Moksa: Damask Rose & Vetiver Bath Salts

Calling all bathtime junkies - it's now the season of self-care after all those overindulgent festivities. At The Amazing Blog, we think that simple pleasures are always the best; and for us, there's nothing better than to grab a book and unwind in a steamy bath with some fragrant and relaxing bath salts. That's why we couldn't resist trying these Damask Rose & Vetiver Bath Salts from British indie skincare brand Moksa that made an excellent addition to our bathing ritual.

Moksa a Devon-based natural skincare brand which all began from the inspiration that founder Chloe Osborn's found during her travels. The unusual brand name Mokṣa is a Sanskrit word meaning liberation, bliss and inner peace; Chloe said, "The word Moksa really resonates with me in so many ways. With my travel came a great sense of freedom and a definite sense of inner peace, so it just felt so apt; with that Mokṣa was born." In an interview with The Green Parent, Chloe explained, "I spent some time in an Ashram learning all things yogic, which was a huge inspiration. The idea that I could actually create my own business filled me with anticipation and excitement. The name Moksa came to me the day we returned to the UK, it sounds silly, but it really was one of those magical lightning bolt moments." Established in 2018, Moksa has gone from strength to strength and developed products ranging from skincare to bath products, candles and even teas. Each product embodies the brand's core values as 100% natural, handcrafted, environmentally friendly, vegan, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced. They also use UK-based suppliers who farm ethically and are sustainable and fair trade, sharing similar values. These artisan products have organic ingredients and contain no parabens, petrochemical (mineral oils), sulphates, alcohol or fillers. Moksa is an award-winning brand that has received awards from the Beauty Shortlist, FreeFrom awards, and The Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards; they were also shortlisted for the International Beauty Awards in 2019.

One of the most important aspects of taking a bath is the 'feel-good factor' inspired by relaxation and the heady aromas emanating from the steamy, fragrant vapours. This is where Moksa's Damask Rose & Vetiver Himalayan Bath Salts scores a whooping 10/10, with us for its plethora of relaxing and natural ingredients.

The seven key ingredients in the bath salts are: Himalayan pink salt, Fleur de Sel de Guerande, Epsom salts, rose absolute, vetiver and geranium essential oils, and dried rose petals. The Himalayan pink salt is a detoxifier harvested from the Punjab region in Pakistan, where the rock salt gets its pinkish hue. They are anti-microbial premium grade pure, unrefined and considered the purest in the world as they contain upwards of 84 minerals and trace elements, including calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. The Fleur de Sel de Guerande, is hand-harvested French sea salt; it works to remineralise the body, which in turn helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. Epsom salts (AKA magnesium sulphate) are a naturally occurring mineral known to ease pain and relieve inflammation. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes helping muscle and nerve function, together with preventing the arteries from hardening.

These bath salts get their soothing scent from a combination of essential oils. The rose absolute is derived from the damask rose and introduces a light and floral aroma; it's hydrating and ideal for dry and sensitive skin types. The vetiver essential oil promotes skin regeneration, and the geranium adds another uplifting sweet floral note to the fragrance and is also known for its anti-anxiety and depression properties. Finally, the dried rose petals, besides emitting a warm scent, detox the body and help with better sleep.

As Chloe says, "You'll feel transported to the gorgeous flower baths of Bali with this sensuous blend." With its unique scent and texture, what better way to soak away stress at the end of the week? We held a couple of scoops (bamboo scoop provided) under a warm running tap to help them dissolve, et voila, a wonderful at-home spa, which left skin feeling soft, fresh and infused with rose. Best of all, they felt like they removed built-up toxins, and cleansed and relaxed both mind and body. Tempted to try?

Moksa offers this product in three sizes: A jar of bath salts at 250g with a glass jar with a bamboo scoop and lid at for £18. Or if a refill pouch is more your style, there’s a 100g refill priced at £10, or a 400g refill at £21. The Damask Rose & Vetiver Himalayan Bath Salts can be purchased here.  

