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5 Wellness Tips That Will Nourish Your Body & Mind Now

The wellness tips that matter when times are normal just don’t make sense right now. So, in this post, we’re NOT going to tell you how to eat well or exercise more. The world is going through a traumatic experience, together. Kindness matters more than ever, both to ourselves and to others. SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET Here are 5 wellness tips to help nourish your body & mind, because it’s what we need now. We hope you find them useful. 1. Be Mindful The future has never been more uncertain. No amount of worrying is going to change that so let’s try and focus on what we can control – the here and now. If you can go outside, feel the sun and wind on your face and notice the air you breathe. Embrace who you are and take time to enjoy the things that bring you joy. Be grateful for what you have. Many of us are so fortunate to have a roof over our heads, a fridge stocked with food and people who care about us. 2. Calm Down There’s a lot of uncertainty so it’s not surprising to feel more anxious. Meditate, take up journaling, listen to soothing music, sleep more. All these have been shown to help reduce stress, which makes you feel more relaxed and less fearful. 3. Take Comfort Whether it’s childhood foods, favorite movies or relaxed clothing, allow yourself to indulge a bit. Enjoy the food you eat, savor the wine and welcome the sweatpants. Now’s not the time to be too hard on yourself. 4. Maintain Routines and Rituals Our days may have been turned upside down, but routines and rituals help to maintain a sense of normalcy. Research has found that they help with self-control, can alleviate disappointment after hearing difficult news, and may even reduce anxiety before stressful tasks. Here at Apothekari, we’re enjoying our morning coffee while checking emails, practicing yoga (thanks to live online classes) and keeping up with our morning and nighttime skincare routine, which includes the two serums in our Radiant Skin Set. These everyday practices help us to feel some calm, when things most definitely are not! 5. Connect We spoke to Certified Life & Business Coach, Kristine Irving about the importance of social interaction, especially during times of crisis. “Humans are hard wired for connection and this is especially important during times of heightened stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.” said Kristine. “It’s never been more important to reach out to others in whatever way feels best for you. Video chats have become increasingly popular for good reason.” Coach KI – Certified Life & Business Coach We may not be able to see our favorite humans in person but we’ve found ourselves turning to Facetime, Zoom and other applications to keep in touch. Hands up if you’re doing the same! What about you? Any other wellness tips you’d add to this list? It may seem that this quarantine will never end, and it can be scary to think of what happens when it’s over. But, it’s important to remember that this is temporary. It will pass and we’ll go back to feeling free, safe, busy, and connected in the days ahead. Until then, stay safe and healthy. And let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

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This Is How to Emerge With Glowing Skin

Glowing skin may be something most of us aspire to, but it’s probably not top of mind right now. We can’t really change what’s going on around us, but, we do have control over how we spend our time. Here at Apothekari, we’re taking time to learn new things, catch up on our reading & engage in some self-care, including taking better care of our skin. These are things we definitely won’t regret when we’re allowed to emerge back into society again! In this post, we’re diving into how vitamin C, found in our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum, helps to deliver youthful and glowing skin. Shop Bespoke Vitamin C 15% Fade Dark Spots For Glowing Skin A powerhouse skincare ingredient, vitamin C interrupts the process that leads to the formation of melanin, which is responsible for skin discoloration like dark spots. Incorporating it into your skincare routine on a regular basis can help to prevent them from forming in the first place AND help to fade them, without altering your skin’s normal coloring. Exfoliate for the Glow In addition to helping prevent dark spots from forming in the first place, L-ascorbic acid, the form of vitamin C found in our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum, can also help to remove them. L-ascorbic acid is a mild exfoliant and works to lift away the discolored dead cells that sit on our skin’s surface. The result? Clearer, more evenly toned and glowing skin, in as little as a few days. Free Radical Damage Control Vitamin C belongs to a class of ingredients known as antioxidants, compounds that help to protect skin from harm caused by free radicals. Daily exposure from things like the sun, pollution and smoke, all trigger the formation of free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage skin cells leaving it looking dull and lifeless – the opposite of glowing skin! Glowing Skin & More! Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, helping to keep skin looking firmer; is anti-inflammatory, helping to even out the redness associated with rosacea and it can also help skin to heal faster. We use L-ascorbic acid in our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum because it’s the form of vitamin C with the most research to back up its skin benefits. It’s combined with other antioxidants, including ferulic acid and vitamin E, which increase its ability to protect against sun damage. Apply it every morning under your sunscreen and get ready for beautiful, healthy and glowing skin!

