BodyBees : Bee Gone - Outdoor Balm

As we're now in the midst of the summer festival season, we thought it an appropriate time to talk about warding off those far too frequent uninvited, flying insects! At The Amazing Blog, we're not fans of those chemical insect repellents with all their harsh toxins; we prefer to use natural and essential oil-based products. This was when we discovered BodyBees, and their effective hydrating Bee Gone - Outdoor Balm, which is 100% safe for skin, and has the added bonus (not something they advertise) of keeping mosquitoes at bay.

BodyBees is a Swedish family-owned natural skincare brand based in Danderyd, Sweden. Founded in 2019 by Lars Jacobi and his daughter Therese Fal'en, it all began because Lars struggled to find a cure for his eczema. However, this all changed when he visited South Africa, where he discovered some of their healing ingredients, i.e. honey and propolis, which literally "changed his life." From this moment on, he began experimenting and creating his own skincare as a way of also helping others. The brand now collaborates with local producers in South Africa for their natural and organic ingredients, with the hero base for their balms: beeswax and olive oil. They firmly believe in nature's way of healing, restoring, and protecting the skin. Therese told us, "I think it is fascinating how powerful these ingredients are in all their simplicity. When I used them myself and on my children, I actually realised that they help keep me and my family’s skin to stay protected and hydrated, as well as bringing a sense of wellness to everyone." For BodyBees, sustainability is at the brand's core, together with monitoring each batch of products to ensure all ingredients used are natural, organic and safe. They currently have a range of four balms, including one that's fragrance-free and suitable for babies.

We tried Bee Gone - Outdoor Balm, which has recently scooped up an award (think the Swedish Beauty Oscars, see here) with 'Best Protection'. To quote these awards, "Bee Gone is nature's own recipe and works well when it comes to keeping mosquitoes away. As well as caring and effective at the same time." Although the brand is careful not to promote Bee Gone as an insect-repelling balm, as they don't have the official product registration to make this claim; they are, however, quick to point out that it is an all-natural outdoor balm with many different uses.

What we like is that it's only made with four simple ingredients. These include the essential oils of citronella, lemongrass, beeswax and olive oil, all of which make it super-nourishing for the skin. Citronella, of course, is one of those ingredients which helps to repel insects. Combine this with lemongrass, another natural insect repellent, and you have ingredients which are both anti-inflammatory and antifungal, as well as gentle enough even for the most sensitive skin.

The base combines water-resistant beeswax and olive oil, rich in vitamins; they form a protective barrier and shield the skin from toxins while also supporting natural hydration. The blend creates a powerful antioxidant with an antibacterial effect for healing, moisturising, and all-important skin replenishment. When asked, Therese told us about her inspiration behind this product, "The Bee Gone Outdoor balm is one we created for our own use as a family. It's the perfect product to fill a much-needed gap in the skincare market. In Sweden, we all love being outside in nature, so we wanted to create a hydrating skin balm that contained citronella and lemongrass, to ward off insects, and to leave the skin with a fresh scent." 

As someone who is usually feasted upon by pesky mosquitoes, I was a little apprehensive to try this as a repellent. When applied, it smells fresh and zesty, giving the skin a smooth and hydrated feel. Lo and behold, for the first time, I can confirm that the mosquitoes left me alone; they weren't even buzzing around my head. Result! However, the brand does recommend reapplying Bee Gone every four hours as a top-up to keep skin safe.

Another of our #amazingfinds, we'd highly recommend this pocket-sized tube of outdoor protection for the whole family to keep skin protected, moisturised and nourished. To purchase the 40ml push-up tube of BodyBees Bee Gone Outdoor Balm for £14, see here. 

Josie Rose : The Josie Dream Mask

It’s been a while since we featured a face mask on The Amazing Blog, and this Josie Dream Mask caught our eye. It’s an overnight facial mask by Josie Rose, lightweight and gentle, yet hydrating enough to work overnight boosting the complexion.

