An Oil Can Do Allllll of That?!
There are many myths and misconceptions about what can and can’t be used on an oily skin—oil based products being one of them. Time to shed some light on these tall tales and expose the amazing benefits of oil—you will want to bathe your skin in the brilliance of this liquid gold! So you’ve probably heard and believed some of these to be true: • Oil based products will make your skin oilier and greasy• They will make you breakout• Using oil-free products are the better choice for an oily skin Prepare to learn whilst we debunk these myths. What causes oiliness? Our skin type is hereditary and is determined by the amount of oil being produced. If your parents had an oily skin its most likely you will too. An oily skin is a result of the sebaceous (oil) glands in our skin being overactive, secreting excess oil which can lead to clogging of the pores and the perfect breeding environment for bacteria. Excess oil can also be the result of heightened hormone levels, which is why teenagers can often battle with acne. This is also the reason that women tend to have oilier skin during some parts of their menstrual cycle, while they’re pregnant and when they’re experiencing menopause. Although this skin type can be a precursor to acne a brilliant benefit can be that if looked after correctly, oily skin types can age much slower than normal/dry skin! So, why use oil-based products on an oily skin? #1. Oil attracts oil and can dissolve sebum, grease and make-up without stripping the skin of its natural oils. esmi’s expert advice:If you are using a gel/foam cleanser or soap that makes your skin feel tight, dry or aggravated, it’s most likely you are stripping your skin and compromising the skins natural protective barrier—known as the acid mantle. Most often an oily skin will produce more oil as a defence mechanism to balance out the loss of moisture on the skin, leading to more unwanted oil and breakouts! Use a cosmeceutical cleanser, prescribed by a professional skin therapist. Oil is GOOD, it protects and lubricates your skin, a cleanser should be gentle and complement your skin. #2. Facial oils can assist to hydrate, protect and repair the skin’s barrier function. esmi’s expert advice:Think of your skin as your protective shield, fighting to keep germs out and lock moisture in. Many oily skins are dehydrated and lack moisture due to the use of harsh cleansers, over exfoliation and lack of moisturising. Our skin needs to be kept hydrated both internally by drinking plenty of water and consuming good omegas in the diet, and externally by using the right tailored skincare. Did you know your skin needs water and moisture to help activate special enzymes in the epidermis that allow your dead skin cells to shed off? If the skin lacks moisture this can lead to more clogging, congestion and breakouts. #3. Using the correct skin oil can actually help to balance excess oil. esmi’s expert advice:Our skin’s sebum (oil) is made up of a combination of triglycerides, diglycerides, fatty acids, wax esters, squalane and cholesterol—all designed to lubricate, hydrate and protect our skin. You will notice a child’s skin has the perfect production of oil, however, when puberty and adulthood take place the correct ratio needed to keep the skin balanced can be all out of whack and may lead to a skin disorder like acne. Balance excess oil by partnering your favourite Esmi Skin Treat with the amazing benefits of esmi 24K Gold Nourishing Oil: In summary, these unique ingredients have a rapid skin absorption rate that will leave your skin feeling hydrated but not ‘oily’ or ‘greasy’. esmi 24K Gold Nourishing Oil has more highly concentrated actives which can help to achieve quicker skin results. Not sure where to start? Talk to our skin specialist team who will guide you through your FREE personal Skin Care Plan and help you get on top of your skin concerns today. The team at esmi are always here to support you on your skin journey. CHAT: www.esmi.com.auEMAIL: skin@makeupcartel.com.auPHONE: 1300 66 11 76
Here's How Charcoal Can Help Your Skin
