Harnessing the Power of Apricots

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alcohol, antioxidants, Apricot, apricot kernel oil, apricots, balance, cleansing, cotton wool, dermalogica, Dermalogica Precleanse, Elemis, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm, Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner, fatty acids, irritation, linoleic acid, mineral oils, moisturisation, natural, oil, parabens, pH, Quillaja Wood, saponins, SLES, sodium laureth sulphate, soothe, soothing, spritz, Sweet Betty flower, vitamin A

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The humble apricot might not seem like anything special but it actually contains a whole host of things which are incredibly good for us, which is why several of the products we sell contain some element of apricot in them. From antioxidants to all-natural moisturisation, we take a look at some of the best apricot containing products from Elemis and Dermalogica and exactly what they’re doing to keep you beautiful.

Elemis Soothing Apricot Toner

One of the things which apricot does best is soothing the skin and reducing irritation, which is why Elemis has based this toner on it’s properties. As well as containing apricot extract, the toner also contains Sweet Betty flower, which Tones, moisturises and re-balances precious pH levels without the use of alcohol and saponins from Quillaja Wood help to soothe and harmonise the skin. As will all Elemis products, this toner has no parabens, sodium laureth sulphate or mineral oils, which can damage the skin in the long run. Sweep it over the face with a cotton wool pad after cleansing the face, or use as a spritz when your face is feeling hot, dry or tight.

Dermalogica Precleanse

You may be asking “why do I need to PRE-cleanse my skin?”, but this precleanse from Dermalogica has been described as a wonder-product by professional dermatologists, beauty professionals and our customers alike. It dissolves oil-based make-up, sebum, sunscreens and environmental pollutants from skin’s surface, enabling skin to be thoroughly cleansed, all without compromising the delicate balance of natural oils which exist within the skin. It contains apricot kernel oil which not only helps soothe to irritation, nourish, and moisturize the skin, but is also an excellent source of fatty acids, Vitamin A and Linoleic Acid which help to reverse and combat the signs of ageing.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm

The eyes can be a really tricky area to deal with; the skin is very delicate and the whole area can be really sensitive, even if the rest of your face isn’t, however, they’re also one of the main areas where people report the early signs of ageing first. This means that a product which is powerful yet soothing and delicate is imperative, which is where this balm from Elemis comes in. As well as containing omega-rich apricot kernel oil which nourishes the delicate eye contour area, it also benefits from chamomile, arnica and bird of paradise flower, which reduce wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. It’s free from fragrance and any irritating preservatives and is perfect for use on even the most sensitive of eyes.

Insomnia and what you can do about it

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alarm clock, alcohol, anxiety, black out blinds, caffeine, children, clean, comfortable, day, devices, ear plugs, essential oil, eye mask, GP, insomnia, irritable, lavender oil, life, lighting, long-term basis, meals, misery, mobile phone, paper, self-perpetuating, shift work, sleep, stress, thick curtains, tired, Tvs, warm drink, worries

Struggle to fall asleep night after night?

Wake up in the early hours and just can’t nod off again?

Simply don’t feel refreshed when you get up in the morning?

It could be that you are suffering from insomnia, which is thought to affect up to one in every three people in the UK at some point.

There are no official statistics to suggest how much sleep adults need because we are all different but the suggested average is between seven to nine hours. It can be detrimental to get caught up with numbers because the main thing is getting enough good quality sleep so that you don’t feel constantly tired throughout the day.

We all have the odd night of bad sleep, maybe when we are stressed, anxious or excited this doesn’t cause serious problems, but persistent insomnia can affect all aspects of your life, from your energy levels, appetite, mood and relationships.

Signs that you might have insomnia include:

• difficultly falling asleep
• waking up several times during the night
• lying awake for long periods at night
• waking up early in the early hours and not being able to go back to sleep
• not feel refreshed when you get up
• feeling constantly tired and irritable in the day and unable to concentrate

This can be caused by many factors, including stress and anxiety, an uncomfortable bed, a bedroom that’s too light, noisy, hot or cold. Lifestyle factors like shift work, jet lag, drinking alcohol or caffeine before going to bed can also play a part.

Mental and health physical conditions, as well as some medications, can also interfere with sleep on a long-term basis.

Whatever the cause, it can be frustrating but there are ways to deal with insomnia.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and large meals late in the evening.
• Just like with children, set a bedtime and stick to it and do the same with waking – even at the weekend.
• Relax before you go to bed and turn off all devices and TVs.
• Get an alarm clock rather than using your mobile phone to wake you up as having it on can distract you.
• Have a relaxing, warm bath before bed and add lavender oil to the water as this essential oil can aid sleep.
• Make sure your bedroom is comfortable, clean and the temperature is set correctly.
• Use thick curtains or black out blinds in your bedroom so that the least amount of sunlight is let in.
• Try an eye mask or ear plugs if you get woken often by noise.
• You might be tired but try not to sleep in the day.
• Write a list of worries, if you have any, so they are down on paper and not in your head. Look at areas in your life that are bothering you and getting you down and maybe find ways to deal with them.
• If you really cannot sleep, get up, have a warm drink in low lighting.
• We know we make it sound easy but try to relax and don’t get stressed about not sleeping as this becomes a self-perpetuating cycle of misery.

If things don’t settle down, go to see your GP who will try to help identify and treat any underlying health condition, such as anxiety, that may be causing your sleep problems and then look at other changes that can be made.

Sweet dreams.