Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare blog

It was great to have so many of you join me at the weekend for our Spring TSV (Today's Special Value) on QVC The Shopping Channel. Thanks for all your calls and text messages to the studio. I was especially amused by the caller who asked if I had enjoyed a lie-in by not being 'live' at 8am (which QVC always air as a repeat of the midnight and 1am launch). As the TSV guest, I am in the studio until the small hours of the morning and my head hits the pillow at around 3am for a few hours of zzzzzs before heading backstage for prep early morning. So as you can guess, with only 4-5 hours sleep, a lie-in is unfortunately never possible during a TSV show weekend! In fact, one of the biggest challenges I face during these days is being on-air throughout a 24 hour period and needing to remain fresh-faced. I rely very heavily on every skincare resource, especially our Brightening Treatment and Harmony Vital Oils body spray – an invigorating blend of uplifting and de-stressing essential oils (mostly citrus-based) which really do act as a potent pick-me-up. I'm aware that new viewers especially, tune-in throughout the day and will scrutinise the state of my own skin before listening to any advice about their own, which makes the schedule especially tough. Fortunately I also have the help of a wonderful make-up artist, Kerry, who always makes me look better – so much so, my six year old recently asked me why I always looked much prettier on TV and couldn’t I wear a bit more lipstick at home!

Talking of skin scrutiny, it was also good to be able to preview the launch of my latest – and largest – book, 'Skin Secrets', which will be published next month. I have spent much of the last twelve months researching and writing this, and it includes information for every age and stage of life, from children and teens right the way through to septuagenarians and beyond… Writing and researching this has taken me right back to my original roots as a journalist and author (I wrote my first book, 'Vital Oils', over eighteen years ago). I love the process of investigating skin issues, talking to leading academics and world-class experts on a very wide range of subjects, including practical help for specific skin problems. This section includes the latest advice for acne, eczema and rosacea, to name but a few. As it's a large hardback book, I've also been able to add some wonderful photography, from fabulous botanical images from my field-trip travels to beautiful plant illustrations and more. I've even included a few family snaps to illustrate skin changes across the generations as well as shots taken at home on my farm to complement the large chapter on food and skin-boosting recipes. Watch out for more details in our next newsletter – which should be coming your way next week – and let us know what you think.