Dry flakes of skin on your pillow are not the nicest thing to be confronted with as you wake. Nor is spotting white dots all over your black shirt when you're out socialising.

We all lose dead skin cells everyday - it's the way of the human body. Dandruff is caused by a fungus, and occurs when skin cells clump together to form white flakes. This is more likely to happen if the scalp is too dry or oily. Instigators of dandruff include poor diet (particularly a lack of essential fatty acids and vitamin B), too much alcohol, stress and changes in climate. Reducing sugar and yeast from the diet will help as will probiotics and drinking your 2L of water each day.

Dandruff seems to be as common as flu, which explains why there are so many anti-dandruff shampoos available on the supermarket shelves. But take care when selecting the right remedy for you. Many dandruff shampoos have anti-flaking agents like coal tar, salicylic acid and zinc pyrithizone, which can have side effects. Salicylic is poisonous if swallowed and coal tar is a known carcinogen.

To rid yourself of a dry scalp without exposing yourself to nasty chemicals use a good natural shampoo that targets dandruff and make sure you're getting enough of the right nutrients to work the flakes from the inside out.

Some good natural shampoos include:
• Cornflower Shampoo for dandruff by Lavera,
• Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner for itchy scalps by Green People,
• Intensive Care Dry Scalp Shampoo by Barefoot Botanicals,
• Gentle Herb Shampoo by Essential Care, and
• Gentle Wash and Shampoo by Essential Care for Baby.

Acupuncture is one of those alternative therapies that many shy away from because of the perceived lack of western medical support. But indeed many conventional physiotherapists and doctors are now using it as a complimentary therapy to relieve pain and treat a wide range of illnesses, including acne prone skin.

This Eastern healing therapy works on the principles of ancient Chinese philosophy. Fine needles are inserted into the top layer of skin to balance a person's flow of ‘motivating' energy (or qi) flow which can be disturbed by anything from anxiety, poor nutrition, overworked muscles, infection to poison.

In fact, I've just come from a session now so I can tell you how I feel. A little shaky in my hands as I type; only ever so slightly but it's as if there's a dull force of electricity or rather energy flowing through my muscles, veins and skin. Though I don't go for skin issues I've certainly noticed an improvement in the areas of my body I've been struggling with for a decade or so, namely my digestive system.

Two friends, grown women who still suffer from the occasional bad bout of acne have been seeing the Dr Yang, the same acupuncturist I've been to. One says it's too early to tell; the other, who's a natural beauty therapist, keep going back when she has a break out because of the marked difference in how her skin looks.

It's not a 'fix it now' solution to acne and troubled skin but it can ease the intensity (and associated feelings) of an outbreak. As my beauty therapist friend says ‘it's a little bit like a well balanced diet: if used in conjunction with other good measures (natural, chemical free skin care products, exercise etc) then it will contribute to happy, healthier skin.

You can contact Dr Yang from the ZWJ Chinese Medical Centre on 020 8858 6644. Also if you're interested the British Conference of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 2009 is on in September this year. Visit the British Acupuncture Council's website for more details.

If you'd like to know more on organic skin care products that are good for acne prone skin click on the following links: moisturiser, cleanser, essential oil.

Trilogy is one of those beauty brands we find very easy to talk about, probably due to a few stand out features the product range has.Firstly it is made in New Zealand. It is the number one natural skin care product range in its home country with a lot of fuss being made in the media particularly about its brilliant anti-aging and healing properties.

All thirty products in the range are based on organic rose hip oil. The hips of nature's love flower contain 80% essential fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and linolenic), vitamin E and the antioxidant lycopene. These are all work wonders to promote skin repair and rejuvenation of skin cells and can help scarring, eczema and wrinkles. Trilogy take full advantage of it's healing powers.

The rose hip beauty specialists are soon to be launching a new AGE PROOF range specifically designed to help combat the aging process and nourish mature skin. The three new products are Daily Defence Moisturiser with SPF15, Nutrient Plus Firming Serum and Replenishing Night Cream.

