Seaweed has been used for wellbeing and in skin and hair care for thousands of years, but why is it special? What are the potential benefits of adding it to your skincare routine? Read on to find out ... The skincare experts at ARRAN Sense of Scotland share their knowledge on the beauty benefits of seaweed, as well as picking the best seaweed products from their range. One of the best sellers from its apothecary range, ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s Seaweed and Sage collection is available across a range of hair and skincare products. Sage and Seaweed soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion are formulated with purifying and mineral-rich seaweed extract as well as sweet-smelling lemon, geranium, and orange for a revitalising start to your day. Seaweed extract is an excellent skin and body care ingredient, it cleanses and detoxifies while also increasing moisture and reducing pigmentation. Cleansing and detoxing One benefit of seaweed is that it cleanses and detoxifies naturally. In some forms it can be used as an exfoliant to brighten skin clearing build-up of dirt and bacteria to uncover radiant looking freshness. The Apothecary Seaweed and Sage Bath and Shower Gel is available at £14.00. https://arran.com/products/apothecary-seaweed-sage-bath-shower-gel Reduces inflammation Do you suffer from redness and irritated skin? Opt for skincare products containing seaweed which contains natural anti-inflammatories and is rich in vitamin B to soothe and calm skin. The Apothecary Seaweed and Sage Hand Wash and Hand Cream is available at £14.00 online: https://arran.com/collections/seaweed-and-sage Helping balance oil production Seaweed is thought to cut down the oil film on skin, helping it to naturally balance the production of oil, making it great for acne prone, oily or combination skin types. The Seaweed and Sage Body Lotion is available online at £14.00. https://arran.com/products/apothecary-seaweed-sage-body-lotion Fight free radical damage Seaweed aims to deliver antioxidants to protect against external damage caused in our everyday exposure to external factors such as UV rays and pollution. The Seaweed and Sage Soap is available at £8.00 online. https://arran.com/products/apothecary-seaweed-sage-soap-300g Strengthens hair from within Take advantage of the fruits of the sea ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s seaweed infused products. The Apothecary Sage and Seaweed Shampoo and Conditioner are available at £14.00 each at https://arran.com/collections/seaweed-and-sage Claire Logan, of ARRAN Sense of Scotland, said: “Being an island, Arran is surrounded by the sea and it’s healing properties, not just the fruits it bears but also the benefits it has for general wellbeing. Reflecting summertime and seaside visits that often ensue, it’s a great time to take a look at the benefits of seaweed for skincare and haircare, uncovering just what’s in this special ingredient that makes it so nourishing. Thanks to its unique combination of wholesome properties - antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and fibre, seaweed is one of our favourite ingredients that goes into our naturally nourishing skin and hair care products. I did not receive products in exchange for this write-up - I ljust like them!
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Many of us have problems with our hair - whether it's lacklustre, skimpy, falling out or just simply doesn't have the - 'oomph!' - that we want. No need to fret though, because Hair Gain says all that could be a thing of the past .... read on for more Backed by trichologists, Hair Gain hair care range combines the clinically-tested AnaGain™ ingredient . Derived from organic pea shoots, biotin, selenium and zinc all contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. Yes, the pea shoot is small but jolly mighty when it comes to hair loss. Its super powerful phytonutrients are clinically proven to stimulate fuller and thicker hair at the root. Why does our hair fall out or get thinner as we age? It isn't unusual and happens to lots of people. There are many reasons. It can happen when we are stressed and of course starting to lose our hair makes us more stressed. Bad situation. When stressed, different things happen to our bodies, not just the outward signs that you might be aware of like poor sleep and the familiar frazzled-brain feeling but it can affect your appetite which often has a knock-on effect on our hair health too. Calories, ie energy, are required for new hair follicle growth and if you experience extended periods of inadequate calorie intake, this can make horrid things happen to your hair. If you find yourself eating less, your body starts to conserve calories you eat for vital bodily functions - that's the brain, heart and liver. Not hair growth, that isn't at the top of the list. Some real life, 'before and after' stories are on site here > Hair Gain Taking time to de-stress is important for mood, sleep and hair. Try to give yourself an hour every day to unwind and relax. This should help alleviate unnecessary adrenal strain and help keep your hormones balanced. Read a book, have a bath, practise mindfulness or yoga. Sleep can help improve hair health, too. Try to sleep in a cool, dark, well-ventilated room and add warm milk or herbal teas to your bedtime routine to help you relax. And here's a thing. Did you know, water plays a key role in the health of your hair? Not only does water make up approximately 55% total blood volume, the key fluid for nourished hair; it is also necessary for hair follicles to grow optimally - new proteins can only occur in the presence of well-hydrated cells. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water, experts say at least two litres daily.
