Wellbeing Journal
WHERE HEALTHY SKIN MEETS A HAPPY MIND WITH JULIA BUSUTTIL NISHIMURA
As pioneers in wellbeing, at Jurlique we’ve always believed that the healing and uplifting powers of Nature have a great part to play. The self-care phenomenon is more than a trend and here to stay so there’s never been a better time to get to know yourself and body more. For cookbook author & food writer, Julia Busuttil Nishimura, our Softening Shower Gel Rose and Softening Body Lotion Rose is her go-to for a botanicals rich, replenishing ritual that nourishes the body and mind. Being a busy mother of two, finding a few mindful moments in the day for herself is a necessity. We had a chat with Julia and spoke about how she cultivates small rituals throughout her busy day to keep her rejuvenated and relaxed. What does your body skin care ritual consist of? I have a very simple skincare routine. Usually, shower gel in the shower and I exfoliate once or twice a week, then moisturiser every day. It’s not much but it feels nice to do those things for myself. I make sure I shut the bathroom door so I can have some time to myself undisturbed, that feels really important to me. What's your connection between body skin care and self-care? I don’t have many minutes to myself in a day, with a newborn and a pre-schooler, often taking care of myself is the last thing I have time to do. However, just carving out a little time in the day to attend to my own needs is really important. When my skin feels good, I feel really comfortable and confident and happy that I’ve invested a little time for myself. Do you have a body skin care step that you swear by? Once a month I try and set aside an extended time for myself to create my own “spa day”. I light candles, diffuse some essential oils, listen to music, put on a face mask and take a bath. While it’s important for me to keep up my daily skin care, this monthly ritual is so rejuvenating and restorative and really tops me up. It’s something that I make sure I do regularly. Do you have any body skin care tips for new mums? We spend so much time in bed in the early days. Whether trying to feed or sleep it feels like our bed is our second home. I like to keep my body skin care products on my bedside table for easy access and a strong reminder to use them. Try and set aside time for yourself, even just a few minutes a day will feel wonderful. How do you fit in Jurlique Body Care products into your body skin care ritual? I only use shower gels and moisturisers that don’t contain any harsh chemicals as I find they strip my skin from their natural oils. That’s why I love using Jurlique products. I especially love the scent which feels very luxurious and calming in the shower. Shop Julia’s cookbook Ostro on her website Unearth a natural remedy for every body. Our aromatic selection of Shower Gels and Body Lotions are enriched with the restorative powers of Nature.
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THE BENEFITS OF AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy has been at the heart of Jurlique from the very beginning. Since 1985, our founders Ulrike and Jurgen Klein sought to unlock the healing and transformative powers of Nature to cultivate radiant, healthy looking skin by “understanding the importance of the soul of the plant which is essential oil”, and we’ve been keeping that commitment to purity 35 years on. What is aromatherapy? Simply put, aromatherapy is the therapeutic and healing use of natural aromatic substances such as herbs, spices, plants and essential oils to strengthen one’s physical and psychological wellbeing or in other words, mind, body and soul. Dating back as far as 5000 years ago, we can find the use of aromatics in ancient Ayurveda medicinal practices, ancient Egyptian skin care rituals and ancient Roman celebrations and ceremonies. While aromatics have been used for medicinal purpose for thousands of years, it was only until the late 1920s when the term ‘aromatherapy’ was coined by French chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé. He had accidentally burnt his hand and as a reaction doused his hand into a nearby vat of Lavender oil – the burn healed quickly and left no scar, compelling him to study aromatics. Benefits of Aromatherapy for Mind Although inhalation of essential oils isn’t the only way to use aromatherapy, it is one of the most common forms, especially when comes to positively affecting the mind. Our ability to smell comes from specialised sensory cells that are directly connected to the brain. This is why certain smells trigger certain feelings. One smell might trigger a memory, another might trigger a feeling of calmness, one smell might even trigger hunger. So, when it comes to essential oils, they have the power to relax, energise and stimulate the mind through their scents/aroma. Lavender Essential Oil One of the most popular aromatherapy oils, Lavender, has a calming effect when used in aromatherapy. Its key benefits are to calm and relax the mind and senses. Add a few drops of Lavender Pure Essential Oil to a diffuser or vaporiser to soothe the mind and promote sleep. If you’re on the go, our Lavender Hydrating Mist will do the trick. A few spritzes and the calming scent will instantly soothe your mind. Lemon Essential Oil Lemon Oil has the power to re-energise and enliven the mind. Our Revitalising Blend Essential Oil features the pure natural essential oils of Lemon, Orange and Bergamot for a revitalising effect on the senses and promotes a sense of alertness. Adding it to your diffuser or oil burner will create a restorative environment for your mind. Pro tip: If you don’t have an oil burner, diffuser or vaporiser handy you can dot essential oils onto your pulse points or add to a warm bath of water to ease tension. But remember to never apply the essential oils to your skin directly. Due to their potency, it can cause significant skin irritation – instead dilute with a carrier like Jojoba Carrier Oil, then