Founder’s Formula : Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum

Regular readers of The Amazing blog will know how much we love to discover and introduce new and unusual plant-based ingredients. Today, we're featuring Founder's Formula,  a brand whose mission is to unlock the potential of Australian botanicals. This type of skincare is a first for us, so we were excited to try their Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum with its award-winning and cutting-edge ingredients. 

The Australian skincare Founder's Formula was launched in February 2021 by anthropologist Dr Annie Holden. She has spent 35 years of her professional life working in remote areas of Australia with indigenous peoples, and during this time, she developed an interest in Australian botanicals. There are 23,000 known species in Australia, but scientists have studied less than 1,000 of these to date. Also, 85% of Australia's plants can only to be found in Australia! Many of these plants have evolved to store vast quantities of phyto-compounds (protective chemicals with medicinal potential) needed to survive the harsh Australian climate. The ancient aborigines have revered these indigenous botanical ingredients for their healing and protective properties on the skin. Dr. Holden was inspired to incorporate this alchemy of medicinal plants into modern skincare to create products that are "the best possible with no compromises in ingredients, formula, concentrations or manufacture." Drawing on research from Australia's leading 5 Star Plant Sciences universities, Dr. Holden collaborated with formulation chemists to develop the Founder's Formula range. With the thirteen facial products now in the range, the brand formulates with four main missions in mind: Hydration, anti-inflammation, hyperpigmentation and pro-ageing. They aim to provide deep hydration, tackle skin inflammation at the source, reduce hyperpigmentation caused by age or sun exposure, and bring vitality back to the skin. In addition, Founder's Formula is certified Certclean and meets with Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACO), as they source ingredients from certified organic suppliers. They say that ingredients are certified organic, wild-harvested, and spray-free, and they are diligent in our sourcing and the provenance of our ingredients. All products are made in Australia without any toxins, animal products, or animal testing. 

Founder's Formula Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum was the Gold Winner of the Global Clean and Green Beauty Awards 2021 "Best Vegan Skin Care Product" award.  And with good reason! It's a serum that uses the key ingredients Australian native tobacco (nicotiana benthamiana) plant, aloe vera, sodium hyaluronate and gluconolactone. Let's start with the one that puts this serum head and shoulders above the rest…  The Australian Native Tobacco, a relative of tobacco, activates the same pathways as retinoids that lead to the stimulation of collagen but is actually four times more effective. We also learned from scientists at the Queensland University of Technology that this Australian tobacco plant holds a gene that could be key to growing crops in space. This extraordinary nicotiana benthamiana has survived the harsh climate of the northern territory for over 750,000 years - all with no immune system! A trait that means contrarily it's very resilient, with fast-growing abilities, which, if transferred to other plants, would be beneficial in a sterile environment like space. It's also been widely used in the study of plant virology and has been the plant species of choice for some scientists in their quest to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The other key ingredients are organic aloe vera leaf extract, full of vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, all of which are antioxidants. Aloe vera also has anti-inflammatory properties, lightens skin pigmentation, and has been shown to increase collagen production in the skin. Also, not forgetting the sodium hyaluronate here (a derivative of hyaluronic acid), which penetrates deeper into the skin to boost skin hydration and elasticity. And finally, the gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), is often referred to as next-generation AHA – although similar, it is much gentler and better for more sensitive skin types. It also helps increase skin cell turnover and improve the appearance of ageing skin.

