It’s been said that Cleopatra used to bathe in donkey milk for the skin-care benefits: Milk contains naturally-occurring lactic acid, which both exfoliates and hydrates the skin. As an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid), lactic acid helps promote the shedding of dead skin cells; as a component of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor, it helps it retain moisture, too.

Whether you enjoy the velvety skin on peaches or peel it off, you may wonder why they developed fuzz in the first place.

Hay fever affects millions around the globe. A seasonal pollen allergy, hay fever is more than just sneezing or watery eyes and can lead to debilitating symptoms that last for weeks or even months. With changing weather patterns, hay fever is becoming increasingly frequent and more severe each year. What don’t we know about hay fever? When does it happen? And will there ever be a cure? Independent TV‘s Decomplicated series explains the global hay fever crisis. Watch Decomplicated on Independent TV on site, mobile, and connected TV.

Sarah Beeny has opened up about her gruelling treatment for breast cancer in a new documentary coming to Channel 4. The deeply personal one-off film, Sarah Beeny vs Cancer, sees the 51-year-old broadcaster and property expert explore the past, present and future of breast cancer treatment in the UK, while dealing with her own journey to recovery. She welcomed cameras into her home for the programme just two weeks after three lumps were discovered in her left breast. Speaking through tears at the start of the documentary, Beeny says: “I’m just not gonna die, you do know that. I’ve got a whole life. I need it. I’ve got four children. People need their mother. The truth is, I kind of needed my mother.” Beeny’s mother died of breast cancer at 39, when Beeny was just 10. Beeny says in the film that she had been waiting her whole life to hear that she had cancer. Her partner Graham Swift, an artist, says in the documentary that it was a huge deal for Beeny when she turned 40 as a healthy woman. In the show, Beeny is seen at various stages of chemotherapy. Her sons are shown cutting her hair short, and later Beeny sits in her car after doing the school run, pulling out clumps of her remaining hair. Cameras also follow Beeny as she gets a wig fitted by the NHS. Swift, who calls Beeny a “force of nature”, says he has been up at night worrying throughout the treatment. “F***yeah, there are sleepless nights,” he says. “It’s really hard. It’s horrible.” Beeny has now got the all-clear, and at the end of the documentary, she signs off with the words: “The chances of surviving breast cancer have doubled in the past 40 years, and that only gets better and better the more that is understood. “So many people are so scared. It’s that fear that keeps a lot of people away from going and checking things out and getting treatment. “So trust your body and go and get it checked out at a proper breast clinic. “If you get the diagnosis that I got eight months ago, my message would be, just, don’t be afraid. Because amazing people are doing amazing things and the outlook is getting better every day.” Sarah Beeny vs Cancer airs at 9pm on Channel 4 on Monday 12 June. Read More Sarah Beeny: Why I’m no longer scared of cancer Sarah Beeny shares health update after all-clear from breast cancer ‘I don’t want to be ashamed’: Sarah Beeny reveals she shaved her hair with dog clippers following cancer diagnosis ‘Fearful’ Shannen Doherty shares devastating cancer update Sarah Beeny shares health update after all-clear from breast cancer Breast cancer symptoms and survival rate as Amy Dowden diagnosed

