Win The Seascape Island Apothecary Soothe Range worth £60

Sometimes you want something special at bath time and Seascape Island Apothecary products certainly fit the bill. Even more so because they are a British brand offering all the chic and stylish appeal of products from their neighbouring France.

In case you are not familiar with the brand, Seascape is based in Jersey and their products are an 100% natural essential oil-based collection of 7 different ranges of bath and body treats for the whole family.

Their collections include products for hand care, hair care, babies and children, sensitive skin and men's products.

They use local products and extracts from herbs distilled on the island in each of their ranges.  Two of these are specifically formulated to be safe for mums-to-be, whilst their children's range - les Petits - has been tested and certified by dermatologists as being safe for daily use on sensitive skin.

All Seascape products are made with 100% natural essential oil based formulae with no parabens, silicone, petroleum or SLS.  The products are suitable for vegetarians and there are no artificial colours or fragrances.

Beautifully packaged, ethically and sustainably produced, Seascape's products have already won several awards and they are against animal testing.

We were sent several products to try.

Les Petits Bubble Bath and Les Petits Body Lotion are beautifully fragrant, yet gentle children's products which grown-ups will love too.

The bubble bath has lavender, chamomile and Jersey honey whilst the body lotion combines lavender, chamomile and Jersey beeswax.  Both the kids loved the bubble bath and Caitlin felt very grown up with her own body lotion.  "It's like being in my own spa" she announced.

The Soothe Body Wash has Neroli, Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Jersey honey. Lavender calms whilst Ylang Ylang is said to balance the mind and the honey locks in moisture to the skin.  The entire Soothe range (which you can win!) contains pregnancy safe essential oils.

The body wash lathers up nicely whilst the fragrance is subtle and not overpowering.












The Peppermint Oil Lipbalm contains 100% natural Peppermint Oil with Jersey Beeswax, Jersey Honey and Jojoba Seed Oil.  I found it very soothing with a delicate Peppermint flavour - guaranteed to encourage frequent re-application!

This one appeared on ITV's This Morning back in April in Bryony Blake's Spring Make-up Masterclass too.

Mine is already in my make-up bag.

Seascape Island Apothecary products are reasonably priced (around the £10 - £16 mark) with beautifully packaged gift sets, should you already have Christmas on your mind.  You can find them online at www.seascapeuk.com or at The Perfume Shop. Delivery is free on orders over £20.

If you would like to try Seascape products for yourself, then I have a lovely giveaway for you.

I have an entire Seascape Soothe range to give away – Soothe Body Butter, Body Mist, Body Wash and Sleep Oil worth £60.00 - to one lucky winner. Simply enter via the Rafflecopter in the usual manner.

The giveaway ends on Sunday 20th August at 11:59 pm.  UK entrants only and terms and conditions apply which you can find on my 'Win' page.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Here's What You Need For Healthier Skin, Hair & Nails

The health of our hair, skin and nails is extremely important as these are a reflection of the natural balance within our bodies - a barometer of our health.

You can always tell someone who is less than healthy.  Their hair is lank, their skin is dull or spotty and their nails are discoloured, ridged or broken.

For great skin, hair and nails, we need to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B vitamins, water, healthy fats, and naturally low in sugar. These foods will enhance our blood flow, reduce inflammation, and aid in healthy blood sugar levels.

We all know that sugary foods do little for the overall health of our bodies but a diet too full of the sweet stuff can take its toll on our hair, skin and nails.

Did you know for example that too much sugar can affect your collagen -important for my age group and especially so for mine (50+).  Collagen and elastin are the protein fibres that keep skin firm and elastic.  Besides damaging collagen, a high sugar diet affects the type of collagen you have - and how prone you are to wrinkling.

Whilst we should all be trying to retain our natural good looks with a vitamin and nutrient rich diet, life tends to get in the way and we end up indulging in high fat, high salt takeaways or, my particular vices tea and coffee.

