Weekend Read 19 September 2026
Hello, another Saturday and I have news, rather exciting news. Over the years, we have watched Fulvic Acid prove itself repeatedly across hair, across skin and across the body. Fulvic Acid is an extraordinary compound and today we are introducing it into a new product, Fulvic Foot Cream, an intensive moisturiser formulated for dry, rough and dehydrated feet, including dry and cracked heels.
It can take rather a long time to bring a product to market, notably Ergothioneine Serum where we were testing two years before launch, but quite honestly it doesn’t really matter how long it takes as long as the final formulation upholds ingredient integrity, which Fulvic Foot Cream does. As with each of the DoSe and Fulvic products, Fulvic Foot Cream has been formulated by Shabir, but he formulated several versions and my claim to fame is that the final decision was mine. A moment.
Actually, the decision wasn’t too difficult. Fulvic Foot Cream is essentially a treatment product, a rather fabulous treatment product, but I felt it had to include Menthol, so each of the other formulations fell by the wayside, as it were. I love Menthol, it makes our feet tingle, but it also does something rather more useful than simply feeling wonderful, it activates the skin’s own cold-sensing receptors, tricking the body into a genuine sensation of coolness, which is precisely the kind of relief so many of us want at the end of a long day.
Fulvic Foot Cream also works beautifully as an overnight treatment, simply apply it liberally, pull on a pair of socks and let it work quietly while you sleep. And so, a fabulous new addition to the Fulvic family has arrived and, in celebration, Fulvic Foot Cream launches at £16 until midnight BST, Tuesday 22 September, when it will become £18. Formulated in tribute to our feet and to the cutting-edge compounds which continue to make a difference.
Fulvic Foot Cream £16 for 100 ml (until midnight BST, Tuesday 22 September)
Onwards with vitamin C and the role it plays both in our immune system and the body’s stress response. Vitamin C is concentrated more heavily in white blood cells than almost anywhere else in the body, for good reason because it supports several distinct stages of the immune response, encouraging the production of white blood cells, helping them migrate to the site of an infection, and protecting them from the oxidative damage they themselves generate while fighting off pathogens.
During infection, or significant physical stress, vitamin C levels in the blood and immune cells can fall dramatically within days, precisely at the moment the body needs them most, which is the reason why vitamin C supplementation is so often recommended at the very first sign of feeling unwell. There is a meaningful body of research showing that adequate vitamin C intake can shorten the duration and severity of common infections but, on from that, the adrenal glands hold some of the highest concentrations of vitamin C of almost any other organ in the body, matched only by the brain.
Vitamin C is a required co-factor in the production of the very hormones the adrenal glands are responsible for, including cortisol and adrenaline, and as the adrenals are tasked with managing our response to stress, under sustained physical or psychological stress, vitamin C, which is water soluble, is excreted far faster than usual. Vitamin C is required for the manufacture of anti-stress hormones and it has been shown to play a role in regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, both of which are closely associated with calm and mood.
With evidence indicating that vitamin C plays a role in supporting emotional balance, alongside its more familiar work in immunity and stress, supplementing with vitamin C serves many purposes, provided it is taken in its correct form. The standard ascorbic acid found in most supplementation is notoriously short-lived in the bloodstream and excreted long before the body has had the chance to make proper use of it. And so, Liposomal Vitamin C.
Formulated with Quali-C™, a pharmaceutical-grade vitamin C, Liposomal Vitamin C is a high strength form of vitamin C combining sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid providing 1000 mg of vitamin C which is encased in liposomes. Liposomes are tiny phospholipids that resemble the outer membrane of each of our cells which are readily absorbed into our bloodstream, offering protection against the harsh acidic environment of our stomach, ensuring the effective delivery of vitamin C to the cells of the body. This is crucially important, so in recognition of pioneering and cutting-edge supplementation, Liposomal Vitamin C drops in price from £35 to £30, across the weekend.