Broadcasting veteran Anne Diamond has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The GB News presenter said she had received the diagnosis the same day as finding out she was to be made OBE. After beginning her career in regional news, Diamond went on to work for both ITV and the BBC, becoming a star of daytime TV in the 1980s and 1990s. She presented programmes like BBC One’s Good Morning with Anne And Nick, TV-am’s Good Morning Britain and TV Weekly. She joined GB News in 2022 to host weekend breakfast shows with Stephen Dixon, though has been off air for six months. Speaking to GB News’ Dan Wootton, she revealed she had undergone a double mastectomy in her “fight against breast cancer”, which she described as “a long journey”. “I haven’t been on a world cruise, which is what I know social media has been saying… because I’m well known now for loving cruises,” she said. “It’s been a fight against breast cancer. That’s what it’s been. It’s been a long journey. And five months later, I’m still not at the end of the journey, but I’m through it enough to come back to work.” Diamond recalled how she had learned the news on the same morning she was told via email that she had been awarded an OBE for her campaigning on cot deaths. She and her then-husband Mike Hollingsworth lost their son Sebastian in 1990 after he died from sudden infant death syndrome (Sids) – commonly called cot death. Diamond joined forces with the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID), now known as The Lullaby Trust, and the Department of Health to launch the successful Back to Sleep campaign. She was made OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to public health and charity. “It was a wonderful moment and that was like 9.30 in the morning,” she told GB News. “But I knew then, because I’d already seen my GP, that I had to go to a breast cancer screening thing later in the morning. I thought I would just go for a mammogram, and a couple of tests and I’d be free in an hour. “I spent the entire morning at my local hospital where they did everything, biopsies, X-rays, CT scans, a couple of mammograms, everything, and by lunchtime I was still there. “And a lovely lady came with a lanyard around her neck that said MacMillan Cancer Care and I knew then it was serious.” Diamond added that she did not have advice for others as she was “still going through it”, but added that she was “well enough” to return to work. The presenter said she has had a full mastectomy and a “load of radiotherapy”. “So it’s been a journey, but I’m not pretending for a minute that I am extraordinary, because I am fully aware that a quarter of women in this country are going through what I’ve just gone through and I don’t have any advice to give. Diamond will return to GB News on Saturday to host Breakfast with Dixon. Read More Chris Hemsworth thanks wife Elsa Pataky for her ‘forgiveness’ Mother sparks debate after ‘shaming’ parent who wouldn’t give her daughter a slice of birthday cake Prince Harry – latest: Duke lands in California after ‘last stay’ in Frogmore following bombshell testimony Everything we know about Jamie Foxx’s health condition 7 things fitness experts want you to know about exercise during a heatwave The £4 hay fever tablet that ‘cures all symptoms’

Fans of both the celebs are implying that the two women are imitating each other's fashion choices

Every fake tan devotee has their Holy Grail formula – the one that glides on like a dream and leaves you with the perfect, streak-free, naturally bronzed glow. While it’s tempting to stick with a trusty favourite, with skincare innovations happening all the time you could be missing out on an even better bronze if you don’t deviate from your usual routine. Right now, there’s a host of hot new sunless tanning lotions, mists and foams that beauty buffs are loving – just in time for summer. Here are six self-tan launches that could become your next go-to… 1. Bondi Sands Technocolor Emerald 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, £19.99 Introducing not one but four new formulas, Bondi Sands Technocolor range of one-hour foams is designed to suit different skin tones and avoid any orangey-ness. Sapphire creates a cool-toned tan for fair skin types; Emerald imparts an olive tan on medium skin tones; Magenta delivers a rich tan on olive to deep skin tones; and Caramel creates a warm glow on deeper skin tones. 2. Skinny Tan Limited Edition Birthday Cupcake Self-Tanning Whip, £21.99 Celebrating 10 years of terrific tans, Skinny Tan (named because of the slim ingredients list) has given its bestselling whipped mousse formula a birthday makeover. The overnight formula – which is enriched with cocoa butter and vitamin E, and develops in six to eight hours – now has a scrumptious vanilla frosting scent. 3. Utan x Jamie Genevieve CBD Tanning Water Facial Mist, £18 Utan has teamed up with make-up artist and beauty influencer Jamie Genevieve to create a complexion-enhancing tanning mist. The lightweight, antibacterial fluid delivers a subtle glow in four hours, doesn’t need rinsing off and has reportedly helped to get rid of acne breakouts. 4. St Moriz Luxe Body & Face Bronzing Mist Medium, £18.99, Boots Infused with organic rose water and soothing goji berry extract, this flora-scented spritz develops in eight hours. Use it as the last step in your skincare routine at night and you’ll wake up with a gorgeous glow. 5. Rose & Caramel Skinstant Instant Tanning Spritz, £19.99 Left it too late to do an overnight tan? This spray gives you glowing skin in minutes, drying quickly to leave a bronzed hue that washes off in the shower. Simply spritz on and blend with a tanning mitt or the Rose & Caramel Blending Brush (£12.99) to ensure a streak-free finish. 6. Xen-Glow Dark Lotion, £29.99, Beauty Flash Celeb-approved Xen-Glow (previously known as Xen-Tan) is back after a rebrand, with reformulated products. Tan-aholics will love the Dark Lotion, which comes with an olive guide colour and develops in three hours. Leave it on overnight for an even deeper bronze.

