Sanatio Naturalis: Precious Oil Treatment

When it comes to skin nourishment, face oils are always our first choice, with bonus points given if they’re also natural and sustainable. At The Amazing Blog, we couldn’t resist featuring one of our favourites with its abundance of organic oils, the Precious Oil Treatment from the award-winning botanical and sustainable brand Sanatio Naturalis.

Sanatio Naturalis was created in 2015 by founder Valerie Ruonan Shi, and we wrote the brand in 2017 featuring their Lavender essential oil, see here.  The essential oil and aromatherapy range were developed with the help of leading aromatherapist and author Daniele Ryman. Sanatio Naturalis is a British brand that incorporates the healing powers of botanicals, and the Latin name itself means 'the healing power of nature’. As Valerie says, "The holistic beauty secrets of plants have been passed from generation to generation. The ancient Greeks shared them, inspiring our Latin name, Sanatio Naturalis." The brand has raw and organic natural ingredients, all of which are sustainably sourced. "We place great importance on the origins of our raw materials. We travel the world in search of plants and oils." These all have full traceability with ingredients like geranium comes from Egypt, rose is cultivated in Bulgaria (4,000 kg of rose petals are needed to obtain 1 kg of the essence), lavender is from Haute Provence (France); lemons are harvested in southern Italy and frankincense from Somalia. Ingredients are all COSMOS Certified Organic, cruelty-free and vegan; these are ethically grown and harvested raw, therefore, free from preservatives, fillers, and chemicals; made without any parabens, or phthalates, sulphates, mineral oil, petroleum, synthetic colours and fragrances. In 2020, the brand supported COVID-19 pandemic NHS workers by giving away one product for each product purchased to NHS staff members. Since its inception, Sanatio Naturalis has worked tirelessly to perfect its formulas, which has earned them several awards, including Eluxe Magazine's 2018 Best Up and Coming Beauty Brand, and of course the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, Editor’s Choice Winner.

Precious Oil Treatment is a concentrated face oil full of nutrients combining antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. This blend is created to awaken the skin, and help it reach its optimum potential by restoring elasticity and hydration. As they say, "This silky light, nourishing oil absorbs instantly, leaving skin feeling smooth, supple and soft. A nourishing complex of 8 mostly organic luxurious oils to help restore firmness and elasticity, including jojoba, prickly pear, safflower, camellia seed, rosehip, argan, sunflower and cacay oil, it delivers immediate nourishment and radiant glow in just a few drops." This oil is also infused with calendula, edelweiss, and red-flowered silk cotton tree.

First, let's begin with the benefits of the oils. Jojoba is known to nourish your skin with hydration and vitamins; it also leaves skin feeling soft, silky, and smooth. Argan oil is easily absorbed by the skin, to give a glowing complexion. Prickly pear seed oil is an unusual raw ingredient on the list. This oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It also carries different vitamins, omegas, and fatty acids to help reverse signs of ageing and improve firmness. Cacay oil with its high doses of vitamin E and 68% linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), stimulates the renewal of cells to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Rosehip oil is full of vitamin C and works to stimulate collagen and heal scars. Camellia oil is used to retain hydration and promote soft and silky skin to reduce signs of ageing. Sunflower oil is used for skin hydration. Last but not least, safflower oil helps hydrate skin and soothe inflammation as it's filled with linoleic acid and vitamins B6 and E.

Then there are the three skin-protecting ingredients: edelweiss extract, calendula, and red-flowered silk cotton. Edelweiss extract is a natural anti-ageing agent and sun protectant. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, more potent than vitamin C, so it helps skin stay plump and smooth. It also helps protect from harmful UVA/UVB rays and helps repair damage caused by harmful free radicals. Calendula oil is made by infusing marigolds steeped in a carrier oil such as olive or jojoba oil. This blend helps with irritation and soothes skin with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Last but not least, we have red-flowered silk cotton. Found in Africa, this tree has parts that hold medicinal properties. Using the thorny part from the stem, this ingredient helps prevent damage from UV rays and toxic pollutants and supports the skin's natural defences.

Natural essential oils are added to give it a fresh aroma. "Naturally fragranced with a precious blend of therapeutic essential oils including Neroli and Jasmine to relax and soothe the senses, and provide an immediate sensation of well-being." The Precious Oil Treatment is easy to incorporate into your skincare; Sanatio Naturalis recommends applying a couple of drops onto cleansed and fresh skin day or night. We even added a drop to our moisturiser to enhance its hydration. It feels deliciously luxurious and can work well with any other skincare used, the fragrance of this oil won’t conflictt with its subtle jasmine/neroli scent. Not only is the product itself perfect for nourishment, but it comes in a sustainable small white 30ml glass bottle with a dropper and recyclable box. It also makes a perfect travel companion fitting into hand luggage for those sunny weekends away. You can purchase the 30ml Precious Oil Treatment here for £60.

by:BW Skincare : The Cleansing Oil

What’s more important to you… A skincare regime in the morning to pep up your skin? Or perhaps in the evening, to help get rid of the daily grim? At The Amazing Blog, our good skincare routine always starts by using a gentle and effective cleanser. That’s why we want to flag up another of our #amazingfinds with facial cleanser, The Cleansing Oil by British indie skincare By:BW Skincare.

