Friday Favourites: Hand Creams

Hand cream is an absolute must for us at The Amazing Blog and as we’re still in the throes of winter, we can’t help noticing our chapped hands and split nails. Today we’re going to introduce you to some TLC for your hard-working digits. Whether you’re looking for a quick light fix or a protective barrier cream, we have a selection of our #amazingfinds for you to try.

As regular readers will know we are fans of Rosenserien products and you’ll find our most recent post on their Shampoo & Body Scrub here. Now we are testing out their rather rich and delicious smelling Hand Cream this has 100% naturally sourced ingredients with more than 75% being organic, it is also vegan friendly and not tested on animals. Key ingredients are Aloe vera, coconut wax, jojoba oil, shea butter, calendula, vitamin E, soybean and rose oil.

What we particularly like about this hand cream is that it feels thick, nourishing and it lasts. It also smells deliciously of roses; this comes in 100ml tube for £17 here and a little goes a long way.

Yes, it’s yet another natural skincare brand that we have a bit of a crush for. We recently wrote about their Firming Body Milk here . This SOS Help Hand Balm they say is for ‘demanding hands that require special intensive care,’ and we couldn’t agree more. Perhaps not as thick as Rosenserien, but equally as effective. This is much lighter in texture and the cream absorbs quickly. Their organic actives include cacao butter, almond and macadamia nut oil (to relieve tautness) shea butter (for increased elasticity).

SOS Hand Balm certainly comes to the rescue leaving soft hand and hydrated; this is perfect in this current chilly weather. SOS Help Hand Balm is 50ml at a reasonable price of £6.95 available here.

This is a very different kind of hand cream from the others that we’ve mentioned. Cuderm Hand is more science-based and offers an intense hydration that forms a protective barrier. It has been created specifically for dry and sensitive hands and is fragrance free, SLS free, hypoallergenic, paraben free and alcohol-free. What makes this particularly unique is the key ingredient of their clinically proven colloidal oatmeal, which is obtained as a natural extract from oats. This helps to support, protect and promote healthy skin.

We think this cream is ideal for anyone with itchy or sensitive skin or who is exposed on a daily basis to environmental irritants. To purchase the 75ml tube for £5.49 see here.

When you talk about a Potato Hand Balm its doesn’t sound very sexy or enticing. However, I’m assured that potato juice is the thing and extremely rich in vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and potassium minerals. These all offer protection against dry and cracked skin and various skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Potato juice is also deemed safe for any sensitive skins.

Styx Naturacosmetic is one of our #amazingfinds; and with over 50 year standing, this family run Austrian skincare brand has a strong belief in sustainability. So much so, that they’ve scooped up many environmental awards along the way. They believe in using organically grown and locally sourced wild plant-based raw materials for their ingredients, and when we met with them, they were insistent that we had to try this Balm! In Austria potatoes have been used for centuries to help heal the skin. This Potato Balm is based on a traditional Austrian peasant farmers’ recipe used as a remedy for treating all skin blemishes, sunburn, rough and chapped skin. In the balm there are also cold pressed vegetable oils (jojoba and macadamia) with the addition of shea butter and of course the potatoes. We like the slight sweet nutty fragrance, and that there was no greasy residue and it absorbed quickly. Potato Balm is available in a 70ml tube at £14.26 from Amazon here.

Whether your hand cream is made from roses, nut oils, colloidal oatmeal or potatoes; we hope that we’ve given you a ‘helping hand’ to try something just a little bit different.

Africology - The Rose Body Balm

Culture is an integral part of the journey for the beauty industry and its products. It is where both ancient and new ideas come together, transforming knowledge into something special. The Amazing Blog always gravitates toward beauty products that have adopted innovative ideas, especially ones that use culture as the foundation of practice. Africology is one such company, who celebrate Africa’s heritage and plant life, subsequently capturing the flora and fauna of Africa in their skincare products. I first came across Africology when I had a friend from South Africa to stay. Buried deep in her hand luggage was their serum, a product she eulogised for hours about. It was a piece of 'home' that she prized more than anything else that had travelled 8k miles to get here! Then Africology popped up again, as winners at 2018 The BeautyShortlist and that's when I knew that I had to try it. 

The Rose Body Balm was the first product we requested to try.  Infused with shea butter, marula oil, rosehip seed oil and unrefined beeswax. Its texture is light and soft and glides across the skin during application. While massaging the product into the skin’s surface, the balm becomes a medium for increasing lymph flow and circulation. As it becomes a source of nourishment, the balm also alleviates muscle pain. The purpose of the balm extends far beyond hydrating dry areas and cracked heals. Rose, a foundational component of the product, is a mild anti-depressant and balances emotions and hormones. The floral aroma is subtle and calming. For use, warm a tiny amount in your hands and apply to the affected areas. The product can be used during a bath or shower, as part of a message, or melted in an aromatherapy burner. However, Africology recommends applying it to damp skin after a warm bath.

