Miskin Organics Skin Care Product
How do I use the Organic Smooth Cleanser? Apply 1 -2 pumps to the palm of a DRY hand and use fingertips to massage gently into DRY skin in an upward sweeping motion for at least 1 minute over face and neck. (The cleanser needs time to warm to the skin for ease of spreadability) Wet fingers and massage again as the cleanser changes consistency into a milky lotion & rinse with warm. If wearing makeup or sunscreen rinse with a soft, damp, warm cotton flannel or muslin cloth. Consider double cleansing (repeat above) when wearing heavy makeup. See more info on the smooth cleanser.
How does the cleanser work? The cleanser contains oil based ingredients, it works on the principle that like dissolves like, it contains a gentle certified organic emulsifier that magically turns the cleanser milky and washes easily from your skin. It works like the oil cleansing method but you have less chance of leaving any unwanted oil on your skin.
How long should I massage the cleanser into my skin? It depends how much time you have, but at least one minute to help lift the dirt from the pores. Massage is beneficial for most skin types ( avoid if you have Rosacea open wounds or very sensitive skin). Facial massage assists in improving the circulation while tightening the skin reducing puffiness, it helps you to relax and release the stresses of the day. As you’re massaging, let your mind concentrate on the breath for a minute, just being aware of the in and out breaths. Take this time to relax and release some of the stress that your body is harboring. Sit down, breathe deeply, and take your time. Focus on the different sensations of the fingers touching the face. Give the cleanser enough time to work on dissolving the impurities in your pores and give yourself enough time to unwind.
Will the Smooth Cleanser remove eye make up? Yes. The eye area is very delicate so be very gentle. First use around half a pump of cleanser on a cotton pad and place over a closed eye, gently press your finger tips over the cotton pad ( like a finger dance) and work the cleanser into the eye area to soften the makeup ( about 30 seconds). Take away the cotton pad while keeping the eye closed dampen the cotton pad with water and again press over the closed eye, wipe gently across the eyelid to remove eye shadow, then wipe the cotton pad down over the top eyelashes to remove your mascara, gently rolling the mascara off as to not pull out any lashes. look upwards turn the cotton pad around and wipe gently upwards along the lower lash line. Close your eye and gently wipe underneath the lower lash line to remove any makeup. Closing your eye gently wiggle the pad from side to side in an upward motion over the lashes, repeat two to three times. Repeat on the other eye.
Can I use the Smooth cleanser in the shower? You can apply the facial cleanser BEFORE you get in the shower. The container is not waterproof, any water that gets into the container will contaminate the product and the product will need to be thrown away.
Why is it important to use a cleanser? The importance of facial cleansing can be overlooked, however, cleansing is a crucial step in your skin care ritual. Cleansing is important to remove dirt, makeup, bacteria and the build-up of dead skin cells, which can block pores that promote bacteria and cause skin to look dull and lifeless. Cleansing offers some exfoliation to promote circulation and slough off the old skin cells which, in turn helps your serums, moisturisers & elixirs soak into your skin.
How often should I cleanse? Our skin should cleansed before bed, in the morning (depending on your skin type and the season) you may cleanse with water or hydrosol. If you have skin that congests easily you may want to cleanse using the same night time ritual. Take notice of your skin, try out different rituals until you find one that suits your skin.
What makes a good cleanser? A good cleanser has a balanced PH of 4.5-5.5 (a measure of acidity or alkalinity), it gently removes dirt, dead skin cells and cleans pores without compromising the skin’s acid mantle. It replenishes emollients and moisturisers without leaving the skin dry and taut. It should also tone a sooth. Our skin has an acid mantle, which is a fine, slightly acidic film that acts as a barrier to bacteria & viruses, the acid mantle also acts to keep our skin moisurised and hydrated. The skins barrier (acid mantel) can become compromised if you are cleansing too often for your skin type, or you are using a harsh product with a high or low PH (a measure of acidity or alkalinity) that may strip the natural oils in your skin. This can cause dry skin to become drier,and oily skin to become oilier.
How long will the Smooth Cleanser last? Depending on usage 150ml last’s around 2- 3 months.
How can I test if the Smooth Cleanser is suitable for my skin? To eliminate the possibility of personal sensitivities or unknown allergies, I suggest you purchase the sample size first, please test a small amount of product (a drop or two) on a small patch of skin (the inner wrist or elbow) and cover with a plaster for two days before beginning full / regular use.
