Organic

Elan Skincare: Wonder Face Cleanser Melon & Cucumber Cleanse & Calm

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Cleansing is the foundation of every skincare routine. By removing makeup, dirt, and other kinds of pollutants from the skin, a good cleanser keeps pores clear and maintains skin health. Today at The Amazing Blog we’d like to introduce another award-winning organic skincare brand that we’ve been keen to try,  Elan Skincare. They recently launched the Wonder Face Cleanser Melon & Cucumber Cleanse & Calm, a gentle yet effective plant-based cleanser for removing makeup and daily grime which we put to test.

When Elan Skincare was launched in 2017, it had a mission to create an honest, transparent and organic skincare that combined both science and natureFounded by women and made for women, Elan Skincare’s primary aim is to empower women, and with Joanna Silva at the helm and her ten years of experience in the medical industry, it’s a brand you can trust, as she understands the importance of women’s health and wellbeing. Elan’s commitment is to produce natural, sustainable and organic formulas that are cruelty-free, vegan and recyclable. All products are dermatologically tested and embrace the latest green technologies for producing cold-pressed unrefined butter and oils, the purest CO2 organic plant extracts and actives, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C and E, hyaluronic acid and more... All products contain organic botanical ingredients that are Eco-cert and Soil Association certified.

The Wonder Face Cleanser Melon & Cucumber Cleanse & Calm  is a lightweight, silky-textured cleansing oil ideal for all skin types, especially those with sensitive skin. Enriched with the key ingredients of hazelnut seed oil, containing tannins which work as powerful antioxidants. The sunflower seed oil is high in omega 6 and vitamin E, whereas the caprylic/capric triglyceride (derived from coconut) works as a preservative to bind ingredients. The isoamyl laurate (derived from sugarcane) is a skin conditioning agent which resurfaces, tones and brightens the skin. The hydrogenated farnesene (plant-derived squalane) works as an emollient, and the sea buckthorn oil is full of vitamin C to nourish and moisturise skin.  The unusual addition here is bakuchiol (often referred to as the plant-based alternative to retinol) known an anti-inflammatory which helps deliver a smoother skin texture and stimulate collagen production. There is also a plethora of fruit extracts making this a potent mix, as it effectively and gently dissolves makeup (yes, even mascara!) We like how it improves skin texture and firmness while at the same time cleanses the skin. Without using artificial fragrances, alcohol or essential oils, it has a refreshing scent of cucumber and melon incorporating these fresh fruits extracts into the formula.  In the evening, we massaged in a 50p amount of the cleansing oil on to a damp skin, then rinsed it away with warm water and a washcloth. It removed daily grime and makeup with ease. Elan Skincare also recommends apply the cleanser as a mask, leaving it on for a 5-10 minutes allowing it to penetrate, feed and strengthen the skin; this felt like an early morning treat, before our shower. We love their use of organic botanical actives and the gentle performance of this cleanser. It even soothed our red and irritated #lockdown eczema! Yes, we consider this yet another of our #amazingfinds. It can be purchased here a 50ml bottle for £28.

Pura Vida Organic: CBD Face Mask CBD and CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum

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As we always say, taking care of your skin should be the number one priority, and as we move into a new season with spring this is the time to look into changing your skincare routine. We've already recently introduced Pura Vida with their CBD haircare collection here, so today we’re back with more of Pura Vida's award-winning CBD products. As our regular readers will know we love all things CBD, and this time it’s with the Pura Vida CBD Face Mask and the CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum. 

Pura Vida Organic was founded in 2015 by Jennifer Deegan. The brand was developed specifically for problematic and sensitive skin, using the purest ingredients. The brand focuses on organic CBD products, where sustainability is at the heart of the brand, with recyclable plastic and boxes made of 25% grass pulp, recycled paper and cardboard. Even the labels use vegetable dyes and vegan-friendly glue.  90% of the products are handmade offering both the personal touch, and a decrease in energy consumption from mechanical production. Pura Vida Organic's primary ingredient is CBD (THC-free) broad-spectrum or isolate. In 2018, Pura Vida Organic passed the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA (CGMP) and the international standard for quality management systems (ISO9001). In 2019, they were the first CBD skincare production facility to obtain the COSMOS Organic and Natural certification, allowing them to have their organic and natural skincare commercialised world-wide. They have experience in distribution, wholesale and manufacture, but makes sets Pura Vida apart from other CBD brands is their organic ingredients. Pura Vida Organic is proud to have one of the most comprehensive ranges of organic CBD products which range from CBD oil, to baby care, men’s, body care, skincare and haircare. They are Bronze winners for their full body care range at the recent Cosmetique Mag 2021.