DoSe Liposomal Vitamin C £30 for 240 ml (48 days’ supply) (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 20 September)
Skin is the largest organ in our bodies and the appearance of our skin generally reflects the health of its underlying structure. Vitamin deficiencies can often result in significant skin disorders, and a vitamin C deficiency is often characterised by skin fragility and impaired wound healing. Interestingly, studies indicate that vitamin C is required for the manufacture of the structural protein, collagen. Being a potent antioxidant it has the ability to scavenge damaging free radicals and it has been shown to inhibit the synthesis of melanin, the skin’s pigment, so it is considered to be valuable in the treatment of melasma and hyperpigmentation.
Topically, the stability of vitamin C is challenging because the most effective form, L-ascorbic acid, is also the most unstable, but stability can be increased by including other antioxidants in any given formulation, such as Ferulic Acid, which is a potent plant-based antioxidant. Ferulic Acid also plays a role in helping to protect vitamin C from oxidising, so it was important to include it in Triple Vitamin C 23% Serum and Ferulic Acid. Notably, this formulation contains the three forms of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Glucoside, providing the three main core benefits, antioxidant protection, collagen production and targeting hyperpigmentation.
The other thing I want to say here is that although we believe that Triple Vitamin C is at the cutting-edge of topical vitamin C formulations, those of us with sensitive skin can react to L-ascorbic acid, so here we recommend C-Deep Vitamin C Serum. C-Deep is a highly stable, fast-absorbing vitamin C derivative called Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, which is suspended in Squalane, a light oil which is readily absorbed into the skin. And with all of that said, Triple Vitamin C drops in price from £20 to £17, C-Deep drops from £22 to £19 and, on subject, Vitamin C Eye Cream, which is one of our bestselling skincare products, drops from £29 to £25.
VH Editorial: The Benefits Of Vitamin C For Skin; DoSe Triple Vitamin C 23% Serum and Ferulic Acid £17 for 30 ml; DoSe C-Deep Vitamin C Serum £19 for 30 ml; DoSe Vitamin C Eye Cream £25 for 15 ml (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 20 September)
Having established that vitamin C is a required co-factor in the production of hormones, it is also an essential co-factor for collagen synthesis. Vitamin C plays an active role in forming and stabilising collagen molecules, so on from that, and given that most of us lack optimal levels of vitamin C, it makes total sense to pair vitamin C with Collagen Tripeptide Complex, as the two work hand in hand, rather than in isolation. And there it is, another mention for Collagen Tripeptide Complex, and it drops in price from £45 to £39 with a note to say that, in my view, tripeptides remain the single most significant advance this genre has seen in several years.
VH Editorial: Does Your Collagen Supplement Contain Collagen Tripeptides; DoSe Collagen Tripeptide Complex £39 for 90 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 20 September)
Writing recently about What’s The Solution in the Weekend Read, I stated that many of the health issues we shared were often quite rare, but it was important to discuss them, if they only supported and helped one or two people. Scabies is considered to be rare, yet it is far more common that most of us realise and far less connected to hygiene than the stigma suggests. It is indiscriminate and it affects people across every walk of life.
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a microscopic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei where the female mite burrows into the upper layers of skin to lay her eggs. It is the body’s immune reaction of the mite and its waste that causes the intense itching that characterises this condition. The hallmark symptom is a relentless itch that worsens at night, accompanied by a pimple-like rash and thin, irregular burrow tracks in the skin. It is commonly found on the wrists, the webbing between the fingers, the waistline, the buttocks and the genitals.
In infants and older adults, the face and scalp can also be affected, and in his article, linked below, Shabir takes a closer look at this condition. Typically, scabies is treated with a prescribed treatment cream, such as Permethrin, however once the medical treatment is completed, many people find that their skin remains irritated and reactive for several weeks. This is not a re-infestation, but simply the immune system continuing to settle after treatment, so here we recommend Hydrosol™ Silver Spray.
Hydrosol™ Silver Spray uses SilverSol® Technology, which distinguishes it from ordinary colloidal silver via its exceptional bioavailability profile and has undergone years of research at leading universities, appearing in extensive independent studies. It has potent antimicrobial properties and used topically it has the ability to quench inflammation, which eases itching and encourages the healing of tissues, not only for scabies, but for all post-treatment skin concerns.
