by | | Curated Content
February 4th 2025
–
WellBeing Magazine
–
Discover MV Skintherapy—thoughtful, natural skincare designed for all ages. Nourish, protect, and balance your skin with customisable, high-performance formulas crafted for lasting radiance.
“It feels so good to put something so thoughtful and natural on your skin. MV Skintherapy products smell unbelievable and immediately made my skin feel nourished and vibrant. I’ve smeared them all over my daughters since they were little!” ~ Maggie Gyllenhaal
How does MV Skintherapy approach the challenge of creating products that work well for different age groups, from teenage to mature skin?
It’s all about clever formulations, simplicity and approaching skincare from a skin-health perspective. Healthy, radiant skin is a universal goal, and by focusing on addressing the root cause of skin concerns, supporting the skin’s microbiome and barrier integrity, all skin types and ages can achieve lasting radiance and resilience. Using fewer ingredients in higher concentrations, in products that are designed to be customised, MV achieves therapeutic outcomes that meet the diverse needs of all ages and skin types. This approach grew out of my work with clients facing sensitive skin challenges and in collaboration with complementary health practitioners. These practitioners often referred clients to me with complex skin concerns, where traditional skincare approaches had fallen short. By simplifying skincare routines, much like an elimination diet, MV has helped clients gently reintroduce products one at a time to desensitise and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier over time. The effectiveness of this approach quickly gained traction, becoming a trusted solution for families managing conditions from infant eczema to teen acne, and menopause too. Today, MV Skintherapy is a bathroom-cabinet essential for people at every stage of life, bridging the gap between beauty therapy and complementary medicine with products that empower the skin to be its healthiest, most resilient self. When skin is nourished in this way, it naturally becomes clear, refined, and radiant, no matter one’s age.
What makes MV products easy to customise for unique skin needs, and how does this flexibility benefit customers at various life stages?
I developed a highly concentrated and vibrant moisturising cream that can be transformed into any consistency required, from an ultra-rich crème to a superfine lotion, all through the simple addition of an MV Facial Mist, our key customisation tool. This same moisturiser can then be supercharged into a targeted treatment by blending it with one of our three Booster Oils, each packed with potent, plant-powered actives tailored to different skin needs. My goal was to create a logical, sustainable system, rather than launching new products for every trend. This system allows customers to effortlessly adjust their skincare to match their life stage, hormonal changes, seasonal shifts and environment, helping them achieve balanced, healthy skin without the marketing fluff. It’s honest, effective and designed to evolve with each individual’s unique skin journey.
Many MV products have multifunctional uses. Could you share examples of how a single product can address common concerns across different age groups?
The 9 Oil Radiance Tonic is a perfect example of a product that truly serves everyone, at every age. It’s been my daughter’s go-to for managing breakouts and congestion, a must-have for a friend who spends hours outdoors, my constant companion during my preCOVID travel days (when I’d be flying internationally up to four times a year), and now it’s my “cannotlive-without product” during the hormonal shifts of menopause. No matter the conditions, this tonic keeps my skin vibrant and is genuinely a lifesaver for battling the drying effects of long-haul flights and hormonal changes (which feel kind of the same).
Just like me, it defies conventional beauty rules, and works just as effectively for oily, acne-prone and congested skin, as it does for dry, sun-damaged and hormonal skin. With omega-rich plant oils, premium avocado oil from New Zealand, and a potent blend of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial essential oils, the 9 Oil Radiance Tonic has become a universally loved multifunctional gem.
How does MV balance the need for gentle, natural ingredients with the performance expected by users of all ages?
Back in the mid-90s, before launching MV, I was introduced to two key people: an essential oil supplier and a researcher on cosmetic ingredient toxicity. As I dove into books on aromatherapy and the dangers of toxic, hormone-disrupting skincare ingredients, I realised that this journey was about more than just natural skincare — it was about health and wellbeing. I knew the world needed a product that wasn’t just natural, but also results-driven — something that would work for all skin types, all ages and could be trusted to heal sensitive skin without compromise. To achieve this, I use only the highest-grade raw ingredients available, sourcing these materials myself, without compromising on quality. My small-batch, artisanal production ensures that each product remains potent, robust, and brimming with healing compounds — something large-scale manufacturing can’t replicate.
