I’d like to introduce you to Twenty8. Google them. A business that is influencing the world, one aroma at a time.

Below are the 28 reasons that I fall more in love with these incredible products (and the team behind them) each and everyday.

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1. Their tag line is “self care isn’t selfish … it’s essential” 

Amen sister! If only we could all embrace this as our truth. While it is important to protect and nurture our loved ones, we can only give them the best of us if we are looking after ourselves first and foremost. Think of yourself as a rose garden, before a rose can grace the family dinner table with their presence or be the aromatic gift the settles an argument between a couple, they firstly need lots of TLC to flourish and reach to their highest potential. You deserve just as much, if not more care than a magnificent rose garden in bloom, and who better to deliver that tender loving care than your wonderful self?

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2. They don’t believe in the anti-ageing scam …

Let’s be honest lovely souls, every moment we are growing older (and it’s far better than the alternative!). Growing old is a privilege denied to many – please remember this, it’s such a powerful mindset changer.

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3. … instead they encourage us all to embrace ‘ageing gracefully’

We can’t stop the natural processes of time, but we can use carefully selected and blended oils, waxes and natural minerals (like magnesium and zinc) to nurture our skin so that we look and feel the very best we possible can, regardless of whether we are 18 or 80.

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4. They only use ethically natural ingredients

This was a big one for me. I spent years searching for ethically natural products that I’d think I was happy with, only to get home and discover that I’d missed an ingredient on the label that I DID NOT want to put anywhere near my skin. Twenty8 don’t just use all natural ingredients but they are ethically sourced too. You can talk to gorgeous Kim, the founder of Twenty8, and she will proudly and informatively tell you about the faces and stories behind these uplifting blends. There is no compromise, and no watering down of Twenty8’s integrity or conviction. If it can’t be sourced ethically, and within a fair price range, it doesn’t make it to the product line. Simple as that. Now who doesn’t respect a business that puts health above wealth?

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5. They don’t just sell they educate

Twenty8 are just as focused on the rituals that accompany their gorgeous products, than they are on the products themselves. From lighting the vaporizer to body boosting or a weekly clay mask, Twenty8 are passionate about educating you on how to create rituals that become your rescue remedies, your pick-me-ups and your self-care non-negotiables. For those of you that want to dive in and learn all there is to know about self-care rituals, chemical free skincare and how to become part of the incredible Twenty8 tribe, then you might consider the Healthy Lifestyle and Education Course (link also in sidebar). I am doing this education course at the moment and I am absolutely loving the information I am learning and the soul connections I am making with like-minded women that want to help their community as much as I want to help mine – it’s a blissfully bubbly and inspiring group.

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6. They invented the body boost!

The what? Lovely souls do you remember this post, where I talked you through typed you through how to body boost. It is the quickest and most sensually pleasing way to come back to a place of self-love. I body boost twice daily and I believe (without sounding over the top gushy, because we all know that isn’t my style) that I am a nicer (and definitely better smelling) person because of it.

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7. They don’t produce make up

Why is it that we feel the need to cover up our transparent selves? Sure every once in a while it can be very confidence-boosting to jazz yourself up and feel extra gorgeous for an event (I don’t think I’ve ever felt prettier or more feminine than I did at my year 12 formal last year – apart from the fact that I walk like a man in heels … oh well you can’t have everything I guess) or just because you can. However if we look after ourselves, use quality products on our skin, get plenty of quality sleep, exercise to get the blood pumping and ensure that we are getting loads of nourishing, skin-boosting fats in our diets, our skin should be so vibrant that we don’t need make up – at least not day-in, day-out (man that was a long sentence!). I like that Twenty8 focus on supporting the skin to glow in it’s natural state, rather than offering us more ways to hide from the skin we were given from the world.

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8. Essential oils are at the heart of everything they do

It’s really very unique that a skincare company uses pure essential oils across their entire range. Essential oils have powerful healing and rejuvenating properties just by themselves, but when combined with creams and other concoctions, they really enhance the benefits of these products and help them to come alive (literally, their products help you to bring nature indoors and increase the negative ions circulating your environment – negative ions help to balance the positive ions that come from our beloved, albeit very modern appliances; phones, computers, iPads etc.)

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9. Their products don’t cost a small fortune

Sure compared to chemical-laden generic creams and ointments, they may seem slightly dearer, but quite seriously, for a product with absolutely no questionable, hard to pronounce ingredients and no ‘fillers’, it is very reasonable (and this is coming from someone that hates shopping and spending money – unless it’s at the farmers markets or on a decent book). I’ve heard Kim speak about this many times and she is passionate about delivering quality products that almost anyone can afford. I really admire this level of commitment to providing an affordable service – especially in the (not to be negative) greedy and profit-driven world of business.

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10. Kim, the founder of Twenty8, is one of the most special souls I have ever had the privilege of meeting

When a person sparkles with as much warmth as Kim does, it’s hard not to fall in love with the business that they have put their heart and soul into creating. Kim’s someone that possesses the rare gift of being able to make you feel loved, safe and special in the way that she addresses crowds, groups and individuals – a quality that spills over into her products.

