As beauty begins a move towards how you feel as much as how you look, we identify the key wellness trends for 2021, from toxin-free skincare to sleep-activating tinctures
It’s no surprise that in the past year, the focus on our health – both mental and physical – has increased. Whether it’s regular at-home massage, daily meditation, a new beauty sleep ritual or searching for toxin-free products, wellness is now integral to the way we approach beauty.
‘For the past few years the beauty industry has been evolving to incorporate overall wellness into everyday beauty routines,’ explains Laura Rudoe, founder of Evolve Organic Beauty. ‘With our daily lives becoming busier and our desire to use our time as efficiently as possible increasing, combining wellness practices such as deep breathing or facial massage with our regular beauty routines is fast becoming the norm.’
‘Wellness has been growing in popularity over the last decade but given the year we have just had, more people are realising the importance of self-care alongside wholesome dietary changes to bring about long-term health and vitality,’ agrees Sophie Barrett, herbalist and naturopath. ‘Quick fixes are out and long term wellness solutions are very much in'.
Unsure where to start? We’ve rounded up the key 2021 beauty wellness trends that are here for the long haul. Time to revitalise your beauty regime with a healthy dose of self-care.
‘I am very aware of the impact and benefits that clean and healthy living can have both in what myself and my family eat and what we use on our skin,’ says Rudoe, whose company Evolve Organic Beauty makes small batches of vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly skincare by hand in their artisan studio in Hertfordshire. ‘We try to be as toxin-free as we can.’
‘Everything is connected: our environment, our mental health and our physical constitution’ agrees Susanne Kaufmann, whose own holistic beauty range has become a global success story. ‘It’s no secret that the right combination of exercise, a balanced diet, sleep and an individually tailored skincare regime can deliver significant wellbeing benefits.’
“Clean and natural beauty will no longer be a nice-to-have, instead it will become the status quo in beauty”
Look for brands that take a holistic approach to beauty and contain natural ingredients with no toxins, such as Grown Alchemist, Disciple, Evolve Organic Beauty, Verdant Alchemy and Susanne Kaufmann. Try Susanne Kaufmann’s Oil Bath Winter, which contains cinnamon, clover and orange to relax your mind and protect your skin during the cold months. Take time over your skincare and incorporate a more mindful double cleanse into your routine. Start with Evolve Organic Beauty Gentle Cleansing Melt – it’s the perfect base to use for an at-home facial massage as it allows your hands to move freely over the skin. Follow with the brand’s Daily Detox Facial Wash to remove any pollution build-up and then moisturise with a nourishing night cream that won’t overload your skin, such as Grown Alchemist Regenerating Night Cream.
As Vivien Leung, founder of Verdant Alchemy says, checking out the ingredients of your products and ensuring they are toxin-free will become the new normal this year.
‘With health and immunity at the top of our agenda, more and more consumers will be wary of putting toxic ingredients into their beauty routines. Clean and natural beauty will no longer be a nice-to-have, instead it will become the status quo in beauty’.
Nourishing your skin from the inside has been a trend for a while but this year it really steps up with a host of tinctures and tonics to restore your complexion and boost your overall feeling of wellbeing.
‘Because our skin is a mirror of our health, more people are beginning to realise they need to address the root cause of their skin ailment, whether that’s something like acne or another skin condition, which can be due in part to emotional stress, poor detoxification and hormone imbalances alongside poor diet and nutrition,’ explains Barrett. ‘I believe that all these stimuli can be corrected with herbs that support the digestive and endocrine system to improve detoxification, alongside herbs which nourish the nervous system and balance hormones. Tinctures and tonics are a great way to do this.’
“Our signature tincture is ideal for daily use and for those looking to start incorporating CBD into their lifestyle”
Wondering where to start? Wildflower Wellness CBD Tincture is a great way to dip your toe in. This tincture contains CBD and coconut oil, alongside subtle notes of tropical fruit, and aims to alleviate stress and anxiety thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. Similarly, Standard Dose CBD Tincture is a scentless formula vetted by US wellness specialist Standard Dose as part of their exclusive curation with John Lewis & Partners. It was designed to give you a moment to pause in a hectic day.
‘Our signature tincture is ideal for daily use and for those looking to start incorporating CBD into their lifestyle,” says Standard Dose founder Anthony Saniger. ‘Crafted with an isolate, this is a formula made for anyone looking for the benefits of CBD without exposure to THC.’
