natural beauty

Treat yourself to your best skin

by Diana Zuban

Typically, a decent skincare regimen – no matter your skin type – might involve two classic steps: cleanse and moisturise. Maybe you might also have a toning step in-between.  Likely, your moisturiser might have SPF included.  And you know what? This basic routine – if it works for your skin and lifestyle - is actually just fine for basic maintenance: skin is clean and adequately protected against some moisture loss. Clean. Fine. But did you know that the simple act of adding an extra step - or two - could pay serious dividends in the great skin department? Or that opting for formulas with key natural actives could catapult your skin beyond “clean, fine” to plump, smooth and luminous? 

 Skincare products containing a range of key natural actives can do the heavy lifting on behalf of your complexion. Targeted skincare with gentle actives like Ceramides, Plant Peptides, Hyaluronate and PHAs address common skincare concerns like anti-ageing, dehydration, dullness and skin damage – and used regularly over time, they can be transformative, helping skin retain its moisture, improve elasticity and refine texture, promoting more supple, hydrated and rejuvenated skin.  

Plus some products - like the Natio Treatments range - are designed to slot easily into a simple skincare routine without fuss. Here are some simple add-ons that are (promise!) worth the extra minute or so in the bathroom. 

 

Oil Cleanser

We all know that cleansing should be the first step in any skincare routine, as it clears away impurities and excess oil that can clog pores and impede skin’s function. Cleansing ALSO primes the skin to effectively receive treatment products. Your daily cleanser might struggle with removing makeup, SPF and the day’s oil and surface pollution at first pass, so here’s a hot tip: in the evenings, it’s nice to cleanse twice. An oil based cleanser used first will gently but expertly tackle the initial clean-up, followed by your regular cleanser to finish the job. Voila! Clean and ready skin. 

Exfoliant

Similarly, a layer of old, expired skin cells overstaying its welcome on the complexion can not only leave skin looking dull, rough and uneven, but also dramatically inhibit the performance of your skincare formulas. As we age, skin cell turnover takes a dive so taking responsibility for accelerating the renewal process becomes even more important the more circuits we dance around the sun. 

Fortunately, ingredients like PHAs (Poly Hydroxy Acids) easily and gently dissolve dead skin cells without abrasion, smoothing skin’s texture and revealing a healthy, radiant glow. A product like Treatments Radiant Skin Exfoliating Wipes will refine and brighten your complexion with its gentle plant-derived, PHA solution, pre-soaked into ready-to-use wipes.  Use 2-3 times weekly, or as needed and dispose correctly, these wipes are biodegradable.  

 Alternatively, a gentle physical scrub like Treatments Bamboo & Papaya Rejuvenating Micro-Exfoliant will help reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. Combining ultra-fine Bamboo granules with naturally exfoliating Papaya, the micro polishing formulation eases away dull surface cells to refine and refresh skins texture and tone. Moisture-boosting Hyaluronate promotes deep hydration and a youthful softness you can see and feel.  

exfoliant wipes

Treatment Serum(s)

Pick your powerhouse. A serum tailored to your skin concerns can both treat and protect, delivering concentrated amounts of powerful ingredients that can address complexion issues such as wrinkles, dark spots, dehydration and dullness. Simply choose one with the appropriate active for your skin goals.  

For hydration and plumping – hyaluronate is a winner. Delivering a daily boost of deep hydration to skin, a hyaluronate serum is your go-to. You might try Treatments Hyaluronate Skin Hydration Serum, an ultra-light elixir for dehydrated complexions. Formulated with nourishing natural ingredients and plant-derived Hyaluronate, it helps to hydrate and support improved moisture retention for healthy, more youthful looking skin. Use daily, morning and evening. 

To minimise the appearance of lines and wrinkles, Plant Peptides and Ceramides can help smooth the signs of ageing. A serum like Treatments Plant Peptide Line & Wrinkle Serum 

Employs these actives to help repair and replenish, firm skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Use daily, morning and evening.  

serum

If glowy, even-toned skin is your goal, an antioxidant Vitamin C serum is your best friend.  Treatments Vitamin C Skin Brightening Serum treats your complexion to a daily Vitamin C radiance boost. Formulated to gently accelerate skins natural regeneration process, it promotes clearer, brighter and smoother skin. Use daily, morning and evening.  

Essence

An essence offers a simple, softening step (in place of toner or afterwards) that can impart immediate moisture and nourishment to skin. Beautifully softening, the water-light Treatments Goji Berry and Vitamin E Antioxidant Facial Essence hydrates skin deeply with a daily dose of antioxidant-rich moisture care of Goji, Green Tea and Hyaluronate that delivers immediate, nourishing, skin-plumping  moisture.  

serum

Face Oil

A dewy boost of skin nutrition, a Face Oil can help lock in moisture and lock down skin comfort on extra dry days, or when you’d like a little boost of luminosity. Simply pat on as a last step, after moisturiser, gently pressing it into the skin with your hands.  Wonderful for day and night, and delicate neck and chest skin too.  The light and silky Treatments Nourishing Miracle Face Oil uses a caring blend of antioxidant and nutrient-rich plant oils to nourish deeply, smooth fine lines, soften skin and promote a youthful, healthy glow. 

miracle face oil

Night Nutrition

Evenings offer a perfect time  to ensure your skin is getting as many nutrients and active ingredients as possible, while it naturally regenerates and repairs as you sleep.  A rich and buttery night moisturiser formulated for overnight with restorative actives such as Ceramides, Omega Fatty Acids and Hyaluronate will boost moisture retention and help support cellular repair and restoration . Formulated with these exact actives, Treatments Skin Renewal Ceramide Line and Wrinkle Cream offers gentle yet effective smoothing, firming, hydration and replenishment to promote a fresher, smoother complexion. 

For extra restoration and a true beauty sleep, an overnight sleep mask such as Treatments Marine Mineral Overnight Repair Sleep Mask is a wonderfully restorative treat for the face. Formulated with vitamin and mineral-rich plant extracts from both land and sea, alongside deeply hydrating Hyaluronate, the intensive Overnight Mask helps to plump and repair skin for a brighter, firmer and more refreshed complexion come morning.  

wrinkle cream

Neck and Decolletage Cream

Often overlooked yet equally vulnerable to the elements as the complexion, delicate skin on the neck and chest deserves tailored care too. A purpose-designed cream such as the nourishing Treatments Replenishing Neck & Decolletage Cream with collagen-boosting Plant Peptides and antioxidant Bearberry extract promotes improved skin tone, softness and hydration in this area.

Eye Cream

Ditto, delicate skin around the eyes. This skin can really benefit from a formula designed for this dynamic area alone, brimming with purpose-selected actives to bring hydration, softness and refreshment. Featuring regenerative Plant Peptides, firming Caffeine and soothing Aloe, the multi-tasking Treatments Plant Peptide Firm & Smooth Eye Cream helps revive delicate skin around the eyes, working to  smooth away lines, wrinkles and visible signs of ageing and fatigue. 

face cream

Incorporate one, two or even all of the above “active add-on" suggestions, and you’re looking at a real boost in your skin condition. While your skin will start feeling good immediately, even active skincare products take time to work so if you stick to a consistent routine you can expect to see real, visible benefits within six to 12 weeks – and beyond. Stick with it and get ready to witness your best skin.