If you can't hold on rest assured your skin will still benefit from the amazing anti-aging properties of rose hip oil contained in all the other Trilogy products. I tried a Booster Capsule last night and it gave my tired face somewhat of a skippy glow. The capsules contain CoQ10 and tamanu oil, in addition to the organic rose hip, to really work on minimising those fine lines and firm the skin. The Ultra Hydrating Cream and Eye Contour cream are other rose goodies for the face to soak up.

In term of green cred Trilogy was the first company in Australasia to be certified carbon neutral and all their packaging is recycled.

Stay tuned - next week we interview Trilogy co-founder Sarah Gibbs and ask her, amongst other things, how beautifying ourselves can save the world!

Whether you love it or loathe it Valentines Day comes along each year with a pocket full of posies and a hand full of heart shaped sweets. Any excuse is good enough to eat chocolates, fill a vase with beautiful flowers, or sink into a candle lit, oil scented bath... even a commercially cheesy one.

If you'd rather pamper your girlfriend or wife with ethical and organic gifts here's a few ideas. How about a Spa Towelling Robe made from organic and Fairtrade cotton or a set of three beautiful plant wax candles fragranced with essential oils. The Hedgerow Herbals Ooo! Gift box is also full of sensuous products for bath time fun including Queen of Sheba bath milk, Ooo for romance body soap and Ooo for romance massage oil - a kind of cheeky present if you plan on being the one massaged!

For the male partner here's a good excuse to convert him to go organic. The Go Organic for Men conversion kit has everything he needs to join the organic brigade including toothpaste, and toothbrush, shaving cream, soap, hair and body wash, deodorant and face moisturising balm. The Complete Men Spa Cool Lime Range contains organic products scented with juicy limes, cooling mint and the oil of green mandarins. There's also the sandalwood set for those who prefer more woody scent.

Have a loved up Valentine's Day all you organic sweet hearts!

The John Masters organic hair and skin care products are of the class that other natural brands look up to and that very few seem to find complaint with. Quite simply it is a fantastic range of products and everyone (and I mean EVERYONE!) at So Organic loves it.




Like so many in the natural personal product industry, John Masters the man behind the brand, developed an interest in organics when learning of the risks posed by the harsh chemicals found in conventional products.

Starting his career as a successful hair stylist in the 70s John had been interested in organics in his personal life before he took on his role in changing the toxic environment of the salon. Eventually deciding he would no longer put up with using conventional synthetic products John started to make his own. He, like so many others now, saw the benefits of using natural ingredients have for the body and the environment.

John began by creating products with ingredients like olive oil and lemon juice in his kitchen. He started by using only ammonia-free herbal and clay-based dyes. Now he has herbalists, aromatherapists and skin care specialists working to formulate his first-class organic products. No more inhaling or handling of harsh chemicals in the salon or at home. The John Masters clean-air salon in New York is 100% wind powered and does not do perms, manicures and certain colours due to the chemicals required to make them work.

In 2004 John Masters received the Soil Association Award for Best Organic Product Line in Europe. In 2007 the skincare line won five out of eleven categories in the organic beauty sector in the Shape Cosmetic Awards. In October 2008 the John Masters Organics Sweet Orange and Vanilla Hair Gel won ‘Best Styling Gel' in the Beauty with a Conscience Awards.

So Organic and John Masters would like to give you a free John Masters gift with any purchase within the range in the month of February.

All organic ingredients John Masters' purchase are certified organic by EcoCert, Quality Assurance International, California Certified Organic Farmers, or Organic Crop Improvement Association and are all recognized by the National Organic Program for the USDA. John Masters products contain no SLS, parabens, GMOs, petro-chemicals, artificial colors, fragrances or fillers. The products are not tested on animals and all ingredients must be harvested in an eco-friendly manner plus bio-degradable and fair trade where possible.

Here's the man himself explaining his hope for the de-chemicalizing of hair and beauty salons the world over.