Expensive eye creams slammed by Which?

Eye creams have again been slammed in a study conducted by Which? Magazine.

The test set out to determine if 13 eye products, ranging from a £3.21 Simple moisturiser used as a control to mass market and luxury brands, such as StriVectin-SD Eye-Cream (£47 for 40ml) to Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream (£31.33 for 20ml) really worked on lines.

Testers were aged 35 to 65, and each cream was tested on between nine and 11 people during a six-week period.High-definition photographs were taken in laboratory conditions before use, an hour afterwards and six weeks later.

Five expert panellists evaluated the photographs and judged if there had been any visible improvement in wrinkle depth or length. Neither testers nor panellists knew which cream was being used.While some creams did convince their testers that the skin was softer and smoother, generally the report found that none of the creams worked on all the testers, and that often their comments did not tally with the panel’s findings. On the whole, the panel judged that Simple moisturiser worked just as well as more expensive creams, including the most expensive StriVectin offer.

Tracy Tamaris, Environ’s UK and Ireland training director said:”It doesn’t matter how much an eye cream costs, what is important is the formulation. There are ingredients with a sound scientific basis that can show dramatic improvements in skin, such as vitamin A, pentapeptides and growth factors."One or some of these may be included in both cheap and expensive eye creams but not necessarily in effective levels or combinations.

If the focus of ingredients is on simple hydration to smooth out wrinkles, then results will appear good but these are temporary. Products contain certain ingredients in effective concentrations could show better long term effects that reduce wrinkles and stimulate skin thickening with consistent use over time.”Dr Tamara Griffiths of the British Skin Foundation says the best laboratory evidence of deeper skin repair of coarser wrinkles has been associated with longer-term use of treatments containing retinoids, or vitamin A derivatives. Although they do say this is an expensive option and can irritate skin, and don’t necessarily offer the results “we are led to believe”.She says that consumers need to have realistic expectations, even with prescription products.

Philippa Canty, marketing manager for Thalgo, Terrake and Ella Bache, denies the claims that eye creams are style over substance. “When it comes to eye creams, as with other skincare products, you get what you pay for. Although lower-priced eye creams cited by Which? may claim to contain the same ingredients, this doesn't mean they contain the optimum concentration of those ingredients. What you're paying for with a higher priced eye cream from a brand like Thalgo, for example, is quality ingredients, a greater concentration of actives, and consequently better results.

Ultimately the consumer is concerned with results, especially if they are looking for an eye cream with anti-ageing benefits. There also tends to be less chance of irritation for the sensitive eye area with a higher-quality (and therefore higher priced) product.”Dr Patrick Bowler, cosmetic doctor and medical director of Court House Clinics disagrees: “Low-cost moisturisers will have an effect on wrinkles but only last hours. As soon as consumers stop using the product the wrinkles reappear. Retinoid creams and other cosmeceutical products induce long-term changes in the skin, not permanent of course, but last months not hours. Retinoids have a huge amount of data showing they work. Of course I agree that expectations have to be realistic…creams can only produce mild effects…don’t expect a cream facelift!”

19 Aug 2009, Jenni Middleton

Sarah Says: Really, we would all be better of with some products much more affordable and naturally effective - Take a look at some of our most popular organic eye care products.

Sarah's Best School Hol Buy's

Our very own beauty guru's must have school holiday must have's.

Lavender Bath & Shower Gel - by Green People
Sarah Says: Great for bubbles and the lavender will relax your child ready for bed.

Z-Gel - All Purpose Soothing Gel
Sarah Says: Very effective cream for bruise, cuts & insect bites. Highly recommended.

Cleansing Wipes - by Beaming Baby
Sarah Says: Handy for home or on the go cleaning of sticky hands & faces!

Rose & Lavender Foam Bath - by LYB
Sarah's Says: Simply a nice treat for mum - oh and dad's of course!

Women ditching wine to preserve appearance, survey reveals

Women are forsaking alcohol to maintain their appearance, results of a recent survey have revealed. According to a poll carried out by research organisation YouGov, 73% of women between the ages of 25 and 34 claim to drink less than the recommended limit of 14 units. Meanwhile, 75% of 35- to 44-year-olds and, more surprisingly, 18- to 24-year-olds have made the same claim.

Being “constantly aware” of their appearance and behaviour were the reasons cited by 75% for backing away from the bottle. Not only is this a good decision, as far as swerving beer goggles is concerned, but it will help skin to avoid bearing the aesthetic brunt of continuous nights on the tiles.

Nina Goad, a spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “One of the effects of alcohol is to dilate the small blood vessels in the skin, which can make the skin appear redder, giving that ‘flushed’ look that is often associated with drinking. People who are already prone to blushing and facial flushing may notice that this worsens after drinking alcohol, even if they are not regular drinkers. Repeated reddening in this manner can also lead to thread veins. Likewise, alcohol also causes the tiny blood vessels on the surface of the eye to widen, making them more visible and resulting in bloodshot eyes.

“Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it dehydrates the body by causing the kidneys to get rid of excess fluid in the form of urine. This dehydrates your body generally, including the skin, which is your body’s largest organ. This happens every time you drink alcohol. Alcohol is also thought to deprive the skin of certain vital vitamins and nutrients.”

11 Jun 2009
By Sara McCorquodale

Sarah's Best Holiday Buy's

Our very own beauty guru's must have summer products.

Family Sun Spray SPF15 - by Lavera
Sarah Says: Award winning all round family sun protection.

Mineral Mascara - by Inika
Sarah Says: Great mascara which is waterproof, as long as you don't wipe your face with a towel etc.

Children's Sun Lotion - by Green People
Sarah Says: Effective and comes in a handy 30ml travel size.

Care & Protect Hand Cream - by Skin Blossom
Sarah's Says: A silky smooth hand cream at a great price. Comes in an easy to use tube as well.

Best Summer Buys!

Sarah's Best Summer Buy's
Our very own beauty guru's must have summer products.

Green People Day Moisturiser SPF15
Sarah Says: Effective moisturiser with built in sun protection.

Lavera Shimmering After Sun
Sarah Says: Soothing after sun which leaves the skin with a glamorous shimmer, great for summer parties.

Green People Soft Lips SPF8
Sarah Says: Moistens and protects the lips at the same time.

Lavera Self Tan
Sarah's Says: A tanned look without over exposing the skin to the sun or spending time on the sun bed.

Soap and detergent link to 40% eczema rise

March 25, 2009

Researchers say there is a likely link between the excessive use of modern soaps and detergents and a 40% increase in eczema cases in the past four years, reports the Daily Telegraph.

According to a research team at the University of Edinburgh between 2001 and 2005 there was a 42% increase in the number of eczema sufferers in England. The researchers, led by Professor Aziz Sheikh, said that they expected the number of sufferers to continue to rise.

The University of Edinburgh team say that the “frequency of bathing and use of soaps and detergents", may have contributed to the rise, along with better awareness and diagnosis.

The researchers fears were echoed by Margaret Cox, chief executive of the National Eczema Society, who said that the modern obsession with cleanliness could provide the clue to the increase in eczema cases. She told the Daily Telegraph: "Water use dries up the skin and soaps and detergents decrease the skin, We are using quite a lot of these products from an early age.

Organic & Natural Alternatives

Therapists warned to take extra care as eczema incidences rise!

The number of people suffering from eczema has risen dramatically in the UK meaning therapists have to be even more thorough with hygiene and consultations. Between 2001 and 2005 there was a 42% increase in the number of people diagnosed with the condition, a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine revealed.

The number of prescriptions issued to treat sufferers is believed to have increased by 57% and by 2005 it is estimated 5.7m people in the UK had eczema. With this condition on the rise, Habia has warned that therapists need to be even more conscientious when it comes to carrying out client consultations and cleaning equipment.

Wendy Nixon, health and safety manager for the organisation, said: “Eczema is not contagious but therapists have to take extra care when offering treatments because this condition makes the skin extremely sensitive. They may react quite violently to certain products. Also eczema can also mean the skin is broken more easily meaning there is more exposure to blood and bodily fluids. As they should with any client, all equipment should be thoroughly disinfected after a treatment is finished."

Nixon added that therapists themselves need to be careful they do not develop the conditions themselves. If they already have it they must take precautions to ensure it does not get worse. She said: “Something to highlight is that many therapists are likely to suffer from eczema and because they are continually cleansing, this could develop into occupational dermatitis.

Hairdressers are more likely to suffer from this than beauty therapists but they’re still up there in the top ten of professions to suffer from this skin complaint. I advise them to use a product that doesn’t contain perfume to wash their hands and always, always moisturise their hands afterwards.”

The reason behind this incidence surge is still unclear but most likely to be a down to several contributing factors. Helen Pugsley, a nurse and lecturer at Cardiff University’s School of Dermatology, said: “It’s probably a combination of lifestyle, family history and environment. I wouldn’t say this is a result of an increase in allergies because although eczema makes a person more sensitive to things, it is not a true allergy. Central heating means people are living in very warm homes, which makes skin dry and itchy meaning people will scratch it. Going from a warm house to the cold outside is also not good for the skin.

“There are also thoughts that we are cleaning ourselves too much. Every time you bathe, the skin is stripped of its natural oils and this leads to dryness. Also, if there is a strong family history of the condition people are more likely to have eczema.”

She advised: “People should turn down their central heating and moisturise. It should be a bit like brushing your teeth, once in the morning and again at night. I would say moisturiser is the main treatment.”

by Sara McCorquodale, March 26th 2009

Our products are natural and organic and do not strip the skin of its natural oils and is the reson many people are now tring natural alternatives.