VH Editorial: Scabies: What It Is, How You Get It And What To Do About It; Hydrosol™ Silver Spray by Good Health Naturally £19.95 for 120 ml
Moving on from last weekend where I began writing about seasonal gifts, we begin with Aromatherapy Associates and A Gift of Wellbeing, a luxurious three-piece gift set bringing together three full-size Bath & Shower Oils, Revive Morning, Desert Therapy and De-Stress Mind. Choosing a Bath & Shower Oil to suit the moment, Revive Morning for an uplifting start to the day, Desert Therapy when you want to restore inner stillness, or De-Stress Mind when it’s time to unwind. Simply apply the chosen oil before water, step into a warm bath or shower and allow the steam to release the aroma as the oil warms on the skin. Pause and breathe.
A Gift of Wellbeing by Aromatherapy Associates £100 (worth £180)
A Gift of Sleep features two full-size essentials from the award-winning Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Collection, Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil (55 ml) and Deep Relax Sleep Mist (50 ml). Featuring the Deep Relax signature scent, a blend of Vetivert, Camomile and Sandalwood essential oils, Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil is designed for evening relaxation and sleep-focused rituals and it is accompanied by Deep Relax Sleep Mist, a gentle sleep mist to help create a calming, spa-like atmosphere before bed. Designed for true moments of stillness, A Gift of Sleep is £65 with a value of £98.
A Gift Of Sleep by Aromatherapy Associates £65 (worth £98)
Staying with Aromatherapy Associates, A Gift of Recovery is a luxurious two-step ritual designed to soothe and relieve tired muscles, combining the restorative benefits of aromatherapy with targeted support for weary muscles and joints. Created as a restorative pairing, the set brings together De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil (55 ml), blended with Lavender, Rosemary, Ginger and Black Pepper, with Warming De-Stress Muscle Gel (40 ml) powered by Capsicum for a natural warming effect and Arnica to bring a soothing touch to tired muscles.
A Gift of Recovery by Aromatherapy Associates £45 (worth £72)
Each year TEMPLESPA release Restitude, an exquisite, precious bath and shower liquid that transforms into creamy, aromatic bubbles. Blended with Mediterranean essential oils and enriched with Ashwagandha extract, to help soothe the skin, Ashwagandha, as an adaptogen, helps the body to ease stress, soothing our tired bodies when we need to unwind. Restitude is a limited edition offering, it makes an annual appearance this time each year and it always sells out, mostly because rather a lot of you buy several bottles to ease your way through the dark, cold winter months. The ritual returns.
Restitude by TEMPLESPA £25 for 300 ml
Just one more seasonal offering, also from TEMPLESPA and I will preface this by saying that In The Beginning Deep Cleansing Melt made an appearance in Nigella’s recent column in the Financial Times. I think the easiest thing I can do here is to link you that article so you can read Nigella’s words, but on from that In The Beginning has just been reinvented as it receives a refreshing aromatic twist of Neroli. I honestly don’t think I need to write anything else, other than to say that both products are linked below.
The Beauty Favourites That Simplify Life by Nigella Lawson; In The Beginning Neroli Deep Cleansing Melt by TEMPLESPA £36 for 75 grams; In The Beginning Deep Cleansing Melt (original) by TEMPLESPA £36 for 75 grams
And with all of that said, we head into the Saturday only treat and with every order placed for £35 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include a tin of Zam-Buk Antiseptic Ointment* with your order. I’m not sure what I love more, the tin or the product, but I think it must be the product because it is a brilliant home remedy for cuts, sores, bruises, sprains and burns. Product details linked below.
Zam-Buk Antiseptic Ointment
Wednesday marks the autumn equinox, the precise, astronomical moment when day and night fall into perfect balance before the nights properly begin to draw in around us. So, a song for autumn.
Autumn Leaves by Eva Cassidy; The VH Playlist
Wishing each of you a restful weekend.
With love
Gill x
