Healthy hair is something we sometimes may overlook and forget about, after all, all you have to do to maintain is give it a good wash, right? Wrong! It's not always easy to achieve healthy, shiny, silky hair especially if you colour it, add heat to it or constantly add some type of spray to it. 

Whether you're dealing with dryness or breakage, incorporating a few simple hacks into your haircare routine can make all the difference. Here are our five favourite hacks that will help you achieve that Jonathan Van Ness vibe. 

1. Brush your hair before a shower

Take a few minutes to brush through your hair to remove any tangles and knots, which will make it easier to wash and condition your hair. It will also help to distribute the natural oils throughout your hair, keeping it moisturised and healthy (bye, bye dry scalp!).

2. Massage your scalp regularly

Massaging your scalp can stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth! You can get a scalp massager or use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp in circular motions for a few minutes each day. 

3. Avoid using tight hair ties

Gone are the days where we would put our hair up into a tight little pony. If you're wanting to put your hair up, opt for a scrunchie or a claw clip which are much gentler on your hair. 

4. Never go to bed with wet hair

It's important to let hair fully dry before you hit the bed, sleeping with wet hair can cause damage to follicles and result in hair breakage. If you don't have time to air dry it, use a hair dryer on a cool setting to avoid heat damage. 

5. Sleep on a silk pillowcase

If you don't know by now, cotton pillowcases cause friction on your hair which can lead to breakage and split ends. Switching to a silk pillowcase can help to reduce friction, keeping your hair super smooth and shiny. 

The New Year is always the best time to reset and welcome in new habits. 

Having good sleep hygiene means having a comfortable place and a structured routine that encourages uninterrupted sleep. It’s important to create healthy sleep habits, so that you can sleep peacefully throughout the night and wake up well rested.

Here are 4 tips to get started on creating your best sleep routine:

1. Keep it consistent

Having a regular sleep schedule is essential in maintaining your circadian rhythm aka your body’s internal clock. It’s hard to adopt a healthy sleep routine if you’re constantly going to sleep and waking up at different times, set a fixed wake-up time and stick to it (even on the weekends!) and make sure you’re getting the recommended amount of sleep each night.

 

2. Unplug from electronics

It’s tempting to bring your device with you to bed, but the blue light from your screens can disrupt sleep and suppress the body’s release of melatonin. Try to wind down for at least 30 minutes by reading a book or doing some relaxation exercises to prepare yourself for restful sleep.

 

3. Inhale and exhale

In this fast paced world, it’s important to take a moment to breathe and unwind a little. Taking proper care of your mind and body will help you relax. Instead of counting sheep, try some simple relaxation techniques that help you focus on your breathing. Practice controlled breathing, do mindful meditation and progressive muscle relaxation to bring your body into a state of deep relaxation. 

 

4. Comfort is key

Your sleep environment plays an important role in how you maximise comfort and minimise distractions in your sleep routine. Your bedding should be comfortable and maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night. Silvi’s silver-infused bamboo not only stops 99% of acne-triggering bacteria, it's also hypoallergenic, temperature regulating and anti-odour.

Don't let these winter holidays wreck havoc on your skin, here are our do's and don'ts for skincare. 

Don't forget to moisturise 

As the season changes to a cooler temperature, you might also notice your skin seems to be drier and flakier in the colder months. 

Your skin can be easily broken down during the winter, so it's important to moisturise your body to protect your skin's barrier. Make sure to use a hydrating cream right after your shower.

Don't sleep on a cotton pillowcase

One of the underlying causes of acne is your bedding. Think about how you’re going to be spending the next 8 hours or so with your skin against a pillow that holds sweat, drool and skincare products - cotton pillowcases are notorious for holding onto so much bacteria. 

You might want to switch to silk instead. Silvi’s Anti-Acne pillowcase was designed with skincare in mind, treated with antibacterial silver ions, the pillowcase works to eliminate 99.7% of acne-causing bacteria while you sleep.

See more behind the science.  

Don't indulge in hot showers

We all love a hot and steamy shower in the colder months, but this can actually inflame, dry and irritate our skin by stripping the skin's natural oils and moisture – almost like a sunburn! 

Keep the water at a lukewarm temperature.

Do exfoliate your body

Exfoliating your body will help to remove dead skin cells leaving you with smooth and silky skin. But make sure you're not over-exfoliating your skin to the point where your skin is irritated and damaged.

Try a chemical exfoliant rather than a physical scrub, or if your skin is super irritated it's probably best to avoid this step in your routine.

Do use a lip-balm

Just like you moisturise your body, you should also moisturise your lips to keep them hydrated and protected from the cold elements. If your lips are chapped, cracked or dry  from the cold wind, a lip-balm will help to heal and soothe them.

Using a lip-balm will create a barrier between your lips and the cold elements. 

Do double cleanse

If there's anything you take away from this list, this is probably the best one! Double cleansing is the process of using an oil based cleanser, followed by a gentle foaming cleanser.

