When the petals of the wild roses fall in the lush mountain valleys of South America the berry-like hips of the flowers seedpods are collected.

The rose hips of the Rosa Affinis Rubiginosa are used to make a myriad of healing and beauty products such as oil, tea, moisturiser, face masks, toners and spot treatment creams.

The finely ground powder of rosehip seeds can be also used as a natural exfoliator to remove dead skin cells. Rosehip oil has a list of healing benefits as long as a thorny stem. It's packed with essential fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic and oleic), anti-oxidants (tocopherols or Vitamin E is a naturally occurring preservative), retinoic acid (a derivative of Retinol or Vitamin A), Omegas 3 and 6 and Vitamin C.

The therapeutic rosehip oil aids the regeneration process of our skin's cellular membranes and the repair of damaged tissues. Some studies have found that when applied twice daily to scars (recent or not) they have become less visible and the skin more elastic. It has also been reported to return burn tissue to its natural colour.

Rosehip can be used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and acne scars by massaging into the skin. It can help the skin heal sunburn, inflammation, dermatitis and eczema by restoring the skin's moisture balance. When applied to coloured, permed and sun damaged hair it has been noted to have similar effects.

This skin healing gem can also lend a hand to those of us trying to slow the aging process by aiding the repair of tissue to reduce fine lines and pigmentation. Rosehip oil makes for an excellent ingredient in moisturizers as it is ultra-fine, enabling the skin to absorb it very quickly. It also loosens the tension in the skin leaving it softer, smoother and more vibrant looking.

Complete ranges of pure skincare based on Rosehip Seed Oil are made by Trilogy and Barefoot SOS. If you need any advice choosing what's right for your skin don't hesitate to get in touch.

Just as most of us have got to grips with our cleanse, tone and moisturise routine everyone's talking about serums and face oils, if you're not sure what these brilliant products can do for you read on and we'll explain.

Both serums and face oils offer a great opportunity to improve your skin and protect it for the future in one easy step. But to help us understand how they work we need to understand a little bit about the skin.

The skin is primarily there to protect us from external influences and as such can take a real battering from the sun, heat, cold and pollution.

The skin has its own natural moisture system which contains water and oil. To keep skin in optimal condition skin’s natural protective barrier needs to be maintained.

External influences such as pollution, diet and the wrong type of products can upset the skin and cause it to become dry from lack of oils and or dehydrated from lack of water.

Skin can look grey, lacklustre and lack radiance; in the worst case it can become tight and inflamed. Many fine lines, wrinkles and the first signs of ageing are caused by dehydration and can become permanent if we do not tackle them early.

All skin types are subject to dehydration and it is not all about drinking more water. Increasing fruit and vegetables that hold lots of water like melons or cucumbers is just as important, as is reducing diuretics like coffee and alcohol.

On the product side, skin serums are the perfect combination of water and oil in a light emulsion, specifically designed to deliver a hit of concentrated nutrients and water to tackle all those dehydration symptoms. Many contain the super ingredient hyaluronic acid, which holds water on the skin and drip feeds the skin throughout the day, the perfect antidote to dehydration.

Because a serum is such a light texture we apply them to cleansed skin in a gentle pat and roll method then apply a moisturiser over the top to seal in the nutrients. They are suitable for all skin types and can be used every morning and evening (if using just once a day then ideally in the morning). Our best-selling Green People Hydrating Firming Serum has an amazing texture and proven anti ageing benefits.

Extreme dryness in the skin can be caused by sensitivity, over exposure to the sun or cold or simply that your skin naturally produces less oil, a common symptom of the ageing process. A moisturiser that combines lots of rich plant oils and water is perfect for the day to protect and nurture, at night we recommend a facial oil to provide deep nourishment.

The Barefoot SOS Intensive Treatment Oil smells amazing and really tackles dry patches and lack or tone in the skin with its antioxidant rosehip seed oil and just a few drops instantly de stresses skin. Apply to cleansed warm skin for a deeper penetration of the nutrients and spend a few minutes massaging it in with firm upward strokes.

Often people shy away from body oils, saving them only for massage or the occasional pampering session but we’re on a mission to change all that and get everyone to love body oil as much as we do.

But aren't they’re expensive, greasy and messy to apply?
No, they're not!
Use our organic body oil top tips and you’ll enjoy using body oil every day, you’ll have non greasy super soft skin and your beauty budget will go further too.

Body lotions, the most popular product for moisturising skin are basically an emulsion of oil and water, plus fragrance, (truly natural brands only use essential oils for scent, rather than synthetic fragrance).

Instead of applying body lotion to dry skin, if you apply body oil to wet skin and then massage it in, you are creating the emulsion effect yourself and you’ll only have to use a fraction of the amount of body lotion you would use to cover the same area, so it works out much cheaper.

Your skin will be hydrated by the water, moisturised & scented by the oil and beautifully soft. It will also benefit from a much greater concentration of the active ingredients and antioxidants being delivered straight into the skin.

You do need to wait a couple of minutes for your skin to dry and the oil to absorb before you get dressed but use this time to brush your teeth and apply your facial products and deodorant then it takes no longer than using body lotion.

Try out our advice and see if you could make the switch.
We’d love to hear how it works for you.

We all love to treat ourselves to a little pampering and indulge in some beauty treats from time to time, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to choose. If you thinking of giving yourself a little treat but are trying to show a little restraint to just one product rather than a basketful then why not consider a beautiful new organic lipstick?

Nothing has the ability to put a smile on your face and feel like a brand new you as a fabulous new lipstick. For spring 2013 the choice simply has to be the new Dr Hauschka Lipstick range. Originally launched as a limited edition in 2012 these gorgeous glossy lipsticks proved so popular they're here to stay!

With a choice of 3 infinitely wearable shades and a silky texture that feels just like slicking on your favourite lip balm, these luscious new lipsticks are a real treat.

The base is packed with nourishing organic oils of Castor, Jojoba, Rosehip, Apricot and Sweet Almond combined with beeswax to give a waxy, creamy consistency which really moisturises your lips.

Easy to apply and wear all day long

The new Dr Hauschka Lipstick colours are sheer so you can either slick on single layer for the effect of a strong gloss, ideal for summer daytime wear, or apply to lined lips with your favourite brush, blot and reapply for a greater depth of colour and staying power.  

3 Beautiful Shades for Summer 2013

Dr Hauschka Lipstick 13 - Red Quartz - A glossy terracotta shade that is infinitely wearable and will suit most skin tones.

Dr Hauschka Lipstick 15 - Violet Marble - A soft and delicate plum shade, that's subtle not shouty so perfect to day long wear. Top with a juicy gloss to take it into the evening.

Dr Hauschka Lipstick 16 - Pink Topaz - Wears like a strong gloss rather than a bright pink. Build up the layers for more intense colour, or simply slick on a single coat for a gorgeous natural glossy pink.

We’re so excited to have Madara back in stock!

When Madara first hit the UK several years ago; we were one of the first places to stock it. The lovely fresh fragrances derived from Baltic ingredients and pure Ecocert certified organic formulas made this little brand from Latvia a real treat for pure beauty fans. A few years on with the benefit of customer feedback to enable them to make tweaks and changes to perfect the formulations and Madara products are back and better than ever. Massively improved formulas and revamped packaging have brought this lovely brand right up the minute.

It’s re-launched at So Organic on 1^st March 2013 and you can get a Free Moisture Cream worth £18 when you spend over £30 on Madara while stocks last.