
Best skincare swaps for winter weather: These 8 products are the secret to a hydrated, glowing complexion
We all know winter is the season our skin loves to hate.
Between blasting heaters and icy winds, even the most loyal skincare routine can suddenly feel like it's not pulling its weight.
But don't worry, your dry patches, fine lines and lacklustre complexion are about to meet their match.
From science-backed LED masks that look like they belong in a sci-fi film to fine-mist sprays that promise glass skin on the go, these cult skincare buys are worth every cent.
Whether you're after hydration, plumping, exfoliation or that elusive dewy glow, we've found seven winter skincare saviours that are doing the rounds on TikTok, beauty blogs and celeb vanities alike.
Some are indulgent. Some are affordable. All of them are working wonders on Aussie skin right now. Here's what's worth adding to cart before the cold gets any crueller.
1. Augustinus Bader Hydrogel Face Mask, $49 at Augustinus Bader
Created by the skincare world's resident genius, Professor Bader, this cooling hydrogel mask is packed with peptides, amino acids and vitamins that hydrate, plump and visibly reduce wrinkles in just one use.
The texture feels like a second skin, and it delivers an instant glow that makes it a pre-event favourite among celebs and beauty editors alike.
2. Foreo FAQ 202 Near infrared & red light therapy LED face mask, $1,319 at Foreo
Yes, it's a splurge. But this hands-free, wireless LED face mask is next-level skincare tech.
With six LED light settings, including red, blue, yellow and more, this mask can smooth and calm the complexion while you scroll, cook or binge-watch Love Island.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
3. Prime Skin Glass Mist, $42 at Prime Skin
Forget cakey makeup and tight, thirsty skin. This micro-fine mist acts like a hydration IV drip, reviving your face throughout the day.
It's loaded with hyaluronic acid for long-lasting moisture and squalane to lock it in. Keep it in your bag for that midday skin refresh.
4. Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, $106 at Sephora
A cold-weather classic that just got a limited-edition glow-up. This ultra-rich, fragrance-free moisturiser is ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
It's rich in lipids, ceramides and fatty acids, and melts in like butter, leaving you with plump, soft, nourished skin.
5. Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Scrub, $50 at Sephora
Winter is prime time for exfoliating, and this limited-edition scrub makes it actually enjoyable. With AHAs, sugar, and lemon peel, it removes dull, dead skin without being harsh leaving room for your skin to suck up your moistrisers hydration.
The strawberry lemonade scen t? Delicious.
6. Byoma Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum, $30 at Sephora
For glass skin on a budget, this lightweight serum is your new go-to.
It's a multitasking hydrator and primer in one, loaded with phytomucin to deeply moisturise and strengthen your skin barrier. Bonus: it layers like a dream under makeup.
7. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream All-Over Miracle Oil, $45 at Adore Beauty
This do-it-all oil lives up to the hype. Ideal for hair, body and face, it delivers serious hydration without the greasy finish. It's especially great for reviving dry ends and elbows, and it smells luxe too.
8. Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra-Nourishing Moisturiser, now $30.70 at Amazon Australia
Calling fellow eczema suffers, Bioderma's Atoderm range is a lifesaver for relieving sore and inflammed skin during the winter.
Hop straight out of the shower and lather on a generous amount of the Atoderm Creme Moisturiser and notice how it sinks effortlessly into the skin without leaving behind any greasy residue. A winner!