This Phyto-A+ serum has been shown to reduce pore size, improves radiance, increases hydration, and reduces the count and appearance of wrinkles through these combined potent ingredients. In clinical trials, participants experienced a 42% improvement in wrinkle count, 37% improvement in wrinkle depth, 47% improvement in skin radiance, and hydration up by an improved 27%. Best of all, these results appeared after only one month of daily use (see their website). The serum is suitable for all ethnicities and skin types. It also has a pH level of 5.5, which is the ideal pH level for skin, and allows it to perform at its optimum. It is fragrance-free, so no scent conflicts with other layered moisturisers or makeup. It's a potent clear gel-like serum, where only a few drops are needed. Measured from the glass pipette, we applied about two or three drops onto cleansed skin, morning and evening. It felt refreshing and cool on the skin and was quick to absorb. It is a versatile serum that can be used by itself or, as mentioned above as we did, under moisturiser or makeup. It suited all our skin types and felt light and hydrating. It’s another of our #amazingfinds! Founder's Formula recommends for dry or mature skin; you can pair it with their Nourishing Facial Oils or with the Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum for sun-damaged and pigmented skin. We are looking forward to trying more from this brand and discovering more botanical wonders from down-under. To purchase the 30ml Founder's Formula Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum at $120.00AUD see here. AND to get a 10% discount please click here expiring 30 June 2022, Adding code AMAZING at check out, valid one per customer.

CBDila : POLISH, and NOURISH

More and more, hemp-infused and CBD products are being produced here in the UK, and as CBD fans we have a particular interest in trying new topicals and edibles. Today at The Amazing Blog, we’re excited to share with you CBDila a budding (yes, pun intended) CBD skincare range. As regular readers will know, we think that the benefits of the CBD are numerous, which is we love testing out new products.

CBDila is a skincare brand that comes under the CBD Box umbrella. CBD Box is considered one of the leading online retailers of licensed cannabidiol (CBD) products. It is a premium CBD brand created with the mission to produce and sell the highest quality CBD health and wellness products. Currently, they have two brands the CBD Box itself and CBDila. Both brands were recently established by Damon Booth. This was after 2018 when he set up his Malta-based medical cannabis company Melabis. It is a company that researches the cannabis industry, and recently secured over 3k hectares of agricultural land to grow hemp in Uzbekistan. BTW did you know that growing cannabis and/or hemp uses around 10 -15% times less water than cotton production? Hemp is also considered a valuable carbon-sequestering crop together with other commercial crops, such as soybean rice-wheat and sugarcane. We recently saw a comment here quoting that 1 acre of hemp will sequester the same amount of co2 in a year, as an acre of 100-year-old oak trees. As a CBD aficionado, the driving force for Booth is to find the highest grade CBD to create his edibles and topicals for improving both his and his consumers’ lifestyle. Beyond growing and sourcing natural CBD, the sustainability of the packaging and products is also important to Booth. CBDila currently has five THC-free CBD infused skincare products, which we presume are made with CBD isolate (CBD Box please correct us here if we’re wrong!) They are 97% natural, cruelty-free and vegan; and packaged in recyclable glass jars and bottles. 

Let’s start with the first of these two-body products, the CBDila’s POLISH. This they refer to as a “refining body polish for smoother skin.” The subtle fragrance that greets you is an uplifting subtle zest from the lime essential oil. The base oils are sweet almond, olive and coconut. These have gentle and hydrating qualities but are also excellent for deep cleansing pores from impurities. The olive and coconut oils are both full of antioxidants that moisturise and minimise the signs of skin ageing; they are also notably good cleansers for those with dry skin as they revitalise and strengthen the skin's tonicity. The 300mg of THC-free CBD isolate here, is in a refined crystalline form, which is odourless and is also thought to be the purest and most potent form of CBD. Mainly extracted from hemp, the isolate is produced by removing all other compounds found in the plant, including other cannabinoids isolating the CBD. This isolate is thought to be the best type of CBD for use in skincare, as it doesn't clog pores and is packed with skin-rejuvenating antioxidants properties. However, there are a few other ingredients that make this body POLISH that piqued our interest, with the pumice stone and fruit extracts from strawberry and melon. The pumice stone is crushed into a fine powder and acts as a natural exfoliant, as it gently exfoliants to remove dead skin cells and clean pores. The strawberry and melon extracts are also full of potent antioxidants, which are key players in collagen synthesis, promoting the growth of new and healthier skin cells. The POLISH is easy to use, it’s a creamy consistency and when gently massaged into damp skin, there is an exfoliating feel as the pumice powder does its work. Finally, rinse well and pat dry, and you have soft, hydrated skin, and this is then the moment to apply the CBDila NOURISH (see below). 

