2019 is a new era for fighting climate change. Recent headlines are telling us that we have 12 years to prevent the predicted climate change catastrophes. Alongside this, the UN reports that if the rate of waste production continues, by 2050 our oceans will carry more plastics than fish. These astonishing facts have instilled shock and promoted a new appetite for Green Consumerism.

Green Consumerism is a movement which allows consumers to take responsibility for their buying-power and address environmental issues through opting for more environmentally friendly solutions. Because of this, people are now beginning to ditch their ‘go-to’ beauty products for plastic-free, cruelty-free and more organic based products in the fight towards combatting our impact on the planet. Despite challenges, we are now living in a more conscious society, so the products available are growing and our journey towards Green Consumerism is flourishing. The appeal of non-toxic, sustainable ingredients and brands with missions to limit waste has grown, with more of us joining the fight against climate change. So, for those who have yet to start the journey or want to gain ideas, you probably want to know your options.

One global brand leading the way is Aveda; a botanical hair and skincare brand, with stores in London.

 

Another brand pioneering this change is Lush, a UK based company with stores in London.Their priority is held in packaging. This focus is important, with ‘Zero Waste Week’ statistics suggesting that the beauty sector alone contributes over 142 billion units of packaging per year, most ending up in landfill or in our oceans. Aveda, however, is making a change. They were the first beauty company to use 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic and are now turning their eye to more eco-friendly options; bioplastics. This material has similar properties to plastic, however, is derived primarily from sugarcane rather than petrochemical-derived plastics, meaning it is more sustainable and better for the environment.

Lush

They have an unwavering commitment to sustainable packaging, claiming they save 3 million plastic bottles from landfill with their shampoo bars which last 3 times longer than an average liquid bottle. The shampoo bars are tiny too, taking up to 15 times less space than one bottle of liquid shampoo, meaning that transportation in lorries to stores nationwide produces less CO2 emissions. As a space saving size, it is also perfect for those who travel.

 

As for the product and ingredients within, this can be a little more challenging to get right. Most of us are more conscious about what we use, and so we are on the hunt for sustainable, toxic-free and organic products. However, the challenge comes with the ingredients being less stable and the difficulties changing them. Take Vitamin C for example, the popular skin revising ingredient used in a collection of cosmetic items, can destabilise, rendering it useless if it isn’t packaged properly. However, the new skincare brand, Privise, have found the solution. By adding two new vitamins to the product, Vitamin B5 and B3, they were able to stabilise Vitamin C and also create a 2-in-1 product, which has the added benefit of saving packaging throughout the supply chain. Unfortunately, Privise is a Scandinavian based company and ordering products online for UK shipping doesn’t seem wholly appealing for eco-warriors. Despite this, the development in altering the ingredients in products is essential for promoting environmentally friendly options and we hope that these initiatives become fostered in UK-based companies.

Independent companies are also trying their shot at eco beauty products. One such online-based company aiming to increase accessibility of eco beauty is http://www.realandnatural.co.uk.

Real and Natural

They offer AVA Laboratories of Poland beauty products, alongside beauty care accessories, all of which are eco-certified. Their aim is to provide products that are locally and naturally sourced, protecting nature whilst utilising its’ benefits for the beauty industry. They also hope to aid the fight against climate change by promoting organic products with minimum environmental pollution.

Researching the options available to us takes time, and despite the growing market for products which promise waste reduction and better ingredients, the challenge of finding suitable items remains. My hope for the future is the continued development of beauty products which make plastic-free, cruelty-free and toxin-free living as accessible as the items we commonly see stocked in supermarkets and cosmetic stores today. There is hope for our planet and beauty industry, but only if we, as the consumers, promote the change

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I am a beauty therapist with many years of experience. I obtained my education as an aesthetician and electrologist from the prestigious London Institute of Beauty Culture in 1981.

My first steps as a beauty therapist were equipped with the newly obtained knowledge about collagen and elastin, that once you break up, damage your precious protein network found in the skin, you are done.

There were no creams, potions, lotions, electrical machines or other methods in the world that would repair that type of damage. That awareness was daunting.

General knowledge also told us that from around 25 years of age our treasured network of collagen and elastin gradually deteriorated year by year. Collagen gives structure to skin, bones and muscles and all other connective tissue and can be found in blood, and elastin allows body’s tissues to return to their shape after stretching or contracting.

Prospect of a Pending Scare and No Return Journey

In 1980 Miriam Stoppard, dermatologist, researcher and  the general editor of The Face and Body Book, made it plain:” No substance or process yet known to science can restore permanently the proteins, fats and moisture that provide supple support for the skin, or do anything to repair the fractures that develop in the collagen within the dermis as the body grows older.”

