Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil

Looking for a classic, no nonsense, hardworking, buck saving, basic & concise product that’s delivers what it promise?

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil is a fast absorbing, preservative free, lightweight ‘ dry ‘ oil ideal for daily moisturising.

A blend of powerful botanical oils such as Rosehip, Sesame and Canols oil together with pure Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E, Skin Therapy Oil is an all-in-one skincare solution.

Formulated with Palmers unique Rapidermal Absorption System for maximum penetration of the epidermal layer allowing the powerful ingredients to deliver targeted benefits.

The 60mL bottle may appear tiny, but this pint sized wonder is full of breakthrough technology targeting SCARS, STRETCH MARKS, DRY & DAMAGED SKIN, UNEVEN SKIN TONE and AGING SKIN. Its unique Rapidermal Absorption Système® allows active ingredients like Vitamin E to penetrate skin really fast, leaving you deeply moisturized yet non greasy. This silky oil will not stain clothing due to its unique texture & superb absorbability.

I am totally amused by how lite & non greasy this oil feels upon application, It almost sinks in immediately & left my skin feeling silky soft. My dry, irritated & itchy skin ( thanks to those flea bites ) was instantly pacified, smoothed & nourished.

In terms of scar battling properties, you could read about Tine’s raves here.

Ingredients : Canola Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Fragrance, Rosa Canina Seed Extract.

A great bargain not to be missed.

de Mamiel Summer Facial Oil

A  moisture-rich and refreshing skin tonic, dM Summer facial oil is designed to protect and brighten the complexion, keeping the skin looking its best during the summer months.

It shields the skin from the summer weather with natural antioxidants, moisturising essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties found in plant extracts and oils.It will also helps to heal skin that is overexposed to sunlight or suffering sensitivities, soothing any discomfort and promoting the skin’s natural repair processes.

A multi-purpose oil that rehydrates dry skin while rebalances oiliness and counteracts enlarged pores.

The application method boosts circulation, improves luminosity and brings a healthy, rosy glow. Those positive and uplifting essential oils will instill you with a sense of relaxed cheerfulness and optimism through the warm summer days and nights.

Your face will look youthful, blooming with vitality and radiance, and your skin feel smooth, supple and rejuvenated.

In Summer, the young energy that arose in Spring expands to its maximum potential. Summer holds the power of maturity: the buds of Spring mature into full flowers and are now able to share their pollen to make more flowers.

Ancient Chinese believed that we should live in harmony with the natural cycles of our environment and recognize the naturally occurring ebb and flow of energy reflected in our bodies. de Mamiel Summer Facial Oil is blended to work in synergy with these changes and put back what nature takes out at a time when it is needed. Summer supports us in enriching our enjoyment of life.  It is an invitation to savour life.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Summer is represented by the heart, the motive power of blood circulation and the root of life. When there is ample heart ” Qi “, then the pulse beats normally and forcefully and the facial complexion is rosy with lustre.

de Mamiel Summer Facial Oil contains ingredients that will look after skin that is “ in bloom ” during the summer months. They will bring optimum levels of moisture to the skin, help protect it from overexposure to the sun or sensitivities brought on by the season and boost complexion to a rosy glow, giving skin all it needs before the slowing down of autumn approaches.

Key ingredients:

Rose de Mai – improves poor circulation; Good for all skin types, especially dry / mature skin, wrinkles and broken capillaries. Picked at full bloom for its full potency, during the month of May just before the de Mamiel Summer Oil is produced. Luxurious and uplifting, helps with insomnia and depression; Instils a sense of love and care.

Clary Sage – relaxes and improves the circulation; Regulates sebum production.

Frankincense – heals skin, works on wrinkles. Protects and releases grief, good for lack of confidence or low self-esteem, expands the mind. Smoothes the flow of ” Qi “

Galbanum – skin healing and regenerative, anti-inflammatory, tonic. Induces feelings of calm.

Geranium – skin healing. Helps with self-expression. Clears heat and strengthens.