NOURISH is a CBD infused body oil. This body oil absorbs into the skin to help target any “problem areas” – think dryness, inflammation, cellulite, or stretch marks. It contains 500mg of THC free CBD (see above about isolate), which provides excellent anti-inflammatory relief. The all-natural ingredients also include grapeseed oil for conditioning, avocado oil for repairing and rosehip oil for regenerating the skin. By also combining evening primrose for its moisturising properties and vitamin E for skin conditioning, these ingredients create a well-balanced body oil. There is also the nut oil tamanu which stimulates collagen production in the skin, helping to slow skin ageing, and also reduce the appearance of scar tissue. The sweet orange scent from the sweet orange oil is packed full of monoterpenes to stimulate your senses, relieve stress and uplift mood. NOURISH is a hydrating body oil, with a powerful blend of natural ingredients. Again, it’s is easy to use. A little goes a long way; simply massage a few drops from the pipette onto clean skin to stimulate circulation and blood flow. This was our favourite out of the two products, and we think best used after a shower in the morning, to make you feel ready to take on the day!

To purchase either of these 100ml CBDila products for £35, see here for POLISH and here for NOURISH.

Khali Min: Rescue Oil & Clean Cream Conditioner

As we all have very different hair textures (and hair issues) here at The Amazing Blog, so we set about trying to find the latest natural haircare product to help to bring us stronger, tangle-free and glossy hair. We’d heard lots of good things about these two award-winning products by Khali Min, with The Rescue Oil, and the Clean Cream Conditioner which they very kindly sent to us to try.

Khali Min is a British haircare brand with its heritage roots in Egypt. This independent, women-led company began its journey in the challenging year of 2020 by founders Anda Marei and Vanessa Karlo. Anda grew up in Egypt, where beauty rituals are treated as occasions of social interaction. Anda has fond memories of rummaging through her mother's skincare fridge, reading the labels of her products, and testing them out on herself. Although she started in the editing and publishing industry, Anda has always been fascinated by different beauty ingredients and often found herself playing around with different oils, butters, and essences. Meanwhile, Vanessa's story began in New York, where she grew up. Vanessa felt influenced by her memories of her mother paying close attention to her magnificent head of hair. Vanessa's appreciation for craftsmanship played a significant role in her own interests in entrepreneurship, emerging markets, and sustainability. Both women took a leap of faith into the beauty industry to create an effective, sustainable, certified vegan, and cruelty-free brand. Their inspiration started when they met as magazine editors, then a few years later, Anda and Vanessa met again in London, where they discovered a passion for Egyptian beauty heritage and a fascination with Egyptian oils. They decided to combine British innovation with Egyptian roots to create a nourishing and revitalising haircare range, challenging the idea that haircare products should be categorised by type; as they believe that a hair formula should not be based soley on need, type or texture. The words ‘Khali Min’ mean 'free from' in Arabic, making this brand very appropriately named with their simple, natural, and transparent ingredients all of which are many harvested through renewable energy sources. All of Khali Min's products are sustainably packaged and supplied, this means that these are reusable, recyclable, or compostable. They also use FSC-certified paper stock and vegetable-based inks. Egypt’s limited water resources and arable land serve as a reminder for sustainability and motivates the brand’s ethos. Khali Min is proud to be awarded The Beauty Shortlist’s 2021 Wellbeing Editor’s Choice, Grazia’s Hair Award for Best Softening Oil, and recognised as a sustainable British brand with Selfridge’s Project Earth.