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Here Are the 3 Deodorant Ingredients You Should Avoid

When it comes to deodorant ingredients, some are healthier for you than others. Here are 3 that aren’t great for your skin so avoid them if you can. (Our natural deodorant does not contain them). For more information about natural deodorant, check out this post, where we’re discussing EVERYTHING you wanted to know. Shop All Apothekari Natural Deodorants Baking Soda Is Not Good For Your Skin! These days baking soda is used as a natural cleaning alternative, a fridge deodorizer or a tooth whitener. It’s also one of the most commonly used deodorant ingredients, but unfortunately, it’s not good for your skin. Baking soda works by absorbing odor and by changing the pH (the acid/alkaline balance) of your skin from slightly acidic (4.5-6.5) to highly alkalinic (8-9). This helps to kill the bacteria that causes odor, but it also kills the good bacteria that live on your skin and keep it healthy. The pH change also disrupts the ‘acid mantle’, a fine, oily layer that sits on top of our skin and which helps to protect it from external damage. The result? Increased risk for skin damage and infection More breakouts More dryness and irritation including itchy, burning armpit rashes, and which may take weeks to resolve. Caution: Baking soda free formulations made with magnesium hydroxide may be gentler but can still disrupt your skin’s pH balance and may not be as effective. Our natural deodorant doesn’t contain baking soda or magnesium hydroxide and is pH balanced with gentle and skin conditioning lactic acid. Kaolin Clay & Potassium Alum Both Contain Aluminum If you’re trying to avoid aluminum due to health concerns or a sensitivity, you’ll want to make sure that you stay away from products containing kaolin clay (chemical formula: Al2H4O9Si2 – aluminum, hydrogen, oxygen, silica) or potassium alum (chemical formula: KAl(SO4)2·12H2O – potassium, aluminum, sulfate, heavy water), two deodorant ingredients often found in formulations claiming to be aluminum-free. Aluminum works in anti-perspirants by plugging up your sweat glands to reduce perspiration, technically leading to less odor. While there has been a lot of worry about the link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease and breast cancer, the data shows that there is no significant link. Aluminum does however, come with other side effects including: Staining your clothes yellow Causing itchiness and skin sensitivity Our Natural Deodorant is TRULY aluminum-free. Parabens. Not So Good For You Deodorant Ingredients Widely used (and highly effective), parabens are preservatives used in both food and skincare to help keep them safe from contamination that may be caused by bacteria and fungi. They’re considered safe by regulatory bodies like the FDA and Health Canada, but some studies have shown that they mimic estrogens, which have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive problems. Most scientists consider their effect too weak to cause harm, but recent research out of Berkeley University in California suggests that more research is warranted before deeming them to be perfectly safe. Until we know for certain, all Apothekari products, including our natural deodorant, are paraben-free. Apothekari is Formulated with Healthier Deodorant Ingredients We’ve spent nearly two years developing our natural deodorant so that you can remain odor free without potentially harmful ingredients. In addition to being free from aluminum, parabens and baking soda, we avoid waxes, which can cause odors to linger in clothing. Our Natural Deodorant uses enzymes to neutralize odors plus is pH balanced with lactic acid to condition skin, leaving you to smell fresh and feel clean all day! Want to learn more about our deodorants? Some Deodorants Are Healthier Than Others. Here’s Why Sweat Confidently With This Natural Deodorant How Our Deodorant Is Different Compared to Others

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How to Look Younger With This 1 Step At Night