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Daily Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
SkinnyTok: How TikTok's latest trend is fuelling a new wave of diet culture
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illness. Followed categories will be added to My News. TikTok has long been a breeding ground for viral trends, but its latest subculture, 'SkinnyTok', is reigniting old diet culture in a digital age. Behind the trendy filters and catchy sounds lies an extremely problematic reality – a community where thinness is idolised, extreme calorie deficits are glamorised, and the pursuit of a shrinking body is celebrated, often at the expense of mental and physical health. The rise of SkinnyTok SkinnyTok refers to a corner of the internet where creators openly document their weight loss journeys, post 'what I eat in a day' videos featuring alarmingly low calorie counts, and share 'bodychecks' (videos where people weigh and measure themselves). Some even boast about 'gaslighting' themselves into being skinny, or confess to daily gym visits out of a fear of being 'fat' – even when they already fit society's narrow beauty standards. TikTok has, for their part, attempted to clamp down on this content. Searching for 'SkinnyTok' now triggers a warning: 'You're not alone' and prompts people to seek help if they're struggling with body image, food or exercise. Influencers like Liv Schmidt, who built a following of over 670,000 with her 'blonde and skinny' persona, have been banned. Yet, the algorithm still seems to serve up the very content it claims to protect users from. So, what can people do to safeguard themselves online? First, you need to understand what SkinnyTok is, how the trend has managed to gain such a huge following and who is the most at risk. The personal toll Jemma Haythorne, a confidence coach, speaker, and podcaster, knows first-hand the damage that online diet culture can do. 'I started hating my body when I was 12 years old, but really spiralled into disordered eating when I was 16. My friends and I would follow skinny content on Tumblr, using it as 'motivation' to eat less to achieve our goals of being thin,' she tells For Ms Haythorne, the pressure peaked during Schoolies, when the prospect of hundreds of Facebook photos led her to subsist on scarily low calories and avoid water to prevent 'bloating' – all ideas she picked up from social media. 'Instagram then became a dangerous place too for someone with body image issues and a fraught relationship with food,' she says, adding that the rise of fitness influencers and 'clean eating' trends was fuel for her already disordered behaviours. Jemma Haythorne says social media contributed to her eating disorder. Picture: Instagram/jaythorne Her lowest point came between 2017 and 2019. 'Social media told me that everyone was thin, gorgeous, tanned, hairless, toned and successful, because that's what the algorithm was serving me, and those were the people who were platformed,' she says. 'The message that I received was that I was failing, because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't meet those standards.' Ms Haythorne believes that without social media, she would never have developed an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety to the extent she did. The cyclical nature of online trends She says she has witnessed body ideals shift over the years, from ultra-thin, to athletic and toned, to the 'Kim Kardashian' hourglass, and now back to just 'plain thin'. Despite the rise of the body positivity movement, she's sceptical about its real-world impact: 'The body ideal has always come back to being in a smaller body — something that I desperately hope we can change in the future.' 'SkinnyTok' is a new social media trend amplifying often tabooed discussions around wanting to be skinny. Picture: iStock The influencer effect Influencers and content creators play a massive role in shaping body image perceptions, Ms Haythorne argues. 'Those who post content that encourages unhealthy relationships with food and bodies are directly damaging their audience. SkinnyTok content is incredibly problematic and harmful, and when this becomes trendy, it becomes dangerous, especially for those who don't have the knowledge and understanding of how damaging it is.' But the damage isn't always obvious. Seemingly innocuous 'before and after' photos reinforce the idea that smaller is better, while meal inspiration videos suggest that copying someone's diet will yield the same body. 'Any form of editing of bodies or faces makes people think they need to live up to looking like that in order to be beautiful or worthy, yet the person themselves doesn't even look like that,' she notes. She claims that while platforms like TikTok and Instagram have a responsibility to manage the harm they promote, individual influencers must also be aware of their impact. The psychological impact Psychologist Carly Dober confirms that SkinnyTok can trigger and exacerbate disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders. 'These trends influence how people perceive and evaluate their own bodies, and the bodies of others. Behaviourally, people may self-isolate, which can also impact their work, education and relationships,' she explains. Beyond the psychological impact, the physical consequences are dire too. