on the blog

Clear skin comes down to a few things: genetics, skin hygiene and skincare formula choices. While you can’t change your genes, you can control the other two factors – and 2 out of 3 isn’t bad! See, clear skin can be achievable when you take the right steps, with the right products. Blemishes, clogged pores or blackheads can be managed – even banished -  by seeking out some specific ingredients within your face wash, toner and other skincare steps. Learning how to target and treat your skin’s issues by focusing on certain ingredients can make the world of difference to your confidence and help promote clearer skin.  

Let’s start! 

Face Wash

Cleanliness is key, but make it gentle. And smart. Starting and ending the day with clean, balanced skin is the best first step to your skin becoming clearer. Formula matters, and a good cleanser will be both effective and mindful of stripping vital moisture, with a blend of ingredients that care and actively work to improve your skin’s condition. Case in point: our Men Plus Fresh Face Foam Cleanser. Containing antioxidant rich Vitamin C and moisturising Hyaluronate, the proactive free radical-fighting formula helps fade visible signs of ageing, hyperpigmentation and can promote a brighter complexion while hydrating and maintaining skin’s moisture balance, without clogging pores. 

Tip: Cleansing and showering right after a workout can remove impurities, sweat, dirt, oil and bacteria built up from a workout. Without doing this, blemish-causing bacteria can be left on the skin and can cause break outs on the face, back and chest. 

BHA Exfoliants

Exfoliation is that extra step you need to take to keep congestion at bay and skin clear. Takes 30 seconds, makes a big difference. A chemical exfoliant is great, sidestepping the rough buffing that can happen with traditional physical scrubs (those with grit to them). Milder than their physical cousins,  chemical exfoliators like Natio men plus our Light and Tone BHA Exfoliant work to dissolve away rather than slough away expired skin. The hero ingredient? Salicylic acid, which stimulates cell turnover and helps reduce blackheads, whiteheads and the incidence of future breakouts. So easy, so good. 

Tip: When using a chemical exfoliant, we recommend that it is used during your night time skin routine to give it maximum time on your skin before washing again.  

Facial Toners

Forgotten heroes. Face toners are often overlooked within a skincare routine, (wrongly!) perceived as having no legitimate “purpose”. However, good toners – those with purpose-selected botanical and active ingredients - do substantial heavy lifting for skin, helping to remove surface impurities and balance natural moisture levels, leaving the complexion clean, soothed and primed to help better absorb the products that follow. Take our Natio men plus’ Detoxifying Toning Tonic, This Type A heavy-hitter is no slouch in the skincare game, containing both blemish fighting Witch Hazel and antioxidant healer, Vitamin C.  A power duo, Witch Hazel aids helps shrink pores, prevents acne-causing bacteria from inhabiting your skin and reduces inflammation while Vitamin C helps accelerate wound healing (ie. blemishes that have been picked at tsk tsk) and decrease hyperpigmentation caused by post-blemish marks. 

Facial Moisturisers

A comfortable, hydrating, non-greasy moisturiser is a must, day and night. And it’s even better if it contains high performance ingredients, like Natio men plus Age Defence Face Moisturiser. First up - antioxidants, which fight skin ageing free radicals and blemishes caused by impurities. Pow! Second- Retinyl Palmitate, a stable and gentle form of retinol known for its effectiveness in reducing signs of aging and suitability for those with blemish-prone skin. Third– Niacinamide, which soothes, helps hydrate and minimises irritation. Yep, it’s a triple threat. 

Sun Protection

A vital step for clear, healthy skin is incorporating SPF into your daily routine*. It’s a must! A high performance SPF has UVA/UVB protection and a minimum SPF 50+ which will not only protect your skin from harmful UV rays but will also help prevent damage and accelerated ageing. Without consistent use of an SPF, hyperpigmentation  - aka dark spots or red spots left on your skin from acne – is a real threat. Erm, no thanks. Lightweight and non-greasy, the two-in-one Natio men plus Age Protect Face Lotion SPF 50+ is an easy multitasker that works perfectly on all skin types. Make it your last step in any morning routine and keep it on hand for reapplication throughout the day, and you’re golden. 

