I know it's taken me a while.
But in my defence, I can only now make it to the bathroom in the middle of the night without falling over a box.
I think that is what they call a significant milestone.
The last year has been full of change for everyone.
And I suppose that was the start.
Lockdown gave me time to re-evaluate, that little voice in my head asking if not now, when?
I look back now and think about where I was.
Work life balance nil.
Stress levels, rocket high.
Which is pretty ironic when you think I run a wellbeing business.
It was definitely time for a change.
I'd reached my fifties, and despite all of the advantages of my generation, and millions of things to be grateful for, the same questions kept popping into my head.
What next?
Is this it?
How can I run my business and have some level of work life balance?
And is this normal?!
I should add here, that I haven't miraculously managed to answer all of these and turn my life inside out - but I have made some small, significant changes and continue to focus on taking small steps.
Denbury is a tiny village between Totnes and Newton Abbot with a lot of fields, a lot of sheep and views of Dartmoor.
But it's not so far removed to feel too remote and isolated - and so far I am in love.
I've settled for a larger house, with a permanent guest room and much more space to work on TRT.
More making space.
More dreaming up new products space.
And more storage space.
It hasn't all been plain sailing.
Finding the right location last year was tricky.
I spent a lot of time driving around the length and breadth of Devon.
For those of you familiar with my complete lack of sense of direction, suffice to say, me and the sat nav have reached an uneasy truce.
The moving process was pretty stressful also.
OK slight understatement here - I think it might have reduced my life span by several years. That's how stressful it was.
But in July 2021 I landed in my new home with a rather traumatised cat and chicken. (Better not to ask - or at least that's for another story).
You know there are some women who land on their feet, and instinctively know what to do next? Well that's not me.
After spending 6 months focussing all of my efforts on the move, arriving was a bit of a shock.
And the dirt! The house was filthy. I stuck to everything I touched. The kitchen was buried under a sea of grease.
Thank God for good friends.
I think if I'd stopped to think more about what I had done at this point, I might well have got back in the car and run straight back.
And it rained. A lot.
I was definitely wondering what I had done.
By the time it does stop raining, finally, I remember why I am here.
The views are gorgeous, everyone is so friendly, and I am an honourary member of 'the old gits' the name my neighbours have given to their weekly coffee meet up sat in the street.
Admittedly, I did test my new neighbours patience when I headed off to the post office down one of the single lane tracks, met a tractor and got stuck in a ditch.
Slightly panicked that I might have to wait a long time for the RAC to arrive, it's not long before I have half the village out to get me unstuck, proof I've got very lucky with my new village location.
I've been getting my DIY groove on.
Leaking conservatory, a new boiler, radiators, loft insulation, new blinds, window repairs, the list seems endless. I'm still waiting on the new bathroom...
New purchases are all on the practical side - waterproof walking boots and wellies. Not as glamorous as I was expecting, but oddly satisfying nonetheless.
As for what comes next, I'm still working that bit out.
I'm crafting a couple of new products for you arriving later this year. I'm taking the time to think about what these should look like.
For me the creation process is a labour of love, iterations, ingredients research, and concocting aromatherapy loveliness that will really make you smile.
My new life continues to be a personal search.
I'm aware that from the outside in, life looks perfect, independence, a thriving business, health, friends and family.
But on the other side, there are days of uncertainty, which I hope you can relate to, fighting to keep my head above water and to live up to my own expectations of myself.
I feel that I've been working hard for years, and where I used to have balance, passions and hobbies, now it's to-do lists, mood swings and fine lines.
So here's to new-ness, and a dash of uncertainty. Because anything could happen next.
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Sounds familiar?
Either the temperature outside is freezing and your skin is dry, parched and super sensitive.
Or it's all a bit wet and grey, and that includes your skin.
Rose Tree founder, Olga answers your questions and gives her top tips on how to manage this tricky time of the year, and sail through winter months with plump, comfortable skin.
OK, let's deal with complaint no 1 - dry, parched skin, exacerbated by freezing temperatures.
It's tricky enough when our skin becomes more dry as we age, and there's not much we can to do stop that.
These are some of my favourite ingredients to look for in your skin care - and why I think they make a difference:
Plant Butters - Super gentle, emollient, there's nothing not to like here. They're great for repairing the skin barrier, comforting on dry, sensitive feeling skin and protect against moisture loss. Two of my favourites include shea butter and mango butter.
Shea Butter because its rich, protecting and perfect for winter skin and mango butter also because of its deeply moisturising properties.
Other plant butters to look out for are Cocoa Butter and Coconut Butter.
Plant oils work well for dry and sensitive skin, and in particular oils rich in oleic acid are particularly effective for dry skin.
Oleic rich oils are richer and very moisturising for dry skins. Oleic acid is an omega 9 fatty acid - and has an affinity with our own sebum, deeply nourishing, and helping maintain softness and flexibility in the skin.
Some of my favourite oleic rich oils to look out for are avocado oil, this vibrant green oil is rich in vitamins A and D and is super nourishing and softening. Or try Argan oil - fast absorbing and a 'dry oil' you get all the essential fatty acids but less of the greasy feel you can get with some plant oils.
The best products are going to be the ones that suit your skin.
Face oils are very effective for winter, parched skin - they moisturise and protect. You can read more about my thoughts on face oils, and how they work in my mini face oil guide here.
But here's the catch - not everyone loves the idea of a face oil.
I would recommend trying a face oil if you haven't done so already - they work.
But that said, if using an oil just doesn't appeal, then move on. No one knows your skin better than you.
A cream is good for thirsty, parched skin and is exceptionally good in a cold climate. It's gentle and rich, and my post menopausal ladies love this. Gentle, rich and non irritating and packed full of beautiful plant oils.
A balm can be anything you want it to be. Some are rich, unctuous and heavier, my preference is for something a little lighter but with fabulous moisturising properties.
My Intensive Balm with Marshmallow & Frangipani is a decadently scented (with essential oils only!) balm which is perfect to nourish and moisturise skin that needs a little TLC.
It has a rich but light texture, and is concentrated, so only the smallest amount is needed.
It's particular good to skin any skin problems, those pesky dry bits, itchy bits or breakouts of eczema.
Use it on its own or layered over your favourite face oil.
A cream, face oil, balm?
A cream, face oil or balm will all help with winter skin, but it comes down to the ingredients and their affinity with your skin.
If your skin is papery and dry and it feels comforted by a richer texture with more staying power, try a cream.
If the thought of the rich texture of a cream gives you nightmares, chances are you are going to be happier with a lighter texture - which might include a face oil.
Where a face oil can feel deeply hydrating it can feel 'thinner' and a lighter option while still deeply hydrating.
Texture is all about personal preference - I personally prefer a rich, heavier texture in the winter - I love the way it feels on my skin, and I want it to last through the day.
But what really counts is what YOU like on your skin - and the way it makes you feel.
And don't forget that you can layer products to get the hydration that is right for your skin - but which could have a lighter skin feel than a rich cream.
Couple a face oil with a cream if you're about to do battle with the elements, and pare it back to just the face oil for a day working from home.
Sensitive, dehydrated skin is surprisingly common when we get to our 50s - my skin sounds very similar to yours.
For very sensitive skin, I always recommend a patch test, it is just a sensible precaution, as skin can be allergic and react to natural ingredients in much the same way as synthetic ingredients.
Based on what you have said, I would recommend paring your skincare back to basics and just getting your skin to a place where it is more comfortable before adding in lots of variables.
In terms of a starting point I recommend the Cleansing Butter with one of my facial essences/ face oils.
The Rose & Marula is particularly good for skin that is prone to rosacea, the Rose & Blackcurrant by comparison is is better for very dry skin.
I would probably recommend doing that and seeing which your skin liked the most, - I think this would be a good starting point.
The other product that you might like is my Radiance Cream - if you like a cream texture - it comes down to which texture you prefer.
You can find samples of all of these in the Capsule Collection which you can find here.
This is extremely common at this time of year Jane. For you, it's all about moisture and hydration, unctuous butters, comforting textures and getting some moisture into your skin.
You pick your poison, a balm, a cream or an oil - whichever texture you prefer. Just watch those ingredients, you are after nourishing plant oils, those with a heavier texture that will not be absorbed too quickly will help your skin feel more comfortable. I like avocado oil, and jojoba oil which despite being a quickly absorbed oil has a natural affinity with the skin's own sebum.
My other thought is to suggest you pare your cleansing routine back to basics. Ditch the shower gel with the artificial scents and harsh detergents.
I could never understand why when I came back from a posh hotel and lounging in the tub with those cute bottles of scented products my skin would rebel.
Avoid very hot water - showers or baths. It might feel comforting at the time when you are freezing, but temperature extremes will dry your skin out further which in turns increases the itchy feeling.
High alcohol content gels are a nightmare for drying out hands, and coupled with winter makes for a tough time for hands.
My top recommendation is a balm for your hands - a heavier texture, crammed full of beautiful plant oils that will counteract the drying ingredients found in hand gels and as a result of constant hand washing.
This is not the time for a light textured nice smelling but does absolute does nothing for your hands kind of cream. You need to get some protective oils into your skin and re-apply frequently. My favourite time for some hand TLC is before bed - you can go with a slightly more generous application, wear gloves is you like - and enjoy a mini aromatherapy bedtime treatment with those beautiful aromatic oils.
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Well this has been a year of crazy-ness.
Who could have predicted such ups and downs. If I never hear 'Omicron' again it will be too soon.
My other top tip is don't move home and try and run a business from home - the result is chaos.
But that's not what I'm going to talk about today. (Though for those of you who have been asking for an update on Devon, there is something coming for you)!
That is not to downplay its impact on our lives in any way - I do appreciate the personal tragedies this virus has brought with it.
But I want to give you something more upbeat and positive as we think about 2022.
I want to start with a personal thank you.
The Rose Tree is a tiny business in the grand scheme of things. And all of you, my super local customers are magnificent; we are a small but powerful band of women.
And we make a difference.
Yup I want to repeat that.
We make a difference.
A real difference.
Not a fluffy, feel nice kind of difference - which don't get me wrong, is important.
But the kind of difference that changes lives.
Sounds over dramatic doesn't it?
But I promise you it isn't.
I always struggled with a way to make a positive difference, bit by bit, and making it part of what we do every day.
A large to remain nameless charity blithely told me that they were happy for me to make a contribution on behalf of The Rose Tree, but I couldn't tie it in with my business making glorious aromatherapy products.
And I wouldn't have any visibility of how my contribution would be used. Not unless I agreed to a legal agreement between us, which would have been fine, but not the cost of £3k I would need to pay to implement this.
When I suggested that perhaps there might be better things to do with this £3k, they stopped talking to me.
That all changed with my partnership with Buy1Give1 (B1G1) - a social enterprise and non-profit organisation with a mission to create a world full of giving.
Unlike conventional giving models, B1G1 helps small and medium-sized businesses achieve more social impact by embedding giving activities into everyday business operations and creating unique giving stories.
And you know what?
Look at what we have achieved together!
To date, we've given more than 15,000 days of life saving water to families in Cambodia.
We've provided 439 days of access to a treadle sewing machine for women in Bangladesh, so they can run their own home based business and support their kids.
We've provided more than 8000 days of access to learning by providing school supplies.
Not to mention planting fruit trees in Kenya to generate an income for families, and trees in Borneo to support deforestation and orangutan populations.
So ladies here's to us - we are a magnificent bunch!
And maybe I should mention the men also. Those that buy gift for us, or the ever increasing number of guys that now use TRT goodies themselves - though usually after a discovery process following pinching their wives'/girlfriends' goodies.
I salute you.
With love,
Olga
PS I thought I would leave you with an update from the Trailblazer Foundation that works in Cambodia providing drinking water to families and villages:
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Thoughtful gifts that speak to our soul, quality over quantity, ethically sourced, made in Britain.
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With all the madness going on, here's my guide to getting it right. Whether it be a gift for your best friend, sister or mum, I've got you covered.
And if your significant other needs a little help in the Christmas shopping department, I'm curating all of our lovely gifts into one place, and creating a few brand new gift sets with my skincare favourites.
Let's get the basics sorted - no exercise gear, none of us like the suggestion that we might need to lose weight. (Especially if it's true).
No naff kitchen gadgets, and nothing too traditional (read dull).
And definitely no cheap smellies with pink glitter and E numbers (an allergic reaction waiting to happen).
In these times where most of us don't need anything, we are after thoughtful gifts that speak to our soul, quality over quantity, and that's our speciality at The Rose Tree. The best ingredients not the cheapest. Ethically sourced, made in Britain.
Instead imagine packets of skincare amazing-ness bundled together to see you through winter with radiant skin.
And the best bit? With every purchase you help me make a real difference in the world.
I partner with B1G1, a social enterprise and non-profit organisation with a mission to create a world full of giving.
Your support means life saving water to families, access to books for children and enabling women to run small business to support their families.
Read more about how your custom makes a difference here.
The perfect stocking filler, all of my award winning favourites so your bestie can try them all and see which her favourites are. Perfect for some holiday pampering or a weekend away.
It includes all my favourites:
Prepare to be amazed with our super luxurious cleansing butter packed with potent botanicals to gently lift off makeup and dirt, and it only takes 2 minutes! As seen in Country Living Magazine.
My award winning face oil designed for tricky, oily, breakout prone skin. It hydrates without causing breakouts and naturally supports skin prone to acne, and rosacea. As featured in Psychologies Magazine!
My award winning face oil designed for dry, mature, or dehydrated skin. This all natural, potent facial oil gently nourishes, helps reduce dullness and gives skin a beautiful glow.
My deliciously velvety balm, skin plumping and softening with a beautiful scent from the frangipani, but without being heavy or greasy. Winner of 7 awards to date!