Anna Daniels founded science-based skincare Josie Rose in 2019, following her successful career as an award-winning dietitian. Growing up in Australia and UK gave her focus on the positive effects of antioxidants in food science, nutrition and viticulture, thus gaining extensive knowledge about the role they play before she started her skincare. “I knew how to nourish skin from the inside, and I wanted to develop a way to do it from the outside too.” With her understanding of nutrition and positive lifestyles, she decided to add to her offerings by creating a skincare product that would become a ritual in her clients' daily routine. The 'gut-skin-mind' ethos gives the brand a completely new and holistic approach. In The Harrowgate Advertiser, Anna said, "Whilst I knew that certain active ingredients benefitted the skin, they were also very drying and could be harsh. My aim was to create a skincare product that was effective and could be used across the age ranges with a simple goal: to improve the health of the skin.” She went on to say, "It was important to create a product where every drop in the formula had a direct benefit on the skin." Based in Harrowgate, the local theme is reflected in her logo with the Yorkshire Rose and microalgae in the centre and petals representing hydration droplets - are a homage to the renowned Harrowgate spring water and the key ingredients. Anna believes that using fewer products reduces the waste in our ecosystem - hence she currently has just one multifunctional product, the hydrating retinol-based Josie Dream Mask. As an overnight mask, it can repair and alleviate the skin from aggressors and environmental damage. Plus, skin cell renewal and turnover increase when the body is in a deep sleep. Her products are natural, recyclable, and cruelty-free. As an example of the clean ingredients, Josie Rose sources the microalgae grown in clean, filtered seawater, and the rose water from organic farming. Anna is in product development with a unique SPF serum, and on a more personal level, Anna has a special love for whales and dolphins, where Josie Rose supports Whales & Dolphins Conservation pledging to donate 1% of all profits.

The multitasking Josie Dream Mask has a total of 38 Ingredients, 23 of which are natural and sustainably sourced with active nutrients and antioxidants. It is water-based and intensely moisturises the skin leaving it more hydrated with fine lines plumped up. Applied as an overnight mask, it can replace, or work with regular nighttime skincare. We think it’s better used alone to get the full benefits of all these natural activities. Usually, we would go into each ingredient in detail, but on this occasion, we’ll leave you to look at their ingredients section for a full explanation. We’ve picked out a few of the key ingredients below:

It is packed with 20% actives and has a potent combination of 5% micro-encapsulated retinol (1% pure) and 1% bakuchiol with stable vitamin C. The micro-encapsulated retinol is what sets it apart. It contains the highest level of retinol you can get over the counter, as it’s micro-encapsulated, which means it works at a deeper level without any irritation. Their small molecule size allows them to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, improving fine lines and increasing collagen and elastin production. Bakuchiol extract is from the psoralea corylifolia (babchi) plant's leaves and seeds. It is a compound recognised as a phyto-retinol and a natural alternative to synthetic retinol. It works the same way as retinol but is also an anti-inflammatory. Vitamin C is known to stabilise retinol, and is a powerful antioxidant, offering protection from oxidative stress. Also, it has a biodegradable delivery system which delivers lipophilic active agents, including fat-soluble vitamins and botanicals, into the outer layers of the skin.

The Australian botanicals are kangaroo paw and Tasmanian pepperberry (both of which we’ve featured before). The kangaroo paw is full of fatty acids, which encourage cell growth. The ferulic acid in the flower offers keratinocytes, fibroblasts, collagen and elastin to enhance the skin. It also acts as a photoprotective agent from harmful UV rays. The Tasmanian pepperberry comes from a shrub found in south-eastern Australia. It reduces inflammation, redness and sensitivity and consists of the powerful active polygodial, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

The ultra-nourishing ‘Natural Moisturising Factors’ (NMFs as Anna refers to them) are a blend of humectants and emollients with ectoin, hyaluronic acid, lecithin, plant squalane and urea. When combined, they hydrate the skin, helping it maintain a dewy, plumped up, smooth texture.

