Winter Dryness and Soulful Skincare

The skin is our biggest organ, readily able to absorb anything it comes into contact with. It is a powerful detoxifier, too. A living, breathing entity, it needs also to thrive. How many winter days in the office has your skin – dry and flaky and calling out for help – made the working day seem so very much longer? Oxidative stress and pollution from traffic and industry only serve to worsen the state of our skin further. It doesn’t have to be the actual office, either: heating systems at home will serve to dry out already fatigued and screen-weary skin, as well.

Do you look in the mirror these days and wonder what happened to that unblemished skin of your youth?

Hyperpigmentation happens when melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) work overtime, creating extra and unneeded melanin. Causes for this range from sun exposure to hormone fluctuation, to simple inflammation in the body. So it is that when you search for a product to combat hyperpigmentation, you’re essentially seeking to calm that inflammation, block any abnormal pigmentation happening, and boost cell turnover (i.e. shedding).

Calmers include niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, and licorice root extract (which is also thought to brighten skin).

Blockers include the ever-popular vitamin C, as well as kojic acid, which blocks the formation of the enzyme tyrosine. Arbutin works similarly.

Boosters include the famous retinol, and also glycolic acid. An alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid keeps skin looking fresh.

Lastly, even in the winter (and even in the northern hemisphere), it is advisable to wear some factor of sun protection when out and about – especially on long hikes in the hills or along the coast.

From dark spots that have seemingly appeared overnight to deeper fine lines and wrinkles that prompt a double-take, from adult-onset eczema or acne to a greyer complexion than usual – changes in our skin can affect our mental wellbeing greatly. Antipollution skincare acts as a barrier or corrector, removing impurities by drawing them out. Clay masks are well-established as a means to clog pores of the grime of daily hectic living. If applied just before a hot bath (candles optional), the steam from the hot tub heightens the cleansing process further. But skincare options seem almost limitless these days.

Hyperpigmentation & Sun Spots

Vegan-friendly is an overdue requirement in the 21st Century, as well. And just as concern surrounding ingesting sufficient quantities of the right vitamins and minerals is crucial for good health, so too is making sure our skin is tended to and given equal measure of due care and its share of these. Named the “Mecosystem” by beauty professionals, the concept of what is good for the gut microbiome being good for the skin as well extends to the application of fermented ingredients, also.

Advertising Feature

Hope’s Relief Natural steroid free eczema cream No.1 in Australia, Hope’s Relief multi award winning Intensive Dry Skin Rescue Cream helps soothe and heal itchy, dry skin prone to eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. Developed over 35 years of research by naturopaths, Hope’s Relief is an effective, natural alternative to steroid creams and other medicated treatments and suitable for long term use on skin prone to eczema and psoriasis. Formulated with Active NPA10+ Manuka Honey, Licorice and Aloe Vera, the cream is clinically proven to hydrate skin for up to 24 hours after just a single use. Suitable for newborns upwards. The range includes gentle bath and shower cleansers, haircare for dry itchy scalps, dandruff and cradle cap plus soothing topical products in gel and spray form for immediate relief.

So it is that face and body creams can now include in the ingredients list curcumin and ashwagandha, antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (non-bovine, of course) and resveratrol (courtesy of red grapes skin and berries). Further, local and/or wild additions include nettle and horsetail for hair and nail health (due to their silica contents), and even elderberry (so popular during the first lockdown) for vitamin C’s promotion of collagen production. Vitamin E, of course, is the antioxidant powerhouse, neutralizing free radicals, reducing blocked pores and blackheads, and moisturizing simultaneously. Potent stuff.

Yet, how does one pick between hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil, between aloe vera and marshmallow root, or appreciate the difference between Abyssinian oil and Argan oil (hint: it’s the higher percentage of Omega-9s)? What is what and what is for whom?

What these are not are the pollutants that were once found in skincare products: coral-damaging oxybenzone and oxtinoxate in sunscreens, unfilterable antibacterial agent triclosan (remnants even found in breast milk), widely-vilified and happily no longer-used microbeads, preservative and reproductive system-altering parabens… The list of what once was slathered onto skin is long and it is frightening. A Silver Lining Effective Natural Skin Treatment

FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS silver has been used as an antibacterial agent to promote natural healing. More recently fears of the growth of broad-spectrum resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has led to the rediscovery of silver’s efficacy in the fight against infection and to rapidly aid the clearing of a wide range of bacterial and fungal skin issues.