Eye Cream

They say, ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul’, and having tired, puffy eyes can be a key indicator to whether you’ve had a good night’s kip. The skin around your eyes is much thinner than the rest of your face, so it holds less moisture and is more susceptible to premature signs of ageing. Adding a quality eye cream to your night routine is quick and easy, and will help liberate eyes from puffiness, fine lines and dark circles. Combining hyper-hydrating, skin plumping Sodium Hyaluronate and brightening Vitamin C, Natio men plus Energising Eye Cream helps to awaken tired eyes for a fresher, more youthful look. 

So, you now know what ingredients to look for in each step of your skincare routine. Natio’s men plus collection has been made for men who want to elevate their current skin routine to help promote clearer skin. The ingredients you want, they’re there. You can shop the collection here.  

*Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Sunscreens are only one component of sun protection.  Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided. Frequent use and re-application in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection. 

Let's talk about skin. It’s the body’s largest organ, protecting us from the elements and keeping everything functioning smoothly. Just like a nutritious diet, regular exercise and enough sleep, a daily skincare routine is essential for overall health- and yep- that applies to men too!

Men vs Women: Understanding the skin differences

While men and women share the same fundamental skin biology, there are some key differences when it comes to their skin's needs:

• Oil Production: Testosterone amps up oil production in men's skin, making it oilier and more prone to breakouts.
• Shaving Stress: Daily shaving disrupts the skin's natural barrier, leading to irritation and dryness.
• Sun Safety Gap: Unfortunately, according to the Cancer Council, men are less likely to wear sunscreen, putting them at a higher risk of skin cancer (source: cancer council).

Can’t I just borrow my partners products?

Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to skincare! Your partner’s products might be perfect for their skin type, but they might not be right for yours. Opting for a skincare routine specifically formulated for men’s needs ensures you are addressing your skin’s unique concerns.

Building a strong skincare routine: Start simple, build smart

The best skincare routine is one you can stick to. Here is a beginner friendly approach:

• Cleanse: Wash away dirt, oil, and impurities with a foaming cleanser designed for men's skin.
• Moisturise: Hydration is key! Choose a moisturiser that's lightweight and non greasy.
• SPF (morning only): This is non-negotiable! Daily sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature aging and skin cancer (Sunscreens are only one component of sun protection. Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided. Frequent use and re-application in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection).

Level up your routine

Once you have the basics down, consider adding these:

• Exfoliator: Buffs away dead skin cells promoting a brighter and more toned complexion
• Toner: Detox skin from environmental aggressors like pollution while strengthen the skins moisture barrier
• Eye Cream: Targets dark circles and puffiness for an energised look.
• Beard Oil: Soothes and conditions your beard while restoring your skin's barrier after shaving. The ideal product if your beard gets itchy!

Nature Nurtures Best

The best way to nourish, repair and care for skin is to be sensibly natural, utilising powerful actives with botanical extracts specifically chosen for men’s skin. One hero ingredient is Mountain Pepper Berry (Tasmannia Lanceolata), a native plant found in the cool rainforests in the south-eastern region of Australia. It's packed with vitamins, antioxidants and phytoactives that promote skin elasticity and even skin tone. But it doesn’t end there, read more about the active ingredients in Natio men plus here.

Building a personalised skincare routine can be a game-changer for your skin's health and Natio men plus is here to take your skin health to the next level, giving you the products and ingredients you need to feel confident and look your best. Natio men plus is brought to you by the #1 Men’s Facial Skincare Brand in Community Pharmacy* so when you shop with Natio you know you’re shopping from an Australian brand you can trust.

Ready to get started? Explore the Natio men plus range and discover the difference a targeted skincare routine can make.

*Data sourced from Circana MarketEdge MAT to 07/01/24 based on data definitions provided by Natio Pty Ltd

There’s nothing worse than shopping for your new holy grail lippy, only to find when you return home that your newly purchased lip stick is sadly not the shade for you.

Still unsure of where it all went oh-so-wrong, you persevere on your lipstick pursuit hoping that eventually, by some sheer luck you’ll strike gold and finally find your shade.

But alas, the lipstick hunt overcomes you, and you end up going back to the one, tried and true lipstick you discovered back when you were 20. But there’s no fun in that – after all, you should be able to confidently build a collection of lip colours that can reflect your every mood, or suit that makeup look you saw on Pinterest.

Never fear, knowing how to find the perfect lip colour doesn’t have to be a disappointing feat, nor a game of chance. While knowing how to find the perfect lip shade may not technically be considered an “art form”, there is in fact some art theory involved based on identifying your undertone.