There’s also a blend of super active microalgae, rose stem cells, fermented honey and cold-pressed plant oils like papaya, melon and cucumber seed. These give optimum skin hydration, keep the skin cells regenerating, and protect the epidermal barrier.

The Josie Dream mask is housed in a recyclable plastic-free sea green glass cylinder with an airless pump to ensure stability and efficiency. Once a product is exposed to light and air, any active ingredients will lose their potency. It’s designed to be used 2-3 times per week depending on skin type or concerns. We used it solo and with a serum - which honestly wasn’t needed, with the plethora of goodies here to feed the skin. As we have sensitive skin we were a little cautious given the high retinol content. However, our concerns were unfounded, it was gentle enough to use around the eye area, with no skin tingling and was very light and easy to apply. A big plus is that it has no added fragrance, and a thin layer felt more like a cream than a mask. We loved how it left our skin hydrated and glowing in the morning. What a bonus! It's another of our #amazingfinds and one we’d like to recommend. Forget your regular night cream and make this your investment overnight skincare, as it’s worth every penny. To purchase this 30ml Josie Dream Mask for £68.00, see here.

Made By The Beekeeper : Anywhere Anytime Balm

Who else loves a good balm? We certainly do, now we’re travelling again. Going with only hand luggage means that, at The Amazing Blog, all our skincare needs to be multipurpose. This is why the award-winning Anywhere Anytime Balm from the British indie bee brand Made By The Beekeeper, comes into its own.   

Rebecca Beveridge is the founder of Made by Beekeeper. It all began with her mother, Joyce Boulos-Hanna, who planted a vineyard 22 years ago in the paddock next to their family home in Earls Barton, Northamptonshire. This is where Rebecca began her sustainable and organic bee management, with an apiary at the vineyard. Today she splits her time between Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, with stints to Kent and Devon, where her colony of bees travel with her. Rebecca commented, “The reward for this hard, but joyful, work, is not only knowing that I am contributing to the eco-balance in my area but knowing that my bees have done me proud and produced award-winning honey, comb, fudge and mead in four counties.” In 2019, she wanted to incorporate her bees’ productivity into wellbeing and beauty products. However, being an expert on these little creatures, she always prioritises her bees.“ My bees come first – their health and quality of life and then their productivity:  honey, wax, propolis, pollen." All of their products are 100% natural, organic, palm oil-free, nut-free, and vegetarian. Her formulas are handmade in small batches for a low waste process. Not only does she sustainably source her beeswax and honey from her hives, but she also uses sustainable packaging for her beauty products. She’s gained a wider recognition from the brand’s recent wins at 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, with ‘Best Men’s Skincare Product for their Organic Balm for Men’, and three Editor’s Choice Awards for their Nourishing Foot Balm, Elbow, Knee and Heel Balm, and Anywhere Anytime Balm. Apart from their skincare, they’ve also won a trophy for their sweet and dry meads at the National Honey Show. Made By The Beekeeper ethically sources all of its beeswax, is a strong advocate for bee wellness and a member of The British Beekeepers Association. Apart from their apiary and range of skincare products, they offer a unique one-day Beekeepers Experience here, and a Honey Tasting Experience and Lip Balm workshop, which are coming soon.

As mentioned earlier, we are always looking for multitasking skincare, and this Anywhere Anytime Balm is a very good example of what we love. it’s super hydrating, versatile, and can be used on any part of the body, or face. As Rebecca suggests, "Use to moisturise any dry patches, soothe healing patches, just to add a healthy sheen, or even to tame those eyebrows!" The balm contains a blend of only seven natural and organic ingredients: organic beeswax, organic virgin coconut oil, organic mango butter, organic camellia tea oil, organic borage oil, organic sunflower oil, and natural vitamin E.

