As I welcome you to another Weekend Read, I think it is pretty obvious that I am going to talk about Darling, the Italian suncare brand which we launched last weekend.  There is much to say, but before I do that, I have another launch to tell you about, it’s another one of those cutting-edge and pioneering supplements and it stands alongside both of the new VH products we have launched so far this year, namely Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex and Daily Multivitamins.  Let’s do it. 

If we are to uphold all that we stand for, it is crucial that we continue talking about cutting-edge and pioneering products.  Magnesium, which has been extensively researched, is an important mineral which is known to be required by every cell in the body.  It is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions and it helps support muscle and nerve relaxation, energy production, hormone manufacture, bone health and protein formation for the repair of tissues.  It also helps improve gut cleansing and stress response, which is really important for so many of us.

It is estimated that large numbers of us have insufficient levels of Magnesium for optimal body function, which I have been writing about for the longest time.  As such, we believe that Magnesium supplementation is essential for our long-term health and wellbeing, but there is much confusion over which form of Magnesium to take, so we thought we would make it easier.  I have been waiting rather a long time to write these words, more or less a year, so with that said please allow me to introduce you to Magnesium Complex which, in our opinion, supersedes all that has gone before.  And this is why:

Magnesium Complex is an advanced formulation containing eight forms of Magnesium compounds, which are suitable for immediate, intermediate and long-term benefits.  These include Magnesium Citrate, which helps cleanse the GI tract, Magnesium Oxide to help alleviate headaches and improve blood sugar management, Magnesium Aspartate to help reduce stress hormones to lessen anxiety mood swings and restlessness and Magnesium Glycinate, which is a highly bioavailable form of Magnesium used for cellular energy and nerve relaxation.  Four done.  Four to go.

Magnesium Gluconate helps enhance enzymes that convert food into energy, it may also help alleviate night cramps, but no absolute promises on that, we are each different.  Magnesium Malate is included for helping with muscle pain and cramps, it also supports bone integrity.  Magnesium BHB helps reduce inflammation as well as helping brain and nerve function and last, but not least, Magnesium Orotate has been shown in studies to work on the gut-brain axis to help anxiety related symptoms.

I think it is important to say here that there is an overlap of functions and benefits, but each of the Magnesium compounds included in this formulation provide their individual primary benefits at the correct strengths for therapeutic optimisation.  Over and above all else, Magnesium Complex brings together the most important forms of this remarkable nutrient in one capsule, increasing Magnesium efficacy as a whole rather than as a singular part of any given equation.  It makes total sense to do this, so we’ve done it, or rather Shabir did it, and with all of that said, we are launching Magnesium Complex at £19 across this weekend, after which it will become £22.
VH Editorial: Magnesium Supplements: Benefits, Deficiencies & Side Effects; Magnesium Complex £19 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 21 May)

Before we move on, I just want to say that the raw ingredient issues I so often write about, continue.  As a result, Magnesium Complex may well flip into a pre-order status across the weekend, so I just wanted to mention that and the same may also be true of Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex, which I wrote about last weekend, and that’s despite receiving a delivery this week. We will of course honour the lower price points and as such I am holding the price of Turmeric Curcumin C3 across this weekend too, as it drops from £26 to £23.  In both instances, we are scheduled to receive another delivery within the next seven days, all things being equal. 
VH Editorial: Inflammaging; Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex £23 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 21 May)

Let’s talk about the Darling launch.  The first thing I need to say is that I take full responsibility for the chaos and I think it’s partly because I made it all about the D-Neoprene pouch, which I totally adore.  That’s not to say that the products aren’t brilliant, because they absolutely are and you know how it goes, I just wouldn’t endorse products that didn’t live up to promise, there is no point.  I’ll now walk you through the sequence of events because I absolutely knew by 8.15 am last Saturday morning that I was going to have to send out another email, I really didn’t have a choice as we were heading rapidly towards wait list territory across each of the products.

I had written that email before 9 am, but I couldn’t release it until I had confirmation from Italy that we were going to be able to fulfil all orders placed, and that included the D-Neoprene pouch, which was, as I wrote, a limited edition offer.  Under normal circumstances, a limited edition offer is just that, a limited edition offer and although we had an extraordinarily high volume of the D-Neoprene pouches, that offer had ended before 11 am and I felt bad, so I ordered more and in so doing, I have taken every last pouch available to us from Italy.  And having written that people would stare at the pouch and products, this has now definitely become a thing, a rare and precious thing.