Start your skincare night routine with an oil based cleanser to draw out impurities like sebum, SPF, makeup and pollutants, and then move onto a water based cleanser to clean off any sweat and dirt (double cleansing will also prevent buildup of bacteria, reducing acne and clogged pores). 

This June we celebrate Acne Awareness Month and remind everyone that we are all beautiful in our own unique way. Acne has been a skin issue that many people experience and often want to hide. This new wave of acne positivity is changing the way society views beauty. 

Acne is completely normal - 90% of Canadians will experience acne at some point in their life, it’s something that affects millions of people around the world and is one of the most prevalent skin conditions. In light of Acne Awareness Month, we wanted to share four ways you can continue to love the skin you’re in. 

 

Implement acne-friendly rituals

One of the underlying causes of acne is your bedding. Think about how you’re going to be spending the next 8 hours or so with your skin against a pillow that holds sweat, drool and skincare products - cotton pillowcases are notorious for holding onto so much bacteria. 

You might want to switch to silk instead. Silvi’s Anti-Acne pillowcase was designed with skincare in mind, treated with antibacterial silver ions, the pillowcase works to eliminate 99.7% of acne-causing bacteria while you sleep.

See more behind the science.  

Set up a solid skincare routine

The most important rule in skincare is to wash your face daily. Throughout the day, sweat, oil, dead skin cells, make-up and environmental pollutants build up on the skin, so it’s essential to cleanse to prevent your pores from being clogged, which can lead to breakouts. Products with ingredients such as retinol and salicylic acid are great for fighting acne but can also dry out your skin, so it’s important to look for products that are suitable for your skin type. 

Think about hydration

Glowy, radiant skin starts from the inside out. It’s important to stay hydrated by not only drinking the recommended 8 glasses a day, but to also make sure you’re choosing products that have hydrating formulas (especially if you have dry skin) to ensure your skin stays gleaming all day long.  

Don’t forget SPF

Sunscreen is an important step for all, including acne-prone individuals. Sun exposure without the proper protection can make areas of hyperpigmentation more noticeable and acne scars are less likely to fade. Not only will sunscreen protect your skin from the damaging UV rays and getting sunburnt, but it can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

 

Join our VIP Group and follow Lili & Juliana’s skin journey here.

 

To say our skin has been on a rollercoaster since the pandemic started is an understatement.

Your skin has missed its usual vitamin D dosage (thanks to all those hours spent inside at home), and the constant mask wearing has left your pores a little worse for wear. 

Your skin needs some TLC, so let's get into the top three zero-effect skincare hacks that will help your skin get back to its former glory.

 

#1: Introduce Retinol into your routine

A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is a no-brainer to add to your skincare routine. Why? Because it's a product that actually works to reduce the early signs of ageing (aka, those pesky fine lines you've started to notice).

Think of retinol as a exfoliant that helps to increase skin cell turnover. It's actually such a fine molecule that it's able to go deeper than the top layer of your skin (the epidermis), and work it's magic on the layer of skin beneath it too (the dermis).

There are many different retinol-based products out there, and a word of warning: it does have a reputation of being quite drying if overused. Do you research - ask your GP for advice, or reach out to a dermatologist for the best approach to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine.

 

#2: Experiment with K Skincare

Eastern skincare traditions (particularly Korean skincare) are becoming more and more mainstream in the western world, and for good reason: they'll help you achieve the glowy skin you're after.

Rooted in centuries of tradition and created with natural ingredients, Korean skincare is often high-quality and free of the harsh chemicals that could contribute to poor skin health.

Cult brands such as Krave Beauty (Great Barrier Relief is a Silvi office fave!) and Peach & Lily are great additions to start experimenting with.

 

#3: Always use sun protection

Keen to give your skin the opportunity to be the best it can be? Pro tip: never forget to apply sunscreen. A good rule of thumb is to apply 15-20 minutes before going outdoors, and if you're wearing makeup, always remember: skincare first, sunscreen second, makeup last.

Silvi sunscreen faves include fellow Aussie brand Ultra Violette's Queen Screen 50+ SPF, and La Rosche Posay's Anthelios Invisible Fluid for those with sensitive skin.

It’s time to be honest with yourself: how much sleep are you actually getting each night? More specifically, how many of those hours are actually quality ones?

The reason why we’re kicking off today’s blog with a reality check is that the importance of sleep is hugely underestimated in today’s society; especially when we’re constantly being told to keep going, keep hustling and work harder.

The average adult needs anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each evening but sadly, many of us barely meet this quota! Between work demands, poor sleep hygiene, daily stressors and family needs, there are many factors in our day-to-day life that are just waiting to steal another hour away from us.

Now, while we can’t make those extra hours of snooze time magically reappear, we can talk about why it’s so important to prioritise your sleep. In this article, we’ll be sharing the must-know reasons why quality sleep should be a total non-negotiable in your life and how we’re helping you achieve it.

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A sharper and more creative mind

Do you find that after a poor night’s sleep, that you struggle to remember important details or seriously struggle to flex your creativity? You’re not alone! When people are running on empty, the brain has a terribly tough time taking in new information, let alone retaining it.