Nature’s Greatest Secret products are designed for their effectiveness. We are painstaking in optimising our formulations to ensure that they meet these goals. We have the widest range of antibacterial formulations including solutions, gels, creams, lotions, soaps and other ready to use products.

We also have fully natural antiaging creams that have a delicious texture and application that help to clear, tighten and smooth the complexion. Please try them out and see the difference in just a few weeks.

www.naturesgreatestsecret.co.uk

In addition to collagen, chickpeas contain 64% of the RDA of copper in just one cup. Additionally, the same cup contains 23% RDA of zinc and 15g of protein.

Granted, so too is that wrinkled look, worsening as the natural collagen in our body decreases (along with increasing stiffness, weaker muscles, joint pain, and even stomach problems as the lining of the digestive tract thins). Poor diet only serves to exacerbate matters. Therefore, eating a collagen-rich diet might just save some pennies when compared to investing in the latest skincream:

Chickpeas

Red Bell Peppers

Providing 169% of the RDA of vitamin C in one bell pepper, it is that vitamin C which assists the synthesis of collagen. Further, red bell peppers have 21% of the RDA of vitamin A, another great vitamin for the skin (as well as soft tissue and skeletal maintenance).

Oranges

Not seasonal in the winter, of course, nonetheless oranges are obviously a vitamin C boon, containing 109% of the RDA of vitamin C in just one. Walnuts

Offering 50% of the RDA of copper in a 28g portion, walnuts and other nuts are thought to be useful not only in skin health, but also in keeping risk of serious illness low. A study published in 2015 in the journal Epidemiology found that those aged between 55 and 69 eating 10g of tree nuts per day as a minimum had a reduced occurrence of respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.

Brown Rice

One cup of cooked brown rice contains 24% of the RDA of copper and 13% of the RDA of zinc. If drizzled with fresh lemon juice, the vitamin C content of that aids the body’s production of natural collagen, and not only is one fed and happy but possessing a youthful glow, also (not smiling too broadly, though, in case of crow’s feet; we jest).

Skin-Nourishing Smoothie for Cold Winter Mornings

It might seem illogical, sipping a cold smoothie on a winter’s morning, but your skin will thank you for it (trust us).

Shop Local, help the planet! Find the ingredients at your local health food retailer.

Functional nutrition looks to provide the body with what it needs pre any supplementation or topical applications and works on the premise that if food is medicine, then illness should not arise often or severely: prevention is better than cure. Sustainable skincare, then, starts with what we consume.

If you’re suffering from flare-ups of eczema, acne, or rosacea, there is an imbalance somewhere in the body, inflammation exhibiting itself externally. Herbalists work with the gut in order to work with the skin: if we have too little sleep, if our hormones are out of balance, if our liver is working a little too hard, all these things will show in our complexion. Demulcent herbs combat such inflammation. Opt for aloe vera or marshmallow root, flaxseeds or chia seeds.

Antioxidants, also, have their place in maintaining flawless skin and when it comes to fruits, “the brighter, the better” is the mindset to have. Whether it’s berries or rosehips, or even greens – if you’re combining these with the appropriate herbs and additional superfoods, and generally eating healthy and as closely to a Whole Food Plant Based diet as possible, then any skin complaints should soon clear up.

For the smoothie, simply add everything to the blender, whizz until smooth, and serve and enjoy (bundled in as many sweaters as you fancy while you do so).

Ingredients

Handful of (wild) blueberries

Handful of raspberries

Handful of greens of choice

Small handful of Just Natural goji berries (preferably soaked beforehand) 2 tbsp ground flaxseed 1 tbsp marshmallow root powder 1 tbsp collagen booster powder ½ tbsp rosehips powder 1 tbsp Just Natural coconut chips

Shot of aloe juice ¾ cup of coconut water (if you like a thinner consistency smoothie, add more)

Just Natural Raw coconut chips 250g £2.39 Just Natural Goji berries 250g £4.49

Seeking Spa Serenity at Home & Practicing Gua Sha

There are few people who don’t love a trip to the spa. Yet, the pandemic signalled their necessary closure. Now that we’re back into a rhythm verging on the pre-Covid normal, what is the situation for spas? Are they still the sanctuaries they once were? Or do anxieties over potential infection outweigh the benefits of rest and relaxation? Health and safety measures in spas are often of supreme quality, but is it enough to drown out the mental indecisiveness of whether or not the experience is risk-free, and save the day from becoming all too stressful?

