Category: Healthy Living

1. Autumn skin prepping

   Posted on 2:00pm Wednesday 2nd Sep 2020

   I have been treating skin for 15 years and every year I hear the same complaints from my clients and friends - they are going through a bad skin phase… What they don’t realise is that almost everyone is going through the same thing at the same time!

   As the first signs of autumn make an appearance, the skin starts to misbehave.  As soon as we touch that dial on our central heating at home, everything changes.  Central heating instantly sucks the moisture out of the air, creating a dry environment.  Our skin is used to fresh air, open windows and the outdoors that comes with summer... Suddenly it is deprived of any moisture, save for when we go outdoors, but even then, it is met with cold winds that contract our pores, not allowing it to absorb much moisture from the air. Whilst we may not be completely settling back into offices and air conditioning just yet, face masks cause their own reactions and a change in atmosphere and stresses will still play a large factor in the skin’s behaviour.

   Being deprived of sufficient moisture and exposed to a dry environment, our skin forms a protective outer layer of dead skin cells, this very thin layer of dry skin ensures that no more moisture is allowed to leave the skin but it also blocks the pores and will eventually start flaking out. 

   For those with the tendency to break out this is a most dangerous time of year.  The thin dry layer of skin blocks the pores and any little inflammation within the skin is going to flare up, re-awakening any leftover bacteria from previous breakouts.

   STRIP
   Let your skin be naked - Keep skin bare and breathing as much as you can.

   If your skin is prone to flare ups and takes on a life of its own, don’t fight it, let it calm down of its own accord. Make sure you care for the skin flare ups as you would your mood. We have a few products that are wonderful for this - each featured below - but try to avoid anything new. Play it safe; less is more.

   If you are making the most of the great outdoors, your skin may need of a little more moisture, so have a think about a moisturiser with added vitamins that can boost that natural nourishment.

   For those looking for a clean glowing complexion from the comfort of your home, take a look at our blog talking about Honey extraction – your pores will thank you and you will smell heavenly too.

   TRAVELLING?
   If you are starting to travel again, pack sensibly and look for products that serve more than one purpose. ANGEL BALM is an award-winning multi-purpose balm that can be used as a cleanser, a mask, a lip balm, a dry skin saviour. Suitable for all skin types, you will be covered for all sorts.

   THE RANGE
   To help you be a step ahead and prevent this from happening we have put together these three little skin saviours:

   1 - VOLCANO ASH - Purifying Mask
   A mask of many talents, Volcano Ash detoxifies, nourishes, firms, plumps and beautifies skin. With an intoxicatingly refreshing blend of Bentonite Clay, Palmarosa and Peppermint, it extracts impurities whilst offering essential nutrients & vitamins to help bring the skin back to life. Use twice a week to keep skin detoxified.
   
   

   2 – MOODY SKIN - Balancing Moisturiser
   Designed for sensitive and problematic skin types, Lemon, Lavender, Palmarosa and Aloe Vera join forces with a splash of natural Vitamin E to hydrate and repair in equal measure. Use daily to keep skin nourished and protected from pollutants.
   
   

   3 – SPOTLESS - Blemish Treatment Gel
   This little ‘wonderpot’ packs quite the punch. Spotless forms a clear film, protecting the affected area from bacteria whilst it regenerates with a synergetic blend of three powerful essential oils; Limonene, Linalool and Lavender. Aloe Vera and Evening Primrose oil heal and nourish the skin to prevent it from scarring.

   As well as using it directly on existing spots throughout the day, apply as an overnight mask over problem areas and on glands behind the ears to prevent breakouts.

   Last but by no means least, take the time to rest. Slow down, listen to your body and embrace the calm when you can!

   THE PRODUCTS:

                                  
                                             Detoxify:                           Balance:                            Treat:
                                            Volcano Ash                     Moody Skin                      Spotless

2. Recipes for natural remedies

   Posted on 1:00am Thursday 30th Apr 2020

   Recipes for natural remedies

   

   A few simple ingredients in your kitchen that will comfort the soul and boost your immunity in equal measure… 

   Momma Soveral's cough syrup
   
   Carrots are rich in vitamin A and other antioxidants that support to immune system.

   Here's a simple remedy from Alexandra’s mother to soothe a cough and sore throat, or to boost the immune system…
   
   What you will need:
   One carrot
   A little bit of brown sugar
   
   

   • Thin slice a carrot into a ceramic or glass bowl.
   • Cover the carrot slices with a dusting of brown sugar.
   • Cover and leave overnight (out of the fridge).
   • A lovely syrup will form that soothes and heals.

   A teaspoon a few times a day will work wonders.
   

   Jorj's Smashing Avocado
   
   

   • Take one semi ripe or not too soft avocado
   • Cut in half with sharp knife, piece skin and press knife blade until you hit the stone
   • Rotate knife & avocado in tandem so that start point becomes one with finish
   • Twist and behold, two halves. Removed stone
   • Sprinkle with salt to taste
   • Take one half and cup in hand, with tea spoon procedure to eat

   Done!