Khali Min’s debut product is the Rescue Oil, it’s a lightweight, multipurpose hair oil that works to repair and strengthen hair naturally. This hair oil can be used to help smooth hairs as a styling tool, revitalise the locks as a leave-in product to keep hair nourished all day, or used as an overnight treatment for the scalp and ends to be washed out in the morning. Any of these methods leave the hair feeling softer without the greasy texture that is sometimes associated with hair oils. The Rescue Oil uses many ingredients indigenous to Egypt to create its achieved results for dry and dull hair. A notable few include jojoba oil, macadamia oil, brocolli oil and avocado oil. Jojoba oil, which is harvested in the western desert of Egypt using solar energy, is rich in vitamins that nourish the hair, such as vitamin C, E, copper, and zinc. These vitamins help to strengthen and moisturise hair while promoting hair thickness and preventing dandruff. Macadamia oil is loaded with fatty acids and oleic acid oil, which are easily absorbable and perfect for dry hair. The macadamia oil is responsible for adding moisture back into dry and damaged hair. The broccoli seed oil here is for maximum hydration and silicone-free slip. Avocado oil has similar properties as macadamia oil, adding another dose of oleic acid, which helps retain hair moisture. However, avocado oil also has monounsaturated fats, which help to strengthen the hair shaft and prevent breakage. The Rescue Oil goes to work immediately to nourish the hair no matter whichever way it is used. We all agreed that our favourite way to use this was by massaging the oil into the scalp and ends, allowing it to be absorbed (they suggest 30 mins), and then washing our hair as usual. Using this as a pre-shampoo treatment left hair feeling glossy and bouncy. Our ends especially felt moisturised and looked remarkably healthy, and the slight scent of citrus was a lovely touch. On a personal note (I’m the one with fine long curl hair) this was brilliant to use with a few drops in the palms to smooth over to tame any stray flyaway hairs.

The second product we tried is their Clean Cream Conditioner. This leave-in conditioner aims to soften, hydrate, detangle, and protect against dryness and breakage without the use of silicone. The conditioner can be used in different ways depending on the condition of the hair. For dry hair, Khali Min recommends applying the cream from roots to tips while damp without rinsing (this is great for curly hair). For dull hair, they advise using a pea-sized amount from mid-lengths to ends without rinsing. For fine hair, they recommend applying from roots to ends, letting it sit to absorb and moisturise (we did this for about 5 mins), and then gently rinsing it out. Again what we loved about this Clean Cream with its unique formulas, is the versatility for all hair types. A few ingredients that assist in creating healthy hair are rosehip oil, aloe vera, and murumuru butter. Rosehip oil helps to nourish the hair through its fatty acid, lycopene, and vitamin C properties. The rosehip oil adds moisture to help strengthen the locks and prevent breakage. Aloe vera, known for centuries as the ‘plant of immortality’ in Egypt, helps to hydrate the hair. Aloe vera is full of fatty acids and amino acids that play a significant role in strengthening hair follicles. Murumuru butter is a unique ingredient that makes a great addition to hair conditioner, as it helps to lock in moisture given by other components and keeps hair looking shiny. Murumuru butter is known for restoring hair and maintaining elasticity, helping keep the hair smooth and bouncy. The leave-in conditioner absorbed in the hair without a trace and immediately left us with soft and shiny hair - we also found it gave weight to fine flyaway hair and offered protection against heated hair tools. We found that using the Rescue Oil as a pre-shampoo treatment and using the Clean Cream Conditioner as a post-shampoo nourishment, they worked beautifully together to revitalise the ends and left the scalp and roots hydrated and soft - plus suitable even on colour-treated hair. Did we have a favourite out of the two? Difficult to choose, but on balance I think it would have to be the Rescue Oil as it left our hair smelling beautifully fresh and fragrant with its zesty ingredients. What we particularly like about Khali Min is that they have a particular focus on scalp health, utilising these natural ingredients to address scalp concerns. If you’re looking for a luxurious, culturally diverse, and sustainable haircare range, that will take your hair care to the next level, then we think that these two Khali Min products will be for you. To purchase the Rescue Oil for £38, click here. To purchase the Clean Cream Conditioner for £25, click here. 

