Friday Favourites - Body & Hand Care

At the Amazing Blog we have to confess to being a little obsessed with body and handcare products, particularly during these cold winter months. We don’t know about you, but our skin tends to be much drier and we find ourselves piling on layers of lotions and body butter. However, as always we’re ever mindful of ingredients and prefer to use more natural products. For today’s #amazingfinds we’re going to highlight some natural/organic body and handcare products, not just for winter, but for the whole year-round.

Avid readers of The Amazing Blog know that we have showcased many of the Lavera products, previously reviewing their products like their Firming Body Milk. Lavera, which means ‘the truth’ in Latin, is an affordable natural skincare range for people of all skin types. Containing 100% natural and organic ingredients, we love how transparent they are with their ingredients. With Lavera, we can rest assured that what we’re putting on our bodies is natural and safe.

That’s why we wanted to try the Lavera Neutral Body Lotion, which is specially formulated for sensitive and easily irritated skin. With organic evening primrose oil, it’s good at soothing itchy or flaky skin. Lavera body care in general consists of a rich emulsion with high lipid content, meaning that they nourish skin for longer than perhaps other body lotions. The organic jojoba oil and shea butter are the perfect combination to help lock in moisture, keeping the skin smooth and supple. We recommend using it daily after showering to experience the enriching benefits of their balanced pH-neutral composition which supports cell renewal. We also mustn’t forget to mention the all-important squalene, fennel, witch hazel and olive oil extracts. To feel the uplifting effects, you can buy the Lavera Neutral Body Lotion 200ml here for £14.95

Next, we have an award-winning beauty brand, Beeutiful. We discovered Beeutiful when they were crowned The Best Bee Beauty Brand at the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2019 as well as winning the Best Body Balm Category with the B-Rose Frankincense & Rose Body Balm. Beeutiful’s skincare is so natural that you could almost eat it! Made from 100% natural ingredients, the product range is created by using UK sourced ingredients and beeswax and honey from Beeutiful’s own hives. To quote Carly, the founder: “Our products are not tested on animals and we only harvest that from the bee that does not harm them; honey, wax and propolis. You will not see Royal jelly or bee venom in any of our products as dead bees are necessary for their obtainment!”

The B-Rose Frankincense & Rose Body Balm comes in a generous size glass pot that is fully recyclable. The luxurious oils feel rich and extremely hydrating on the skin, and we loved using it morning and night. The combination of jojoba, coconut and cocoa butter and beeswax glide onto the skin. The essential oils of frankincense and rose were chosen for their toning, skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Together they create a ‘beeutiful’ blend and fragrance, particularly with the rose absolute (one of our favourite scents). This Balm not only hydrates but also calms the skin making it an excellent anti-inflammatory for sensitive skins. It’s a hot favourite with our Exec Editor! Apart from producing this glorious body Balm they also donate 10p from every sale to Friends of The Honey Bee. All products are free from parabens, sulphates, preservatives, artificial or synthetic colours or fragrances, phthalates, silicone, GM ingredients and petrochemicals. See here to purchase your B-Rose Frankincense & Rose Balm it is £43 per 200ml or a smaller 120ml size for £28.

Philosophia Botanica is inspired by African beauty secrets. Surrounded by the nature of Cape Town, South Africa, founder Francesca was inspired to create a 100% natural beauty brand while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Francesca who’s an oriental medicine, acupuncture spa consultant and formulator, took her passion for well-being, herbal remedies and anything natural and Philosophia Botanica was born.

The Philosophia Botanica Baobab Hydrating Body Oil is created with the key ingredient Baobab seed oil. Often referred to as the ‘tree of life’, the baobab tree is grown in Africa and produces a velvety-looking fruit the size of a coconut which is where the baobab seed oil goodness comes from. With a rich and recognisable scent, it packs a healthy punch for the skin with calcium, magnesium and ten times more vitamin C than in oranges! It’s filled with antioxidants, fatty acids & vitamins to replenish the skin all the way down to the cellular level. Baobab seed oil is an excellent choice for lightweight hydration for any skin type. The oil formula absorbs quickly and nicely, removing any signs of dryness and is particularly good for anti-ageing. The other key ingredients here are moringa oil, which is also famous for its anti-ageing properties, it helps to eliminate wrinkles and slow down the ageing process. Plus, the yangu oil which is full of linoleic acid, omega-6, and oleganic acid, omega-9 these essential fatty acids make it perfect for moisturising the body. This ingredient hails from seeds of the cape chestnut tree also found in Africa. Finally, there’s neroli oil, which is obtained from the bitter orange tree, it is steam-distilled from the small white waxy flowers. Apart from its gorgeous aroma, something we were intrigued to discover is that it also possesses actives that have the ability to reduce acute and chronic inflammation too. A little goes a long way and this Hydrating Oil is a great multitasking product and can be used as a massage oil and in the bath too. To experience Africa’s best-kept secret for yourself, the Philosophia Botanica Baobab Hydrating Body Oil can be purchased here £52 for 200ml.

