Regular Girl: Prebiotic Fiber & Probiotic Blend, On-the-Go

Digestion troubles with excess gas or bloating can at some time, or other, happen to us all. Here at The Amazing Blog, we’re often guilty of irregular eating habits and yoyo dieting, all of which has its consequences!  That’s why today, we wanted to introduce this supplement created by women for women with its unique patented natural formula that’s derived from the guar plant combined with the beneficial probiotic bifidobacterium lactis. Meet Regular Girl’s Prebiotic Fiber & Probiotic Blend.

Regular Girl’s healthcare products are aimed at the health-conscious woman who wants to treat or prevent digestive issues. Regular Girl’s supplements aid digestive disturbance and restores a long-term healthy balance thanks to their 100 % natural ingredients. On top of that, the brand is gluten-free, non-GMO Project Verified, certified organic, kosher and vegetarian. They are affirmed as GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) by an expert panel and are the world’s first prebiotic fibre and probiotic blend to achieve an important low-FODMAP certification, accredited by Monash University, Australia. The key ingredient here is the patented Sunfiber® a natural substance derived from the guar plant grown in western India. This is where they transform the plant’s fibre-packed bean into this acclaimed soluble fibre supplement. Also included in this formula is proven prebiotic fibre that increases the bifidobacteria lactobacillus levels; these supporting microbiomes are not only essential for the digestive system but immune health too.

As mentioned, this Prebiotic Fiber & Probiotic Blend on-the-Go is a certified Low-FODMAP product (FODMAP = Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols - a group of dietary sugars poorly absorbed in the small intestine). These are known to cause digestive problems such as gas-related pain, intestinal distention and constipation and diarrhoea in people suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is where this Regular Girl’s supplement can offer a simple solution to maintain a healthy digestive balance. Now let's talk about how easy it is to use the product. This supplement comes in individual sachets, these you can take at any time of the day by adding it to drinks or food.  It’s colourless, odourless, tasteless, and gluten-free and dissolves quickly in liquids. Each sachet contains a well thought out amount of 6g Sunfiber® guar fibre (containing 5g soluble fibre) and 8 billion Bifidobacterium lactis. They advise taking one sachet a day - preferably in the morning to help get your digestive system on track. We sprinkled it into our cereal bowl, although you could also put it in smoothies, cold drinks or add it to a water bottle. It's really easy to use, and the benefits are huge. It's an excellent source of fibre, will improve good gut bacteria growth, and give a comfortable and full satiated feeling. To sum it up, it’ll provide you with regularity without excess gas or bloating. To try it for yourself and see all the benefits, you can purchase the Regular Girl’s Prebiotic Fiber & Probiotic Blend, On-The-Go from FODMarket here for £28.99 (30 sachets). 

Amai Hana: Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio and Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream

Today at The Amazing Blog,  we’re featuring another award-winning natural skincare brand that has caught our eye. However, this time its with biocosmetic phytotherapy formulas. We’d like to introduce Amai Hana with their Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio and Mousse Lift H2 Bio day cream.

Amai Hana is based in Barcelona and produces 100% natural formulas using aromatherapy and phytotherapy principles. They practice biocosmetic phytotherapy which is a science-based medical practice, with traditional medical herbalism; these use vegetal origin products to help prevent, heal and cure. The brand was launched in 2019 by Susanna Asensio, who has a master's degree in phytotherapy and a degree in chemical sciences, specialising in the formulation and synthesis of organic and pharmaceutical compounds. Amai Hana's philosophy is to promote vegetarianism values, responsibility, sustainability, conscious consumption, respect for oneself, the animal world and the environment - quite a list! Each product is handmade with 100% natural plant actives, cruelty-free and offered at affordable prices. Their products range from serums, balms, massage oils, creams and soaps. They are packaged in pharmaceutical-grade containers and are presented in natural eco-cotton bags.

We were given two product to try from Amai Hana: The Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio  and the Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream. Let’s start with the Silky Skin Serum GI Bio, Amai Hana's best-selling hero product, and a recent Bronze winner at the 2020 Scandinavian Global Makeup Awards. Its recommended for the face, neck and décolletage as an anti-wrinkle, regenerating and firming treatment. The main ingredient here is centella asiatica extract (see photo above) which stimulates collagen production and has madecassoside an active compound potent with antioxidant and a rich source of amino acids. The lavender, rosewood and geranium essential oils work as anti-inflammatory agents to moisturise and regenerate dry, damaged, and inflamed skin. These oils inspire feelings of relaxation, calm and well-being - effectively reducing stress and anxiety. We found it to be an excellent serum for daily use and when applied, we found that a little goes a long way. They recommend using on clean dry skin both morning and night. Amai Hana tells us that with use, softer and more hydrated skin will be evident in 7-19 days. This Silky Skin Serum left our skin feeling smooth, firm, and rejuvenated; and when we inhaled its soothing botanical scent, it had the added benefit of making us feel less stressed! 