So as well as eating a vitamin rich diet, we should make sure that we have sufficient amounts of the following vitamins and minerals which have a particular benefit for glowing skin, strong nails and glossy hair.

These include Riboflavin (vit.B2), Niacin (vit. B3) and biotin which contribute to the maintenance of normal skin, and the minerals selenium and zinc which contribute to the maintenance of normal hair and nails.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

This water-soluble vitamin helps the body to use the other B-vitamins, all of which assist with helping our body use energy from food and may also help protect cells from oxidative damage.

If you are deficient in this vitamin, you may have symptoms such as cracks at the corners of the mouth, sore throat, hypersensitivity to light and migraine headaches.

A deficiency in riboflavin also effects the formation of collagen, needed to maintain healthy skin.

You can find vitamin B2 in meats such as beef and lamb, milk and yoghurt, mushrooms, spinach, almonds and eggs.

Niacin (vitamin B3)

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that is a part of the coenzymes that assist with energy metabolism.

If you consume a diet of mostly processed and sugary foods, processed grains, white bread, white flour, wheat products and corn syrup you risk becoming deficient in this vitamin.

 A niacin deficiency will lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, poor concentration, anxiety and depression.

Good sources of Niacin include turkey, chicken breast, peanuts, mushrooms, liver, tuna, sunflower seeds and avocado.

Biotin

Biotin (or vitamin H) is one of the B complex vitamins that help the body convert food into energy.

B vitamins, and particularly biotin, help keep your skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system healthy and it's also a important nutrient during pregnancy as it aids the growth of your baby.

Generally we can get the biotin we need from eating a healthy diet, but there are now claims that getting more biotin can regulate your blood sugar, promote healthy hair, skin and nails, and help pregnant mums have healthier babies.

Biotin deficiencies are rare but symptoms include hair loss or a scaly red rash, anemia and fungal infections.

Good sources of Biotin include seafood, meat, whole wheat bread, eggs, dairy products and soya.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace mineral important for cognitive function, a healthy immune system and fertility for both men and women. 

Selenium works in close conjunction with vitamin E as an antioxidant to prevent the formation of free radicals and in turn, may reduce the risk of skin cancer and prevent sunburn.

Selenium is found in a variety of foods, the richest sources being Brazil nuts, seafood and organ meats.

Zinc

Zinc is another essential trace element and it is needed in small amounts every day to maintain our health.  For example, zinc helps with hormone production, growth and repair, improves immunity and aids digestion.

Although it is actually present within all bodily tissue, if you don't have enough zinc in your diet you may find you are frequently falling ill, feeling constantly tired with poor concentration and wounds that take ages to heal.

Zinc has numerous benefits for your skin, particularly if you are prone to acne or spots which may actually be a sign of a zinc deficiency.

Other signs that you are deficient in this trace element include white spots on your fingernails, dry skin, frequent colds, hair loss, diarrhea and low sex drive.

Good sources of zinc include spinach, beef, kidney beans, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and oysters.

But when you're pushed for time, it isn't always easy to make the best food choices and what if you are don't eat meat, dairy or are wheat intolerant?  

A supplement such as Perfectil Original for Skin, Hair & Nails by Vitabiotics may be the answer as will swopping some of your usual food choices for the foods listed above. For example, swopping your sugary breakfast cereal for a healthy oaty porridge, adding extra green veggies, particularly broccoli and eating more fish such as salmon and mackerel.

If, though, you are finding you have problems with your hair, skins and nails you should see your GP to get a medical check up. For example, problems with the thyroid gland may lead to hair thinning or hair loss and dry skin.

You should also look at your lifestyle in general and make sure you are taking adequate steps to manage your stress and get enough sleep.

Meditation and the practice of Mindfulness are two easy, free ways to take control of unruly thoughts and to stay calm and centered.

*pr collaboration

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Review: Sk:n skincare - Skin Products From A Leading Skin Clinic

I was recently sent some new skin care products to try from leading skin clinic sk:n.  I am always on the look-out for products which will help my mature skin look a little brighter and which don't irritate my sensitive patches.