A rich, silky, hydrating radiance facial cream with rose & frankincense. Particularly suited to dry and sensitive skins, or skin needing a hydration boost. As seen in the Daily Mail.
An intensive, oil based serum designed for the sensitive skin around the eyes.
My limited edition, nourishing Body Oil with decadent roses, geranium, ylang ylang. An all round super luxury dry oil to soothe, and pamper and banish dry skin, packaged in a ready to give Christmas cracker.
A luxuriously scented, light yet nourishing dry body oil which leaves skin subtly scented and silky soft, made with 93% organic ingredients.
Like all Rose Tree products, this is designed to give you comfortable skin, quickly and with minimum fuss.
Think super soft skin. It's simple. It's fast. And it works. 100ml. 93% Organic Ingredients. 100% Natural
The gift of wallowing in the tub with the most exquisite skin loving plant oils and head-turning aromatherapy scents, gift boxed as the perfect Bath Oil. The perfect guaranteed-to-be-loved gift.
No cheap and nasty colourants or irritating artificial colours.
Instead a beautifully presented gift box with up to 40 fragrant packed baths to sooth, calm or de-stress her way into the year ahead.
The hardest bit, is deciding which aromatherapy blend to pick.
Dive into a decadent bath, roses, geranium, ylang ylang, the perfect scent to relax with.
Loved because it's beautiful scent transports you to a flower filled garden.
Luxurious and indulgent, my calming aromatherapy blend calms the mind and relaxes the body, leaving skin subtly scented and silky soft, made with 78% organic ingredients.
- A beautiful spa experience, combining safflower and apricot oils with healing calendula , stress relieving geranium, calming juniper, and revitalising grapefruit.
A little bit fresh, a little bit zingy, but with some serious soothing and relaxing capabilities. Perfect to sooth the mind and the skin, with generous quantities of geranium, cypress and lavender.
You can rest assured you are getting the best of the best, all three aromatherapy blends are award winners.
Too difficult to pick just one aromatherapy blend?
I've got you covered also…
Try the collection - get all 3 sumptuous aromatherapy blends in one set. Treat yourself through the year ahead or split them up into gifts for your favourite people.
Includes all three favourites, each with sufficient for up to 16 baths:
Safflower and apricot oils with healing calendula , stress relieving geranium, calming juniper, and revitalising grapefruit
The perfect blend for lavender lovers with a floral, soothing twist!
My favourite, a little bit of modern rose. Decadent, indulgent, literally the smell of roses!
These are two of my best selling gifts, that work for everyone. No pressure deciding which skincare gift to pick. These are all about pampering, soothing and de-stressing.
Gorgeously scented warm water, a soothing aromatherapy candle essential blend to relax and unwind you. This is all about pampering and restfulness.
A luxurious and indulgent bath treatment oil which soothes the mind and the skin.
Coupled with my award winning No 5 Travel Candle.
Let this exuberant, uplifting blend of orange, lemon and lime combined with calming lavender and fresh rosemary lift you up and calm your mind.
My luxury candles are made from 100% pure vegetable wax and are scented with pure essential oils.
As an alternative, this is the perfect suit all gift to de-stress with over Christmas.
The is the perfect pampering gift set, for someone special who needs some down time; this is all about de-stressing, and relaxing.
It includes:
What about a little portable magic on the go - for when things aren't going to plan.
My Blissful Aromatherapy Roller Ball collection is hand bag sized and portable for ongoing crisis management.
And let's be honest whose stress levels have not rocketed this year.
Treat yourself to your favourites or split them up into gifts for your favourite people, they make the perfect stocking filler.
Still not sure?
Don't worry, there's plenty more options. Check out the full gift collection here.
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We're in, we're out, we're half in and half out.
Let's be honest the last 12 months has been a year that we all hope never to see again.
It's been tough, I will be the first to admit that like you, I have had moments of despair, frustration and moments of awe, yup, Captain Tom, I am talking about you.
I talk a lot to my customers about the importance of looking after themselves, taking time for you, carving some you time out, even it it's just the briefest of moments.
And the irony is that I am rubbish at following my own advice.
But I am trying.
So here's what I have learned and my tips for surviving what we all hope are the last few weeks of lockdown.
Essential oils, the highly concentrated and super potent essence of a plant have been my best friend over the last year.
What Are Essential Oils and do they work?
They are compounds extracted from plants, capturing the plant's scent or other properties, they are produced via steam distillation of the plant or sometimes mechanical means for example by cold pressing.
Essential oils and the chemicals they contain interact with a person in different ways, through the practice of aromatherapy.
When applied to the skin, they are absorbed and it is thought they harness the properties associated with the plant, for example essential oils can be naturally healing, antiseptic, anti-fungal or anti-inflammatory.
Inhaling the oils, either via delicious bath oil, or via a natural wax candle can promote wellbeing and can have a stimulating or de-stressing effect.
It's thought that the fragrant essential oils positively impact the part of our brain called the limbic system which helps control our emotions and behaviour.
The limbic system interacts with our brain and helps control breathing, stress levels, memory and balances hormones.
When you breathe in that first hit of scent, that's the volatile compounds doing their thing.
The word 'olfactory' comes from the Latin 'olfacere' to smell, and it is via the olfactory nerve that the magic happens. The inside of your nose is formed of special nerve cells that connect direct to the brain via the olfactory nerves.
My favourites right now? For relaxing at the end of a day, I am all about the florals, rose geranium, ylang ylang
Dive into a decadent bath, or grab my limited edition Winter Rose Body Oil - roses, geranium, ylang ylang, the perfect scent to relax with.
During the day I'm all about lavender, geranium and cypress, my Soothing blend. The lavender helps me relax, while I find the geranium uplifting.
If there's every been a time to escape into the pages of a book, it has been the last few months.
But here's the catch. As any small business owner will tell you, the work is never done, and most of it is glued to my laptop.
I love reading, but I've been suffering with a serious case of eye fatigue, and audio books have been my unsung hero.
Using the Audible app, (and no I'm not on commission I just love it!) I have been downloading my favourites and plugging myself in and escaping to reduce my emotional stress.
The best bit is that there's something for everyone, and audiobooks are so versatile. Some of my customers use them to send themselves to sleep after a stressful day, while walking or simply when they have a few moments to switch off.
Here's what's next on my list:
Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, there been lots of hype on this one, a slow burn story set in the sweltering Tennessee summers.
Sherlock Holmes read by Stephen Fry. One of the best story tellers ever and Stephen Fry (secret crush) what’s not to like?!
At Home - A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson. We've all been spending so much time at home, this delves into the history behind our homes and habits, and I am a huge Bill Bryson fan.
At the start of Lockdown, I missed my gym visits, and felt hard done by. They were part of my routine, and I like the discipline. But like most of us, being able to escape into the outdoors has been key to my sanity.
There's something about the natural seasonal beauty that restores our spirits, invigorating and lifting us in dark times.
And it's backed up by science.
A 2011 study published in Environmental Science & Technology showed that following some sort of outdoor physical activity, resulted in individuals feeling less mental tension.
Studies have shown that aromatherapy oils can have a stimulating and sedative effect on both our nervous and immune systems.
And, let's be honest, right now, we could all use a little emotional help!
It's thought that the fragrant essential oils positively impact the part of our brain called the limbic system which helps control our emotions and behaviour.
The limbic system interacts with our brain and helps control breathing, stress levels, memory and balances hormones.
When you breathe in that first hit of scent, that's the volatile compounds doing their thing.
The word 'olfactory' comes from the Latin 'olfacere' to smell, and it is via the olfactory nerve that the magic happens. The inside of your nose is formed of special nerve cells that connect direct to the brain via the olfactory nerves.
Hand bag sized, portable aromatherapy has become a thing.
I've madly been sniffing my blissful aromatherapy roller ball treatments to Calm, De-Stress or Soothe when I need it most.
Applying to my pulse points, breathing deeply and feeling the aromatic blend do its stuff. It's not magic.
But the essential oils help.
These have been my lockdown saviours. What are your favourite ways to take time for yourself?
]]>Dry, flaking, itch and sore skin exacerbated by the twin evils of freezing temperatures and central heating.
And it's not always a case of a richer moisturiser.
Here are my 5 top tips for managing itchy, winter skin.
First of all, why is your skin so dry and itchy? Skin has its own protective barrier, it keeps irritants out and provides a waterproof, protective layer.
Once compromised, it allows moisture to escape, leading to dry, flaky and itchy skin.
Common triggers include irritating detergent style gels and soaps, cold winter temperatures, low humidity environments and annoyingly just getting older.
1 - Ditch Harsh Detergents
Weed out any harsh detergents from your daily skincare routine.
Harsh detergent based soaps and shower gels all commonly contain SLS or SLES (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate) both of which we know can be irritating to skin that is already sensitised.
Check out the ingredients on your favourite products and see what they contain.
As a general rule, shower gels with lots of foaming agents or bubbles might feel nice in shower and have a super creamy feeling lather - but these are often the biggest culprits and are more likely to irritate the skin's barrier function, especially if already stressed.
Watch out for tell-tale words like SLS and SLES buried in the ingredients.
Find a gentle soap, look for something called 'Cold Pressed Soap' sometimes abbreviated to CPS.
This refers to the soap ingredients and how they are blended together. This is the traditional method of making soap, which has been used since time immemorial.
It's not the first option for many manufacturers because it costs more and takes 6-8 weeks before it is ready to be used - but it is the gold standard of soap.
The best bit is that It uses the simplest of ingredients, but produces a bar soap that is natural and gentle on the skin. It is creamy and gives a good lather, but not the itchiness often seen with artificial detergents.
I make my organic soap by combining plant oils with sodium hydroxide or lye, and a little soap magic, (actually a reaction called saponification).
More about cold pressed, hand made soap here.
At this time of the year, we are hit with the double whammy of freezing, drying air outside, and dry air in our centrally heated homes. Dry air will draw moisture from whenever it can - including our skin.
There are lots of portable home friendly versions available, and if you are suffering from very dry skin, might be worth considering.
I have invested in one myself which I use during the colder months and I find it makes a real difference.
When you are feeling cold and frazzled, it's natural to crave a warm bath, and for most of us that means bubbles. We have been bought up to associate a bubble bath with comfort and relaxation - but bubbles can be part of the problem.
Have the warm bath by all means (warm not toe-curlingly hot) as that will just dry your skin out further.
And rather than the detergent bubble bath, plump for a bath oil. Coupled with a few essential oils they will smell far better than any artificial bottle of goo, the oils will hydrate and repair the skin barrier and the aromatherapy essential oils can transport your mind to a better place - one without any itching :)
When your skin is very dry and itchy, gentle exfoliation can help, removing any dead skin, and allowing moisture to sink in, making your skin a whole lot more comfortable.
Just make it sure it is gentle, scrubbing you your skin within an inch of its life is not going to help, but gentle exfoliation, once or twice a week will.
I like an exfoliation product which contains lovely hydrating plant oils and a medium coarse exfoliation agent. I make my Honey & Rose Scrub Treatment with organic sugar, local honey, silky almond oil and creamy shea butter to create an indulgent and soothing scrub treatment for noticeably softer, toned, glowing skin.
Not got any to hand?
Hit the kitchen and knock up a simple scrub for immediate use with medium coarse sugar or salt and a slug of olive or almond oil and you are good to go. A drop or two of your favourite essential will take this simple remedy from basic to beautiful.
In a post Covid world and increased hybrid working, for most of us this meant a wardrobe change - comfy clothes, leggings, stretchy yoga pants, you know what I mean!
You want to be aware of wearing anything too tight that is going to rub and irritate your skin, and also think about going easy on synthetic fabrics which leach further moisture from your skin.
Consider loose, comfortable, breathable clothing to give your skin some space to heal.
If you're suffering right now, a few simple changes can make a big difference.
Watch those ingredients; be consistent and gentle, and treat your skin to a little TLC.
Lashings of hydrating plant oils, less of the synthetic foaming agents and switching to products that will not strip all the moisture from your skin.
If you need advice on products to help your skin, drop me an email and ping me on social media!
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I sometimes feel that New Year can feel a little flat, especially after all of the craziness of 2020.
I am not a huge fan of new resolutions, I think it can feel like we are piling on more pressure on ourselves, and let's be honest, after the last year no one needs any more stress or pressure.
I'm hugely appreciative of your loyalty and custom, I love creating little parcels of aromatherapy magic to spoil you and your skin.
In spite of a very stressful 2020, not only is my little business still here, but with your help, we have made a real difference in the world.
Through my giving partner, B1G1, and your support here's what we have done last year:
Given 5200 days of life saving water to families
Given 500 days of access to books for children
Given 140 days of an income generating tool to women
Planted 12 trees to support reforestation
I think that is reason to be proud - and thankful for you and your support.
Here's to 2021 and a better year for all of us. New beginnings, good friends, health, prosperity and time for yourself.
With love and thanks, Olga x
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Because I spend so much of my time dreaming of obscure Amazonian nut butters, infused plant oils and beautiful flower waters, this is a surprisingly difficult question to answer.
That said, I have found through a process of trial and error, ingredients that I love and my skin loves - many of which have found their way into my Rose Tree goodies.
Most of you know that I started The Rose Tree by accident in many ways - I was looking for answers and products to sooth my finicky and frankly dry, itchy eczema prone skin.
Additionally, my experience of running a business has informed my view, there are ingredients that I fell in in love with at the start of my journey that I have fallen out of love with over the years. And there are some ingredients that I just wouldn't touch at all, not at the start of my journey and not now.
So here's my take on 3 ingredients that I don't use, and my reasons why.
This is not an attempt to cloud your judgement. What I hope you take away from this is the tools to read a label, identify ingredients that work for you, and to make up your own mind about what is important to you and where that line falls for you.
First up is mineral oil.
Cheap as chips, derived from petroleum, this clear inert oil is everywhere in skincare. Balms, creams, oils, washes, butters, literally everywhere.
