Pure Lakes: Sweet Basil & Orange Shampoo & Conditioner

At The Amazing Blog, we understand the importance of trying to have a good hair day - every day. That’s why we always turn to natural haircare because it works. Pure Lakes is a natural skincare brand that uses the best and most potent plant-derived ingredients, with some products being entirely organic. We’ve had our eye on this brand for a while, especially their haircare which was a recommendation. Today we feature their Sweet Basil & Orange Keratin Silken Shampoo and Conditioner, which offer a naturally moisturising fix and leave hair soft and smelling zesty-fresh.

Pure Lakes Skincare is a multi-award-winning brand made in The English Lake District, now a world heritage site. Originally founded in 2006, the highly successful natural spa and skincare brand that we know today started through a café opened by Sandra and Iain Blackburn in Grasmere. The lack of income from the café inspired Sandra to make her own skincare products. Sandra’s chemistry background, feedback from friends and family, and her love for pure plant-based ingredients allowed her to create handmade, affordable, luxury products that gently care for the skin and planet. Pure Lakes’s first opportunity was supplying eco-friendly skincare products to hotels all over the UK; now, happy hotel guests and affordable, eco-friendly luxury skincare lovers flock to Pure Lakes for the best. The story continues….Previous regular buyers of Pure Lakes, who lived in London before moving to the Lakes shortly afterwards, Claire McKeever, a former actress and salsa dance teacher, and her husband Gareth bought the business in 2016.  Claire is a Lake District lass, and the Mc Keever's and their young family live in Far Sawrey, home to Claire's family for several generations. Keeping it local, its products’ environmentally-friendly packaging is designed by Cactus Creative in Kendal and is further complemented by unique artwork created by Claire McKeever’s late Grandmother, Patricia “Paddy” Naylor. They continue to work closely with Iain and Sandra to ensure the core principles and values of the company are inherent in every decision. Claire told Green Parent, “Four years on and I have completed an apprenticeship with Sandra - she & Iain still work for us, albeit one day a week - and love formulating and making products that I am passionate about. I have long suffered from eczema and being able to make products that help and that are beneficial for the skin, is incredibly fulfilling.”

Gareth and Claire McKeever have their sights fixed firmly on spreading the word about how their products are created ethically and sustainably within the boundaries of the UNESCO-recognised Lake District National Park. In an interview with Cumbria Growth Hubb, Gareth said, “We’ve always had that ethos. What’s changed is the way we communicate it. Everything we do has to have clear environmental benefits. For example, we’ve started using plastic made from sugar for our bottles, which has a smaller carbon footprint than normal plastic made from oil. Consumers ordering online can save £1 by opting for minimal packaging. Our products to hotels come in refillable bottles that can be used time and again.” He added, “Just because our products are environmentally friendly doesn’t mean they can’t look luxurious. We package them in environmentally-friendly materials in keeping with high-end products using high-end ingredients.” The four main pillars of Pure Lakes Skincare are its customers, employees, supplies and owners. They strive for excellence in all products, ensuring customers are always satisfied. If not, a replacement or refund will be issued within a reasonable period, no questions asked. Pure Lakes also believes in sustainable, equal pay careers with flexibility to enjoy the beautiful Pure Lakes and building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with great suppliers for the most traceable, undeniably sustainable, and highest quality ingredients. Once a secondhand bookseller, Claire finds the recycling of pre-loved items very satisfying – especially using a significant number of pre-used padded envelopes and recycled packaging much like Pure Lakes does today. Claire stated, “I believe in the stance Pure Lakes is taking on recycling, with their biopolymer bottles, their reusable and refillable policy and their use of organic products: the team are aware of the company’s impact on the environment and is committed to keeping in the forefront of innovation.” Not forgetting to mention that Pure Lakes are vegan and never tests on animals; they are free from synthetic ingredients, parabens or SLS. They even donate a portion of online orders to young carers, children looking after siblings and/or parents, in collaboration with Honeypot and West Cumbria Carers. Over the past six months, Pure Lakes has donated over £2,000 to young carers.

