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.

Zalina : Organic Radiant Eye & Lip Balsam

Here at The Amazing Blog, we strive to be ahead of the curve and be one of the first to reveal an exciting new beauty launch. Today, Zalina is that brand. Edwina recently judged their products at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards - it won her (and us) over with their award-winning ‘Best Zone-Targeted Beauty Product’ Organic Radiant Eye & Lip Balsam; it’s a great little multitasker that won’t disappoint. 

As a certified health and lifestyle coach with a background in beauty, Zalina Walchi, founded her company Zalina in 2018 in order to make a positive impact on the world of health and beauty. Although her Swiss organic skincare only launched at the end of 2021. As a beauty, health and wellness brand, Zalina prides itself on having 100% organic, waterless and preservative-free products that focus on three themes: the purest natural ingredients, gentle effectiveness, and uncompromised freshness. All ingredients are sourced from sustainable, organic farms and are free from animal testing. It all began when Zalina couldn’t find affordable skincare that had the standard of quality, purity, and efficacy that she wanted to use on her own skin. Zalina said, "I'm very passionate about skincare and beauty. I am grateful to formulate products inspired by the warmth of the Caribbean, the energy of New York and the pristine purity of my surroundings here in Switzerland." What sets the brand apart is the supercritical plant extracts used to regenerate, repair, and improve skin health. They’re also about the microbiome (AKA microbiota), an ecosystem of bacteria on the skin's surface that protects against pathogens and balances skin and the immune system. The brand has excellent eco-credentials, where they only use biodegradable containers made from molten wood and bottles from renewable sugar cane materials. Zalina has also partnered with New Zealand company CarbonClick which helps fight climate change. When a product purchase is made online, there’s an option to click a green button, which adds a small contribution. This contribution purchases carbon offsets, which reduce the environmental impact of the carbon emissions generated from the purchase. All products are formulated in Switzerland under strict quality control, certification and standards and are European and Swiss certified organic, vegan, cruelty-free and Icada Clean Beauty and (soon) Ecocert. There’s also an online immersive beauty experience called the Zalina Seamless Beauty & Green Beauty Class, with education on her natural ingredients, application techniques for her products, and personal tips for your beauty routine.

The Organic Radiant Eye & Lip Balsam is a multitasking product created for use on both the eyes and lips. Not many solo products have this dual-purpose, offering to nourish, hydrate and energise these areas of skin. It’s made up of eight 100% organic cold-pressed oils; karité, moringa, alpine rose, jojoba, wheat germ, rosehip, kukui, and chia.

Karité, (AKA shea butter), is an oil extracted from the fruit of a karite tree, with vitamins A and E, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Moringa is a non-fragrant plant oil that is full of antioxidants and vitamins. The Swiss alpine rose extract strengthens the skin's barrier function and protects skin proteins from oxidative stress and environmental damage. Jojoba is rich in fatty acids and has many skin-soothing properties. Wheatgerm softens skin and provides increased suppleness and strength. Rosehip oil is rich in antioxidants and known for its cell regeneration. Kukui is a Hawaiian plant that has emollient properties like fatty acids like linoleic acid and omega-3, which help calm and reduce skin inflammation. Chia seed oil is non-fragrant, again it’s rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants, and shown to relieve dry skin and restore the skin's moisture barrier.

The Eye & Lip Balsam is gentle and is particularly good for the delicate skin around the eye. We should mention that it’s also very hydrating for the lips. It’s one of those great little multitaskers that needs to be close to hand on a desk or in a handbag. With its hydrating qualities, It certainly protected our lips against chapping, and when applied around the eyes, it felt soothing and worked as an excellent primer for makeup. Comprised of only eight organic oils, together these rejuvenate, protect and repair, it’s simple yet effective, which is why it’s another of our #amazingfinds. These hydrating oils give skin an all-around natural glow, lips feel smoother and softer, and around the eyes, fine lines plumped up. This is our little hero product, and the Organic Radiant Eye & Lip Balsam can be purchased for 45 Swiss Francs here.

