One of the first things that strikes you when you meet 62-year-old Dr Bo Hendgen face-to-face is her great skin. She’s her best advertisement for her certified organic and vegan skincare range by Absolute Essential.
Above: Dr Bo Hendgen – Naturopathic Physician and Aromatic Medicine Practitioner.
For 25 years, Bo has used natural skincare formulas with therapeutic grade essential oils (created in her laboratory at Absolute Essential HQ in Muriwai, Auckland) as part of her skincare routine and enjoyed the therapeutic benefits. Her ‘slogan’ regarding skincare is, “Keep it simple, affordable, and 100% natural!”
Absolute Essential Rejuvenating Face Serum is a favourite for many customers, followed by the Untouched Range for bespoke skincare. Most recently Absolute Essential released a Rose & Frankincense Skincare System to coincide with the company’s 35th birthday.
“Therapeutic Essential oils help carry skin quenching carrier oils into the deeper layer of the epidermis,” Bo explains. “An essential oil, even though it is called oil, is not actually oily. Essential oils are a collection of volatile molecules. When using high-quality essential oils extracted with a lower (heat) and slower (time) extraction method, the molecules are finer and much more accessible to our bodies. They will penetrate through all the epidermis layers deep into the skin and bloodstream if not mixed with a carrier oil.
“The carrier oil is food for the skin, just like eating for good nutrition. It supplies the nourishment to your skin to stay supple and look youthful beyond your years. For example, Jojoba Oil is rich in antioxidants, omegas, and vitamins A, D, K and E.”
What therapeutic essential oils also bring to the party is their smell and effect on the mind. That is why Bo created an Absolute Essential Rose & Frankincense range that soothes the mind and skin while nourishing it. The range is suitable for all skin types, including skin troubled with eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
It’s a combination she’s designed for herself as her skin matures, and she has recommended it to her customers for many years. Until recently, these essential oils had to be individually added, drop-by-drop, to the Absolute Essential Untouched range of lotions, serums, and creams.
However, demand for the Rose and Frankincense combination has been so high Bo decided to make it easier by producing a pre-blended Absolute Essential Rose & Frankincense range – Toner, Intensive Serum, and Night Cream – which effectively reduces the visible signs of ageing while harnessing their calming benefits for the mind. absoluteessential.com
What We Can Learn From Dr Bo’s own Skincare Regine
- She uses fresh water with a gentle plant-based soap is sufficient for cleansing, especially if you live in the country. Once a week Bo also washes her face with an organic deep cleansing carrier oil like organic golden Jojoba or Castor oil.
- Bo spritzes Rose Hydrosol (natural floral waters) – best for mature skin – all over her face and neck to cleanse further and hydrate her skin.
- Without drying, she applies her now favourite new Rose & Frankincense Intensive Serum at night for extra nourishment. The subtle scent of this serum not only assists with transporting nourishment into the epidermis but also has a calming and soothing effect on the mind readying her for a restorative rest.
- In the morning (after cleansing), she applies either Absolute Essential Untouched Face Cream or Rose & Frankincense Face Cream for a richer feel.. When make-up is necessary, she applies a tinted moisturiser over the top, which also has a valuable sunscreen component to protect against the elements.
- Dr Bo’s routine may be simple, but it is effective due to the quality natural ingredients used in all Absolute Essential products.
Dr Bo is an Edmund Hillary Fellow, member of the Climate Restoration Group, Registered Medical Council, Osteopath, Naturopathic Physician and an Aromatic Medicine Practitioner.
Q: I have very dry skin so would very much like to know the best oil to use on my face. Sandra
A: I highly recommend using Absolute Essential’s new Untouched Intensive Serum, it is nourishing and formulated especially for dry skin, leaving it soft and nourished. It’s readily absorbed and reduces the appearance of fine lines while restoring elasticity. The skin becomes visibly brighter, firmer and hydrated. Apply this after cleansing 1-2 times per day and watch for the results. If you prefer something utilising essential oils have a look at these two fabulous formulations: Rose & Frankincense Intensive serum and Rose & Frankincense Night Cream. The base for the Rose & Frankincense serum is very rich and deeply nourishing and the cream focuses on improving the texture of dry and mature skin.
Q: Does Castor oil really work for wrinkles? Elisabeth
A: Some people swear by Castor oil for all sorts of health benefits and I must say I used it for a few different purposes (not wrinkles) and have been impressed myself. Firstly, however, you need to make sure that you find the right Castor oil. There are a lot of cheap varieties on the market and those will not help you much, in fact it could have the opposite effect. Absolute Essential Castor oil is certified organic and extracted via cold pressing maintaining all the goodness inside the oil. It is of course hexane-free. It is really emollient (thick) and a little goes a long way. Try to use it as an oil after cleansing in the evening and see what happens, all skin types are different and some respond really well to it. Once a week you could also apply it with the “oil cleansing method” which is a deep cleanse with just using Castor oil.
Q: I am 77 years old and have been having my hair dyed at a hairdresser’s since I was 17. That makes 60 years of a ”product” being put on my head. It’s a long time for something unnatural. Should I cease the dyeing and go my own grey colour, for my health’s sake now? Andrea
A: Wow, that is a very long time of hair dye and I agree with you that it might be time for a change. I appreciate initially grey hair is something to get used to but it can look very beautiful and elegant. Regardless of colour or grey hair you could consider using Absolute Essential Hair Restorer, an optimum impact formula to improve scalp condition, readily absorbed deep into the cells for effective repair and rejuvenation.
Do you have a question for Dr Bo Hendgen?
Do you have any questions about essential oils and natural healthcare for you or your family? Email your questions to: [email protected] and be in to win an Absolute Essential product if published.*All questions get answered and a reply will be emailed to you in due course by Dr Bo.