Sk:n has 42 clinics nationwide and offers a range of specialised skin treatments including laser hair removal, tattoo removal, anti-ageing injectables, dermal fillers, facial treatments including microneedling, a range of peels for rejuvenation and a range of treatments to combat acne.

You would expect naturally, therefore, that their own range of skincare products would do the job well.

After describing my skin type, I was sent three products to try:-

Sk:n Cleanse: Vitamin-Rich Cleanser for oily skin containing glycolic acid, Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamins A, C & E (RRP £17.50).

Sk:n Anti-Ageing: Age-Delaying Cream for younger skin containing clincially proven anti-ageing peptides, Vitamins C, E & A and Shea Butter. (RRP £35)

Sk:n Age-Defying: Brightening & Firming Eye Cream containing clinically proven anti-ageing peptides, Vitamin B3, Caffeine, Glycerin and reflective optical particles (RRP £25).

All ingredients which you would expect to find in a range of skincare products designed by a company who understand skin.

Sk:n Cleanse: Vitamin-Rich Cleanser for oily skin

Sk:n Cleanse: Vitamin-Rich Cleanser for oily skin

Unfragranced and effective at removing oily residue after a long day, I found this light gel cleanser pleasant to use and it came in a generous size (200ml).  I did find, though, that it was slightly too strong for my skin as whilst I have an oily T-Zone, the rest of my skin is quite dry.

Interestingly, I can no longer find this product on Sk:n's website and it seems to have been reformulated for Normal / Combination skin, which I suspect would have suited me far better.

Sk:n Anti-Ageing: Age-Delaying Cream

Sk:n Anti-Ageing: Age-Delaying Cream for younger skin

This was a lovely light and easily absorbed cream which my skin seemed to drink in, leaving it smooth and hydrated.

Sk:n Age-Defying: Brightening & Firming Eye Cream 

Sk:n Age-Defying Brightening & Firming Eye Cream

This was my favourite of the three products because not only was it gentle on the delicate under-eye area, it didn't sting (always a risk for contact lens wearers) and it did seem to make the area brighter.

Each product contained a leaflet offering a free facial skin analysis plus £25 off any treatment at Sk:n's clinics.

Whilst I found all the products pleasant and at least as effective as other anti-ageing products I've tried, I think that Sk:n's strength lies in skin analysis and the prescribing of tailored treatments, including skincare.

You really can't assess someone's skin via email after all.

Every Sk:n consultation includes a skin assessment, discussion of your particular areas of concern, treatment fact sheets, tailored recommendations and treatment plans. They say they always make sure to advise you on the right treatment, with the best practitioners to meet your needs.

You can find out more at their website where you can discover their full range of treatments, the clinic nearest to you and also book online.

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Skinn Skincare - A Birthday Gift From Idealworld.TV

It's Idealworld.TV's 17th birthday this March and to celebrate they have a great offer on one of their hero skincare products - the Skinn Collagenesis range from Skinn.

Skinn is a top selling international skincare and colour cosmetic brand and the brainchild of industry veteran Dimitri James, a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician whose work has been seen on the runway and the red carpet, as well as national and international TV shows and magazines.  As well as training makeup artists and estheticians for renowned beauty brands, he is the author of two books, "Becoming Beauty" and "Naughty Makeovers for Nice Girls".

Skinn say they focus on what goes into the jar and how it will make you look, using the company motto “what counts is inside” and they only use pure, natural ingredients and traditional methods of preparation. It is this, they say, that makes Skinn different from other cosmetic brands.

I was sent four products to try:-

* Skinn Collagenesis 24 Hour Cream 50ml

* Stem Rejen Face Serum 30ml

* Stem Rejen Eye Serum 15ml 

* Lip Stem Rejen 15ml

The 24 hour youth preservation cream is fortified with plant derived peptides, Collagenesis which contains no waxes, no parabens, no petrochemicals and no mineral oil.  It can be used both day and night to help keep skin feel softer as well as help to even the skin tone and firm the skin.

