Exclusive interview: Blooming Babe founder Elizabeth Horgan Novorro

Pregnancy can stir up a number of issues for the body and the mind, and not to mention the over worked emotions. A new range of ethically responsible beauty treatments is at hand to try and correct some of the most common pregnancy predicaments, Mandy Barder writes.

Blooming Babe has created a smart brand of natural products for the face and the body that are specially formulated to make pregnancy a more comfortable, responsible and luxurious experience. The ingredients are free of chemicals and focus on the powerful healing qualities and antioxidant properties of Sesame Seed Oil, which have been used for thousands of years.

As a key ingredient for the range Sesame Seed Oil allows the skin to stay soft and supple and is a natural antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory; an all-round bonus for pregnant skin.

Blooming Babe founder and mum of two, Elizabeth Horgan Novorro was inspired to create the range as a response to suffering with psoriasis all her life. Her first pregnancy saw her psoriasis worsen and determined to find a chemical-free, natural and effective solution she started looking into the benefits of Sesame Seed Oil.

“Caring for your skin by engaging in a healthy skin care regime allows you to feel in control and to explore and celebrate your changing body. I feel when you point out to women that your body absorbs approximately 5lb of toxins annually from various skin care products the choice of using natural products becomes a no brainer!”, she says.

Some of the most common skin issues during pregnancy include stretch marks and cellulite. The ‘Smooth Green Coffee & Yerba Mate Body Scrub’ for £35 is a good start to tackle the latter, where both ingredients contain antioxidants to help prevent oxidation and the accumulation of toxins that result in fat storage.

The ‘Prevent Stretch Mark Lotion’, which is part of the Pregnancy Survival Kit for £72, contains herbal extracts that have demonstrated a 52 per cent decrease in the size of stretch marks. It also contains the herbal extract of Gotu kola, which has shown to ease inflammation of the skin.

The Pregnancy Survival Kit also contains ‘Supple Perineum Massage Oil’, which is advised by doctors and is designed to stimulate the blood supply and help prevent tearing and the need for an episiotomy. The ‘Heal Nipple Balm’ contains Shea butter, Olive Oils and Avocado to soothe nipples and is safe for breastfeeding because it’s void of petroleum and lanolin.
The Spa Range was created to give expectant mothers a relaxed, sensual range of treatments, from the ‘Stop the Clock Super Berry Facial Serum’, for £52.85 to repair dry skin to the ‘Cocoon Calming Oat Protein Tummy Mask’, for £35, made to remove toxins and moisturise dry, itchy abdominal skin.

An area of the body, which is perhaps forgotten during pregnancy, is feet. “When it comes to the whole issue of feet I cannot say enough-take care of them!” says Elizabeth.

“Something really crazy happens to your feet. This is why it’s not just a ‘treat’ but essential to elevate them as often as possible to avoid swelling and aching.” She recommends the ‘Cloud 9 Himalayan Foot Soak’, for £22 with conditioning ingredients and Himalayan pink salt crystals to relieve tension and fatigue. The ‘Grounded Horse Chestnut Foot Scrub’ for £32 is specially formulated to reduce swelling and repair circulatory problems.

Elizabeth is also a trustee for Learning for Life (LFL), a UK charity that provides teacher training in impoverished areas of South Asia and her long term goal is to fund through donations at Blooming Babe educational programs for children who live in the regions where the ethical ingredients are sourced.

“Blooming Babe is committed to sourcing companies that only source in an ethical and socially responsible manner. Beyond the human factor we are also committed to sourcing in a sustainable manner that doesn’t interfere with the ecosystem or is deemed detrimental to the environment”.

Blooming Babe products are stocked exclusively at Urban Retreat at Harrods, www.beautique.com and www.bloomingbabe.com.