Well, here we are, another Saturday morning and I have news. Icon Skincare news, but I also have news from Nigella, which is where we will begin. Nigella’s second beauty column in the Financial Times has been published today and it is dedicated to the beauty products that simplify her life, where she states that her personal skincare happiness lies in balancing the familiar with the fresh.

The 'familiar' happiness of In The Beginning Cleansing Melt and Prickly Pear Seed Oil achieves balance with the 'fresh', the recently launched Icon Skincare. Describing MilkIt Cleansing Powder as 'spectacular' and Camera Ready as 'miraculous', I am linking the article below with a rather emotional thank you to Nigella, who is of course one of us, for her enduring warmth, loyalty and generosity.
The Beauty Favourites That Simplify Life by Nigella Lawson

And now the Icon Skincare news. For several logistical reasons, which are actually too boring to even mention, we were unable to launch Icon simultaneously with the US on 1 June, but we didn’t follow too far behind. So, in a way, we are playing catch-up, and today we are doing another Icon Skincare launch, well a miniature launch, as I invite you to explore the Icon Skincare ritualistic discovery kits.

There are three of them, and rather unsurprisingly Camera Ready makes an appearance in two of the sets, so let’s take a look and I’m going to begin with ‘Camera Ready Glow’. Containing three travel-size products, MilkIt Cleansing Powder clears the slate for a fresh start as this superfine powder transforms into a luxuriously creamy foam that effortlessly skims dulling debris from the surface of skin; HydraScene Moisture quenches and fortifies with ceramide-rich hydration and Camera Ready primer seals it all in with a soft-focus, filter-like finish that lasts.
Camera Ready Glow Kit by Icon Skincare £27

The packaging of this second ritualistic kit invites you to ‘Awaken Your Inner Icon’ and the Icon Serums Travel Kit does just that. Once again, there are three products in the set, Luminous Brightening is an ultra-stable vitamin C for brighter, radiant skin, Satin Resurfacing which combines AHA and BHA acids which will gently reveal a silky-smooth texture and, once again, Camera Ready. For the record, I use Camera Ready on my neck and décolleté as well as my face. I got slightly carried away when I was testing, but given that Camera Ready is a treatment product, I figured my neck and décolleté deserved to be treated too. Happy, happy.
Icon Serums Kit by Icon Skincare £27

The Creams: Then And Now is the third kit. Two creams, one storied lineage. The Icon Cream Heritage is a rich, timeless formula inspired by the beauty rituals of Old Hollywood’s silver screen legends. The Icon Cream Reinvented is its modern update with contemporary ingredients for today’s skin. Made to work together, each has its own starring role. Reinvented by day for a confident, luminous finish and Heritage works through the night while you sleep. The same story, but with a new script. 
The Creams: Then And Now £20

So, as one thing often leads to another, let’s talk about sleep because it has been an exceptionally hot summer and it is often so incredibly difficult to sleep in the heat. But it’s not only the heat, it is lighter in the summer months and given that light signals to our bodies the time of day, it takes time for our body rhythm to adjust if it is still relatively light at 10 pm, yet there is one more factor. Allergies, such as hay fever, can be problematic because sleep is often disturbed due to blocked noses and breathing difficulties.

In all of this, stress is the biggest factor for sleep loss, which is clearly not seasonal, and in a study carried out by the University of Pennsylvania, participants limited to 4.5 hours of sleep per night for seven days reported feeling more stressed and mentally exhausted than if they were getting eight hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a huge concern, not simply because it leaves us tired, but because it compounds in and of itself. Poor sleep raises stress hormones, raised stress hormones disrupt sleep further and round and round it goes, until exhaustion sets in.

It is precisely that cycle, stress feeding sleeplessness, sleeplessness feeding stress, which is so difficult to break and here we recommend Sleep Tight Plus. Sleep Tight Plus has been formulated with several compounds, including Magnolia which works to help re-balance cortisol, the very stress hormone driving the cycle, while Valerian, Passion Flower and Hops act as natural sedatives, easing the nervous system rather than forcing it into submission.

