Blog

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

Beauty sleep mask - a welcome friend when summer time hits in a week

Even though the world is currently turned upside down, it doesn't change the fact that it will soon be summer time again! On March 29, it is official summer time, which means, as always, that you must set your clocks one hour forward on the night between Sunday and Monday. It also means it gets dark later, which can be annoying if you have trouble falling asleep. However, we have found a really delicious solution to the summertime problem - a solution that is both comfortable, sustainable and easy to take with you, regardless of where the bright light teases you. Soft, sustainable and your new best sleeping friend Beauty sleep mask is a soft and unique sleeping mask made from vintage Japanese kimonos from the 1920s. All masks have different prints and colors on both sides, and silk inside and outside for extra comfort. The materials in the Beauty sleep mask are 100% natural and there is therefore room for the skin to breathe freely and the eyes to get the rest they need. Handmade with the finest details The masks are also hand-sewn and up-cycled in Frederiksberg, and comfort and convenience have really been thought about in the masks. You won't find any strings that tighten or annoying seams - the masks come in the softest and most beautiful materials.  Take your Beauty sleep mask with you when you need a moment's rest. It comes in a nice little bag, so you can easily carry it with you in your bag. And then enjoy that summer is finally on its way. Wash your Beauty sleep mask gently on a wool wash at 30 degrees if it gets dirty.

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

OIL - the golden drops that your skin will not want to live without

Although we don't have snow and freezing weather as far as the eye can see, winter is upon us with cold and wind. You can perhaps feel and see on your skin that it feels extra dry and tight when you step out of the bath in the morning? Maybe the skin is peeling or it looks lifeless and sad? It can be difficult to find the right products for dry winter skin - should you, for example, choose a product based on fat or on moisture? If you have oily skin, you may avoid oil-based products for fear that the skin will then produce even more oil. But it's a bit of a stretch. The more you wash and cleanse the skin, the more sebum it produces to maintain a natural pH balance. So often, oily skin can easily handle a product based on fat, it may even need it. And then you can always, when spring comes and the skin is no longer so dry, switch to a product without oil in it. Why face oil? Facial oil supplies the skin with lots of fatty acids, moisture, nutrition and antioxidants, so that it is optimally protected against external challenges such as wind and weather, radiators, pollution, make-up, stoves, radiation from electronics and poor indoor climate. It is always a good idea to protect your skin with good products, but in the cold months the skin needs a little extra protection. A good tip for choosing a facial oil is that you should not use body oils on the face. They are often based on fatty oils, which have difficulty penetrating the skin and therefore settle on top of the skin. It is also a good idea to stay away from the mineral oils, as they cannot be absorbed into the skin either and can therefore also clog the pores. A mixture of several oils that together boost your skin Our oil, BEAUTIFUL skincare OIL, can be used all year round. Several of the added oils have a small molecular size, which means that the oil penetrates easily and quickly into the skin. In this way, it does not just lay on top of the skin and skate around, as you can otherwise experience with other oils. It is packed with the best ingredients and together the ingredients form a strong shield against wind and weather. When only the best is good enough Organic, active and natural ingredients are the way forward in relation to skin care - at least we think so. Argan oil and sea buckthorn oil are full of vitamins and antioxidants, while argan oil also contains omega 6, which is a sebum-regulating, moisturizing and essential fatty acid. And because the argan oil regulates the skin's sebum production, it is also suitable for those with combination/oily skin. Oil from the kukui nut has anti-inflammatory properties, is moisturizing, moisture-binding, connective tissue-strengthening and preventive in relation to wrinkles. Wild blueberries from Norway act as a delicious and powerful antioxidant that both strengthens the elasticity and the collagen level in the skin. How to use your facial oil Use your favorite face oil in the morning if you tend to have dry skin or when wind and weather invite a little extra protection. And also feel free to use it in the evening for extra nourishment under your night cream and massage it well into the skin. If you have a beauty tool, you can use it on top of the facial oil, so that you really work the oil into and down the skin.