Charcoal … discovered by ancient Egyptians over 4000 years ago it was first used to manufacture bronze and embalm corpses for mummification. Not only did they discover the amazing preserving properties but also used it for medicinal purposes, writing and absorbing unpleasant odours. Fast forward through the ages the discovery of charcoal and its numerous benefits leaves little wonder that it is one of the most healing and popular ingredients in skincare and the health industry today. Just some of the benefits and uses of charcoal include: Amazing antibacterial and antiseptic properties Purification of water, air and the soil we grow food in Treating many different illnesses such as epilepsy, anaemia, and vertigo Used daily in medical facilities for drug and food poisoning, kidney and liver dialysis machines, to wound dressings, to anemia for cancer, and much more. Veterinarians also use charcoal for our furry loves that ingest anything harmful Charcoal = your genie in a bottle.So as you can see, with the history of this unique ingredient combined with the extraordinary benefits, we are bursting with excitement to introduce you to the esmi Charcoal Detoxifying and Exfoliating Serum. But first … let’s talk about your skin.Wouldn’t it be nice if we could hop out of bed, shimmy out of our old skin like a snake and face the world unblemished and fresh-faced? Well, our skin is a little more fascinating, so fascinating, that if we had to journal exactly what it was doing right now, we would be writing until we die! Our skin is continually shedding in patches (without us even knowing) and new skin cells are constantly replacing those that have been lost. The cells responsible for this shedding action are called keratinocytes, and they make up 85% of the epidermis (the outermost layer of our skin). These cells have two major roles, the ability to actively divide and differentiate. Your age, genetics, hormones and lifestyle factors determine the rate at which these little guys divide, shed and renew. In your 20s your cell turnover is approx. 25+ days, 30s 35+ days, 40s 45+ days and so on. This shedding process can be impacted by the craziness and business of our lives. How can you tell?• Is your skin rough or flaky?• Uneven in appearance?• Tight?• Crepey?• Bumpy?• Dry or scaly?• Presenting fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation? If you answered yes to any of the above, we can assist. Whilst we can’t stop the clock on ageing and we can’t change the skin type you were born with, we can introduce healthy habits and skin feeding ingredients to accelerate and activate these keratinocytes to work more efficiently, resulting in clearer, more radiant skin. Healthy skin starts from within.Choosing to eat organically and eating whole-foods is the first best step. Vital for keeping your skin plump from the inside out, include essential fatty acids as part of your diet (good fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, fish etc.) Drinking 3-4 litres of water a day will also help to flush toxins, hydrate the skin and keep your body functioning at its best. Combining a healthy diet, exercise and skincare routine is a ‘triple threat’ to preserving a youthful appearance. Charcoal + your skin = real results!This cocktail of powerful ingredients delivers the very best food to excite your skin cells and get them communicating. esmi Charcoal Detoxifying and Exfoliating Serum was designed to gradually exfoliate, smooth skin and draw out skin impurities. Fuelled by glycolic, lactic and citric acid, these ingredients help to break down the ‘bonds’ or ‘glue’ that hold your surface dead skin cells together allowing them to shed off. This action unleashes fresh new skin, refines rough skin, stimulates cell turnover and allows for better product absorption. Grape seed oil, simmondsia chinensis seed oil (jojoba seed oil) and vaccinium myrtillus (European blueberry) have powerful antioxidant properties to fight free radicals and prevent the ageing. Improve your results by applying your favourite esmi Skin Treat once removing the Charcoal Serum. The inclusion of 24K gold flakes assists in increasing skin elasticity, blood circulation AND the prevention of collagen breakdown. Our star ingredient charcoal helps to purify underlying clogging and congestion by drawing out toxins from your skin’s pores, while detoxifying and drying impurities. The anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties help to diminish bacteria and inflammation on the skin’s surface. How to use your esmi Charcoal Detoxifying and Exfoliating Serum. 1. Using the dropper, apply a pearl-sized amount to your esmi Charcoal Brush.2. Massage into freshly cleansed skin, avoiding under the eye area, and allow to tingle. (The tingling may last from 5-10 minutes and may range from very mild to intense).3. Leave for 5-10 minutes before wetting the charcoal brush and massage around the face to remove any softened dead skin cells before washing off.4. If you want more of a tingle activate these ingredients further by adding a little water to your brush, continue to massage skin and remove after 5-10 minutes.5. Pair with other esmi Skin Treats.6. Can be used in a cycle of up to 5 consecutive nights with a 2-day break in between.7. Use with caution if using in conjunction with other product containing AHA or BHA acid Ingredients. Please note: The charcoal is a detoxifying ingredient and may draw out skin impurities. Continue use after impurities have emerged. Protect your skin daily with a sunscreen.
