Vitybox: Lotus Tropical Flavoured Collagen Drink

Collagen is the latest rave in the beauty world, whether in skin care, tablets, or liquid supplements. We at The Amazing Blog have tried many different collagen products (see here) and like how this skincare product starts working from the inside out. So, we’re here again to give you, our readers, the latest ready-to-drink collagen supplement with VITYBOX Lotus Collagen Drink. 

 VITYBOX is a new and upcoming beauty brand that focuses on its liquid supplement containing collagen, keratin, and hyaluronic acid. Ali Azmandian and Ali Kais, founders of VITYBOX and healthcare professions, started this brand with a mission to create a supplement that has natural and clinically backed ingredients. To gain the trust and loyalty of their consumers, Azmandian and Kais invested in several years’ worth of scientific studies and qualitative research with a team of healthcare professions. Their team uses cutting edge science and is involved in every step of the way, from production to aftercare with clients. This Lotus Collagen Drink boost 95% absorption compared to ~8% absorption with tablets and capsules and contains premium patented marine peptide sustainably sourced from Thailand. It’s also free from lactose, GMOs, eggs, nuts, wheat, dairy and gluten. In 2019, a little after their launch, VITYBOX were finalists for the International Breakthrough Brand Award at the Pure Beauty Global Award. All our manufacturing takes places in the UK, and every single batch that gets produced is vigorously tested

Like all liquid collagen drinks, Lotus works from the inside out to rebuild and strengthen the collagen matrix, boost natural hydration levels, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The 20ml shot has a natural tropical flavour, it’s sugar-free, and unlike some other collagen drinks, there’s no lingering fishy after taste. Here the Lotus has three main ingredients: keratin, hyaluronic acid and collagen. Keratin is a protective protein found in hair, skin, and nails and is a protein that is hard to manufacture. Thus making this Vitybox’s supplement, one of the few collagen brands to have actual keratin peptides. This ingredient improves hair growth and promotes hair shine. Hyaluronic acid is another naturally occurring molecule found in the skin, connective tissue, and eyes. And as we all know, it helps the body retain water keeping skin hydrated, eyes lubricated and joints supple. Having this ingredient in Lotus creates elasticity in the skin and reduces wrinkles. Lastly, collagen; what is it? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up parts of connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles. It provides skin with elasticity and strengthens joints. As one gets older, it’s harder for the body to produce collagen naturally. By regularly taking a collagen supplement, it can help hydrate the skin by promoting the production of elastin and fibrillin (a glycoprotein), reducing dryness and wrinkles. Something we take collagen supplements for is to stimulate tissue repair and renewed connective tissue in joints and bones to relieve pain, reducing the risk of osteoarthritis. There are three types of collagens that are used to produce supplements: bovine, plant and marine. This is marine collagen and has a high collagen content that supports naturally occurring collagen already found in humans. As we mentioned earlier, Lotus uses premium, patented marine collagen sustainably derived from Thailand. It is then hydrolysed and purified, creating a greater concentration of smaller peptides that absorbs better into the gut and bloodstream. They tell us that the 5g of collagen in Lotus, is equal to over 10g of collagen found in some other brands. This liquid collagen drink claims to have a higher absorption rate than powders or capsules, as when the fluid enters the body, it’s immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. The principle is that it makes the body believe that it has already broken down too much collagen, tricking it into producing more collagen in return. Interestingly, VITYBOX reports having consumers who have seen outcomes starting as early as two weeks, particularly with stronger nails and faster hair growth. In 1 month, hair was healthier and shinier. In 2 months, the skin was firmer and hydrated, and in 3 months, wrinkles and fine lines were reduced. As we only received six sachets, so it’s difficult to report any such similar results. With this 20ml ready-to-drink Lotus sachet, it’s easy to take, especially if you’re like us and constantly on the go. We also like how Lotus can be seamlessly incorporated into one’s daily routine. You can have a one-time purchase of a 14-day supply at £34.95. Or Vitybox has several other subscription options here, with a 14-day supply at £29.71 or a 1-month supply at £56.44.

