Baby Oil

A question I do get asked about quite a lot - particularly from first time mothers is advice on which products babies and in particular new babies should use.

So many people are now using natural and organic skin and body products - so it makes sense that they want to do the same for their babies and children

For many years many of the mainstream Baby Brands have used ingredients such as Mineral Oil, synthetic preservatives, colourings and perfumes in their products. Added to that - there are also a wide range of products available for the newborn - everything from bubble baths, body lotions, talcum powders and more.

I've never been sure as to why a baby needs all these products.

As in all skincare - I do believe that less is more - and that certainly applies where babies are concerned. The last thing we want to do is to overload their skin with too many ingredients and products, at an age where skin is particularly sensitive.

A simple natural plant oil is best, it's natural - nourishes and moisturises the skin perfectly and can also be used all over the body and even on the scalp in some cases to help treat cradle cap. Nothing more is required - particularly in the first few months.

Research also shows that essential oils in products are best used topically over the age of 3 months.

Audra James has two Baby Oils - Newborn Baby Oil with just 3 effective ingredients - organic Sunflower, Jojoba and Calendula Oil. Baby Oil 3months+ has the addition of a light infusion of Chamomile and Lavender Essential oils in concentrations suitable for babies over 3 months and children under 2 years.

Both these products are also suitable for children and adults with sensitive skin.

Products also come with a Fact Sheet giving directions for use that includes a simple baby massage that is relaxing for both mother and baby!

Products last for 9 months from the time of opening provided they are stored away from sunlight.

Available at the Baby + Pregnancy Section of the online store www.audrajames.com or by emailing audrajames@ gmail.com

50 mls   $15.95
100 mls $22.95
Plus a $5.95 Australia wide postage and handing cost.

Aromatic Compress

Warm aromatic compresses are one of my favourite ways to soothe and relax tense muscles:

Easy to do at home and perfect for back, neck and shoulder area:

1. Fill a bowl or basin with warm water.
2. Add 3-4 drops of pure Lavender Essential Oil.
3. Swish around with hand to disperse.
4. Immerse a face cloth (or hand towel for larger areas) into water.
5. Squeeze out any excess water.
6. Apply over area - cover with a dry towel to seal in heat.
7. Leave for a few minutes and repeat if necessary.

Information in this post is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please see your health professional with any concerns you may have.

Glowing Skin

Ageing is a natural part of life and rather than going for a 'blank look' aim for skin that is glowing, healthy and alive!

Incorporating simple mini rituals into your everyday life can change your skin within a short time. They key is doing things that make you look and feel good - the way you feel always has an impact on the way you look.

1. Start the day by sipping a glass of warm water with lemon juice squeezed into it and then remember to sip water (room temperature) throughout the day to keep skin hydrated and moist. Especially important if you work in air conditioning, which literally sucks the moisture out of skin.

2. Cleansing is the most important part of skincare. It is the foundation for glowing skin - the wrong cleanser - one that strips the skin of its natural oils - will leave skin feeling tight and dry. Over drying the skin simply causes it to produce more sebum which in turn can result in  clogged pores. Choose an oil based cleanser which helps to lift trapped dirt from pores gently. Always take time to massage your cleanser in for at least a minute and then compress with a warm face cloth - this is one of the quickest ways to give tired skin a glow.

3. Don't over exfoliate. One of the biggest causes of skin sensitivity is using over harsh products and treatments to exfoliate skin. Remember the skin on your face is delicate and it's important not to do anything that may upset it's natural balance. Use a white cleansing cloth - cotton or muslin with your cleanser each day - to exfoliate skin gently. Once a week use natural clays added to your cleanser for a deeper cleanse and exfoliation.

4. Stress has such an impact on skin - a calm mind shows on the face. The best way to feel less stressed is to incorporate mini relaxation rituals into your everyday life. Having an aromatherapy based skin care regime is a great way to do this  - inhaling the aromas as you use them - spending a few minutes to apply them. Mini meditations and aromatherapeutic baths are inexpensive ways to keep stress to a minimum. If you feel you don't have time to do these - that means you definitely need to start doing them as soon as possible.

5. Massage your skin daily! Spend a few minutes massaging your products in. Massage has a number of benefits for skin - it helps to increase circulation, boost collagen, is wonderful for sinus congestion and puffiness and best of all releases tension held in the face - especially around the jaw line. Using pads of fingers, massage with small circular movements from the centre out. Always apply a moisturiser or facial oil to prevent dragging skin. 5 minutes of facial massage each day makes such a difference to skin and is a quick way to give yourself a mini facial.

