Elle MacPherson's secret to the best night's sleep

Tell us about your secret AKA The Evening Elixir

"Think of The Evening Elixir as the nightcap we’ve only dared to dream of - so light on calories yet delivering massive benefits: smooth, soothing and efficacious and best of all… chocolate! Hot chocolate is very new for us and it took a lot of fine tuning to get right. We were all supremely fussy about the taste (it had to be sweet but not too sweet), the quality of the natural vitamin C (nailing that glow was imperative) and the overall rest and relaxation the formulation was able to provide.

This elixir is strong in its relaxation and rest benefits, which we wanted to deliver due to sleep being such an issue in so many homes now. Many experts claim sleep can be an overall barometer of mental health and a mirror to overall health, putting it at the top of the pile when it comes to its strong and life-changing protective benefits. Improved sleep often means an improved life. Ask any new mum this! And these days, more and more of us – particularly as the years go on – find ourselves wondering where it went. Winding down after a long day can also feel like work. And we wanted to change that up so it’s a joy, not a task.

We figured, we’ve thrived on greens, proteins and teas so why not extend our nutrition prowess to hot chocolate? We confirmed our hunches with our WelleCommunity and we received resounding support: these sleeping beauties wanted their beauty sleep! The Evening Elixir delivers beauty while you sleep, pouring calm in a cup while supporting the skin from within."

What are the benefits of The Evening Elixir?

"The Evening Elixir has dual benefits that span both morning and night. Because of the magnesium and our botanical calming blend, it gives all the benefits associated with rest and relaxation, meaning that it assists with your nightly wind-down, yet it’s ultimate strength is in its beauty benefits.

These include boosting skin collagen formation, helping support skin structure and function for healthy, glowing skin. It also supports nerve and muscle function and the antioxidants protect cells from free radical damage. It’s a delicious naturally sweetened hot chocolate, easily dissolvable in milk or water, formulated to inspire your nightly self-care ritual. It certainly has inspired mine."

Who is The Evening Elixir best for?

"The Evening Elixir is for men and women alike. Anyone who likes a sweet treat before bed and who invests in self-care and demands results from their routines. I think though, women like myself are looking for an evening beauty boost that will also give them a chance to celebrate as they reflect on their day. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the sleep they have and to look forward to it. It’s natural. It’s attainable. And it can be deliciously beneficial!"

How do you use The Evening Elixir?

"It’s so easy! Just one serve a day, ideally at night before bed. Or simply when you want to relax."

What does The Evening Elixir taste like?

"The Evening Elixir gives an aromatic, full-bodied dark chocolatey taste without the bitterness. It took a lot of finessing the formula for us to be able to say that, believe me! It’s naturally sweetened with organic stevia leaf extract (so a 5g serve contains no more than 0.2 g of naturally-occurring sugars.) So it’s not unnecessarily sweet. When paired with warm water or your ideal milk (which in my case is Elmhurst Oat Milk), this will quickly become your go-to nightcap. And you can always tailor it to your taste with a drop of raw honey, maple syrup, or your sweetener of choice."

Elle’s tips for the best night’s sleep

#1 Be consistent with your routine

"I love to relax in an infrared sauna (at about 170 degrees) followed by a cold plunge in my plunge bath (for about five minutes). I'll take The Evening Elixir then or afterwards as I'm doing some breathing or writing a gratitude list just before sleep. When not on the road, I aim to be asleep by 11 or midnight. I find it easiest to fall asleep after a good laugh with a loved one, which always seems to happen just as I’m about to drop off."

#2 Eat consciously

"I like to have my last meal around 5pm so the body isn’t digesting just before bed. Digestion takes up a lot of energy so I like to give my system a break by fasting from then until about 11am the next day. I’ve found I don’t sleep my best on a full stomach."

#3 Opt for eight (hours)

"All the research suggests that eight is the magic number when it comes to sleep and I’m not going to argue. Having said that, my emphasis is on the quality of the sleep, not the quantity.

I consider sleep to be like a full body reset, an essential element to feeling and looking your best. WelleCo formulator and my long-time friend Dr Simoné Laubscher PhD puts it beautifully: 'Every day, we build up and carry a toxic load and sleep is key to allow our nervous system to rest and detoxify.'"