Skin Beautiful Organics: Luscious Day Souffle

For those of us at The Amazing Blog who struggle with keeping our skin hydrated in a blazing 30 degrees (yes, after a gloomy August, the UK is finally now having an Indian summer!), a good light and long-lasting natural moisturiser is essential. Which is why we are returning to one of our favourite and trusted all-natural luxury skincare brands, Skin Beautiful Organics with their popular Luscious Day Souffle.

For those unfamiliar with this company, Skin Beautiful Organics is a luxury skincare brand based in the USA. This newly launched brand was released in 2020 by founder Ethel Emmons, but her own skincare journey began in 2007. Ethel, a digital strategist and entrepreneur, constantly struggled to find skincare products that would not cause her sensitive skin to redden, swell, or itch. She found it hard to find chemical-free and natural products that would work with her skin sensitivity. Ethel started experimenting with creating homemade, natural skincare remedies to soothe and protect her skin, using ingredients like whole fruits, herbs, and essential oils. With this, she found her passion and decided to pursue formal studies at the UK International School of Natural Skincare, where she received her Certificate of Natural Skincare Formulation. After finishing her studies, Ethel created Skin Beautiful Organics to make all-natural skincare products, such as cleansers, serums, creams, scrubs, and toners. She uses only the most innovative natural science techniques and manufactures all her products in an FDA-registered and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant facility powered by 100% renewable wind energy. All products are handcrafted in small batches to maintain freshness, created using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, and have met or exceeded the Whole Foods Premium Standards for Personal Care Products.

The Luscious Day Souffle is the first dedicated day cream that we have tried from Skin Beautiful Organics. This Day Souffle cream rejuvenates and protects the skin from the unavoidable environmental stress that our skin faces throughout the day. It also absorbs quickly and aims to repair and nourish dull, dry, uneven, or ageing skin without clogging the pores or feeling heavy. Like many of their other skincare products, this cream contains a whopping number of organic ingredients, in fact it’s sixty-four in total, that all serve different purposes in helping to replenish and maintain the skin. We note that top of the list of ingredients is aloe vera, with its cooling, anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties, and it couldn’t be a more appropriate ingredient for this light and luxurious Day Souffle cream. Some of the other most unique and notable of these ingredients include raspberry seed oil, macadamia nut oil, and papaya seed oil. The raspberry seed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps lock in moisture, while the high amount of vitamin E found in this oil prevents oxidative damage. All together, the raspberry seed oil is a highly effective moisturiser that helps to keep the skin dewy and firm, all while protecting the skin from premature ageing. Macadamia nut oil is rich in oleic acid, which has impressive moisturising and anti-inflammatory abilities. The oleic acid found in macadamia nut oil is perfect for those with mature skin, as it deeply penetrates the skin's surface to moisturise and prevent the formation of wrinkles. The papaya seed oil has a broad range of antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, and omega fatty acids. The papaya seed oil provides gentle skin exfoliation, which encourages skin cell turnover, leading to a fresh and bright complexion while increasing skin elasticity. This multifaceted day cream works quickly to hydrate, protect, and nourish the skin, leaving the skin looking radiant and youthful.

Skin Beautiful Organics advises after cleansing and toning, to apply a small amount of the Day Souffle cream to face, neck, and décolleté area; plus to use one of their facial serums first, to obtain the best results. We found that this Day Souffle cream was perfect for under makeup or a sunscreen, and kept skin cool and hydrated even in this late summer heat! It felt very soothing to apply, a little went a long way and with regular daily use it kept going for an astonishing 45+ days. We loved the light scent where the subtle sweet fragrance of the neroli essential oil comes through, and found that our skin felt dewy and soft after application. If you are looking for a gentle, hydrating and luxurious day cream that will bring out the best in your skin, then this highly rejuvenating Luscious Day Souffle will be for you. To purchase this day cream for £75, click here.