The facial serum is formulated has three key ingredients, Glacier Water, Snow Algae Powder and Alpine Rose. Glacier Water helps to keep the skin moisturised, whereas the Snow Algae helps to increase the longevity of skin’s smooth, radiant appearance. Alpine Rose helps to enhance skin’s natural vitality and allows skin to cope better with climate changes.

The eye serum is formulated with a natural plumping active derived from the resin of the Indian tree Guggul, as well as the key ingredients from the facial serum.

Lastly the Collagenesis Lip Stem Rejen Serum Elite 15ml is formulated with a naturally derived active obtained from sesame seeds that help to smooth lines around the lip including, marionette and nasolabial folds, for a more rejuvenated and youthful appearance.  You can use it morning and night on your mouth area and laughter lines and as and when needed throughout the day.

I liked the value for money advanced skincare formulations, the elegant packaging and the lovely colours of the potions - a bright pink and yellow.  I found the 24 hour preservation cream curiously springy in texture but with all four products a little went a long way.

I found the products to be gentle on my skin, easily absorbed and unfragranced which my skin certainly appreciates.  I have found that as I have got older, my skin has become increasingly sensitive and prone to break out.

My favourite of the four was the lip serum designed to minimise those annoying tell-tale lines around your lips - you know the ones - the lines that seem to absorb red lipstick!  I found it had an instant effect and will be popped in my handbag.

If you would like to try the four Skinn products above, you can find all of them at Idealworld.TV. Usually this collection retails at £120 but from Wednesday 29th March they are giving you a birthday gift by offering them at £39.99.

Not only that but they are including two extra products, Skinn Insta-Fill for Eyes,  a line filling treatment designed to instantly create smooth skin around the eye area, and Insta-Fill for Lips,  which will stop your lipstick from feathering and make your colour last longer.

If you would like to try premium skincare at a budget price this March then remember to visit Idealworld.TV from the 29th March.


Disclosure: I received a selection of Skinn skincare for review. The opinions below are my own and unbiased.

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Can You Reverse The Damage Stress Has Done To Your Skin?

It's easy to under-estimate the toll that stress can take on our skin and to kid ourselves that a haphazard skincare routine and poor lifestyle choices won't eventually catch up with us.

Here's an explanation of how stress can effect our skin from a medical point of view from Dr. Ernst Eiselen, MBChB, FRACGP - and no, we won't get away with it!

Dr. Eiselen says:

The skin and the brain develop from the same layer of cells in the human embryo; they are intimately linked throughout life. Healthy skin is therefore a product of not only a skin care routine, but a stress-free state of mind.

Stress is an engineering term which refers to the application of different forces to materials, usually used to test their strength or their breaking point. The concept is no different in humans. The types of forces applied are not those used in engineering, but the effects are much the same. Conscious and sub-conscious parts of the brain are both involved in the production of stress. As a consequence of the brain activity, the endocrine systems become involved at all levels.

Skin is influenced by the brain through its varied and wide-reaching system of connections to the skin. Hormones produced by the different parts of the endocrine system have profound, direct and indirect effects on the skin. From this concise explanation of the structural and functional intimacy of the different organ systems, it is easy to appreciate that skin will not escape the eroding effects of pervasive stress.

The quality, comfort and appearance of healthy skin depend on a fine and happy balance of the influences mentioned above. The blood flow through the skin of a stressed person is not at its optimal level, thus disrupting the oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin. Like any starving or suffocating organ, aging and decay are sped up over time. Persistent stress starts to automate the nerve impulse pathways as our brains learn the patterns that are most often repeated. Combine this with a lethal mix of constantly-raised stress hormones and cell receptors are reprogrammed into ‘survival mode’.

Cells focused on survival are not attuned to thrive, divide efficiently or produce highly specialised, robust and vital units required for youthful, zesty skin. Skin can become stress-damaged over protracted periods. However, due to genetic and other differences, the complexity of all the involved elements and effects variable to passage of time make it impossible to quantify the effects of stress on skin in any individual.