On collagen in the dermis she wrote: “Through this framework runs a network of nerves, nerve endings and blood vessels. In young healthy skin, collagen is arranged in parallel bundles that lie alongside each other and have the ability to stretch and then resume their original shape. They give young skin its suppleness, smoothness and plumpness. As we get older, the integrity of collagen bundles is lost, the fibres split, the bundles break up and the parallel arrangement disintegrates. The architecture of the skin crumbles; it sags, wrinkles and becomes thin. These signs of age cannot be prevented and can be removed only by cosmetic surgery, skin peeling or dermabrasion.”

On facial massage Miriam Stoppard wrote: “The belief that the procedure will improve the skin as well as make you feel more relaxed is unjustified.”

The Trick of Being Systematic and Regular

Back in the 1980’s when the book was written I was young and newly qualified. I believed and respected what I was taught in my beauty school. I loved all beauty procedures and practicing them was a way of life.

For me initially it was difficult to establish if the beauty treatments I delivered to clients were successful or not. My clients liked them. However, I did not see the immediate improvements of the treated skin, unless the problem was dehydration or acne. Nevertheless, I still recommended a range of good Sothys cream products (which back then were very eco-packed) to prevent or possibly delay any daunting prospects.

I did the same for myself. Having young skin then it was difficult to pin point how effective these electrical and cream treatments were.

Only in my later age I have discovered what a difference it makes to use a good cream and to practice regular face massage.

The 1980s Daunting Knowledge about Deteriorating Collagen Has Gone Away Like a Bad Dream

Compering to the 1980s science nowadays is teaching us different things about collagen. It is teaching us that regularly stimulating skin with an appropriate massage technique not only protects collagen and elastin network, but also helps the skin to produce it. Eating the right food and exercising helps to protect, maintain and even to create the conditions for producing it again. Suddenly, the disheartening prospects of uncontrolled wrinkling and sagging skin has gone away like a bad dream.

Massaging, Massaging, Massaging

As a beauty therapist I can confirm that this is absolutely true. Having regular facials and body massages, among other benefits, keeps skin looking younger and healthier.

The rejuvenating and restoring salon massage needs to be followed by a regular home routine doing hand massages or with the help of non- intrusive massaging tools and plenty of oils and creams.

The tools I recommend are the environmentally friendly options of sponges, brushes, face cloths, rollers, jade stones and Chinese facial and body cups.

The massage needs to be gentle and done regularly.

Suitable regular facial and body exercises as well as a good nutritious diet are also recommended.

When it comes to maintaining younger looking skin even Miriam Stoppard will agree that times have changed for the better for us all.

She always promoted natural beauty even when in her research she could not see any results in skin improvement due to beauty therapy care.

Nowadays we know that the trick to looking younger lies in simple ways. We know now that just by repeatedly massaging the skin with good creams and oils *, we help to maintain and restore lost collagen. Naturally obtained results like this are satisfactory, no sagging skin and definitely less wrinkles. Natural good looks give you confidence.

Being regular and systematic is the best and the most effective trick ever in beauty care. It works.

In the past doing facial massages every day was over the top. Today it is a normal thing to do.

 

 

* Other professionals who recognise benefits of regular massage:

Dr Gantsho: practical effects confirm results of regular massaging

Akane Miyaji, Kaori Sugimori, Naoyuki Hayashi: “ Short and long term effects of using a facial massage roller on facial skin blood flow and vascular reactivity.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2018: 41:271 DO1 :10.1016/j.ctim.2018.09.

 

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Sally Sumner, the founder and director of The Ballet Academy Weybridge offered us another charming performance “The Magic Toy Shop”. The show took place on 30th and 31st March,2019 at Addlestone Community Theatre.

Sally, when writing the story for the show was inspired by ballet “The Fairy Doll” She also choreographed the dancing.

The dancers’ ages ranged between 5 years and 58 years old. The show took place in the Community Theatre and it was a proper occasion. The theatre itself offered really good and comfortable facilities.

At the entrance to the theatre there was an opportunity to purchase, on the door, both tickets and a programme for the show.

After being comfortably seated, the lights went down, the curtains opened and “The Magic Toy Shop “ballet began.

“ ‘Top Toys’ was not your usual toyshop. It was owned by an incredibly talented toymaker called Mr. William Whirring. He specialised in making mechanical dolls. Anyone who was anyone in town wanted to own one of his creations.”

