Khalipha Ntloko

How To Hydrate Your Skin This Winter

With winter in full swing, it brings another change of season that impacts our skin in various ways. For me personally, this season is where I need to hydrate my skin in order to prevent it from drying out.

Armed with a range of products to help you hydrate your skin this winter, Placecol and Skinderm are here to ensure that your skin is left feeling supple, dewy and hydrated to combat the harsh cold. Read on for more.

Skinderm

Pure Cleansing Milk 200ml – R360.00

This hydrating cleansing milk gently cleanses the skin, removing skin impurities, and pollutants, to reveal a fresh and radiant complexion.

Contains Lactic acid and Allantoin which feeds and conditions, whilst gently cleansing the skin.

Living Skin® Rich Moisturiser 50ml – R430.00

This velvety-rich and comforting anti-oxidant intense moisturiser is ideal for dry skin and can be used for both day and night. Formulated with the unique Living Skin® complex, which provides all your essential skin needs, including oxygenation, nourishment, protection, hydration and regeneration.

Pure Exfoliating Glo Pads 30 Pads – R395.00

These powerful exfoliating pads gently remove dry and dull skin cells to reveal a smooth and radiant complexion.

Hydrating Repair Mask 50ml – R395.00

This intense hydrating mask delivers a boost of moisture for tired, dull and dehydrated skin and helps to repair the skin barrier and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The result is soft, supple and radiant skin, with a healthy glow.

Intense Nourishing Oil 15ml – R420.00

This nourishing, yet non-greasy oil enriched with Vitamin C and E and Argan Oil helps to protect the skin from free radical exposure whilst simultaneously assisting in repairing damaged skin to reveal a brighter and more youthful complexion.

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Placecol

Placecol Clean Start Facial Milk 150ml – R295

This soothing and hydrating Cleansing Milk, with lactic acid from real milk, is vegan and is made from 100% natural ingredients. If you’re looking to cleanse your skin like a salon professional, then this product is for you as the soothing cleansing milk gently but effectively removes waste and skin impurities on a cellular level, while preserving moisture to leave your skin feeling clean and comfortable.

Placecol Barrier Protect Day 50ml – R420

A deeply nourishing day moisturizer specifically formulated to assist with improving skin barrier function, this product is paraben-free and also made from 100% natural ingredients. This is an ideal moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin, making the skin stronger and more resilient (which is exactly what you want during the cold, winter months). If you use this product regularly, it will assist with improving skin texture, resulting in comfortable, more hydrated skin.

Placecol Gentle Exfoliating Treatment 30ml – R360

This is a safe and gentle AHA exfoliant, and is concentrated to contain safe glycolic AHA acids to gently but effectively remove dull, dry, and dead skin cells. AHA acids promote improved cellular activity and as the skin regenerates, fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, leaving the skin rejuvenated and glowing.

Glycolic acid gently exfoliates your skin, combining its anti-aging benefits with Pentavitin to improve cellular activity and as the skin regenerates, fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, leaving the skin rejuvenated and glowing. The addition of Niacinamide acts as a potent antioxidant and helps reduce the signs of pigmentation, assists in evening out skin tone.

Placecol Optimum Hydro Mask 50ml – R310

This is a cruelty-free hydrating, soothing mask for dry and stressed skin. This deeply hydrating mask replenishes essential skin moisture, with healing Aloe Vera to soothe and hydrate. It also has a calming effect on irritated skin, with the skin feeling more soft and supple with regular use.

The hydrating mask has the added benefit in that it can be left overnight to replenish the skin as a booster, twice a week. It is also lovely to apply after sun exposure to rehydrate and soothe the skin. Aqua Cacteen not only protects and hydrates the skin but has a potent anti-aging effect.

Illuminé Reviving Oil 15ml – R450

A luxurious oil treatment packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to dramatically improve skin moisture levels while restoring skin resilience. Regular use will soften and soothe the skin, sealing in moisture and reviving the skin’s youthful glow. Contains a blend of Jojoba oil, Argan Oil, and Sweet almond oil, which penetrate deeply without leaving a greasy film on the skin. This oil blend contains essential fatty acids which nourish and repair the skin’s barrier.

