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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
The 7 best ways to combat hay fever as peak season hits – from ‘diaphragm dumbbells' to supplements
THE sun is shining, the sky is blue – yet for millions of us, this time of year can be pure hell. Instead of making the most of the warmer weather, we're inside, battling itchy eyes and runny noses and we just . . . can't . . . stop . . . sneezing. Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, affects one in four of us. Advertisement It's a reaction to pollen, which triggers inflammation and increased mucus production – hence the watery eyes, coughing, nasal issues and scratchy throat, mouth and ears. It can also aggravate lung conditions such as asthma, which affects 7.2million people in the UK, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects 1.2million. Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for charity Asthma + Lung UK, tells Sun Health: 'If you are allergic to pollen and come into contact with it in the air, the muscles around the airways tighten and the airways' linings become swollen and inflamed with a build-up of mucus, making it difficult to breathe.' So, what can you do if you want to enjoy the summer without feeling like your face or lungs are under attack? Advertisement Here are some simple tactics to consider . . . PROTECT EYES 5 Try the wraparound sunglasses from Credit: supplied SENSITIVE, irritated eyes need extra protection during hay fever season, says dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh. She suggests: Ditch mascara: The sticky consistency makes it a trap for pollen. Advertisement Wear sunglasses : The larger they are, and the more they wrap around the eyes, the better. Wipe the lenses and frames regularly with a clean cloth to remove any build-up of pollen. Most read in Health Try the wraparound sunglasses from Use a calming gel or mask on the skin around the eyes : Try Hydrosil Dry Eye Gel (£10.95, Or Optase Cooling Eye Mask (£10.99, is perfect for ten minutes of quick relief. Advertisement Using eye drops to soothe red and itchy eyes : Try A. Vogel Pollinosan Hay Fever Eye Drops (£13.99, MUSCLE TRAINING HAY fever can inflame your airways and make it harder to breathe. One option, backed by physios and medics, is inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using a resistance-based device such as the POWERbreathe Plus (£59.99, It's been described as 'dumbbells for your diaphragm', as it improves the strength of your respiratory muscles. Advertisement Studies show that when asthma patients breathe into the device for five minutes a day for at least three weeks, their symptoms improve by 75 per cent and their medication use drops by 79 per cent. Dr Simon Taggart, consultant chest and general physician at Spire Manchester Hospital, says: 'In addition to your usual use of antihistamines and your preventer device, the POWERbreathe helps to strengthen your breathing during pollen season.' Speak to your GP, as some devices are available on the NHS with a prescription. hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist THE AIR THAT YOU BREATHE 5 Air purifiers can create a cleaner and fresher home environment Credit: supplied Advertisement TRY to keep your windows closed on days with high levels of pollen and pollution, ventilate your home when cooking or cleaning, and consider getting an air purifier if you live in a badly affected area, says Dr Gareth Patterson, an NHS GP. Try 4 Speed White Air Purifier (£32, which creates a cleaner and fresher home environment. Or, Coway Airmega Mighty (£164.99, is a portable, quiet air purifier that removes pollen, dust and other allergens. And MedicAir Pro Mini (£599, Advertisement EASE YOUR WHEEZING 5 The Shaker Medic Plus is said to help clear sticky mucus from your chest Credit: supplied WHEEZING when pollen hits? This clever gadget could help. The Shaker Medic Plus (£44.99, It uses gentle vibrations as you breathe out, shaking loose gunk from your lungs so you can cough it up more easily. Advertisement The result? Easier breathing, fewer flare-ups, and less risk of infection. It's pocket-sized, easy to use and a smart extra tool when the pollen count soars. BE PREPARED MANY of us check the weather forecast before heading out — so try doing the same for pollen levels. Dr Gareth Patterson says: 'If you suffer from hay fever or seasonal asthma, this is triggered by exposure to tree and plant pollen, so always check the daily pollen count and avoid spending time walking, exercising outdoors or gardening when levels are high.' Advertisement The Met Office issues nationwide pollen forecasts for the coming five days. WHAT SUPP? 5 Some people swear by anti-hay fever supplements Credit: supplied EVER tried any anti-hay fever supplements? The evidence on how effective these are is mixed, but some people swear by them. Advertisement Try probiotics. Research suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can cause inflammation, which may trigger allergies and hay-fever. A report published in Frontiers In Nutrition found that probiotics may help by modulating the immune system. Try Wellbio Live Cultures (£16.95, which contains ten billion gut-friendly cultures. Vitamin C has antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Advertisement In a study in the International Journal Of Otorhinolaryngology And Head And Neck Surgery, 1g daily alleviated hay fever symptoms. Try Vitamin C 1,000mg, right, (£3.50, from Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in foods. 'It has anti-allergic and antihistamine properties,' says registered sports nutritionist Rob Hobson. 'Research shows that quercetin may help to reduce allergies'. Try eating apples, berries, cherries, grapes, onions, capers, green tea and leafy green veg. Advertisement PUT IT TO BED 5 The AllerGuard Home Starter Pack creates a barrier against allergens Credit: supplied FROM pollen to dust mites, allergens will also lurk in your bedroom. The average mattress, for example, can harbour up to ten million dust mites, which can wreak havoc on hay-fever sufferers. Vacuum your home daily, and consider buying anti-allergy bedding. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Try Silentnight Anti-Allergy Duvet, Pillow and Mattress Protector (£11.99, Or the AllerGuard Home Starter Pack (from £229.50 at includes pillow, duvet and mattress protectors made from light, breathable fabric that has been woven tightly enough to create a barrier against allergens.
