A Sensitive Subject

Sarah Heenan, natural beauty therapist and founder of online organic beauty boutique, www.lucyrose.biz, takes a look at the issues around skin sensitivities.

The last decade has seen a dramatic rise in sensitised skin and allergic reactions.  This is mainly due to pollution, environmental factors and altered immunity. Most skin responses to cosmetics are a result of skin sensitisation. This happens when the ingredients penetrate the skin too quickly and the skin’s natural barrier function is impaired.  Once the product is removed from the skin the reaction will subside.

In most instances of skin allergy, the skin can become itchy, inflamed, red and sore.  Many main stream products made with harsh chemical ingredients and synthetic compounds will exaggerate these symptoms, so it is good to search for products with organic and natural ingredients which will help the skin function correctly and not just provide a short term fix.

Quite often you can be happily using a high street product and then, out of the blue, will start to have skin sensitivity.  This could be down to a change in ingredients in the product or it could be a result of the body reacting to a combination of products being used.

Three Reasons to go Natural

• We find one of the biggest reasons people turn to organic and natural products is because they have sensitive skin and are finding high street products over-fragranced and too harsh.  With organic and natural products there are no harsh chemicals, no artificial fragrances, quite simply the ingredients are all chosen to be effective, gentle and help the skin work naturally.
• Organic and natural brands are very transparent in their communications and include a comprehensive list of ingredients on the product, so that you can see clearly what it is made of.  If you do have allergies to a certain ingredient, it is very easy to check this.
• It is also the case that an individual can be allergic to a completely organic ingredient (for example, people can be sensitive to some of the Essential Oils) so it is important to be able to see at a glance what is in the product you are using.

The Ingredients Minefield

Where there is sensitivity to Essential Oils it is important, when checking ingredients, to check out the source, especially with fragrances.  For example, Limonene is the term used for the synthetic fragrance, Lemon, but is also the name for Lemon Essential Oil. In order to differentiate, there is usually an asterisk or a comment next to the ingredient, stating ‘from natural essential oils’.

However, there are now many ranges which are free from fragrances and herbal flower extracts.  These include the Lavera Neutral and Green People’s Organic Base No Scent collection.

Everybody is Different

It is also important to remember that each of us are individual and hence our skin requirements are also very specific.  Just because the product is natural and organic and has worked for someone else, doesn’t mean it will work for you, so it is important to try and test the product first and find the best product for you.  At Lucy Rose you can receive one-to-one advice either over the ‘phone or via email, and just to be on the safe side, there is a free sample service so that you can try first.

Be Prepared for a Skin Detox

A few people find that when switching to more natural ingredients they experience a detox period of maybe a week, where the body adjusts and the skin may feel uncomfortable or may ‘break out’.  This usually lasts no longer than a week and once the skin has adjusted it will feel better than ever.

Leave a Comment July 22, 2010

Why Baby Massage Matters

Touch is love and affection. It’s the simplest but probably the most significant way of showing love for your child. But massaging your baby and small kid not only helps with bonding, but it’s also very beneficial for your child’s health. It builds stronger immune system, helps with the muscles development, gives better body tonus, relieves, soothes and helps with the relaxation before sleep, and it’s so nice and pleasant experience for both mother and child!

It is really important when massaging your baby to use the right massage oil. What we need is pure natural and organic one, specifically designed for the babies’ delicate skin. Make sure you avoid chemicals-based, artificially scented massage oils, broadly promoted on the market. Be informed (rather than manipulated by the TV ads) and always read the ingredients. One way is to prepare massage oils yourself. But if you don’t have the time, use ready-made organic ones.

What I’ve found works best on my little one’s skin is the Spiezia Organics Baby Massage Oil! It contains 100% organic, carefully tested and naturally balanced ingredients such as Almond Oil, Chamomile Oil, Lavender and Roman Camomile Essential Oil. It moisturises and soothes, keeping baby’s skin healthy and comfortable. Gently massage the organic oil onto their body or add a few drops to their bath so that the organic Chamomile and Almond Oils, combined with Lavender, can work their magic, leaving them soft and smooth. If your baby has super delicate skin this formula is ideal, preventing irritation and helping to relieve skin conditions such as cradle cap.