As an expert on skin health and wellness for the past 25 years, Julie Brown began curating a natural skincare brand based on her extensive knowledge of herbs, plants, and essential oils. By:BW Skincare was launched in 2020, inspired by her spa therapy company, Boutique Wellbeing. Boutique Wellbeing is a therapy practice located on a private estate in Cotswolds. Since the beginning, Julie has been interested in sourcing her ingredients sustainably. "At the beginning of my journey creating by:BW, I knew that I wanted to ensure that the practices I used and the ingredients I sourced were as eco-conscious as I could possibly make them. Here I am sourcing some lavender in the Cotswolds, being as 'green' as possible and a low carbon footprint is woven within the fabric of my business." The brand produces handmade products in small batches and promises not to use factory manufacturing. By:BW Skincare aims to use all-natural and organic ingredients, and whenever possible, they try to source their ingredients locally from farmers. Their products are free from parabens, and synthetics, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. "I check the provenance of each base oil and essential oil I use, and my products are only tested [on] humans." The brand was featured in the August 2021 issue of Cotswold Living and more recently, has been awarded a ‘Commended’ at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards for The Cleansing Oil.

We found that The Cleansing Oil worked gently and effectively to remove the buildup that every day brings. As an oil cleanser, it targets dirt and makeup, while protecting the skin's natural barrier. We particularly like is that it shields the lipid layer without damaging the microbiota and microbiome, which keeps the skin in balance and healthy. The Cleansing Oil consists of only six natural oil: Grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, organic evening primrose oil, tocopherol, lavender oil, and organic eucalyptus oil.

Grapeseed oil is loaded with antioxidants and contains high amounts of omega fatty acids and vitamin E, which helps maintain moisture levels. This extract has many benefits, such as protecting against harmful free radicals, minimising wrinkles and uneven skin tones, with antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Sweet almond oil has high levels of vitamin E. This oil is often used to treat itchy and dry skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties and alleviates skin conditions such as eczema. Sweet almond oil is an excellent skin moisturiser because it won't clog your pores. Organic evening primrose oil (pictured above) relieves many irritable skin conditions and improves overall skin wellness. Tocopherol (vitamin E) is present in many vegetable oils from which it is naturally derived. This vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays and reduce UV damage. The two fragrant essentials lavender and organic eucalyptus, are best known for reducing skin inflammation and their anti-ageing benefits. To surmise, the cleanser is made up of only 100 per cent natural botanical oils.

The Cleansing Oil can be used on all skin types, including oily skin; as Julie says, "Contrary to belief, using an oil on oily skin is a good thing!" And we couldn’t agree more. An oil-based cleanser successfully removes any residue of SPF, makeup and pollutants from the day, unlike some others. To use, we applied directly onto dry skin and massaged into the face and neck. They suggest using a warm damp face cloth, leave on for 15 seconds, and allow the steam to open the pores. Then take three deep breaths to inhale the relaxing aroma of lavender and eucalyptus. After that, just wipe away the impurities or repeat for a double cleanse. We used this morning or at night for a refreshing skin boost. The blend of quality ingredients will help to keep a youthful complexion and lower the stress hormone cortisol, for positive effects on emotions and the skin. It won’t clog pores or leave your skin feeling dry and will leave a nice layer of moisture, giving a beautifully supple and glowy skin.

It comes in sustainable packaging, i.e. recyclable glass bottle, a reusable face cloth, a drawstring bag, and a biodegradable box. The Cleansing OIl, is 100ml and available here for £28. This seriously impressed us, and we hope to try more from by:BW Skincare in the future.

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.

Cotswold Remedies : Therapeutic Bath Oil Collection

With our busy schedule, we often find the best way to achieve some downtime is to take a nice long and relaxing soak. So at The Amazing Blog, we're always on the lookout for new essential oil bath remedies to try, which is why we want to introduce you to this Therapeutic Bath Oil Collection from the new brand Cotswold Remedies; with their set of three bath oils: Relax, Restore, and Revive.