What is the consistency, colour and smell of the Smooth Cleanser? The smooth cleanser is an off white opaque colour, it has a thick smooth oily consistency and smells of coconut.
Can I use the Smooth Cleanser as a mask? The cleanser can be used as a mask, apply to face and neck, find somewhere comfortable to relax and unwind for 15-20 minutes. Its a great chance to catch up on some meditation. You can also try adding some raw organic honey to the cleanser for an extra moisturising mask.
What is the shelf life of your Cleanser? Shelf life after opening is 6 months due to the high content of natural, active ingredients.
How can I turn the Smooth Cleanser into an exfoliator? Use 1-2 pumps of cleanser in a small bowl, you can experiment with different foods you may have in the cupboard, for example: Rice flour, Almond meal, Oat bran, Bicarb of soda. Try about half a teaspoon, see what works best on your skin type. If you have sensitive skin try almond meal or oat flour.
Whats are Miskin Organic Elixirs? How do they benefit my skin? Elixirs are potent blends of synergetic organic, cold pressed, unrefined, botanical oils that your skin will literally drink, Each elixir contains highly concentrated fusions of natural antioxidants and powerful moisturising conditioners to help protect the skin from moisture loss and dehydration, shielding the skin from premature aging and visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines, revealing soft luminous and radiant skin and if used consistently will aid in prolonging your skin’s youthful glow.
How do I use the Elixirs? How much do I need? Use 1-2 times a day for best results. 1-2 pumps to the palm of your hand, use fingertips to apply to clean damp face & neck in an upward circular motion. You can try adding a small amount of water or hydrosol to you palm with the elixir for extra hydration. Massage into the skin for 10-20 seconds to ensure deep absorption. See our range of Facial Elixirs here.
Will the oils in the Elixirs make my skin breakout? Some skin types may be prone to skin breakouts, because everybody’s skin is so different some ingredients that work for some may not work for others, before buying our full sized products I strongly suggest that you purchase samples to eliminate the possibility of breakouts, personal sensitivities or unknown allergies. For breakouts test one product at a time for at least 3-4 days. For sensitivities please test a small amount of product (a drop or two) on a small patch of skin (the inner wrist or elbow) and cover with a plaster for two days before beginning full / regular use.
How will I know what Elixirs are suited to my skin type? The Balance Elixir has been formulated for moisturising & balancing Sensitive oily and combination skin types. The Calming Elixir has been formulated for calming & moisturising sensitive Dry & mature skin types. The Revive Elixir has been formulated for restoring and moisturising Dry and Mature skin types. Because everybody’s skin is so different some ingredients that work for some may not work for others, before buying our full sized products I strongly suggest that you purchase samples to eliminate the possibility of personal sensitivities or unknown allergies. Please test a small amount of product (a drop or two) on a small patch of skin (the inner wrist or elbow) and cover with a plaster for two days before beginning full / regular use.
Do the Elixirs leave an oily feeling on the skin? Only if you use too much. The oils have been formulated so they absorbed fast and have a light texture. You only need to small amount, if after a couple of minutes the oils have not fully absorbed you know you have used too much, just use some tissue to blot the excess. Within a few applications you will know how much is right for you.
How long should I massage the Elixir into my skin? Apply 1-2 pumps to the palm of your hand, use fingertips to apply to clean damp face & neck in an upward circular motion. Massage into the skin for 10-20 seconds to ensure deep absorption. Massage is beneficial for most skin types ( avoid if you have Rosacea open wounds or very sensitive skin). Facial massage assists in improving the circulation while tightening the skin reducing puffiness, it helps you to relax and release the stresses of the day. As you’re massaging, let your mind concentrate on the breath for a minute, just being aware of the in and out breaths. Take this time to relax and release some of the stress that your body is harboring. Sit down, breathe deeply, and take your time. Focus on the different sensations of the fingers touching the face, give yourself enough time to unwind.
How much usage will I get from an Elixir? 30ml around 3 months.
What is the shelf life of your organic Elixirs? Shelf life after opening 3 months due to the high content of natural, active ingredients.
How/where should I store the Elixirs? Store below 30 degrees out of direct sunlight, preferably in a dark cool cupboard or your fridge.
Will you be adding different types of products to your collection?I have lots of ideas for new products and formulations including toners and face mask, but I would love to hear what your needs may be, please send me an email with your thoughts.
Are your products safe to use while pregnant? The smooth cleanser can be used while pregnant. Our elixirs do contain a small amount ( under 1%) of organic essential oils, including rosemary co2 which should be avoided while pregnant.
