Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare blog

One of the most common skincare questions I am asked by customers is “can you tell me which moisturiser I should be using?” Knowing what cream to use (and when) can be a daunting prospect, especially when factors such as understanding your skin type, and how to adapt your routine seasonally can add to the confusion.

As we say ‘goodbye’ to the spring and welcome the glorious summer, now is the perfect time to review your moisturiser. Just a few simple changes may help to ensure that your regime is working effectively to keep your skin protected and looking healthy.

Humidity and our skin
In the summer the humidity can be higher in the atmosphere.  While this can be good news for dry skin due to the increased amount of water droplets pressing onto the skin’s top layer, for acne it can be a different matter.  Acne can become worse in the summer, as extreme heat and humidity can also facilitate bacterial and fungal infections in the skin.  Also if you work in air conditioning the humidity is much lower, resulting in the skin drying out due to less water droplets in the air.

So, with all these factors to take into consideration, which moisturiser should you choose? Here is my summer guide for different skin types:

Oily skin
Skin is: prone to shine, thicker in texture with larger pores and make-up slides off.

If you currently use Skin Repair Light you will be familiar with the fabulous matte finish it provides. During the summer as the humidity is higher, your skin can feel oilier as the sweat glands start to go into overdrive. To balance this Smoothing Line Serum is a great alternative for face and neck hydration during lazy days at the beach. The grapeseed extract will offer skin moisture, while the oil-free formulation will keep skin feeling light and supple under your sun cream. I’d also recommend using an oil-free foundation to avoid clogging pores.

Normal or Combination skin
Skin is: normal in texture, with open pores on the T-zone and is neither tight nor greasy. Combination skin is oily on the T-zone where breakouts tend to occur with normal skin
on the cheeks.

If you are using Skin Repair Normal/combination as your moisturiser, you might try stepping down to Skin Repair Light in the summer. This will ensure your T-zone remains balanced in a hot climate and will prevent your skin feeling too heavy under your sun cream. If your skin is feeling particularly dry in the evening after a day spent by the beach, dip into Skin Repair Dry/sensitive for a boost to re-balance the skin.

Dry or Sensitive skin
Skin is: flaky and rough to touch, with small pores. Feels tight and sometimes irritated after washing. Sensitive skin is thin and has fine pores, flushes easily, tends to be easily irritated and prone to broken capillaries.

I would recommend Skin Repair Moisturiser Dry/sensitive for all but the driest and most mature skin types. It’s packed with hard-working plant oils such as borage and avocado, which will offer skin protection all year. For those of you who work in an air conditioned environment, why not step up to Superskin Moisturiser when in the office? I always like to keep a pot of this rich cream by my desk, as it gives my skin that extra moisture boost to counteract the harsh effects of artificial air. If you have a holiday coming up in a hot climate, then I’d recommend you step down to Skin Repair Normal/combination during the daytime, as this will prevent your skin from feeling too heavy in the heat.

Acne-prone skin
Skin is: sore with visible whiteheads and large blackheads

Acne has the potential to get worse as the weather gets hotter. There are several explanations as to why this happens. For one, excess heat and humidity increase sweat production, which means more oil is produced to clog the pores. Also, summer activities – such as a dip in a swimming pool – can have negative effects on our skin due to the high levels of chlorine in the water.  The key thing is to keep your skin clean, so always wash off your sun cream before you go to bed. I would recommend using Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser as it will keep your skin clean and balanced without stripping it or being harsh.  Take plenty of muslin cloths with you, so you are using a clean one each time you wash your skin and not transferring any bacteria.

To moisturise, Smoothing Line Serum is oil-free and can be applied to your face and neck under your sun cream. For the night, switch to Skin Repair Light so the fabulous plant oils will address the balance of your skin as you sleep.

As always, if any of you have any questions, comments or suggestions on summer skincare, please share them with us by adding your comments below.

I think feet are wonderful and rarely get the credit and pampering they deserve…

Did you know that there are 26 bones in each foot?  If these precious bones become imbalanced, the rest of your skeleton will too. I find it amazing that each foot  is made up of 33 joints, 10 tendons, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. With all these important components and having to support our every move, feet can sometimes feel neglected and develop wear and tear. But with a little care and attention, and these three easy steps using our luxurious Liz Earle footcare range, your feet will be happier and feel healthier not only this summer but all year round.

Step 1- Scrub

The soles of our feet do not have any sebaceous (oil) glands which keep the epidermal (the top skin) layers lubricated and waterproof. As feet are missing these glands, they sometimes become dry, thick and flaky with dead skin cells. You may think exfoliation on your feet is a step you can miss, but all those dead skin cells need to be buffed away.

