Dilmaherbals: Ojas Anti-blemish Cream

As always here at The Amazing Blog we’re on the hunt to find new and unusual skincare. Today we’ve hit the jackpot with an exciting new skincare that unlocks the power of Indian herbs,  let us introduce Dilmaherbals with their Ojas Anti-Blemish Night Cream.

After backpacking around South America and India and leaving his full-time job as a pharmacist in between the two trips, founder Gaurav Gupta’s curiosity led him onto learning more about native Indian herbs and natural remedies. This, in turn, was the inspiration for creating his own range of skincare Dilmaherbals. Bringing together experts from the skincare, pharmaceutical and Indian herbal professions, he and his formidable team, created Dilmaherbal skincare with its effective and natural formulas, with Indian herbs and natural oils. The name ‘Dilma’ comes from the Hindi words for heart and mother, which are ‘dil’ and ‘ma’ respectively. The ‘herbals’ part of the name comes from all the India herbs sourced from the Himalayan mountains to the deserts of Rajasthan, where these extracts are used in the production of the range. We particularly admire Dilmaherbals for their ‘giving back’ policy where they have formed a partnership with the Indian charity Railway Children, who help children that live alone and who are at risk on the streets, and Dilmaherbal commits to donating 5% of their profits.

The Ojas Anti-Blemish Cream is their popular hero night cream, it’s rich, velvety and perfectly suitable for the day too (i.e. now in a British autumn/winter). The translation of Ojas is ‘beautiful energy’ and it is designed to help even out skin tone, balance oils, and with its brightening effect reduce the signs of ageing. With its long-lasting hydration and creamy texture, this means a little goes a long way, leaving the skin feeling super-soft. Created from a mix of 17 herbal extract and natural oils, it is 94.52% from naturally derived ingredients. Let’s talk about some of the key Indian herbal ingredients found here: The amla extract (aka as the Indian gooseberry) grown in tropical areas such as Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. It’s high in vitamin C and these antioxidants restore and brightening the complexion as well as helping to reduce any pigmentation. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, which in turn, keeps the skin smooth. The Neelotpala extract is considered a sacred flower that is found throughout India; it balances natural oils and prevents breakouts and provides instant hydration. Tulsi extract (aka Holy Basil) a sacred plant widely regarded in the Hindu culture as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi. This plant is found in the Sasangir National Park, and is full of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes; the benefits of which are anti-ageing with lightening of dark spots, improving skin texture and healing scars. The manjistha root extract here is found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayan mountains. With its antibacterial properties, it provides healthier-looking skin by improving colour and texture, giving a cleaner and clearer complexion. Finally, we have the ushira root extract (aka vetiveria zizannoides) which is grown specifically in Punjab, Kerala and Assam. The properties here help reduce inflammation and can help heal cuts. It also boosts skin cell regeneration and growth of new cells, giving a radiant-looking skin. 

Our verdict is that this is a keeper… it smells fresh and floral (the white lily and geranium oil?) it absorbs well, and with the addition of Argan, avocado and shea butter in the base, it will protect the skin against harsh winds and the cold weather ahead. If you’d like to add some of nature’s purest ingredients into your skincare regime, then visit Dilmaherbals here to purchase your 60ml of  Ojas Anti-Blemish Night Cream for £32.00.

CAVARA Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller

We have a saying at The Amazing Blog of ‘happy skin, happy self’. A clear and healthy complexion is something that we don’t take for granted. Even though we’re very spoilt and get lots of natural lotions and potions to test, we never tired of skincare; and face rollers are an area that we’ve just started to explore. However, today’s face roller, it is not just any face roller, it’s made of rose quartz which is cool to the touch, alleviates puffiness and feels healing to the skin. Meet the Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller by CAVARA.

