Putting the C in TLC for your skin this winter: collagen, ceramides and vitamin C

During a cold snap our skin requires extra care to weather the wintry conditions. Understanding the challenges it faces such as dehydration, windburn and seasonal skin conditions empowers us to take proactive steps in our skincare routine.

By prioritising hydration, protecting our skin against the elements with barrier balms, and using healing products on specific skin conditions, you can ensure that your skin remains resilient and radiant throughout the winter months. So, just how does our natural skincare achieve this? From Collagen to Vitamin C, our ingredients naturally have it all!

Collagen - not just a buzzword

Collagen is a protein within our skin which acts as a natural moisturiser to help our skin to retain moisture. Our body produces less collagen as we age. Most of the plant-based oils in our skincare help to stimulate our skin to produce it, so they are working for us every time we apply the skincare.

Vitamin C - why is it important for our skin?

Synthetic Vitamin C has been around for years so why is everyone buzzing about Vitamin C now?  What makes the Vitamin C in our skincare different to other brands?  It’s genuinely naturally occurring and effective!

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant protecting our skin against free radical damage. In simple terms, free radicals oxidise our skin which is comparable to what oxygen does to metal - it causes rust. Thus, an antioxidant prevents oxidation (our skin rusting).

Free radicals are our skin's mortal enemy and they are all around us: UV light from the sun, pollution, cold, dry weather and stress, and they can cause premature aging of the skin.  Vitamin C helps to neutralise these free radicals, helping to care for our skin maintain its healthy, youthful glow. 

Vitamin C is an essential daily nutrient and natural component of healthy skin.

We start out in life with plenty of vitamin C levels in our skin but as we age Vitamin C levels, along with collagen levels, are reduced.

Vitamin C is water-soluble, and the body does not store it. To maintain adequate vitamin C levels, we need to replenish it daily by eating the right foods and using skincare with ingredients that contain plenty of it.

Ceramides - a key component of our skin

Ceramides are a lipid (fat molecule) produced naturally in the outermost layer of our skin and they create a barrier that prevents water loss which then protects our skin from becoming dry. They make up around 50% of the lipids in our skin and can be thought of as the main building blocks for healthy skin. They perform a vital role in determining how our skin looks and feels.

Ceramide production in the skin reduces as we age (just like collagen) and can lead to dull and dry skin. Dietary choices and free radicals (there they are again) can also decrease the skin’s natural content of ceramides to leave you with a skin barrier that is less than ideal. 

Read more about our ingredients and their fascinating properties here

Dehydration dilemma

Cold air has lower humidity levels and, combined with indoor heating, it creates a dry environment which saps moisture from our skin. As the outermost layer of our skin loses water, it can become dry, flaky, and prone to irritation. This dehydration not only affects the appearance of our skin but can also compromises its protective barrier, making it more susceptible to external irritants, allergens and pollutants.

 TRY:

You Must Be Sisters Facial Oil Serum 

A super-booster facial oil that contains five organic cold-pressed fruit oils which all contain high levels of natural vitamin C.

And that's not all you know!  You Must be Sisters also helps to boost collagen and ceramides. Passion seed oil and Rosehip fruit oil are rich in Linoleic acid which is an essential fatty acid and a key building block to produce collagen and ceramides. Ceramides help to form a protective barrier for your skin and are one of the skin's main moisturising components to help keep it soft and smooth. As we age, ceramide levels dramatically decrease, especially during winter.

Top fact: One oil in You Must Be Sisters, Sea Buckthorn fruit oil, contains 10 x more Vitamin C than an orange.

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Botanical Balance Calming Facial Tonic

A spritz of our Botanical Balance before you apply your facial oil will boost the oil's skin-hydrating potential. Made using our own delicate blend of organic botanical flower waters including soothing Lavender de Provence, Damask rose and Aloe Vera leaf juice it is naturally essential oil-free, making it safe to use on sensitive  skin. Simply apply to clean skin to help hydrate and balance your skin's pH, which will strengthen your skin's barrier helping it to retain moisture.

