Each and every one of us have been caught in the sun without block. Whether it is because we under-estimate the strength of the sun (or the longevity of our sunscreen), or because we decided to adopt a fairly ignorant mind-set that we would ‘just get a little bit of colour’ today and would block up next time… silly us, we almost always come away with extremely painful and embarrassing sunburn.

It is important that everyone understands how important it is to protect yourself from the sun. Too much exposure and damage from UV rays (in a sunbed or lying outside) is directly linked to skin cancer, skin blemishes, moles and acne, and will accelerate the aging process, all of which have detrimental effects on the look and feel of your skin. In fact I recently learnt that if you get burnt five times in your life, you are 50% more likely to get skin cancer.

When we do get burnt it is nice to know there are products out there that actively work to soothe sunburn and reduce the effects of sun damage. For sunburnt faces, evolu have an amazing De-Stress Soothing Eye Gel, ideal for stressed-out, irritated and/or sunburnt skin. Packed with cooling botanicals, it contains Aloe vera and Arnica to soothe and reduce inflammation, New Zealand Manuka Fern Extract for cell regeneration, and Vitamin E for its protective properties. Apply it sparingly under and above the eyes, dab well onto burnt noses, cheeks and foreheads, as well as other sensitive areas of the body. From experience, sunburn on the chest can also be one of the worst, and this is the ideal product to sensitively treat this area.

Another evolu helper is the Little Bottle of Calm, a Body oil skin-soother, with Evening Primrose and Arnica, sold exclusively online at www.evolu.com. This protective blend will rescue skin from discomfort and soothe sensitivities, by reducing redness, relieving irritation and easing inflammation. Free from preservatives, it’s a divinely organic-fragranced product and will absorb readily into sunburn, helping relieve discomfort and assisting skin rejuvenation. I would highly recommend using this oil on both the face and body, and is a great product to treat children and babies as well.

Scientists have recently established something interesting – that the skin’s own sun-defence mechanisms are much more sophisticated than previously thought, and the skin reacts to UV radiation much faster than was understood before. The skin ‘knows’ that it’s exposed to UV radiation the moment you step into the sun. This discovery is highly likely to influence sunscreen formulations in the future.

Most of us are ’sun-savvy’ these days, but for those occasions we do get burnt, make sure you have the above evolu products handy to address the damage.

This is rapidly changing, however, and that’s why we’re directing evolu’s export efforts to take advantage.

With more research showing that botanicals work, Asian consumers are taking more interest in natural, and acceptance is increasing thanks to improved marketing of the benefits of natural ingredients.

Natural products are also more widely available – sold in mainstream retailers such as pharmacy and department stores, but also in less traditional channels. Natural product ‘concept’ store chains are an emerging trend, many selling own-branded ranges of natural skincare, haircare and cosmetics, manufactured in Asia.

In our experience, skincare users reveal some interesting cultural differences. Generally speaking, in western culture we tend to use fewer steps in our skincare. Asian women know what they want and will often purchase four or five products at a time. They tend to wear less foundation and make-up, focussing more on a clear complexion. They’ll cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturise in one routine, and use a serum and even a sunscreen as well. They’re not worried about over-moisturising, just so long as the products soak in and don’t leave the skin feeling oily.

Now that we are developing export markets in Singapore, Korea and Taiwan, we must be totally accountable for every ingredient we use. Some markets are positively forensic when it comes to registration. At evolu we research all ingredients that go into our products and we insist on receiving proven data on efficacy of all of our botanical actives from all suppliers. If they can’t supply them, won’t use their services.

I recently attended Cosmoprof in Hong Kong, one of the biggest tradeshows on personal care in the world, where I represented evolu at a stand hosted by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. I was interested to see that in a category already saturated with new skincare concepts, natural brands proliferated, many of them originating from Asian countries.

Despite this, interest in evolu and other New Zealand brands at the show was huge and the feedback was consistent: New Zealand brands are respected for their credibility and integrity. Products from here are trusted, and have the advantage of being synonymous with natural.

But I also concluded that, while positively perceived, ‘made in New Zealand’ is not enough to differentiate on by itself.

We need to market our skincare on quality, results…and a strong brand story. The challenge is that New Zealand is not strongly associated with skincare. Asian consumers are well informed and image conscious. Preference for established and prestige brands from Europe and America is strong and old habits are hard to break.

One thing that Asian skincare markets share with the west is the influence of word of mouth. This is especially true of consumers choosing natural products. Women rely on the recommendations of others so it’s critical that brands create opportunities for customers to share their product experiences. Of course tools such as social media has made this easier than ever before: they’re a vital part of any international marketing strategy.

My other insights from my visit to Asia: consumers perceive the terms ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ as largely interchangeable, and brands have little future if they trade solely on a ‘no nasties’ story: this isn’t a potent marketing angle because most people take that as a given with natural products.

