Sophyto’s experts are here to help you - every week day between 11am-3pm (EST & GMT). Before you fire away with your questions, we thought you might want to know a bit more about them and how they came to be here.

First up, we have Francoise Rapp, a bioesthetician, aromatherapist, perfumer and French/English bilinguist…

1. What is your role at Sophyto and how does your background help you fulfil it?

I actually have several different roles at Sophyto. As the bio-aromatiques and skin health expert, I design bio-aromatique blends, which promote perfect wellness and enhance the potency of each Sophyto skincare product. As European skin health expert, I support our customers via our UK website. I am also the brand ambassador for France and work at sustaining the Sophyto philosophy through its expanding distribution.

I have more than 20 years’ experience in the fragrance, beauty and spa industries. In 1984, I graduated at the Carita School of Esthetics in Paris, going on to work with top names in the industry, including Annick Goutal, developing a wide range of exclusive aromatiques and cosmetics for their exquisite face and body treatments. But it was while living in California for more than 10 years before this that I gained a reputation as an alchemist and cutting-edge aromatherapist and perfumer, creating genuine elixirs and sustainable perfumes. During that time I built my expertise as a creative designer and aromatherapy educator.

Back in Paris I published a best-selling aromatherapy book L’Aromathérapie et ses bienfaits and was invited to be a key speaker at the International Congress of Esthetics - Les Nouvelles Esthétiques.

Being part of the Sophyto team has allowed me to express the richness of my expertise: from product development, to educating our customers and guiding them on their path to perfect skin balance and wellness.

2. How and why did you navigate towards a natural and organic lifestyle?

My parents brought me up to eat healthy and consciously - but it was also a cultural influence. In France, we readily enjoy many different varieties of foods: we indulge in gourmet, unhealthy treats and country products, but we have a healthy life style in general. We eat many fresh vegetables and fruits and small portions. Our diet is low in sugar, salt and fat. Growing up, I became more conscious of the impact of chemicals and read up on water issues and pesticides etc and then in California I adopted a truly organic lifestyle.

I qualified as a bio-esthetician in San Diego and developed personalised organic facials, using clay, essential oils, hydrosols and fresh ingredients. The effects on my clientele were very impressive. I felt totally in alignment with my philosophy about bridging beauty, health and wellness; it all made sense. When I came back to Paris and worked for Annick Goutal, I was in charge of designing protocols for the company’s face/body treatments as well as training the team of professionals. I adapted my vision to its luxury business and Annick Goutal spas flourished all around the world to great reviews. Becoming pregnant with my daughter three years ago triggered an even greater awareness of living organically, especially as I developed a strong sensitivity to pollution and chemicals.

3. Where is home for you? What is the environment like there and how does this affect your skin?

I live in Nantes, France, close to the Atlantic Ocean. Nantes is a city, and as with any city, there is pollution from the traffic and industrial surroundings. The continental climate and pollution make my skin dryer and more reactive. It is easily aggravated by the cold, heat and wind, which is quite strong here. If I don’t use the right products, my skin becomes very tight, inflamed with redness on my cheeks and it wrinkles faster.

4. What skin/hair types do you have and what challenges do they create?

My skin is normal/dry and reactive, with some thin wrinkles on the eye contour and between the eyebrows. Owing to these skin conditions and the fact that it is very fair, I have the challenge of protecting my skin from the sun, the cold and the wind. It reacts badly and becomes blotchy when I don’t use the right products. I use beauty products that are highly pure and organic, enriched with valuable nutrients. I can really feel it when my skin has not received sufficient nourishing, hydrating, and rejuvenating nutrients.

The water here is hard so I need to anoint my body thoroughly with a rich and hydrating body lotion or dry oil every morning after showering. My hair dark brown hair is thin and normal, but I use a nourishing hair mask with organic shea butter once a week because it dries out easily.

5. What is your beauty regime? How rigidly do you stick to this?

In France we are trained to take care of our skin from a very young age! We watch our mothers and then quickly adopt our own routine. In the morning, I use Sophyto Purify & Energize Super Bioactive, Polyphenol Skin Drops, Mega Omegas Day Face Cream and Chanel makeup. At night, I use Sophyto Ultra Mild Silken Cleanser, Super Bioactive Purify & Energize, Multivitamin Skin Drops and an aromatherapy facial oil blend I create according to my skin’s needs. I love to breathe it in and massage it thoroughly. This is my ritual for a great relaxing evening and restful sleep. It just sweeps all the tension away.

