honey

20 August 2020

Review Lily & Rabbit Naked, Bee Naked and Lavender Soap
(gifted)

Lily & Rabbit had three soap shortlisted in the Free From Skincare Awards and they came away with a Silver for Sea Kelp with Rosemary & Spearmint and Bronze for Nettle with Spearmint. This adorably named company are handcrafting soaps in North Yorkshire. Lily & Rabbit have focused on their favourite ingredients olive oil (inspired by Italian soaps) and raw goat milk. They are mindful of sensitive skin and use natural colourants, exfoliators and essential oils. For fellow vegans, Lily & Rabbit are in the process of creating suitable soaps and so you may wish to follow them on Instagram for launch information.

Here's some feedback from the testers for the Free From Skincare Awards -

“Still rock solid after a month’s testing … didn’t go soggy, break or lose fragrance … An extremely gentle, non-drying soap that lathers lightly over the skin and leaves hands feeling clean and refreshed” (Sea Kelp with Rosemary & Spearmint)

“Really enjoyed this product .. Lather wasn’t excessive, but worked efficiently without drying out skin … cleansed effectively, leaving clean, fresh and reassuring fragrance, which wasn’t lost throughout month long use … It delivered constantly and I would buy it again” (Nettle with Spearmint)
Review Lily & Rabbit Naked, Bee Naked and Lavender Soap
Lily and Rabbit kindly sent me three soaps - Naked, Bee Naked and Lavender. It's my husband who has carried out the majority of testing and we have started with the Naked soap. This one is a simple gentle soap with no scent and formulated with goats milk, olive oil and castor oil. In comparison Bee Naked includes the addition of oatmeal and honey. It is these two soaps that I would recommended for sensitive skin and some people may find oats beneficial for skin prone to eczema.

I agree with the testers in that Lily & Rabbit soaps are solid and don't go soggy. Over the years we've had soaps that turn to mush almost instantly but these hold up to daily use. The lather produced is gentle and just enough (to be expected from a product free from SLS). As I'm prone to dry hands the Naked soap hasn't worsen this condition and leaves skin feeling soft and not stripped of moisture. I've been impressed and as for my husband he's commented a few times on how he is enjoying using the Naked soap, how it holds up well and feels nice and solid.

If you would to explore the full soap range from Lily & Rabbit then please consider visiting their website - lilyandrabbit.co.uk

Sarah x

27 February 2014

The Mighty Bee - Venom, Propolis, Honey, Royal Jelly, Beeswax

I am noticing a new trend in natural skincare for all things Bee related but I want to raise awareness that some bee by-products are potential allergens. You will be aware from my reviews, at this moment in time I do not avoid beeswax or honey. I am also going to touch on the issue of cruelty but I understand this is a sensitive topic. Let me talk you through the ingredients used in skincare that Bees produce.

Bee Venom - I am sure most of you understand that venom is the poison which makes a sting painful, but are you aware of how the venom is collected? Bees are given a tiny electric shock as they enter the hive, not enough to kill them (debatable as I'm sure some would die) but just enough to put them in a bad mood so they will release venom. Believe it or not this method is regarded as cruelty free because the alternative would involve killing the bees by removing the stinger and venom sacks. People with an allergy to bee stings need to avoid this ingredient in skincare.

Royal Jelly – secreted from the glands of the bee and used to feed the larvae. Royal Jelly is used in skincare because it is rich in amino acid, vitamins and minerals. To harvest this ingredient a bee hive needs to be encouraged to produce more queen bees. The hive does not survive without a queen bee so she is removed and larvae introduced, this then encourages worker bees to feed the larvae to produce a new queen. I have read that anyone with asthma or allergies may wish to avoid Royal Jelly. Reactions can range from mild skin irritation to anaphylaxis shock.

Propolis – a resinous mixture which is used to seal open spaces in the hive and is collected by Bees from tree buds and sap. Propolis is used in skincare because it seems to have anti inflammatory and skin healing effects. Claims have been made that it can be used to treat allergies but it can cause severe reactions especially if you are sensitive to bees. Some experts believe it can make asthma worse and anyone allergic to conifers, poplars, Peru balsam and salicylates are advised to avoid propolis.

Honey – if you follow natural bloggers, you may have seen the growing popularity in using honey as a cleanser because of the antiseptic, anti inflammatory, healing and moisturing properties. Honey is made when bees transform nectar by a process of regurgitation and evaporation. That does kind of gross me out a little. If you wanted to substitute honey in skincare, then opt for products containing manuka essential oil which is extracted from the species of New Zealand tree called Leptospermum Scoparium. It offers the same benefits as manuka honey but is obtained from the leaves, flowers and wood. If you would like to substitute honey in cooking, Vegan alternatives are Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, Coconut Nectar and Dates (there are probably more but these are the ones I am familiar with).

Beeswax – worker bees secrete wax from their glands and use it to build the honeycomb cells in the hive. It is used in skincare as a surfactant as it forms a protective barrier on the skin but unlike mineral oil, as with all Bee by-products, it does offer antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Harvesting the beeswax and honey involves taking it from the hive which they reside in. This is the part of the Vegan argument that likens it to factory farming, forcing the bees to construct the hives for humans to steal from.

