Get ready for summer with Lavera Sun

Choosing the right sun protection for you and your family should include more than just popping down to your local department store to pick up whichever sunscreen is on the 'buy one get one free' offer.
Young skin is delicate and using a chemical laden sunscreen can disturb the balance of the skin by causing rash outbreaks, dry skin, dermatitits and even eczema.
Oxybenzone is the widely used chemical in many sun products with high Sun Protection Factors, its function is to ‘filter’ ultra violet light on the surface of the skin, converting it from light to heat, but it can also be absorbed through the skin. As yet we have not seen any research to indicate what happens when the oxybenzone is absorbed through the skin, but UV light causing cell damage is well known and you may choose to avoid this form of sun protection. If light is converted to heat in the basal layers of the skin, damage to growing cells is very likely. Lavera has a collection of sunscreens that are 100% mineral based. Mineral based sun protection uses only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the active ingredients. These natural minerals build a physical protection layer on the skin and reflect the sunlight naturally without transforming into a toxic compound.
Whats more Lavera's Sunscreens are formulated for the most delicate of skin and ideal for those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
I have been using the Baby & Child Sun Neutral SPF30 on my 2 year old daughter who has extremely sensitive skin, I have found that not only does it offer fantastic protection against the sun but it also seems to nourish my daughter's dry skin at the same time, and unlike chemical sunscreens there are no itchy rashes to contend with due the sunscreen irritating her delicate skin. Another bonus is that it comes in a spray which is much quicker and easier to apply than a cream. I highly recommend the Lavera Sun Protection range.

Recycle your Printer Ink Cartridges for Charity

As a business we go through endless amounts of printer ink, rather than just throwing the cartridges away we have decided to send them in for recycling and £2 will be donated to our chosen charity for EVERY cartridge.

BareSatsuma have decided to support the wonderful Caudwell charity. The Caudwell Charity is a dedicated children’s charity raising funds to provide life saving and life changing equipment, treatment, or in tragic cases dying wish holidays, for children in the UK. A very well deserving charity im sure you will agree.

If you or your business would like to help support this charity either by way of recycling empty printer ink cartridges then click here to request free returns envelopes or click here to make a donation or offer other support.

Eczema - Types and Causes

Eczema effects 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults, and the number is steadily rising. There are many different forms of eczema (also referred to as dermatitis).
Atopic Eczema - is a common condition. It is thought to be hereditary, though it also effects adults, it is most common in children and can often begin in early life and it may occur alongside asthma and hayfever.
Contact Dermatitits - there are 2 types:
i) allergic contact dermatitis - generally develops over a long period of time, as a result of regular contact with a particular substance. Common causes are perfume, make-up and costume jewellery.
ii) irritant contact dermatitis - usually effects adults and is due to contact with particular irritants to the skin, most commonly on the hands. Household detergants, toiletries containing sls and chemicals around the home or workplace are the main cause.
Sebborrhoeic Eczema - most common in adults and babies. In babies it is often referred to as cradle cap and is found on the scalp and nappy area, but can quickly spread to other areas. This generally clears up from the age of one onwards.In adults the condition takes the appearance of dandruff and can spread from the scalp to the face where flakes of skin can originate from the eyebrows. This type of eczema is often associated with yeat growth.
Varicose Eczema - This condition is more common in women and develops in later life due to chronic varicose veins in the lower part of the leg.
Discoid Eczema - with age the skin becomes drier. Discoid eczema appears as coin shaped red patches, usually on the lower limbs.

Causes and triggers are many and varied and are usually a result of an allergic response to food or other substance in the environment. There are also environmental irritants that may not necessarily trigger an allergic response, but can exacerbate the condition.

• chemical irritants - soaps, bubble baths, soaps, solvents, household cleaners etc
• environmental - dust mites, pets, mould spores
• physical irritants - clothing, climate
• foods - dairy, wheat, e-numbers

A safer alternative for eczema sufferers is to avoid toiletries containing the following:

• preservatives such as parabens, chlorocresol, sorbic acid and phenoxyethanol
• emulsifiers such as sodium stearate, calcium oleate, sodium laurel sulphate, polysorbate, cetyl alcohol, sorbital and polyethylene glycol
• lanolin and fragrances should also be avoided

Purepotions have created a 100% natural range especially for people suffering from eczema. Soothing and norishing ingredients such as hemp oil, olive oil, safflower oil, calendula, lavender and chamomile are used, no harsh steroids will found in these products as this is also supposed to exacerbate the problem. Visit our shop for the complete range of natural products ideal for eczema.