The brain has two sides – the right and the left side. The right side is renowned for being behind your creativity and imagination where the left is where your more analytical and structured behaviours arise from. While the two sides are known for very different functions, they work together to achieve the best outcomes.

When we achieve our much needed hours of quality sleep, our brain can perform at its best and both sides can work their hardest without feeling foggy. This is why many will mention that their most creative or profound ideas come to them in the middle of the night or after a long, restful sleep – they’ve given their brain the chance to properly rest and be prepared to take on the next challenge!

 

Good sleep, good mood, good day!

It’s no coincidence that a poor night’s sleep can lead to irritability throughout the day.

When we have a lack of sleep, our brain’s prefrontal cortex has a harder time controlling the amygdala, the epicentre of emotions, motivation, and emotional behaviour within our brain. The less sleep we get, the more reactive these emotions are, which is why you’ll notice the likes of negativity, mood swings, stress, anxiety, and irritability show up more prevalently after a bad night.

The role of sleep and our emotions doesn’t stop there. If you’ve experienced a particularly stressful or emotional day, there’s a chance that you’ll feel more ready than ever for sleep that evening. It’s important to allow yourself that much-needed rest time as this is when your body’s stress hormones, the most prominent being cortisol, can function at a much more controlled level.

Time for repair and rejuvenation

While we’re on the topic of cortisol, let’s dive deeper into how quality sleep supports healthy repair and rejuvenation of some of our major physical functions.

When we’re asleep, the lowering of cortisol allows our blood pressure to decrease, which not only supports our stress levels but also provides our heart and its supporting vessels to recoup. When we don’t get enough sleep, this shortens the amount of time our blood pressure can lower in a 24-hour period which can contribute to more serious concerns such as heart disease and stroke.

If you love getting in the gym, sleep is of utmost importance to you as this is dedicated time for your body to repair and rejuvenate after the high-intensity stress some forms of exercise put on your body. Those seven to nine hours of sleep each night is your body’s opportunity to ease muscles that need repairing and equip you with the motivation and energy to bring to your next workout. Quality sleep reduces our risk of injury and ensures our muscles can perform at their best.

One important factor that contributes positively to quality sleep is the proper regulation of body temperature. There is a definitive connection between a restful night’s sleep and a regulated body temperature, which is why we worked hard to develop the perfect bedding that not only supports healthy skin and hair but also give you the best night’s sleep ever.

Unlike cotton, our bamboo lyocell sheets and duvet covers are naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking, which works hard to keep your body at the ideal temperature through the night.

By maintaining a lower body temperature at night, we’re able to fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer which is why choosing bedding that helps to keep that temperature consistent is the key to a good night’s sleep.

 

Looking for the perfect quality sleep solution?

Improve the quality of your sleep with our temperature regulating, silky smooth bedding options, available in high-grade Mulberry silk or our vegan bamboo lyocell options. Visit our product catalogue page for a variety of bedding products including pillowcases, bedsheets, duvet covers and sleep masks - all available in a selection of stylish colours to suit any bedroom style. 

Do you wake up from a night’s sleep with a mane that gives Simba a run for his money? As much as a lion can pull off that look, we can’t say it’s working for us.

For most beauty lovers, their evening routine is loaded with steps featuring lotions, potions, and everything in between for their skin. But when it comes to their hair, a quick ponytail seems to be where things are left.

If you’re experiencing breakage, dryness, frizz or want to preserve your coloured hair, it’s time to start incorporating some haircare into your evening beauty ritual. The best part? Many hair care hacks will work their magic whilst you catch up on that necessary beauty (quality) sleep!

Here’s some of our favourite tried and tested tips.

Avoid going to sleep with wet hair

Let’s face it. We’re all guilty of falling asleep with wet hair at some stage in our lives, but try to not make a habit of it.

One of the easiest ways to give love back to our hair whilst we snooze is by ensuring it’s not sopping wet when our head hits our pillow. This is because our hair is at its weakest when it’s wet which leads to unwanted breakage and friction.

When we sleep with wet hair, it eventually dries overnight but not in the smooth and sleek way you would be hoping. Whilst you move throughout your sleep, your hair is twisting and turning and eventually, drying and setting in that position. The next morning, you’re confronted with a hairdo that resembles Medusa and a lot of styling work ahead of you - definitely not the time-saver in the end!

Apply a leave-in treatment before bed

Time-poor readers are going to love this tip!

A hair mask or hair treatment should play a role in your weekly hair care routine but sometimes, you don’t have the spare time to let it process and then wash out. This is where applying a leave-in treatment comes in. By applying a hair mask to your hair prior to falling asleep, you’re treating your hair to an intense overnight treatment that is tackling your key hair concerns.

It’s recommended to find a product that is working specifically towards your hair type and condition; whether that be addressing hydration levels, frizz, coloured or treated hair or nourishment. This will ensure you’re making the most of your overnight treatment and wake up with the hair goals you’ve been (literally) dreaming of.