I would recommend massaging hard-working Liz Earle Foot Scrub over your feet and lower legs, paying attention to heels, toes, the ball of your feet and ankles. Do this twice a week, rinsing off whilst in the shower to save valuable time.  InStyle magazine Best Beauty Buys 2011 recently awarded our Liz Earle Foot Scrub as Best Foot Scrub, this fabulous foot treat, packed with uplifting essential oils of peppermint and rosemary and softening wheatgerm and avocado oils, will leave your feet feeling soft and truly enhance our step 2 – Repair.

Step 2 – Repair

When you massage any cream into your feet it instantly provides that ‘ooh factor’ and gives you a sense of joy and wellbeing. This is due to our feet being covered in over 7,000 nerve endings, and as they are touched, the brain releases ‘happy’ hormones to make you feel great, so this is also a perfect and simple way to help reduce stress levels.

Use your thumb to gently circle over the soles of your feet to help release tension. Once feet are exfoliated and buffed, they are ready for some nurturing with Liz Earle Foot Repair Moisturiser. Formulated with deeply moisturising shea butter and softening plant oils of wheatgerm and avocado, this heavenly cream will help promote suppleness and even out skin texture.

As an added extra, apply a generous application of Superbalm around cuticles, nails and cracked heels under a thick layer of Liz Earle Foot Repair Moisturiser and sleep with a pair of cotton socks overnight. This will leave feet feeling as soft as velvet and allow them to be prepared for the day ahead, as your natural ‘shock absorbers’.

Step 3 – Spritz

I was so delighted to hear that Liz Earle Foot Spritzer was back as part of the Liz Earle family. There are more than 25,000 sweat glands in each foot and when very active they can produce a shocking six ounces of perspiration a day! I would urge you to try this cooling spritzer if you haven’t already, as the powerful blend of nine essential oils help freshen and revitalise tired feet and can also help with any foot odours.

As mentioned in her latest blog, Jennifer also talks about the menthol we use in Liz Earle Foot Spritzer and how it actually tricks the brain into thinking the skin is being cooled – the genius of plants! I would recommend using it as a final step in your footcare regime, but also keep it with you in your bag for the daytime. I like to spritz my feet after a day of treatments and sometimes I even use it when commuting, to help give comfort and ease the journey when standing. You can even spritz it over denier tights (not opaque) if you are in the office and this will instantly refresh, it feels as soothing on your feet as Instant Boost Skin Tonic feels on your face. I would also recommend using this over your lower legs two minutes after gentle body brushing to help invigorate tired limbs.

So here’s to happy feet!

As the winter can leave skin looking dull and lacklustre, I embrace the build-up to spring with great enthusiasm and positivity. Just the thought of daffodil buds emerging in all their golden glory inspires me to clear out my clutter and spring clean my skin.

Once a week I indulge in ‘Skin Sunday’, when I book a 30 minute session in my bathroom to prepare for the busy week ahead.  My husband knows that when I close the bathroom door and the scent of Orange Flower Body Wash starts to waft throughout our home that I am not to be disturbed!

To start my relaxation, I light a Vital Oils Candle, plug in my iPod and strategically place a stand-up mirror on the edge of the bath. Then I blissfully lower my aching body into a warm bath and I’m ready to say ‘hello’ to some faithful skincare friends.  As I reach for Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, Gentle Face Exfoliator and Deep Cleansing Mask (with Spot-On always on standby for any skin emergencies) the time has come to reward my skin with a mini facial.

So I urge you to start your very own Skin Sunday once a week, or any day of the week for that matter, and if you’re home alone, even better.  It’s time to liberate your skin!

Skin Sunday tool kit
To treat yourself, you will need to prepare the following…

A warm bath:
Light your candle (be sure to position it safely) and place a splash of body wash under the running tap. Using this in the bath, as well as washing with it, provides extra comfort and hydration.  If you have a shower instead, follow steps 2 and 3 and then relax with your mask on for 10 minutes.

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare:

• Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and pure muslin cloths
• Gentle Face Exfoliator
• Deep Cleansing Mask (or Intensive Nourishing Mask depending on your skin type)
• Spot-On and a mirror

Close the bathroom door (or turn off your phone if you’re home alone):
serenity is key for a clear and calm mind, which has positive effects on your skin.

Music:
play some gentle, calming music, or relax in silence if you prefer.

Step 1: Cleanse
Due to our body systems slowing down in the winter months, excess dead cells can be more visible, causing a dull, grey appearance.  After using Cleanse & Polish, eliminate unwanted cells by gently massaging one pump of Gentle Face Exfoliator over face and neck for one to two minutes (or until the scrub has started to gather together on your skin).  The divine cocoa butter and beeswax soften skin, as the fine jojoba beads (like gentle pearls) exfoliate and brighten.  This also prepares a clean canvas for your treatment masks.