Let us guide you through how to find your most complimentary lipstick shade with our trusty old friend, the colour wheel! But first, what exactly is an undertone anyway?

What is your skin undertone?

While you may be on the fair or darker side, your skin undertone isn’t the same as your actual skin tone.

Your undertone is the natural hue that peeks through the surface of your skin, giving pigment to your beautiful skin tone. For many, we assume that just because we’re fair skinned we must therefore have a cool undertone... right? We're here to debunk this and teach you that it is possible to be fair skinned and not necessarily have a cool undertone like you may suspect.

There are 3 undertones which can be identified by assessing the colour of your veins and in conjunction with our colour wheel. These are:

1. Cool undertone = blue or purple veins
2. Warm undertone = green or olive veins
3. Neutral undertone = blue or green veins

When assessing your undertone, it’s also helpful to think about whether you typically wear gold or silver jewellery. For those who love a splash of silver, this typically flatters cooler undertones, whereas gold is known to be complimentary to warmer undertones. For the lucky ones that can wear both, guess what? You’re most likely a neutral undertone!

Still not convinced you’ve found your undertone based on your vein colour? Don’t you worry, we wouldn’t leave it at just that. Simply take the underside of your forearm and compare the closest match to your skin tone on the colour wheel below. This will assist you with more accurately identifying your undertone.

While this method isn’t foolproof, you’ll have a much better understanding to help you shop your most flattering shade to complete your makeup looks.

How to find your lip shade

Now that you’ve completed your colour wheel analysis, let’s de-code this to help you shop your most flattering lip shade hues.

• Cool undertone (blue/purple veins) = Blue or purple lipstick hues
• Warm (green/olive veins) = Red or orange lipstick hues
• Neutral (blue/green veins) = Any lipstick hue

Shop your most flattering lip shades

After all this analysis, you’re now ready to shop your perfect lipstick!

Find our carefully curated collections of lipstick shades perfectly suited to each undertone below:

• Lip shades for cool undertones
• Lip shades for warm undertones
• Lip shades for neutral undertones
  

While it’s helpful to know your undertone to provide you with confidence when shopping for a new lipstick, at the end of the day you should always choose the lip stick that will have you feeling your most comfortable, confident self!

After all, there's no point in buying a lipstick you won’t get wear out of!

The latest trend in colour analysis is Seasonal Colour Analysis and finding out your true season has become the talk of social media. This analysis merges colour psychology with seasonal palette theory, categorising individuals into the four seasons depending on your skin tone, undertone, eye colour, hair and lip colour. The result is a personalised colour palette designed to enhance and complement one’s unique features.  

The first step of this is defining your skin undertone, your skin can either have warm, neutral or cool undertones. See the chart below to help determine which undertone your skin may be. 

Winter [cool + dark]

Cool undertones with Dark Hair – individuals who identify as winter look their best in true blacks and whites as these hues bring out the coolness in their undertone. Winters are advised to steer clear of middle-of-the-road colours and earth tones as these colours tend to skew towards being warmer. Adding vibrant hues to this subdued colour palette becomes effortless by integrating shades from the Rose Quarts and Graceful Amethyst Mineral Eyeshadow Palette. The inclusion of bright, cool-toned pinks, purples, greens and blues serves as a complementary enhancement to Winter’s complexion.  

Spring [warm + light]

Warm undertones with light hair – People who identify as Spring look best in cheerful colours such as aqua, salmon and turquoise, warm neutrals, khaki and stone. Blacks, whites, bright shades and pastels should be avoided as they lean towards being cooler in nature and may risk washing out lighter skin tones. To bring warmth to your make up look, we suggest that Spring individuals pair our Golden Citrine and Luminous Amber for all the beautiful warm browns, ambers and khaki colours.  

Autumn [warm + dark]

Warm undertones with dark hair – Autumn tones look best in earthy shades such as golden browns, olives and warm greys. These darker hues bring out their dark features such as brown eyes or dark brown hair. It is also optional to add a small amount of warm toned greens and blues for a small pop of colour. They should avoid blacks, whites, bright shades and pastels due to being a cooler hue. The warm hues from our Luminous Amber and Golden Citrine Mineral eyeshadow palette have a range of light golden browns to rich dark ambers to complement an Autumn’s complexion. 