AYPA Terra Inka : Raw Face Mask with Maca, and Raw Face Oil with Buriti & Maracuja

Raw and organic face masks and oils have the power to transform how your face both looks and feels, and Aypa Terra Inka’s products are no exception. At The Amazing Blog, we first discovered this brand at the 2021 The Beauty Shortlist Awards. What intrigued us was it’s extraordinary Andean raw ingredients, returning us back to heady days of our student backpacking travels in South America! 

 Aypa  is a beauty brand that is rooted in the nature of Peru. The company has skincare, special treatments, and at-home spa products, all in addition to having a Spa in Spain. Mirella Crovetto, the founder of Aypa, was inspired to develop a skincare and spa brand that included an Andean essence in its products, which she was couldn’t find in anywhere else. So, she travelled to the Andes in her native Peru and studied from the indigenous communities their centuries-old alchemy to bring into her skincare, and thus her company was born. Aypa means ‘earth’ in the Inca Quechua language, and stands for the respect the native Andeans have for nature. The brand fuses native tradition with innovation — combining the respect for nature and knowledge of plants inherited from the Incas, with today’s insight and research. Crovetto said, “It’s an invitation to travel inside my dreamed Peru, connect with the soul of its earth and get in harmony with nature.”

We were excite to receive four of their products, but today we’re going to review the first two. This is the Raw Face Mask with Maca and the Raw Face Oil with Buriti & Maracuja, which are two from the four in the Aypa’s Raw Collection. Both products are 100% natural, raw, organic and contain fair trade ingredients, which are cruelty free, and vegan. Aypa’s Raw Face Mask with Maca is a powder-to-paste mask that contains Andean superfood powers. Some of the main ingredients in this face mask include maca, algarrobo, lucuma, maras salt, muña, and green clay. Maca is a root found in the high Andean lands of Peru that is known as “the Inca fountain of youth.” Containing minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, it promotes cell renewal, increases skin luminosity, and slows down the ageing process. Algarrobo is a fruit found in the Pacific Coast of Peru that contains minerals, vitamin B, tannins, and lysine. This ingredient heals, balances, and has antioxidant and antiseptic properties. Lucuma is a fruit found in the mid-coast of Peru that contains vitamin B3, betacarotenes, and minerals. This ingredient energizes, nourishes, and has firming and anti-ageing properties. Maras salt is found in the high Andean lands of Peru, and its 84 minerals have anti-inflammatory and detox properties. Muña is known as “the mint of the Andes” and has antiseptic and soothing properties. Green clay contains many minerals and removes impurities, tightens pores, tones skin, exfoliates, absorbs, and reduces acne inflammation. To use Aypa’s Raw Face Mask with Maca as an exfoliant, mix a few drops of water into a teaspoon of powder on your palm until it is a paste, massage onto your skin, and then rinse. To use this face mask as a treating mask, mix a few drops of water or Aypa’s Raw Face Oil with one teaspoon of powder in a bowl until it is a mud-like texture. Then apply to your face and neck, leave for 10–15 minutes, and rinse, we could almost ‘feel’ the raw goodness healing our skin!

Aypa’s Raw Face Oil with Buriti & Maracuja contains four Peruvian oils that are cold-pressed from whole fruits. These oils include buriti, maracuja, palo rosa, and palo santo. Buriti, which is found in the Amazon rainforest in Peru, contains beta-carotene, vitamin C and E, and fatty acids. Beta-carotene protects skin from photo-damage, vitamin C and E regenerate skin, and the fatty acids moisturise and rehydrate skin. Maracuja is found in the sub-tropical north coast of Peru. Containing omega 6, vitamin C, and antioxidants, it hydrates and boosts collagen production. Palo rosa, which is rose wood, is found in the Amazon rainforest in Peru and helps regenerates tissues, improve circulation, and has antiseptic properties. Palo santo, which is holly wood, is found in forests in the north coast of Peru. This oil reduces oxidative stress and inhibits the elastase enzyme, thus creating a more youthful appearance. To use this blend of oils, apply one drop to your face and neck or mix with your moisturiser or liquid foundation. Whether you have dry or oily skin this adapts and balances to suit each skin type. There is a deliciously sweet and earthy fragrance (probably the rose wood?) where you can tell that there’s absolutely nothing artificial about this Face Oil. It’s almost a dry oil, as it hydrated and left our skin glowy without a hint of greasiness.

