PHYTOMER Moisturizing Freshness Ritual

A good concealer can be a bit of a lifesaver, especially on those mornings when we’ve had nowhere near enough sleep! But surprisingly, concealer can also have the opposite effect, making us look more tired than we actually are! Not less!  From choosing the wrong shade to applying a little too much, a few common mistakes can make fine lines more noticeable, dark circles appear grey and the under-eye area look dry or creased.  So, if your concealer isn't quite working its magic, here are the mistakes worth avoiding and a few simple tricks to help you achieve a fresher, smoother, more natural-looking finish.    1. You're choosing a concealer that's too light  We've all heard the advice to go a shade or two lighter with our under-eye concealer to brighten the area. But go too light and you can end up with the exact opposite result!  Instead of disguising dark circles, a concealer that's much paler than your natural skin tone can make the area look grey, ashy or unnaturally white. Not quite the fresh, wide-awake look we were hoping for!  What works better?  Choose a concealer that's close to your natural skin tone, or just slightly lighter if you want a brightening effect.  And if you have particularly dark circles with blue or purple undertones, consider using a peach-toned colour corrector first. It helps neutralise the darkness, so you don't need to rely on layer after layer of concealer to cover it.   The result? A much more natural-looking finish.  2. You're applying far too much!  Here's a mistake I'm sure plenty of us have made. You apply a little concealer, decide those dark circles are still showing, add a bit more... and then a bit more for good measure!  Unfortunately, piling on concealer rarely makes things better. Instead, the excess product can settle into fine lines, exaggerate texture and leave the under-eye area looking heavy or cakey.  And as our skin naturally becomes thinner and often drier with age, this can become even more noticeable.  What works better?  Start with a tiny amount of concealer and build only where you need extra coverage.  For many of us, the darkest areas are around the inner corners of the eyes and along the under-eye hollow. Concentrate your concealer there rather than automatically covering the entire area beneath your eyes.  You might be surprised by just how little product you actually need!    3. You're forgetting to hydrate your under-eye area  We spend so much time thinking about which concealer to use and how to apply it, but what about the skin underneath? Even the best concealer can struggle to look smooth and natural if our under-eye area is dry or dehydrated. And this can become even more of an issue as we age! The delicate skin around our eyes has fewer oil glands than many other areas of the face, making it more prone to dryness. The result? Concealer that clings to texture and settles into fine lines rather than blending beautifully. Eek!  What works better?  Before applying your makeup, use a lightweight, hydrating eye cream and allow it a few minutes to absorb.  Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane and glycerin, which help attract and retain moisture, leaving the skin feeling softer and looking smoother.  We highly recommend Pevonia Age Correction Eye Contour. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula combines marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, marine elastin, squalane and green tea extract to hydrate, depuff and smooth the delicate eye area, making it the perfect option in the morning to apply beneath makeup!  “I love this product! The Eye Contour moisturises beautifully and softens the skin around your eyes. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.” Sam N  Just remember not to overdo the eye cream though! Too much product, especially if it hasn't absorbed properly, can make your concealer slip or separate!   4. You're using the wrong concealer formula  Here's something you need to know. Concealer you use to cover a blemish isn't necessarily the one you want under your eyes! And yes I know. You don’t want to have to purchase two concealers, but here’s why. A thick, full-coverage formula might be brilliant for hiding a spot, but beneath your eyes? It can be a completely different story!  Very matte or heavy formulas can sometimes make fine lines and dryness more noticeable, particularly if your skin is on the mature or dehydrated side.  What works better?  Look for a concealer that offers good coverage but still feels lightweight and flexible on the skin. A natural or satin finish can be particularly flattering beneath the eyes.  For example, ELES Dual Action Concealer combines medium coverage with skincare ingredients including peptides, caffeine and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and smooth the appearance of the eye area.     “This concealer is perfection. It goes on smooth, doesn't crease, and covers dark circles completely. The concealer lasts forever because you don't need to use a lot to get full coverage.” Marwa Yates  Or, if you prefer buildable coverage with a creamy, skin-like finish, ELES Adjustable Coverage Concealer is another great option, particularly for skin that's prone to dryness.  