Kirsten Stewart is feeling the fall-out from her recent breakup

Hair loss experts warn that stress-related hair loss is on the rise

Kirsten Stewart Hair Loss, stress related hair loss, alopecia areata

Could stress and heartbreak be the cause of Kristen Stewart’s hair loss woes? The Twilight star has been recently spotted with a large bald patch on the side of her head, fuelling rumours that she has been struggling to deal with the recent post break up stress from her ex, Robert Pattison.

Kirsten Stewart, kristen stewart,  bald patch, hair loss,

A recent study by Nourkrin, found that 89% of women questioned found stress had been a major influence on the health of their hair, with it causing thinning and in some cases major hair loss.

The photo provides a rare glimpse of the star’s natural hair – she is usually wearing a cap and hair extensions when filming or being seen in public.

 

It’s not only image-conscious stars like Kirsten relying on extensions to add volume to their hair. The survey also found that two thirds of UK GPs have seen a rise in the number of women distressed and seeking help with hair loss with 70% of these hair loss cases being down to an increase in stress levels.

Dr. Wendy Denning, a Harley Street GP with a specific interest in women’s health comments: “I have seen many cases of thinning hair and hair loss over the years. Although most people think of hair loss being a problem for men, it is surprisingly common for women after the menopause and increasingly in young women. Of course there are many reasons for hair loss including hormonal changes, poor nutrition and certain medications – but one of the most common reasons that is on the rise, is stress-related hair loss”.

Celebrity hairdresser Jo Hansford MBE, whose clients include Angelina Jolie and Gwynenth Paltrow comments “Many of my clients are concerned about hair loss, whether it’s due to stress, hormonal changes such as being pregnant, or general over styling issues. Whatever the problem, it feels good to help them by explaining the benefits of Nourkrin. This is a natural, scientifically proven supplement for thinning hair, hair loss and general hair maintenance. Over time I have really seen the difference that Nourkrin makes to encourage hair growth and to the renewed confidence it gives my clients.” 

Nourkrin Woman 60 Tablets are available here and from Boots or Superdrug.

Skincare Tips for Men

Ben_Affleck to play batmanDon’t use a moisturiser that contains alcohol or perfume after shaving, use a gentle moisturiser. It’s essential to moisturise so that you rehydrate the skin, shaving will strip the skin of its natural moisture.

Do use a face gel/wash for oily, combination skin when cleansing – and a cream cleanser for dry skin.

Don’t dry shave, this can seriously irritate and dry out the skin. Always use a shaving gel or oil. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any products that contain menthol.

Do use any brand. When it comes to skincare, you don’t have to use just the brands targeted for men. If you have similar skin complaints to your girlfriend/mother/sister ask to try their products to see how they work for you.

Don’t rub or pick dry lips; apply a lip balm regularly throughout the day, a stick lip balm is easier and quicker to apply then the balms in little pots.

Do exfoliate dry hands (remove the dry, dead skin) and then moisturise. Start by mixing a little sugar and olive oil together and scrub your hands for roughly a minute, rinse off and then apply some of the olive oil in to your dry hands. For best results, gently warm the olive oil (warm not hot), apply to your hands and then cover your hands with a pair of cotton socks. Leave for a few hours or for even better results, leave on overnight.

Don’t leave sweaty skin after a workout. If you notice breakouts on your body after exercising, use a medicated wash to cleanse the skin as soon as possible after each session. If you don’t have time to shower, quickly wipe over your skin with a clean, cotton flannel and change out of your sweaty workout clothes. Always use a clean flannel and towel.

Do’s and Don’ts from highly-experienced facial therapist, Bravura London founder and Mum of Three, Amanda Elias.