The Sweet Basil & Orange Keratin Silken Shampoo is a natural shampoo with a gentle lather giving cleansed and nourished hair, with the essential oils of sweet & bitter orange, sweet basil, geranium and lemongrass. On the one hand, sweet & bitter orange oil is abundant in vitamin C, promoting collagen production and reducing hair breakage. Whereas in contrast, sweet basil oil is exceptionally beneficial for hair growth by improving scalp circulation, stimulating hair follicles and promoting the production of new healthy hair. The basil plant has an astonishing 120 varieties, and the sweet basil variety is known to retain its potent properties even in high temperatures, making it a better choice for use in cosmetics. The geranium oil balances secretions around the hair follicles, effectively stimulating hair growth. And the lemongrass oil’s astringent and antiseptic properties strengthen hair follicles, control hair loss, and leave hair shiny.

Other key ingredients start with organic aloe vera, an excellent pain reliever, antiseptic and healing agent ideal for eczema, burns, sunburn and cuts – making it highly soothing for the scalp and hair. It’s followed by cocamidopropyl betaine, and decylglucoside, both amphoteric detergent that produces a fine foam and makes products gentle on the skin. There’s organic jojoba, a scentless liquid wax easily absorbed by the skin that functions as a moisturiser and protectant to the scalp and skin, safe for all skin types and a great hair oil. Organic sunflower oil, a dry oil rich in omega 3 for soft and silky hair; D-panthenol, a nutrient from vitamin B for managing oxidative stress on the scalp and skin; and vitamin E (tocopherol), an antioxidant that prevents fat and oils from going rancid; Meanwhile, a combination of phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol and potassium sorbate, are antibacterial agents that form the most gentle and eco-friendly preservative, along with citric acid, an acidity and pH regulator, also make its way into the formula.

These plant-based ingredients only enhanced our hair, as the shampoo is light and natural, and yet it left a beautiful zesty lemongrass scent on our hair. It didn’t dry the scalp, or make hair tangly; instead, it left our hair soft and clean.

Followed by the Sweet Basil & Orange Keratin Silken Conditioner, which is equally zesty and naturally moisturising. Each bottle contains plant keratin and a pleasant blend of essential oils like sweet basil and orange. You will find similar ingredients as the shampoo, plus each bottle contains glyceryl monostearate, cetyl alcohol and isoamyl laurate for emulsification that leads to soft and silky hair, along with isoamyl cocoate, a light, natural emollient with low viscosity for quick absorption of formulas. Also, there are hydrolysed corn, wheat and soy proteins, that maintain hair elasticity by controlling the loss of humidity, reducing breakage, improving traction of hair fibres, and increasing collagen production for moisturised, nourished, shiny hair. Avocado oil is a mild, nourishing, semi-fatty oil that is rich in vitamins and perfect for treating damaged hair cuticles; cetearyl glycoside, an emulsifier that won’t clog scalp pores; and lastly, coconut butter, a butter rich in essential proteins to nourish, repair and condition dull, damaged hair and can even be beneficial for dandruff when massaged into the scalp.

Again, we found the conditioner light on the hair, much like the shampoo, and it did its due diligence in leaving hair soft and silky. We suggest letting the conditioner sit for a few minutes to give it time to hydrate hair and scalp, and then in our case, follow with a wide tooth comb and rinse. The Shampoo and Conditioner work perfectly in tandem for a lightweight summer haircare - we used it twice a week to keep hair clean, shiny and smelling fresh. Suitable for all hair types, including our long fine curly hair, although with the essential oil content and the lively scent, we’d caution those who have flaky or sensitive scalps to do a patch test first. Another of our #amazingfinds, thanks to this dynamic duo, you don’t have to think twice about your next good hair day!

Both products are free from alcohol, lanolin, petroleum jelly MI, gluten, and artificial perfumes or colours. To top it off, they even have refills available see here. For a 250ml bottle of Pure Lakes’ Sweet Basil & Orange Keratin Silken Shampoo for £14.50, click here; and the 250ml bottle of Pure Lakes’ Sweet Basil & Orange Keratin Silken Conditioner for £14.50, click here.