For more, visit mvskintherapy.com
The post For every woman at every age appeared first on WellBeing Magazine.
Read the full article here:
For every woman at every age
by | | Curated Content
February 4th 2025
–
WellBeing Magazine
–
Discover the timeless joy of garden dining—shade, nature & simple pleasures. Reconnect with your roots under a tree, where happiness grows.
We’ve just had lunch in the garden, and we were happy. The happiness had a multitude of causes, but a large chunk of it was simply because the leaves above covered us with dappled light, the small birds jumped around us hoping that the long-grained rice might be insect larvae and we’d share. The air smelled of leaves, flowers, bees and ripening tomatoes. The grass was soft, and the dog lay under the table in doggie bliss.
Garden joy is the birthright of every human, known and practised for uncounted millennia.
It’s a simple recipe: find food and drink, choose a tree with grass or log, check there is no snake behind the log or panther up the trees, then sit and eat and talk and laugh, with the universe spreading above you and the whispering of tree leaves all around.
It is perhaps one of life’s most profound pleasures, like holding a newborn baby in your arms, but it is out of reach for so many in the world now. Even more tragically, many who are quite affluent enough to have lunch in a garden have never realised that they need to.
If you are lucky, you will have a park, so someone else does the mowing. If you are very lucky, you will have a garden too.
What does a garden need to maximise the happiness?
- A tree tall enough to give you shade. As a bonus, it may also give you fruit, flowers or you can climb it when life becomes too hassled. There is great calmness to be found looking at the world while sitting in a tree. In climates with cold winters and hot summers, the tree should be deciduous, giving you sunlight when you need it and shade to cool you, your home and, in a tiny but important way, the planet. Please plant a tree today. You don’t need to buy one: depending on your climate, plant some apple seeds taken from the core of the last apple you ate, or the stone from an avocado. Both apples and avocado trees make wonderful climbing, eating and sitting-under trees. If your home is rented, plant a tree for those who will come after you.
- Grass or something green that is not artificial lawn. Artificial lawn is hot, smells horrible and kills almost everything beneath it. Paving is better and more beautiful, as long as you leave gaps between some of the pavers so water can penetrate. Plant the gaps with white alyssum or yellow calendulas or primulas or prostrate mint, to keep out weeds and cool the paving down as you water them. Our ground cover in non-grassed areas are yellow flowered lamium, which grows ankle high but can be mown and tolerates quite dense shade as well as dappled shade. Thyme lawns smell glorious but do attract bees. They also need much weeding and top dressing by covering their stems with new soil or compost every winter, or they become woody, prickly to sit on and will also rot and die.
- Flowers. I love to grow rambling roses, clematis, wonga vine or grapes up my trees. It means the wallabies can’t reach them, possums don’t like to clamber through the growth and pests are confused by the double shape and scents. Plant your rambling rose or vine about a metre away from the trunk. Feed and water it well for about five years. After that, feed and water when you remember, especially on hot nights when the scent of cool water on hot soil is a blessing from the divine. You might also like to water yourself, your beloved, the kids and the dog — the water will still get to the tree and its companion. Do not water the cat. It will be annoyed.
This should be your inheritance from all your ancestors: the chance to sit under a tree and listen to wind play its song through the leaves.
Article Featured in WellBeing Magazine 214
The post A garden of joy appeared first on WellBeing Magazine.
Read the full article here:
A garden of joy
by | | Curated Content
February 4th 2025
–
WellBeing Magazine
–
Combat tech neck & improve posture with 9 office-friendly stretches to ease tension, boost focus & keep your spine healthy at work.