To be fair, it is not a bad product per say. I just don't like it very much.
A by-product of the crude oil industry, mineral oil found within the EU must be processed and refined to ensure it is pure and free from any carcinogenic elements so it can be used within the skincare industry.
Because it is inert and processed, it can sometimes be helpful for people with extremely sensitive skin who can't tolerate other ingredients, but I believe the reason it is so common within the industry is because it is cheap, and that there are so many better ingredients to use.
The second ingredient I choose is SLE or SLES, more commonly known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Lareth Sulfate.
I have spoken about this previously.
Both are foaming agents, often found in products that lather; bubble baths, foaming face wash etc.
For myself, and my ladies who suffer with sensitive, dry or itchy skin, I find this exacerbates and irritates the skin, leading to more dryness and itchy skin.
I'm not a fan.
As an alternative to a traditional foaming product in the bath or shower, I prefer my cold pressed Apricot & Geranium Cleansing Bar filled with lashings of coconut butter, apricot and olive oils. For luxurious relaxing in the bath, my pick is a Bath Oil, hydrating, and soothing on sensitive skin - and the essential oils beat any synthetic fragrance.
The last ingredient on my hit list that I avoid is palm oil.
As a skincare ingredient, palm oil has lots going for it. It has great emollient properties and is widely used in skincare, due to its fatty rich acid profile and high beta carotene content.
But there's a catch.
It's not just skincare, palm oil is everywhere; so many of our foods, from biscuits to chocolate as well as as candles (not mine), and cleaning products. Literally everywhere. Greenpeace estimate that approximately half of the the products in our supermarkets contain palm oil.
And it's been a disaster for the world's forests.
Around 24 million hectares of rainforest were destroyed in Indonesia between 1990 and 2015, according to official figures from the Indonesian government.
It's a source of huge profits for multinational companies and also a cause of deforestation, displacement of indigenous peoples, loss of biodiversity.
Not to mention pushing endangered species such as the orangutan, the Borneo elephant, and Sumatran Tiger one step closer to extinction.
It is possible buy 'sustainable' palm oil, sometimes referred to as RSPO palm oil, certified by theRoundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.
But in my humble opinion, the RSPO has a poor track record. You can read more in this Greenpace report.
For me, I would just prefer to avoid the use of palm oil in my products, as far as possible, and find that I can make great cold pressed soap, and natural wax candles without any palm oil.
This is my very personal view on ingredients I choose not to use.
I would love to hear what is important to you when it comes to skincare ingredients.
]]>What face oil do I recommend if you have dry, dehydrated type skin, and which for my ladies that have oily, combination or sensitive skin prone to rosacea?
This is one of the questions I get asked most often.
So on today's Q&A Friday, I'm going to give you my thoughts on which works best for different skin types.
First, let's get the basics out of the way.
Both my Facial Essence with Rose & Marula and my Facial Essence with Rose & Blackcurrant are oil based products.
I have a lot of time for facial oils, I think they're superb moisturisers. It's all about the best ingredients for your skin.
This is what I recommend to my customers that suffer with an oily T-zone, with breakout prone skin, with skin prone to rosacea or maybe just skin that's a little bit tricky.
First of all, a reason to be grateful! Yup, not joking. For my oily skinned ladies, it might seem like a pain, but the good news is that you are likely to be less wrinkly than those of us with dry skins. See I told you, good news! :)
Some of my younger customers are still at the stage where they are prone to acne and breakouts.
But it's also not uncommon that some of my older ladies with menopausal or perimenopausal skin frustratingly suffer with breakouts as well.
My Facial Essence with Rose & Marula is all about the ingredients. I have hand picked the ingredients that I think work best for skin that is prone to breakouts and oiliness.
I've designed this specifically to combat skin that's prone to oiliness, combination and maybe break outs.
It's 100% plant oils. It's 100% natural. It's also organic. It is made with powerful plant oils that are going to make a difference.
So, avocado oil, camellia oil, hazelnut oil, and marula oils amongst others. Marula is an African nut oil and it's superb for skin that is prone to redness, which is why this is good for tricky skin and my ladies that suffer with rosacea.
It also includes rosehip oil, and organic rosehip oil is one of those ingredients that is vitamin A rich. So rather than plumping for a full retinol product, rosehip oil gives you some of those benefits, but without any of the irritation that sometimes come with stronger retinol products.
And the scent? This Facial Essence a fruity, herbaceous, from both the rosehip raspberry seed oil. I also use palmarosa and frankincense in here, which both smell amazing, but which also have therapeutic benefits.
This is also the oil that was picked up by Psychology's magazine not so long ago and they said some rather nice things about it.
So, this is my recommendation for my ladies who suffer with oiliness, breakouts and/or sensitivity.
And if you're thinking oily skin coupled with a face oil is a disaster waiting to happen, let me caution you that if you use the right oils that's absolutely not the case.
I recommend the Facial Essence with Rose & Marula in combination with my Cleansing Butter, the two work well together to manage combination or tricky skin.
What about for my ladies that suffer with dry, parched or mature skin? For you I recommend my Facial Essence with Rose and Blackcurrant.
Now I am 50, I am finding that my skin needs loads and loads of moisture. And this is what I use on my own skin.
It is packed with plant oils that are specifically there to hydrate.
I use rose oil; both rosehip oil, which is great as a moisturiser, but I also use rose essential oil for its beautiful scent. Not in an old lady, synthetic rose scent way! This has a delicate, gentle, floral scent.
So, the ingredients in the Facial Essence with Rose and Blackcurrant? Rosehip oil we've talked about, additionally I add blackcurrant oil which is packed with vitamin C and is superbly hydrating. It's softening and it's great for smoother skin, and great for improving the texture.
I include moisturising camellia oil, antioxidant rich cranberry oil, and calendula CO2 which one of those herbs that's been around since time immemorial, but it's very good for skin irritations, itchy skin etc. which can plague those of us suffering with more dry skin. It's also very good for sensitive skin.
I use jojoba oil, which is actually a wax, and which is similar to the sebum in our own skin, so despite it being super light, it hydrates very effectively. And finally macadamia oil, which is particularly good for mature and for dry skin types.
So, in summary here is my personal recommendation.
Use my Facial Essence with Rose and Blackcurrant for more mature skin, for dry skin, for dehydrated skin. Pick my Facial Essence with Rose and Marula for my ladies that suffer with an oily T-zone, that suffer with breakout prone skin, that suffer with sort of just tricky skin.
Both of these oils can be used in combination with my other products. My recommendation is not that you go and change your entire skincare routine all at once.
I don't think that's necessary, and also if you suffer with sensitive skin you don't want to be throwing out the baby with the bath water. I suggest small steps, and selecting products that you are going to get most value out of and will use every day.
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Imagine waking up without having to worry about what your skin looks like on any given day.
No redness. No lumps or bumps. And no dry or itchy patches.
Just your skin looking at its best.
That's the dream, right?
You may not believe it's possible, but the key to having great looking skin is to know your skin and use the right products; those that will nurture and ultimately improve its appearance and feel.
By recognising your skin type, and how to treat it allows you to have well-behaved skin that looks its best every single day.
And it makes it easy to care for your skin. No more bathroom cupboards full of stuff that just doesn't work for you.
So how do you test your skin? And how can you create an essential skincare routine to match?
You can do a simple skin type test in the comfort of your own home to find out exactly what type of skin you have.
Here's what I recommend you do:
Here are the most common skin types and their matching descriptions.
Normal skin is well-balanced skin. (Lucky you!) You might get a little bit oily around the T-zone, which gives you a healthy shine on those areas. But overall, it doesn't look or feel too oily or too dry.
For you, the sebum (the natural-occurring oils that keep the skin moisturised) and the moisture that remains locked in your skin layers are well balanced.
When carrying out your skin type test, you're looking for:
Normal skin is radiant and can feel like a dream come true. It's not too oily. It's not too dry.
If you have normal skin, you're lucky; it can tolerate most skincare products and makeup without feeling irritated.
A simple everyday routine with beautiful plant ingredients will help keep your skin feeling healthy and comfortable. Look out for pure, natural ingredients with in built nurturing and comforting properties.
This is my super simple starter guide. A simple, organic skincare routine.
Dry skin produces less sebum than normal skin. In other words, it lacks the oils (or lipids) that it needs in order to retain moisture and build a strong protective layer against external influences (like the weather or the products we use). Dry skin effectively has an impaired barrier function.
Of course, dry skin exists in varying degrees of severity and forms that aren't always easily distinguishable.
But when doing your skin test, on inspection, you'll know you have dry skin if you notice:
In more extreme cases, you might also be experiencing:
You'll be familiar with these symptoms as, especially in winter or when we wash our skin, they are also typical signs of dehydrated skin.
There's an important difference between dry and dehydrated skin.
While dry skin is a skin type, dehydrated skin is a condition that anyone can experience. Dehydrated skin can be temporary (winter, anyone?) and is caused by a lack of water in the top layer of the skin.
So having dehydrated skin doesn't necessarily mean you have a dry skin type. People with other types of skin (normal or oily, for example) can also experience dehydration, especially on their hands, legs or face depending on the climate and temperature.
Exposure to the elements (sun, winds, rain, and cold), as well as hard water, hot showers and baths, air conditioning, and central heating can suck the moisture - and the life out of your skin.
Equally products that are too harsh or too light can also have a negative impact on dehydrated skin. So it's important to choose the right moisturiser.
My favourite products for dry skin?
For your face, pick my Facial Essence with Rose & Blackcurrant.
It's all about feeding your skin, nourishment, and satiny plumped up skin with generous amounts of Argan, Blackcurrant, Baobab, Camellia and Cranberry oils but no heavy or greasy feeling.
If you need another level of hydration, or if a face oil is just not you, I've got some options for you.
If you prefer a cream textured product try my Radiance Cream with Rose & Frankincense. It’s a gentle and rich moisturiser, particularly suited to thirsty, parched skin and is exceptionally good in a cold climate.
Or my Intensive Balm with Marshmallow & Frangipani is a decadently scented (with essential oils only!) balm which is perfect to nourish and moisturise skin that needs a little TLC.
It has a rich but light texture, and is concentrated, so only the smallest amount is needed.
It's particular good to skin any skin problems, those pesky dry bits, itchy bits or breakouts of eczema.
For parched hands, try one of my aromatherapy hand balms, it's packed with my favourite hydrators, including Coconut, Avocado, and Rosehip. See my hand care guide here.
The not-so-good news is that research proves that skin becomes drier as we age. And if we didn't already have enough going on as women, that's especially true for us.
As menopause approaches and oestrogen production diminishes, dry and itchy skin can become an annoying daily occurrence.
Age-induced dryness comes with feelings of tightness and the unwelcome appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
If you've experiencing changes with your skin and find that it looks and feels drier, it might be time to change up your daily skincare routine. I've got a little guide on the best natural beauty tips for mature skin here.
Sensitive skin tends to have a thinner barrier, sometimes also referred to as a 'leaky' barrier that doesn't trap moisture effectively. The phrase ‘sensitive skin’ is often used as an umbrella term to cover a range of conditions, including rosacea and eczema, for example.
But your skin can also become sensitive over time and due to external triggers. You can see more about sensitive skin triggers here.
If you suspect you might have sensitive skin, when doing your skin type test check out for:
Your skin may also feel itchy and easily react to UV rays, fragrances (like the ones found in some beauty products), and bad weather.
You may also, at times, experience a stinging or burning sensation when using certain skincare products, including makeup and sunscreen.
Remember that if your skin reacts to a product, it's not the right thing to be using! Harsh chemicals don't marry well with sensitive skin, so opt for something gentler and more natural.
If you're looking at moisturisers for sensitive skin, these are 6 of my favourite moisturisers for sensitive skin.
Oily skin is exactly what it says on the tin - it produces excess oil. It's effectively the opposite of dry skin and can give your face a shiny or greasy appearance, particularly around the T-zone.
So how do you know if you have oily skin?
Look out for:
Treating your oily skin with the right products is important to reduce the appearance of these signs.
The good news is that my oily skin ladies are less prone to the visible signs of ageing. Find out about oily skin and the best natural skin care for your skin type here.
And finally, combination skin (one of the most common skin types) shows signs of different skin types all at once.
When carrying out your skin test, you might notice a mixture of oily and dry areas, with the T-zone being more oily than the rest of your face.
Here are the tell tale signs:
A combination skin type is best treated with products that give extra moisture to the dry areas of your face without adding oil to the already oily parts.
This is where choosing organic skincare and natural products that chemical-free and fragrance-free can give you the best results.
Once you've worked out what your skin type is, it's time to find the best skincare routine to match. Whether you have a sensitive, normal, dry, oily, or combination skin type, there's a product for you.
And if you're looking for a little extra help just reach out to us on social media, we'd love help.
So, which skin type are you?
]]>If you're thinking that bar soap is something that your grandmother would use you'd probably be right.
Another beauty fad?
The truth is that in a world of plastic overload, more and more people are looking at environmentally-friendly alternatives, with skin loving ingredients and organic bar soap is here to stay.
Have you ever stopped to think about how soap is made?
I make my organic soap by combining plant oils with sodium hydroxide or lye, and a little soap magic, (actually a reaction called saponification).
It uses the simplest of ingredients, but produces a bar soap that is natural and gentle on the skin.
And that's the beauty of it. Super simple with real ingredients.
Often you will see reference to soap made with the 'cold process' method which refers to the soap ingredients and how they are blended together. This is the traditional method of making soap, which has been used since time immemorial.
This is different to commercially made soap or 'melt and pour' soap which involves heating up a soap base, and mixing with colours and scents.
Making soap the traditional way in my opinion gives the best results, it just takes a little longer and costs a little more.
Here are my 10 favourite reasons for incorporating organic bar soap into your skincare routine.