The dancers appeared one by one as many different dolls from the shop. Each dancer wore a stage make-up  and specially designed beautiful, colourful costume. Costumes were designed by Sally Sumner and fairy doll costumes were produced and designed  by Athalie Tar. Everything was fit for a West End show.

Photography Karl Te Aika

Each individual dancer as well as groups of dancers performed in front of an audience full of parents and family friends.

When the dancers appeared one by one my attention was grabbed. I was particularly charmed by the dancers’ beautiful arm movements. That made me realise, that I really was watching a proper ballet show.

Photography Karl Te Aika

The ballet dancers’ movements and communication with each other throughout the show were very expressive and able to tell the story of the show.

I found Sally’s choreography very interesting and enjoyable while being well suited to each individual dancer’s ability.

Photography Karl Te Aika

The ballerinas in the show were serious about their dancing all the way through. There were also a lot of smiles and there was a lot of joyfulness shining through to the audience.

Photography Karl Te Aika

The music by Josef Bayer and Léo Delibes created a special mood and an air of sophistication.

Lacey Tarr as the Fairy Doll; Photography Karl Te Aika

Though the story and music were from the past, we all somehow felt everything was happening then and there at that moment.

The various scenes included a broken doll, an Austrian doll, a mama poppa doll, a  sailor’s doll, a circus doll, a fairy doll, midnight magic dancing dolls, drumming bunnies, toy soldiers, Chinese dolls, Japanese dolls, Spanish dolls all creating great variety and providing true high-quality entertainment.

Photography Karl Te Aika

Amazingly good choreography delivered by the able, confident and talented and well prepared dancers made the show pleasingly spectacular and one to remember.

Sally Sumner and The Ballet Academy dancers; Photography Karl Te Aika

All the dancers of The Ballet Academy, young and older seemed to master the arm movements to the point where they shone and touched us with their beauty.

I definitely want to come and see another show by the dancers of The Ballet Academy Weybridge.

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With global warming threatening our planet with destruction of habitats, both marine and terrestrial, taking small steps to achieve an eco-friendly routine has become a fast-paced industry. Alongside this, our world is changing. We now have many more options available to us, from plastic-free toothpastes, bamboo straws and even T-shirts made of ocean waste!

 

 

 

 

We have new government guidelines and incentives to cut out fossil fuels, and the media promotes initiatives such as ‘Veganuary’ and ‘Meat Free Monday’. These new and innovative options provide a fun and exciting path for everyone wanting to make changes to follow a sustainable life, and, with more time and passion, a larger range of options will become readily available to everyone.

Of course, following a sustainable lifestyle comes with its challenges. Not only are some products hard to come by, but others are expensive and out of reach for the ordinary person. Of course, this leaves us filled with questions, doubts and worries. How easy is it really to lead a plastic-free life? How can I change my routine to be more sustainable? And, where can I find these eco-friendly products? Sometimes, we might even be riddled with the guilt of not doing enough, forcing us back to square one.

 

However, the solution can be simple. One easy way to make a change in your life is to replace some of the products you already own. Opting for an organically sourced product with less chemical supplements can be one way to combat this. It may also mean choosing packing options that are plastic-free, recyclable or biodegradable. This way, you are making minor changes that, in the long-term, will reduce the demand for plastic packaging and of course, cause less plastic pollution on earth, majorly in our oceans. This has many benefits for our environment; less oil is required for the production of these plastics, recycled plastics means less energy is used to produce the packaging and, more directly, fewer animals die eating plastics and microplastics within our environment. Surely, that is an incentive in itself?

The path to an eco-friendly life is, without doubt, a challenging one, but it comes with high rewards. Options are constantly evolving, providing the ordinary person with more possibilities for an eco-lifestyle. Once you keep at the challenge for a few weeks, new strategies and products become embedded in your new eco-routine.

To me, it is knowing that you’re doing your part for the planet which motivates me to continue living an eco-day as a normal day. Our world is becoming an easier place to follow a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. So, what’s your excuse?

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Electrosmog is the man-made electromagnetic pollution of the natural world. Expert Guy Hudson tells us how reducing electrosmog in our homes and workplaces can not only keep us healthier, but how in his own experience, also keep us looking and feeling younger.

By Iwona Lilley

 

Guy Hudson BSc, is a physicist and an expert advisor on how to manage electromagnetic pollution to reduce electrosmog.

GHe was born in 1954 in England and currently lives in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex.

Guy graduated from Sussex University in 1977 with honours in physics and economics.

He then set out on a technical career in car design and telecommunications before founding the Dowsing Research Group, where he worked for 19 years.

