Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
July is Plastic Free month and the beauty industry is notorious for creating products with plastic packaging, and sometimes products which contain plastic too. LipQ have created this beautiful Liquorice Balm which comes in its own tin and doesn’t have a scrap of plastic in sight. Never heard of Liquorice Balm? Well, that’s because this novel idea is borne from a need to prevent cold sores. Liquorice in highly concentrated quantities, as included in the LipQ Liquorice Balm, has been proven to protect lips from cold sore outbreaks by weakening the virus that causes them.
LipQ Liquorice Balm contains glycyrrhizic acid to fight cold sores. Even if you’ve not been prone to them though, the balm works for everyone, combining a sweet almond and beeswax oil with avocado and sunflower seed oils and the liquorice root extract gives the balm it’s distinct scent. It’s not too overpowering though so you can detect it but even if you don’t like liquorice to eat, it’s not too strong. The balm is lovely and cooling though, and it keeps the moisture in on your lips whilst giving a shine and it really isn’t that greasy either. There’s not the sticky marks left on drinking glasses like with other balms but it does work to give you hydrated lips. The handy tine of 30 grams lasts ages too, and is much easier to carry around than other brands.
It doesn’t matter if you suffer from cold sores or not, the LipQ Lquorice Balm is a plastic-free beauty alternative for all summer long.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Some smart person somewhere in Russia discovered that birch is a great detoxifier and exfoliator for skin and can help prevent acne. Clarol have used this information to bring out a new exfoliating wash that works in 4 different ways to clean, exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin. We were sent some to try this week, and I must say, the scent alone is enough to brighten your skin!
Birch bark is known to detoxify the skin but uses natural ingredients instead of salicylic acid and methyl salicylate so your skin won’t dry out. We don’t use birch bark anywhere near enough but the botulin in it reduces inflammation and Lupeol and Erythrodiol help produce the proteins needed to speed up the healing process. If you’ve had long term acne like me, then you’ll know that healing is part of a long process.
Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash also contains MicroSilver, which has long been known for its antibacterial features. Brilliant for acne, it doesn’t irritate the skin either so you won’t ‘make it worse before it gets better’ like some over the counter products. The exfoliating aspect of the wash takes away dead skin and helps clear pores allowing extracts of Bladderwrack and White Nettle to calm skin and Coffee Seed opens pores, which should help the extraction of oils and bacteria too. There’s tiny amounts of pumice stone and rice bran in there too, to add to the exfoliation.
This gentle exfoliator lathers up on wet skin and when massaged in, takes away a lot of the surface grease and dead skin. You don’t need much of it to create the lather, and after 2-3 minutes, rinse with water (I like to use warm water) and your skin is cleared plus not as dry as with other brands of exfoliant washes. It’s also paraben free, vegan and perfume free too.
Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash from Clarol is a lovely gentle wash, perfect for summer and especially for skin that suffers from acne and especially lots of make-up and not enough time to clear it!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Founded in 2020 the mission of Chantic Home is “to create impactful and premium handcrafted gifts whist upholding the highest sustainable and ethical values.” Based in Harrow they offer luxury fragrance and skincare products that are both eco friendly and reasonably priced too.
I’ve been trying out their 100% natural lip balms this week, which are handmade and available in in four fruity fragrances – Wild Cherry, Watermelon, Sweet Orange and Passionfruit. Packaged in handy screw top tins they are the perfect size to pop a handbag or pocket, to keep lips moisturised when out and about.
I could tell from the minute I opened the tin that these lip balms are much better quality than an off the shelf lip balm. They smell lovely and fruity and have a silky smooth texture which glides easily onto lips, The balm is quite solid in the tin but quickly warms up with the warmth of a finger and once on your lips it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky and it leaves my dry lips feeling soft and hydrated.
My ideal lip balm is one that pampers and nourishes my lips, keeping them soft and hydrated no matter what the conditions are and these lip balms tick all these boxes. Whether I’m out walking, on the beach or on the top of a windy mountain a quick application of this lip balm is all I need to keep my lips in tip top condition.
Chantic Home have a lovely selection of gifts on their website and they are all very reasonably priced. If you need a gift for a loved one or just want to treat yourself then it’s definitely worth taking a look – there’s even free shipping to the UK so even more of a reason to shop with them!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I love citrus scented products so was really pleased to receive a tin of Japanese Citrus moisturiser from Steamcream. Founded in Japan over 15 years ago Steamcream offer a “straightforward yet effective approach to skincare.”