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth and mouth. Typical serious side effects include low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeats, feeling tired, weak, dizzy, or faint, constipation and bloating, irregular periods, and weak bones. Experts have warned against the dangers of SkinnyTok. Picture: iStock Who's most at risk? According to Ms Dober, certain groups are especially vulnerable to the dangers of SkinnyTok. These include: – Adolescents (especially those aged 12–25) with a median age of 18 – Women during key transition periods (e.g. finishing school) – Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or diabetes – Athletes and those in appearance-focused activities like dancing – People with a family history of eating disorders – Anyone seeking help for weight loss or who has engaged in dieting or disordered eating The role of TikTok's culture Qualified nutritionist Yaz Jackson sees SkinnyTok as part of a broader trend of 'normalising' harmful behaviours on TikTok. She notes that TikTok's culture is different from Instagram's: 'You can 'get away' with more. It's more of a diary, people feel like they can say whatever, and it's lighthearted and nobody judges. I've seen creators say things like 'I could never share this on Insta, they'd judge me, but I can tell you guys''. Ms Jackson believes there's a trend of radical honesty emerging on TikTok, where creators are praised for sharing 'the tea' – the secrets behind their appearance, whether it's the use of medication, diets or cosmetic surgery. Their content is being favoured, as people applaud them for being 'real' and 'not fake' – i.e. unlike the countless models and celebrities who pretend they eat pizza and burgers when the reality is much different. 'This trend then gains traction because when enough people make something okay to talk about again, they feel safer,' she said. 'Things that were once stigmatised, are now being accepted – but only if you are super honest and transparent about it. People love that'. There are things you can do to safeguard your mental health online. Picture: iStock The dangers of unqualified advice Dr Zac, a GP, urges people to exercise caution when seeking health advice online, especially when it comes from unqualified creators. 'Health advice should come from qualified professionals – doctors, registered dietitians, clinical psychologists – people with actual credentials, not just abs and a ring light. If someone's offering drastic weight loss 'hacks' or pushing extreme transformations, especially if they're profiting from it, be wary,' he says. Things to look out for include: 'Are they citing evidence-based sources? Do they promote balance over extremes? Are they championing sustainable health, or quick fixes and aesthetic perfection?' How to safeguard your mental health Ms Dober and Dr Zac recommend several strategies for protecting yourself online: Curate your feed: Block or mute content and creators that promote unhealthy behaviours Use platform tools: Filter out triggering keywords where possible Limit screen time: Reduce endless scrolling to avoid algorithm rabbit holes Follow positive accounts: Such as ones that promote body neutrality, mental health and self-compassion Seek support: If you're struggling, reach out to a psychologist or trusted professional. And as Dr Zac puts it: 'Healing starts when we stop punishing ourselves and start listening to what our body and mind actually need'. Originally published as SkinnyTok: TikTok's latest trend is fuelling a new wave of diet culture

News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
SkinnyTok: TikTok's latest trend is fuelling a new wave of diet culture
TikTok has long been a breeding ground for viral trends, but its latest subculture, 'SkinnyTok', is reigniting old diet culture in a digital age. Behind the trendy filters and catchy sounds lies an extremely problematic reality – a community where thinness is idolised, extreme calorie deficits are glamorised, and the pursuit of a shrinking body is celebrated, often at the expense of mental and physical health. The rise of SkinnyTok SkinnyTok refers to a corner of the internet where creators openly document their weight loss journeys, post 'what I eat in a day' videos featuring alarmingly low calorie counts, and share 'bodychecks' (videos where people weigh and measure themselves). Some even boast about 'gaslighting' themselves into being skinny, or confess to daily gym visits out of a fear of being 'fat' – even when they already fit society's narrow beauty standards. TikTok has, for their part, attempted to clamp down on this content. Searching for 'SkinnyTok' now triggers a warning: 'You're not alone' and prompts people to seek help if they're struggling with body image, food or exercise. Influencers like Liv Schmidt, who built a following of over 670,000 with her 'blonde and skinny' persona, have been banned. Yet, the algorithm still seems to serve up the very content it claims to protect users from. So, what can people do to safeguard themselves online? First, you need to understand what SkinnyTok is, how the trend has managed to gain such a huge following and who is the most at risk. The personal toll Jemma Haythorne, a confidence coach, speaker, and podcaster, knows first-hand the damage that online diet culture can do. 'I started hating my body when I was 12 years old, but really spiralled into disordered eating when I was 16. My friends and I would follow skinny content on Tumblr, using it as 'motivation' to eat less to achieve our goals of being thin,' she tells For Ms Haythorne, the pressure peaked during Schoolies, when the prospect of hundreds of Facebook photos led her to subsist on scarily low calories and avoid water to prevent 'bloating' – all ideas she picked up from social media. 'Instagram then became a dangerous place too for someone with body image issues and a fraught relationship with food,' she says, adding that the rise of fitness influencers and 'clean eating' trends was fuel for her already disordered behaviours. Her lowest point came between 2017 and 2019. 