The Holiday Aftermath
Finally, another Holiday Season has come to an end. The pinnacle of every year, November to December is a time of celebration, presents, and love. It’s also the perfect excuse to eat merrily and cheer loudly. We love Holiday partying as much as anyone else, but we’re also aware that the winter festivities can make us turn the fun up a few extra notches.
Hence why many of us prepare our minds and schedules for a new beginning every January. The downside to this “fresh start” mindset, is that it gives us an excuse to go all out in the days leading up to the 1st of January.
While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, all that saturated fat, frosted icing, and red wine can wreak havoc on your skin, lymphatic system and overall body health. Thankfully, here at Embassy of Beauty, we have made it our mission to make the transition into your New Year Resolutions easier.
In this article, we’re going to walk you through products and routines that will help you detoxify, rejuvenate and restore you for the year ahead.
A Fresh Start: Cleansing Your Environment
The first step to any New Year Routine though, is a cleansing of your immediate environment. Don’t worry, we’re not about to get all spiritual on you, but we highly suggest starting your year with fresh, awakening aromas. The Trudon Solis Rex Candle is a perfect iteration of “new beginnings”. It’s blend of Eucalyptus, Fir Bark and Cedarwood create an atmosphere of smoky, deep regality. Strike a match to its wick to set the stage for a year filled with relaxation.
Understanding the Lymphatic System
We’re sure many of our readers vaguely recall mentions of the lymphatic system from their school days. But we feel it’s a good idea to “refresh” your memory a bit. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that helps keep the body healthy. It moves a clear fluid called lymph, which contains white blood cells, around the body to fight infections and remove waste.
Detoxifying the lymphatic system is good for the skin because it helps get rid of toxins and excess fluid from the body, reducing puffiness whilst improving skin clarity. A healthy lymphatic system boosts blood flow and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, promoting a glowing, healthy complexion. It also supports the immune system, which helps fight inflammation and skin issues like acne or dullness.
The Role of Probiotics in Skin and Gut Health
The human body is extremely complex however, and a healthy lymphatic system is just one path on the road to beautiful skin. Now, you have probably heard of probiotics, and for the last decade or two, biotics in general have become quite popular. Products like Kombucha, Kefir and even Greek Yogurt are bursting with nutrient rich probiotics.
Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy by balancing the natural bacteria in your digestive system. They improve digestion, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation, which can benefit your overall health. Beyond digestion, they support mental well-being and even heart health by promoting a healthy microbiome.
Another fantastic benefit of probiotics is their positive impact on skin health. Topical probiotics benefit the skin’s microbiome by helping maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria on the skin’s surface. They protect against harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the skin barrier, which keeps moisture in and irritants out. This process improves skin conditions like acne, eczema, and sensitivity, while promoting a smoother, healthier complexion.
Our new launch from Darling is the perfect step to rebalance your skin’s microbiome as you begin the year. The Darling Multi-biotics Body care Set, starts your routine off with the Darling Hydrating and Balancing Body Wash. Its gentle surfactants lather away impurities, while infusing skin with hydration via Saccharide Isomerate. We love the Darling Hydrating and Balancing Body Scrub for its Apricot Seed base that sloughs away dry winter skin. Also rich in probiotics, the dual action nourishes as it buffs. Finally, seal in all that goodness with the Darling Hydrating and Balancing Body Lotion. The inclusion of Lactococcus Ferment Lysate soothes and calms inflammation, keeping skin at its best. Sure to get your skin started on the right foot, this intensive set comes in a beautiful white teddy textured pouch, making it a very attractive present.
Exfoliation: The Key to Glowing Skin
Exfoliating is key to preparing skin for other products. By clearing away the buildup of dead skin cells, exfoliation allows skincare products to penetrate better and work more effectively. Regular exfoliation can even boost skin cell turnover, helping reduce fine lines, uneven tone, and dullness for a fresher, healthier complexion.