Cotswold Remedies started in a small kitchen in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Founder Helen Ray got her inspiration to begin her skincare range during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 when she had time on her hands and wanted something to do. Helen said, "As a busy mum of two girls, juggling work and family life, I was always looking for the best products on the market to keep my skin looking great as I grew older. I wanted products that would keep my skin strong and supple as I entered my 40s but not blow my budget or require a complicated 10-step routine.” Once she completed her aromatherapy and organic skin formulation training, Helen rolled up her sleeves and got to work. It took her about 18 months to perfect a balanced formula for her bath oils range. The result was a range of products that delivered actual results at a fraction of the cost of similar high-end beauty products, all without compromising the quality of the ingredients. "I ended up improving them by stripping out any synthetic ingredients and adding more active ones."Cotswold Remedies officially launched in September 2021 and has been thriving ever since. The brand emphasises its use of 100% natural, organic, and ethical ingredients throughout the entire process. Cotswold Remedies products are also handmade in small batches to reduce the waste often produced by leftover products. Their range is also suitable for vegans and cruelty-free and is packaged in sustainable materials such as recyclable glass and cardboard sourced from sustainably managed forests. Since its launch, the brand has already won a few awards at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, including Best Bath Oil for their Relax Bath Oil and two Editor’s Choice Awards for the Collagen Boost Face Oil and Therapeutic Bath Oil Collection. They also won Best Aromatherapy Diffuser in Wellbeing for their Essential Oil Reed Diffuser.

What is a bath oil? Bath oils are a blend of scented oils added to water for bathing. Often used for more of a spa-like experience, if combined with aromatherapy/essential oils, they can also be very therapeutic. When oil is mixed with water, the diluted oil can penetrate deeply into the skin, providing relaxation and rejuvenation. They can also help with blood circulation and joint fatigue. Some aromatherapy oils can even help fight bacterial or viral infections. Of course, the most known benefit of bath oils is how they improve your skin leaving a long-lasting fresh scent and radiant skin.

Today we’re featuring their Editor’s Choice award-winning Therapeutic Bath Oil Collection, which includes the Relax, Restore and Revive bath oils. All three bath oils contain caprylic/capric triglyceride, AKA fractionated coconut oil. This version of coconut oil is more liquid than regular coconut oil and is deeply nourishing and easily absorbed by the skin, making it ideal to use as a carrier oil. It’s also rich in hydrating properties to keep skin moisturised and feeling smooth and silky. These three bath oils also have tocopherol; a natural vitamin E added to slow oxidation and gives the products a longer shelf life. Finally, each of the trio of bath oils contains a unique blend of essential oils combined for a purpose.

Let’s begin with the Relax Bath Oil, which contains a blend of chamomile, vetivert, lavender, patchouli, and clary sage essential oils. This specific blend helps calm your mind and body to promote restful slumber. Both chamomile and lavender have a calming effect on the mind and body, these oils are known to alleviate stress and keep the mind and body relaxed. Vetivert and clary sage work together with their calming properties to prepare the body for a good night's sleep. Patchouli is used to have a grounding and balancing effect on the mind, especially emotions. Together, these ‘relax’ both mind and body and encourage restful sleep.

The Restore Bath Oil is designed to relieve tense and aching muscles and stress. It contains a blend of pine, fir needle, black spruce, cypress, juniper berry, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender and lemon verbena essential oils. A mix of pine, fir needle, rosemary, and juniper berry can clear the head of negative thoughts and lets the mind focus. Black spruce, cypress, lemon verbena, geranium, and lavender all work together to alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Eucalyptus works to release the tension and aches of muscles. The Restore blend clears the mind, relaxes aching muscles and generally helps the body to decompress.

The third bath oil in the set is Revive Bath Oil. This unique blend of grapefruit, sweet orange, pink and black peppercorn, cajeput, lime, pine leaf, rosemary, lemongrass, juniper berry and geranium essential oils are used to stimulate your senses and energise your body to help fight fatigue. The blend of grapefruit, lemongrass, pine leaf, cajeput, and lime peel energises the body and mind and helps the body ward off tiredness. Sweet orange, juniper fruit, geranium flower, and pink and black peppercorn are all-natural mood enhancers. These oils uplift spirits and instantly bring balance to emotions. Rosemary is used here for improving your memory and concentration - which we all need!

To use these bath oils, simply add 5ml or 2-3 spoonfuls of the oil to a warm bath. Cotswold Remedies recommends mixing the bath oil in the tub before getting in to fully disperse. Then step in, lie down, take a deep breath and relax; it's time to ease away all that stress.

We loved using this trio. Our favourite was Revive; the fragrance, in particular, resonated with us. All three little bottles of blended essential oil magic have become our #amazingfinds, and for good reasons, they work! If you need more of a good therapeutic soak, then these are a bath oil set we’d recommend. To purchase the three 10ml bottles, in the Therapeutic Bath Oil Collection for £14, click here.