Who doesn’t want their skin to look younger? Desiring younger looking skin doesn’t mean that we want to look like we’re twenty, but that we want skin that’s healthy and beautiful, and which reflects how young we feel inside. In this post, we’ll discuss how this 1 step at night – adding a retinoid, to your nighttime skincare routine, can help you look younger without much effort at all. Shop A Is for Anti-Aging Serum (Our Retinoid Formulation) Our favourite retinoid is retinaldehyde, which you’ll find in our A is for Anti-Aging Serum, because it delivers results without the irritation associated with most other retinoids, including retinol and prescription retinoic acid. It’s a topic we’ve discussed before: Why Retinaldehyde Is a Better Option for Skin How to Reduce Wrinkles With Retinaldehyde Read on to learn more about how the regular use of A is for Anti-Aging can improve your skin’s appearance, below. Look Younger With Fewer Lines and Wrinkles Wrinkles and fine lines may be a natural part of aging, but they make us appear older. Our genes are partly to blame, but external factors like sun exposure, pollution, smoking and facial expressions, also contribute to their development. As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, fibers which give skin strength and flexibility. Additionally, UV rays and free radicals from sun exposure and pollution, also break down these tissues. It’s one of the reasons that wrinkles appear more prominently on our face, neck and hands, areas which are more frequently exposed to the sun. Retinoids, like retinaldehyde (found in our A is for Anti-Aging Serum), give us a fighting chance. Obtained from Vitamin A, studies have shown that retinaldehyde not only helps to preserve existing collagen, it also helps to increase the production of collagen leading to fewer fine lines and wrinkles and skin that is firmer and more elastic. Retinoids Lead to Smoother & Brighter Skin Our skin cells naturally turn over every 28 days on average, but as we age, this process takes longer. Retinoids increase the rate at which skin cells on the outermost layer of skin turnover, resulting in the appearance of new cells at the surface. These new skin cells have fewer age spots, are more evenly toned and brighter and feel smoother as well. Retinaldehyde Also Fights Acne Retinaldehyde balances oil production, which helps to prevent pores from getting clogged and inflamed. It is also antibacterial. These two properties make it a useful tool in the fight against acne, helping to minimize blemishes. While there are a range of retinoids to choose from, including prescription only retinoic acid to over the counter retinol and retinyl palmitate, we’ve chosen to formulate our A is for Anti-Aging Serum with retinaldehyde. Studies have shown that it is the most gentle of all retinoids, making it suitable for all skin types. If you’re interested in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, improving the firmness and elasticity of your skin and minimizing blemishes, consider incorporating it into your nighttime skincare routine.

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Make This One Change to Relieve Dry Skin

Relieve dry skin on your body by making one small change this winter! Dryness is something that many of us must contend with during cooler temperatures and while most of us are fully invested in keeping our faces hydrated, our limbs need some love too. This year, consider introducing a body oil into your routine and learn why your skin will love it, in this post. Shop Lemon Rose Moisturizing Body Oil *save when buying as part of a set in our Hydrating Skin Set. What Causes Dry Skin? Dry skin isn’t usually serious, but it can be uncomfortable, often accompanied by tightness, roughness, flaking, itching or redness. Severely dry skin, however, can develop deep cracks that may bleed. Dryness increases during the winter when the temperatures are cooler and there is less moisture in the air. However, it can also occur in hotter climates with lower humidity and may be exacerbated by long soaks in hot water. You Can Help Manage Dry Skin With: Quick showers in lukewarm (not hot) water Mild cleansers Humidifiers to increase moisture in the air Moisturizers including creams, lotions and oils Hydrating Skin Set – Contains Body Oil & Face Oil Body Oils Soften Skin Better You may be used to using a body lotion, but body oils soften skin better. That’s because oils mimic the natural lipids found in our bodies, sinking in between skin cells, leading to a better, smoother skin surface, which helps to soften roughness. Oils also are more protective than lotions and much better at locking in moisture. These qualities make them especially beneficial for super-dry skin or eczema. If you’ve never used a body oil before, you’re in for an experience! Body oils can transform the humdrum chore of moisturizing into something quite luxurious, making you feel as if you’re in a gorgeous spa somewhere (the Italian countryside?) instead of your boring bathroom. Scented body oils, like ours, just up the pleasure factor. How To Use A Body Oil Body oils absorb best when skin is warm and slightly damp, after towel drying. Applied this way, they can also help to lock moisture. They’re not restricted to bath time use only; use a body oil any time of the day to nourish and pamper skin. We like adding a small amount to our body lotion or cream to amp up the hydration. Beyond their amazing moisturizing qualities for dry skin, try using a body oil as a bath oil or a hair oil. They also work wonders to soften cuticles on your nails. Have we converted you yet?

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If You Can Only Set One Health Goal for 2020, This Is It!