apply. Benefits of Aromatherapy for Skin Care In addition to the mood-boosting benefits of essential oils in aromatherapy, they’re also rich with natural antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that enhance and protect your skin. With their ability to soothe, hydrate, restore and improve radiance for an overall enhancement in skin wellness and glow - at Jurlique we make sure get every bit of into our skin care products. By using our exclusive Bio-Intrinsic™ process, we ensure the whole life of the plant is being used, to deliver an undiluted force of Nature to your skin. Rose Extract There are so many reasons why you should use rose-infused skin care products. Rose, known as the ‘Queen of Flowers’ and rightfully so, is packed with loads of skin-loving goodness. Its hydrating properties improve skin barrier function and help to retain essential moisture levels for smooth and radiant looking skin. You get the best of both with Rose as it is both beneficial for your skin and known to have a positive effect on your mood. A key part of any aromatherapy practice, the delicate scent of Rose defuses stress and calms. Start your day with our powerfully nourishing Softening Shower Gel Rose and Softening Body Lotion Rose to provide nurturing comfort, hydration and protection for your body. Peppermint Leaf Extract Peppermint is known for its refreshing aroma. Grown, harvested and extracted at our biodynamic* Jurlique Farm, pure Peppermint Leaf Extract helps soothe and protect the skin. Dotted in many of our products, the use of the extract in our Revitalising Cleansing Gel helps to restore and revitalise dull skin and improve uneven texture for younger-looking skin. Calendula Flower Extract Derived from the bright yellow and orange flowers of the Calendula flower, it has pronounced soothing properties and is used to rebalance sensitivity on the skin and throughout the body. Our Calendula Redness Rescue Soothing Moisturising Cream is sensitive skin’s best friend. Its rich texture hydrates, comforts and protects delicate skin. Combined with the key ingredient of Calendula Flower Extract, its antioxidants promise intense soothing properties. You’ll also find Calendula in almost all of our products, keeping your skin forever soothed and calm. Aromatherapy’s positive benefit on your overall wellbeing proves it’s something you want to keep in your self-care and skin care arsenal. Explore our Aromatherapy Oil range and learn more about the powerful ingredients we use in our products, grown on our biodynamic* Jurlique Farm in South Australia. *Certified biodynamic by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia. Jurlique’s products and farm are not certified of affiliated with Demeter® USA or Demeter International.
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WAYS TO PRACTISE SELF-CARE OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but sometimes the thought of Christmas leaves us feeling overwhelmed rather than overjoyed. On top of the usual stressors the holiday season presents, this year there’s also a certain global pandemic to contend with. With everything that’s going on, it’s only natural that we might find ourselves in a state of unease.In these times, it is more essential than ever to prioritise self-care rituals. Whether you can carve out just 10 minutes, an hour, or an entire afternoon, the trick is to choose what resonates with you most and make it a habit. Read on to discover our top self-care ideas.JournalIf your mind is whirring, it can be helpful to put pen to paper. Offloading your thoughts into a journal is an effective way to find mental clarity. If you’re new to the practice of journaling, then try setting a positive intention for the day ahead by noting down three things you are grateful for each morning. See this as your very own simple self-care planner.Move mindfullyWhether you prefer walking, running, or cycling, it’s no secret that regular exercise can have a profoundly positive effect on maintaining healthy mental health habits. The fact is our bodies love to move and the benefits of doing so are endless. Expect to enjoy deeper sleep, increased energy levels and a brighter demeanour.Practice yogaYou don’t have to attend a studio to experience the benefits of yoga. Instead, seek out an online class or simply practice a few simple postures from the comfort of your own home. Focusing on the breath is an essential part of any yoga practice and is particularly helpful for bringing balance to a stressed-out nervous system.Book a spa treatmentThere’s nothing quite like a professional spa treatment to truly allow mind and body to unwind, so why not book into one of our Jurlique Spas for a luxury facial using natural-based skin care products? Whether you opt for an express treatment or indulge in a 90-minute experience, you’ll certainly leave feeling fresher than when you arrived.Create an at-home spaIf visiting a spa isn’t possible at the moment, try recreating that same experience of self-care at home. Soak in a long, hot bath before indulging in a nurturing self-massage. Add a few drops of our Tranquil Blend Essential Oil to our Jojoba Carrier Oil and apply all over your body in sweeping strokes. Instant calm guaranteed.Up your beauty regimeOur daily beauty rituals offer us a chance to incorporate small moments of self-care into our routines. Using aromatherapy and natural-based skin care is an effective way to bring about feelings of serenity. We suggest keeping our Blackberry & Lemon Zest Hydrating Mist Exclusive Edition on your desk or in your handbag, lightly spritzing it over your face anytime your spirit needs soothing.Get outdoorsIf all else fails, spending time in nature will work wonders in boosting your mood. Close your laptop, leave your phone behind, and embrace the great outdoors. Breathe in fresh countryside air, swim in the ocean, or simply take a walk in your local park – whatever your tonic of choice, getting outside is key to living the healthy life.