6. Incorporate a natural facial oil into your skin routine. This is one of the fastest ways to deliver nutrients to the skin. Facial Oils are concentrated and are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and usually an essential oil formula for your skin type that is also relaxing which makes them the perfect overnight treatment. Facial Oils are also a wonderful medium for facial massage.

7. If skin is dry or out of balance in any way, try adding an Essential Fatty Acid to your diet each day. They play an important role in helping to prevent flaking skin and also have natural anti inflammatory properties. Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, rich in antioxidants which also have an anti inflammatory effect.

Remember confidence is probably the best natural beauty secret. The way you see yourself is usually the way other people see you so forget about any flaws you think you may have - tell yourself you are fabulous and that's the way other people will see you!

Sleep Balm

Sleep Balm is the newest additon to our very popular Sleep range and designed to be used just beore sleep or if you happen to wake in the night and need to relax. The deeply calming aroma helps to slow down breathing and encourage a more restful sleep.

The 30gm jar is big enough to last for several months and the perfect size for travel.

The mini relaxation technique used to apply Sleep Balm is the perfect way to stop and take a few moments to relax before bedtime.


Ingredients:

Jojoba Oil
Sweet Almond
Olive Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Vitamin E
Natural Beeswax
French Lavender
German Chamomile
Vetivert
Mandarin
Marjoram
Cedarwood
Frankincense 

Directions:

1. Remove the lid and inhale the aroma deeply 2-3 times. 
2. Take a small amount and warm between fingers.
3. Massage on to upper chest, temples and back of neck.

Sleep Balm is available at the Audra James online store www.audrajames.com in the Sleep section or by emailing audrajames@gmail.com

Cost $24 AUD + $5.95 Postage (Australia wide). Please email for overseas postage rates.

This product is best used within 9 months of opening and should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Fine Line Facial Oil

Formulated to help plump up fine lines and increase skin elasticity. This natural and organic formula is light, absorbs quickly and can be used as an all over facial serum or to target specific areas. It can also be used under your usual moisturiser and as an intense treatment for the neck and decolletage area.

 The beautiful essential oil aroma is relaxing with added anti ageing benefits. A wonderful product to use as part of your daily skin care regime:

Suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients:

Rosehip Seed Oil
Camellia Seed Oil
Carrot Seed Oil
Evening Primrose
Vitamin E
Bulgarian Rose
Frankincense
Sandalwood

Directions:

After cleansing, while skin is slightly damp - warm a few drops in the hand and press onto the face. Alternatively spray skin with a natural floral mist and apply.

Cost $48 AUD for 30mls + $5.95 Postage Australia wide.

Available online at www.audrajames.com or by emailing audrajames@gmail.com


Special offer - order a bottle of Fine Line Facial Oil and receive a complimentary 50ml spray bottle of Pure Organic Rose Facial Mist - valued at $22 AUD. Offer ends - 31st May 2012

Congested Skin

Once thought to be the bane of teenagers,  congested skin also affects many adults who thought they had seen the end of spots and blemishes. Very often it's a result of lifestyle, stress, hormones, diet and incorrect skincare.

Skin usually becomes dull and uneven, and pores become blocked, resulting in blackheads or whiteheads. When this happens bacteria grows quickly, which can often result in inflammation, so it's important to treat skin gently with correct cleansing being a priority. Congestion on the chin area usually indicates hormone imbalances, although stress and digestion can be a major factor.

It is important to seek professional advice if needed. Occasionally, blocked pores can develop into pus- filled spots that can cause scarring if not treated.

Avoid products (including makeup) that contain mineral oil, which can clog pores. Although beeswax is used in many natural products and has useful properties, it should not be used over large areas as it can be a little too heavy and clogging. Natural balms containing beeswax are best used on small areas such as lips, elbows, dry skin patches and skin cleansing balms.

Always go makeup free when exercising, as perspiration plus makeup can result in clogged pores. Give skin a light spray with a natural floral water after exercising to freshen skin and also to remove any excess perspiration.

Avoid products that dry skin out (such as foaming cleansers). It was once thought that this was the best way to treat congested and oily skin but we now know that this only causes skin to over compensate by producing more oil.

