The skin is our bodies largest organ and the outer top surface layer known as the hydrolipid film or acid mantle creates a protective film over the entire surface of the skin. This barrier is our bodies primary defence from our external environment, we rely its integrity to protect us from physical injury, infections, chemicals, to regulate our temperate and to reduce water loss. Maintaining the function and structure of this barrier is important to skin health. We share how to eat for optimum skin health…

The microbes that live on our skin are collectively known as our skin microbiome and they are responsible for maintaining the optimal barrier function of our skin, providing defence against pathogens, reducing inflammation and general maintenance of healthy skin tissue. 

As a naturopathic practitioner that has a special interest in the holistic management of skin conditions, I find the role of the skin microbiome is an often-overlooked part of the health and appearance of our skin.  So here is all you need to know about what the skin microbiome is and how you can look after yours.

There is a lot of hype in the skincare world around ‘fatty acids’, omega-3 this and omega-6 that. But what does it all mean? Lets break it down: A fatty acid is a molecule consisting of a chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms and a carboxyl group and are found in fats, oils and cell membranes. There are many different types of fatty acids, and they vary by the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms and bonds in their structure. The bonds differentiate them between saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Given that sunscreen is applied liberally to the skin, and sometimes inhaled in a spray or ingested on the lips – you’d think that sunscreen formulas would be non-toxic. Not so. The toxicity of commercial sunscreens has been in the firing line for a while now, and it is a well-known fact that they may not be entirely beneficial – except for their ability to prevent certain skin pathologies. But what are the side effects of some of the chemicals commonly used? We did some digging….

Rosehip oil has been competing for the title of sworn-by oil for glowing skin against coconut oil for a while now, and as endorsed by Miranda Kerr as her secret weapon to a radiant complexion, the ingredient has flooded the market.  

A rich source of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, rose hip oil penetrates the skin on a cellular level to provide its healing properties. Rose hip is the fruit that’s left behind after a rose has flowered and its petals have dropped. By using a variety of extraction methods, the oil is separated from the rose hips and seeds.

Plastic pollution, particularly in a marine environment, can be a difficult concept to wrap your head around if you don’t spend your time near the sea. But even city dwellers influence the sheer amount of plastic that enters the ocean (12 million tonnes a year!).

Boyan Slate, the founder of The Ocean Clean Up, knows this all to well. As an avid diver, Slate’s life-altering moment occurred while spending time underwater. While diving during in Greece, he saw far more plastic bags than fish – that unsettled him and inspired him to design a solution as part of a school project.

There’s no other oil that has such synergy with our skin like Jojoba oil does. This liquid wax is produced from the seed of the Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) plant, and its chemical structure is very similar to the sebum produced by human skin. Sebum is the oil secreted by your skin’s glands to lubricate the outer layer of the skin and maintain its overall health. It’s the stuff that makes healthy skin look incredibly soft and supple. It’s also the stuff that can clog your pores if excess amounts are produced, usually due to a hormone imbalance.

We’ve all been there. Sometimes life can be a bit lonely.  And whether you acknowledge it or not, that lonely feeling can have a detrimental effect on your mental health and overall well-being. Having the opportunity to join a community full of love and support is crucial to creating a vibrant lifestyle.

We exist in an increasingly lonely society. A 2016 Lifeline survey reported that over 80% of 3,000 respondents felt that loneliness was increasing in their own life and society. Another 2017 survey reported that of the respondents, 34% felt isolated most the time and 43% felt isolated some of the time. What does that say about the way our society is heading?

The mega-moisturising components of sweet almond oil have made it a powerhouse ingredient in many natural and organic skincare products today. One of almond oil’s most attractive qualities is due to is its ability to leave the skin with a warm glow as it improves complexion and skin tone.

Food as Medicine is a term Hippocrates coined over two thousand years ago and is still as valid today, if not more. The way we produce, package and process our food since the agricultural revolution in the nineteenth century as well as the golden age of pesticides in the sixties has drastically changed the way our food looks and behaves in our bodies. By developing a new relationship between our bodies and the foods it needs, we need can make a significant impact on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Our in-house naturopath, Karen Saunders, shares 6 practical ways to optimise your wellbeing through food, Ayurveda and mindfulness.