At a time when sensitive skin, skin irritations, eczema, and dermatitis are all on the increase, it makes sense to pare out what you don't need.
Harsh chemical additives often contained in soap and washing products can aggravate any pre-existing skin conditions and cause irritation, itching, and unwanted flare-ups.
It's for that reason that so many of us are on the hunt for more skin-friendly solutions. Gentle, nourishing, and calming ingredients never go out of fashion.
Compare the list of ingredients on a commercial bar of soap with a hand made organic bar, and you will notice that the commercial bar will likely have a much longer list of ingredients. Commercial manufacturing is all about cost and consistency. Read more on my guide here.
I approach my products from the other end of the scale. What goes into my beauty products is key, my starting point is the best ingredients I can source and selecting the ingredients I would want to use on my own skin.
Beauty without compromise.
Pure organic oils are expensive, so manufacturers find clever ways of reducing the levels of these more expensive ingredients, padding them out with cheaper fillers.
Another little cost saving trick that you see with commercial manufacturers is where glycerine, a humectant that is produced as a by product of the cold process method of soap making is stripped out and sold on to be used elsewhere.
I like to leave the naturally forming glycerine in my soap; it makes for a beautifully hydrating bar of soap.
It might take a little longer. Cold processed soap needs to be cured - essentially it needs to be rested after it is made for 4-5 weeks where water evaporates from the bar, making for a harder, longer lasting bar of soap.
You can't hurry perfection.
It's no mystery that some soaps can leave your skin feeling dry, and if you already suffer from sensitive skin, that can be a problem.
But why does soap dry the skin?
When your skin loses too much sebum, which is the natural substance secreted by the glands that help keep the skin moisturised, it loses its ability to retain water. The more sebum you lose, the drier your skin becomes.
Often commercial soap, hand washes, shower gels etc. will contain detergent ingredients that will strip the sebum and therefore moisture moisture from the skin, SLS and SLES (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate) being the main culprits.
I don't use these in any of my products.
I'm a huge advocate of cleansing with a balm - it's I what I recommend for most of my ladies and you can see why here.
But if you are wedded to a wash off cleanser I understand.
If that's your thing, I have one word for you - gentle.
No scrubbing, no harsh detergents, you want to avoid anything that is going to strip the delicate facial skin.
And this is where the right bar soap can double us as a cleaner.
My Apricot & Geranium Bar is specially formulated with organic virgin olive oil, organic coconut, precious almond and apricot kernel oils enriched with shea butter and blended with sweet, juicy oils and French pink clay.
Organic bar soap can be a really effective way to clean your hands without drying them to crisps.
PS if your hands are struggling at the moment, check out my guide here and my these for a serious boost of hydration and luxury.
In these slightly crazy times, it's also effective against bacteria and viruses - see how the humble bar of soap does battle here.
There are a couple of common sense guidelines though.
Don't let your bar of soap sit in a pool of water - that is a breeding ground for bugs.
Instead always store your bar soap on a dish or stand that allows the bar to dry out between uses.
This helps maximise its life, and stops it turning into a pile of mush.
Most shower gels are chock full of detergent ingredients, often with SLS and SLES.
For most us, our skin becomes more dry as we age - and slathering these harsher detergents over our skin, dry it out further and can irritate, especially if your skin is on the sensitive side to start with.
An organic bar of soap is super convenient, (no plastic in sight) can act as a very gentle cleanser (bonus for sensitive skin) and can benefit from the gently cleansing pure plant oils.
I like to include soothing almond oil, and a dash of organic shea butter to give the bar soap natural moisturising qualities, alongside healing properties.
The right ingredients within your bar soap mean it can be excellent for people with dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
Bar soap has a lower environmental impact than liquid soap.
Check out this environmental assessment here.
Reports have found that bar soaps have a lower carbon footprint as well as lower toxicity levels. When you think about the energy required to produce the packaging of liquid soaps alone, it's easy to understand why.
When we use liquid soap to wash our hands, we tend to use more of it compared to bar soap. That means that more liquid soap units are needed and more plastic is produced.
Not to mention how much more convenient bar soap is.
Easy to pack when you're travelling, it contains no plastic or packaging, and it's not subject to restrictions when you take it on a plane in your toiletry bag.
And even when compared with cleansing wipes, bar soap still comes out on top.
Wipes regularly find their way into our oceans and are a major cause of plastic pollution. They create havoc for sea creatures, and are often laden with synthetic chemicals.
Have you heard that lye or sodium hydroxide is bad for you? That's not quite right.
All real cold processed soap is made with lye - and lye can be dangerous. It is a strong alkali and if used incorrectly and irresponsibly, it can cause serious damage.
But here comes the clever bit.
When making soap, I mix those beautiful plant oils with an alkali, in this case lye, and with the chemical reaction that follows, called saponification, the fatty acids from the plant oils meet the alkali and form a salt.
Yup real soap is actually a salt, clever right?
That's why lye or sodium hydroxide is not listed as an ingredient on soap - when soap is made properly, there is no sodium hydroxide or lye left in the soap.
That's also why people get confused with the ingredients on a soap label. The organic olive oil that I use (Olea Europaea) becomes Sodium Oleate as part of the soap making process - literally saponified olive oil or olive oil salt.
In the same way coconut oil (Cocos Nucifera) becomes Sodium Cocoate, saponified coconut oil, or coconut salt etc.
The other natural by product of the soap making process is naturally forming glycerine, which is a humectant and is what makes hand made bar soap so moisturising.
One of the things I hear most often from my customers is that they don't have hours and hours to spend on a morning routine. More often than not, it is 5 minutes grabbed between chores and all those interminable morning jobs.
Using bar soap makes your daily routine both simple and fast. Plus, it won't strip your skin as many foaming type products do!
And if you're not sure where to start or what to products to use, have a read of my blog post: A Simple, Organic Skincare Routine.
Hand made, artisan soap is natural beauty at its simplest - beautiful botanical oils, moisturising glycerine, and essential oils.
Of course the oils matter. Soap can be made with tallow using this same process which is made from rendered down beef or lamb which you might want to avoid.
Palm oil is another oil to think twice about - it's a cause of forest deforestation and is the reason why I do not use palm in in my beauty products, including my soap.
I'm all about simplicity, and organic bar soap is one of the easiest ways to clean up our beauty routines.
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None of us imagined we would be spending so much time hibernating in our own homes.
And it's all, well, a little stressful. So much uncertainty out in the world.
At times like this, it's the little things that matter.
Beating the stress, the anxiousness, staying positive, resilient in the face of uncertainty.
Scent is one of those little things that can make a difference.
A scented candle with pure essential oils can energise, calm, or de-stress. Or a sneaky dance of an aromatherapy roller ball across your pulse points for an instant scent blast.+ It's just a matter of finding the essential plants oils that speak to you.
Aromatic essential oils have been used for centuries to enhance health and wellbeing, and long recognised as has having the ability to affect mood and our environment.
Aromatherapy is the ancient practice of using these aromatic plant oils, essential oils, to harness their powerful effects on emotional and spiritual well being.
The oils are extracted directly from the plant, and because they are the essence of that plant, they're super concentrated and extremely powerful.
Case in point, it takes about 60 roses to produce just one drop of rose essential oil. Yup, seriously.
Studies have shown that aromatherapy oils can have a stimulating and sedative effect on both our nervous and immune systems.
And, let's be honest, right now, we could all use a little emotional help!
It's thought that the fragrant essential oils positively impact the part of our brain called the limbic system which helps control our emotions and behaviour.
The limbic system interacts with our brain and helps control breathing, stress levels, memory and balances hormones.
When you breathe in that first hit of scent, that's the volatile compounds doing their thing.
The word 'olfactory' comes from the Latin 'olfacere' to smell, and it is via the olfactory nerve that the magic happens. The inside of your nose is formed of special nerve cells that connect direct to the brain via the olfactory nerves.
Balancing, healing, and I think, happiness inducing, essential oils have the power to impact our state of mind. Oils with stimulating properties can be used to aid concentration. Oils that are calming help us to relax and combat the effects of stress.
Need a spot of relaxation?
Try lavender to deeply relax
Need to concentrate?
Pick a blend that includes rosemary to clear and focus the mind.
Need to lift the spirits?
Try incorporating uplifting geranium into a routine.
More than a quarter of British households now buy scented candles, according to research company Kantar - as a nation, we love burning candles.
But how can this help us right now?
Using essential oil candles allows us to tap into the power of scent to create a soothing sanctuary at home.
Because different scents have different emotional effects, it's important to choose the right aromatherapy candle for each environment to help you achieve the desired effect.
Not a candle fan, want a more immediate scent hit?
If candles, aren’t your thing, or your emotions are somersaulting and you need a hit of scent hit right now, try an aromatherapy roller ball.
I've designed my blissful aromatherapy roller ball treatments to Calm, De-Stress or Soothe you when you need it most. Think instant gratification without chocolate.
I make these award winning little gems with pure essential oils and organic jojoba. Simple but powerful.
Choose oils with calming properties. I like sweet, floral summer scents like lavender, geranium and ylang ylang.
If you're struggling to fall asleep, these are some of my favourite essential oils with the power to induce that soporific feeling; lavender, frankincense, neroli, vetiver, or chamomile.
Try my Luxury Aromatherapy Candle No 5, it's my favourite to help lull your mind and body into a night of restful sleep. It's packed with generous quantities of lavender and citrus notes.
An uplifting blend of organic orange, lemon, and lime with that calming organic lavender and a touch of organic rosemary to calm your mind.
Or dance my Soothing Aromatherapy Roller Ball across your pulse points or cupped hands and breathe in slowly and let the aromatic oils do their magic.
If you're needing to say calm and manage those stress levels try a blend with geranium to help ground your mind. I've designed my No 1 candle with a unique essential oil blend to de-stress naturally.
With copious amounts of organic geranium, it’s the perfect choice for reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, fatigue, and tension.
It also enhances concentration, improves cognitive function, and balances the emotions and the hormones. Handy when you need to concentrate.
Patchouli acts as an antidepressant and juniper has a much-needed calming and grounding effect.
Plus, bonus, as the candle gently burns and releases those aromatic compounds, it helps to cleanse and purify the air.
If you're using your living room as a space to wind down at the end of a long day, and you need to banish work stress, pick scents to create a calming environment there too.
My Rose Tree No. 7 - Calm, for example, is deeply calming and soothing. It contains the deliciously feminine ylang ylang and beautiful geranium, which can help you to release anxiety and anger and to combat depression.
It's the perfect candle to envelop you in a beautiful blanket of calm.
During the day, you'll want to use essential oils with uplifting and motivating properties. So if you're looking for scents that will enhance your productivity, positivity, and focus, try citrus oils, like lemon, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, or mandarin. Or rosemary, which aids focus and helps to clear the mind. Rose Tree No 1 and No 5 are my top picks.
I make my candles by hand, because I believe that makes a difference, the antithesis to a shop bought paraffin monstrosity filled with toxic synthetic scents.
All my award-winning aromatherapy candles are made from a 100% pure vegetable wax blend and are scented with pure essential oils.
There is no paraffin or lead in my wicks, so they burn cleanly. I'm much less about a perfect looking candle, with a veil of pastel colour and a sprinkle of glitter and much more about pure ingredients and imperfection.
More mother nature in all her glory, no two flowers are exactly the same. But they are real, and all the more beautiful for that.
For more about how I make my candles and getting the best out of them see my Aromatherapy Candles - The Ultimate Guide
The same applies to my aromatherapy roller balls, where less is more. Pure organic jojoba and pure essential oils. None of the crap, no synthetic ingredients, just pure, natural aromatic compounds with the ability go inform your mood.
No one is quite sure when the current lockdown will end.
At the end of the day, we all have to find our way of coping.
It's not magic. But the essential oils help.
I'm feeling grateful that for now I can continue getting parcels of organic goodness out to you, and hoping that it continues.
I hope that you are find strategies to cope with the madness. I'd love to hear. Let me know in the comments :)
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We've never been so vigilant with our hand washing. The current climate means that most of us are washing our hands with increasing frequency in a bid to stay fit and healthy.
Add in multiple squirts of alcohol sanitiser and it makes for over dry, parched, sore, hands, not quite the result most of us want.
The ultimate irony is that over washing can lead to cracks developing in our skin, allowing bacteria and bugs to enter our bodies.
What happens when you wash your hands?
When washing your hands, soap works by breaking down the chemical bonds that allows bugs, bacteria, viruses and dirt, lifting them off the skin.
Our skin is an amazing organ made up of 3 key layers.
Layer 1 is the epidermis or strata corneum, the outer layer, the bit we recognise as skin.
Layer 2 is the dermis, made from elastin, collagen and fibrillin to give it its strength and elasticity.
Layer 3, the hypodermis is made of fat and connective tissue and provides cushioning and warmth.
Very frequent washing, harsher soaps, and some commercially made soaps can also disrupt the natural skin barrier, removing the natural oils in our skin.
Applying a hand cream can help avoid dryness, redness, itchy, flaky skin and prevent cracks forming.
Pick the right natural soap.
Hand made, cold processed natural bar soap is very different to commercial soap bars.
Glycerine is a by product of the natural soap making process - but most commercial producers remove the glycerine because they are able to sell it on at a profit, and because removing the glycerine makes for a harder bar.
Sneaky, I know. Great if you are a commercial manufacturer driven by the bottom line. Not so great for you.
Additionally hand made cold pressed soap takes time to cure - anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks, as the water evaporates from the soap. (I like to cure my Apricot Geranium bars for about 6 weeks so they are at their best).
Most commercial soap making manufacturers just don't have time to wait, which is why soap often has that reputation for being drying.
Hand made soap made using the cold pressed method does the opposite, with all that naturally forming glycerine, the glycerine acts as a humectant, pulling moisture to your skin.
