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The Quandong - Australia’s Most Potent Natural Skincare Ingredient?

Have you heard of one of Australia’s most potent anti-ageing skin superfoods, the Quandong?

This desert fruit has been used for centuries by Australia’s Aboriginal people for healing purposes and is incredibly beneficial in skin care.

At Karinda, we’re committed to using Australia’s botanical gems in our range and we absolutely love the Quandong; read on to find out why!

What exactly is Quandong?

The Quandong is truly a unique native Aussie fruit found throughout central deserts and southern areas of Australia. Also called Wild Peach, Desert Peach or Native Peach, if you haven’t used Quandong in skincare, you may have eaten it instead! It’s a popular fruit for jam, with a taste similar to peach or apricot mixed with rhubarb.

This potent superfood is used by Australia's Aboriginal people, both as a food and for a variety of medicinal purposes; its kernels are 25% protein and 70% complex oils.

It’s full of antioxidants

The Quandong fruit is an antioxidant powerhouse.

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, the negatively charged particles that enter the skin, causing it to age prematurely.

Any fruit or ingredient packed with antioxidants is a skin win in our book! The Quandong actually has the second highest amount of antioxidants among all fruits measured, even beating blueberries which are widely known for their high level of antioxidants.

Vitamin C

With twice the vitamin C of an orange, the Quandong fruit delivers big time on this crucial vitamin for skin health.

Getting quality doses of vitamin C helps boost collagen production, keeping skin plump and wrinkles at bay. It also helps protect skin from the damaging effects of the sun's UVB and UVA rays.

We don’t need to tell you how important daily sunscreen is, but you can also bump up your protection by making sure vitamin C is included in your skincare.

Anti-inflammatory superpower

Rutin is a bioflavonoid, or plant pigment, found in certain vegetables and fruits including Quandong. It’s the strong anti-inflammatory properties of rutin that makes it especially beneficial for skin.

When inflammation is triggered in the body, it can show up in your skin in the form of acne breakouts, redness or flakiness skin. If these sort of inflammatory responses go unchecked, they can produce hormones and free radicals that can damage skin tissue.

If you’re battling dark circles and puffiness under your eyes, rutin can help too. It strengthens capillaries, reducing the amount of blood that pools under the delicate skin below your eyes. This is what causes those tired looking circles!

Opting for botanical ingredients, like Quandong, is an effective and natural anti-inflammatory solution for stressed out skin. Quandong is also an ideal ingredient for sensitive skin types.

Vitamin E

Along with vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant on the front line when it comes to defending your skin from aggravators like pollution, stress, smoke and less-than-healthy foods.

Found in Quandong, this skin-saving vitamin forms a barrier around cells to keep them hydrated and healthy. Like rutin, vitamin E is also highly anti-inflammatory and relieve itchy, dry, red skin.

Phenolic Acids

Phenolic acids work in a similar way to alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), gently exfoliating the uppermost layers of skin. Phenolic acids reveal fresher, refined skin that appears brighter and over time, becomes firmer. The Quandong is also high in wrinkle-busting essential fatty acids for a smoother, plumper complexion.

Have we convinced you that the Quandong is an incredible ingredient for skincare? 

We definitely think so; that’s why we’ve included it in the Karinda range. Our award-winning Rejuvenating Serum is a super concentrated serum fortified with powerful bioactive ingredients, including Quandong fruit extract to help improve the skin's tone, firmness and elasticity.

These 4 lifestyle choices are making you look older, quicker

Unhealthy food choices, stress, poor sleep and too much sun are seriously ageing your skin.

It’s not only a daily swag of skincare products that keep your complexion fresh. Lifestyle has a big impact on how quickly your skin ages and if you want to look younger for longer (who doesn’t?) steer clear of these habits.

Indulging in too many sugary treats and high GI foods

Raiding the cookie jar for an afternoon sugar hit might be tasty but it’s not doing your face any favours.

Foods like white bread, cookies, pastries, anything packed with processed sugar and even some fruits rate high on the glycemic index (GI).

The body turns high GI foods into glucose super quickly, which leads to a speedy spike in insulin levels. This spike creates a surge of inflammation in the body, which isn’t good news for your skin. It stimulates enzymes that play a role in breaking down collagen and can also worsen skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.

