Honey Heaven : Green Therapy - Firming Anti-Cellulite Body Butter

Our latest CBD discovery at The Amazing Blog is the British brand Honey Heaven's Green Therapy CBD skincare - we tested this Editor’s Choice award-winning Firming Anti-Cellulite Body Butter which we judged on The 2022 Beauty Shortlist’s Wellbeing Awards.

Honey Heaven was founded in 2015 by siblings Silvia and Robert Mocsari. Inspired by their childhood in Hungary, they were keen to share the benefits of local premium organic and unpasteurised honey from their homeland. This is where they have combined their knowledge of medicinal botanicals to produce a range of honey, honey wines and teas with unique recipes passed down through the generations. They have since expanded their range to include CBD products, sourcing their full-spectrum organic CBD virgin hemp supercritical C02 extract from Switzerland, boosted with pure CBD distillate. Honey Heaven's edible products are ethically sourced, 100% natural and organic and made in the UK and do not contain any artificial colours, preservatives, flavourings, sweeteners. The company's motto is, "Nature's choice for a healthier life!"

The Green Therapy CBD Cosmetics range was developed by Silvia in 2020, “I developed our Green Therapy CBD cosmetic range because for a long time I had been searching for a natural anti-ageing product that contained different botanical oils and hyaluronic acid, that could prevent the signs of ageing but moisturise as well. I couldn’t find one and so decided to make my own.” Silvia quickly pointed out that this natural skincare range doesn’t contain their signature organic honey. However, it’s vegan with the exception of the CBD balm, which has beeswax, to thicken the balm and enhance the CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects. It also ensures a non-greasy consistency. Suitable for all skin types, Green Therapy uses a unique blend of herbal oils and CBD to nourish and hydrate the skin.

The Firming Anti-Cellulite Body Butter is one of Honey Heaven's most popular CBD body care products. As a body butter, it’s designed to protect the skin and restore freshness and elasticity. It also has the added benefit of helping to diminish the appearance of cellulite. We particularly liked how it super-hydrated our skin, leaving it soft and supple, and has ingredients that are designed to work together to keep skin looking smooth.

One of the product's key ingredients is Cannabidiol (CBD oil), which as we all know, has numerous health benefits for the skin as it is rich in antioxidants and has many anti-inflammatory properties. Here there is 750mg full-spectrum distillate. CBD oil is believed to help prevent skin ageing because it contains fatty acids, minerals and is full of rich nutrients that all have strong moisturising abilities to pump up the skin. Plus, there is hemp seed oil (which doesn’t contain any CBD), which is rich in nutrients, fatty acids, and valuable bioactive compounds that keep the skin moisturised.

There is shea butter and caprylic/ capric triglyceride, all high in fatty acid content making them an excellent natural emollient and humectant, to lock in moisture. There’s also sunflower seed, and coconut oil, full of skin-calming antioxidants to soften and soothe skin. Cocoa butter is rich in antioxidant polyphenols which aid blood flow to the skin and slow skin ageing by protecting against damage from the sun's harmful UV rays.

Silvia told us, “With this body butter, I was amazed at the results. I loved not only the texture and feel of the product but also the light natural fragrance and colour thanks to the tamanu, sea buckthorn, moringa and the CBD oil we use. I knew I had created something special.” Apart from the fragrance, the tamanu seed oil, sea buckthorn and moringa all have lots of other benefits. The tamanu seed oil helps with the production of collagen and has wound-healing abilities, that can help reduce any scarring. Tamanu oil is also often used to heal sunburns and minor burns. The sea buckthorn helps revive skin cells and smooth any bumpy appearance on the skin and is known as a high-powered anti-ageing defence ingredient. And the Moringa seed oil has vitamin A and C, these compounds have powerful anti-ageing and inflammatory effects, and work to protect skin cells from environmental stresses, such as UV radiation.

Finally, the other two actives here are aloe vera for cooling and soothing and rosehip oil full of emollient properties. Rosehip, like moringa, is full of vitamins A and C to reduce inflammation and irritation in the skin, and also protects it against sun and pollution-induced oxidative stress.