Next, we used the Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream, this provides rich nutrition and was recently a Gold winner (in the awards as mentioned above). This Day Cream works as a gentle astringent and antioxidant acting to close large pores and tightens the skin, making it firmer and brighter. The other big plus here, is that it also claims to reduce dark circles around the eye area. The key ingredient is  witch hazel hydrolate for its tightening and lifting effect. Whereas the macadamia oil here regenerates and softens the skin. It also has the essential oils geranium, frankincense, and rosewood; the combination of which, promote cell regeneration, regulates sebum and stimulate the skin’s collagen natural production. The formula is so gentle, that they recommend using this Day Cream to treat acne, rosacea or couperose. Simply use alone or combine it with the Silky Skin Serum to complete your beauty ritual. As we have dry skin, we used these together as they offered extra nourishment, plus firmed and lifted the skin (we notice this around the neck area). To purchase Silky Skin Serum G1 Bio in 30ml for €23.99, see here, or to buy the Mousse Lift H2 Bio Day Cream in 60ml for €27.99, see here.

Green Chemistry: Phyto Flora,

In our never-ending search to find new and exciting skincare formulas to introduce you to; today at The Amazing Blog, we’ve found a rather special natural serum from Green Chemistry. This brand is a US-based indie skincare that has a range of wild-sourced clinical and holistic skincare, where they only use food-grade botanicals and have an emphasis on Ayurveda.

Brigitte Tolson is the founder of this brand and began her successful journey in aesthetics as a cosmetic surgery consultant and professional makeup artist in her hometown of Los Angeles. Her interest and passion for natural skincare took on a voyage of discovery with Ayurveda and holistic medicine, which has since grown fuelled by her passion for incorporating these into her own skincare and practice. Her clinical area of expertise is with treating cystic acne, nutrition, advanced peels, holistic skincare, sun damage, anti-ageing and other systemic issues of the skin. After years of research and collaboration, Tolson built Green Chemistry with a mission to provide clinically proven ingredients with a focus on the holistic.  Her mission has been to create products that complement the range of treatments that she already offers her clients and to provide unique formulations that have been lacking in the professional skincare sector. Tolson said: “What initially started as two of the most nutrient-rich serums on the market, has evolved into a line that now makes a scientifically proven toxin-free hyperpigmentation treatment, along with a mask that draws city pollutants from the skin, and a rich anti-ageing night cream that even surpasses my expectations.” Currently, with eight products in the range, they are produced in small batches, using the best local botanicals available from farms and orchards. Green Chemistry also has a ‘give back’ policy to help save the bees, where they contribute $3 from each purchase to the Los Angeles County Beekeeping Association. Tolson feels strongly about making this donation as it is these bees that are responsible for pollinating most of the ingredients that Green Chemistry source from locally. 

The product we’re featuring today is the Phyto Flora which is a serum which they say is ideal for dry, sensitive skin with acne or eczema. The key ingredient here is the hemp seed oil which balances the skin and helps to reduce acne scarring, and offers relief from acne, psoriasis, and eczema. The hemp oil also strengthens the skin and enhances its ability to resist viral, fungal, and bacterial infections and has shown to reduce pathogenic bacteria and yet is still intensely hydrating. Next is the Spanish lavender which has been specifically selected over 40 other different species of lavender. This lavender reduces sensitivity, redness and the antibacterial properties here cleanse the pores and work as an anti-inflammatory. The damask rose reduces inflammation by suppressing the growth of certain bacteria and has mild astringent properties. The star jasmine is restorative and known to detoxify the skin. The sea buckthorn oil promotes skin hydration, elasticity, cell regeneration and even helps treat and prevent acne. Sea buckthorn helps to reduce swelling and redness associated with many skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. This blend also contains sesame seed and jojoba oils which are both rich in vitamins and fatty acids which can help protect skin cells from the damage caused by environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution, and toxins. The chia seed oil here maintains moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines relieving dryness and peeling. The camellia flower oil is an excellent emollient for keeping skin moist and supple and has properties that will prevent skin breakouts. It is rich in coenzyme Q10, which can help your body produce collagen and elastin, and is rich in cranberry which provides vitamin C. These will improve the skin’s appearance making it look softer and brighter; and then with the addition of tomato seed oil, this will even out the skin tone. Finally, this serum will deeply cleanse thanks to the daikon seed extract.  We used this for both night and day and found the serum’s scent-neutral with only the subtlest trace of jasmine where it meets the lavender. All of which means that it will happily sit under other skincare with no scent conflict. Because this serum is oil-based, a little goes a long way and we found that only a few drops were needed. None of us here have acne breakouts, but some of us do have dry and sensitive skin; and found this to be a Godsend, to protect skin against the yo-yo-ing effects of going between central heating and the chilly outdoors. To purchase the 30ml bottle for $70.00 see  here.