Scotsman
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
up to 50% off must-have products
Boots Super Savings day returns with up to 50% off must-have products – One day only This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. For one day only Boots Super Sunday Savings is offering incredible discounts. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Get ready for serious savings this weekend Boots Super Sunday Savings is back on Sunday, June 1, bringing incredible discounts across a wide range of premium beauty, fragrance, parenting, electrical beauty, and wellness products. For 24 hours only, shoppers can head to to snap up deals on top-tier brands like Estée Lauder, No7, Oral-B , and more . Whether you're stocking up on skincare favourites or upgrading your beauty and wellness tools, there's something for everyone in this exclusive online event. What's on offer? 40% off Ellie Saab Le Parfum Eau da Parfum 33% off Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum 33% off No7 Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette 50% off Colgate Max White Ultimate LED Whitening Kit 64% Oral-B iO8 Electric Toothbrush Violette Ametrine 40% off Theragun Elite by Therabody (5th generation) From premium fragrances to powerful skincare, and cutting-edge oral care tech, these one-day-only discounts are not to be missed. When & Where: Sunday, 1st June Online only at Offers available for 24 hours only Set a reminder, bookmark your wish list, and get ready to save big because these deals won't last. 💪 Women 55+ are leading the way in healthy weight loss A major UK study shows that women over 55 are seeing the best results from weight loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro – and it's not just the medication that's working. According to research from Voy and Imperial College London, older women who track their weight and attend coaching sessions lose 53% more weight than those relying on jabs alone. ✨ Voy offers a personalised, medically guided plan combining prescription support with coaching and digital habit-building tools. Learn more and check your eligibility here. Natalie Dixon is NationalWorld's Lifestyle reporter . If you liked this article and want to read more about fashion, beauty and lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here . You can also Get the best style and fashion news with Natalie Dixon in Tuesday's NationalWorld newsletter - sign up now
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I put three new-gen lip mousses to the test – budget option is great for cheap price
Read on to also find out how to get a wellness bundle worth a whopping £197 for just £75 GETTING LIPPY I put three new-gen lip mousses to the test – budget option is great for cheap price I DID not think I'd see the return of matte lipstick this year but it seems a velvet finish is the next big thing. This week, I put three new-gen lip mousses to the test. Advertisement Budget Maybelline Teddy Tint Lipstick, £11.99 for 5ml, 3 Maybelline Teddy Tint Lipstick is a great price to try the trend Credit: Boots The Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick by Maybelline is the best long-wear lip product I've ever tried, so I had high expectations of this updated matte formula. Given the packaging, I was expecting vibrant colours, but once applied it's definitely true to its name as a tint – so if you want extra oomph, look elsewhere. The formula is more comfortable than the matte ink lipsticks, so my lips didn't become dry or chapped. Advertisement But if you apply too much it ends up feeling sticky and dries patchy, so it takes some care to get it right. For the price, it's a great way to try the trend. Mid-range Vieve Poutder, £23 for 3.8ml, 3 Vieve Poutder gives a sheer tint, or you can build it up for a bold colour Credit: spacenk Advertisement I am willing to put pretty much any product made by Jamie Genevieve - make-up artist, and founder of Vieve - on my face – so if anyone can convince me to wear a matte lip, it's her. This was the first one I tried, and I was immediately impressed. The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and castor oil which makes it comfortable to wear all day – in stark contrast to the matte liquid lipsticks I wore as a teen. It's not patchy at all, and blends easily even over chapped lips, creating a soft, pillowy finish. 'Lasts better than any lip color,' beauty fans gush about $9 lipstick combo that 'doesn't smudge' & 'stays on forever' One layer gives a sheer tint, or you can build it up for a bold colour, which makes it super flexible. Advertisement It's definitely my favourite of the bunch. Luxury Sisley-Paris Colour Cloud, £47 for 6ml, 3 Sisley-Paris Colour Cloud has a subtle shimmer adds dimension - and you could even use it as blush Credit: spacenk Much to my relief, the mousse feels completely weightless once on. Advertisement Apply it straight from the doe-foot applicator, or use your fingers if you want a more sheer wash of colour. It's extremely pigmented, so I found the latter worked best for me. It stayed put the longest of the three, although it does start to feel quite drying so I had to apply lip balm on top throughout the day. The subtle shimmer adds dimension and makes lips look fuller. You can also use it on cheeks, which almost justifies the cost given you're getting two products in one. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I tested three lightweight sun creams that are perfect for summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I'M often asked for my top SPF picks now we're heading into summer. Here are three of my favourites that prove you can get a lightweight sun cream that isn't greasy. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Budget 4 Bondi Sands Everyday Non Tinted Face Fluid SPF50+ is my top pick Bondi Sands Everyday Non Tinted Face Fluid SPF50+, £7.99 for 50ml, Better known as a fake tan brand, it also has a cracking skincare range, with more than 20 sunscreens to choose from. This is my top pick – not least because it's great value for money. It's lightweight and sinks into skin quickly and leaves a semi-matte finish that's not at all sticky. It also layers well when it comes to reapplication and doesn't pill. There's no added fragrance, but it has the classic sun cream scent so I tend to use it on holiday rather than every day. Mid-range 4 The Bioderma formula is extremely thin, so it doesn't feel cloying or oily on skin Bioderma XDefense Ultra Fluid SPF50+ Invisible, £19, 40ml, The formula is extremely thin, so it doesn't feel cloying or oily on skin, and it absorbs in a matter of seconds so it's great for wearing under make-up as you don't have to wait for it to dry down. I have super sensitive eyes which are easily irritated by sunscreen and this doesn't cause me any problems even though it's lightly fragranced. It's also non-comedogenic so won't cause spots, which is a godsend as I just have to glance at the wrong product and I'll break out. Can coloured mascaras help turn back the clock? It's a great middle of the road SPF that's suitable for all skin types. Luxury 4 Trinny London See The Light SPF 50+ Moisturiser has been my go-to everyday sunscreen Trinny London See The Light SPF 50+ Moisturiser, £46 for 50ml, Since this launched two summers ago, it has been my go-to everyday sunscreen. It took three years to get the formula right, but it was worth the wait. It feels more like a moisturiser than an SPF. The packaging looks more like premium skincare than sun protection, as well as PA++++ UVA protection ( the highest level of UVA protection in sunscreens) and SPF50 UVB. You certainly get what you pay for with this one. Pick of the week 4 Instant tan has had a serious glow up this year INSTANT tan has had a serious glow up this year. Utan Instant Tan, £17.99, comes in two versions – cool and warm – with a shade tailored to the hue of your skin for a natural sun-kissed look. If you're not sure of your undertones - look at your jewellery; silver tends to suit cool best, whereas gold flatters warm. The air-brush mist dries in 30 seconds, and washes off with soapy-water. Stock up at
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I tested three lightweight sun creams that are perfect for summer
I'M often asked for my top SPF picks now we're heading into summer. Here are three of my favourites that prove you can get a lightweight sun cream that isn't greasy. Budget 4 Bondi Sands Everyday Non Tinted Face Fluid SPF50+ is my top pick Bondi Sands Everyday Non Tinted Face Fluid SPF50+, £7.99 for 50ml, Better known as a fake tan brand, it also has a cracking skincare range, with more than 20 sunscreens to choose from. This is my top pick – not least because it's great value for money. It's lightweight and sinks into skin quickly and leaves a semi-matte finish that's not at all sticky. It also layers well when it comes to reapplication and doesn't pill. There's no added fragrance, but it has the classic sun cream scent so I tend to use it on holiday rather than every day. Mid-range 4 The Bioderma formula is extremely thin, so it doesn't feel cloying or oily on skin Bioderma XDefense Ultra Fluid SPF50+ Invisible, £19, 40ml, The formula is extremely thin, so it doesn't feel cloying or oily on skin, and it absorbs in a matter of seconds so it's great for wearing under make-up as you don't have to wait for it to dry down. Most read in Fabulous I have super sensitive eyes which are easily irritated by sunscreen and this doesn't cause me any problems even though it's lightly fragranced. It's also non-comedogenic so won't cause spots, which is a godsend as I just have to glance at the wrong product and I'll break out. Can coloured mascaras help turn back the clock? It's a great middle of the road SPF that's suitable for all skin types. Luxury 4 Trinny London See The Light SPF 50+ Moisturiser has been my go-to everyday sunscreen Trinny London See The Light SPF 50+ Moisturiser, £46 for 50ml, Since this launched two summers ago, it has been my go-to everyday sunscreen. It took three years to get the formula right, but it was worth the wait. It feels more like a moisturiser than an SPF. The packaging looks more like premium skincare than sun protection, as well as PA++++ UVA protection ( the highest level of UVA protection in sunscreens) and SPF50 UVB. You certainly get what you pay for with this one. Pick of the week 4 Instant tan has had a serious glow up this year INSTANT tan has had a serious glow up this year. Utan Instant Tan, £17.99, comes in two versions – cool and warm – with a shade tailored to the hue of your skin for a natural sun-kissed look. If you're not sure of your undertones - look at your jewellery; silver tends to suit cool best, whereas gold flatters warm. Read more on the Irish Sun The air-brush mist dries in 30 seconds, and washes off with soapy-water. Stock up at
