Halloween, also known as Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve origin's date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). Samhai was a time to celebrate the last harvest of the year and the approach to the winter season as well as honouring those that have passed, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed. The Celts believed that on this eve, the boundary between the worlds of the living and those that have passed became thinner.
Origin stories suggest that the Celts offered treats to spirits that walked on earth to appease them and un-courage any unwanted spirits passing by not to enter their home. This tradition of giving sweets and offerings has continued and is now commercially known as trick or treat.
The tradition of carving faces into vegetables and fruits (namely on pumpkins and turnips) also originates from Celtic and Irish origins with the Celts lighting a candle within the vegetable to ward off any unwanted spirits. Light shining from a face was said to provide this protection.
To celebrate the event, Druids (practitioners of indigenous Celtic religion promoting connection to the natural world) built large, sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.
According to Irish folklore, Jack was a blacksmith who had played tricks on several occasions. The story says that when Jack died, he was denied entrance into both heaven and hell. Jack hollowed out a turnip to carry the ember and give him light. This is said to be the origin of the name “jack o lantern”.
Not just for Halloween, pumpkin is a nutritious fruit (yes a fruit, belonging to the same family as cucumbers and melons - members of the gourd (Cucurbits) family) that is packed with antioxidants and highly enriched with vitamins and minerals that can help radically improve the skin by soothing, hydrating, protecting, renewing and restoring skin health, radiance and vitality. This is why we feature pumpkin within our Vitamin ACE Moisturiser.
Spooky season is well and truly upon us, but let us make sure to the leave scary in October and put out protection for our skin. Follow Beautifully Nourished's skin care tips and home remedies below to create a protective barrier for the skin, keeping nasties out, sealing goodness in and making sure your skin remains flawlessly nourished this Hallow's eve.
Ghastly Skin? Restore Skin with Vitamin ACE Moisturiser
How it Works: Alongside pumpkin, our Vitamin ACE Moisturiser contains a plethora of skin goodies and nutrients including coconut, grapefruit and ylang ylang.
Moisturisers are oil-based ingredients, containing occlusive agents, such as mineral oil and emollients like esters and plant oils such as those within Beautifully Nourished's Vitamin ACE Moisturiser. The occlusive agents in the moisturiser create a seal on the skin's surface, preventing the escape of water.
Moisturiser makes the skin feel smoother and less dry.
Boo To Dark Spots
Dark spots on the skin, or hyperpigmentation, occur when some areas of the skin produce more melanin than usual. Melanin gives the eyes, skin, and hair their colour.
Dark spots are usually harmless and often your healthcare provider or dermatologist can diagnose dark spots by looking at them. However, in some cases, a skin biopsy may have to be done to be sure the spot is not a cause for concern.
You may not be able to prevent dark spots entirely and some people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. But you can reduce your risk by using sunscreen, staying covered up when you are in the sun, and staying out of the sun during peak hours.
Dark spots commonly occur as people age. They are often the result of:
- Exposure to UV Light
The sun and tanning beds are the most significant cause of dark spots. Hyperpigmentation often appears during middle age. That is when the skin starts to show the consequences of sun exposure.
- Skin Conditions
There are several different skin conditions and diseases that can cause dark spots.
- Medications
Certain medications can cause dark spots because they make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure.
- Other Causes
Dark spots may also be seen in pregnancy, liver disease, Addison's disease, hemochromatosis (excessive iron) and pituitary tumours.
How Can I Prevent Dark Spots?
As you age, dark spots may be inevitable. However, using SPF daily and reapplying every two hours in the summer months can prevent getting dark spots or prevent faded ones from returning.
Say Goodbye to Zombie Eyes with Pro Age Eye Cream
Reduce the appearance of wrinkles & dark circles with this intense, vitamin rich formula.
How it Works: Our PRO-AGE Eye Cream has been formulated specifically to hydrate and moisturise the delicate skin around the eye.
Designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles & dark circles, Beautifully Nourished's Pro Age Eye cream is blended with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and is enriched with green tea extract, making the skin appear fuller and tighter.
The benefits of using an eye-cream include, but are not limited to:
- Protecting the delicate skin around the eyes
- Eye Cream for wrinkles: Reducing the visible signs of ageing
- Eye Cream for puffiness: Reducing under eye puffiness
- Eye Cream for eye bags and dark circles: Lightening dark, under eye circle
What are Under Eye Bags?
Bags under the eyes occur when weakened and sagging skin relaxes, forming a pouch. The fat pads located under the eyes slip down to fill the space. Excess fluid in the body can also pool there, making the lower lids look even puffier and more swollen.
What Causes Under Eye Bags ?
- Not getting enough sleep
When you sleep, fluids settle in the tissue beneath your eyes. Not getting enough sleep can cause your blood vessels to leak and mix with those fluids, leading to dark circles.
- Aging
As you age, the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that is normally confined to the area around the eye (orbit) can move into the area below your eyes.
- Tobacco use
The nicotine in tobacco disrupts your natural sleep patterns, which can cause fluids to collect beneath your eyes. Smoking also produces substances that break down the elasticity of the skin and the collagen that helps keep skin firm.
- Alcohol use
Although alcohol is a liquid, it dehydrates the body. When you are dehydrated, the skin under your eyes becomes flabby and weak, causing bags to form.
- Aging
As you age, muscles and tissues weaken, and the fat that naturally supports the eyes can sink to the area beneath your eyes, making them appear swollen. Fluids can also collect in the area.
- Eating salty foods
Your body retains fluid when you eat salty foods. One of the places these fluids collect is beneath your eyes.
- Not removing makeup
If you don’t remove makeup before going to sleep, it can irritate the tissue beneath your eyes, causing it to swell.
- Too much sun
Sun exposure can damage skin cells and the collagen that keeps the skin beneath your eyes firm.
- Heredity
Some people are simply prone to having under-eye bags because it runs in the family. If your mom or dad had them, chances are you will too.
Top Tips for Reducing Bag Under Eyes:
- Apply tea bags
Tea isn’t just for sipping. You can use caffeinated tea bags under your eyes to help with dark circles and bags.
The caffeine in the tea contains powerful antioxidants and may increase blood flow to your skin. It’s also said to protect against UV rays and potentially slow the aging process.
Eye Bag Application:
- Steep two tea bags for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Let the tea bags chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Then, squeeze out the extra liquid and apply to your under-eye area.
- Leave the tea bags on for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Wear sunscreen every day
- get 6-8 hours of sleep
- Use a cold compress
- Stay hydrated
- Add retinol cream to your routine
- Use lightening products
Brighten your Skin Tone with Vitamin ACE Serum
How it Works: A serum is a skincare product that you can apply to your skin after cleansing and before moisturising with the intent of delivering powerful ingredients directly into the skin's cells.
Serum VS. Moisturiser: A Serum is made up of smaller molecules (much smaller than in a moisturiser) that can penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients. This is why we apply a skin serum ahead of us daily and nightly moisturisers.
Because serums are more lightweight and made from these very small molecules, the skin absorbs them much more quickly and much more deeply. (Moisturiser's lock all of this goodness in).
Beautifully Nourished Vitamin ACE Facial Serum works well upon and within dry, oily and combination skin.
What is Uneven Skin Tone?
Uneven skin tone is a harmless and very common skin condition. Certain parts of your skin become darker than the rest, giving your skin an inconsistent colour and a blotchy appearance. The patches of the skin become darker due to excessive melanin production in a particular area. There are several factors that can cause an uneven skin tone.
Causes Of Uneven Skin Tone
Your skin tone becomes uneven due to several reasons:
- Sun Exposure
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: If any part of your skin has sustained wounds, the scar may get darker This is called scarring. Acne on your face can also leave ugly scars behind.