Depending on your individual hair, you can add this into your evening routine once or twice per week and secure it with a sleeping cap, silk scarf or loosely tied scrunchie.

This isn’t a time for high ponytails

On the topic of a loosely tied scrunchie, this is the approach you should be taking when deciding to tie your hair up before bed. Similarly, to sleeping with wet hair, if you have long hair, sleeping with it untied can lead to unwanted breakage and knots the next morning where a loosely tied bun can help keep everything in place.

When grabbing a hair tie for your evening routine, step away from the metal and rubber hair ties as they’re particularly harsh on the hair and can cause pulling and breaking (they’re also super uncomfortable to sleep on). Instead, turn to more gentle fibres, such as silk scrunchies. A loose top knot will help you to avoid laying on your hair all night and the unruliness that can come with it.

Alternatively, for those with particularly thick and frizzy hair, a loose braid can work wonders to keep your hair secured and also see you waking up with effortless waves! Bonus!

Keep the moisture in your hair, and not on your pillowcase

The best hair care products can work as hard as possible, but if they’re up against a friction-clad pillowcase, they’re in for a difficult night ahead.

Traditional pillowcases, most commonly cotton, are renowned for depleting moisture from the hair which leads to inevitable dryness and dehydration within the hair and scalp. This rougher fibre also does not allow for easy movement throughout the night which leads to the hair being pulled and friction contributing to unwanted frizz.

It’s this impact on hair health that’s seen beauty lovers from across the globe make the switch to silk pillowcases and never look back! Our silk pillowcases are 45% smoother than cotton which prevent the excessive damage and pulling that can occur during your slumber.

Silk and its vegan-approved counterpart, bamboo lyocell, both help your hair maintain its natural moisture, oils, and the ingredients of your hair treatments in your hair itself and not on your pillowcase. As these fibres don’t absorb that present moisture, it stays where it counts most and welcomes healthier, shinier, and happier hair each morning!

Looking for hair care while you sleep?

If you’re investing in hard-working treatments and haircare products, you’re about to see skyrocketed results as they can get down to business more effectively than on a cotton surface. With over 1,000 5-star reviews, we’re seriously putting the shine back into shiny hair!

Visit our product catalogue page for a variety of bedding products including pillowcases, bedsheets, duvet covers and sleep masks - all available in a selection of stylish colours to suit any bedroom style. 

After an overwhelming response to our previous article, 4 signs your sleep habits are ageing you, we decided to dive deeper into all things sleep wrinkles. You might not have heard the name, but you’ve most likely seen them - sleep wrinkles are the creases and folds that appear on your face, thanks to your nightly sleeping position.

When repeated each night, over time, these markings can become less of something that fades away during the morning but rather a real-life wrinkle that’s here to stay.

Like most anti-ageing tactics, it’s all about prevention.

Why? Because prevention is often more effective and less expensive than applying a correction. By implementing smart anti-sleep wrinkle solutions now, we can prevent wrinkles from creeping up later down the track.

Keep reading to learn our 4 sleep wrinkle prevention tactics and how avoiding premature ageing isn’t as hard as you think!

 

1. Take note of how you’re sleeping

There’s a reason why the likes of Jennifer Lopez regularly note their sleeping positions when describing the secret behind their fountain of youth.

When we sleep on our stomach, we’re literally pushing our skin into our pillow or find our hands making their way onto our face during the night. These two habits contribute significantly to the appearance of sleep wrinkles as we’re folding and creasing our skin throughout the night.

If you’re worried about lines and wrinkles, consider making the switch to sleeping on your back as it lessens the risk of creasing your skin throughout your sleep.

Now, we get it. It doesn’t always feel the most comfortable to make the switch to sleeping on your back, which is why many like to add support pillows to your sides to help keep you in that age-defying sleep position.

The things we do for beauty, right?!

 

2. Up your evening skincare game

Making a long-term change to the appearance of your skin doesn’t happen overnight, but rather comes in the form of a proper skincare routine. We’ve spoken at length about the importance of removing your makeup before bedtime but once you’ve cleansed your skin, what should you be applying?

If anti-ageing is your number one goal, night-time skincare products containing Vitamin A should be your go-to. This powerhouse skincare ingredient is responsible for boosting the cell turnover of your skin which ultimately leads to skin that renews much quicker than those that don’t use Vitamin A.

However, this ingredient packs a punch so be sure to start by applying every other night or chat to your skin professional about the best course of action for your skin.

 

3. Get that circulation pumping

A fantastic way to give your skin a wake up in the morning, whilst supporting the reduction of lines and wrinkles, is by boosting your circulation. Poor circulation is a contributor to creases in the skin and by kickstarting it each morning, we’re putting life back into our complexions.

The easiest way is by a simple facial massage in the morning.

One of our favourite things about adding a facial massage into your morning routine is that it’s a total win-win! You’re not only adding some anti-ageing magic into your routine but also a seamless self-care moment.