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11. Twenty8 came to be because of a shared passion between best friends

Before 2012 when she sadly had to leave the business, Kim had a partner in crime … her like-minded girlfriend Fleur Whelligan. The two were passionate about ethically natural skincare and aromatherapy and wanted to unite the two in a line that they could call their own. Their journey unfolded organically and these two working mothers managed to bring their dream to life in August 2009.

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12. They encourage the aspiration to become role models instead of supermodels

Whilst there’s no denying that we all want to look our best (because usually when we look our best we also feel our best), it is far more important sparkle on the inside and let the glow radiate to the surface, rather than focus primarily on polishing the external layers. Speaking and acting kindly, wisely and with integrity is what Twenty8 encourages us all to do. Show me a loving heart and warm smile over good looks any day!

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They understand that beautiful skin doesn’t just come from using their products and are committed to promoting healthy lifestyle choices such as …

13. Daily movement

Kim’s Instagram account is a source of inspiration for quick, 5-15 minute WOD’s (Workout of the day) that even busy people have time for. The Twenty8 blog and newsletter often run an article about fitness and not just it’s obvious physical benefits, but the pleasing psychological benefits too. I appreciate this holistic approach to health and love that the emphasis is on doing something small every day, rather than absolutely pushing yourself to the limit on a few times per week.

14. Ensuring that you get quality sleep

Just last newsletter, Kim spoke about the importance of getting enough sleep and why it is important for every cell in the body. Twenty8 don’t pretend to have products that will undo the effects of exhaustion, but rather that will compliment the effects of balanced rest – very realistic and honest (because aren’t we all tired of miracle claims that promise us band-aid solutions to poor lifestyle choices?)

15. Taking the time to nourish yourself and your family

Twenty8 could not emphasize enough how vital a whole food diet if you want glowing skin. Their products are filled with nourishing ingredients that the skin just drinks in, but without lots of veggies, essential fats and quality proteins, these products won’t have much to work with. The Twenty8 blog is home to many simple, delicious recipes (that don’t have millions of exotic ingredients or call for strange and unheard of utensils) such as chicken curry, skin boosting chocolate mud cake and lamb shanks.

16. Laughing every day!

It’s always bothered me when (skincare) adds on television talk about laugh lines and smile lines as though they are a bad thing. Twenty8 promote as much laughter and as many smiles as possible, because the truth is, happiness creates endorphins, and endorphins keep us looking and feeling young, fresh and vibrant.

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17. They understand and respect that you have worked hard for your cash and would never use guilt or manipulation as persuasive tools that lure you in to purchasing their products

Twenty8 just want people to start living cleaner and feeling happier. If you can’t afford their oils yet, they’ll tell you to instead start a herb garden to bring nature indoors that way. If you aren’t in the position right at the moment to purchase the daily moisturizer then they’ll say ‘no sweats mate’ and direct you towards your pantry where the beautiful coconut and other cold pressed oils reside. If you can’t justify forking over the cash for the clay mask this month because you have bills to pay they understand, and will suggest maybe using a mashed banana or avocado with honey as a replacement face mask. While they aim to keep the costs as low as possible, ultimately Twenty8 just want the planet to thrive and believe in education and making do with what you have and can afford.

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18. They do Sparkle workshops

Twenty8 don’t aspire to become popular by getting themselves into department stores or pharmacies any time soon. Instead, they run workshops where you can learn how to perform the Twenty8 signature self-care rituals and get the chance to sample the oils, creams, masks, cleansers and lotions. I am excited to announce that I will be starting to deliver these workshops very soon, so please watch this space.

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19. The healing skin boost is actually a healing skin boost

Twenty8 aren’t much for major claims or mainstream advertising, they’d rather lead by example and show that the proof really is in the pudding ointment. I’ve had chronic hives, skin rashes, burns -both minor and major, deep wound cuts and harsh grazes over my 18 years and have tried all sorts of lotions and potions. Unfortunately, I’ve also got lots of scars and discoloration because these lotions and potions didn’t help (but on another subject how amazing are our bodies at repairing and forming that scar tissue right?). Apart from my number one go-to remedy; virgin coconut oil, the healing skin boost is the only other healing product that actually accelerates the healing of cuts, grazes and sunburn (or silly little burns from kitchen accidents experiments). An incredible example is my darling friend Alice; she was acting barista during her work shift and burned her finger on the coffee machine. I applied the skin boost to the burn on the Saturday morning and by the Sunday night (as in the next day) there was not a trace of injury present.

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20. Twenty8 wants to start contributing to a charity or organisation, and then one day create their own, to spread awareness about chemical free living

Twenty8 goes beyond the power of aromatherapy and chemical free (well low chemical – nothing is chemical free these days, sadly not even a mother’s breast milk) skincare. As a team (Kim, her team and the rest of us Twenty8 Healthy Lifestyle Educators) we want to inspire (not scare) people to live cleaner, safer lives without the massive overwhelm.

