Balm

Face Matters Skin Health - Serum, Balm and Cleanser

Living in London, it’s no surprise that we’re constantly around pollutants and toxic chemicals produced by one of the most metropolitan and commercial cities. In an environment such as this, your skin and health can often take a turn for the worse which is why at The Amazing Blog, we would like to reintroduce to you to one of our favourite brands  Face Matters Skin Health.

Founder, Sally Curson spent 30 years working in the beauty industry; as a therapist, within larger brands and also a product formulator. Although content and successful in the same, her life took a turn which resulted in the birth of this fantastic company. It all began when she suffered from rosacea and struggled to find products that helped and so began researching ingredients herself. Her goal is to offer the gentlest formulations that really work and to provide a range of natural/organic products that will be kind to both the skin and the environment.

Now with their NEW eco-friendly packaging (no cardboard or plastic bottles) and rebranding, their focus is on affordable luxury-quality products made from natural ingredients all made using reduced disposable packaging. The provenance of the ingredients contained in their formulations is integral to the whole brand. The products are made from natural and certified organic plant extracts, many of which are fair trade and sourced from small farms and producers. Each ingredient is assessed to ensure that it is totally pure. The artisan manufacturers are inspected annually by the Soil Association, who audit the ingredient trail from the farm to the finished product. Further, natural and organic skincare now has the ability to perform as well as synthetic skincare, whilst having the added benefit of feeding the skin in the best possible way. She kindly sent us three of her amazing products to review Face Off Cleanser, Face Food Serum and All About Face Balm.

The Face Off Cleanser is a super-efficient yet gentle formula ideal for removing makeup and all the everyday deep down dirty stuff. It leaves the skin soft, smooth and ready to glow and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. Made with aloe, rose, lemon, calendula and burdock, the cleanser proves to be essential for healthy skin elasticity, density and radiance.  Face Off Cleanser is 100ml priced at only £25 here the cleanser is surely an investment everyone needs to make.

Up next we tried the Face Food Serum it is a lightweight oil-based serum to deeply feed and nourish the skin and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. It is a super serum with key ingredients of safflower, calendula, lemon and sandalwood. Safflower is packed full of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids which are the building blocks of healthy cell membranes. These polyunsaturated fats also help produce the skin's natural oil barrier, critical in keeping skin hydrated, plumper, and younger-looking. Calendula is full of vitamin E which is non-greasy and quickly absorbed, keeping the skin healthy and moisturised, whilst soothing it simultaneously. Priced at £35, the serum is money well spent! 30ml priced at an affordable  £35 here.

Lastly, we tried the All About Face Balm which is a hardworking, multi-tasking balm. It can be used to pre-cleanse, cleanse and most importantly to nourish your skin. It leaves skin soft, nourished and ready to glow. It contains key ingredients of unrefined shea butter, jojoba, rose, geranium and clary sage. Jojoba is full of nutrients like vitamin E and B, as well as antioxidants and minerals like chromium, copper, and zinc, which all nourish and protect the skin. Organic, cold-pressed, jojoba oil has one of the highest levels of antioxidants and nutrients. Shea butter nourishes the skin with vitamins A, E and F. Vitamins A and E maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. These are particularly helpful for sun-damaged skin and to help prevent premature wrinkles and lines... And soften those pesky ones that are already there! 50g priced at £30 here, we think that this Balm is an absolute essential!

Dr Renaud – Acacia Honey Range

As you might remember, we have written about Dr Renaud before, featuring his Mango Hand and Nail Repair Cream and more recently reviewing his Rose Plumping Cleansing Oil. Dr Renaud has been a leader in cosmetology for more than sixty years. They bring science and skincare together, to produce effective products for various needs. Their newest Acacia Honey range was designed to target malnourished skin. There are three professional salon products in the range and also three retail products, which we were lucky to have the chance to review.

Acacia Honey Extract is one of the key ingredients that the three products contain. It is extremely rich in water, carbohydrates and fructose. This mixture allows it to be quickly absorbed by the skin, as well as maintaining moisture. Macerat, an organic honey oil, provides the skin with necessary lipids to nourish the skin.

The first of the trio is the Acacia Honey Intense Nutrition Cream. We used this as a day cream, as it is highly moisturising, but not too heavy on the skin. Cacao Butter adds regenerative properties to this cream, so it supports the skin to maintain its elasticity. For even more nutrition, Dr Renaud also added Royal jelly, propolis, and rice peptides to this moisturiser. Since we are living in London, we particularly like that these ingredients strengthen the skin against external aggressions, a.k.a. pollution.