Handmade in small batches the cream is made using their unique Pure STEAM process, a unique steam emulsification technique which not only makes the cream lovely and light but means it absorbed into your skin easily too.
When you open the tin, you can’t fail to notice the beautiful citrus fragrance and it feels quite indulgent massaging it into my skin. It feels a lot thinner than my normal moisturiser, so I was quite surprised at just how much moisture it gave to my dry skin, leaving it soft and hydrated all day long. I am really impressed with this cream and started to see an improvement in my skin after about a week, it looks fresher and there is a radiance that I didn’t have before.
With key ingredients Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Sugar Squalane, Citrus Sudachi Peel Extract and essential oils Yuzu, Iyokan, Citrus Nobilis & Kabosu this is a lovely fresh, light cream and perfect for the summer months. It’s great for travelling as it can also be used as a hand cream and body moisturiser too, not only saving space in your suitcase but leaving your skin hydrated and delicately fragranced too.
All the Steamcream moisturisers come in beautiful little tins that are perfect to keep in your bag and are great for storing small bits and pieces in once empty.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day as it is more commonly known, falls on the 4th Sunday of Lent, meaning the date varies each year and if you’re not careful it creeps up on you without you realising! With the increasingly busy lives that we all seem to lead now, and with many people watching the pennies, it’s good to know that there are plenty of affordable and easily accessible gift ideas that mum will love this Mother’s Day. Amazon is my go-to place for last minute gift ideas and I know my Mum will love this selection of pampering treats from beauty brand Grace & Stella.
Rainbow Bath Bomb £19.99
The rainbow clouds are the ultimate bath time treat, scented with lavender extract and packed with nourishing oils to help you relax and unwind. The simple white clouds aren’t very exciting at first glance but when dropped in a bath full of warm water they quickly explode into a riot of vibrant colours, creating a swirling rainbow that is quite mesmerizing to watch. The beautiful lavender fragrance is lovely and relaxing and when you get out of the bath your skin feels lovely and soft.
Lavender Foot Peel Mask (2 pairs) £20
Winner of the “Best Footcare Product” in the 2023 Marie Claire Sin Awards these foot masks are the ultimate treat for tired feet. After soaking your feet in warm water for 10 minutes put the foot booties on, securing with the supplied tape and then put on a pair of socks, which helps speed up the peeling process. They need to be left on for an hour – so the perfect opportunity to grab yourself a cup of tea and a good book and relax whilst the magical ingredients do their stuff. After an hour you remove the bootie and then wash your feet with soap and water. My feet felt incredibly soft afterwards and I found the lavender scent was very relaxing. The peeling starts in 5-7 days and it is recommended that you soak your feet for 10 minutes everyday to help loosed the skin. I found it quite satisfying peeling the dead skin off and I was really impressed with how soft it has left my feet. While the peeling process might not be for everyone, I would say that the end result is definitely worth it.
Eye Mask (24 pairs) £17.50
Eye masks are a popular choice to help reduce under eye puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles. These eye masks are simple to use, adhere nicely to the skin and stay put for the 15-20 minutes recommended use. The unscented eye masks are ideal for a boost when you haven’t had enough sleep and need to look bright and alert or you can incorporate them into a pamper session and sit back whilst they do their magic. I found they have really reduced puffiness, especially after a late night and after using them I look a lot fresher.
Face Mask £20.95
The Dead Sea Mud Mask is infused with Shea Butter, Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera Juice and draws impurities like dirt and oil out of your clogged pores to give a clearer complexion. Applying the mask was nice and simple as the mud spreads easily and then you then leave it to dry for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. It took a few minutes to remove but my skin felt lovely afterwards and I was I was really impressed with how fresh and clear my complexion looked.
Lavender Body Lotion £14.95
Containing a whopping 470ml this body lotion contains Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera and Rosehip Oil that moisturizes, nourishes and soothes skin. This body lotion smells amazing, the lavender fragrance is calming and relaxing, yet not overpowering and it lingers nicely on your skin, creating a relaxing spa-like atmosphere long after it has been applied. The lotion is smooth and creamy and absorbs easily without leaving a greasy residue. My skin felt instantly hydrated and is a great choice for everyday use.
I’m really impressed with the Grace & Stella products and I am sure lots of mums would be delighted to receive a selection of pampering products this Mothers Day.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
The cold weather always plays havoc with my skin, so I was really pleased to receive a lovely selection of skincare products from Altruist. The Christmas Box contains four fantastic products, chosen to offer round the year skincare and the products are beautifully packed in red shredded paper, making them look very festive.
