Tip of the day - Eucalyptus

Always have a bottle of eucalyptus in your first aid kit. It's antiviral action works on the respiratory tract to soothe inflammation and ease mucus. It is excellent in times of influenza, throat infections, coughs and catarrh and is effective in lowering temperatures, and cools and deodorises the body.

If it's a cold or hayfever you have, try inhaling eucalyptus oil before reaching for the paracetamol. It is very effective at clearing a stuffy head and may even reduce the painful effects of migrane. 

Eucalyptus has a cleansing effect on the skin, and will aid in the healing of cuts, wounds and inflammatory conditions. As a powerful oil, it should not be applied neat, but instead applied diluted to the skin to cleanse or tone.

Review your skin care for Autumn

Autumn has always been my favourite season. The colours, the smells, brambles, the change in

light and the sense of dark cosy nights just around the corner. (Although that may be just me reminiscing my Yorkshire childhood)! Of course, in those (long ago) days my skin was fresh, rosy and peachy smooth with not a care to protect or moisturise it. These days, of course I give my skin a great deal more care.

Autumn is a season of change which fosters both beginnings and endings. It’s the end of the summer and strawberries, but start of the gardening year. The weather is changing with crisp, fresh mornings and cool evenings, and it’s these conditions that make hair and skin drier, particularly as we also turn up the central heating and huddle up at home.

We should therefore look at our skincare regime. Look for oil-rich products which strengthen and

brighten the complexion. Look for avocado, apricot kernel, macadamia nut and almond oils as ingredients as they are rich, nutritious and protecting. Feed the skin with fresh fruit masks.

Ensure your diet is healthy and seasonal, as the tendency is to resort to comfort food on cold dark nights. Luckily autumn produce can be warming and versatile and apples, grains, greens, nuts and potatoes are at their seasonal best and all are good for the skin. Continue to drink plenty of water as it keeps the skin and body hydrated. 

The preservative dilemma - a balanced view

Cherylin Skin Therapy does not advocate the use of synthetic preservatives.  However, commercially mass produced skin care generally contains a group of synthetic preservatives called parabens.  They are chemically produced from petroleum and natural gas and are usually used together to inhibit the growth of a broad spectrum of bacteria, yeasts, fungi and moulds. Parabens are also used in food, medicines and eye products and are usually preceded by the prefixes Ethyl, Propyl, Butyl and Methyl.  Preservatives are essential in products which contain water otherwise potential bacteria is quick to form.

Parabens are thought to be safe. 

Research shows that there is no link with cancer 'despite' parabens being detected in breast tumours (Ref: Study, 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology). However, parabens contain estrogen-like properties and estrogen plays a role in certain forms of breast cancer. Despite their perceived safety (ahem), they do cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis, are harmful if swallowed and cause irritation to eyes and the respiratory tract.  

We should remember that the decaying process is natural and happens regardless of preservatives.  Skin care products will eventually go rancid, and any natural active ingredients will loose their potency more quickly anyway.  Chemical preservatives are used because commercial skin care is mostly water and are cheaper than natural alternatives so products can be produced on a large scale for corporate profit.  

Be aware of greenwashing. Do not buy so called ‘natural’ skin care which include such ingredients as ‘vegetable derived’ Glyceryl Stearate SE (which is produced by chemical reactions between fatty acids and glycerol - synthetic glycerine) or Sorbic acid (these days chemically synthesized and a toxic preservative).

Most of my skin care does not contain water and are natural and free from any synthetic ingredients. Essential oils, beeswax and grapefruit seed extract are used as practical preservative alternatives. I like to keep my skin care alive, active and full of the plant's energy.  I also only prepare the product upon receipt of order and this ensures optimum potency.  They are prepared using sterilized equipment, containers and fresh ingredients. They have a realistic shelf life (between 5-10 months) and are safely absorbed by the skin. 

Related article: What's in your skincare?

Softening hand balm recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tsp coconut oil or butter
• 1/2 tsp wheat germ (or almond) oil
• 1 tbl sp cocoa butter
• 1 natural vitamin E capsule (optional)
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 6 drops geranium essential oil

Melt the coconut, wheat germ and cocoa butter in a bowl and gently heat over a pan of boiling water. When all ingredients are thoroughly melted, remove from heat. Pierce the vitamin E capsule and whisk into the oils. Leave to cool until mixture just starts to thicken. Add essential oils and pour into a sterilised low wide mouthed jar and leave to cool completely before covering with lid.