The logical question follows: Is it possible to reverse or correct this situation?

Fortunately, the answer is yes on two different levels. Firstly, there is a need to recognise the elements of stress in one’s life and find a means of managing it in a positive manner. Sometimes, this may be small and simple lifestyle changes to make, but at other times it may require life-altering moves to get rid of the excessive stress. For most people cultivating a simple habit of regular exercise, improved periods of rest and reflection will help to de-stress and balance the hormones responsible for the negative changes. Specific exercises where attention is focused on breathing, stretching and toning go a long way to defuse stress-hormone storms.

On the level of the skin itself, the aim is to alter the skin cell behaviour that focuses on surviving to cells that are able to thrive. We are starting to understand how to create cells which are able to maximise their full potential in function, structure and beauty. Environ’s advanced vitamin skin therapy addresses the backbone processes with which man has evolved over the last two hundred thousand years. Keeping enough of the crucially important molecules like vitamin A, C and E within the cells simply means that cells are better able to withstand the onslaught of stress hormones and the altered patterns of stimulation brought about by the stress. This does not in any way reduce the need of the other forms of general stress reduction mentioned above, yet it goes a long way to slow down the negative influences.

Speed in everything appears to have become an essential ingredient with companies competing to design electronic instruments which will perform faster with larger amounts of information. At the same time those who are lucky enough to be in affluent societies are living longer, which simply means that the skin cells will be subjected to this battering of the senses for more and more years. Neither our cells, nor psyches are geared to deal with these circumstances. Change at such a pace leaves no room for the evolution of systems which were shaped by completely different survival stresses over hundreds of thousands of years.

The only possible counter-approach to this frenetic race is to understand the importance of relaxation and spontaneous, quiet contemplation for the body and mind. The skin should also be allowed to rest from the stress and physical environmental challenges. Providing real nutrition to skin cells based on sound scientific principles enables repair mechanisms to deal with the cumulative DNA damage, whilst coaxing cells to specialise to their natural potential.

It is therefore important to see the skin as an integral part of a total system which needs de-stressing on a total body level. In this new age, the mind-body balance and macro and micro nutrition will be key to optimal function of all body parts into a healthy old age. Not least of all, will be the need to do this for healthy skin.

Dr. Ernst Eiselen, MBChB, FRACGP.

It's pretty clear that getting to grips with our stress is vital to ensure a glowing complexion, as well as a healthier mind and body.  How well do you cope with stress?

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Testing Elizabeth Grant Skincare Hydra Cell Active Range

As a 50+ woman I am always on the look out for the Holy Grail of skincare products - in other words those that both offer effective protection against anti-ageing and are within my budget.

I was recently sent three new products from the Elizabeth Grant Skin Care Hydra Cell Active range which are exclusive to Ideal World who recently launched the brand's highly successful Collagen Reinforce range in the UK.

I will be giving these a thorough road test over the next 28 days and these are my initial thoughts about the products.

My 52 year old face!

Whilst the Elizabeth Grant range is new to me, the company is hugely successful in Canada and focuses on producing highly advanced luxury skincare products using the company's exclusive anti-ageing compound called Torricelumn™.

This is a blend of vitamins, proteins, botanicals and anti-oxidants designed to penetrate into the skin to make it firmer, smoother and younger looking.

Torricelumn™ was discovered by Elizabeth Grant in 1948 when she discovered a natural substance that was used to treat war wounds. She had it specially formulated with other ingredients and began applying it to her own damaged skin. Gradually, she found there was a very noticeable transformation and within eight months, she was able to discard the dark glasses and drooping hats that she had been wearing to disguise her skin in public.

Elizabeth went on to become a professional make-up artist to the stars but this anti-ageing compound has now been added to the Hydra Cell Active range whose key ingredients are all designed to bind up to 1000 times their weight in water to give maximum hydration and a plumping effect.