Are Miskin products suitable for men? All our products are suitable for men.
What does certified organic mean? Certified organic means that the ingredients/ product has been certified organic by the relevant certifying body. There are several organic certifying bodies ( eg USDA, ACO, Soil Association) in different countries around the world, all with different definitions of a certified organic product/ingredient . Which can make things very confusing. The organic farming movement which is at the origin of the whole organic trend has four important principles at its foundation:
Health, to sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible
Ecology, being aware of living ecological systems and cycles, to work with them, to emulate them and to help sustain them.
Fairness to build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities
Care to manage in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment. Source: IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement).
The majority of Miskin Organics ingredients have been certified organic by the organic certifying bodies, (see our ingredients list for more information) we have included the percentage of organic ingredients in our products on the specific product page.
Are Miskin products certified organic? The majority of Miskin Organics ingredients have been certified organic by the organic certifying bodies, (see our ingredients list for more information) . However the finished products are not certified organic, as Miskin is not a certified organic processor, which means once the ingredients have been formulated and packaged the organic certification ( printed on the label of a certified organic product), can not be used, this may change in the future as the company grows.
Why is it important to learn how to read the ingredients list on skin care products? The word natural and organic in skincare is not regulated and there is no standard definition so its hard to know if you are being green washed, so it helps to educate yourself about different ingredients and what each ingredients does in a product. The ACCC / NICNAS regulates cosmetic labeling in Australia and the ingredients must be listed in order of percentage with the highest percentage first, when the ingredient is 1% or lower they can be listed in any order. For example a basic lotion can be made up of:
1 .Water or (Aloe vera juice) can be between 70% to 90% known as a solvent
2.Oils or butters up to 20 % known as emollients
3.Emulsifying wax between 3% and 8% Emulsifiers (ingredients that hold the oil and water in mixture)
4.Thickeners between 3-5%
5. Fragrance 1%-3%
6. Preservative 0.5% to 1%
This gives you a starting point for your research. Not sure what an ingredient does ? Look it up on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database or use a search engine to look up the ingredient and see what you can find, you can even get an idea of the % in a product by searching on the internet. Soon, you will be a pro at deciphering any cosmetic label. You can avoid ingredients that you have researched as potential irritants or toxic and spend money on products that are just right for you.
Are your products gluten free? All Miskin products are gluten minimised, we do not use any ingredients that contain gluten but we can not guarantee that the manufacturer’s processing facility was free from gluten at the time of production.
Are your products vegetarian? All Miskin Products are Vegetarian.
Are your products vegan? No we do use beeswax and honey in our Winter sunshine Balm and Honey Apple Mask
Where are your products made? Hand blended by me, in my small studio in Sunny Queensland Australia.
I suffer from Anaphylaxis (allergy to nuts). What products would you recommend? Unfortunately I can not suggest any of our products as nut oils are used in all of our blends.
Do you test your products on Animals? No. Products are tested on family and friends.
Where can I find customer reviews / testimonials about Miskin Organic Products? Customer reviews / testimonials can be found at the bottom of each product page.
Organic Ingredient & Packaging
Are your botanical oils unrefined and cold pressed? All of the oils I use are certified organic, cold pressed, and unrefined. Oil quality is very important. Miskin oils have their natural colour and smell. I choose to use unrefined oils, as the oil refinement process (refined oils) reduces the antioxidant content, decreasing the skin benefits, as well as reducing the colour and smell.
What are Polyphenols? Polyphenols are a group of compounds found in botanically based ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, and other plants. They are classed as antioxidants, meaning that they remove free radicals. Free radicals are chemicals that have the potential to cause damage to cells and tissues in the body which cause inflammation and aging.
What are the benefits of essential oil on my skin? There are many different Essential oils and each can help with different skin concerns from dry to oily skin, to see more information on the essential oils that Miskin use, take a look at our ingredients list.
What ingredients do you use to make your products? Lots of different oils and botanicals, see the ingredients page for more information.
What does botanical mean? Pertaining to, made from, or containing plants.
What is a co2 extract? The certified organic co2 extracts are extracted from plants using liquid carbon dioxide as the solvent. The beneficial constituents are extracted without exposure to heat, thus avoiding deterioration. The co2 extract contain no solvent residues, no inorganic salts, and no heavy metals – only pure, nutrient-rich oil. These oil extracts are considered to be of the highest possible quality.
