The natural skincare clinic

Our experts provide some natural tips for tackling some of the most common skincare issues

From eczema to psoriasis, skincare issues can be embarrassing and distressing. Fortunately there are some natural ways to tackle these issues through diet, supplementation and opting for chemical-free beauty products. Here, our experts give us their top tips.

Rosacea

"Up to 15 per cent of the population suffer from rosacea," explains Kathryn Danzey, founder of Rejuvenated (rejuvenated.com). "Symptoms may initially appear as a slight flushing in the skin or even watery eyes in cold weather. It can gradually become worse, and you could experience small, visible blood vessels on the face along with bumps and pimples. The actual cause of rosacea is not fully known, but understanding some of the factors that aggravate it can help to keep the symptoms at bay.

Rosacea is generally worse in winter as it's aggravated by extreme weather temperatures i.e. the cold versus central heating. When walking, try to protect your face with a snood pulled up to your cheeks and avoid sitting too close to a heat source when inside. Keep a skin diary to monitor which foods can trigger your symptoms. Highly spiced foods, alcohol and hot drinks can all act as triggers. Allow your tea and coffee to cool a little before drinking and try to have a glass of water before alcohol to reduce the impact on your skin. Yeast, dairy, and sugar can also prove to be troublesome for some people."

Top tip: "Your skin reflects your inner health," says Kathryn, "so take a high-quality probiotic supplement which will help to work from the inside out to balance the digestive system. This in turn reduces inflammation and calms the skin."

Fine lines

"Fine lines are predominantly a result of insufficient collagen and elastin in the skin, which prevents the skin from protecting itself from damage," explains Malika Aswani, a naturopathic nutritionist and founder of www.motherearthsbeauty.co.uk/. "The body produces less collagen as you get older, so fine lines are part of the natural process of ageing, though they can often be exacerbated by factors such as sun exposure and environmental pollutants, which can break down collagen fibres causing the skin to become thinner and less elastic.

Exfoliating and cleansing using skincare products containing AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) helps remove dead skin cells and encourages the regeneration process of new cells to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Sunscreen is essential to protect from sun damage which causes collagen to break down and your skin to start drooping as a result. Likewise, a rich moisturiser with natural butters can serve as an effective barrier against environmental pollutants which damage and accelerate skin ageing."

Top tip: "Using serums and face mists that are high in antioxidants like vitamins A, B, C and E can help reduce fine lines," says Malika, "because these active ingredients have low molecular weight, enabling them to penetrate deep into the skin to encourage collagen production, making the skin firmer, tighter and giving it a healthy glow."

Breakouts

Skin breakouts can occur at any age and often occur when you least want them to. Fortunately there's a natural remedy that can help and it's all thanks to the humble honeybee.

"On top of being the hardest workers known to exist, honeybees also produce an impressive array of highly nutritious substances which have a proven history of benefits for health and skincare," says Erin McCann Galvin, a nutritionist with Unbeelievable Health (www.unbeelievablehealth.co.uk) "These include propolis, which has been the subject of over 2,000 studies. It's derived from resins bees collect from trees and plant buds, and they use it to seal and sterilise their hives. Humans have been using propolis medicinally since the ancient times. It has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory actions and can aid breakouts as it disrupts the proliferation of bacteria cells. It does this by inhibiting cell division and by destroying their cell structure as well as supporting the body's immune system."

Top tip: "Propolis is also shown to aid collagen production and can speed up the healing of wounded skin," says Erin. "It can be found in supplements and is an effective natural ingredient to add to your daily skincare arsenal!"

Psoriasis

"Psoriasis is thought to affect around 2 per cent of the population and the severity of it tends to vary between each individual," says Abi Weeds, co-founder of Odylique (odylique.co.uk). "While some people just experience mild irritation, others can experience extreme discomfort and unfortunately the condition can have a huge impact on daily life and self-confidence.

Psoriasis appears as red, dry, flaky patches of skin and is a result of skin cells reproducing too quickly.

The rapid production of skin cells results in the skin shedding too quickly, hence flaking. Reducing stress may be the best natural treatment of psoriasis. Stress is a very common psoriasis trigger, so it is worth consulting qualified help for appropriate herbal remedies to support you in busy or challenging times."

Top tip: "While not a treatment as such, it is believed that psoriasis responds well to a topical application of a cream rich in beta carotene," says Abi. "So, choosing products with soothing calendula (with a high beta carotene content) may be beneficial. To combat excess flakiness and scaly patches applying a good natural moisturiser will aid replenishment of hydration and nutrients."

Eczema

"Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, red and cracked," says Ingrid Jamieson, marketing manager with natural beauty brand distributor Pravera (www.pravera.co.uk).

"Synthetic and toxic chemicals can aggravate and irritate the skin, therefore encouraging eczema to develop. Parabens and SLS, which are commonly used in conventional skin and body care products, are skin irritants and can cause eczema. Synthetic fragrances and colouring agents in skincare products may also cause irritation. As the skin absorbs 60 per cent of the topical product that you put on it, avoiding products containing these chemicals is recommended. Instead, try using natural and organic cleansers and moisturisers which are free from these substances. Products should be mild and gentle on the skin and they should contain soothing and skin regenerating ingredients."

Top tip: "Keeping the skin's moisture levels intact may help to control eczema," says Ingrid. "A natural and organic moisturiser should be applied regularly and consistently as this helps to improve the barrier and protects the skin from external irritants such as bacteria, viruses, detergent residue and harmful substances."

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