Beauty Boosts

Beauty

Beauty Boosts

By Kate Duggan

It won’t be long until the weather starts cooling down, but in the meantime we’re still in for a few hot, sticky days. If you’re struggling with the heat, a face mist can help, but they’re often little more than water with a splash of artificial perfume. I tend to use an organic rosewater (£12, www.akamuti.co.uk) instead. If you decant it into an old spray bottle, you can use rosewater as a face mist, toner or cooling spritz. As well as helping to beat hot weather (or in my case hot flushes), rosewater is great for your skin – boosting moisture and leaving skin feeling calmer and softer. It also smells gorgeous. I’m planning to carry on using it throughout autumn and winter to counteract the drying effects of central heating. Hand sanitisers are certainly handy, but they can also be very drying – leading to sore, cracked skin. Green People’s new Deep Cleaning Hand Foam (£11.50, www.greenpeople.co.uk) is a good alternative. It’s free from alcohol and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), so it won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. It’s even gentle enough for sensitive skin. It’s over 90% organic, production and generally making skin look healthier and fresher. If you’re new to using retinol, Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal products are a great place to start. As with everything from this brand, you know you’re getting skincare that’s the result of months (if not years) of research and has been scientifically proven to work. The eye cream has only been out for a few months but is already getting rave reviews. It feels lovely to apply and it’s safe to say that I agree with the 93% of testers who’ve seen a reduction in lines and wrinkles. It’s £70 at www.murad.co.uk. Looking for a more wallet-friendly retinol? Dermaworks’ Retinol Night Serum (www.dermaworks.co.uk) is incredibly good value at just £14.95. It’s 2.5% retinol (most high-street retinol serums are only 1%) and it’s packed with other ingredients that your skin will love, including moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid. It’s also vegan, 100% natural and cruelty-free. Over time, it’ll help to repair cells and improve skin texture. For best results, you’ll want to use it for a few months, although you should still see some benefits pretty quickly. My skin feels noticeably softer the morning after using it. And, unlike a lot of other serums I’ve tried, this one doesn’t feel greasy or sticky. and the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties mainly come from essential oils, including tea tree. And, even better, it’s a dualpurpose foam. You can use it as a hand sanitiser when you’re out and about, and a foaming hand wash back at home. The benefits of retinol are widely known. It’s one of the best ingredients for tackling fine lines and sun damage, boosting collagen 26 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts

Local News

Local Oxygen Is Changing Lives!

For many people, the faster healing, reduced pain and energy boosts from Oxygen Therapy are life changing - literally. Oxygen Therapy can help people with cancer, fibromyalgia, ME, neurological conditions and leg or feet ulcers. During social distancing, increased energy and pain reduction are even more vital, helping with independence and mobility. One client said: “Oxygen helps make my MS life easier, gives me energy... I feel relief to the pains in my legs. This really helps me get through each week. My memory is a lot sharper. I would notice a big difference if I could not come.” Another person has Oxygen Therapy to help with her deal with the profound fatigue that she experiences due to ME. “I did lots of research and discovered the power of Oxygen Treatment.” she explains. “It’s amazing how helpful it can be. The day after my treatment I feel so much better. My head’s clearer, I’m walking faster and I can think more clearly.” Mark Boscher is a Trustee of the Herts MS Therapy Centre – the Letchworth-based charity providing Oxygen Therapy. He says: “Many people with long term conditions have felt the benefit of something we all take for granted: oxygen.” Oxygen Therapy is supported by fully trained volunteers. Could you spare any time to help? Do you know someone who’d love to add volunteering to their CV or DofE? To find out about Oxygen Therapy or volunteering, please email oxygen@hmstc.net – we’d love to give you more details.