PHYTOMER Youth & Wrinkles Gift Set

We spend so much time (and money!) on our skincare, carefully choosing products with the latest and greatest ingredients (which of course promise to deliver impressive results!). But have you ever really considered what's actually in your foundation? After all, doesn't it make sense to pay just as much attention to the makeup we're applying on top? For years, foundation has been all about coverage. Concealing imperfections, evening out skin tone and creating a flawless-looking complexion. But who says it can't do more? That's where skincare makeup comes in. Also known as skincare-infused makeup, these modern formulations combine beautiful coverage with ingredients that help hydrate, soften and condition your skin. So, which skincare ingredients should you look for in your foundation, and what exactly can they do for your skin? Keep reading to find out!   1. Hyaluronic Acid & Glycerine (for hydration) Does your foundation ever cling to dry patches or settle into fine lines? If so, hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerine are worth looking out for! Both are humectants, meaning they attract water and help maintain moisture in the skin. They can help keep your complexion feeling hydrated and comfortable, while giving it a smoother, plumper appearance.   2. Squalane & Jojoba Esters (for softness) Nobody wants foundation that leaves their skin feeling tight or dry by lunchtime! Squalane and jojoba esters are lightweight emollients that help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. They can also contribute to a smoother, more comfortable application, particularly in foundations designed to be worn for hours.   3. Antioxidants (for added skin benefits) Green tea, Kakadu plum, pomegranate and bilberry aren't just ingredients you'll find in your favourite skincare serums! These botanical extracts contain antioxidant compounds that can help defend against free radicals associated with everyday environmental stress, which contributes to premature skin ageing. While foundation won't replace your antioxidant serum, these ingredients are a welcome addition to your makeup routine.   4. Allantoin & Marigold (for skin comfort) If your skin is easily irritated or prone to redness, soothing ingredients are worth paying attention to. Allantoin is known for its soothing and skin-conditioning properties, while marigold extract is often included in formulations designed to help keep skin feeling comfortable. They're particularly appealing if you prefer makeup that feels gentle rather than heavy or uncomfortable.   5. Minerals & Powders (for protection and a flawless finish) Not every beneficial ingredient in your foundation works like a skincare serum. Some are there to make your makeup look and perform better! Mineral pigments provide colour and coverage, mica reflects light for a softer, more luminous appearance, while ingredients such as kaolin clay and rice powder can absorb excess oil and help minimise shine. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can also act as UV filters in appropriately formulated and tested SPF products. A quick reminder! Even if your foundation contains SPF, it shouldn't replace your daily sunscreen. For everyday sun protection in Australia, use a dedicated broad-spectrum SPF 50 or SPF 50+ sunscreen underneath your makeup.   Finding the right foundation for your skin Of course, knowing which ingredients are beneficial is one thing. Finding a foundation that combines them in a formula you actually love wearing is another! This is why we love the ELES Cosmetics foundation range! It combines skincare ingredients, botanical extracts and mineral pigments, with different textures, coverage levels and finishes to suit every skin! Love a fresh, natural-looking glow? ELES Mineral Glow Skin Tint is ideal if you prefer lightweight coverage that evens out your complexion while letting your natural skin shine through. Combining hyaluronic acid, glycerine and squalane with green tea, marigold and other botanical extracts, it helps keep skin feeling hydrated and comfortable, with a fresh, luminous finish. Want buildable coverage without a heavy feel? ELES HD Mineral Satin Foundation offers a smooth, natural satin finish with coverage you can build where needed. Its combination of hyaluronic acid, squalane, green tea and soothing allantoin makes it a lovely option if you want a polished complexion without compromising on skin comfort. Prefer a smooth, velvety finish? ELES Mineral Flawless Finish Foundation combines hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and squalane with botanical extracts and oil-absorbing powders. A great choice if you prefer a soft, polished finish that helps minimise unwanted shine without leaving skin feeling dry. More of a powder foundation fan? ELES Mineral SkinPerfect Powder Foundation delivers buildable coverage with a smooth, airbrushed finish. Featuring mineral pigments alongside antioxidant-rich Kakadu plum, pomegranate and bilberry extracts, it's a convenient option for anyone who loves the feel of a powder foundation or wants to keep shine under control. The important thing is to look beyond one standout ingredient and consider the overall formulation, your skin type and the finish you prefer.   Remember your foundation doesn't need to replace your skincare routine, but there's no reason it can't complement it. Whether you're after extra hydration, soothing ingredients or a formula that helps keep shine under control, understanding what's in your makeup can help you make a more informed choice. After all, great foundation shouldn't just look good on your skin. It should feel good, too! 

