Inlight Beauty : Skin Aid Kit

With the lifting of travel restrictions, at The Amazing Blog, it's a toss-up between a week's campervan tour around the Yorkshire Dales (as the seasides' will be heaving!) Or perhaps a quick flight to one of the 'green list' destinations. This is where one of our favourite go-to skincare brands, Inlight Beauty, have recently launched a compact Skin Aid Kit ready to take care of any skin related emergency, that will fit neatly into our hand luggage or rucksack.

Inlight Beauty started in 2007, and is an established UK luxury organic skincare brand based in Cornwall. Their founder and formulator is Dr Mariano Spiezia, a medical doctor, clinical herbalist and homoeopath. He combines orthodox medicine with the power of nature, and has been working for over 30 years using science, alchemy and wellness, to create these organic products. Dr Mariano Spiezia is considered the father of the organic beauty movement in Britain; indeed, Inlight Beauty was the first UK beauty brand to receive the Cosmos Organic Certification and are still the only UK brand to be certified across the whole range. The brand uses only the finest 100% organic and genuinely natural products which are ethically sourced. This award-winning brand's products are all handcrafted in Cornwall, from crushing and mixing the ingredients to pressing, filling and packing. Their ethos focuses on organic, plant-based and cruelty-free ingredients free from synthetic as SLS, parabens, phthalate, alcohol and palm oil; plus, all packaging is mainly recycled and recyclable. The brand uses only clean, green and renewable power because sustainability is very much at the brand's heart. Every formula is water-free, where they offer a wide range of products for the face, hair and body with oils, masks, creams, serums, butters and balms. Each Inlight product contains a Bio Lipophilic Matrix®. This Matrix has been the result of years of Dr Spiezia's research. The Matrix combines science and alchemy using pure organic/cold-pressed plant oils for impressive results. These super concentrated oils are energised using a patented technique where science meets alchemy to heighten the oils' vital force.

 We have written about several of their products here and were thrilled to receive their newly launched Skin Aid Kit which consists of five 7ml pots of their popular balms, in a sustainable organic cotton zip-up bag, which are suitable for all the family. Here are the benefits of each balm:

The first one is Calendula and Damask Rose Soothing Balm,  was a clear Winner in Wellbeing Awards at The Beauty Shortlist in 2019. It is for soothing delicate, red or sore skin and suitable for all skin type and ages, including baby skin! The main benefits of this balm are for calming, protecting and moisturising. It is safe for mums and babies and can be used on sore nipples if breastfeeding and for the baby's nappy rash. The key ingredients are calendula, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits and commonly used for soothing skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Damask rose oil is also one of the star ingredients here, which has regenerative and antioxidant properties. Another ingredient is plantain, which contains bioactive compounds – such as allantoin – which provide its properties whi,ch are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, helping to soften and hydrate the skin. It's also combined with evening primrose oil which reduces skin inflammation, allows the skin to retain moisture.  We used this balm as a hand balm for healing dry and sore hands – from too much hand washing!

The Propolis and Tea Tree Rescue Balm is for break-outs and acne-prone skin. As with the other balms, is it oil-based, which means there is no water in the formula. The star ingredients for this are propolis, tea tree and Frankincense. Propolis comes from the bees; it is a natural substance that helps acne thanks to its healing properties. Tea tree reduces itching and irritation and also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Frankincense is made from the resin of a tree (the boswellia tree), ideal for aiding sunburn, rosacea with its anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to these organic ingredients and that of neem oil, this balm also has potent antibacterial to add to the mix and suits all skin types, including sensitive ones. This is truly a skin rescue balm that can assist with break-outs and any problem-prone skin. We found it particularly good when we put a tiny bit on an areas of skin irritation, which stopped any blemishes from developing.

The Rosemary and Hypericum Recovery Balm is designed to help ease joints and muscles soreness from over-exertion. The key ingredients are rosemary, hypericum (St John's wort) and ginger. Both the rosemary and hypericum, amongst their many benefits, have anti-inflammatory compounds, which are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation and help relieve joint pain.  The ginger is also used for relieving joint pain; its warming on the skin is an excellent anti-inflammatory and has the added bonus of boosting overall immunity. We used a little on calves and knees after exercise to ease any anticipated stiffness. 