Use hand hot water, dispersing the suds for 20-30 seconds, then rinsing any dirt and bugs down the drain.
Apply your chosen hand cream straight away, as soon as your hands are dry, and use it regularly. Not rocket science, I know. But it's surprising how many of us don't do this. We mean to, get distracted and the moment has passed.
Some fragrance ingredients can irritate already sensitive skin.
I use essential oils suited to sensitive skin within my Apricot Geranium Cleansing Bar - I find this super gentle bar a better bet than garishly coloured, strongly artificially scented soap.
But be aware that sensitive skin can react to essential oils, if you very sensitive skin, a patch test is always to be recommended.
Avoid the prettily packaged creams with a blend of water with paraffin derived ingredients and a concoction of cheap, sticky synthetic ingredients.
My pick is a hand balm.
A balm works as an intensive treatment for hands, I've designed mine with nature's most potent hydrators including Coconut, Avocado, and Rosehip.
I have designed our blissful aromatherapy hand treatment balm to transform dry, tired hands and lift your mood/spirits.
Less dehydration, stronger nails, younger looking hands and a built in mood boost in a 100% natural and 90% organic formula! When a normal hand cream just won't do.
As an added bonus, while all those glorious botanicals are doing their stuff, imagine whispers of therapeutic loveliness being absorbed through your olfactory system to calm and de-stress…
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Often over looked but super hard working, hands are one of the first places that give us away as we get older.
So you'd be forgiven for thinking that when caring for your hands, we'd have our pick of the big hitters, the value add ingredients that are going to counteract all the stuff that we throw at them on a daily basis.
But no, take a look at the ingredients in many of those cute bottles of hand cream and you discover they've become the poor woman's skincare.
A blend of water with paraffin derived ingredients and a concoction of cheap, sticky synthetic ingredients - but with some great looking packaging. 'Cause that makes all the difference obviously!
Let's skimp on the ingredients, but use some cute flower-strewn tube and sprinkle a few natural inspired terms across the front.
I have to admit I don't get it. It seems crazy - because hands are where we need the power lifting botanicals, the big boys, just as much as the skin on our face.
Not a whisper of magic ingredient X added at 0.1% so it can be called out on the label, but without being present in sufficient quantities to make any real difference whatsoever…
This is where a hand balm comes in.
Packed with the good stuff. When a normal hand cream just won't do.
That means less dehydration, stronger nails, younger looking hands and a built in mood boost in a 100% natural and 90% organic formula.
The flip side is that you've got to know how to use a balm on your hands. This is not the time to spread it on Nutella-like inches thick. A balm by its very nature is going to be richer than a lotion.
My top tips?
I've handpicked the ingredients for these skin plumping and nurturing balms, and it's all the good stuff:
Deeply moisturising with occlusive and emollient qualities, coconut oil has traditionally been used as a moisturiser in the South Seas for centuries.
It is hydrating and a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking skin, and is also beneficial for sensitive skins and those with tricky skin. It’s a Dry Hands saviour.
Gentle, hydrating and rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E, pantothenic acid and fatty acids, avocado oil is often used as an anti-aging oil due to its high levels of pantothenic acid and is particular suited to lack lustre skins, sensitive skins and dry skins. Great for softening cuticles and conditioning nails.
Renowned for its skin conditioning and regenerating properties, my cold pressed rose fruit oil contains large quantities of vitamin E and also retinol or vitamin A which helps to explain its regenerating properties. It's known to help dry, damaged, scarred skin, stretch marks and pigmentation.
Not hidden away at the bottom of my ingredients list, I like to include my value add ingredients in quantities large enough to make a difference. (What a radical idea I know!) A facial skincare staple, I believe that your hands deserve the best ingredients too.
Shea butter, also known as karite butter, comes from the nut of the African Mangifolia tree. Shea butter has superb moisturising qualities, along side healing properties and is used in products for dermatitis, psoriasis, and many other skin conditions. Additionally, due to its vitamin and fatty acid content, it is used in moisturising products to help reduce lines, wrinkles and stretch marks.
Used for centuries in its native South Africa and Swaziland, marula oil is used by local women to hydrate and protect their skin with its high antioxidant and fatty acid levels. It's also used to protect against stretch marks, reduce skin redness and soften scar tissue. The oil is extracted from the fruit of the marula tree which contains the nut.
Now let's deal with the scent.
None of the cheap, syrupy rubbish that sounds so appealing on the label but contains nothing but sweet, artificial, headache inducing synthetics.
Pink peppercorn and berries? I am the only one that wonders what's actually in these?
I'm all about the real stuff, and only use essential oils.
Essential oils are Mother Nature's little gift, powerfully aromatic and concentrated, they are the aromatic essences produced directly from aromatic plant material, which includes flowers, twigs, leaves, peel, bark and seeds.
I use them because not only do they have the most glorious scent, but additionally because studies have proven their effectiveness for treating many skin types and conditions.
And did I mention that nothing smells better than the real thing.
I also figure that if you're anything like me, multi tasking, running around like a complete mad woman, you see the sense in benefitting from a double whammy. While all those glorious botanicals are doing their stuff, imagine whispers of therapeutic loveliness being absorbed through you olfactory system to calm and de-stress…
And although I'm mighty proud of these little hand treats, don't take my word for it, the Soothing Hand Balm took the gold medal at this year's Green Parent Beauty Awards, and the De-Stress Hand Balm was a winner in the Beauty Shortlist Awards.
That just means the most difficult decision is which to pick - Soothing with Geranium, Cypress & Lavender or De-stress with Geranium, Juniper and Patchouli :)
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Autumn is around the corner and your skin could use a little help.
Can I tell you a secret. Whenever I do a personal consultation with a new customer, irrespective of their particular skincare concerns I inevitably end up recommending a facial oil.
Skin that is dry and needs a serious dose of hydration?
Skin that is oily prone and to break outs?
Skin that is super sensitive?
That's because a facial oil can be incredibly effective, once you get over that fear of putting an oil on your face.
The ingredients that we use are super pure and concentrated without any empty fillers.
What you see is what you get.
Couple this with my Cleansing Butter and you have a powerful skincare duo that really will set you up for radiant skin.
No 10 step skincare routine, no fuss, no sand -paper type exfoliator to 'resurface' your skin.
Simple really is best, and for skin that is sensitive it is a must.
If you want to dig deeper and understand how a facial oil works, check out our post here.
If you want to keep it simple I have 2 recommendations for you:
For skin that can be tricky; oily, prone to breakouts, acne sufferers, rosacea sufferers go for our Facial Essence with Rose & Marula.
I use organic rose fruit oil, combine it with Raspberry seed oil and oil from the Marula tree and blend that with naturally antiseptic frankincense and sebum balancing palmarosa oil.
For skin that is dry or dehydrated and suffers in the colder months, go for my Deep Nourish Facial Essence with Rose & Blackcurrant.
This is packed with the most potent hydrating oils we can find, rose, blackcurrant, cranberry, pomegranate and coupled with rose flower oil and neroli essential oil.
There is no magic or artifice here, no hiding of cheap fillers, no hero ingredient at 1% diluted in a paraffin derived base.
I'm all about British inspired simplicity and luxury - and delivering real results to my lovely customers.
]]>I'm lucky enough to have naturally clear skin but this has meant that over the years, skincare has taken a back seat for me! It's only now as I am getting older that I realise how important a good skincare routine is and I'm thankful that TRT products are so good and flexible too.
I've got several favourites. The Intensive Balm with Marshmallow & Frangipani is my desert island favourite, it keeps my skin glowing all day. The bath oils are the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day. I also love a good candle and No 1 - De-Stress is absolutely perfect.
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It frustrates me no end, that so much of what the beauty industry peddles is narrow and negative; leaving so many of us feeling unhappy and unable to live up to such unrealistic expectations.
This obsession with youth, with looking 10 years younger seems madness to me.
The desire to cover your skin, disguise everything that makes you you.
I'm much more about a positive outlook on beauty.
None of this beating ourselves up trying to match some skewed ideal of what beauty is.
It's no surprise to me that scientists have now discovered a link between feeling good on the inside and having amazing skin on the outside.
In a relatively new area of science, Psychodermatology argues the link between what goes on our insides affects our skin on the outside.
It studies the link between our minds and our skin, looking at how inner turmoil manifests itself on the outside, and how we can improve and heal our skin by adopting a happier, positive life.
When we worry about our skin, our bodies react to the stress and turmoil we feel and also the embarrassment.
A 2018 study carried out by the British Journal of Dermatology found that patients suffering with severe acne were at increased risk of suffering with depression or depressive tendencies than without acne.
A study by the American Academy of Dermatology found that people suffering with skin conditions, not only suffered with their skin, but also their emotional health. Researchers in the study found that individuals affected by these skin conditions were more likely to feel anxious and suffer with low self-esteem.
It's no surprise to me and I suspect you, that our skin reacts to how we feel inside. When we are stressed and frazzled, our skin is more likely to play up, manifesting itself in a breakout.
The best way to counter such stresses is by taking the time for you, some chill time to relax and stay sane.
When we're stressed our bodies auto-responses kick in, the fight or flight response. This is all good and well in the face of danger. But in the face of smaller, everyday stresses, our bodily systems just get worn out, and these everyday systems impact our skin and health.
By taking time to prioritise self-care you are protecting your emotional immune system, and making a commitment to yourself that you are important. And when you look back at your reflection you might even see a more calm, radiant version of you smiling back.
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Grown Up Beauty means different things to all of us.
The right to celebrate our imperfections, our lines, lumps and bumps. What ever your age, you've earned the right to be you. Just as you are.
For me as I hit 50, I'm perpetually frustrated by the expectation played out in the media that I want to look 10 years younger, my face a blank canvas ready to paint over Instagram style.
Or that any glossy magazine thinks they can sell me their latest must have product using a an image of a 14 year old. I mean seriously!
For all of my customers, natural beauty is a lifestyle choice, a means to express themselves just as they are, a celebration of everything they have achieved in their lives, and in anticipation of all the things still to come.
I have designed products to be first and foremost effective.
To make your life easier, to care for and nourish your skin in an honest way.
I believe that beauty is all about feeling good, a million miles away from the images of unattainable perfection thrown at us every day.
You know the ones; they leave most of us feeling inadequate or just ready to give up.
It's my dream to bring together a community of women to celebrate and embrace their real beauty, irrespective of a number.
That's what The Rose Tree is all about.
It’s an invitation to celebrate you, to take time for you, to o make your life easier, to care for and nourish your skin in an honest way.
Grown up beauty is about positive beauty, it’s a lifestyle choice. It’s the principle behind everything I do at The Rose Tree.
I'm much more about a positive outlook on beauty. None of this beating ourselves up trying to meet some skewed ideal of what beauty is. We're far too smart to be taken in by the marketing machine's rubbish.
Our age is to be celebrated as the number creeps up. Our successes - and failures, our triumphs, experience, knowledge, common sense, humour, all of those things that make us who we are.
I invite you to celebrate that with us.
I have an entire community of TRT readers and customers who encourage and celebrate each other.
If you haven’t joined us yet, I invite you to follow along on our channels:
On Facebook: I post stories, photos, videos, and contests for our fans on Facebook.
On Instagram: I post behind the scenes content, contests and quotes on our Instagram page, along with exclusive product details, and more. You can go here to follow us on Instagram.
On the blog: I post new stories, tips and advice to make your life easier and inspire.. You can go here to see the most recent post.
You may have noticed all of my TRT products are based on positive beauty. My essence, balms and butters and every other product in my store is designed to keep you looking like you!
To make your life easier, to care for and nourish your skin in an honest way. To nurture and coax tricky into looking the best it can. To calm and soothe and give your skin a natural glow.
Responsibly sourced, cruelty free, made in England; it does make a difference.
]]>Why recycle? What possible difference can I make? The headlines and images showing our oceans filled with plastic are soul destroying.
I watched a documentary yesterday which showed the devastation caused by palm oil deforestation, the huge swathes of land barren and empty; coupled with the reality that palm oil is everywhere, frozen pizza, biscuits, make up, skincare, candles, cleaning products.
It's a source of huge profits for multinational companies and also a cause of deforestation, displacement of indigenous peoples, loss of biodiversity. Not to mention pushing endangered species such as the orangutan, the Borneo elephant, and Sumatran Tiger one step closer to extinction.
As a passionate green beauty business owner I yoyo between feeling like I can make a difference in a small way, and shouting about green lifestyle choices from the rooftops; and feeling frustrated about how small a difference I am able to make.
So what's a person to do?
I accept that what I do is not going to change the world over night.
But I continue to hold out for a vision of the future that is hopeful, and positive, where we value and share earth's natural resources, where we are able to listen to each other, respect each other and live more peaceful and fulfilled lives. Pure fiction? Perhaps. That's what I tell myself when I feel the doubt creeping up.
There's a danger that we feel overwhelmed; helpless in the face of information overload, with the result we do nothing.
And if you're wondering how supporting a business like mine that specialises in natural, non-toxic wellbeing and beauty products makes a difference, know that it does.
I make all of my hand made products with ingredients that are effective and luxurious.
I find it rather ironic that Mother Nature gave us an abundance of super-ingredients to use, and through recent decades we have found ourselves in a race to find 'better' and cheaper chemical alternatives.
For every customer that votes with their heart for TRT, or for any other artisan brand, it’s a message that changes the balance in the beauty industry.
It's yes to organic skincare that's not only good for our skin and soul, but a yes to ethical sourcing of ingredients, sustainable packaging, and quality over and above the bottom line.
I'm not under any illusion that there's not more to do, as a business I'm fully aware that there are so many things I can do better.
The majority of my products are packed in glass - but that brings its own challenges, finding ways to ship and protect these without using mountains of bubble wrap. (We're currently testing a biodegradable bubble wrap alternative).