CAVARA is a British company that offers high-quality anti-ageing skincare devices.  This Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller is their first skincare device to launch. It’s a transformational beauty tool that helps to achieve a glowing and youthful complexion and is where the use of holistic crystals meets a modern-day skincare regime. The rose quartz is thought to help shrink pores because of its natural cooling properties. The question we had is why rose quartz and not jade? Rose quartz stays cooler than the commonly used jade face roller which by its adaptive nature, tends to remain warm on contact with the skin. Also, because jade is a soft stone, and might not stand up to general wear and tear whereas a rose quartz face roller is more robust. We like how the brand is passionate about their product and how they say: “We recognise your power to actualise intention and create the skin and life of your dreams. CAVARA is centred on the possibility to manifest your best self in order to live your best life.” And that’s why we couldn’t wait to try it!

Let’s talk about the actual rose quartz itself. This is a powerful crystal open to love, self-care and heart healing. It is made up of quartz and the addition of manganese and titanium which gives a pink colour. It’s one of the most well-known and popular crystals because it works with love and is strongly attached to both the heart and throat chakras. But it’s not a stone that simply rests in romance. It’s for all kinds of love from healing communication with family to developing deeper bonds with lovers and friends. It purifies and opens the heart at all levels to promote love, self-love, friendship, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. Therefore, helping to rid any negative emotional stresses that might have an impact on the skin and accelerate ageing. Calming and reassuring, it helps to comfort in times of sadness. Rose quartz has been used as far back as the ancient Greeks and Egyptians who used it as part of their routine to maintain youth and beauty believing in its potent skin benefits.

This sculptural looking Premium Anti-Aging Rose Quartz Face Roller is made up of two different sized quartz rollers on either end, all held in place with elegant brass fixtures. The small roller is intended to be used on the more sensitive areas such as under the eyes or your throat, whereas the bigger roller is for the rest of the face, neck and decolletage. We found that it was excellent for getting back the colour in our cheeks and for bringing more oxygen to the skin. It also helps to relieve tension, which can often build up in the facial muscles. Best of all, it helped to boost the skin’s elasticity, improve lymphatic drainage and stimulate cell turnover. We found our skin looked more vibrant, toned with reduced inflammation, all benefits from its cooling effect. This facial roller brought a soothing sensation and was brilliant for using first thing in the morning, banishing any puffiness prior to our skincare routine and makeup. This facial roller is often used by skincare professionals and alike, who say when refrigerated, the rollers will provide a small amount of relief from swelling in the same way that an ice cube facial would, although with less mess! We used it by without any serum or creams and started by rolling from the centre of the face in an outward direction, where the positive and uplifting effects were instantaneous. It’s easy to maintain by cleaning with warm water and gentle soap, and on our rose quartz journey, we also learned that to ‘recharge’ the powers of rose quartz, you simply leave it out under moonlight (because this crystal’s yin energy is connected to the moon). Is this spurring you on to purchase? Then see here for £49.99.

UHURU Botanicals – Marula Lotion & Black Soap & Aloe Vera

Autumn is here and once again, we’re upping our skincare game with richer and more nourishing products. Today at The Amazing Blog, we’d like to introduce another of our #amazingfinds with a natural and organic skincare, that has adopted some of the centuries-old West African skincare traditions and made them their own. Meet the award-winning brand UHURU Botanicals. 

UHURU Botanicals was founded in 2017 by Neo Mkwebane Chatyoka, when she was searching for soothing products for her baby who had eczema and couldn’t find the right one. This spurred her on to make her own products using some of the purest and most potent ingredients from Africa, her home-continent. Since then, the brand has grown, finding markets both in South Africa and in the United Kingdom. Today, Neo’s mission is to help everyone who has a persistent skin problem, and regain what she calls “skin confidence”. This philosophy reflects in the word ‘Uhuru’ that she chose for her brand name, which means ‘Freedom’ in the Kenyan dialect Swahili. The entire skincare range is unisex, multi-use, 100% organic, natural, vegan and ethical (even the packaging is eco-friendly), and best of all, it’s ideal for hypersensitive skin.

