Moroccan Natural - Pearl Powder

When people think of pearls, they merely think of luminescent and glistening orbs used in jewellery. However, we want to introduce you to finely grounded down pearls, which have a surprising variety of uses, primarily to aid aesthetic and health benefits which in turn help to boost a glowing complexion. When The Amazing Blog heard that this 100% pure Pearl Powder had been used for thousands of years by Chinese and Egyptians (including Cleopatra), we knew we had to experiment with this micronised Moroccan Natural’s Pearl Powder!

Moroccan Natural founder Carole Fraser launched this UK based natural beauty brand in 2010. It all began when she was recommended to use Moroccan Argan oil to treat both her frizzy and dry hair and a 14-year-old skin condition. After seeing the power of the fantastic properties of organic, natural products can have, Carole was inspired to start the brand. All with the premise of cultivating a line of products that are made up of entirely organic ingredients, in order to heal and rejuvenate the hair and skin naturally. Made with 100% pharmaceutical grade natural freshwater pearl powder, Moroccan Natural’s Pearl Powder takes on the ancient beauty secret which is infused with 30 different minerals. With its calcium, proteins and vitamins and a high source of amino acid, Pearl Powder will help speed healing, enhance elasticity and help maintain a perfect skin luminosity. These are all shown to stimulate skin and collagen production, smooth wrinkles, help improve skin texture and help with sun damage. Like all Moroccan Natural products, the Pearl Powder is completely natural and is free from silicones, parabens or preservatives all of which can irritate the skin.

After a few weeks of incorporating the Pearl Powder into our beauty regimen, we loved the radiance it gave our complexion. The less visible sun spots, fewer large pores and a more luminous and even skin tone. To start seeing radiant results for yourself, mix a pearl-sized scoop (using the spatula included) into your daily moisturiser or try one of Moroccan Natural’s five different ways to use the powder depending on your skin care goals. Our Exec Editor’s favourite way was to have this Pearl Powder as a finishing powder, it is so finely ground that it absorbs the shine and leaves the skin supple. We really love the versatility of this 100% natural product. While a 15g container of the Pearl Powder retails at £25 on the Moroccan Natural website here. You only need use a tiny bit in each application and found that this pot lasted for quite some months.

You've got snail!

Snails, well  you either love ‘em or hate ‘em. Personally, I love them  gently sauted in garlic butter , served on a bed of rocket with some warm squidgey white bread to soak up the juices– yum!  But I’m not talking snails to eat here but 80% snail secretions specifically formulated to not only enhance the complexion but to heal scar tissue. Snail secretions! I hear you exclaim. And this is the moment that I quickly point out that there are lots of other beauty ‘ick’ factors and snail cream is only the latest addition to a long line of recent bizarre ‘nature derived’ ingredients: Chicken bone marrow (moisturisers), bird faeces (spa treatments), beetles (lipstick) and even whale vomit (perfume). Now there is quite a story and science behind snail secretions and the Elicina snail cream (or caracol cream at it is also known) is a natural hypoallergenic skin cream with proven properties that regenerate, heal and protect human skin. It’s made from the secretion of the Chilean earth snail, the Helix Aspersa Muller Snail.  Elicina was discovered and formulated accidentally when the Bascuñán family of Santiago, Chile started farming the Chilean earth snail (the Helix Aspersa Muller snail) for the French export market.  They noticed that when they scratched themselves handling the snail cages that their wounds would heal quickly, older scars were diminished and how soft their hands were after farming snails all day.  The cream has taken 15 years to develop and the University of Chile did further analysis at independent laboratories where they concluded that these snail excretions consisted of these key ingredients: Allantoin which regenerates healthy cells and stimulates healthy tissue formation, Collagen and Elastin which gives body tissue firmness and strength, Glycolic Acid which both exfoliates and moisturises and finally a cocktail of Vitamins A,C,& E. The Bascuñán family patented the process of milking these Chilean earth snails of their secretions; and they are quick to point out that no snails are harmed during this process (!)

Elicina fell under my radar when I was looking for something to help rid me of a small new-ish  keloid scar in a rather prominent position on my decolletage.  I read how it is safe to use Elicina cream after surgery, on skin grafts, on burns or any area of the skin that has been damaged.  So I’ve just started applying Elicina snail cream twice a day to the scar in hope that it’ll start to diminish… It really is very pleasant to use, so much so I’ve even tried it under my moisturiser (recommended to help diminish wrinkles!)  It is odourless, creamy in texture and not in the least bit ‘snail-y’. My scar is very slightly smoother (only day 2) let’s see what happen by day 10.  How thrilled I’ll be if my scar echoes this little boy Gregory’s scar recovery.

Elicina Original snail cream is £39.95 for 40g and available here.