It’s a source of continual frustration that when I order from my suppliers my products come with acres of plastic filling materials that I then have to find creative ways of reusing and recycling.
But I'm up for a challenge.
By ditching the traditional shower gel that's one less plastic bottle. No nasty detergent ingredients, no SLS or SLES. Instead with my cold pressed Cleansing Bar, you get perfectly clean healthy skin, which is not stripped of its natural oils, and of course it’s palm free.
By plumping for an organic skincare ritual, you're voting for a pared back, simple routine with the right ingredients for you. So many of us have cupboards full of bottles of lotions and potions that we'll never use. Not ever. They'll end up being thrown away into their own plastic graveyard. Organic, artisan skin and body care is about quality, and a pared down routine which meets your skin's needs. Simple. Sufficient, and no waste.
The beauty industry is based upon fear, sadly that's the reality of the large corporates in the market place. The clever, snide messages that play to our insecurities, too many spots, too many lines, too many greys, too big, too small. Your vote for TRT or any of my green artisan fellow brands is a vote for positive beauty and for real beauty.
Ultimately when you support a company like mine, you help them flourish. It's a vote for more pure, healthy and safe products that are made sustainably by people who care about the earth.
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Though admittedly, use the wrong oil on your face and it probably won't end happily.
If you'd heard that using an oil gives rise to problem skin; spots, break outs, black heads, you're not alone - but in fact nothing could be further from the truth.
Get it right and you can transform your skin using a face oil. And I'm not exaggerating. Really transform.
Oils are a great source of antioxidants to nurture and protect the skin, plus they lock in hydration to the skin layers.
Not to mention the physical act of massaging oil into your skin boosts circulation and leaves you with plumper looking, glowing skin.
To understand how they work and can make a positive difference on your skin there are 2 things you need to understand:
What an oil actually is and how your skin works.
Your skin is made up of 3 key layers.
Layer 1 is the epidermis or strata corneum, the outer layer, the bit we recognise as skin. Layer 2 is the dermis, made from elastin, collagen and fibrillin to give it its strength and elasticity. Layer 3, the hypodermis is made of fat and connective tissue and provides cushioning and warmth.
The epidermis or strata corneum, was once thought of as inert, but It is alive and has a couple of key functions.
Firstly it acts as a barrier; it protects against environmental factors, weather pollution, UV rays and bacteria.
It also allows a 2 way passage in and out of your body. It removes waste, toxins, perspiration, and from the outside in, absorbs moisture, oxygen, light and nutrients including fatty acids. Plus it converts sunlight into vitamin D.
Clever right?
All most of us see is that it’s too bumpy, has a spot or is too uneven. Or perhaps too many lines.
Your skin is a work horse, working day and night without ever taking a holiday. It's the last to get food and water, playing second fiddle to your main organs, and then to add insult to injury it often gets slathered in cheap petrochemical filled product with a few artificial colours and fragrances thrown in for good measure.
No wonder it sometimes rebels.
Oils are lipids, which comes from the Greek lipos for fat which in turn are made up of fatty acids and triglycerides. All plant oils are slightly different, almond oil is made up of characteristics specific to almonds. No surprises there.
What is amazing is the sheer variety of nature's plant oils and their unique health giving properties.
They can be solid or liquid and can be oily or fatty - which is why some oils feel 'dry' on the skin and some feel rich and buttery, and why depending on your skin type means some oils will suit and others will not.
More importantly fats and oils make up living organisations; our cells our partly fat and our brain is 60% fat. (No fat free diet here!)
Because of this, oils have an affinity with our skin. Fatty acids are critical in maintaining moisture in cell membranes. They maintain that supple feeling by preventing water from escaping and protect skin cells from environmental stresses.
Our own skin is even clever enough to produce it's own fatty acid called sebum which is a key part in keeping your skin soft and pliable. Sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles produce these fatty acids.
As we get older, we are hit with a raft of symptoms we'd rather be without. Damage caused by free radicals, thinner skin, more dry, rough skin and more fragile skin.
A good face oil can help improve your skin in a number of key ways.
It can strengthen the skin's barrier function by feeding the epidermis with moisturisers. A reduced barrier function means skin that is more likely to allow penetration of irritants and in turn show signs of inflammation.
Our outer layer of skin is lipophilic or oil loving - which is why using the right face oil can make your skin look and feel amazing when applied topically.
The right oil for you can act as an emollient to soften and smooth skin. It can also act as an occlusive layer preventing transdermal water loss and thereby helping your skin feel healthy and hydrated.
Similarly the right plant oils act as humectants which bind and hold water to the skin.
Finally plant oils can be antioxidant rich which protects the dermis from inflammation and can counteract the negative effects of UV radiation.
There's a lot to love here.
Healthy skin relies on the right balance of fatty acids and lipids, and when out of balance this can manifest itself in a number of ways.
It is thought that acne is a result of a lack of linoleic acid and too much palmitoleic acid.
Dry, rough and scaly skin is often caused by a lack of linoleic acid and excessive oleic acid.
For those of us with oily skin, avoiding oils seems the obvious course of action to dry the skin out, but it is by treating the skin with oils that can help reduce and control oiliness.
I select the best oils for my face oils, a carefully blended mix of antioxidant packed plant oils to deal with your skin type.
For Combination, Sensitive skin, or tricky skin that breaks out, try my award winning Radiance Facial Essence with Rose & Marula.
Specifically designed for oily or combination skin types, it hydrates without causing breakouts and naturally supports skin prone to acne, and rosacea.
It's packed with ingredients specifically designed to support sensitive, combination type skins, including rose, marula, hazelnut and raspberry seed.
For dry, mature skin, sensitive skin types, try my Deep Nourish Facial Essence with Rose & Blackcurrant. This all natural, potent facial oil gently nourishes, helps reduce dullness and gives skin a beautiful glow. It's made with the most potent plant oils including blackcurrant, cranberry, pomegranate baobab and argan oils.
Don't let an urban myth scare you away from oil, oil is our friend, especially as our skin ages!
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We're all familiar with the symptoms; the dry, tight, irritated skin, the flakiness, not to mention the Sahara-like parched face.
Fun, not.
The thing is, cold temperatures play havoc with our skin. Add into the equation central heating and steamy hot baths and you have the perfect skin snow storm.
Dry flaky bits. Sore bits. And a rather unfortunate scaly appearance.
And compromised skin is bad news as the skin as an organ is so important.
Apart from the fact that sore, itchy skin is no fun at all and distracts the most focussed individual; the tight uncomfortable feeling you get as you exit the shower, or that feeling where it feels like all the moisture has been sucked out of your face.
Skin is one super organ, with a wealth of responsibilities.
It's the first line of defence against the outside world.
It provides a waterproof, protective barrier.
It converts sunlight into vitamin D - at least when the sun appears…
It acts as a thermostat to regulate temperature.
It secretes waste away in our sweat
It's full of friendly bacteria
Impressive right?
As the temperature drops, the humidity in the air around us drops too. Our skin is primarily made up of water, and by the principle of osmosis, water is literally being sucked out of our skin.
This water loss means a reduction in the barrier function of our skin, and once the barrier function of our skin is compromised, it can leave skin open to a host of irritations and infections.
If you start with having problem skin of any sort, eczema, dermatitis etc, this combined with freezing temperatures is a double whammy, making the skin more fragile and vulnerable.
Here are a few of my favourite tips for dealing with winter skin.
And don't forget to check out my Cold Weather Cheat Sheet.
A stripping shower gel or harsh soap is just going to dry skin out further.
Look for an old fashioned cold process soap bar made with beautiful plant oils, it will be much gentler on the skin, and as a bonus, no plastic bottles either.
My own Apricot & Geranium Cleansing Bar is made with pure olive, almond and apricot oils enriched with shea butter.
Why does a natural soap bar work better?
Plant oils are much more gentle than any foaming cleanser. Plus soap made the old fashioned way, (like we do!) contains glycerine, which is a humectant. This helps draw moisture into the skin.
That means happier, less dry, tight skin.
Consider an oil in the bath, as an alternative.
Gentle, hydrating and soothing it's a win, win.
For skin that's already suffering in the cold, and is feeling a little tight and itchy, supplement your TRT Bath & Shower Oil bath with a little boost.
A handful of salt helps with the skin's moisture levels, drawing moisture to the skin.
Mineral salts are good, just avoid any dodgy additives to your salt, things like anti-caking ingredients.
Oats also make a good addition, a handful in your bath, is super soothing, anti-inflammatory and nourishing.
Adding them to a muslin bag or an old pair if tights you have tied a knot in works - and there's no picking bits out of the tub afterwards.
Avoid any face cleaner which involves getting that 'squeaky clean' feeling.
Clean is good.
Stripping all the natural oils from your face is less good.
Check out my super gentle, award winning Cleansing Butter which cleanses and hydrates in one easy step.
A face oil is your friend. Here's why.
For skin that is dry through the year, and exacerbated in times of environmental stress like the very cold, it's likely you have a genetic predisposition to dry skin.
Make sure you are getting plenty of good fats in your diet, and lots of essential fatty acids.
Oily fish, nuts and avocado are all good.
Watch out for oils that are oleic acid rich.
These best suit dry skins and have a richer feel, though can still be fast absorbing and can help hydrate your skin for longer.
For a fast absorbing, fragrant boost, try one of my organic body oils straight out of the shower on wet skin. Super fast and effective. Applying to wet skin helps seal in another layer of moisture.
Winter skin doesn't have to end in tears - with a few beautiful natural ingredients, and a bit of TLC you can sail right through winter with healthy, supple skin.
]]>If you're already feeling like you need a holiday to get over the stress you're not alone.
So much so, one study even suggests that the festive season can actually give you a heart attack. Yup, very scary and it's actually true.
For many women, this time of year feels like a whole pile of pressure piled on top of a load of existing stress, work, the kids, the boss and the fact you last glimpsed the sun about 3 months ago.
The ultimate irony is that it's the time of year when we have idyllic snow dusted scenes of family joy paraded in front of our eyes in a never ending Christmas movie show reel, while the reality is sometimes closer to a family disaster movie.
A survey by the American Psychological Association shows that women feel the stress far more so than men, which lets be honest defeats the whole purpose of Christmas.
At any time of high stress, there are coping strategies that will stop you turning into the Wicked Witch of the West and keep you sane.
I'm not necessarily advocating crawling into bed right now with a glass/bottle of wine, though if the kids are really driving you mad, now might be the time to call on the in laws pleading an impending nervous breakdown.
Good quality sleep can make a huge difference to how you feel (and look). Studies have shown it has multiple health benefits, it boosts your immune system, improves wellbeing and can help keep you slim.
As we sleep, growth and repair hormones are released regenerating skin cells, while sleep renews our bodies, reduces stress and anxiety and soothes the mind.
Ditch the tech, switch your phone off and prioritise those ZZZZs. Establish a routine as far as possible, allowing time to wind down before bed. The more regular the time pattern you follow the better.
If you find you can't sleep or you suffer from insomnia don't beat yourself up about it. Enjoy being warm and comfortable and relaxed in bed, and if you want to get up and do something quiet while you have time that is just for you, do it.
This is not a reason to feel guilty, it's being smart. Take whatever time you can get for yourself whenever you can.
Talking of feeling guilty, just don't. Time for you matters. There will never be enough time, and you're never going to please everyone, so stop trying.
That secret knowledge that comes from spending time just for yourself is powerful, it allows you to recognise you have the means to change and direct your life, to set boundaries and say no.
Your sense of smell can help beat your stress.
Sounds odd I know. But true. And proven.
Studies have shown that aromatherapy oils can have a stimulating and sedative effect on the nervous system and immune system. It is thought that the fragrant essential oils positively impact the part of our brain called the limbic system which helps control our emotions and behaviour.
An aroma activates your olfactory nerves and goes directly into your body, lungs and bloodstream.
Studies have shown that essential oils in particular lavender promote relaxation and help reduce anxiousness and can depress activation of the nervous system response, which usually result in a racing heart or sweaty palms.
This is exactly why we add a generous slug of pure lavender to our natural wax, aromatherapy candle No 5 blend, Peace.
Not a candle person, or not safe with the family around?
My De-Stress Aromatherapy Roller Ball with Juniper & Grapefruit is a portable stress busting tool on the go, hand bag sized and ready to go. A quick stripe over wrists, pulse points, or cupped hands (you choose), a couple of deep breaths and you're good to go.
Don't overlook the power of bathing.
Who'd argue with taking a hot bath as the ultimate mood enhancer.
The hot steamy water, essential oils, a flickering candle and you're good to go. No fancy gadgets, no sign up fees, instead instant spa gratification.
I've designed Bath Oils with 3 award winning aromatherapy essential oil blends, the hardest decision is picking which one to use; Soothing, Calming or De-Stress.
And if you have any of those little bottles of essential oils hanging about, 5 drops of lavender oil in your bath is a great all rounder, relaxing, invigorating and indulgent.
OK actually by baking.
A 2015 survey ahead of the Great Comic Relief Bake Off found that baking helps relieve stress levels. Of course it’s your responsibility to eat the cakes after baking them, which to my mind can only help with improving stress levels :)
There's no magic bullet to ditching the stress, especially at busy times of the year, but by carving out time for you and ensuring you do feature in that long to do list, you can give yourself the power to win. Take control, and don't feel guilty.
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I like organic; I like my skincare ingredients to not have been fiddled with too much.
And I definitely prefer them without pesticides.
So if I use organic ingredients, why am I not certified with one of the big certification bodies, eg Soil Association or Ecocert etc.?
This is a question that I get asked a lot, so here goes…
Organic refers to a system of agriculture used to grow skincare ingredients. This means a system of agriculture producing ingredients sustainably without chemicals and synthetics which are widely used in the industry today.