If you can only set one health goal for 2020, let this be the year to look after your skin. Putting your skin at the top of your priority list benefits your overall wellness. Find out how our Ageless Skin Set can help to achieve this health goal while also simplifying your skin care routine – more in this post. Shop Apothekari Ageless Skin Set Mindfulness In Your Health Goal Our skin is our largest and one of our most vital organs and it reflects our overall health. Yet, it is among the most neglected and misunderstood parts of our bodies. Just about anything we do, from what we eat to how much we stress or sleep, including where we live, influences our skin. Stress causes the release of hormones, which helps us cope, but may also be damaging. Temporarily elevated levels are fine, but over the long term, high levels of hormones like cortisol can lower our immune function, lead to weight gain and to skin that appears dull and dry and at risk for the development of acne, fine lines and rashes. It’s nearly impossible to avoid stress so it’s important to manage it. At Apothekari, we’ve found that meditation, exercise, adequate sleep and the company of good people are essential to coping with stress. More here. They don’t call it ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing! Sleep deprivation shows on your skin resulting in dark shadows & under-eye puffiness; sallow, lacklustre skin due to poor circulation and inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema due to elevated levels of cortisol (see above). Eat Well. We are what we eat and now that the season of indulgence is coming to an end, it’s time to restock your pantry and fridge with foods that will help you to stick with your health goal. Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats. A diet filled with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids are essential to good health and provide the building blocks for beautiful skin. And, drink enough water. Hydration is crucial for all aspects of health, including skin health, because it allows your body to effectively carry out the functions that keep fluids moving. Exercise. Benefiting not just our heart and our waistline, new research suggests that exercise also results in microscopic changes to skin, making it look younger – by up to 20 to 30 years! Keep It Simple An effective skincare regimen doesn’t have to be complicated, and doesn’t require a myriad of products. Bonus: you’re more likely to stick with your health goal if it’s easy. Take inventory of the products you’re using (this is also a good time to look at your makeup) and discard outdated products or ones that your skin doesn’t love. This includes products containing harsh ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate or sensitizing ones like fragrances. You know your skin best so only you can be the judge of the ingredients that don’t agree with you. Don’t keep duplicates around, unless you like to alternate between brands and products. This can make sense in some instances – for example, richer creams for drier winters and lighter ones or serums for warmer and more humid conditions. Choose the ones that work best for you and get rid of the rest. Don’t be duped into 7,9 or 11 step skincare routines. In most cases, they are absolutely unnecessary, eating up time, creating confusion and helping to empty out your wallet. Be ruthless when evaluating products and get rid of them if you aren’t using them or they are wasting your precious time. Most of us benefit with just a few steps: Every Morning: Layer an antioxidant serum like our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum to protect against free radical damage. Follow with sunscreen, every day year round to protect against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. Every Night: Cleanse your face night to remove make-up and dirt and prep skin for other treatments. Apply a retinoid serum, like our gentle and effective A is for Anti-Aging Serum to boost collagen production and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines As Needed: Incorporate treatments like moisturizers, oils, etc to manage dryness, acne and other skin conditions as needed. Our Ageless Skin Set includes a cleanser, our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum, A is for Anti-Aging Serum and Daily Infusion Moisturizer. It provides the basics to get you started on a simple and effective regimen. Just add sunscreen. Establish and Stick to A Routine Consistency is key to success and like any good habit, it’s worth investing the time to develop one. There’s no such thing as an instant fix and when it comes to the the health goal of your skin, give it time. Evaluate results after about six weeks, which is the minimum amount of time needed to notice a difference. And, don’t forget the skin on your body, which also deserves some attention and care. Let 2020 – the start of a new decade – be the year that you give your skin the care and attention it deserves. Your body will say thank you!

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A Body Oil For Instantly Soft Skin