More recently, Guy became a founder in 2008 of Beneficial Environments Ltd., where he currently works as an electromagnetic surveyor and developer.

He is a scientist who is a member of the Institute of Physics and who published work including: “Electrosmog Doctor”, which appeared as a regular column in “What Doctor’s Don’t tell You”, a health magazine.

Although Guy does not live in Weybridge he can provide his expertise to the people who live in the area.

Guy, for those who don’t know,  can you please briefly explain what electrosmog is and what is the electrosensitivity problem?

The technology that we use everywhere now provides a very broad spectrum of different electromagnetic frequencies as a by-product.

So, mobile phones, Wi-Fi, cordless phones, pi supply, house wiring, power supply, all electronic, all this kind of things produce pollution, which our body can feel and our biology responds to, that what electrosmog is.

And what is electrosensitivity?

There are two definitions of electrosensitivity. One is that our biology and all living things interact strongly with electrosmog. There are different effects and electrosmog can cause many kinds of diseases.

We are all sensitive to this pollution and our bodily system, as well as insects, birds, bacteria, and everything around us is affected by this.     

The second definition is called electrohypersensitivity, which is when this interaction causes allergy like responses within humans.

Please tell us how can You help people who suffer with an excess electricity around us?

We get allergies, so let’s say If you have an allergy to bread, you will stop eating bread. The same is with electrosensitivity. You need to stop exposing yourself to electrosmog.

First,you need to identify the source of electrosmog and then reduce it. We cannot see it or hear it, but you can detect it using simple meters and with experience you can identify the source and control it.

There are two approaches to protecting yourself. One is by switching off your

Wi-Fi, electricity, all those kind of things that change the environment.

The other way is called an electromagnetic hygiene. This is where you actually change the way you use technology. It is your habits, your behaviour. You take steps to minimize the exposure to electromagnetic by-products.

You can do as I do. I reduce the voltage between me and my computer, so when I have my hands on the keyboard there is no field coming off the computer onto my hands. I also use a special head set for my phone that does not put any disturbance into my ear.

As an electrosensitive person myself, I wear shielding clothing, so I have a T-shirt and boxer shorts that reflect microwaves. That allows me carry on my work in London. It stops me being badly affected while travelling on the train. It allows me to live a full life without unnecessary disturbance.

To purchase all protective clothing and all electrosmog detecting meters and protective equipment go to: https://beneficialenvironments.co.uk;

To enjoy the benefits of lower pollution, for advise and consultation and for all electrosmog surveying and developing services you can contact Guy on +44(0)1273251956

Do we need to think about electromagnetic pollution when building or refurbishing our houses?

Absolutely.

I understand that in so called ‘eco homes’ electromagnetic pollution (EMR and EMF) is not always considered. Shouldn’t we always aim to obtain healthier electromagnetic balance when we build a house?

Certainly. We should stop as individuals building up CO2. Farmers, for instance, need to change their attitudes to preserve the soil.

It is up to us to protect our environment. Some so called ’eco homes’ are like the worst polluted electromagnetically environment.

Proper eco homes are  ‘Eco 2.0’, because they are not only ecologically designed to save the planet through reducing energy consumption, but also create a healthy environment for the humans and animals who live in them and they have minimum magnetic pollution.

There are massive number of people who suffer with long term condition that can be improved by reducing electricity.

It makes an enormous difference to how you feel and how you look. It is also very noticeable how much younger people look when they take care of their electromagnetic environment. When they reduce it, people really look a lot younger.

Reducing electrosmog is fundamentally beneficial not only to our health but also to how we look when getting older.

The ‘eco homes’ are usually the worst. They are all unhealthy, but it is not difficult or too expensive to make them much better.

They need the right expertise.

We as consumers of modern technology are very confused, as there are two different scientific opinions. One says that we can use it (non-ionizing radiation) and it will not harm us. That is an opinion of people like Dr David Robert Grimes and Prof Dorothy Bishops, for instance. The other one is like yours and that of Dr Erica’s Mallery- Blythe, who is associated with Radiation Research Trust, and who runs PHRIE. Your opinions warn us against too excessive exposure.

There is a lot of evidence that electromagnetic radiation causes diseases, and it is not only ionizing radiation, but also the lower power radiation like microwaves and even mains frequencies cause these problems.

To find out about the plentiful evidence about the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation, please go to charity called ES-UK and their listing of all scientific papers on the subject written over last hundred years. These papers are often peer-reviewed and show and confirm the very strong evidence of harmful electromagnetic effects on health.

