The New Calm Offensive
Ask Noella Gabriel for her wellbeing tips and she’s likely to tell you, in her soothing Irish brogue, to ‘relax and enjoy’. But, as the 60-year-old co-founder of skincare range Elemis knows well, we need a helping hand in these pressured times. So Noella has developed Life Elixirs, Elemis’s new range of five ‘emotional essentials’: Calm, Clarity, Fortitude, Embrace and Sleep, each a delicate blend of oils designed to restore harmony and settle mind and body. I am writing this on a Monday morning. My brain is racing. My office is chaos. I have a long to-do list, piles of washing and ironing – and smeary specs. But I opened the box of Life Elixirs and read these words inside the lid: Stop. Breathe. Tune into you. So I did just that – and cleaned my glasses. Then I rubbed Calm oil on my pulse points and I do, indeed, feel calmer.
Noella originally studied shiatsu massage, reflexology and aromatherapy, which she has applied over the years in the creation of new products and of Elemis’s world-renowned spa and treatment menu. Recently, she learned to practise mindfulness, which, she says, has had a big influence on Life Elixirs.
Her second mantra, which I like so much I have to include, is to follow your dream. ‘When I was growing up, my mum and my elder sister inspired me to follow my dream and taught me that anything is possible.’
Each of the five Life Elixir blends is available has a Bath & Shower Elixir/£55 for 100 ml, Perfume Oil/£28 for 8.5ml, and a Candle/£36, as well as in mini-sets at elemis.com.
With the sun getting higher and stronger, as summer comes in, don’t forget about protecting your eyes as well as your skin, says optometrist Neha Mehta (davidclulow.com). Even on a cloudy day, UV radiation can damage your eyes, which may lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. ‘Big sunglasses with wide arms are a must, both for grown-ups and children,’ says Neha, who suggests topping up protection with a big-brimmed hat or cap. (If your ears and neck are exposed, apply sunscreen there, too.)
When choosing sunglasses, look for the CE mark, which shows they meet European safety standards. For children, it may be wise to choose plastic rather than glass lenses for safety reasons.
Sunglasses can also help protect your eyes from wind-blown allergens. If you do get dry, sore eyes, Neha recommends Hycosan Preservative Free Eye Drops/£9.99 for 7.5 ml at boots.com).
Many dog owners think bad breath is normal but it can be a sign of oral disease, which affects 80 per cent of dogs aged three plus. In research on dogs fed on dry food, a Greenies daily dental chew was shown to clean teeth, freshen breath and improve teeth and gum health. From £5.83 for 22 teenies (other sizes available), vetuk.co.uk, and other online suppliers.
People who suffer with rosacea will not be welcoming the sun, which is the most common trigger of the chronic inflammatory skin condition. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 that protects against UVA and UVB is a must, but experts advise staying out of the sun if possible. A natural range such as Green People Scent-Free Sun Lotion SPF 30 (£22 for 200ml, victoriahealth.com) may minimise irritation. NHS Choices suggests visiting rosacea.org for more information