This time Pura Vida kindly sent us two skincare products: the CBD Face Mask  and the CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum The luxurious CBD face mask is packed with plant-based nutrients. The base is comprised of kaolin clay, camellia sinensis (AKA as green tea seed oil) and mango seed butter. Together these feed, nourish, calm, and deeply cleanse the skin of impurities; gently sloughing away dull dead skin and absorb impurities from the pores. The 300mg of CBD isolate counteract free-radical damage and visibly diminish issues like wrinkles, skin dullness, and red-coloured skin toneThe magnolia bark extract successfully combats breakouts, and oily skin. It has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine containing magnolol and honokiol compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. There are rosehip and passionfruit seed oils here to boost vitamin C and omega-6 linoleic acid. The rose flower extract is high in vitamin C and also tannins, offering toning and antioxidant benefits to prevent signs of ageing. Finally, the calendula flower extract (AKA marigold) has skin-soothing and antioxidant properties and helps reduce the production of excessive sebum. This face mask is undoubtedly one of the gentlest that we’ve tried. It’s not grainy or abrasive and applies smoothly over the skin. We used it 2 or 3 times a week and found it left our skin soft and hydrated. With all its nutrient-rich skin food, we’d recommend it to those needing a skin boost or as something to calm irritated and sensitive skins. Apply a generous layer of face mask to your clean skin and relax for 20-30 minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water, and splash with cold water to close your pores. To purchase the CBD Face Masks in 30ml for €29.00, click here

The CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum is a lightweight serum designed to hydrate the delicate eye area and reduce dark circles and puffiness.  With 200mg of CBD and cannabis sativa seed oil (cold pressed from hemp seeds) these help to moisturise and nourish while also helping strengthen the skin barrierThe chlorella vulgaris (green algae) extract stimulates the skin cells and increases the skin's firmness and tone, lightening the effect on dark circles. It has seawater with hydrolyzed algin (this binds the water) to minimise the size and puffiness of any undereye baggingThe polysaccharides here are responsible for the skin's natural ability to hydrate, retain moisture and are critical for skin repair and skin renewal. The raspberry seed oil is for a slightly brightening effect, reducing any redness or swelling. The butterfly lavender (French lavender) extract boosts blood circulation with a tightening and smoothing the skin. And finally, there’s also the magnolia bark extract, rosehip and passionfruit seed oil (see above para). This Eye & Wrinkle Serum we couldn’t get enough of! What a difference this made to the eye area after little or no sleep…. The Serum calms, soothes and magically seemed to lighten and tighten the area.  We used morning and night until… empty! In particular, we noticed how it minimalised fine lines and plumped up the skin so dark circles seemed to disappear! Pura Vida also recommends gently massaging the Serum into  face, neck and décolletage with circular upward motions - although with this tiny 10ml bottle we think it rather a waste!  We loved this Serum and really noticed an increase in firmness and tone in our delicate eye area. This is without doubt, another one of our #amazingfinds. To purchase Pura Vida's CBD Eye & Wrinkle Serum in 30ml for €45.00, click here

Apothem: RECHARGE CBD Cream-Gel

Still in lockdown, topics of wellbeing and health certainly seem to be at the forefront in everyone’s mind. If you’re into taking care of your body and giving it all the TLC that it deserves, then please keep reading on. Today at The Amazing Blog we want to flag up yet another one of our  #amazingfinds. This time it’s with the CBD wellness brand Apothem and its award-winning RECHARGE CBD Cream-Gel, not only for all the CBD lovers but also for those needing a soothing cream for over-worked bodies.

