Love your summer skin with coconut oil

Here in the UK we are enjoying a much appreciated steady spell of warm, sunny weather. One of the great joys of summer is baring my skin to the air. I love to feel the heat of the sun penetrate me almost to the bone, stimulating vitamin D production and giving a golden glow.

I believe that our skin functions best in a warm climate where it is exposed to air, breeze and the unseen subtle energies of the natural environment.  We also get to sweat which is a normal and healthy function and one way in which the skin and the whole body detoxifies and self-cleanses.

During high summer, the skin needs a minimal routine. Now is not the time to overload the body with heavy oils, creams and unguents. However it is important to pay attention to preventing sunburn and to be mindful that prolonged sun exposure can lead to aging, which is essentially accelerated cellular damage. 

Jar of creamy goodness

My summer skincare solution is close at hand, in the kitchen cupboard.  I reach for coconut oil.  Often a misnomer in a northern European climate where it is usually waxy, opaque and solid at room temperature and sometimes labelled coconut butter, the higher summer temperatures cause the butter to slightly melt into a soft gloopy mass: not quite a liquid, but soft enough to give a delicious sensual experience as I dip my fingers into the jar.

It gets smeared onto face, arms and backs of hands, anywhere that is exposed and receptive. You can even run your fingers through your hair and give yourself a scalp massage. Warmed by the heat of the hands, coconut butter/oil spreads quickly and is absorbed easily, doesn’t leave a greasy film and begins at once imparting its goodness. I love the simplicity and playfulness of looking after myself this way, this is not an elaborate beauty ritual!

Nature provides and the health benefits are well documented: coconut oil contains a superior level of anti-oxidants which counter cell degradation caused by free radicals in our diet and environment. Coconut oil contains good fats, complex and stable tri-glycerides which are digested or assimilated through the skin. It is rich in polyphenols and vitamin E and has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

  

In ayurveda, coconut oil is promoted for its cooling properties, hence its particular suitability for summer use and for the face and scalp (the head should generally not be heated).

Coconut grove, south India

The scent of coconut oil is instant summer.  As I move through the day, I receive delicious wafts of fragrance which carry me away to the tropical beaches of Kerala in south India, where every part of the coconut seed and plant are used  for food, drink, construction and devotional worship and more.

My preferred brand of coconut oil which I recommend to you comes from UK based food co-operative Essential Trading. Ethically produced, reasonably priced and widely available at health stores it comes in a large, wide mouthed jar so you can get your hand in and be generous!  Buy online here.

Love the summer! Love your skin!

Jennifer

SOS Skincare! Natural toners

Venus, radiant goddess of love and beauty

I received this message on facebook from a friend in her late teens, as follows:

The other day, I made up a kind of skin toner with green tea, chamomile tea, and apple cider vinegar - about one part vinegar to 5 parts water. I dabbed it on my skin twice a day for about three days, and then I broke out in dozens of tiny spots around my chin area, and a few in other places too. 

My skin is feeling quite itchy and painful, even though I've been moisturising well. I've never had anything like this before. I was wondering if it's possible this reaction could just be my skin purging impurities, or if one of the ingredients was too astringent and I'm just reacting badly to it? Have you had any experience with these things? 

Firstly I salute all those who turn to natural skincare solutions, it makes so much sense to offer the skin ingredients which it can recognise and assimilate. The skin has several functions, one of which is protection. It defends the body from unwanted agents. In this scenario, there looks to be a direct cause and effect. The skin is irritated and is saying 'no' to the solution.

The function of toner is to refresh the skin after cleansing and temporarily tighten pores, producing the toned effect. My friend is prone to breakouts therefore I would suggest witch hazel extract, available in most chemists and health food stores. This has an astringent or drying effect.

