Meet Antonia, Aurelia's Brand Expert...

Antonia, tell us about your role at Aurelia.

I began my career at Aurelia alongside our wonderful founder, Claire Vero, in 2013. From working on formulas in Claire's kitchen to training retailers and employees on the incredible science behind the Aurelia brand, my role is now the brand expert and spokesperson for everything from products and innovation to brand tone of voice and - excitingly - our upcoming rebrand!

So, our skin at the moment is really dry - any tips?

As the weather becomes colder outside and we crank up the heating inside, it could be a good time to add extra nourishment to all areas of your regime - not just serums and moisturisers. For example, you might want to start switching to a different cleansing regime to avoid skin becoming dry or flakey.

Rather than a gel or foam cleanser, Aurelia’s Miracle Cleanser consists of a luxurious, creamy formula that gently lifts away makeup and impurities. On the days you have a little extra time, the cleanser can be left on for five minutes as a nourishing treatment for even brighter looking skin. A reminder here that the water you use to cleanse shouldn’t be too hot - especially if your face is already feeling dry. As tempting as it is to warm up that way, it can stress out your skin, drying it even more.

Should we use different products in the morning and evening?

Many of our products do specify morning or night usage. This is due to the textures and some ingredients within the products such as the Cell Repair Night Oil or Overnight Recovery Mask. The textures of these night time products are a little richer, allowing them to sink into the skin overnight and work in tandem with your skin’s natural repair process whilst you sleep.

Our daytime products feel much more lightweight. For example, the beautiful whipped texture of the Day Moisturiser sinks effortlessly into skin and works as a primer before applying makeup, however if you did want to use it at night time, your skin will still be grateful! Our Night Moisturiser has a more luxurious, night time blend of oils and a richer texture which can properly penetrate the skin while you sleep, delivering much-needed antioxidants and vitamins.

How do we know what skin type we have?

I sometimes hesitate to answer this question as skin type and texture can change a huge amount during different seasons, hormonal changes and times of life, and I don’t like people to think that they have been told one skin type and that’s it. However there’s a very easy way of doing a quick check yourself. Cleanse your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser and pat dry with a soft towel. Don’t apply any serums, oils or moisturisers and after 30 minutes, examine your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead for any shine. Any immediate shine would indicate a natural oiliness. After another 30 minutes, evaluate whether your skin feels especially parched, especially if you smile or make any other facial expressions. If your skin feels tight, your skin is most likely dry. If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead, your skin is mostly likely normal/combination. If there is additional shine on your cheeks you most likely have oily skin.

Many mums-to-be and new mums experience a range of changes in their skin and hair during and after pregnancy.  Why is this and what would you recommend they do or try?

During your first trimester, hormones are running riot, and can cause extreme changes in your skin. For some women, skin can become quite dry and needs a bit more looking after. Try increasing your bedtime routine to include both our Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser and Cell Repair Night Oil for extra hydration.

Your skin may become more spot-prone, so make sure you are cleansing using a gentle but effective creamy product like our Miracle Cleanser. This will remove all impurities, make-up and excess oil without stripping the skin, and the probiotic and repair complex help to rebalance and soothe inflammation.

Some women can experience itchiness on their skin during their second trimester as their baby begins to grow much faster and the skin stretches, so it is important to keep the skin highly moisturised to soothe and hydrate, while helping to avoid stretch marks. I would recommend the Firm & Revitalise Dry Body Oil, our beautifully nourishing oil that keeps skin supple and soft. Make sure to focus your anti stretch mark product on breasts, abdomen, hips, bum and thighs as it can be tempting just to rub it into the bump.

We love the Little Aurelia range.  What would you say every parent should have for their little one?

The Comfort & Calm Rescue Cream is an absolute must. It’s an SOS cream that can be used on bumps and bruises, dry, flaky skin, cradle cap and even eczema-prone skin. It doesn’t stop there though as we have a lot of parents who use it on their own skin when it needs a little extra attention! You can try it as a nourishing mask or even on insect bites to soothe and calm.

Talking of little ones, what age should skin care regimes start?  Is it true that prevention is better than cure?

I am a firm believer in preventative measures when it comes to using skincare products. From the minute someone starts wearing makeup, they need a suitable cleanser to remove it and a moisturiser to keep skin hydrated. Nothing too harsh or drying, as young skin can be so delicate. I would say you should start getting serious about your skincare routine from about 21 upwards, and above all, use sun protection!

Do you need to spend a lot of money to get quality skincare products?

I would recommend starting with a concise routine of natural products targeting your major skin concern. You don’t need dozens of different products, and in the age of the influencer it can be so tempting to buy every single thing that’s recommended, especially if you’ve seen results from recommendations in the past. Start with a basic routine of cleanser, moisturiser and eye cream and build into it when you can. A treatment serum or facial oil would be a great addition, and look for products that can be mixed and layered (like Aurelia!) to get the desired texture or finish from your skincare.

Desert island products - you can only name 3.

The first would have to be an infinite supply of the Cell Revitalise Day Moisturiser - it’s my all time favourite Aurelia product and one I’ve been using every day since I first joined the brand. My second would have to be a large parasol, so that I could relax in the shade and not worry about burning. My third would be a big comfy bed so that at least I could sleep well every night.

What will you be asking Santa for this year?

I’m totally inspired by Netflix's The Queen’s Gambit this year and I'll be asking for a chess set! My father taught me to play chess as a little girl which I’m so grateful for as it’s such a wonderful way to pass the time without screen time, and I love the strategic challenge.

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