The Universal Soul Company - Uitrasonic AURA Aroma Diffuser Humidifier & Purifier

Today we want to share one of our favourite #amazingfinds for this year; it’s a brand that we’ve followed since its inception, The Universal Soul Company. We love how they feel passionately about making a difference and want to inspire positive energy inside and out. It would be wrong to define them as just a home fragrance company, and to quote Sara their founder, they offer “Beautiful products and services to help us reconnect to ourselves, others and the wider world…” And at this time of year, their cutting-edge Ultrasonic AURA Aroma Diffuser Humidifier & Purifier with its uplifting colour-changing mood light, really adds to the festive run-up to Christmas. We also like how they’re promoting the awareness of #CallJust1 by asking us all to take time out to call anyone who will be spending Christmas alone to see how they are. Such a brilliant idea, to show that you care…and one that’ll help to make a difference in their day.

The Universal Soul Company’s founder is Sara Griffiths, a qualified spiritual mentor, actress, presenter, lecturer and therapist. She founded the Universal Soul Company to bring clients inspirational support through her products to ‘Awaken your senses & uplift your heart & soul.’ The Universal Soul Company is built on sharing the experience of being human, particularly in this fast-paced and challenging era of technology and social change. More than just a brand with lifestyle products, Sara explained why she started her fragrance range, “The olfactory sense is the only sense that is fully developed at birth, so it was out of that, that we decided to make our Soul Mist STILL a 3-in1 signature fragrance,” she went on to say, “With this, I want the fragrance to inspire people to reconnect with themselves, other people and then the wider world and beyond”. The brand is also committed to sustainability and has been awarded the ‘Butterfly Mark’ powered by Positive Luxury, which recognises the company for being a responsible brand that minimises its environmental footprint while maximising its social good. They’re a multi-award winning brand and recently won ‘Best Aromatherapy Diffuser - Electrical Device’ at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards. All products are vegan, chemical-free, environmentally friendly and even have Braille writing on the packaging to make them accessible to everyone. Not forgetting that they focus on ‘profit for purpose’ and donate a portion of their revenue to charitable causes - which we applaud.

Their Ultrasonic AURA Aroma Diffuser Humidifier & Purifier also includes their 15ml signature essential oil STILL, a natural essential oil with its unique blend of nurturing base notes of patchouli, and soothing top & middle notes of lavender; filling the air with tiny breathable particles of essential oil, it’s a delicate & uplifting fragrance that’s designed to adapt to suit one’s mood, and energises by day and relaxes at night, offering a both a calming, and uplifting ambience. Most importantly, at The Amazing Blog, we found that using the combination of the Ultrasonic AURA Aroma Diffuser, and STILL, helped us manage our stress response, and triggered our body to rest, reset, and restore itself.

The Ultrasonic  AURA Aroma Diffuser Humidifier & Purifier comes in two finishes, a sleek Chrome or a white Blanc making either an elegant addition to any room. What we love are all the features, its 1hr/3hr auto timer, a remote control, the changing or fixed LED lights, two mist settings, and a sleep mode. The light function can also be set to the desired length of diffusion, colour and ‘Hi or Lo’ mist setting for each occasion or time you use the diffuser. If you haven’t already discovered the joys of using an aroma diffuser, then this one with all its sophisticated functions is for you, plus it also offers multiple benefits for mental health and well-being. Finally, to use the AURA Aroma Diffuser, you need to fill the tank with 300ml of filtered water (which will benefit the quality of the fragrance), and add 5-10 drops of your desired essential oil to experience the full effect. If you want to ‘Love the air you breathe’ then you can purchase this Ultrasonic AURA Aroma Diffuser Humidifier & Purifier with their STILL essential oil here for £130.00.

BTW if you’re out and about doing Christmas shopping In London, why not drop into the iconic Peter Jones, where Sara has a pop-up shop until 18 December, and say ‘hello’. See here.