Placecol Vitamin E Silk 15ml – R390

Silky, Light, Vitamin E Serum for Skin Luminosity. This luxuriously rich yet remarkably light serum contains high levels of Vitamin E to lock in moisture and protect the skin. It deeply nourishes the skin to improve its overall condition, restoring vitality, radiance, and a youthful complexion. It acts like a glove to lock in moisture and prevent dehydration, making it an ideal makeup primer and providing a smooth glide for make-up application.

Illuminé Cream Cleanser 100ml – R390

A creamy skin cleanser that gently removes waste and skin impurities on a cellular level, whilst preserving moisture to leave skin smooth and comfortable. Contains lactic acid and Allantoin that condition and feed the skin whilst cleansing, leaving the skin soft and supple.

Illuminé Firming Day 50ml – R640

A firming and hydrating day moisturizer enriched with a special blend of active ingredients that protect the skin from damage caused by dehydration while stimulating collagen synthesis. Daily use will assist in firming the skin and restoring elasticity resulting in a more youthful appearance with a radiant healthy glow. Contains the unique ingredient ‘Myramaze’ (the resurrection plant) to improve the skin’s texture by strengthening the cells and revitalizing the skin. In addition, Pentavitin stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis, whilst Luminescine increases the skin’s brightness and radiance. The Impirata Cylindrica root provides long-lasting moisture for glowing, radiant skin.

To learn more about Placecol, click here to see their range of products that can help you hydrate your skin this winter.

Is It Ever Too Late To Start Taking Care of Your Skin?

What is healthy skin?

If you have ever found yourself thinking about that question, you’re not the only one.

Most people have their own; usually superficial, opinions of what great skin is. Healthy skin, however, is what allows you to live bravely and authentically as your true self.

In June this year, Ingram’s embarked on a brave journey of unpacking the daily skin and body confidence struggles faced by many through real purpose-driven conversations with the Ingram’s Skin Sessions campaign. Brand new thought-provoking topics are discussed weekly on SABC 3’s Expresso.

Skin conditions come in varying forms and can present themselves differently in diverse people, some of these conditions are a result of genetics while others can be managed by better taking care of our skin. The good news is that it’s never too late to start.

“The skin is the largest organ in your body, and yet, we often take it for granted unless there is something wrong with it,” explains Dermatologist Dr. Tarryn Jacobs, and this can easily hinder how we feel in it.

Among the skin conditions that Dr. Jacobs sees on her patients, such as atopic eczema, vitiligo, or psoriasis, are due to a genetic predisposition and are not markers of a person’s overall health or well-being. What she advises as a condition that you can prevent, however, is premature skin aging.

“I firmly believe that aging is a gift, but aging skin is squarely within our control. This is because it’s the external factors that play the largest role in skin aging, more so than our genetics – and that is a good thing because it means we can control that. The most impactful factor in skin aging is ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It makes up a whopping 80% of aging. That means, if you want to live with authenticity in your skin, then sun protection is a must.”
Dr. Tarryn jacobs

The global Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted that health is our greatest asset; the more you have, the richer you are, and the same can be said about skin health.

Ingram’s Marketing Manager Lauren Burmeister believes that “healthy skin is integral to our self-esteem and confidence and how we see ourselves. Skin issues, such as acne, eczema, pigmentation, psoriasis are recognized causes of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. But skincare is more than just skin deep. It is a complex biological organ connecting beauty, health, and disease.”

Improving your diet and lifestyle can also be highly beneficial to the health of your skin. By this, Dr. Jacobs suggests getting adequate sleep, managing your stress, smoking cessation, and eating balanced nutrition throughout one’s lifetime.

“Skin has several important physiological roles. Our skin is like a faithful security guard 24/7, protecting you from mechanical and chemical damage from the outside world. It contains immune cells that protect against bacterial invasion. It contains the pigment melanin, which protects us from UV light and its deleterious effects,” she adds.

An annual skin check with your dermatologist is a great preventative measure to stay on top of your skin’s health, advises Dr. Jacobs.

Top 3 basics of skincare routine to maintain healthy skin

1. Cleanse: A crucial step to remove the build-up of debris, bacteria, and oil from the face. Use a gentle and non-abrasive cleanser suitable for your skin type.

2. Moisturise: This makes a massive difference in the appearance of the skin and restoring the skin barrier, making skin feel more comfortable.