If you too want to reap the benefits of these raw ingredients, you can purchase the 30ml Raw Face Oil with Buriti & Maracuja here for 69.00€, and the 50ml Raw Face Mask with Maca here for 45.00€.

Pit- Tastic! - Rose & Ylang-Ylang and Orris & Sandalwood Zero Waste Deodorant

If there’s one thing all of our morning routines have in common — it’s the use of deodorant! And if everyone used a deodorant that was wrapped in paper, like the one today, there’d be a lot less plastic w­­aste in the world. Luckily, there are companies like Pit-Tastic! that sell plastic-free and biodegradable deodorant bars. If you’re familiar with The Amazing Blog, then you’ll know we are all about trying to be sustainable, and by using these solid Deodorant Bars, we think it’s a great way to help both yourself and the Earth!

Pit-Tastic!, which sells natural solid Deodorant Bars, was created by Alice Bardwell after she had a stroke in 2019. The stroke took her speech, understanding, reading, and writing — but by mixing, stirring, and creating the perfect solid deodorant bar, really helped her rebuild her mind and body. Because of the joy she received from hand-making Pit-Tastic! bars, Bardwell plans to launch a group called “Causing a Stir” to provide mental health support and bring people together to mix, chat, and talk through anything. Pit-Tastic’s deodorant bars are natural, biodegradable, and free of plastics, parabens, and aluminium. The aluminium salts in commercial deodorants, help plug pores, to stop the sweat. However, plugged sweat ducts prevent the body from ridding itself of toxins, and some even believe that using aluminium containing deodorant could lead to breast cancer. That’s why Pit-Tastic! was formulated to reduce sweating and eliminate odour naturally, all without aluminium. The company’s bars come in a paper wrapper to keep the bars fresh — and yes, the wrapper is biodegradable too! There’s also the option of purchasing a reusable hand-embossed travel tin, to keep it in. Pit-Tastic’s deodorant bars are formulated and created in Devon UK with vegan and sensitive alternative too. They and are recommended by a whole host of people, including athletes, breastfeeding mothers, menopausal women, travellers, and those who don’t want nasty ingredients on their body. Bardwell said, “I love my deodorant and use it everyday. I hope you do too!” 

All of Pit-Tastic’s Deodorant Bars are zero waste and as we mentioned earlier, they come in standard, vegan, sensitive, and vegan/sensitive. The standard deodorant bars contain the ingredients of coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, bicarbonate of soda, and distilled natural essential oils. The sensitive deodorant bars contain all the same ingredients as the standard, except have arrowroot in place of bicarbonate of soda. The vegan deodorant bars contain all the same ingredients as the standard, except have sunflower wax in place of beeswax. And lastly, the vegan/sensitive bars contain coconut oil, shea butter, sunflower wax, arrowroot, and distilled natural essential oils. The coconut oil helps the deodorant bar glide, moisturizes, and helps kill the fungi, yeast, and bacteria that contribute to underarm odour. The shea butter improves the glide of the deodorant and helps eliminate odour. The beeswax protects the skin and helps keep the bar solid — the vegan alternative for this is sunflower wax. The bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) helps control the odour causing bacteria that grows in our underarms — the sensitive skin alternative is arrowroot. And lastly, the distilled natural essential oils add fragrance to the bar. All of Pit-Tastic’s ingredients are sustainable and ethically sourced. The first deodorant bar we tried is the Rose and Ylang-Ylang Zero Waste Deodorant, which is described as a “Beautifully floral aromatic fragrance to uplift your day.” The second deodorant bar we tried is the Orris and Sandalwood Zero Waste Deodorant, which is described as “Tangy, zesty mouth-watering that make your underarm smell and feel clean.” We loved how both of these Deodorant Bars kept us feeling fresh and smelling fantastic all day long! They look and feel like a white smooth pebble, and are very tactile. Neither one had an overpowering fragrance, and both were easy to wear, and didn’t compete when we had an on-the-go quick spritz of our favourite Eau de parfum. It is recommended to keep the Deodorant Bars in a cool spot (out of direct sunlight) or even in the fridge. We keep ours in the bathroom cupboard in a tin. To apply, gently stroke the bar onto the armpits a few moments before you dress and re-apply as required. Pit-Tastic! says their Deodorant Bar should last up to four months, and we still have some left, on month three… Ooh and they recommend keeping it in a container — they sell a convenient Travel Tin here for £4.50. Another of our #amazingfinds, and so if you’re looking to help the environment and yourself, you can find the Rose and Ylang-Ylang Zero Waste Deodorant here for £10.00, the Orris and Sandalwood Zero Waste Deodorant here for £10.00. They also offer a subscription service for £40 a year which offers customers one bar per quarter, a free travel tin and free postage here.