My other suggestion is rosewater, which has a destressing effect and works well for drier and aging skin although it suits all skin types. I specifically recommend Nature's Aid Triple Strength Rose Water. This is my personal preference as a toner; I  decanted into an atomiser and mist it onto my face. Such is a beautiful ritual, I love how the delicate scent fills the air and settles on my face, like being kissed by a host of angels!

Finally, my friend should drink her chamomile tea and green tea, they are both excellent from a health point of view. And apple cider vinegar, especially if it is the raw, unpasteurised type is a valuable tonic. I use daily, liberally on my lunch time salads. And as a full time undergraduate living in London, I celebrate that she has these healthful items in her cupboard.

Suggested affirmations:

I am tender and gentle with myself
I have happy, healthy skin
I create harmony within and without

I am happy to offer guidance with natural skincare issues, post your questions below.

Enjoying the sunshine - safely!

I love how the bold and exuberant yellow of the daffodils, primulas, tulips in bloom right now reflects the source of the awakened spring energy, the return of the sun! Brightening, vivifying, the sun sustains all life. How we welcome its radiant light and warmth after a long winter! How glorious to walk along lanes that are stirring back to life with hedgerows popping bright green buds and wild greens erupting from the bare ground. Winter’s bare branches will soon be just a memory as spring surges forward into summer.

I have been enjoying sitting out in the garden during the recent bright weather, angling my face into the sun to fully receive its blessing. The sun is at its zenith at around 1pm at this time of year; and at this time its vital force can be felt most strongly.

In yogic and other spiritual traditions it is thought that the sun emanates cosmic energy, a manifestation of prana, which is one of the reasons why we are instinctively drawn to the sun and can feel irritable and even depressed during its absence in winter. Vitamin D3, essential for bone health can only be synthesised through sun exposure, we can rightly consider the solar body to be a source of nutrition.

According to science, the sun emits UV rays, light on a wavelength that is imperceptible to the human eye. It is further understood that prolonged exposure to UV can be a major if not the major factor in skin aging. As I contemplate this, I recall a visit to the rooftops of Fez in Morocco, where artisans stretch animal skins to dry under the seemingly permanent African sun. The equation is simple: sun + skin = leather.

Let us cover up then, particularly as summer advances and the strength of UV light intensifies. I favour a physical barrier that shades the face, it’s important to keep a cool head! Since the Spring Equinox in March I have been diligently applying sun block to my skin. Make this part of your daily routine, so that it becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth. Cleanse and re-apply at midday, particularly if you tend to perspire, touch your face a lot or are physically active. Use a generous amount of product to ensure good coverage and include the area around the eyes, which is the most fragile. Remember too, to cover the décolletage (area between the collar bone and bust) and apply any spare to the back of the hands, perhaps mixed with a little hand cream.

Here are some recommendations of products I have personally used across a range of budgets:

JASON Organics Facial Sunblock spf 20 150g approx £8.50 Fragrance and paraben free 150g approx £8.50

Clinique City Block Sheer spf 25 40ml £15 Invisible under make-up. Widely acclaimed and rightly very popular.

Lancome Soleil DNA Guard spf 30 50ml £22.50 A personal favourite, a high quality product

Clarins Sun Wrinkle Eye Contour Care High Protection 20ml £16 A specialist product that really works, especially useful if you prefer not to wear sunglasses.

Boots Soltan Face spf 30 50ml £8.75
A competent budget buy, available on every High Street and often available as buy-one-get-one-free

Enjoy the sunshine!

Winter skin – facial skincare treatment

I have noticed during the last few days that my facial skin is becoming a little dry; perfectly natural during the colder months. I have introduced a weekly cleansing routine to nourish the delicate complexion. This is ideally performed in the morning.

Firstly, an oil massage to maintain moisture levels and boost circulation. Right now I am using Neal’s Yard Orange Flower Facial Oil, which comes in a handy dropper bottle for easy application. I would also recommend Weleda’s Wild Rose Intensive Facial Oil capsules, rich in essential fatty acids and winner in the 2009 Natural Beauty Awards. A budget option would be pure apricot kernel oil. This has a delicate sweet scent and is intensely moisturising, often the base ingredient in natural skincare products. Ask for it at your local health food store.