5. What are your 5 must-have beauty/health products?

Apart from Sophyto you mean?! A set of essential oils: Rose, Lavender, Sweet Orange, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary, Sage; Green Magma Barley Juice Powder; Heure Exquisite by Annick Goutal; Weleda Rose Body; Santa Maria Novella Rose Water; Dr Bach Rescue Remedy.

6. What are your top 3 tips for maintaining great skin?

1. Invest in good nutritious food for you and your skin.
2. Do weekly home face treatments, including exfoliation, a nourishing mask, and a face massage with an aromatherapy blend specially made according to your skin’s needs.
3. Avoid toxic chemicals - that includes cigarettes, alcohol, and product ingredients, such as parabens.

7. What are your favorite foods? Is it easy for you to eat well or do you have a weakness for unhealthy treats?!

Like all French people, I love food! From multicultural cooking to healthy vegetarian and traditional French cuisine… I love it all. I generally eat healthy foods: fresh steamed vegetables, salads and soups, grains, fresh fish and fruits from local and organic producers. I eat meat once a week from the local organic butcher shop. I do enjoy gourmet and unhealthy treats sometimes such as stews and pastries (strawberry ones are my absolute favourite) and I have a real weakness for bread - the typical French baguette with grains!

8. Do you take any supplements? If so what and why?

I take minerals recommended by my homeopathic doctor at each seasonal change to keep my body in balance. I rarely take any medications and use mostly natural medicine; my doctor is an MD with a specialty in homeopathy and acupuncture.

9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time to relax?

I love aromatic baths and I usually blend some essential oils determined by how I feel at the time. Being outdoors and walking a lot on the beach or in the countryside helps me to release any tension. I love arts in general and often go to see independent movies, visit art galleries, or roam in libraries.

10. What are your top 5 tips for avoiding/dealing with stress in order to keep your skin and body healthy?

1. Essential oils. I always keep them on hand to inhale, blend and use as an express, indulgent savior.
2. Restful sleep.
3. Fresh air - I practice simple Pranayama exercises and this is a wonderful tool to release tension, ground myself, clear negativity and revitalize my body and skin.
4. Qi Qong exercises help me to stay centered and grounded.
5. Walking allows me to release any tension.

11. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

I would give everyone a proper education and make it not only accessible but considered valuable to gain knowledge of our surroundings, conditions, arts etc. Education and knowledge help us shift our world consciousness. By being aware we change others as well as ourselves.

Talk to Francoise every week day from 11am-3pm GMT at www.sophytoorganics.co.uk/live_chat.

Apologies for the title but I can’t get that Campbells soup jingle outta my head and these energy shakes are way worthier of such jubilant celebration.

Anyway, as the good Doctors Frank Lipman and Joseph Mercola have told us, eating protein for breakfast is infinitely more beneficial to our health than the carb-heavy cereal grains we have come to cherish. And a nutrient-laden protein shake is a mighty fine option. Both doctors say whey protein is the best protein you can get as the body can assimilate it very easily. However, like an increasing number of people, milk doesn’t sit very well with me. I’m not a big fan of un-fermented soy either, so protein shakes have never really appealed… until now, that is.

Peaceful Planet Rice-Protein energy shakes by Veg Life are the bees knees of protein shakes. Not only are they all natural, vegan, mindful of the planet, pretty tasty AND contain 14g of protein per serving, but they also provide and often exceed the daily recommended intake of most common vitamins and minerals, as well as loads of other important stuff, such as Selenium, Chromium (v. important for balancing blood sugar), spirulina, a vegan enzyme blend and a fibre blend.

The two flavours I have come across are Caribbean Cocoa and French Vanilla. The Cocoa is a little rich and gritty by itself, but if you blend one cup of each together, it’s seriously good.

These shakes are great for breakfast or a snack anytime, especially after exercise, for uber quick replenishment.

I found them in my local health food shop but there do seem to be a few sites selling them online. Eg. ethicalplanet.com

Just try it and see - if nothing else, it’s like an incredibly low fat chocolatey milk shake… and what’s not to love about that?!

Menopause can be a terrifying time for a great many women and western society is often very unsympathetic to the complaints of those suffering. But, happily SOPHYTO’s bioesthetician Ishtar Magally is on hand to give you the low down on the whole process - what is happening, why and how you can look after yourself - and your skin’s specific needs, in particular - with natural and organic methods, to ease the symptoms.

In this first part, we are going to take a look at the different stages of the menopause and explain what happens and when.

What is menopause?

The word menopause comes from the Greek words pausis (cessation) and men (monthly). It literally means the end of monthly cycles.

