MIDNATTASOL: Lingonberry Seed Oil Capsules

Typically, when we think of skincare, it’s as a topical treatment. However, today we are going to be talking about a product that seeks to improve your skin from the inside out. MIDNATTSOL’s Lingonberry Seed Oil Capsules have been created to help improve smoothness and elasticity from within, rather than just on the surface, and here at The Amazing Blog we’re looking at its benefits.

MIDNATTSOL is a Swedish brand co-founded by Erik Sundquist in 2018. MIDNATTSOL is owned by Cynocare Ltd, a medical device company focused on bringing unique and scientifically proven innovation to the aesthetic and medical field. With offices in Hong Kong and Sweden, Cynocare Ltd has a reputation based on 20 successful years in the life science business. The brand MIDNATTSOL works with a focus on innovative yet natural health and beauty solutions. As a brand and company, they pride themselves on their Swedish heritage, and with this focus, MIDNATTSOL only chooses active ingredients with scientific support for their products. The name of the company derives from the unique Nordic midnight sun. The extended amount of sunlight creates unique growing conditions, which results in some of the nutrient-rich ingredients used in MIDNATTSOL. These ingredients, such as the lingonberry, are used in a variety of their skincare products. MIDNATTSOL also uses a unique patented TYMEDIKER™ process which focuses on reducing pigmentation in the skin. This four-step process focusing on creating effective yet gentle solutions to suit even the most sensitive of skin types.

MIDNATTSOL’s Lingonberry Seed Oil capsules are naturally enriched with fatty acids and vitamins that work together to provide natural barriers to protect the skin. Lingonberries are considered a superfood. The raw seed oil that derives from these wild, Arctic lingonberries is rich in essential fatty acids, plant sterols and antioxidants. The lingonberry is the distant cousin of the well-known cranberry and contains more flavonoids than cranberries or any other wild berry. Due to their high nutritional profile, these small, red berries help heart health, control weight and blood sugar, and promote healthy gut bacteria. More research is needed on the benefits of this superfruit, but studies have already shown that these berries are packed with vitamins, calcium, potassium and other enriching elements. Lingonberry seed oil is naturally rich in vitamin E, which has strong antioxidant properties. The fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, giving natural barriers to help retain moisture in the skin and protect the skin from outside pollution penetrating the skin.

In a clinical trial over a 12 week period with Dr Moon Seok Shin, women between the ages of 35 to 65, who regular took the lingonberry seed oil capsules, saw significant improvement their skin’s ‘hydration, elasticity and density’, which in turn reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 93% of participants found the treatment either good or very good, 90% felt that it was effective in improving skin smoothness, and 86% found the treatment to be effective in making the skin more elastic. See here to learn more.

Something we also know, is that lingonberry seed oil act as antioxidants, blocking free radicals that can damage skin and is rich in plant compounds, including anthocyanins and flavonoids. The red colour of lingonberry comes from anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefit. These luminous little red capsules are so easy to take, two in the morning and two a night. Although we haven’t quite finished the 12 week’s course, with about another month or two to go, the one thing we have noticed is a definite improvement in gut health and our general wellbeing. We think that this humble lingonberry is a very underrated superfood that offers so much not only for skin but for wellbeing too. They describe it as ‘Nordic beauty from within’ and we couldn’t agree more. We’ll keep you posted as to our progress. MIDNATTSOL Lingonberry Seed Oil Capsules are available in a pack of 60 capsules (one month’s supply) and you can purchase here for $41.80.

Hempura: Hemp Tea in Natural Raspberry

As regular readers will know, at The Amazing Blog, we’re big fans of CBD (see here) mainly because of the numerous benefits it provides, especially the calming effect, which is much needed during these uncertain times. We always try to seek out new and more unusual CBD products to introduce you to, and today we’re featuring another CBD infused tea, but this time it’s Hempura’s Hemp Tea in Natural Raspberry, which has no THC and a more summery and fruitier flavour. 

Hempura is a British brand launched in 2016 by Lewis Hadaway.  Passionate about CBD, he quit his job in nuclear project management to set up this CBD brand, Hempura, where even today, he is still very much hands-on. In this over-crowded and confusing world of CBD, Lewis wants to help inform and educate the consumer, providing us with high-quality authentic hemp extract CBD products, which are 100% traceable from seed to shelf. Hempura imports their raw cannabidiol from organic farms in Eastern Europe, where they use an advanced ethanol extraction method, for Hempura, they feel that this ensures the preservation of the naturally occurring terpenes, flavonoids, cannabinoids, nutrients and minerals present. Every batch produced is automatically sent to an approved third-party laboratory for complete analysis. Lewis recently commented, “We build relationships with our customers because CBD is a lifelong product.” He went on to say, “We empower our customers to make informed decisions. This reduces concerns and fears, especially for seniors.” The Hempura range consists of vapes, topicals, edibles and CBD Oils. The Original (full-spectrum) and the Refined (broad-spectrum) CBD oils contain the same amount of CBD. However, the Original contains all the natural hemp components (including the accepted amount of less than 0.05% THC) without the refinement of the broad-spectrum. There 10ml CBD Oil bottles with approximately 200 drops in each, and a strength starting from 250ml (2.5%) cannabidiol up to 1000mg (10%). The brand has been members of the Vegan Society since July 2019 (except the chocolates due to dairy) and all products are GMO free.

