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Happy New Year to you all!

Wow, 2023 is here already! It seems as though the last 12 months have absolutely flown by, and here we are, at the start of another year. It is a time of a lot of excitement, and it makes us all look towards the future a little bit. This is the time when everyone starts to talk about resolutions and fresh starts, and we can put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make some dramatic changes all at once. January can also be one of the toughest times of year for our sensitive skin thanks to the cold weather. 

I thought I would take a moment to offer my advice on how to address this in a way that is healthy for your mind and body using my HOPE Principles.

Don’t rush it

We spend Christmas relaxing, having fun and indulging and then have a tendency to think that we need to rip up our entire lifestyles on the 2nd January. Without realising it, we can put ourselves under huge amounts of stress to make changes immediately just because of the date, but in reality, this does not need to be the case.

If there are changes that you want to make or things that you want to achieve then set yourself goals that are achievable, but don’t feel pressured into doing them straight away. Start to tackle each thing when you feel ready and when you have space in your life to deal with it. The more stress that you put on yourself, the worse you will feel and the less likely that you are to achieve your aims.

Take your time to think carefully about what you want to do and come with a plan of how you intend to get there. It is important to always remain optimistic, and by setting yourself targets that you know you can reach, you are more likely to think positively about them. Then start to make your changes when you feel good and ready to do it, giving yourself a new sense of purpose.

Bitesize goals

If you do start to make changes and set goals, then try to make them bitesize ones. By saying that you are going to do something throughout the whole year, you have a timescale which is almost too big to manage. Instead, set yourself a goal for the month or the season.

If you are wanting to make other changes to your lifestyle, maybe consider doing them piece by piece. For example, start going to the gym once a week and then build it up over time, or change small things at work one by one to achieve a bigger goal. Eating well and exercising are very important for your mental and physical wellbeing, but make sure that your moves towards these are something you feel confident and happy about.

By breaking all of your dreams down into smaller items, you can tick them off one by one, getting a sense of satisfaction instead of failure.

Remember, your home is your sanctuary, and it is important to keep this healthy and peaceful, without bringing new and stressful elements into it before you are ready. Don’t be afraid to ask for support when it comes to making changes - whether it is a gym buddy, someone to take away temptation or just someone offering a little encouragement when it is needed. 

My wish for 2023 is for you all to be happy, healthy and living your best lives, and I am always here to help you in that journey. Remember, having sensitive skin does not and should not limit your life in any way, so please make sure that you are out there doing the things that you love. I love to hear your stories, so please head over to Instagram to share what you are doing and what you hope to achieve.

Here’s to a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year for everyone!

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hey Beautiful,

How was your Christmas? Are you knee deep in wrapping paper and glitter? It’s amazing, isn’t it?

We know that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but for many people, it can also be overwhelming. I’m sure that many of you reading this have been responsible for most of the shopping, wrapping and cooking, and even when the big day is done, your work will continue. Whether it is hosting family, building toys, tidying up or acting as the designated driver, the list of jobs can be endless.

Christmas self care

All of the things that we have to do over Christmas can lead to us feeling stressed at a time when we are supposed to be relaxed and happy. Anyone with a skin condition will know that stress can be a trigger for skin flare up, so it is important to try and manage this. That is why you need to take a little time for yourself over Christmas. A small amount of self care can give you the chance to relax and reset when you need to, in order to leave you ready to enjoy the rest of the festivities with the right energy levels and mindset

Why not run yourself a bath, light some candles and put on some relaxing music? This can be a great way to step away from the noise and the stress. Add The Beauty of Eczema™ Bath Salts and Bathing Oil into your bath to help you unwind and to give your skin some much needed care and hydration. You can also light a candle and play some of your favourite music to make it the perfect me-time.

Looking Forwards

We are now only a few days away from the start of a new year, so it can be a very reflective time. There is a lot of talk about resolutions and goals for 2023, but these can put a lot of undue pressure on people. Instead, think about your wishes for 2023: what do you hope for, and what would you like for other people? This can be a much more positive way to think about things and can make many aims seem a lot more achievable. If you want to get creative, you can start looking for images for your 2023 vision board. 

