natural

21 April 2020

review Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk and After Sun Cream
(Gifted PR)

It's important to use SPF when enjoying the sunshine whether you are at the beach, in your garden or on a walk. I often mention Organii products because I repeat purchase and think they offer good value for money. The liquid soaps and shower gels are essentials in my household but did you know they also have a range of suncreams? This includes SPF 20 Sun Milk, SPF 30 Sun Cream, SPF 15 Facial Sun Cream, SPF 50 Sun Milk and After Sun Cream.

Organii kindly sent me SPF 50 Sun Milk and After Sun Cream just in time for the glorious sunshine we had Easter weekend. Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk protects against UVA & UVB with a formulation containing Non-nano Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. The ingredients are skin nourishing and moisturising with extracts of organic Calendula, Mallow Leaf, Argan, Jojoba, Sunflower, Olive Fruit, Linseed, Rice Bran, Karanja oils to protect while keeping skin soft and supple. Chamomile works as a anti-inflammatory and Vitamin E defends the skin against radicals.

Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk and After Sun Cream are both fragrance free (no essential oil allergens). SPF 50 is going to be the one you'll use on the whole family (babies, children and adults) as it's suitable for delicate skin. Sun Milk does imply a fluid consistency which I would agree with and this was a pleasant surprised because from personal experience natural sun cream can often be thick and gloppy. It was my preference to apply SPF 50 Sun Milk on my body because I didn't like the feeling on my face. I am extremely fussy about texture and it wasn't right for me. On my arms and legs I thought it was quite good at not leaving whiteness but felt a little tacky at the end of the day however this is not an uncommon sensation with sun cream. I'm not sure why but I felt this product applied differently on my face and left a whiteness to my skin but I didn't think the same of my legs and arms. I have a medium fair skin tone so this might be something to be mindful of if you have a darker complexion. You may be able to combat this by mixing in some foundation before application.

When it comes to the Organii After Sun Cream it's the perfect follow up product but suitable for daily use for moisturising and soothing your skin. It's formulated with some lovely ingredients - shea butter, argan oil, aloe vera, calendula and Vitamin E. It's a lovely light lotion, which applies easily but also fragrance free. I struggle to find scent free body creams and after sun so I'm very pleased to be able to recommend this one. It's a very pleasant lotion, ideal for use during warmer weather regardless of whether you've been out in the sun.

Let me know on social media if you have tried Organii suncream and whether you enjoy using these products.

Sarah x

14 March 2019

The eighth annual Free From Skincare Awards are now open
The eighth annual Free From Skincare Awards are now open with plenty of changes!

As you may know I'm a long term supporter (and judge) for The Free From Skincare Awards so I'm always happy to shout about it to readers and brands in the hope it catches your interest. For those of us who manage skin conditions, allergies and ethical choices 'free from' skincare can make all the difference to our lives. Speaking from an eczema prospective, after years of suffering, a switch in body wash and shampoo changed my skin and made my daily routine manageable.

The Awards – which celebrate products 'free from' some of the allergens and other ingredients many consumers now avoid – feature fourteen categories, including new categories for Lip Care, incorporating both lipsticks and lip balms, and for Eye Care, incorporating eye make-up and eye creams.

29 January 2019

Finalists of 4th Annual Clean Beauty Awards Announced[I was sent the products pictured above in order to fulfill the judging role, I participated in the face wash category]

Last year I was invited to judge beauty products for the Clean Beauty Awards and the finalists have recently been announced. The Clean Beauty Awards is organized by CertClean, North America's certification for safer skincare. This year, more than 300 products from around the globe entered the Awards for consideration in 15 categories, including Face Care, Face Wash, Shampoo, Odour Care, Mascara and Lipstick.

As someone who is familiar with EU labelling regulations it was a very interesting judging experience with products from across the pond. If an international brand is sold in the EU then it must comply to our regulations but a number of products I handled didn't fall into this category (I did a little research on brands). One thing I took from the experience is the appreciation of our comprehensive labels, as someone with allergies it's particularly important. We also have stricter safety laws which I'm extremely appreciative of given that one product in my box had a questionable formulation (and I chose not to judge in it on those grounds). My judging role was enjoyable and different to other awards I've participated in. I was only asked to rate product performance so I had to set aside any other personal criteria.

