For more and more of us, what goes on your body is becoming as important as what goes in it. This sentiment couldn't be more true for Recreation Beauty founder, Nedahl Stelio. With over 20 years of experience as an editor, Stelio first switched out all of her beauty products to natural alternatives a decade ago, and found natural perfume the most difficult to come by, so she decided to make her own. Here, Stelio talks us through her beauty non-negotiables, a typical day as the founder of a beauty brand, and why JLO is her beauty icon.

What is your morning beauty routine?

I cleanse in the shower if I’ve worked out, if I haven’t worked out, I’ll just rinse my face with water (no cleanser!) and start my beauty routine. I’ve been using Juice Beauty Green Apple Cleanser for a little while, it’s a nice gel formula.

Then it’s a vitamin C serum, at the moment that’s Biologi Kakadu Plum which I use all over my face and neck. Every second or third day I’ll use a Niacinamide serum. After that comes our face oil, Vibrant Skin Face Oil - I used to be scared of using oils because I have oily skin but once I started I realised that’s what was missing in my life! Vibrant Skin has balanced my skin, plumped it and now I can glow without being oily.

I Gua Sha with our Jade Gua Sha while the oil is fresh on skin. I’ve got my Gua Sha routine down to about 1 minute.

Then it’s primer with SPF, makeup and of course, Recreation perfume!

What is your night beauty routine?

Night time for me is a double cleanse, and in the second cleanse I always use one of those puffy, cleansing pad things - the ones you can use over and over - sorry not sure what they’re called! For the first cleanse if I have a lot of makeup on I’ll use an oil cleanser, I like the Tatcha one, but otherwise just two of my regular cleanser.

My skin LOVES exfoliation so I double down with a chemical exfoliant, I switch it up between lactic acid, a BHA or a mix of acids. After that I use Vibrant Skin Face Oil again, it’s got a patented sea greens blend and Bakuchiol in it, so twice a day means doubling up on all that goodness and it doesn’t make your skin sensitive like retinol, but has all those retinol benefits like smoothing texture and fine lines.

Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?

I’m the Founder and CEO of Recreation Beauty, a clean fragrance and beauty company. A typical day usually starts with coffee, and then it’s straight into it. I like to separate my day into 30 minute or hour-long tasks, to make sure I’m productive in every minute. It really helps get the to-do list down. My day can be anything from meetings with our digital marketing agency or our PR agency, product shoots, testing out new scents and products, briefings with our R&D team, overseeing production targets, sorting out packaging, going over budgets and investigating new tech and ingredients.

What is the supermarket/ drug store/ chemist beauty product(s) that you use and love?

I’m loving Rimmel’s new 99% natural mascara. It actually works really well which is tough for a mascara in the clean category - trust me I’ve been looking for a good one for over 10 years! This is great for everyday.

What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?

I’ll start with either a dry body brush or if I forget, I’ll use a body scrub in the shower - basically I scrub with a brush either in or out of the shower every day, gotta get those skin cells turning over!

I slather our Luxury Body + Hair Oil all over my body every morning. It sinks in straight away so I can get dressed immediately and is the best all over body moisturiser - a little bit of luxe for everyday because it smells divine, and it’s totally made over my scaly, strawberry skin legs. I use the residue left on hands in the ends of my hair.

How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?

Working out is a big part of my life - I basically have to work out or my back ends up wigging out, and it’s also really necessary for my mental health, that’s the first thing I notice if I have a week off!

I do a 45 min Barre Body class at home 4 times a week - they have a good online offering and I’m used to exercising at home since having kids. I might go for a run once a week or once a fortnight, but more in summer than winter. Every other afternoon I take the dog for a walk if it’s not raining.

What procedures or professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?

I’ve just recently finished a good 4 month run of alternating, bi-monthly glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion (so a fortnightly glycolic and fortnightly micro), and am just loving the results. You can really tell a difference with skin texture and it’s nothing too invasive. I’ll go back to monthly treatments now as I don’t want to upset my skin barrier.

I love Omnilux LED treatments and have tried most things from various lasers like Clear & Brilliant to Dermapen rolling. I think the key is to do the treatments regularly, whatever they are. You can really tell the difference after a few of the same treatment.

What do you do when your body needs to recover?

I lie down! Weekends for me are for slowing down, couch time in front of the TV or with a good book, family time and baking.

You’re tired or rundown: what is your beauty hack?

Exfoliation mask - Juice Beauty has a good Green Apple one to clear skin and brighten (but TBH since my glycolic + micro treatments I haven’t needed it), and then fake tan - I use any natural fake tan on my face and it instantly brightens skin and makes me feel better - even if it’s just for that day. Plus cream blush in a deep pink - it makes everyone look fresh.

What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?

If I don’t have time for any other skincare I just do Vibrant Skin face oil - it’s a great holiday product as it’s a moisturiser, serum and eye cream in one.

Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?

I grew up with all the supers - Linda, Cindy, Naomi, Helena - so I appreciate body curves and a smoky eye. Jennifer Lopez is the celebrity I identify most with as we’re similar colouring, I’ve copied that caramel hair and golden skin more times than I can count.

What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?

Exfoliate regularly with a chemical exfoliant, and use a good face oil that suits your skin. Two things that if I’d known when I was younger I would have saved myself a whole lot of anxiety about oily skin and texture!

What is the best advice on health you’ve received?

Do what you like. If you find a workout you like, you’ll actually do it which is the key - doing it. Don’t make yourself do something you hate, it will never last. Also - whatever you put into your body will show on your face. Be kind to your body and to your digestive system, just because something is trending on TikTok doesn’t mean it’s good for you.

What is the one product you can’t live without?

Vibrant Skin Face Oil.