Grass & Co : REST 1000mg (11%) CBD Oil Drops & 300MG CBD Body Balm

Winding down after a busy day at work should be the best part of the day, and if you’re anything like us at The Amazing Blog, you’ll know only too well how challenging it is to get both body and mind to rest. Regular readers will know that we're big fans of CBD and on our journey, have gleaned much about this miracle hemp plant. Today we’re featuring two CBD products from Grass & Co - the REST 1000mg (11%) CBD Oil Drops, which recently won ‘Best Product to Calm Anxiety Before Bed’ and Rest 300mg CBD Body Balm an’ Editor’s Choice’ at 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

When the UK and Europe legalised CBD in 2018, Toby Gordon-Smith found the opportunity to create something innovative in the health and wellness industry. He told TechRound  "Looking at the stories of how CBD has genuinely changed people's lives was all the inspiration I needed. I've been working in wellness supplements since 2009 and in consumer goods my whole career." That same year, Toby founded Grass & Co a CBD company that focuses on topicals and edibles in three ranges: Calm, Ease, and Rest. The brand's mission is simple. Grass & Co wants to help its consumers reconnect with nature. "Our mission is to help our customers reconnect with nature by launching only the highest quality CBD blended with great-tasting botanical ingredients and beneficial vitamins. Our unique product range and formulations inspire well-being and have been specially created to work with your body to deliver uplifting results." Grass & Co promises to source only the most ethical and legally grown in the EU- meaning they’re grown without using toxic chemicals or pesticides. All products are natural, sustainable, vegan and broad-spectrum and THC-free. They are best known for their unusual combination of botanicals, which in their CBD oils offers unique smooth flavours. Grass & Co also promises full transparency on the entire process with lab testing and results available here and are now widely available on Amazon and at Holland & Barrett.

The first product we're focusing on is the REST 1000mg (11%) CBD Oil Drops, which have been created to help reduce fatigue, ensure feelings of wellbeing and aid a good night's sleep. This is the most potent one in the REST range; it contains 11% broad-spectrum CBD sourced from the hemp plant, which is also blended with hemp oil, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and MCT oil. MCT oil gives a smoothness in taste and a healthy dose of essential fatty acids. It also allows for a greater concentration of CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream, and vitamin B5 is crucial to red blood cell production and stress hormones.

What's unique about this blend is the unusual combination of the three oils primarily used for flavour: Bergamot, lavender and hops extract (part of the hemp family), and we have to say, as a combination, it’s a very palatable one. Bergamot comes from the citrus bergamia plant indigenous to the Mediterranean and has properties that can reduce feelings of depression and reduce cholesterol and joint pain. Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils and for a good reason; apart from its healing properties, it also works as a mood enhancer. This oil promotes relaxation and can treat feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. The hops extract comes from the flowering part of the hop plant, which is also used in brewing beer. Hops are primarily taken for anxiety, sleep disorders, and symptoms of menopause. To find your balance, Grass & Co recommends starting with a low dosage and then slowly building up to a higher dosage. We took it sublingually with a couple of drops under the tongue at night to help calm our busy minds. As mentioned, it has an unusual and pleasant taste that’s very smooth and mild. Although we're more advocates of full-spectrum CBD oil, we'd buy more of this, just for the flavour alone. It has approx 28 drops (or dosages) in this 10ml bottle and it comes in a recyclable cardboard box; to purchase the Rest 1000mg (11%) CBD Oil Drops for £72.50. see here.

The second product we tried was the Rest 300mg CBD Body Balm, again probably best to be used before bed. It’s designed to help with any soreness, inflammation, or just for tired limbs and contains 300mg of CBD. Our regular readers will already know the benefits of applying CBD balms for their therapeutic properties. However, for the CBD newbies, the 300mg of CBD here will relax any aching joints.

Apart from the CBD, the base (or carrier) oils are soy, grapeseed, evening primrose, passionflower and sunflower. The other healing essential oils are rose geranium, rosemary leaf, and frankincense. Rose geranium, in addition to treating conditions such as acne and dry skin, is used to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Rosemary helps ease pain and increase circulation and is particularly good for reducing anxiety and stress before bed. Lastly, we have frankincense, a resin from the boswellia tree, which will alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety and is a mood enhancer.

We like this natural CBD Body Balm because it's full of relaxation-inducing ingredients and can be used even on sensitive skin. We’d recommend massaging a liberal amount into aching limbs or stiff shoulders before bed, to allow it to work its magic. Or, in our case, working it intensively in between the finger joints (stiffness from too much typing!) This rich formula nourishes the skin and performs as a mild anti-inflammatory. Plus, the floral scent will help relax your mind and boost your mood. The 60ml Rest 300mg CBD Body Balm is available here for £39.50.

If you’re new to CBD, we think these two broad-spectrum products offer a brilliant starting point, they’ll work beautifully together to help ensure your body gets a well-earned rest.