Altruist products have been developed by consultant dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr Andrew Birnie and whilst they are suitable for all skin types, they are especially suitable for sensitive skin.
Inside the box are the following products
• Altruist SPF 30 Face Fluid – 50ml • Altruist Moisturising Fluid – 50ml • Altruist Primer SPF 50 – 30ml • Altruist Moisturising Body Lotion – 200ml
It can take a month to see improvements in your skin when you change your skincare routine and I’m pleased to say I am now seeing positive results – my skin feels more hydrated and now has a radiance that definitely wasn’t there before.
The Moisturising Fluid contains 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid and is enriched with glycerin, urea and shea butter to enhance the skin’s natural moisturising factors. It can be used as a both a day and night cream offering plenty of hydration for my dry, sensitive skin. The cream soaked into my skin without needing to rub too much and it felt instantly hydrating.
I always use a face cream with SPF protection no matter what time of year as even a sunny day in the winter or a cloudy day in the summer can have very damaging UVA & UVB rays. I spend a lot of time outdoors, so it is very important for my skincare products to have a SPF rating so was pleased to find that both the Face Fluid and the Primer are SPF rated. The SPF30 Face Fluid is nice and light and is easily applied on top of the Moisturising Fluid. Once applied it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky like some SPF creams tend to be and is perfect for everyday protection.
The SPF50 Primer is a light cream which is applied before foundation, as well as offering protection from UVA and UVB rays. It absorbs into my skin nicely, creating a soft, hydrated canvas for my makeup which now seems to last for longer.
The moisturising body lotion is a lovely rich consistency and is nice and easy to apply. The skin on my arms and legs is quite dry and this body lotion is very moisturising and smoothing and I have noticed that after using it morning and night for a month a persistent patch of dry skin on the back of my arm has cleared up too.
I am really pleased with the Altruist products, my skin is looking much better and is no longer dry and problematic. The Christmas Gift Set is a lovely set and is bound to be well received by anyone finding it underneath the Christmas Tree this year.
Altruist also donate 40p for every box sold, to charities that support children with albinism so when buying the giftset you are also helping a good cause.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Summer often brings a need for different, and new, beauty products. RINGANA have sent us these 3 skincare products which are imperative for summer sun life, whether it be in this heatwave we have at home, or to take away on holiday with you.
RINGANA is an Austrian company that prides itself on the natural ingredients it uses for its skincare, beauty and supplement products. Unlike other companies, RINGANA, founded in 1996, use fresh ingredients to make the products from scratch and ship out worldwide to 34 countries, including many which they post products to for free. You won’t find RINGANA in the department stores or High Street, only online where their products are vegan and free from preservatives and additives.
With that in mind, their products are unlike any makeup you’d typically buy. We were sent three summer products to try, the RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20 (for medium sun days), RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPV 15 (face moisturiser for every day) and the delicious RINGANA Fresh Light Legs.
Starting with the RINGANA Fresh Light Legs, I didn’t know what it was so had to look it up on the website to find out what it was used for. Light Legs are for when your legs (or feet) are tired in the summer and need some rejuvenation. Think about walking around on holiday, in the heat, probably wearing shoes which are totally inappropriate for the weather and terrain. RINGANA Light Legs is for just this purpose! I sprayed some on my calf as a test to see what it was like. The light spray sits on the skin and you rub it in slowly so that it penetrates into the muscle. The feeling on your skin is a slight tingling as the ingredients work away to “pep up” your limbs. Looking at the ingredients, it includes magnesium, which is a known topical tonic for tired muscles and is absorbed through the skin easily. The fragrance is that of summer citrus, which also acts to boost your mood as you wear it. The effect of the Light Legs was to keep my legs (I eventually used it all over) fresh and tingly, giving me some extra energy in the long run, relaxed my leg muscles.
The RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPF 15 can be used in summer but with the SPF protection it can be used all year round too as your daily face moisturiser. Made with natural plant oils and fragrance free, it protects against UV rays, antioxidants and blue light. The breezy formula is designed for sensitive skin and is COSMOS certified, leaving your skin matt and smooth. I like this formula because it’s so light on your skin but gives you all-round protection and is easy to wear under make up, as well as on its own. My skin was super hydrated but not greasy and stayed that way throughout the day.