This allows ingredients to be tracked from where they grow to where they end up in your favourite skincare products.
There are a number of bodies that accredit or certify skincare.
Bodies like The Soil Association / COSMOS, Ecocert, USDA, Natrue etc.
To achieve certification with one of these means that products have to comply with the organisation's specific requirements relating to ingredients and sourcing of these.
The different bodies often have different rules around what counts as organic, and what counts as natural.
At the time of writing, for a product to be certified as organic with the Soil Association /COSMOS, it has to be made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. There is often an accompanying 'natural' certification, so COSMOS Natural for example, which does not need to contain any organic ingredients.
If you take Eco Cert by comparison, to be able to use their organic badge a product has to contain 95% organic ingredients and for its natural and organic badge, a product has to be made from 50% organic ingredients.
The objective with any of the big certification bodies is to substantiate a brand does what it says it does, and to improve consumer clarity.
And who could argue with that, not me. I'm all for clarity and transparency, I have built my business around this.
To achieve certification with one of these larger bodies, there is a significant amount of red tape involved in what is essentially someone else checking that we do what we say we do. Assessing our formulations, packaging, suppliers and then signing a contract.
As you might expect there is a cost to this, all of the certification providers are businesses offering a service.
And not just a one off cost to achieve compliance but an annual retainer to maintain the right to use an organic badge.
For us as a micro business that sort of significant cost and administrative burden is simply not an option - at least not right now.
I go to great lengths to be transparent about our ingredients, where they come from, what they are, and what overall percentage of a product is made from certified organic ingredients.
For all of our skincare products, we list the ingredients in English in addition to the legally binding 'inci' nomenclature, (not just the ‘hero’ ingredients) and we also specify the percentage of overall ingredients in a product.
I manufacture all of our products in the UK and source all of our skincare ingredients in the UK; although they may originate from outside of the country eg Shea Butter from Africa etc.
I source these ingredients from reputable suppliers and ask for evidence to confirm the organic products we purchase are certified organic.
I work very hard to build trust and transparency with my customers which I feel is crucial, and I am open and honest when I talk to my customers about our ethos relating to our products and ingredients.
At a time when there are so many green claims about products that don't stack up, I passionately believe that organic matters.
Organic raw ingredients are many times more expensive than their regular counterpart. Couple that with the huge growth in green skincare and the desire to piggy back on this growth and you find some producers being a little 'creative' with their marketing.
A common marketing tactic by the large retailers when they find they are losing market share to small indie brands like The Rose Tree, is to shove organic in large letters across a label dotted with delicate flower drawings.
But the crux is that when you look at the ingredients you realise that only one single ingredient is organic and it has been added on as an afterthought right at the end of the list of ingredients - where the overall percentage is smallest.
Greenwashing as its best! Where the labelling suggests that a product is organic and/or natural with only a small percentage of ingredients actually being so.
It's up to you to check out those ingredients to see what's really organic - and play the marketers at their own game.
I stand by our organic skincare, bath, body products, and aromatherapy candles. I spend my time sourcing the best ingredients that I can and in turn creating them into amazing organic products.
I focus on ingredients that actually make a difference and have designed products to be first and foremost effective. To make my customers lives easier, to care for and nourish skin in an honest way. I believe that goes some way in explaining the multiple awards we have received.
This small scale style of manufacturing is very different to the mass market skincare approach.
But it gives me more flexibility, with ingredients, with the proportions of these ingredients and being able to make decisions based on what my customers want and need.
Of course that doesn't mean I get it right all of the time.
Hundreds of bath oil bottles arriving with tops that do not fit. (Really happened - and I've still got boxes of them)!
Or ordering non-organic shea butter instead of organic. (As I couldn't use this in my skincare for sale, my friends benefitted from A LOT of whipped body butters).
Any small business owner will tell you that the biggest challenge when running your own business is time.
Although I outsource some business activities, I am still the product manager, marketing manager, operations manager, customer services manager and usually the IT fixer person also.
And at the end of the day it comes down to wanting to spend my limited time and budget on bringing you more organic goodies - and not on more red tape and administration.
This might change in the future, but for now bearing in mind our size and resources I believe it is the right decision.
What do you think? How important is an organic badge?
]]>Confused? What to use, what not to use?
It’s not just teenagers who get oily skin and breakouts as many of my customers can attest to. As we get older, we can yoyo between Sahara dry skin, oily patches and spots - life can be so unfair sometimes.
"As if it wasn’t bad enough that the menopause and lack of oestrogen has dried my skin to the point of reptilian , I was horrified to keep having outbreaks of spots too - talk about insult to injury . Was sceptical that an oil would help - but on a friend’s recommendation tried this oil and it clears any outbreaks overnight! Amazing!" Justine
Here's a simple guide, what to do and what not to do if you suffer with oily, breakout prone skin.
It’s a myth.
It sounds like a good idea, and it feels like it should make sense. But most of the foaming type cleansers can be very harsh on the skin, and actually work too well.
Often containing SLS or SLES, they strip the skin of all it's natural oils which is a bad thing. Mother Nature is clever, and by doing this, our skin often tries to compensate for the natural oils you have just removed and in turn produces more.
And so begins a never-ending cycle. You remove all the natural oil from your skin, your skin produces more.
Here's what to try instead
Oils are super hydrating and can balance oil production, even those of us with oily skin, and even skin prone to acne.
You've just got to pick the right ones.
Jojoba is a good bet. It’s actually a liquid wax, and is very similar to our own sebum. Perfect for gently cleansing the skin without stripping it of all its natural oils.
You want to avoid that squeaky clean feel, despite what you might have been told by the woman behind the skincare counter.
Use it on its own or find it in our Carrot & Mango Cleansing Butter.
Hazelnut oil is a good choice for oily skin. It is very slightly astringent, and makes for a good moisturising facial oil, with hydrating properties and contains high levels of vitamin B1 and vitamin B6. Find it in our Facial Essence with Rose & Marula.
We tend to associate putting oil on our face as giving rise to problem skin; spots, break outs, black heads - but in fact nothing could be further from the truth.
Confused? Well the whole oil on your face thing is another of those urban myths.
Oils are super hydrating and they can balance oil production, not just for dry skin but also those of us with oily skin, and even skin prone to acne.
A high quality facial oil can smooth away fine lines, providing an anti-ageing boost to skin leaving it super hydrated and feeling amazingly soft and moisturised.
Also think about how often you touch your face with your hands - and how clean your hands are.
This tends to happen inadvertently - while we are talking, in the office, when sitting on our own.
Try and be aware of when you are touching your face - often it's a subconscious thing.
No matter how often we wash our hands, bearing in mind everything we touch in our lives, they will never be completely clean, and if you keep touching your face you can expect spots and breakouts.
It can be tempting to use an alcohol rich toner to remove any oil after cleansing or in between cleanses.
However, alcohol can be very drying on the skin - and while that sounds like a good thing when your skin is oily, it isn't. Trust me. For most of us, it just means your skin producing more oil in response to all of the natural oils you have just removed.
In particular, watch out on ingredients lists for alcohols like ethanol or isopropyl, which are very stripping.
If you like to tone after cleansing, plump for a gentle hydrolat, something like rose or peppermint water, which is super gentle.
Oily skin can be dehydrated, it doesn't always follow that oily skin has too much moisture. Especially as we age, all skin needs moisture, even oily skin.
Look out for lighter moisturisers (and note that can be a facial oil). Look for oils that suit oily skin, and that are non comedogenic.
If you want to plump for a 'oil free' product, exercise caution and check out those ingredients.
Oils are not the villain they are made out to be and the right oil can make a huge difference to skin health.
It feels almost satisfying, applying an exfoliating treatment and coming away with baby soft skin immediately afterwards.
Exfoliating is a good thing. For all skin types. But this should always be done gently and once to twice a week is plenty.
Just because you have oily skin, don’t be tempted to exfoliate more often. You will just end up with inflamed, irritated skin.
Sebum is the magic ingredient which determines whether our skin is oily, dry or somewhere in between. Tiny glands secrete sebum, too much and you get oily skin, too little dry skin.
Sebum is a very clever substance, it's a fatty substance, or a complex lipid. Sebum makes up our skin's acid mantle, which maintains the skin's pH level, usually around 4.7 and this acts like a protective blanket.
Sebum is also a key part in maintaining elasticity and that is why if you have oily skin, count yourself lucky, because it is likely to mean you get less wrinkles!
It's also another reason not to use harsh, stripping products on your skin.
Oily skin doesn't have to be tricky to manage. You just need to stay away from the harsher products and ignore their persuasive packaging - I would be cautious of any 'oil free' claims. Be gentle, watch those ingredients, and nurture and cajole your skin into looking its best.
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You know what's in the products you put on your skin, so what about about the clothes you wear. We talk to Paula Haunit of Sheer Apparel.
]]>And if it’s important to you to know everything about the products you put on your skin, you are probably a little curious about the clothes you wear. And you are not alone. A growing number of women want to know more about how their clothes are made and what they are made of.
Especially this week – we are celebrating the 5th annual Fashion Revolution Week raising awareness of the need for greater sustainability and transparency in fashion – is a good opportunity to be curious about what we wear.
Here is why artisanal skincare and sustainable fashion go so well together.
If you care about what cosmetics you put on your precious skin, that they are made of high quality ingredients and toxin free, it is worth considering what clothes you wear, too. Far from being completely natural, conventional cotton for example is a highly pesticide intensive crop. If your skin is very sensitive, you may well benefit from wearing clothes made of organic cotton. In any case we bet you’ll feel the difference, as organic cotton is supersoft.
It also pays off to check labels when shopping for new clothes. Even pricey knitwear from premium brands is very often mixed with cheap synthetics, which are essentially plastic. Which is probably not what you would expect to put on your skin.
Most likely you are someone who puts a lot of thought into their purchases, wants to know they are buying something of quality, from a brand that is transparent about how they work. And with good reason. Thoughtful purchases tend to be the ones who gives us most lasting pleasure.
Sustainable fashion celebrates the same. Buying a little less, but buying beautifully tailored pieces made of quality materials, is a big step towards a more sustainable wardrobe and means we can afford key wardrobe pieces that will make us feel amazing years down the line.
A lot of people who invest in quality products like artisanal cosmetics and organic food also care about the environment. Not just since Blue Planet do we know that plastic and other types of pollution are a big hazard for the environment, and how we leave it for the next generation.
Many big fashion brands, particularly though not exclusively those producing cheaply in far-flung places are having a detrimental fact on the environment. And low quality clothing that gets damaged only after a few washes is creating huge amounts of waste. Quality is key.
Buying from small, thoughtful brands almost always guarantee there is a beautiful story attached to the your purchase. Being interested in carefully made, high quality skincare is just like ethical fashion in this regard. Ethical fashion brands, unlike many on the high street, are not about creating an illusion. They are transparent about where their pieces were made and what they are made of. And in the case of the brands we work with, who pride themselves on ethical production and using only high quality, sustainable fabrics, that’s a beautiful thing.
Paula Haunit is the founder of Sheer Apparel, an online boutique stocking a curated selection of women’s fashion that is ethically produced and from high-quality, sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton.
]]>Simple works, really.
And that's in spite of what some of the so called experts might tell you.
Most of us don't have more than a few precious moments before we run out of the door in the morning. Some of us less than that. Especially when balancing kiddies, demanding jobs and the plethora of other tasks that never seem to end.
Research shows that many busy mums only get 15 minutes to themselves each day!
Here are some of my favourite tips to maximise your skincare regime, but which don't take forever. And the best bit? Done regularly they will help you look and feel amazing in your own skin.
The basics don't change.
Great skin starts with clean skin, and my cult Carrot & Mango Cleansing Butter is perfect for all skin types.
Here's a dead easy, simple down method that works.
It doesn't take forever - think 2 minutes max and no faffing with multiple products. No tight skin feeling afterwards and no stinging eyes. It's genius even if I do say so myself! It is a balm product that you use with a cloth. More of that here.
You're aiming for clean, comfortable, nourished skin, no harsh detergents, no stripped skin. I'm not a fan of foaming products. For a lot of my customers, the detergent which is a necessary part of the foaming bit, can be aggressive and irritating to skin.
If a cloth cleanser is not for you, try our super gentle Cleansing Bar with shea butter and organic oils.
Much better you use one amazing product with great ingredients that works.
Facial oils are my first choice for almost all of my clients. Think 100% active ingredients rather than 90% water and fillers.
I know oil sounds scary but they work really well they are a great choice for all skin types. They also make your skin feel great very quickly.
Read more about how facial oils work here.
Our Radiance Facial Essence and our Deep Nourish Facial Essence can both be used morning and/or night and can be layered with our Radiance Cream or Intensive Balm.
I recommend the Radiance Facial Essence with Rose & Marula for oily, combination skin that can break out, and the Deep Nourish Facial Essence with Rose & Blackcurrant for skin that's on the dry side, or for older skins.
These can be used on their own or layered with other products.
If your skin is on the dry side, layer them with a richer moisturiser. Try our Radiance Cream with Rose & Frankincense or our Intensive Balm with Marshmallow & Frangipani.
They also work with your favourite sunscreen, or blend a couple of drops in your hand with your favourite foundation.
It doesn't have to be an all or nothing approach.
Throwing out all of your current skincare products to replace them with the latest must have product isn't necessary.
Compromise is fine - keep what works
Trust your gut. No one knows your skin better than you - despite the fact the girls on the glossy department store counter might try and persuade you otherwise.
They are there to sell. They have targets to achieve, and targets don't factor in the right skincare product for you, more likely the product that's not selling and which they are being asked to push that day.
If your skincare regime contains elements that work for you and help you look and feel great then keep those.
This is about getting the results you want without turning your life upside down. No starvation, sandpaper exfoliants or skin stripping industrial strength acid.