Errol Douglas MBE Wins Creative Talent At Creative Head Most Wanted Awards

Errol Douglas MBE, one of the world’s most influential hairdressers, has secured the coveted Creative Talent 2013 honour, awarded to “a creative director or senior stylist with exceptional artistic skills”, at this year’s Creative Head Most Wanted Awards 2013. The A List Stylist, with over 3 decades in the industry, is also a nominee (his 17th consecutive nomination) for British Hairdresser Of The Year, the current President of the British Fellowship For Hairdressing and Hair Magazine’s 2013 “Hair Hero” winner. He recently launched a range of electrical tools in Boots Stores, including the first Keratin-capsule system heated styler on the high street

errol douglas, wins, award

Douglas is known for his spectacular photographic work, his highly respected mentor role within the industry and his established Belgravia salon with high profile clients spanning film, fashion, music and business. On his win, Douglas said: “I love this industry, I’ve loved it since I first began at 11 years old, and to be recognised in this way is an absolute honour. I’m obviously delighted”

Congratulations from us Errol.

Little Mix to launch exclusive makeup range

Leading makeup brand COLLECTION is partnering with British girl band Little Mix to launch a makeup range that will let fans recreate each girl’s signature look.

 Little Mix, makeup, beauty,

Best known for on-trend colour cosmetics, COLLECTION has been working closely with global pop sensations Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards to develop “Little Mix by COLLECTION’.

 

The four-piece shot to fame when they became the first girl group to win X-Factor.  Their debut single ‘Wings’ soared straight to number one in the UK charts and international success swiftly followed when they reached number four in the US Billboard chart with their debut album ‘DNA’.

 

Not only are the girls known for their music but their very individual style and this has been reflected in the selection of products in each girl’s range. Perrie Edwards says, “We are so so excited to unveil our new range to all you makeup lovers out there. As you know we all love dressing up and experimenting with different looks, so creating our own makeup was a dream come true. We designed the collection ourselves and we’ve all chosen products that reflect our personalities”

 

Little Mix by Collection will hit stores in September so watch this space!

Top Beauty Products

There are millions of beauty products out there, so Frost did the hard work and sourced the top beauty products for September.

The Nail Polish and lipstick.

Gothic Glam from Collection. From the 25th of September the Gothic Glam Collection will be available in Superdrug. Perfect for vampy dark nails and statement lips. There are three new shades of lipstick and four darkly chic nail colours. At £2.99 for the lipstick and £3.19 for the nail polish, you can afford to experiment.

The Health Kick

We reviewed Krill Oil. Full of Omega-3 fatty acids. Harvested from Antarctic krill, a shrimp like crustacean that lives below the ocean. Full of DHA, EPA’s and astaxanthin. Our writer had less joint pain and an improvement in their back pain. They also think their memory improved. Sounds good. www.krilloil.com

The Calmer

eau-thermale-avene-thermal-spring-water-150ml-532-expanded

During these hot summer months  Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray has been a godsend. Cooling us off and improving our skin tone. This 50ml can is even small enough to take traveling. It is perfect for planes. Celebrity fans include Gwyneth Paltrow who says it is a ‘soothing water spray for irritated skin. It’s also good as a quick refresher on a hot day. I know lots of makeup artists who use it, as it helps set makeup.” and Sophie Dahl says it keeps her skin from getting dry. Angelina Jolie is also a fan. It is only £3.15 for the 50ml spray and £6.50 for 50ml. Bargain.

The Unsung Beauty Hero

Cuticura-Anti-Bacterial-Hand-Serum-181563

How many times a day do you think you touch your face? Research shows that we touch common objects 3.3 times per hour and our face 3.6 times. The germs transfer to the face and may lead to skin irritations, bacterial and viral infections. Step in Cuticura and its range of antibacterial skin care solutions.

I always carry their Cuticura Anti Bacterial Hand Serum in my bag. Especially as a women’s handbag is supposed to have as much bacteria as the average toilet. Ew. It protects hands from germs for up to 8 hours. It kills 99.99% of germs and only costs £3.49 for 200ml. Unlike other antibacterial hand gels, it also keeps hands soft and smells nice.

I also love their Cuticura Hand Hygiene Anti-Bacterial Wipes Which I use to clean my makeup bag, brushes and my handbag. I also use their Anti Bacterial Hand wash. It is good for my dry skin and also protects for up to 3 hours. They cost £2.49 from Sainsbury’s, Superdrug and independent pharmacies.