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HOW TO USE AROMATHERAPY FOR STRESS RELIEF
Stress is a fact of life and we all encounter stressful situations at various points of our lives, but this year has brought new and unique stresses to everyone. It can have long term effects on our minds, bodies and skin, and sometimes finding something that ‘works’ is easier said than done. Enter aromatherapy, a natural and oft-cited way to help reduce stress.From what essential oils to use to help relieve stress to how to use them, discover our guide to relaxing aromatherapy below.How stress affects skinYou may notice that your skin doesn’t look its best when you’re stressed. Perhaps you’re breaking out more than usual, or pre-existing conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are worse than they have been in a while. This is because stress can cause a chemical response in your body that may make skin more sensitive.Stress can also lead to your body making more hormones like cortisol, which may cause the glands in your skin to produce oil…which could lead to breakouts. On top of that, you might be neglecting your skin care ritual as your mind is on other things.What is aromatherapy?Aromatherapy has been used as a holistic wellbeing tool for years, with even the Ancient Egyptians known for using different scents to alter their mood. Aromatherapy involves the use of aromatic plant materials, particularly essential oils, to alter one’s mood and promote wellbeing. Its primary benefits come from inhaling the scent of these essential oils, which can have benefits for the mind and body.Essential oils for stressLavender Pure Essential OilLavender essential oil has a calming, relaxing and balancing effect and is probably one of the best-known essential oils. In fact, one study found that spraying lavender spray on clothing was effective in reducing work related stress in nurses for three-four days.Bergamot Essential OilBergamot essential oil is also known for its calming and balancing effects. The oil comes from the peel of a fruit called Citrus bergamia and according to one study, it may improve negative emotions, reduce fatigue and help lower cortisol levels.Geranium Pure Essential OilGeranium essential oil is also known for being calming and relaxing when used in aromatherapy.Or try one of our relaxing essential oil blends such as Comforting Blend Essential Oil and Harmony Blend Essential Oil.How to do an aromatherapy massageCreate your own aromatherapy massage oil by mixing Jojoba Carrier Oil and your essential oil of choice for a calming, indulgent way to relax – try using it when you treat yourself to your next at-home spa day.Other ways to use essential oils include pouring a couple of drops into your bath or diffuser or inhaling it by adding a couple of drops to a tissue.If you’re looking for more stress relief techniques, try these 7 yoga poses to relieve stress. Shop all essential oils at Jurlique or treat yourself to an aromatic massage at your nearest Jurlique Spa.¹https://www.webmd.com/beauty/the-effects-of-stress-on-your-skin
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IS ALL YOUR EXTRA SCREEN TIME DAMAGING YOUR SKIN?
Zoom calls, emails, endless scrolling through social media and news updates…it’s no secret that a lot of us spend far too much time in front of a screen – and now more than ever. Personal preferences of whether you’re a digital native or a technophobe aside, this extra screen time could be having damaging effects on the skin…and actually lead to premature ageing, all because of the blue light that emanates from digital devices.What is blue light?Blue light is a range of the visible light spectrum, defined as having a wavelength between 400−525 nanometers. It accounts for 50% of the sunlight spectrum and is the only part of light that is visible to the naked eye. Most of our blue light exposure comes from the sun, but it also emanates from your smartphone, computers and TV screens. We’re all aware of the damaging effects of UV rays and the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect our skin but exposure to blue light can also be harmful – especially given our close proximity to smartphones and laptops.How blue light affects skinBlue light promotes stressors in skin that can cause photo-ageing; that is, ageing from exposure to light. Long-term blue light exposure can cause skin damage, including discolouration, inflammation, and weakening of the skin’s surface.How to protect your skin from harmful blue lightAs with most things health-related in life, protecting your skin from harmful blue light starts from within, with a diet rich in antioxidants (blueberries, strawberries, kale and artichokes are all good sources) and fatty acids to reduce and protect against inflammation. Topically, you can also add skin care products into your ritual that contain antioxidants, to prevent harmful free radicals and inflammation generated by light pollution. Our Rosewater Balancing Mist is not only hydrating for the skin, but it contains our exclusive Jurlique Rose extract which is a powerful antioxidant.Our iconic Herbal Recovery range is packed full of antioxidants, containing extracts of Viola Tricolor, Nasturtium, and Yarrow, that help to hydrate your skin naturally, leaving you with skin that is soft, smooth, and revitalised.
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