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21. Twenty8 makes self-care a fun and accessible

When most of us (and I used to be one of these people) think of self care, we often think of long, lazy afternoons spent following a long list of home treatments such as a face mask application followed by … a long bath, a manicure and pedicure, an exfoliation, a cleanse, tone, moisturization (spell-check doesn’t seem to think that that last one is a word, but for lack of a better one lets just go with it) and finally a cup of herbal tea. Twenty8 inspire a different headset, instead teaching people how to find ‘moments’ because most of us don’t have a whole afternoon spare all that often and our self care shouldn’t suffer because of it. Slap on a face mask and allow it to set whilst you answer a few emails or chop up the veggies for dinner. Taking a spritzer bottle of your favourite synergy blend with you to the loo (lets be honest ladies … sorry and gentlemen this blog is not genderist – also apparently not a word, sometimes bathroom breaks are the most relaxing parts of our whole day). The thirty second body boost – it’s possible I’ve done it. Twenty8 supports real people with real schedules.

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22. The whole family can use the principles of Twenty8 to create a more peaceful home environment

As both Kim and Fleur are mothers, they definitely have put an emphasis on getting the family involved in the way that they talk about the rituals and ethos behind the products. Kids love having oil diffusers in their room, or helping to light the vapourizer in the living and dining rooms. Kids aren’t as critical of their bodies as adults (we could learn from them all) and will be very open to doing a body boost with you or with their siblings. There are special products for the teenagers to support their sensitive and hormonal skin and if you get them started with daily rituals young enough, they’ll carry them through their teenage years as part of their regular routine. Twenty8 has so many success stories with families, where the entire mood of the household has changed just because the vapourizer was lit.

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23. If you visit their head office you’ll see that they practice what they preach

Twenty8 HQ smells amazing and has a very calm atmosphere. The diffusers are always lit, there’s always some calming music playing and the team always wear welcoming smiles (and even when they answer the phone you can hear the smile in their voice … which sounds a little strange I know, but you know what I mean – there’s an undeniable warmth radiating through the receiver)

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24. They support local business

Twenty8 don’t just sell their own products, but also promote other businesses that have similar values and goals. Kim is constantly name dropping Changing Habits, a local food business that supply the public with hard to locate dried goods, the Australian hair care brand Everescents and a list of other local companies that are trying to provide the community with quality alternatives to chemical laden products, be that food, personal care or otherwise

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25. Kim records a video with every Twenty8 newsletter, where she shares with her readers a lesson she has learned during the week

I like these short videos that provoke some thought and emphasize an important value. There’s nothing quite like watching a video rather than just reading something off a screen and I like this slightly more personal method of communication.

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26. Twenty8 isn’t certified organic*

Why is this a good thing? Because most of their oils and products are in fact organic, but we don’t have to pay the earth, just because they have to maintain their certification. Also there are some ingredients and oils that just can’t be grown and extracted organically and Twenty8 are honest and transparent about this.

*Hello from the future … since I wrote this original post back in 2015, Twenty8 has decided to transition to mostly certified organic ingredients – which I suppose is a benefit un-to itself. This means the products are even purer than they were previously. I haven’t noticed much difference in the way of pricing which is a bonus. I must say however, I only have to re-stock once of twice a year because that’s how potent the products are, a little goes a very long way indeed.

27. The Ester+ serums were created for those that need/like to avoid oils on their skin

Some people, due to sensitivities, allergies or certain protocols they are undertaking, can’t apply cold pressed oils to their skin and Twenty8 responded by creating a body and face serum based on quality waxes instead. I don’t think that ‘special needs’ are appreciated enough in the skin care industry. Sure there’s hypoallergenic but they still usually trigger reactions in people that are highly sensitive and I am very grateful, for all those out there that need to be careful, that Twenty8 went out of their way to research how they could fill this gap in the market.

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28. Twenty8 have changed me for the better

I used to cleanse, moisturise and exfoliate religiously but it got to the point where I would react to every thing and anything that went on or near my skin. This made me very slack with my skin care routines. I then found some alternatives that were safe, but they were so expensive that I wouldn’t use them every day because I’d feel too guilty. Then I was using just olive oil and coconut oil from the pantry, but mum said that I was making the bathroom too greasy, so then I used nothing at all (or would have to go outside with the coconut oil jar and pray that our neighbors weren’t in a perverted mood. There were some close calls). Enter Twenty8. I now perform self-care rituals daily and they have become a non-negotiable. My skin is better than ever and I have more confidence and gratitude for my body than before. This all sounds so gushy and I really apologize because I hate stuff that raves on and has that ‘too good to be true tone’ but I don’t know what else to say.

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This post isn’t sponsored. I’m simply paying it forward. When spud muffins do glorious work, they deserve to be seen, heard and discovered. I’m just doing my bit to help the cause.