Skin:Genius : 'Hits the Spot Spot' & 'Best Cleanse Forever'

Here at The Amazing Blog, we know to our cost, that the dreaded acne isn’t just reserved for those teenage years. Adults also struggle with acne, so we wanted to talk about this natural and solution-based skincare brand Skin:Genius. Their ingenious (pun intended!) Hits the Spot purifying gel is a quick zapping, maximum-strength spot-on treatment gel that immediately fights the bacteria, ridding the spot quickly and effectively. Combine this with their multi-award-winning Best Cleanse Forever Cleansing Face Wash, an organic and natural botanical-packed face wash, specifically formulated to help target spots, breakouts, oily and acne-prone skin, and here you have the perfect dynamic duo!

A beautician by training, founder Julia Vearnacombe was well aware of the number of adults and teens struggling with oily skin, breakouts, flushed complexions and the anxiety that comes with it all. When researching solutions to the skin issues posed by clients and mums, Julia realised there were very few effective solutions out there that were natural and worked with the skin, not against it. This was when she approached her homoeopath friend and co-founder of Skin:Genius, Hilery Dorrian. Together they conducted extensive research in combining the most effective ingredients to tackle acne and spot-causing bacteria with natural botanicals known to cleanse and calm red and irritated skin, as well as non-comedogenic vegan ingredients that soften and soothe the skin. In a recent interview with Squirrels&Bears, Julia said, "Together we created Skin:Genius in order to offer an accessible, affordable range” she went on to say, “ We have recently rebranded, so we’re not just targeting teenagers: we were finding many parents of teenagers – in the 40s and 50s – who were suffering from hormonal and menopausal skincare breakout problems, were having great results with Skin:Genius too.” The brand doesn’t just specialise in helping spots and acne; they also offer solutions for eczema & psoriasis-prone skin.

Acne is a persistent, inflammatory skin condition caused by an overproduction of oil, resulting in breakouts and pimples. The most common cause of adult acne for women is hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. Stress is another common factor for both men and women, especially with challenging times and the continuous cycle of trying to achieve a work-life balance. To learn more about acne, please see here. Skin:Genius believes that everyone deserves to be happy in their skin. However, after learning that some of those with skin conditions have experienced social and mental health problems, they recently launched their support group FaceUp2It . This group brings together trusted experts and people with first-hand experience of bullying and/or living with problem skin.

Let’s take a look at Hits the Spot purifying gel, which is loaded with oregon grape, nettle, roman chamomile, and yarrow, making it rich in antioxidants to reduce, prevent, calm and soothe spots and breakouts. It’s an extremely versatile gel and can also be used to ease stings, bites, rashes and hives. Organic ingredients include witch hazel, an astringent with potent anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties; aloe vera for healing and softening skin; yarrow, a pampering herb with pain-relieving and antimicrobial properties; agrimony, another herb ideal for mild skin redness and swelling and lastly, marshmallow, a root that alleviates inflammation while retaining moisture in the skin. In addition to these power-packed ingredients, there’s roman chamomile, an antimicrobial and antibacterial essential oil, oregon grape that has a compound called berbamine which kills on contact any bacteria that contributes to acne; calendula, a plant with substantial healing properties; lavender, which is calming and reduces inflammation, and lemon tea tree, an essential oil which aids in treating oily and acne prone skin, can be found too. There’s also ribwort, known for its wound healing and antihistamine properties; red clover, ideal for eczema and psoriasis; and finally, nettle an astringent, also suitable for treating oily skin issues.

Besides the above, Irish moss is an emulsifier, there’s lecithin is an emollient, and pectin serves as an anti-ageing structure provider. Coumarin carries antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities, citral provides an antibacterial and antifungal component; and together with eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, linalool and limonene all-natural ingredients that enhance the citrusy scent. Whereas compounds like benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate are preservatives.