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

SKIN CARE FOR YOUR SKI HOLIDAY

Are you one of the lucky ones who will soon be going on a wonderful skiing holiday? Snow, sun and frost are classic elements of a ski holiday, but your skin may need a little extra care to prepare for and get used to the new temperatures and the bright sun. Your face is also on skis One of the best things about being on a skiing holiday is, of course, skiing. As much as possible and preferably all day. Normally you might be at work or studying, so just being outside most of the day can be a bit of an upheaval for the skin. Although the body is covered in ski clothing, the face is exposed to the cold. And especially if you are on the slopes for a long time. And when you come in for après-ski, it's suddenly warm and nice, and your skin has to get used to going from freezing to warm. Prepare yourself before you leave Just as you have, hopefully, prepared yourself physically to go on a skiing holiday, it is also a really good idea to prepare your skin. Start already a week before departure with one enzyme peeling , so you get the skin thoroughly cleansed. With the enzyme peeling, small channels are made down to the subcutaneous tissue, so that you can really moisturize it. Use the products that you like and that you know provide plenty of moisture. It could be that you have a favorite moisturizing mask or a serum that really boosts and moisturizes. If you are into the slightly more greasy feeling, then you can use it to your advantage a facial oil after your moisturizing mask or serum. Or mix a few drops of the oil into your day cream. If you are into beauty tools, give it gas. Regardless of whether you use a face roller or one gua sha stone , so have a product underneath. Preferably an oil or a balm, as they work well with beauty tools, so you don't stretch the skin. With beauty tools, you work the products into the skin and release the skin's natural hyaluron, which moisturizes from within. Just as you might take extra lactic acid bacteria when you go on holiday in the sun to prepare your stomach for the new bacteria, you can do the same here. Prepare your skin for the changing temperatures and boost it from within. When the sun is shining, the snow is new and you are ready for the slopes Start by cleansing your skin and then give it all it can get from products that moisturize. Serum, oil, day cream (or day cream mixed with oil) eye cream, lip balm and finally sunscreen. We always recommend an organic sunscreen with a physical sun filter of spf 15 or spf 30, as it is the best for you and the environment. We have previously written a post about the difference between the physical and chemical/synthetic filters - read it here . Good night and sleep well Always remember to clean the skin and give it plenty of moisture and nourishment at night. In this way, you prepare the skin for the next day of skiing.

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

Seven quick tips for a better night's sleep

You know it well. You've spent the night tossing and turning, been up and peeing, and now you've gone back to bed. You keep turning and turning, but it helps just a little. It's another night without coherent sleep and you wake up like a zombie. What to do? It's not just your skin that suffers from lack of sleep - your whole body is affected by it. We have therefore collected our best tips for a better sleep, which should make you relax. The amount of stress hormones drops when you are in deep sleep. 7 tips for better sleep 1. Go to bed at a decent time, around 10 p.m., so you don't stress about having gone to bed too late. You don't have to go to sleep right away, but you can lie down with a book, meditate or do something else that seems nice and relaxing to you. Between 10.00pm and 6.00am, cortisol production is at its lowest level and it is therefore important that you relax during that time. In this way, estrogen production can peak between midnight and 3am. Estrogen is important for collagen production, which we need especially after the age of 40. Here, we lose collagen in the skin, which means less firm skin. 2. Drop the mobile phone and buy yourself an alarm clock. The mobile's bright light (even if you set it to night mode) and all its exciting information seem the opposite of relaxing. The blue light from the mobile phone screen inhibits the secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin. Instead, enjoy screen-free time and get ready to sleep without impressions from the world's news, text messages from friends and notifications from Instagram and Facebook. 3. Go to bed in a cool and clean bedroom. Air out well before you go to bed and tidy up so it's nice to be in. 4. Cut out caffeinated drinks after 4pm and other liquids after 8pm. That way, you might be able to get rid of thoughts and having to get up to pee. 5. If you have a sedentary job, try to find time to go for a walk during the day. Exercise does wonders for the body, so it is tired in the evening. Both body and mind must be tired and made ready for sleep. 6. Do you have small children who sleep badly? It's just a phase and you'll soon get back to sleep :-) 7. Shut out the light and thoughts with a sleep mask. SMUK skincare has designed soft, sustainable and unique eye masks out of vintage Japanese kimonos from the 1920s. 'Beauty sleep mask' are 100% natural. With silk inside and outside and wool between the silk fabrics , the skin can breathe freely. There are no annoying closures, stitching or strings that tighten when you wear the mask. Use it before you go to sleep or anytime you need to relax. All masks are unique and with different patterns and colors, and there is therefore only one of each Beauty sleep mask.