Saving your Skin in Summer
Our skin can go through a bit of a rough time over the summer months! We leave the comfort of our aircon, cars, office or house into the scorching summer heat, to jump in the pool or the ocean—perhaps soak up some sun after lathering ourselves with sunscreens. Possibly over indulge a little (or a lot!) with summer festivities. All this fun can leave our skin a little worse for wear, so we’ve put together some tips to keep your skin glowing in tip top condition this summer. Let's save your skin 🌞 Extra heat means dehydrated skin is expected to follow. Just because you’re oily doesn’t mean your skin is hydrated. Air conditioning, swimming in chlorine or salt water, even a few cheeky margaritas with the girls can contribute. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much water we drink we still have to give our skin extra hydration. For the ultimate hydrating skin feed apply Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum under our NEW Hyaluronic Hydrating Booster Mask and sleep in it! Let your restful slumber do all the work and wake up to the freshest, most hydrated, glowing skin, ever! With application upon application of sunscreen in the warmer months, it is super important to make sure we’re thoroughly removing it all, as sunscreen ingredients can typically block pores and we don’t want any nasty breakouts, try The Uncomplicated Cleanser. With a double cleanse, this super gentle formulation will remove all sunscreen and makeup without drying out our skin, leaving your skin soft and ready to apply your favourite serums. With Christmas festivities in full swing, and always wanting to look our best—often we apply more makeup than usual. Ensure you’re applying a non-comedogenic makeup to avoid breaking out. The esmi range of Liquid or Powder Mineral Foundation formulations are actually treatments for your skin! These beauties only contain purposefully good ingredients for your skin, they won’t clog your pores and will allow your skin to breath. Apply a dusting of powder over the top of liquid foundation for a full coverage look, and even try using our Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum as a primer. Remember the double cleanse when it’s time to come off. Night skin care routine For a quiet night in and some deserved self-love, we suggest a pampering treat with this luxe regime. Perfect to brighten your skin when it’s feeling a little lacklustre or even to give it extra glow before a special event. Step 1. Cleanse with The Uncomplicated Cleanser.Step 2. Follow with Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum, leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.Step 3. Apply Pomegranate Brightening Serum.Step 4. Apply Ultra Nourishing Booster Mask.Step 5. Put on your favourite tunes, pour yourself a beverage, put your feet up and RELAX! Not sure where to start? Talk to our skin specialist team who will guide you through your FREE personal Skin Care Plan and help you get on top of your skin concerns today. The team at esmi are always here to support you on your skin journey. CHAT: www.esmi.com.auEMAIL: skin@makeupcartel.com.auPHONE: 1300 66 11 76
Skin Hydration... Why is it Important?
