Massage and aromatherapy can keep you younger for longer, according to aromatherapist Caroline Innes. Women's Editor Christen Pears meets her

THE beauty business is worth billions of pounds. Women, desperate to retain their youthful looks, buy countless lotions and moisturisers each year or even resort to plastic surgery. But if the idea of having Botox injections or facial peels fills you with dread, there is an alternative - the natural facelift.

For the last two years, Darlington-based aromatherapist Caroline Innes has been teaching women the techniques of this simple anti-ageing programme. It uses massage and essential oils to create healthier, younger-looking skin and although there is no way to halt the inevitability of ageing, it can provide a better approach than expensive and often ineffective cosmetics or plastic surgery.

"It's about teaching people how to look after the skin on their face without having to spend lots of money on cosmetics or plastic surgery," says Caroline. "It combines acupressure massage with the use of essential oils and people taking part in the course learn a series of massage moves that they perform on themselves and can use every day as part of their long-term skincare routine.

"It only takes about ten minutes but, over time, it can have visible benefits. It can help if you have spots or with wrinkles and generally improves the appearance of the skin. There are other benefits too and I find it useful for helping to relax at the end of the day."

Caroline says her own skin is dry, with a tendency to rosiness but today, it glows with health, largely due to regular use of the mixture of oils she custom-blends for herself. There's geranium for hydrating the skin, camomile to combat inflammation and carrot, which is good for toning down redness. It smells delicious too.

"I use this all the time but you can create something to suit everyone's skin type. Unlike what you might buy off the shelves, it's designed specially for you so it tackles your particular problems more effectively."

But Caroline's expertise extends far beyond facial massage. A trained aromatherapist, she is also a member of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists - an organisation which works to integrate complementary medicine into the British healthcare system.

She has been interested in aromatherapy since she attended evening classes about ten years ago and now holds a diploma in anatomy and physiology. She also trained as an holistic health practitioner and Indian massage practitioner.

For three days a week, she works in the personnel department at Teesside University but increasingly finds herself spending more time at Lime Tree Aromatics, the clinic she runs at Darlington's Centre of Oriental Medicine.

"People are more aware of the alternatives now and there are certainly a lot more people interested in complementary medicine than there were a few years ago. But although they accept the idea, they don't necessarily know much of the detail."

Most of Caroline's work is focused on aromatherapy massage, which can be used to treat a range of ailments and relieve stress. She recently began offering Indian head massage to staff and students at Teesside University and also did a stint at Orange's Peterlee call centre in the weeks before Christmas.

"Quite a few employers are beginning to recognise the benefits of massage for their workforce.

"It helps reduce stress and makes them much more productive," she says.

She also runs a series of courses, which include the natural facelift, Indian head massage and an introduction to aromatherapy. Most of them take place at the Centre of Oriental Medicine but she is running sessions from her home. Classes usually have about half a dozen students and are fairly informal.

"They give people a chance to explore and see how they can use aromatherapy in their own lives. I think it can be an enormous benefit and I want people to learn about what I've discovered over the years."

* Caroline will be holding a course in Indian head massage on May 4 and 5 from 10am to 4pm. The cost is £45. She will also be running natural facelift classes on four Tuesday evenings from May 7 from 7pm to 9pm at a cost of £40.

For more information or to book a place call (01325) 465674 or e-mail lime.tree@lineone.net.

You can also visit the website at www.limetreearomatics.co.uk

She is also holding a weekend residential course in Indian head massage at Osmotherley Youth Hostel from May 24 to 26. Details are available on 0870 770 5982.