Can I recycle your packaging? Yes. Please remove lids and dispensers and place in your yellow recycle bin. Or wash well ad reuse.
The airless pump mechanism of my product is not working, what can I do? The airless pump dispensers works with an airless pump mechanism. Sometimes an air bubble is formed at the time of packaging, which can block the pumping mechanism. I apologise in advance if this happens and the container can be unblocked by following these simple steps:
With clean hands, push down pump and hold, put finger over opening and release, keeping your finger over the opening.
May need to repeat a couple of times.
If you are experiencing any further difficulties please call Amanda on 0420 688 224.
Why do you use a plastic airless pump container for the smooth cleanser? I tested so many different containers and dispensers for the smooth cleanser. I would have preferred using glass but this just did not work as the product is very thick and it would get stuck at the bottom, I did not want the ingredients to be spoiled by fingers being dipped into the packaging, so I tried the airless pump and it worked perfectly without leaving any of the cleanser behind and to protect the integrity of the ingredients.
What type of plastic is the airless pump made of and is it safe? Plastic #5 – Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer. It is strong, tough, has a high resistance to heat and acts as a barrier to moisture. Its used in food containers such as yogurt and butter etc and is considered safe.
Why do you use a pump dispenser for your elixirs? I chose to use a dispenser over a glass dropper as its quicker to use and means you are not opening the container and introducing oxygen that deteriorates the shelf life of the product.
Skin
What causes the skin to age?
One thing that we cannot change is the natural aging process. With time, we all get visible lines on our face. It is natural for our face to lose some of its youthfulness. We notice our skin becoming thinner and drier. Our genes largely control when these changes occur. The medical term for this type of aging is “intrinsic aging.” Many things cause our skin to age. Some things we cannot do anything about; others we can influence.
By taking some preventive actions, we can slow the effects of “extrinsic aging.” this is when our environment and lifestyle choices can cause our skin to age prematurely.
How can I protect my skin from extrinsic/premature aging? Protect your skin from the sun every day. Sun protection is essential. Protect your skin by seeking shade, covering up with clothing, and using a physical sunscreen (contains zinc or titanium oxide) that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 +. Smoking greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages. It causes wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion. Eat healthy, well-balanced diet, a diet containing lots of sugar or other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging. See our blog for more information.
Do you ship/post internationally? New Zealand only with Australia Post Pack & Track International, no signature required, includes tracking number.
We Use Australia Post for shipping/postage locally. Regular Post $8.00 Express Parcel Post $11.00 per order via .Orders over $75 are free within Australia.
Do you post/ship to PO Boxes within Australia? Yes.
Once I have paid how long will it take for my goods to arrive? Australian Orders: Orders will generally ship between 2-4 business days, time to destination by Express Post delivery is generally next business day. However the delivery services available to you, and the speed at which your items will be delivered, depends on whether your ‘to’? and ‘from’ (QLD 4305) postcodes fall within a service’s delivery network, please visit Australia post. Once your order has been processed you will be sent an email with an Australia Post tracking number that can be used on http://auspost.com.au/track/track.html to track your order. See Shipping policy for more information.
Will have to sign for my parcel? No, not for shipping within Australia. NZ customers yes or no depending which shipping option you choose.
How can I track my order? Australia Shipping: Yes,once your order has been processed you will be sent an email with an Australia Post tracking number that can be used on http://auspost.com.au/track/track.html to track your order .
Can I change or cancel my order once I have placed it? You can change or cancel an order before it has been despatched, so we you will need to contact us as soon as possible. If your order has been dispatched before we receive a cancellation request you will need to return the items to us (unopened) when you receive them in order to receive a refund. Please refer to our returns policy for more details and a step-by-step guide on how to return your items to our online store.
What is your returns and refund policy? Please see our returns policy for more information.
What is your privacy policy? Please see our Privacy Policy.
Do you offer a gift wrapping service? Yes we do! All of our products come with complimentary gift wrapping . Just email your name with your order number. You can also write a personalised message to the recipient and request that the invoice not be included with the order, just email your name with your order number
My order hasn’t arrived yet? If you have waited the required delivery time (generally 5-10 business days) and your order hasn’t arrived, please contact us. Please note that at sale time your order can take longer to process and dispatch from our premises.
My question isn’t here?
If you need more information or you have other questions contact us through our contact form or simply email info@miskinorganic.com.au. Every new question will help me build a better FAQ section.