. 

Use as required to soften and smooth your hands and elbows. It is also gentle enough to use on the face. However, it is a rich treatment so use only a small amount per application, otherwise your skin will feel oily.

If stored away in a dry place and away from sunlight, your balm will keep for about 9-10 months.

Properties of ingredients used:

Coconut butter has protective and skin softening properties;

Wheatgerm oil is useful in the treatment of premature ageing;

Cocoa butter is very mild and superb for dry skin conditions as it helps to nourish, protect and soothe;

Vitamin E protects against the destruction of the connective tissue caused by free radicals;

Lavender essential oil helps the skin by stimulating cells to regenerate more quickly;

Geranium essential oil balances sebum to keep skin supple;

Understanding eczema

Eczema, or dermatitis, can be a distressing condition for the sufferer. It causes local inflammation accompanied by scaly, itchy and sometimes cracked, sore skin. It is caused by allergies and is often associated with asthma, hay fever and rhinitis. 

Eczema is commonly caused by plants (and their extractions), fabrics and metals. The most common offenders are nickel (found in jewellery), chromate (found in wet cement), epoxy resins (used as adhesives and paints) and cosmetics. It is cosmetics that are causing more eczema symptoms as products are more likely to contain fragrances, biocides (such as pesticides or antimicrobials), and preservatives and it is these which can cause symptoms where you wouldn’t expect them. For example, the hardeners used in nail varnish can cause eczema on the eyelids, face and neck rather than on the hands, and the dye used to colour hair can cause serious symptoms of eczema on the face, eyelids and ears, but not on the scalp. There are many substances that can cause the symptoms of eczema, ranging from rubber (for producing household gloves), pine extract found in sticking plasters to formaldehyde found in commercial shampoos. It can therefore be hard to pinpoint the cause or source of the eczema. 

It is important to confirm the type of eczema a sufferer has as there is generally no cure, only treatment to control symptoms. There are 5 common types of eczema: 

Atopic eczema 

This form of eczema is thought to be hereditary. If one or both parents suffer with asthma, eczema or hay fever, the chances are their children will become atopic. The itchy rash is particularly noticeable on face and scalp, neck, inside of elbows behind knees and buttocks. 

Contact dermatitis 

There are two types: 
i) Allergic, which develops over a period of time as a result of the immune system reacting against a substance used regularly. The offenders are usually perfume, cosmetics and costume jewellery. 

ii) Irritant dermatitis effects adults on the hands, caused by detergents and chemicals used around the home or workplace. 

Discoid Eczema 

Affects any part of the body, but particularly the lower legs. Cause is unknown but it can start as a result of an insect bite or burn. The eczema patches are round or oval in shape, either extremely itchy or barely noticeable. Although patch testing can be arranged, there is often no specific allergy to be found. 

Seborrhoeic Eczema 

Commonly known as cradle cap in babies, it can affect adults also. It spreads quickly, looks quite distressing, but it is not sore or itchy. Men seem to be more susceptible, effecting mainly the 20-40 year old age group. It looks like dandruff and often spreads from the scalp to the face where it is noticeable around the eyebrows. This type of eczema is often associated with yeast growth. 

Varicose Eczema 

More common in women than men, this type of eczema tends to develop later in life due to poor circulation. It usually effects lower legs and ankles. Symptoms of eczema should be treated. Whilst not a dangerous condition, it can be distressing and sore for the sufferer, and if left untreated it 
can get worse. 

Diagnosis 

You must have it diagnosed by your doctor or dermatologist. If you have atopic eczema, you can find out if you have allergies by having tests for respiratory and food allergies (not to be confused with food intolerances). It will then be a case of taking practical steps to avoid any allergens found. If you have contact or irritant dermatitis, it is important to identify the substance causing the irritation and avoid it. This can be done by avoiding all possible offenders (such as cosmetics, hair products, soap, shampoos, nickel in jewellery, glue, disinfectants) and re-introduce the use of them one by one and check which causes any symptoms. Your doctor can also arrange a patch test to identify the cause. 

Treatment 

I would always recommend complementary and organic treatments above conventional ones. Particularly as steroids and antibiotics do contain substances and ingredients which can end up aggravating the condition further and weaken the body’s natural defences. However, do 
not hesitate to visit your doctor if you are worried or if your condition gets worse. 