The first product from their range that we would like to talk about is the Marula Lotion, which won Editor’s Choice in the 2020 Beauty Shortlist Mama & Baby Awards. The main key ingredient of the Marula Lotion is shea butter, which comes from the nut of karité trees that grow in the Savanah of Western Africa. Perhaps best known for its properties to soothe and heal eczema, psoriasis, cracked skin and rashes; the shea butter is mixed with baobab and marula oil from Eastern and South Africa, which help regenerate skin and heal scars. The lotion is presented in a UVA resistant brown-coloured glass bottle. Once on the skin, the lotion absorbs quickly, liberating a fresh and subtle citrusy scent from the lemon, grapefruit and sweet orange oils. These are all rich in vitamin C which helps to even out the skin tone. As it is 100% natural, organic, and free from parabens and chemical fragrance, makes it ideal to use on both body and face. This is a wonderful multitasking lotion that we just couldn’t get enough of and is one of our #amazingfinds for the autumn. The Marula Lotion with vitamin C comes in 200ml, and you can purchase it here for £11.99.

The second product is the Black Soap & Aloe Vera Cleanser which has taken its inspiration from the time-honoured traditions of the West African black soap formula. This natural blend is gentle, effective and cleanses whilst also locking in moisture. It also fights acne, evens skin tone, treats eczema, and minimises the blemishes and scars all at the same time. Thanks to the healing powers of aloe vera, shea butter, and tea tree when combined, they offer a deliver a deep hydrating cleanse. There are coconut and palm oils here, as well as the charcoal powder which acts as an antibacterial removing impurity from the skin. e,e,There is no specific fragrance; we could only detect a very pleasant neutral hint of tea tree. We massaging this cleanser straight onto dry skin in a circular motion, then we rinsed away with warm water. Our skin felt clean, soft and hydrated and it’s so gentle that we used it for both morning and night. NB: As both products a completely organic formula without preservatives, it should be stored away from direct sunlight. These have impressed us and we can’t wait to try more from Uhuru Botanicals. The Black Soap & Aloe Vera Cleanser is available in two sizes: 30ml for £4.00 or 200ml for £12.99 here. 

Green Chemistry: Phyto Flora,

In our never-ending search to find new and exciting skincare formulas to introduce you to; today at The Amazing Blog, we’ve found a rather special natural serum from Green Chemistry. This brand is a US-based indie skincare that has a range of wild-sourced clinical and holistic skincare, where they only use food-grade botanicals and have an emphasis on Ayurveda.

Brigitte Tolson is the founder of this brand and began her successful journey in aesthetics as a cosmetic surgery consultant and professional makeup artist in her hometown of Los Angeles. Her interest and passion for natural skincare took on a voyage of discovery with Ayurveda and holistic medicine, which has since grown fuelled by her passion for incorporating these into her own skincare and practice. Her clinical area of expertise is with treating cystic acne, nutrition, advanced peels, holistic skincare, sun damage, anti-ageing and other systemic issues of the skin. After years of research and collaboration, Tolson built Green Chemistry with a mission to provide clinically proven ingredients with a focus on the holistic.  Her mission has been to create products that complement the range of treatments that she already offers her clients and to provide unique formulations that have been lacking in the professional skincare sector. Tolson said: “What initially started as two of the most nutrient-rich serums on the market, has evolved into a line that now makes a scientifically proven toxin-free hyperpigmentation treatment, along with a mask that draws city pollutants from the skin, and a rich anti-ageing night cream that even surpasses my expectations.” Currently, with eight products in the range, they are produced in small batches, using the best local botanicals available from farms and orchards. Green Chemistry also has a ‘give back’ policy to help save the bees, where they contribute $3 from each purchase to the Los Angeles County Beekeeping Association. Tolson feels strongly about making this donation as it is these bees that are responsible for pollinating most of the ingredients that Green Chemistry source from locally. 