The thought process for writing this post was sparked following a Twitter conversation where someone told me propolis would ‘cure’ my eczema. I personally believe that when you have eczema linked to allergies you need to be very wary of this type of advice. From my viewpoint, bee venom and royal jelly are the ingredients that upset me the most due to the method of extraction. I can appreciate the Vegan argument that bee keeping is exploitative and cruel. Writing this blog post has certainly got me thinking in a different way. Eliminating beeswax from my skincare at this time seems a little daunting as several creams I rely on to help manage my eczema contain this ingredient. I'm not against the idea and I will be researching into the alternatives. The decision to avoid ingredients from bees is entirely your own but I hope by sharing my thoughts you can understand why it matters to me and welcome opinions.

Sarah x
image courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/FromNikkiCharms

11 January 2014


Review Beeutiful Honey Soap, Healing Balm and Lip Balm
I know I have said this many times before but Twitter is a great resource for finding the smaller, natural skincare companies. Beeutiful is one of these companies which popped up on my “Who to Follow” lists and it turns out they are a local to me. I was kindly sent sample products – Mango Lip Balm, Healing Balm and Honey Soap.

If you haven’t already figured out from the name, the main ingredient to the range is locally sourced beeswax and honey. Products are 100% natural and free from parabens, sulphates, preservatives, petrochemicals, artificial colours and fragrances (one exception is the lip balm which contains flavour oil). Products are not tested on animals, they only harvest ingredients which do not harm the bees and a portion of sales are donated to Friends of the Honeybee charity.

I think the honey soap is my favourite product. The ingredients are simple and include coconut oil, olive oil, honey and sunflower oil. It foams up nicely, does not irritate and I do not notice it exasperating my existing dry skin. It feels gentle and I know honey is healing.

The lip balm is a nice product, packaged in a tube so ideal for those who object to sticking fingers in tins. It feels soft, smooth and hydrating on the lips. The downside to me is the mango flavouring, I find it too strong for my taste. It is interesting that Beeutiful included the flavouring due to customer demand. There are two other lip balms available, honey and peppermint & tea tree.

The healing balm contains a good selection of ingredients (honey, lavender, calendula, tea tree, st johns wart) which should help with general skin aliments such as cuts and grazes as it promotes healing. It may be useful in treating eczema but that will depend on the individual. I have a sensitivity to tea tree so have to be cautious with this product. The balm feels soft in the tin which is good for easy application, sometimes these types of products are too solid to be practical. The tin size is pocket friendly.

Overall, I think Beeutiful are offering affordable, natural and handmade products which I am happy to recommend to you.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR samples, 100% my own opinions from testing products, links are not affiliated

9 October 2012

I think the whole of my Twitter timeline including me caught a cold last week. I thought I might share some tips on how I manage the germs as I rarely reach for Lemsip or Beecham.  In recent years off the shelf cold remedies have been making me feel a little fuzzy headed and I can't deal with that and going to work.

Sore Rudolph noses are best treated with a natural balm like Balmology.  Don't get out the Vaseline for reasons which I explain in another blog post. If you have to go to work and feel a plonker with a shiny nose I find applying a generous layer of balm overnight will often see me through to the next day and repairs damage from day before. Often breathing through your mouth dries out lips so have a natural lip salve to hand. My current favourites are Crazy Rumors Amaretto and Badger Balm Madagascar Vanilla. I do not purchase Balsam Tissues because I tried them once and ended up with my face covered in eczema. I very rarely have eczema on my face and I certainly didn't have any prior to using the tissues.

If I have a sore throat I've abandoned the Strepsils in favour of Ricola. These are Swiss Herb Drops that come in a variety of flavours.  They are suitable for vegetarians and do not contain artificial colours or flavours. You can find them in Supermarkets (in the same place as Strepsils) or at Holland & Barrett. Alternatively, a spoonful of honey will help coat a the throat and may ease symptoms.

Usually at the first sign of illness I start taking Echinacea.  It might not cure you but I am convinced it lessens the severity of my cold.  Studies into Echinacea have not drawn any firm conclusions about its effectiveness so  I guess it's a personal choice to take it. Echinacea is easy to find at Boots, Supermarkets and Holland & Barrett.

Stuffy noses can often be eased with Eucalyptus oil. You can add a few drops to a bowl of warm water, cover head with a towel over the bowl and take deep breaths or add drops to a tissue.  Most shops have Aromatherapy sections where you will find essential oils.  I also recommend Olbas Oil it's a family favourite and my Mum always used this on us when we were little.  I have also found aromatherapy benefits with my Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy.  The peppermint helps open up a blocked nose whilst showering.

I see no reason to subject yourself to the vial taste of Lemsip.  Aside from the paracetamol I do not feel they offer any more benefit than having a hot drink. The key to any illness is taking in plenty of fluids.  It helps soothe a dry throat, replenish body fluids and flush out germs.  Taking paracetamol and having warm drinks in my opinion does the same job.

Remember to be a polite sick person.  Cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough.  Wash your hands regularly and throw away your snotty tissues into a bin. Please feel free to share any natural remedy tips of your own in the comment section below. 

Sarah x

Disclaimer - this post is not intended to replace medical advice, read medication labels carefully for guidance on correct doseage & allergy advice, *GWP from O.N.G

Instagram

Sugarpuffish. Theme by STS.