Pickle’s Potions and Lotions : Vegan Lash + Brow Serum

The team at The Amazing Blog knows how difficult it is to find an affordable, vegan lash and brow serum, especially one that is handmade, woman-owned, organic, natural and cruelty-free. Pickle’s Potions and Lotions’ Vegan Lash and Brow Serum ticks all these boxes. This best-seller is an award-winning product, having won the Editor’s Choice in the Beauty Shortlist 2021 Awards and the Bronze Award in the Best Natural Product at UK Global Makeup Awards 2021.

A skincare junkie from a young age, founder Kristin Mutchler’s cabinets were always filled to the brim with perfumes and products, but it wasn’t until she became pregnant with her first child that Pickle’s Potions’ journey began. “As first-time mums are prone to do, I started researching everything and discovered that my skincare products were full of highly suspect ingredients, from hormone disruptors to toxic fragrances,” Kristin went on to say, “I began to make my own products and dove into the science of skincare, researching different ingredients and the chemical composition of plants and oils and how they work in synergy.” She was even more determined to create an all-natural skincare brand that is safe and effective for everyone after discovering her baby was prone to eczema. Kristin’s background in science, having taken several college-level science courses, and her passion for learning about skincare motivated her to take classes in product formulation, aromatherapy and skin care science, which marked the first steps of her brand’s creation. Combine this with her knack for gardening in her rural Maine garden, foraging local surrounding fields and woods for other ingredients too. Pickle’s Potions’ biggest wish is to create products with the best possible ingredients for our precious skin, free from synthetic chemicals, parabens, artificial fragrances and petroleum byproducts. Instead, each non-toxic batch is family-safe, handcrafted and carefully formulated using freshly handpicked botanical ingredients and precious oils in Wayne, Maine. On top of this, each bottle and tube is PETA-certified and has never been tested on animals. With this in mind, their distinctive potions are handcrafted with only 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils, as well as cold-pressed vegetable oils, butters and botanical extracts. You won’t find any pre-made bases with synthetic colours, fragrances or preservatives. In contrast, everything is handmade in tiny batches to ensure the utmost freshness and potency. As Kristin promises, “I handcraft each batch with compassion and dedication and have poured my heart and soul into this small business.”

Their much-loved Vegan Lash and Brow Serum is a luscious blend of various natural, nutritious oils that have been used for centuries to encourage and stimulate hair growth and health. This product is designed to naturally boost hair growth using the key ingredients of burdock, horsetail, liquorice root, nettle, and meadowsweet-infused camellia seed oil.

Burdock is a plant native to Japan that promotes healthy hair and reverses thinning through an ingredient called arctiin. Meanwhile, horsetail, a non-flowering weed, encourages proper hair growth through its high silica and selenium content. Additionally, liquorice root’s richness in L-carnitine, creatine and glycyrrhiza inflata stimulates hair roots, promoting growth and reducing thinning. Nettle combats hair loss and aids hair growth through its abundance of silica and sulphur as hair follicles are regenerated, and hair breakage is minimised. Lastly, camellia seed oil’s blend of proteins, glycerides and vitamin E conditions and fortifies hair; and when infused with meadowsweet, it can boost scalp and hair health as a natural astringent.

More ingredients in the mix comprise hexane-free castor oil, which lubricates the hair shaft and strengthens hair, unrefined rosehip seed oil, which nourishes hair through its high fatty acid and vitamin content, and sea buckthorn oil replenishes hair through its abundance in fatty acids. Besides the above, you can find vitamin E, vegetable glycerin, candelilla wax, therapeutic grade organic Bulgarian lavender, frankincense carterii and organic rosemary essential oils. Nearly all these ingredients are organic, from burdock to rosehip seed oil. As you can see, an array of nutrients are packed in this little tube – ready to condition lashes and brows, helping them to strengthen and grow. BTW the difference between their regular Lash + Brow Serum and this vegan version is the beeswax used.