'Social media told me that everyone was thin, gorgeous, tanned, hairless, toned and successful, because that's what the algorithm was serving me, and those were the people who were platformed,' she says. 'The message that I received was that I was failing, because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't meet those standards.' Ms Haythorne believes that without social media, she would never have developed an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety to the extent she did. The cyclical nature of online trends She says she has witnessed body ideals shift over the years, from ultra-thin, to athletic and toned, to the 'Kim Kardashian' hourglass, and now back to just 'plain thin'. Despite the rise of the body positivity movement, she's sceptical about its real-world impact: 'The body ideal has always come back to being in a smaller body — something that I desperately hope we can change in the future.' The influencer effect Influencers and content creators play a massive role in shaping body image perceptions, Ms Haythorne argues. 'Those who post content that encourages unhealthy relationships with food and bodies are directly damaging their audience. SkinnyTok content is incredibly problematic and harmful, and when this becomes trendy, it becomes dangerous, especially for those who don't have the knowledge and understanding of how damaging it is.' But the damage isn't always obvious. Seemingly innocuous 'before and after' photos reinforce the idea that smaller is better, while meal inspiration videos suggest that copying someone's diet will yield the same body. 'Any form of editing of bodies or faces makes people think they need to live up to looking like that in order to be beautiful or worthy, yet the person themselves doesn't even look like that,' she notes. She claims that while platforms like TikTok and Instagram have a responsibility to manage the harm they promote, individual influencers must also be aware of their impact. The psychological impact Psychologist Carly Dober confirms that SkinnyTok can trigger and exacerbate disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders. 'These trends influence how people perceive and evaluate their own bodies, and the bodies of others. Behaviourally, people may self-isolate, which can also impact their work, education and relationships,' she explains. Beyond the psychological impact, the physical consequences are dire too. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth and mouth. Typical serious side effects include low blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeats, feeling tired, weak, dizzy, or faint, constipation and bloating, irregular periods, and weak bones. Who's most at risk? According to Ms Dober, certain groups are especially vulnerable to the dangers of SkinnyTok. These include: – Adolescents (especially those aged 12–25) with a median age of 18 – Women during key transition periods (e.g. finishing school) – Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or diabetes – Athletes and those in appearance-focused activities like dancing – People with a family history of eating disorders – Anyone seeking help for weight loss or who has engaged in dieting or disordered eating The role of TikTok's culture Qualified nutritionist Yaz Jackson sees SkinnyTok as part of a broader trend of 'normalising' harmful behaviours on TikTok. She notes that TikTok's culture is different from Instagram's: 'You can 'get away' with more. It's more of a diary, people feel like they can say whatever, and it's lighthearted and nobody judges. I've seen creators say things like 'I could never share this on Insta, they'd judge me, but I can tell you guys''. Ms Jackson believes there's a trend of radical honesty emerging on TikTok, where creators are praised for sharing 'the tea' – the secrets behind their appearance, whether it's the use of medication, diets or cosmetic surgery. Their content is being favoured, as people applaud them for being 'real' and 'not fake' – i.e. unlike the countless models and celebrities who pretend they eat pizza and burgers when the reality is much different. 'This trend then gains traction because when enough people make something okay to talk about again, they feel safer,' she said. 'Things that were once stigmatised, are now being accepted – but only if you are super honest and transparent about it. People love that'. The dangers of unqualified advice Dr Zac, a GP, urges people to exercise caution when seeking health advice online, especially when it comes from unqualified creators. 'Health advice should come from qualified professionals – doctors, registered dietitians, clinical psychologists – people with actual credentials, not just abs and a ring light. If someone's offering drastic weight loss 'hacks' or pushing extreme transformations, especially if they're profiting from it, be wary,' he says. Things to look out for include: 'Are they citing evidence-based sources? Do they promote balance over extremes? Are they championing sustainable health, or quick fixes and aesthetic perfection?' How to safeguard your mental health Ms Dober and Dr Zac recommend several strategies for protecting yourself online: Curate your feed: Block or mute content and creators that promote unhealthy behaviours Use platform tools: Filter out triggering keywords where possible Limit screen time: Reduce endless scrolling to avoid algorithm rabbit holes Follow positive accounts: Such as ones that promote body neutrality, mental health and self-compassion Seek support: If you're struggling, reach out to a psychologist or trusted professional. And as Dr Zac puts it: 'Healing starts when we stop punishing ourselves and start listening to what our body and mind actually need'.

