New product Face Mask Unveil your hidden beauty Why the revamp? Tinderbox has always made a powdered face “pack” or mask as an integral part of its skincare range for good reasons. The version we have made for many years was simply the powdered cosmetic clays with papaya extract from the fruit, which provided vital enzymes for exfoliation and ground rose petals for their bountiful benefits. Part of the process was your own active mixing of the dried product with water or whatever natural additive suited your individual skin, such as honey or lavender oil. We now think that maybe people don’t want to have to think about the process but just trust and surrender to the indulging experience. That considered, we have recently decided to take all of the work out of it, so that you need only relax after applying the pack and know that all the very best high grade and non-corrupted botanical ingredients have already been included which are suitable for all skin types, be it reactive or normal. Upon listening to our customer’s needs and desires, we have released a sister product in a squeeze bottle that is easier in its use and application - and it is now “ready to go”.
Revealing smooth, supple and soft skin Facial masks improve the overall health of your skin and are an excellent way to maintain its own radiant beauty by providing deep nourishment while cleansing, detoxifying, and hydrating. The regular deeper cleansing that a face mask provides removes debris from the surface level of the skin and draws impurities and out from the deeper layers of the epidermis which is helpful to clear up blemishes and keep your skin healthier looking. Facial masks contain natural clays that help exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores, but they also stimulate blood circulation and replenish nutrients which helps the skin to feel smoother and softer than usual. The skin will become more absorbent to your moisturisers after using a face mask, leaving it more hydrated and elastic.
Unveiling the beauty within It is so reaffirming to discover your new skin once you rinse off the mask; indeed you will be rewarded with a clean and glowing complexion and feel so much more refreshed. Masks can stay on for up to 10-15 minutes; although there are no hard and fast rules to adhere to, just follow your instincts. It can be very therapeutic for your skin to wash masks off with a steaming hot washcloth; which not only feels terrific, but also allows you to breathe in the natural aroma and feel refreshed. Run the washcloth under hot water, squeeze out the excess water and then press to your face for a full minute, before gently but thoroughly washing off the mask in a circular motion. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, clay masks are a must-have because of how effectively they soak up dirt and grease. For dry or super sensitive skins it is advisable to not let the mask fully dry as explained below.
The three phases of a clay mask Firstly, there's the damp phase where your skin drinks in the beneficial minerals from the outside. Then you have the start of the dry phase, which exercises your capillaries and stimulates blood flow as the mask cools and contracts. But then there's the dry phase, which draws out moisture from the surface of your skin, which is fine for most sturdy normal or oily skins, however for super sensitive or drier skins it can cause dehydration and irritation, when the skin may feel dry, tight, and sometimes itchy. To counteract this, the next time you use a clay mask, don't wait for it to reach the flaky stage before you start rinsing. When you start to see it drying (which usually means it gets lighter in colour but it still feels a bit sticky), it is time to wash it off before it draws too much moisture from the skin.
More useful tips • Before applying a facial mask, rub a small amount of eye cream around eyes to protect delicate skin in this area from dehydration. • Apply the mask down to your décolletage; your neck and exposed upper chest also deserve extra healing care. • It can be beneficial to steam your face over a bowl of hot water or press a hot cloth to your face before beginning a mask. The heat works to soften the debris in your pores and clean your skin. • Follow up the mask treatment with your natural moisturiser, as all skin types need to be calmed and re-hydrated. • If you have combination skin with troubled areas, only spread the face pack on those parts that require your extra attention. • Use sparingly and occasionally. Once a fortnight is adequate for most skin types. Certainly no more than once a week is recommended.
The ritual itself The whole face mask treatment is a pampering experience adding an extra dimension to your skin-care routine. Take time out to stop and relax, while paying nurturing attention to our skin’s health. Make it your own special time, close your eyes, put on some inspirational music, light a scented candle and just clear your mind of thoughts and concerns. This can be a treat; something luxurious that all people can do for themselves at home rather than going to an expensive spa. The new Tinderbox Face Mask is so simple to use. Apply the wholesome substance evenly over your face and either take a power nap or run a fragrant bath while you wait for it to do its beautifying job. This is the perfect beauty flash before a big night out.