Summer [cool + light]

Cool undertones with light hair – Summer tones are best suited for muted colours, including blue-greys, heathers, rose-browns. Ensuring any pastel colours added are soft, cool and light. These colours include baby blues, soft pinks and icy whites. The cool-toned blues and greys in our Marine Lapis Mineral Eyeshadow palette combined with the heathers and rose browns in our Earthy Tektites palette creates depth and dimension.  

Dive into the world of new hues with the SHINE FROM WITHIN mineral eyeshadow palette. Share your new look with us by tagging @natiobeauty.  

Our dazzling, gemstone inspired SHINE FROM WITHIN eyeshadow palettes are here! Whether you’re looking to create a wearable day look, or after a pop of colour for some night time glam, we’re here to help you unlock the secrets to creating the perfect eye look with your most flattering shades.

Curious about how to make your eyes shine like precious gemstones? The brilliant, international award-winning celebrity hair and makeup maestro, Shiree Collier (@shireecollier_mua) has shared her top tips on how she worked her magic to create each look behind our SHINE FROM WITHIIN campaign shoot.

Shiree’s shared her step-by-step expertise to make your eyeshadow application as easy as can be! Uncover the tricks of the trade for achieving a flawless eyeshadow look that will make your eyes the star of the show below.

Earthy Tektites  

1. Using a fluffy brush, sweep ‘Bare’ across entire eyelid up toward the brow bone 
2. Apply ‘Clove’ with a fluffy brush over the eyelid blending up over the crease and toward the edge of your eyebrow in an outward sweeping angle. Create the illusion of an elongated eye 
   
3. Sweep remnants of ‘Clove’ along the lower lash line 
   
4. Using a flat brush, apply ‘Smoke’ across the eyelid in an upward angle outward, ensuring you continue no further than the crease line
   
5. Sweep remnants of ‘Smoke’ along the lower lash line, concentrating on the outer corner 
   
6. Finish off with our Long Lasting Eye Liner in the shade ‘Brown’, our Precision Liquid Eyeliner and your favourite Natio mascara

Golden Citrine 

1. Sweep ‘Gilded’ across the entire eyelid and up toward the brow bone
2. Apply ‘Citrine’ over the eyelid just above the crease
3. Using a flat brush, apply ‘Halo’ along the brow bone and the inner corner of the eyes and blend
4. Using a small flat brush, apply ‘Slate’ along the lash line, slightly blending upwards to diffuse the line, creating the appearance of thicker looking lashes
5. Finish off with your favourite Natio mascara

Graceful Amethyst

1. Using a flat brush, draw a line in the crease with the shade ‘Grape’ to mimic the natural crease of the eyelid
2. Apply the excess directly across eyelid
3. Sweep ‘Lilac’ across the middle of the eyelid and under the brow bone
4. Using a flat brush, draw a line along the lashes with the shade ‘Dahlia’ to create a wing like shape
5. Finish off by using our Precision Liquid Eyeliner to add a graphic liner outline where you applied ‘Dahlia’

Luminous Amber

1. Apply ‘Oat’ across the entire eyelid and up toward the brow bone
2. Sweep 'Brass’ lightly into the crease and blend upwards with a large, fluffy brush
3. Apply ‘Copper’ over the top of where you applied ‘Brass’ in small motions to create a seamless graduation of colour
4. Repeat this step using a smaller brush to apply ‘Clay’ focusing on the outer corner of the eye, beginning of the crease and lower lash line
5. Using a flat brush draw a line along the lash line with the shade ‘Russet’ starting from the iris of your eye pulling outward, increasing thickness as you go along

Marine Lapis

1. Apply ‘Spice’ to the inner and outer corners of the eyelid and lower lash line
2. Sweep a light dusting of ‘Cloud’ over the entire eyelid
3. Apply ‘Sapphire’ as a pop of colour to the very center of eyelid and lower lash line to tie the look together
4. Finish off with our Long Lasting Eye Liner in the shade ‘Brown’, our Precision Liquid Eyeliner and your favourite Natio mascara

Rose Quartz

1. Sweep ‘Petal’ across entire eyelid and up toward the brow bone
2. Apply ‘Rose’ lightly into the crease and under the eye
3. Using a pencil brush or flat brush, add more of ‘Rose’ into the crease concentrating the pigment onto a smaller area and toward the outer edge of the lower lash line
4. Apply ‘Blush’ along the lash line and eyelid lightly, then load up your brush with more pigment to highlight the centre of the eyelid for an extra pop
5. Finish off with your favourite Natio mascara 

Having the right tools to complete your eyeshadow look is your secret weapon to achieving a smooth, hassle-free (and not to mention, mess-free) makeup application. But finding holy-grail worthy makeup brushes can always be a challenge! 