While we’re making sure that our body is moisturised, we mustn’t forget about our hands, too! Born from a passion for nature, natural and organic products, Akamuti’s founder Lindsey was determined to create a range of products that were brimming with goodness and mindfulness. Lindsey aimed to develop products that told a story with their ingredients, and the Cuticle Moon Hand & Nail Butter certainly does just that. They have a zero-waste policy where all of their waste is recycled, whether it be plastic, aluminium, glass, printer toners, cardboard – nothing reaches the landfill. Akamuti also use a mixture of materials for their packaging. The PET containers are fully recyclable, phthalate and BPA free. NB since writing this, they seem to have swapped this container for an aluminum tin.

This hand cream is one of three in their range of handcare. Scented with lime, lemon and a dash of lavender, this Cuticle Moon Hand & Nail Butter smelt so good that we had to stop ourselves from slathering it all over our arms and torso! it smells divine and we recommend spreading a generous amount on your hands and nails, particularly after washing to replenish oils and moisture. This award-winning Cuticle Moon Butter (The Green Parents Natural Beauty Awards Best Buy 2016) is enriched beeswax and honey (from the forests of Zambia and Ethiopia), and organic cocoa butter to combat dryness. The lemon oil is a natural nail treatment to help cleanse, purify and strengthen with its natural antiseptic properties. The organic virgin cocoa butter has nutrients essential for skin repair to feed your dry hungry skin. The Akamuti Cuticle Moon Hand & Nail Butter 50ml can be purchased here for £6.95

Viliv - skincare range

We love skincare that helps to keep our complexions looking plumped up and lush. At The Amazing Blog we’ve been hearing lots of great things about a new Swiss brand that recently launched here in the UK.  Step forward centre-stage Viliv with their uber-stylish contemporary branding and science-driven skincare.

Dr. Felix Bertram, founder of Viliv, is a leading Swiss skin specialist who’s noted for his exceptional aesthetic and anti-ageing treatments. From teaching workshops to educating doctors and students in dermatology and laser medicine, he also has global recognition for his award-winning dermatological clinic. There is absolutely no doubt that Viliv has an impeccable pedigree with its extensive scientific research behind all of the products.

Regular readers will remember that we reviewed the Viliv e - Shape Your Eyes Rich Eye Cream and so we couldn’t wait to try four more products from the range: Foam to Face Cleanser, Vi-Lift Your Skin Serum, Brighten Your Eyes Serum, and Get a Rich Restore Ultra-Nourishing Moisturiser.

Let’s start with a morning routine cleanser Viliv Foam to Face cleansing foam, easy to use with just two pumps massaged on our face in circular motions, then quickly rinsed this off. What we particularly liked about this cleanser is its fragrance, it contains chamomile and allantoin which soothes the skin leaving a fresh and subtle floral scent.  As a foam, a little goes a long way and with typical Swiss efficiency, it was also extremely effective at removing all makeup residue leaving our city-skin feeling fresh, hydrated and clean.

Next, we have the Vi-Lift Your Skin Serum which offers 24h urban protection. Here’s a fact that you probably didn’t know, blue light and infrared radiation (i.e. from your phone) affect the skin’s defence mechanisms. These disrupt the exchange of information between cells, leading to cell damage and premature skin ageing. The irony is that modern technology is now ageing us! The Viliv Vi-Lift Serum contains an exclusive active ingredient called +VIDERMACTIVE 7 that is rich in vitamin C and protects the skin from free radicals such as pollution or the blue light and preserves mitochondrial DNA. We also like that it’s quick to apply, not at all sticky, fragrance-free and it sinks easily into the pores for protection.