5. You're applying concealer everywhere instead of where you actually need it  Remember the days when makeup tutorials told us to draw enormous triangles of concealer underneath our eyes?  Well, while that technique can work for certain makeup looks, it isn't necessarily the most flattering approach for everyday makeup!  Applying concealer across the entire under-eye area can mean covering skin that doesn't actually need any correction. And the more product you apply, the greater the chance of it settling into fine lines or looking heavy.  What works better?  Take a moment to look at where the darkness really is.  You may find it's concentrated around the inner corners, or in the hollow just beneath your eyes, rather than across the entire area.  Apply a small amount of concealer to those spots and gently blend the edges into the surrounding skin.  A fingertip, small concealer brush or slightly damp makeup sponge can all work well. The trick is to tap and blend rather than rub or drag the product across your skin.  And there's no need to cover every little line or shadow. A little natural skin showing through can actually make the finished result look fresher!  6. You're using too much setting powder  Ah, setting powder. Brilliant for keeping makeup in place, but not always so brilliant when it comes to the delicate skin beneath our eyes!  If you've ever carefully applied your concealer, dusted powder over the top and suddenly noticed every fine line looking more obvious, you'll know exactly what I mean.  Too much powder can absorb surface oils and moisture, leaving the under-eye area looking dry, flat or overly matte.  And while the popular 'baking' technique can look fabulous on camera, it isn't necessarily the best approach for everyday makeup, particularly on mature or dry skin.  What works better?  If you need to set your concealer, use the smallest amount of finely milled powder and apply it only where necessary.  A small, soft brush works beautifully for this.  Before powdering, gently tap over any creases that have already formed so you're not setting them in place.  You could also try skipping the powder altogether and see how your concealer wears. Depending on your skin and the formula you're using, you might find you don't need it!    7. You're not checking your concealer in natural light  Have you ever finished your makeup in the bathroom, thought everything looked fabulous, then caught your reflection in the car mirror and wondered what on earth happened?  Bathroom lighting can be surprisingly misleading!  A concealer that looks perfectly blended under warm artificial lighting might appear too pale, patchy or heavy once you step outside.  What works better?  Before heading out, take a quick look at your makeup near a window in natural daylight.  Check that your concealer blends seamlessly into the surrounding skin and that there aren't any obvious lines or patches.  If something looks a little heavy, try gently pressing a clean, slightly damp makeup sponge over the area to soften the finish rather than adding more product.  It's such a simple little habit, but one that can make a real difference!    So, if your concealer has been making you look more tired rather than less, don't be too quick to throw it away and buy something new!  Sometimes the formula really isn't right for your skin, but often it's the little things that make the biggest difference. Choosing a more flattering shade, properly hydrating the under-eye area, applying less product or simply changing where you put it! 

For years now, “anti-ageing” skincare has been all about turning back the clock. I mean, who doesn’t want that youthful glow or a serum that smooths wrinkles, or firms sagging skin? But there’s a newer way of thinking about ageing skin, one that focuses less on erasing every line and more on keeping our skin healthy, strong and resilient for as long as possible. It’s called skin longevity, and while it might sound like another beauty buzzword, there's more to it than a catchy new name! From chasing quick fixes to supporting our skin over the long term, keep reading as we discuss the beauty trend everyone is now talking about.   What exactly is skin longevity? Put simply, skin longevity is about keeping your skin as healthy, strong and resilient as possible for as long as possible. While traditional “anti-ageing” skincare generally focuses on concerns such as wrinkles, pigmentation and loss of firmness, skin longevity looks at the bigger picture! It's not just about how your skin looks, but how well it functions as you age. After all, your skin has a pretty important job to do! As your body's largest organ, it's constantly working to protect you from environmental damage, retain moisture and repair itself. But as we get older, our skin naturally changes. Cell renewal slows, collagen production declines, and the skin's ability to retain moisture and recover from damage becomes less efficient! The idea behind skin longevity is to support these essential functions over time, helping skin to stay healthier and more resilient for longer, rather than waiting until visible signs of ageing appear before taking action! And the best part? Many of the things that support skin longevity, from daily SPF to well-formulated anti-ageing products, are probably already part of your skincare routine. It's not about throwing out your favourite creams and serums, but understanding how they contribute to healthier skin in the long run.   