If you’re spending long hours at a desk, whether at an office or home, maintaining a healthy spine can be a challenge. Despite our dedication to fitness or yoga, if we aren’t mindful, our posture can suffer as we sit in a chair all day or curve the body to hold a phone. It’s a common situation: sitting for eight or more hours a day and staring at a screen is not how our bodies were meant to function. These prolonged, static positions can take a toll on our overall health.
Taking a proactive approach to your body is essential, especially if you’ve noticed tension in your neck, shoulders or back while working. Perhaps you’ve observed similar issues in others, with their heads jutting forward, shoulders rounded and a general slouch as they focus on their screens. This common issue, known as “tech neck”, arises when the head leans forward, the neck curves downward and the shoulders round due to prolonged device use. With people spending around five hours a day on technology, this poor alignment often leads to neck pain and discomfort.
Research suggests that at least 70 per cent of people will experience tech neck or shoulder pain at some point. This condition compresses and tightens the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the front of the neck, while stretching the trapezius and splenius capitis muscles, along with their tendons and ligaments, at the back. Considering the average human head weighs about 5kg — more than a newborn baby — this extra strain on the seven neck vertebrae and 20 supporting muscles can result in significant muscle imbalances and discomfort over time.\
While giving up our devices isn’t a viable option, we can actively counteract these effects by adopting proper alignment and posture practices. Using office chair openers and incorporating targeted exercises into your daily routine can significantly improve your mood, enhance movement, and boost overall focus.
Moving the body can improve overall wellness but by doing this quick set of simple stretches at your desk daily, taking the stairs and walking during lunch as opposed to again scrolling through social media — can help offset the ill effects of tech neck and our stagnated body habits and stimulate midday blood flow, help you push through the afternoon slump and alleviate nightly headaches.
Aim to hold each stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, as this is the amount of time proven to be the most effective. No matter your time constraint, any effort is worth the effort. This 10-minute office chair opener will keep the muscles active, flexible, less prone to injury and improve your mood.
9 office-friendly chair opener exercises
Try these work-friendly, equipment-free exercises that will improve body mobility, focus and mood when in your work zone.
1. The exaggerated nod
The exaggerated nod counterbalances the downward/forward head position by pulling shoulders down and back and increasing neck mobility.
2. Padahastasana or (standing up straight onto tip toes and then touching toes)
Padahastasana stretches the neck and hamstrings. It allows the neck and shoulders to hang and your spine to lengthen. The hips are tight from sitting with legs in a 90-degree angle therefore straightening up and focusing on lengthening will improve blood flow and stretch the spine.
3. Seated spinal rotation
Move toward the front of your chair and lean forward. Place palms together between legs with arms fully extended. Reach one hand up and rotate to the side. Work with your breath and exhale while rotating, then inhale on the way back to centre. Switch sides.
4. Chest opener with upper-back extension
Place arms behind the head with fingers interlocked. Extend back over chair while engaging your core and abdominals. Be sure not to allow the lower back to extend. Optional: Use a ball or pillow and place it midway down the back prior to extending backwards.
5. Neck stretch
Sit tall and upright. Grasp the bottom of the chair with your hand to keep the shoulder depressed. Bring your opposite hand overhead and gently provide pressure on your head as you bring your ear toward your opposite shoulder. Hold, then repeat on the other side.
6. Overhead triceps stretch
Lift one arm overhead. Bend the elbow fully, letting the hand drop toward the mid-back with your palm facing your back. Place your opposite hand on your elbow and apply pressure to increase the stretch. Hold, then repeat on the other side.
7. Seated hamstring stretch
Rest your heel on the floor, keeping your leg straight. Gently lean forward until a stretch is felt behind your knee/thigh. Hold, then repeat on the other leg. You can intensify the stretch by pointing your ankle and toes upwards towards your body.
8. Oblique twists
Sit in a swivelling chair with your hands holding the edge of your desk. Spin yourself as far you can to one side using your hands, then switch to the other side. Repeat for at least 10 reps on each side. Note: If you do not have a swivel chair, you can bend your arms up in front of you and turn your body to the right and left. Just make sure to move from your core.