Recommended treatment would include the following; 

• If the eczema is inflamed or has blisters, then a warm bath containing sodium bicarbonate is helpful as this helps reduce the body’s acidity levels; 

• Use aromatherapy oils as part of your skincare programme. Chamomile, geranium, lavender and rose are particularly good. If the eczema is dry, you could use products with calendula extracts; 

• Avoid commercial soap, shampoo, shower gels and detergents as these often contain harsh ingredients. Instead use gentle, natural cleansers; 

• Reduce your stress levels. Try meditating with soothing music playing in the background; 

• Do not rub or scratch the eczema as this will only make the condition worse and bleed; 

• Wear clothes made from natural fibres as much as possible and ensure they are not tight fitting; 

• Avoid mineral/petroleum based products as these block pores, and can cause or irritate the condition further; 

• Try homeopathy treatment. Although treatment is generally constitutional, homeopathy can be used while other treatment is being sought or when itching is particularly bad. Try Sulphur 6c, Hepar sulph 6c, Arsenicum 6c, Graphites 6c. Consult a professional homeopathy practitioner for treatment and advice; 

•Ensure that your cleansing and moisturising products and cosmetics are organic or at least natural based. They will help subdue the condition and symptoms and prevent any flare ups. 

Chery Lin Skin Therapy wins in the Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards 2013

I am delighted to announce that my Luxury Rose Night Care AND Hedgerow Beauty Daily Skin Toner have both won in The Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards 2013.

My products were up against tough competition, as hundreds of natural products were tested and graded. The Green Parent team recognise the best in natural and organic skin care and enlisted the help of eco experts, beauty journalists and readers to try the natural products and grade them according to production, packaging, level of organic content, company ethics, ingredients and effectiveness. So this is a great achievement.

The Luxury Rose Night Care is a well loved favourite with customers and has been recognised by the Green Parent for its rejuvenating therapy, suitability for all skin types and organic quality.

The Hedgerow Beauty Daily Skin Toner is a gentle, soothing tonic developed for use on all skin types and conditions. It is part of a unique daily skin care range that has been created using organic plant extracts that were traditionally found in the hedgerows here in the UK.

Chery Lin will be featured in the beauty guide of the next edition of

The Green Parent, published 12 July 2013.

Perhaps those 6 and 4 leafed clovers I found last month did bring me good luck after all.... ;-)

Is sugar ageing your body?

The human body is designed to work efficiently on complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, pulses and simpler carbohydrates such as fruit. These foods are designed to gradually release their energy and contain all the nutrients the body needs for digestion and metabolism and keeping the digestive system running.

However, we humans enjoy the sweetness of carbohydrates and all forms of sugar whether it is white, brown, syrup or glucose are fast-releasing causing a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. When this sugar is not required by the body it is eventually stored as fat.

Sugar is also very toxic. As an oxidant it damages certain substances such as proteins. The toxic by-product of glucose is known as AGE (advanced glycosylation end products) and damages cells causing them to age faster, and impairs the ability of the body to remove unwanted cholesterol. It also damages collagen and elastin, the protein fibres that keep the skin firm and elastic. This damage results in dull, brittle dry skin leading to wrinkles and sagging. These ageing effects can start from the age of 35, after which they will increase rapidly. 

A high sugar diet can even influence the type of collagen a skin has, a factor in how resistant skin is to ageing. The most common types of collagen in the skin are types I, II and III, with III being the most important and type I being the most fragile. Glycation turns type III into type I causing the skin to lose its suppleness. AGEs also leave your skin more vulnerable to sun damage. 

Diabetics are very susceptible to the damaging effects of sugar as they can suffer from high blood sugar levels for many years before diagnosis and often show signs of premature skin ageing. 

However, all is not lost and with a little work, you can minimise future damage and regain some of your skin's youth if you follow these simple steps:

