The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

SKIN & TONIC bitebeauty THE BEAUTY OF RITUALS S kin & Tonic is a specialist in the relaxation and general wellbeing of the skin and mind which finds solutions for skin damages caused by stress and hormones. These factors can cause sleepless nights that result in poor health, dull skin, dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, mood swings and irritability. There is a strong connection in how stress can affect skin appearances. The skin becomes more sensitive; therefore, it can appear redder in colouration, flaky, dehydrated with une- ven patches and even broken capillaries. Stress can negatively influence hormones, causing all sorts of havoc and putting our body and mind out of balance. Skin & Tonic helps settle and work around anxiety through their unique, natural skin- care and create that precious me-time to allow you to unwind and relax. As much as 10 to 15 minutes produces a moment of self-loving care in our every- day lives and brings back moments of happiness. Day after day, the body and mind learn to relax and recover, allowing a more approachable and positive attitude to face all the dramas of life. While I did not doubt that Skin & Tonic could rescue stressed- out skin, I was a bit sceptical about how their prod- ucts could improve mental wellbeing until I tried them out. I discovered their skincare routine and how these rituals are created to make you want to find the time for yourself because their products are so good. Created by Sarah Hancock in 2015, the brand of- fers natural, organic skincare based on aromather- apy principles, combining the benefit of plants and oils to improve the skin and mind, thanks to their double-action and active ingredients. Their prod- ucts can be mixed and matched according to your skin’s needs, as a bundle, offering different benefits to target specific needs or through their wellbeing rituals: Calming, Night Shift and Stress SOS. CALM CLEAN CLEANSING BALM This Cleansing Balm is very exceptional. Unlike other cleansers applied and removed in a flash, this balm demands your attention and dedication be- cause it is a spa ritual in a jar. The balm has been created to remove make-up and impurities and help you unwind and relax the mind and body. It is blended with natural, organic oils and full of bene- fits, including Carrot Root Oil, rich in antioxidants, carotene and Vitamin A, to moisturise dry skin. Blue Chamomile Oil is anti-inflammatory to re- duce redness and irritation; Lavender Oil to soothe and heal the skin and mind; and Jasmine Sambac Oil to increase moisture and elasticity of the skin. The skin looks brighter, softer and well hydrated. The balm comes with a muslin cloth for the ulti- mate ‘hot cloth’ uplifting ritual. Massage a small amount of the balm onto dry skin using circular movements. Soak the cloth in warm water and place over the face and breathe in for a minute, or longer if you wish. The warm cloth will blend all the aromatherapy oils, bringing a beautiful feeling of calm and restfulness. It can also be used to re- move any remaining residue or on dry, chapped lips. Rinse off when ready. DE-STRESS FACE MASK One of the gentlest masks available on the mar- ket, the De-Stress Face Mask works magic on the most sensitive and neglected skin. The main dif- ference from most other masks is its powdery tex- ture made from detoxifying Kaolin Clay combined with hydrating Aloe Vera and Lavender for calm- ing and soothing the skin. The application is fun and rewarding: mix one teaspoon of the powder with a few drops of warm water into the palm or a small dish to create a creamy paste, thick enough to spread over the face but avoid the delicate eye area. Wait for approximately 5 to 15 minutes, until it dries out completely and then remove with warm water. The mask leaves the skin soothed, clean and fresh. The scent is lovely and relaxing and takes me back to soothing facials at the spa. PLUMP UP HYDRATION SERUM This is a miracle-in-a-bottle serum in oil format. The texture is almost like a gel, easily absorbed by the skin, with powerful ingredients; Phytogly- cogens, which provide energy to the skin cell and Prebiotics Inulin, essential to protecting the skin’s microbiotica. Hyaluronic Acid provides hydration while plumping the skin, improving skin texture