If any of your wishes for next year relate to your skin, then why not take a look at my book, The Beauty of Eczema™? In the book, I talk about my journey with eczema and how I have reached the place that I am at today. It is not a manual about how to fix your skin, but instead it is about how to think about your skin and your body, how to treat yourself, and how to love yourself. We all take a different path when dealing with skin conditions, but this book can help you to achieve a healthy mindset and attitude towards yourself, which can help when it comes to looking towards 2023. I receive heartfelt messages from readers about how this book changed their life. You can check out some of the reviews here.

I hope you have all had a magical Christmas and that the new year is everything that you hope it will be.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Tidings of love and joy to you all!

Yes, this is it, Christmas is finally here (well, almost). All of the planning and the excitement has come to this point where we can relax and enjoy it. Whether you are spending your Christmas with your partner for the first time, watching your children open presents or visiting friends or family, the magic is sure to be there with you on this special day.

Being thankful at Christmas

Christmas is a great time to be together with the people that matter most to us, and to show them how much we love them. It is also a really good time to take stock and be thankful for the amazing things that we have. No matter where you are in life, there will be good things within it, and it can be important to take the time to focus on these things and remember what we have. It can be a useful tool when it then comes to looking forwards and planning what we want from our lives.

This Christmas, I will be thankful for my skin, as I am every day. Even though I suffer from eczema, I am still very grateful for my skin and the remarkable job that it does for me. By being thankful for my skin, I can love it and manage the symptoms that I suffer from with less stress and anxiety.

I am also thankful for the incredible people that I have around me. My family and friends are what keeps me going and can provide strength and love for me whenever I need it. I am also thankful for the amazing team that I have around me at The Beauty of Eczema™. They are the people who have been by my side, helping to make my dreams a reality so that together we are able to help more people who have to deal with sensitive skin in their own lives.

I would love to know what you are thankful for this Christmas, so please come and share a few of your favourites on our Instagram page here.

Getting in touch

I want you all to have a happy and relaxing Christmas, and I also want all of the incredible staff at The Beauty of Eczema™ to do the same along with a digital detox. For that reason, they will be logging off to spend some precious time with their families over the festive season. If you need us, then please feel free to get in touch by sending a DM on Instagram or email customerhappiness@thebeautyofeczema.com, and please be aware that it might take us a little longer than normal to get back to you.

Have a wonderful Christmas and remember to keep an eye on our blog page and Instagram for lots of terrific updates. I can’t wait to see you all in the new year to find out what 2023 has in store for us!

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Greetings beautiful!

If I listen carefully, I’m sure I can hear sleigh bells off in the distance and they seem to be getting closer. Yes, I’m excited!

One of the things most of us look forward to when it comes to Christmas is the food that we all indulge in. There is so much on offer at this time of year and it can be very tempting to throw caution to the wind and eat and drink what we want over Christmas. However, this should come with a word of warning if you suffer from sensitive skin.

Our diet can have a massive effect on our skin, so what we put in, can start to show on the outside. Over the holidays it's important to enjoy yourself and all the yummy food in a way that feels good to you, all in moderation.

Healthy Recipes for Christmas

Christmas should be a time of fun and enjoyment, and your Christmas food should be the same. My cook book, The Beauty of Eating Well™  is packed full of recipes that are tasty as well as being good for your body and your skin. If you are cooking Christmas dinner, then my delicious Prawn Salad can be the perfect starter for the whole family to enjoy. Simply place 175g of cooked king prawns, a sliced avocado, 100g of baby spinach and a courgette cut into ribbons into a bowl and sprinkle over a pinch of chilli flakes the juice of half a lemon and two tablespoons of olive oil before tossing it all together. Then simply season it with salt and pepper and serve with a handful of chopped parsley and basil sprinkled across the top.

A lot of your Christmas dinner can be heavy and fatty, which is not always great for your skin, so why not look at making a few simple swaps? This year, instead of roast potatoes, try my Baked Sweet Potatoes with baked beans and slaw instead. It is a super easy tray bake which not only gives a healthy twist for Christmas, but also makes cooking Christmas dinner a little simpler.