Apply the oil with light upward strokes from below the jawline to the forehead. Use fingertips to ‘tap’ all over the face, taking care around the eyes. If time permits, rest with the eyes covered in cotton wool pads soaked in witch hazel and pre-cooled in the fridge.

Now exfoliate with your preferred product. Modern Friction by Origins is widely acclaimed; One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser from Clarins is suitable for daily use, Boots Botanics Purifying Face Scrub is a great budget buy.

Apply with the fingertips, patting and rolling the product, avoid vigorous scrubbing movements.

Remove with a muslin square soaked in hot water to which you have added your favourite essential oil: I favour lavender, frankincense or orange, dependant on my mood.

Follow with a cool cloth, apply toner and daycream. Voila! You should be experiencing bright, clear and well hydrated skin.

Facial for men: creating a new treatment

I have been giving organic facials for a few years and attracting a steady number of male clients. I decided it was time to create a treatment just for the guys.

Men’s facial skin is thicker than women’s, it tends to be oilier and coarser with larger pores. Men are less likely to have followed a skincare regimen resulting in congestion and blocked pores. Regular shaving and use of astringent aftershave leads to dryness and sensitivity. Years of unprotected sun exposure may cause premature aging and sun damage. There is clearly work to be done!

I needed to create a high quality treatment with clear benefits. I wanted an alternative to the floral products I use with women. I begun looking for a suitable product range. Organic, affordable, widely available and from an established brand with ethical values and integrity. I chose the JASON Vitamin C range as it specifically addressed the issues of sun damage and premature aging. I felt that the scientific references to free radical scavengers, anti-oxidants, ph levels and bold orange and black packaging would appeal to men.

The treatment itself begins with a seated head and scalp massage, to stimulate circulation to the scalp and induce relaxation. I use the foaming cleanser as men enjoy the feeling of lather. This is removed with a muslin that has been soaked in hot water and tea tree oil. I am told that this is remniscent of trips to the barber! This is followed by exfoliation, facial oil massage, massage to the neck and shoulders, application of toner, day cream and lip balm. My guinea pigs loved it!

I am excited about taking the men’s facial to the Glastonbury festival next week, It’s a great forum for trialling new treatments as the crowd are wonderfully friendly and enthusisastic. I hope that I have created something that appeals to men and that they will find effective and enjoyable.

www.jason-natural.com/products/vitamin_c_care

Sunrise Celebration 2009: a healer's perspective

I am resting quietly at home following a weekend of heat hazed fun at this year's Sunrise Celebration. The healing area was situated atop the festival site, affording a splendid view out across wooded hills and ensuring that we benefited from a cooling breeze. We enjoyed a wonderful opening circle, sharing earth chants with Johnathan Cainer and a Tibetan Lama amongst others.

I led two of the several daily yoga sessions: an energizing morning practice and a quieter, restorative afternoon session. Mornings required a little karma yoga in advance of class to remove paraphenalia left by partygoers who used the space as a hangout; indeed on Sunday a group of revellers had to be gently coaxed back into consciousness and enouraged to leave, which they did in good humour.

In the same space, shamanic journeying took place daily; part of the free workshop schedule which included classical Indian dance, bhajans, T'ai Chi and Qi Gung.

I also set up my therapy space and gave a serious number of organic skincare facials. This has become my signature treatment at festivals, a big hit with mothers who are able to leave their children for a half hour or so to receive a much longed for pamper and relax. Elsewhere, massage proved popular treatment with ayurvedic, holistic and thai modes available.

A beautiful sound pyramid and travelling garden created soothing magical spaces enabling festival goers to pause and calm their senses before heading backdown into the hurly burly of the main arena where the various sound stages, cafes and markets were located.