We originally wanted to try their CBD infused chocolate but, alas, these were out of stock. So, as it’s now summer, we thought trying this Hemp Tea in Natural Raspberry instead. Although THC-free, it’s still rich in natural terpenes and all-natural ingredients found in hemp and has 5% or 5mg of CBD (we think…from lab report) per tea bag. Let’s look at the ingredients. This has 100% organically grown hemp made with hemp leaves with no herbicides or pesticides. They say it’s free of additives (or not as the case may be!) We couldn’t quite understand why there is a ‘trace of propylene glycol’ here?! There are also dried raspberries with the addition of natural raspberry flavouring. Raspberries, themselves provide vitamin C with a small amount of vitamin A, thiamine (B1) and riboflavin (B2). Moving onto the potent terpenes found in this hemp CBD tea. With limonene, A-pinene, B-pinene and citral these have a hugely beneficial effect on the gut, intestine and also help to regulate blood pressure, see here. These combined are also known to help sleep and inflammation and studies have also shown that these terpenes can produce an antidepressant-like effect. We prepared the tea using one tea bag in the cup, and let it steep for about 5 minutes, until the tea was a glorious berry colour (see above photo). What we liked was that this had a robust and fruity taste, a far more complex and in-depth flavour than that of a regular fruit tea or plain hemp CBD tea. We think it’s ideal for the caffeine sensitive, or for those wanting a warming and fruity drink at night to help them relax and sleep. With 20 tea bags, weighing in at 11g, you can purchase the Hempura Hemp Tea in Natural Raspberry here for £9.99.

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.

Afterglow Candles: We Create

At  The Amazing Blog  we’re huge fans of scented candles. We love the ambience they give, and when lighting a solo candle under the stars, it always adds to mystical evening glow. Now that alfresco dining has finally arrived we wanted to try this wild fig and blackcurrant candle We Create from Afterglow Candles and it didn’t disappoint.

Afterglow Candles are a UK luxury black-owned and eco-friendly home brand founded by Alex Bertie and her partner and co-founder Darrell. Alex is a doctor, and Darrell is a barber. The idea came when they were gifted a simple candle making kit and where they soon got creative. Since then, they have built up the business finally launching Afterglow in September 2020. Their mission is to provide luxury candles that are affordable and safe for the environment. Alex said: "Afterglow has been a labour of love and a steep learning curve, which has completely exceeded our expectations. We've met some great people along the way and can't wait to see what the future holds!" These artisan, hand-poured, and unisex candles are made in East London; the designs are simple, chic and minimalist made to suit every gender, age and social group. Where the stylised monochrome designs express luxury and affordability all at the same time. Afterglow candles are eco-friendly, with waxes that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic. The metal tin cases, that house the candles, are all made from recycled sources and can also be recycled and reused – we think it would make a great pen holder! Most of the ingredients are sourced from the UK in order to support local businesses and reduce the carbon footprint. Finally, Alex and Darrell wanted to have a charitable element in their business. So, they donate £1 from every sale to charities supporting adults and children living with sickle cell disease, as Darrell suffers from the disease. And in the forthcoming months, Afterglow Candles is also working with a charity called Crescent Kids  who provide support services to children and families impacted by Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.

We chose the 'We Create' a wild fig and blackcurrant candle from the Empowerment Collection. As mentioned above, all the candles come in a metal tin, together with unbleached cotton and linen wicks. Their range of candles are made using a blend of natural coconut and soy wax with high-quality essential oils and fragrances. Both waxes are a great alternative to paraffin as they are more sustainable and don’t have any nasty fumes or black smoke when burnt. Coconut wax is harvested from coconut crops that are sustainable and high in yield. It is also a great diffuser of scents and has a low impact on the environment, whereas the soy wax here is made from soybeans which are renewable and biodegradable, and helps to provide a clean burn. The fragrance combination in We Create has the top notes of cassis (blackcurrant), raspberry and sweet cherry. The heart notes are raspberry leaf and fig, and the base notes are sandalwood and cedarwood. This is uplifting and refreshing; we’d even go as far as to say inspirational, where it brings together all these summer fruits which, when lit, linger beautifully in the evening air… We think it’s one to burn to when you want to make the most of these balmy summer evenings. Also thanks to coconut and soy wax, the candle can burn for approximately 40 hours making it very cost-effective. Afterglow Candles offers nine different scented candles and a few accessories like bags, a wick trimmer and snuffer and even a USB lighter. By the way, for each candle you buy, you'll get a mini tin opener plus £1 will be donated to their appointed charity, You can buy the 250ml 'We Create' candle here for £22.

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