Now that the cold season is officially here, instantly transform dry skin on your body with our new Lemon Rose Moisturizing Body Oil. Just a bit of TLC with this ultra-moisturizing and rich formula, helps deliver soft, supple and touchable skin. Shop Lemon Rose Moisturizing Body Oil Nourish Dry Skin Apothekari’s Lemon Rose Moisturizing Body Oil is an excellent source of nutrients and moisture for dry, irritated and chapped skin. Protect and nourish your body with a rich combination of precious oils: Jojoba Seed Oil. Jojoba oil is very similar to human skin oils allowing for easy absorption to deeply hydrate, sooth, soften and moisturize. It is anti-inflammatory and contains, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals to help nourish and protect skin. Rosehip Seed Extract. Rich in fatty acids, rosehip seed extract is useful in providing relief to chapped and irritated skin. It’s a rich source of antioxidants, helping to protect skin. Kukui Nut Oil. Easily absorbed, Indonesian kukui nut oil has a high fatty acid content along with tocopherol (Vitamin E). Deeply moisturizing and anti-inflammatory. Shea Nut Butter. A source of vitamins and anti-inflammatory compounds, this emollient ingredient relieves dryness and aids with the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. Raspberry Seed Oil. High concentration of fatty acids to supports skin cell membrane function, helping to retain moisture and maintaining skin elasticity. Essential Oil Blend. Pamper skin with this intoxicating blend featuring rose, lemon and jasmine. All this in our base of sunflower seed oil plus vitamin E delivers additional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits and helps to trap moisture on skin, keeping it hydrated longer. How to Use a Body Oil When it comes to moisturizing, skin needs both oil and water/water-loving ingredients (like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, propanediol) to stay healthy. Oil alone is not enough to hydrate skin, which is why a body oil should be applied directly after a bath or shower while skin is still damp. Enjoy using a body oil as part of your self care, massaging onto skin using gentle strokes. This helps to lock in the moisture and keeps skin feeling soft and smooth all day long.

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What Happens If You Don't Wash Your Face?

You’ve likely heard it before: “Always wash your face.” You’ve heard it so many times, it must be good advice. But is it? Can anything bad really happen if you don’t wash your face? Find out in this post. Shop Aha-Mazing Clean Gel Cleanser Shop Cloud Nine Foaming Cleansing Creme Wash Your Face to Clean & Prep It The main reason to wash your face is to clean it. A cleanser helps to remove dirt, make-up and oil that can accumulate on skin over the course of a day. Cleansing also helps to remove old, dead skin cells, which can build up on the surface, leaving skin looking dull and lifeless. The accumulation of these impurities along with dry and dead skin cells puts you at risk for clogged pores, which ultimately, can lead to breakouts. In addition to removing debris and potentially damaging substances, a clean face preps the skin’s surface for the application of subsequent skincare treatments. Actives are more easily absorbed deeper into the skin where they can exert their action. Moisturizing ingredients – humectants (which draw moisture to the skin); emollients (which soften and smooth skin) and occlusives (which lock moisture in) are also more effective, leading to increased hydration. The good news is that hydrated skin looks healthy and younger. Choose A Suitable Cleanser Convinced yet? If so, it’s important to choose a cleanser that’s right for your skin. There are many to choose from – gels, creams, powders, oils and balms – and we’ve written about them before. Choose one based on personal preference and also on your skin type. Sensitive skin tends to do better with milder, less foaming cleansers such as crèmes, balms and oils. Skin that is more tolerant can pick and choose. Cleansers can include actives such as alpha hydroxy acids (which help to exfoliate), moisturizing ingredients , antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. At Apothekari we offer two cleansers that are suitable for a range of skin types: Cloud Nine Foaming Cleansing Crème. Rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients to clean, moisturize and protect skin. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive. AHA-Mazing Exfoliating Cleansing Gel. Infused with a triple combination of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to exfoliate, hydrate and help improve the health of skin. Caution sensitive skin. How to Wash Your Face When it comes to getting the deed done, you can follow a one or two-step method, which are explained in this post. The important bits: Use warm (not hot) water and rinse thoroughly Stay away from harsh surfactants (soaping agents) which strip away oils leading to dryness Ensure you wash your face at night. While there is some debate about a morning cleanse, at Apothekari, we feel that’s optional. The world isn’t going to end if you don’t wash your face, but your skin will look much better. Trust us on this one!