The final RINGANA product we tried was the Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20. This product can be used daily, but is more for occasions such as holidays or being outside for long periods of time. It’s waterproof and nano-free and relies on the natural mineral that is zinc oxide as a sun protection filter.
The formula is perfume free, except for the ‘fresh’ smell of the natural ingredients as you apply it, and absorbs with a little effort leaving no film on the skin. It’s nice and rich but also cooling and leaves skin moisturised. I like this Fresh Sunscreen Medium because it doesn’t smell of the synthetic sun creams you get in the pharmacy.
All of the RINGANA products feel so soft and luxurious as they are made with fresh ingredients and not kept in unfavourable conditions for months on end. The whole range of products are designed for everyday living, and summer especially is a great time to start using them. You won’t find many places that make your skin products with fresh, fragrance free, artificial ingredient free and vegan like RINGANA.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
With these summer temperatures, everyone looks for new ways to stay cool especially if we’re spending time outdoors. Balmonds Cooling Cream is for that reason; to keep cool and sooth your skin with its aloe vera, menthol and lavender extracts.
A completely vegan recipe, Balmonds Cooling Cream helps moisturise dry or flushed skin, creating a barrier to dehydrated skin to prevent it feeling any more tired. The medicinal effects of lavender help heal skin that is mildly damaged from dehydration whilst the aloe vera soothes the top layers of skin. It’s ideal for the whole family as it only contains plant ingredients. The cooling cream is fragrance-free, paraffin free and cruelty free so also makes for a great gift.
The 99% natural cream is cool to the touch and takes a little while to absorb into the skin but when it does it gives a matt finish. It can be used as an after-sun lotion, hand or face cream, for hormonal hot flushes and for after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It’s very gentle, very soft and can be taken anywhere with you, especially on holiday!
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
RINGANA the Austrian award-winning vegan, luxury skincare and supplements brand have recently launched a new product range which is specially formulated for babies and children.
Called FRESH baby the products are aimed at children aged 0 -4 years and consist of four essential products, which like all the other products from RINGANA, are vegan, free of synthetic colours, perfumes and preservatives, mineral oils, parabens and PEG emulsifiers. All four products are dermatologically tested and suitable for the delicate skin of babies and young children. We’ve been trying them out on our mini reviewers and are really impressed with them.
FRESH baby bum cream
One of the essential things in every changing bag is a nappy cream. The FRESH baby bum cream comes in a handy 50ml tube and the gentle cream, which contains effectively soothes nappy rash and redness. It strengthens the skin barrier and forms a breathable protective film on the skin and is perfect to use after every nappy change.
I liked the smooth consistency and non-medicinal scent of this cream and found it easy to apply. I only needed a small amount and any redness disappeared after a couple of applications.
RRP 50 ml, £9.48
FRESH baby bum foam
Whilst baby wipes are convenient, we are hearing more and more about their environmental impact, so I was pleased to discover RINGANA have an eco-friendly alternative.
The FRESH bum foam is applied to a soft, washable cloth and is very effective at cleaning delicate skin. The foam contains the same skin-soothing ingredients, witch hazel extract & cotton extract as the bum cream and is an excellent alternative to baby wipes. It’s also good for cleaning hands and faces too! This is an essential for any nappy bag!
RRP 50 ml, £8.61
FRESH baby body & hair wash
The mild body wash is very gentle on skin and does exactly what it says, getting our mini reviewers lovely and clean whilst leaving their skin lovely and soft. The gentle formula means there are no tears at bath time, and it also leaves hair squeaky clean and tangle free too.
The great thing with this body & hair wash is it doesn’t irritate our mini reviewers eczema prone skin, meaning they can enjoy bath time without me worrying that their eczema is going to flare up.
RRP 50 ml, £6.70
FRESH baby oil
Baby oil not only keeps skin lovely and soft but it is perfect for baby massage. Gently stroking your baby with the oil as part of your bed time routine can help soothe them and wind them down ready for bed.
The oil is specially developed for sensitive baby skin which easily dries out and can suffer from a lack of moisture. FRESH baby oil is a multipurpose skin care and massage oil which restores lipids, strengthening the skin barrier, and is gentle enough to be used daily.
The bottle is so easy to use, you can dispense a couple of drops easily and it doesn’t spill if you accidentally knock it over.