I often write about Magnesium for sleep, and here Magnesium, which is so often depleted by stress itself, is included in the formulation to help restore optimal levels of Magnesium. These compounds are joined by OatStraw, a less familiar ingredient, but it has a long history of easing an overactive mind and that’s important too. What is also important to say is Sleep Tight Plus is a natural solution for sleep deprivation, it will not work in the same way as a pharmaceutical sedative, but it will help calm the body’s stress response given time, say two to four weeks, and given all of that, Sleep Tight Plus drops in price from £26 to £23.
VH Editorial: Are You Getting Sufficient Sleep; DoSe Sleep Tight Plus £23 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Monday 24 August)

We are living in an era which seems to have perfected stress and I think it’s naïve to imagine that relentless pressure, societal or otherwise, will fail to take its toll on our health and wellbeing. To varying degrees, stress affects each of us and stress, whether physical, emotional or environmental, can stimulate a cascade of hormone production by the adrenal glands which include adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol.

All three are stress hormones and, theoretically, these hormones work well to keep our bodies within a normal mode of operation. However, we are constantly being subjected to all types of stressors and in alignment with Sleep Tight Plus, Magnolia is a key ingredient in Magnolia Rhodiola Complex, our bestselling supplement for stress and anxiety. Once again, Magnolia is used to help lower cortisol levels, and it is joined by Rhodiola and Theanine, an amino acid derived from Green Tea, which works to enhance the production of alpha waves, helping to relax the brain.

It is important to say that Magnolia Rhodiola Complex will not cause drowsiness and it partners rather well with Sleep Tight Plus, but it is also important to say that Magnolia Rhodiola Complex, being a natural supplement, works in an entirely different mode to prescribed anti-depressants. The effect will be cumulative, so there are no overnight fixes here, but that goes with the territory. And staying in the territory, Magnolia Rhodiola Complex drops in price from £29 to £25.
VH Editorial: How To Combat Stress Effectively; DoSe Magnolia Rhodiola Complex £25 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Monday 24 August)

Moving on, our ears often give cause for concern, so we are going to take a look at solutions for two very common concerns beginning with earaches and ear infections. The medical term for an ear infection is otitis media, with ‘otitis’ standing for inflammation of the ear and ‘media’ meaning middle, primarily because any infection usually occurs in the middle ear canal.

The most common causes of ear infection include poor immunity, structural blockages, airborne allergens and water trapped in the ear canal, which is termed ‘swimmer’s ear’, which can cause bacteria to grow, often followed by an infection. Some of the symptoms of ear infections include earache, discharge, muffled hearing, a high temperature and vertigo.

Ear infections are often treated with antibiotics, but in many instances ear infections may be viral, not bacterial in nature, so antibiotics will not help to resolve the issue. Here we recommend Wally’s Natural Organic Ear Oil, which are natural ear drops to help provide pain relief. Containing Mullein extract, Garlic Oil, Tea Tree Oil and Echinacea extract, Mullein and Echinacea are excellent anti-inflammatories and will help soothe inflammation. Garlic and Tea Tree oils have powerful antimicrobial properties which help support recurrent mild ear infections.
VH Editorial: Ear Oil For Earaches And Infections; Wally’s Natural Organic Ear Oil £16.95 for 30 ml

Secondly earwax, also known as cerumen, is a waxy oily substance secreted in the ear canal and it is a natural cleaner of the ear canal, displaying antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. Many people produce too much earwax, which may be the result of genetics, the shape of the ear canal, stress and possibly an inflammatory diet, which can lead to inflammation in the entire body. Inflammation in the ear canal can cause excessive earwax production, which can lead to ear infections, ear pain, tinnitus and temporary loss of hearing.

Removing earwax is a common procedure and it can be removed if it has blocked the ear canal, however most of us remove earwax with a cotton bud and if we are not careful this can push earwax back into the canal. Earwax generally forms in the outer third of the ear canal and not near the eardrum, so failed attempts at removal can result in a build-up of earwax which, in turn, can cause hearing loss.