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A Skincare Routine For Ageless Skin

A solid skincare routine is the foundation for youthful, ageless skin. Learn how to put together a regimen that covers the essential products for morning and nighttime skincare in this post. Shop Apothekari Ageless Skin Set Aging Doesn’t Mean Aging Skin We’ve discussed the impact that age has on our skin in a previous post. This includes: Less natural oil production leading to rougher, drier skin Less elastin and collagen production leading to skin that is less firm Thinning skin that appears more transparent Loss of volume due to thinning bones. We can’t control the impact of time, but our lifestyle choices also play a role in our skin’s appearance. For great skin it’s important to eat well, get enough sleep, exercise and incorporate effective skincare products as found in our Ageless Skin Set. A Morning and Nighttime Skincare Routine A 3-step skincare routine is one that most of us should follow to keep our skin looking its very best: Cleanse. To rid skin of make-up, pollution, dirt and oil, which can lead to blemishes, redness and irritation. One-step or two-step; it’s up to you but this important step shouldn’t be missed, especially at night. Cleansing also ensures that serums and other active products that you put on your skin can penetrate to deliver their effects. Protect. If you’re not wearing sunscreen every day, you’re not giving your skin a fighting chance! The sun’s ultraviolet rays are thought to contribute to more than 80% of skin aging so find a sunscreen that you love and apply it every morning, every day of the year! Add in an antioxidant formulation – one with Vitamin C (as in our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum), as recommended by most skincare experts. Antioxidants help defend against the free radicals that cause skin damage, and which we’re exposed to daily from pollution and UV rays. Perfect. Depending on your age, your skin type and where you live (climate, humidity, etc), this step addresses your skin’s specific needs. Whether it’s fine lines and wrinkles, crows feet, dark circles, hyperpigmentation, dry skin or acne, this last step addresses that. A serious anti-aging skincare routine must include a retinoid. Derived from Vitamin A, retinoids deliver a range of proven skin benefits including: Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Brighten skin tone by reversing sun damage and dark spots Thicken skin Retinoids also have anti-acne properties, making them a useful addition in the management of blemishes, which many women experience as they get older. Our A is for Anti-Aging contains retinaldehyde – an effective yet gentle retinoid, making it suitable for most skin types – along with other skin beneficial ingredients for firmer, brighter and more youthful looking skin. Depending on your concerns, incorporate other products including moisturizers, eye treatments, skin lighteners, masks or exfoliants into your skincare routine as needed. Our Ageless Skin Set: Part of Your Skincare Routine We’ve combine 4 essential products to cover a morning and nighttime skincare routine into our Ageless Skin Set, which currently features special pricing: A is for Anti-Aging – A gentle and effective retinoid serum that helps to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, reduce hyperpigmentation and reverse sun damage. Use daily at night. Bespoke Vitamin C Serum – Vitamin C (10 or 15%) plus antioxidants help to fight against free radicals, which can accelerate the aging process. Each bottle is made to order guaranteeing freshness. Apply daily every morning. Daily Infusion Moisturizer – Moisturize, hydrate and plump skin. Use daily morning and/or night as needed. AHA-Mazing Clean Cleansing Gel (all skin types) – Cleanse skin to remove dirt and makeup and ensure absorption of active treatments. Choose between Cloud Nine, our gentle, foaming cleansing cream or AHA-Mazing, our exfoliating cleansing gel. Shop Apothekari Ageless Skin Set Are you ready to wake up to healthy, ageless skin with this essential AM/PM skincare set?

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How To Get More Radiant Skin