The Turmeric and Calendula Relief Balm is yet another Winner in the Wellbeing Awards at The Beauty Shortlist in 2019. It is handy for dry, red and itchy skin; it can also help those prone to eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis skin. The balm contains powerful nourishing ingredients like olive, castor and black cumin oils. When combined with skin conditioners like calendula, turmeric, plantain, chickweed and mallow, they offer an unbeatable blend of skin conditioning properties. There is no suggested application frequency; it is to use as and when the skin needs it. We found this invaluable for helping to calm an eczema break out.

Finally, there is the Arnica and Hyssop Trauma Balm for bruised, sore and swollen skin. The balm promotes recovery for any knocks, bumps or bruises, thanks to the star ingredients of: Arnica, hypericum, (St John's wort), hyssop and meadowsweet. Arnica has been used for centuries to help speed up recovery from bruises and swelling. Hypericum and hyssop have anti-inflammatory properties, and are suitable for healing minor burns, small cuts, or even frostbite. And meadowsweet is a flowering herb of the rose family; its antibacterial properties are often used to reduce redness, itchiness, and rashes. This balm will help skin recovers from and knock, bangs or minor skin traumas. Thankfully, we've not had to put this to the test, but have it on hand for when we do! All balms are formulated with sensitive and problem skin in mind, you too can purchase this brilliant topical 'first aid' with the Skin Aid Kit here for £37.

1CBD: CBD Infused Chocolates

Finding delicious CBD infused chocolates has had us all at The Amazing Blog on a bit of a mission. Much as we love CBD, sometimes, when it’s infused in chocolates or gummies, it can have a bit of an earthy or bitter aftertaste. This is where 1CBD have succeeded, where others have failed, as they have very shrewdly invited a master chocolatier to help them create their range of 1CBD CBD Infused Chocolates – and they are delicious!

1CBD launched in 2018 and are based in the North East of England. Started by marketeers and business partners Oman and Oliver, their journey of CBD discovery all began when they were commissioned to develop and work with another CBD brand. From here, they saw opportunities to bring their own CBD related products to market, and so, 1CBD was born. Keeping a high-quality control on the cannabidiols (CBD) that they use, is paramount for the brand, which is why they only source their broad-spectrum CBD oils from Colorado. They feel that the USA has more advanced manufacture and unique C02 extraction techniques, than that of the rest of Europe. Plus, the hemp plants are grown outside in the sunshine with no exposure to artificial UV lights, harmful chemicals or pesticides. All CBD oils are prepared in small batches, always freshly prepared, ensuring consistency, taste and potency. The broad-spectrum here means that there’s zero THC, and all raw extracts are vigorously tested and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) analysed by independent laboratories across the USA. Products range from CBD oils, capsules, balms to edibles. However, what piqued our interest, was their handmade, ethically sourced CBD Infused Chocolates, that they commissioned with the award-winning master chocolatier Paul Williams from Chocamor of ‘fiendishly good chocolates’ fame, to create on their behalf. The brand said, “What Choc Amor offered that the other chocolatiers didn’t, was the combination of premium quality cocoa in the chocolate, multi award-winning chocolate flavours and the unavoidable fact that their chocolate really does taste amazing!” And we couldn’t wait to try… 

Who doesn’t love chocolate? And with a whopping 20-25g of broad-spectrum (THC-free) 10% phytocannabinoid pure hemp CBD oil in each piece, it made us love them even more! These CBD Infused Chocolates come in 100g bags and contain a total of 300mg of the broad-spectrum CBD. They also tick our sustainability box, with how these stylish cardboard boxes are completely compostable, together with the cellophane bags. With three mouth-watering flavours, it was hard to choose a favourite, chocolatier Paul Williams said, “We decided to launch the range with three of our best-selling flavours, Raspberry Burst, Salt Caramel and Twisted Latte. These flavours combine really well with the CBD oil so that the consumer can enjoy a chocolate sensation, one mouthful at a time.”  What makes this pairing of chocolate and CBD so interesting is they both contain cannabinoids. Together these activate the endocannabinoid receptors, which in turn boost the anandamide levels (aka ‘the chemical of happiness’), and right now, who doesn’t need that? 

