How to Use Sun Gold: A Daily Face Balm Ritual
To use Sun Gold, warm a small amount between clean fingertips and press it gently into your face and neck, morning or evening. It melts on contact and leaves the skin smooth, with a soft matte finish, so there's no waiting for it to soak in.
Below you'll find how much to use, how to layer it, where else it's useful, and the simple three-step ritual we return to each day.
In short
Cleanse. Warm a little Sun Gold between your fingertips. Press it slowly into the skin. Start with less than you think you need. Used this way, a 50 mL jar lasts two to three months.
How Much Sun Gold Should You Use?
Less than you'd expect. Sun Gold is a balm, not a cream: it contains no water, so every bit of it is nourishment. A small amount, about half a pea, is enough for the whole face. Add a touch more for the neck, or on days your skin feels especially dry.
If your skin is on the oilier side, start with even less and build up. You'll quickly find the amount that feels right.
How to apply Sun Gold
01
Cleanse
Begin with clean skin. A gentle botanical cleanser, then pat dry.
02
Warm
Take a little balm and warm it between your fingertips until it softens.
03
Press
Press and smooth it gently into the face and neck, moving slowly.
When Should You Apply Sun Gold?
In the morning
Apply after cleansing as your daily moisturiser. Because it settles to a matte finish, you can apply it and get on with your day. Sun Gold isn't a sunscreen, so on days in the sun, follow with your usual sun protection.
In the evening
Evening is a lovely time to slow down with it. Apply a little more generously after cleansing and let it rest on the skin overnight.
Whenever your skin asks for it
After a day in the wind or salt water, a long drive with the window down, or a weekend in the garden. Many of our customers keep a jar in the car or their bag for exactly these moments.
How to Layer Sun Gold With Other Skin Care
Sun Gold is designed to stand on its own, but it pairs naturally with a few others in our range. The general rule is to apply the lightest texture first and finish with the richest.
- With Sacred Serum: press 3–4 drops of serum into the skin first, then seal it in with Sun Gold. Oil, then balm.
- After Foaming Cleanser: cleanse, pat dry, then apply. Slightly damp skin helps the balm glide.
- With a zinc balm: some of our community blend a little Sun Gold with Zinc Balm Helichrysum in the palm before heading out, for one smooth, tinted layer.
Where Else Can You Use Sun Gold?
It's a face balm first, but it's rich enough for anywhere that's feeling dry, rough or weathered: the backs of the hands and knuckles, elbows, heels, and the edges of the nose after a cold. Massage a small amount in slowly and let it settle.
The Skin Care Ritual: Appreciate, Connect, Return
How we apply something matters as much as what we apply. We think of skin care as ritual rather than routine: a moment to slow down, to reconnect through touch, and to honour the skin you're in. These three steps take no longer than putting on a moisturiser. They simply ask that you be present while you do it.
01
Appreciate.
Take a moment to appreciate the skin you're in.
The skin that has carried you through every season of life. That allows you to feel the warmth of the sun, the embrace of another, and the world around you.
Let this moment be one of gratitude. For the body you inhabit, and all that it allows you to experience.
02
Connect.
Warm your hands. Slow your breath. Return to your senses.
As your hands meet your skin, allow your touch to become an expression of care rather than correction.
Move slowly, with intention. Not to change what you see, but to honour what you feel.
03
Return.
Let this simple act become a moment of stillness within the movement of life.
A chance to soften, to listen, to remember that caring for yourself need not be complicated.
Return to this ritual each morning and evening. Not because you need fixing, but because you are worthy of your own time, attention and love.
The way we touch ourselves matters.
Featured in this story
Sun Gold — Face Balm
Melts on contact and leaves skin smooth, with a soft matte finish. A 50 mL jar lasts two to three months of daily use.
Caring for Your Jar
Store Sun Gold somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sun. Because it's made from natural oils and beeswax, it softens in heat. In a Queensland summer you may find it a little looser than usual, which is completely natural. Leave it somewhere cool and it will firm up again. Always use clean, dry fingertips so nothing unwanted finds its way into the jar.
Final Thoughts
Sun Gold asks very little of you: a small amount, warm hands, and a few slow breaths. Used this way, a daily moisturiser becomes something more, a quiet moment of care at the beginning and end of each day.
Curious about what's inside the jar? Read Inside Sun Gold, our guide to its five key ingredients. And if you have a question about using it, get in touch with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Sun Gold every day?
Yes. Sun Gold is made for daily use. Apply a small amount morning, evening, or both.
Is Sun Gold a sunscreen?
No. Sun Gold is a nourishing face balm and isn't a substitute for sun protection. On days outdoors, follow it with your usual sun protection.
Do I apply Sacred Serum or Sun Gold first?
Apply Sacred Serum first, then Sun Gold. Lighter textures go on first, and the balm helps seal in the oil.
Will Sun Gold leave my skin shiny?
No. It melts into the skin and settles to a soft matte finish. If it feels heavy, you're likely using more than you need.
Is Sun Gold suitable for oily skin?
It can be used across a range of skin types. If your skin is oilier, start with a very small amount and see how your skin responds.
Why has my Sun Gold gone soft?
Natural balms soften in warm weather. Store it somewhere cool and it will firm up again, with no change to the balm itself.
Against The Grain
Handmade on the Sunshine Coast.
Before You Go…
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