Menopause marks the permanent cessation of reproductive fertility in human females. It occurs when the ovaries no longer produce - or produce negligible amounts of - (o)estrogen and progesterone, which leads to the permanent end of menstruation or “menses”. We categorise adult women who have a uterus as menopausal - and infertile - when (provided they are not pregnant or lactating) they haven’t had a period for 12 months. In women who don’t have a uterus, (post)menopause is identified by a very high level of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) level. Menopause can also be instigated surgically - ‘surgical menopause’ - by removing a woman’s ovaries: a procedure known as an oophorectomy.

When does menopause begin?

Menopausal symptoms typically begin between ages 44 and 55. The average age is thought to be 51. However, this onset can also vary according to geographic location. The average age of menopause in developed countries is 51, whereas menopause usually occurs in developing countries at 44 years.

Menopausal stages

Menopause does not appear all of a sudden. The whole menopause transition is divided into 4 stages: premenopause, perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

Premenopause is the time of ‘normal’ reproductive function in a woman, from the first to last regular menstrual period.  A ‘normal’ menstrual cycle constitutes the hormonal balance and release of estrogen, progesterone, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone).

Perimenopause means ‘around menopause’ and is also referred to as the climateric. Perimenopause usually appears in women somewhere between age 30 and 50 and is a transitional stage, lasting two to 10 years between the first irregular menstrual period and the last one. This stage of menopause is characterized by dwindling hormone levels, which causes the characteristic symptoms of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, diminished concentration, mood swings, menstrual irregularity, irritability, depression, night sweats, insomnia, weight gain, changes in breast size, development of facial, chest and/or abdominal hair (hirsutism). This stage can be challenging for some women, especially in the Western world, but for others, including women in Japan and China, it goes unnoticed.

Menopause marks the date of a woman’s last period and the end of her reproductive life, when estrogen and progesterone production decreases permanently to very low levels. The ovaries stop producing eggs and a woman can no longer get pregnant naturally. In popular culture, the term is used to describe three of the menopausal processes - from perimenopause through to postmenopause.

When a woman experiences her final period aged 40 to 45 (or earlier), this is considered ‘Early menopause’.  If the last period occurs between age 55 and 60, this is known as ‘Late menopause’.

Postmenopause is classified as starting when 12 months have elapsed since the final menstrual period and it lasts for the rest of the woman’s life.

Watch this space for more detailed info from Ishtar on the (sometimes woeful) process of menopause…

And as always, if you have any questions for our lovely bioesthetician, don’t forget to drop us a line.

Ok, so we didn’t know much about it before we heard that SOPHYTO was going to get a mention in the latest copy but now that we’ve done a little reading, we really, really do love BOHO Mag. And, apparently, so do lots of you already, if the number of Facebook fans is anything to go by…

Set up by a die hard fashionista who wants other girls to know that being chic and being eco-conscious don’t have to be mutually exclusive, BOHO looks as high-end as all your regular glossies (except it’s not because it’s made without the chemical shine, so it’s nice and matte) but it’s made from post-use recycled paper and the ink is made from natural soy.

So, you get to look at pretty natural and organic things and read about pretty people doing good natural and organic things for the environment - eg. Neve Campbell and eco-model Summer Rayne Oakes - safe in the knowledge that no trees were harmed in order to bring you these lovely pages.

BOHO seems to have struck a chord with the media as well - CW11 did a spot on the launch and loads of other sites have put their 10c-worth in as well…

The summer issue should be out May 15 - and we’re in it so it’s definitely worth a look!

Yes, yes, the snow we Brits are experiencing is very, very pretty. And, it’s kind of nice to be holed up somewhere, unable to move for a wee while. But snow, and cold wintriness in general, ain’t so good for keeping our skin looking tip-top. The red nose look is not such a hot one!

Now is the time to armour up - not just in terms of thermal vests and long johns - but in terms of moisture-rich, hydrating professional grade organic skin care too. Both SOPHYTO Normalising Day Face Moisturiser and Mega Omegas Day Face Cream are designed to offer intense and lasting hydration. But, if those creams alone aren’t enough to combat the dryness, try the combination of apple and olive-leaf rich Polyphenol Drops and CoQ10-enriched Skin Energising High Potency Concentrate, otherwise know as “the ultimate solution for moisture retention”. Your skin will literally drink them in with this kind of weather.

Plus, cleansing with water is the most drying thing you can do, so avoid the taps and stick to a non-drying toner - Tone & Balance Super Bioactive or Purify & Energise Super Bioactive. Not only will you steer cleer of the harsh chlorine in most tap water which is uber-drying, but these toners also prepare the skin to absorb the wonderful moisturisers described above.

Wintry love from Snowman Mao and his organic nose XOXO