The Toxin Free Nail Polish

dielle-basics-nail-colour

Toxin Free Nail Polish is huge now. People are taking much more care about what they put on their face and nails. Dielle Nail polish is made in France and free from toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, camphor and pthalic acid. Great quality and the polish will dry in seconds. www.dielle.co.uk

The Tough Love

beauty, beauty review, top beauty products

The Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter Tough Stuff Body Scrub may have a very long name but just call it CB Tough Stuff. These great sachets from tanning brand Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter tackles rough areas for a smooth silhouette. It also removes stubborn old tan and prepares skin for the next application. This scrub from the best-selling Irish brand is perfect for knees, elbows, feet, ankles and hands. £4.50 for 50ml X 2 at feelunique.com

The Vegan Multi-tasker.

steamcream, moisturiser, beauty, tin, beauty review

I saw Steamcream being made recently. It was pretty cool. They use the finest 100% vegan, fresh ingredients. This amazing moisturiser is made with steam, this unique method creates a super moisturising cream with added essential oils. Available in over 25 countries and suitable for sensitive skin. The beauty elite love it. Available from Selfridges and John Lewis.

The Exfoliating Body Cream

Top Beauty Products

Docteur Renaud Peach Exfoliating Body Cream. Brilliant stuff that leaves you silky smooth. Helps with lumps and bumps. Just really good stuff that works. Available from Marks & Spencers.

The Organic Balm

organic, beauty, balm.

Niki’s Organic Balm’s are a blend of organic oils, essential oils and beeswax. Niki trained as a homeopath and a reflexologist. She was surprised how many balms were petroleum or mineral based oil. She bought beeswax, oils, essential oils and started making her own foot balms. Her balms are antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial. They smell fantastic and she now has a few different varieties. Her original balm is good for everything from cold sores, insect bites and cracked heels. I talked to Niki’s son about her balms and the family passion really came through. Great balms that work. http://www.nikisbalms.co.uk

The Water

Volvic Tropical-Fruits-50cl review

Keeping hydrated is very important for good skin and health. Volvic Touch of Fruit’s newest edition, Tropical Fruits Flavour tastes great. Combining Volvic Natural Mineral Water and a tasty blend of pineapple, mango, and passion fruit flavours, it made us feel like we were on holiday. Great when you want something more than water, watch out for the sugar content though. 

Volvic Touch of Tropical Fruits is available in 50cl and 1.5l bottles from Tesco and independent stores (RRP 80p for 50cl, and 99p for 1.5l.

 

What is your top beauty product?

Top Health & Beauty Buys

Trying to get fit and healthy? Let Frost help you with our top health and beauty buys for August.

Lunaling Hotpants

This UK based company sell capri pants which make weight loss  4X greater. Lunaling increase the core body temperature by an average of 18% more than the control garment, which leads to an increase in metabolism.

Tested on 9 women with an average BMI of 23.3. All test subjects performed 30 minutes of exercise in Lunaling as well as in a standard control garment.

Lunaling was tested at a top UK university’s physiology laboratories. Researchers monitored a pool of women who wore Lunaling and then standard exercise clothes to gauge their physiological responses before, during, and after a 30-minute exercise session.

The researchers calculated the women’s weight loss, core/skin temperatures, and energy expenditure. The women exercised at a level that matched the average gym goer’s reasonably demanding – but not too intense – training.

We have tried them and they really work.

http://www.lunaling.com/.

 Patch-It

I have tried all of the different type of Patch-it now. The Circulation Patch-it really feels like it is working and changes the temperature in the lower part of your body. I love them and they have menthol in which is know to be benefical to health circulation. They definitely made a difference to my legs. If you exercise or walk/run a lot these help your aching and swollen limbs. These foot patches support healthy blood flow and reduce swelling by up to 53%, as well as minimising any numbness or discomfort.

Ciculation Patch-it review Sleep patch-it review

The Sleep Patch-it resulted in three days good sleep. Could be a coincidence but I really think not. The patches stay on well and come of easily, there are not painful like plasters.

The plaster style reflexology patches which you place on the soles of your feet before bed to soothe, calm and relax the body and mind. This means there is no need for restless nights and the consequent cravings for sugar loaded snacks the following day.

The patches deliver FAR-infrared energy (the same energy waves emitted by the sun) that stimulate key reflexology points on the feet. Additionally, each patch contains 100% certified organic essential oils including Lavender to calm, Sage to balance, Bergamot to relax and Ylang Ylang to comfort.