Preheat your oven to 200C and inside place your sweet potatoes on a baking tray, sprinkled with salt and leave them to bake for an hour. While they are cooking, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a pan and gently fry a finely sliced onion and two finely sliced garlic cloves on a medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir in a tablespoon each of cumin and ground coriander and cook for two more minutes before adding two 400g tins of black beans, 150ml of water and a teaspoon of smoked sea salt. Stir it well and simmer for 10-12 minutes, making sure to stir it frequently until the beans have broken apart and become thick and creamy. Then squeeze in the juice of a lime and a handful of chopped coriander.

To make the slaw, mix half of a finely sliced red onion, a coarsely grated beetroot, two coarsely grated carrots, a finely chopped green chilli, a roughly chopped small bunch of coriander, the juice of a lime, two tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and pepper. Once your sweet potatoes are cooked and crispy, split them open and top with the beans, slaw and an extra sprinkling of smoked sea salt.

Christmas Snacks

We all love sitting down in front of a Christmas movie with a few snacks but your skin might not. For a real treat, give my Spiced Pink Bounty Bars a go! Start by blitzing 200g of desiccated coconut, 10g of freeze dried raspberries and a teaspoon of Pitaya powder in a food processor until it becomes a pink powder. Then add a teaspoon of cinnamon, 50ml of coconut oil, three tablespoons of coconut cream and two tablespoons of maple syrup and pulse until it all comes together. Press it into a prepared baking tin to form an even layer and pop it into the freezer for 20 minutes. Once you take it out, cut it into 12 even pieces. Heat 90g of cacao butter chips, 35g of raw cacao powder and two tablespoons of maple syrup over a gentle heat and whisk together for a yummy glossy chocolate which you can spread over each bar generously. Then sprinkle over a tablespoon of freeze dried raspberries and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before sharing or keeping them all for yourself!

My Banana & Oat Bars are a great energy burst on the go. Simply preheat your oven to 180C and mash 3 ripe bananas in a bowl. Then add 225g of gluten-free oats, 75g of ground almonds, 1-2 tablespoons of almond milk, a teaspoon of gluten-free baking powder, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, two tablespoons of maple syrup, a tablespoon of almond butter and a teaspoon of salt and mix well together. Pour the mixture into a prepared baking tin and bake for 15-18 minutes until the top is golden and slightly firm.

These are great for some healthy nibbles over Christmas, and you can even make them in advance and take them with you if you are spending Christmas with family to ensure you still have some skin superfoods to hand.

Wherever you spend Christmas, The Beauty of Eating Well™ is here to make your Christmas food healthy and fun so make sure you order it now!

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hello gorgeous!

Did you know that Christmas is just over two weeks away now? Has it come around as fast for you as it has for me? It seems as though December is passing by in a bit of a blur, and before we know it, the big day will be upon us.

Christmas Stress

If the thought of Christmas looming ever closer is making your heart beat a little faster, then you are not alone. Christmas can be a massive source of stress, and I think women tend to bear the brunt of this as it is often left to them to buy most of the presents, organise the family and cook the Christmas dinner. It is no wonder that many of us start to feel overwhelmed, and this can show in your skin.

If you have any kind of skin condition, you probably don’t need me to tell you that stress can make it worse. What seems like an issue for our brains can very quickly have a physical effect and can lead to flare ups of problems like eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea. This can lead to the skin feeling itchy and sore, and can spoil the Christmas fun, so it is important to take control of it now. Don’t let the stress defeat you and make a plan instead.

Christmas Planning

One of the worst things that you can do for your stress levels and your skin is to leave everything until the last minute. Not only will you cause yourself unnecessary stress close to Christmas, but you are also likely to spend the next two weeks worrying about it, so the time to act is now! Start making a plan of what needs to be done and who can help you to do it.

Recently, I have put together a blog on ‘Getting on top of seasonal stress’ which looks at all of the things you can do to get on top of the shopping and cooking. Using these tips can help you to take things step by step and make each aspect of Christmas a little easier to manage. Make use of the internet and order what you can online to make the process faster and easier – don’t forget, you can also order your groceries now to be delivered closer to Christmas.

Skincare

Knowing that stress can take hold of your skin means that you should be paying very close attention to it. Using the Mositurizing Cream throughout each day is a great way to make sure that your skin is well cared for. My sensitive skincare range has been developed to be kind to your skin with its natural ingredients, but also to be as easy as possible to use. By sticking to the Skin Wash and the Moisturizing Cream you can look after the most sensitive skin in just two steps. You can take both of them anywhere with you, which means that you can keep your skin nourished and moisturized throughout the day no matter how busy you are or how cold the temperatures get.