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

Here's your 2020 skincare routine

A lot is written about skin care. All the time. What is good, what is bad and what works? From our point of view, holistic skin care is the way forward - remembering that the skin often reflects how you and your body feel. That you can help it on its way with the right skin care products, nutritional supplements and food. What will YOU focus on in 2020 when it comes to yourself and your skin? We have created a 2020 skin care guide that easily takes you through the skin care tricks that are good to know. When the skin bears the mark of sugar, alcohol and Christmas stress It's no secret that the month of December can be hard on body and soul. Completion of projects at study/work before the Christmas holidays combined with a host of events and parties with lovely food, alcohol and sweets. And if you eat fairly sensibly on a daily basis, it can quickly cause challenges for the skin when it tries to get rid of waste products - often through the skin in the form of blackheads, acne and eczema. White January In recent years, more and more people have avoided alcohol in the month of January in an attempt to let the body rest under the name "white January". We believe more in a balanced intake all year round, but if you're up for a challenge, give it a try. After all, you can choose whether you want to give up alcohol, sugar, wheat or something completely different during January. Either way, the body can benefit from a bit of rest after a hectic December. Top up with the good nutritional supplements Another thing that can support your body - and your skin, is food supplements. In our view, they help to provide all the good vitamins and minerals that you may be deficient in. Organic oils, multivitamins, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid bacteria and collagen all help to support your skin and make it look even more healthy and vital. Several manufacturers also make tablets that specifically boost the skin, hair and nails. Cleanse and exfoliate your skin  As a really good 2020 skin care routine, you must clean the skin well in the morning and evening, but also more thoroughly 1-2 times a week. Some prefer a scrub that cleans the surface of the skin. We recommend one  clean with enzyme peeling , which creates small channels down to the subcutaneous tissue, which can therefore better accept the subsequent product in the form of serum, oil or day cream. In this way, you get all the good things like with a scrub, but you also get just the extra in the form of the channels that open down to the subcutaneous tissue, where products otherwise have difficulty penetrating. Move  Movement is not only good for the skin. It is actually good for everything - bones, muscles, joints, blood circulation and not least your mood. Get the blood circulating with running, yoga, boxing, reforms or a brisk walk. It all counts. Beauty tools 2019 was full of inspiring articles and posts about beauty tools. And the hype around beauty tools doesn't stop in 2020 - whether you're into face rollers or the slightly more advanced gua sha stones, it's an excellent routine to incorporate into your 2020 skin care. You get to strengthen your connective tissue, microcirculation, blood circulation and the cell tissue in the skin. And you will quickly be able to see the difference in your skin before and after using beauty tools. There is simply more flow in the skin and you can see it! And we hope you have the most wonderful year!

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

Facial yoga - when was the last time you exercised your face?

Facial yoga is a natural alternative to botox and fillers. With facial yoga, you train and relax the many different muscles in your face, and you get to train your face in the same way as when you train your body. You strengthen your muscles, tendons and microcirculation, and you get to use the muscles in completely new ways. Clear effect on lines and wrinkles Facial yoga has a positive effect on fine lines and wrinkles. By working through the different muscle groups in the face, you get more glow in the skin and a relaxed face. Having the face stretched and processed using specific and repeated exercises can have a meditative effect, and is a really nice routine to incorporate into your regular skin care routine. BEAUTIFUL skincare facial yoga challenge We really want you to become familiar with face yoga, and for the same reason we have chosen to create a challenge. A challenge where, every week for 6 weeks, you will be sent 2-3 new facial exercises, so that you can gradually build on them. Sign up for our newsletter right here and get started with facial yoga. When the challenge is over, we encourage you to share a before/after photo. Either via social media or via email. Feel free to use the hashtag #smukskincarechallenge so we can find your photos - we'll draw a random winner of our SMUK signature treatment worth DKK 1400 when the last videos are sent out. Get started Start with a single exercise or two and incorporate them in the morning and/or evening. After this, you can build on it so that you feel that you have a fixed routine where you get through approx. 5-10 exercises daily. Because you "only" have to train your face, the training is easy to do during the day - while making breakfast/dinner, on the bike, in the car, when watching TV or when you have finished getting ready for at night and lies in bed. During the next few weeks, you will receive a newsletter every week with a link to new facial exercises on YouTube. That way, you get plenty of time to learn and incorporate your exercises. We hope you want to play along!