We found that this body butter had exceptional long-lasting and super-hydrating qualities, it kept our skin moisturised and soft - even during the harsh winter months. However, to see the effects of reduced cellulite, we think this need to be used in conjunction with a regular exercise routine. This is something worth remembering, as no cream will ever work to remove cellulite on its own. Cellulite is a build-up of fat under the dermis combined with the weakening of the connective tissue, which in turn creates an orange peel ripple look on the body. It is a harmless and natural condition that affects about 9 out of 10 women - and believe it or not, even some men. And if you’re like us, you’ll probably need to be more disciplined on the diet and exercise front together with using this body butter in order to see any results. Cellulite aside, It’s a wonderful body butter and one we’d order more of, making it another of our #amazingfinds. To purchase Honey Heaven's 150ml Green Therapy Firming Anti-Cellulite Body Butter for £28, see here.

Founder's Formula : Macadamia Omega-7 Cleansing Oil

We were thrilled to see one of our favourite Australian skincare brands Founder's Formula as a 2022 Beauty Shortlist Editor’s Choice winner, and this time, it’s with their Macadamia Omega 7 Deep Cleansing Oil which the brand very kindly sent us a while back to try on The Amazing Blog. That’s why today we thought we’d feature their cleansing oil, and tell you a little bit more about it.

Anthropologist Dr. Annie Holden founded Founder's Formula in March 2021. Annie Holden studied Australian botanicals and discovered how effectively they could be used in skincare. Australia contains over 70% of the world's most unique plants. And many of these plants are high in various nutrients, which have many benefits for the skin. Australian botanicals contain many active, potent ingredients which have proven to be very beneficial in skincare. Founder's Formula is a very sustainable and environmentally friendly brand, as all products are clinically clean, and ingredients are from organic suppliers and wildly harvested when possible. All the formulas are vegan and use minimal natural and organic ingredients, which are mainly locally sourced. To see our other reviews of Founder’s Formula see here.

The Macadamia Omega 7 Deep Cleansing Oil is an excellent cleanser, and as an oil-based cleanser, it’s unique from other types of cleansers, such as foam cleansers or bars. Oil-based cleaners are particularly effective at removing dirt or makeup from the skin because they sink deep and can dissolve any excess oils in the skin. Therefore, they are typically thought to be more effective than foam cleansers or bars, as they’re very gentle and don’t strip the skin or cause breakouts as they contain very soothing ingredients, which don’t irritate the eyes or skin.

The product has six nourishing ingredients which protect the skin, boost collagen and elastin synthesis, and improve micro-circulation. The first and star ingredient is organic macadamia seed oil, (also known as Queensland nut tree or maroochy nut) which has ample benefits and is very high in omega 7, which is often referred to as the 'beauty omega.' omega 7 increases the synthesis of elastin and collagen. It restores the skin's omega balance, protecting skin cells and supporting cellular health. Macadamia is also rich in squalene which helps in cell regeneration. It also contains phytosterols that protect the skin, and are filled with fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. There is also organic jojoba seed oil which gives the product its soothing and antioxidant properties. The peg-20 glyceryl isostearate is a mild cleansing agent, but it also contains many soothing properties, it’s considered a very safe ingredient in skincare products and has undergone an extensive toxicology review, see here. The organic avocado oil and hemp seed oil are vital sources of skin-replenishing fatty acids and an excellent source of amino acids, and vitamin E. Talking of vitamin E there’s tocopherol, an antioxidant form of vitamin E, which helps maintain healthy skin. Finally, there’s the organic Australian sandalwood seed oil, which here is used as a fragrance but can also have antibiotic properties. 

This Macadamia Omega 7 Deep Cleansing Oil works well for all skin types including sensitive ones. Founder Annie Holden says it’s her favourite product, "I live at the beach and slather myself in sunblock every day, so I wanted to create a rich, organic, nourishing cleansing oil that would remove every skerrick of sunblock clean away but not strip my skin. I love all my products, but that is my favourite." We found that this oil cleanser thoroughly cleansed away city pollution, as well as any stubborn residue of makeup. Plus, as we use 50+ SPF all year round - it ensures it’s fully removed at night as it can lead to clogged pores and increment in the production of sebum, and none of us want more spots! With the few natural and organic ingredients here, there are ample benefits of using an oil-based cleanser, and we think that this Macadamia Omega 7 Deep Cleansing Oil is an excellent addition to anyone's skincare routine and another one of our #amazingfinds. To purchase 150 ml for 59 dollars or 250 ml for 85 dollars, AND to get a 10% discount please click here expiring 30 June 2022, Adding code AMAZING at check out, valid one per customer.

