What are you wrapped up in?

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, made up of water, protein, lipids, minerals and chemicals. On average, your skin weighs about 2.75 kilos, can span 2 square metres and contains 17 kilometres of blood vessels. It acts as our protector, helps us regulator temperature, rids our body of toxins, absorbs chemicals, its  receptors respond to pain and touch, and lastly the skin plays a role in producing Vitamin D from sunlight. This living defence system changes throughout our lives – sometimes for better, some for the worse dependent on our internal and external environment.

Up until a few decades ago, the skin was thought to be almost impermeable but modern research has changed all that.  We now know that a lot of what we put on the skin enters the body system, many into the blood stream. My own penny drop moment was on the launch of the Nicotine patches – since then we have seen the release of patches for HRT and opioids for severe pain, as well as certain antidepressants and medicines for Alzheimer’s disease. These products work really well to deliver a slow continuous dose of medicine directly through the skin. Irrefutable studies show how components of essential oils can be detected in exhaled breath 20-60 minutes after their application to the skin.

This should make you think more carefully about the ingredients in the many products you put on your skin. Not just make up, moisturisers, and shower gels but also your deodorant, fragrance and conditioner.

I recommend to read the ingredients choose natural and organic to avoid harmful chemicals that might be absorbed. If you want to be truly comfortable in your own skin consider that its entire surface offers a pretty big area for exposure to potential toxins.

The way it is,

Heddy

Keeping skin care simple

For many years I have been a huge fan of rose hip oil. I am also a great fan of keeping my skincare really simple, after 3 decades of being in the skincare industry I have seen many crazy products and tried quite a number. I confess to being the woman who had to install more shelving in her bathroom to accommodate extra products…But now things are very different – now I keep things to a minimum, why didn’t anyone introduce me to rose hip oil before? Rose hip oil is a multivitamin for you skin – it is jam packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that are crucial to having a glowing skin. This gorgeous oil contains the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which can also be found in tomatoes and watermelon – this helps to protect the skin from premature aging and gives the oil its beautiful amber colour. The fatty acids help to regenerate and repair skin cells and damaged tissue. They hydrate dry skin and can actually improve the appearance of scars and wrinkles – particularly good for sun damage. Additionally rose hip oil is a natural source of vitamin A, research has shown that applying trans-retinoic acid (vitamin A) to the skin helps to prevent premature aging caused by sun damage. My rose hip oil has now taken the place of a daily moisturiser, night cream, eye-cream and a serum. I gently massage 2-3 drops directly onto my face and neck, ensuring the drier areas are taken care of and even taking it up to my eyes morning and night. I love that idea that at night rose hip oil helps your skin to repair, rejuvenate and BREATHE whilst you sleep. There are many different products out there, so I recommend reading the label – buy pure rose hip and organic whenever possible. For value for money I love Organic Spa’s rose hip oil RRP $42.95 www.organicspa.com a bottle usually lasts me 3 months – a huge saving of a variety of products.

Magic in a bottle

For many years I have been fascinated by the range of ingredients used in skincare products. Personally, I cannot imagine opting for a synthetic promise in a bottle over a natural, organic alternative offering a gentler and harmonious effect.   However imagine my surprise when recently I attended a skin care product function I observed a group of ladies opting for the ‘magic in a bottle’ scenario. Having been introduced to a skin care representative I watched these ladies drool and enthuse over the promises being made, pupils dilating at the thought of the time being turned back, and yet not once did they inquire as to what was in the product? The glamour and hype intoxicated theses ladies, conscientiousness and intelligence evaporated.
As we make choices with the food we eat, the water we drink, the fuel we put in our car and even the energy we use at home should we not also be intelligent choices about the products we use on our skin?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts,

Heddy

Hello world!

I have been procrastinating over the ‘to blog or not to blog’ question for over 2 years.

I have a career in the beauty and wellness industry spanning over 30 years and simply want to share my thoughts, observations and life experiences with you. I have seen many changes over the decades  and hope to demystify some of the stories in the industry.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Heddy