Grapefruit – decongesting; Refreshing and balancing for the skin. Relieves and calms nervous tension, especially useful when feeling exhausted from nervous tension. Clears heat.

Jasmine – good for dry, itchy skin. Uplifting, helps with anxiety, fear, low vitality and lack of confidence. Works on ” Yang ” deficiency.

Juniper Berry – diuretic, cleansing, antimicrobial, boosts circulation.  Stimulates ” Yang ” energy.

Peppermint – cleanses and decongests, cools by constricting capillaries; Refreshing skin tonic.

Ravensara – alleviates irritation; Eases muscular fatigue, tension and pain. Encourages a positive mental attitude. Circulates ” Qi “.

Rosemary – boosts circulation; anti-depressant, mental stimulant, supports poor concentration or memory.  Tonic for ” Yang ” energy.

Sweet Orange – brightening and decongesting. Encourages cheerfulness and optimism. Helps to circulate stagnant ” Qi “.

Sweet Fennel – brightens skin; Good diuretic helps with water retention; Helps to clear dull and oily complexions. Relieves depression.

Ylang Ylang – softens and balances the moisture of the skin, either over dry or over oily, by regulating sebum production; Slows down the ageing process of the face. Lifts depression & calming.

Yuzu – refreshing and cooling. Works on frustration and regret.

Plant Extracts:

Seabuckthorn Extract – alleviates sunburn, promotes cell rejuvenation; Excellent pain and stress-relieving properties, anti-inflammatory.

Rosehip Seed Extract – good for sensitive skin; Contains a high content of Vitamin A and Omega 3 fatty acids.

Rosemary Extract – new generation antioxidant.

Base Oils:

Rosehip – the only vegetable oil which contains natural tretinoin, a derivative of Vitamin A, known for its skin healing properties; Best vegetal source of Omega 3 and a good source of Omega 6, both essential fatty acids collectively known as Vitamin F; Involved in cellular membrane and tissue regeneration; Great for use in repair of damaged skin tissue caused by scalds, burns, varicose veins and over-exposure to sunlight, and for treating oily skin, sensitive skin; Reduces fine lines around the eyes and mouth, wrinkles and scars; Normalises skin with large pores.

Jojoba – one of the most easily absorbed vegetable oils, mimics the lipid content of the skin to help keep the structure of the epidermis intact; Prevents surface damage and irritation; Helps reduce wrinkles by supporting the natural healing process and the growth of new skin cells.

Borage – exceptionally high in Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) to help protect against dryness, loss of suppleness, wrinkling and sun damage.

Blueberry Seed – very effective for cell and tissue regeneration, gives elasticity to the skin; Excellent for treating sensitive and oily skin, skin with large pores; Soothes and reduces fine wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth.

Kiwi – unique oil as it contains a very high level of Omega 3 fatty acids (up to 65%) and other micro nutrients; Excellent for treating sensitive and oily and large-pored skin as it helps to rebalance the skin; repairs damaged skin tissue, varicose veins and skin overexposed to sunlight; Reduces fine lines around the eyes, wrinkles and scars.

Peach Kernel – good for sensitive, inflamed, dry or mature skin; Enhances skin elasticity; Softens and smoothes skin.

This 100% organic, season-specific, hand-blended gem decongests, cools, smoothes and tones skin pre and post-sun, restoring a healthy vibrant appearance and inner sense of well-being.

Although de Mamiel Summer Facial oil is not the lightest oil available, it’s a potent blend that balances the skin, pampers the senses & harmonises the ” Qi “. This oil spreads easily over the skin and if applied over slightly moist skin, will seals in moisture & absorbed easily. I would call this a medium weight facial oil. It does soothes & calms post sunning complexion.

I had a mild breakout over my chin ( not my usual zit prone zone ) during the first week of usage but this phase was over by the second week. My skin is rather balanced, plumped, radiant & vibrant after 2 weeks of regular nocturnal use of dM Summer Oil. I call this regime ( dM facial oil, massages & inhalation technique ) my ” Facial Qi Gong “.

PS: My sleep is improved while I am using this in place of my usual night cream.

