If dry body brushing isn’t already part of your daily routine, it should be. Recently BBC recommended on ‘The Truth About Looking Good’ dry body brushing as the most effective cellulite treatment trialed. We have been sharing our positive experiences about this technique for many years through our treatments.

Dry body brushing is incredibly beneficial in so many ways:

• It encourages the renewal of new healthy cells by sweeping away dead skin cells
• Improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Clears your skin ready for better absorption of your body products
• Leaves you feeling energized and refreshed
• Smooths and brightens skin

HOW TO BODY BRUSH

See amazing improvements in skin texture from our simple, daily 2-minute pre-bath or shower routine.

STEP ONE: On dry skin, starting from your toes, gently brush with short lifting strokes all the way up and around one leg, then the next.

STEP TWO: Continue to brush around your torso upwards towards your heart. Careful around sensitive areas, and focusing on the stomach and waist to get the circulation really going around those stubborn areas.

STEP THREE: Brush along and around each arm, again towards the heart, and finish across your shoulders.

STEP FOUR: Step into your bath or shower using your favorite Aromatherapy Associates Body Wash to cleanse, then finish by either massaging in a Body Oil to nourish or Body Gel for a lighter hydration that will continue to refine the texture of your skin.

OUR REVIVE BODY BRUSH

Experience the intensely stimulating and toning power of our Revive Body Brush, made with a responsibly sourced wooden handle, natural cactus sisal bristles to leave your skin feeling energized, refreshed and smooth.

“Your Lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help the body get rid of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials which is exactly what you need when preparing for your perfect summer skin or if you have dry skin. Use our Revive Body Brush daily to stimulate this natural process and start seeing real results." Rose Price, Aromatherapy Associates Senior Trainer

With daily stresses of life, nothing sounds better than winding down in a warm bath. Bathing has a long and detailed history and has been in practice for centuries to ensure optimal health of the mind and body. From manic Mondays to self-care Sundays, our 10 Bath & Shower Oils can help you with every wellbeing need:

Your mood: My hormones are going haywire

Your wellbeing solution: Support Equilibrium Bath & Shower Oil

Counteract the hormonal lows you're experiencing with uplifting ingredients like Geranium to harmonize hormones, Bergamot to neutralize out-of-control emotions, and Rose to uplift and soften skin.

Your mood: I'm exhausted but my brain is still wired

Your wellbeing solution: De-Stress Mind Bath & Shower Oil

Pacify post-work nerves with calming and focusing Chamomile and Frankincense. This focusing bath & shower oil also contains Rosemary to clear a foggy mind and Petitgrain to ease stress and anxiety.

Your mood: I want to relax, but why can’t I? 
Your wellbeing solution: Light Relax Bath & Shower Oil

Incorporate the essential oils used in our Light Relax Bath & Shower Oil for a stress-reducing soak. Ylang Ylang counteracts high blood pressure while Lavender and Petitgrain relax tense muscles and bring you peace of mind when you’re feeling mentally agitated.

Your mood: Yesterday's workout is still kicking my butt today. Ouch!

Your wellbeing solution: De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil

You felt the burn yesterday, and you're feeling it today whenever you try to get out of your chair. This muscle soothing formula will reduce inflammation, stimulate circulation, and aid in the removal of lactic acid with Lavender, Rosemary, Ginger, and Black Pepper essential oils. Bonus: The Lavender can even ease tension headaches.

Your mood: I’m going out tonight and need some pep in my step

Your wellbeing solution: Revive Evening Bath & Shower Oil

You’re going to a social event, but you are definitely not in the mood. At least not yet. Uplift your spirits with the pampering essential oils in Revive Evening. Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood aids in building confidence; Geranium balances your emotions and improves blood circulation; and Patchouli nourishes your skin to restore suppleness and softness.

Your mood: I don’t want to drink any more coffee, but I'm still tired 
Your wellbeing solution: Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil

When you find yourself past the threshold of healthy caffeine consumption but still craving a shot of espresso, take a trip to the tub. Zesty and fresh Pink Grapefruit will wake up the senses while boosting circulation and Juniper Berry, Rosemary and Pine draw out impurities to leave you feeling physically lighter and livelier. Add a capful to your bath water and get ready to wake up.

