It’s that time of year again. Most of us have been hiding our bodies away behind bulky knits, warm socks and long trousers. Now the sun is here it’s time to dust off our summer clothes and get ready to expose our bodies to the sun and the world at large. Sometimes trying last Summer’s clothes on can be  real shock especially when you discover a favourite item no longer fits, however what can be more of a shock is the state of our skin. Covered up for 6 months our skin can look tired, dull and lets face it often hairy ! Hands up how many of us neglect our skin over the Winter only to do hasty DIY as soon as the sun shines?

Here are some skin facts that may amaze you

• Our skin is our largest organ weighing up to 4 kgs.
• It can vary in thickness form less than 1mm to 5mm
• It has 3 distinct layers, the dermis, epidermis and sub-cutaneous layer
• We absorb 60 % of what we put on our skin in to our bloodstream.

Many people come to see me complaining of dry skin and ask me what they can do about it. Care for our skin is more about what we put in to our bodies rather than what we put on our skin to try and rectify the problem. The key to healthy, happy skin is a nutritious balanced diet and plenty of water. There are however things we can do to maintain the health of our skin. Avoid using harsh products on the skin or products containing parabens or SLS. These products can strip the skin of its natural goodness leaving it feeling dry and flaky, we then apply more of the product to make it better, to only really make it worse. Try natural, organic products designed to work with the skin. (See the links on the side for some reputable stockists) A daily skin care routine will also help maintain the condition of your skin. A routine that exfoliates, cleanses, tones and moisturises will leave your skin in tip top condition with a fresh and healthy glow, and yes that’s all over, not just your face ! Aromatherapy and massage can also be beneficial. Massage improves the circulation and speeds up the elimination of toxins. Certain base oils such as Rosehip are rich in Vitamin A, ideal for re-generating skin cells and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. There are 6 key essential oils that benefit the skin; Lavender, Sandalwood, Rose,  Geranium, Palmarosa & Roman Chamomile. These oils are beneficial when used in a massage or can be blended with various base products to form a natural skin care product unique to your needs. Herbal oils such as Calendula are also brilliant when treating the skin and can be included in the massage blend or added to the base product. To find out more about using essential oils look out for our forthcoming workshops and our monthly e-zine subscription due to be launched this Summer. In the mean time, enjoy the Sunshine and remember to use sunscreen to protect your skin.