What attracted us to this formula was the natural and organic ingredients. If you have permanent make-up brows and eyeliner like us, then there are certain ingredients always to avoid such as retinol, ascorbic and salicylic acid - which fade the pigment. This is why we want to try the natural Vegan Lash + Brows Serum. It’s recommended to apply the serum nightly for both growth and restoration on the lashes and brows. Rest assured, the serum’s thicker consistency won’t drip or run, meaning it won’t irritate the eyes. Despite being thick, we found the serum is highly spreadable, allowing easy application. It can also be used as a clear gel for taming unruly brows. It has a mild and natural castor oil scent and is smooth in texture so that it doesn’t lashes weigh down. We’ve used it regularly for a couple of weeks, taking a break from wearing our Lashify lashes. It’s perfect for reconditioning and hydrating the hair follicles. And in that time, it made our lashes slightly thick and more nourished. However, it probably needs at least 6-9 weeks of regular use to see noticeable results in any sparse areas. It’s a natural brow and lash serum and conditions like no other we’ve tried. It’s another of our #amazingfinds and a product we’d highly recommend adding to your nighttime routine. To purchase a 10ml tube of Pickle’s Potions and Lotions Vegan Lash and Brow Serum at £16.96, see here.

INCLUSEV : Powdered Handwash Lemon, Lime & Thyme Oil

As regular readers of The Amazing Blog will know, new beauty and wellbeing discoveries are very much our thing…. And today, we take a look at the British indie and sustainable brand INCLUSEV with their ‘ADD AQUA COLLECTION’ Powder Handwash. It’s a waterless beauty brand that offers natural products with a high concentration of actives and longer shelf life. It also means smaller amounts are used, so you get ‘more bang for your buck’.

Monica Chandak started INCLUSEV after a 13-year career in the cosmetic industry. She has copious experience within the beauty industry, working as a cosmetic chemist in full R&D, manufacturing and quality control, and has created over 600 different cosmetic formulations. Monica wanted to develop her own anhydrous formulations (waterless) cosmetic brand; this took three years to achieve, with over 150 trials before INCLUSEV was launched. She has produced a range called ‘ADD AQUA’, which provides a complete waterless cleansing routine with four key products: Handwash, Facewash, Bodywash, and Shampoo. As Monica says, “We’re changing the beauty industry one product at a time, with concentrated powder formulas that eliminate waste. Our high-performance products are backed by science, with water-activated formulas that offer powder-to-foam power for a new look of beauty for you and the planet.” The brand focuses on sustainability and transparency with this vegan waterless powder-to-foam collection. All products have 100% active ingredients, making them less wasteful, and more cost-effective than other liquid products, usually made using around 80% water and only 20% actives. INCLUSEV doesn’t use fillers, sulphates, phthalates, synthetic colours, fragrances, or parabens. Plus, they’re cruelty-free and not tested on animals. Their packaging is sustainable using biopolymer, made from sugarcane fibre and is 100% recyclable. It’s also a gender-neutral skincare formulated and produced in small batches here in the UK.

This natural condensed Powdered Handwash, which we tried has a science-based formula and only uses clean, plant-based, and organic ingredients. It comes in two different scents: ‘Lemon, Lime & Thyme Oil’ or ‘Coriander, Lemongrass & Tea Tree Oil’.

We received the ‘Lemon, Lime & Thyme Oil’. The active ingredients are: Sodium cocoyl isethionate and sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, both derived from coconut, giving the Handwash its foaming capabilities. The coconut milk powder helps to lock in hydration and nourish the skin. Kaolin is a clay and offers a silkiness and creaminess to the soap, and lactic acid is here to balance the skin's pH level. Thyme oil is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, offering protection, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate is added during saponification to prevent the powder from producing scum.

Whereas the eight organic ingredients are: Zea mays starch which acts as an absorbent. Oryza sativa (Asian rice) starch and distarch phosphate (derived from vegetable starch) are both texturising agents. Tapioca starch is a natural deodoriser and helps to soften the skin. Inulin is a type of prebiotic and natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin. Pyrus malus fruit extract (from apples) is high in antioxidants to protect skin from free radicals, and its AHAs - malic acid has the added benefit of mildly exfoliating the skin. Aloe conditions the skin and is excellent for soothing any dryness or irritation. The citrus limon juice powder is another ingredient that also banishes soap scum, and prevents oxidation in oils to help extend shelf life. The lemon peel oil is part of the relaxing and refreshing scent.