The range contains products for face and body and I was sent:-

Hydra Cell Active Intensive Hydra Treatment Activating Liquid
Hydra Cell Active Day And Night Face Cream
Hydra Cell Active Day And Night Eye Cream

The first thing that strikes you is the packaging which has a very classy 'e' embossed on the lid.  When you open the creams, there is also a silver foil seal over a white plastic protector - three layers to protect the cream inside.

Hydra Cell Active Intensive Hydra Treatment Activating Liquid

Elizabeth Grant Hydra Cell Active Treatment 55ml is an intensely hydrating skin treatment that helps to restore the look of plumpness and volume to the skin. You apply a small amount to your face and neck before moisturizer.

The product contains a combination of Tri-Complex Hyaluronics which helps reduce the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These provide skin with a moisture barrier which helps lock in hydration and delivers moisturisation throughout the day. The liquid also contains Torricelumn™ and tamarind seed extract.

This treatment is designed to help to tighten the look of skin, leaving it feeling lifted and, over time skin is promised to feel more supple and smooth, with a decrease in the look of lines and a reduction in dryness.

The product is 2 phase and you need to add the Sodium Hyaluronate Powder which is contained in a flat lid, then discarding this and replacing this with the stopper-lid and shaking the liquid to mix.

There is no fragrance and the resulting white liquid is quite runny and drops easily.  You really do only need a couple of drops and the product absorbs immediately without leaving any sticky residue.

Hydra Cell Active Day And Night Face Cream

This cream delivers hydration, to tighten and plump the look of skin, and helps to decrease the look of lines. Also formulated with the combination of Tri-Complex Hyaluronics, it helps protects the skin from dryness, delivers moisture, and hydrates the skin throughout the day. I'm particularly interested in this one as it claims to help skin appear plumper, make cheeks looks fuller and also reduce the look of hollows under the eyes.

This product also contains peptide technology to decrease the appearance of deep wrinkles, collagen to help to improve the look of facial contours and firm up the appearance of skin and Edelweiss plant stem cells to help to improve the skin’s overall complexion.

I found the face cream had a pleasant fragrance, was quite light and runny and, again, was very easily absorbed.  I did find it made my skin tingle ever so slightly but this effect was short lived. My skin did feel rehydrated and it kept the two annoying small patches of dry skin around my mouth at bay for a few hours. Not bad for a first application.

Hydra Cell Active Day And Night Eye Cream

This eye cream is designed to reduce the look of ageing around the delicate eye area with this moisturising cream and its formulation complements the other two products.  As well as the combination of Tri-Complex Hyaluronics, it contains Torricelumn™ and marine collagen extract, and Silk Tree bark extract and darutoside from siegesbeckia orientalis help to provide the look of a lifted upper eyelid, reduce the appearance of puffiness, and minimise the look of crow’s feet and dark circles.

The eye cream has a thicker consistency and no fragrance and, again, it was easily absorbed. There was no tingling from the eye cream.

The Hydra Cell Active range is available from Ideal World.TV and all three products are priced £29.95 for the bundle but they are usually priced together at £87.97 so there is a whopping saving of 65%.

Nevertheless, these days we all want the maximum bang for our buck so I will be testing these three products over the next month and reporting back.

On first test, things look promising. I love the formulation of the products and the packaging and despite some initial tingling, my skin quickly settled down and looked refreshed.

You can stay connected with the home of shopping TV, Ideal World, on Sky 654, Freeview 22, Virgin 747, Freesat 812 and online at www.idealworld.tv.

*PR samples were received for the writing of this post.

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Is Drinking Our Supplements The Answer To Younger, Fresher Skin?

Now that I have reached the age of 52, I'm on a mission to find ways in which I can stay looking younger for longer - without necessarily going under the surgeon's knife.

I recently wrote about some of the non-surgical treatments available but these will only have a temporary effect if your diet, and your lifestyle in general is not up to scratch.

