Our Blog

1) Ditching Sunscreen

When the shorter days and colder weather hits, many people pack away the sunscreen along with the beach towels and sandals. However this is one of the worst mistakes you can make for your skin. Protecting yourself from the sun's harmful UV rays is just as important at this time of year as it is in the summer. Even on a cloudy winter day the UV rating can be very high - you don't need to feel yourself burning to be experiencing detrimental overexposure. 

Failing to protect your skin with a quality SPF 30 sunscreen in winter has the same costs as the warmer months, including sensitivity, pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging skin and skin cancer. Moral of the story: always apply your sunscreen before going outdoors, no matter what time of the year it is. 

Wotnot Skin Saviour: 30 SPF Anti-Ageing Facial Sunscreen & Primer 

2) Not Updating Your Products 

Just as you need different clothing in winter, so too do your skincare needs change. Cool, windy weather is extremely drying for the skin, which means you may need extra nourishment to keep hydration levels in check.

Failing to update your skincare products to meet seasonal needs can mean you're simply not getting the results you want. Swap your regular products for their more deeply hydrating cousins, such as a regular moisturiser for a night cream, or opt for products formulated for dry skin in the winter months.

Wotnot Skin Saviour: Ultra-Hydrating Face Wipes for Dry/Sensitive Skin

3) Wrong Timing for Self-Tanning

Winter is the season for the perfect faux tan but if you're applying it at the wrong time, you could be causing yourself grief (uh, patchy colour!).

It's best to apply your self-tanner immediately after a bath or shower because the warm water and steam can help open up your pores, making your skin vulnerable to dryness if you don't replenish it but also prepped for maximum absorption. 

Make sure you have also taken the opportunity whilst your skin is wet and soft to exfoliate properly before applying tan for the most even colour and read our top tips on achieving the perfect fake tan to brush up on the process.

Wotnot Skin Saviour: COSMOS Certified Self-Tanning Bundle

4) Not Addressing Inflammation

If your skin becomes more than just dry, there could be an inflammatory component. Sometimes a moisturiser simply isn't enough and you need to find a product that is intensely hydrating as well as soothing to the skin.

Wotnot Skin Saviour: Baby Wonder Balm

5) Forgetting to Exfoliate 

Regularly exfoliating your body and face is a great health and beauty habit to be in, however when you are hiding under all those winter layers, it can be easy to let this part of your regime slide.

Stop! Exfoliating your skin in winter is possibly the most important time of the year to be doing it. We are generally less active and skin is dryer, which equals a more sluggish lymphatic system and increased dead skin cells building up that need to be sloughed away. Not only will regularly exfoliating during winter keep your skin smooth and supple, it will also boost blood circulation, support detoxification and leave you feeling energised. 

Wotnot Skin Saviour: Wotnot Body Exfoliating Mitt 

Looking for the perfect energising breakfast smoothie? Well, look no further. This matcha smoothie is loaded with alkalising greens, energising matcha powder, bioavailable vegan protein, good fats and hydrating coconut water to give you everything you need to start your day on a high note. 

Ingredients (serves 1)

1 cup lightly packed baby spinach 

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup frozen mango or pineapple

1-2 teaspoons matcha powder

1 cups coconut water

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1-2 tablespoon vanilla vegan protein powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1 teaspoon coconut oil 

Method

Throw all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy immediately.

Image: Jessica Gavin

What impact is your sunscreen having on the marine eco-systems? Scientists have found that oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals commonly found in conventional sunscreens, can be toxic to coral when the residue washes off in the ocean.

In light of this, Hawaii is leading the way, positioned to become the first US state to ban certain sunscreen products containing such substances by 2021 to protect its beautiful coral reefs.

According to scientist Craig Downs, “This is the first real chance that local reefs have to recover... lots of things kill coral reefs, but we know oxybenzone prevents them from coming back.” It also affects sea urchins and kills algae, a source of food for sea turtles, he said, as reported by SBS.

And the figures are more than shocking. Downs found that as much as 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen lotion ends up in coral reefs annually, which helps to illustrate why chemical sunscreen is such a huge environmental threat. 

Whilst this kind of action is needed globally to protect the deterioration of reefs around the world, including our Great Australian Barrier Reef, Hawaii taking the first step towards this is promising, though there is still a long way to go before we can see the desired international eradication of chemical sunscreen. 

In the meantime, we can all do our bit by making sure to select sunscreen that are reef-friendly by choosing oxybenzone-free sunscreen and eco-friendly sunscreen options.  

WHAT YOGA MEANS TO ME 

When I first started Yoga it was all about the physical practice, but I came to learn the physical element was just a vehicle for what I really experienced deep down… an inner peace that was simply indescribable.

True peace. Calm. Mind, body, spirit awareness. An awareness of a universe so far outside of myself and beyond myself. Beyond everything I go through, to just coming into my own as a human and trying to figure it all out. 

Yoga and meditation help me maintain power and control over my mind. Because when we have that power and control, we can greatly reduce our own suffering and find inner peace. It has taught me a ton about myself and opened my eyes to an entirely different side of who I am. The side of me that loves to teach, connects with deeply rooted spirituality, thinks less and trusts my gut, allows my intuition to lead the way, and so much more. 

It’s about what happens internally that keeps me sane, keeps me coming back for more, and makes me so incredibly grateful that I found this practice.

3 YOGA POSES THAT MAKE MY WORLD GO AROUND 

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, a.k.a Upward Facing Dog

I love this pose for so many reasons. First, it’s a nice, restorative backbend that strengthens your arm, vertebrae and wrists. It’s a great stretch for your shoulders, abdomen, upper back and even your lungs. Hold for about 10 deep breaths or as long as it feels good.

Utthita Trikonasana, a.k.a Triangle Pose

THIS is my #1 favourite pose. Triangle is an incredible release along the chest, upper back and shoulder blades. It is also a great stretch for your thighs and hips. I love Triangle the most for the hip benefits, actually, because every time I get into the pose I feel my hips opening up (and I hear them… I’m a crack-er), and it feels AMAZING. Breathe, and enjoy the stretch! I also like the stretch/roll out my neck in this pose because it allows me to get super deep.

Urdhva Dhanurasana, a.k.a Wheel Pose

Ahhh, wheel pose. If you’re a gymnast, you’re probably used to calling this Bridge Pose. But in yoga, Bridge is different from Wheel in that the shoulders, neck and head stay on the floor. You can practice Bridge until you are comfortable trying Wheel. Wheel feels freaking awesome. It is the ultimate heart opener. It’s an intense pose, so allow yourself to feel that. I usually like to stay up for 5-10 breaths, and come up about 3-5 times in a row. Heart OPENER, baby.

About the Author: Kirsten Scott

Kirsten is a Bondi based Holistic Health Coach, Certified Yoga and Meditation Instructor with a passion for all things wellness. When she isn't caught up working with clients you can find Kirsten on her yoga mat, swimming down at Bondi Beach, sipping on green smoothies and laughing way too hard at her own jokes. 

Instagram: @kirstenscotthealth / Facebook: Natural Power Fitness