Motherly advice
Some mothers do ‘ave ‘em – daughters intent on growing up too soon that is. Witness the horror raised by recent images of Miley Cyrus’ 9 year old sister Noah in thigh high boots, red lipstick and black eyeliner and Jordan’s 2 year old mini-me Princess in false eyelashes for evidence of the current unhealthily precocious adoption of adult preening rituals. In the case of the latter, the motherly pearls definitely seem somewhat misguided. Yet, among all the wisdom good old mum will be thanked for this Mother’s Day, running the gauntlet of helping a daughter to adopt a beauty routine that is good for both her face and her self-esteem without growing up too soon must be a small but integral part. “It is ironic that young girls start mimicking the older generation by wearing make-up when adults use powder and foundation to recreate the luminosity natural present in younger skin,” says Emma. “Make-up actually makes young skin look more matt and lifeless than it does naturally.” So how do you stop that smear of face paint turning from playful to provocative? Emma thinks the answer is to encourage young girls to focus on good skin as “the only make-up they need.” If nature needs a little nudge, this is best achieved by introducing a gentle routine to prolong its youthful plumpness and glow. “Use a very gentle cleanser that is free of aggressive ingredients such as alcohol that dry the skin and can actually cause it to become spotty as it produces extra sebum in an attempt to keep its moisture levels up. If using soap, go for one with the same pH as the skin and skip toner altogether – young skin doesn’t need it.” There will be a whole generation of children who have been natural beauty devotees since the day their bottoms were first smeared with organic nappy rash salve. They should keep up the eco-friendly skin aids as they grow older. “Getting into the habit of not putting pollutants onto your skin is extremely important in keeping it healthy in the long term,” says Emma. The other crucial advice? Sunscreen. “Most of our skin damage occurs before our teens,” confirms Emma. If you give your daughter one gift, make it a sun protection cream with broadband protection against both UVA and UVB rays should be it. Go for a mineral-based cream such as The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sun Cream (£29.95; www.theorganicpharmacy.com) which blocks out the full spectrum of ultraviolet light. If you don’t, your daughter really will resort to an excess of make-up in the future.
Skin Clinic
I have heard a lot about dermal rollers lately and wonder if they are good for the skin? My complexion always looks more dull than usual as spring approaches and the natural daylight casts its bare-all glare. Dermal rollers – rollers with raised prongs that prick or dimple the skin – are generally used to boost the circulation and refine the skin’s surface, thereby making the skin appear immediately fresher and helping any ingredients applied afterwards to penetrate the skin more efficiently. However, a special tool is not really necessary since we literally have our own natural skin buffers at the tips of our fingers. “Massage is equally as good as any gadget for stimulating circulation and helping any products applied afterwards to penetrate the skin more deeply,” says Emma. “By increasing circulation, massage helps to remove toxins from the skin and increase oxygen levels which makes the complexion appear brighter. It also energizes the acupressure points so I always advise clients to massage their skin for at least five minutes each day, either during cleansing so that creams applied afterwards sink further into the skin. If time is short, though, they can even do it while watching television or riding the bus.”
What we’re loving
Fleurs de Bach Treating Fragrances (£44.50 for 50ml, from
www.victoriahealth.com) - perfumes with an extra special feel-good factor, the flower essences in the formulas work energetically to brighten your mood. The rich, spicy Vivacité blend is self-assurance in a bottle. Charging our batteries on the first glimmers of spring sunshine. “Use the spring energy to propel you forwards towards your goals,” advises Emma. “This is the time when the idea seeds we have sown in the winter should start to germinate.” Toast’s striped Handwoven Khadi Hammam Towel (£19; 0844 557 5200). Ultra lightweight and as absorbent as a sponge, it’s the perfect thing to sling in your handbag for impromptu paddling in the sea.
Seasonal product focus
Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Life & Sculpt Skin Plumping Serum, £42. Like expensive lingerie, Emma’s new serum gives skin the solid foundations it needs to look its best. It boasts a potent cocktail of antioxidant vitamins F, A, C and E to protect the skin from the ageing free radicals from pollution and UV light, plus marine actives that help skin hold onto DHEA, a naturally-occurring hormone that keeps skin firm but that diminishes when we are under stress. The serum is versatile too. “Normal skin types can wear it under their moisturiser while oily skin types can wear it alone,” says Emma. “Or, if you find sun protection cream becomes too greasy when used alongside a moisturiser, use the serum as a lightweight hydrating base instead.”
And last but not least... We delighted to announce that the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Range and the Firming Eye Serum has been \'highly commended\' in the 2010 Natural Health Awards. Look out for coverage in the May issue of Natural Health magazineavailable in storesmid-April.