News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
‘Need a pay rise': Aussies shocked by nurse's salary
A young nurse, who works up to 16 hours a day, has shocked social media users after revealing how much she gets paid. She was recently stopped on the streets of Brisbane for an interview by jobs app, Getahead, where she revealed she earns $78,000 a year working as an enrolled nurse. The worker is on the verge of finishing her registered nursing degree and plans to either continue working in her current hospital or become an army medic. During the interview, she revealed that she works between 8 to 16 hour shifts as a cardiovascular respiratory nurse, which she described as 'quite an intense job'. 'I am a carer for my grandfather. He had a heart attack a couple of years ago, [which] kind of got me into the specialty,' she said, adding that she had also cared for her grandmother when she was diagnosed with cancer. 'I just love the aspect of giving back to everyone, looking after people when they can't look after themselves is a massive thing.' When asked if she thought hospitals and the government were doing enough to 'look after' nurses, the young Aussie said she didn't think so. 'We have to fight so much for our pay increases and for our rights,' she said. 'I don't think a lot of people see how much we struggle and how emotionally exhausted we are sometimes.' The nurse said she and other people in the industry could 'definitely' do with more help and benefits. Since being shared two days ago the video has gained tens of thousands of views, with commenters sharing their shock at how much nurses really earn. 'Nurses all deserve better pay! Governments always say their nurses are valued and important but never pay them properly,' one person said. Another claimed that rate was 'too low', while another said all nurses 'need a good pay rise'. One person wrote: 'Definitely one of the most accurate interviews I've seen for nursing. Love this conversation! As a nurse I 100% agree, it's a constant battle for pay increases and for better working rights. Nurses don't get enough recognition.' According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statics, the average salary for a registered nurse in Queensland ranges from $79,058 to $106,144. An enrolled nurse salary in Queensland ranges from $71,234 to $82,599. Meanwhile, the average salary for a nurse in NSW ranges from $69,810 to $98,014. Victorian nurses have capped salaries at just below $130,000, making them among the highest paid in the country. In NSW the top classification for a registered nurse caps out at just under 100,000 in Queensland it peaks at $106,144 This is not the first time people have been left horrified after finding out how poorly some of our nurses are being paid. Earlier this year in another Getahead interview a nurse working at a private Brisbane hospital revealed that she earns around $33 an hour. 'I also work in a kitchen at the same hospital,' she added. Her admission sparked multiple stunned responses from social media users, with one person claiming there was 'no way' Australia was 'paying their nurses this low'. 'It's a joke here,' another said, with one adding: 'I make more as a barista, what?' Even though there was shock online around the woman's earnings, she claimed the 'pay' was one of the parts she loved most when it came to the job, along with 'going home to sleep'. Despite her joking response, the young worker said nurse was something she could see herself doing 'forever' and said more nurses are 'definitely needed' in Australia.