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Category: The Green Guru

  1. What is ‘normal’ skin?

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    Alexandra’s April focus: Redefining ‘normal’

    The meaning of the word normal has been redefined in many areas recently, namely gender, but what does it mean for skin?

    Irrespective of gender or biological sex, there has never been a clear definition of normal skin and that is most probably because it does not exist. What is “normal” for one person may not be “normal” for another. Having touched thousands of people’s skins I know how one person’s skin may be naturally soft and delicate whilst another may be naturally firm and resilient, I consider both normal. 

    “Normal” skin to me is essentially healthy skin, and we can certainly define healthy skin in a way that applies to everyone. Healthy skin has its metabolic functions in good order; this means that it can look after itself with minimal care. All its layers and components are doing what they have been designed to do, and its barrier consists of a strong microbiome, ready to defend against invading pathogens and keep the skin supple and balanced.

    Here are some signs that your skin is healthy: 

    • Does not feel dry/tight/flaky without moisturiser or oil.
    • May be naturally oily but not prone to acne.
    • Does not generally react to good quality natural skincare products.
    • Is not too sensitive to temperature changes.
    • Does not feel itchy.
    • Can be massaged without breaking out.

    With the increasing trend towards removing skin layers and accelerating cell division, all in the name of ‘perfection’, healthy skin is on the decline. For long term healthy skin that will defend us against pathogens, free-radicals, and stress, the very best thing we can do is to stop attacking it. Instead learn how to support and nourish it. The skin is a living organ – it knows what to do to protect us.

    So, what does healthy skin need in terms of skincare?

    Healthy skin does not need a lot of care per se; maintenance is the name of the game to ensuring its prolonged health.

    For those wishing to go a step further:

    Healthy skin is the perfect foundation from which to slow the effects of ageing. This can be achieved with a dedicated daily massage, drainage, and skincare regime that includes ‘feeding’ the skin in a way that supports all its metabolic functions, just like professional athletes invest in training and nutritional plans to increase performance.

    I designed my range with this in mind, every step is there to support and encourage the skin to regenerate in a healthy way, making it more resilient, and ensuring there is nothing for it to worry about – other than just regenerate and be happy!

    With every boxed Soveral product we offer an information leaflet with instructions on how to do a daily face massage and a full skincare maintenance routine designed to also improve its performance.

    Top Tip: Get your pH right

    Check the pH of your skin to ensure it is well balanced by doing the following simple steps:

    Cleanse the skin efficiently, then wait 10 minutes.

    Spray Floral Rain and allow to dry naturally.

    How does it feel? If the skin feels tight or tingly, it is likely that it is out of balance.

    If you are looking to understand your skin better, or to create a bespoke regime for your healthiest skin, book in for a consultation or a treatment and we will talk you through the perfect steps for your skin.

    Brushes 4

  2. Immune Boosting Tips from Alexandra Soveral

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    Immune Boosting Tips from Alexandra Soveral

    Some simple steps from Alexandra to ensure your healthiest immune system at home…
     

    AIR
    Air your home and office. Open a window and allow fresh air in every room for at least a couple of hours every day.

    HUMIDITY
    Get a humidity meter, don’t allow humidity to go lower that 45%. Ideally humidity should be around 50% to 60% for good respiratory health and good skin. 

    PURIFY
    Diffuse essential oils in your home. Any diffuser will do, from the fancy electrical ones to the simple tea light ones to which add the drops to the water. This is a great way to purify the air and breathing in essential oils with natural anti-viral and anti-microbial properties.

    STEAM INHALATION
    Practice the traditional inhalation steams to purify and strengthen the respiratory system.  Add 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a hot bawl of water.  Place a towel over your head and breathe in the aromatic steam. Be cautious of the steam being too hot, it should feel pleasant. If it feels like the steam is too hot on the face or as you inhale, wait until the temperature goes down.

    BATHS
    Add a cup of sea salt (or Epsom salts) to bath water. Then add up to 8 drops of essential oil diluted in either a gentle soap or fat, such as oil, full fat cream or full fat milk. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

    BODY OILS
    After showering, whilst skin is still wet, massage a body oil that has beneficial essential oils in it. You can make your own, lots of recipes in Alexandra’s book Perfect Skin, or you may purchase one already made from our website.

    NASAL OIL
    In any vegetable oil, dilute a drop of essential oil such as eucalyptus, rosemary or tea tree. Apply inside each nostril in the morning.

    The best essential oils with anti-viral, anti-microbial and immune boosting properties are:
    Cinnamon
    Oregano
    Eucalyptus
    Lemongrass
    Tea tree
    Rosemary
    Thyme
    Cardamom
    All citrus oils

    To find out about the organic essential oils available from SOVERAL, please contact the clinic on 020 7266 3577 or by emailing [email protected].

     

  3. Honey

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    Honey

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    Honey. We all know it to be a healer in the kitchen cupboard and a wonder ingredient for just about anything digestible. We treat our insides to the glorious goodness of honey, why wouldn’t we treat our skin to the same healing powers?

    Honey is naturally antibacterial, bursting with antioxidants, making it brilliant for breakouts and ageing alike. It is wonderfully nourishing, so helps to create a natural glow, and given its sticky nature, it is brilliant at unclogging pores.

    Acid pads, enzyme masks and other skin resurfacing mediums do a great job at destroying the acid mantle layer and some go much deeper, leaving skin defenceless, making it unsurprising that so many people have sensitive and reactive skin.

     Scrubs are fine once in a while if there is an accumulation of dead flaky cells, but they should be used with care to avoid breaking healthy skin.  Honey is wonderful because as you lift it off the skin, only what is ready to come off will be removed. It also calms and nourishes the skin at the same time.

    Honey extraction has been a key component of Soveral signature facial treatments for 15 years now, blended with a secret formula of vitamins and plant extracts to enhance its anti-inflammatory properties. Alexandra designed a non-abrasive technique to remove the honey that lifts the underlining facial tissues to aid detoxification – you literally feel your lymph starting to move.

    Alexandra shared four simple steps for honey exfoliation at home with Vogue.com. Take a look and feel the difference immediately.

    Skin will feel squeaky clean but if you want to go a step further and do a deep pore cleanse, post-honey exfoliation is a great time to do so, as the pores are open and the first layer of dead skin has been removed.  Massage Soveral Angel Balm onto the skin and the fats in the balm will blend with the sebum in the pores while the Geranium in the balm will separate and travel down into the pore to balance the sebaceous glands, working wonders for the skin. 

    Once you remove the Angel Balm with another hot damp flannel you also remove the top layer of sebum within the black head. Overtime this technique will minimise pores and you will never need extractions again.

    For those with dry flaky or congested skin, treat your skin to this sweet ritual once or twice a week - for those with a more normal skin, we would recommend making this a fortnightly regular.

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