Opting for healthy low GI foods - which release insulin more slowly and steadily - is a skin saving way to fill up at meal times. In general, a diet including a range of healthy fats (olive oil, avocado), lean proteins (salmon), fibre (broccoli and cauliflower), antioxidants (berries) can reduce inflammation in the body.

Skimping on sleep

Consistently missing out of quality shut-eye puts you on a fast track to looking years older.  

Sleep is a time for the body to heal, renew and flush toxins from the skin.  If you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re preventing your body carrying out these crucial functions at its most optimal level.

Dark undereye circles are the most obvious tell-tale sign you’re not getting sufficient ZZZZzz; lack of sleep causes the blood vessels to dilate and show through the delicate skin under the eye. Poor sleep also affects skin elasticity; leading to a sagging complexion with lines and wrinkles becoming more pronounced.

Breakouts can also increase. Our bodies produce more of the stress hormone cortisol when we don’t get enough sleep; leading to fresh breakouts and making existing acne worse.

The quality of sleep is also key. Maybe you’re sleeping 8 hours a night but if it’s restless, broken sleep your skin still won’t have the chance to heal itself like it would with 8 quality hours.

Not being a stickler for sun protection

Of the environmental factors that lead to premature skin ageing the sun takes first prize as most damaging. We’re all for heading outdoors and getting active but don’t skip the sunscreen.

Spending too long in the sun without quality sun protection leads to wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, sun spots and a change in skin texture.

The UV light from the sun responsible for causing most of the visible signs is UVA. UVA rays seriously damage collagen structure because they penetrate more deeply into the layers of skin than UVB rays.

UVB rays, however, are responsible for the more immediate result of too much time in the sun, sunburn, leading to dry, tight and sore skin. Overexposure to UVB can also increase the risk of skin cancer.

Always opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen; it offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Including sun protection in your daily routine, no matter the weather or season, is a non-negotiable if you’re truly committed slowing down the signs of ageing.

Sky high stress levels...all the time

If you’re constantly stressed, anxious and tense, it’s guaranteed to show up on your face.

Under stress, our bodies produce the stress hormone cortisol, just like it does when we’re not sleeping enough.  If you’re living in a chronic state of stress, cortisol is constantly surging through your body.

This triggers an elevation in blood sugar, which damages the skin’s collagen and elastin. Cortisol can also lead to thinning of the skin, slow wound healing and make the skin more susceptible to infection.

High levels of anxiety can also suppress your skin’s hyaluronic acid production which can result in dryness, making wrinkles and worry lines appear deeper.  

Opt for an extra nourishing moisturiser during stressful periods to give your skin extra support and stay hydrated with plenty of water. Be kind to skin that’s already under stress - skip toxin-filled products and make plant-basedd skincare choices instead.

4 great reasons to start using face oils

 

Face oils. There's so much to love about them.

Oils can unclog pores, plump out lines, level up your moisturising efforts and protect skin from free radicals.

There can be confusion around oils though; how do they work with moisturisers?  Why would you apply oil to oily skin? We’ve got answers; here's the lowdown on what face oils can do for your complexion.

Boost your moisturiser results with face oil

Helloooo hydration. The best way to maximise the supple skin effects of a face oil is to apply it after you moisturise with a cream or lotion.

Face oils will seal in water from the moisturiser, preventing it evaporating off the skin. Your skin cells then drink up the water that’s been trapped in while the oil remains on the outside of the cell keeping it lubricated and protected.

Applying face oil before bed gives your skin a chance to soak up the goodness overnight; also a smart idea for thicker oils that may be a little too shiny for daytime!

Face oils protect from free radical damage

Face oil not only helps seal in moisture, it also keeps the bad stuff out.

Your skin is constantly under attack by free radicals; in fact, the air around you might actually be one of your skin’s biggest enemies! Free radicals are the damaging molecules that come from UV light, pollution, cigarette smoke and any chemicals in the air. Free radicals are responsible for damaging the skin’s DNA and breaking down collagen which speeds up the ageing process.

Face oils work by forming a protective barrier on the skin, minimising free radical penetration of the epidermis and fighting off the damage they cause.

Face oils reduce the look of wrinkles

A few oils, in particular, have earned themselves an A++ when it comes to plumping out wrinkles and lines. Native Australian Sandalwood Seed Oil is rich in Ximenynic acid, a rare fatty acid known to reduce fine lines, improve skin tone and increase hydration and derma strength.  