Interested in learning more about the key ingredients’ perks? Keep on reading...Shea butter: The fatty acids contained in shea oil are a source of vitamins A, E and F. Shea oil is an anti-inflammatory, and helps to retain moisture, relieve itchiness and soothe sunburnt skin. Marula seed oil: The oil extracted from the kernel of the marula fruit, the seed oil is rich in antioxidants and stimulates collagen and elastin production. Due to its light consistency, the oil doesn’t clog pores and treats acne with its antimicrobial and non-comedogenic properties. Beeswax: Beeswax is thick in nature, and acts as a protective barrier for the skin. As the foundation of the balm, it also prevents the separation of oil and liquid components. Rosehip seed oil: This oil contains vitamin A and C, which exfoliates and moisturises the skin while boosting skin regeneration and elasticity. Green rooibos (leaf powder): With its natural compounds, leaf powder is an excellent aid for eczema, nappy rash and acne. The alpha-hydroxy acid found in leaf powder also maintains healthy skin. African potato (root powder):  Root powder contains sterols and sterolins that are helpful in acne, eczema and psoriasis treatment.  It also boosts the immune system.

This product did the rounds at The Amazing Blog, we dabbed it onto our pulse points (gorgeous rose aroma) and also put a 1/2 teaspoon of the balm into our aromatherapy burner, which melted to give the office a sense of calm. A little does go a long way (hence the 125ml jar), you can purchase yours for £21 here.

Shea Innocence – Triple Butter Whip and Mocha Vanilla Candle

We think that Shea Butter is the skin's best friend. It's regularly used as a key ingredient in many skincare products, as it helps to moisturise and leave you with a soft and smooth complexion. So when The Amazing Blog came across Shea Innocence, we just couldn't resist trying the range out. With a wonderful selection for both the skin and the home, Shea Innocence uses a fusion of natural ingredients to keep you looking beautiful and feeling relaxed. We were delighted to try their Triple Butter Whip and Mocha Vanilla Candle.

We'll be the first to say that the market is chock full of body butters for dry, oily or sensitive skin, but with Shea Innocence Body Butter, we're pleased to see that they have taken a natural approach. This product is fantastic for the whole family as its list of ingredients is simple and 100% natural, using only organic Shea Butter and Essential Oils. We tried the butter with Almond Oil and it was perfect for keeping our skin hydrated. Mango Extract and Sweet Orange Oil give a divine scent that's hard to resist, and leave our skin feeling incredibly soft and nourished. 

The same care and love Shea Innocence uses in their body butter range clearly goes into their Candles. In a mini tin, their Mocha Vanilla Soy Candle offers a delicious bouquet of fragrant Coffee Beans and sweet Vanilla, perfect for a relaxing night in. What's more, its comforting scent that lasts longer than usual because Shea Innocence use nothing less than the best quality soy wax rather than artificial paraffin - so no more burnt smell once the flame is out.

The Mocha Vanilla Candle and many more are available here at £6.00. Discover the other fragrances and get the Triple Butter Whip for only £10.95 here.

Carishea

Here at the Amazing Blog we are always in search of something just a little different… and we were interested to find Carishea, A natural skin and Body Care Company that ‘gives back.’ Part of Trade Right International, the Carishea brand was started in 2011 with two main aims: taking care of your body and helping the people who are behind the brand producing the products.

They produce three different ranges which are Shea Scot, Shea Joy and Shea Spice. The 100% natural body care range consists of Body scrubs, lip balms, soaps and Body Butter which are aromatherapy based. These products are sourced by Ghanaian women who harvest shea nuts to produce unrefined shea butter. Everything is then shipped back to their factory in Scotland where it is then handmade by their workers who are recruited from disadvantaged local communities. What we really like is that this brand gives a minimum of 50% profits which goes into a development programme for the communities in Ghana as well as Scotland.

Our favourite range was the Shea Joy which has a lovely hint of rose and bergamot. Combined with natural ingredients of Shea Butter and Lemon Grass, this range uplifts and rejuvenates your body in prep for the winter weather, as well as being the perfect present this Christmas.

Treat yourself or a loved one and click here to shop all the ranges and help give something back. All are at a very reasonable price ranging from £5 to £12.50.
 

Charme D'Orient - Shea Butter with Argan Oil

Organic beauty products is one of our favourite products to receive here at The Amazing Blog . When we received a product from the trusted brand Charme D'Orient , we were practically falling over ourselves to try and get a chance to use it. 

The benefits of Shea Butter are endless, and it is even better when you know it is Grade A and unbleached unlike many other product containing the same ingredient. Shea Butter is also known to contain vitamin E, an ingredient that results in an increased micro-circulation which increases blood supply to and from the skin. Vitamin E can also act as a barrier to those dangerous UV raises, acting as a very light SPF. Rub this cream over your body after exercise as it aids in releasing muscle tension and small wounds. Argan Oil is another primary ingredient in this product which is a fantastic skin toner and exfoliator. Using this product regularly will help to improve the appearance of your skin and give you a youthful glow. This product is ideal for all skin types, especially those who are prone to dry skin or skin allergies.

What we also really appreciate here in the office is a product that will last; getting more bang for your buck is vital to us. A little goes a long way with this product, you can purchase Charme d’Orient at just £22.98 here.