In our menopausal years we face the double-whammy of hormonal upheaval both mentally and physically. Our skin becomes less firm and begins to sag.  Our hair loses colour and becomes coarser or thinner and our nails become weaker and more brittle.

It's not surprising then that the old adage about a woman having to choose between her face and her figure after a certain age makes sense because we have to decide whether to lose those stubborn middle-age pounds that we can gain or keep them and maintain a relatively plump and unlined face!

A sensible diet with the right balance of protein, carbs and healthy fats plus lots of fruit, veggies and water has been drummed into us all daily.  But if you are still working and raising kids, it's not so easy to spend time in the kitchen pursuing the latest 'clean eating' strategy, substituting digestive biscuits for almonds and covering everything in Chia seeds.

It's not just the cooking either.  It's the organisation needed, the planning, the shopping and, with many of these diets, the cost.

And, much though we would like to pretend we are all nutritionists (unfortunately buying a Nutribullet does not automatically give you that qualification), how do we know we are getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals?

As we get older, the needs of our bodies change and there are a number of supplements which are recommended to help protect against ageing.

You may have heard of some of these, such as Hyaluronic Acid, which plays an important role in skin hydration and stimulates the production of collagen in the skin.  The bad news is that by the time we're in our mid-40s we are producing roughly half the amount of Hyaluronic Acid we need with the consequences of wrinkles and thinning hair.

Then there's Glucosamine which occurs naturally in our body as part of our cartilage and when used as a supplement can treat UV damaged skin and hyper-pigmentation, and Biotin (also known as Vitamin H) which supports the B vitamins in our bodies to correctly metabolise our food so that we can extract the nutrients we need from it.  As a supplement, Biotin helps with hair loss and dry or scaling skin.

I often joke that my favourite liquid supplement is red wine because of the anti-aging effects of the mysterious compound it contains - Resveratrol - which is also found in nuts.  It is a renowned anti-inflammatory agent and an antioxidant that helps repair the damge 'free radicals' do to our skin.

Free radicals are generated by our bodies when we convert food to energy and, broadly speaking, they are toxic compounds which can start a chain reaction causing cells to function poorly or die.

Too much red wine, of course, is horrendously dehydrating and I don't know about you but one large glass tends to be my limit as I find any more and the hangover I get seems far worse than it did in my youth!

Have you got the time to make sure you have the right amount of anti-oxidants each day?

So short of spending an arm and a leg in the supermarket loading up our trolley with berries or at our local natural health store buying a wide range of supplements (don't forget Vitamins C and E or Selenium), is there a way we can quickly top up our supplies of these without the expense of buying multiple bottles of different supplements?

Liquid supplements offer a convenient solution to this problem and there is a wide variety of these available in combinations to suit any number of healthcare issues, particularly for those of us in the 40+ age group. Liquid supplements have the advantage of being quickly absorbed and easy to take.  The last vitamin supplements I bought in tablet form were so big I had difficulty swallowing them!

Are liquid supplements effective?  It certainly seems so.  Some research has suggested that only 3-20% of vitamins and minerals in tablet form are absorbed by the body whereas a whopping 98% of liquid vitamins are absorbed because digestive processing is bypassed and they enter your bloodstream within minutes.

This may well be a more effective approach to anti-ageing skincare than relying on face creams alone, no matter how much sunscreen we diligently apply or whatever the latest miracle serum claims to do.

It all depends on your lifestyle and budget, of course, but an excellent skincare regime supported by skin-enhancing liquid supplements may well reduce the need for more intrusive skincare treatments - and will certainly benefit our overall health, not just our complexions.

You can find out more about liquid supplements here.

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Giveaway - Wake Up Looking & Feeling More Refreshed In 2016

It's that time of year when we tend to make loads of health-related resolutions and, if there's one aspect that many of us choose to focus on, it's getting a good night's sleep.

I have 2 prize bundles to give away.

Particularly if you are in, or headed for the Menopause, you may find you become quite friendly with insomnia.  And of course, work-related stress may rear its ugly head now that the festive season is over.