The product we’re featuring today is the Phyto Flora which is a serum which they say is ideal for dry, sensitive skin with acne or eczema. The key ingredient here is the hemp seed oil which balances the skin and helps to reduce acne scarring, and offers relief from acne, psoriasis, and eczema. The hemp oil also strengthens the skin and enhances its ability to resist viral, fungal, and bacterial infections and has shown to reduce pathogenic bacteria and yet is still intensely hydrating. Next is the Spanish lavender which has been specifically selected over 40 other different species of lavender. This lavender reduces sensitivity, redness and the antibacterial properties here cleanse the pores and work as an anti-inflammatory. The damask rose reduces inflammation by suppressing the growth of certain bacteria and has mild astringent properties. The star jasmine is restorative and known to detoxify the skin. The sea buckthorn oil promotes skin hydration, elasticity, cell regeneration and even helps treat and prevent acne. Sea buckthorn helps to reduce swelling and redness associated with many skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. This blend also contains sesame seed and jojoba oils which are both rich in vitamins and fatty acids which can help protect skin cells from the damage caused by environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution, and toxins. The chia seed oil here maintains moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines relieving dryness and peeling. The camellia flower oil is an excellent emollient for keeping skin moist and supple and has properties that will prevent skin breakouts. It is rich in coenzyme Q10, which can help your body produce collagen and elastin, and is rich in cranberry which provides vitamin C. These will improve the skin’s appearance making it look softer and brighter; and then with the addition of tomato seed oil, this will even out the skin tone. Finally, this serum will deeply cleanse thanks to the daikon seed extract.  We used this for both night and day and found the serum’s scent-neutral with only the subtlest trace of jasmine where it meets the lavender. All of which means that it will happily sit under other skincare with no scent conflict. Because this serum is oil-based, a little goes a long way and we found that only a few drops were needed. None of us here have acne breakouts, but some of us do have dry and sensitive skin; and found this to be a Godsend, to protect skin against the yo-yo-ing effects of going between central heating and the chilly outdoors. To purchase the 30ml bottle for $70.00 see  here.

Cochine: Vanille & Tabac Noir Reed Diffuser

Now that everyone is talking about a second lockdown, here at  The Amazing Blog we’re remembering that dreaded feeling of being house-bound, again! Somehow, we need to get our inside space to feel more like the outside, and with a few minor changes like adding a room fragrance, we find that this can help. Now with autumn here, we’ve already changed our room fragrance to something richer, earthy and more reflective of the season. Thanks to Cochine who sent us another of their delicious reed diffusers in Vanille & Tabac Noir, we can now enjoy this comforting and warming scent to uplift our spirits. This simple reed diffuser stimulates our olfactory sense and helps to make our anticipated ‘stay at home, stay safe’ more enjoyable and a whole lot less stressful.

We have previously featured their Tuberose and Wild Fig Reed Diffuser which we totally loved. Kate Crofton-Atkins founded this luxury brand in 2008, and she has been creating a unique selection of fragrances ever since.  Kate spent the first year working with essential oils and then she had the opportunity to partner up with a New York-based fragrance house to launch Cochine in Hong Kong. Since then, Cochine has produced a range of perfumes, reed diffusers, candles, and skincare products. The brand offers luxurious products that have gained them global recognition, in five-stars hotels and boutiques. They have a strong focus on design as well as a sensory focus where each of their fragrances transports you to a global destination and evokes memories and fires up the imagination.

Vanille & Tabac Noir Reed Diffuser is produced by blending several key base notes such as that of vanilla bean, patchouli and the warming sensual scent of the tobacco flower.  BTW did you know that Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco flower) has a long history of use by herbalists as a relaxant, as well as relieving nausea and travel sickness? Yes, that was news to us too! These ingredients are all enhanced with extracts of nutmeg, cardamom and basil leaves which give a warm and opulent aroma to this oil, with the added extra of a feeling of luxury and well-being. All you need to do is arrange 4 to 8 rattan reeds and let them absorb the oil inside the bottle, then by occasionally turning the reeds, it will keep the room well-fragranced. Unlike burning a candle, these can be left unattended; and because they don’t contain any alcohol, they will keep on giving out a long-lasting fragrance.  Or you can remove the reeds and put the stopper for occasional use and the number of reeds used can be adjusted to strengthen or soften the scent. You can purchase your Vanille & Tabac Noir Reed Diffuser here for £60.00. This makes the perfect background fragrance and will add elegance to any home.