The Vi-Lift partners well with Viliv Brighten Your Eyes Serum, this is serum is our favourite out of the four we tried. We often forget that the skin around the eyes area is continually moving with active facial expressions and is four times thinner than the rest of our face. Therefore it needs support as we age and Viliv addresses this with their special ingredients of tetrapeptide eyeseryl which improves circulation and firmness, as well as reducing dark circles and puffiness. Plus the liftonin xpress which gives an instant lift with its microalgae extract and natural polymers. We found this Eye Serum gave us visible and instant results, it felt very cooling when applied and really does work wonders on tired eyes.

Lastly, in this skincare routine is Viliv Get a Rich Restore Ultra-Nourishing Moisturiser.  This is a cream that keeps on working, and as they say, it’s a ‘24-hour anti-ageing expert’. Containing PerfectionPeptide P7 which activates the skin’s natural defences by stimulating the responsible enzymes and managing the impact of UV related stress to protect against moisture loss. Other ingredients are silymarin, carosin and vitamin E all to help reduce wrinkles and firm the skin.  We also mustn’t forget to mention that Viliv is 100% vegan, cruelty and gluten-free, with no parabens, mineral oils, colourants, PEG, BHT EDTA or fragrance. See the full Viliv product range here with prices starting from £29. These products get a big 10/10 from us!

Skin Euphoria - C20 Booster Serum

Most have us have a regular skincare routine which involves numerous steps and products. At The Amazing Blog we believe that having too many products to apply can sometimes be just too much of a faff! For us it’s all about applying a good revitalising serum, moisturiser, SPF and we’re ready to go! So, we’re always on the hunt for an effective serum that will start our day off right. That’s when we discovered Skin Euphoria’s C20 Booster Serum .

Skin Euphoria London was founded by Emma Osman who is perhaps best known as a leading permanent makeup artist and successful beauty entrepreneur. Emma was obsessed with creating a skincare brand that had clinically proven ingredients. She said: “This new formula provides a powerful counter to the harmful effects of our daily lives by actively promoting the regeneration of healthy skin cells and by targeting the harmful causes of ageing and acting as a first line of defence.” She also believes it is all down to the blend of ingredients which encourage the production of collagen elastin for an even, smooth and bright complexion.  

Skin Euphoria has recently launched a new C20 Booster Serum with vitamin B, C, E and ferulic acid. This is no ordinary serum, it’s equipped with revolutionary ingredients to fight UV damage, promote collagen synthesis and optimise the skin’s natural protection against pollution and sun damage.  The C20 booster serum with the vitamin C, (aka l-ascorbic acid) is the essential ingredient to help brightening, getting rid of hyper-pigmentation, firms the skin reducing fine lines and defends the skin from oxidative stress. Vitamin B3 Niacinamide helps to improves the appearance of large pores, brightens and fights against environmental toxins. Vitamin B5 Panthenol is a water absorbing humectant and conditioner that works to pull in and blind moisture. Hyaluronic acid is also a hydrating agent that replenishes moisture leaving skin feeling softer and plumper. Lastly, Ferulic acid is found in the cell wall of grains and is an antioxidant which effectively neutralizes free radicals which could cause premature ageing. It further stabilizes vitamin C and enhances the properties of vitamin E.

The booster serum easily penetrates the dermis, without leaving your skin feeling oily or greasy. Put 3-4 drops into the palm of your hands and gently apply on your face, neck and décolletage. During the day, we suggest using before a moisturiser and SPF. Also, it’s gentle enough to be applied under the eye. All the products are fully vegan, not tested on animals, have no parabens, sulphates or artificial fragrance. Skin Euphoria C20 Booster Serum is 30ml for £24.99. Buy here and fight off your UV damage skin with this new fabulous super-charged serum.

Lozano Skincare – SkinTea Active Renewal Masque

I think we can all agree that finding your idea skincare can be a bit of a challenge. At The Amazing Blog we’re always looking for newly launched brands and today we’d like to introduce you to Lozano, who have launched their first product SkinTea Active Renewal Masque which is not meant to replace your other products, but to properly prepare your skin to help boost them.

Lozano Skincare launched last year by Matthew Kelly, whose aim is to produce a range of scientifically researched, naturally derived and cruelty-free products that work. Matthew explained, “Most skincare regimens seek to cleanse, tone, and moisturise. It can be difficult to find just the right combination of products to achieve those goals, and awfully easy to overuse one or more of them. We’ve solved that problem with a masque that raises the skin’s overall baseline health, allowing users to get better results from skincare routines they’ve grown comfortable with.”

