Birch Cellulite Oil tones and firms skin after pregnancy

(25/03/2010)

Pregnancy changes a mother’s skin in various ways. During pregnancy skin often becomes more sensitive and prone to react to synthetic ingredients and artificial additives. Skin often becomes drier, as circulation increases and the body becomes warmer. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy loosen the connective tissues to enable the skin to become more elastic.

These changes can make women more vulnerable to cellulite. If the tone of these elastic fibres is compromised, fat cells can become engorged with lipid fats and begin clumping together. Once cells become larger they press through the weakened connective tissue to the skin surface creating the mattress-like dimpling. Once the cellulite process has started, the plump fat cells can also press into the fine vascular and lymphatic systems, restricting oxygen supply and making it more difficult for the skin to rid itself of toxins. This is where birch comes in.

When you have a new baby you have more to worry about than cellulite, which is after all a natural process. But when you can find a little me-time, Birch Cellulite Oil can be incorporated into a pampering and nurturing programme to tone and firm skin, perhaps if you are considering returning to work and feel the extra body confidence would give you a much needed boost.

Weleda’s Birch Cellulite Oil is 100% natural, contains no artificial preservatives or additives, and is specially formulated to tone and firm skin, and tackle those orange peel dimples on thighs and hips. It’s made from organic silver birch (Betula alba) grown in South Bohemia (the Czech Republic) and gathered from certified collection. The tender young birch leaves contain valuable flavanoids which encourage secretion or elimination processes to flush out toxins and restore skin radiance.

The fresh leaves are hand picked in late spring and gently air-dried for a full five days, before being dispatched to Weleda France where the extract is obtained using a traditional pharmaceutical process known as decoction, to release the active substances. This leaf extract is combined with organic rosemary extract to stimulate circulation and metabolic processes, plus toning root extract of the Mediterranean Ruscus aculeatus (butcher’s broom), plus skin-smoothing oils of revitalising apricot (Prunus armeniaca), vitamin-rich wheatgerm (Triticum vulgare) and replenishing jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) to refine skin texture. A blend of summery essential oils supports the toning effect of the other plant extracts.

A dermatological study confirmed that after using Birch Cellulite Oil twice daily over 28 days, testers’ skin was on average noticeably 22% firmer, visibly 21% smoother and cellulite significantly reduced. A UK focus group reported an encouraging measurable loss in thigh circumference when using Birch Cellulite Oil – as much as 20mm.

Available from most branches of Waitrose, independent health stores and pharmacies, or from their online store (rrp £18.95 100ml).

Related categories:  Beauty products for body   Cellulite treatment   Natural ingredients