Your mood: I can't remember the last time I did something for myself
Your wellbeing solution: Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil

Putting work, family, and friends first is a recipe for exhaustion and anxiety. Add a capful of this into a steaming hot bath to give both mind and body a much needed high. Clary Sage, Cardamom, and Rosemary uplifts and fortifies physical strength while Sandalwood, Rose, and Geranium emotionally strengthen and comforts.

Your mood: I’m so tired, but I’ll probably be awake until 3am
Your wellbeing solution: Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil

Trouble sleeping? You've probably heard that a nice warm bath can help you doze off. Add this to a warm bath and let the powers of Chamomile and Vetiver deeply relax and calm you and Sandalwood gently ground and quiet your mind for a better night’s sleep.

Your mood: I’m done with feeling stuffy and congested
Your wellbeing solution: Support Breathe Bath & Shower Oil 
Having a warm bath might not make your congestion go away, but the steam from a bath helps clear out the nasal passages and reduce inflammation. Combine that with the decongesting power of Eucalyptus and Peppermint, immune strengthening Lavender, and virus-fighting Tea Tree, and you’re on your way to clear and easy breathing.

Your mood: I just need a moment of comfort to help me get through whatever this is! 
Your wellbeing solution: Support Lavender & Peppermint Bath & Shower Oil

Whether you have a headache, digestive disorder, or nausea, the healing powers of Lavender and Peppermint will improve your immune system and relax nervous tension. Bonus: Have a mild sunburn? Take a dip to with Support Lavender & Peppermint to cool and soothe overheated skin – Peppermint and Lavender is a natural analgesic (painkiller) and will sooth burnt areas to allow your body to recover faster.

FabFitFun is a lifestyle membership anchored by its seasonal box that includes a curation of full-size products across beauty, fashion, fitness, home, tech, DIY and more. Our De-Stress Muscle Gel, which treats aching muscles after a long day at work or an intense workout, is available exclusively to FabFitFun members for a limited time.

STRETCH ON THE GO
Fitness is a great way to unwind. Our wellbeing expert, Nicola Addison, recommends the following simple stretches that can have a transforming effect on your overall health and wellbeing wherever you are. Incorporate our De-Stress Muscle Gel to help relieve any muscle aches and pain.

“Complete 10 of each move in order, 3 times around. Move as quickly or as slowly as you like. Take your time and exaggerate every move.” – Nicola Addison


Back Taps
Raise one arm high, bend at the elbow and touch hand in-between the shoulder blades. Hold for 3 seconds at a time. Alternate and repeat.

Shoulder Circles
Hands touching the shoulders, complete big circles of the elbows, bringing your elbows as close to your ears as possible. Repeat clockwise and then anti-clockwise.

Knee Hugs
Raise one knee at a time and hug it into your chest. Hold for 3 seconds. Alternate legs and repeat.

Toe Touches
Push a leg out to the front, reach forward and touch the toe. Stretch for 3 seconds. Alternate and repeat.

Overworked, sleepless, stressed or under pressure? Turns out mindful breathing is the body’s strongest self-healing mechanism and one of the fastest and easiest ways to combat the demands of everyday life.

Our mindfulness expert Terrance the Teacher encourages you to make space and time to breathing deeply and reconnect with your body. His powerful and effective 7/11 exercise instantly helps to calm your mind and body wherever you are.

Here’s how you do it, and it’s easy as it sounds:

Step 1: breathe in for a count of 7
Step 2: breathe out for a count of 11

If you find that it’s difficult to lengthen your breath, reduce the count to whatever suits you as long as the exhale is longer than the inhale. Continue this for 5-10 minutes and enjoy the calming effect it will have on your mind and body. Top tip: Incorporate our De-Stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil to your mindful breathing ritual to encourage deeper breathing and focus the mind.