Visit Clean Beauty Awards 2018 Finalists for a complete list by category. Finalists were determined by the average scores of over 80 judges around the world. The winner of each category will be announced in March/April. Among the many extraordinary brands which have been recognised as Finalists, the following brands stand out as those with two or more Finalist nominations:

100% Pure
Biossance
C2 California Clean
Chorus Supernatural
Coconut Tree
Elevé Cosmetics
HAN Skincare Cosmetics
Honey & Sage Co.
INIKA Organic
La Prétentieuse
MarieNatie
Organic Island
Plantioxidants
Soapstones Natural Skincare
Standing Stone Wellness

The winner of each category will be announced in March/April and I look forward to seeing the end results. Do you have any favourites from the list above? I'm a fan of Inika Organics.

Sarah x

30 May 2017

suncream sunscreen eczema sensitive skin natural organic
(Disclaimer - not sponsored by brands mentioned)

Over the years I've had more than my fair share of reactions to sun creams and my skin doesn't care if it's a natural product or one loaded with undesirable ingredients. When you have eczema prone skin you just have to go with what works. On more than one occasions I've been on holiday, experienced a reaction and had to throw all my principals out the window because the the risk of skin cancer far outshines them at that moment in time. Does this make me a bad person? No but I feel incredibly guilty however I do wish more brands would look at their ingredients and help us sensitive folk out.

1 March 2016

My thoughts on defending free from skincare labelling
I am very passionate about "free from" skincare because I have allergies and sensitivities to foods and cosmetic ingredients. I recently commented on the skinsmatter.com site in which they were defending “free from” labelling on skincare. Their first article was initially in response to a report headline from Cosmetic Design Europe "Free-from claims are based on fear and should stop". They have since written another article defending it again. Then coincidently I also found myself drawn into a similar discussion after Sarita Coren who published "Six terms green beauty brands should stop using now”. Sarita raised some valid points but we differ in our opinions on the use of “free from”. 

I continually review products that promote “free from” awareness, whether that is for gluten or nuts or SLS and parabens. Rachael of Myroo summed up perfectly why I shop for Free From skincare.

"The average woman uses 168 different ingredients across 12 products, so getting to the bottom of a cosmetic allergy trigger can be difficult. This is where free from cosmetics come in. We believe it is really important for those with skin allergies, sensitivities or other personal considerations to be able to quickly and easily locate products that don’t contain ingredients they avoid. Labelling products ‘free from’ signals to customers that the products have been formulated with allergies and sensitivities in mind, just like it does for food products." 

I think of free from labelling as a unique selling point and it enables me to make purchasing decisions but I have been criticised for thinking this way. Apparently it’s simply clever marketing. I’m the most cynical person ever over product claims and I certainly don’t fall for product hype. Every product we pick up is marketed to us. They all have short tag lines which lead us to make a purchasing decision. A cream that claims to target wrinkles, a shampoo that protects against frizz or a toothpaste that whitens teeth, so why shouldn’t a free from claim be a similar statement? Of course I am aware that sometimes cosmetic labelling is flawed, for instance, I don't approve of "free from chemicals" and I recently critic a range which claimed “preservative free” but I encourage the term when focusing on a specific ingredient. 

Sarita mentioned she didn't like the use of "free from parabens" especially when a product contains other preservatives or ingredients which were not any better. My counter argument to this would be if a product is genuinely free of that ingredient then the statement is not wrong. As Bloggers we must think outside of their online community as not everyone has the same ingredient standards. There will be consumers who actively chose to avoid parabens but are not fazed by other preservatives. I suggest that what Sarita is referring to falls under the umbrella of "Greenwashing" and that an entirely different debate. Without regulations we currently can’t stop manufacturers for misleading but we can help raise awareness and educate.