Of course, the main ingredient is their organic beeswax. Although beeswax, is not suitable for vegans, it’s a safe natural ingredient that’s been used for centuries to treat cuts and burns. The wax comes from honeybees, who create this honeycomb made of wax, to stow away the colony's honey. In skincare, it offers many benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and protection from harmful free radicals. Also known to be beneficial for sensitive skins and even for conditions such as psoriasis and eczema with its excellent humectant qualities; this means the wax attracts water which keeps skin hydrated and moisturised without clogging pores. Finally, beeswax is a popular ingredient used in formulating makeup, it's a natural emulsifier, allowing the liquid and oil components to bind together, and offers a smooth application and long-lasting formulas.

All ingredients are organic - except for the natural vitamin E. The virgin coconut oil is extracted from the fat of raw coconuts. Using this oil increases skin hydration, collagen production reduces inflammation and helps with dark spots. Extracted from mango seeds, mango butter has a variety of skin benefits. Mango butter is loaded with vitamins B6, A, C, and E to help with skin nourishment. It works to give you soft skin and protects against sun damage and ageing. Camellia is a plant typically found in East Asia, and it's been used in traditional Chinese medicine for years. This plant is high in oleic acid and vitamins to help with skin hydration, inflammation, elasticity, and hyperpigmentation. The wildflower borage oil restores lost hydration in the skin and softens dry and damaged skin. Sunflower oil is high in vitamin E, it keeps skin smooth and protects skin from further sun damage, and can even heal wounds. Last but certainly not least, we have natural vitamin E, this is where ‘natural’ vitamin E is sourced from vegetable oils, primarily soybean oil, and is three times more concentrated than any synthetic vitamin E. It’s loaded with antioxidants to prevent premature ageing and keep skin supple and looking fresh.

Fragrance-free and highly concentrated, this balm works brilliantly as a moisturiser, cleanser, lip balm or for rubbing into dry cuticles - we tried it all! No nut oils make it suitable for those with any nut allergies, and a little does seem to go a long way. Our favourite spot to use it was around the eye area at night, either alone or on top of a water-based serum to seal it in. We love how this small but mighty balm comes in a handy recyclable aluminium screw-top tin, making it another of our #amazingfinds and perfect for those on the go. To purchase the 45g tine of Anywhere Anytime Balm for £12, see here.

Claudia Fallah : Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash

Today at The Amazing Blog, we want to share one of our favourite foam cleansers - it’s always our ‘go-to’ cleanser, especially when we get any skin sensitivity; it gently cleanses, calms and soothes any irritated skin. We are talking about Claudia Fallah’s The Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash which won both Best Cleanser, and Best Foam Cleanser in the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Claudia Fallah has a strong background within the cosmetics and skincare industry; she trained as a therapist in Germany with top dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, going on to open her first clinic in Marleybone in 1995. As a highly knowledgeable aesthetics specialist, Claudia saw firsthand how some professional skincare had harmful and damaging ingredients. In 1999, she decided to develop her exclusive skincare range for her clients. Claudia was inspired by Dr Rudolph Steiner, founder of biodynamic, and his theories; “It planted an organic seed in my mind, to create a natural and potent cosmeceutical that will address specific skin concerns gently with fast results, all without any harsh chemicals.” Biodynamics is a sustainable, organic, holistic, and ethical farming method. Crops are grown in rhythm with the powerful moon phases and ocean tides and harvested in their most potent state. Today Claudia has created a natural and organic skincare range that effectively gives her clients the results they want. All products are natural, organic, hypoallergenic, chemical-free, and made in London. Her skincare is also now widely used by dermatologists, therapists, and cosmetic surgeons. In an interview with Mayfair Silk, Claudia said, “It has been an absolute joy to revive and repair our clients’ skin, and so many have continued on their skincare treatments with us, but this time to enhance their skin health and appearance.” As an established aesthetician and skin specialist, she has a strong celebrity following and is often called one of “London’s best-kept secrets” by the press. Claudia’s mantra is, “Give me the worst skin, and I’ll deal with it.” Figures show back in 2014, sensitive skincare claims represented 25% of total skincare claims, compared to 15% in 2009, with 71% of facial skincare users saying they are interested in ultra-gentle products (Mintel). Claudia Fallah is known as one of the UK’s leading experts on sensitive skin and is an advisor for MediSpa, located in Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

The Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash is a gentle and hydrating foaming face wash. While facial cleansers can often be harsh on the skin or even sting, this is guaranteed to soothe and leave skin feeling softer. Apart from being a hydrating product, we found the face wash reduced redness and acted as an anti-inflammatory. Perfect for all skin types and ages, we found it ideal for our sensitive skin as It decongests skin to give it a brighter and fresher look, and uses natural ingredients which soothe, protect and balance. The two key active ingredients to talk about are azulene and mango fruit (mangifera indica fruit extract).

Azulene is an organic compound dark blue in colour. It has a long history dating back to the 15th century as the azure-blue chromophore obtained by steam distillation of German chamomile. Every year the blue colour varies depending on the weather conditions, and as azulene with all its healing properties is photosensitive, Claudia uses a protective opaque bottle. Azulene is a strong antioxidant that has the ability to shield the skin from damage caused by free radicals. By neutralising free radicals, azulene helps prevent the cellular damage that causes skin discolouration from sun exposure. Although it cannot prevent the skin from ageing, azulene can help minimalise and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Most importantly for us, it helps to alleviate the redness from blemishes, allowing the complexion to clear up more quickly. It has mild antibacterial properties and is sometimes used in natural medicine as an antiseptic. Primarily it’s an ingredient that is used to help revive stressed, irritated or damaged skin due to its potent anti-inflammatory qualities. Azulene is the star ingredient here with all of its soothing and healing benefits and antimicrobial properties.

The mango extract contains superior levels of vitamins A (beta carotene) and C; mango fruit can stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen, enhancing the elasticity of the skin and aiding in the generation of new skin cell growth and reducing inflammation and redness. Pharmacologically active flavonoid mangiferin (mango) has been increasingly explored as a possible anti-carcinogen. Studies involving mangiferin have produced results that suggest it offers anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antiviral capabilities as well as being a powerful antioxidant. The existing results suggest that mangiferin protects the skin against the damage caused by ultraviolet rays, and will also repair existing sun damage.

Other actives include bergamot helping unclog pores, aloe vera extract for further antioxidants and soothing properties, camphor to relieve skin irritation, and mandarin essential oil to help even out the skin tone.

To date, this is one of the best foaming cleansers that we’ve used. We cannot recommend it highly enough for its gentle, soothing and calming properties. It’s another of our #amazingfinds with the added bonus of effectively removing eye makeup residue - without any stinging. It’s also a natural, light and simple cleanser guaranteed to leave skin glowing and feeling refreshed. To purchase the 100ml Azulene Foam Active, Calming Face Wash for £38 see here. 

L’abeille : Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence

Some days, our erratic British weather feels like it’s constantly drying out our skin. So, at The Amazing Blog, we're always on the lookout for a serum that will help with skin hydration and luminosity. And today, this is another of our #amazingfinds with the award-winning Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence by the South African beauty brand L’abeille, which collected an Editor’s Choice, and we were lucky enough to judge for the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Karen Potgieter officially founded the South African brand L'abeille in 2017. Her first foray into the world of skincare began with her first range Bee Pure in 2013. However, four years later, Karen decided that she wanted to produce a more high-performance natural skincare line to work on a cellular level and with more scientifically proven claims. After lots of research and studying, she created L'abeille. Karen told Formula Botanica, "I am very fortunate to have a well-equipped lab on the farm in South Africa, and am able to work from home. It all started after our first honey harvest. I started researching all the amazing benefits of honey & the use of beeswax in skincare." Being of French descent, Karen decided to combine her love for both Africa and France. The brand uses high-performance actives found in African oils, some botanicals harvested from the coast of Brittany, France. The honey and floral extracts in L'abeille come from her bee colonies on the farm. These colonies are vital to sustaining their flowers. This is also why they chose the name L'abeille which translates to "the bee" in French, and the brand has a clean beauty ethos. "From our raw material sourcing to the production lines, we are committed to providing luxury skincare of unparalleled excellence and revolutionary results. Our ingredients are carefully selected locally and abroad from trusted and honest suppliers." L'abeille uses quality ingredients that are sustainably sourced, environmentally friendly, and cruelty-free. The brand also promises full transparency between the company and the customer. It includes bio-based/bio-available and bio/nature-identical ingredients to optimise skincare benefits without compromising on their ethos. With a constant commitment to research and development, all products are scientifically engineered and this is where they aim to stay at the forefront of the clean beauty movement. . Their packaging is in Miron glass, the violet glass is an excellent all-natural, high-vibrational frequency container that can preserve and protect from UV damage and enhance the quality of ingredients. The brand is no stranger to winning awards, see here.