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

SMUK skincare 3IN1 - the multi-product you don't want to be without

We would like to present all our SMUK skincare products in a way that leaves you in no doubt about what they can do and why. We begin with one of our newest and best-selling products - the 3IN1 multi-product that cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises. 3IN1 was nominated for Danish Product of the Year at the Danish Beauty Awards in 2019. 3 products in 1 3IN1 is intended as several products in one to save you a lot of products, but also to save on production and packaging. We try to limit production, shipping and packaging as much as possible. 3IN1 is a deep cleansing gel that gently removes make-up, the day's pollution and dead skin cells. It contains antioxidants in the form of vitamins A, B, C and E as well as omega 3 and 6, all of which strengthen and protect the skin against free radicals. The base in 3IN1 is cucumber and marine peptides from clam shells, which help the skin retain moisture and which strengthen the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. As we strive to be as sustainable as possible, 3IN1 comes in reusable Miron glass. Replace your weekly scrub with a more effective fruit acid peel The powerful papaya complex gives 3IN1 a peeling effect, and therefore you can also use 3IN1 as a fruit acid peeling. In this way, you get both the daily cleansing, the weekly peeling and the always necessary moisture. You will find that your skin is thoroughly cleansed and more moisturised, and after your weekly peelings, the skin has got rid of the dead skin cells that can give a slightly dry/rough surface. Contrary to a scrub, which primarily works on the surface, a fruit acid peel also creates tiny little channels in the skin that allow moisture to better penetrate and penetrate the skin. And precisely the small channels are worth their weight in gold when the skin is currently exposed to changing temperatures in the form of being inside and outside. Through the small channels, you can moisturize the skin and nourish it with a good oil afterwards. This is how you should use it You can choose to use 3IN1 as a daily cleanser morning and/or evening, or as an exfoliating mask. In that case, you must first clean the skin with 3IN1 and water, and then dry the skin. Then apply a thick layer of 3IN1 and let it sit for 10 minutes and clean off with warm water. Your skin may flare up for up to 10-15 minutes after cleansing, but this will quickly disappear again. Free shipping in the shop There is currently free shipping on the shop, so you can have 3IN1 delivered to your nearest parcel box for only DKK 329. Buy it right here.

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

Beauty routines with beauty editor for GO Beauty, Camilla Bauer

We've spoken to some of the industry's most skilled beauticians - those who really geek out on effective skin care and products. We start with Camilla Bauer, beauty editor for GO Beauty and Instagrams at @abeautyboost. She knows as well as anyone what gives her beautiful skin and when she shouldn't slack off on her routines. Do you have a beauty ritual? If so, which one? I swear by my Gua sha, both for the face but also for the body. When I'm not using it, I can immediately see it on my skin, especially on my face. The daily massage around the eyes results in far fewer fine lines and a fresh look with a fine glow. How is your morning and evening beauty routine? I have my regular routines, that way I know that I always get to give my skin the love and attention it needs. What works best for me is to do the big work in the evening. In the morning I take a shower, clean my face with a gentle cleanser, then I apply my serum followed by a day cream and a CC cream with spf so that my skin gets a nice even skin tone. In the evening, I cleanse my face and apply a serum or oil, then use my gua sha. The gua sha massage gives me peace and a feeling of pampering that makes it easier to get down to speed after a long day. You can easily use your gua sha without product underneath, I just prefer to have product on the skin. When I've used my Gua sha, I finish with a night cream and then I'm ready for my beauty sleep. What skin care products do you use and why? Because of my job as a beauty editor at GO beauty, I try quite a few different products. However, I use up every single product as I am not in favor of product waste. It is easy to jump around in different products and brands, as I am so spoiled to be able to try a lot of different things. However, I do not do this, as I would like to give the products I test a completely honest and sincere attempt to make a difference. I am a trained beautician, and when I worked as a beautician I always advised my clients to use the product for 2-3 months, as that is the time it takes for your skin to form a completely honest picture of what the various ingredients can do and that I follow the advice myself. Beautiful skin does not come by itself, it requires commitment! When are you happiest with your skin? I'm actually so genetically lucky that I never really have any problems with my skin – Thanks Mom! But having said that, I can tell right away if I slack off on my routines, so I don't! I'm most happy with my skin when I'm not wearing make-up, have a slight complexion and look a little shiny after using a rich cream or oil. I love the fresh look, that's where I feel most fashionable. Has your skincare routine changed over the years - how? I've taken very good care of my skin over the past several years, but the older I've gotten, the more I've become aware of what it takes to keep the skin youthful and healthy. What's your best green/sustainable/free beauty tip? I have become more and more aware of what is bought both when it comes to food, but also when it comes to my skin care routines. We can't save the whole world alone, but if we all think about it and change our habits, I'm sure we can lift the crowd and make our beautiful planet an even better place to be. Today there are many manufacturers that produce much more sustainable products, packaging, cotton pads, cotton buds, toothbrushes made of bamboo and my latest discovery a Paper Water Bottle which is a biodegradable drinking bottle that can be used again and again for up to 2 years, and then it costs only DKK 29 at organicbeautysupply.dk Jump into the sea all year round, it's completely free and your body will thank you for it! Winter bathing makes you happy as the brain reacts to the cold by releasing a lot of signaling substances and hormones, including adrenaline and endorphins. What do you do to pamper yourself and your body/face? As far as possible, I try to get a massage more or less continuously to relieve the sometimes rather tense office body. In addition, a good facial every now and then is a must. A skilled beautician in combination with good products can really do wonders for the skin. It ranges widely from an active fruit acid treatment to a more alternative treatment, where old techniques time and again prove to be able to work magic on the skin. In addition, I prioritize my night's sleep, which is crucial for me to be functional and look fresh.