So, an update here on the products and in line with Italy, the bestselling product was High Protection SPF 50, followed by Fluid Face Cream SPF 50+, a fragrance-free formulation which is loaded with high-actives and is suitable for daily use.  For the purposes of walking my talk, I was wearing Glowy Face Cream SPF 50+ last Saturday and although most of you know that I have an extreme allergy to most fragranced products, I am not allergic to the Darling products.  I really don’t know why, but I’m not even going to question it because it means that I can use all of their products, which I have and I will.  I might have to do a sun dance.  In celebration.

To further update you, and as I wrote in The Saturday Thump email, the manufacturers are currently out of stock of After Sun, Tan Activator and the Hair Clips, and now Fluid Face Cream SPF 50 has joined that list.  At this time, I am unable to take orders for these products, but they should be back in stock by the end of the month, with the exception of the Hair Clips, which will be back in stock within seven or eight weeks.  And now I feel guilty because I have the Hair Clips and most of you don’t.  And who knows, they may even win an award at the end of the year, just because they are so fabulously cute.  They were designed to be so.

Let’s wrap this with some logistics and I want to thank Darling for supporting us last weekend and although they were preparing our order last Sunday, which amazed me, I am not expecting it to arrive before the beginning of next week at the earliest, so please bear with us on that.  We will of course fulfil all wait list orders immediately upon receipt wherever we can, but that goes without saying.  The other thing I want to say here is that each of those pending orders will include the D-Neoprene pouch and as I’m writing this we have very few left, so once they have gone, they really have gone.  And there really is nothing that I can do about it.
Darling Products (Vegan)

Moving on, I just want to take a moment to talk about cutting-edge and pioneering products once again.  I have always recognised that we each have a choice, and it has to be that way, but when a product presents itself as being best-in-class, which is often based upon extensive research and clinicals, then it is our duty and responsibility to guide you to the best of our ability, most specifically because I will not play games with your health and neither will I jump on any health bandwagon because that just doesn’t sit well with me.  It never has.

With specific reference to the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which I wrote about last weekend, the ECS biological system regulates fifteen major functions in the body using cannabinoids, such as Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and that includes pain regulation, digestion, inflammatory response, sleep, stress and metabolism.  And the reason why I am writing about it again is because PEA is a naturally occurring compound produced by the cells of our bodies, unlike CBD which is not produced by the human body, and that resonated with so many of you, as I thought it would. The recommended product is Neuro-Logical. It stands alone.  And quite proudly so.
Neuro-Logical by Lamberts £23 for 60 Capsules (Lower price maintained and offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 21 May)

Right, another new product launch and it comes from LixirSkin.  It’s an exclusive launch actually and it’s a new version of Good Skin Shaker Super Dew, so please allow me to introduce you to Good Skin Shaker Super Dew – Tinted.  Super Dew is one of those wonder products, and with an added subtle, adaptable tint, this will leave your skin with a natural, fresh-faced glow as it bounces off the light, away from imperfections and creates a luminous dewy, wet look.  Not for one moment am I saying that all imperfections will disappear, I can’t say that, but what I can say is that the liquid gas carriers within this formulation will help the skin to take in oxygen boosting cell radiance.

Also included in this formulation are hydrating hyaluronans, which help keep cells tightly together to help enhance skin smoothness.  Hyaluronans are Sodium Hyaluronate fractions derived from biotechnologies to mimic the way they are organised in the skin, so with the science covered, all that remains is for me to tell you that you can either use Super Dew as a stand-alone, or you can mix it into your chosen moisturiser and that includes SPF formulations.  And I know I just called it a wonder product, but I can assure you that Dr Colette Haydon, the founder of LixirSkin, absolutely knows how to create wonder products.  She has a long history of doing so.
Good Skin Shaker Super Dew – Tinted by Lixirskin £39 for 15 ml

And because we are all different, each of our curated skincare brands have their own following and Derma E certainly has a rather large following, not least because it is one of the first skincare brands to be listed on our site.  So, two new products from them, Retinol Concentrated Serum and Vitamin C 10% Multi-Acid Radiance Liquid Peel, so let’s start with the Retinol Concentrated Serum.  This is an advanced formulation with 0.5% time-release encapsulated retinol to help maximise delivery and effectiveness while minimising potential effects such as redness, dryness, irritation and peeling. 

