Today’s post celebrates an oft unsung ingredient used in the natural beauty world. Woody, spicy, earthy and most often associated with Christmas, Frankincense is produced by distilling the resin from Boswellia tree bark grown in Africa and Arabia and which throughout history, has been used as an anointing oil; burned as incense in religious ceremonies and even ground down into powdered kohl eyeliner. In recent years, however, its many health benefits have been seized upon by the natural beauty world.

Taking inspiration from nature…

“Frankincense is proven to be a great boost to the immune system; antibacterial; a combatant against the signs of ageing (it’s toning and protective to skin cells) it also reduces pore size and heals skin from blemishes and scars. It’s wonderful for a sense of wellbeing as it also helps to reduce stress. There are new theories that it improves memory and may well be an anti-carcinogen too.” Frances Prescott, creator of Tri.Balm and leading skin and make-up expert.

Frankincense is about letting go, whether relaxing the facial muscles and smoothing expression lines and wrinkles or the sedative effect it has when inhaled. And relax…

In my last post, I reported back on how Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Lift eye cream was my Holy Grail of eye creams. I’d spent SO many years searching for the perfect one – one that boasted all the right eco-credentials – the right consistency and of course the all-important efficacy and as you’d expect, eventually finding it has been quite the revelation; so much so that I was keen to test drive the other blue-bottled products in the Intense range to see if they boasted a similar miraculous effect.

From left; Frankincense Intense Lift Serum £75, Lift Cream £65, Lift Eye Cream £55. Click here to shop.

Healing, stress-relieving, age-defying and nourishing. Neal’s Yard Remedies Intense Lift Cream promotes a feeling of well being when you apply and inhale the aroma. The blend of microalgae, ribose, and linseed extract help to redefine facial contours whilst organic chiuri and cupuaçu butter and dhatelo oil nourish, strengthen and soften the skin.

The key to any beauty routine is just that – establishing a routine. Every morning take a few moments to create a moment of mindfulness. Firstly start with freshly cleansed skin, then squeeze just two drops of Neal’s Yard Frankincense Intense serum onto your fingertips then close your eyes and inhale the aroma for a few moments. Apply the drops upward with light, stroking motions until the serum dissolves into the skin – then simply apply your favourite moisturiser.

Frankincense shelf must-haves. From left; Soothing Facial Tonic £16.50, Balm Balm; Candied Orange, Frankincense, Cardamon scented candle £35, Bamford; Nourishing Beauty Balm with Organic Neroli & Frankincense £29, Balmology; De-Stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil (Focusing and Soothing) £30, Aromatherapy Associates; & Now To Sleep Pillow Spray £18, Ren Skincare.

A few little facts you need to know about frankincense: taken orally it boosts the immune system, it improves oral health, regulates menstruation (in fact it boasts a whole host of gynae positives), promotes digestion, acts as a tonic, is known to aid respiratory issues and relieve stress. Applied topically it’s antiseptic and reduces scarring, generally speeds up healing and is used to delay the signs of ageing. A pretty long list of something that was traditionally used as an incense and associated with the nativity.

A recent report ‘We Are Super Human, Age and Beauty report, 2017′ found that 70% of women in their 40s and 50s feel largely ignored by the media. A stark figure indeed especially when the demographic with arguably the most disposable income sits within that percentage. With this in mind, Neal’s Yard Remedies is on a mission to revolutionise the way ageing is portrayed bringing women from all walks of life into the spotlight. What does this mean? Basically, it’s a call to arms in the search for seven inspirational women 40+ years who are “driven by a desire to empower other women to challenge the way they view their age.” The selected women, judged by a panel of industry experts; (Neal’s Yard co-owner and holistic therapist Anabel Kindersley;  Millie Kendall (MBE) co-founder of the British Beauty Council and former Vogue Beauty Director and co-founder of the British Beauty Council Anna-Marie Solowij) will become the faces of Neal’s Yard Remedies Age Well Revolution and feature in catalogues, widow posters in-store and online videos – they will also trial and review the age-defying Frankincense Intense Lift collection and win £1500 worth of products.

What do you have to do?

Simply click this link and describe in 80 words or less what ageing well means to you, what your ‘Age Well’ story is and how you think this will inspire others to join the Age Well Revolution. Entries close on the 10th June 2018. I’ll be honest – I’m tempted to enter too.

The heavenly trio…

Words by Shelly Vella

Model shots by Emma Sweeney

Hair and make up by Frances Prescott

Model Natasha Kasatkina

Neal’s Yard Remedies image by Shelly Vella

JOGB GOJO candle image by Jim Stanton at Plum Studios