This concentrated powder gives the Powdered Handwash 4 x times the number of washes as its liquid counterpart. So, a 50g product should provide up to an astonishing 125 washes! What we like is that it doesn’t contain water or any questionable additives and is simple to use. All you do is add water to a couple of powder sprinkles which activates the handwash into a slightly foamy lather. The smell? A hint of herby thyme with undertones of vanilla, then top citrus notes, give it an overall garden freshness. Our hands were left naturally scented, hydrated and squeaky clean. There are two different size options, 25g and 50g, which can be packed away neatly for travel, and are very convenient for those on the go. With festival season in full swing, this Powdered Handwash is a must-have for hassle-free hygiene, i.e. when the portaloos run out of soap!

We applaud the brand for being so forward-thinking and planet-friendly with their waterless products, which we predict are the way of the future. To purchase the 25g Powdered Handwash for £13.00 or the 50g Handwash for £24.00, see here 

Founder’s Formula : Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum

Even with the heat of summer, it’s still important to remember to keep skin moisturised and protected. As always, at The Amazing Blog, our mission is to find the more unusual and innovative serums that have ideally organic and vegan formulas. Founder's Formula is one of those brands that ticks those boxes. Regular readers will be familiar with this brand (which we’ve previously reviewed here), this time it’s with their Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum, that’s full of potent vitamin C and waratah extract that enhances its antioxidant activity.

In February 2021, Founder’s Formula was officially launched by anthropologist Dr. Annie Holden; however, the story begins much earlier. Three years before the launch, Annie took a trip to Bologna, Italy, to attend the world’s biggest international beauty fair, Cosmoprof. There, she made an astonishing realisation. There were no beauty products containing Australian botanicals. With this in mind, she went back home to Australia with a burst of inspiration and an idea in mind. Annie began her research on Australian botanicals to find a way to incorporate them into daily skincare. As an anthropologist, Dr. Holden spent 35 years working with indigenous peoples in the most remote places of Australia. Having sensitive skin herself, she built a lab where she tested gentle formulas with wild-harvested and organic ingredients. Australia has a very extreme and harsh climate. This has made for unique and exotic plants, with Australia hosting 70% of the world’s most unique plant species. Australian plants have evolved, powerful adaptation mechanisms to store vast quantities of Phyto-compounds needed to survive the Australian climate. There are about 23,000 known species in Australia, but only 1,000 are studied. Dr. Holden was more than excited to have these unique plant-based ingredients to create a new and innovative range of products for her skincare line. Annie explains how she creates her products "I start with an Australian Botanical with proven benefits, then I consider the most suitable application for that ingredient and with Toni, my chemist, we build a formula around it." By working with leading chemists and research from Australia’s leading 5-Star Plant Sciences universities, the company created a range of skincare products that target four things in the formulation: hydration, anti-inflammation, depigmentation, and pro ageing. Dr. Holden mentions that even though she’d love to include fragrances and essential oils in her products, she’d rather keep the formulas as natural and straightforward as possible adding that “kind skincare has little or no smell.” The brand is certified by Certclean and meets the Australian Certified Organic Standard. The brand is proud to be manufactured in Australia and is cruelty-free, toxin-free, and vegan. It has won 14 international beauty awards since its launch.

Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum hydrates and promotes dewy skin. This product is a recent Winner at The Global Makeup Awards 2022 for both Best 50+ anti-ageing product’ and ‘Best Innovative Beauty Product’. With the blend of Australian botanical extracts, it’s clear why this is an award winner. The ingredients are organic and natural and help to reduce uneven skin tone, promote collagen production and create a more dewy skin. There is organic aloe, propanediol, wild-harvested kakadu plum, finger lime caviar, waratah, organic natural glycerin, water, sodium levulinate, sodium anisate, and sodium hyaluronate.

