It’s hard to believe that Lavera Faces has been around for over 12 years, it just goes to show that when brands launch products that work they’ll run and run.

Lavera put a huge amount of research into every single product they launch and are constantly striving to refine and improve their formulations.  For the Lavera faces range that means that 2012 is the year the entire range gets a complete makeover and the results are stunning.

Fresh and up to the minute packaging that clearly communicates what the product is supposed to do, and the ingredients that make it so effective, as well as the products organic credentials which are very high.  The entire Lavera faces range is certified organic by Natrue and is also suitable for Vegans too.

A simplified range that’s a vast improvement:

In an effort to de-clutter and simplify the range, cleansing, toning and scrubs have been divided into two groups:

Gentle, for dry, sensitive and mature skins, and the Purifying-invigorating line for Oily and Combination types.

Normal skin types (lucky devils!) can pick and choose whichever they like.

The cleansers remove make up brilliantly, but Lavera does also make an eye make up remover should you need it for extra stubborn mascara. The toners are refreshing without stripping and the Lavera faces scrub offers gentle effective exfoliation without a hint of scratchiness.

Choose what’s right for your skin type:

The next stage of skincare more closely matches the Lavera faces range skin types we have grown to love so well, but the formulations have been enhanced and brought right up to date for skincare that really feels like a treat for the skin.

Dry skin is nurtured by the Wild Rose range, it suits mature skins too, but these are now brilliantly catered for by the Lavera My Age line.

Normal to combination skin should choose the calendula range, which now boasts a new addition in the form of a special mask for combination skin, as well as an enhanced formula for the much loved Lavera Faces balancing cream.

The products for Oily skin are a vast improvement with a much more sophisticated formula for the moisturiser which helps to mattify the complexion but also features hyaluronic acid to give hydration without greasiness. The jewel in the crown however, has to be the Lavera Faces 2 in 1 Anti Blemish treatment. Previously just a lipstick style medication concealer stick that was hard to blend and felt heavy, it now incorporates two brilliant treatments in a handbag handy product. An organic serum packed with ingredients specially chosen to purify the skin and aid healing in a clever little roller ball that applies the product just where it’s needed. At the other end is a soft and creamy concealer in a neutral shade that’s easy to dot into position with a wand to be blended to perfection with a (clean!) finger.

I’m really delighted to see such a fabulous revamp of a much loved range and hope you’ll love it as much as I do.

If you feel like giving it a try why wait? UK delivery is Free so why not order some Lavera Faces Skincare and see for yourself?

With the warmer days of summer just around the corner, it’s time to turn our thoughts to summer skin care. Leave behind the days of heavy winter creams, perfect for protecting against the cold, but far too rich for summer, when you need light as air formulations to instantly hydrate without a hint of greasiness and fresh cleansers and toners to leave skin feeling clean and clear.

Here’s our top picks for a summer routine to leave skin feeling fresh as a daisy.

If the warmer weather has to reaching for a face wash rather than your regular cleanser, Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser (£22.50) is a great choice. Although best for combination skin types its gentle formula won’t strip and can be a good summer choice for drier types too.  If washes are not your thing, the One Step Cleanser and Toner from Weleda (£10.16) is another good bet. A milky lotion that’s good for removing make up and these days of decreasing baggage allowances it’s 2 in 1 cleansing and toning formulation mean you can downsize your toiletries bag.

Don’t rule out toners altogether though, as there’s nothing to beat the refreshing spritz of a gentle organic toner when summer weather’s left you hot and bothered. Barefoot Rosa Fina Facial Spritz (£17) is an exquisitely scented treat and as it’s a handy sized 30ml can even be taken as a carry on. Trilogy’s toner (£17.50) is beautiful too and comes in a bigger 100ml bottle to help your budget go further.

Much as we love the sun, it’s important not to forget to protect skin from its damaging rays and in summer a moisturiser with an SPF is a must. New for 2012 is Lovea’s SPF50 face cream (£15.99), which will give your skin ultimate protection in a certified organic formula. If SPF50 is a little too high for you, our perennial best seller is Green People Day Solution SPF15 (£14.95). A best seller for good reason, this is an organic beauty classic that suits all skin types and offers great value for money.  In the evening or when you want a break from your SPF cream, summer calls for ultra light moisturising lotion to hydrate your skin without overloading it with oil, as the warm weather causes us to perspire more and our skin can feel a little oilier in summer too. The NEW Iris Hydrating Lotion from Weleda (£10.95) fits the bill perfectly as a lightweight option for al skin types

With the all important summer facial routine sorted you might want to consider summer options for body care too.

We love the new certified organic sunscreens from Lovea Bio with SPFs from 15 to 50, tanning sprays and after sun they have the complete package for the whole family at a great price. And for summer picnics, plane trips and other times when you might not have access to water to you’re your hand, Bentley Hand Sanitizer (£3.05) is a perfect handbag standby.

Lavera’s 2 in1 hair and body wash (£6.45) is a brilliant holiday buy to help downsize your bag but don’t forget that after the ravages of sun, sea and sand your hair might need a little extra TLC so why not treat it to a hair mask for either normal or dry hair?

And at the end of the day in the sun, it always feels so good to smooth on some body lotion and treat skin to much need moisture boost. If your budget can stretch the Dr Hauschka Body Moisturisers (from £22.95) are a real delight. Light fluid formulas that absorb instantly but leave skin as deeply hydrated as much heavier creams. A budget priced alternative would be Weleda Mallow Body Lotion (£9.95), but do treat yourself to Dr H if and when you can. It and you are worth it!