If you’re looking for something a little more special than your hands, consider picking yourself up a rose quartz roller or a Gua Sha tool. Both facial tools have been designed to boost circulation within the skin, aid lymphatic drainage and support the penetration of your skincare products. Concentrating on the contours of your eyes, cheekbones, jawline, and brow bone, you’re able to boost the blood flow to your face, plump out creases and welcome a fresh glow to your complexion.

 

4. Reduce friction with Silvi

Fortunately, one of the most common causes of sleep wrinkles is one of the easiest to fix!

It all comes down to the type of bedding you’re using and thankfully, you’ve come to the perfect place. Many forms of bedding, particularly pillowcases, use coarse fabrics that grip the skin, creating friction, rather than allowing it to seamlessly slide across it.

These fabrics that are holding onto the skin are more likely to contribute to permanent lines and wrinkles during your sleep. Your cotton high-thread-count pillowcase might feel “soft”, but over the course of hundreds of hours, those gripping fibres all add up!

Alternatively, pillowcases and bedding such as our Mulberry silk and bamboo lyocell lineup allow the skin to seamlessly glide across your pillowcase for a frictionless sleep. This is fantastic for snoozers that toss and turn during the night, as you won’t have to worry about the downsides that can impact your skin and hair.

Looking for a sleep wrinkle solution?

Minimise the effects of sleep wrinkles with our silky smooth bedding options, available in high-grade Mulberry silk or our vegan bamboo lyocell options. Visit our product catalogue page for a variety of bedding products including pillowcases, bedsheets, duvet covers and sleep masks - all available in a selection of stylish colours to suit any bedroom style. 

Did you know that skin is your body’s largest organ? Yes, the biggest you’ve got!

It’s your first line of defence, the first to be impacted by trauma or stress, but also the last to receive vital nutrients such as hydration. It is a living and breathing organ that requires nurturing and protection just like your other vital organs but unfortunately, it is regularly neglected.

With this leading role in mind, you can understand how important it is for the skin to enjoy regular, uninterrupted sleep each night. So, it shouldn’t come to the surprise of anyone that when you don’t get enough sleep, especially quality sleep, that your skin is the first place to show it.

Sleep is where your skin can rest and rejuvenate itself. So a lack of sleep can deliver the opposite effect and contribute to a host of undesirable skin conditions like:

• fine lines and wrinkles;
• skin dullness and dryness;
• breakouts and
• dark circles

Do any of these sound familiar? If you’ve said yes to any of these four signs, it’s time to get your (quality) snooze on.

#1 You’re not getting enough of it

When we sleep, our body’s natural levels of cortisol (a naturally produced stress hormone) decrease. By lowering cortisol, your skin has the opportunity to regenerate and defend itself against stressors.

When your cortisol levels are consistently high, they interfere with how your body heals itself, which is particularly damaging for those concerned with ageing or breakouts. This is why getting enough sleep is so integral – it’s literally the time your skin has dedicated to renewing itself.

High levels of cortisol are also responsible for a breakdown in collagen, the protein responsible for youthful looking skin. From our early 20’s our body’s ability to produce collagen becomes less and less, so we want to savour what we can! With a lack of sleep, your cell production can’t be stimulated as effectively and compounds this natural decline in collagen levels. Therefore, without adequate sleep, our skin becomes thinner and more susceptible to premature fine lines and wrinkles!

#2 You’re scrolling instead of snoozing

We’re all guilty of staying up past our bedtime from time-to-time thanks to our addiction to smart devices. However, in the long-term our skin is going to be pretty upset about our news feed habits when it comes at the cost of losing precious sleep.

On top of making us stay up late, our devices emit blue light which has proven negative effects on skin. This is why in the modern era; blue light has been put in the same skin aggressor category as pollution.

Our late night scrolling habits are increasing our susceptibility to blue light damage, which some studies have shown direct links to premature ageing. This blue light penetrates deep into the skin and impacts the production of collagen and elastin.

Additionally, staying awake till the early hours on devices confuses your body’s natural circadian rhythm. This confusion stems from our body’s inability to tell whether it’s daytime or night-time - therefore preventing it from going into its natural regeneration mode. Unfortunately, this confusion leads to all sorts of skin issues like:

• dark circles under the eyes;
• pigmentation and uneven skin tone and
• premature fine lines and wrinkles from squinting

#3 Your pillowcase is causing fine lines

Traditionally, most pillowcases are made from cotton - but that may not be as ideal for your skin as you think. Cotton has a habit of causing friction against the skin due to the lack of “slippage” between material and skin. This friction leads to the skin being dragged as you move throughout your sleep, which can see you waking up with sleeping lines. These lines generally go away but after repeated long-term nightly impact, they have the ability to be etched deeper into your skin.

Cotton is also known to draw moisture from the skin, including the precious skincare ingredients you may have applied before going to sleep. Involuntarily removing moisture from the skin contributes to the likes of dryness and flakiness, leaving the skin to look duller and irritated. Unfortunately, this moisture often remains in the cotton itself and if not regularly washed, creates the perfect breeding ground for breakout-causing bacteria to thrive...