9. Seated knee-to-chest; leg lift and leg extension combination
Sit tall in a chair and have legs straight out in front of the body. Hold the bottom of chair for support and pull knees in toward the chest. Return to the starting position and repeat at least 10 times. Then lift one leg straight until your hamstring comes off the seat. Hold for at least 20 seconds and repeat on the other side. Then sit tall, with feet flat on the floor — lift one leg until it’s parallel with the floor and straight out in front of you by contracting (squeezing) the muscle on the front of your upper thigh. Hold for a second, then lower back to the starting position. Repeat combination 10 times on each side.
Other ways to fit in important incidental movement at work:
- Go for a short walk on your breaks
- Replace the office chair with an exercise ball
- Use the stairs regularly
- Consider a standing desk
- Consider walking or biking to work if practical
- Keep some exercise equipment at work so you can exercise during your lunch break, especially a foam roller
- Walk while on the phone and use headphones as opposed to holding the device
Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 214
The post Office chair openers appeared first on WellBeing Magazine.
Read the full article here:
Office chair openers
by | | Curated Content
February 4th 2025
–
WellBeing Magazine
–
Your skin reflects your health. Decode acne, rosacea & more with expert insights on what your skin reveals about your wellbeing.
Beneath its surface, your skin is a vibrant system, constantly reacting, renewing and relaying clues about what’s happening inside and around you. Every breakout, flush of redness or stubborn dark patch has a story to tell — about your body, your environment, your lifestyle and the intricate balance between them. We consulted with two experts, a leading dermatologist and a functional health coach, to take a deeper look into what your skin is trying to communicate through these signals.
Your skin is a window
“In general terms, our skin is a window into our internal wellbeing,” explains Dr Katherine Armour, dermatologist and founder of Bespoke Skin Technology. “For example, excessive sun exposure will manifest as dullness, rough texture, dark spots and wrinkles, while a diet high in refined sugars can accelerate ageing through glycation, leading to loss of plumpness and early wrinkling.” She adds that lifestyle factors such as prolonged stress and lack of sleep also impact the skin, resulting in breakouts, dull complexions and dark under-eye circles.
The skin’s role as an immune organ allows it to respond to both internal and external environments. In terms of our inner terrain, the gut-skin connection is significant. “When the gut microbiome is off, it can trigger inflammation and immune reactions that exacerbate skin problems,” explains Victoria Sissanes, functional health coach and founder of Sana Wellness. “Poor gut health can lead to nutrient malabsorption, impacting essential vitamins and minerals needed for skin health.” She notes that specific internal issues, like thyroid imbalances, also have visible effects, such as dry skin in hypothyroidism and an oily or flushed complexion in hyperthyroidism.
Experiencing any kind of skin concern can be an emotional journey and impact how you feel both physically and psychologically, which is why it’s so important to get to the root cause of skin manifestations. Let’s dive in with our experts’ cheat sheet as a springboard to decoding your skin’s messages when it comes to some of the most common skin conditions.
Acne
Acne often appears along the jawline, cheeks and forehead and, in worse cases, it may be stubborn and deeply rooted. “Acne can be due to a genetic predisposition,” says Dr Armour, where sensitive sebaceous glands respond to normal androgen levels or, in some women, mild elevations due to conditions such as polycystic ovarian disorder.
Stress can elevate cortisol, triggering breakouts, particularly on the jawline and lower face. While the research is still evolving on diet’s role in acne, “highglycaemic index foods … and cow’s milk have been linked to this pattern in small studies”, Dr Armour notes, potentially having a pro-inflammatory effect. Sissanes echoes this, adding that “foods that cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin can increase sebum production and androgen activity,” and low levels of zinc and vitamin A may also contribute to acne.