A couple of comments on Skinsmatter’s article also brought up the issue with Parabens and felt that free from labels promotes scaremongering of this particular ingredient. Brands are not daft they will use this to their advantage but is catering to a consumer who is worried about this ingredient really scaremongering? Surely, it is only scaremongering if a product said “we don’t include parabens because they cause cancer” Some Scientists would have you believe parabens are safe but aren’t I entitled to make up my own mind about what I use on my body?

For those of you who are anti-free from labelling let us not forget the fear of allergic reactions is genuine and the concerns are very real and legitimate. Free from labelling is important for food and I believe it should be the same for skincare. I would hate to see the disappearance of "free from" just because some brands are using the term incorrectly. For those that dislike it what would you like to see instead? Think about how you would feel if you had an allergy to a particular ingredient, how would you advertise a safe product if the term “free from” wasn’t allowed?

If you are a reader that relies on free from labels I would love to get your thoughts on this topic.

Sarah x

28 January 2016

Natural and Organic Wedding Favours Sugarloaf Soaps, Trevarno, Sweet Cecily's
When looking for favours for my wedding I realised that the natural and organic market is often overlooked. I decided that it would be nice to showcase some "Green" options and support smaller brands. I hope you will agree my selection of favours is the kind guests would love to receive and enjoy using. 

12 November 2015

Natural and Organic Gifts for Christmas
The list of Christmas Gifts grew so much that I decided to put together another article. You can catch up with my other articles here - Have yourself a Green Christmas: A Natural and Organic Gift Guide 2015 and A Free From Christmas at Holland & Barrett. I write these lists to prove to that you don't need to buy off the High Street there are some real hidden gems out there and better still delivered to your doorstep, no need to fight for parking!

Perfect for Delicate Skins
I am a long time fan of Lyonsleaf and they have several gift set options. How about the Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm Gift Set which contains a Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm, Egyptian Cotton Flannel and a 2 ply muslin face cloth, in a re-usable jute box and the Soothing Calendula gift set contains a 30ml pot along with a soap. 

Luxurious Collaborations
Any product from Bodhi & Birch makes an amazing gift but this year they have collaborated Heartwood Candle Company. You can choose between fragrance sets titled Joy, Peace, Love and Wish. If anyone wishes to buy for me Peace would be my perfect combination Camomile Sky Bath & Shower Therapy and the Chamomile, Lavender & Rose Candle

Hidden Treats
I discovered Scentered Therapy Balms back in April and I have found them to be a wonderful product. The Festive Bauble packaging is a really nice touch for Christmas.

Christmas Crackers
The Rose Tree is a wonderful brand with a nice selection of gift ideas. I particularly like the Christmas crackers chose from eye serum, facial essence or body oils.

Beauty Blogger Top Picks
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Odylique. They have some lovely sets but my pick would be the new The Odylique Selection Box which contains seven of their most popular and award-winning natural skin, body and hair care products - Creamy Coconut Cleanser, Calming Rose Super Tonic, Timeless Rose Moisturiser, Superfruit Concentrate, Coconut Candy Scrub, Gentle Herb Shampoo, Ultra Rich Balm

Create your own gift
Another brand offering a selection of gift set for face and body is B Skincare. I particularly like the Festive Pack because you can choose your own combinations of creams to make a gift box.

New Discovery
I have recently had my eye on Ermana and noted that they have some lovely gift set options for men and women.

Shout outs
Other great places to shop are: Bathing BeautyBotanicalsNathalie BondNaturisimoBalmology

I have already started my Christmas shopping and have bought from my lists, I hope you have also found them useful.

Sarah x

5 November 2015

Natural Organic Christmas Gift Guide 2015
I love writing up Christmas Gift Guides because I like to sway friends and family to file the Boots catalogue in the bin and go Green. Swap out those horrible mainstream brands for some beautiful artisan products which show you not only care for your love ones but also for the world around us.

Aromatherapy Inspiration
You all know I'm a huge fan of Bloom Remedies. I cannot be parted with my Serenity Slumber Pillow Mist so imagine my delight when I learnt new for Christmas is the Serenity Slumber Luxury Candle. Marie is also launching The Peaceful Mind Range, perfect for those with over active minds, who struggle to relax and unwind. Look out for the Peaceful Mind set which contains a pulse point roll on and bath oil. In addition there also a Luxury Candle in this scent. Last year I did the majority of my Christmas shopping from Bloom Remedies, they have the best gifts sets so go check them out.