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

Superfood in season

We believe that health and beauty go hand in hand, which is why we love to eat seasonal foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Food that is naturally found in the nature around us and that contributes to healthy skin and body as well as a healthy mind. Nature is currently full of enriching vegetables, berries and fruits, and it's just about letting loose - because we also love to use all of nature's fantastic properties in our skin care. Blueberries - superfood for skin, body and mind One of our favorite berries, which we also use in the SMUK skincare products, is blueberries. Small and delicious, and full of vitamins and antioxidants that, among other things, can restore sun-damaged skin. Blueberries contain a wealth of antioxidants, including phenols and anthocyanins, which can be instrumental in fighting lines, wrinkles and inflammation in the body. The phenols also protect the brain against ageing, while resveratrol can help strengthen the body's ability to fight cancer. Eat them and use them in your skin care Our latest product, SMUK skincare OIL, is filled with wild blueberries from Norway, which both strengthen the elasticity and the collagen level in your skin. The blueberries and their antioxidant effect are, among other things, helps to reduce fine lines in the skin and also protects the skin from harmful environmental influences. The blueberries contain plenty of vitamin C and K, and are said to also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is particularly beneficial for those who suffer from inflammation, inflammation or redness in the skin. Nourishing and nurturing Since our SMUK skincare OIL has a small molecular size, it easily penetrates the skin and is absorbed faster and better than other oils. OIL also contains oil from both argan and sea buckthorn, which, like the blueberries, are full of antioxidants and vitamins. The kukui nut provides plenty of nutrition and is at the same time anti-inflammatory, connective tissue-strengthening and preventive in relation to fine lines and wrinkles. So - eat lots of blueberries to strengthen your skin from the inside and indulge in products that contain all the good properties from nature, such as blueberry.

Blog – by Heidi Maltby

First aid for tired summer holiday skin

The calendar shows mid-August and soon late summer will knock on the door with its cool mornings. You've been in the sun, eaten lots of delicious food, maybe forgot your skin care routines and just enjoyed life. Although! What does the skin need after a long summer? We have collected a few tips for you. Your skin may be a bit dry and tired after sunbathing. Therefore, it would be a really good idea to have the dead skin cells removed, so that you can focus on the new ones and those that are on their way. In contrast to a scrub, which removes both dead but also healthy skin cells, enzyme peeling does an easy solution to kick-start skin renewal. The enzyme peeling makes channels down through the skin where skin products normally cannot penetrate. Via a controlled concentration of fruit acids, work is done outside the skin but also in the subcutaneous tissue, as the fruit acid creates channels down to the subcutaneous tissue. You get your collagen production stimulated, which tightens the skin and prevents lines. Built into our multi-product, 3IN1, is a moisturizing mask that really penetrates into the lower layers of the skin. Clean off with lukewarm water and prepare for the next step. Let it penetrate well Now you have to make sure to bind the moisture and here a serum is really smart. A serum has a small molecular size and can therefore, more easily than any other product, penetrate into the channels that you have just created with the help of the enzyme peeling. A good serum contributes lots of moisture, nourishment, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can also use a facial oil with small molecular size if your skin really needs nourishment. Use a serum or oil that is packed with a little bit of everything in the form of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and let the product penetrate with a good facial massage. The icing on the cake A good night cream is the alpha and omega to seal the serum or the oil and to create the right finish for your "post-summer holiday skin". Massage the night cream well into the skin - possibly with a facial roller or gua sha stone , and go to sleep so that your skin can really get the optimal conditions to work and recover during the night. Good night and sleep well.