SUMMER SKIN SAVERS

The last few weeks of beautiful spring weather has reminded me I need to introduce you to some skin savers, just for summer. But also to think about your skin care routine and how the weather is going to affect it.

Our skin becomes drier in winter and prone to breakouts, so the products you have been using may need to be tailored coming into summer when there is more moisture in the air and our skin becomes a little oiler. Maybe think about changing your toner and moisteriser.

I have two products to add to your summer skin "first aid" kit. Both aloe vera based, which is deeply moisturising and restorative and blended with specific essential oils to reduce inflammation, burning, itching and natural cell renewal properties to quickly repair damaged skin and natural analgesic properties to reduce pain from sunburn, etc.

The "After Sun" gel is suitable for the whole family. Keep it in the fridge to enhance the cooling effect, although it's not necessary to. Ideally use it after a day in the sun, as opposed to using it as an everyday moisturiser. It will take the heat and sting from sunburned skin and reduce healing time. It comes in 250 ml family size, enough to last a whole summer.

Now, the second product is called "Itchy Bye Bye" and it's used to take the sting and itch out of insect bites, pelican itch, mozzi bites and you could also use it for sunburn. I used it for the last two summers on my son, who is now 2 1/2. As a baby he reacted terribly to mozzi bites, as a lot of babies do. One single mozzi bite would end up in a huge red welt that would itch for days. In the area we live in, unfortunately there is no escaping them in summer! So I found a blend of essential oils to reduce the itching and help heal broken skin. The other wonderful advantage of using and aloe vera gel base, is aloe vera dries on the skin, leaving a fine film which is great for retaining moisture but also for any small breaks in the skin from itching or cracking.

Summer brings a whole range of new health and beauty dilemmas. Again, here is the beauty and the versatility of essential oils. I can adjust your whole skin, body and hair care range to survive the change in weather. And tackle any new obstacles, humidity in particular and wreak havoc on fluid retention. If you have any queries on how to help manage that don't hesitate to contact me.

The Winter Rub

Very conveniently, my two year old came down with a cold recently. Perfect timing to try mummy's new blend!

Children respond so readily to natural therapies. We had the "colds" blend in the oil burner and "winter rub" on his back and chest. It made the house smell so lovely. I even found myself breathing easier. He was definitely a lot calmer and breathing easier.

Young children don't hold back when they don't like something, so I felt reassured when my son came up to me lifting his shirt saying "wub".......

I have given out samples for friends and family to try. Both for adults and children. I am very pleased to say I have received excellent feedback on all fronts.

No Parabens........

Like SLS, Parabens are not an essential ingredient in many items from cosmetics to food and drink. They are used as a preservative. Parabens also have huge negative impact on our health.

Parabens in cosmetics may cause eye and skin irritation and contact dermatitis.

Parabens have displayed estrogenic activity in several tests. In other words, these chemicals mimic the body's own hormones and can thus disrupt endocrine functions in virtually every system in the body.

No Sodium Laurel Sulphate.......

SLS is used in our cosmetic products, shower products, toothpaste, some food items and industrial cleaning products as an emulsifier and degreaser. The potential health risks of being exposed to SLS are scary.

SLS is used in clinical studies as a skin irritant, used to cause irritation to then calculate healing properties of other substances.

SLS is absorbed via the skin even at low levels. This causes huge problems with our endocrine (hormonal) system as SLS mimics the effect oestrogen (a naturally occurring hormone in both men and women) creating havoc with fertility (male fertility included), PMS/PMT symptoms and menopause.

Studies have shown permanent damage to the cornea can result from skin contact to SLS.

In many of the products it is being used in, it is not an essential ingredient. You have to ask why our health and our children's health is being put at risk. SLS is cheap!

ESSENTIAL OILS, NOT JUST FOR OIL BURNERS

As a massage therapist, I have a passion for essential oils and natural therapies. I have worked as a natural therapist for 12 years. Using massage, reflexology and aromatherapy with my clients who reap the benefits. Although I feel essential oils are not being used to their full potential.

These products are made to order, made from your instruction to suit your individual needs. I have a basic range of bath and body products, to which a formulation of essential oils are added after consultation. This range can be used to address dysfunction in just about all your body systems.

Utilise the benefits of essential oils and deliver the blends via premium base products that are safe for you and the environment.

The inspiration for "Natasha James" products, is to utilise the benefits of essential oils and delivering the blends via premium base products that are safe for you and the environment. All the ingredients are FREE from Parabens, Sodium Laurel Sulphates and Petrochemicals.

With this in mind, these products are ideal for anyone with sensitive skin or specific skin conditions. They are also ideal for babies as they don't contain substances that are known dermal irritants and cause skin sensitivities.

Essential oils have been found to have a profound effect the endocrine (hormone) and nervous system. Endocrine and nervous system imbalance are a common problem in modern life. These imbalances create havoc in body, mind and spirit.

"Kid's Stuff" for babies and children is an excellent range that can be used from newborn. The essential oils are beautiful to use on your baby's skin and the washes and lotions do not strip delicate skin of natural oils, leaving the skin soothed and hydrated. The added benefits are using oils to help babies and children sleep help dispel wind and aid digestion. Or even for addressing cradle cap, dermatitis or eczema.

Sodium Laurel Sulphate and Parabens are absorbed into your body and have dire effects on your hormonal system. In particular, Oestrogen. These products are a great alternative for use by a pregnant mother.