We used only the tiniest amount; they say, ”a small dot directly onto the spot and soak it up”. We left it on overnight to work its magic. However, the brand says it’s so gentle that it can be used several times a day or whenever needed. The gel is an opaque pale yellow with a fresh herbal/ citrusy scent. There’s no tingle when applied, (which, ahem, we’ve experienced with some other spot gels!) It was quick absorbing, non-irritating and left no sticky residue. Best of all, our spots were dried out the very next day. It’s one to keep in your SOS skincare draw, and one we’d whole heartily recommend.

The Best Cleanse Forever Cleansing Face Wash helps control bacteria, soothe inflamed skin and reduce redness. Key ingredients are red clover, calendula, witch hazel and lemongrass, which work together to reduce and clear spots by deep cleansing pores, making it feel super clean yet not over-drying the skin. Cleverly some ingredients mimic the sebum in your skin to stop the overproduction, for a better skin balance. Similar ingredients in the Hit the Spot purifying gel can also be found here, i.e. witch hazel, aloe vera, yarrow, agrimony, marshmallow, roman chamomile, oregon grape, calendula and lavender. New ingredients include sodium cocoyl glutamate, a mild surfactant with outstanding cleaning and foaming properties; caprylyl, a glucoside and gentle cleanser; glycerin, a humectant with moisturising properties; with lauryl glucoside, and cocamidopropyl betaine, both hydrating and mild cleansing surfactants. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the skin, while citric acid is a chemical exfoliant and protective antioxidant. Meanwhile, organic lemongrass removes impurities, and detoxifies leaving the skin feeling clean and clear; whereas organic sunflower abundant in vitamin E helps ward off any premature ageing.

This foaming cleanser is in a pump bottle and needs a quick shake, then apply and distribute a small amount of the foam over the face and neck. Massage in and simply rinse off with warm water, or if you’re us, use a face cloth for a bit of extra gentle exfoliation. We recommend applying it morning and evening to keep skin and pores clean to get optimum results - follow the Skin:Genius mantra which is “Cleanse: Treat: Hydrate: Repeat” We found the cleanser foamy and gentle with a mild and uplifting citrus scent; it left our skin feeling clean and hydrated. If you have hormonal breakouts and sensitive skin, then this is for you. It’s another ‘yes we’d buy’ from us, and both these products are another of our #amazingfinds.

To purchase a 10 ml bottle of Skin:Genius Hits the Spot purifying gel for £13.50, click here. For a 100ml bottle of Skin:Genius Best Cleanse Forever Cleansing Facial Wash for £16.50, click here. For those interested in a special 2-in-1 deal, Skin:Genius has a unique ‘Genius Set Starter Collection’ with both products and a face cloth for £33 (now £27!), click here.

WOTNOT Naturals : Certified Organic Gradual Tan Lotion & Tan Water Mist

With autumn hot on our heels, the big question is, how do we top up our holiday sunkissed-glow? Here at The Amazing Blog, it’s a bit of a conundrum. However, worry not; WOTNOT Naturals' Certified Organic Gradual Tan Lotion and Certified Organic Tan Water Mist will help to enhance your skin’s natural glow while also providing a further streak-free self-tan - all with the utmost nourishment and hydration. Both products are our recent discoveries and winners of The Beauty Shortlist Awards in 2022.