All these ingredients have a health benefit. The hemp extract has antioxidants and healthy omega fatty acids, making it great for hair and skin or just stress relief. The cocoa mass not only gives it its flavour but in moderation, it can help keep the heart-healthy. Like the hemp extract, cocoa butter is high in fatty acids, which can help hydrate and nourish the skin. Soya lecithin can raise good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering bad cholesterol (LDL). Natural vanilla flavouring brings a flavour, but it’s also rich in antioxidants. Sugar gives sweetness to the chocolate, and also, according to some scientists is can be beneficial for brain health. The whole milk powder found here is a good source of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium as well vitamins A, D, E and K.

Let’s get back to these chocolates, each one has its own merits.  We loved the dark rich Raspberry Burst for its floral and fruity notes combined with the 60% cocoa solids. There is even a touch of balsamic vinegar and tiny pieces of dried raspberry in each square.  The Salt Caramel Blonde is a 50/50 unique blend of milk and white chocolate. It also has the smallest crunchy salty caramel flakes buried in the chocolate chunks, as well as rich double cream and butter; we savoured every delicious mouthful, especially as a midday pick-me-up. Last but not least, was the Milk White this is white chocolate at its very best… with the simple ingredients of single-origin cocoa butter, sugar, milk, soya lecithin and vanilla extract (and of course the CBD) it’s moreish, creamy and not too sweet. I’m not normally a fan of white chocolate, but this was my favourite. I’m ashamed to say, that keeping an eye on the CBD dosage (70g a day), went out the window, as I found myself greedily reaching for yet another square… For CBD novices and aficionados, I would heartily recommend these chocolate treats. They say, “Great for improving cognitive function, feeling energised and absorbing CBD with a fantastically moreish taste.” We say, “Please give us more…” To purchase any of the three CBD Infused Chocolates see here. They are currently on special offer for a limited time only at £9.99 

Chic & Raw: Rose Quartz Heart Chakra Crystal Candle

Who doesn’t love to burn a beautifully fragranced candle in the evening? At The Amazing Blog, we love how with its flickering ambient light it helps make a house feel like a home. This is another of our #amazingfinds, more than just a candle; this  Rose Quartz Heart Chakra Crystal Candle from Chic & Raw  combines the positive energies of crystal healing, natural soy wax and a relaxing spa-like fragrance.

Binanti Cuzner and her husband Darren created Chic & Raw in 2019. The brand started as a creative outlet to help them get away from their busy and stressful work lives. With Binanti’s love of yoga, meditation and chakra healing (focal points in ancient meditative practices), she wanted to share her knowledge and beliefs to help others through her brand. Chic & Raw dedicates itself to providing holistic and luxury products beneficial for the mind, body and soul. These are mainly candles, "I wanted to create a sense of joy and harmony with these candles," said Binanti. She studied chakras and crystal healing, matching them for an optimum release in her candles for healing crystal vibration.  She wants to combine beauty with harmony to make every home beautiful by releasing uplifting scents and integrating this with the unique crystals. Binanti believes that a harmonised home, relates to peace of mind. Chic & Raw is committed to working with a few trusted suppliers, and wherever possible, sources local ingredients from UK businesses. The cotton wicks are organic, the soy wax is natural and the fragrances are a mix of essential oils or luxury fragrances from the French perfume house, Drom. We applaud the brand their giving-back policy where they recently partnered with Ecologi to plant a tree for every product sold on Earth Day. Their current candles are themed as Crystal, Tinned and Colour Therapy. Plus, they have other lifestyle products and a new skincare Honeyzen, which for now, has only one face oil. 