Their hero product is SkinTea Active Renewal Masque, which is packed with antioxidants from white tea, hydrating agents from hyaluronic acid; collagen stimulants from glycolic acid; and exfoliating and cell turnover properties from the lactic acid. One of the things we liked the most about this product is the multiple benefits of the ingredients. White tea aka Camellia Sinensis, is a plant rich in antioxidants, in fact, it is more effective than vitamin C in preventing ageing due to its properties which encourage collagen growth and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities making it ideal for acne prone skins too. Secondly, 3% hyaluronic acid allows your skin to hold water which means it keeps it hydrated and reduces wrinkles. This component is naturally found in your body, so your skin will identify it and enhance its effects such as skin healing and repair, elasticity, and cell division. Thirdly, the 3% glycolic acid encourages collagen production and cell renewal. It also cleanses and exfoliates your skin by removing dead skin cells, blackheads and dirt that are blocking pores. All this means that the effects of the rest of your products in your skincare routine, will be more effective as they’ll be able to penetrate the skin more efficiently. Lastly, the SkinTea Active Renewal Masque contains 1% lactic acid, this ingredient acts as an exfoliant, solving any uneven skin tone issues while hydrating it, removing pollutants, balancing your pH and giving you a healthy glow.

It’s unusual to find a product that is fits in perfectly with your other skincare products – a bonus find in our view, and one that won’t be gathering dust in our beauty drawer. To use this Masque start by cleansing your face, to make sure it is free from pollutants. Then apply 3-5 pumps of SkinTea Active Renewal Masque onto your damp face, throat and décolletage. Apply it gently and evenly, do not rub it in! Wait up to 15 minutes then splash warm water using a cloth to remove it, then gently pat dry your skin. They recommend you repeat this process up to 3 times a week – we each used it twice. Our skin felt soft and what was interesting that despite all our differing skin types we all got good results. This is a great product to use taking skin from the summer and preparing it for autumn, particularly if like us your skincare routine changes with the seasons. Get your natural radiance boost with Lozano’s SkinTea Active Renewal Masque with their 50ml bottle here for £32.00 and use the code AMAZINGPR15 to get 15% off your first purchase.

Fushi - Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+

We love to support indie brands here at The Amazing Blog particularly those that source their ingredients seasonally. This is why we always want to try new products from Fushi. They have just launched a new product: Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+ sustainably sourced from South Africa utilising the entire Pomegranate fruit making sure it’s free from artificial ingredients and chemicals. What we love about this product is that it’s also food grade too – so can be taken sprinkled liberally not only on your face but on your favourite cereal, salad or smoothies!

Founded by Ria Pattni and Rannesh Jansari, Fushi the brand was created to keep ancient techniques alive. Passed on from Ria’s grandmother, to her mother and then onto her originating mainly from Ayurvedic recipes. The products are composed of natural oils and herbs all hand-blended to create organic, ethical and pure formulas to primarily enhance skin rejuvenation. As mentioned previously in our post on their BioVedid range, Fushi means ‘eternal life’ in Japanese. Their products maintain the essence of natural remedies used in the past, with a modern touch. Fushi not only takes care of your skin but also the planet. They are members of the Ethical Company Organisation workers and suppliers, as well as being a member of the Ethical Company Organisation and the Good Shopping Guide, as well as supporting Fair Trade with their inventions.

The Fushi Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+ is a new formula rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, linoleic acid, oleic acid and flavonoids that by altering the way it is produced, the punicic acid, better known as Omega 5 has been boosted to over 80%. Increasing Omega 5 has made this oil perfect for anti-ageing, heart health, stronger immunity, and more. It is believed that Fushi has cracked the code and created the first pomegranate oil 80%+ in the market. No one likes greasy or heavy oils, and this is where it scores well as Fushi’s Pomegranate Oil is light and absorbent, making it non-greasy and ideal for mature, normal, damaged and skins. Apart from the topical application, pomegranate oil is high in flavonoids and antioxidants, which makes it a popular dietary supplement. All packaged in amber glass bottles which protect the contents from heat, light, oxidation and moisture. We’re already thinking of ordering another bottle before we run out! Get your 50ml bottle of Wild, Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Oil 80%+ for £20.00 here.