In addition to hygiene protocols of old, the UK Spa Association, in line with government guidelines, still insists that the number of people using a sauna or steam room at any one time be limited in order to allow time for cleaning between uses, which means that strict time slots have to be booked (similar to public swimming pools). Like other establishments, hand sanitiser must be continue to be provided as well, and wearing a face mask is a matter of personal choice but encouraged. Unfortunately, free water, tea, and fruit is no longer permitted, but might be offered individually wrapped (hopefully in eco-friendly fashion…).

Nonetheless, with it being National Spa Week between the 4th and 9th November, there is also the possibility of bringing the spa to you – home spa style. Further, in addition to a nice steaming hot bath with either salts or bubbles or oil, a few candles for mood, and some zen music to help your cares ebb away with the water and lung-cleansing vapour, why not try out a DIY Gua Sha facial? Even though close-contact treatments are once again available at spas, a home spa and facial not only saves a (fair) few pennies, but is all the more rewarding for selfsufficiency of a sort, too. Gua Sha facials make use of a facial tool called – yes – the Gua Sha (similar to the jade roller, if you remember that trend). Massaging every day for only a few minutes, it is thought to improve skin tone, as well as tautness. An East Asian and Chinese technique, Gua Sha (‘gua’ meaning scrape; ‘sha’ meaning sand) has been used for thousands of years to promote a sense of wellbeing, boost circulation, and detoxify. Predating acupuncture, the stroke pattern energises the body’s meridian lines and activates healing. This promotes collagen production in the skin and drains any inflammation from the face.

Apart from being of benefit to the face, however, Gua Sha by extension helps the organs, too. Whether the stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, or even heart, the meridians massaged on the face connect with our organs, promoting relaxation and detoxification. Say goodbye to dark circles under the eyes and the advance of crepelike wrinkles: plump the face the natural way with its own oxygenated blood and lymph drainage. Gua Sha is also thought to alleviate headaches, as well. Once made from animal bones and horns, happily Gua Sha are now made from jade or rose quartz; jade promoting serenity and balance, rose quartz restoring harmony in the heart. If possible, a person’s Gua Sha should be selected in person, the process similar to choosing a personal crystal. And the practice should be done daily: consistency is key. 1. Start by cleansing the face, then apply a facial mist if possible, as this will drive the facial oil (the next step) deep into skin. After that, apply the facial oil (maximum 10 drops) over the entire face and neck area, wiping any oil remaining on hands on the Gua Sha for ease of use, the rubbing movement of this warming up the tool. Remember to breathe deeply while sweeping it across the skin.

2. Begin with the neck, sweeping upwards on both sides to activate the REN line (addressing issues with the abdomen, chest, neck, head, and face). Then from chin to mid-cheek to earlobe keep the tool flat. Hold the skin as you reverse the movement. Once completed on both sides, sweep the Gua Sha from chin across jawline to each earlobe.

3. Next, sweep underneath each cheekbone, upwards towards the hairline. Repeat on the cheekbones after that. Then, gently sweep underneath each eye, from the inner corner of the eye outwards and upwards to the hairline. After that, sweep over the eyebrows.

4. In up to five strokes, move the Gua Sha from eyebrow vertical to hairline. Once finished on both sides, sweep the tool up the middle of your forehead (the Third Eye), from between the brows to the hairline. Still from the Third Eye, sweep out towards and beyond the hairline on each sides in three or four strokes.

5. To finish off, sweep down the neck on both sides and with the tool laid flat, follow the contour of the jawline. Again, sweep down the neck all the way to the collarbone, to drain any lymph fluid build-up. Each movement described above can be repeated a minimum of 3 times and a maximum of ten (too many repetitions and you might feel dizzy or like you have the start of a cold). If the Gua Sha starts pulling at the skin, then add a little more oil to its surface. *NB: Gua Sha is not recommended for those with cystic acne.