One of our Birch & Wilde core values is simplicity. We know you are busy, so we understand that keeping things quick and simple means they are much more likely to happen. And that means that YOU are much more likely to benefit!

Prioritising self-care when life is hectic can be challenging - especially when it comes to your daily skincare and haircare routine. So, we have pulled together our top 7 simple beauty hacks and tips for prioritising your daily beauty and self-care routine.

1. Keep SPF handy and reapply often

UVA and UVB rays from the sun are the main cause of sun damage to your skin. And sun damage is one of the main causes of premature ageing. So protecting your skin with a high-quality SPF 30-50+ is essential. Ensure your SPF includes UVA and UVB protection, and re-apply regularly (especially if you are jumping in the pool or the sea to cool off!).

2. Hydration, hydration, hydration 

Hydration plays a vital role in optimal skin health and total wellbeing - you can see some of the benefits, especially for healthy skin, in our blog, here. The ideal goal is  2 litres (or 6-8 average glasses) per day. This can be in the form of water, fruit infusions, juice (low sugar ideally), herbal tea or other decaffeinated drink.

A great way to elevate your water intake is by infusing it with lemon, cucumber or mint (which have their own lovely detoxing benefits!). My favourite way to hydrate really easily is to keep my lovely water bottle with me - on my desk, at the beach, in the garden or car. It keeps hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold, so is a perfect hydration reminder all year round!

You can find more super easy ways to add hydration to your routine here in our Hydration Hacks blog. 

3. A good night's sleep 

it sounds simple, but with up to 16 million UK adults regularly suffering sleepless nights, lack of sleep can cause issues - especially when you add heat, cold, noise, hormones or stress and anxiety into the mix. And sometimes it can just be hard to put your book down when a chapter has just got juicy. However, your skin, hair, and overall wellbeing will benefit if you can find ways to ensure you are getting enough shut-eye.  

We have some great ways to ensure you are getting a better night's sleep in our sleep blogs here: 

• The fascinating links between great skin and good sleep
• The top 8 ways to get a better night's sleep

And if you want a little additional support, then it is worth looking at how you can benefit from a simple, plant-based and organic supplement like Ashwagandha. 

4. Prioritise your gut health 

In a busy world, it can be easy to forget to think about what you are eating. However, with your gut microbiome being made up of trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes, an imbalance in your digestive system can lead to an array of health issues. If you are struggling with gut health, then your skin is one of the first places this is likely to become visible - things like adult acne, oily or greasy skin, rashes, and dry patches, for example. Beauty from within really does begin in your gut! 

Discover the links between a healthy gut and great skin in our blog - here. You can also learn more about how supplements can re-balance and support your gut health in our blog here. 

If you are not sure where to start, then have a look at some of our scrumptious and nutritious recipe ideas here. Our current favourite is the nutrition packed simple sweet potato, quinoa and kale salad.  

5. Get outside (come rain, cloud or shine)

Vitamin D3 is also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', and it works wonders for our skin, as well as our mood and wellbeing overall. Fresh air is absolutely key and it doesn't need to be glorious sunshine or hours long for you to see great benefits! Just 10-20 minutes on a regular basis will help. So why not pop outside to the garden, a park, the beach, or even around the block. It will get your endorphins flowing and you will feel revitalised.

6. Marine Collagen Capsules and Treatments 

Clinical studies have shown that the proteins provided by a daily marine collagen capsule, supplement or regular treatment can help to strengthen your skin, hair, nails, bones, joints, and ligaments, from within and from outside. Marine collagen is fast becoming one of the most popular anti-ageing ingredients available. Daily marine collagen capsules and a regular collagen facial sheet mask can support your beauty and skincare routine inside and out.

Discover the most popular benefits of marine collagen in our helpful collagen blogs here.  

7. Treat yourself to a Silk Pillowcase

Often recommended by leading skincare and ageing specialists, and dermatologists, silk pillowcases are big news for your beauty routine in 2022. They are also wonderfully cooling and a luxurious way to add a little self-care to your bedroom.

Protecting your skin from forced creasing and crushing while you snooze, and helping to keep frizzy and broken hair to a minimum, they can be a game-changer!  

If you can just choose some of these and add them into your daily or weekly routine, there is no doubt that you will see and feel the benefits, both in your wellbeing and your skincare and beauty. Which is your favourite? Which will you choose next? Let us know in the comments below...