Cold sores effect almost 30 million people in the UK, in particular during the summer holiday season when the majority of cold sore sufferers get their worst outbreaks due to the increased sun and stress of travelling.

The cold sore virus (herpes simplex) can be picked up from one simple kiss and stays with you for life, with some sufferers experiencing outbreaks as often as once a month.

Liquorice & Melissa rescue lip gel helps reduce the intensity of outbreaks due to its strong anti-viral action. Sufferers should apply the lip gel at the first tingling from an impending cold sore. In addition, unlike conventional treatments, the rescue lip gel can be applied before symptoms arise in situations that increase the risk of getting a cold sore such as during the first few days of a summer holiday or even on the flight there, therefore reducing the intensity of the outbreak considerably.

The two key cold sore fighting ingredients in the rescue lip gel are glycyrrhizic acid (GA) from liquorice and melissa oil.

GA specifically targets the genes that are required to maintain the virus in its latent state by interfering with the production of special proteins that feed the infected cells. Recent research published in the US Journal of Clinical Investigation in March 2005 has shown that liquorice actually has the ability, in some cases, to eradicate the cold sore virus which lies dormant in between outbreaks.*

Melissa oil is renowned for its strong anti-viral action. A study in November 2004 and published in the prestigious journal Phytomedicine, found that a concentrated extract of 50 micro/ml had a significant anti-viral effect on the herpes simplex virus.*

Liquorice & Melissa Gel can be rubbed into lips at the first sign of a cold sore and can be used in conjunction with Liquorice Balm, a lip balm containing a highly concentrated extract of GA formulated to be used like a daily lip balm on cold sore prone lips to help prevent cold sores from forming.

Liquorice & Melissa Rescue Gel costs £9.99 for 30ml visit www.skinshop.co.uk