The Science Behind Deep Breathing

Deep breathing techniques work by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), a natural bodily response that can be described as 'rest and digest'. Out-breaths decrease your blood pressure, dilate your pupils and slow your heart rate – lowering emotional arousal in the process and making more room for the relaxing effects of the PSNS/’rest and digest’. Practicing a breathing technique a few times a day will lower your overall stress and anxiety levels in the long term.

Our breathing is directly connected to our emotional state and can be a powerful tool to help calm you down. Next time you’re feeling stressed or under pressure, try changing and slowing your pattern of breathing to change your emotional state and how you think and interact with the world.

We take bath time very seriously here at Aromatherapy Associates. But as our lives have become busier and time has become even rarer, taking a bath has slipped slowly to the bottom of our list of priorities. While we may reserve baths for rare occasions like a once-in-a-blue-moon lazy Sunday or when we need some serious TLC, it’s important that we perfect the elements of bath time right. Here’s what you need to take the best one, ever.

The Prep
The first rule of baths: create a spa-quality environment. We prefer ambient candlelight over harsh overhead lighting. Try our Relax Candle to create ambiance and calm your senses. Bathing is known for its ability to detox the body and you can amp up that process by dry brushing before you get in. With our Polishing Body Brush in hand, start at the bottom of your feet and brush lightly upwards towards the heart. Cover the whole body for maximum effect.

The Main Event
Fill your bath with warm water and add a capful of your favorite Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil to aid relaxation and slowly lull your mind into a deep state of calm. Bath oils are not just an old tradition but they also add luxury and a therapeutic touch to our baths. When essential oils are mixed with water it has the ability to penetrate into our skin and provide a rejuvenating effect from improving blood circulation to strengthening your immune system. Once you’ve sunk into the warm water, release all the worries and anxieties you didn’t have time to conquer during the day. Unplug. De-stress. Relax.

Aftercare
Pair your bath soak with a decadent body oil packed with essential oils after toweling off. Our favorite is the Relax Body Oil – its light formula is easily absorbed and is infused with Vetiver, Chamomile and Ylang Ylang to help you prepare for a comforting and peaceful night’s sleep.

Following the continued success of our bestselling Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection, Aromatherapy Associates is delighted to announce the arrival of our NEW Face Oil Collection. This complete face oil wardrobe acts as a ‘first aid kit' for skin allowing you to experience the remarkable powers of our six different 100% natural blends.


Our skin is constantly changing due to varying emotional and environmental aggressors, such as the weather, stress, and hormones, so adapting your skincare routine accordingly is fundamental. Feed your skin what it needs with this set of six results-focused face oils. This ultimate travel and discovery collection provides daily solutions to your skin’s needs. Each carefully crafted essential oil blend will help to nourish, revitalize, firm, plump, soothe and balance your skin. Each bottle will allow you to treat your skin for up to a week.

The Ritual

1. Take a warm bath or shower 1-2 hours before bed. The raising and lowering of your body temperature before sleeping is the perfect recipe for a good night's sleep. Out multi award-winning Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil features natural sedatives such as Vetivert, Chamomile and Sandalwood. Originally created by our founders for those coping with insomnia, Deep Relax is assured to be your best night's sleep in a bottle.
2. Indulge in a moment of relaxation and massage your body with Relax Body Oil. Infused with Vetivert, Chamomile and Ylang Ylang, this luxurious natural body oil is easily absorbed into the skin. Massage has a soothing and balancing effect on the emotions by triggering the release of dopamine and seratonin, and using a blend of essential oils to calm or uplift can bring a great sense of serenity.
3. Create an ambient sanctuary for sleep by infusing your bedroom with the aroma of an essential oil blend. Add 2-3 drops of Relax Room Fragrance to our electric Home Fragrancer 30 minutes before bed. It is a wonderfully warm and comforting blend of West Indian Bay, Geranium and Myrrh essential oils that will ease your mind and settle your emotions, preparing you for a peaceful night's sleep. 