Fragrant Stocking Fillers
If you are looking for unique stocking fillers then turn your attention to Natural Wisdom. They have launched a range of natural, alcohol-free solid perfumes (£12.50 each), which can be worn to scent your skin or hair and also used as a room fragrance with the lid off. Alternatively, take a look at the new Plump & Nourish lip balm (£10 each), which comes in a beautifully tactile reusable cedar wood pot. Ingredients include peppermint, chilli pepper and cinnamon oils, which help naturally plump the lips.

Learn a new skill
Ruth Romano runs regular soap making courses in Cheshire alongside selling her award-winning range of soap and natural skincare products. If you know someone who enjoys getting creative and learning new skills then you could buy a Gift Voucher to spend a day getting creative and take a lovely selection box of soap home with them.

Bath time Soapy Delights

Based in a little barn at the foot of the Sugar Loaf mountain in Wales, The Sugar Loaf Soap Company has a very simple mission, to provide natural, handmade soaps produced from high quality, ethically sourced raw materials. They offer a delightful range of products and gift sets.

Luxury Candles

I adore Petits Rituels’ candles they would make a beautiful gift but if you’re looking for something on a smaller scale the hand-poured wax melts are highly fragranced with an intricate floral design. Simply place in a warmer and light an unscented tea light, as the wax melts the fragrance is released. Also ideal for lining your clothes and linen draws.

Not only does MBotanicals* have a range face and body care they also have some lovely candles. You can choose from Vanilla Bean, Citrus Basil, Gardenia, Rose Oudh, Sandalwood and Tobacco.

Festive Nails

Little Ondine’s Limited Edition Winter Wonderland Collection is the perfect way to get you in the holiday mood. There’s no better time of year for sparkles and with this no-fuss glitter polish you can change your look with ease while you’re on the go from office to family gatherings to all your festive celebrations. The beautifully packaged collection makes a stylish stocking stuffer, secret santa or last-minute gift or even a self-indulgent treat.

Beauty Gift Bags
LJ’s Natural has gift sets which cover all budgets. The Ultimate Luxury Gift Bag contains OMG Serum, Luxury Organic Bath Melts, White Chocolate & Tangerine Organic Lip Balm and Soothing Hand & Foot Formula. Alternatively, I love the festive name “Three Wise Bottles” a set that contains 30ml bottles of Calming Organic Body Lotion, Muscle Relax Organic Body Oil & Balancing Organic Toner. Also check out Stocking Filler Bag, Indulge My Face Gift Bag, Relax Gift Bag and Really Radiant Face Gift Bag.

Eco-Friendly Beauty Treats
You all know I'm a fan of Konjac Sponges and I am excited to see they have added to their product line. The Angel Cloth is an alternative to a muslin cloth, an intriguing product which would make a unique gift. If you like the facial puff sponges there are two new additions Chamomile and Green Tea. For those who use cotton pads how about a more eco-friendly alternative, the Konjac eye pads. The kit contains 8 cleansing pads, a mesh drying bag and a soft clear pouch. This pack can last up to one year.

Vegan Friendly
Blue Labelle are one of my favourite Vegan brands. This year they are offering gift cards which is handy if you are unsure what products to buy. Also there is free gift wrapping and gift bag on all website orders over £10 from Nov 15th, just mention in the comments box if you would like it. Blue Labelle will also be launching 100% organic vegan balm sticks and although primarily to be used as lip balms they can also be used to nourish very dry skin, for example on elbows.

Sarah x

P.S Part 2 to follow.........

Disclaimer - *PR sample

1 March 2015

Gorgeously Green Gathering Blogger Meet Up
Exciting news everyone, Jen, Rachel and I are looking to organise an event in September (Sunday 13th) but we need your input.

We would like to organise a day networking and talks from four Natural & Organic brands and invite the Green Blogger Community to attend. We are also keen to extend that invite to the wider community all we ask is that you have an interest in Green Living.

