Recently Channel 4 ran a programme looking at how the chemicals and additives in skin care products effect us (there is a link to information on the channel 4 site in the 'links' button to the left).

The programme interviewed two beauty-obsessed sisters who together spent over £1000 a month on body care products, and tested the girls for reveal what chemicals their bodies had stored.

The results were shocking, with high amounts of parabens, triclosan and phthalates being found. The girls were given expert advice on how to detox their systems, and after this were again interviewed - and they had never felt or looked better!

The moral of the story - take care of your skin and your body naturally and holistically. Natural holistic skin care is becoming more and more accessible.

Don't go for the next brightly coloured and attractively packaged product advertised on TV or in glossy magazines. Take some time to think about what is actually in the products you use on your skin.

And opt for holistic and natural - the simpler the better. So simple, in fact, that you can even make some of your skin and body care yourself at home!