Christmas is about family time, so don’t let your skin condition ruin it for you. Start your preparations now by not just doing the shopping but looking after yourself as well, and you will be in a much better place to relax and enjoy the festivities with those that you love.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Happy December lovelies!

This is it! We are finally officially into the Christmas period! It all starts here! Are you as excited as I am?

There is now no shame in putting your tree up (if you haven’t already), having fun with the Christmas Elf and starting your Christmas shopping in earnest. Once you start to think about who you need to buy for, the list can seem overwhelming, and it is important that you don’t let the stress of the preparations take its toll on you and ruin the big day. Take a look at my ‘Getting On Top of Seasonal Stress’ blog to find out more ways of doing this.

Shopping for all of your nearest and dearest is important, but can be tiring, which is why I have put together my ultimate Christmas gift guide to make your job that little bit easier!

Luxury Bath Products

Everyone loves to relax in the bath, so some lovely products to put into it are always welcome. Buying something with a luxurious feel will make them feel more special, and a much better gift. My Bathing Oil can elevate any bathing ritual with just a few drops. It is packed with natural luxurious oils whilst still remaining non-greasy. This luxury bathing oil contains no soap and turns into a decadent milky oil, with a creamy, silky texture.

The Beauty of Eczema™ Bath Salts are another bath time favourite thanks to their amazing blend of mineral-rich Pink Himalayan blush, Dead Sea salt and Epsom salts which have all been beautifully infused with restoring oils to moisturize the skin.

Both of these wonderful luxury bath products give a relaxing and soothing experience, whilst their incredible natural moisturizing properties mean that your skin will get a treat too.

When ordering for Christmas, don’t leave it too late! Our last Christmas posting dates are:

•       1pm 22nd Dec for UK orders
•       1pm Monday 12th Dec for Europe and USA
•       1pm Monday 5th for Australia

Remember, at Christmas, the biggest and best gift that you can give is love, both to those around you and yourself. I put my products together to help you to achieve this, and so I hope that they can go some way to spreading a little love around the world this Christmas.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Warm wishes to you all angels! 

I think it is safe to say that the countdown to Christmas is officially on. I love Christmas, and I am really excited, but the run up to it can sometimes seem daunting. There is so much to do and so little time to do it, which can lead to it becoming very stressful. As you will probably know, stress can be a big trigger for flare ups when you have a skin condition, so it is important to get on top of the stress that Christmas can bring in order to help you manage your skin.

I have put together some of the most important things you can do to conquer seasonal stress, so put your feet up and read on.

Christmas Shopping

The movies might paint Christmas shopping as a gorgeous afternoon filled with twinkling lights and lovely shopping bags, but the reality is usually a fight with hundreds of other people in the cold and the rain. It does nothing to help your stress levels, so plan ahead and get in there early. Make a list of everything you need to get and do a bit of research online to find out where you can get it from and who has the best prices. Even if you do then want to visit the shops, you can have a plan of where you need to go and make it much more targeted and successful.

There are some great Christmas shopping tips over on ‘Your Christmas Shopping Starts Here’, so make sure you check it out.

Black Friday

Black Friday is the perfect way to get some great deals for Christmas. The sales are now on and The Beauty of Eczema™ is no exception. That’s right you can get the Moisturising Cream for $15.99 (was $25.99) and the Skin Wash for $11.99 (was $23.99)

Christmas Food

If you are managing your skin condition through your diet, then Christmas can be the time when it all goes wrong, but it doesn’t have to be. There are still plenty of delicious treats that you can enjoy whilst still taking care of your skin. I have put together The Beauty of Eating Well™ cookbook to give you a wide range of nutritious and yummy recipes that can support the health of your skin throughout any season. In addition to the recipes, there are also lots of great tips on how to manage stress, understanding the foods that you should be embracing and how to still focus on the joy of food.

Relaxation

Christmas should be about enjoying yourself, so make sure that you take some time out from all of the planning to relax and reset. A warming bath can be a great way to do this and adding the Bathing Oil or the Bath Salts can give your skin a chance to have some time out and pampering too.