Apothem is co-founded by Tony North and Amelia Barlein and specialises in luxury organic hemp-based CBD drops and topicals. Launched in October 2019, in a male-dominated industry, co-founder Amelia's goal is to empower women in business and build a positive and collaborative culture for those working in the cannabis industry. Apothem is a unisex wellness brand that encourages the positive impacts of CBD while supporting positive mental health through a partnership with suicide prevention charity CALM, which is committed to breaking down common barriers through CBD education. Amelia Baerlein was recently quoted as saying: "We founded Apothem to disrupt the existing CBD market with a contemporary collection of products designed to set new standards in purity, quality and strength. Everything we design and make is created with real people in mind as an addition to their everyday rituals; however, they choose to live life." Apothem is a luxury vegan, cruelty-free, organic brand that only uses cultivated hemp with zero THC. All their CBD products are produced to Good Manufacturing Standards and listed on the EU cosmetics notification portal. Formulas are original and developed in a lab by a diverse team of experts who triple-check the products' potency and purity and put them through rigorous testingAll hemp used is organic and grown in Alicante, Spain, where plants grow outside without the use artificial lighting. Any excess hemp created in production is used to develop packaging, clothing, shoes, and accessories. Apothem is a brand built on honesty and quality, something we look for when buying CBD oil drops, topicals and skincare. They recently scooped up the Best CBD Oil, Best CBD Muscle Balm and five other awards in the Wellbeing Awards with the 2021 Beauty Shortlist; and gained industry recognition as the Best New British Brand award (silver) at the Pure Beauty Awards 2020.

Having seen the launch of Apothem, their RECHARGE CBD Cream-Gel was the one product from the range, that we desperately wanted to try. This is because RECHARGE combines every thing we want in a CBD healing balm, it’s natural with pure Hemp-CBD isolate with magnesium, and botanicals from arnica, green tea, magnesium, and essential oils. Unlike many other CBD body creams/ balms, with overpowering fragrances like lemongrass or eucalyptus, this emits a lovely soft rosemary, juniper and mint scent. It is a truly therapeutic cream-gel, designed to deliver a cooling remedy targeting tension to help re-energise overworked bodies (in my case muscle strain). Easy to apply I found it cooling and effective. For me, it helped alleviate everyday stiffness from my hips and calves. Let’s look at the key ingredient here, arnica reduces aches and swelling; green tea is a fantastic antioxidant and calms redness or skin irritation, and magnesium is a superb support for the immune system. The rosemary and mint essential oils help relieve stress and muscular or joint inflammation. Juniper oil also reduces fatigue, muscle aches and helps relieve pain from arthritis. In clinical trials with RECHARGE over a period of 14 days with 52 participants – it came out with astonishing results as 99% of participants agreed that it helped relieve muscle fatigue, increase joint mobility, relaxed muscle tension and gave greater ease of movement after use. And we couldn’t agree more – this is a very effective anti-inflammatory packed with a potent 800mg CBD in a 100ml tube, and currently one of our favourites.  You can purchase Recharge CBD Cream-Gel in either 25ml for £20 here or 100mml at £55, click here.   

Tuesday 2 March: The 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards

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**BIG CONGRATULATIONS 🎉 🥳 TO ALL THE WINNERS **

Today we're celebrating NATURE.

There's been a special energy around the 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards this year, which is so cheering when we've all been wading through a heavy, "abnormal" and often difficult year.

These awards are not particularly easy to win, it's quite a wait from 1 September to Tuesday 2 March to find out if you have won.

But fortune favours the brave, Awards Day is here at last, and it's time to share the 🧡.

2021 highlights and emerging trends include:

* inclusive beauty (a priority for the industry)
* plantable packaging (you can compost at home)
* CBD edibles & delicious treats like coffee, nut butters and 70% dark chocolate
* the "almost naked" soap + solid skincare bar heroes flying the flag for "plastic-free"
* crystal beauty... moonstone-infused serums and shungite cleansers
* nootropics, gut health solutions and mood enhancers (yes please)
* buy-a-product-plant-a-tree campaigns
* recycled ocean plastic, mushroom (mycelium) boxes and a lot less plastic overall...

I hope you enjoy the awards today. Big congratulations to all the ethical, beautiful 2021 AWARDS winners - including those who've won one of the first ever Beauty Shortlist ECO LIFESTYLE AWARDS (new for 2021).

To see the gorgeous green winners go to thebeautyshortlist.com or click the bio link above. HAPPY MARCH 🐇🌷!