3. Protect: Use daily sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. To be adequately protected, ½ a teaspoon is needed for the face and neck.

Moisturising makes a massive difference in the appearance of your skin.

“Dry skin can be triggered by numerous factors such as inflammatory skin disorders like eczema or advancing age, but people commonly experience it in cold weather. Largely because of the drop in humidity, and indoor heating, which increases the amount of water loss from the skin.” – Dr Jacobs.

What can we do about dry skin?

Long hot baths can dry out your skin. Try reduce the temperatures to warm, advises Dr Jacobs. She says another major factor contributing to your dry skin can be traditional soap as it contains ingredients called surfactants that can strip your skin of essential oils. Instead, look for mild, creamy fragrance-free body cleansers.

The most important winter skincare tip that dermatologists give patients is moisturising properly and choosing the right moisturizer. That thinner lotion may have served you well in the warmer seasons, but dry skin needs a thicker product like a cream or even ointment. Secret ingredients to look for are glycerin, ceramides, and shea butter.

Our wide range of Ingram’s products, such as Moisture Plus, Tissue Oil, and Hemp Oil, offer exceptional nourishment for the current weather we are experiencing, says Ingram’s Marketing Manager Lauren Burmeister. “At Ingram’s, we believe in giving people the confidence to ignite their inner bravery every day, nourished skin that you can wear with pride is what we aim for. Ultimately, beauty is being comfortable and confident in your own skin,” she concluded.

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About Ingram’s

Ingram’s is a proudly South African heritage brand that’s been trusted for generations as The Skin Doctor. For over 80 years, the brand has focused on nourishing skin through a wide range of creams and lotions, all formulated to care for and repair your skin with ingredients like camphor, glycerine, tissue oil, and essential fatty acids.

Ingram’s continues to evolve and has recently launched three new variants, Hemp Oil, Rooibos, and Sensitive, that offer long-lasting moisturisation to all skin types.

About Dr Tarryn Jacobs

Dr Tarryn Jacobs is a Dermatologist that specialises in general medical dermatological conditions and skin cancer detection and treatment. She is experienced in the management of complex skin conditions and enjoys working with her patients to create a treatment plan that is best for them. Her patients enjoy her caring and approachable dermatology consultations, knowing they will always get individualised care appropriate to their skin’s needs.

For more information follow the official social media pages:

Facebook : @IngramsSouthAfrica

Instagram: @ingramsza

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Wine of the Month: Jacques Mouton 2020 Merlot

South Africa is still experiencing the harsh coldness of winter, but if there is one thing I can trust to thoroughly warm me up is a glass of red wine, and I am so glad to have this merlot as my June wine of the month!

This is the first time I’ve come across Jacques Mouton. Perhaps it is my lack of travel experiences to the Western Cape wine lands, and I still need to explore more of Franschhoek, but I discovered this bottle of red at a local Pick ‘n Pay and currently retails for R100.

With my unfamiliarity of the wine farm, or the name Jacques Mouton, I was left to make my own impressions of this wine based purely on the what I could see and taste. This isn’t a bad thing, but for me personally, I like being able to do some digging on wine farms that I’m not so familiar with. I was slightly disappointed with the lack of online information there is about Jacques Mouton (other than social media pages and wine blogs). Then again, this doesn’t necessarily impact the taste of the actual merlot, which is what we are here to talk about.

Right off the bat, I love the deep, red colour that this wine exudes. There is an aesthetic that I am instantly drawn to whenever I see red wine in a clear wine glass. Blame it on watching too many Olivia Pope scenes.

For those who are a lover of a more berry flavour in their red wine, you’ll be pleased to know that this merlot has a rich berry finish to it, accompanied by some spicy oak flavours as well.

As a bold and dry red wine, this Jacques Mouton Marguerite, pairs beautifully with classic red meat dishes – or basically anything that contains some beef and lamb. I personally also loved this wine with some ostrich.

Does this wine get a thumbs up from me? Sure, especially with the added touch that this Jacques Mouton merlot scored gold at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2020. It is truly a quality wine, and for its price point, it isn’t too bad to help keep you warm this winter. Are there better wines that exist? Of course, but if you’re looking for a decent wine that packs a beautiful punch, this Merlot can certainly do that.

