Your skin can be a window into your underlying health. Rather than treat skin concerns with topicals alone, naturopathic practitioners advise a whole body approach that includes customized food, medicine and product recommendations.

We are honored to provide skincare for such discerning healers, including Fay Halkitis of Luna Apothecary in Surrey Hills, Australia. Learn more about Fay, why she began this work, what she values and her tips to overall well-being.

Fay, tell us about yourself. What led you to start Luna Beauty & Apothecary?  

I’m a Naturopath and Beauty Therapist with a passion for skincare and all things health and wellness. My thirst for skin knowledge began with my own tumultuous relationship with my skin. I was deeply interested in the world of skincare products but also realised best results were achieved when there was a marriage of nutrition, herbal medicine and proper topical care. I opened Luna Beauty & Apothecary with the intention of creating a physical space dedicated to Naturopathic skin health.

How does being a naturopath (herbalist and nutritionist) as well as a beauty therapist translate into your focus on naturopathic skin health?

We offer facial treatments and Naturopathic consultations, so clients ultimately get the best of both worlds. Having the resources for both modalities allow us to dig a little deeper and get to the underlying contributing factors. This means we have a better chance of achieving long term, sustainable results. 

How do you bring your expertise into your treatments? 

I’m thankful now for my own history with troublesome skin because I really believe it’s one of those things that you can only truly relate to after having experienced it firsthand. I have a high level of empathy for my clients with problematic skin because I understand the emotional toll it can have. Professionally, it’s great being able to bounce between being Naturopath and Facialist. Drawing on knowledge from both modalities is so integral to what we offer. I love being able to recommend the right foods and topical care for my clients and to feel confident we are covering as many bases as possible.

How do you educate your clients on your “whole person” approach? 

Education is a huge part of what we do! I see too many customers using a serum because their friend recommended it or they read everyone should be using xyz ingredient. Part of the whole person approach is ensuring clients are using the right products and eating the right foods for them. Recommendations are always customised, and every body system is taken into account when a treatment plan is made. Part of this process means being adaptable too. We don’t necessarily need the same skincare and foods all year round. It should be assessed seasonally, and appropriate changes made.

What is one thing you want to teach our community about food as medicine and how that relates to skincare? 

Food is fuel for each and every one of our cells but it’s also pleasure. It shouldn’t be a chore to eat well. If you stay away from food products and instead keep it simple and opt for real, whole ingredients, you can’t go too wrong. In most cases, a well-rounded diet consisting of quality fats (olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, butter), proteins (grass fed meat, organic poultry, pastured eggs) and lots and lots of vegetables is optimal. When looking at skincare ingredients, apply the same principle- every ingredient should serve a purpose. No cheap fillers, just real, nutritive ingredients!

What does your wellness routine look like on a daily basis? 

Running a business with a two-month-old baby means it can be tricky maintaining a routine or carving out enough time for myself. However, I have a few non negotiables. I aim to have 90% of my meals home cooked each week, I prioritise sleep wherever possible, I focus on hydration with water and herbal teas, and I cleanse my skin with Purify every night followed by a mini massage with Renew or Repair. I tend to steer away from programs or detoxes. Instead, I prefer to focus on small, good habits daily. It’s what you do the majority of the time that really counts, it’s accumulative. 

What do you look for when bringing on new brands?

For me, it’s most important to choose brands based on merit, not trend. Every aspect of a brand is important to me. Ingredients are number one, but the overall philosophy and mission is important too. The person behind the brand should be knowledgeable in their field with a genuine interest in promoting truly wholesome products. It doesn’t hurt if the branding is chic too!