Super hydrators for winter

The cold weather can really dry out your skin and hair. To add some extra moisture, try these super-hydrating products.

- For face: A’kin Rose & Geranium Pure Creamy Cleanser & Toner in One 225ml $26.90, Living Nature Rich Day Cream 100ml $59, Comvita Huni Intensive Hydrating Mask 75g $45

- For eyes: Antipodes Kiwi Seed Eye Cream 30ml $48, Comvita Huni Every Day Eye Cream 15g $39, Pacifica Organics Eye Cream 20ml $34.99

- For lips: Weleda Everon Lip Balm 4.8g $11, Blue Earth Lip Balm 15ml $11 (available in Lime and Sweet Fennell), Pacifica Organics Lip Balm $11.99

- For body: Living Nature Nourishing Body Wash 200ml $27.50, Sukin Body Lotion, $15.50 for 250ml, and $23.99 for 500ml, Antipodes Jubilation Ultra Nourishing Body Cream 200ml $48

- For hands: Sukin Cleansing Hand Wash, $10.99 for 250ml, and $26.99 for 1L, A'kin Lavender, Geranium & Jojoba Hand, Nail & Cuticle Creme 75ml $15.50, Evolu Nourishing Hand and Cuticle Cream 125ml $23

- For feet: Lush Running to the Embassy Body Butter (it’s a foot scrub bar thing) 95g $16, The Body Collection Plane Sense Foot Lotion 100ml $8.50, Weleda Heel Balm 36ml $25

- For hair: Living Nature Nourishing Shampoo 200ml $27.50, Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner for damaged hair 250ml $19.95, Trilogy Botanical Moisture Masque for Dry Hair 95ml $29.95

Products for new mums

I know a lot of women who have recently given birth, or are just about to, and it’s all very exciting! I don’t speak from personal experience here (I don’t have kids), but having a baby has a major effect on your body (obviously). Luckily, there are a number of great products specifically designed to help with the after effects of childbirth.

Earth Mama Angel Baby has a number of products to soothe post-birth soreness. Try Earth Mama Bottom Balm, $25.50 for 60ml, Earth Mama New Mama Bottom Spray, $24.50 for 120ml, and Earth Mama Postpartum Bath Herbs, $16.50 for 112g. If you have had a Caesarean birth, try the Earth Mama C-Mama Healing Salve, $55 for 30ml.

If you want to use more eco-friendly maternity pads, try Natracare New Mother Maternity Pads, $14.60 for a box of 10. They are free from chlorine, plastic, latex, and perfume, and are biodegradable.

For tired legs, rub on some Living Nature ‘Kekemama Soothing Leg Gel, $30 for 100ml. To soothe tired feet, try Egg Essential Care Cooling Foot Rub, $23.90 for 175ml. Or use a foot soak like Earth Mama Angel Baby Earth Mama Happy Feet, $13.50 for 140gm. For aching muscles, get someone to give you a massage with Egg Essential Care Bath & Body Oil, $27.90 for 175ml, or add it to a warm bath.

To help fade stretch marks, try an anti-stretch mark product like: This Works Stretch Mark Oil, $108 for 120ml; Egg Essential Care Belly Butter, $19.90 for 100gm, or Earth Mama Angel Baby Earth Mama Stretch Oil, $41 for 129ml. There are some more suggestions for anti-stretch mark products on the post about products for pregnant women.

To help reduce the swelling associated with breastfeeding, try Earth Mama Angel Baby Earth Mama Booby Tubes, $39.50. Booby Tubes are a gel-free breast pack made with a 100% organic cotton shell and filled with all-natural flaxseed. They can be used warm or cold, heated or frozen. To support healthy milk production, drink Earth Mama Angel Baby Earth Mama Milkmaid Tea, $22.95 for 112g of loose tea leaves, or Weleda Nursing Tea, $18.50 for 40g (20 teabags).

For sore, cracked nipples, use a nipple cream like Earth Mama Angel Baby Earth Mama Nipple Butter, $24.50 for 60ml, Living Nature ‘Kekemama Nipple Ease Balm, $17.50 for 12ml, Weleda Nipple Care Cream, $11 for 10ml, or Mahu Nipple Cream, $8.95 for 50ml, and $16.95 for 100ml.

I know I’ve mentioned Earth Mama Angel Baby a lot in this post – they have such a great range of products! They also have a range of products for women who have lost a baby through miscarriage or stillbirth. I’m not sure if this range is available in New Zealand, but check it out here.

Stuff that smells like peppermint

Peppermint smells yummy and refreshing. It’s quite a popular scent for beauty and personal care products, particularly for toothpastes, lip balms, and foot scrubs and creams. Some minty products:

Avalon Organics Moisturizing Cream Shave in Peppermint $13.90 for 225ml - keep your legs hair-free with this shaving cream.


Lush Running to the Embassy Body Butter $16 for 95g - Exfoliates and moisturises feet.

Viola Organics Lip Balm Mint $6 for 4.5g - A blend of moisturising oils plus shea butter and essential oils.