Retinol Concentrated Serum is a synergistic blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients, including retinol-boosting plant-derived Bakuchiol, Astaxanthin and soothing Red Tea Extract.  As such, this serum is a naturally coloured red serum, but it blends into the skin at which point it becomes colourless.  The price of Retinol Concentrated Serum is £20, which drops to £18 for launch, whilst stock lasts.  And onto the next product we go.
Retinol Concentrated Serum by Derma E £18 for 30 ml

Derma E’s Vitamin C 10% Multi-Acid Radiance Liquid Peel is a brightening and exfoliating acid peel formulated to remove dead skin cells using a blend of acids, including Glycolic, Lactic, Mandelic, Polyhydroxy and Kojic Acids.  These acids are blended with Bromelain, a powerful enzymatic which helps eliminate dull skin and the formulation also includes Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe and Vitamin B, to help soothe the skin.  I am also dropping the price of this new product for launch and it drops from £24.50 to £22, whilst stock lasts.
Vitamin C 10% Multi-Acid Radiance Liquid Peel by Derma E £22 for 30 ml

Before we go any further, I do need to tell you that I will not use straight acids on my skin.  One or two of the products I use may have a small number of acids in their formulations, but I don’t like acids and I really don’t like writing about them either.  In my personal opinion, I think acids may be great in the short-term, but in the long-term and with excessive use, I believe they are detrimental to the skin.  Shabir doesn’t necessarily agree with me, but he has his views and I have mine.  I know that most of you won’t agree with me either and I also know that I am in the minority, which is why I will write about these products, but I won’t pretend to like them, because I don’t. 

And that’s that, and because I’m on a roll let’s return to bandwagon products and most specifically, I want to say that I have never understood why CBD is used in beauty products because there is little evidence to support its efficacy as such.  If somebody wishes to enlighten me with research and independent clinicals to support that CBD makes a discernible difference to skin, then please let me know, but as it stands there are any number of thoroughly researched ingredients which really do make a difference and I include Neurophroline in that, because it has been clinically proven to help take down cortisol levels in skin, cortisol being the stress hormone.
VH Editorial: Stress Ages Our Skin; Neurophroline Serum by Garden of Wisdom £17 for 30 ml (drops from £19.50 and this offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 21 May)

With all that said and done, I have to tell you about another brand which is about to ascend to product heaven.  I had barely got over the loss of Miracle Lotion when I was told that Papier Poudre would be climbing to heaven too.  The loss of Papier Poudre is profound, most especially because they were celebrating their 120th anniversary this year.  Founded in 1903, these absorbent powdered face papers helped to blot the skin when it was needed the most, and they will be missed by many.  We only have two colours left in stock, Rachel and White, and I don’t think they will last very long.  And on that sad note, we come to the end of the product section.
Papier Poudre

So, into the Saturday only treat we go and with every order placed for £30 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include Faith In Nature’s Lavender & Geranium Body Wash (100 ml)*, which can be added to your bath or used in the shower.  Full product details listed below.
Lavender & Geranium Body Wash by Faith In Nature

As we come to the end of another Weekend Read, I really do need to acknowledge and thank each of you for your ongoing loyalty and support, which is no small thing, and although I have been writing these newsletters for over twenty-five years, I remain as passionate as I ever was, and just perhaps that passion has increased.  Of course, I feel incredibly privileged to launch so many wonderful brands and products, but it’s not only about the products, it is far more than that.

In many ways, the intensity of my passion has increased because of the duplicity of the health and beauty industry, so when I say that I don’t care what I write, I really don’t care because I stand in my own evidenced truth and that’s all that really matters here.  What also matters is that we retain and strengthen the sense of community, which so many of us share. So very often we share in our safe space, and in almost every circumstance, we share life experiences, which is tremendously cathartic, most especially when those experiences include abuse, bullying and the considered and deliberate undermining of another human being.

As ever, I am going to end with a song, but there is a story attached to this song.  And it is the story of one of you who, over time, has become a true and valued friend, not least because our life experiences are somewhat parallel.  We also share a love of Formula One, and we check in with each other before and after each race, so as such she asked me to add this song to the VH Playlist and that song is The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.  I must also honour ‘Super Stuart’, her husband, because he makes me marmalade.  And that is love.  Real love. 
The Chain by Fleetwood Mac; The VH Playlist

Wishing each of you a restful weekend, and I promise I won’t send another email within the next few hours.  Too much drama.

Warmest

Gill x

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Prices and products advertised at times of sending and publishing are subject to change and availability.

*Free gifts will only be granted if the items purchased are physical products and your total basket value exceeds the required amount noted.  Saturday only treats are subject to change should the specified gift run out prior to your purchase and are only included in orders placed between 7.45am (GMT) and Midnight (GMT) on the Saturday the Weekend Read is sent.  VH Addicts membership is a digital product and therefore will be excluded from the basket value.  Some gifts are blocked from international shipping due to local limitations imposed based on the country destination.  If this is the case, we will replace the gift with one that is able to be shipped to your destination.