Fortunately, alternatives like silk and bamboo lyocell are not only naturally antimicrobial but they offer a divine smooth surface for your skin to sleep on. By creating natural “slippage”, this means farewell to unwanted dragging and friction that is stripping your skin of its moisture, skincare and let’s face it, youth!

#4 You’re sleeping in your makeup

You may already be aware that sleeping in your makeup is a key contributor to breakouts and acne, but did you know it’s also a sure-fire way to speed up the ageing process?

Throughout your day, your skin is exposed to dirt, bacteria, sweat and environmental pollutants. If you don’t properly cleanse your skin at night, you’re leaving these aggressors on your skin that will continue to cause damage. This has the ability to welcome unwanted free radical damage which degrades your collagen, slows your natural regeneration abilities, and significantly contributes to premature ageing.

As makeup builds up on the skin, your skin cell’s ability to naturally shed and renew becomes extremely difficult which leads to a dull complexion that looks much older than it should be.

As arduous as makeup removal may seem, particularly after a long hard day, it’s the one ritual that will pay long-term dividends in keeping your skin clear and healthy!

Keen to support your sleeping habits?

Give your skin the support it needs while you sleep. For a sustainable way to achieve clearer skin and healthier hair, visit our product catalogue page for a variety of bedding products including pillowcases, bedsheets, duvet covers and sleep masks - all available in a selection of stylish colours to suit any bedroom style. 

We’ve proudly introduced a whole new range of pillowcases, bedding and sleep masks to our collection that are exclusively vegan-friendly and kind to the planet.

In a world first, we’ve paired the ultra-sustainable Bamboo Lyocell, a plant-based silk, with our signature antibacterial silver to bring you a 100% sustainable and cruelty-free sleep designed to keep your skin in optimal health.

Now, we know that not all bamboos are made the same. We’ve specifically chosen Bamboo Lyocell for it’s incredibly soft and luxurious feel. As well as its commitment to a more sustainable world.

Today, we thought we’d take you through our vegan bedding for better skin, hair and sleep and explain why Bamboo Lyocell is the key to your most sustainable sleep yet.

 

What is Bamboo Lyocell?

Bamboo Lyocell is made from pure organic bamboo pulp. It is celebrated for its silky, smooth and exceptionally soft texture, which is why it’s commonly referred to as plant-based silk.

Pairing sustainability with pure and utter luxury, Bamboo Lyocell is the most eco-friendly version of bamboo as it requires less chemicals, water and produces less waste.

Bamboo Lyocell was the best fit for us thanks to its ability to be hypoallergenic, breathable, antibacterial and moisture wicking. These features ticked a lot of boxes for us, especially when paired with our antibacterial silver, known to destroy the spread of bacteria and odour.

For those wanting to stay cool in summer and warm in winter, you’re going to love getting your hands on our Bamboo Lyocell bedding. Available in pillowcases, sheet sets and a duvet cover, now each layer of your luxurious slumber can be thermoregulated and moisture wicking.

This means that whether you’re hot or cold sleeper, our sheets will help you maintain a good night’s sleep! When compared to traditional bedding fabrics like cotton, our Bamboo Lyocell bedding is 4.5x more breathable and 1.5x more absorbent.

 

Wait, doesn’t bamboo use a lot of resources?

Traditionally yes, bamboo requires a lot of water during its production process, which is why we chose Bamboo Lyocell, a derivative that requires the least number of resources.

The production process uses what’s called a Closed Loop System which is an environmentally friendly method that recycles the used resources. The raw bamboo pulp is broken down and dissolved using a non-toxic solvent which in turn, produces non-harmful waste. In addition to being kind to the environment, this process means the team conducting the manufacturing itself, are not exposed to harmful chemicals. A total win for the planet and our Silvi community.

The Closed Loop System allows for 98% of the water used during the fabrication process to be recycled and reused during the next stock of manufacturing. This means the process not only requires less energy but overtime, means dramatically less water as the manufacturer can use the same water supplies each time.

This process also means that the final product, the Bamboo Lyocell fabric, is considerably softer than its counterparts, and let’s face it, who doesn’t love soft and smooth bedding to welcome them after a long day.

 

Will the Bamboo Lyocell products still support my skin?

Absolutely! It’s in our DNA to support healthier skin, hair and sleep in everything we do at Silvi, and our vegan-friendly collection is no different.

Our Bamboo Lyocell pillowcases, bedding and sleep masks still harness our signature antibacterial silver to tackle acne-causing bacteria and odour. The Bamboo Lyocell itself is hypoallergenic, breathable and antibacterial which makes this sustainable range a total double threat when it comes to the likes of breakouts, congestion and inflammation.

Just like our traditional silk range, our Bamboo Lyocell products provide a smooth surface to sleep on, reducing the likes of tangles and bed hair. 45% smoother than cotton, not only can you farewell unwanted bacteria and blemishes but waking up with frizz too!