A heatwave is headed to the UK, with parts of the country predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife. With temperatures likely to soar to 28C, what does this mean for your exercise regime? If you’re tempted to ditch the workouts and head to the nearest beer garden or park instead – or just flop on the sofa with a fan on full blast – we don’t blame you. But if you are keen to keep active, it’s wise to consider how the heat might affect things, and what adjustments you could make in order to stay as comfortable and safe as possible… 1. Exercise early in the morning It tends to be a lot cooler early or late in the day. Omar Mansour, fitness coach and ambassador for audio fitness app WithU, says: “The heat can be really difficult to deal with, so switching your schedule around and making time for your workout in the morning is a good idea. “Whether it’s getting outside before the heat gets into the day, or getting into the gym ahead of the heat and the rush, avoiding workouts in higher temperatures can keep you comfortable, but on track.” 2. Do a home workout Steered away from home workouts now pandemic restrictions have lifted? When it’s mega hot outside, exercising in a cool room at home might make sense – plus you can jump straight into a refreshing shower afterwards. “You don’t always have to go to the gym to get your pump on. With increased temperatures and gyms becoming busier, home workouts are a sure-fire way of prioritising your fitness,” says Mansour. 3. Be a hydration hero Staying hydrated is always important during exercise – but even more so when the sun heats up, when you could be at greater risk of dehydration symptoms, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. “Keeping hydrated during workouts in the heat will help your body do its job, by sweating in order to keep you cool,” says David Wiener, training specialist at AI-based fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics. He suggests thinking about drinking water throughout your workout to “maintain your blood volume levels. This allows you to train and perform better due to the amount of oxygen being pumped around the body.” 4. Switch it up Intense cardio may not always be suitable in the heat, but if you still want the benefits of moving your body – switch things up. “Working out doesn’t always mean working up a massive sweat, and prioritising your mental health is equally as important as prioritising your physical health,” says Mansour. “There are a range of workouts, including yoga, stretching, barre and mindfulness, that allow you to prioritise your physical and mental health without overheating.” 5. Take the pressure off Wiener says it’s OK to make workouts “shorter and slower” when temperatures ramp up. Even with a 15-minute HIIT session, you’ll still be making those gains. 6. Go for cooling kit Fitness clothing needs to be adapted to the time of year – and when the heat is on, it’s all about maximising your ability to stay cool. Wiener advises opting for “breathable, lightweight and light-coloured workout attire that permits sweat to evaporate”. This will also help keep skin irritation and heat rashes at bay, he adds. “It’s also vitally important to wear a hat,” says Wiener – and don’t forget to protect your eyes if you’re out in the sun. 7. Call it quits if it gets too much It really is OK to call it a day early if you need to. As Wiener says: “Be sure to listen to your body. If you start to feel extremely tired, lightheaded, disorientated, or nauseous, you should stop exercising, grab some water and find somewhere cool to sit.” Speak to your GP if you have concerns about any of these symptoms.