Then there's tea or coffee, a different story. Try and keep a check on how much you’re drinking, because too much isn’t good. Tea and coffee act as diuretics and drinking more than three cups daily could be more dehydrating than hydrating. if it's a problem for you, swap your caffeinated cups for herbal teas and non-caffeinated brews. Hair Gain has lots of useful information about hair health on their site, do take a look. I'm giving some of their lovely goodies a try and will report my findings in a couple of months or so. #Advertisement Promotion Brain fog, headaches, dizziness, dry throat, sore eyes – all may be clues that you are suffering from high levels of air pollution. 91 % of the population live in areas where air quality exceeds guideline limits, so it isn't surprising that many of us feel the physical effects of air pollution without even knowing about it. With Earth Day approaching, it is the perfect time to protect against pollution with the BetterYou Air Defence Daily Oral Spray®. Specially designed to combat pollution's harmful effects, this blend of vitamins B6, B12 and D3, folic acid and selenium helps the body to defend against air pollution from the inside out. Some of the most harmful pollutants measure less than a strand of hair, virus or molecule; they invisibly infiltrate the body and damage cells. Building the body’s resilience to these pollutants and preserving long-term health is crucial. This pill-free health supplement helps protect cells, support the body’s natural immune system and contribute to normal red blood cell formation. Current rates of air pollution can have a huge impact on the body, specifically on the functioning of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, with other symptoms ranging from fatigue to brain fog and grey hair to wrinkles. BetterYou is also an example of a brand pushing the environmental agenda, going the extra mile to reduce its impact on our planet. BetterYou has partnered with Earthly – carbon-busting specialists – to support its trailblazing mangrove planting project run by Eden Reforestation in Madagascar. To support the removal of harmful CO2 from the atmosphere, BetterYou has pledged to plant a tree for every Air Defence® Oral Spray sold, to help sequester carbon, to improve air quality and create a climate positive world. [the company kindly sent me a Daily Oral Spray to try] Performance Meals worked with personal trainer, nutritionist and owner of Peak Health, Paul Crouch, to dispel a few classic myths around health, fitness and nutrition.... read on for more ....
One: “The best time to work out is first thing in the morning, there is no point at any other time of day!” True or false? False. Paul says: “There is no right time to work out, as long as you’re consistent and regular, so fit in gym or home workout sessions at a time that works best for you.” Two: “Working out on an empty stomach helps you lose weight.” True or false? This one isn’t quite as simple. Paul explains: “Sometimes it is best to eat beforehand to maximise your workout. However, methods such as intermittent fasting mean that the body can adapt to burning fat as fuel.” Eating protein before a workout can help prevent muscle damage whilst promoting recovery. Anyone looking to try intermittent fasting is advised to seek guidance from a professional. Three: “You can target fat burn to a specific part of your body.” True or false? “Often referred to as ‘spot reducing’, this myth is false,” Paul confirms. When exercising, stored fats that the body may use for energy can come from anywhere in the body, rather than the specific area you’re working. Four: “Eating late in the evening makes it harder to lose weight.” True or false? “This depends on what you eat,” says Paul. “If your meal is more protein bias, this will not store as fat and will benefit recovery.” Five: “You need a low carb diet to lose weight.” True or false? False. Paul says: “Whilst simple carbs such white pasta and white bread often have added sugars, complex carbohydrates like potatoes and whole grains contain fibre and other nutrients that don’t cause the same spikes and dips. It is complex carbohydrates that should be eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet.” Six: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” True or false? False. Paul confirms: “All meals are important, and timing is dependent on your goal. Intermitting fasting, for example, means that breakfast is skipped but results are still achieved.” Seven: “You can build muscle and lose fat at the same time.” True or false? Paul says: “Building muscle can increase metabolism which will help burn fat, however that’s a process which takes time to