Washing with dew gathered on the 1^st May, or May Day, was widely believed to improve the complexion, for the whole of the following year. Certainly, a financial improvement, on today’s exorbitant array of beautifying products. And, in some cases equally as effective!

The British soap makers, Handmade Norfolk Soaps, have recently added two new hedgerow oils to their soap collections, to coincide with the Spring celebrations. Pure Rosehip oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil, berries which grow in abundance here in the U.K.

Many of the May Day traditions derive from the pagan Celtic calendar held during “drimilce”, the Anglo Saxon name for the month of May. Including, the Celtic celebration of Beltane and the Roman festival of Flora, goddess of fruit and flowers.

Traditionally a day of festivities, marking the end of long, hard winters and rejoicing in the coming of spring. Hawthorn, or May blossoms decorated every door and symbolised the beginning of new life and the onset of the growing season.

Whilst washing in dew, gathered on May Day morning was widely believed to improve the complexion. It started a lively day of gathering blossom and flowers, Morris dancing, maypole dancing and crowning a May Queen, with hedge row blossoms.

Jonathan Goulding, company director of Handmade Norfolk Soaps, stated “we specialize in making soap, with oils from plants and berries grown here in the U.K. and particularly oils with a high vitamin C content, to nourish the skin.”

You will find the whole range of British soaps on their website,

www.handmadenorfolksoaps.co.uk