So, is skin longevity really something new, or just another beauty buzzword? Here's the thing. Looking after your skin's long-term health isn't exactly a new idea. Skincare professionals have been recommending sun protection, hydration, antioxidants and barrier-supporting ingredients for years. So why all the fuss about skin longevity? Much of the growing interest comes from advances in longevity research, which looks at how we can stay healthier as we get older, rather than simply live longer. And now that thinking is making its way into skincare. As our understanding of skin ageing develops, there's growing interest in what's happening beneath the surface, from cellular ageing and inflammation to how well our skin protects and repairs itself over time. It's not just about tackling the visible signs of ageing, but understanding how to support the skin's natural functions for longer. So while the term might be relatively new, the thinking behind it isn't entirely revolutionary! What's changing is the emphasis on maintaining healthy skin for the long term, alongside treating the visible signs of ageing.   How can you support skin longevity? You don't need a bathroom cabinet full of new products or a complicated 10-step routine to get started. In fact, some of the most effective ways to look after your skin's long-term health are surprisingly simple. 1. Don't underestimate your daily SPF If there's one skincare habit worth sticking to, it's sun protection! By now we all know UV exposure is one of the biggest contributors to premature skin ageing, damaging collagen, contributing to pigmentation and affecting the skin's ability to stay healthy over time. Daily broad-spectrum SPF, used appropriately for your UV exposure, is one of the best investments you can make in your skin's future, seriously! Not sure which sunscreen is right for you? Have a read of our guide to choosing the best sunscreen for your skin.   2. Keep your skin barrier happy Your skin barrier does a lot of the hard work, keeping moisture in and irritants out. Gentle cleansing, consistent moisturising and avoiding excessive exfoliation all help maintain a healthy barrier. Because even the most expensive serum won't perform at its best if your skin is constantly irritated! If your skin has been feeling dry, tight or sensitive, our blog on 9 signs of a damaged skin barrier and how to fix it is a great place to start.   3. Choose ingredients that do more than one job When it comes to skin longevity, some skincare ingredients are particularly worth knowing about. Retinol helps support skin renewal and improve the appearance of fine lines, vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and helps support collagen production, while certain peptides can help improve the appearance of firmness and wrinkles. And let's not forget ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help maintain hydration and support a healthy skin barrier. Of course, that doesn't mean you need all of them! The trick is choosing well-formulated products that suit your skin and using them consistently, rather than trying every new ingredient that comes along. Not sure which ingredients your skin actually needs? Our guide to building a skincare routine for your skin type and concerns will help you work out where to start.  4. Give your skin a little help from the inside, too Skincare can do plenty, but it can't do everything! Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress all contribute to overall health, which can influence how our skin looks, feels and functions. And if you're curious about how these everyday habits affect your complexion, we've explored the connection between stress, sleep and skin ageing in why your skin suddenly looks older: 8 reasons and what to do about it.   5. Think long-term, not overnight miracles Healthy skin doesn't happen overnight, and neither do meaningful improvements in its appearance. Rather than constantly switching products in search of instant results, give your routine time to work. Consistency, sensible product choices and a little patience will take you much further than chasing every new beauty trend! And if you're wondering why your favourite products aren't delivering the results you'd hoped for, have a read of why your skincare isn't working: 7 reasons you might not be seeing results.   So, is skin longevity the future of skincare? Perhaps. But the idea behind it is something skincare professionals have believed in for years, looking after your skin today helps give it the best chance of looking and feeling its best tomorrow. And no, that doesn't mean saying goodbye to your favourite anti-ageing creams and serums! They still have an important place in your routine. Skin longevity simply reminds us that there's more to healthy ageing than tackling the lines, wrinkles and other changes we see in the mirror. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about looking younger. It's about keeping your skin healthy, strong and looking its best at every age.