We preferred to use the Acacia Honey Intense Nutrition Balm as a night cream because of its slightly thicker consistency. However, if you have dehydrated skin, this might work well as a moisturiser. Shea butter gives the skin heaps of hydration. This balm also includes all the ingredients mentioned above, to protect the skin from external aggressions. Dr Renaud describes the cream as "a cocoon of softness" on the skin. We can confirm that it left our skin feeling quite soft and smooth. Last in the bundle, is the Acacia Honey Intense Nutrition Mask, which we applied one to two times a week for ten minutes. Afterwards, we rinsed the remains off and patted our skin dry. We loved it for an extra hydration boost when we wanted to pamper our skin.

Overall, the Acacia Honey range is excellent for anyone looking for highly hydrating skincare with a sweet floral fragrance. You can get the Intense Nutrition Creme here for £25, the Intense Nutrition Balm here for £33 and the Intense Nutrition Mask here for £44.

 


 

 

 

SportFX Moisturising Lip Balm


Keeping our lips moisturised becomes a 24/7 job in the long winter months, especially when it's bitter and snowy day like today. So we here at The Amazing Blog have found the perfect solution to all your lip care needs. SportFX Moisturising Lip Balm in Candy Floss will leave your lips soft and nourished with a touch of sweetness. This is a new brand of skincare, make-up and activewear created with all types of active women in mind. What makes this range different are their long-lasting formulas that are sweat-proof, won’t clog the pores allowing the skin to breathe. Best of all, every product is paraben free, packed with vitamins and enriched with SPF to protect the skin from environmental damage.


We have two must-haves on our lip balm checklist: it must leave our lips soft and seriously hydrated and it needs to have a delectable flavour that keeps us going back for another application. So when our lip balm smells as sweet as Candy Floss, we never forget to apply it. This balm is formulated with a rich blend of natural oils, shea butter, and vitamin complex C, E & F, which melts right into your lips.

Even if the sun doesn’t make much of an appearance this time of year, it’s still important to keep your lips protected from harsh UV rays that can cause damage, which is why we like that this balm contains SPF15. Like the rest of the skincare and make up range it is also paraben free and dermatologically tested, so we know your lips will thank you for that little bit of daily TLC. We like the Candy Floss flavour.  This range of SportFX Moisturising Lip Balms also come in five other favours: Raspberry Rhubarb, Birthday Cake, Candy Cane and Strawberries and Cream. Great to carry in your handbag to switch up from day-to-day according to your mood.


This lip balm will give you the feeling that you’ve just indulged in Candy Floss from the fair; however, without the sugar rush or the calories! You can purchase the SportFX Moisturising Lip Balm here for £4.99.

XO Balm


As you know we at The Amazing Blog love to have a go-to beauty staple and for us not many beat XO Balm which is a latest multipurpose balm. The product is perfect for those with eczema, boyfriends with beards or sensitive skin in need or some TLC. The balm is effective in soothing and relieving dryness, sensitive and irritated skin. What’s more, the product is multi functional and can be used on the face, body and hair. 

The balm is 100% natural and has a simple four-ingredient formula that offers a natural alternative to prescription products for those suffering from eczema and dermatitis. The effective combination of beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil and chia seed oil locks in essential nutrients and soothes, restores and strengthens everything it is applied to. The balm won’t clog your skin and is fragrance-free. It contains no synthetics and leaves a long-lasting protective barrier with a matte finish. Within days one of us with eczema found that this balm not only stopped them itching but also took down their redness - we're impressed! We think that this little balm is a handy travelling companion as the tin packaging means that it fits in any bag, pocket or hand making it perfect for those on the go. 

You can purchase the balm here for £12.50.

ELLI Organic Beauty Range

We at The Amazing Blog like to be environmental friendly, and when we discovered the ELLI Organic Beauty Range, we were delighted that they shared the same ethical values. Produced by Herbs-Aplenty, this brand explores the spirit of Africa with its all-natural and multi-purpose beauty range. The products are inspired by the mountains, valleys, and deserts of Africa that are home to unique plant kingdoms with therapeutic properties.

We have already experimented a few of the products for you. One of our favourites is the citrus-scented Lip Balm, enriched with a nourishing blend of Shea butter, Marula oil, and Jojoba oil to illuminate your smile. For those unexpected skin irritations that appear just in time for special occasions, ELLI offers a spot balm with relieving natural anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. This multi-purpose balm also serves as a natural deodorant and insect repellent.

What truly sets ELLI apart from other natural products is the emphasis of traditional African culture and dedication to sustainability. The range is made entirely of certified organic ingredients, and the essential oils are harvested and processed on their own farm to ensure quality control.

If you share the same philosophy, shop for the lovely collection here.