What you can do: Track dietary factors that seem to coincide with breakouts, consider hormone checks and explore a low-GI diet, which limits dairy and includes zinc-rich foods. Consulting a professional can help tailor an approach that works best for your skin and specific kind of acne.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition marked by facial redness and visible blood vessels, often triggered by environmental factors. “Rosacea is a very complex skin disorder,” explains Dr Armour, involving genetics, triggers, microbial and immune responses, along with neurovascular dysfunction. An impaired skin barrier is typical in rosacea, with “increased skin pH, decreased hydration and increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL),” Armour adds.
Rosacea has also been linked with gastrointestinal issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease and helicobacter pylori infection, contributing to the “gut-skin axis” theory — that shared genetic, microbiota and immune factors may connect gut health and skin health. Sissanes adds that “redness and flushing in skin can be caused from imbalances in the gut microbiome, compromises in gut barrier and alterations in systemic immune response.” According to the experts, rosacea triggers vary but often include sun exposure, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks and temperature changes.
What you can do: Identifying and avoiding known triggers is key to managing rosacea. Soothe with skincare tailored for sensitive skin and, if relevant, address gut health under professional guidance to explore potential connections.
Melasma
Characterised by dark patches on the skin, melasma is often linked to sun exposure and hormonal changes. “The most important triggers of melasma are exposure to ultraviolet and visible (blue-violet) light,” notes Dr Armour, along with hormonal factors such as contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices and pregnancy. Those who are genetically predisposed to melasma may also find it worsened by skin irritation, making it essential to use gentle topical treatments that won’t inflame the skin further.
What you can do: Daily sunscreen is essential to protect against UV and visible light, and consider gentle, targeted treatments to brighten dark patches. Consulting a dermatologist can also provide advanced options for improving skin tone without irritation.
Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition characterised by dry, itchy and inflamed patches, often linked to allergies or sensitivities. “The underlying cause of atopic eczema is highly complex,” says Dr Armour, involving a mix of skin barrier dysfunction and immune regulation issues in genetically predisposed individuals. Although eczema is not primarily an allergic disease, it can occur in those with allergies or other atopic conditions like asthma and hay fever. Research suggests a potential link between eczema and gut health, with an imbalanced gut and skin microbiome possibly contributing to the inflammation and immune response associated with eczema.
Sissanes further explains that shifts in gut microbiome composition, especially lowered levels of beneficial strains such as bifidobacterium and lactobacillus, can disrupt the metabolic environment. This affects the production of short-chain fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and maintain gut integrity. If someone with eczema consumes a highly processed or high-sugar diet, it may encourage harmful bacteria, leading to dysbiosis. This imbalance can trigger inflammation that weakens the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to irritants and allergens.
What you can do: Treat your skin gently with fragrance-free, nourishing moisturisers to support its natural barrier, and avoid products that may cause irritation. Consider targeted probiotic supplements. A professional can provide personalised guidance if flare-ups persist, helping to pinpoint dietary or environmental factors that could be influencing symptoms.
Dark circles and puffy eye area
Under-eye puffiness and dark circles often result from genetics, daily habits and fluid retention. “Numerous factors can lead to dark circles,” explains Dr Armour, including genetic predisposition (known as “constitutional dark circles”), allergies, certain eye drops, pigmentation from rashes and sun exposure. Ageing is also a contributor, as thinning skin in this delicate area reveals underlying blood vessels, creating a darker appearance. Persistent or worsening dark circles and puffiness may indicate dehydration and poor sleep, further exacerbating the issue.
Sissanes agrees that poor sleep is often a key factor, but when it comes to dark circles, it’s also important to pay attention to possible iron deficiency — sometimes due to intestinal parasites — which may also play a role. Parasites not only deplete iron but can also disturb sleep, she notes, which has a double-pronged effect on worsening the undereye appearance.
What you can do: Prioritise good hydration, focus on quality sleep and check your iron levels (and for parasites if suspected). Topically, wearing sunscreen and using a nourishing eye cream can help protect, brighten, de-puff and maintain this delicate area. “Poor lymphatic flow, often worsened by dehydration, contributes to under-eye puffiness,” adds Sissanes, so supporting lymphatic drainage around the face and neck with gentle facial massage or a gua sha beauty tool can provide relief.
