8 March 2017

Review Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Rejuvenating Face Oil
(Gifted PR sample)

UPDATE - THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, ALTERNATIVE BRANDS THAT SELL BAOBAB OIL INCLUDE FUSHI & ALUCIA ORGANICS

Random skin flare ups are an annoyance for anyone who experiences eczema. Why is it that a cream that worked six months ago makes little difference the second time around, is it just me? It drives me crazy at times. When my dermatitis flared again I was rummaging around in my skincare collection desperate for anything which might work. I ended up using Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Rejuvenating Face Oil.

At some point I'd received this Baobab oil and didn't think much of it when applied to my face but after reading the label again I noted what I had previously missed - "suitable for skin prone to eczema and psoriasis". I applied to the areas of my body affected by eczema/dermatitis (chest & shoulders) and finally I had relief from the dreaded itch. I have been applying to my skin after getting out of the shower (damp skin aids absorption of oils) and I am so relieved. With time I've seen great improvements and my skin is feeling calm once again. I've no idea if it's simply down to luck but Boabab is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 so maybe that has something to do with it. 

As Ooh! are marketing this as a face oil the 30ml bottle is not an ideal size for the body but I'm not using it all over so it goes a long way. A couple of drops for my chest and same again for shoulders. If you wanted to experiment then a 15ml size is also available. That would be sufficient to patch test and see what you think.

If you enjoy oils then the Ooh! Oils of Heaven line also includes Rosehip, Moringa, Cacay, Marula and Argan.

Sarah x

6 March 2017

Mothers Day Gift Ideas Natural Organic Vegan

Mother's Day in the UK falls on Sunday 26 March 2017. I appreciate that it can be a difficult time for some but I am lucky to enough be able to shop for my Mum. I've put together a selection of ideas which I think anyone would like regardless of the occasion.

Pure Thoughts - I've chosen from this site the Lavender & Sweet Orange Mineral Bath Soak as it sounds like the perfect way to unwind. Not only is this bath soak suitable for Vegans, it does not contain SLS and artificial colours and fragrances.

Sugar Loaf Soap Company - have a lovely collection of gifts. I particularly like the draw string jute bag containing rose geranium heart shape soaps. Hop across to Sugar Loaf's facebook page and you'll discover a code for 15% off gifts during March.

Skin & Tonic - everyone loves a lip balm so that is why I picked out this set from Skin & Tonic containing all four of their certified organic balms.

Kiss the Moon - I discovered Kiss the Moon at last years Free From Skincare Awards and they focus on night time well-being. I picked out the Dream After Dark Balm which is pulse point balm with a blend of lavender, chamomile, bergamot and cedarwood. I recommend checking out the entire range of products.

Evolve Organic - you all know I have some favourite Evolve products so no surprise I'm recommending their gift sets. The one picture above contains luxury trial sizes of Superfood Shine Shampoo, Superfood Shine Conditioner, Nourishing Hair Elixir.

Nectar & Bumble - this site is full of beautiful gift options but may I suggest the Beefayre Mummy Bee Votive Candle, a natural wax candle with lavender & geranium essential oils.

Vegan Chocolate - most of us enjoy a sweet treat so can I suggest to you the delicious Ethico, Consider It and Booja Booja

Sarah x

26 February 2017

Series: Swap YouTuber Favourites for Green Beauty Alternatives

For those not familiar with this series I pick out mainstream products mentioned in Favourite videos and suggest Green Beauty Swaps for them. 

NARS Tinted Moisturiser – I use tinted moisturisers on a daily basis and my current favourites are Madara Moon Flower Tinting Fluid and JOIK BB Cream. Other alternatives are Dr Hauschka Tinted Day Cream, Estelle & Thild All-in One Tinted Moisturiser and Green People Age Defy SPF 15 DD Tinted Moisturiser.

Bobbi Brown Bronzer - I struggled to track down ingredients online so I suspect the worst with this brand. Green Beauty Bronzers are quite easy to find and there are brands to suit every budget. Check out Ere Perez, Inika, Bellapierre, Lavera and W3LL People.