Believe it or not, it WOTNOT Naturals all started with nappies. Irish mum Sinead Roberts received environmentally-friendly nappies as a gift from a friend; it blew her mind. She never knew such things existed. There were little to no environmentally-friendly nappies when Sinead lived in Australia – that's when she knew she needed to create them. In 2004, she and business partner Sioned Guard introduced the world's first environmentally-friendly disposable MOLTEX Nappy to Australia. Fast forward a couple of years, the nappies were a hit with a loyal community around Byron Bay and beyond asking for more products, including complementary all-natural baby, beauty and sun care products. As mothers, Sinead and Sioned wanted to create a caring, conscious brand that tends to their families and the environment through producing eco-friendly beauty, baby and suncare products enjoyed by mothers, babies and the planet. Sometimes, these products don't exist yet, so they work with the community to create unique products that fulfil each customer's wants and needs. "Our mission has always been to help improve the wellbeing of people and our planet," Sinead and Sioned went on to say, "Today, we do this by co-creating innovative (sometimes world first!) natural and organic skincare that matches conventional brands on performance but ditch the toxins! We do this with courage, commitment, collaboration and respect." All products are made with effective, natural, gentle, non-toxic and organic alternatives to conventional ingredients, where performance is never compromised, and conventional alternatives are consistently outperformed. Each product is always designed to be used on the most sensitive of skins; it’s even endorsed by the Eczema Association. Equally important is their passion for giving back to nature through sustainability. All its sun, tanning and baby skincare packaging is sustainably made with recycled materials and is recyclable. They work with Carbon Neutral Australia to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions while planting trees in deforested areas annually. It's not just the environment that WOTNOT gives back to; they support Women's Community Shelters and Bear Cottage, a children's hospice.

WOTNOT Naturals also creates a highly personal customer experience like no other. First, customers submit product ideas, followed by company research, creation, testing and lastly, production of the once non-existent product of your dreams. Once a trial product is created, customers volunteer to test it, allowing for reformulation to achieve the best product based on your feedback. If you'd like to be one of these customer volunteers, also known as co-creators, or if you have a brimming product idea, click here. WOTNOT is always ready to make your product dreams come alive.

"On Your Marks, Get Set, Glow!" WOTNOT Naturals say about their Certified Organic Gradual Tan Lotion. And rightfully so, it's a velvety soft moisturiser packed with skin-nourishing organic ingredients that hydrate the skin while gradually building and effortlessly extending a tan for the ultimate year-round glow. The lotion contains skin-perfecting actives like the Australian kakadu plum, camellia oil and aloe vera, to name a few. On top of that, it's vegan, cruelty-free, toxin-free – suitable for sensitive skin and pregnancy – and free from streaks, fake tan odours, and transfers. After using the lotion, expect silky smooth skin with a tan that will fade naturally and evenly.

Made with 99.65% natural ingredients, including 21.9% certified organic, that can be found. These include aloe vera, which softens, moisturises and soothes the skin for an even, glowing tan; coconut oil, which moisturises and reduces inflammation; sunflower oil, which offers sun protection with its rich antioxidant content, and olive oil, which is abundant in moisture and antioxidants. You may be wondering what the actual ‘tanning’ ingredient is here; it’s dihydroxyacetone (AKA as DHA), that’s often derived from plant sources such as sugar beets and sugar cane, and by the fermentation of glycerin. It works by reacting with the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin where it darkens the skin and gives it a temporarily tanned-looking glow.

Meanwhile, other organic components like shea butter, linseed oil, and green tea extract keep the skin soothed, nourished and hydrated, reducing signs of ageing – especially with shea butter and linseed oil's high fatty acid content and green tea's high antioxidant content. Two essential ingredients besides aloe vera comprise certified organic Australian kakadu plum and camellia oil. Both supply nutrients and antioxidants to slow ageing; kakadu plum extract’s rich vitamin C content is responsible for that natural glow, while camellia oil is high in proteins and fatty acids, like oleic acid, which reduces inflammation and helps the skin hold moisture. If you're wondering what gives the lotion a silky finish, it's cetearyl and sorbitan olivates (vegetable emulsifiers), non-ionic emulsifiers that allow rapid absorption.

This has to be one of the best gradual tan lotions we’ve tried. They recommend using it overnight, but we prefer to use it in the morning. WOTNOT Naturals recommends leaving it for 6-8 hours at night to develop and promises it won't stain sheets or clothing. Having worked hard to acquire our ‘real tan’, this lotion works wonders to help prolong a natural sun-kissed glow, and we used it several times a week to achieve the right shade. Best of all, we found that it didn’t dry out the skin as the formula is super-hydrating, and to top it off, it’s fragrance-free. It’s truly one of our #amazingfinds and one we want to buy more of!