Dry, flaky skin
Characterised by rough, flaky patches, dry skin often struggles to retain moisture. “Dry flaky skin is most commonly a sign that we are excessively drying out our skin from the outside,” explains Dr Armour, noting that hot showers, foaming body washes and infrequent moisturising can damage the skin barrier, leading to dryness and flakiness. Internal factors such
as severe dehydration, health conditions (such as thyroid, disease, kidney disease and diabetes), along with certain medications (like cholesterol-lowering drugs) may also contribute. “Low thyroid function, which relies on adequate vitamin A levels, may exacerbate dryness, and deficiencies in essential fatty acids can further impair skin hydration,” adds Sissanes.
What you can do: Use rich, hydrating moisturisers with barrier-strengthening ingredients like ceramides, and avoid foaming cleansers that strip natural oils. Shorter, lukewarm showers can help preserve moisture. Consider boosting vitamin A and essential fatty acids in your diet, make sure you drink enough water and consult a professional if dryness persists despite these efforts.
Hyperpigmentation
Excess pigment in certain areas leads to darker spots, often due to sun exposure or inflammation. “There are numerous causes of hyperpigmentation,” explains Dr Armour, including hormonal disorders such as Addison’s disease, treatments with oestrogen or progesterone (which may contribute to melasma) and sun exposure, which can result in brown spots and patches. Certain medications, such as minocycline and hydroxychloroquine, may also contribute. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs as brown marks left behind by skin inflammation from conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis or reactions to some medications.
“A deficiency in vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) can increase pigmentation,” explains Sissanes. Some types of hyperpigmentation, such as tinea or pityriasis versicolor, stem from fungal overgrowth due to changes in the body’s flora, often worsened by highsugar intake and diets rich in refined carbohydrates. Addressing underlying imbalances, such as gut health issues like leaky gut or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and any nutrient deficiencies, can help manage some kinds of hyperpigmentation.
What you can do: Incorporate daily sunscreen and brightening ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide, which can help reduce dark spots. Consult a professional for advanced treatment options if needed to tackle stubborn pigmentation, and especially if you feel your pigmentation could be closely connected to your hormones, nutrient levels or gut health.
Dull, lacklustre skin
Skin that is lacking a natural healthy glow is commonly caused by a build-up of dead skin cells. “Dull skin can be a sign of significant oxidative stress,” notes Dr Armour, with external stressors like UV exposure, cigarette smoke and pollution contributing to this issue. It can also signal poor internal health in a more general sense. Sissanes adds that thyroid health plays a key role in skin radiance, as the thyroid gland helps increase blood flow through the dermis and capillaries, providing better oxygen and nutrient delivery to the skin. Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) can result in a dull complexion.
What you can do: To restore radiance, try gentle exfoliation to remove dead cells, ensure proper hydration both internally and externally, and incorporate antioxidants into your skincare routine to combat environmental stressors. These steps can help revive your skin’s glow.
Embracing holistic care
“I always encourage a holistic approach to health to ensure longevity of all systems in your body, so you are looking and feeling your best,” says Sissanes. Your skin offers insight into much of what’s happening within and around you. From daily habits to underlying health conditions, it often reveals subtle — sometimes unmistakable — signs of overall wellbeing or illuminates areas of your lifestyle that call for attention. Lastly, a gentle reminder that your skin isn’t designed for perfection. It’s a complex, adaptive organ, responding to countless internal and external influences. By recognising and understanding these signals, you can shift from feeling angry or frustrated with your skin when it presents with acne, pigmentation or any other concern. Rather than striving for unrealistic ideals and berating yourself if your skin isn’t flawless, listening to the messages offers a way to embrace a meaningful, holistic approach to your skin health. Trust your skin’s journey — it’s a unique map to both beauty and balance.
Article featured in WellBeing Magazine 214
The post Decoding your skin’s messages appeared first on WellBeing Magazine.
Read the full article here:
Decoding your skin’s messages