Now we’re not millionaires and room hire doesn't come free (unless you have a suggestion for us?). So far we have had a few quotes which vary greatly in price depending on the facilities on offer and providing attendees refreshments and/or lunch buffet. We have to sell tickets to cover these costs and we need 35 people to attend to keep this expense as low as possible. 

Jen, Rachel and I are going to hijack this evenings #greenchat (8-9pm) so we will be around to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, it would help us greatly if you could register your interest with us and we’d also love for you to complete our survey - THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.

If any brands are reading this (or venues in Swindon?) and would like to work with us on this event, please get in touch.

Sarah x

18 October 2014

frecklefarm organics
Back in March, I wrote a post about Global Natural and Organic brands I discovered on Etsy. Fast forward to the present and I spent another lunch break snooping around and here are the gems that caught my eye.

I think we can all see why I was drawn to Frecklefarm Organics. The super cute designed packaging is a winner but the product range also looks divine.

herb & root skincare
Herb & Root - With products like Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Body Scrub and Spiced Vanilla Glaze Massage Oil, Herb & Root makes me hungry for dessert.

herbivore botanicals

Herbivore Botanicals - I like the look of the modern and minimalist packaging. Katie of katievibes.com informs me that their Blue Clay soap is one of her favourites.

I don't wish to bombard this post with lots of pictures but can I also suggest checking out - ELUCX, Metta Skincare, Ginger Chi, Coast & Clearing

Sarah x

Disclaimer - not sponsored, no affiliated links, selection based on information provided on seller Etsy page and/or websites, I am trusting these companies have good ingredients.

17 August 2014

A selection of Travel Trial Sized Kits for Weekends Away
Weekends away and short breaks are the perfect excuse to indulge my passion for travel sized skincare. Does anyone else get excited about mini toothpaste or is that just me? When travelling through airports there are restrictions on liquids. Containers must hold no more than 100ml and should be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which measures approximately 20cm x 20cm (click here for UK guidelines). The rules are different if your toiletries are packed into luggage which is checked into the aircraft hold.

Yes, you can easily decant your favourite skincare into smaller bottles but lets face it we all like an excuse to do a little shopping and try something new. I am planning a short break in Spain and have been browsing for pre-packaged skincare kits. As I was noting down products to buy, I thought I may as well share with you what I had my eye on. I have pictured above the following kits - Balm Balm Mini Organic Facial Kit, Nourish Mini Kits, Spiezia Organic Facial Starter Kit, Pai Essential Travel Kit, Trilogy Rosehip Collection, Living Nature Skin Minis, John Masters Organics Travel Kit, Antipodes Moisture Boost Minis and Dr. Hauschka Face Care Kit.

I was asked on my YouTube channel where I buy my products. When possible I try to buy direct from brands but there are plenty of websites that specialised in natural and organic skincare. I usually start off with Big Green Smile, MyPureOnly Naturals and Naturisimo. If you browse the Gift, Travel or Sample sections of these sites you will find some of the products I selected for this post. Also, keep an eye out for sites that sell individual samples or freebies with orders because you can put together your own personalised kit. It is stating the obvious but shop around because prices vary across websites. 

Sarah x

31 May 2014

Father's Day Gift Ideas - Natural, Organic, Eco Friendly

In the UK, Father's Day is 15th June. I struggle with finding gifts for men so whilst I was researching what to buy my Dad, I thought I'd share the ideas I came up with. 

Reefer Wash Bags I was inspired by my Dad's love of sailing and Reefer recycle retired sails into stylish products like these wash bags.

Blue Labelle Anti-ageing & Rejuvenating Facial Oil - you all know I love the cleansing oil. Pascale informed me this facial oil is popular with her male customers.

Hairy Jane - have launched a new shampoo and conditioner for men. It has an invigorating herbal fragrance of Peppermint, Basil & Bay and formulated for everyday use.