Glowy, radiant skin is a sign of healthy skin – a look that that we all aspire to. Consistently using the right combination of products is key to radiant skin. Learn more in this post. SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET What Robs You of Radiant Skin? Lack of sleep, stress, aging and even what you eat can rob your complexion of its radiance. Skin that looks dull and tired can become luminous and glowing by using the right products along with some expert tips. Here’s how to achieve radiant skin. 4 Tips for Radiant Skin Cleanse. Start with a clean ‘canvas’ by removing dirt including oil, pollution and make-up that can leave skin looking dull. Choose between two foaming cleansers to suit most skin types: AHA-Mazing Clean Cleansing Gel – Exfoliate, cleanse and hydrate with this foaming cleansing that soothes skin and senses. Triple combination of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and a refreshing mint scent. Cloud Nine Foaming Cleansing Crème – Clean, moisturize and protect skin with this gentle, foaming cleanser. Rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients and ideal for aging and sensitive skin. Exfoliate. Nothing strips away your glow more than having a layer of dry, dead skin cells sitting on your skin’s surface. Exfoliation helps to remove these cells and brightens skin almost immediately. You can exfoliate physically with a scrub or chemically with an acid. When it comes to facial exfoliation, we lean towards chemical exfoliation, which only penetrates through the skin’s uppermost layer. Scrubs and polishes are more prone to aggressive use, which can lead to skin irritation. In addition to our AHA-Mazing Clean Cleansing Gel, which exfoliates and cleanses, our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum, provides light exfoliation. Brighten. As we age, skin can become unevenly toned due to age spots, melasma, etc. The following ingredients can brighten skin: Niacinamide. Lightens skin discolouration and fades age spots by decreasing the number of melanin transferred to pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) to skin cells by more than half. Find niacinamide in A is for Anti-Aging, where it is combined with Phenylethyl Resorcinol, another skin brightening agent and retinaldehyde, for the ultimate in age prevention properties. Vitamin C. Found in our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum, it brightens skin by disrupting the production of melanin, a skin pigment that causes discolouration and age spots. Because the two ingredients above do so much to improve skin’s glow, we’ve combined A is for Anti-Aging and our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum into the Radiant Skin Set. When used together regularly, these serums will help to illuminate your complexion. Expect to see results within a few weeks and optimal results in about three months. Other ingredients that can help to brighten skin include lactic acid, arbutin, kojic acid and licorice. Hydrate. Dry and dehydrated skin looks dull and may even appear more wrinkled. Although you may not need a dedicated moisturizer, it’s important to incorporate products that can help to replenish and lock in moisture. In a previous post we discussed how to choose a moisturizer and our Daily Infusion Moisturizer provides a perfect balance of the 3 types of ingredients needed to keep skin hydrated. Fake It Till You Make It! While you’re waiting for results from topical treatment to kick in, you can rely on make-up, which helps to deliver an instant glow. Look for products that contain minerals like mica, which reflect light to deliver radiant skin allover.

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The Essentials For Smooth Skin On Your Body

If summer living has left you with arms and legs that are dry, rough and/or cracked, learn about the essentials necessary for touchable and smooth skin! *Our Bamboo Lemongrass Body Polish has been discontinued, but consider our Shea Body Butter or Lemon Rose Moisturizing Oil to help keep skin soft and smooth. Shop Lemon Rose Moisturizing Body Oil We’re summer’s biggest fans at Apothekari, but extended sun exposure can do a number on your skin. Unprotected exposure to UVA rays can destroy collagen and elastin, which helps give skin a smooth and resilient texture. Plus, it can make it look and feel drier and rougher. While sun protection is important, it’s also necessary to use products that can help to undo the damage that summer can cause. Learn what they are in this post. What Causes Rough Skin? Your skin’s texture and appearance are affected primarily by its uppermost layer, the stratum corneum, which is made up of dead skin cells along with a mixture of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. These substances help to keep moisture in and irritants out. A build-up of these dead skin cells along with a lack of moisture and hydration are the main reasons that skin appears rough and dry. Low humidity or skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or keratotis pilaris, may worsen your skin’s appearance. Plus, the hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause may also detract from smooth skin. If you’re after smooth skin, it’s essential to do these 2 things: Exfoliate Moisturize The two products found in our Smooth Skin Body Set can help. Exfoliate for Smooth Skin Gentle cleansing and mild exfoliation help to deliver radiant and smooth skin by removing the dead skin cells on the surface that leave skin looking and feeling rough, dull and dry. Exfoliate either chemically (as with ingredients known as alpha hydroxy acids – AHAs – acids which help to dissolve the ‘glue’ that holds skin cells together) or mechanically by using scrubs and polishes. Many of us pay attention to our facial skin, but we often overlook our hands and feet – parts of our body that suffer the most wear and tear, especially during the warmer months. Our Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Polish is formulated with walnut shell powder, powdered bamboo and a gentle cleanser to whisk away dead, dry skin cells leaving smooth skin behind. It’s invigorating and refreshing essential oil scent turns a shower or bath into a spa-like event. Moisturizers Lead to Smoother Skin Once you’ve removed the dead skin leading to roughness, it’s important to moisturize. A good moisturizer helps to prevent flaking and dry patches by replenishing and locking in moisture. Whether you opt for a lotion, a cream or a butter, moisturizers help to deliver soft and smooth skin by plumping up skin cells. For best results, apply moisturizers to damp skin as quickly as you can after stepping out of the shower, to trap water and seal it in. Our Shea Body Butter contains healing herbs, fresh oils, natural vegetarian waxes in an organic shea butter base to heal dry, cracked and callused skin. We’ve combined both the Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Polish and the Shea Body Butter into our Smooth Skin Set so that your skin can benefit from both exfoliation and moisturization on a regular basis. Beauty From Within: Smooth Skin With These 3 Tips Here are 3 additional things you can do every day to ensure smooth skin: Drink Water. (Caution with the caffeinated, sugary beverages or alcoholic drinks) to help hydrate and assist your body’s metabolic processes. Fruits and vegetables count as well – not only are many high in water content (melons, cucumbers, etc), but they are also filled with micronutrients that help to maintain healthy skin. Get Enough Beauty Sleep. A lack of quality sleep increases your body’s production of cortisol, a stress hormone that can increase the inflammatory response in skin and showing up as more acne or skin sensitivity along with psoriasis and eczema. Exercise. Increases blood flow to the blood vessels, helping to provide more micronutrients to skin and enhancing its appearance.