As we all adopt a more ‘inside out’ approach when it comes to skin health, it stands to reason that we nourish our complexions and our bodies with specially-designed super-powders that can be added to our daily smoothies, juices or breakfast porridges. A Complexion Company Organic Moringa Superpowder is a case in point. Inspired by traditional medicine, it contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E, as well as iron, zinc and magnesium. It aims to soothe the skin, thanks to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as strengthening hair and nails. In other words, it might just be the perfect January pick-me-up.
If you’re looking for a more traditional new year detox, the aptly-named Biocol Labs Something For a Detox Week is a green apple-flavoured blend of natural ingredients, including artichoke, fennel, choline, chicory, rosemary and manganese. It aims to support liver function, natural detoxification and to help the body deal with the effects of pollution. Combine with a magnesium bath, such as Natureofthings Magnesium Bath Soak to recreate an at-home spa experience. This relaxing bath soak also contains broad-spectrum CBD, papaya enzyme, passionflower, and French green clay for a luxurious bath time.
“Selenium is reputed to contribute to glossy hair and strong nails”
If a more regular, routine-approach to self-care is on your January resolution list then Lumity Morning and Night Female Supplement 1 Month Starter Kit is a scientifically calibrated formula that’s rich in amino acids, antioxidant vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients. Turmeric and vitamin C, vitamin A, iodine and zinc help to maintain healthy skin. The selenium it contains is reputed to contribute to glossy hair and strong nails, while the vitamin C and magnesium help reduce tiredness.
‘Herbal adaptogens help us to deal with the fast pace of modern life and adapt to different environmental and emotional stressors,’ explains Barrett. ‘Modulating stress levels with adaptogens is a great way to improve skin because adaptogens are also generally very safe and non-addictive.’
Adaptogens are non-toxic herbs and medicinal mushrooms which are believed to enhance the body’s ability to deal with stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue. They are often found in the form of tonics, tinctures, powder supplements or ingestibles.
“It’s their stress-reducing qualities that make them complexion-enhancing”
As Barrett mentions, it’s their stress-reducing qualities that make adaptogens complexion-enhancing. We all know that a busy work schedule, lack of sleep and constant worrying can coincide with acne breakouts, flaky skin and an uneven complexion, no matter how dedicated we are to our skincare routines. Recently, some brands have started incorporating adaptogens into their skincare formulas, such as Moon Juice Plump Jelly Hydrating Serum, which contains reishi, an adaptogenic mushroom that claims to lower cortisol levels and relieve the effects of stress, in part by working to support the skin’s barrier function. As well as the moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid, this non-toxic serum also contains silver ear mushroom which is rich in Vitamin D and antioxidants for a brighter, smoother and more hydrated complexion.
Moving our bodies is essential for lymphatic health, which is why our lymph system often suffers at this time of year. As well as the usual sensible advice of drinking more water, eating alkaline-rich foods and exercising, try taking a cold shower followed by a hot bath.
‘The hot-cold approach has been around for centuries,’ explains wellness coach Sarah Marshall. ‘The hot water will dilate blood vessels and cold water will constrict them so alternating back and forth between two extreme temperatures will act as a pump in the body to move the lymph through the lymphatic system.’
Gua Sha is also great for lymphatic drainage, improving circulation and depuffing the face. Gua Sha means ‘scraping’ in Chinese and usually involves repeatedly scraping along the skin with a piece of smooth wood or jade in order to promote better circulation. This technique is a perfect last-step in your beauty routine or as a thrice-weekly moment of self-care. It can leave skin looking more sculpted, less puffy and brighter.
Getting your beauty sleep is the cornerstone of a good beauty routine and 2021 is the year to nail those essential eight hours with the help of zzz-inducing tinctures and aids.
Try renne Half Moon Sleep Tincture, which contains bergamot (an essential oil commonly used by aromatherapists to relieve stress and boost your mood), as well as tulsi and CBD. Healist sleep drops in peppermint work in a similar way, and are made with broad-spectrum CBD, botanical essential oils and L-Theanine. Make sure to keep both out of reach of children and avoid if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
“Lighting a candle will provide a visual and aromatic signal that it’s time to put the working day behind you”
For a more traditional approach, opt for bedtime mists, such as the iconic This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, which contains lavender to lull you into a blissful night of sleep. Lighting a candle will also provide a visual and aromatic signal to your brain that it’s time to put the working day behind you. Make sure to put it out before going to sleep though.
Finally, if you need a little extra help relaxing, WTHN Acupressure Ear Seeds Kit is based on the acupressure points used in traditional Chinese medicine. There are hundreds of acupressure points in the ear, which acupuncturists believe represent a microsystem of your whole body. Ear seeds are a needle-free, easy way to activate your acupressure points, with proponents claiming this can relieve stress, balance hormones and boost the immune system. All of which adds up to a great night’s sleep.