• Sorry, but you must cut down on sugar and high sugar products. Whilst it is difficult to completely eliminate sugar, eating a nutritional, fresh diet will help keep intake minimal. It is easy to add sugar rich foods to the diet without thinking about it. For example, there are about 10 teaspoons of sugar in a can of coke, which amounts to 160 empty calories.
• Get to know your labels. Sugar can be hidden under aliases such as barley malt, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose or molasses.
• Protect your skin with antioxidant rich moisturisers which include vitamins C and E and green or white tea. Do not expose your skin to strong sunlight.  AGEs occur more significantly in sun exposed skin than in protected skin. 
• Keep your blood sugar levels balanced. This is important if you want to maintain energy levels and weight. When the level of glucose in your blood drops you feel hungry, leading to feelings of tiredness, depression,   headaches and migraines, poor concentration and digestive problems. When the levels are too high the body converts the excess to glycogen or fat, our long term energy reserve. It is becoming more and more common for people to have an impaired ability to keep blood sugar levels even. This will eventually result in fat and lethargy and even diabetes. 
• Eating a wholesome balanced diet helps health and skin as the antioxidants keep sugar from attaching to proteins. Include foods which are high in complex carbohydrates and which release their sugar content gradually.
• Keep alcohol and stimulants such tea, coffee and fizzy drinks to a minimum. These substances stimulate the release of adrenalin that initiates the ’fight or flight’ response. This prepares our body for action by releasing sugar stores and raises blood sugar levels to give muscles and brain a boost of energy. However, we do not have the same physical stresses as our ancestors and our stresses are more likely to be of the emotional or mental variety. The body has to somehow cope with the excess of blood sugar by releasing hormones to take the glucose out of circulation. This vicious circle results in an inability to control blood sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes.

Lemon for sparkling skincare

Nothing cleans and bleaches the hands, elbows, heels or neck better than lemon juice. Dilute it in rosewater and a little glycerine for a moisturising cleanser. For really discoloured skin, apply the juice direct after cleansing and leave to dry. Use diluted for a final rinse after shampooing to help keep blonde hair bright and shiny. 

Lemon facts 

The lemon has long been valued as an antiseptic and vitamin C source. In the past, it has been used to treat malaria and typhoid, and as an antidote to meat and fish poisoning. It is well known as a treatment and preventative measure against scurvy and was traditionally taken on long sea voyages and the juice given to sailors. 

Lemons are highly nutritious and provide a superb tonic to the circulatory system. They are helpful when treating sore throats, coughs, colds and influenza and help reduce associated temperatures. 

With their vitamin C content and rich citrus flavonoids (water soluble plant substances which protect vitamin C against oxidation), lemons have excellent antioxidant properties and can assist the healing of wounds, strengthen the walls of the capillaries and blood vessels, and has a hypertensive effect on arteriosclerosis. 

There are many nutritious substances in lemons such as vitamins A and B, potassium, phosphorus, silica, fructose, manganese and copper, all working to help strengthen the immune system, make collagen, keep skin and joints healthy and may even help to prevent cancer. 

Lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and antiseptic, and before modern chemical based cleaners, was used in laundry, glass, household and metal cleaning. 

It is an important skincare ingredient and the juice can be applied direct as an astringent and bactericide. 

Winter skincare

So, with the onset of Winter, another year has (almost) come and gone again. It's a slight reminder that we (quite possibly) have one or two more wrinkles, perhaps a few aches that we didn't have last year and a need to be careful with our skin care routine.

Winter skin care should be richer, protective and moisturising to help strengthen the skin against the harsh elements, lower humidity and the warm drying effects of our central heating systems. This is the one season when we all need a good moisturiser. Even those with oily skin should use at least a light formula. Those with dry or damaged skins fair worst as the cold weather can aggravate symptoms. Dryness is worse where the skin’s oil glands are weakest. Cheeks, arms and legs have less sebaceous oil glands and the hands are thinner than in other places. All these areas need extra protection and care.

To stay soft, and protected all Winter, you should:

• Always moisturise dry skin after bathing or showering. Pay attention to elbows, knees and feet;
• Take care of your hands. The skin here is thinner, so after washing, always dry thoroughly and use a good rich hand cream or balm. Wearing gloves in the cold weather will help further protect against dryness;
• Wear more layers of clothing outdoors. Layering clothes keeps you warmer as they form air pockets in between each layer;
• Exfoliate the skin regularly to get rid of dead cells and reveal a healthy new vigour and sheen. It also prepares your skin for deep treatments;
• Always moisturise face and neck with a treatment suited for your skin type and condition before you step out into the cold;
• Protect the lips from drying and chapping. This is important as they do not have any sebaceous glands (so are not moisturised). Apply a natural vegetable oil based balm (not petroleum based as this will make your need for moisturising greater);
• Use a weekly hot oil conditioning treatment on the hair to help restore moisture, shine and lustre;
• Practise the art of massaging to help with circulation, particularly in the feet and hands. Good circulation promotes a healthy glow, and massage helps tone the body, relax tense muscles and helps eliminate waste. Try almond oil scented with a few drops of cinnamon and orange for a seasonal scent!

Try the simple honey and egg mask for a home made spa treat for the face and neck.