The most important thing about Christmas is spending it with the people we love the most, so when the stress feels like it is getting to you, please remember that you are enough. The gifts, the decorations and the food will not be important to anyone compared to seeing you happy and well, so make sure that your number one priority is yourself.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

How are you angels?

The Festive season is now fast approaching. We have all seen the adverts on TV and the shops are full of Christmas food, cards and decorations. It’s lovely to see, but it can also be a little overwhelming.

As someone who suffers from a skin condition myself, I know how easily flare ups can be triggered by stress, and whilst Christmas is a joyous occasion, it can also be a very stressful one. Being prepared can help to take a lot of the pressure out of the run up to Christmas, so I have put together my tips for getting on top of the Christmas shopping.

Plan Ahead

The idea of a day out Christmas shopping can seem lovely, but it is often fraught and tiring. Fighting with other shoppers to see what is on display when you have no idea what to buy can make it a less enjoyable experience, so make sure you start planning.

Make your list and check it twice as Santa would say! Write down all of the people that you want to buy for and the ideas that you have for them. There are often some great deals to be had online, which can reduce the amount that you need to get in the shops themselves.

Black Friday

Black Friday is on 25th November this year, so look out for some bargains. Take a look at what you want to buy now so that you know how much you will really be saving when the time comes. Black Friday itself still has some of the best deals, but many retailers now extend their sale to the week before, so it is never too early to start searching!

Deliveries

Ordering online can make your life much easier, but you need to think about your deliveries. Do you want them bringing to your house where everyone else might see them, or do you have a better address, such as work, that you could send them too? You also need to think about the time it will take to have things delivered, particularly in the light of the Royal Mail postal strikes.

If you are having something shipped abroad, make sure you know what the last posting dates are for each country, as this can help you to get organised. If you write down all of the key dates that you need in order, it can help you to draw up a plan of what you need and when.

It might still seem early to be starting your Christmas shopping, but by knowing what you want and getting ready early, you can help to calm your mind and your skin, leaving you ready to enjoy Christmas properly.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hello Beautiful, 

How are you, my lovely?

Bonfire Night is now over, and we seem to be rapidly heading towards Christmas. Is anybody else ready yet or do you leave it all until the last minute? I have started to notice how quickly the winter is now approaching as the temperatures are getting lower. When this happens, it tends to make a difference to my eczema, and this can particularly be seen in my hands.

If, like me, you have a skin condition, you will probably find that your hands take the brunt of it due to the levels of exposure that they have and the amount of hard work that we put them through. I know from personal experience how painful this can be, which is why I have to make an extra effort to look after them in the cold weather. Once I start to suffer, I can become very self-conscious and then begin a cycle of trying to hide my hands wherever I can. That is why in this blog I thought I would give you a helping hand to get through the winter months.

Winter weather

You might have already seen my blog asking, ‘What can the cold weather do to your skin?’  which talks about the effects that the drop in temperature can have on your skin, particularly if you have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. It can be an uncomfortable time, largely thanks to the lack of moisture in our atmosphere. With no humidity in the air, and central heating blasting for hours at a time, our skin can begin to dry out.

The skin has its own natural microbiome which is made up of cells and lipids which has to be carefully balanced in order to provide a natural moisture barrier. It can promote the growth of good bacteria and can play a crucial part in keeping our skin healthy. If you have any kind of skin sensitivity, this microbiome can need a bit of extra help when faced with winter conditions and taking care of your skin with sensitive skincare like The Beauty of Eczema™ range can help to support it.

Our hands are often at the centre of this because of the amount that we use them. We are constantly doing things that dry out our hands and this can lead to them cracking, peeling and bleeding. Even children can be vulnerable at this time of year, as anyone who has tried to make a small child wear gloves will know all too well. It can therefore be important to protect yourself and your skin when you are out and about. Whether you are building a snowman or simply popping to the shops, make sure that you are wearing gloves to protect yourself against the elements. If your hands get wet, make sure that you dry them as quickly and as gently as possible.