Don’t forget if you need any advice on choosing the perfect products for you just contact us or call on 020 8465 5600, our skin care experts are always happy to help.

Happy Summer!

If you’re not keen on clogging your pores with aluminium, whilst inhaling a cloud of irritating allergen laden synthetic fragrance, then you’ll probably want to steer well clear of the majority of antiperspirants you’ll find on the high street.

Does it really work? That’s probably the most frequently asked question about organic deodorant, and the short answer is yes. If you choose the right one (we can help with that!) and know what to expect then organic deodorant is great and has a lot to recommend it over its high street alternative.

If you don’t want to bother with the explanation and just want our top recommendations for organic deodorant that works then scroll down  the page, for those interested in why they work, read on…

Sweating & Smelling Are Not The Same:

Deodorants and antiperspirants are not the same thing. Deodorants help to stop us smelling while antiperspirants aim to stop us sweating. The super dry effect that we so often seek is the work of an antiperspirant.

Modern antiperspirants suppress the body’s vital function of perspiration by using aluminium salts like aluminium chlorohydrate to block the pores and prevent the perspiration coming out. Although we like the feeling of dryness under our arms this is actually a signal that we have prevented our bodies doing what they are supposed to. Sweating is one of the key ways our bodies get rid of toxins and blocking up our pores we are hampering this process.  

So perspiration is not necessarily a bad thing, but how to avoid being a smelly billy no-mates?

In fact perspiration does not smell bad; it’s the bacteria that feed on the dampness that cause the unpleasant smell. The way to avoid this is to use ingredients that will not allow the bacteria to thrive. Organic deodorant that works uses ingredients such as potassium alum, or ammonium alum, otherwise known as crystal deodorant to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent smelliness.

Organic deodorants won’t clog your pores or inhibit your body’s natural functions, but they will keep you smelling sweet! We test deodorants thoroughly before adding them to our range, because if it doesn’t stop you smelling then it’s not a deodorant is it?

Our Pick of Organic Deodorant That Works:

Our favourite and the first roll on deodorant that worked well enough to gain our seal of approval was the Gentle Control range by Green People. Rosemary has a warm herbal scent, Aloe vera is sweeter and fresh and No Scent is completely free from fragrance for those with extremely sensitive skin. There are also 2 versions for men, Stay Cool with mint, lavender and eucalyptus or Stay Fresh with thyme, lemon and clove It uses potassium alum to limit the growth of bacteria and essential oils to give a pleasant scent.

If you prefer a spray then Weleda’s deodorants are our top recommendation. They contain alcohol which limits bacterial growth and therefore stinkiness and they are great to keep in your bag for a refreshing spritz of the lovely natural scents throughout the day. Consumer trials found that the rose fragrance lasts up to 9 hours.

Why choose an organic deodorant?

• Conventional deodorants contain paraben preservatives which can accumulate in the body. None of our deodorants contain parabens

• Our deodorants are fragranced with essential oils which have skin care benefits rather than synthetic fragrance which can be irritating

• Modern antiperspirants suppress the body’s vital function of perspiration by using aluminium salts like aluminium chlorohydrate to block the pores, our natural deodorants do not.

What are you waiting for? UK delivery is Free so why not order an organic deodorant that works today?

So it's time we must accept summer is truly over and the frosty morns of winter are within weary sight, but that's no excuse to jump into hibernation just yet.

In fact, now's the best time to give your skin a quick lift, to shed the dry cells of those fading summer tans and re-boost and re-energise with some much needed beauty treatments and tender care.

Here are a few quick tips to do just that:

 • Mist It: Toner sprays are terrific to revive the face with a spray of fresh nutrients. Toners containing rose are particularly nourishing as they offer the added boost of antioxidants and moisturising properties.

• Scrub It: Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Using body scrubs helps the body to shed dry and dead skin cells - which after a summer of intense UV rays (well for those who holidayed in the Mediterranean at least) and drying out will be just what the skin doctor ordered. Using broad strokes towards the heart will help boost circulation, pumping blood faster around your body to keep you a little warmer as those chilly days start to creep in.

• Eat more berries: Increase your intake of foods that are loaded with antioxidants like raspberries and blueberries. Mexican and red kidney beans are also very high sources of antioxidants, as is green tea. These will not only strengthen your immune system they help to brighten and lift even the dullest of skin. For more healthy nutrition tips, why not come and see Matthew Reay our Nutritonal Therapist?

October 17th-23rd is Back Care Awareness week.

This year,  the focus is on the potential ill effects of children carrying heavy school bags each day.

Heavy bags put pressure on the discs between the spinal vertebrae, which can cause long term back pain in small and still-developing bodies.

Potential long-term effects may include: strains to the neck and shoulders resulting in headaches and early development of poor posture.

To try and keep your child pain-free, a few useful pointers to remember are:

- It is best to use a backpack rather than other types of bags, as it will avoid straining one shoulder alone, but even a backpack should not be overloaded.

- Buy a sturdy bag with wide and adjustable shoulder straps for your child.

- Check your child’s posture with the bag on. Make sure the child is not slouching or leaning forward.

- Make sure only necessary items are in the bag.

- Encourage your child to use their locker to its full capacity for any items they do not need to carry to and fro between school and home.

If you have any back care concerns why not book a consultation with Muniba Malik our Osteopath? Read more about Osteopathy...