It is not all bad. There are some wonderful machines based on EMR. If you do this right, they can be extremely beneficial, but the thought here is given to the radiation given off by the modern technology. A lot of it, unfortunately is harmful.

Some results of experiments claim that electrosensitive people complain about electromagnetic exposure even if the source is a sham. That leads to being diagnosed with a psychological or psychosomatic problem and not a physical disturbance one.

It is about understanding how electrosensitivity works. It is the design of experiments that is a problem, not that electrosensitivity is only psychological. Any disease that causes so much pain, discomforts, lack of sleep is going to have psychological component too, but these people do not imagine this problem.

I know that not many people are aware that electricity is first of all a natural force in nature. Our life is based on workings of bio-electricity in our system. It is a natural force within our organism that plays the role of a medium conducting messages from our brains to all parts of our body and mind. The life of all beings depends on this natural force that can be described as bio-electricity.

When it comes to man-made electricity, it is a dead force, would you agree with that?

Electricity is an important part of life, but it is not a life force. To think that electricity is part of life is wrong. Life uses electricity to perform so many different functions. It is a new source of pollution, certainly.

We need to distinguish between bio-electricity, natural electricity that is a life force, and man-made electricity, popularly known as electricity, that is not a life force.

My point is, that all this technology is incredibly useful, and we are never going to be without mobile phones ever again.

As an engineer, I spent years in the car industry designing, testing and manufacturing cars. Every component in a car, whether it is a petrol cap or a steering wheel, perhaps a door handle, or whatever it is, is designed with safety in mind.

If you look at electronics and power distribution, almost no consideration is given to human safety from the electromagnetic pollution point of view. This is particularly true with recent advances, and that is what needs to happen: these industries need to wake up.

Volvo, for instance, made their product very safe and they were pioneers at that. It takes a brave mobile company to have similar pioneering attitudes, but people who are safety conscious would pay more for those particular safe mobile phones.

That is a trend that needs to be started as soon as possible.

Electricity is a natural force in nature and now we have lots and lots of new devices appearing powered by man-made electricity. It is becoming crowded with all this. In health there is always a balance that needs to be observed. There is an overwhelming amount of these electrical devices nowadays and therefore, as you say, of electrosmog and pollution.

Yes.

There is still a huge amount of research to be done. While the scientific consensus is that people know about these bio-effects, there is not enough funding, and there is not enough research going on to determine what is harmful and what isn’t.

It needs more research and safety standards. In fact, I have been working on a committee on International Guidelines on Non-Ionizing Radiation. These are based on standards set by doctors in Germany, Austria and Switzerland called the European EMF Guidelines. We are developing standards for safe environments. These standards will ensure low levels of EMR, which will improve life for electrosensitive people and for all.

 

 

It is in the public interest to get the science right.       

 

What about an electric car? Given the problems with electrosmog, when we  will end up with thousands and thousands of man-made electric cars around us, isn’t it naive of us to think that electric cars with their electromagnetic pollution footprint are solution to carbon dioxide pollution caused by cars?

Ha! Ha! Ha! It is a good question.

It is a very complicated subject. Certainly, when it comes to electromagnetic pollution, whether it is an electric car or an ordinary car like diesel or petrol, the biggest pollution already comes from the tyres. If you bother to measure inside the car on motorway speeds, you will find that levels exceed safety by 30 to 40 times.

We are already in the situation when a car creates huge electromagnetic pollution.

Some electric cars seem to be designed with electrosmog in mind. This is an important issue and engineers need to consider this when designing new cars.

Finally, please tell us, if you could turn fantasy into the real world, what would be Your dream home and Your dream holiday?

Well I am going to build one as I will retire soon.

I want it to be low in electrosmog, so I will have an ‘Eco 2.0’ house. That is my dream house and I am going to work with developers and architects to make sure I’ll get one in the next few years.

My dream holiday? Well, you have to be really careful now. I used to love walking along hills in England and also in the Alps, but so often there is so much technical equipment at the top of the hills now.

I can be very badly affected by the radiation from all the masts up there, so what would have been my dream holiday has changed really.

I think swimming in the sea in the warm climate. Being in the sea you are surrounded by electricity conductive water, which is all earthed and therefore for electrosensitive people it is a very, very comfortable environment. So, a beach.

There is a thing called EMF White Zone. I am  comeing back to the EMF standards that were launched on 13 September 2018 at the London Conference about children with cancer.

EMF White Zone is a specially protected zone with low electrosmog, so I want an EMF White Zone beach and some nice clean water to swim in.

That is my ideal holiday.

Guy thank you so much for talking to us.

 

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