Skin Creamery : Basil, Baobab, Cypress,Marjoram Shower Oil

For us, at The Amazing Blog, there’s no better way to start the day than with a powerful and refreshing shower! And this is where we’re always looking for cleansing and post-shower products that are both kind to the skin and super hydrating. Edwina was delighted to test out this South African skincare brand Skin Creamery, with their Basil Baobab Cypress Marjoram Shower Oil for the recent 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, which we’re featuring today.

Skin Creamery was founded in 2014 by Hannah Rubin in Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up in the lush green Garden Route, she developed a more natural and conscious way of life. Hannah went on to work as a practitioner in top salons and spas, where she developed a passion for natural fragrances, ingredients and sensory wellbeing. Fueled by this interest, Hannah went on to study and launch her minimalist natural and organic skincare range, Skin Creamery. She told Afrenai in a recent interview, "With all the knowledge and experience I had gathered in my line of work and my passion for all things natural and organic [having grown up on a farm] that urged me to create my own range. One that met all my needs, of being simple and easy to use, that felt good on the skin, smelt amazing and was nicely packaged," The Skin Creamery ethos is to be kind to the earth and skin by using ingredients made from 100% natural origin that are earth-friendly and certified organic. The brand is dedicated to reducing plastic use, unnecessary packaging, and decreasing its carbon footprint. They also make sure their ingredients are from fair trade outlets and try to source all raw ingredients from South Africa or within Africa. Plus, wherever possible, they are waterless, meaning no preservatives are needed. A couple of their products, including the Everyday Cream and Oil-Milk Cleanser, are available as refills, and the Deep Cleansing Powder is gentle and plastic-free. Skin Creamery strives to be sustainable, and ideal for the environment and zero-waste beauty enthusiasts. Skin Creamery products are vegan and cruelty-free. The brand has already won several awards at the 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards, including Best Oil to Milk Cleanser for their Oil Milk Cleanser and Best Facial Toner for their Skin Tonic.

The Basil Baobab Cypress Marjoram Shower Oil is very different from your average body cleansing product, and as a shower oil, it doesn’t foam or contain any soap. While the primary purpose of a product like a shower gel is to cleanse, the main goal here for the shower oil is to moisturise. Plus, shower gel can only be used in the shower; whereas the shower oil can also be used out of the shower. Skin Creamery's  Basil Baobab Cypress Marjoram Shower Oil is super-hydrating as it locks in moisture. The base oils sunflower, jojoba, baobab and Kalahari seed oil, which all help keep the skin supple. It also has natural essential oils that soften the skin leaving a refreshing natural herbal scent with a unique combination of cypress, basil, marjoram, peppermint, lavender and bergamot.

Basil has many skin benefits the natural oils act as a natural cleanser and removes surplus oil and impurities. It also soothes and calms the skin and is packed with powerful antioxidants has antibacterial, anti-inflammation, and antiseptic properties. Made from the twigs, stems, & leaves of the cypress tree, cypress oil also has antibacterial and anti-microbial properties. It fights bacteria that often cause acne, and it helps with oily skin. Peppermint with its cooling effect leaves the skin feeling energised and promotes better circulation. Lavender has a calming effect and detoxifies to purge harmful toxins from the skin while promoting tension-release for sore muscles. Bergamot is a natural cleanser and stimulates skin cell renewal as a natural astringent. Its clarifying and oil-reducing properties make it ideal for anyone suffering from overactive sebum production. Finally, marjoram is known to restore hormonal balance, hydrate, moisturise, and purify the skin. It strengthens lipid production to nourish and repair skin, alleviate dryness, and enhance moisture.

This shower oil is exceptional and impressed us with its super hydrating properties. The fragrance is deliciously green, herbal and garden-fresh - for us, it was stimulating and reviving. Its unique scent and oily texture make it both luxurious and calming. We used this after our morning shower by putting a few drops directly onto damp skin and gently rubbing it in to let it absorb and to let the natural scent linger for longer. The brand also recommends using it directly after dry brushing the skin to get maximum benefits from the natural ingredients. Housed an elegant green-tinted glass bottle, it not only makes a glamorous addition to the bathroom but also reduces plastic waste as the brand emphasises sustainability by using little to no single-use packaging, "Skin Creamery is committed to ethical business practices and is focused on creating innovative packaging solutions that are both luxurious and sustainable. We aim to replace single-use packaging with packaging that is functional, reusable or recyclable."  Apart from being awarded an Editor’s Choice Winner in this year’s 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards, it’s also another of our #amazingfinds as an excellent shower oil/ body moisturiser. If you are looking to give your skin a natural hydration boost, then this is for you. The Skin Creamery's Basil Baobab Cypress Marjoram Shower Oil is 100 ml at R299.00 (approximately £15) from the brand’s website here.