What is in Tinderbox Face Mask, and why? White cosmetic clay: One of the best skin cleansers available, this clay mask draws out toxins like a magnet, leaving the skin clean, refreshed and luminous and is suitable all skin types including sensitive and dry skin as well as acne or oily skin. It removes dead skin cells and debris from your pores, stimulates blood circulation and with its high mineral content encourages evenly toned, clear and radiant skin. Papaya extract: This a natural anti-inflammatory that is rich in Vitamin C, which plays an important role in creating your body's connective tissue and is vital for healing wounds and maintaining healthy skin. It is packed with antioxidant properties to protect your skin against free radicals, the unstable molecules that can damage healthy cells. Being a good source of Vitamin A and Papain enzyme, this fruit helps in removing dead skin cells and helps you keep your skin hydrated. Papaya extract also acts as a natural skin-exfoliating agent and also helps in skin discoloration. Chamomile essential oil: Chamomile counteracts redness and irritation. It is superb for sensitive, reactive skin. Lavender essential oil: An indisputable lover of all skin types; for blemishes, most rashes and sunburn. Rose Geranium: This gorgeous smelling essential oil is a good healing oil for broken capillaries, congestion and rashes and it likes mature skin. It likes mature skin and assists with broken capillaries, congestion and rashes. Vitamin E: This is the ‘super-vitamin’ for skin and an awesome source of anti-oxidants. Vitamin E oil works to block free radicals from the body, which play a large part in the ageing process. If we can fight off free radicals, then we can reduce wrinkles and keep the skin youthful-looking. Vitamin E oil will help to repair and improve the appearance of the damaged tissue. Aloe Vera Extract: Aloe vera moisturises the skin. It acts as a soothing protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture and improve the skin's natural firmness. Its nutritional components include beta-carotene, vitamin C and E and abundant antioxidants. Rose hydrosol: Rose hydrosol, made by distilling beautiful fresh rose petals, captures the elements of the rose in floral water. This hydrosol transforms the skin to look smoother, better hydrated and radiant. Rose hydrosol balances the skin’s sebum production making it suitable for both oily and dry skin types. As the key liquefying base of the Tinderbox Face Mask, this flower water works on smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Sandalwood Powder: Sandalwood powder has long been a key ingredient in many Ayurvedic skin-care treatments for cleansing and hydrating the skin. The finely ground wood is effective in treating scrapes, rashes, blemishes, acne, and other common skin problems such as pimples or itchy skin. The oil and paste of sandalwood has a calming, cooling effect on the body. It is astringent and cooling in nature and helps balance the body after overexposure to the sun. Rosehip Oil: Rosehip oil is a fantastic moisturiser, as it will moisturise the dry areas of your skin while not adding too much moisture to oilier areas. It is a very rich source of essential fatty acids; in fact it is 80 per cent fatty acids Rosehip oil has been shown to improve the following: dry skin, premature ageing, skin elasticity and resilience, scarring in general, stretch marks, hyper-pigmentation, dermatitis, fine lines and wrinkles, burns, skin damage caused by sun exposure. Tinderbox uses an organic, cold-pressed oil. Essential oil of the Month Champaka Divine scent from a sacred tree THE CHAMPAKA flower is considered as one of the most precious among the Indian flowers, with its unique and divine scent often used as offerings in holy temples. Champaka (or Champaca) is regarded as one of the most sacred trees of India and tropical Asia and all parts of the tree are considered medicinal and are utilised in various remedies. In India, the flowers are used for decoration and their alluring scent is employed as a natural aphrodisiac perfume; its flowers exude a seductive fragrance that is deemed very pleasing to women, but also to the Gods. This is why you will find it growing in temple gardens or near dwellings, so the sweet smelling flowers can bring sanctity and joy to all who pass nearby. Indeed, the most costly perfume in the world, a fragrance known as ‘Joy’, which was created for the French fashion house Jean Patou in 1930, contains the essence of these flowers. Champaka is particularly sacred to Krishna, the Indian God of love and romance and it can be used to evoke sensuality, love and tenderness in all rites of love and also included in love charms and amulets. This sacred oil of the heart chakra, represents more than just worldly love, it symbolises unconditional, universal love tuning us into the vibration of divine love and beauty. Thousands of fresh flowers are required to produce the absolute and accordingly the pure stuff is very expensive, there are lots of synthetic mimickers on the market, which do not measure up to the real thing. Most of the Indian producers make champaka into ”attar”, which means adding it to a sandalwood base. It is not commonly known in western aromatherapy, however those who have used in it perfumery are well aware of how extraordinary this absolute can be in a blend. Champaka is considered useful as an anti-depressant as it soothes and relaxes the body. It also strengthens the mind as it warms, calms, reduces stress, aids breathing and can induce a sort of euphoria. These are very good reasons to focus mainly on using this beautiful oil for special perfumes of psych-therapeutic value. In India, champaka is used for relief of vertigo and headaches. This oil is generally considered too expensive to employ in medicinal products, however if you could afford to use it in exclusive bespoke massage oil blends, not only does champaka support healthy joints and muscles, but also it is also deeply relaxing and calming to the central nervous system. Keep it for the “boudoir” for those special occasions when an alluring, effective aphrodisiac is required. Champaka is an excellent skin moisturiser and rejuvenator, and an excellent active ingredient for products treating mature skin types and may be added to jojoba oil to use for the neck and décolletage (upper chest) areas. A few drops of champaka would render any cosmetic into an exclusive, high-quality facial product. It is said to release the often-tense temporomandibular muscles of the jaw and could be of help for those people who tend to grind their teeth. Indian women no doubt have used its scent for scenting hair conditioning oils; a small amount adds exquisite aroma to shampoos and conditioners. Fact File Name: Champaka Botanical name: Michelia Champaca Family: Magnoliaceae Other Names: Champaca Absolute, Champaca Oil, Champaka, Golden Champaka. Occasionally Champaca is confused with Champaca wood oil, which does not derive from the same tree, but is an alternative name for the South American Guaiacum tree. The Plant: An evergreen or semi-deciduous, small to medium-sized tree up to 50m tall and a native of the Himalayan regions of northern India and southern China. This plant falls into a genus of about 45 Asian trees and shrubs that are closely related to the genus Magnolia. It has white to yellow flowers that are solitary or rarely in pairs. It was classified in the 18th Century and named for Florentine botanist, Peter A. Michel (1679-1737), the champaka part is a specific epithet after the Hindu name. The Oil: A concrete, is made first by using solvent extraction, from which alcohol is separated to make the absolute; waxes and other impurities are extracted by using the freezing point operation. Scent: An intense, intoxicating, sweet, floral aroma that acts as a seductive fragrant magnet. It has a complex dark and citrusy aroma to create very exotic scents. Blends well with: rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, neroli, sandalwood and other floral scents. Indications: anti-depressant, induces euphoria, reduces stress; vertigo, headaches, calms nerves, aphrodisiac, moisturiser. Precautions: Using too much of this oil could impede concentration, as it is a deeply relaxing oil.