The exciting prospect for evolu is that Asian consumers looking for healthy skin commonly believe that true beauty comes from within, and as a result, more and more customers are making the choice to use natural products that come from a trusted source.

Honey is an ideal product to use in skincare, or even to apply directly to the skin, as it is a natural humectant, giving your skin the ability to absorb and retain moisture, and allowing your skin to stay softer and supple for longer.

New Zealand’s Manuka honey is a star among honeys, and justly so. Manuka honey is jam-packed with natural antioxidants, but more significantly, it also has anti-microbial properties, making it impossible for bacteria to survive in infections and other skin conditions (it’s well known that this honey is ideal for the treatment of burns, cuts and wounds, and this knowledge goes back hundreds of years). In addition, Manuka honey even has some natural sun-protective properties. I have recently replaced my lip balms with evolu’s Healing Lip Treatment SPF15, which contains New Zealand Manuka Honey. Since my switch, I have noticed a dramatic difference in the condition of my lips. They are much more plump and smooth than they ever have been before. I don’t think I could face summer without it. Another reason I switched to a honey based lip care product is that honey in general has a long shelf life. Natural or botanical products that contain honey in their ingredients will actually last longer than those that don’t.

Manuka honey taken orally will help to fight viruses and flus as well. It is the perfect component to a hot lemon drink when you are feeling unwell, and it’s guaranteed to soothe a sore throat or chesty infection.

Taken regularly, even when you are feeling good as new, honey will be beneficial to your energy levels. It is recommended that you have a spoonful of honey before you work out, to help you go the extra mile, or during the day if you are finding it hard to cope with the physical stresses of work, running around after kids, or just doing your daily chores.

Whether you opt for honey based skincare products like evolu Healing Lip Treatment, or stock your pantries with jars of the good stuff, it a no-brainer that honey should be a part of your daily diet and skincare routine this summer.

Here at evolu, we made our own promise for this year to continue to take better care of ourselves, and to do our best for the environment. Speaking for myself, here are a few ways I endeavoured to keep Mother Nature and myself very happy over 2011…

Having the luxury of a vegetable garden isn’t always an option when living in the heart of the city, but Amy Pennington’s book ‘Apartment Gardening’ makes it all possible, merging DIY with style. Who knew gardening in a small space could be so fabulous?

The book is a scientific take on indoor gardening, teaching urban growers how to maximize sun-exposure, choose the best plant varieties for their home and maintain their produce.She also shares some delicious and healthy recipes that will make any mouth water.

Growing your own is a great money saver and makes eating fresh organic produce simple and fun. Plus, there is nothing more satisfying than responding to a ‘that looks amazing’ with an ‘oh thanks, yea they’re from my garden…’  Buy it online here.

Bassike is one of my absolute favourite clothing brands. Although they don’t come cheap, their organic cotton range is too desirable to resist. Super soft, extremely trendy, easy to wear and often seen on Sarah Jessica Parker, Bassike has a reputation for creating simple, timeless and high quality pieces. Created by two friends in Australia, Bassike has spread its wings to over ninety stores worldwide, including eight in NZ. I encourage you to check out their range. It will be your new fashion love.

Keep Cups are the world’s first barista-approved re-usable coffee cup. They are BPA free and non-toxic, as well as being completely practical, keeping your coffee hot 20-30 minutes longer than regular coffee cups. They are also extremely stylish. You can even choose between different coloured lids, cups and bands to create a cup that is unique to you.

Did you know that regular disposable coffee cups are not recyclable and will not biodegrade for at least twenty years? Re-using our coffee cups is one of the most significant environmental impacts we can make, and when these nifty cups are sold and accepted by all great cafes, you really have no excuse.

For these buyers, the benefit of having a long-lasting product can outweigh the benefits of the ingredients in the products themselves. The good news is that it is possible have the best of both worlds. You can enjoy natural products, that also have a substantial shelf life, by applying some product knowledge and sound storage advice.

One of the key issues to keep in mind is that in most natural facial creams and lotions, the predominant ingredients are plant oils and water. When water is present, so is a substantial risk of mould and yeasts growing in the product over time. Any natural formula that contains water, therefore, needs to be stabilised with an effective preservative. If it contains no water, as in a pure oil blend for example, no stabiliser is required.

Preservatives help keep a product safe to use both before and after it’s opened, and that’s important given the environment most skincare is stored and used in. Bathrooms tend to be warm, steamy places, which are the ideal conditions for moulds, yeasts and bacteria to grow in a natural formula.

Your best strategy to ensure adequate shelf life is be aware of your products’ date of manufacture, and store them in a cool dry place.

All evolu botanical skincare products carry a batch number, the first three digits of which will tell you the date that the product was manufactured. For example, ‘031034’ can be read as ‘03’ for March and ‘1’ for the last number in the year 2011. The final three numbers is our own reference for manufacture. This product would have a three year life span if unopened, until March 2014. The packaging also includes a symbol indicating how long the product should last once opened: ‘6M’ indicates a lifespan after opening of up to six months.