We all know how important it is to wear sunscreen every day. And if you've read any of our skincare blogs, you'll know I harp on about it… a lot! But have you ever wondered whether being so diligent with your SPF could mean you're missing out on something your body actually needs? I'm talking about vitamin D. Our bodies rely on sunlight to produce it, so are we doing ourselves a disservice by being so careful in the sun? And is it really possible to get enough vitamin D while keeping our skin protected? Well, when it comes to sunshine, sunscreen and vitamin D, there's a little more to the story than you might think! Keep reading as we discuss whether daily sunscreen really affects your vitamin D levels and how to get the balance right.   First things first, why do we need Vitamin D? We hear so much about vitamin D, but what does it actually do? Quite a lot, as it turns out! It helps our bodies absorb calcium, keeps our bones and muscles healthy, and plays a role in supporting our immune system. And as we get older, maintaining healthy vitamin D levels becomes particularly important for bone health. Here's the interesting part! Unlike most vitamins, our bodies can make vitamin D themselves, simply by exposing our skin to sunlight. Which brings us to the million-dollar question. If sunshine helps us produce vitamin D, what happens when we're slathering our skin in sunscreen every day?   Does wearing sunscreen stop your body producing Vitamin D? Now for the question we've all been wondering about! Technically, yes. Sunscreen filters UVB rays, which are the same rays our skin needs to produce vitamin D! So, it makes sense to assume that wearing SPF every day could leave us short on this essential vitamin. But…..research suggests that regular sunscreen use has little effect on vitamin D levels in everyday life. Why? Because no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV radiation, and most of us still get some incidental sun exposure throughout the day. So, while sunscreen can reduce vitamin D production under controlled conditions, wearing it in everyday life doesn't automatically mean you'll become deficient. And that's a pretty good reason to keep applying your SPF!   Do we really need 20 minutes of sunshine every day (without wearing sunscreen)? You've probably heard that spending 15–20 minutes in the sun without sunscreen is essential for getting enough vitamin D. But here's the thing. There's actually no magic number of minutes that works for everyone! How much sunshine you need depends on your skin type, where you live, the season and, importantly, the UV Index. During an Australian summer, when UV levels are high, most people can maintain adequate vitamin D levels through everyday outdoor activities, even while practising sun protection. In southern parts of Australia during winter, when the UV Index is below 3, spending some time outdoors with uncovered skin may help maintain vitamin D levels. Sun protection generally isn't required at these low UV levels, although there are exceptions. And here's something worth remembering, UV levels aren't the same as temperature. A cool or cloudy day can still have a high UV Index, so don't rely on how sunny it looks outside! So, before you set a 20-minute timer and head outside without your sunscreen, remember that more sun isn't necessarily better! Too much UV exposure increases your risk of skin damage and skin cancer and we all know that.   What if you're not getting enough Vitamin D though? Not everyone gets enough vitamin D, even in sunny Australia! People who spend most of their time indoors, older adults, people with darker skin and those with certain medical conditions may be at greater risk of deficiency. And while foods such as salmon, eggs and fortified products contain vitamin D, getting enough from diet alone can be tricky! If you're concerned about your vitamin D levels, speak to your GP. They can assess whether testing or supplementation is appropriate, rather than you deliberately increasing your unprotected sun exposure.   So, how do we get the balance right? You don't have to choose between healthy vitamin D levels and protecting your skin. A few simple habits can help: Keep SPF part of your morning skincare routine. When the UV Index is 3 or above, choose broad-spectrum SPF50 or SPF50+ and reapply every two hours when outdoors, or after swimming or sweating. Check the UV Index, not the temperature. UV radiation can be high even when it's cloudy or cool! Enjoy getting outdoors. Walking the dog, gardening or heading out for coffee can all contribute to everyday sun exposure. Think beyond sunscreen. Hats, sunglasses, protective clothing and shade are important parts of sun protection too! Don't guess if you're concerned. Your GP can help you determine whether your vitamin D levels need attention. And while sunscreen isn't always necessary when UV levels are low, there's no need to abandon your daily SPF habit, particularly if protecting your skin against premature ageing is a priority. If you're looking for a sunscreen you'll actually enjoy wearing every day, explore our sun care collection. After all, finding an SPF you love makes protecting your skin that much easier! Need help choosing? Our guide to finding the best sunscreen for your skin is a great place to start.   Vitamin D is essential, but so is protecting your skin from UV damage. For most Australians, it's possible to maintain healthy vitamin D levels without deliberately spending time in the sun unprotected. So keep enjoying the outdoors, make SPF part of your daily skincare routine and remember: getting enough vitamin D doesn't have to come at the expense of healthy, protected skin.