Aura Organics : Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask

Let’s talk face masks; it’s something that we love at The Amazing Blog, and consider an essential part of our regular skincare routine. We were lucky enough to test out The Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask from Aura Organics, which won Best Exfoliating Product at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Aura Organics was founded in 2015 and is a small family run business by Danielle Andrean. It is a London based spa and beauty brand focusing on both beauty and wellbeing. Their motto is "Pura Vida", which translates to "pure life" and ties into their mission statement as a natural, organic and holistic brand. As they proudly state, "Our company policy is to always be environmentally friendly, always keep up to date on the most interesting new remedies from around the world. We are organic. We are natural." The brand was also awarded the "Silver Award" at the 2018 Free From Skincare Awards and was nominated again the following year too. Aura Organics has a physical space in London where they offer spa and yoga services. "We welcome you to Aura Spa. Our sacred space is where you can indulge in guilt-free beauty and wellbeing. We pride ourselves in high-quality service with our friendly all-female team." Their treatments range from facials and pedicures to massages and CBD tanning. Their yoga and wellness studio provides a variety of physical classes. You can pick between a relaxing yoga class or a high-intensity pilates class. Got a little one? You're in luck because Aura Organics also offers baby yoga. In addition to this, their wellness studio provides more spiritual workshops such as angel readings and meditation. The skincare range from Aura Organics is cruelty-free, as well as paraben and sulphate free. The brand is also free from harsh chemicals as they have an extensive knowledge of healing plants. They even use natural preservatives such as fermented radish and coconut (see below). Most importantly, the brand strictly highlights being an all-natural and organic range of skincare. Danielle said, "My experience in working within the mainstream skincare industry revealed many problematic, unnatural and cheap ingredients in a lot of products that lack nutritional value and cause skin irritation. This initiated the beginning of a mission to apply the knowledge I had learnt, alongside studying organic cosmetic chemistry to create wholesome and organic products." Aura Organics also uses special coloured glass bottles to help protect the product from harmful UV rays and keeps products free from contamination by plastics. Overall the brand offers a wide range of both skincare and services to help keep the skin glowing, the mind healthy, and the body active. 

What we loved was the Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask, which is said to help reduce clogged pores and leave the skin firmer, moisturised and radiant, The star ingredient here is honey. The brand specifically uses acacia mangium honey, which some have compared to manuka honey, but this is far more sustainable. The honey is imported from the Borneo rainforest, with the bees pollinate the abundance of acacia mangium trees. This honey (like most) is rich in nutrients and minerals like iron, zinc potassium calcium and copper, vitamin C and other antioxidants. However, acacia mangium honey, like manuka, it’s thought to help improve the healing time of wounds; making it a great choice to use if you have scarring or any common skin conditions like acne. Aura Organics says that they chose this honey as it's completely free from pollutants and supports the delicate ecological balance in its surroundings.

The Exfoliating Face Mask has a base of kaolin clay which is purifying and detoxifying, it gently cleanses the skin to remove dirt, grime, and general pollutants. It’s also infused with organic sweet orange oil and beta carotene-rich organic mango butter and extract. These both moisturise, are rich in antioxidants, stop dryness and help soothe any skin irritation.

For the exfoliant, the organic pineapple powder complements the bamboo extract, for a natural and gentle way to remove dead cells from the skin’s surface. Not only is bamboo high in antioxidants, but it contains large amounts of natural silica which strengthen and tighten the skin, that naturally retains moisture keeping the skin hydrated. It also naturally absorbs dirt and bacteria to keep pores clean, exfoliating the skin for better absorption of serums or moisturisers, in order to give a healthier-looking complexion. Finally, the fermented radish root and coconut are here as pure and natural preservatives - giving the product a safe and longer shelf life.

Packaged in a small metallic rose gold jar, we can only describe this mask as uplifting with its fruity and zesty scent. It smells almost good enough to eat! Whipped into a creamy paste, the kaolin clay combined with all the ingredients gives it a good thick texture, making it easy to spread generously and evenly on the face, neck and décolletage. We applied it as a mask and kept it on for about 10-15 minutes to hydrate and moisturise. Then gently massaged it in, using slow circular motions to exfoliate and eliminate all the dead skin, before rinsing off and patting dry. We love the natural and organic ingredients, and also how it leaves the skin super-soft and looking refreshed. Aura Organics recommends using this once or twice a week, followed by a soothing moisturiser. For us, it’s a keeper and another of our #amazingfinds. You can purchase the 100g Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask here for £12. 

Menteath Lewes : Smoked Bay Body Oil

Today is the start of a series of our product reviews, where Edwina had the privilege to be on the panel of judges for this year’s 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards. They are also our #amazingfinds here on The Amazing Blog. As regular readers will know we love to find and share new sustainable and indie brand products. And what better way to kick off than by reviewing a brand awarded “Best Brand to Watch 2022.” This unique skincare company, Menteath caught our attention with their handcrafted products and wild-grown ingredients inspired by ancient traditions. Watch this space as they make new strides in the world of natural skincare. We want to introduce you to their very special Smoked Bay Body Oil, which we fell in love with.