For over 30 years Aromatherapy Associates have been pioneers in finding alternative, natural solutions for a better night’s sleep. Essential oils have been scientifically proven to combat problems surrounding sleep. Our hero, Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil was originally created by our founders for those coping with insomnia. 32 years later, Deep Relax has been awarded with countless industry awards, recognized for its incredible effects. Featuring natural sedatives such as Vetivert, Deep Relax is assured to be your best night’s sleep in a bottle. With the hectic daily demands of life, sleep can be the last thing on our to-do lists. Here’s an easy, Relax Ritual to help you to switch off so you can enjoy your best night’s sleep.

THE RELAX RITUAL
6pm Light Exercise: “Taking part in light exercises such as Yoga or Tai Chi will actively relax your muscles. In turn, the body will become relaxed and will automatically allow the nervous system to activate itself.” – Nicola Addison, Wellbeing Expert

7pm Food: “It is important to avoid heavy meals before bedtime. Foods containing amino acids promote sleep, these can be found in all protein-rich foods!” Yvonne Wake, Wellbeing Expert

8pm Bathing: A warm bath or shower 1-2 hours before bed aids in a better night’s sleep and is particularly effective when using Deep Relax. The raising and lowering of your body temperature before sleeping is the perfect recipe for a good night’s sleep!

9pm Disconnect: Connect to the real world. Stop using electronics 1 hour before you sleep and avoid blue light. Take this time to focus on some breathing and meditation exercises.

10pm Sleep: Sleep is a biological necessity. It is important to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Try to establish some consistency between the time you go to sleep and the time you wake. Aim to sleep at 10pm twice a week.

DR. NEIL STANLEY, SLEEP EXPERT

Dr. Neil Stanley has been involved in sleep research for over 35 years. With a Ph.D. from the University of Surrey and having organized some of the largest sleep experiments in the world, he is an advocate and believer that sleep plays a key part in the Wellbeing Triangle; nutrition, exercise and sleep. For most people that don’t suffer from sleeping disorders but still struggle to drift off and sleep through the night, there could be several reasons why they are not sleeping well:

• Sleep deprivation: poor work, life balance
• Poor sleep habits
• Environmental disruptions such as noise and light

Those who sleep for less than seven hours a night are likely to have a higher BMI than those who regularly have sufficient sleep. Poor sleep is known to compromise your immune system and studies show that poor sleep leads to an increase in appetite, fat production and weight gain. It is also linked to how active we are and how energetic we feel. People who have trouble sleeping at night or feel excessively sleepy during the day have less energy and are less active.

To get a good night’s sleep you need to have a bedroom that is suitable for sleep. Your bedroom needs to be a sanctuary for rest and relaxation and should be free of distractions; no computer, phones or tablets. It is your ‘sleep room’!

Your body must be relaxed to sleep well and sometimes this can be affected by a racing mind. You must have a quiet mind for a good night’s sleep. Some people find that aromatherapy helps, reading, a cup of chamomile tea, or yoga. Find what works for you!

With today’s busy lifestyles, getting enough sleep can be difficult and most of the time, sleep is overlooked. Looking and feeling good is often the higher priority. However, adequate sleep is vital for our physical and mental health. Getting enough sleep is a decision, but we need to re-evaluate how we view sleep and the importance of it.

Sleep well, eat better and move more.

#TheArtOfSleepingWell

As temperatures rise, it’s time to focus on your two best summer accessories. We’ve put together a guide to polishing, hydrating and protecting your legs for a season in the sun. Below, a guide to flawless limbs that will give you your best summer legs ever:

• Get scrubbing
  The first step to any kind of body prep is a good exfoliation. Rid yourself of dry, dull skin and protect against ingrown hairs with the stimulating and moisturizing Polishing Natural Exfoliating Scrub or pair your favorite body wash with the Polishing Natural Exfoliating Grains to buff away dead skin cells. 

• Tackle cellulite
  Cellulite is caused by fat deposits just below the surface of our skin, causing the skin’s surface to appear dimply and uneven. The ultimate treatment for getting rid of cellulite? Dry body brushing. Use the Polishing Body Brush daily in sweeping motions towards your heart to stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage blood flow. Follow your dry brushing ritual with the Revive Body Gel to even out your skin’s texture and maintain a healthy micro-circulation – a must for maintaining youthful skin long term. 

