Beautiful Summer Skin

The newspapers and magazines (Hello and OK are equally guilty) were once again hinting at the lifestyle issues connected with Kate Moss, Lily Allen & Naomi Campbell.

Who is to say what is truth and what is press hype, however I can recommend a healthy option to alcohol (for those feeling a little sensitive about the subject):

Enjoy the euphoric effects of clary sage (it has an relaxing/uplifting effect) hence it is an excellent alternative to alcohol. Historically it was added to low alcohol wine to increase the intoxicating effect! It smells of rich woodland grass so it benefits form being blended with a softer oil which can also relax the mind without sedating the body.

My suggestion is to fragrance a room with a blend of essential oils of clary sage and geranium. Three drops of each in a burner or if you don’t have a burner pop on a tissue or cloth and place above a radiator.

Whilst the celebrities work through their issues the rest of us can enjoy some much appreciated summer weather over the weekend and I know from my e mails that thoughts are turning to preparing that skin for summer exposure. Whether you are a soon to be “prom princess” or bride, it is certain that your thoughts have turned to skin exposure. Don’t worry I have some professional tips to help

Exfoliate for Radiance
There are a huge range of fashionable salt scrubs on the market but it is easy to make your own. Try making your own body scrub with 50% ground rice and 50% oatmeal (both available from supermarkets). Mix into a paste using my finest almond oil, available from my online shop, Potions and Possibilities. Apply to towel dried skin in a circular motion using your fingers. It is important to use your fingers rather than a cloth or brushes as different areas of skin have different levels of sensitivity and your fingers will give you full control. The rice is gentle but effective and the oatmeal contains high levels of vitamin E to nourish the skin.

Moisturise for Youthfulness
Whilst the skin is still warm apply a good plant based moisturiser preferably in oil rather than cream form. Plant oils have much smaller molecules and they penetrate into the upper layers of the skin. This offers a longer term nourishing effect rather than simply sealing the moisture in. For a particularly luxurious treat choose Potions & Possibilities body souffle.

Home Spa
If you suffer from dry areas which have a grey fish scaly appearance (often on the front of shins where there is a relatively poor supply of blood) apply almond oil with a domestic paint brush so that it lies wet on the skin and then lay cling film over the top and wrap the legs in towels. Raise legs and then leave for 30-40 mins. Then remove the wrapping, and then massage any residual oil into the surrounding area. Try this once per week for a month and see the difference.

Treat Problem Areas - Thread Veins
When you unwrap your body from the winter layers you may see little areas of spidery blue lines. They can often be found across the ribs or on the thighs. Thread veins are in fact capillaries ie the smallest blood vessels in our bodies which have become damaged. Their delicate walls have lost elasticity or even broken, maybe because of the winter influences of alternating heat and cold. Lifestyle issues, such as poor diet or alcohol, are also a factor. The most usual treatment for my clients would be a gentle nightly massage with a cream containing starflower oil. I use star flower as a base because it has a high level of GLA’s. GLA’s are part of the Omega group of essential fatty acids and are responsible for building and maintaining healthy cell walls. Hence they may help in strengthening the capillary walls.

Puffiness
Areas of the skin such as the abdomen and upper arms and ankles can appear to have lost their firmness over the winter and have a soft puffy texture. In terms of treating puffiness (usually sluggish lymph drainage), regular massage using oils known for their diuretic effect and stimulating influence on the circulation are the most effective. I recommend adding 2-4 drops of essential oil to a tablespoonful of good quality base oil such as almond oil. My recommended oils would be geranium for its diuretic effect and palm rosa for its stimulating character and beneficial effect on the skin. Use long firm upward strokes and keep as much of the hand in contact with the skin as possible. Cutting down on caffeine rich drinks i.e. coffee, tea and cola can help as well as regular exercise.

Cellulite
In terms of cellulite there is nothing clinically proven to help despite what the beauty industry may have us believe. I massage a lot of women and I generally find their mental picture of it is far in excess of the reality. I have also noticed that women who come to the clinic complaining of hormone related discomforts eg PMT, sore breasts, post menopausal symptoms often also complain of cellulite.

I therefore generally recommend a massage blend that includes fennel. Fennel is particularly effective in treating female related abdominal and breast puffiness and for cellulite because it is believed to soothe hormone imbalances. I also find that my clients like fennel because it is an appetite suppressant.

Did you know:- Roman soldiers used to chew fennel seeds on their long marches to counteract hunger pangs and because the stimulant effect was believed to enhance their feelings of strength and courage.

Cracked Heels
If the cracks are so deep they are wounds then see a chiropodist immediately, see yellow pages or ask your GP for a list of reputable chiropodists in your area or call in a Scholl shop.

If however it is just the outer layer of hard skin that has cracked then use a pumice stone or file to remove the hard skin and then treat by covering the heels in a mix of 1 tablespoon of an inexpensive almond oil blended with 2 drops of tea tree and 1 drop of benzoin. Benzoin is an antiseptic which is widely used by chiropodists and was historically used by Victorian ballet dancers to heal cuts. If you would prefer an ointment that is already made , apply finger and heel relief balm from Potions and Possibilities (Available online. Price - £3.99, visit www.potions.co.uk or telephone 01394 386161).

Discoloured Feet
Take a large firm bristled toothbrush and dip it into a small dish of almond oil that contains 1 tablespoon of almond oil, 3 drops of pure lemon essential oil and 1 drop of tea tree. Then touch the oily bristles into a small dish of table salt and brush the effected area firmly. Rinse off with water and moisturise with your favourite foot cream or almond oil.

Stained Nails and Cuticles
Fingers or toes can look dirty after the winter months despite regular bathing. Recondition them ready for the light transparent summer nail varnish shades by applying a “white” coloured clay face mask to the fingers and toes massaging the clay under the nails and deep into the edges of the nail and the cuticles. Leave for at least 20 mins and then remove using the shower head on full power. The mask will draw out the impurities and minuscule pieces of debris which have escaped from your clothing and socks, tights and shoes over the winter. Repeat weekly.

If you have any questions please email me at julie@potions.co.uk.