Sunday 12 September 2010

Why do we need Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and enzymes (proteins inside your body) that can help to prevent and repair damage to your body's tissue. Antioxidants do this by slowing or preventing the effect of free radicals, which start oxidation -- a process that causes damage from oxygen that can lead to cell dysfunction. If you've seen a peeled apple turn brown, you've seen oxidation in action. As antioxidants block the effects of free radicals, they end up being oxidized. This is why it's important to constantly replenish your supply of antioxidants and prevent your skin from harmful free radicals.
Free radicals may also play a role in heart disease, cancer and other conditions, but also increase the ageing process of your skin. A free radical is highly reactive chemical that often contains oxygen and is produced when molecules are split to give products that have unpaired electrons (a process called oxidation). Free radicals can damage important cellular molecules such as DNA or lipids or other parts of the cell.

Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body's immune systems cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals.


You can find antioxidants -- such as beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium and vitamins A, C and E -- naturally in many foods, including fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, some meats, poultry and fish.

Your skincare can also be a great source of antioxidants.

When it comes to caring for your skin, antioxidants can help to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Unlike sunscreens and moisturizers, antioxidants can protect your skin from the inside out by guarding your cells from damage. Vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium are thought to be particularly helpful in skin care. In addition to helping fortify cells against free radicals, vitamins A and C also encourage cell and tissue growth, helping the body to repair itself.

Great Antioxidant Products from Neal's Yard Remedies Organic
White Tea Facial Mist

White Tea Face Mask

White Tea Eye Gel

Power Berry Face Mask

Power Berry Daily Moisture

Power Berry Facial Wash

Organic Beauty Oil

Rose Facial Wash

Rose Daily Moisture

Orange Flower Facial Wash

Orange Flower Daily Moisture

Orange Flower Night Cream

Orange Flower Facial Oil

Calming Aftershave Balm
 
Super Antioxidant Boost
 
Purchase all online at http://www.skinorganics.org.uk/

Thursday 9 September 2010

Why Organic?

Organically produced food and products are not just better for us, they are better for the environment.
If we then use natural and organic ingredients in our skincare, as well as in our diet, we can increase our long term health significantly and further reduce damage to the environment.

Here are 5 key reasons why Organic is best:


1.Good for the soil


Organic systems rely on a modern and scientific understanding of ecology and soil science, while also depending on traditional methods of crop rotations to ensure fertility and weed and pest control.

2.Good for the environment

Organic systems aim to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Organic production aims at all times towards sustainability whilst having best management of the environment and wildlife as a priority.

3.Good for people

Organic based ingredients have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than non-organic ingredients.

4.No synthetic chemicals

Organic systems prohibit the use of artificial chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.

5.No GMO's

Certified Organic products are produced without GMOs, which are prohibited in the standards for organic food and farming
 
Clever marketing can often fool us into thinking that a product is organic or natural, so the only way to be sure is to use a product with worldwide recognised Certification, such as the Soil Association.
For more information on this certification and the reasons why Organic is best, see the Soil Association website and help promote Organic Fortnight.
 
Neal's Yard Remedies Organic products are certified by the Soil Association and all other ingredients are totally natural. There are no parabens, SLS, petrochemicals or synthetic fragrances in any of these products - and they are not tested on animals.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Direct Selling Boom

Originally posted on Wokingmums.com

The number of people working in direct selling - a livelihood dominated by women - has risen by 22% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2010, according to figures from the Direct Selling Association (DSA). Workingmums.co.uk looks at why the industry is defying the recession.



Healthy outlook
Women account for around 90% of all direct sellers. The latest healthy figures continue to demonstrate the upward trend registered for the industry in 2009 - annual statistics released by the DSA for last year show the industry, as a whole, attracted more than 325,000 new direct sellers. This was up 17% compared to 2008, and over 290,000 of the newcomers were women. And the prognosis for the future is healthy too. Richard Berry, director of the DSA, told Workingmums.co.uk. the direct selling industry could go up this year alone by 5-10%. ''The whole industry has the potential to expand by 100pc or more,'' he says.


So why has direct selling escaped the consequences experienced by other industries during the economic downturn? The answer lies in the type of products sold - cosmetics, clothes and jewellery. Recent research by Mintel shows that spending on clothes and beauty treatments is holding up well despite the economic slowdown.


