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  1. New Start and some Recipes for you

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    Sugar Scrub Recipe

    To start our Blog off here is a lovely free Sugar Scrub recipe on my Studio Blog

    Welcome to my Sunday musings!

    Happy Sunday….and today it is actually sunny which makes such a difference.  I don't know about you but the sunshine seems to make all things better.  The tough economic climate in which I see so many amazing small businesses & families like ours struggling on a daily basis,  the tough environmental climate in which I battle to rationalise my role as a consumer business and my desire to save the planet and challenge the worlds financial equalities whilst also being a child of the 80's that loves to shop and enjoys lifes little luxuries.  These days my idea of luxury is a bath and some skincare,  some time in my garden on my new Yoga platform (made from pallets) and peace and quiet. 

    The Newsletter has always been a dream of mine, to produce something that people stop and read for a few minutes each week and not the vehicle it has become which is to simply announce sales or discounts.  While those are useful it doesn't give me much satisfaction.  I would love to know what you want from a newsletter? I want to share recipes that allow you to make your own little bit of eco luxury or save some pennies as well as some plastic waste (like this weeks sugar scrub recipe). I also want to share details of workshops that we offer via my studio Rowan Tree Studio

    Some feedback would be amazing if you have some time.

    In the meantime for anyone still reading I thought some informaton on us and what we do would be helpful if you didn't already know.

    We are a small family run business with an amazing team that makes Soap, Candles, Skincare and so much more from our HQ at the old Clovelly School.  We have a cute shop in Clovelly Village, sell online and wholesale as well as creating private label soaps and skincare and developing products for other amazing small brands.

    My other passion is teaching people how to make soaps, candles and skincare as well as Sewing and Patchwork and other fibre arts from Our Studio in Higher Clovelly. 

    Well after that long post I am heading off for a late brunch of gluten free pancakes and making a lot of bath bombs!

    Makes Lots!

    400g Self Raising Gluten Free Flour

    2 Tsp Baking Powder

    1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

    2 Ripe Bananas

    2 Tsb Vanilla

    2 Tbs Melted butter or dairy free alternative

    2 Large eggs 

    475ml Almond or normal milk (I am milk intolerant)

     

    1) Put all dry ingredients in a bowl and combine

    2) Melt butter in the pan you will be using

    3) Combine Banana, Vanila eggs and melted butter

    4)  Add Milk and whisk

    5) Combine with the dry ingredients and whisk well

    Fry in a small amount of oil or butter

    ENJOY!

    Gluten Free Pancake Recipe

  2. Winter Skincare & Winter Sale

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    Winter brings many challenges to our skin that can make it dry, flaky and dull. Central heating, cold air and wind combine to dehydrate our skin and make it feel much dryer than usual.  This can exacerbate existing skin issues like Rosacea, Excema and hormonal acne.

    I am no stranger to the Winter Skin blues which you may think is odd for someone with their own skincare company.  After a busy run up to Christmas my skincare regime if I ever really have one is pretty non existant and January tends to be when I realise how badly I have neglected my skin and general health.

    With the start of a New Year where we hope to talk to you all more and give you more knowledge about natural skincare, soap and natural cleaning, now felt like the perfect time to talk about how best to combat winter skin.

    Here are my top tips for fighting winter skin:

    1)  HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!: This is one we all know but often neglect.  Water is the skins friend and drinking enough water helps in all areas of health.  Caffeine, Alcohol and Foods high is salt draw moisture from the skin.  If you are taking part in Dry January why not try something a little different as a special weekend drink.  Here in Clovelly we have the owner of Raw Water Kefir company PIQI and her naturally sparkling Kefir is the perfect gut and skin treat in January. 

    PIQI

    2) NUTRITION: Food is also key in improving our skin from the inside out and what perfect time than January to eat some healthy skin loving food.  

    • Good fats like Salmon, Avocado, Chia Seeds & Nuts
    • Eat the Rainbow including food high in Beta Carotene like Carrots, Sweet Potato and Bell Peppers.
    • B7 or Biotin is needed for the metabolism of fatty acids and protects cells from damage and water loss, helping to keep your skin moist and plump. This can be found in Egg Yolks, Oats, Salmon and Hemp seeds.
    • Zinc deficiency can cause dry and cracked skin - Eat Rye/Wheat sprouts, Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds to get more Zinc.
    • Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to add water to your diet

    3) CLEANSE:  Skin cleansing is a hot topic in skincare and many people shy away from soap on the face.  Personally as a soap maker it is the product I turn to for my whole body from Hair to Toes.  I have combination skin so my go to soap for the face is our Honey & Oat Facial Soap (also great for hair and body).  Honey is a humectant which means it draws moisture from the air to your skin and the glycerin in our soaps asks in the same way.  This combined with oats that have been used for centuries on the skin make a wonderful gentle exfoliating soap that does not dry the skin.   If you have oily skin then our Patchouli & Orange Charcoal facial soap is ideal.

    clovelly soap co-09

    Oil cleansing is a great alternative to soap if you want to remove dirt and makeup gently.  I am a huge fan of products that serve many purposes and our Hair, Face and Body oil can be used as a skin cleanser, Hair Conditioner, Body Oil & Facial oil.   A little goes a long way and a bottle lasts for months which makes it one of my favourite budget skin products.

    5) MOISTURISE: Winter is the time to up the moisturising game and use something richer and in particular a night product that you can put on and sleep with.  Our Skin Balms are rich and nourishing and as the main ingredient is MeadowFoam Seed oil they sink into the skin not leaving it greasy.

    6) EXFOLIATE: When skin is dry and flaky there is a tempation to exfoliate to remove the dead and dry skin, in the winter this can cause more damage if you use a harsh exfoliant.  Oats make a great gentle exfoliant and if you have any dried beans in the cupboard you can grind them finely and use as a gentle natural scrub.

    7) TONE:  After you have cleansed, it is time to use a natural toner to wet the skin and close the pores before adding your chosen moisturiser.  Our new Organic Floral Water Toners can be used after washing and through the day to combat dry air.

    I hope this has given  you some ideas for ways to manage dry winter skin and to help you on the path to great skin we have a Winter Skin Sale until the end of January with 20% off a huge range of skin pampering products.