There are things to watch out for.
All products have a shelf life, with this being shorter for natural beauty products. You can read more about the differences between large scale and artisan skincare in my guide here.
Check your products for expiry dates.
They also often contain a "PAO" number. In other words a 'period after opening' number, usually in months, within which the product should be used.
Anything past that date, get rid of.
Look out for a change in scent, or texture, and obviously anything green and furry…
Don't neglect the rest of your body, especially if it has been hidden beneath multiple layers of clothes and is feeling desert parched.
A spot of gentle exfoliation (with the emphasis on gentle) will lift off that grey, flaky, winter skin and allow you to get some serious hydration on your skin. Come the time to get your legs out in public, you will have smooth, glossy limbs completely dandruff free.
We are all about simple - My beautifully British organic skincare products are all about simplicity with extraordinary results. You can look and feel amazing without needing to spend hours preparing and with a few basic steps.
]]>Uneven skin tone - sorted at the push of a button. Blemishes? No problem, gone with the click of a mouse.
That is the way of beauty today.
Or is it?
Increasingly there is a move back to natural beauty that tells a story, that shows us as we are, recognisable, a better, more radiant version of ourselves.
Where less equals more. And with a focus on enhancing our natural features rather than hiding them.
As the natural skincare movement grows in momentum, and mainstream companies rush to join the green market and bolster their revenues, we are seeing a plethora of skincare terms plastered across bottles and jars, which give the impression of enticing, natural, wholesome products.
Flashes of pale green splashed across labels, with delicate flower buds and hand drawn floral illustrations that look oh-so-appealing.
Couple that with words like 'Pure' Skincare, 'Clean' Skincare, 'Chemical Free' 'Non-Toxic' and these products must be natural and wholesome and good for me, right?
Well not necessarily.
So here's my guide to some of the most common skincare terms explained, the sneaky little tricks used by the big boys and how you can really figure out what's in that beautiful looking bottle.
Let's start with the basics.
This term is used widely and is often use to denote ingredients that are derived from nature to the exclusion of 'synthetic' ingredients. It can be used to describe all ingredients or just a fraction of the total number of ingredients contained within the product. Because the term is unregulated, it can be used to mean many different things, and therein lies the problem.
So how do you know what’s really in your product? You need to read the ingredients and see what's going in behind the glossy packaging. It doesn't have to be complex, you can get a really good idea by glancing through the list. You can also check out my guide to decoding labels like a pro.
A completely natural ingredient is going to be different to a naturally derived ingredient - though there are often similarities.
Take Coconut oil for example, in it’s raw state you will find it on your ingredients list as Cocos Nucifera Oil. Take that a step further, and you can find a naturally derived ingredient which is based on the raw ingredient, but that has undergone some sort of processing or refinement process.
For example, you will often see 'Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride' listed as an ingredient in facial oils, body oils and creams. It is derived from coconut oil with the addition of glyercin and has been processed.
Does this mean this a bad choice for your skincare? Not necessarily.
By processing or refining you can get some of the benefits of the original ingredient combined with additional characteristics.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a light emollient, fragrance free and comes with a long shelf life, features which are valued in the world of commercial skincare. It is also relatively inexpensive compared to the original raw ingredient.
It's all about choice and deciding what ingredients you want and are prepared to pay for.
If you want to understand more about the differences in ingredients in commercial skincare versus small batch or artisan skincare, check out 5 Truths About Commercial Skincare.
Preservatives get a bad rap in the world of green skincare, and preservative free claims have become super trendy.
My key objective with using a preservative is to give my customers products that are safe; a cream product containing water has to contain a preservative system to be safe, otherwise it would have a shelf life of just days and would need to be kept refrigerated.
There's lots to be said for fresh beauty recipes and formulations, cream, avocado, honey are all fabulous ingredients you can use to whip up some skin loving treats - but they need be used pretty much straight away.
So as a general rule, creams, toners, serums - any water containing products will contain a preservative to keep it safe to use. Note this will also apply to floral waters or hydrolats.
There are very few natural and effective preservatives and even within certified organic, natural skincare, some synthetic preservatives are permitted.
To further confuse the consumer there are some ingredients that are not classed as a preservative but as a fragrance or 'parfum' and that is how some brands are able to make preservative free claims on a water based product. Sneaky right.
My advice? If you are wanting to avoid preservatives, look for oil or dry powder based products. But don't be afraid of preservatives in your skincare, they are there for a reason, and for most people the risk of something green and furry growing in your favourite jar of cream outweighs the risk of any preservative.
One of my favourite terms, but often sneakily manipulated and misused on labels.
Organic refers to a system of agriculture used to grow skincare ingredients. This means a system of agriculture producing ingredients sustainably without chemicals and synthetics which are widely used in the industry today.
This allows ingredients to be tracked from where they grow to where they end up in your favourite skincare products.
A very common marketing tactic by the big boys is to shove organic in large letters across a label dotted with delicate flower drawings, but only contain 1 single organic ingredient, or worse, 1 ingredient at 0.1%.
Organic raw ingredients are many times more expensive than their regular counterpart. Couple that with the huge growth in green skincare and the desire to piggy back on this growth and you find some producers being a little creative with their marketing.
Because the term organic skincare is not regulated, it's up to you check out those ingredients to see what's really organic - and play the marketers at their own game.
How do you know? Many brands will stipulate which ingredients are organic and often volunteer a total percentage of organic ingredietns (as we do) so you know what you are getting.
There are also a number of organisations that certify organic skincare, but they all apply slightly different rules to what is in and what is out, so you may need to check out the specific certification body.
No skincare products should need to be tested on animals.
The good news is that for many countries in the world, and the EU in particular, there has been a total ban on animal testing on skincare since March 2013.
If you are buying your skincare products from within the EU, you can be confident your products have not been tested on animals.
For some markets outside of the EU, with China being the most notable example, to enter the market brands are obliged to test on animals as part of the market entry process, and that is why it's important to understand if your favourite brands are being sold in China.
I focus on ingredients that actually make a difference. I like organic; I like my skincare ingredients to not have been fiddled with too much. And I definitely prefer them without pesticides. I do the worrying so you don't have to.
British luxury designed for modern women who want to look and feel amazing in today's frantic-paced lifestyle!
]]>Plant oils are magical, their different properties mean you can manage skin that is prone to break outs, sensitivity, dehydration.
But using a plant oil designed to hydrate dry skin, on skin that is prone to oiliness and break outs is not going to end well.
It's important to pick botanical ingredients that will work with rather than against your skin.
Below is my guide to the best plant oils for your skin type.
Also some of my favourite types of ingredient to look out for, split by skin type.
It will allow you to search out ingredients that are likely to suit your skin type.
Knowledge is power.
Some of the best moisturising oils for dry skin include argan, avocado, olive and rosehip.
You are looking to gently nurture and nourish your skin. No scrubbing it within an inch of its life.
Cleansing gently is key, try our Apricot Geranium Cleansing Bar in the shower or our Carrot & Mango Cleansing Butter for your face.
Use an organic body oil while your skin is wet, to seal in as much moisture as possible.
Humectants are a good addition for a dry skin regime, as they draw moisture into the skin. Look out for natural humectants like honey and glycerine.
Natural plant butters hydrate and protect the skin from moisture loss. Shea butter, cocoa butter, and mango butter are good choices for dry skin.
Some of the best plant oils to help with oily, combination skin include jojoba, hazelnut and argan.
Our Radiance Facial Essence with Rose & Marula is specifically designed for oily and combination skin types.
Ditch the aggressive oil stripping products that leave your skin feeling temporarily tight, only for your skin to produce more oil to compensate for being stripped of its natural oils.
Look for naturally antibacterial essential oils like lavender, geranium, bergamot and palmarosa.
Natural clays are good to help draw out impurities, while rosehip, and carrot oils contain high levels of beta carotene to help with reducing scarring.
Some of the best plant oils to help with sensitive skin include, apricot, avocado, rosehip and jojoba.
Gentle really is the watchword here. Let the beautiful plant ingredients do their thing, nourishing and conditioning without irritation.
If your skin is sensitive and prone to breakouts, try our Facial Essence with Rose & Marula, while if your skin tends to be sensitive and dry, opt for our Facial Essence with Rose & Blackcurrant, with nature's most powerful hydrators, including blackcurrant, cranberry, pomegranate, baobab and argan oils for brighter, hydrated skin that is unbelievably smooth and soft.
Some of the best naturally anti-inflammatory ingredients include marshmallow which we use in our multiple award winning Intensive Balm with Marshmallow & Frangipani, lavender and carrot seed oil.
Calendula oil is one of my favourite ingredients for sensitive skin, a powerful soothing and repairing agent that is bursting with antioxidants to fight inflammation and soothe irritation. St John's Wort is anti-inflammatory, calming and repairing.
Most of my customers come to me, disheartened with commercial skincare, with a desire to use real ingredients and understand exactly what these are and be sure they are not dangerous or toxic.
And the best bit is that they leave amazed by the difference pure, effective natural skincare can be.
So many of us have increasingly sensitive skin, suffering with allergic reactions, eczema, dry bits, break outs. Not to mention we are so rushed off our feet we barely have 2 moments to ourselves.
I focus on ingredients that actually make a difference. I like organic; I like my skincare ingredients to not have been fiddled with too much. And I definitely prefer them without pesticides. I do the worrying so you don't have to.
British luxury designed for modern women who want to look and feel amazing in today's frantic-paced lifestyle!
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The words leap out from a glossy page, with an image of a Photoshop enhanced girl beaming back at you.
It is possible of course, but I suspect unlikely.
It's tempting to read that you can turn into an earth goddess, with flowery dresses and the inner glow of a 12 year old, and wouldn't that be great.
And heck, I am the founder of an organic skincare brand, and while I passionately believe in skincare, and bath and body products made with the best, natural and organic ingredients - I also want to give you a real view on the world.
Here are some pointers to get you started on your own personal green journey, and an honest view of where to start, what's likely to make a tangible difference. And also what's probably just a load of marketing hype.
I'm all for natural, organic and a simpler out look on life - but let's face it our lifestyle only allows for so much change at one time. Try to change everything at once and it tends to end in failure. Too easy to lose interest, or it all becomes too much effort and old habits creep back.
Don't throw out your entire product stash, pick selectively. What products do you use every day? What can't you live without? What fits with your lifestyle?
And which are the products you like the sound of but despite the best intentions you never use? (In my case I am talking about the most gorgeous tiny bottle of cuticle oil which looks fabulous in my office but which I never touch).
Don't get sucked into that gift with purchase thing, where you end up with 4 mediocre skincare products that you will never use, but you do have a very cute makeup bag.
I know it's tempting to decide to change up your entire routine all at once, but it’s not necessary.
Identify your core hard working products. And bear in mind your selection is going to be different to everyone else.
My thoughts on where to start? Check out my starter routine and recommendations here
Despite what the marketing spiel says, no single product is going to change your life overnight. Smoother skin in 30 seconds? Disappearing wrinkles? 99% of women thought their skin looked 10 years younger - based on a market sample of 12 whole people.
There are loads of marketing claims to encourage you to part with your cash, and I would approach these with caution.
I've got bad news. A product might temporarily hydrate your skin, plump it up and give you a nice glow, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, or it might gently exfoliate your skin so that it feels super soft and looks brighter. But what it isn't going to do is miraculously transform your skin into that of your teenage niece. Sorry.
Don't be seduced by the packaging and the smiling sales lady behind the counter. Much more powerful is to read that label for yourself.
Want more detail? Check out my guide on Decoding Labels Like a Pro.
Bear in mind that some 'active' ingredients are only ever going to be present in smaller quantities, your skin quite simply can't tolerate large quantifies and they are likely to do more damage than good.
Take essential oils, they are extremely potent and only ever present in tiny quantities. It's not a case of more equals better.
The exception might be something like a Bath/Shower Oil - where the oil is designed to be sloshed into a tub of warm water and will therefore be diluted before it hits your skin, and you can expect to contain higher quantities of essential oils.
Don't assume that a higher price means you are going to get fabulous ingredients. In my experience some of the luxury end skincare creams or cleansers are simply mediocre products in very expensive, luxe, packaging with large shiny counter space and staff to pay for. Check those ingredients!
That said, natural alternatives to commercial base ingredients are almost always more expensive, organic apricot oil is many times more expensive than liquid paraffin.
Organic apricot oil will also always be more expensive than non-organic apricot oil. There is a cost associated with managing land organically, and the certification process. But I firmly prefer my oils to be pesticide free.
A level of investment is needed, but I am talking your time here rather than pricing. You are not going to discover the holy grail overnight. Do your research, take advantage of try me sizes and read real customer reviews.
"I love this. Really nourishes my dry sensitive skin all day/night. Thank you again for creating products that really work." Silvana
It's important to pick botanical ingredients that will work with rather than against your skin.
Plant oils are magical, their different properties mean you can manage skin that is prone to break outs, sensitivity, dehydration.
But using a plan oil designed to hydrate dry skin, on skin that is prone to oiliness and break outs is not going to end well.
See my favourite oils for dry, sensitive skin
Switching up your beauty routine to incorporate real ingredients can be hugely rewarding.
Most of my customers come to me, disheartened with commercial skincare, with a desire to use real ingredients and understand exactly what these are and be sure they are not dangerous or toxic.
And the best bit is that they leave amazed by the difference pure, effective natural skincare can be.
So many of us have increasingly sensitive skin, suffering with allergic reactions, eczema, dry bits, break outs. Not to mention we are so rushed off our feet we barely have 2 moments to ourselves.
I focus on ingredients that actually make a difference. I like organic; I like my skincare ingredients to not have been fiddled with too much. And I definitely prefer them without pesticides. I do the worrying so you don't have to.
British luxury designed for modern women who want to look and feel amazing in today's frantic-paced lifestyle!
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