Written by Mala McAlpin, SPA+CLINIC

The SPA+CLINIC team attended the annual Naturally Good Expo last month, and were pleasantly surprised by both the sheer amount of Aussie-made, natural skincare currently on the market, and the overall emphasis the health and wellness industry is placing on beauty.

What we’re currently witnessing is a blurring of the line between health and beauty, and more and more brands are designing products that go hand in hand, catering to both internal and external health. Even many internal health products, beverages and snack foods are now claiming outer beauty as an added benefit.

Hemp

Making a particularly noticable appearance both at Naturally Good 2018 and the current skincare market overall, CBD (Cannabidiol) and hemp ingredients are now being included in everything from food and beverages to supplements and powders, to candy, snacks and gum. The main benefits when ingested include mood support, sleep management, and healthy inflammation support. Topically, they include treatment of eczema, psoriasis and other rashes, promotion of skin healing, and deliverance of high levels of antioxidants and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

Prebiotics

Probiotics are now old news, and it’s all about prebiotics – once again, in everything from food and drinks to supplements and skincare. To put it simply, probiotics add to the natural flora already contained within our digestive system, whereas prebiotics are substances that feed and nourish those natural flora. Particularly popular at the moment are prebiotic protein balls, nuts and health bars.

Collagen

Last year, this was primarily delivered through bone broths and sports nutrition, but is now much more pronounced in skincare, and supplements designed to work alongside external skin routines. The most common vehicles we’re seeing include supplements, both in capsule and powder form. Broths are still quite popular, as are Instagram-worthy ‘lattes’ – brightly coloured powders that are mixed with boiling water to form a tea-like beverage.

Adaptogens

Herbal formulas, food, beverages and skincare containing ingredients that are said to calm users, stabilise psychological processes and manage the body’s hormonal response to stress. Ingredients can include traditional herb Ashwagandha, medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Cordyceps, and plants like Maca and Turmeric.

Cauliflower

Currently being touted at the ‘new kale’, cauliflower boasts its own extensive list of health benefits. It’s rich in fibre for improved heart health, high in B vitamin Choline for healthy brain function, anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants, and its sulforaphane, vitamin C and folate content can even aid in weight loss. Not to mention improved bone health, vision, liver function, hormone balance and of course, healthier skin, hair and nails. It’s currently being used in food products mainly as a wheat flour replacement (pizza bases, pasta, etc) but we wouldn’t be too surprised if we started to see the emergence of the ‘cauliflower facial’ in the near future!

About SPA+CLINIC

SPA+CLINIC is one of our media partners for 2018. They bring spa, salon, clinic and retreat business owners cutting edge thought leadership on the trends and tools shaping the cosmetics, aesthetics and wellness industry. Subscribe for more articles: www.spaandclinic.com.au