10 October 2021
23 May 2021
We built grüum on three core principles: Simplicity, Honesty and Fairness. We’re committed to creating clean skincare products that are kind to you, your skin, and our planet.
3 May 2021
25 April 2021
2 April 2021
7 March 2021
1 February 2021
19 January 2021
12 January 2021
Vemel was born as an antidote to the chemical overload that we find in our every-day lives in our quest to help our children who suffered for years with eczema related skin conditions and allergies. We believe that by reducing the chemicals that we absorb on a daily basis we can make long terms benefits to our overall health.
1 January 2021
3 November 2020
When you plant a tree, you commit to a long term vision of how beautiful that tree could be in decades to come. Sometimes even centuries. Starting Faith In Nature back in 1974 was a bit like that. It was a vision of what could be possible one day. A belief that the best companies could be ethical. That natural could be affordable. That doing right by the planet and its people was not only a choice, but our duty. Change doesn't always come quickly. But that's exactly why Faith matters so much.
I'm only a few years younger than this brand but it's great to see Faith in Nature has stood the test of time. I've seen it go through many changes over the years from branding to product range but you can rely on their quality and affordability. Currently the range includes hair care, body washes, soaps and hand washes and refill options.
Faith in Nature does have fragrance free options but I went for Grapefruit and Orange as it doesn't contain linalool (Citral and Limonene are present on the label). I love a citrus scent so it was a winner straight away. It doesn't feel drying on skin and foams up well making it easy to use. I'm not a fan of the bottle cap as you need to pour onto hands but that is easily resolved by decanting into a soap dispenser.
Faith in Nature is an affordable product to have in the home and suitable for all the family. You can purchase directly from their website but you'll also see them on the shelves of independent retailers, Holland & Barrett, Boots and Sainsbury's.
27 October 2020
I believe Oil Pulling is associated with Auyrveda, the traditional medicine system from India. Studies suggest that oil pulling can kill bacteria in the mouth and improve dental health. I've been trialling the Georganics Oil Pulling Mouthwash in English Peppermint. The suggested usage is 1-2 teaspoons of oil and swish around the mouth for five to twenty minutes. I think you have to work up to the twenty minute time frame and honestly I don't have the will power or time for it.
20 October 2020
You may recall my interview with Sarah founder of Pamoja Skincare back in lockdown. I had the pleasure to try Restore Multi-purpose Beauty Oil Essential Oil Free through the Free From Skincare Awards. I'm keen to support small business and Sarah's journey to formulating skincare shares similarities to my own struggles. I feels this adds a level of trust which gives a unique selling point over their competitors.
I suffered severe skin sensitivities on my face and contact dermatitis. As a family living with food allergies, we were already conscious of what we were eating and the importance of fully understanding a product label. So, I began a journey to understand better what I was putting on my skin and found a solution in nourishing botanical ingredients jam-packed with nutrients, that would soothe, hydrate and protect my skin - Sarah, Pamoja Skincare
When you live with allergies there are so many hurdles to overcome and your day consists of reading labels. I'm always super excited to discover formulations without essential oil and Pamoja Skincare provide this choice to customers. For those of you lucky enough not to worry about allergies, there is the option to buy a fragranced version of Restore Multi-purpose Beauty Oil.
Restore Beauty Oil (essential oil free) is packed with interesting ingredients which includes Sacha Inchi, Kahai, Sea Buckthorn, Blackcurrant and Pomegranate. It's packed full of fantastic minerals and vitamins including Omega 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 essential fatty acids, vitamin A and E. Restore is a golden oil with a distinct natural earthy aroma similar to fresh cut grass. I've been applying in the evening after cleansing. The key is to apply to slightly damp skin to lock in moisture. My skin absorbs the oil beautifully, feels fresh and hydrated. It can be use in the mornings and would make a good base for makeup. Packaging is simple, effective, nicely branded and practical with a push button pipette dispenser.
Restore is ideal for facial massage, nourishing dry, brittle nails and cuticles, softening elbows and knees, smoothing hair and soothing skin that's spent time in the sun and sea - making it a perfect multitasking holiday companion!
My final thoughts are that Pamoja Restore Multi Purpose Beauty Oil Essential Oil Free is a lovely facial oil which I'm very happy to recommend. I'm sure it would suit many skin types but especially appealing to people with sensitivity and essential oil allergies. If you would like to explore the product range in more detail then please visit Pamoja Skincare.
15 October 2020
13 October 2020
6 October 2020
1 October 2020
I've been struggling with eczema on my neck and shoulders during lockdown which lead me to rethink my haircare routine. I enjoy using Giovanni 2Chic Ultra-Sleek Conditioner but I've temporarily stopped using it opting for a fragrance free replacement. Akin was one of the first natural brands I ever tried and I regularly used their shampoos and conditioners in those early years. I'm sad to say they fell off my radar following the increase in green beauty products and growing market.
My quest for fragrance free conditioner had been right under my nose the entire time. I'm so pleased I decided to buy A'kin Mild & Gentle Fragrance Free Conditioner as it has provided much needed relief. Of course it may be purely coincidence but I've seen a difference. I always advocate stripping back your hair or skin care routine and going scent free when experiencing allergy and eczema flare ups.
This Akin conditioner lives up to its name - Mild and Gentle. It's formulated with rosehip oil, shea butter, jojoba oil and oat extract to soothe dry itchy scalps and provide moisture. I have shoulder length hair which is fine but thick and I colour it every 6-8 weeks. I need a conditioner that combats dryness but doesn't weigh it down. A little does go a long way and I'm cautious not to overload my fine hair. During application I feel this Akin conditioner detangles knots caused during the shampooing process. My hair feels silky and smooth during application and retains this through to styling. After the first use I pondered why I hadn't been using A'kin Mild & Gentle Fragrance Free Conditioner all along. Maybe I was side tracked by marketing promises, curiosity for new products or tightening of purse strings.
I've always recommended A'kin fragrance free products to others based on old experiences but now I feel happy having a fresh perspective under my belt. It's enjoyable to revisit long lost brands and I'm sure I'll delve back into the product range once more. In the meantime, I'm happy and with fingers crossed I'm hoping this itchy free lifestyle will continue for the foreseeable. One day I may venture back into the arms of Giovanni but for the moment A'kin Mild & Gentle Fragrance Free Conditioner has saved me from bad hair days.
Sarah
8 September 2020
7 July 2020
I've enjoyed using the Brightening Hand Cream and Luminosity Body Scrub and appreciate the consideration that has gone into the naturally derived formulations. From my own experiences I am happy to recommend BAO Skincare and would suggest you visit their website to explore the full product range.
Sarah x
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