Aura Organics : Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask

Let’s talk face masks; it’s something that we love at The Amazing Blog, and consider an essential part of our regular skincare routine. We were lucky enough to test out The Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask from Aura Organics, which won Best Exfoliating Product at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Aura Organics was founded in 2015 and is a small family run business by Danielle Andrean. It is a London based spa and beauty brand focusing on both beauty and wellbeing. Their motto is "Pura Vida", which translates to "pure life" and ties into their mission statement as a natural, organic and holistic brand. As they proudly state, "Our company policy is to always be environmentally friendly, always keep up to date on the most interesting new remedies from around the world. We are organic. We are natural." The brand was also awarded the "Silver Award" at the 2018 Free From Skincare Awards and was nominated again the following year too. Aura Organics has a physical space in London where they offer spa and yoga services. "We welcome you to Aura Spa. Our sacred space is where you can indulge in guilt-free beauty and wellbeing. We pride ourselves in high-quality service with our friendly all-female team." Their treatments range from facials and pedicures to massages and CBD tanning. Their yoga and wellness studio provides a variety of physical classes. You can pick between a relaxing yoga class or a high-intensity pilates class. Got a little one? You're in luck because Aura Organics also offers baby yoga. In addition to this, their wellness studio provides more spiritual workshops such as angel readings and meditation. The skincare range from Aura Organics is cruelty-free, as well as paraben and sulphate free. The brand is also free from harsh chemicals as they have an extensive knowledge of healing plants. They even use natural preservatives such as fermented radish and coconut (see below). Most importantly, the brand strictly highlights being an all-natural and organic range of skincare. Danielle said, "My experience in working within the mainstream skincare industry revealed many problematic, unnatural and cheap ingredients in a lot of products that lack nutritional value and cause skin irritation. This initiated the beginning of a mission to apply the knowledge I had learnt, alongside studying organic cosmetic chemistry to create wholesome and organic products." Aura Organics also uses special coloured glass bottles to help protect the product from harmful UV rays and keeps products free from contamination by plastics. Overall the brand offers a wide range of both skincare and services to help keep the skin glowing, the mind healthy, and the body active. 

What we loved was the Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask, which is said to help reduce clogged pores and leave the skin firmer, moisturised and radiant, The star ingredient here is honey. The brand specifically uses acacia mangium honey, which some have compared to manuka honey, but this is far more sustainable. The honey is imported from the Borneo rainforest, with the bees pollinate the abundance of acacia mangium trees. This honey (like most) is rich in nutrients and minerals like iron, zinc potassium calcium and copper, vitamin C and other antioxidants. However, acacia mangium honey, like manuka, it’s thought to help improve the healing time of wounds; making it a great choice to use if you have scarring or any common skin conditions like acne. Aura Organics says that they chose this honey as it's completely free from pollutants and supports the delicate ecological balance in its surroundings.

The Exfoliating Face Mask has a base of kaolin clay which is purifying and detoxifying, it gently cleanses the skin to remove dirt, grime, and general pollutants. It’s also infused with organic sweet orange oil and beta carotene-rich organic mango butter and extract. These both moisturise, are rich in antioxidants, stop dryness and help soothe any skin irritation.

For the exfoliant, the organic pineapple powder complements the bamboo extract, for a natural and gentle way to remove dead cells from the skin’s surface. Not only is bamboo high in antioxidants, but it contains large amounts of natural silica which strengthen and tighten the skin, that naturally retains moisture keeping the skin hydrated. It also naturally absorbs dirt and bacteria to keep pores clean, exfoliating the skin for better absorption of serums or moisturisers, in order to give a healthier-looking complexion. Finally, the fermented radish root and coconut are here as pure and natural preservatives - giving the product a safe and longer shelf life.

Packaged in a small metallic rose gold jar, we can only describe this mask as uplifting with its fruity and zesty scent. It smells almost good enough to eat! Whipped into a creamy paste, the kaolin clay combined with all the ingredients gives it a good thick texture, making it easy to spread generously and evenly on the face, neck and décolletage. We applied it as a mask and kept it on for about 10-15 minutes to hydrate and moisturise. Then gently massaged it in, using slow circular motions to exfoliate and eliminate all the dead skin, before rinsing off and patting dry. We love the natural and organic ingredients, and also how it leaves the skin super-soft and looking refreshed. Aura Organics recommends using this once or twice a week, followed by a soothing moisturiser. For us, it’s a keeper and another of our #amazingfinds. You can purchase the 100g Mini Microdermabrasion Tropical Honey Exfoliating Face Mask here for £12. 