Whilst I don't endorse the use of sleeping tablets unless prescribed by your GP (and there's no shame in admitting that you need help sometimes), it's good to know that there are natural alternatives on the market which may help you get a good night's rest.

New Nordic’s Melissa Dream contains natural & herbal ingredients.  Plant extracts calm the body & mind and Lemon Balm extract helps maintain a restful sleep.

New Nordic Melissa Dream Tablets for Restful Sleep

Lemon Balm - Melissa - is traditional used to treat insomnia and support mental health and is clinically proven to support calmness and to help promote the onset of healthy sleep.  It is also claimed that it may contribute to optimal relaxation and help maintain a positive mood.

Melissa Dream tablets also contain Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12 and Magnesium, all of which help to maintain a healthy nervous system and psychological function (keeping our minds fighting fit).  There's also Chamomile and L-theanine which is extracted from Green Tea.  L-theanine is claimed to help relieve stress by inducing a relaxing effect without drowsiness and may also possess immunologic attributes.

Simply take 2 tablets before bedtime.

You simply take two tablets an hour before bed time.

If you would like to try New Nordic's Melissa Dream, read on - I have some to give away.

Further information: New Nordic Melissa Dream tablets RRP £14.99 (40 tablets), available from Holland & Barrett.You can contact New Nordic on Twitter or Facebook.

Fade Out Extra Care Brightening Night Cream

The other aspect we may find needs attention in cold weather is our skin.  After weeks of too much sweet food and alcohol, coupled with parties, late nights and the general stress of being nice to our in-laws, our skin might look a lot less dewy and a lot more tired!

Menopausal skin tends to be drier anyway, once estrogen levels in the body drop and collagen and elastin production reduces.

The effects of winter can have a double whammy on our poor complexions so a richer moisturiser and a good night cream might be the answer.

I have been sent some of Fade Out's Extra Care Brightening Night Cream and Eye Defence Cream SPF25 to try.

Fade Out is a name I have long been familiar with but which I have not previously tried.  Fade Out is a British skin care brand with heritage stretching over 30 years and their range of skin care includes five key products to moisturise, protect and nourish both day and night, providing a complete daily moisturising regime with the added benefit of active natural ingredients proven, they claim, to even skin tone in just 4 weeks.

The ingredients include Vitamin B3, natural extracts of Liquorice and Mulberry, naturally occuring Sodium Lactate (produced by the fermentation of sugar and found to be an effective moisturiser) and Synovea (a safe skin lightener).

Naturally Occuring Lactide Acid helps increases radiance, Hyaluronic Acid helps plump and resurface skin to fill lines and deep wrinkles, Haloxyl helps to reduce dark circles, Omega 3 helps promote the repair of the skin overnight, by soothing and restoring skin barrier and Rosehip Seed Oil (Rich in Vitamin A) protects and moisturises.

Fade Out say that their creams offer a wide range of benefits such as lightening dark complexions, reducing age spots and freckles, correcting sun damage, evening skin tone and reducing pigmentation marks.

I found Fade Out’s Extra Care Night Cream to be a pleasant, non-sticky cream which was easily absorbed and which left my skin nicely moisturised the next morning. The Eye Defence Cream is equally effective and I like that there is a higher level of protection from the sun.  I never feel that SPF15 is strong enough these days.

Fade Out promise results in 4 weeks and I will certainly be keeping up my use of the creams to see if I look brighter and fresher at the end of the month.

The night cream is RRP £10 and the eye cream is RRP £8.99 from Boots.com.

Further information: www.facebook.com/fadeoutskincare.

If you would like to try them, along with New Nordic's Melissa Dream, why not enter my giveaway? I have 2 prizes to give away each containing a pack Melissa Dream, 1 x Fade Out Extra Care Night Cream and 1 x Fade Out Extra Care Eye Defence Cream SPF25.

Simply enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.  UK entrants only.  The usual terms and conditions apply which can be found on my Competitions page.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Monday 18th January 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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