RRP 50 ml, £7.66
RINGANA have a wide range of products, you can read about the haircare products here , soap here and tinted moisturiser here
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
I have reached the age when looking after my skin has become a lot more important. Since hitting the perimenopause my skin is drier and the fine lines and wrinkles are becoming more and more noticeable so I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to try a selection of serums from the new skincare range from Annabelle Minerals
Facial serums are an essential step in any skin care routine, they are lightweight and easily absorbed and offer concentrated key ingredients. Annabelle Minerals have three serums – Glow Juice (20% Vitamin C) Repair Juice (0.3% Retinol) and Clarity Juice (5% Niacinamide) and the serums are designed to work alongside moisturiser. Used twice a day they will make a noticeable difference to how the skin looks and feels.
It takes around 4-6 weeks to start seeing benefits from new skincare products so with three serums to try I decided the best way to test them was to use each serum on a different part of my face. It’s been 6 weeks since I started using them and I am amazed at the difference they have made to my skin.
The Glow Juice Serum is my favourite of the three, after a couple of weeks the fine lines around my eyes were noticeably softened and as the weeks went on they continued to fade. This was a very pleasing result and it was also good to see that my skin is looking brighter too.
The Clarity Juice provides nourishment to my skin and it has really helped with the visible pores on my forehead, it has minimised their appearance and I am hoping with continued use I will continue to see an improvement.
The Repair Juice contains retinol which is a real wonder product. It stimulates skin renewal processes, improves elasticity, reduces the visibility of pores, evens out skin tone and texture, and reduces inflammation. Anyone new to using retinol should start by applying the serum twice a week to build tolerance, gradually increasing application to daily. I have been using this at night and my skin is clearer and the fine lines at the corner of my mouth are becoming less noticeable. I also noticed that my skin looks and feels smoother.
Annabelle Minerals products are 100% organic and it’s good to know that as well as doing a great job fighting the visible signs of aging these serums are good for your skin too. The silky serums are a very effective addition to my daily beauty regime and I was surprised to discover that they are only £27.90/bottle – a lot cheaper than other serums I have tried and much more effective.
If you want to read more about Annabelle Minerals products you can read our review of the lip and eye pencils here
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The new HedoxSKIN Exfoliating Enzyme Mask, designed by Dr Humble is part of a new range from the Hedox Clinic. The mask is a clinical exfoliant which uses enzymes to resurface the skin without being abrasive or harsh like other products can be. The mask also uses concentrated vitamins and plant extracts to condition the skin from the first time it’s used and to leave it soft and supple.
We were sent a sample to try at home and I was lucky enough to test it!
The HDx Skin Exfoliation Enzyme Mask removes dead surface cells using the enzyme formula to leave behind only the brightest, youngest skin cells to give your skin that ‘glow’ we are all looking for. The formula also removes impurities from all over the skin, so products can be absorbed more easily and old make-up is banished to reveal your real, supple skin underneath. The HDx Skin Exfoliation Enzyme Mask is also vegan friendly and not tested on animals.
To apply the skin mask, apply to a clean face, which doesn’t mean that it has to be chemically cleaned, just free from make-up and washed with water. Apply the mask in a thin layer over your face. It will absorb in quickly and almost transparent so you can carry on around the house without worrying the postman! Leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing off with a dermal cloth.
The HDx Skin Exfoliation Enzyme Mask has a fresh fragrance to it, and a very light texture so nothing like a clay mask. It’s more like the professional facials you have in salons. I found that it dried pretty quickly too, so if you don’t like this feeling, either apply a bit more, or leave it on for less time. There was no stinging or after effects from the mask, and I really liked the fragrance once it was on. It didn’t feel harsh at all.
Removing the mask was also easy because it’s not heavy at all and it’s almost transparent so you don’t have to worry about it being left on your skin. I removed it in the shower and them patted my face dry with a proper dermal cloth.
Oh my word! My face really felt soft, with the whole area I tested feeling hydrated but also clean. It left no residue, just a face that looked like it had been in a long relaxing facial. There was no stinging effect at all from being so exposed after having all the oils removed, and I couldn’t stop touching it because it was so soft. Putting on make-up afterwards was a dream because the products weren’t being absorbed by really dehydrated skin and didn’t have deep pores to seep into.
I was shocked at how well this worked and how good it made my skin feel, but also how good it made me feel after using it. I’ve only used it once but I will happily keep using it, especially with more HDx products coming out soon!
Dr Stephen Humble is based in both Harley Street and Twickenham and practices aesthetic medicine.