5 Tips to a Happy Home

I’ve been living in my own apartment for the last 6 months now, and if there is one thing that I can confirm about living on your own, it’s that it really is total bliss! I’m genuinely happy to be living out a goal I had set for myself and have enjoyed the process of discovering more of who I am in the comfort of my own space.

With that, however, I have also learned how important it is to cultivate a space that makes me feel good and feels like a sanctuary for me. Living on my own has taught me the incredible value of having a place that I can relax in at the end of a work day, where I can have friends over to host, and to ultimately create a space that is safe and nurturing for me.

Admittedly, a different kind of boundary had to be introduced last year as the global pandemic halted our lives, and working from home became the norm. What was once a place that I would relax and sleep in now also became a place I worked in, and I’ve had to seriously think about how to bring back the sanctuary that is my safe haven while still making it functional for work. But I won’t focus on the “work from home” aspect in this post. I want to share the things that make a happy home. From the furniture and decor I’ve been buying to the activities I’ve taken on, here are some tips to creating a happy home for yourself in 2021.

Create a Relaxation Station

Trust me when I say that you want a space that feels as relaxed as you can possibly make it. Your home should feel like a safe haven for your, where you can drop the worries of the world and sink into your space to go “Ahhhhhh!”

Creating a happy home shouldn’t include having a space that you don’t actually want to be in. In fact, you should look forward to being in your space because of the peace and relaxation that it provides you. So, how can you do just that?

A few ways to do this include:

Getting scented candles
Buying reed diffusers
Adding plants, flowers or succulents (which can help improve your mental health, as researched by trees.com)
Including art on walls or bedside tables

While these are smaller, decorative items that you can purchase, if you’re looking for something bigger, invest in high-quality bedding and blankets, feather-filled pillows or fluffy rugs. These were some of the bigger items that I bought and didn’t want to compromise on so much because I know the importance of having these quality items that can add to creating the ideal space for me.

Light it Up!

I’m blessed to be living in an apartment that provides beautiful, natural lighting into both my living room and bedroom. This isn’t just good for making my space look light and airy, but sunlight quite literally has a link to one’s happiness. Exposure to sunlight is has been known to help increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin (which is linked to boosting your mood and helping you feel happy).

If you can, buy lace or sheer curtains for window treatments if you, like me, aren’t a fan of blockout curtains. I’m also a fan of candles for the winter when sunlight is low. A style tip I picked up while watching some YouTube videos is to buy mirrors as a way of reflecting light into a space – this is something that you can also try.

Make it Your Own

When I moved into my apartment, it was a blank canvas and I’d drafted up a number of mood boards for what I wanted my space to look and feel like. Because if there is one thing you should know about creating a happy home for yourself, it’s that it should reflect the inner happiness that resides in you!

After watching countless YouTube videos on apartment makeovers, and taking online quizzes to find out what my interior design style was, I thought that Bohemian, Mid-Century Modern and Modern Farmhouse where the design aesthetics I wanted for my space. Especially since the Modern Farmhouse style was a big trend in kitchens for most of 2020, I thought this was something I wanted to jump on. And I was right, and realised how much I love the style for my kitchen but not so much for everywhere else in my apartment.

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Styling my apartment has been one big personal development project for me as I’ve realised that not every trend works for me, or provides the feel of happiness that I want my space to exude. So, if you see that you aren’t in favour of the latest design trends, that’s fine, because at the end of the day, this is your home and it needs to make YOU happy. So style it that way by:

Adding your own photos
Creating your own original art
Doing DIY decor projects
Refurbishing old items

Have Happiness Habits

You know the saying “Do more of what you love?” Well, let’s apply that when creating your happy home.

Something that makes me happy at home is starting my day with a hot beverage. It used to be coffee, and it still is, but I’ve recently been starting my day with a hot cup of rooibos tea. No sugar or milk. It feels like a clean cleanse for my body and I’m not feeling a rush from caffeine. I’ve also got a Gratitude and Reminder journal that sits on my bedside table. It helps to have it there so that when I wake up or before I go to sleep, I write in it (which has been beneficial in embodying a more happy feeling).