Hand washing

The COVID-19 pandemic made us all more conscious of washing our hands, and it can be a very important tool in keeping coughs, colds and viruses at bay. However, it can also be a nightmare for those of us who suffer from sensitive skin. The constant process of using harsh, drying soaps and hot water can make sore hands feel even worse, so you need to make sure that you are washing your hands in the right way. Keep the water at a warm temperature, not hot, and use our gentle and natural Skin Wash. This uses ingredients which are not only derived from nature but are also designed to hydrate your skin. 

When you have finished washing your hands, make sure that you pat your hands dry gently with a towel instead of rubbing them and apply our Moisturising Cream.

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

It stands to reason that if our skin is suffering from a lack of moisture during the winter, we need to do all that we can to replenish it, and the Moisturising Cream amazing for this. It is the perfect moisturiser for dry skin as it uses the moisturisers found in nature to care for your skin and avoid adding to the irritation that you might be suffering. This natural moisturiser gives added hydration and can help to boost your skin’s natural barrier to protect it throughout the day.

Our hands are incredibly important to us, and I don’t want to see you hiding them away under long sleeves or in pockets. Use these tips and order your skincare now and you will be in a better position to enjoy your winter without pain, redness or irritation. 

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hello skin beauties!

How are you feeling? Can you believe that it is Autumn already? There are a lot of celebrations to be had around this time of year, but if you have a skin condition, the fact that winter is on its way might not fill you with joy. I personally dread the colder days, I’m sure you know that I’m a sun seeker at heart. 

Whilst many look forward to snowy days, those of us with skin issues like eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and rosacea know the discomfort that the cold weather can bring. It’s tough on our bodies and getting through it can be tough on our minds too. 

Winter temperatures

It goes with the territory that as the darker nights draw in, and the temperatures start to drop, this will affect the amount of moisture in your skin. You might think that it is sunny weather that dries your skin out, but in truth this can help you to produce more oil. In the winter, we experience a drop in humidity as well as heat, which causes environments to dry out. If you then add in the affects of central heating and fires and it starts to become clear why our skin dries out.

During the colder months, we also tend to indulge in more hot drinks, and consume less water. Our skin will soon feel the effects of this, and when combined with the external effects, many can start to experience dryness, flaking and itching.

Whilst some of this might be self-explanatory, one thing many people do not think about is how skin microcirculation is also affected. This occurs when skin capillaries constrict to reduce the blood flow through the skin, and these alterations can cause things such as facial redness or telangiectasia (spider veins).

You also may find yourself wearing a lot more layers during the winter, and some of us can find that the friction of this can irritate our skin. All of this starts to combine to make winter a tricky time for anyone with a skin condition and can lead to what feels like months of discomfort and pain. I know it’s a time that many of us with sensitive skin can stress about, but there are things we can do to manage our skin through these colder months. The key is to start doing this now. 

Winter skin care

Whilst winter presents plenty of challenges, here are the things I suggest to help you through the winter. It starts with your skincare routine. Having a routine not only cares for your skin, but by following the same routine you create a ritual that calms your mind, which in turn also calms your skin. Knowing which products you plan to use each day means you don’t have to worry about which products to use and you can be mindful and talk positively to your skin throughout your routine. 

Start by making sure that you use a gentle skin cleanser. Our Skin Wash leaves your skin soft and hydrated. It is high in Vitamin E from oat lipids and almond oil to help protect the skin’s barrier. It contains a carefully chosen gentle natural botanical fragrance to help avoid further irritation and is not only 98.3% naturally derived but is also a cruelty free and vegan skin wash.

When your skin is lacking moisture, you need to make sure that you are replenishing it wherever possible. The Moisturising Cream is our daily go-to for hydrated skin, leaving your skin feeling smooth and cool. It is a luxury moisturiser which comes from natural ingredients that care for your skin offering immediate absorption in a non-sticky, non-greasy formula. It is suitable for the face, hands and body, is suitable for sensitive skin prone to eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and acne and is available in travel sizes to ensure you always have it close at hand. I take the 100ml size of this with me everywhere. I have one in the car, one on my desk and one in my bag so I can apply it throughout the day. If your skin is like mine, I just need to keep it hydrated and moisturised. I was conscious about making the packaging look gorgeous so none of us need to have handbag shame, which I used to get all the time if I used a medical looking product in public. 