Detox Patch-it. You can also see all of the toxins come out of the foot when you take it off in the morning. Yuk but satisfying to see the results of the detox. We love these and I really think they work.

Detox Patch-It, Circulation Patch-It and Sleep Patch-it is available from Holland & Barrett stores nationwide. £3.99 for 2 patches or £29.99 for 20 patches.

Detox Power Yoga DVD

Detox Power Yoga DVD

It is always great to shake up your workout and we loved this detox power yoga with Andrea Kubasch. It is a five day detox programme and after we finished we felt amazing and rejuvenated. The DVD breaks down into the following workouts.
1) Detox Cleanse (13 mins)
Get fired up with this weekly foundation practice that uses variations of standing Sun Salutations. Burn calories, tone your body, and improve endurance and stamina.

2) Detox Core (10 mins)
Turn up the heat with this extraordinarily deep abdominal exercise. Awaken sluggish organs, stretch scar tissue and fuel the fire.

3) Detox Flow (13 mins)
This calorie blasting, higher intensity practice will help you create a sleek, firm, flexible and strong body while also removing tension through breath, movement and meditation in motion.

4) Detox Shine (12 mins)
Feel alert, energised and revitalised; relax the body and clarify your mind; and enjoy the results coming out of the week with this soothing and calming practice.

5) Detox Yoga Nidra – Deep Sleep (12 mins)
Guided relaxation: A program used after each practice, which can also be done on its own.

A brilliant workout DVD. Especially good if you do not have a lot of time. Andrea Detox Flow Yoga DVD is available here Gaiam Detox Power Yoga and we highly recommend it.

Detox Patch-it, red lightening review, Top Health & Beauty Buys

Start your day with a Nature’s Plus Red Lightning powder sachet and feel electric. Each sachet is packed with over thirty whole food extracts including cranberry and pomegranate, giving it an antioxidant punch, perfect for curing those sore alcohol induced heads. It’s the perfect way to start your festival day! We also tried the Green Lightening and Rainbow Lightening and we felt incredibly healthy and energetic. Great for a pick me up or an especially challenging day – or day after.

Ateronon

Our writer has been taken these for a while and looks years younger. If you have not heard of it you will soon, these little pills are great.

Key information:

  • Found in tomatoes and red fruits, lycopene benefits the skin, promoting firmness and elasticity.
  • A recent study found people who had a lycopene rich diet had higher levels of carotenoids, strong antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and can have a positive effect on ageing skin.
  • Lycopene contributes to protecting your retinas from sun damage, which can lead to a gradual loss of vision over time. It can also help to block some ultraviolet rays.
  • Ateronon is the only supplement that has been proven to increase lycopene levels in the body with daily use.
  • One-a-day food supplement, Ateronon, is the only LactoLycopene supplement on the market. LactoLycopene is a patented ingredient, which allows lycopene to be absorbed into the blood.
  • One Ateronon capsule is the equivalent to eating one kilo of tomatoes cooked in olive oil every day.
  • Ateronon has been shown in studies to increase the flexibility of arteries by 53%, allowing better blood flow around the body.
  • Ateronon is priced from £23.99 per box of 30 capsules.
  • Ateronon is available here.

top health and beauty buys, review, health, beauty, back pain

Deep Relief

Brilliant for anyone suffering from back pain. Just rub this Deep Relief in and the pain is bearable. This stuff really worked on my back pain. No need to grin and bear it as so many other people do, see below.

A grim portrait of pain has been revealed by a new study for Deep Relief, a topical, clinically proven analgesic gel which uses both analgesic ibuprofen and counter-stimulant levomenthol to deliver a dual attack on pain to provide, effective pain relief.

In this survey of 1000 adults, almost half (43%) said they were blighted by pain on a daily basis. A similar proportion (45%) reported living with pain for more than five years. The back is the number one sore spot with more than half of pain sufferers reporting the lower back to be the main source of discomfort. The neck and shoulders come a close second affecting two out of five (42%) people.