• Moisturize
  Ensure your legs are in the best condition with plenty of hydration. We suggest using our layer-locking technique in your daily routine. Start by applying a Body Gel, follow with a lightweight, dry Body Oil and finish with a Body Butter or Cream.
  
• Protect your assets
  The most common area for melanoma in women is the leg. Always apply sunscreen with a high SPF to lessen your risk of skin cancer, but to also prevent photo damage (dark/sun spots), dilated capillaries and crepey skin.

As the days start to get longer and warmer, we are finally starting to see Spring arrive, so what better time to review our beauty rituals to welcome the new season. We sat down with one of our therapists Rose Price to get her expert tips for Spring!

Step 1 – Body brush every morning before you shower
Our Polishing Body Brush is made from incredibly strong natural cactus bristle giving the most effective result. Work the body brush over dry skin in an upward brisk motion before getting into the shower. The body brush will not only effectively remove any dead skin cells on the surface of the skin giving more effective penetration of products, but it will really boost your circulation and stimulate your Lymphatic system. Your Lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help the body get rid of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials which is exactly what you need when preparing for your perfect summer skin.

Step 2- Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil
This uplifting, invigorating blend is a morning must have! Rub one cap of oil onto your torso before entering the shower and wash as normal with your Revive Body Wash. The blend will penetrate into your blood stream almost instantly taking immediate effect and will stay in your blood stream for up to 8 hours. Rosemary essential oil stimulates your blood circulation kick starting your energy for the day. Pink Grapefruit will have a detoxifying effect on the body while Juniper Berry acts as a diuretic helping with fluid retention. This blend is incredible for anyone who is feeling sluggish and has low energy, Jet lag sufferers, cellulite or anyone who is on a diet or a detox program. It’s even great if you have over indulged a little the night before!

DID YOU KNOW? Our Revive Body Wash contains no Sulphates. Sulphates are used to help products foam but can be very drying for the skin. We use Coconut extract which is naturally foaming along with Soy protein to help soften the skin.

Step 3 – Layer Locking
After showering you must give your skin the hydration and nourishment that it needs. For optimum results, we always recommend our effective 3 step layer locking system.

1. Revive Body Gel
   This is gorgeous lightweight gel which is applied to dry skin after showering. It penetrates into the skin, giving instant hydration. We like to think of this as a glass of water for thirsty skin. TOP TIP: Taking a flight this summer? Apply this gel to your ankles, legs and hands before flying to help reduce any puffiness or swelling. It has an instant cooling effect and smells incredible!
2. Revive Body Oil
   The second layer to be applied over the gel is our quick absorbing Revive Body Oil. Our high-quality oil acts as nourishment for the skin working to the deepest layers. Essential oils of Rosemary, Pink Grapefruit and Juniper Berry give you an added boost after using your Bath & Shower Oil. You can use the oil all over the body daily or directly on to areas of cellulite or fluid retention & puffiness. TOP TIP: If you start lacking energy during the day, take one pump of the Revive Body Oil, take a nice deep breath of the blend and apply over your chest. This is a quick fix on the go and will give you an instant energy boost.
   
   DID YOU KNOW? All our oils contain a base of either Coconut, Evening Primrose or Jojoba oil which are all quick absorbing and highly nourishing for the skin. We don’t use any mineral oils which can clog the pores and leave a film of oil on the skin giving you with a ‘greasy’ feeling.
3. Revive Body Lotion
   This is the final step of the layer locking. The lotion locks in all the other products and protects the skin from the environment. It is incredibly nourishing while still feeling light. Essential oils of Rosemary, Juniper Berry and Grapefruit can affect your body physically by giving you an energy boost while omega fatty acids help to soften. TOP TIP: This is our only body lotion that contains Sodium Hyaluronate. It’s an incredible ingredient which can hold and retain water in the skin to not only deeply hydrate the skin but giving a plumping effect on the outside.