     

   Perfect Skin's Soups

   
   

   There are numerous soup recipes in Alexandra’s book, ‘Perfect Skin’, but it all begins with a good base – a lovely way to use up any leftovers or vegetables that might be on the turn:

    What you will need:

   1.7 litres water

   1 large white onion, cut into quarters

   2 garlic cloves, crushed

   1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped

   1 large potato, peeled and cubed

   Any extra or leftover vegetables

   A pinch of salt

   A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
   
            Bring water to the boil

   • Add all the ingredients in the above order (leave the leftover vegetables out)
   • Take off the heat and blend until smooth
   • Return to heat and add leftovers. Cook until tender
   • Season and serve
     
     

    Root Vegetable and Watercress Soup

    This is Alexandra’s “all-time favourite” soup, so we had to include it here!

    What you will need:

   1.7 litres water

   1 medium chilli, finely chopped

   3 garlic cloves, crushed

   1 large white onion, finely chopped

   2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

   ½ medium swede, peeled and roughly chopped

   2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped

   2 parsnips, peeled and roughly chopped

   1 red pepper, roughly chopped

   1 turnip, peeled and roughly chopped

   A pinch of salt

   A large bunch of watercress, washed

   A drizzle of olive oil, to serve

    

   • Bring water to the boil
   • Add all the ingredients, except the watercress, in the above order
   • Take off the heat. Add the watercress and cook for a couple of minutes
   • Check the seasoning and drizzle with the oil before serving

    Enjoy!

    

   For more delectable recipes that feed the soul and leave you glowing, look no further…

    

3. Alexandra’s Crash Course on Oil

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 17th Apr 2020

   

   Do all skin types suit oil?

   
   Some people believe their skin will breakout at the sight of a face oil, for the most part they are right, here is why:

   Reason 1        They may be using an oil that is not actually an oil.

   Reason 2        The oil they are using is unsuitable for their skin, it may be too fatty.

   Reason 3        Their skin truly cannot cope with oil.
   
   Reason 1
   Not all oils on the market should be called oil, they are products cashing in on the known oil benefits. The products I do not consider to be true oils are:
   Synthetic polymers – They are essentially plastic
   Mineral oils – Petrochemicals
   Processed Oils – The oil’s various components are separated and then processed in a multitude of ways, the end result is something that does not have the same properties as the original oil but ends up on advertising of the product with the same name. This is done for getting a longer shelf life and of course it is a much cheaper ingredient as it can be extracted from inferior produce. You will find them in almost all your skincare products under the name of ‘Caprylic’ or ‘Capric Triglyceride’.

   When it comes to oil, the only oils that should be used on the skin should be pure vegetable oils.
   
   Reason 2
   For those whose skin loves oil, life is a wonderful journey of oil discovery. With so many skin health benefits on offer from vegetable oils, we can pick and choose depending on what we are aiming to address and improve. Skin feeling a little dry? A little jojoba will fix that. Been out in the sun too much? Avocado oil will replenish and soften the skin in no time.
   
   However, for those with the tendency to breakout, life is not so easy. Even pure vegetable oils need to be carefully considered, to ensure no adverse reactions.
   
   We know that good bacteria thrive on oxygen whilst harmful skin bacteria feed on, amongst other things, rancid oil. Bearing that is mind, bringing oxygenated blood to the skin is therefore a good thing (this can be done through exercise and face massage) and ensuring oil does not oxidize on the skin is also smart.
   
   There are oils with very low oxidizing qualities that also bring great benefits to problem skin, oils rich in linoleic acid and various natural vitamins. A good example is Pomegranate seed oil. 

   To avoid any oil from going rancid on the skin all Soveral face oils are reinforced with naturally effective antioxidants. 

   Reason 3
   Acne prone skin is high in oleic acid, which is an Omega 9, and the skin over produces oleic acid to make up for the lack of linoleic acid. This extra production of oil by the skin makes the sebaceous glands enlarged and often ends up in pores being clogged and inflammation. The trapped oil inside the pores oxidizes, making it a perfect food for the bad bacteria to feed on.

   The skin needs linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids (Omega 6 and Omega 3) to properly function and build its natural barrier against bacterial invaders.
   
   The problem is that all oils that contain the beneficial acids also contain oleic acid, so what can we do about it?
   
   Jojoba is not an oil but a liquid wax that has a very similar composition of that of sebum. Because of that similarity it is recognised in the skin as sebum, the bonus here is that another great benefit of Jojoba is that it is very stable, it does not easily oxidize, so it will not become a food source for the harmful bacteria.  Jojoba does contain a very small amount of oleic acid, but this is in balance with how much the skin should contain. Its sebum-like structure allows this oil to blend with the sebum inside the pore, thus dissolving it and this is a great way to get antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils into the pores. Simply dilute acne fighting essential oils into jojoba and either use as a skin cleanser or as a moisturising face oil. Take a look at the blending instructions on the Soveral website under Aromatherapy. 
   
   For those with very acne prone skin, you may want to remove the jojoba oil after massaging the skin with a warm damp cloth. Do this a couple of times per week to get the skin gradually used to the skin. Once you feel confident your skin is not reacting, you may try leaving the oil on the skin but removing excess oil with a tissue once the face massage is over.
   
   Shop the blog: 

   Midnight oil face oil
   
   Forever Young Face oil
   
   Jojoba Oil
   
   Avocado Oil