 

Shop our new range

If you're looking for a more sustainable way to achieve clearer skin and healthier hair, visit our product catalogue page for a variety of bedding products including pillowcases, bedsheets, duvet covers and sleep masks - all available in a selection of stylish colours to suit any bedroom style. 

Let’s face it. We’ve all been tempted to pinch, squeeze, zap, dry out and pick breakouts when they appear. Appearing thanks to a multitude of contributors, acne and breakouts all have one thing in common – we want them gone and we want them gone, fast.

Whilst you may think “the more products, the better” when trying to clear acne, it’s actually not the case! Acne is a delicate skin concern to treat and it makes our skin equally as delicate when we’re treating it. In a world where we’ve put everything from toothpaste to drying alcohol on breakouts, it’s time to put your trust in proven skin clearing ingredients that don’t strip your skin of all its good things in the process.

Experiment with these ingredients alongside the use of your Silvi pillowcase, and notice the positive impact they have on your skin.

 

Salicylic Acid

One of the biggest breakout no-no’s we see is people over exfoliating their skin in hopes that it’ll take the pesky breakouts with them. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple and often, those exfoliants are physical scrubs that spread the acne bacteria across the skin and make matters worse. Yikes.

When it comes to exfoliation and breakouts, it’s time to pop the scrubs down and say hello to chemical exfoliants. Despite the word ‘chemical’ in its title, a chemical exfoliant isn’t always as extreme as its name suggests. The must-have when combatting breakouts is Salicylic Acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is not only a powerhouse at reducing congestion but offers calming benefits in the process.

Unlike its counterpart, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that works on the skin’s surface, Salicylic Acid can travel into the epidermis where many of our acne troubles originate. Its lightweight molecular structure allows it to separate the “glue” that’s keeping congestion in your pores, and deeply cleans them out. During this chemical exfoliation process, Salicylic Acid naturally takes any dirt, debris, and build-up with it when it’s cleaning out the pores. It’s safe to say your skin experiences a real treat from this superstar ingredient!

Salicylic Acid is recommended as the go-to exfoliant for those prone to breakouts even on those clear skin days. This is because it’s an anti-bacterial ingredient so when switching from a traditional scrub to a BHA like this, you can maintain your clean and calm pores. Sounds like a good deal to us!

 

Niacinamide

Anyone that has experienced acne knows that it’s not just the breakout itself giving us grief but the painful inflammation and unsightly redness that comes with it. There are an abundance of ingredients out there raving about their ability to calm and clear the skin, but one that truly lives up to its hype is Niacinamide or Vitamin B3.

The Vitamin B group are a collection of powerful antioxidants. Niacinamide, the star of the Vitamin B show, communicates with your cells and supports them to act younger than they actually are, meaning they behave more like healthy and happy cells! This means that the skin can experience the relief of soothed, calmer behaving skin. Pretty cool, right?!

What makes this ingredient so impressive is that it provides additional benefits beyond its ability to calm the skin. It’s also celebrated for strengthening the skin’s barrier which is the first to be compromised when we pack on skin-clearing, and ultimately intensely drying, products. It does this by kickstarting our production of moisture retaining ceramides. This process not only strengthens the canvas we’re working with, but also counteracts skin dryness, dullness and overall tone.

 

Retinol

Retinol is a potent derivative of Vitamin A, a protective antioxidant and powerful cell-communicating active. Its role is to stimulate cell turnover, bringing healthier cells to the skin’s surface sooner and removing the dead, useless ones.

Many forms of acne are caused by dead skin cells and debris clogging the pores, causing unwanted build-up and congestion. The reason why Retinol is a go-to ingredient for breakouts, is that its speedy renewal process can directly support the unclogging of pores. Retinol dives deep into these congested areas and not only cleans them out but helps to maintain the cleanliness ongoing.

The frequent turnover of dead skin cells keeps them regularly moving off your face and stops them from ending up in your pores. This process also means Retinol is fantastic for reducing the appearance of any scarring that has remained as a result of past acne.

When introducing a potent ingredient like Retinol, it’s important to start slowly and tread lightly. Build up your skin’s tolerance to the ingredient by applying every few days, increasing the frequency as the weeks go on. This ingredient will feature as part of your evening routine and will need to be supported with daily use of sunscreen to protect your refreshed complexion.

 

Jojoba Oil

Now you might be thinking, “an oil with MY skin?” right now but trust us - this isn’t the same kind of oil. If you’ve dealt with acne for some time now, you’re probably used to trying to reduce oil rather than add more to your skin and we get it. Whilst the likes of coconut oil and shea butter should be actively avoided during a breakout, there’s one oil that’s going to speed up the healing process – Jojoba Oil.

What makes Jojoba Oil so special is that it’s as close to the skin’s natural oil structure as you can get. It is celebrated for its ability to deeply hydrate the skin, which is an absolute win for acne-sufferers. What many don’t realise is that for oily skin types, a lack of hydration is a contributing factor to acne and breakouts.

