While there are many paraben, sulphate and cruelty beauty products out in the market, there aren’t many skincare brands that are both colour and fragrance free. For The Amazing Blog readers that have a sensitive skin, we have found an entire skincare range that is free from any irritating chemicals and scents. Manchester-based beauty brand Skin Academy has developed the six-product Pure range that leaves your skin feeling replenished and nourished - all at an affordable price.

Skin Academy’s Pure range contains products for every step in your skincare routine and that are great for all-skin types. The range contains a Cleansing Facial Scrub, Cleansing Facial Wash, Moisturising Eye Cream, Daily Moisturiser, Cleansing Micellar Water and two Soothing Sheet Masks. All six products contain two key non-irritants: Aloe vera and green tea extract, that soothe, cool and protect the skin. Skin Academy prides itself on offering ‘incredibly high quality skincare at extremely affordable prices’ and after trying the Pure range first hand, we can completely recommend their products for anyone who is looking for a brand that is gentle to your skin and kind to your wallet.

The first product of the line, the Cleansing Facial Wash is gentle cleanse for everyday use that provides great results. In addition to cleansing the skin, this gel-based facial wash can remove all make up as well. If you want something more exfoliating, the Pure Cleansing Facial Scrub removes any dead skin or impurities to reveal smoother skin. Since the facial scrub is a little harsher, Skin Academy recommends only using this scrub for a maximum of twice a week. After cleansing the skin with the wash or the scrub, apply a thin layer of the Daily Moisturiser to your face and neck. In addition to the aloe vera and green tea extract, the moisturiser contains Glycerin, Shea Butter, Pro-Vitamin B5 and even SPF 15 and UVA-UVB filters that work together to moisturise and protect skin from any sun damage. Next, the application of their Moisturising Eye Cream which soothes any puffiness while hydrating the skin around the eyes. After those long days that leave you too exhausted to do your full skin care routine, the Pure Cleansing Micellar Water is the perfect solution to do a ‘one swipe’ to remove the day’s makeup and grime, while softening the skin in the process. The last product of the range doesn’t need to be used daily, the set of two Pure Soothing Sheet Masks are a great pick-me-up to lock-in moisture and leave you feeling pampered. After removal of the mask after 20 to 30 minutes, the Soothing Sheet Mask leaves your skin feeling glowing and fresh without the added redness.

If you’re wanting to pamper your skin but not wanting to break the bank in the process, Skin Academy’s Pure Range is available to purchase here products price range is from £4 - £14 each.

You’ve been told over and over again that Argan Oil is the best thing for you skin, but what if we told you that there might be something better…. After hearing about Touché by Flavien through our client the eminent beauty blogger, The Beauty Shortlist, where the company won an award last year, I just knew I had to try some products for The Amazing Blog.

What makes this luxurious brand Touché by Flavien so unique is the fact that they contain the ingredient Prickly Pear, which is one of the most exclusive (and expensive!) beauty oils in the world. The reason why is that its production is quite labour intensive and can take up to an astonishing 4 days to process – all of which has to be done by hand. The Prickly Pear seeds are separated from the pulp before being dried and cold pressed and each seed only contains 5% of oil, so over 60 lbs of seeds have to be handled for about 34 oz. of oil. So, I hear you ask, what makes Prickly Pear oil a competitor of Argan Oil? Well, it contains more Tocopherol than any other oil used in the beauty sector. Tocopherol are molecules with strong antioxidants and the highest levels of Vitamin E, which contains powerful anti-inflammatory powers and has excellent wound healing properties.

I was lucky enough to try the Soothing Body Cream, Delicate Cleansing Gel and Body Cleansing Milk. They are absolutely my favourite products right now.

The Soothing Body Cream is an anti-ageing luxurious body cream that glides over the skin with a calming touch. It deeply nourishes and smoothes the skin from head to toe. The ingredients of White Peony, Prickly Pear, Almond Seed Oil, Black Tea, and St. John’s Wort regenerate collagen, deeply nourish and counteract the effects of any skin irritations. This body lotion is light but extremely long lasting. I found that even at nighttime my skin still felt soft and moisturised – for me this is a winner! It has a very delicate fragrance, which won’t conflict with any other scent you care to spray on afterwards. You can purchase 150 ml of the Soothing Body Cream for £49.00 here.

The Delicate Cleansing Gel is the one product I was desperate to try. It has been specifically formulated with calming and balancing plant extracts suitable for sensitive skin. This cleansing gel also contains Prickly Pear, which helps nourish and soothe the skin. A trio of coconut derivatives gently cleanse, helping water to mix with oil and impurities, so that they are easily washed away. The ingredient Glycerin works with the skin’s intercellular matrix to attract just the right amount of water to maintain homeostasis. I really love this cleansing gel, and will definitely be buying more. It is made specifically for ‘intimate areas’ and as far as I can see, there are very few ‘natural’ cleansing products on the market that cater to this specific region of the body. If this sounds like a product for you, you can purchase the Delicate Cleansing Gel for £39.00 for 200 ml here.

The Body Cleansing Milk is also deeply moisturising and regenerates skin while lifting away impurities thanks to Moringa Oil, Vitamins A, C, and E and Amino Acids. These ingredients provide a healthy environment for skin cells to thrive. Infused with Prickly Pear, the cleansing milk helps prevent the development of fine lines and radical damage. It is one of the richest body cleansing milks that I have used and it’s absolutely fabulous. I found it particularly good for me especially before applying my weekly fake tan, mainly because it left my skin perfectly prepped. Again, I’ll be buying more of this too! You can purchase 200 ml of the Body Cleansing Milk here for £38.00.

I’m in love with these products, particularly as they are so pure and use the wonderful Prickly Pear Oil. After using them, there is no doubt in my mind that Prickly Pear Oil will be the next big thing for skincare products, and I can’t wait to try more of what Touché by Flavien has to offer. Unfortunately for Touché by Flavien, the products seem to be a best kept secret, but take it from me, they are all highly recommended – so please don’t miss out!