A couple of days ago I was visited by a ghost from Christmas past; the dark days when I was obsessed with skincare to such an extent that I would have thought nothing of resorting to drastic measures. Apparently, as my name was still on their mailing list, this company was happy to offer me a 15% discount on their latest anti-ageing injections. Since when did anti-ageing injections become so commonplace they are the subject of promotional texts? Yes, yes, text updates can be useful – your delivery will arrive between 14.00 to 15.00 hrs., there are planned engineering works on the Bakerloo line this weekend, you are entitled to a discount on injecting poison directly into your bloodstream…hang on a minute!! What on earth would drive a logical individual to carry out such an unnatural act? We are conditioned from a very early age to avoid dangerous substances, and let's face it injections aren't anybody’s idea of a good time, so what is the motivation? The simple desire to look good, or an even more powerful fear? I believe that it is the latter; perhaps the most powerful fear of all:
“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown”. HP Lovecraft
Consider this video, where a perfectly lovely looking lady is photoshopped into Barbiesque proportions:
Is plastic “perfection” really better? Wanting to look good is a natural and healthy feeling, but we have somehow reached the tipping point; hurtled into a conformist Animal Farm type society that sets out clear rules for "looking good". If we were to flagrantly flout these rules, what would happen?
Would it be that scary to age naturally, working with nature rather than against it? Ageing without intervention has become a great unknown, something which must surely have terrible consequences in an image obsessed world:
"Fear is a distorting mirror in which anything can appear as a caricature of itself, stretched to terrible proportions; once inflamed, the imagination pursues the craziest and most unlikely possibilities. What is most absurd suddenly seems the most probable" Stefan Zweig
For me the greatest irony is that Botox and/or surgical procedures can actually cause this distorted, caricature image (in effect we create our own worst nightmare). Heavily botoxed visages make me think of Scooby Doo cartoons - scenes where villains keep tabs on the gang without being noticed, simply because it appears the eyes following them from the paintings they walk by aren't real. The BBC published an interesting article this Halloween highlighting how the horror-film appeal of zombies is rooted in an instinctive disquiet at faces that are almost human. There is something very sinister about cosmetic surgery, the skin is perfectly smooth and imperfection free, but there is no movement, the person no longer seems real, as if an inner light has been extinguished leaving an empty shell.
At this point the ghost of Christmas present proffers a different solution, I would say less radical, but in a world where people can pop out for lunchtime fillers (I'm not referring to sandwiches) it feels almost rebellious to work with nature. The Dr.Hauschka approach to skincare has often caused raised eyebrows (well in non -botoxed individuals at least) .... what do you mean no night-time moisturiser?" The Dr Hauschka Regenerating range (renamed the Rejoicing range in my grasshopper mind) is designed specifically to help support the skin in the aging process. Whilst the Day Cream is slightly too rich for my skin at present, I am big fan of the Regenerating Serum ( which I wrote a piece about back in February 2012, Cinderella Skin), the gloriously scented Regenerating Body Moisturiser is also on my Christmas wish list, as too is the Regenerating Eye Cream.
A key ingredient in these products is Red clover. This plant works on both a physical and emotional level. It is particularly rich in isoflavones (substances also known as phytoestrogens because of their similarity to estrogens), which help the skin combat premature signs of ageing. Traditionally Red clover has been used in situations where excessive fear and panic dominate. For the Celts, clover dedicated to the goddesses was a symbol of happiness and a talisman against evil spirits. It could ward off spells and grant second sight. It is used to bring inner peace so that outer stimuli can no longer mislead you or sweep you along in the surrounding chaos - perfect in the current media frenzy of anti-ageing treatments. Be fearless, be bold, be yourself; like a snowflake you are beautiful and unique so rejoice in it!
FEARLESS GIVEAWAY - Your chance to win a Regenerating Duo Set Dr.Hauschka UK are generously giving away one beautifully boxed regenerating duo set, containing the Day and Eye creams – retailing at a total of £90! 
To enter simply send me an email to biodynamicbeautyblogger@gmail.com with "Fearless Giveaway" as the title. One winner will be picked at random. The Competition closes at midnight on Sunday 15th December 2013. The lucky winner will be announced the following Monday.
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