Step-by-step guide to a gentle baby massage

1. Take a few drops of the specially developed Spiezia Baby Massage Oil in your hands, warm it a bit and start massaging the top of the foot first – from fingers to ankle. Using you thumbs, start pressing gently under toes; then squeeze each of the toes one by one
2. Continue with the legs. Using some more of the organic Spiezia Baby Massage Oil massage legs gently one by one, moving your right hand from tights to feet, followed by the other hand. This is called “hand over hand” technique. Do it for a minute with each leg or while your child feels comfortable.
3. Tummy. Get some of the nourishing Spiezia Baby Massage Oil in your hands to warm up for a few seconds. Place your palm gently over the stomach and start massaging from just below the ribs. Always massage the tummy area clockwise, as this helps with digestion. Be careful not to push hard. If your baby is colicky, tummy massage may help and sooth.
4. Chests. Lavender oil from the Spiezia Baby Massage Oil eases breathing and helps when a child has a cough or a cold. Place your hands over the chests. Using your thumbs, massage from middle to sides, “drawing” an “arc”-shape. This will “open” the chests and will allow your child to breath freely.
5. Go on with the arms and hands. Start with the right hand, using the “hand-over-hand” technique from arms for wrist.
6. Slowly move to the back. Turn your little one over, so she can lie on her tummy. You can now massage her back using a bit more of the soothing Spiezia Baby Massage Oil, as “dry massage” can damage the sensitive baby skin. The massage needs to be smooth and gentle. Place your right hand over her neck. Start moving the hand from the neck to the bottom, making sure you don’t push hard. You can also make small circular movements with your fingertips going gently up and down the back.
7. Finish with a relaxing head massage. If you are massaging a small baby, be extremely careful with the area around the fontanel, which is very soft during the first few months. Using your palm, massage the scalp from top to neck with circular movements, making sure not to put any pressure. If you do it just before bed, the relaxing chamomile and lavender natural scent from the Spiezia Baby Massage Oil will help your little has a good night sleep.

Leave a Comment June 8, 2010

Test Gorgeous Kosmea Products for Free

Love natural and organic cosmetics, face and bodycare? Prove it! We are on a look out for trendy mums or mums-to-be bloggers to test fantastic natural cosmetic products from Kosmea.

If selected, you will be testing one on the following great products.

• 15ml Certified Organic Rosehip Oil: contains 80% EFA’s, antioxidants, lycopene, beta carotene, vitamin A (safe amount for pregnant mothers)  – A remedy for dry, sensitive skin conditions such as ezcema, dermatitis, nappy Rash, Cradle Cap, Hormone Therapy. Reduces redness, wrinkles, scars and stretch marks, pigmentation.  Can be used by both mother and baby, and is suitable to all skin types.
• 40ml Skin Clinic Rescue Balm: Contains Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, Certified Organic Rosehip Butter, Certified Organic Everlasting Oil – A natural soothing ointment. Helps to reduce the appearance of cracked, dry skin and burns.
• 125g Skin Clinic Rescue Cream : Contains Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, Certified Organic Rosehip Butter, Certified Organic Everlasting Oil, Helychrysm – Helps relieve dry itchy flaky skin, and helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and increases the elasticity of the skin.
• 150ml Clarifying Facial Wash – SLS Free Foaming Cleanser that gently cleanses and removes makeup including waterproof mascara without overdrying the skin. Very mild formula for bathing babies if you want to share it.
• 50g Replenishing Moisture Cream – A rich and nourishing Moisturising Cream, rich in beta carotene(vitamin a) which helps to rejuvenate dry, sensitive and sun damaged skin. Green Tea Extract protects you from free radicals, and contains a high content of silica for the formation of collagen and healthy plump skin cells.

GreenKiddie has teamed with the Australian natural cosmetic brand Kosmea to give you a chance to test their products for free!

After a month you will need to give us your feedback for us to upload on GreenKiddie.co.uk. Your chances of being selected for the product testing will increase if you have a blog yourself where you’d review your experience as well.

If you are interested in taking part, please email info@greenkiddie.co.uk with your name and your blog address, if any. Also, please tell us about your product preferences, listing them from 1 to 5, 1 being your most desired one. We cannot guarantee you will be selected to test your first choice product, but we will do our best to match your choice. Besides, all Kosmea products are just fabulous!

Closing date: 30^th May 2010. The selected mums will be announced on 1st June, and all reviews should be with us by 25^th June 2010.

WINNERS: The five lucky mums selected to test the fab Kosmea products are: Miroslava Moore, Emma Sheppard, Claire Walsh, Josephine Middleton, and Lorraine Liyanage! Congratulations and happy testing!

2 Comments May 17, 2010

For a happy baby…grow yours organically

Eating great food when pregnant and then giving your children an organic start in life makes them more likely to grow up happy and healthy. Planet Organic, the UK’s leading organic supermarket, has everything you and your baby need to get off to the best start.

“I have raised three organic children who are happy, healthy and beautiful. I know that organic is the best you can give your kids.” Renée Elliott, founder of Planet Organic and mother to Jessie, Nicholas and Cassandra.

Be the first in line for “The Best Recipes for Babies and Toddlers”, Renée Elliott’s cutting edge book which shows you how to use highly nutritious ingredients to create fabulous meals your children will love.

Sign up at www.planetorganic.com/baby and have a look at their full range of organic baby food, baby clothing, natural nappies and nappy creams as well as supplements to support you throughout pregnancy.

Visit www.planetorganic.com/baby for…

• Advice on how to feel better and grow a healthier baby by eating the best possible foods.
• A supplement plan for your journey from the first trimester through to breast-feeding.
• No-nasties nappy creams as well as the cutest organic baby clothes and natural nappies.
• A great selection of only organic baby foods, as well as easy, healthy recipes.
• Regular tips, special offers and to swap stories with other mums.

Use promo code ‘GREENKIDDIE” to get a 10% off all products when you shop at www.PlanetOrganic.com. Offer is valid until the end of March 2010.

Leave a Comment January 31, 2010