Another habit I take for granted is the simple act of making my bed. It takes less than 5 minutes to do and I’m forever lazy to do it, but it’s a habit I’m trying to break because I want to ensure that I have a clean and tidy space all the time.

In essence, this is about creating a habit of putting a space back to normal before you leave. Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or your skincare routine in the bathroom, try put products back in their place before leaving the space. I promise, the happy feeling you’ll get of having a clean space because of the habit you’ve created of putting things away is worth it.

Add More Positivity

This is a tip that I mean literally. You can fill your home with objects that add positivity into the space. Whether it’s incense, candles or frames with positive quotes in them as art.

Another way that you can incorporate more positivity into your home is by starting with yourself and learning to be more of a positive person. Start your day with positive thoughts when you get out of bed, give yourself compliments whenever you see yourself in the mirror, or reduce the negative language you use throughout the day. It might sound like a random tip and thing to do, but it genuinely helps to increase the positive talk in your space to have a more happier home.

I hope this post helps you in creating a happier home for yourself. Let me know if you have your own tips and what you’ve done to make your space a happy one.

10 Wellness Tips You Should Use

I’ll be the first to admit that getting consistent in making sure that wellness is firmly in my vocabulary has not been the easiest road. In the midst and bustle of life, and all that it can sometimes demand from us, it can get a little easy to let taking care of yourself slip every now and then.

However, if there is one thing that life has taught me, it’s that there are ways to simplifying it with a few tips that can be incorporated into our everyday lives. That’s where this blog posts comes in, which aims to help you live a more balanced life with simple and small changes that you can make. So, here are 10 wellness tips that you should use to incorporate into your lifestyle.

1. When you wake up in the morning, before you get up and start your day, say 3-5 affirmations that begin with “I am”. I’m a strong believer in getting your mindset right as this impacts the day you will have, so reinforce a few affirmations to yourself to begin your day on a positive note. My favourite “I am” affirmations include “I am loved and lovable”, “I am capable of attracting what I want”, “I am positive about my life”, and “I am strong and courageous.”

2. There is something called the Five by Five rule – use it! Don’t spend more than five minutes worrying or being upset about something if it won’t matter in five years. I personally struggle with this sometimes because I’m quite the ‘worrier’, but I’m learning to see how unnecessary it is to overthink situations. Instead, using this rule has been the gateway to relieving some stress and living more intentionally.

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3. Keep a journal of positive reminders and mantras. Whether it’s in a physical journal or on your phone, keep this close to you so you can refer to it whenever you need a boost of positivity and a reminder that you are still an amazing individual.

4. Give yourself “me-time” on a daily basis – even if it’s just 15 minutes. Whether it’s to catch up on a book you’ve been meaning to read, or that friend you want to catch up with, or the mask you want to put on. Start, or end, your day with this “me-time” daily to pour some TLC into yourself.

5. Celebrate big and small wins in your life. Remember to live in every present moment, and give yourself the acknowledgement when you accomplish something. “Stop and smell the roses” every once in a while.

6. Take more photos of yourself, for yourself. You don’t always need to live for social media, and the quick boost of serotonin that the attention you get there provides. Rather, learn to feel good for yourself and enjoy being in your own company. Take those photos, especially in those moments of pure joy. You’ll go back to them, relive the moment and some of the happiness you felt.

7. Spoil yourself with a lavish meal on weekends. Whether it’s a takeaway or home cooked Sunday roast, there’s something about treating yourself to a meal you enjoy that will put you in a good mood (although I can’t say the same about the dishes that might follow).

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8. Rest when you need to. You are not a machine and there is no need to keep going when you can feel yourself needing to slow down. Rest days are so important for your holistic wellbeing, and I encourage you to make time for them when you need to.

9. Spend less time on social media. Especially with new articles that talk about the rise of doomscrolling in recent times, now is a good time to start putting measures in place that will limit your consumption of social media. The sooner you can do this, you’ll start to realise just how impactful social media consumption can have on your overall wellness, so create those boundaries for less scrolling and more living.

10. Drink water. This sounds like such a random or odd tip but seriously, hydrate yourself. Even better if you can get yourself one of these wellness water bottles to track your hydration levels throughout the day. You’ll start to realise just how fulfilling it can be to finish drinking so much water, and in turn, your body will reward you for helping it stay hydrated.