by Australia is a land of contradictions. The most laid-back nation, yet it had the most stringent restrictions during 2020/21. Its people spend more per capita on gambling than any other country, yet its casinos are banned from operating online. And most importantly from our perspective, a nation of natural beauties with youthful looks, but who spend long days soaking up those harmful and age-inducing UV rays.
How do they do it? Here, we take a virtual trip down under to lift the lid on some Australian beauty secrets.
Sun protection, no question
To sun-worshipping Australians, applying SPF50 before heading out to the beach is as natural as brushing our teeth is to the rest of the world. It’s simply one of those things that you do every day.
Not all of us are blessed with living in a climate like Australia, where temperatures can approach 50oC (120oF), but that can be half the problem. Cooler temperatures and even a light layer of cloud make us less aware of the sun and less likely to take precautions. But it is exactly the same sun, so if you are out in it each day, remember your sunscreen.
Thorough cleansing with natural ingredients
When the sun sets, the sun cream can go – and for beauty-conscious Aussies, that means more than a two-minute rinse under the shower. Here’s the thing. It’s not just SPF 50, by the end of the day, it has mixed with salt air, human sweat and any makeup you have been wearing. It’s as unpleasant and unattractive as it sounds, so thorough cleansing is a vital part of every Aussie beauty routine.
Many opt for a hot muslin cloth to gently but effectively buff away the day’s grime, along with any dead skin. This can be used with either a natural cleansing balm or a cleansing oil like coconut. This has the added property of moisturizing and nourishing the skin and effectively cleansing it.
The potential issue with coconut oil is that it is comedogenic. This means it can clog the pores, so it might not be the best choice if you are prone to acne. Fortunately, Australians have a host of other natural ingredients to choose from. Many of these were cultivated and developed by aboriginal people over the years, who were first to develop an understand of their healing and moisturizing properties. Examples include eucalyptus and tea tree oil.
Relax and play some casino games
We mentioned that Australians are typically laid-back, and they enjoy a wager. These were not idle references. Stress is known to make you look older, so Australians take National Relaxation Day on August 15 very seriously. Not just that, they tend to adopt a “work hard, play hard” ethos, setting aside time for relaxation every week.
Needless to say, for many, that includes time spent playing casino games. The most popular by far are pokies – or slot games as the rest of us know them. These are more about having fun than really trying to win anything, which makes them a great way to wind down, as you can play for just a few cents per spin. There are hundreds of games to choose from, so it’salways a good idea if you check the most entertaining casinos for real money by consulting an independent review site.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Whether at the beach, the casino or at home, Aussie skin gets little opportunity to naturally hydrate. Remember, with those high temperatures, air conditioning is the norm, and it can be just as dehydrating indoors as outside in the midday sun.
Although they are less popular elsewhere, Australians love their hair masks. These nourish the hair and replenish oils that can be lost during the day. Best of all, many Australians like to apply the mask and then sit outside in their backyards, the warm sun giving the mask even better results. For skin, many Australians apply a rich overnight moisturizer, so they wake up with a healthy, nourished complexion, ready to face the day with confidence.