In 2019, Felicity Stuart-Menteath, inspired by nature’s beauty, created her brand Menteath in the memory of her grandfather, Fred Hatton. Menteath is an all-natural, organically certified and holistic skincare that carefully and thoughtfully creates infused skincare products. As Felicity says, “I have fused traditional smoke rituals from the Middle East and Old England, bringing together ancient traditions, conservation, and wildlife, with beauty in nature.” The name of the brand itself alludes to Felicity’s Scottish lineage, although the brand is based in Lewes, Sussex. She has drawn her inspiration from her journeys in the beautiful surroundings of the Sussex Downs and the Highlands to create a range of products, which include body oils, face oils, cleansers, and tonics. Apart from nature and the environment, Menteath prioritises sustainability and ethics. “I harvest fallen trees four times a year in line with the seasons in two woodland locations in Sussex, England, and Perthshire, Scotland. Each tree species allows me to create small batches of beautifully fragranced plant-derived oils.” They only use all-natural and well-sourced ingredients, and Menteath works with like-minded suppliers and producers that also aim to work ethically and sustainably. Additionally, the brand uses recycled materials for packaging its products, even generously offering a refill service to its customers. It’s important to the brand to source suppliers who work ethically, organically and provide alternative livelihood programmes supporting organic farmers who grow and harvest their plants every year. They have planted over 1,000 trees at Knepp Wildlife in Sussex, where each purchase of a Gift Box results in tree planting. Menteath also supports the Alternative Livelihoods Project (ALP) in Afghanistan, where much of the Earth's poppy seeds are harvested and sold. Poppies are crucial to the economy in Afghanistan, but they have unfortunately cost the lives of many innocent individuals. The ALP works to provide small farmers with the opportunity to grow alternatives to opium poppies and earn a stable income. Many of these farmers have successfully moved from poppy farming to organic rose otto farming. Each bottle sold of Menteath's Wild Path Body Oil supports these farmers in Afghanistan. Felicity also offers personalised massages and facials at her shop in Lewes - see here to book.

The Smoked Bay Body Oil is enriched with a smoky wood infusion, inspired by the smoke bathing similar to a dukhan, a practice where smouldering wood is placed around the oil, with wool draped over it to create a smoke chamber, which generates a rich herby and woody aroma from the scented smoking wood. According to Felicity, this body oil is a nod to the Aleppo Soapmakers in Syria, with its distinct smoky scent, and healing and soothing qualities.

The oil is rich in vitamins and actives that nourish the skin. The fundamental elements here are the combined oils with olive, wheat germ, jojoba, and sunflower. These moisturise and protect skin from environmental damage and pollution. They are also plentiful with fatty acids which helps the skin produce more collagen, for ample benefits to help improve the skin's elasticity. The wheat germ contains tocopherol (vitamin E) which nourishes, hydrates and is rich in antioxidants. The rosewood strengthens and regenerate the skin, and is, therefore, ideal for treating stretch marks or tired skin.

The further aromatic ingredients also include cade oil, which possesses anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Historically used in folk medicine, cade oil is obtained by dry distillation from the branches of Juniperus oxycedrus, also known as prickly juniper, and further gives the product its smoky and woody scent. Like cade oil, lanus nobilis fruit (bayberries) here has anti-bacterial properties and depth to the scent with its sweet and spicy notes.

Thyme, pimento and racemosa leaf (part of the West Indian bay tree family), generate a delicious herby aroma. There’s the anti-microbial parsley seed which adds green, spicy, herbal notes to balance the smokiness. Limonene and geraniol are both ingredients used here to enhance the product’s scent. Geraniol is a naturally derived fragrance from plants such as rose, geranium and citronella. It serves as an excellent scent carrier with a floral bouquet and is known to offer the aroma a longer shelf life. Finally, limonene is present for its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. that is also known to calm skin.

The Smoked Bay Body oil is a treat. When opening the bottle the initial scent notes remind us of sweet burning leaves, which then mellow into more fragrant green tea and leathery notes. It becomes moreish, as the fragrance lingers with its rich aroma that gives a feeling of peace and comfort. Although it’s created as body care we couldn’t resist using it on hair ends too. Designed to be used after bathing or showering at night, we noticed when used, our skin was left hydrated and soft in the morning; making this another of our #amazingfinds and an excellent addition to any self-care routine. It’s a remarkable ode to nature and is undoubtedly a unique product, that has forged a way to connect modern skincare with ancient traditions. To purchase the 50ml Smoked Bay Body Oil at £48 see here.