FOUR HER: Gold Shimmer Oud Crystal Keyring

Whether it's through hair, makeup, clothing, or accessories, we all love to express ourselves through our appearance, and those of us at The Amazing Blog are no different! However, if we had to choose just one product it’d be this eye-catching and aromatic Gold Shimmer Oud from FOUR HER with its multitude of uses.

FOUR HER is a UK based clothing and beauty brand created by four sisters Sadia, Nadia, Shereen, and Nazima Chuhan in 2019. Although they were born and raised in London, the sisters grew up immersed in their multicultural family background. Influenced by fashion and beauty trends of the Middle East, Pakistan, and Africa, the sisters have blended these international elements with Western trends to create their unique style. They began to design their own clothing, receiving a flood of comments and compliments from others wherever they went. Over time, they began to receive requests from friends and private commissions both within the UAE and the UK, which formed the foundation and inspired them to launch FOUR HER. The sisters aim to bring together both modern and traditional women from all heritages, creating clothing that allows, as they say, "everyone to embrace the elegance whilst feeling and looking happy, inside and out." Since then, the FOUR HER founding sisters have expanded the brand to also include a children's clothing line and their exclusive Gold Shimmer Oud perfume oil. Across all designs and clothing lines, they prioritise using exclusive fabrics and limited editions, taking significant measures to ensure top quality control of each piece. 

FOUR HER sent us their Gold Shimmer Oud Crystal Keyring, a travel-size version of their Gold Shimmer Oud Perfume Oil is packaged in a sleek and convenient crystal glass bottle with a golden stopper and keyring. The FOUR HER Gold Shimmer Oud is a perfume enriched with biodegradable gold shimmer particles and sweet floral notes of rose petals and ylang ylang enveloped by white musk and woody sandalwood. The perfume also contains chords of soft vanilla patchouli, rich strands of saffron, and balancing accents of calabrian lemon, creating a romantic, indulging, and lasting fragrance. Oud oil (often called ‘liquid gold’ and worth about 1.5 times more than gold) is derived from the tropical Agar tree native to the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. When the agar tree becomes infected by a mould called phialophora parasitica, it produces a resin to protect itself. Oud is extracted from the resin by distilling or melting the resin.. However, only about 2% of trees in the wild produce this resin, making Oud a rare and expensive ingredient in the essential oil market. Oud oil smells intense and smoky in its raw state but can also be simultaneously pleasing and sensual. There can be slight fragrance variations based on the climate in which the Agar trees grow, the age of the trees, the harvesting techniques, and how the skin's chemistry reacts with the oil. Oud is associated with harmony and serenity, and if applied regularly, it’s believed to remove negative energies in one's life, aid in mediation, and improve mental clarity. In addition to the benefits that the oud provides, there are also benefits to using perfume oils. They don't evaporate into the air because they don't contain alcohol, so the scent lasts longer, and you have to apply less to get the same effects. Oil-based perfumes are also less drying to the skin and can provide moisturisation, making them ideal for anyone with dry skin. To apply the Gold Shimmer Oud, carefully shake the bottle to activate the gold shimmer. We then applied 1-3 drops of oil onto the skin with the stick applicator, gently dabbing until it’s left a light shimmering sheen. You can focus on pulse points like the wrists and neck or apply it to highlight cheek or collarbones. FOURHER even suggests adding it on the ends of the hair to make it glisten! The fragrance is divine…with warm and seductive notes that envelop you with rose, vanilla and sandalwood. To experience this luxurious and warm scent of this exclusive Gold Shimmer Oud, you can purchase the Gold Shimmer Oud Crystal Keyring in three different bottle designs here  at £10.00 for 3ml.