Enough about the Gradual Tan Lotion, WOTNOT's Certified Organic Tan Water Mist is a competitor to match. A gentle, non-toxic mist that also provides a gradual and buildable tan, it's carefully formulated with a 3-in-1 formula that ‘tones, tans and hydrates’ while containing nine organic actives to nourish the skin. Like the Gradual Tan Lotion, the Tan Water Mist contains Australian botanical aromatherapy; it fades evenly and naturally, contains zero to no toxins, and is vegan and cruelty-free. They give the promise of salon-quality results that will outperform conventional tans with the lack of streaks, fake tan odours and non-transfer onto clothing.

Similarly, the Tan Water Mist contains kakadu plum, aloe vera, camellia seed oil, and green tea extract. Plus, the dihydroxyacetone which activates the colour. Some newcomers include marshmallow root extract, an anti-inflammatory oil, rose otto flower oil, an uplifting, rejuvenating and energising oil for toned skin, and orange peel oil, an oil with astringent effects that tightens pores and regulates sebum levels while protecting the skin from environmental damage through the oil's high limonene content. Lime oil can also be found, alleviating excess oil and improving the appearance of dark spots. Furthermore, geranium flower oil's high antioxidants and anti-inflammatories boost skin health for a natural glow.

Most importantly, two key ingredients are ylang-ylang and patchouli. Ylang ylang is best known for balancing oil production to create the right amount of moisture in the skin, which is not dry or oily. At the same time, ylang ylang soothes inflammation and irritation. In contrast, patchouli is revered for its ability to regenerate skin cells through its active ingredients and anti-bacterial properties, reducing wrinkles, scars and signs of ageing.

It has a gentle natural, refreshing fragrance from the ylang-ylang and patchouli. Again we used this Tan Water Mist twice a week, but this time at night, spraying it onto a bamboo pad, dabbing directly and evenly onto the face, neck and décolletage, then waking up to a fresh and flawless glow. Top tip, remember to spray, dab and pat as you go, and wash hands afterwards. We found it gave our skin a buildable and almost instant subtle glow. We love how it’s free of orange tinges, streaks or patchiness – mimicking only a natural tan. It’s so easy to incorporate into a skincare routine, and WOTNOT Naturals say that If used in the morning, it can be followed by regular skincare or makeup without affecting the efficiency of the Tan Water. A win-win!

We highly recommend both these two certified organic self-tanning products, even if you haven’t been lucky enough to catch the summer sun, they’ll certainly give your skin a radiant boost for autumn. To purchase a 130ml tube of WOTNOT Naturals' Gradual Tanning Lotion here at £12.60, and a 100ml bottle of WOTNOT Naturals' Tan Water mist at £17.26 here.

MotherSage™ : CBD Body Butter

If like us, you’re off and away to catch the last of the summer sun, then the one body care multitasker we’d recommend packing in your hand luggage is a balm. Today at The Amazing Blog, we’d like to introduce this award-winning CBD Body Butter from MotherSage™. But it’s not just ANY body balm; it has one of our favourite ingredients CBD, which when paired with other vitamins and oils, nourishes, repairs, and calms irritated or inflamed skin.

Farard Darver, launched Healthcare International Research (HIR) in 2021, specialising in cosmetic and herbal cannabinoid products, it is the umbrella company for CBD brands such as MotherSage™ and Hempe®. After a successful army career, Farard focused on making his passion a reality in the well-being and CBD sector. “Seeing first-hand the extent that CBD was helping people around me with a range of issues, I knew I had to investigate further and my investigations led me to the Czech Republic”. In an interview in The Daily Echo, Farard also went on to say, “I am creating the conditions for HIR to become the authoritative voice on the use of CBD in cosmetic and lifestyle applications, demonstrated by our credentials that show we are driven by science and regulatory compliance, resulting in products that are truly lifestyle changing.” All of HIR’s products are backed by 65 years of research from scientists in the Czech Republic, and this multi-award-winning brand ensures that their products have full traceability, as well as are effective. With the environment in mind, HIR has created its two CBD brands, where they are committed to reducing the carbon footprint by using raw materials for their packaging and following sustainability guidelines. Based in Lymington, Dorset, they are proud supporters of Litter Free Dorset and are also partner members of the British Beauty Council.