- Hormonal Changes: If you are pregnant or take contraceptives, the imbalance in hormones may cause high melanin production
- Aging
A Simple Home Remedies for Uneven Skin Tone
Lemon, Sugar, And Coconut Oil Scrub.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Method:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Apply the mask on your face and scrub gently, avoiding the area around your eyes.
- Wash with lukewarm water and pat dry.
How Can I Balance Uneven Skin Tone?
Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Dry skin appears dull and lifeless. It makes your skin appear uneven. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals.
Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure
Long-term exposure to sun rays may cause hyperpigmentation, tanning, and uneven skin tone. Use sunscreen before you step out. Also, avoid the sun during peak hours and try to stay under the shade.
Exfoliate Regularly
This is the best way to maintain an even skin tone. Exfoliation sloughs off the dead skin cells to reveal glowing and healthy skin.
Add Antioxidant-rich Foods to Your Diet
Consume more vegetables, whole grains, seafood, poultry, and low-fat dairy products. These foods provide your cells with all the essential nutrients and keep them healthy and give you a clear skin tone.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising is not only great for your body, but it also boosts circulation, tones your muscles and skin, and reduces skin-damaging stress.
4 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Uneven Skin Tone
- Cleanse and moisturise. Firstly, you need to ensure that you are taking care of your skin and should adopt a good skin care regimen if you do not already have one.
- Exfoliate your skin a couple of times a week using a gentle scrub
- Use a toner
- Use a good sunscreen everyday
Ghost your Spots with Acai and Goji Berry Microdermabrasion Scrub
How it Works: Infused with acai and goji berry, Beautifully Nourished's Acai and Goji Berry face scrub exfoliator is rich in antioxidants and effective in reducing the signs of ageing by slowing down the damage caused by free radicals.
Our face scrub will buff dry skin. The finely ground pumice stones in skin conditioning, apricot kernel oil, gently remove the top layer of skin; the dead skin cells and the skin's excess natural oils, leaving pores clear and inhibiting the formation of build up and acne.
The gentle formula features Oat silk for moisture and softness of skin, Lemon to cleanse and purify, Jasmine & Orchid to soothe, Sandalwood for its anti-microbial properties and both Avocado and Coconut Oil to nourish the skin.
Why Do You Get Spots?
Spots can be hormonal and genetic. They can also form when the oil that our skin produces gets stuck "clogs" in our pores. Pores can easily become blocked with dead skin cells & dirt if they’re not washed away daily.
How to Prevent Getting Spots
- Do not pop your spots as it can cause damage to the healthy skin around the spot and allow the infection to spread, leading to even more spots!
- Get into a routine with your skin
- Avoid touching your face this so that less dirt and bacteria will spread onto your skin.
- Always wash your hands before applying make-up or when you need to re-touch your face!
- Style your hair away from your face -Natural oils from your hair can add to the problem if it gets onto your face.
- Don not over washes you start to remove key protective oils in your skin leading to dryness in some places and even more oil production in others!
How to Prevent Blackheads
- Always use oil-free washes, moisturisers, and make-up to avoid adding to the excess oil your skin is already producing.
- Keep your hair away from your face, as natural oils in your hair can also add to the problem
- Do not wash your face more than twice a day to avoid over-drying and irritating the skin
- Do not squeeze blackheads.
- They will not really pop in the same way spots do anyway as the oil, dirt and dead skin cells are packed too tightly into the opening of the pore. Squeezing will just result in irritating the healthy skin around the blackhead.
- Use a cleanser with salicylic acid like those in the
- Use a face mask like the once or twice a week for a deeper clean.
Key Takeaway
Investing in your skin care products, maintaining a day and night skin care routine and leading a healthy lifestyle will help keep your skin bright, keep under eye bags at bay and prevent getting spots.
Trick or Treat: Use discount code "spookyseason25" at checkout for 25% off of Beautifully Nourished Skin and Supplements.
