Last weekend I wrote quite extensively about hay fever, together with the products which primarily support this seasonal condition, so today I want to talk about the role vitamin C plays because in and of itself it helps support each of those primary solutions.  Vitamin C is known to have antihistamine properties, which can help reduce allergy symptoms, including those caused by hay fever, and it works by lowering histamine levels in the body.

Acting as a natural antihistamine, Vitamin C reduces histamine production by helping to clear histamine from the bloodstream faster, but it also helps reduce inflammation which, in turn, helps to soothe irritated nasal passages and airways.  Vitamin C is known to help boost the immune system and here it strengthens the body’s ability to fight off allergens, but it also plays a role in improving respiratory symptoms, including nasal congestion.

There are many forms of vitamin C but, as ever, not all supplementation is created equally and that is certainly the case with vitamin C.  In a recent email to the VH Addicts, I wrote that I have always believed that any given formulation should stand out in the crowd, not become part of the crowd and that is certainly true of each of the DoSe formulations. Liposomal Vitamin C has been formulated with a high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade vitamin C, Quali-C™, which combines sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid for immediate and long-term benefits, and it really does stand out in the crowd in terms of efficacy.

Interestingly, and on from hay fever, several studies have indicated that we are all operating at sub-optimal levels of vitamin C, and in supporting that statement I am linking two articles below, the first of which looks at the benefits of vitamin C supplementation for skin, and there are several.  The second article references gum disease, and in a study published in February 2021, it was concluded that low vitamin C levels in the bloodstream were associated with an increased risk of gum concerns.  And because vitamin C supplementation should be a consideration for each of us, I am dropping the price of Liposomal Vitamin C from £35 to £30, across the weekend.
VH Editorials: The Benefits Of Vitamin C For Skin; Vitamin C For Gum Disease; DoSe Liposomal Vitamin C £30 for 240 ml (48 days’ supply) (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 13 April)

Staying with vitamin C, since its discovery in the 1930s the role of vitamin C for skin health has been the subject of much discussion and here it should be noted that skin contains high amounts of vitamin C, particularly in the epidermis, which is the outer layer of skin, so supplementation ensures that we retain optimal levels of vitamin C.

Topically, many people are unable to tolerate vitamin C skincare containing L-ascorbic acid because it can irritate skin, most especially when skin is exposed to the sun, but there is an alternative, a vitamin C derivative called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is converted into L-ascorbic acid and is able to get deeper into the dermal layers where collagen production takes place, supported of course by collagen supplementation, but with the focus on topical products, C-Deep Vitamin C Serum contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate at a therapeutic concentration of 3%.  At this concentration it helps tackle intrinsic and extrinsic ageing and the formulation also includes Squalane, which helps prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL), so as two significant ingredients join together, the price of C-Deep Vitamin C Serum drops from £22 to £19.  
VH Editorial: Is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate The Best Vitamin C Serum; DoSe C-Deep Vitamin C Serum £19 for 30 ml (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 13 April); DoSe Collagen Tripeptide Complex £45 for 90 Capsules

For the record, my skin is unable to tolerate L-ascorbic acid, but I just want to step outside of products for a moment because it has been reported that a new bill has been proposed in California that would ban the sale of skincare products containing retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to under 18s.  Across the years I have been extraordinarily vocal about the excessive use of harsh acids irrespective of age, but as reported in The Telegraph this proposal comes in response to what has been dubbed the ‘Sephora kids’ trend, so called after videos appeared of teenagers rampaging through the store in search of the anti-ageing products seen on TikTok.

Being quoted in the article, Dr Mary Sommerlad, a consultant dermatologist specialising in paediatric dermatology stated that the biggest problem with ingredients such as retinoids and liquid exfoliators, such as AHAs, is that they are not formulated for young skin in that they are designed to disrupt the skin barrier, stripping away layers of dead skin.  She further states that they can be useful when skin starts to produce less collagen and elastin and cell turnover starts to slow down, but children won’t see any of the benefits and are very likely to see the adverse effects, these adverse effects include perioral dermatitis.

