I’ve been working hard on perfecting my new soap range and am delighted that they are now added to the site. They are traditionally made soap, containing only the finest natural ingredients. They are mild and gentle to use and super moisturising. If you’ve only tried mass produced commercial soaps then you are missing a treat. Take a look at the full range on the site now.

Also added to the Myroo family is my new feminine and sensual  Bath & Body Oil. I’ve been selling this at fairs for a while and it’s been well received, so it’s long overdue to introduce to my online customers. I hope you love it as much as I do.

I’ve spent a lot of time revising and improving all my packaging. I’m delighted with the finished look, I think it really represents Myroo well. Everything is now packaged in clear bottles and jars, so you can see the product inside. Clarity is a key part of the Myroo branding, being open and honest with our customers. So the transparent packaging feels appropriate.

Finally, I’ve had some amazing new photography taken to show off my products in their best light. I’m really pleased with them. I’d love to hear what you think.

Promise to try and be a better blogger and post again soon.

Rachael x

laboratory glassware

New research has been published by the team at Reading University, headed by Dr Philippa Darbre¹ which is reigniting the debate over the safety of parabens. Newpapers are already covering the story warning their readers of possible risks;

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4054989/Breast-cancer-risk-all-over-shops-shelves.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-205804/Do-deodorants-cause-cancer.html

The team analysed cancerous breast tissue from 40 women and found quantifiable paraben esters in 99% of tissue samples. In 60% of samples all 5 varieties of paraben ester were found ^2. Dr Darbre said the presence of parabens in cancerous breast tissue samples did not necessarily mean they had actually caused the women’s cancer but has called for further investigation into the use of parabens ³.

It is a controversial issue and I have blogged about parabens before. You can read the blog post here.  Again I leave it to you to read the evidence and make your decision about the risks. If you do want to avoid parabens or reduce your exposure then the whole Myroo range is completely paraben free and always will be.

1. -http://www.reading.ac.uk/biologicalsciences/about/staff/p-d-darbre.aspx
2. -http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jat.1786/abstract;jsessionid=6327E2586C5D14F65540EE4496520571.d02t04?systemMessage=Wiley+Online+Library+will+be+disrupted+14+Jan+from+10-12+GMT+for+monthly+maintenance
3. - http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-parabens-breast-tissue-limited-women.html

• Always wear an SPF, personally I use Factor 50, sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to skin damage, not worth the risk.
• Burnt skin is never a good look and it’s your skin’s defence against over exposure to UV, a sure sign you’ve overdone it.
• Watch out for cooling breezes, they can trick you into thinking you’re not going to burn.
• Work the vintage look and wear a wide brimmed hat, looks fab and gives further protection to the delicate skin on your face.
• Stay out of the sun when it’s at its hottest, 12.00-2.00.
• Drink plenty of water and seek shade before you’ve overdone it.
• After spending time in the sun, cool your skin with a shower. This will also wash off the sunscreen, which is essential but not the most natural product to be slathering on.

If you’ve followed the rules your skin won’t be sore so a scrub with Myroo’s Mint Tea Polishing Scrub, will leave you clean, refreshed and soft. For extra skin nourishment follow up with Myroo’s Body Butter. This has the added benefit of leaving smooth skin ready for fake-tan to be applied. One time when faking it is best.

Follow these simple rules and you should be able to enjoy the 2 long weekends skin-safe. Happy Holidays from Myroo!

If you do over-do it, always seek medical advice.

The event will run over the Royal Wedding bank holiday weekend, from 29th April – 2nd May 2011.

This exciting event brings together a wide range of handcrafted, original crafts, including jewellery, textiles, art, photography, furniture and pottery and of course luxury, natural skincare from Myroo, all available for you to buy.