For a relaxing way to give your skin a moisture boost, add the Bathing Oil and Bath Salts to your bath. These are both so good. The thick oil/gel formula of the bathing oil is super hydrating and both the Bathing Oil and Bath Salts contain six amazing luxurious oils as well as crystals. Did you know all our skincare contains crystals? They are there for you to focus on self love and tranquillity while you use the products. As I always say ‘calm mind, calm skin!’ They are both sensitive skin products that create a soothing bath that allows your skin the chance to soak in all the natural moisture boosting properties.

Whatever happens to your skin this winter, please make sure that you take good care of your mental health too. The effect of a skin condition on how you feel should not be underestimated, I’ve been there, so believe me, I do understand, so it is important that you show yourself some love. Have a read through our ‘What is self love?’ blog to find some important tips on how to do this. Remember, if your skin does flare up, please always go back to your doctor or dermatologist to see what else they can offer you. This does not mean that you have failed in any way or cannot take care of your skin, it is simply an important step in managing your continually evolving skin condition.

Take care of your skin this winter, and you will make it much easier for yourself to enjoy all the wonderful things that the season has to offer. There is so much to enjoy and I’d love to hear what fun things you have planned, so pop over to Instagram to share your highlights. 

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hey Beautiful, 

If you have any kind of intolerance, allergy or just try to watch what you eat, then the Halloween season can be more of a trick than a treat. Traditionally, kids and adults alike will celebrate with handfuls of sweets but these are not ideal for everyone.

As a natural chef, I have spent years trying to put together recipes which promote health on the inside that shows on the outside. If you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle or are trying to avoid certain foods for any particular reason, Halloween can be a nightmare. That’s why I have put together some fantastic seasonal recipes that are perfect alternatives for Halloween parties or even ‘Trick or Treaters’.

Chocolate Bliss Balls

Pretty much everyone loves a bit of chocolate, and as I looked for ways to keep it healthy, I fell in love with raw chocolate which has a huge number of health and skin benefits. These gorgeous Chocolate Bliss Balls are so easy to make and can just be popped into the fridge until you need them.

Ingredients:

•       150g hazelnuts
•       8 medjool dates, pitted
•       1 tbsp peanut butter or cashew butter
•       3tbsp raw cacao powder
•       1 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey
•       Pinch of sea salt
•       4 tbsp desiccated coconut (3 tbsp for the balls and 1 tbsp for the topping)

To get started, pulse the hazelnuts in a food processor for about a minute until they resemble breadcrumbs, then add in all the other ingredients and pulse it all together. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and divide and roll the mixture into balls. If you make them roughly 35g each, you should get about 12.

Once you have shaped them all, fill a small dish with the extra coconut and roll each ball into it until it is completely coated. Then place them on the baking sheet and leave them to set in the freezer for around 20 minutes.

Caramel Shortbread

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It is difficult to find anyone who can resist the temptation of caramel, so I included this recipe as it is a real crowd-pleaser. This recipe includes almonds as they are a great source of fibre and protein, and also contain important nutrients including vitamin E, selenium and calcium.

Ingredients:

For the base

•       225g ground almonds
•       1 heaped tsp cashew butter
•       110ml coconut oil, melted
•       1 tbsp maple syrup or raw organic honey

For the caramel

•       14 medjool dates, pitted
•       2 tbsp coconut oil
•       1 tbsp maple syrup
•       150g cashew butter
•       1 tsp ashwagandha powder (optional)
•       1 tsp flaky sea salt

For the chocolate

•       100g cacao butter
•       2 tbsp raw cacao powder
•       3 tbsp maple syrup

Get started with the base by putting the ground almonds, cashew butter and maple syrup into a food processor and pulsing briefly. As the motor is running, slowly pour in the coconut oil and pulse until it all comes together. Then press the mixture into a lined baking tin to form a flat layer and set it in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Moving onto the caramel, simply blitz all of the ingredients together in a food processor to form a thick caramel which you can spread over the top of the shortbread base using the back of a spoon which has been dipped in boiling water. Gently press down and smooth it all out, ensuring that it reaches all of the corners and leave it to set in the freezer for a further 20 minutes.

