Nature has such a positive impact on our mind and body – just being around trees and fresh air has a crazy good influence on us. So why not invite nature into your home for the ultimate pampering? Most of us don’t have woodland birds to tie ribbons in our hair like Cinderella, but by harnessing the power of herbs and botanicals we can get a holistic glow from the inside out.

holy basil isn't just for pad thai
For a tiny herb, this plant sure works overtime to provide a multitude of benefits: it’s been shown to protect our bodies against environmental stressors and pollutants and is one of the leading ingredients used in natural medicine. It’s adaptogenic, which is a fancy word that means it supports the skin’s moisture barrier to help restore skin energy and complexion. Let’s be real, life can be stressful so it’s super important to put time aside to manage our physical and psychological wellbeing. Even just taking a few extra minutes to take some deep breaths while we shower and apply skincare (such as Jurlique’s Herbal Recovery face oil) can make a world of difference. Thanks holy basil (insert prayer hands emoji).

your new BFFs are radical anti-radicals
Hopefully you’re already slip, slop, slapping, but there’s more to environmental protection than wearing cool sunnies or carrying a not-as-cool sun umbrella. Certain plants have been used in traditional medicine for yonks because of their antioxidant abilities which protect the skin from the harsh environmental stressors we encounter. A quiet hero you might not know about is elderflower: compared to other fruits, the elderflower is shown to be a super rich source of anti-inflammatory goodies and studies suggest ingesting it can reduce symptoms of cold or flu and promote boosting the ol’ immune system. You can even gargle it to soothe a sore throat! Fewer sick days AND less irritated skin? Yes please. We are loving Jurlique’s herbal recovery cream which features elderflower.

a water bottle for your face
Experts regularly stress the importance of drinking 8 glasses of water a day, and guess what else loves moisture? That’s right, the wilting houseplant on your bookshelf. And also, your skin! Echinacea is a fab little plant that’s shown to provide hydration to moisturise and brighten skin. We especially love that it’s gentle and soothing, so it’s perfect for irritated or dry skin. No redness or harsh stinging here unless you thrust your face directly into a bush of it, which we don’t recommend. If the name sounds familiar, you might know this herb from your vitamin shelf because it’s also a potent anti-inflammatory that can help boost our immune system when taken orally. As we head into winter there’s nothing more soothing and comforting than a hydrating facial oil (like this bi-phase serum). Well, maybe cozy socks. They’re a close second.

mandarins aren’t just for playlunch anymore
The humble mandarin isn’t just delicious, it’s chock-full of Vitamin C and antioxidant goodies to help promote health and skin vitality. It can be easy to let looking after ourselves slide to the bottom of our priority lists, but self-care is as vital as vitamins and can start in the bathroom cabinet. Eye creams containing Japanese mandarin can help restore a healthy radiance to the skin and having a skincare routine can be a perfect way to remind us to slow down for a moment and pamper ourselves. Give yourself a grown-up playlunch for some time out. 

boost your 40 winks when it’s more like 30
If you’re like us, your nighttime rituals involve scrolling your phone 3cm from your face or binging just one more episode… but it’s never just one. Some nights you might remember that thing called ‘sleep hygiene’ and add in some wind-down rituals: yoga, lighting candles, rubbing in scented moisturiser so you slide into bed like a cozy, slippery seal. Realistically, we aren’t going to have amazing sleep 100% of the time (if you do, let us know your secret and we’ll await a sleepover invite) so adding a quick morning routine is a fab idea too. Cooling eye rollers can help smooth out puffiness and herbal ingredients like jojoba and avocado oil are a much gentler way to wake up than slamming down a double espresso.

aromatherapy, but for your biggest organ
Scent is one of the most powerful triggers for our emotional state and can have a positive effect on how we feel. When it comes to self-care, it pays to include all of our senses for the ultimate pampering experience: turn on your fav playlist and indulge with fab fragrances like essential oils. Skincare that uses botanicals like iris root and echinacea is a perfect way to start treating yourself from nose to toes, and using our senses by applying a soothing cream or facial oil you can incorporate mindfulness each day. When we pay attention to the present moment life slows down and we all need to give ourselves some love from time to time. If you need an excuse to self-care, nature’s got your back.

These feel-good tips were put together in a paid partnership with Jurlique and its new botanical-filled Herbal Recovery range. Give your skin a healthy boost and take a peek at the full nature-based range.