If you've ever introduced a new retinol, exfoliating serum or active skincare treatment only to find yourself dealing with more spots than you started with, you'll know just how frustrating it can be! But is your skin just adjusting to the new ingredient, or is the product simply not right for you? The tricky part? Skin purging and ordinary breakouts can look surprisingly similar, but they don't necessarily mean the same thing! So, how can you tell what's happening? How long should you give a new product? And when is it time to call it quits? Here's what you need to know!   What exactly is skin purging? Skin purging is the term used to describe a temporary increase in blemishes that can sometimes occur when you introduce skincare ingredients that speed up skin cell turnover. Our skin naturally sheds dead cells and replaces them with new ones. Certain active ingredients, particularly retinol and some exfoliating acids, encourage this process. As a result, clogged pores that were already developing beneath the skin's surface may become visible sooner than they otherwise would. The result? An unexpected appearance of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, just when you were hoping for clearer skin! But here's something worth remembering, skin purging isn't proof that a product is working, and not everyone experiences it. You can absolutely enjoy the benefits of active skincare without going through a breakout first!   Skin purge vs breakout: so how can you tell the difference? This is where things can get a little confusing. Both can leave you dealing with unwanted blemishes, but there are a few clues that may help you work out what's happening.   Remember, these are useful clues rather than hard-and-fast rules. Not every breakout after starting a new skincare product is a purge, and significant irritation shouldn't be ignored. Just ask yourself did the breakout begin shortly after introducing an ingredient known to influence skin cell turnover, and is it appearing in areas where you normally experience congestion? If the answer is yes, purging is one possibility. But if your skin is becoming increasingly irritated or you're developing blemishes in completely unfamiliar areas, it's worth reconsidering the product.   Which skincare ingredients can cause purging? Not every new skincare product can trigger a purge. It's usually associated with ingredients that encourage skin cell turnover or help clear clogged pores. The most common include: Retinol and other retinoids: Popular for improving the appearance of fine lines, uneven skin texture and acne-prone skin. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): Ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acid that exfoliate the skin's surface. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs): Particularly salicylic acid, which helps clear dead skin cells and congestion from pores. But what if you've started using a new moisturiser, hydrating serum or cleanser? These products generally don't accelerate skin cell turnover in the same way. So if you're suddenly breaking out, it's worth considering whether the formulation agrees with your skin rather than assuming you're experiencing a purge.   How long does skin purging last? The question everyone wants answered! Unfortunately, there's no exact timeline. If you're experiencing a temporary purge, you may notice your blemishes gradually settling over several weeks. Four to six weeks is often mentioned, although some treatments, particularly retinoids used for acne, can take longer to show their full benefits. The important thing is whether your skin seems to be heading in the right direction. Are you noticing fewer blemishes as the weeks go by? Or are things getting progressively worse? Don't feel you need to push through weeks of worsening breakouts simply because you've heard it's part of the process. If you're concerned, it's worth speaking to a dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional.   What should you do if you think your skin Is purging? First things first, don't panic! And definitely don't start throwing every blemish-fighting product you own at your skin in an attempt to clear things up faster! If your skin is experiencing a temporary purge, the last thing it needs is an overload of exfoliants, strong serums and new treatments. Instead, a few simple adjustments to your routine can help keep your skin comfortable while you work out what's happening.   1. Give you skin a little breathing room Now most certainly isn't the time to experiment with that new exfoliating scrub or add another active serum to your routine! Stick with a gentle cleanser that removes makeup, sunscreen and everyday impurities without leaving your skin feeling tight or stripped. And as tempting as it might be, try to leave those spots alone. Picking or squeezing can make inflammation worse and increase the likelihood of lingering marks.   2. Yes, you still need a moisturiser! When you're dealing with breakouts, particularly if your skin is already oily, moisturiser might be the first thing you're tempted to skip. But here's the thing! Oily skin can still become dehydrated, and ingredients such as retinol and exfoliating acids can leave your complexion feeling dry, tight or flaky. A lightweight, well-formulated moisturiser can help keep your skin hydrated and support its protective barrier without feeling heavy or greasy. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides, and choose a texture that feels comfortable on your skin.   3. Take it slowly when introducing active ingredients If there's one thing worth remembering when introducing retinol or exfoliating acids, it's that more isn't necessarily better! Using a stronger concentration or applying a product more frequently won't automatically give you better results. In fact, it may simply leave your skin irritated. Follow the product's instructions, introduce one new active at a time and give your skin a chance to adjust before adding anything else. And if your skin starts feeling increasingly uncomfortable? That's your cue to ease off, not push harder. Pause the product if irritation develops and seek professional advice if symptoms persist.   4. And don’t forget your SPF! We know, we know. You've heard me say it many a time before! But daily sun protection really is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine! Certain active ingredients, particularly exfoliating acids, can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. And if you're dealing with blemishes, UV exposure can make those lingering post-breakout marks more noticeable. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 50 or SPF 50+ sunscreen that suits your skin type, apply it generously and remember to reapply as directed, especially when spending time outdoors.   When should you stop using the product? While a temporary increase in blemishes can sometimes happen when introducing active skincare, not every reaction should be dismissed as purging. If you're experiencing significant burning, itching, swelling, pronounced redness or a widespread rash, your skin may be reacting to an ingredient rather than simply adjusting to it. The same goes for breakouts that continue to worsen, become painful or start appearing in unusual areas. Remember, there's no skincare prize for persevering with a product that clearly isn't agreeing with your skin! If significant irritation develops, stop using the suspected product and seek professional advice. Sudden facial swelling or breathing difficulties require urgent medical attention.   So, is it a skin purge or a breakout that you have? The ingredient you've introduced, where your blemishes are appearing, how your skin feels and whether things are gradually improving can all offer useful clues. But the most important thing to remember is that healthy skin doesn't have to get worse before it gets better. Introduce new treatments gradually, keep your routine gentle and don't ignore signs that something isn't right. After all, good skincare should be about helping your skin look and feel its best, not putting it through unnecessary stress!

Ever looked down at your arms or legs and wondered when your skin started looking quite so... crinkly? Perhaps you've noticed it around your elbows, above your knees or on your upper arms. Or maybe it's your neck and chest that are looking a little thinner, looser and more papery than they used to. And not quite as firm, either!  Known as crepey skin, this thin, crinkled appearance often goes hand in hand with a loss of firmness and elasticity. Unfortunately, it's a common part of getting older (just like fine lines and wrinkles on our faces!), but that doesn't mean we have to simply put up with it.  And while there's no shortage of creams, lotions and potions promising to firm, tighten and smooth our skin, how do we know what's actually worth trying? Can the right body moisturiser make a difference? And are firming creams really worth the money?  Keep reading as we uncover what causes crepey skin, why our skin loses firmness and, more importantly, the skincare habits, ingredients and treatments that can actually help.    Firstly, what exactly Is crepey skin?  Think of the delicate, finely crinkled texture of crepe paper, and you'll have a pretty good idea of where the name comes from!  Crepey skin tends to look thinner, more fragile and finely wrinkled than the surrounding skin. Unlike deeper wrinkles, which often develop in specific lines or folds, crepey skin can affect larger areas, particularly the upper arms, thighs, knees, neck and chest.  And while dryness can make those little lines much more noticeable, crepey skin isn't simply a case of needing more moisturiser. Changes in the skin's underlying structure often play a part too.    Why does our skin become crepey and lose firmness?  Unfortunately, our skin doesn't produce collagen and elastin at quite the same rate forever!  As we get older, the natural decline and breakdown of these important structural proteins can leave skin looking thinner, less elastic and not quite as firm as it once was.  But ageing isn't the only factor!  Sun exposure is a major contributor. Years of UV exposure can damage collagen and elastin, accelerating the development of fine wrinkles, crepey texture and skin laxity. It's one reason the chest, neck and arms are particularly vulnerable.  Dryness can also exaggerate the appearance of crepey skin. When skin lacks moisture, fine lines and crinkles tend to become more obvious.  Hormonal changes, particularly around menopause, can contribute to changes in skin thickness, collagen and hydration.  And significant weight fluctuations can leave skin looking looser, especially when its natural elasticity has declined.  Of course, genetics plays a part too. Some people simply notice these changes earlier or more prominently than others.    Can you actually get rid of crepey skin?  Here's where it's worth separating the skincare promises from what products can realistically achieve! If your skin looks crepey partly because it's dry or dehydrated, a good moisturiser can make a surprisingly noticeable difference to how smooth and supple it appears.  