JULY 2023 EDITION

Summer is a great time of year to take advantage of all the wonderful seasonal produce that’s available. Of late, there’s been a lot of press coverage about the dangers of ultra-processed food, and the myriad benefits of incorporating more wholefoods into our diet.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are all rich in nutrients and can be more easily absorbed and utilised by the body. I have always had a keen interest in nutrition and, whilst developing Cotswold Remedies, I have garnered so much information on the power of plants to improve the way we look and feel. I strongly advocate the idea of nourishing your body from inside to out.

In a recent episode of Michael Mosley’s BBC Radio 4 series, ‘Stay Young’, he interviewed Dr Raja Sivamani (University of California) about the benefits of eating carotenoid-rich fruit and vegetables to reduce wrinkles. They discussed a recent study which showed that eating half a cup of mango each day reduced the size of existing wrinkles and the number of emerging ones within just a few months. So, what is it about these delicious tropical fruits that can improve the way that our skin looks? The answer lies in the carotenoids that they contain, which have a miraculous ability to activate cells in our skin to produce more collagen and hyaluronic acid that will leave skin looking plumper and more youthful. Whilst the study focussed on mangoes, the non-mango eaters amongst you will be reassured to know that peppers, pumpkins and tomatoes are also rich in carotenoids. As the saying goes, ‘eat the rainbow’ – just try to add in some mango if you can!

Mangos are a great addition to a healthy breakfast of Greek yoghurt, are wonderful in a salsa, and are a popular addition to dishes featuring prawns or crayfish. Meera Sodha has some great recipes which I can’t wait to try this summer. Her Paneer, Mango and Tamarind Salad – pictured below – looks delicious! For this recipe and other culinary gems, have a look at her book,
Fresh India.

Liquid goodness

As is the case with food, I also believe that we should avoid skincare products that have been ultra-processed with added synthetic ingredients. I tend to avoid using moisturisers for this reason. In order for the water and oil-based ingredients to be combined, they usually require the addition of emulsifiers, preservatives, texture enhancers and heat processing in their production. I developed our Collagen Boost Face Oil as a way of providing the benefits of oil-based active ingredients in the purest way possible. Our gua sha beauty tool is a fantastic way of working the oil deeper into the skin whilst giving the face a lovely massage to plump up skin and improve its overall condition.

My passion for hard-working natural products inspires me every day to work on new formulations that will make a real difference. I’m especially excited about the serum that I have been developing over the past year. It is highly concentrated and minimally processed and is a real powerhouse of a product – early tests are looking extremely promising! I hope to introduce it to you soon, so watch this space. In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview of some of the ingredients that have a starring role:

• RetinART
  New to the beauty market, this 100% natural retinol alternative has all the benefits with none of the irritation. In anti-aging and photoaging studies, it has out-performed retinol in terms of elasticity, firmness and wrinkle depth in as little as 2 weeks.

• Vitamin C
  Loved by dermatologists, this high-performance ingredient has skin-boosting and antioxidant power. It neutralises free radicals caused by UV rays and pollution, and protects the skin from premature ageing.

• Hyaluronic Acid
  Despite featuring acid in its name, this is an incredibly gentle hydrator which makes skin soft, plump and more youthful looking.

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
  A brilliant multi-tasker, niacinamide is finally gaining the attention it deserves. As well as regulating oil secretion and delivering a layer of antibacterial goodness to clear congestion without drying the skin out, this ultra-gentle ingredient also helps to strengthen the skin barrier and enhance the production of ceramides that moisturise the skin.

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