Did you know, your body’s largest and fastest-growing organ is your skin? It’s amazing, it acts as your body’s coat by protecting you and helping you stay warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. And unless it’s cut or damaged, it keeps stuff out, including germs and water. So why is it important to look after and keep it hydrated? Well when skin is well-hydrated, it’s more plump and resilient. This is due, at least in part, to an ingredient in the skin called hyaluronic acid. The job of hyaluronic acid in the skin is to hold water. When there is adequate water from inside and out the skin looks healthier and more alive and is less prone to wrinkles. It’s also important in order for the skin to protect our bodies from UV radiation, microorganisms, and toxic agents. Hydrated skin will remain flexible and allow our protective barrier to remain intact. If the skin is broken, environmental factors can damage our bodies and cause exacerbated water loss, feeding a pattern of more damage due to further dehydration. Hyaluronic Acid in skin care Hyaluronic Acid is great to use because it’s able to penetrate the skin’s upper layers to improve and benefit the skin when applied topically. Hyaluronic acid is a major component of skin, where it benefits tissue repair and protection. When applied in a HA cream or serum, hyaluronic acid forms and penetrates into the dermis, thus boosting the elasticity and hydration of the skin. The protective barrier on the skin locks in moisture, which gives the skin a youthful appearance. To hydrate your skin we suggest using our esmi Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum, it contains Hyaluronic Acid for complete skin hydration and improvement in fine lines and wrinkles. You can also pair this with our BB Cream or Maximum Coverage Liquid Foundation. Hyaluronic Acid is great to use because it's able to penetrate the skin’s upper layers to improve and benefit the skin when applied topically. Hyaluronic acid is a major component of skin, where it benefits tissue repair and protection. When applied in a HA cream or serum, hyaluronic acid forms and penetrates into the dermis, thus boosting the elasticity and hydration of the skin. The protective barrier on the skin locks in moisture, which gives the skin a youthful appearance. Not sure where to start? Talk to our skin specialist team who will guide you through your FREE personal Skin Care Plan and help you get on top of your skin concerns today. The team at esmi are always here to support you on your skin journey. CHAT: www.esmi.com.auEMAIL: skin@makeupcartel.com.auPHONE: 1300 66 11 76
How to Choose the Right Foundation
Choosing the right foundation can be quite daunting, and if you are not sure what you’re looking for – oh dear, talk about mission impossible! I have on many occasions excitedly purchased a new foundation, tried it out and, unfortunately, discovered that “EEK, I do NOT like the finish it gives.” or “Wow, where did my freckles go?!” To avoid buyers regret, check out my two tips when purchasing foundations. 1. What coverage do you want? You want to decide on what level of coverage you are after. Generally, you’ll be looking at three different options: Sheer (or Light) Medium and Maximum. Sheer Coverage gives a minimal coverage and is light enough that it generally doesn’t cover freckles. If you want the appearance of no foundation at all, similar to a moisturiser with a tint, then Sheer Coverage is probably more what you are after. As we move up to the other end of ‘coverage scale’ we meet Maximum Coverage or full coverage. Maximum coverage is ideal for the person looking for a flawless finish that will conceal problem areas and even skin tone. In the middle of the scale, we find Medium Coverage. It’s going to help even out skin tone and cover most imperfections and as the name suggests, the coverage is more than sheer but not as strong as the maximum coverage. It’s a little of column of A and a little of column B. 2. What finish are you after? Looking for the opposite of shiny or glossy? Meet Matte. This is the sure thing for a flat, natural finish without any glisten. If we start introducing buzz words like Radiance and Luminosity, we’re talking about Dewy (Which we aren’t sure is a real word – I think it’s been made up) A Dewy finish is going to leave your skin glowing and glistening. Finally, the Velvet Finish (or satin) Is the most common as it sits nicely between flat Matte & Dewy. Generally, an ageing skin may enjoy a Velvet finish as the foundation won’t accentuate any fine lines or wrinkles. For B – E – A – U – TIFUL coverage and a velvet finish, you just can’t go past the ever popular and coveted mineral and Vegan Liquid Mineral Foundation. Don’t believe us? Check out the abundance of 5-star reviews from happy customers. If you’re thinking ‘Yeah, that sounds great, but, I prefer a powder that offers good coverage and a soft glisten,” well my friend, you can’t go past the esmi loose mineral powder foundation that will offer you build-able coverage and a beautiful glow… Psst… the product is applied really well with the esmi kabuki brush too. Oh, so light, sheer and nourishing is the BB cream, especially perfect for the day you just don’t feel like wearing ‘makeup.’ Treat your skin with Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid and Allantoin to Calm, Hydrate and Nourish your skin. Not sure where to start? Talk to our skin specialist team who will guide you through your FREE personal Skin Care Plan and help you get on top of your skin concerns today. The team at esmi are always here to support you on your skin journey. CHAT: www.esmi.com.auEMAIL: skin@makeupcartel.com.auPHONE: 1300 66 11 76