Top fact: The Aloe Vera Leaf juice has vast skin softening and anti-inflammatory benefits due to its Vitamin C content!

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SOS Recovery Instant Hydration Facial Oil

Our hydration powerhouse, made using a blend of the finest cold-pressed oils. These include pomegranate, baobab and borage seed oils which provide a wide range of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and other skin-soothing elements for your skin.

Collagen production is stimulated by the Omega 5 in Pomegranate Seed Oil and the Vitamin C in Baobab seed oil and the ellagic acid in Borage Seed Oil. The high gamma linolenic acid (GLA) content in the Borage seed oil helps to regenerate and rejuvenate our skin’s barrier function, and to increase moisture retention. The high omega 3 content of its Sacha Inchi oil also seals in moisture. To top it off, it contains amaranth oil, a key hydrating and anti-inflammatory ingredient to help treat redness.

Top fact: Squalene is naturally produced by our skin to lock moisture in, keep our skin soft and to prevent dry skin. This production slows down in our 20s. Amaranth oil contains the highest percentage of squalene of any plant based oil. It is deeply hydrating without excess oiliness. 

Chapping and Windburn
Exposing your skin to harsh winter winds can lead to windburn, a condition that results from the wind stripping away the natural oils from the skin's surface. This can leave your skin dry, red, and irritated.

To protect your skin, add a barrier balm to your skincare routine as a layer of protection. Simply apply as a 'top coat' at the end of your skincare routine and top up during the day before cold-weather exposure.

TRY:

Immortelle Everlasting Radiance Facial Balm

Our Immortelle Everlasting Radiance balm is a deeply nourishing facial balm which helps moisturise, revitalise, and brighten your skin. The melting texture means it soaks into your face quickly and easily to leave your skin ultra-hydrated, soft, and radiant. The Immortelle essential oil in it contains over 500 medicinal compounds and boosts the production of natural skin collagen.

It is formulated using a blend of the finest plant oils and butters including skin-soothing rosehip, moisturising mango butter and the fabulous moisture-locking, collagen-boosting amaranth oil. A pea-size amount warmed through your fingers and massaged into your face will provide your skin with extra protection and nourishment throughout the winter months.

Rosehip oil contains a wealth of essential fatty acids, including linoleic and linolenic acid, which help to keep our skin's cell walls strong so they don't lose moisture. It is rich in vitamins A and C, which are both necessary for the production of collagen.

Top fact: The Baobab seed oil in Immortelle comes from the Baobab tree, an African tree with a lifespan of 6000 years, known as the tree of life! It contains omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids which aid in sealing in moisture even for the driest and most delicate skin. Baobab seed oil also contains Vitamin C which stimulates the skin's production of collagen, as does the mango butter.

Seasonal Skin Conditions

The winter season can exacerbate certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The dry and cold air can trigger flare-ups, leading to discomfort and itchiness. Those with sensitive or dry skin may find this increases during this time of the year

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Saving Grace Repair and Replenish Body Balm

Flare-ups can occur anywhere on the body; our multi-purpose body balm, Saving Grace, is perfect for applying topically to any areas of itchiness, redness or dryness. Made using a gentle and calming blend of plant oils and butters including skin-softening apricot oil and shea butter. It also contains tamanu seed oil, rich in fatty acids for moisture retention, used for thousands of years due to the exceptional healing properties it possesses for your skin. 

Its Hemp seed oil is high in linoleic acid, which is an essential building block to produce ceramides, one of the skin's main moisturising components.

Top fact: Its sesame seed oil contains high levels of zinc which help to support the production of collagen. It is also rich in linoleic and oleic acids which are highly beneficial for dry or inflamed skin.

We could go on! As you can see and, as we always say, nature has the answers! If you have any questions, or need any advice, please let us know and we will be happy to chat through them with you.

Looking for more recommendations for your specific skin concerns? Take our 2-minute quiz here