I have quoted the most salient points from that article, but Dr Sommerlad goes on to state that being in her 40s, she only exfoliates once, maybe twice a week at most because damaging the skin barrier can also lead to irritant dermatitis, dry itchy skin that requires medical management, such as topical steroids and take months, even years to recover.  And there it is, so with nothing left to add, I am linking an article about perioral dermatitis below and as I do so, I am dropping the price of all three products recommended, with a note to say that Azelaic Acid is a mild, skin-friendly, water-based exfoliant, which should not be used at the same time as AHAs or retinols.
VH Editorial: What Is Perioral Dermatitis; DoSe Daily Cleanser £14 for 100 ml (drops from £17); DoSe Daily Moisturiser £13 for 50 ml (drops from £15); DoSe Azelaic Acid 10% Serum £13 for 30 ml (drops from £15) (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 13 April)

Onwards, and I have recently been writing about seasonal products, seasonal because these are the supplements which we recommend taking two or three times a year, although they are perfectly safe to take on an ongoing basis if required.  So, today we are taking a look at Super Cleanse For Colon, which is a natural remedy to help alleviate constipation, but it can also be used seasonally to cleanse the colon effectively, without the harshness of laxatives.

Colon cleansing is vital to optimal health because when food mixes with digestive enzymes, a plaque-like substance called mucoid plaque adheres to the walls of the intestines, harbouring bad bacteria and fungi, but it also prevents the absorption of nutrients.  This slows the motility of the intestines, often resulting in fatigue, sluggish bowel movements, impaired immunity and numerous other concerns, including constipation.  Containing fourteen powerful cleansing and nutritive herbs, Super Cleanse For Colon also supports optimal digestive function, and I am dropping the price of Super Cleanse from £25 to £22, across the weekend.
Super Cleanse For Colon by Nature’s Secret £22 for 100 Tablets (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 13 April)

I now want to take a look at candida overgrowth, because although there are an inordinate of remedies available, very few are able to eradicate this fungal infection, often referred to as candidiasis.  There are approximately 150 known species of candida, a yeast-like group of fungi that usually exist in the genitourinary tracts, respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract.  Common symptoms of candida overgrowth include gastrointestinal disturbances, allergies, food intolerances, oral thrush, genital thrush and genitourinary tract infections.

These problems can escalate with a weakened immune system, extended use of antibiotics and when there is too much sugar in our diets and under these circumstances, candida can proliferate and the symptoms get worse.  In recommending Candipure for candida overgrowth, it is not surprising that it contains clove oil as it has been shown to possess strong anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans, and it is joined by Black Garlic and Cinnamon, which contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial properties.  So, with two relevant articles linked below, I am dropping the price of Candipure from £18.95 to £16.
VH Editorials: How To Treat Candida Overgrowth; Treating Vaginal Thrush; Candipure £16 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 13 April)

I just want to end this section by saying that we also recommend Mega Probio for candida overgrowth and Daily Immunity for candida overgrowth and vaginal thrush.  Mega Probio because candida overgrowth is associated with an imbalance of bacteria in the gut and Daily Immunity because a weakened immune system can often lead to infection, and in both instances the comprehensive blend of nutrients and herbs used in Daily Immunity work in synergy to enhance antibody-like compounds. 