Pure Thoughts will be launching a men's range of soaps on 2nd June. There will be six bars in the range which include Cedarwood & Pine, Blood Orange & Grapefruit, Sandalwood & Ginger, Patchouli & Vetivert, Eucalyptus & Peppermint, Cypress & Orange

KeepCup Coffee Cups are ideal for the Starbuck addicts. Disposable cups have an impact on the environment and a resuable cup helps limit what ends up in landfills. KeepCups are made from thermal, recyclable polypropylene which is food safe grade and free from Bisphenol A. They come in a variety of colour combinations.

Green's Gluten & Wheat Free Beers - ideal for the Dad who can't have gluten but enjoys a well earned alcoholic beverage at the end of the week. These are also suitable for Vegans & Vegetarians and are free from crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soya beans, milk, lactose, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulphur dioxide and sulphites.

Bamboo Ipad Desk Stand - I thought this desk organiser was rather stylish and practical. 

Paper Potter - if your Dad like to spend time pottering in the garden, I thought the Paper Potter was a clever idea, you can use it to turn old newspaper into biodegradable seedling pots.

Howies Organic t-shirts that are screen printed by hand in Cardigan Bay

Finally, lets not forget my Advertisers - Bloom Remedies, Cos Natural, Sophia's Choice, TEWC, Vanessa's Choice all offer skincare products for men and Love Free From has you covered for dairy free chocolate. You can link to these sites via my right hand side bar.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - NOT sponsored. I'm not earning commission from clicks or purchases from my blog advertisers, they only pay for advert placement

13 March 2014

International Wish List - Natural Skincare

I realised that I was lusting over a long list of natural skincare brands from around the world. Inspiration comes from bloggers across the pond and brands that follow me on Twitter. I have been keeping track via Pinterest but wanted to share a few on my blog. Let me talk you through the pictures above, left to right, top row then bottom row.

Meow Meow Tweet - oh my goodness, adorable name, adorable packaging.  I think you can see what attracted me to this company. "We are a small batch natural apothecary based in Brooklyn, NY. We develop all of our goods as if they were modern culinary dishes, starting with a scent combination."

HollyBeth Organics - A USDA certified organic skincare line and I must admit once again I'm a sucker for the elegant packaging. "HollyBeth hand selects ingredients and formulates her unique recipes based on traditional homeopathic remedies from around the world."

Silkka Garden Apothecary - I love how this range is kept simple with just a few products. "Silkka products are handmade in small batches each week, using timeless ingredients from around the globe. Our product packaging is both recyclable and reusable, and packing materials used in shipping orders are always kept to a minimum."

Caru Skincare Co - I found this company via the gorgeous Pemberley Jones. I commented on the beautiful packaging but the company ethos is equally impressive "We are proud to bring you a skincare line that you can trust. No mystery ingredients, nothing artificial, only the purest botanical ingredients and sustainable packaging."

Tastyface Organics - Products look great, what's not to love about peppermint chocolate shave cream, it sounds amazing. I was also drawn to this company because they mention being free from food allergens, more companies should make a habit of doing this. "TASTYFACE Organics are healthy, clean, powerful products with absolutely ZERO chemicals, parabens, petrochemicals, dairy, gluten, soy and ingredients you can't pronounce."

Siam Botanicals -  handmade and 100% natural skincare from Thailand. I like the brown bottles and simple labelling, it reminds me of an old fashioned chemist. "We believe in the power of nature. That’s why we’ve gone back to basics and created an honest new brand of 100% natural products for the skin, hair and body."

This is by no means the end of my list, I could write this post another twenty times with different brands. I can't guarantee they all ship internationally and if they do it's probably not cheap so perhaps add them to your next International Blogger swap list. If you have tried any products from these brands, do let me know how you got on or link me to your own reviews. 

Sarah x

16 January 2014

Pure Thoughts Kukui & Shea Butter Lip Balm
UPDATE 2020: this lip balm has been discontinued but Pure Thoughts are still trading, the new product range includes soap, bath & body and candles 

I have observed other bloggers grow to like Pure Thoughts as much as I do and it is nice to see. Sometimes, I get distracted by searching for new products that I neglect brands that I have known and loved for quite some time. I was very happy to receive a gift basket for Christmas, full of Pure Thoughts soaps, lip balm and my favourite Lavender & Jojoba whipped shea body butter.