Smaller in scale and ambition this year the balance of festival crew,ticket holders and traders felt just right. The flowing contours of the site - an organic farm near Bruton, Somerset created an intimate setting for a true sense of community to be created. Blessed by a steadily radiant sun, Sunrise has become a joyful and exhilarating start to the summer festival season.

www.sunrisecelebration.com

Winter sun? Preparing to meet the heat

Winter in the UK is well and truly on it's way out; although March can be pretty turbulent with all kinds of weather happening at once. I have opted for some winter sun in Goa. March is a great time to take a late winter break: prices are very reasonable, resorts are quieter and upon return to the UK the nights will be lengthening and there will be a true feeling of spring in the air. The perfect reward for having survived a particularly cold winter!
When it comes to skincare I take a holistic approach. The skin has several functions, it protects us, yes and also it is an organ of elimination ie it has a direct connection to the digestive and circulatory systems. In a hot climate, the skin plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis, an optimal and balanced physiology.
The inner reflects the outer, our emotions as well as the food and substances that we put into the body will show up on the skin, hopefully as a smooth, unlined face and a clear, glowing complexion.
My holiday skincare preparation begins in the days leading up to departure. I recommend a pre-flight full body exfoliation and moisturisation treatment. There are many benefits to this. The exfoliating product loosens and removes dead skin cells that form the upper layer of the epidermis. This assists the natural proces of skin renewal and leaves a brighter, clearer complexion. The product is generally applied with brisk, vigorous, circular movements which stimulates the circulation and lymphatic system, promoting detoxification which in turn contributes to a brighter, clearer skintone. The exfoliant is rinsed away under a warm shower and a rich body moisturiser applied which boosts moisture levels in the skin for a soft, plump appearance. Please consider paying to recieve a treatment or ask a friend to help, so that all parts of the body are treated and with even pressure.
The other treatment I would recommend at this time is a pedicure so that you can confidently bare your feet which have been hidden for months in boots, socks and slippers. Be bold and pick a bright pink or red varnish for added glamour! An added advantage is that the feet contain reflexology points and a thorough massage will stimulate your body's self-healing and relaxation mechanisms.
At this time I review my skincare products. Throughout the winter one tends to use richer creams to counteract driness, whereas in the heat it is all about cooling and balancing oiliness. I opt for a light, foaming cleanser, a toner for combination/oily skin and a light day cream. I usually pack a clay or mud mask for a twice weekly deep clean while I am away.
When flying, the mantra is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. In the departure lounge, see if you can guzzle down up to two litres of mineral water. On board, don't be tempted by alcohol, tea, coffee and salted or deydrated foods such as crisps and crackers. Instead pack water rich fruits and veggies to keep moisture and mineral levels high. I like to take pre-cut carrots and mixed peppers, cherry tomatoes and grapes. These foods place a minimal load on the digestive system which means that you are far more likely to be able to rest, sleep and arrived relaxed and refreshed at your destination.
Bon voyage!

Jennifer recommends:
Clarins body exfoliation and moisturising treatment available at Clarins salons nationwide.
Aveda pedicure, available at Aveda salons nationwide
Origins Clear Improvement charcoal mask available at Origins counters at major department stores nationwide or buy online.

Product review: Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream

The weather in the UK is decidedly wintry; with sharp frosts that persist throughout the day, sub-zero temperatures and strong winter sun. In such conditions our delicate facial skin is easily stressed and dehydrated, particularly if you have a fair, fine or sensitve complexion.
In terms of daiy moisturising, I have taken special measures... in the form of Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream. I simply will not leave home without it.
Dr Hauschka is a well established premium organic skin-care brand, with a devoted fanbase including A list celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow. Hype aside this product delivers. The gentle rose fragrance is sweet and nurturing. Squeezed from a tube the cream itself is reassuringly thick and unctuous. It spreads easily with the warmth of one's fingertips to provide a protective layer, it is worth taking a little time to apply to ensure full and even coverage, using the ring finger to dot around the eyes, never rubbing.
At approx £20 for a 3o ml tube that should last out the current cold snap, I would suggest that this is an affordable luxury. Buy online from the Dr Hauschka website, available in most High Streets, check out your local health food store, yoga shop or beauty salon. When the big chill is over I will most probably revert to a lighter daycream as this product is rather rich. However right now it is just right. Recommended.

