Skin deeper: the Zing approach to healing problematic skin. By Emily Rose Mawson.
If you’re among the one in four people in the UK with a skin-related concern, a gentle therapy can be the most effective approach. Writer and decades-long acne sufferer Emily Rose Mawson finds out why in conversation with Zing Organics founder Kirsty Morrison.
Does a situation like this sound familiar to you too? For me it is the visceral memory of sitting in a GP’s office when I was 13, distraught at the state of my angry red acne. The doctor landed on the cure immediately: an antibiotic cream. It sounded simple, I was painfully desperate and so started a years-long pharmaceutical-slathering cycle – to ephemeral effect.
I now know I wasn’t alone: skin-related concerns are among the top reasons for GP consultations in the UK, according to the London Dermatology Centre, with around 25 per cent of people experiencing some form of skin problem every year (SOURCE: https://www.london-dermatology-centre.co.uk/blog/how-common-are-skin-conditions-uk/). Damningly, studies show that some 52 per cent of patients discontinue topical treatment due to ineffectiveness (SOURCE: https://www.jaadinternational.org/article/S2666-3287(20)30082-1/fulltext).
Skin problems are notoriously difficult to treat due to the many different causative factors at play. And they’re wincingly painful – sometimes physically and always emotionally, so if you’re among the sufferers too, you’ll know what a weight lifts when, at the very least, you speak to someone who understands the strain a skin problem causes.
“My heart goes out to anyone struggling with aggravated skin conditions,” says Zing Organics founder Kirsty Morrison, who has struggled with eczema herself and saw it in her son Kirk when he was a child. “They can wait months for referral to a dermatologist for patch testing. The diagnoses/causes can often be vague. And specialists are often only able to make standard suggestions or prescribe particular medications.”
This is why Kirsty says she felt compelled to research and develop safe, effective solutions for the whole family. With her organic skincare business Zing Organics, based on the beautiful Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, her approach is designed to support those of us whose skin doesn’t respond well to conventional or aggressive medical therapies. These might include steroid creams, which are thought to weaken the skin if used for a long time – a condition known as topical steroid-induced skin atrophy. “Stronger oral medications can potentially have more serious adverse effects including mood swings and organ damage,” adds Kirsty, “and many acne meds are designed to halt sebum production, which often leads to dull and flaky skin.”
This vicious cycle effect is common with topical solutions: Kirsty highlights eczema, psoriasis and acne – conditions that require creams with potent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal effects. “The problem is,” she explains, “most pharmaceutical creams are water-based, requiring preservatives that themselves can cause irritation or cell damage. And these offerings are still usually only partially effective.”
So, what’s the solution? There is sadly no one size fits all when it comes to skincare, Kirsty tells me. But her approach is gentle, based on soothing plant extracts that calm irritation and, with their pure essential oil aroma accord, work to ease the anxiety that can fuel skin problems. In other words, these are products designed to tackle any irritation at the root.
“At Zing, we receive consistent feedback that our cannabis flower-based facial serums and body oils heal, or greatly ease, most irritated skin conditions without adverse effects,” says Kirsty. These are also water and preservative-free, making absorption more effective without what Kirsty calls the “slithering effect”. The emotional turmoil associated with aggravated skin conditions can also be eased by using essential oils. Clinical studies support this: according to one comprehensive analysis, essential oils are “effective in reducing both state anxiety and trait anxiety”. (SOURCE: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10267315/).
All Zing Organics products are available as a sample or travel size, because “it felt unkind to expect troubled customers to pay top dollar for full-size products without first knowing they’d be effective”, says Kirsty. As a qualified skincare professional, she can also offer personalized holistic tips on facial acupressure points and techniques to target specific conditions, as well as share advice on ways to support the microbiome via, for example, fermented foods.
As for me, my skin is finally med-free and in a state of calm – for now. When it flares up, I reach for my vial of Zing Organics serum. And when instant zen is needed, I pull out the affirmation card that came with the order: “My spirit is serene and I carry this peace with me wherever I go,” it states. And just for a moment, the world stops spinning so fast.
Kirsty’s favourite essential oils for healing inflammatory skin conditions.
- Cannabis Flower - Ezcema, Psoriasis, Acne, Scarring.
- Rose Geranium - breakouts due to hormone imbalance
- Lavender - detoxifies and purifies congested skin
- Chamomile - Anti inflammatory and super gentle. Ideal for puffy inflamed eyes.
- Frankincense - a master healer and anti ageing
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Patchouli - Anti bacterial. Targets teenage acne.
Pure essential oils must be used in tiny percentages for safety and the optimal quality (Organic or Wild Crafted) is paramount. Zing Organics organic skincare is all certified safe by a leading cosmetic safety chemist.
Disclaimer: for complete safety, please always consult with your medical professional for diagnosis and advice regarding any skin concern.
About our writer
Emily Rose Mawson is a freelance writer and copywriter based on the Isle of Arran. She specialises in creating content and storytelling for small brands and travel businesses.