Beauty therapist tip: If your skin is sensitive, you can add one pump of Cleanse & Polish to Gentle Face Exfoliator to make the formulation more creamy and comforting.  To remove, either rinse off or use a damp muslin cloth.

Step 2: Purify
Immediately after exfoliation, apply Deep Cleansing Mask over face and neck and leave for up to 10 minutes (see my guide to skin types below). If you have any excess oil or breakouts, the purifying green clay will reduce impurities, while soothing manuka honey and protective propolis spring clean and balance.

This clever gentle mask soothes as it deeply cleanses. I would recommend the following applications, based on your skin type: 

Oily Skin: Use two to three times a week for 10 minutes
Normal/Combination: Use twice a week for five minutes
Dry/Mature: Use once a week for five minutes if skin is congested
Sensitive: Use once a week and mix with Intensive Nourishing Mask to provide comfort for two to five minutes

Beauty therapist tip: To remove your mask, massage or spritz a generous amount of Instant Boost Skin Tonic over face and neck. This will soften the mask and allow easier removal, while toning your skin – and will instantly calm and give radiance.

Step 3: Balance
To finally banish any skin nasties apply Spot-On before your moisturiser.  This handy applicator comes as a roller-ball, so you can effortlessly glide over spots without irritating skin. Naturally active ingredients get to work on your skin with antiseptic tea tree, soothing melissa and calming lavender.  Keep this in your handbag, so you can apply it once or twice a day.

Beauty therapist tip: If you have sore or split cuticles, apply Spot-On around your nail bed to prevent infections.

I do hope you enjoy my tips, and please let me know how you get on.  Here’s to wonderful skin with a spring in its step!

While I love the crisp air in January and the excitement of spring looming, my energy levels definitely drop during the winter. I certainly couldn’t get through the colder months without using some of my favourite energising tips along the way.

As beauty therapists, we always focus on the lymphatic system, as it plays such an important role in the human body, and in keeping skin healthy and radiant. During the winter, the lymphatic system slows down due to lack of exercise, stress and over-eating.  This can leave you feeling lethargic, bloated and suffering with dry skin or breakouts.

I would like to share my top tips with you, to help kick-start your lymphatic system and keep your energy levels high throughout January, so you look and feel your best for the year ahead.

Start your morning with a cup of hot water, a slice of lemon and grated fresh ginger – this is a great way to pep up circulation.

If you’re feeling brave, after a warm shower with Energising Body Wash, finish with a blast of cold water all over face and body to wake up the circulation. Then when dry and clothed, I like to use a skipping rope for 10 minutes to get the heart rate going.

Massage Energising Hip and Thigh Gel over calves, then lie with feet elevated to aid lymphatic drainage as you rest.

Massage your face with Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, massaging down your neck towards your collarbone, then out along your jaw, and down from either side of your nostrils to the jaw, then up under the corners of the brows around the eyes and outwards on the forehead.  Massage can really help to open the lymphatic channels to clear the skin and aid drainage of excess fluid.

Body brush towards the heart with upward strokes and finish with a generous amount of our fabulous new Energising Body Lotion to soften skin, helping  you to feel less sluggish. To quench thirsty skin, massage all over the body, paying attention to knees, elbows, ankles, thighs, bottom and stomach after a warm shower. Do this when skin is slightly damp, as the heat will help the lotion to sink in even better.  This light but hydrating body lotion can be used daily after showering with your Energising Body Wash.

Lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is part of our immune system.  This intricate network of lymph vessels, nodes, capillaries and ducts work in union with the blood circulation.  It travels in one direction and carries a clear fluid called lymph (from the Latin lympha meaning ‘water’) which resembles blood plasma.  This fluid is responsible for the removal of interstitial fluid from the cells and tissues in the body (such as cellulite).  It absorbs and transports fatty acids and fats, and essential infection-fighting immune cells. It also clears away any waste products, such as damaged cells, bacteria and toxins,  returning cleaned residue back to the blood system.  As the lymph relies on the body’s muscle contractions to maintain the flow, it is vital the body is kept active to maintain high energy levels, good skin and good body health.

New year body booster

I find the best way to pep up my sleepy system during the cold weather is to take a trip to the local gym or leisure centre.  This does take a bit of self motivation, especially as I love nothing more than being tucked up at home in front of the fire with my fluffy socks and hot chocolate, but my body always thanks me for it later and I find it’s and instant energiser.

Enjoy!