Holiday facial skincare: stress relief

At this time of year, despite our best intention, it is likely that the skin on our face skin is under stress. The sun is farthest away on it's annual cycle, so our energy levels are likely to be low; an indoor, sedentary lifestyle leads to a sluggish metabolism, we are prone to puffiness and fluid retention.

If we do venture outdoors the combination of cold dry air and wind leads to dryness. Our centrally heating homes can exacerbate the drying effect. Not to mention the rich food and drink, including alcohol that for many forms an integral part of the holiday celebrations.

So what do do? On one hand we need to boost our metabolism and vitality through taking exercise, a brisk walk is ideal as we also receive sunlight which benefits us on many levels. However I would advise applying a sunblock to protect delicate facial skin from excessive UV.

Apply an enriched day cream such as Dr Haushka's Rose Day Cream, to optimise moisture levels. Avoid overly spicy foods, ensure you are taking sufficient EFAs, try adding cold-pressed flax or hemp seed oil to meals or take an evening primrose oil supplement orally. To humidify a centrally heated home, add essential oils to a bowl of hot water and allow to diffuse. Orange is brightening and sweetening or try mandarin for a more subtle citrus flavour.

Supporting the body through seasonal change: bodycare recommendations

I love holistic bodycare products and the rituals of bathing. I adjust my routine seasonally to affect maximum personal wellbeing. The following is based on my current, personal choices:

Morning: Energising, enlivening. Begin with dry skin brushing, which stimulates the lymph and circulatory systems. You can pick up a brush in most chemists & health food stores. It should be a little larger than your palm, in natural bristle. Use light, fluid strokes from the extremities to the centre of the body.
Take a short, hot shower; I use Dr Bronner’s Hemp Citrus Orange pure liquid soap.

On a weekly basis you might create an exfoliating treatment using dry sea salt crystals mixed with a little olive oil. Apply all over the body with light vigorous movements, scrubbing is not advised.

Evening: Bathing twice daily is recommended, it is important energetically. Here the emphasis is on warming and gently detoxifying. Right now I am using Rosemary bath & shower gel from Avalon Organics. Avoid heavy oils and creams before bed as the skin should be clean to optimize metabolic processes whilst we are sleeping.

Neals Yard remedies: sustainable, global, local

Last Saturday at the Sustainable Solutions event at Glastonbury Town Hall, Neal’s Yard’s head of sustainability, Louise Green, delivered a powerful and convincing presentation outlining the company’s strategies and ethos.

I had been aware of the brand, with its stores across the UK and iconic blue glass bottles. I was impressed by the scope of their commitment, their progressive business ethos and range of leading edge environmental strategies.

The company has invested in creating an organic herb farm close to Shepton Mallet, which adds an interesting local dimension. I have perused their catalogue and selected products for use in my therapies, specifically the organic blended body oils for the winter wellbeing massage.

Shop online at http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/, free p&p for orders over £25.

Festival of Life last weekend in London

Wow! What an experience that was. Firstly how exhilarating to leave the peaceful and loving bosom of Avalon and venture into the hectic stimulation that is central London.

It was good to catch up with friends and familiar faces from the alternative festival scene. The event was well attended with standing room only for many of the talks and demonstrations. I was particularly pleased to meet Lisa and Hector from Raw Gaia, the raw, vegan skincare company whose products I have been using in my treatments since the summer.

Also present were two of my raw food heroes: Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes who individually and now jointly are spreading information about the raw lifestyle. They just got engaged, lush!

An alround uplifting and inspirational event.