant and nutty flavour, and it is popular in Morocco as a dip for bread using the paste traditionally made from the residues of the kernels after oil extraction. This 'amlou paste' is sweeetened with honey and served as a bread dip for breakfast.

 

Cosmetic Uses The appeal really comes from the fact that argan oil contain superior quantities of vitamin E, a key nutrient for the skin. Traditionally, the Berber people use argan oil to nourish and beautify the skin, hair and nails, make handmade soaps and cosmetics. More recently, the big cosmetics companies have started advertising the benefits of their product by dint of them containing argan oil (usually skin creams and moisturisers by way of preventing wrinkles)... always a bestseller but it is best to check that the source of the argan oil is of good quality and of sufficient quantity, not to mention traded ethically! Many new products have also come onto the market particularly hair oils, shampoos and conditioners.

Other Uses The reason that the argan tree is often referred to by the Berber people as the 'tree of life' is simply bacause it serves numerous other useful purposes for their sustenance and their community. For instance, the tree itself is felled for timber (provides basic building material and for furniture making), as firewood (heat for cooking), ornamental (decorative boxes and handmade crafts for the tourists), charcoal (heat for cooking) and animal fodder (food for their livestock: goats, camels and sheep).

Production, Manufacturing & Quality Traditionally, the Berber tribespeople (women actually) used to crack the kernels of the fruits and extract the oil by hand. No solvent or heat is used so this is truly an authentic organic, cold-pressed oil of high quality. Recently however, due to the high demand for this oil combined with commercial interest has meant that this process has been largely replaced by mechanical presses which considerably reduces the time it takes for extraction, allowing the argan oil business to grow into a viable business option for the Berber tribe. Since no water is added to press the dough, the oil has a much longer shelf-life, of up to 2 years than the hand-made product. However, given that the product may linger in storage (conditions of which are not known), there is a risk of oxidation which is subject to spoilage and degradation of the oil. No quality control of this process (as far as I know) has been carried out to date.

 

Ethical Trade or Exploitation? Nothing annoys me more than needless exploitation of poorer communities by richer economies and global corporations. Very little is stated about this now but it will be only a matter of time before a traditional custom and the livelihoods of age-long tribes and cultural practices become completely globalised and dominated by commercially-driven companies. I refer of course to the mass production and exporting of argan oil; a product traditionally produced by the Berber tribe of Morocco serving a myriad of functions for the local community. Due to the overwhelming demand for argan oil, the Argan tree has been added to the world heritage list in 1999 by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in order to protect it from encroaching desertification. The oil came to the attention of the outside world in the 1990s and is now highly sought after for the benefits it presents. But it has been an important resource for the Berber people for centuries and hopefully will continue to be so. As demand for argan oil has grown since the beginning of the boom (around 1999), there was a drive to ensure a fair and honest trade that not only benefitted the Berber tribe but also made this a commercially feasible and responsible business to meet the demands of interest of the outside world (actually, Western Europe and more recently, the US). By preserving the forests where the argan tree grows, ensuring the best deal for the Berber people, the Moroccon government, UNESCO and the German Government Development Agency (GTZ) are committed to limit the commercial exploitation of the Berber tribe (by the Swiss and French entrepreneurs) and preserve ecological areas dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the Argan trees. Without fail, with continued demand for this oil, it is only a matter of time before the world is devoid of this wonderful plant species that has served the local people for centuries.

 

For more information about Argan Oil and its trade please visit the Argan Oil Society www.arganoilsociety.org

For purchasing products of ethical trade try Wild Wood Groves (www.wildwoodgroves.com) or Evolve Beauty (www.evolvebeauty.co.uk)