develop. You do not simply build muscle and burn fat!” Eight: “Keto is the best diet for fat loss.” True or false False. Paul confirms: “Following a controlled eating protocol and regular exercise are the most effective weight loss tool.” Nine: “If you’re not sore after a workout, you’re not trying hard enough.” Reality False! “Not feeling sore doesn’t mean you haven’t had a good workout. Feeling sore is a sign that you need a recovery day before your next session and ignoring these signs can lead to being over trained.” Lizi’s granola is a fab option for breakfast. I love granola and when I eat breakfast - which isn't every day - naughty, I know! - that's what I opt for. However, up until last week I hadn't sampled Lizi's granola. I have tried most of the other granolas on the supermarket shelves; of course, some are better than others. I discard those which have lots of teeny tiny bits almost like hard granules of dust lounging around in the packet. Some just don't have any flavour. Some are too sweet. Others are hard - yes, I know granola is supposed to be crunchily hard - but, there's crunchy and there's tooth shatteringly crunchy. When I was asked if I would like a packet of Lizi's high protein granola to try out and review here, I said, yes please! I'll give it a go. So, here's my take on Lizi's Granola. Tasty. Good texture. It doesn't turn soggy as soon as I add my soya milk. Not too sweet. What surprised me, I suppose, was that I didn't feel peckish within an hour or two of eating it. This slow-release of energy is due to the low GL (glycaemic load) per serving, which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. So, to the nitty gritty. This granola delivers more than 27% of your daily protein needs per serving. Oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut and chopped nuts up your fibre intake and of course as you all know, that contributes to our general health, mental wellbeing and helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Apple juice adds just the right amount natural sweetness so you have a super, tasty breakfast that is really good for you. The low sugar mix - under 4% - is ideal for those who dislike sweet breakfast cereals. I've been eating this fabby granola with the addition of chopped apple or a satsuma or two, sometimes with fresh raspberries (Scottish, of course!) or a dollop of Greek style plain yogurt. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. RRP £3. 70 for 350g. Lizi’s is available in lots of supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons, Ocado. from many independent health stores and of course, from Lizi's online shop at lizis.co.uk Why not try a packet or two? You'll like it, I promise! This product was sent to me free of charge by Lizi’s to be reviewed. Disclaimer : this review is my honest opinion of the product. The clean waters around Wick in Scotland's far north provide perfect conditions for nutrient-dense seaweed to thrive. Seaweed is a source of prebiotic fibre, protein, magnesium, antioxidants and iodine, an often forgotten mineral which is essential for both minds and bodies. A superfood, in fact. Makes sense then to turn the local seaweed into delicious snacks and food. Win win situation - good for you and good for the planet. SHORE is the Scottish seaweed company who produce delicious snacks and food. They kindly sent me samples of their Seaweed Chips in Lightly Salted, Asian Peking and Sweet Sriracha flavours as well as a jar of Black Kale and Seaweed Pesto. Besides the taste, I love the fact that they are healthy - it's all down to that that seaweed again, packed with more minerals than almost any vegetable on earth, as well as macro and micro nutrients, antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals - all of which mean your diet is boosted whenever you eat it. SHORE tell me that because the abundant complex carbs in seaweed are slow to digest, you feel full for longer and of course, that helps cut your calorie intake. All natural flavourings complement a umami seaweed base, making these seaweed crisps deliciously crunchy and exceptionally more-ish. SHORE's dedicated harvesteers live in some of Scotland's most remote communities. They are out in all weathers hand harvesting the best seaweed the shores have to offer. You can buy the goodies at various outlets listed here shoreseaweed.com/where-to-buy/ |
AuthorI'm Gilly, award winning journalist /author of 13 books. Credits incl: Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, CNN, BBC mags, The Scotsman, Daily Express, Country & Town House, Metro, Countryfile, Tatler, trade & consumer cruise titles etc. Lifestyle Categories
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