Dr Hilary Jones says it’s important that men talk about erectile dysfunction – as it could be a sign of other underlying health problems. The GP and TV medic wants to encourage people suffering from the issue to see their doctor, as it could be a symptom of diabetes, heart disease or other health problems that need to be properly treated. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is particularly common as men get older, and is believed to affect half of men over 40 and around 26% of men under 40. Yet it is often still a taboo, and as Jones – speaking as an adviser to the Eroxon ED Information Panel (EEDIP) – points out, men are “much less likely to go to see a doctor about something below the waist”. Here’s a look at some of the wider health issues that could be linked with erectile dysfunction… Heart problems Men’s health and sexual function specialist Dr Anand Patel says heart problems are a potential cause of ED, particularly for older men. “Doctors often say it is a heart problem until proven otherwise as you get older, due to the narrowing of blood vessels and damaging of nerves,” Patel explains. “The penis is a blood sac, if your heart isn’t working properly, you won’t be able to fill your penis.” Diabetes Jones says erectile dysfunction “can be a symptom of diabetes” in some cases. So, it’s important to get any warning signs checked out, especially if you have a family history. “We know that diabetes is often present for some considerable time before a diagnosis is made – the symptoms creep up on somebody, and through that time there is damage being done to circulation, blood vessels and nerves. The longer a diagnosis is delayed, the greater the risk of damage,” Jones explains. Mental health problems Erectile dysfunction can also be linked with mental health conditions, including severe and chronic stress. Certain mental health medications can also cause the problem, while ED itself can take a toll on a person’s mental wellbeing too. “There have been cases where men are tortured by their perceived failure to maintain erection, they feel emasculated. Some men find this very difficult to deal with or talk about,” says Jones, who notes that erectile dysfunction can trigger depression in some cases. Urging anyone affected to seek support, he reassures that ED “is eminently treatable – it is not something you need to suffer with in silence”. Obesity Jones adds: “Increasing age is a major factor, as is obesity. Men who are obese have a three times greater risk of suffering from ED.” Obesity can also be a risk factor for diabetes and heart problems, so it’s important to bear it in mind when it comes to overall health. Addiction Both drug and alcohol misuse could be causing ED, says Patel. Plus, there’s another addiction that may also be to blame… “We are now seeing the influence of porn,” says Jones. “For younger men, one of the reasons for this increase in ED is exposure to pornography over longer periods. A third of men are watching porn once a week, one in eight on most days, and in those aged 18-29 almost every day. “The Kinsey Institute has introduced this new classification, pornography-induced ED, which is due to unrealistic expectations in the real world, and huge pressure on men to perform ‘normally’. Pornography is not real,” he adds. If you are struggling with erectile dysfunction, there are numerous treatments available. Seek advice from your doctor. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Judy Murray: More needs to be done to protect athletes from abuses of power Nearly half UK adults believe LGBTQ+ representation important in storytelling – study What to wear to Glastonbury this year

Researchers found more Indians were living with diabetes than previously estimated.

More needs to be done to protect sportswomen from the abuse of power from coaches and other key figures in their professional life, Judy Murray has said. While the tennis coach, and mother of Wimbledon stars Andy and Jamie Murray, welcomed measures taken within the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) – which recently appointed a director of safeguarding in an increased effort to protect professional athletes from predatory coaches – she said further action is needed in the industry as a whole. “I think it’s up to all of the individual governing bodies to have someone in that head of safeguarding role that, whether you’re a coach, a parent, a player or in sports science, when you see something or if something happens to you, you know that that’s the group you go to, that’s the person you speak to, it will be treated in confidence but there will be action taken from it,” Murray told PA Media. “I think we’ve all seen a lot of brushing under the carpet over the years. And often you don’t know who to go to, and even if you do go to someone, you’re concerned: ‘Is it going to affect my selection for the team or my funding?’” The former Scottish No 1 player and long-time coach, 63, was speaking while promoting her debut novel, The Wild Card. The book centres on a fictional professional tennis player, who is manipulated by her coach during her earlier career as a 17-year-old into a sexual relationship, fearing that he will ditch her if she doesn’t comply. “For me, having been round the women’s tour, it’s a very male-dominated domain in terms of the coaches and you realise that the young players in particular, they’re travelling all the time, they’re away from home, the coach becomes a crutch, not just a coach. You actually assume a parent role, a friend role,” Murray added. “It’s very easy for players to become dependent on coaches, and fall into something that they don’t really understand and feel they can’t get out of.” She said she welcomed the wider awareness created by athletes who have come forward about their own experiences, citing the case of multiple Olympic gold medal-winning US gymnast Simone Biles, one of many women sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar (who was subsequently jailed for 40-plus years). “Over the last few years, we’ve seen examples in several sports of players/performers telling about what’s happened to them in terms of abuse of trust and abuse of power, none more so than Simone Biles and other gymnasts with the US doctor, which went on for years,” said Murray. “It [the US gymnasts’ case] encouraged more people to speak out, and highlights the need for ensuring that those in positions of power within sport are suitably qualified, vetted and insured, and also that somebody is accountable to somebody else. “It makes such a big impact when top athletes like Simone Biles speak out about what’s happened to them,” Murray continued. “And it gives confidence to others to come out and talk and to share, and it is about raising awareness. “But at the end of the day, you can raise awareness, but you need somebody to act on that. And that is starting to happen, but it’s probably still in its relative infancy.” The Wild Card by Judy Murray is published by Orion, priced £14.99. Available now. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Nearly half UK adults believe LGBTQ+ representation important in storytelling – study What to wear to Glastonbury this year 11 ways to work white into your interiors

When construction workers arrived to begin transforming Oslo’s Olav Vs gate into a pedestrian promenade, locals rolled their