Paso’s CBD Milk Chocolate

Do you love chocolate? Because here at The Amazing Blog we certainly do! With the past year of world turmoil, we’ve been on the search to find comforming products to help relax during this time of uncertainty and take a step back. We’ve heard lots about our #amazingfinds of today with their chocolate, their very special CBD chocolate, no less. meet Paso CBD 75mg Milk Chocolate which gives you just that.

Paso CBD stared when best friends (and cousins), Alex and Sophie left their jobs in consulting and law to venture into the cannabis industry. They created this company with the idea of creating enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life. Their friends were hesitant about CBD products, which only motivated them more to create products that normalise CBD. They pride themselves on their high standard products that are 100% organic, premium CBD and ‘non-psychoactive’ which they source from hemp extract from farms in Colorado and Oregon. Even though their products are entirely hand made in the UK. They support Cool Earth which is an organisation that is committed to ending tropical deforestation and conservation of the rainforests. Paso has cleverly been able to master producing edible CBD products, that actually taste good. Some of the products in their line include vape pens, cartridges, e-liquids, CBD gummies and oils. Their chocolate comes in White, Dark and Milk; Milk is the one we’re going to talk about today.

We’re impressed with their branding and the sleek royal blue cardboard packaging which reveals the silver foiled chocolate. This all feels very premium. Milk chocolate is THC-free and broad-spectrum. Each square of chocolate contains 3mg of CBD, where you break off a couple of pieces to help you relax and unwind (the maximum daily dose they recommend is 70mg per day). The chocolate is rich and creamy with caramel notes, and is made with hemp extract (including CBD), 42% cocoa mass, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, natural vanilla flavouring, sugar, and whole milk powder. All these ingredients have a health benefit. The hemp extract has antioxidants and healthy omega fatty acids, which makes it great for hair and skin or just stress relief. The cocoa mass not only gives it its flavour but in moderation, it can help keep the heart-healthy. Like the hemp extract, cocoa butter is high in fatty acids which can help hydrate and nourish the skin. Soya lecithin can raise good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering bad cholesterol (LDL). Natural vanilla flavouring brings a flavour, but it’s also rich in antioxidants. Sugar gives sweetness to the chocolate and also according to some scientists is can be beneficial for brain health. The whole milk powder found here is a good source of minerals such magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium as well vitamins A, D, E and K. We have to be honest and say that we noticed a slight after-taste, which we didn’t mind too much and nibbled at it throughout the day, but it’s rich and we didn’t need much to get our chocolate fix and feel fully satiated. We’ve heard that it’s good to eat before bed to help with sleep, hah! Who needs that excuse? To enjoy this simple pleasure, you can purchase your Paso CBD Milk Chocolate 75mg for £8.00 here. We would like to thank CBD-Produce who kindly sent us this and several other CBD food products from the extensive range. Whether this is your first time trying CBD, or you are an experienced user, we think you’ll find something to tempt you at this great one-stop-shop for all things CBD. 

nknaturals - Summer Collection

At The Amazing Blog we first discovered today’s skincare brand when their Cleansing Balm ‘Beautiful’  was listed among the finalists in The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2019. We’re excited to be featuring nknaturals today with their natural skincare to coordinate with the seasons. As we know only too well, with each new season brings new environmental challenges for the skin. This is where nknaturals have rather cleverly incorporated seasonal ingredients to help the skin adapt.  

