I Tried iKOU's De-Stress Routine To Ease Anxiety (And Ward Off Those Sunday Scaries!)
Francesca is the Beauty Editor at Adore Beauty. With a background in glossy mags and by lines in publications like Marie Claire, ELLE Australia and BODY+SOUL, Francesca has turned her love of beauty into a career. You’ll find her decoding the latest skincare ingredients, road-testing lip oils or scrolling through her beloved #BeautyTok (in the name of research, of course).
In Partnership with iKOU
It's currently 4.12pm on a Sunday (as I'm writing this). The Sunday scaries have started to roll in. A sense of nerves and eagerness for the week ahead wash over me. Eep!
Instead of allowing these scary feelings swallow me, I decide there's no better time to invest in a moment of self care. Cue: iKOU's De-Stress ritual.
I first discovered their idyllic skin and wellness offerings in person. Visiting one of their brick and mortar locales, I was engulfed in scents of heady geranium, calming lavender and the occasional whiff of freshly-squeezed citrus.
Surrounded by decadently curated (and rather chic) organic bath soaks, luscious body oils, and hand-blended aromatherapy rituals, the experience was immersive and utterly sensorial. I instantly understood the brand. And was hooked.
Founded in 2007, iKOU embraces a holistic approach to beauty and wellness. It's botanical skincare meets conscious home and spa rituals to treat skin, mind and body as a whole.
They're Australian made (from the Blue Mountains) and tout 100% Vegan, cruelty-free, ethically and sustainably sourced clean beauty. All those good things that you want from a brand (and your skincare).
They harness the genius of ancient global spa practices, paired with innovative science, to deliver truly transformative, top of the line organic skincare.
Their efficacious formulas are designed to work in tandem building daily rituals under their intention pillars 'De-Stress', 'Energy', 'Sleep', 'Nurture' and 'Indulge'.
For all intents and Sunday-scary purposes, I gravitate towards the 'De-Stress' range. Because who couldn't use a little de-stressing?
Here's my ultimate wellness routine for de-stressing and combatting those pesky Sunday scaries...
iKOU Tranquillity Aromatherapy Bath Soak
Did someone say 'everything bath'?
I'm swapping my beloved (and often laborious) 'everything shower' routine for a lavish 'everything bath' routine. One that prioritises relaxation and a lush sensorial experience, above all else.
To set the tone, a generous heaping of iKOU's Aromatherapy Bath Soak is sprinkled into the simmering water.
Epsom salt baths are a well-known way to boost serotonin, the so-called “happy chemical” in your brain, making it an instant mood lifter.
The luxurious soak is imbued with pure rose oil, rose geranium, and palmarosa for added skin-loving benefits. Pure rose oil in particular is known for it's impressive brightening and toning abilities. The natural compounds help to even out skin tone (and reduce pigmentation), for a glowier, radiant complexion.
Palmarosa is a calming essential oil, derived from wild grass, that's known for regulating and easing anxiety. Love!
It's also worth noting that the rose petals come in a separate sachet, so you have the choice whether or not you'd like to include them. As someone who loves a rose bath, but despises the clean-up, I really appreciate the customisable element.
iKOU De-Stress Hand & Body Wash
Spiked with Geranium & Lavender, the De-stress hand and body wash effortlessly melts away tension and dirt, debris, daily grime (you name it).
Enriched with ingredients like Aloe vera to soothe and hydrate, while nutrient-rich rice bran and organic avocado oils deeply soften texture and boost skin's resilience. Jojoba and sunflower oils help maintain the skin’s natural barrier and protect against external aggressors.
It's SLS-free and formulated for sensitive skin types to effectively cleanse and nourish, without stripping.
iKOU Organic Massage & Body Oil De-Stress
This is the gold-standard of what a body oil should be; rich, buttery, glides across the skin.
The formula is supercharged with a trio of jojoba, sweet almond, and avocado oils to deeply hydrate and replenish skin.
Jojoba oil is a powerhouse in itself, stimulating collagen production for smoother texture and bounce. It's also an antioxidant containing vitamins A, D, and E to brighten, soothe inflammation and protect against environmental stressors.
Aromatic notes of lavender and chamomile further pamper (and soothe), adding to the whole de-stressing experience. The scent is equal parts calming (try this before bed!) and restorative.
Perfectly balanced to replenish moisture and calm inflammation, the midweight oil dries down (not completely though) to leave skin feeling smoothed and supple.
iKOU Aromatherapy Roll-On Sleepyhead
A lullaby in a bottle.
iKOU's Aromatherapy Roll-Ons take the principle of compact, roll-on travel fragrances and instead bolster the liquid formula with a potent blend of pure essential oils to instantly enhance and influence mood.
As a big believer in the mood-boosting power of fragrance - some studies suggest 75% of all emotions are triggered by our sense of smell - this is a winner for me. The action itself; taking a small moment out of the day to just breathe and focus on scent is my lazy-girl version of attainable mindfulness. And it works. I really enjoy this ritual.
This particular Sleepytime blend boasts dreamy notes of lavender, chamomile, and sweet mandarin. It's gentle, yet powerful.
A few delicate swirls across pulse points instantly calms and pacifies. As the name suggests, I pop this one on right before bed and am off peacefully dreaming in no time.
Shop The Products Mentioned In This Article:
iKOU De-Stress Hand & Body Wash 500ml$33.75 $45.00 - Currently not available
iKOU Tranquility Aromatherapy Bath Soak 125g $14.36 $17.95
iKOU Aromatherapy Roll-On De-Stress$23.10 $33.00
iKOU Organic Massage & Body Oil De-Stress 130ml$32.86 $46.95 - Currently not available
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