On Christmas day, I delved into the basket and immediately started using the Kukui & Shea Butter Lip Balm. I had been suffering from a weird dry and flakey patch on my bottom lip. Many of you know, I am passionate about using natural skincare and avoiding mineral oils. Using a lip balm which is made from plant derived ingredients is a completely different experience to the mainstream brands. If you struggle with dry lips, I honestly believe ditching the high street ones can be beneficial in the long term. The Pure Thoughts lip balm contains nourishing and soothing ingredients - Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil, Macadamia Oil and Kukui Nut Oil. It is not flavoured or scented which is ideal for anyone who has this type of sensitivity.

So does it work? Yes, I managed to restore my lips so they are now soft and kissable so I believe in this little product. 

Sarah x

22 July 2013

UPDATE 2020: this scrub has been discontinued but Pure Thoughts are still trading, the new product range includes soap, bath & body and candles 

I like products from Pure Thoughts and I have dip in and out of their range over the years. It had been a while since my last purchase so I decided to place an order. If you have been following my YouTube channel you will have heard me mention the Raspberry & Almond Face Scrub.

“Wake up with the sweet scent of real raspberries, ground almonds and a dash of honey. Together they create a healthy exfoliating treatment to help prepare sleepy skin for the day ahead.” 

This scrub is a powder which you mix with water. It can be a bit messy but I do not mind. The beauty of a product in powder form is an extended shelf life and free from preservatives. I do not exfoliate regularly so usually a scrub will expire before I reach the end of the tube. Most of the time a muslin cloth is enough exfoliation for me but every once in a while I like to have a deeper polish. It is a gritty scrub so may not be suitable for everyone but I do find by varying the amount of water I can adjust the consistency to suit me. I will advise that you need to be careful with scrubs as too much, too often can be damaging to the skin. The bright pink/red colour from raspberries just makes me smile. Your face does look like a horror movie when applied as it momentarily stains in colour. 



Overall, I think this is a nice product which does the job it was intended for and it makes my skin feel softer and brighter. I think value for money is great, a 30g jar costs £7 which Pure Thoughts says should be enough for 10 treatments. I also stocked up on some face masks when I placed my order as I like the Banana & Yellow Clay.

Sarah x

17 July 2013

Etsy is a great place to find handmade natural and organic skincare. It appears to me there are a large number of US sellers but if you dig a bit deeper you can find some located in the UK. Generally, I do not tend to order from overseas because I would rather not encounter custom charges, it can make the whole process rather expensive if you get hit with this fee.

Here are my picks from a quick Etsy search


Described as "Natural, Organic, Fair Trade skincare, Make Up and other pretty things". I tracked down a website and it must be viewed as it is adorable (click here). Also it's nice to see they won The Green Parent Natural Beauty 2013 award for their Lavender Face Polisher 


I love the eye catching and colourful packaging, it draws you in. This seller also has a great website (click here) and a Green Parent 2013 Winner Award for Best Lip Balm


I think it's fair to say I was instantly drawn to the Coconut Dream Body Butter. I also like the natural accessories featured in some of the gift sets, it gives products a rustic, eco friendly vibe.


This seller is US based but I couldn't let them go without a mention because I am totally drawn in by this adorable packaging.


Also check out Actually NaturallyAromawakening and H & O Skincare. I recommend running your own search and seeing who else you can find. 

Do you shop for natural and organic skincare on Etsy? Do you have a favourite seller?


Sarah x

Disclaimer - this is NOT sponsored, pictures are from seller's Etsy/websites

9 July 2013

picture sourced from www.123rf.com


I did attempt to make a video for this blog post but it ended up in a jumbled mess as I couldn't find the words to get across my message. I subscribe to many natural bloggers/vloggers and Brianna (iluvjesse444) has made videos on the questions below, so all credit to her.