We recommend Otosan Ear Drops, which will help cleanse the ear canal by emulsifying earwax, making it easier to remove. These natural ear drops will also help soothe ear irritation and they contain Propolis, a natural antiseptic, which also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Otosan Ear Drops are suitable for people wearing hearing aids and this is an important factor because some hearing aids have a tendency to block earwax from moving out of the ear and may in fact stimulate the glands in the ear to produce more secretions.
VH Editorial: Earwax Removal At Home; Otosan Ear Drops £9.79 for 10 ml

Having mentioned tinnitus above, a few words to say that tinnitus is not a disease, yet it can be caused by underlying causes such as ear infections and excessive wax in the ear. It can also be caused by fluid retention in the middle and inner ear canal, Meniere’s disease which is a disease of unknown cause that affects the membrane of the ear and otosclerosis, a hereditary disorder due to overgrowth of bone in the inner ear.

There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are several remedies which may help reduce the impact and one of those is Plantago Tincture. Plantago lanceolata is a common weed composed of numerous compounds including mucilage, tannins, zinc and silicic acid. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, astringent and demulcent properties, which is why it is often used to help alleviate catarrh, sinusitis and many concerns affecting the nose and throat.

It is the combination of Plantago’s ability to break down mucus together with its tissue repairing and healing properties, due to its content of Zinc and Silica, which has been found to be helpful in treating tinnitus, whether temporary or chronic. On from that, a deficiency in vitamin B12 is linked to many health concerns associated with the nervous system, including tinnitus. Shabir does the lowdown on tinnitus in his article linked below, recommending B12 Elite as an adjunct to Plantago Tincture. One more thing, and for the record, Magnolia Rhodiola Complex makes an appearance in this article too. Keeping it neat.
VH Editorial: What Is Tinnitus; Plantago Tincture by A. Vogel £13.99 for 50 ml; B12 Elite by Life Extension £14 for 60 Lozenges

In recent weeks, I have written rather a lot of words about launching brands and products while throwing the focus on the icons, the heroes, the products which still make a difference to so many of us. The patterning is rather interesting because more often than not, the ‘heroic’ product at launch remains heroic through the years and that is certainly the case with Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil, created by the founders of Aromatherapy Associates, Sue Beechey and Geraldine Howard who had set up their own courses, teaching therapists how to blend oils and use them.

Given that we have been talking about stress and sleep deprivation today, it seems fitting to write about Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil, noting that Geraldine Howard had created Deep Relax for herself to treat her own insomnia that had stayed with her since her teens.  Because the oil really worked, they started giving it to more and more people, blending and filling the bottles in their own kitchens.  It soon become their most sought-after blend and officially released in 1985, it serves as a lasting tribute to Geraldine Howard, who sadly passed away in 2016.
Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil by Aromatherapy Associates £50 for 55 ml (drops from £65)

Staying with heroic products, there have been many occasions where we have launched single, stand-alone products. Many of those products, such as Heal Gel and Miracle Lotion, are now in product heaven, but Thyme Out certainly isn’t in product heaven and although it has been joined by four other products in the years following launch, it launched as a single product and that single product remains the hero, which really doesn’t surprise me because it is outstanding. Lara considers it to be a travel essential and many would agree.  So, recognition, I am throwing a 15% discount across the brand.
Thyme Out Products (offer ends at midnight BST, Tuesday 25 August)

Finally, I’m going to end with the launch of a new product. We have actually had it listed for a while, but I held back from writing about it because it is an iS Clinical product and the launch of Icon Skincare superseded all else. In all of this, I believe that those of us who love iS Clinical will always love iS Clinical, so please allow me to introduce you to GeneXC® Firming Eye Gel, which is an advanced, clinically formulated eye treatment which will help firm, smooth and brighten the delicate eye area.

GeneXC® is powered by GeneXC Technology, a blend of stabilised vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Extremozymes, which absorbs quickly, making it ideal for daily use and seamless layering under skincare and makeup. Designed with a cooling metal applicator, it will help soothe and refresh the under-eye area on application, leaving skin feeling comfortable and revitalised. And there it is.
GeneXC® Firming Eye Gel by iS Clinical £120 for 15 grams

So, into the Saturday only treat and with every order placed for £35 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically send you Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (5 ml)* by This Works, which fits for two different reasons. The first is because it helps to induce restful sleep, but also because it is the very definition of an iconic product and it has been since 2011. More nostalgia, I remember writing the launch newsletter as if it was yesterday, except most obviously it wasn’t. I’m getting old. Never mind, I don’t actually care and product details are linked below.
Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Finally, this song. Dedicated.
Hero by Mariah Carey; The VH Playlist

Have a wonderful weekend.

With love

Gill x