An alternative to the Darling Hydrating and Balancing Body Scrub, is the Bodyologist Everyday Polisher. A pH balanced treatment, it utilises biodegradable Micro-Crystalline Cellulose to retexture skin. Rice Powder adds an extra element of exfoliation, while evening skin tone with its natural abundance of Kojic Acid. For those looking for a quicker exfoliation process, we highly recommend the Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 Corps. Featuring Alpha Hydroxy, Poly Hydroxy, and Beta Hydroxy Acids, this triple threat works wonders on especially hard to reach area like the upper back. With an easy spray applicator, we love to pair it with the Biologique Recherche Body Glove for additional manual exfoliation, keeping pesky ingrown hairs and strawberry skin at bay.
Lymphatic Massage & Circulation Boosting
The Biologique Recherche Body Glove is also fantastic for home lymphatic massages. We suggest using it with one of our luxurious body oils, that have been specifically formulated to help boost circulation.
The Liposculpt AC, also from Biologique Recherche, is a lymphatic drainage massage in a tube. It contains Vectorised Caffeine that targets cellulite by penetrating deeply into the skin. It stimulates microcirculation and promotes the breakdown of stored fat, reducing the appearance of dimples. Additionally, Caffeine has a diuretic effect, which helps flush out excess water and toxins, improving skin texture and firmness. The vectorised delivery ensures better absorption and enhanced effectiveness in addressing cellulite. When used twice a week with the Biologique Recherche Body Glove, the massaging movements allow for an even stronger absorption of the active ingredients. Helping you achieve envy worthy legs in time for Summer.
Irene Forte’s Rose Body Oil is another great option to use with the Biologique Recherche Body Glove. A lightweight, fast absorbing oil, the key to its effectiveness lies within its use of Ximenynic Acid. Derived from Sandalwood, this powerful botanical lipid is known for boosting micro circulation. Important for carrying away toxins and excess fluid, microcirculation also helps blood flow better, imbuing skin with a healthy, lit from within glow.
Sealing in Hydration: Moisturising for Optimal Skin Health
After applying your oil of choice onto skin, use gentle, sweeping motions with the brush, always moving in the direction of lymph flow—towards the heart. Start at the feet or hands and brush upward toward the torso. Use light pressure, as the lymphatic system is close to the skin’s surface, and focus on areas like the neck, armpits, and groin, where lymph nodes are concentrated. This can help reduce puffiness, improve circulation, and promote relaxation.
Sealing in your body oil with a winter cream is essential for maximising benefits. Our yearly favourite, Biologique Recherche Dermo-RL Corps is a thick buttery confectionery for the skin. Raspberry Seed Oil, Shea Butter and Xylitylglucosides offer immediate and long-term moisture. Deeply relipidating, a complex of Rhizobium and Biosaccharide Gums locks in hydration. For a lighter option, reach for the Bodyologist Skin Drencher. Packed with Brown Algae, high levels of Fatty Acids keep skin supple. While hero ingredient, Niacinamide, aids in the reduction of Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day. We also love the addition of Vitamin E, which further solidifies the Bodyologist Skin Drencher as an all-round protective moisturiser.
A Healthier You This Year
While topical products are essential for good skin health, align your skincare routine with a few other practices this New Year to further boost your body’s natural detox processes. For starters, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This will help flush out toxins and support kidney function, essential after New Years Eve shenanigans.
Also make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fibre to support digestion and liver health. For those short on time, grab a fruit smoothie in lieu of your morning coffee, or even a ginger shot if you prefer. Great for detoxing, they boost digestion, reduce inflammation, and support liver health. Regular exercise also improves circulation and promotes sweating, helping to release impurities, so make sure to dust off that gym fob this week! Finally, prioritise good sleep to give your body time to repair and detox naturally, while trying to leave the processed foods, alcohol, and excessive sugar in December.
We hope you enjoyed our guide on helping you achieve a healthier body this year. January is a time of new beginnings and starting it off by taking care of oneself is a perfect way to walk into the year. Make sure to pop in or give us a call this January. We’re more than happy to create a bespoke body detox plan just for you!