Commenting on this latest pain data, Dr Sarah Brewer a media GP notes: “Worryingly, this new Deep Relief report revealed that three out of five (60%) who suffer regular aches and pains put their health at risk because they rely on oral pain-relief pills. Long term use of oral painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen has been linked with a corrosive effect on the digestive system and long term use of ibuprofen and diclofenac at high doses have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack.It is estimated that this family of medicines, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, is responsible for 2,600 deaths a year and 12,000 hospital admissions out of 25 million prescriptions not to mention the number of people that buy NSAIDs Over The Counter.

 

GRIN AND BEAR

A staggering one in two people (48%) simply ‘grin and bear pain’. Standing for long periods (41%), household chores (40%) and sitting at a desk for long periods (33%) all aggravate discomfort and a third (32%) report that cold weather makes their pain worse.

 

Nagging pain can also have a huge emotional impact, with a third (29%) admitting they get upset because it restricts their activities and the same number complaining they are constantly exhausted.

 

“This can become a vicious cycle as there is evidence to show that low mood lowers our pain threshold and depression increases our sensitivity to pain, which makes it feel worse.” Dr Sarah Brewer

 

Dr Brewer adds: “The survey found that pain also prevented one in four respondents from exercising, which may exacerbate this downward spiral. In fact, we know that exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins, so remaining as active as possible is an important part of pain control in long-term conditions such as arthritis.”

 

Using an effective topical pain relief product such as Deep Relief gel can help maintain mobility and prevent pain from undermining the ability to enjoy daily life.

 

In summary, Dr Brewer notes: “This survey also found that two out of five (38%) people had not discussed their pain problems with their GP or a pharmacist and as a result many may be unaware of the risks associated with oral painkillers, and the potential for interactions with other medicines such as blood-thinning drugs. A number of studies have linked the long-term use of NSAIDs to serious side-effects and these medicines must be treated with respect. Sadly, almost one third (31%) of respondents in the Deep Relief survey believed there is nothing they can do to prevent pain.

 

Overall this survey paints a grim picture of debilitating pain in a significant proportion of the UK population together with a worrying lack of knowledge on how to treat it.”

 

However, the good news is that Deep Relief is a topical analgesic gel which uses two weapons to help fight pain – analgesic ibuprofen and counter-irritant  levomenthol — to deliver a dual attack on pain which has been clinically proven to provide, effective relief.

 

The ibuprofen reduces pain by damping down inflammation and swelling while the levomenthol provides a counter-irritant effect which delivers cooling pain relief.

 

“And the synergistic action of these two key ingredients enhances penetration of the ibuprofen suggesting that Deep Relief may deliver more analgesia than products containing ibuprofen alone.

 

Deep Relief has been subjected to a randomised, double-blind placebo controlled trial — the toughest scientific test there is — and is proven to significantly reduce pain in walking, standing and at rest.

So if you suffer from muscular mild to moderate pain niggles opt for a topical pain relieving gel like Deep Relief gel. However, if the pain becomes severe or worsens, always seek GP advice immediately.

 

LEVOMENTHOL NO LONGER A MYSTERY

Menthol has been used to relieve aches and pains for centuries but it is only recently that scientists have begun to understand how it works.

 

Messages to the brain are relayed via a system of transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels which act as gateways on cells and allow electrical signals to pass back and forth.

 

A 2007 study at the University of California confirmed that one of these TRP ion channels — known as TRPM8 — is not only essential to signal the sensation of cold, but also responds to menthol. This means at a cellular level these chemical messengers cannot tell the difference between something which is physically cold and the menthol-induced sensation of cold — so applying menthol activates the same pain-relieving response as an ice-pack and triggers a barrage of ‘it’s cold’ signals to the brain which compete with pain signals and dilute their message.

 

Another piece of the puzzle emerged last year in a study from researchers at the Research Center for Neurobiology and Neurophysiology at Aix-Marseilles University who suspected that menthol’s pain relieving properties went beyond this counter-irritant distraction.

 

Their laboratory tests confirmed that menthol also blocks at least three of the ion channels which relay the sensation of pain and they reported: “We found that low concentrations of menthol cause analgesia.

This shows that menthol works in two ways: by both blocking pain signals and by diluting the impact of those which get through to the brain.