For the chocolate, place all of the ingredients into a small pan and whisk them together over a gentle heat until smooth and glossy. Remove the caramel shortbread from the freezer and pour over the chocolate. Leave it to set in the fridge for at least 20 minutes and then take out of the tin and cut into pieces.

I understand how hard seasons like Halloween can be for those who need to be careful with what they eat, which is why I wanted to put together recipes that were not only health but fun too so that no-one feels as though they are missing out.

I put together The Beauty of Eating Well™ cookbook so that I could share recipes like this and allow everyone to have fun and freedom with their food. You can order your copy now from Amazon.com.

Hey Beautiful

This week we are hearing from one of our beautiful angels Léa. Léa was born with sensitive skin, and so has always had the red and itchy sensation that you are probably familiar with. She has seen her skin condition change and grow over the years and has not only had to deal with the physical symptoms but the mental ones too as she felt her confidence take a blow. She felt as though she was totally on her own support wise until she found The Beauty of Eczema™ community of sensitive skin angels who were experiencing what she was going through with her sensitive skin.

That is why we spoke to Léa about her experiences, to help you realise that you are not alone either. We have an incredibly supportive team and audience, as well as a range of tools and some terrific skincare to help you on your journey.

Growing up with eczema

Léa explained that her eczema began in small patches on the insides of her elbows and knees, however, over time, this began to spread. She then started to see it appearing on her wrist, neck, legs and feet, and then eventually on her face as well. Léa is now in a situation where it seems to be on most parts of her body, and she has felt that this even began to affect her sleep as the itching would keep her awake at night. When she did sleep, she would often scratch without knowing that she was doing it until she woke to find blood on her sheets. Understandably, Léa quickly reached a point where she “wanted desperately to get rid of it.

Whilst most people think of eczema as a skin condition, the truth is that it impacts on much more than this. “It has affected my confidence and attitude about myself because I felt ugly with all the red patches and always scratching,” Léa told us. She often felt as though people were staring at her, with some even asking her to stop scratching as they didn’t want to listen to it anymore. This led to Léa changing the way that she dressed, wearing long sleeves to hide her patches, but it did nothing make her feel any better.

As many of you are likely to recognise, Léa made regular trips to the dermatologist where she was given various topical creams to apply, but most of them failing to deliver after the first few weeks.

Discovering Camille

Léa continued to spend time looking for ways in which she could manage her eczema, and that’s when she came across Camille Knowles. After reading an article about Camille’s own experiences, Lea decided to find out more. Camille’s journey resonated with Léa and when she read that Camille felt grateful for her skin she was intrigued. “I was telling myself how can she feel grateful for this? I decided to order her book and the Moisturising Cream to try it.”

When Lea read The Beauty of Eczema™ she learnt the importance of being kinder to herself and her skin. She then felt inspired to apply what she had read to her own life.

“With the cream, the affirmations and focusing on myself, I saw a difference on my skin,” Léa explained. “It did not get rid of my eczema, but I have learned to accept it and be proud of it as it is a reminder to slow down and to pamper myself and not feel sorry for it.”

Calming Cream

We asked Léa what her favourite product was, and she couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the Moisturising Cream. "It is the first cream that my skin hasn’t reacted to for longer than just a few weeks,” she said. She loves the way it smells and that she can continue to use it and enjoy the calming effects even when she is having a reaction. “I always have it on hand,” she told us.

Lea’s message

Léa is incredibly grateful for the lifestyle that Camille has taught her, and also for the supportive community that she has found herself a part of. She shared a wonderful piece of advice with us:

“Sharing your journey helps to overcome this and seeing other people’s journey gives you the strength to accept it. If you are a sensitive skin warrior, just slow down, that’s my biggest advice. Sit down, relax, and breathe. Do something that you love, it could be anything (dance, watch a movie, take a bath) and focus on what you have (friends, family, partner, house, food) and share your gratefulness to yourself out loud and hopefully you will see a difference on your skin and on your mindset. Healthy mindset helps clear your skin.”

We couldn’t agree more! Come and join us now on Instagram to be part of a warm, wonderful community. We understand not everyone feels comfortable commenting online so feel free to message us on Instagram if you prefer. Also, we would love to add that if anyone would love to reach out to Léa, feel free to send a message via Instagram @leabienenstock. Sending you wellness wishes and positive vibes for glowing and calm skin.