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with pesky eyeshadow fallout or loss of pigmentation when using powder eyeshadows, look no further than our Apply & Blend Eyeshadow Brush – an absolute gamechanger you can trust in ensuring your eyeshadow application remains mess-free and impeccable all day/night long.

This double-ended eyeshadow brush allows you to apply eyeshadow expertly and easily. Featuring a flat end for all over application, allowing you to effortlessly pick up pigment and avoid fallout, and a fluffy domed end for seamless blending and buffing. Plus, it's made from premium synthetic bristles - keeping it cruelty free and true to Natio’s heritage as always.

Now that you’re equipped with the tricks (and tools) of the trade, Shiree (@shireecollier_mua) and all of us here at Natio will be eagerly awaiting your recreations using our SHINE FROM WITHIN palettes over on socials. Don’t be shy, be sure to tag us @natiobeauty so that we can show your looks some love!

 

Your Guide to A Gorgeous Galentine's Day 

Love is in the air! As Valentine's Day approaches, it's a perfect time to shift the focus from romantic love to celebrating the all-important, nurturing bonds of female friendship.  

Cue: Galentine's Day, a  day dedicated to spending quality time and showering love on your gal pals - and on yourself. Self-love and bestie beauty rituals are the order of the day! This 14th Feb, take the opportunity to gather your special squad for an enjoyable and empowering session of pampering, primping and preening. 

Ladies DIY Day Spa

Book a hotel room or transform your home into a spa oasis complete with face masks and treatments, soothing music, diffused essential oils or or scented candles. Masks that cater to everyone’s different skin type will ensure that everyone gets a glowing result. Cucumber slices on eyes optional, but highly recommended for a little extra luxe. 

Mani Pedi Primping

 Take the indulgence all the way to your fingertips and toes with manicure and pedicure treatments to soften skin and prime nails for a celebratory lick of glossy colour. Keep it simple or go all the way with revitalising scrubs, nourishing oils for cuticles and nurturing foot and hand creams for the full royal treatment. 

Gorgeously Glam Glow Up

Dial up the unique natural beauty - and confidence - of each and every gal pal with a group glam-up using glow-giving, feature enhancing and beauty defining cosmetics that’ll amp up the gorgeous. From sheer and subtle to vibrant and va-va-voom, there’s a bespoke look to celebrate every beauty. 

Simply, Galentine’s Day is the perfect reminder and opportunity to celebrate the beauty of female friendship. Go ahead and gather the girls to indulge in some self-care, group pampering and the pure joy and emotional nourishment that comes from connecting with the beloved women in your life. To love! 

 

 

Drop everything now! Our new SHINE FROM WITHIN mineral eyeshadow palettes are now available in Priceline stores and come in a range of Bejewelled colours perfect for planning your Eras beauty look. Here, we break down a range of Gorgeous and Delicate looks. Are you …Ready For It?

For Lovers of pink

A flush of rosy colour never goes out Style. It’s been a long time coming but the new Rose Quartz Mineral Eyeshadow Palette boasts Rose, Petal and Blush matte shades to create a buildable base, while metallic hues of Lotus, Peony, Silk and Shell add a flash of glitter fit for a fearless leader, or alpha type. For a bold pop of colour, try the shade Bloom for a look lasting from Daylight to Afterglow.

Speak Now if you love purple

Sparks Fly when you create any look using the Graceful Amethyst Mineral Eyeshadow Palette. For a truly Enchanted eyeshadow look, opt for shimmery Berry, Stardust, or Mulberry. Alternatively, dark hues of Grape, Iris and Dahlia make for the perfect layered tonal smoky eye. Add a touch of Lavender Haze to your lids with soft shades of Lilac and Gracious along the brow bone and for a highlighted look – that’s how I’ll wear Mine!