Let’s look at the three hero native Australian ingredients starting with the kakadu plum. It’s a fruit known for its source of vitamin C and is thought to be the richest source of vitamin C of any known plant! It contains high levels of phytonutrients and bioflavonoids that enhance the formula's efficiency and may assist in transporting vitamin C. Plus, its insoluble fibre helps stabilise vitamin C and makes it easier for the skin to tolerate ascorbic acid. Vitamin C improves skin luminosity and pigmentation by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps prevent melanin production and reduce skin issues caused by UV exposure, such as redness and sun damage.

The waratah extract found in the serum intensifies the antioxidant activity. The extract itself has powerful antioxidants that reduce cell death and injury, which are a significant cause of ageing and helps build collagen and elastin, which keeps skin firm and plump.

The third ingredient is the finger lime caviar extract which is high in ferulic acid, which helps stabilise the vitamin C in the serum, which is why this product is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Not only that, but the plant is said to help fight fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne, and dry skin.

Other ingredients here are organic aloe vera made up of 80% water, together with vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and more unusually, vitamin B12. It soothes and moisturises, and also fights skin ageing and pigmentation. Propanediol is derived from corn acts as a humectant and emollient and helps reduce moisture loss. Organic natural glycerin is extracted from vegetable oils and has anti-bacterial qualities, adds a silky smooth texture, is suitable for skin sensitivity and improves the barrier function. Sodium levulinate is a natural preservative obtained from starch and vegetal inulin. Sodium anisate is from fennel, it’s antimicrobial and when paired with sodium levulinate, the two ingredients work in tandem to make a very efficient preservative controlling microorganism colonies, without altering the integrity of the formula. Finally, sodium hyaluronate attracts moisture in skin cells and due to its low molecular weight can provide a more significant hydrating effect than hyaluronic acid.

Like the other serums in the range, this has a stylish, clear glass bottle and dropper for application. It is fragrance-free, vegan and not tested on animals. It’s also certified organic, spray-free and has wild-harvested ingredients. It’s a serum that can be ‘layered’ or paired with others like the Phyto-A+ Australian Native Tobacco Serum particularly if you have sun-damaged and pigmented skin like us. Did you know that approximately 1 in 50 people are sensitive to vitamin C in skincare? What we like about this Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum, is that it’s packed full of natural vitamin C, which is less irritating than the synthetic forms of vitamin C found in other serums. We’re always nervous when using skincare high in vitamin C due to having had adverse reactions and redness. However, we found this extremely gentle and hydrating on our sensitive skin. As Annie states, “The skin will only absorb as much vitamin C as it needs.,” and went on to say, “if your skin is dull and dry, or your nutrition is poor, and you are concerned that your skin needs higher amounts of vitamin C. We recommend you use your vitamin C serum on clean skin twice a day. A little applied more often is better than a high % applied only once.” They also have clinical studies on this Wild Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum, where they measured the skin luminosity with its 'Gloss value'. The average improvement in gloss value with 20 volunteers, the average age of 37, was 17%. On the best volunteer, Kakadu Plum Extract was shown to induce skin luminosity up to 21% after 15 days and up to 30% after 30 days.

In the heat, we’ve been using this serum and an SPF and found that no extra moisturiser is needed. As you can probably tell, we’re smitten with Founder’s Formula. They’re extremely innovative with their use of these extraordinary native botanicals. Not only that, we love that they’re all natural formulations and have clinical trials and science to back them up. Curious to try? Then see here for the 30ml Wild-Harvested Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Serum at $120 AUD. 

Little Butterfly London : Fresh Meadows Cooling Leg Gel

Even in this unprecedented heat,  at The Amazing Blog, we’ve been running around on our feet all day. It’s easy to forget self-care for tired legs, which is why we’re thrilled to have found a cooling and energising gel that helps lift and nurture swollen, heavy-feeling legs and feet. Meet Little Butterfly London’s organic-certified, vegan and cruelty-free Fresh Meadows Cooling Leg Gel, which leaves legs and feet feeling rejuvenated. Although aimed at mothers, we think it’s ideal for anyone with achy limbs and feet. Yet another one of our #Amazingfinds, this hero gel was also recently awarded Winner of ‘Best Therapy for Tired Feet and/or Legs’ at the 2022 Mama & Baby Awards.