Targeted skincare ingredients may also help improve rough texture and some visible signs of skin ageing over time. But if you're dealing with more pronounced sagging or significant loss of elasticity, even the most luxurious body cream won't completely tighten loose skin.  That doesn't mean your body care routine isn't worth upgrading. It simply means choosing products for the improvements they can genuinely deliver.    What really helps improve crepey skin and firmness?  1. Give your skin some serious hydration  If your current body care routine consists of a quick application of moisturiser whenever you remember, this is a good place to start!  Well-hydrated skin tends to look smoother, softer and more supple, helping minimise the appearance of fine, crinkled lines.  Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which attract moisture, alongside shea butter, squalane and nourishing oils, which help soften skin and reduce moisture loss.  For a more targeted approach, Pevonia Crepe-No-More Body Cream is specifically designed for ageing, crepey-looking body skin, making it a natural option for areas that need extra attention.   Packed with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, Marine Collagen, firming Longan Fruit Extract and nourishing Shea Butter, it helps soften those telltale crinkles while leaving skin looking smoother, plumper and more supple.    2. Look beyond basic body moisturisers  When your skin starts losing its firmness and elasticity, sometimes a little extra hydration just isn't enough!  Look for body care formulas featuring ingredients such as peptides, elastin, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, which can help support hydration and improve the appearance of ageing skin. While no cream can physically lift significantly sagging skin, the right ingredients can help skin look smoother, plumper and more supple.  If your upper arms, thighs or knees are looking a little less firm than they used to, Pevonia Stem Cells Body Corrector is well worth considering. Developed for ageing body skin, this specialised treatment helps improve the appearance of firmness, elasticity and uneven texture, making it a great option for those areas where skin is starting to look a little loose and crepey.  Another product we highly recommend is Medicalia Hydro-Firm Body Moisturiser. Ideal for skin that's feeling dry, less supple and lacking firmness, it combines moisturising care with ingredients designed to improve the appearance of skin tone and elasticity, helping skin look smoother and feel beautifully nourished.  And remember, consistency is key! Just like the skincare we use on our faces, body treatments need regular use to give them the best chance of delivering visible results.    3. Don't forget to exfoliate (gently!)  Dry, rough surface skin can make crepey texture look more noticeable, so gentle exfoliation can be a great way to help your arms and legs look and feel smoother.  Depending on your skin's tolerance, exfoliating ingredients such as lactic acid or gentle enzymes can help remove dead surface cells, revealing softer, smoother-looking skin underneath.  But there's no need to scrub aggressively! Mature or fragile skin can be more prone to irritation, and over-exfoliating may leave it feeling even drier.  For a little extra help, Naturys Body Silky Skin Enzymatic Peel Gel is a lovely addition to your body care routine. This enzyme-based exfoliating treatment helps lift away dull, dead surface cells and refine rough texture, leaving skin feeling softer and looking smoother and more refreshed. Perfect for giving those dry, crepey-looking arms and legs a little extra attention!  Just remember to exfoliate gently, follow with a nourishing body moisturiser and avoid overdoing it. The aim is smoother, healthier-looking skin, not irritation!    4. Make sun protection a daily habit  We know, we know. Another reminder to wear SPF!  But when it comes to premature skin ageing, this really is one of the most important habits you can adopt.  UV exposure contributes to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, so protecting your arms, chest, neck and other exposed areas helps prevent further sun-related damage.  Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 50 or SPF 50+ sunscreen, apply it generously to exposed skin and reapply as directed, particularly when spending time outdoors.  And remember, a firming body cream isn't a substitute for sunscreen!    What about professional in-salon treatments?  If you're looking to give your skin a little extra attention, why not consider a professional body treatment at your local salon or spa?  Many professional salons and spas offer specialised body treatments designed to deeply nourish, hydrate and improve the appearance of skin firmness, elasticity and texture. And with the expertise of a qualified beauty therapist, you'll receive personalised advice on which treatments are best suited to your skin's needs.  Combined with a good home body care routine, regular professional treatments can be a very effective way to give your skin that extra boost!    Remember crepey skin and loss of firmness are natural changes that many of us notice as we get older, but there are ways to help our skin look and feel its best!  Regular moisturising, gentle exfoliation, targeted body treatments and daily sun protection can all play a part in improving the appearance of dry, crepey-looking skin and helping protect against further damage.  The secret isn't finding one miracle cream that promises to turn back the clock. It's understanding what your skin needs, choosing the right products and giving them time to work.  And perhaps most importantly, remembering that the skin on our bodies deserves just as much care as the skin on our faces!