We loved using this Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence; it’s made with three different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA (hence the name). These enhance hydration and make skin appear firm and plump. The key ingredients here are pentylene glycol, polysiphonia elongata microalgae extracts, niacinamide and ectoin. These combined to help to significantly improve the skin's quality, density and dullness for smoother, brighter, and more luminous skin.

Let’s look at those key ingredients; hyaluronic acid, as well all know, has many skin benefits. It's excellent for skin hydration as it locks moisture into your skin. The sodium PCA, in essence, has humectant properties. This attracts moisture from the air and retains moisture in the skin. Sodium PCA also has anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, and skin protectant properties. The pentylene glycol is sourced from sugarcane and corn and is a by-product. It’s also known for its hydrating properties and solvent to aid penetration of other ingredients, helps improve the formula’s texture and is a mild preservative. The polysiphonia elongata microalgae extracts claim to help with ageing signs such as fine lines or wrinkles. This red species of microalgae extract improves and brightens the complexion, aiding in hydration whilst revitalising and toning. What interested us is that these algae in vitro studies show an extraordinary collagen increase of up to 35%! It’s full of essential vitamins and antioxidants that protect skin and repair previous damage, protecting the skin against harmful free radicals. The ectoin is an active cell protector (against pollution). It’s hailed as a revolutionary nourishing ingredient with a patented cell protection booster that protects skin from environmental stressors and photo-ageing, which is done by binding molecules and forming hydration shells around skin cells. Niacinamide is (AKA vitamin B3) along with being one of the best ingredients for anti-ageing, niacinamide has lots of other skin benefits. Vitamin B3 is known for helping with fading hyperpigmentation. Because it also produces ceramides and elastin, this ingredient also helps strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier. This allows it to fight against free radicals that cause DNA damage from everyday pollutants. Lastly, niacinamide is safe for all skin types, including those who have a sensitive skin.

Other ingredients present are jojoba seed oil, vanilla planifolia, lavender and jasmine oil. Vanilla planifolia fruit, commonly referred to as vanilla bean, is a source of catechins (also known as polyphenols), which have antioxidant activity and serve as skin-soothing agents. Lavender oil moisturises and is non-comedogenic for pores, and is skin calming. It also has antibacterial properties meaning it kills harmful bacteria that might infiltrate the pores. Jasmine oil has strong moisturising properties and is full of antioxidants and actives that help to stimulate cellular regeneration.

The Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence has a viscous texture, a cross between a liquid and gel; it’s been created to help make the complexion brighter, smoother, and more luminous. We loved using this as a first skincare step, using it on the face, neck, and décolleté. A huge bonus is that it’s safe and gentle enough to use around the eye area and really helps to plump out fine lines. L'Abeille recommends using the products before applying heavier serums and creams; we used it alone, day and night, and also with our regular moisturiser. It has the subtlest natural fragrance, so it won’t conflict if you use it in conjunction with other skincare products. It’s always of interest to us when a brand has cutting-edge formulas where science meets nature, and L’abeille certainly has this! We loved the performance of this serum, and would heartily recommend this to anyone looking for an excellent newt skin-boosting serum. To purchase the 50ml Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence, for R1290 (which is approximately £63.68), see here.