A Fearless look

If you had only Fifteen minutes to get ready for Eras, the Golden Citrine Mineral Eyeshadow Palette would be the one to reach for. With a suite of neutrals for a Forever & Always classic look, try a base using Sunray and Halo, adding depth of colour with Pecan and Cinnamon shades. For an Untouchable glam eye look, blend in incandescent shades of Gilded, Carat and Citrine and get ready to have The Best Day.
Alternatively, if you have a Reputation for trying a more of a dark statement eye, blend out Khaki and go in with a fine brush to line the eye with Slate. Trust us when we say this palette is End Game.

Shades for a marvelous time

Don’t change everything about you to fit in! Our Earthy Tektites Mineral Eyeshadow Palette combines more than Seven shades of matte and metallic neutrals for everything from a dusting of Champagne gold with Veil, Aura and Bronze shades. Add some depth of colour with Peaceful shades of Smoke and Espresso for a more evening beauty look for beneath the Mirrorball. Long Story Short, no matter what look you go with, it will go down in Folklore.

Have others seeing Red

We know All Too Well that the Luminous Amber Mineral Eyeshadow Palette is going to be a mainstay in our beauty routines this year. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling like the glorious Copper, Ochre and Amber hues are going to be very popular as we head into autumn. Add in some twinkly Pearl or Rosewood for a touch of Starlight luminosity.

A palette to vibe like that

After a makeup look that lasts for Midnights? We’ve got you. Our new Marine Lapis Mineral Eyeshadow Palette has a glimmering array of lush soft blues in shades of Sky, Cloud and Sapphire, through to Midnight Rain tones of Spice and Shadow. These luminous tones are sweet like honey and when you walk in the room, you’ll still make the whole place shimmer.

Secure your perfect Eras look today by finding your nearest Natio stockist here.

Whether it’s a makeup look from The SHINE FROM WITHIN collection, or a red lip classic thing that you like, share your creativity with us by tagging @Natiobeauty – because you look like an angel!

We interviewed Natio skincare educator, Christina Schroder about the rising interest in skincare from tweens, and how parents and carers can best guide a healthy approach to building a skincare routine for their tween or teen.

As long as I can remember I have loved make up, skincare and fragrance. When I was almost 15 I got my first job and one of the first things I purchased my first eyeshadow  – a beautiful lilac shade filled with silver glitter; it was so precious to me that I never used it and still have it to this day. Seeing my mum do her morning routine, taking care to apply her skincare and then makeup and never leaving the house without a spray - or 5 - of her favourite perfume, the ritual of beauty was a symbol of femininity, status and selfcare.

At 12 I started to develop cystic acne and my mum purchased products from a very reputable and expensive brand that left my skin dehydrated, irritated and sensitive. I followed the recommendations of the skincare consultant, however I now know these products shouldn’t have made it into my hands as they were active and aggressive in nature. Fast forward to 18 and I was still searching for answers, I was doing so much to try improve my skin and in hindsight, I was doing too much.

After school I became a Beauty Therapist and it was only then I really learnt how to work with my skin and not against it. There is a difference between sensitive & sensitised skin and the differences between skin types and skin conditions. Since the explosion of social media (queue TikTok trends and kid influencers) I have become very aware that I need to educate my kids about their bodies, and skin and body care is definitely part of that. Yes they’re very young, but I’m getting in early and sharing messages about embracing our differences, body positivity and just because something is a trend doesn’t mean it’s right for you, are key messages in our household.

 

What is the ideal skin routine for a young tween?

This really depends on your child and their skin type or skin concern, but most tweens don’t need an extensive routine. If it’s the occasional hormonal breakout, then a spot treatment would be fine, like the Clear Quick Fix Spot Treatment  - however you need to make sure it’s only going on the pimple and not outside of that area, as it could dry out the skin quite a lot, leaving it flaky or irritated.

If you feel like it’s the right time for your tween to start with a routine then I would be going for simple skincare with gentle ingredients. The Natio Calm range  is a great place to start. It has a cleanser and day lotion, and if you really wanted to then you could add the night cream and eye cream – not because they have wrinkles, but purely based on the ingredients in eye creams being targeted for the delicate skin around the eyes. I would absolutely be adding the Kids Everyday Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50+  to my child’s routine as this will be the best way to protect their delicate skin – this can be used on face and body, however SPF products shouldn’t be used at night and should be removed with a gentle cleanser.