 

Another advantage of adding menthol to a pain-relieving gel is that it aids the penetration of ibuprofen. In vitro studies show that when levomenthol — the type of menthol used in Deep Relief — is added to ibuprofen 2.6 times more analgesic is absorbed by the skin in the first hour and at ten hours the combination of ibuprofen and levomenthol delivers 1.4 times more analgesia than ibuprofen alone.

 

Deep Relief is the only topical NSAID to combine ibuprofen and levomenthol to provide this two-pronged approach to pain-relief.

All products available from Holland & Barrett, Amazon and Boots

Bare-faced confidence comes with age, new statistics reveal

Models in Hair and MakeupForget mascara, lippie and foundation: 46-plus women are anything but concealers

Half of women let their partners see them with no makeup all the time, research by Fragrance Direct has revealed, and women aged 46-plus are most likely to let a partner see them without cosmetics after spending just one day together.

The bare-faced approach is by far the most popular. Across all the combined age groups, 50 per cent of women go makeup-free around their partners all the time. This surpasses the small number who answered that they never let their partner see them makeup-free (two per cent) and those who answered ‘only when I’m ill’ (two per cent). Slightly more said they only bare all straight after a shower (four per cent), or just before bed (seven per cent), and more women still (35 per cent) said their partner sees them without makeup ‘around the house’. However, the clear favourite indicates that regularly going makeup-free is the preferred choice during a relationship.

The poll found that it is most common to reveal a makeup-free face to a partner within the first month (with 46 per cent of respondents waiting this long). However, women aged over 46 are the quickest to go without cosmetics in front of their partner, with the highest proportion of women who said their partners see them product-free the next day after starting a relationship being in the 46-plus age bracket.

Anne, 41 year-old personal trainer and weight management coach discusses the possible reasons for the apparent increase in confidence that allows more women aged 46-plus to go makeup-free: “I feel that as you get older, people see you in a different light, or are looking for different things – it’s as though they are looking for the ‘real’ you.”

Anne goes on to talk about the role of makeup within a relationship: “There are probably less games to play as you get older, so not wearing makeup at all isn’t really a big deal. When you are younger you have the feeling that you need to continuously impress.”

 

Liz Earle’s Skin-Saving Salads & Dressing Recipes for Summer Picnics

Liz Earle on sensational salads and skin friendly dressings

The perfect choice for Bank Holiday picnics

liz earle, summer salads, beauty tips, beauty, tips, advice, recipes

Heading out for a family picnic? Look no further for some healthy pack-and-go recipes from Liz Earle, creator of the award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Co., mother of five and organic farmer. When time is tight but you still want something tasty everyone will enjoy, try these simple summer salad suggestions packed with skin-saving goodness to help nourish sun-kissed skins.

 

SENSTAIONAL SALADS

Chopped salads are a simple way of combining local, fresh and seasonal skin-friendly foods in one healthy picnic dish. Each of the recipes here is designed to be prepared in advance and put into plastic boxes, perfect to keep fresh when travelling. They make great office lunch-boxes too. Here are Liz’s personal favourites:

 

Sunshine Salad
Serves 6
For the dressing:

150ml (1/2 pint) cold pressed olive oil or rape seed oil
25ml (1fl oz) fresh lime juice
2tsps French mustard
freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

4 large carrots, scrubbed and grated
225g (8oz) mixed salad leaves, such as spinach, radicchio, frisḗ
e, oakleaf and Batavia leaves, endive and lamb’s lettuce
50g (2oz) sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
50g (2oz) hazelnuts, almonds or pecans, finely chopped

Combine the salad ingredients together in a large bowl and mix thoroughly before transferring to a picnic box. Next, mix together the dressing ingredients and store in an airtight container or jam jar, ready to shake and drizzle over the salad just before eating. Sun-dried tomatoes keep well for picnics but you can also replace with twice the amount of cherry tomatoes, which also travel well. Both kinds of tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, an important antioxidant that may help prevent sunburn, reddening of the skin in the sun and even some kinds of skin cancers.

 

Herb Salad
This tasty all-leaf salad makes a great accompaniment to a cold pasta or rice salad. Don’t be tempted to make a more complicated dressing – let the herb flavours speak for themselves.