Dr.K CBD: Nano Emulsified Joint Relief Balm

Do your muscles or joints ache? Are pharmaceutical pain relievers not doing the trick for your headache?  If the answer is yes, then we at The Amazing Blog think that Dr.K CBD’s Nano Emulsified Joint Relief Balm  may be just what you need!  As regular readers will know, we’re already big fans of Dr.K CBD with their Nano Emulsified Hand Cream, which we recently wrote about here.

Dr.K CBD  is a British company founded by Dr Ruchira Karunadasa and Manish Patel, who are longtime friends. They created Dr. K CBD to be a brand that respects its customers, behave ethically, and committed to putting quality above everything else. The CBD  they use is extracted using a proprietary supercritical CO2 extraction technique and is purified through the winterization technique. This process is clean and safe and produces an extract that contains 85% active broad-spectrum CBD and no THC. This broad-spectrum CBD extract contains phytocannabinoids and terpenes from the hemp plant, which give the human endocannabinoid system optimum support. The hemp plants that the brand use are grown organically without herbicides or pesticides.  As we mentioned previously with the brand, what sets them apart is the nanotechnology in their topicals. They claim that their Nano Emulsions are 5 x times more effective than similar creams due to the particles being much smaller and thus absorbing more easily. This turns active cannabinoids into nano-sized droplets; which causes high bioavailability of the CBD in the balm or cream. The brand is keen to flag up that this technology, as it allows the users to get more out of their products. Dr K CBD has oils, face and hand cream, rubs and balms that use CBD to help with sleep, pain, stress, anxiety and wellbeing. To ensure they are of the highest standard and consistency, the company’s CBD products undergo rigorous cannabinoid lab testing. The brand motto says, “Your choice, your body. CBD, done the right way!” 

The product we tried is the Nano Emulsified Joint Relief Balm, 60ml jar which contains 300 mg of broad-spectrum CBD. Among its other benefits, when topically applied, CBD is good for muscle health. It helps anti-inflammatory issues and relieves muscle tension, and some say that it can even help MS-induced muscle spasticity. We use CBD balms as pain relief (soreness from arthritis and overdoing it in the gym) and for headaches or migraines relief (an occurrence from too much blue light/screen time). We’ve been using CBD topicals for pain relief and nerve inflammatory issues for quite a while now. As we find in its topical form, the phytocompounds and compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids, are strong enough to provide almost instant relief when massaged into the area of pain. The CBD works in tandem with the endocannabinoid system (see here for a simple explanation) where it springs into action when it senses that the body is out of kilter and promptly stimulates a hormonal release, thus reducing the pain or inflammation.  