Harlow Carr is one of our favourite family trips out. Winner of two White Rose Awards for Sustainable Tourism and Best Large Visitor Attraction in 2010 there’s loads to explore and do. While visiting the pop-up gallery allow time to explore the wonderful gardens and enjoy a cup of tea and slice of cake at the famous Bettys Café Tea Rooms. My little ones love Harlow Carr especially the Log Maze and Log Ness Monster, why not make a family day out of it.

For further details about the RHS Garden, Harlow Carr visit www.rhs.org.uk

For more about the Made-It event visit www.made-it.co.uk

What are the benefits for your skin?

• Boosts your circulation
• Helps speed cell regeneration
• Removes those grey and dulling, dead skin cells (ugh, I know)
• Speeds up your lymphatic system which can help eliminate toxins
• Softens and brightens the skin
• Helps prevent ingrowing hairs, if you wax or shave your body (you can exfoliate your bikini line, but a gentle product and a gentle approach are best)
• Provides a smooth base if you apply fake tan, key to ensuring an even, streak-free finish

Any tips on how to exfoliate my body?

Dry exfoliating is a great treat for your skin. Stand in shower without it on and rub your exfoliator all over your body in small circles working up your body. Then shower off the residue.

• Use firm but gentle pressure to get the best results without damaging the skin.
• Aim to exfoliate your body a couple of times a week.
• Moisturise well after exfoliating or use a moisturising scrub, like my may chang body polish.
• Don’t exfoliate more than a couple of times a week or it can be damaging.
• Avoid exfoliating sore, damaged or sunburned skin.

What about myroo skincare’s scrub then?

My polishing body scrub is formulated to exfoliate, moisturise and nourish. Sea salt is an effective exfoliator, with antiseptic properties, it can also help draw toxins. Shea butter soothes and moisturises and can aid cell regeneration. I also add vitamin E to nourish, repair and boost skin. My personal favourite is the may chang essential oil version, which is mouth-wateringly citrusy and an ideal pick-me-up.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Here’s my recipe for an easy, skin loving, nutritious breakfast.
• Mix a handful rolled oats, 1 Tbsp dried fruit, 1 Tbsp nuts, 1 Tbsp mixed of pumpkin seeds & sunflower seeds and ½ Tbsp linseeds. (You can make up a big batch of this dry mix and then just measure out a portion whenever you need).
• Pour over apple juice or milk.
• Top with a spoonful of natural yoghurt and a sliced banana or (if it’s the season) some berries.
• Enjoy.

So, what will this power-house of a breakfast give you;
OATS
Oats are a brilliant source of essential vitamins such as thiamin, folic acid, and vitamin E. They also deliver a good dose of zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium.(1)
DRIED FRUIT
Dried fruit is full of fibre and vitamins and counts towards your daily fruit and veg portions. Prunes and dried apricots contain beta-carotene, while figs, prunes, raisins, sultanas and dried apricots are good sources of iron.(2)
NUTS
Well, take your pick, they’re all super good for you. Nuts supply one of the best natural sources of vitamins E and B2 and are rich in protein, fibre, and essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and selenium.(3)  My personal favourites are pistachios. Pistachios really rich in antioxidants lutein, beta-carotene and gamma-tocopherol.(4)
PUMPKIN SEEDS
Pumpkin seeds are a really good source of iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. I think they’re also really tasty.(5)
SUNFLOWER SEEDS
Sunflower seeds are high in folic acid, selenium, iron and zinc, which are all essential for a healthy happy body.(6)
LINSEEDS
Far too few people eat linseeds, in my opinion. They are a highly concentrated source of not only omega-3 fatty acids but also lignans, both of which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions.(7) They have very little taste, add a nice texture and are an easy way to boost the nutrition of a dish. Also, try stirring them into your yoghurt, adding to your crumble topping, or mixing into breadcrumbs for fishcakes, pasta bakes etc..
YOGHURT
Yoghurt is a good source of calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium.(8) Any natural yoghurt will also help boost the healthy bacteria in your system, no need to pay extra for those special ‘probiotic’ yoghurts.