Disclaimer – We received this item for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
I love soap and enjoy using it so was delighted to receive a hand-scooped, hand-cut, hand-stamped RINGANA FRESH soap bar.
The soap bar was a great size and looked stunning wrapped in the RINGANA hand towel.
I prefer to keep my skincare as natural as possible so the RINGANA FRESH soap ticked that box perfectly.
The purely organic recipe is packed with valuable oils such as almond oil, nigella oil, saponified coconut oil and saponified olive oil.
It produced a great amount of lather and left my skin feeling cleansed, soft and truly cared for.
I used the bar on my daughters skin as she reacts badly to chemical laden products and we were amazed how well her body related to the RINGANA FRESH soap.
The delicate scent was a real treat for my senses and the soap was a joy to use.
I will definitely be trying the other soaps in the RINGANA collection in the future.
Disclaimer: I received the Balade En Provence Serum for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are my own
In my #plasticfreejuly journey I have significantly reduced the amount of plastic bottles in my bathroom. One swap I wasn’t expecting to make was face serum as I didn’t realise there was a #plasticfree alternative. That was until Balade En Provencegot in touch to tell me about their Hydration Boosting Solid Serum and when they offered to send me one, I jumped at the chance! Just like shampoo and conditioner bars, solid serum bars reduce the need for plastic bottles, which are filled with liquids that are mostly water. They’re great for travelling, as they won’t leak and they’re generally made with natural ingredients and no nasties.
Balade en Provence is based in Opio, a small village in Provence, France. They make hand-made certified organic, ethically sourced, vegan and zero-waste solid beauty bars, made using a cold process that uses 100% compostable packaging printed with vegetable ink. The philosophy of the brand is to promote bienveillance ( a French term meaning generosity or a desire to do good)
The company are on a mission for people to swap liquid products for solid bars, making products that are rich, natural, and ecological alternatives. As well as being plastic free, a solid beauty bar has a much smaller carbon footprint than the liquid counterpart; they are smaller and lighter than bottled products so can be packaged in larger numbers in shipping containers.
So what did I think about the serum bar? Well…..the serum bar is nice and easy to use, you simply warm it between your hands to allow the bar to melt slightly and then apply it to your face. The consistency is rich, a little oily, and until I got the hang of how much to use my hands benefited too! It feels lovely on my skin, sinking right in and leaving my skin very soft and soothed. It is really good to use before bed, it works it’s magic overnight and I wake up with lovely hydrated skin.
If you are looking for plastic free swaps then make the change – your skin will really thank you for it!
Disclaimer – We received this item for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
It’s veganuary! What better way to celebrate than to treat yourself in 2022 with some new skincare products from dr.botanicals!
Dr Botanicals is the multi AwardWinning skincare brand that lives by the belief that natural skincare really works – and even better, their ingredients are all vegan.
This week I was sent items from their Apothecary Natural Collection range; Avocado & Almond Body Oil, Blueberry Body Moisturiser, Avocado & Cucumber Cleansing Bar and the Lemon Superfood all-in-one Rescue Butter.
I have been in isolation this week with Covid so my skin is very, VERY dry from being indoors and having the heating on. The Avovado & Almond Body Oil (£17.90) has been HEAVENLY SENT to help this week as the oil is nicely protecting my skin from the elements but also feels, and smells delicious! The avocado is an excellent moisturiser for dry skin and nourishes throughout the day. The sweet almond oil is a great conditioning agent for skin due to its rich fatty acids.
I also tried the Blueberry Body Moisturiser (£19.90) which is a cream but as an #antioxidant superfood it absorbs nicely. It also contains juniperberry oil to add nutrients too.
I have used the Lemon Superfood Rescue Butter (£14.90) before so I knew what it was about – a super, super rich and repairing cream that can be used as a mask for your face, or to enrich problem areas. It doesn’t actually smell of lemon at all! I use this as handcream and as a mega-rich body lotion when I want a bit of pampering. It doesn’t give up, it absolutely 100% enriches the skin.
Lastly, the super cool Avocado & Cucumber Cleansing Bar (£9.90) is a soap that can be used on the face or the body. It smells gorgeously fresh but doesn’t leave the skin dry at all. Use it just for hands or in the bath, it’s silky soft to use!
Women everywhere are turning to more sustainable, environmentally friendly and especially vegan products which they can use in the long term, but also conscientiously.
Each of the products is CertifiedVegan, available on their website https://drbotanicals.com and orders over £20 are free delivery.
The Review Studio 