Rosehip oil is also a superstar anti-ageing oil; it powers up healthy skin cell production and stimulates fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are responsible for creating collagen and increasing the firmness of skin, keeping wrinkles at bay.

Face oil can help clear up an oily complexion (weird but true)

It may seem a little crazy to use oil on top of skin that’s already oily but hear us out.

Excess production of oil occurs when the oil-water content of skin is out of whack. Using products that strip your skin of oil in an effort to banish shiny complexion syndrome makes the problem worse. Skin produces more oil in an effort to overcompensate for the oil that’s been stripped away. It’s one vicious, oily cycle.

By using a face oil, you’re not stripping the skin so the sebaceous glands won’t go crazy making extra oil and your complexion will stay balanced.

Not all oils are created equal though. The best ones for oily skin are those that are anti-bacterial and super soothing like chamomile or jojoba.

Pro tip: These two oils also tighten pores and help them appear smaller; making them a great primer for makeup.

 Ready to try the beauty-boosting benefits of face oil for yourself? Our Sacred Youth Face Oil is an exquisite blend of healing, nutrient-rich botanical oils; including Kakadu Plum and Native Australian Sandalwood, to indulge and beautify your skin.

Sacred Youth Oil - The ultimate facial oil for youthful radiant skin!

 

I am so excited to announce the release of our new Sacred Youth Oil. This beautiful and unique blend of nutrient rich plant oils is a must have for your skincare collection. Featuring Native Australian Sandalwood Seed Oil, rich in the rare Ximenymic Acid known for its powerful anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory properties to reduce fine lines, improve skin tone and hydration and increase derma strength. You don't need to worry about greasiness with this oil. It is fast absorbing without leaving a greasy residue. Say hello to beautiful, healthy and youthful skin! :)

Tricia
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Natural Health International Beauty Awards 2017

 

We are very pleased to announce that the Karinda Purifying Cleanser received Special Recognition in the Natural Health International Beauty Awards 2017! 

Many hours of research and development and a lot of love and passion goes into each and every Karinda product. It is a real honour to receive recognition in these prestigious awards :)

Karinda - shortlisted for the 2016 Pure Beauty Awards

Karinda's Rejuvenating Serum has been shortlisted for the 2016 Pure Beauty Awards for
Natural And Organic: Best New Natural Face Product !! 

Click the picture below to vote for us.

Australian Emu Bush

This exotic looking plant is the Australian native Emu Bush, also known as Poverty Bush. It survives very dry and harsh climatic conditions and its leaves have traditionally been used by the Australian aboriginal people for washing sores and cuts and for gargling due to its natural antimicrobial properties. The Phenolic Acids found in this unique plant behave like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). Alpha-hydroxy acids are often used in cleansing and exfoliating skin care products to help increase cell turnover by removing the "glue" in the upper layer of the skin that holds old and dead skin cells together. Certified organic Emu Bush Leaf Extract has been included in the Karinda Purifying Cleanser to gently remove dead skin and impurities leaving your skin feeling amazingly refreshed, clean and revitalised!

 

The foaming myth

It is a common myth that the foam in cleansers and shampoos is what cleans our skin and hair. The foaming agents in these types of products are actually just that – foaming agents. It is the active ingredients in cleansers that clean and purify your skin. Foaming agents are typically drying for the skin and can strip its natural oils. They are also very cheap ingredients while active ingredients can be very expensive. Don’t be fooled into thinking the more a cleanser foams the cleaner your skin will be!

The Karinda Purifying Cleanser is a perfect mix of organic oils, organic water based active botanical extracts and detoxifying sea salt extract. The lightweight, milky cleanser has been mildly fragranced with natural essential oils of Neroli and Geranium and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. Great for acne sufferers too!

Welcome to Karinda : Watch the Karinda featurette

Welcome to Karinda : Watch the brilliant Karinda featurette for information on this exciting new luxury skincare brand from Australia. 

In search of the Kakadu Plum

The wonderful bath warm waters of Cable Beach, Broome, W.A.

We travel across to the other side of Australia in search of the heralded - wild harvested Kakadu Plum, which is a key ingredient in the Karinda Skin Care range.