If you go for the fruit juice option then you’ve already ticked off over 3 of your 5 a day (did you know it’s at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, not upto 5?), how good is that! Oh, and the whole lot is low GI, so will fill you up until lunch.

All those vitamins, minerals and fatty acids are essential for good healthy skin and will help oily or dry skin. A diet rich in healthy foods will show itself in clear, bright skin. Give my ‘skin-boost’ breakfast a go and let me know what you think.

1-http://health.learninginfo.org/benefits-oatmeal.htm
2-http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/asksam/healthydiet/fruitandvegq/#A218504
3 -http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A577127
4- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7746019/Handful-of-pistachios-could-destroy-cholesterol.html
5 -http://www.healthandgoodness.com/article/pumpkin-seeds.html
6 -http://www.munchyseeds.co.uk/health-benefits-sunflower-seeds
7-http://www.good4u.co.uk/health.php
8-http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-yogurt

So I thought in a series of posts, over the coming months, I’d share with you some of the essential oils I use in my products and the reasons for choosing them. And first up is geranium oil….

Geranium essential oil is one of my favourites, for its versatility and beautiful scent, either on its own or in a blend.

Firstly, put out of mind images of those brightly coloured flowers in your Grandma’s window box. Geranium oil comes from another species (Pelargonium Graveolens) and the whole plant is fragrant and used to extract the oil.

The oil I use in myroo products is from Egypt and is steam distilled. The smell is strong, sweet and heady, wonderful rosy notes balanced with hints of citrus and mint.

Geranium oil is great for the circulation and is balancing, so is suitable for dry, combination or oily skin types. It is great for brightening skin and boosting your complexion.

Like all essential oils it is antiseptic, but amongst other things it is also mood-lifting (antidepressant), anti-inflammatory and astringent.

It is great for de-toxing and lifting the mood, so I’ve used it in a blend in my floral bath fizz. Use it when you’re feeling low, your skin needs a boost, you’re full of aches and pains or when your hormones are a little out of check.

My best selling hand treat is also fragranced with geranium, and I chose it to help boost and regenerate dull, dry skin and to give a hand when your circulation is sludgy. Geranium oil can help with dermatitis, eczema and sensitive skin and it helps fade scars and other blemishes, all great reasons to include it in a hand cream.

I’d love to know your thoughts? What are your favourite oils? Have you tried any myroo products with geranium in? What did you think. I love hearing from you, so please leave a comment.

I’m so excited to be starting my 2nd year in business and have grand plans. I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions, but there are several things I hope to achieve with myroo skincare this year.

There’ll be some new product launches. Look out for news on some of those very soon, including my new facial range and a foot range.

I’ll be trying some new events including some fairs in the beautiful city of York and Leeds City Centre.

I’m reviewing all my branding and packaging too, lots of exciting changes planned.

The website will be getting updated and of course I shall be blogging much more regularly. Keep a watch out for my new regular series on decoding skincare ingredients listings.

So, a lot in store and it’s going to be great! Subscribe to this blog and you’ll never miss all the latest news, product launches and details of events.

Apply hand cream regularly to protect the delicate, thin skin on your hands. Keep a pot by the sink, on your desk and in your bag so you remember to apply it frequently.

For really sore dry hands, slather in hand cream last thing at night and the cream will do its thing while you sleep. Cotton gloves will help the cream absorb and protect your bed linen.

Wear gloves; rubber gloves to protect from household chores, gardening gloves and weather appropriate gloves when out and about. This will help protect your hands and make the job of keeping them in great condition so much easier.

A hand massage can help circulation and relieve tension and if you use a hand cream while doing it, will nourish and soothe dry skin too.
Our Geranium Hand Treat is rich in omega oils and vitamin e and is formulated to soothe dry skin and help soften, soothe and regenerate the skin on your hands. Use as a daily hand cream and apply extra as an overnight intensive treat