Antibodies are the basis of the immune system since these compounds detect pathogens and then signal the while blood cells to destroy them, but this is true not only for specific health concerns such as candida overgrowth and vaginal thrush, but for all infections and that includes viral infections.  I am more than aware that there are several rather nasty infections flying around at the moment and because we believe Daily Immunity should be taken throughout the year, not just in the winter months, I am dropping the price of Daily Immunity from £29 to £26 and because I like to be neat, Mego Probio also drops in price from £25 to £22.
VH Editorials: A Daily Supplement That Supercharges Your Immunity; Factors Which Compromise Your Gut Health; DoSe Daily Immunity £26 for 60 Capsules; Mega Probio £22 for 60 Capsules (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 13 April) 

I have news.  It has been almost five years since we launched the Heated Eye Wand from Peep Club, but on from that Peep Club have released a series of products to support dry eyes, as well as other eye conditions, so the news is that the Heated Eye Wand has just been upgraded.  The Heated Eye Wand LED+ is the latest upgraded model of the award-winning Peep Club Heated Eye Wand range and in collaboration with leading UK optometrists and based upon hundreds of conversations with Peep Club customers, this new model has been in research and development for three years and it has now arrived.

The LED+ model still uses the core three modes, hot compress, gentle massage and Red LED, but it now offers two additional innovative modes, Green LED light, which has been shown to soothe redness and inflammation and Amber LED light, which has been found to help reduce redness and the appearance of visible blood vessels, a leading reason for the appearance of dark circles.  It also boasts over ten improvements to design and functionality, including a 1.5 x larger wand head, an in-built five minute timer and a base that stands up right.

In many ways, this is an evolutionary advancement because Green and Amber LED are newer and potentially even more exciting advances in visible light, joining Red LED which has been shown to boost collagen and elastin to help improve the appearance of fine lines over time and with regular use.  Our eyes are hugely sensitive, so I just want to say here that full information is listed on the product page and it is important that you read these notes carefully. It is also important to say that the LED+ model is not suitable for those with a nickel allergy and here we recommend The Heated Eye Wand Pro Nickel Free. 
Heated Eye Wand LED+ by Peep Club £85; Heated Eye Wand Pro Nickel Free by Peep Club £75

More news and this time it is from Lanolips who have just released two new products.  We seem to be on a roll with lip products, so please allow me to introduce you to 101 Ointment Banana Cream Pie where Lanolips have taken the iconic 101 Ointment and infused it with real banana extract and vitamin E to create an all-natural cream banana flavour with a hint of biscuit, caramel and sweet pastry.  This super-rich balm penetrates and seals in moisture to give extreme hydration for extremely dry and chapped lips, skin patches, cuticles and elbows.

The second new product is 101 Ointment Vanilla, with all the same attributes, but this time it is infused with real vanilla extract and vitamin E.  And because we are on a roll with lip products, when you buy two of these products and it doesn’t matter whether they are the same or one of each, we will automatically include Lemonaid Lip Treatment (12.5 grams) as a gift, which is worth £8.99.  Actually, let me make that easier, one or both of those products can also be the new Hyaluronic Lip Oils, which are available in two shades, Honey and Raspberry. There is only one gift per customer and if Lemonaid fails to go into your basket, that will mean that the offer is over.
101 Ointment Banana Cream Pie £8.99 for 10 grams; 101 Ointment Vanilla £8.99 for 10 grams; Hyaluronic Lip Oil Honey £10.99 for 6 ml; Hyaluronic Lip Oil Raspberry £10.99 for 6 ml

And finally, we are all different, we have different health concerns, we have different skincare needs and it is important to offer a choice, so in alignment with that choice, we are offering a 20% discount across Willowberry, a natural skincare brand.  There are seven products in the range and each of the products have been specifically designed for the needs of grown-up skin formulated with a focus on vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. I think we are all pretty much grown up round here. 
Willowberry Products (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 13 April)

Into the Saturday only treat, and with every order placed for £35 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion (45 ml)* by Margaret Dabbs.  Formulated to work on a treatment level, Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion fuses both the health and the beauty of feet with its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and hydrating properties.  Full product details listed below.
Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion

And finally, Mendelssohn’s Spring Song, which captures the joy and energy of the season.
Mendelssohn’s Spring Song; The VH Playlist

With love for a restful weekend.

Gill x