MotherSage™ offers a range of natural cosmetic skincare products that contain cannabidiol (CBD); these include balms, body butter and bath salts. We love how nourishing this CBD Body Balm is, but don’t just take our word for it; it was recently a winner in the 2022 Pure Beauty Global Awards. The CBD in the balm helps to maintain moisture levels by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors, which helps to fight dryness and inflammation. And if you’ve been reading our features on CBD, you’ll know that it is bioactive and single compound found in the hemp plant that contains many naturally occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it the ideal ingredient for skincare as it balances and hydrates. MotherSage™ uses CBD isolate to ensure there is no THC which removes all cannabis plant compounds.MotherSage™ told us, why they choose to use CBD isolate, “In all of our topical products, we use CBD isolate, so our products are essentially THC free (< 0.000025%) - It is difficult to control THC levels in distillate as they vary, so any company offering products that are used in sports or work settings where drug testing may take place would be best using isolate.” It’s named ‘isolate’ as it isolates only the CBD found within the hemp plant, removing any THC and terpenes. it is normally in a crystalline or powder form, with the added advantage of being odourless, which means it will combine with other fragrances, like the essential oils here, without any conflict of scents.

Apart from the 100g CBD isolate, it’s combined with other natural key ingredients, including shea butter, jojoba oil, sea buckthorn oil, lavender, argan oil, and vitamin E. Shea butter is an emollient, which means that it works by adding moisturising oils to soften and keep skin supple. Jojoba oil is an anti-inflammatory that supports skin immunity. Sea buckthorn oil is filled with antioxidants such as carotenoids and vitamin E, which help to regenerate the skin. Lavender oil sets a relaxing tone while also preventing infection and irritation with its antifungal, antimicrobial and detoxifying properties. Argan oil is occlusive, which means that it acts as a barrier to keep moisture from evaporating out of the skin. It’s also packed with omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and linoleic acids, which work together to address dry patches and soften skin.

The three other ingredients on the list worth mentioning are caprylic/capric triglyceride,  ethylhexyl olivate (olive oil) and hydrogenated castor oil. The hydrogenation in the olive and castor oils provides more stability. Both these oils are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids; they are ultra-hydrating and act as humectants retaining moisture by preventing water loss. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is derived from coconut oil and glycerine and is sometimes mistakenly referred to as fractionated coconut oil. It is usually used in skincare as an emollient and skin-replenishing ingredient.

 What we love about this CBD balm is that it doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy. They call it “An Evolution in Body Butter.” It’s certainly quick to absorb, but we can’t tell you why it is ‘evolutionary’. Perhaps HIR could enlighten us on this? That said, it’s one to keep at hand to help prevent (or treat) skin dryness. As mentioned at the beginning, we think it’s the perfect travel companion, to help soothe any insect bites or calm redness for the dreaded sunburn. Is it suitable for sensitive or eczema-prone skins? We’d say probably not because of the essential oil content. However, the isolate CBD here is an anti-inflammatory and has been known to help skin conditions such as psoriasis. So, if you have sensitive skin, we’d recommend doing a test patch first. Also, don’t worry, there’s absolutely no trace of a hempy smell, it only has a very subtle floral bouquet. As it’s solid and 100ml, it’s easy to pack away for your travels and we think is ideal for treating any skin mishaps or dry skin. To purchase the 100ml CBD Body butter for £19.99, see here.