My Definition of Natural & Ingredient Standards 
To me a natural product is one that contains 100% - 95% botanical extracts and minimal preservatives or synthetic ingredients. When I refer to a Free From product it normally means that the product contains some ingredients which others may choose to avoid. They may contain a sulphate or controversial preservatives such as Phenoxyethanol, Japanese Honeysuckle and Grapeseed Extract. 100% natural skincare is always my priority but I am willing to compromise depending on where a product is used on my body. My list of ingredients to avoid is linked under my header. Another good list to bookmark is the one on the Green Beauty Guide. If you prefer a paperback then check out "No More Dirty Looks" & "Toxic Beauty"

Greenwashing brands & how to avoid them 
The definition of Greenwashing -  a form of spin in which green PR or green marketing is deceptively used to promote the perception that an organization's aims and policies are environmentally friendly. Whether it is to increase profits or gain political support, greenwashing may be used to manipulate popular opinion to support otherwise questionable aims. (wikipedia)

In the context of skincare products are marketed and packaged as natural but they will contain a minimal amount of botanical extract and a large percentage of synthetic ingredients. The only way to avoid is to make sure you are aware of ingredients and read labels. Using certified organic products is also another way to assure the quality of ingredients because there are strict guidelines in place for certification. Examples of greenwashing brands, many of which I have named and shamed on this blog - Lush, Yves Rocher, Korres, Sanex, Jergens, Corine de Farme, Little Me Organics, Timotei Pure, Organix and Streamcream.

Do You Have Access to Natural products? 
Truly natural products are a rare find on the high street. If you have an independent health store you will often find a good range of natural or free from brands. I have a store that stocks Antipodes, Jason, Lavera, Dr Bronner’s, Desert Essence, Pai, Dr Hauschka and many other good brands. Holland & Barrett has the Dr Organic line and they have a policy where they aim to only stock personal care which is free from from Parabens and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS). I have to say 90% of what I buy is from online shopping. I buy from dedicated natural skincare websites or independent sellers making handmade products.

I tag anyone reading, who has an interest in natural products, to answer these questions. Also make sure you check out Brianna's videos


Sarah x

11 June 2013


I think this Tag was started by Kat of Tales of a Pale Face and I have also seen Alice (Bright Town Girl) and Andy (Pampered Prince) take part.

Describe your skincare routine in 5 words
Cleanse, tone and moisturise – I like to keep things simple

What's your skin type?
Dry, sensitive and prone to eczema

What's your favourite skincare product?
There are so many amazing natural skincare products it’s hard to choose just one. Balmology Comfort Balm is a firm favourite for my eczema, Dr Organic Pomegranate face cream for being budget friendly and Bodhi for their amazing aromas

Top blemish zapper
Manuka – it has the same properties of Tea Tree but is not astringent on the skin. For any vegans you don’t need to use the honey have a look out for oil derived from the tree.

Face wipes yay or nay?
A huge NAY! They are bad for the environment and your skin and should never replace a proper cleansing routine

Toner yay or nay?
Yay! But it must be free from alcohol and other nasties. I enjoy using a toner as it refreshes my skin when feeling sensitive. Great for holidays by the pool as you can cool down and refresh with ingredients which are beneficial to your skin type.

High end skincare or high end makeup?
I'm not a make up girl so I would naturally gravitate towards skincare although I don’t always believe high end is better there are some brilliant budget brands.

What's the most unusual skincare product you've tried?
Since I have sensitive skin I wouldn’t be prepare to mess around with weird ingredients for fear of allergic reactions so I play it safe (yes I am boring!)

You're in a French pharmacy and can only pick one item - what is it?
My knowledge of French brands is very limited but I would be looking for products which are free from, natural and organic. I did once use a great moisturiser that I found in TK Maxx, if I was to see that I’d buy it - NovExpert Essentiel Comfort Cream

Tell us your top skincare tip 
Everyone should avoid SLS/SLES and mineral oil in skincare products but I think it's particularly important if you have problematic or sensitive skin. I believe that you should refrain from overloading your skin with too many products, allow your skin to breathe and repair itself naturally.

I'm tagging anyone who reads this :-) If you do take part leave me a comment so I can have a read of your answers.


Sarah x

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