As mentioned, we tried was the Rose Quartz Heart Chakra Crystal Candle, presented in a solid luxury cardboard rose gold foiled box. The candle itself comes in an elegant electroplated rose gold and etched glass container (which we later repurposed for storage). Incorporated in this candle are two rose quartz crystals positioned at opposite edges; these are ethically sourced from Madagascar. Rose quartz is known to enhance the heart chakra, boosting feelings of peace, calm and love. It is often used during meditation to help open the mind and heal the heart. It’s also possible to remove these crystals as the wax melts, placing them in your hands, or on the heart chakra to activate the rose quartz while meditating. The candle is made with natural soy wax, a non-toxic alternative to paraffin. Indeed, soy wax is biodegradable, releases less soot while burning, more sustainable and burns 50% longer than paraffin. The organic cotton wick makes it easier to continuously relight the candle, where it can last up to approximately 40 hours. The soy wax contains white tea essential oil, which is known to promote a general sense of wellbeing and helps to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia and depression. This is a light and clean scent with subtle notes of citrus, basil, peony and amber. This mingles sensuously with the warm and spicy ginger oil, known for its stimulating and warming qualities. We lit this candle during those bleak February #lockdown days, using it to enhance our affirmations and offer thanks for keeping our loved ones safe. It's a candle we'd recommend lighting during meditation to uplift spirits and to help deal with any emotional pain. There are three other Crystal Candles in the range with Ruby, Amethyst and Aventurine, each one offering a different purpose. They also provide a fascinating insight on how to ‘active’ or ‘recharge’ your crystals here. As Binanti says: “Burning Chic & Raw Crystal Chakra Candles releases both the energy of the crystal and the soothing fragrances that relieves stress and helps to balance your mind and body.” Something we could all benefit from at this time. This luxurious Rose Quartz Heart Chakra Candle is available for £36 here.

Cannabina: CBD Beard Oils Honey Oak & Cedarwood

If you’ve been reading The Amazing Blog  for a while, then you’ll know that we like to try lots of different topical and skincare products that contain CBD. Today we are looking at two grooming products, the CBD Beard Oils by Cannabina  from The Legal Hempire a brand we have previously featured here.

Cannabina is founded by Gemma McKay, and is a brand that specialises in all kinds of healing products infused with hemp-based broad-spectrum and THC-free CBD ingredients. These products have been created foreveryone to enjoy the healing and soothing benefits of CBD. Cannabina offers a variety of CBD infused items from skincare, tinctures and edibles. McKay’s passion and interest in cannabis are the motivating factors behind the brand’s mission to improve the quality of life for their consumer, through this incredible plant's relieving and healing properties. McKay commented, “It’s only relatively recently that CBD and cannabinoids have caught the public imagination, but the positive health properties of non-THC hemp have been a part of my upbringing. For me, being able to be involved in this feels totally logical and instinctive.” Cannabina is an all-natural CBD brand where the products are free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, solvent residues, chlorophyll, fats and lipids. There are no preservatives, sulphates, mineral oils, parabens, artificial colouring, flavours or perfumes. The brand’s products are also cruelty-free and are tested and certified by both US and UK laboratories. The brand’s products are also cruelty-free and are tested and certified by both US and UK laboratories. Cannabina also has a strong sustainability ethos with its recycling and asks customers to return their product empties, for which they’re rewarding with a 5% discount on further purchases. McKay also recently launched her own shop, The Legal Hempire, a specialist hemp and wellness store, which currently includes over 10 of her tried and trusted CBD brands. “I know that things can get tough, mentally, and also what it takes to find ways to heal yourself. Healing should be built into how we live much more naturally, and CBD and other plant medicines have so much to offer when it comes to both physical and psychological healing properties.” This is where Gemma wants her customers to benefit from the knowledge and insight she has gained and used in her own life.