''There is no fall off in consumer demand,'' says Berry. ''The majority of things - cosmetics, jewellery and household goods - do not suffer in a recession. They are largely impervious to economic conditions. We have seen the industry perform well in most economic dips we have traded through in the DSA's 45-year history.''

What's the attraction of direct selling?
''Flexibility is one of the key attractions,'' says Berry. ''Direct sellers can work the hours they wish to - it is truly flexible.'' Many parents looking to enhance their work/life balance see direct selling as a good option, and it also appeals to parents who are seeking to start a small business.


''The majority of sellers are women in a part-time business which fits in with family commitments, and often it's not something that they do for many years,'' explains Berry. Some are looking for a fill-up to their family income because their spouse's work has suffered in the recession - others have a short-term objective in mind, such as putting money earned towards Christmas or a family holiday. Some take up the occupation only when family commitments permit it - they may do it for a while, take a break and then resume later on.


Graduates are also turning to direct selling to supplement their income as they search for full-time jobs. ''It's not their career choice but it does give them an introduction to the world of commerce and shows potential employers they're prepared to work hard,'' says Berry.


Characteristics needed
''You don't need to be a super salesman or a roaring extrovert to start direct selling,'' said Berry. ''But you do have to be prepared to talk to people face-to-face and you have to like meeting new people. You need to be well-organised if you're running a little business, but probably no more so than any competent mum.''


The best way to sell anything is to give it your own personal recommendation. If you liked a product yourself enough to buy it, you can give it your own personal stamp of approval by selling it. ''That personal recommendation is gold dust,'' says Berry. ''You don't get that in a retail shop. Most customers really do like a personal recommendation.''


But he advises that direct selling is perhaps not suitable for people who want to take part in home-working schemes but don't want to set foot outside of their front door to drum up work. ''Direct selling is about meeting people face-to-face and talking to them,'' he insists.


How to get started
Visit www.dsa.org.uk to find out about companies who are looking for direct sellers. Firms registered with the Direct Selling Association have been approved by the Office of Fair Trading. Money is needed to invest, but there are safeguards for potential sellers. Nobody is permitted to invest more than £200 in the first seven days and you have 14 days in which to change your mind. The average investment to begin with is £100.

To join Neal's Yard Remedies Organic - visit www.skinorganics.org.uk


Holding a home party is a good method of starting off. Ask a friend to be a hostess and invite more friends to an evening to showcase your products. Offer the hostess a product free of charge in return for arranging the party. From that initial party, more requests for party evenings could follow and more word of mouth recommendations will boost business.

Monday 6 September 2010

Gorgeous Geranium

Geranium Essential Oil - Pelargonium Gravalens

The gorgeous oils is one of my favourites. I use it in someway everyday. It has a rosy, sweet and strong aroma with a hint of lemon and fresh green notes. It has these key properties:


•Balancing

•Refreshing

•Helps restore a sense of equilibrium

It can be effective for inflamed skin such as eczema or dermatitis and can be balancing for hormonal symptoms and help with mood swings and fluid retention.

Directions for use:

•Baths: blend 5-8 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil or full fat milk, add to bath

•Massages: add 2-3 drops of essential oils to 3 tablespoonfuls of carrier oil

•Vaporisation: add 2-4 drops of essential oils to a burner, aroma stone or aroma stream

I also just add a couple of drops to my shower tray each morning and let the steam vaporise.

At Neal's Yard Remedies Geranium is blended with Orange and provides one of our signature skincare ranges, which includes, shower gel, body lotion,  hand wash and lotion

The Neal's Yard Remedies Geranium Essential Oil:
•Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) oil*
*Organically produced ingredient.
Made with 100% organic ingredients.
Country of origin: South Africa.
This is a vegan product.

Sunday 5 September 2010

September Launch for NYROrganic

1st September saw the launch of the new season's brochure for Neal's Yard Remedies Organic.

An extended brochure full of helpful tips and advice about looking after your skincare.

Some great testimonials and PR clips throughout the brochure too.



The range of Aromatherapy Essential Oils has been extended significantly now including favourites such as Tea Tree, Rose Otto, Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Bergamot and many more.
Also now available are 3 Base Oils, Grapeseed Oil, Almond Oil and Rosehip Oil.

This extension to the "home" product range, just makes the proposition for any holistic or beauty therapist looking to promote the Neals Yard Remedies products so much more exciting.

Review the entire brochure here Autumn Brochure