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3 Tips To Help Transition Summer Skin Care to Fall

No, we’re not ready to say goodbye to summer, but September’s just around the corner, so this may be a good time to focus on how to transition your summer skin care routine, to one more suitable for fall. Shop All Apothekari Autumn brings cooler weather and with it, a drop in humidity. Lower humidity makes for drier air, leading to even drier skin. Add in dry heat from radiators and your skin may start to react with dry, itchy skin and certain skin conditions such as eczema. To avoid an itch fest and to help keep skin looking and feeling soft and supple, we’re sharing 3 tips to help you manage the transition of summer skin care to fall. Tip 1: Moisturize More Often A lightweight moisturizer, gel or none at all may have served your skin well during the warmer months. However, as temperatures drop, the air becomes drier and you may need to amp up the hydration: Try a thicker moisturizer, which may be more appropriate for skin during cooler weather. If you find it too heavy for daytime use, apply at night before going to bed. Don’t forget to hydrate body skin, which can also suffer from dryness and itchiness. Our Shea Body Butter is made with organic shea butter and infused with healing herbs, fresh oils and natural vegetarian waxes to heal dry, cracked and callused skin without any greasiness. Scented with a beautiful essential oil blend, apply it to slightly damp skin, which helps to lock in moisture. Consider adding an oil to your routine. Our Antioxidant Face Oil features skin nourishing vegetable oils including Olkerii Marula Oil to deliver fatty acids, sterols and antioxidants that help to calm, heal and protect skin leaving it feeling soft and smooth and looking radiant. We love incorporating this into our nighttime routine during fall and winter. Opt for a gentler cleanser. Tip 2: Summer Skin Care Essentials Year Round *Shade SPF 30 and Anti-Aging Skin Set have been discontinued. Our Radiant Skin Set includes both serums that were included in our Anti-Aging Set (just add sunscreen). For help choosing a sunscreen, check out our blog post: Sunscreen Ingredients | What to Look For. SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET Regardless of the season, it’s important to follow the basics of good skin care by protecting, preventing damage and perfecting skin year-round. Our Anti-Aging Set contains the 3 products that all skin types need to maintain healthy & beautiful skin: A Retinoid Serum – A is for Anti-Aging. Formulated with retinaldehyde, a gentle and effective retinoid plus additional actives/ingredients to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, brighten skin and protect against sun damage. An Antioxidant Treatment – Bespoke Vitamin C Serum. Vitamin C plus antioxidants in a made to order serum that protects skin from the free radicals that can accelerate skin aging. Moisturizes and leads to brighter skin. A Sunscreen – Shade SPF 30. A naturally safe, mineral based, zinc oxide sunscreen that delivers broad spectrum and non-whitening protection against damaging UVA and UVB rays. Tip 3: Lifestyle Tips While the right skin care products are important as you move from a summer skin care routine to one more appropriate for fall, lifestyle factors can help as well: Opt for warm, not hot baths and showers. Hot water can lead to drier skin. Invest in a humidifier if the air is exceptionally dry. Run it while you sleep, which will not only help to stave off dry skin, but also benefit dry sinuses, a problem some of experience during the cooler months. Don’t forget your feet and hands. Cracked hands and feet are not only unsightly, but can be painful as well. We like to slather on a moisturizer at bedtime before donning on a pair of socks or gloves to up the moisture factor. What is your best tip for transitioning from summer skin care to fall?

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