If your teen has very oily or problematic skin (on a large area of skin on their face, more than just the occasional pimple) then they could try the Clear Oil Control Foaming Cleanser and  Clear Shine Control Face  Moisturiser. Do note though, the key to managing oil production is to make sure the skin is clean and balanced, not dehydrated, dry or tight. This tightness will impair the skin barrier and the skin will then overcompensate and produce more oil.

What ingredients should tweens avoid?

Definitely stay away from most actives such as Retinol/ Vitamin A, Niacinamide, Vitamin C, BHAs, AHAs including Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, as well as Azelaic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide, just to name a few. Salicylic Acid does feature in the the Quick Fix Spot Treatment  hence why we advise to use sparingly and only directly onto the spot.

What are the potential ramifications of misusing skincare as a tween?

Stripping the skin with aggressive products will lead to an impaired skin barrier, this makes the skin red, irritated and sensitised. It will also strip vital oils from the skin and the removal of all oils will dehydrate skin, making your tween’s skin produce more oil to make itself feel comfortable and become even more oily – it’s a vicious cycle. It’s also important to note that if you choose to use an exfoliant, something very gentle like the Gentle Facial Scrub would be ideal if it’s gently massaged onto a damp skin once a week or fortnight– try to remove this with tepid water, rather than hot or cold, as this can also stress the skin.

At what age should you start adding treatments and active ingredients to a skincare routine?

A gentle scrub can be used every so often if and when needed from early teen years. I would leave actives and most other treatments until at least early to mid-twenties.

What is an appropriate gift to give a tween beauty devotee?

Natio has some beautiful kids packs containing body and hair care for toddlers through to tweens. Another great choice could be a basic routine (cleanser, moisturiser and spot treatment) as well as a kids SPF 50+ and a lip gloss or nail polish nail polish for some fun.

 

 

Slugging, skin-cycling, micro needling, microplaning, flooding, oscilating brushing, icing, skincare snacking… You may have heard of some of these, but by the time you read this, they’re likely already a thing of the past.

Skincare trends and fads have increased in turnover rapidly in recent years, with bite-sized social media content churning through new buzzwords faster than you can say “Niacinamide!” (Which is not a trend, by the way).

While it can be tempting to jump on the latest niche ingredient or serotonin-boosting bright packaging, it’s best to heed caution when constantly switching up your skincare routine in line with new trends.

Skin confusion

Rapidly cycling through various skincare products can disrupt the skin's natural balance, causing irritation and potential ongoing skincare problems. Constantly changing up your products, ingredients and actives can confuse skin, and in many cases, can make the situation worse. Providing your skin with a constant, reliable routine will help to regulate moisture balance and sebum production. 

It’s also worth noting that most skincare products don’t provide immediate and noticeable results. Typically, skin does take time to adjust to a new routine or product, and we should allow at least a few weeks to see any significant results. As with any skincare or cosmetic product, if you are experiencing irritation or signs of an allergic reaction, always discontinue use immediately and consider seeing a doctor if symptoms persist.

Where do I begin?

The skincare and beauty category is rapidly expanding, in part as a response to the constant trend cycle, so building a skincare routine from scratch may seem like a daunting challenge. Starting with an understanding of your skincare needs and addressing these first and foremost will provide a great base for your routine.

Key considerations:

What is my skin type?

What are my key skincare “problems”? (Even though we prefer the phrase “opportunities!”)

What do I want to achieve with my routine?

How many steps am I realistically going to use within a daily routine?

At Natio we have created a Skincare Finder to cut through the noise. To help disseminate what skincare products are best for your needs, this simple quiz provides a straightforward daytime and nighttime routine to address concerns and help achieve your skincare goals.

The sustainability factor

The constant demand for new products contributes to a culture of overconsumption and waste, as discarded products contribute to environmental pollution. Sustainable skincare, on the other hand, emphasises a focus on long-term skin health. A reliable skincare routine considers the well-being of both yourself and the planet. Take this into consideration before pressing “shop now” on the next microtrend to grace your feed.

Consider how this trending product will benefit your existing routine, if at all. Also take the time to go through your existing product ingredients, perhaps there are some key ingredients you are already using that offer the same benefits as this trending product. Also consider your needs. If this product claims to solve a skincare problem you don’t have – do you really need it?

I'm ready to commit!

Take our Skincare Finder quiz and receive 20% off your next order on our website to kick start your routine.