Serves 4

300g (11oz) mixed salad leaves such as; spinach, radicchio, frisee, chicory, rocket (argula)
50g (2oz) mixed fresh herbs such as; chevrl, basil, parsley, coriander
2tbsps (30ml) olive oil, rape seed or walnut oil
1tsp (5ml) lemon juice

Mix the salad leaves and place into a picnic container, or put into a bag ready to tip into a salad serving bowl. Mix the remainder of the ingredients in a travel container or jam jar. Shake well to mix before drizzling over the salad before serving. Green leafy salads, such as baby spinach, rocket and lambs lettuce, are an especially useful source of skin-friendly beta-carotene, an important antioxidant that helps prevent the free-radical cell damage that leads to premature skin ageing. Each of the plant oils suggested here is a good source of the skin-plumping essentially fatty acids that help keep skin soft and smooth.

 

DELICIOUS DRESSINGS

Dressings are the fastest way to liven up raw vegetables and salad combinations, making summer salads tastier whilst adding more skin-saving nutrients. The thicker dressings are based on yoghurt and can also be used as dips for raw veggie crudités. For the thickest dips, use a Greek-style yoghurt. Quick and easy to prepare in advance, simply store in a plastic sealable pot or jam jar to pack with your summer picnic.

 

Fine French Dressing
If stored tightly sealed in the fridge, this dressing will also keep for up to a week.
Makes 300ml (1/2 pint)

175ml (6fl oz) unrefined sunflower or safflower oil
120ml (4fl oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice
freshly ground black pepper
1/2tsp mustard, Dijon or whole grain can be used
1/2tsp freshly grated root ginger
1-2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

Put all the ingredients in a screw-top jar, replace the lid and shake vigorously to mix well. This twist on the traditional classic has added fresh ginger for a unique zingy freshness. Works especially well when combined with skin-cleansing salads based on cucumber, chicory and fennel.

 

Cucumber Dressing
A delicious, refreshing dressing that also works well on sliced avocados, one of the richest sources of the skin-saving antioxidant vitamin E.
Serves 2-4

150g (5oz) cucumber
150g (5oz) natural low-fat, plain live (bio) yoghurt
1tsbp cider vinegar
1 sprig of dill
½ tsp dried sill seeds

Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor (or hand-held whisk) until the dressing is smooth and creamy. The bio yoghurt is packed with healthy acidophilus, the beneficial intestinal bacteria that can also help to keep skin clear.

 

Yoghurt and Chive Dressing
Serves 2-4

150ml (1/2 pint) natural low-fat, plain live (bio) yoghurt
1tbsp lemon juice
1tbsp Dijon mustard
2tbsp chopped chives
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
freshly ground black pepper

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together, adding black pepper to season, and stir vigorously. Alternatively, place ingredients in a large, screw-top jar, replace the lid and shake well. Yoghurt and chives are a tasty, skin-friendly combo containing calcium and vitamin C.

 

Orange and Tamari Dressing
Tamari sauce is made from soya beans and is similar to soy sauce. This tangy recipe works very well with raw baby spinach or dark green salad leaves. It is also a useful dressing for those who dislike vinegar.
Serves 2-4

150ml (1/2 pint) freshly squeezed orange juice
1tsp grated orange peel
2tbsps tamari sauce
1tsp finely chopped fresh root ginger
3tsbsps cold-pressed olive oil
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together and stir well before using. Alternatively, put the ingredients into a large, screw-top jar, replace the lid and shake well. Use organically grown oranges where possible, alternatively, scrub the skins in mildly water to remove fungicide residues and rinsing well before grating. A cleansing and refreshing dressing, rich in the skin-saving antioxidant vitamins A (in the form of beta-carotene from the oranges), vitamin C (also from the orange juice) and Vitamin E (from the olive oil). Orange peel also contains skin-friendly bioflavonoid nutrients and fresh ginger is a traditional intestinal cleanser.

 

Follow @LizEarleMe on Twitter for more tips on wellbeing.

 

Liz Earle is backing this year’s Sunlight Campaign run by the National Osteoporosis Society to show people how to safely embrace the sun to protect their health. For more information head to: http://www.nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=535