These CBD Beard Oils are available in either 10ml Honey Oak or 30ml Cedarwood  fragrances, both are designed to help soften and men’s facial hair and beards. These Beard Oils are infused with 50mg of active CBD, which helps to soften, strengthen and promote hair growth. They are lightweight CBD Beard Oils, which contain are vegan and cruelty-free ingredients which include jojoba and argan oils, fragrance oil and cannabis sativa (CBD) extract. When combined, these offer a hydrating yet non-greasy formula, that takes care of anything from a day’s stubble to unruly wizard whiskers. We have it on good authority from our tester that when used regularly he found that his follicles grew slightly thicker and less brittle. Plus, these oils reduced his ‘bristle beard’ making it soft to the touch, and even added moisturise to his skin. The favourite here was the Honey Oak oil for its mellow and sweet fragrance. These are both available in 10ml for the price of £13.00 in Honey Oak here and 30ml Cedarwood here.

Great Lakes Gellatin® Co - Collagen Hydrolysate (10 x single servings)

With this damp and chilly start to May, we find that this sort of weather plays havoc with our over exercised and achy joints. However, this is where at The Amazing Blog we’ve learnt that taking a good collagen supplement comes into its own, as it reduces joint inflammation and stimulates the collagen synthesis in the body. Meet Collagen Hydrolysate, from the Great Lakes Gellatin® Company, which has 20 different amino acids that help to heal and repair the connective tissue. 

The Great Lakes Gellatin® Company is the pioneer of collagen hydrolysate technology. Founded in 1988, it was initially known as Grayslake Gelatin Co (which started production in 1922). They were the first company to research and develop the collagen and gelatin benefits, and ever since has been a market leader in this sector. Great Lakes Gellatin® Co are a family-run business, and was created from the founder’s promise to help and educate others into having a healthier lifestyle. Numerous scientific studies have shown to how collagen hydrolysate supports tendons and ligaments through strengthening the connective tissues, thereby helping to prevent injury and speed up recovery. It also helps muscle mass and strength through promoting lean muscle The cattle from which the collagen is sourced, are grass fed and pastured-raised in Argentina and Brazil, and animal welfare is one of this company’s main priorities. The brand’s products are kosher and free from gluten, MSG, GMO, and verified glyphosate, and easily fit into both the keto and paleo diets. It is also free of allergens and sensitisers: peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, seeds, fish/shellfish, dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, gluten, corn, mustard, celery stalk/leaf, yeast or yeast derivatives. This ground-breaking company also offers a wide range of other flavoured collagen hydrolysates, gelatin and keto products. 

We tried the Collagen Hydrolysate (unflavoured) in 10 x sachets a box. This has one ingredient only: 100% bovine hydrolysed collagen powder, which is a derived protein found naturally in bones, skin, and cartilage. This contains amino acids, glycine, proline and hydroxyproline which are responsible for the growth and repair of the body. In addition, collagen represents almost a third of the natural proteins found in our bodies. However, as time goes by, the production of collagen declines, which where a hydrolysed collagen supplement comes into play. It supports the digestive tract, increases joint health, improves bones density, tightens and hydrates skin, and strengthens hair and nails. It also has the added bonus of aiding sleep and concentration. The effects of bovine hydrolysed collagen on joints and bones have been scientifically proven to act as a kind of ‘intracellular glue’ giving support, shape and bulk to the blood vessels which feed bones and joints as well as vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver – and yet it’s not a medicine. This low molecular weight protein is easily digested just a few minutes after eating. It will not congeal because it has been hydrolyzed for quick assimilation and improved hydration to the connective tissue. We found that these Great Lakes Gellatin® Co Hydrolysed Collagen unflavoured powders to be colourless and odourless; they dissolve quickly in cold or hot beverages, which means you can put them in your coffee, tea or smoothie (see our berry smoothie above). It is also possible to dissolve them into soups or mix into yoghurt. One sachet (6 grams) or two (12grams) a day are enough. We stirred one sachet into our smoothie until the collagen powder dissolved - about 10-20 seconds - it’ll be quicker in hot liquids. If you need a little inspiration, you can take a look at their Recipes Page here for more ideas. To purchase Great Lakes Gellatin® Co Collagen Hydrolysate 10 x Single Servings, go to Amazon UK here  at £5.99.