Canax : Mellow Meno CBD & Vitamin Capsules

It is no surprise with all its many natural benefits, that we’re big fans of CBD products at The Amazing Blog, and we wanted to share a new CBD discovery with Mellow Meno CBD & Vitamin Capsules by Canax. It’s a product that has been primarily created to help ease some of the symptoms for women in perimenopause or menopause As well as being a Wellbeing Editor’s Choice winner at this year’s Beauty Shortlist Awards, they are also one of our #amazingfinds.

Canax was founded in 2020, based in Nottingham it’s the product of co-founders and best friends Jess Cohen and Sophie Garner, a paediatric nurse. They initially met through their husbands, who were football players for Nottingham Forest. The idea of creating premium CBD products started when Jess' mum was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (rare cancer that targets the plasma cells). Sophie said, "We came across CBD a few years ago, Jess's mum was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and she has found that CBD along with medical treatment has helped ease her daily anxieties and encourages sound sleep which is vital in any type of healing and recovery." As a nurse, Sophie had a first-hand account of how CBD helps her patients, and as mums, they know how overwhelming life can get. That's when Jess and Sophie realised they wanted to help others. They created Canax with a motto: less of the stress. "That's why our Mummy Gummies CBD range has been designed to fit perfectly around your own busy life, helping you take the edge off whenever you feel the need.” They are dedicated to providing only the highest quality organic THC-free CBD which is derived from a farm in Oregon, USA. Their products also offer a simple buying process with a rolling subscription service. All their ranges are organic, palm oil-free, and plant-based, meaning that Canax is suitable for vegans and vegetarians alike. Their best-known product, Mummy Gummies, has highly rated reviews and has been featured in major magazine publications. 

As mentioned earlier Mellow Meno CBD & Vitamin Capsules has been created to aid the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Like all their other edibles, they contain absolutely no THC and are in a concentrated form of CBD Isolate only. Which is a purified crystalline form, and it is completely tasteless and odourless, which makes it the ideal candidate for use in edibles. It has soothing properties to help sleep, mood, and anxiety. In menopause, CBD is known to alleviate hot flushes and improve bone density by stabilising the hormone changes often caused by the menopause. CBD also has anti-inflammation properties that help cure acne for clear skin and ease rosacea.

The capsules are also made up of six other natural ingredients: Zinc, B12, B6, magnesium, vitamin C, and sage. Zinc is an essential element used for cell growth, hormone release, immune response and replication. Vitamin B6 and B12 have many advantages, and these two convert food into energy that helps create the organic chemicals serotonin and dopamine. Ultimately it helps with focusing, energy levels, and mood. Magnesium, another vital element, is crucial in producing energy, forming proteins, maintaining genes, and regulating the nervous system. Vitamin C, as you may know, is high in antioxidants. It helps protect the body's tissues from harmful free radicals and stabilises the linings of blood vessels. It can help soothe menopause symptoms such as varicose veins, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Vitamin C also helps reduce the risk of severe medical conditions like heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes. Lastly, native to the Mediterranean region, sage can relieve symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. It has been used as a natural remedy for menopause for hundreds of years, and fun fact, sage is actually part of the mint family.

What we like about Canax is that they’re very transparent about what's in each product, and their website provides an ingredient list of each product and what they do. The recyclable pink and yellow hue pack contains 30 CBD capsules with 20 mg of CBD in each. They recommend taking one capsule daily as they are, or emptying into a glass of water. Regardless of whether you are menopausal or not, we think these capsules are a great way to get daily 20mg of CBD (and all the vitamins) particularly if you don’t like the hempy taste of the oils. The brand also recommends taking these capsules continuously to reap the benefits, "You need to give Mellow Meno 7-10 days to kick in and really see the wonderful effects it will have." To get full use of the product, it's best to store it in a cool and dry place. For us as regular CBD takers, this is a low dosage, however, we think they offer a great introduction to those who are newbies to CBD. You can make a one-time purchase of 30 capsules or buy a monthly subscription here for £39.99 or £31.99.