If skin becomes inflamed and red, look for calming ingredients in products such as calendula and chamomile, which have anti-inflammatory properties.

Clean your mobile phone regularly. Holding a bacteria-laden phone over the chin can cause breakouts. Likewise, change your pillow case regularly, as this can also trigger spotty skin.

Cleanse your face correctly every evening using a natural, creamy oil based cleanser. Massage in for a minute, then use a damp cotton or muslin face cloth to compress the face to help lift dirt and impurities from pores and also gently exfoliate the skin. Avoid over-exfoliating the skin, especially with harsh exfoliants that are not suitable for the face. Deep cleansing once or twice a week with a skin cleansing oil or natural balm also helps to cleanse deeply, without stripping the skin of natural oils. Follow this with a light natural moisturiser or facial oil containing Jojoba, which helps to balance sebum and moisturises without clogging pores. 

Once a week give skin a deep cleanse by applying a natural clay mask. This again helps to absorb any excess oil and impurities. The trick with clay masks is to remove them before they dry completely so they don't dry skin out. Adding a tiny amount of natural clay to your cleanser once a week also helps give a deeper cleanse and gentle exfoliation without drying skin out.

Get to know your skin. If after using products, your skin feels taut and dry, it means that you are using ingredients that strip the skin of its natural oils and therefore aren't suitable.

Use essential oils such as lavender or tea tree oil dabbed onto spots - both have antispectic properties. Apply just one drop of either, using a clean cotton bud.

Remember to treat skin from the inside out. Start the day with a glass of warm water with lemon squeezed in and sip plenty of pure water througout the day. Include lots of antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruit into your diet daily plus an EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) supplement. If scarring is a concern, do seek advice from a health professional. Check out your zinc levels as low level zinc can often be a trigger.

Stress is a major factor (as it plays such a big part in hormone fluctuations) - so remember to include mini relaxation rituals into your everyday life. Mini meditations, deep breathing, aromatherapy baths. If you feel you are too busy to fit these in, then it's something you definitely need to do!


Skin congestion can take time to treat, and can be something that re-occurs during times of stress and when hormones fluctuate. Above all, treat skin gently and naturally. Take some time to relax and get professional advice if you find that the situation is making you feel even more stressed.

The Audra James Skin Pack for congested skin contains everything you need to treat this skin type naturally and includes:

Skin Cleansing System + Cloth (100mls)
Natural Floral Mist (50mls)
Skin Elixir with Jojoba (30mls)
Natural Clay Treatment Mask (30g)
 
Cost $95 AUD + $5.95 Postage Australia wide

Other products that help:

SpotLess Concentrate with Calendula, Tea Tree and Lavender - 10mls - $22 AUD


Deep Relax Therapie Oil - with Frankincense and French Lavender - 100mls - $34 AUD


Our New Skin Pack Plus for Congested Skin includes the full Skin Pack, SpotLess Concentrate (10mls), Deep Relax Therapie Oil (100mls) and Skin cleansing Oil (30mls).
Cost $145 AUD + $5.95 Postage Australia wide.

1 hour Bespoke Facial for congested skin (Brisbane) includes:
Consultation and Skin Care instruction - $95AUD

Products can be ordered online at www.audrajames.com or by emailing audrajames@gmail.com

Baby Calm

A beautifully soothing and calming essential oil blend. Safe to use in an aromatherapy burner for babies from birth and as a relaxing night time bath treatment for babies over 3 months as well as for toddlers and older children.

This light, sweet and beautifully relaxing blend is one that many of my clients have used for their babies and children.

Ingredients:
French Lavender
Mandarin
Sweet Orange


Directions:
Vapouriser:
4-6 drops (depending on room size) in an aromatherapy burner or vapouriser. This blend works particularly well when used in the early evening to help create a relaxing 'winding down' atmosphere for the whole family.

Bath:
For babies over 3 months 1 drop in a warm bath. Children over 12 months can use 2-3 drops.

Sleep:
Children over 2 years old - 1 drop on a tissue tucked under the pillow.

The blend is also suitable for use during pregnancy after the first trimester and is a beautiful blend to vapourise during childbirth.

Like all Audra James products, this product comes with a detailed Fact Sheet - outlining all directions for use.

Size - 10mls - (approx 220 drops)
Price - $22 AUD + $5.95 Postage (Australia wide)
Available on our online store www.audrajames.com (Baby + Pregnancy Section)
or by emailing audrajames@gmail.com