“We need the tonic of wildness…we can never have enough of nature”
Henry David Thoreau

Quarnero - Scent of the Mediterranean Face & Body Oils: Refresh, Relax, Sensual & Spirit

Remember those relaxing and soothing Quarnero’s Fleur de Sel Relax Bath Salts? Well, today, at The Amazing Blog we’re back with more of Quarnero’s nature-inspired skincare; but this time, it’s with their set of four Mediterranean Face & Body Oils. These are ideal for uplifting mind and body; so we thought, what could be a more appropriate time to use these now we’re still in #lockdown.

As previously mentioned, Quarnero is a family based business with mother and son team, Zorica and Rešid Seferović, in the Kvarner region of Croatia. This is where they produce natural and organic face and body care. Ingredients are mainly derived from the local region where wild plants flourish in the clean air, unpolluted Adriatic shoreline and the historical landscape. Other key organic ingredients are sourced from carefully selected organic locations – such as organic cold pressed sesame oil and some of the essentials oils. They use organic and natural biodynamic plant actives combined with their time-honoured knowledge of ancient medicinal remedies to bring these unique products to life – for them it’s taking ingredients back to basics with a ‘less is more’ philosophy. All products have the prized certification from NATRUE, International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association , an organisation committed to promoting and protecting global natural and organic cosmetics. All Quarnero products are handmade, vegan and delivered in solid, simple apothecary-style jars with Miron violet glass. Interestingly, this violet glass is scientifically proven to maintain fresh ingredients longer than clear glass. It also acts as a barrier preventing the loss of bioenergy, enzymes, smell or colour from the product stored within, making preservatives less necessary. The brand is now available in 39 countries, with six products in total, which are within the two ranges of Face & Body Oils and Bath Salts.

Quarnero’s luxury vegan and organic unisex oils featured here today are suitable for both the face and body, making them incredible multitasking oils. We were sent the full set of Scent of Mediterranean Face & Body Oils, which are: Sensual, Relax, Spirit and Refresh. They offer all-year-round skin nourishment as each one contains a combination of pure bio-organic plant actives in the oils with a base of organic cold-pressed sesame oil. These ingredients are non-greasy, quick to absorb and designed to primarily help regenerate, soothe and protect the skin, emitting their unique Quarnero ‘Scent of the Mediterranean’ fragrance. The carrier oil in each is the cold-pressed sesame oil which is an excellent choice, as it doesn’t interfere with the essential oil’s therapeutic properties and is also full of antioxidants, vitamin E and omega fatty acids. It has a natural SPF 4 for protection and best of all, it keeps the skin gently nourished. The other ingredient common in three of the oils is lavender augustifolia (lavender oil) – see our photo above. This is one of the most versatile and popular distilled essential oils and best known to promote relaxation, treat anxiety, depression and insomnia. 

Each oil in this Scent of Mediterranean Face & Body Oil range offers specific mood enhancing property. The  Sensual emits softness and warmth with the cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) blended with delicate camellia oil, citrus essential oil; this will relax tense muscles, eliminate stress and anxiety, uplift and stimulate awakening sensuality. The Relax has an impressive combination of rosemary, lavender, geranium leaf and bergamot to relieve tired and irritated skin from negative environmental factors.It is also recommended for massaging into the body as an anti-cellulite treatment to aid with lymphatic drainage and make skin smoother. Spirit has a blend of excellent regenerative properties; these include rosemary, lavender, lemon and bergamot, which refresh the skin with a slightly zesty fragrance. This also has a stimulating effect on mood and we found it inspired in us a more optimistic outlook. Finally, the Refresh is a fusion of tangerine, lavender and mentha piperita leaf (peppermint). This mix has cooling and soothing characteristics, and when inhaled gave a feeling of elevated calm.

So, where to begin? We started by opening each of the four bottles in turn. Whichever one we instinctively felt most drawn to, we then applied. This was directly onto damp skin after an evening shower or bath. We recommend decanting the oils into a 20ml glass bottle; they work best warmed up bain-marie style, and then massaged to the skin. Left overnight the ingredients can fully absorb and work their magic. Quarnero also recommends using these oils to heal the skin after exposure to extreme cold or heat and as an added bonus, these oils are gentle enough to even be massaged into beards or the scalp. Once again, we’ve been won over by Quarnero’s skincare, where they offer their unique gifts from the earth, sun and sea and we cannot wait for to try more. To purchase Quarnero Scent of Mediterranean Face and Body oils, 100ml at €33 eachplease email info@quarnero.hr for enquiries due to the online shop currently being unavailable.