Growing up in a family of hoteliers in Austria, founder Gudrun Wurm always had the entrepreneurship bug. Combine that with her love for cosmetics, skincare and luxury design from a young age, and her frustration and inability to find a baby skincare range with organic purity, natural formulations and elegant packaging, she launched Little Butterfly London. “I could not find a range which ticked all my boxes,” said Gudrun, “I was looking for an organic luxury range which would be absolutely safe and gentle, yet highly effective to care for even newborns and susceptible, irritation-prone skin, made of generous formulas using precious ingredients. Essentially products I would love to pamper my own son with. This is how it started. Eventually, the idea took shape, and the brand was born.“ Little Butterfly London has authentic, natural and organic ingredients, and is free from any harmful irritants – making it perfect for fostering delicate, sensitive, reactive or eczema-prone skin. Ingredients like mineral oil, paraffin, parabens, SLS, silicones, DEA, TEA, PEGs and MIs (methylisothiazolinone) never make the cut, nor do synthetics and strong essential oils. Instead, gentle organic actives at a low level are utilised. The brand is eco-friendly, treading lightly with the planet in mind and in everything they do. All products are packaged with recyclable materials, and only trusted suppliers with sustainable and responsible production methods, and environmental accreditations are used, like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). As if it couldn’t get any better, the range is pregnancy safe during breastfeeding, dermatologist-approved for sensitive newborn and eczema-prone skin, and vegetarian society-approved. Last but not least, Little Butterfly London is made in the UK and approved by Vegan Society, Ecocert and Cruelty-Free International. The brand is also committed to carefully crafting its mother and baby skincare range with five values: purity, excellence, pleasure, beauty and grace.

Fresh Meadows Cooling Leg Gel comprises of 98.7% of the ingredients of natural origin, and 95% of the total plant ingredients that originate from organic farming.

You can find anti-inflammatory properties like ginger root, arnica flower and horse chestnut, boosting circulation and reducing puffiness. Next to these are nourishing oils of sweet almond, peach, passionflower and cucumber packed with an abundance of vitamins and fatty acids – locking in moisture and strengthening the skin’s resilience and elasticity. On the other hand, antioxidant-rich green tea, grape juice and aloe vera neutralize free radicals and protect the skin at a cellular level.

The sweet almond oil keeps skin looking healthy and protects from UV radiation through its richness in vitamin E for smooth, soft, youthful-looking skin. Additionally, peach kernel oil is filled with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, carrying moisture deep into the skin for plump, hydrated skin. At the same time, Irish moss powder is lavishly hydrating and non-comedogenic, and peppermint oil soothes inflammation, itchiness and irritation. Among the ingredients listed above, aloe vera, peach kernel oil, peppermint oil, grapeseed oil and green tea are farmed entirely organically. 

Several other ingredients that you might not be too familiar with and ones to mention are sodium phytate, which stabilises cosmetic products, and potassium sorbate, which acts as a preservative. Denat (denatured alcohol) makes products spread and absorb easily while also acting as a preservative. Dicaprylyl carbonate is a skin-conditioning agent to enhance the absorption of other ingredients. Cetearyl glucoside, a blend of cetearyl alcohol and glucose to emulsify ingredients, and glyceryl stearate, an emollient responsible for keeping products blended.

As cooling leg gels go, this one for us is unmatched. Easy to apply, using gentle upward sweeping movements from toes to above the knees, it absorbs quickly. Our top tip is to keep it in the fridge to use on those blisteringly hot days - it’s heaven! As mentioned, the opaque gel is full of skin hydrating goodies as well as a subtle minty-fresh scent. It’s a lifesaver during the heat and works brilliantly on swollen legs after a flight (AKA ‘gravitational oedema’ from sitting down too long). It doesn’t dry out the skin; instead, you get hydrated and smooth legs. Hence, we recommend using the Cooling Leg Gel liberally, even in the colder months, if you need some leg pampering. See here to purchase a 100ml tube of Little Butterfly London’s Fresh Meadows Cooling Leg Gel at £22.