Remember, however, these times are indicative and based on optimal storage conditions. Incorrect storage of a botanical or natural product can significantly shorten a product’s shelf life, especially if not kept in a cool, dry place, or worse, under direct heat, for example a sun-drenched bathroom windowsill. It is always best to check the recommended storage instructions on the back of your product and choose sensible storage alternatives for the safe keeping of your beauty essentials.

Remember that the stores who supply you with your products also have a responsibility to store the products correctly. If you do take a product home and it is either lumpy, runny, separates, smells off or growing mould then you should always return it immediately and have the product replaced. If an un-opened product has been sitting at home for quite some time then it will be difficult to return, so, by all means continue to take advantage of those specials…but please, avoid buying bulk.

Quick tips for a long lasting natural product:

- Don’t take the seal off a product until you need to use it
- Check the manufacture date before purchasing products
- Store both opened and un-opened products in a cool dry place

After a cold and wet winter it was a joy to visit one of Auckland botanical treasures recently: Eden Garden. Reclaimed from a disused quarry on the flanks of extinct volcano Maungawhau (aka Mt Eden), this stunning garden was created over several decades, solely through the work of many dedicated volunteers.

The result, and especially at this time of year, is a truly glorious garden experience, one that’s open to the public and well worth a visit if you enjoy things botanical and fancy a mood lift. It’s the colours on display that wowed us on our visit. There are many mature flowering trees, including magnolia, rhododendron and camelia, in such abundance it felt like walking around in a Karl Maughan painting.

I’m a big fan of bright colour in a garden, but on the property where we live, there are too many mature trees to allow enough sun for large areas of flowering plants.

So I try and take inspiration from places like Eden Garden, and grow what works, and enjoy the splashes of colour that I can create at different times of year. At this time of year, and on into summer, we have some brilliant flowers emerging, and I like nothing better than just hanging out in the garden for the cheery effect that these splashes of colour create among what is mostly a foliage-focussed palette of greens, browns and greys.

Right now we have clivia in full bloom, and I’m just seeing the end of some exotic-looking bilbergia bromeliads.

I like variety in my plants, so I don’t have one particular colour theme, although oranges/reds, and pink/purples predominate – and no, not all at the same time! One flower that just knocks me out is an iridescent purple/pink Iceplant succulent (not the pest variety) which last summer produced such a vivid display it hurt the eyes to look at it. The softer purple of a Salvia, which tolerates more shade, is a nice contrast to such showiness, and its velvety grey leaves help lighten the undergrowth around my trees.

Many of these flowers are not long-lasting, but I’ve learned to enjoy them while they’re around, and compensate for their absence with foliage that has variety in colour and texture. And when I do have great flowers on show, I like to photograph them. If you’ve got great shots of unusual or spectacular flowers from your own garden, please feel free to send them in..and of course we can exchange ideas in the Comments section.

Happy gardening.

Not sure of the Clivia species, but this one's a knockout en masse

I believe this is an orchid? help with identity welcome!

iceplant: not faked - they really were this electric

my shortlived but spectacular iris, after the rain

Salvia - subtle but still appreciated

Fatsia japonica - not colourful but eyecatching all the same

Of course I can’t really pick between them since they’re all so fab, but when pushed, I don’t mind highlighting the Facial Serum as a special favourite of mine. If you’re already a user of this beautiful product, you’ll know what I mean.

It truly is anti-aging ‘liquid gold’, and not just because of its gorgeous colour.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer a ‘dry’ oil based serum. I want it to soak in quickly, do its anti-aging work at deep levels, and leave the skin hydrated with a soft sheen. So I blended this potent antioxidant complex to do just that.

Each and every oil has been specifically selected for its high anti-oxidant content and hydrating benefits. Vitamins A, C and E are found in the Rosehip Oil, Jojoba oil, Rose Absolute and Neroli essential oils – these scavenge free radicals and assist the process of skin regeneration. Omega-6 fatty acids are in Evening Primrose Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil and these help reinforce cell membranes, boosting the skin’s resilience. Vanilla soothes and protects, and of course adds a lovely touch to the fragrance that makes you just want to eat the stuff!

The blend of oils in evolu Facial Serum is very fine so it can be used around the eye area, which I highly recommend. It’s all too easy to overdo application of products around the eye area, in particular eye creams. Applied excessively, creams can seep into the tearducts and create fatty deposits which contribute to those unsightly under-eye bags.

Another thing you you might like to try is to blend the serum with the evolu night treatment of your choice, for a truly luxurious, extra-boost night treatment. I’m sure you’re aware that the skin changes over the month and with the seasons, so there will be times when the skin needs extra assistance. I find it’s fantastic to have the versatility (and permission!) to blend products.

If you’ve got your own tips for incorporating the serum into your routine, I’d love to hear from you.