What we also like about this Nano Emulsified Joint Relief Balm is that it’s completely natural. In addition to broad-spectrum CBD, it has coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, beeswax, sweet almond oil, lavender essential oil and a few emulsifiers. Unlike other CBD Balms, that we have used, this has little or no scent (which we prefer). When these are combined with the CBD, they enhance its soothing qualities. This Joint Relief Balm is one to keep at hand for fast action to soothe aching limbs and joints and, more uncommonly, for combatting headaches or migraines – which is highly effective for us. This product is plastic-free, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, natural and contains no heavy metals, pesticides, or GMO. To use this balm, simply warm up some of the balm in the palms of your hands, before massaging it into the area of pain. It is recommended to store this product at room temperature, out of reach of children, and away from UV light.  If you think you could benefit from DrK CBD’s 60ml jar of Nano Emulsified Joint Relief Balm, you can buy the product here for £29.99.

ORKA Naturals: Lavender & Vanilla Trio

Here at The Amazing Blog, we love to feature new and upcoming brands. Today we’re highlighting ORKA Naturals, a natural skincare brand based on organic, handmade and naturally sourced ingredients. The first products that we tried are their Lavender and Vanilla Trio, which include a Soap, Body Butter and Lip Balm.

ORKA Naturals is a British natural skincare brand, founded in 2020 by Kate Varvedo. Growing up in Budapest with her family, she fell in love with nature while collecting and learning about the local flora and fauna. As Kate grew older, her passion and awareness of the environment made her decide to launch her own skincare brand, using natural ingredients and age-old remedies. This is where she has taken her skincare brand right back to basics. Kate said, “I want to make it the principal of my business to go back to nature to look after our bodies via using locally sourced, natural commodities, reducing the volume of plastic and chemicals used, and increasing sustainability.” ORKA Naturals uses locally grown botanicals (or grown by Kate herself) and locally sourced packaging to be more sustainable to the environment and support small businesses. Here is where Orka Naturals uses folk medicine and natural remedies, this is the basis for how each product is created, relying on nature and old customs rather than modern techniques and machine production. All products are certified by The Vegan Society and Cruelty-Free with the Leaping Bunny logo.

Lavender & Vanilla Trio is one of ORKA Naturals’ bundle skincare sets. It includes their Vanilla Lip Balm, St. John’s Wort, Lavender & Vanilla Body Butter, and the Relaxing Lavender Soap with Pink Himalayan Rock Salt. The Vanilla Lip Balm is made with plant-based candelilla wax, which is primarily used as a skin conditioner and protectant, plus it gives a glossy shine to the lips. We like how it kept chapped lips at bay. They tell us that the vanilla extract here is a good source of B-vitamins with pantothenic acid, which play an essential role in maintaining healthy skin. Vanilla has also been used since ancient times for healing wounds, burns and cuts and is found in this Lip Balm and the Body Butter.  St. John’s Wort, Lavender & Vanilla Body Butter, is a waterless formula offering a rich soft butter made with moisturising ingredients like mango and organic cocoa butters, sunflower oil, and lavender essential oil. When these four ingredients are combined, they help hydrate, calm irritated skin and reduce signs of ageing.  Sunflower oil, in particular, offers excellent protection from sun damage and also rejuvenates the skin cells. The fragrance is bright and relaxing lavender; not only does it smell good, but it has many added benefits like reducing dark spots, acne, and inflammation. When we used this body butter, if left skin softly scented and supple. The St John’s Wort oil infusion is another ingredient found in both the balm and butter. It has anti-ageing and antiseptic properties that aid dry, itchy or irritated skin. There’s no better way to complete this set than with the Relaxing Lavender Soap with Pink Himalayan Rock Salt. This soap is a hand, face, and body soap made with coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, sunflower oil, and English lavender. But for us, the winning ingredient to this soap is the pink Himalayan rock salt which exfoliates the skin and massages the body. We found this bar so calming to use; it aids restful sleep, soothes skin irritations, and eases muscle tensions. Our favourite of the trio? A hard choice, as we liked all three; however, as we love body butters, so the luxurious St. John’s Wort, Lavender & Vanilla Body Butter probably had a little more sway! If you’re looking for an environmentally aware, sustainable and health-conscious skincare brand, ORKA Naturals will be for you. It’s an upcoming skincare brand that honours ancient formulas by using only vegan ingredients with wild or organic herbs. To purchase this Lavender & Vanilla Trio of cruelty-free and vegan products, see their online shop here for £22.30.