Night night love

I’m a night cream girl. I adore the feeling of a rich, moisturing cream on my face in the knowledge that it can go to work while I go to sleep. Here are some fabulous natural night creams on the market from brands I love…

I’m a night cream girl. I adore the feeling of a rich, moisturing cream on my face in the knowledge that it can go to work while I go to sleep.

Damage done to our skin by day – from the sun, environmental factors, air conditioning, traffic pollution and so on – requires repairing by night.

I like to rest assured in the knowledge that my face is being replenished by paraben-free, eco-friendly and animal-safe beauty brands, such as Grown, Antipodes, M&R Essentials, Olive, and Pure Fiji, all of which I have personally used, and rate.

Here are some botanical and natural night creams on the market from brands I love…

The fabulously-named Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum is the perfect partner to Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream as it intensifies the collagen-boosting properties of the night cream ($49). Serums can be used in this way synergetically; while your body is resting, overnight. The night cream is scientifically shown to stimulate synthesis of collagen production by up to 92%. The serum ($56) is oil-based with concentrated extract of Himulayan goji berry and superfruit oils high in essential fatty acids. Antipodes is available from Farmers, major department stores and selected health stores. See www.antipodesnature.com for details.

Grown, the Australian bioactive botanical brand in the stylish pharmaceutical brown glass bottles and metal tubes, has a luxurious anti-aging moisturiser out to restore cellular structure. Grown Anti-Aging Contour Sculpting White Tea & Phyto-Peptide Moisturiser is as good as its name is long. The moisturiser ($75.95) for day or night use contains polyphenols from white tea to fight free radicals, phyto-amino acid peptides to smooth skin’s appearance, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and smooth skin. Grown is available at Smith & Caughey’s and selected pharmacies nationwide. See www.grown.com for details.

M&R Essentials is a brand fairly new to me, in 2012, but I’m no stranger to loving oils and the nutritive and often multitasking benefits they give. This Tamanu Oil is no different. It is richly replenishing so you can use it as a night facial oil but you can also use it as a "first aid kit in a bottle"; for healing, for hair, for baby oil, and as a carrier oil for general uses. It is antimicrobial, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Pacific Islanders use it for healing scars and on damaged skin. M&R Essentials Certified Organic Tamanu Oil ($28.90 25ml) is available from selected pharamacies and www.netpharmacy.co.nz and www.mandressentials.co.nz.

Speaking of Pacific Islands and beautiful natural oils, this next one will come as no surprise. Pure Fiji is legendary for its skincare and now it has released Pure Fiji Dilo Anti-Aging Booster Oil ($65). Dilo oil has been used by Fijians for centuries and it enhances skin’s repair systems and offers instant relief to irritated and dry skin. It is 100% dilo oil, nothing else added. Available from spas and resorts. More good news…Pure Fiji have a fabulous new night cream out too. Pure Fiji Hydrating Multi Active Night Creme ($79) is a botanical blend to restore moisture while you sleep. See www.purefiji.com for details.

Olive skincare from Simunovich Olive Estates in Auckland grow their own product and press it onsite, for a zero miles production. Thread visited their olive factory to see it first-hand. Olive Moisturising Night Cream is my own mother’s favourite night cream, she swears by it. It is also reasonably priced, at $31 for 45ml.

Below: Beauty Bedfellows.
Linen by Laura Thomas Linens Auckland.

Megan Robinson
17 August 2012