Comes in limited quantity, this 20 mls exotic blend cost about £59 & IMO, worth trying if you want to nurture you skin & ” Qi “, have faith in herbal remedies/traditional medicine.

After all, why can’t we have a season specific skin care regime when fashion & make up are SO seasonal?

I am looking forward for de Mamiel Autumn/Fall Facial Oil. LPB is a believer.

Skin Essentials & Make Up Tricks for 40+

While you wouldn’t expect to have the peachiness of youth at 40-something, you can still have lovely skin.

The big change is likely to be the breakdown of collagen, with a loss of elasticity. Sun damage in the form of brown spots and patches may appear, though less so if you’ve been vigilant with your suncare.

Skin Care

The key products are a creamy cleanser, gentle facial scrub, non-drying skin toner, day moisturiser, night cream and oil or serum, face mask, plus a multipurpose balm for lips, cuticles and the rest!

Moisturise as much as you can. Face, neck and cleavage in the morning and top to toe at night or after bathing.  A serum is a must to supplement & augment your moisturiser. LPB would recommend products that loaded with antioxidants, retinol, fruit acids & essential fatty acids. You will be spoilt with choices, from Neutrogena to N.V Perricones. My favourites are Dr Sebagh’s High Maintenance, Trilogy’s Age Proof & Elemis’s Pro-collagen range

I also like to use Estee Lauder’s Perfectionist as a serum / primer.

I love rosehip seed, borage seed, passionflower seed, camellia oils, with argan oil being my favourite. There is evidence that botanicals can be as effective as high-tech ‘anti-ageing’ synthetic compounds, sometimes more so.

Gently exfoliate at least once a day with a soft face cloth. Use a more intensive exfoliating treatment once a week. Choose a type with smooth, spherical beads that buff wouldn’t scratch. Manual scrubbing will enhances the sluggish circulation.

Never under estimate the power of massage, this can helps to tone & perk up your facial musculature. I would recommend using essential oils from reputable manufacturers such as Aromatherapy Associates,  Amanda Lacey, Caudalie & Darphin.

If thread veins and broken capillaries are a problem, go to a dermatologist or specialist vein clinic. The only effective method of removal I have found is laser therapy.

Stress can affects collagen production, as does lack of sleep, so find ways to relax, such as yoga and meditation, and balance these with exercise you enjoy, which can be as simple as a walking.

Make-up

I would recommend foundations that are sheer and moisturising; Forget about matte finish foundations that tend to accentuate flakiness or fine lines; Also beware of opaque, full coverage bases as these will age you more. Estée Lauder’s Futurist Age-Resisting or Re-Nutrix range is a good choice, so as NARS’s Sheer Glow, Lancome’s Photogenic range. Dewy finish is the key word here.

Make-up artist Bobbi Brown has a silky shimmer blush that looks fresh and natural; At 40s, you need some radiance to give your complexion a lift but beware of glitters that might lodge into your dilated pores. I like NARS Multiples for cheeks and eyes; the naughtily named Orgasm shade gives skin a fabulous glow.

For eyelids, I like beige and earthy tones ( Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier has a great palette ), plus a thin trace of gel eyeliner ( M.A.C. or Bobbi Brown ) over the upper lid line only. Apply the thin line close to your lashes with a thin, stiff brush. I find that rimming your eyes completely ( full lower lash lining ) at 40s seems to accentuate the lost of tone around your eyes.

To help define your complexion, contour / sculpt the cheekbones after ” popping ” the apples of your cheek with a rosier /pinkier  blush ( cream blusher preferred ). I would recommend a cream bronzer such as NARS’s Multiples ( Malibu, Malaysia ) or By Terry’s liquid bronzer.

Barbara Daly advises using a lipliner pencil to create a crisp outline which looks youthful, but it must be in a natural colour – a dark line round paler lips is very ageing. I personally think a nude / pale/ beige lip colour is extremely ageing in your 40s. Perhaps you should be more adventurous as you are wittier, more resourceful, confident & charismatic by now, after what you have been through in life.

Artwork by Matt Armstrong.