Dehydrated skin is so thirsty that it produces more and more oil to make up for the lack of moisture. When it has nowhere to go, it lands on the skin and finds its home in congested, clogged pores and eventually, turns into a breakout. Jojoba oil comes to the rescue by being able to mimic this natural sebum and hydrate the skin - whilst sealing in moisture. As a result, the skin becomes hydrated and slows down oil production which results in fewer breakouts!

With the added benefit of being a good source of Vitamin E and Vitamin B, Jojoba Oil offers anti-inflammatory relief to breakout redness and discomfort whilst it’s working its magic below the surface.

Sometimes this golden elixir is mixed with other oils that aren’t designed to support breakouts so when looking to add Jojoba Oil to your routine, look for it in its purest form.

If you’ve found yourself shouting into the mirror “what’s with all these breakouts?!”, this one’s for you.

Whilst every skin tells a different story, even the most disciplined skincare routines can’t work their magic if you’re repeating these breakout blunders on the reg. If breakouts are popping up unexpectantly, it’s time to take a holistic look at your skin health habits and find out if one of these unexpected contributors could be playing their part.

How’s your sleep game?

A good night’s sleep does wonders for us all. It helps us to be on our A-game throughout the day, leaves us feeling rested and recharged and also allows our skin the time it needs to replenish. When we don’t get enough sleep or the quality of our sleep is poor, our skin can suffer.

If you’re in bed all night scrolling, liking and sharing, it’s likely you awake the next morning feeling like you’ve barely slept at all. Your skin feels the same! Poor sleep habits stop your body’s natural circadian rhythm from beginning and causes your skin to think it’s not time for sleep and that it doesn’t need to repair and replenish itself. This causes your breakouts to continually form with a much slower and longer healing process.

We recommend checking out our blog on healthy sleep habits to learn more about the skin-sleep connection and how to establish a nightly routine that works for your skin, not against it.

The role of stress

Stress can create a vicious cycle when it comes to breakouts. Stress causes breakouts, breakouts cause stress and suddenly, we feel like we’re stuck on a spinning hamster wheel! When we’re feeling overly stressed and anxious, our skin can produce more stress-related hormones such as cortisol. Cortisol can be directly linked to the overproduction of oil as it encourages your glands to make testosterone. This results in clogged pores and ultimately, breakouts.

We get it, lowering your stress levels can be much easier said than done but knowing it’s connection to the skin seriously opens your eyes to the root cause of your breakouts. It comes down to finding outlets of stress relief that prevents that release of stress hormones.

There’s no right or wrong answer to how you manage your stress. For some, it’s all about exercise where for others, meditation, mindfulness or even completely going offline for a while works a treat. Take the time to find out how you best unwind so that you can start to build a toolbox of skin-loving and stress-relieving solutions.

When was the last time you washed your pillowcase?

Go on, be honest. If you can’t remember the last time you gave your pillowcases a good wash, this could be a leading contributor to your breakouts.

Think of it like this. Each night, if you’re heading to bed without properly cleansing your skin, the days dirt, grime and oil are making their way onto your pillowcase. When you wake up in the morning, those impurities are still on your pillowcase, waiting for you at the end of the day to, you guessed it, build up with that days’ worth and transfer their way onto your skin! Yep, for real.

Needless to say, it’s crucial to wash or switch out your pillowcases every few days, especially if you’re experiencing breakouts. Also, if you haven’t made the switch to a silk pillowcase, these breakout truth bombs may just seal the deal. 4.5x more breathable than cotton and designed to destroy 99.7% of acne-causing bacteria, our 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcases are the bedtime switch your skin and hair will thank you for.

Balance your skincare routine

Most forms of breakouts are triggered by an overproduction of oil. The root cause of the overproduction varies from person to person but one of the most common causes is a lack of moisture in the skin.

When the skin is experiencing severe dehydration, it overcompensates with an oil called sebum. When there’s too much of this oil, it has nowhere to go and builds up on the skin. This is what leads to blackheads, whiteheads and congestion. As a result, we need to have our essential skincare steps covered to ensure our skin can find the balance it needs.

It’s not uncommon to see people intensely scrub and dry out their breakouts, hoping they will fade away, but this could be exacerbating the condition even more. Instead, keep things simple and switch to a thorough double cleanse to effectively remove all dirt, makeup and impurities before exfoliating with a salicylic acid-based exfoliant 2-3 times per week.

Switching to chemical exfoliation takes away the aggravating scrubbing and instead, focuses on treating where the breakouts originate. Salicylic acid-based exfoliants have a very light molecular structure which means they can travel down to the foundation of breakouts and dissolve the pore-clogging debris. It also helps to calm the redness and inflammation that comes with active acne.

When it comes to the treating stage of your skincare routine, look for products that are non-comedogenic, otherwise known as non-pore-clogging. Products that are too heavy for your delicate skin or intensely drying are not your friend. Instead, you want to find products that welcome much needed moisture into the skin and support slowing down your oil production.