Nicola Kidd the founder, has had a life-long interest in skincare, from a trainee scientist in skincare development at Boots through to the start of creating her own small natural artisan skincare range in Lanzarote during 2011. It was only 2017, after moving back to London that these seasonal collections were born. She soon realised that having only one type of skincare routine for all year round wasn’t enough. Nicola found her skin reacting differently to the changeable British weather, which is where her inspiration came for creating Spring, Winter, Autumn (and now Summer) Collections. Just as we buy seasonal food ingredients, each of nknaturals product ingredients follows the lunar calendar, being optimised the benefits of each new moon. Plus, nknaturals only uses locally sourced ingredients that are non-GMO and free from pesticides. We also love that she uses beeswax from local independent beekeepers.  Nicola said: “This is essential to support the wellbeing of the bee population in England and completely different to mass bee farming. None of my formulations contains more than eight ingredients in total to maximise each of their qualities and when blended they enhance each other.” This sunny and joyful Summer Collection has five energising, luxurious and natural products to help to fight the rising temperature and humidity. Nicola believes in using a minimal amount of ingredients in order to enhance the effect of the products. Therefore, when blended all together each ingredient intensifies the other, thus creating the perfect formula.

First, we tried the Summer Concentrated Cleansing Balm in 60ml. nknaturals are probably best known for their balms. This new Summer Concentrated Cleansing Balm contains sesame oil, vitamin E, sea buckthorn, spikenard, red raspberry seed oil, frangipani. However, what makes it unique is its richness with the raw organic beeswax where the brand uses local beekeepers. This handmade balm, with its organic bee wax, gives it the bonus of healing capabilities and provides natural hydration to the skin. Rich in vitamin A, the beeswax will support cell regeneration and creates a skin barrier. We found the best way to use it, is by working a small amount into the skin then wiping it away with a damp muslin cloth - both morning and evening. It leaves the face both supple and smelling divine. They also suggest following the cleansing balm with the Summer Copper Distilled Botanical Mist.

This Summer Copper Distilled Botanical Mist is ideal for rebalancing the skin’s pH and unclogging the pores. Restoring moisture, it provides instant relief for any over-sunned skin which could be either parched or clammy. We think this is an essential item to keep in your bag while out and about, as it refreshes, soothes and invigorates tired skin. Ingredients include cedarwood hydrosol which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and grapefruit seed which is anti-bacterial and helps to regulate any oil build-up. This mist gives a sense of wellbeing and calmness. We used this Botanical Mist with every step in the range from cleansing, moisturising to the home halotherapy (steam inhalation with the Summer Deep Steam Salt Infusion).

Then we have the Summer Enriched Protection Moisturiser available in 60ml. This lightweight daily moisturiser is for face, neck and décolleté. It absorbs quickly leaving no residue and offers enough hydration to keep skin moistured all day long. Key ingredients are again sesame oil, beeswax, vitamin E, sea buckthorn, red raspberry seed oil, spikenard, cedarwood oil, frangipani. What makes it a perfect skin balancer or even a great first base for make-up is the oat kernel flour. The latter provides a silky feeling to the skin with the lipids and ceramides and reduces redness and skin irritation while also hydrating and protecting the skin. Finally, the addition here of titanium dioxide, which is an anti-inflammatory and helps to provide a protecting barrier against UV rays. 

At night we used the Summer Nutrient Rich Facial Oil available in 15ml. This hand-blended facial oil with its a lymphatic drainage effect should be ideally massaged into the face before bed. It has wonderful regenerative qualities with the sesame oil, which is non-comedogenic (meaning that it doesn’t clog pores) and also acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory on the skin. It also contains red raspberry seed oil that helps soothe the skin and heal redness and eczema, reducing flare-ups. This Oil has sea buckthorn as well as, cedarwood oil, spikenard and frangipani all of which can help uplift the mood while still deeply hydrating the skin. They also suggest using the Botanical Mist before use.

Last but not least, we have the Summer Deep Steam Salt Infusion available in 120ml. This salt infusion should only to be used once a week, preferably in the evenings. They suggest using these as halotherapy (a steaming technique) in a skin routine to open pores and act as a deep cleanser. The salt infusion is made out of vanilla pod rich in vitamin B and antioxidants that help it deep cleanse the skin and aid conditions such as acne. It also contains sea buckthorn berries a ‘superfood’ known for their ability to hydrate and provide skin elasticity. This Summer  Deep Steam Salt Infusion also contains Atlantic Sea and Himalayan salts that have detoxifying powers and increase circulation as well. And let’s not forget the air-dried rose petals a skin cleanser and another antioxidant. All-in-all, we think this product is a bit of a wonder treatment for the skin.

Tempted by this Summer Collection? Then see here where all these products can be bought individually or you can get the entire bundle for £85.