Genevieve Potter looks at ways of improving your skin, naturally

Botanicals
Botanicals is a range of “organically enlightened” skincare, produced near Melton Mowbray.  The hand-blended products are designed to work holistically, following the belief that beauty comes not only from the nourishment of the skin, but also from the emotional benefits of plant essences.  Botanicals’ facial cleansing melt and organic foot balm have recently won top international honours at the Natural and Organic Awards.
• www.botanicals.co.uk

Lisa Armitage
Even closer to home, Barnack-based Lisa Armitage has just launched her skincare website It is www.lisaarmitage.com, to satisfy her expanding customer base.  
Lisa’s skincare range is competitively priced (from £12.50-£16.50) and yet contains many of the same, high performing, natural ingredients that you’d find in brands that cost many times more.  Everything is suitable for even the most sensitive skin and Lisa believes it’s no coincidence that our complexion becomes more youthful, radiant and glowing with the use of powerful, natural antioxidants like carrot oil, green tea, red raspberry, co-enzyme Q10 and Vitamin E.
I’m a big fan of the Green Mandarin and Papaya Cleansing Cream. It smells divine and used with a muslin cloth it contains natural AHAs to get skin visibly clean and glowing. 

www.lisaarmitage.com
 
Neal’s Yard Remedies at Sly 2
Neal’s Yard Remedies are researched, developed and manufactured in Dorset, where many of the ingredients (including damask roses and herbs) are grown locally.  Everything comes beautifully packaged in distinctive, 100% recyclable blue jars.

Belinda at Sly is extending her savvy retail offering with the NYR range, including the award winning Frankincense Hydrating Cream (£23.50 for 50g); which contains rejuvenating frankincense and myrrh, plus revitalising organic plant oils rich in vitamins A and E.
• Sly 2, 4 St Mary’s Passage, Stamford PE9 2HG Tel: 01780 482870

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy Associates at Chameleon
An adequate amount of sleep is key to a healthy complexion. Chameleon of Stamford now stock “Aromatherapy Associates”; their Deep Relax oil (£37 for 55ml), combines a powerful blend of sandalwood, vetivert and camomile to calm a whirring mind and encourage peaceful sleep (perfect if you are feeling overtired - owner Giselle swears by it!).

Lime Green Therapy
Angela Cardew of Lime Green Therapy is an experienced Holistic Aromatherapist offering treatments in the comfort of your home.

Seated acupressure massage focuses only on the upper body, targeting over 60 acupressure points whilst the client is fully clothed and seated on a special massage chair.  It can also be combined with Reiki, a gentle natural healing process which is deeply relaxing and works by channelling energy through the hands.
• Tel: 0790 6127940. www.limegreentherapy.co.uk

Reflexology
Reflexology is a pressure technique which works on precise reflex points on the hands or feet, inducing a state of deep relaxation and stimulating the body to heal itself.  It can be helpful for a wide range of even acute and chronic conditions and is particularly effective in treating digestive disorders, which in turn can noticeably improve the skin.  
Recommended practitioners:
• Jo Lloyd The Foot Garden (Wymondham based)
www.thefootgarden.com
Tel 07971 477220
• Vicki Ball (Ryhall based)
Tel: 01780 482244/07803020571 email vickiball10@hotmail.com

Annie Hall Homeopathy
Stamford-based Annie Hall, who lectures on homeopathy all over Europe, has vast experience in treating problems relating to the skin.  Annie is a bit like a detective; she’d want to know if your eczema was worse when you ate certain foods and how you responded to stress. She’d also be asking about your diet; the vast majority of those who come to see Annie are de-hydrated (the average adult should drink three litres of liquids a day and no fizzy drinks at all if there are skin problems).

Annie has a wide number of homeopathic remedies she can use when helping clients with their skin problems; for instance, Silica works well for children who have molloscum contagiosum and Belladonna and Arsenicum Album can often help itchy eczema.

Homeopathic remedies are made from naturally occurring substances in a specially prepared form, which you usually suck. You can mix homeopathy safely with conventional medicine, although many people use homeopathy to help them come off their medication.
• www.annie-hall.co.uk Tel: 01780 767667