Dior Sugar Lip Scrub – I am astonished that anyone would spend £24 on a lip scrub, you really are just buying into a label. Lip Scrubs are easy to DIY from the contents of your kitchen cupboard. Simply use caster sugar with olive oil or coconut oil or honey. I guess the benefit of the Dior scrub is it's portable and not messy so you could swap for ILIA Balmy Nights

GlamGlow Supermud – you might be surprised to spot these on my swaps but there are some undesirable ingredients in the Glam Glow range (e.g. mineral oils & Methylisothiazolinone). My first thought as an alternative is the Madara Ultra Purifying Mud Mask but there are many others I'd recommend such as Odylique 3 in 1 Maca Mask, Botanicals Balancing Detox Mask, Evolve Raw Cacao & Coconut Radiant Glow Mask. 

The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey – I’ve seen this range recommended for sensitive skin prone to eczema and it doesn’t sit well with me. To promote a range as almond and honey when those ingredients are very low down on the list feels like a rip off. This range contains possible eczema triggering ingredients like parfum and other undesirables. Also “almond milk” is interesting phrase for what is actually almond oil. I can't find you an exact swap but Weleda and Dr Hauschka have an almond range. Many Green Beauty lovers will just use almond oil and honey by themselves. 

Starbucks Iced Black Americano – when I saw a blogger recommend their favourite coffee it got me thinking, if you’re a regular customer have you considered switching to a reusable cup to cut down on landfill waste? According to the latest statistics, the UK throws away around three billion disposable cups a year. The problem is many disposable cups can only be recycled at a handful of specialist places (its polyethylene which waterproofs them that causes problems) so majority end up in landfill. If you'd like to help the planet then take a look at Ecoffee Cup for stylish designs. 

Many of the products mentioned above can be found at Naturisimo and Content Beauty. If you would like to read my last swap article then click here - No 5 - Green Beauty Alternatives featuring Nathalie Bond Organics, S5 Skincare, Balm Balm and Trilogy

Sarah x

23 February 2017

2017 Free From Skincare Awards - Open for Entries

Shout out to all the brands ever featured on my blog......Have you entered the sixth annual FreeFrom Skincare Awards? 

Those of you who have been reading my blog for years will know I enjoy supporting these awards. I'm passionate about celebrating skincare which caters for those of us with concerns about what we put onto our bodies. The Free From Skincare Awards seek out products with strong natural qualities, formulated for skin health, or which are suitable for people with sensitivities and allergies. They reward beneficial ingredients, the absence of undesirable ingredients, and clear, accurate labelling – as well as strong performance.

This year there are fourteen categories, including Family Skincare (sponsored by longstanding supporters NATorigin), and a new Lip Care category. In addition, there are also special awards for Free From Achievement, as well as for Best Brand, and Best Overall Free From Product.

Previous winners of the Best Overall FreeFrom Skincare Product were:

Kinvara Skincare’s Absolute Cleansing Oil (2016)
Bloom Remedies’ Men’s Daily Moisture Care (2015)
Tropic Skincare’s Smoothing Cleanser (2014)
Barefoot Botanicals’ Face and Body Rescue Cream (2013)
Qsilica’s Remove Make-up and Grime Cleansing Gel (2012)

The 2017 Awards opened for entries on 1st February and close on 17th March. Month-long testing of all entered products takes place during March and April. Final panel judging sessions are in May, with presentations to winners taking place at the Love Natural Love You Show, Olympia, on 7th July.

The FreeFrom Skincare Awards were founded by Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, director of the Free From Food Awards, now in their tenth year, and Alex Gazzola, deputy editor of SkinsMatter.com and a writer specialising in allergies and sensitivitiesThe Awards will be run in association with partners, The Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible, The Love Natural Love You Show and Formula Botanica.

Details of categories, rules, entry criteria, sponsorship, publicity and previous years’ winners are at www.freefromskincareawards.co.ukTo be added to the mailing list for entry forms, or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact the team on awards@skinsmatter.com

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