Jane Scrivner : Peace, and Revive Blends - Life Essentials Pure Essential Oils

We all know the importance of being mindful, whether focusing on health or taking an hour out to compose oneself during a stressful day. Today on The Amazing Blog we want to talk about a new range of essential oil blends that have helped us to get a feeling of balance and calm. We were delighted to test out these two unique natural aromatherapy blends, Peace and Revive in the Life Essentials Pure Essential Oils collection, from one of our favourite holistic and natural skincare brands Jane Scrivner. Some of our loyal readers may well remember that we wrote about the brand back in 2013 and 2014.

Jane Scriver created her skincare range in 2013. With over thirty years of experience in skincare working as a therapist and an international skincare trainer to top global spas, she discovered local and indigenous raw oils, which inspired her to create her very own range of skincare products. "I then came home to practise in London and used these same oils in my treatments, unblended and pure, and I saw how my clients' skin turned from pale and pasty to nourished and alive."  In addition to her well-known skincare, Jane has now added a home and lifestyle product range of emotion and mood-enhancing diffusers and blended essential oils. The brand commits to sourcing everything ethically by using carefully assessed suppliers for traceability and sustainability. All products are paraben and SLS free; they are also cruelty-free and 100% natural and use certified organic ingredients wherever possible. The ranges are handmade in small batches in the UK, where they are mindful of waste and only use FSC approved packaging. The brand is no stranger to beauty awards as they have already won several Beauty Shortlist Awards and Beauty Bible Awards for their skincare range.

Recently, they received an award at the Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards 2022  for their Peace and Revive  Blend Pure Essential Oils. As we were privileged to be amongst the judges this year, we thought we’d feature these two blends which really impressed us. We used these in a candle diffuser (pictured here) which uses accelerated evaporation by heat with the drops mixed in with water; and in an ultrasonic diffuser with its waves transforming the essential oil mixed with water into a vapour. We also like the suggestion that Jane gives here, “My favourite ways to use these is to either drizzle just a few drops into a bowl of pinecones collected on a walk and to let the aroma gently perfume the room or for my office, if I have a busy 'thinking' day, I drop Blend #29 into an electronic diffuser to stay inspired and creative!" 

The Peace Blend Pure Essential Oil, we found enhanced a sense of calmness. It contains nine soothing ingredients: Bay, benzoin, chamomile Maroc, eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, sweet orange, and petitgrain. Bay is woody and spicy scented yet fresh, it’s indigenous to Europe and the Middle East and can grow up to six metres. Bay in aromatherapy practices is used to increase mindfulness and promote focus. Benzoin is sap from Styrax trees, and the extract has a warm scent to it. This blend is used to regulate the nervous system and reduce stress. Chamomile Maroc plant from North-West Africa and South Spain. Traditionally, this extract has been used as a muscle relaxant and for anxiety relief helping to relax the mind. Eucalyptus is native to Australia. Although this oil has many external benefits, such as relieving respiratory conditions, eucalyptus oil also eases tension and helps bring a wave of positivity. Frankincense comes from the trunk of a Boswellia tree. Frankincense is one of our favourite oils; it’s used for grounding and connectedness and is one of the key essentials we use for meditation. Lavender is one of the most frequently used plants in essential oils, and for good reasons. Lavender provides a clear and focused mind, emotional stability, and inspiration. Interesting fact, the Egyptians used myrrh for embalming as It slowed the decaying process and left a pleasant scent. In this blend, myrrh is used to uplift moods by removing any negative feelings and keeping minds grounded. When it comes to sweet orange extract, there are many benefits to this citrus ingredient, the extract can help reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Lastly, petitgrain oil comes from a bitter orange tree native to southern China. The word petitgrain is French, meaning "little grains". Petitgrain oil has many uses; it soothes nerves protecting the mind from anxiety, shock, and fear. We think this blend is perfect for people who need to take a step back from their stressful lives, for much-needed relaxation. 

The Revive Blend Pure Essential Oil blend is made from seven unique energy-boosting ingredients: Basil, clary sage, geranium, grapefruit, lime, patchouli, and peppermint. Basil extract is proven to have many health benefits, including stabilising the nervous system, it’s known to help decrease tension and anxiety. Clary sage is another plant with many physical and mental benefits and significantly helps to reduce stress as it has antidepressant properties. Geranium oil comes from the leaves of a plant called pelargonium graveolens, indigenous to South Africa. Geranium oil is used to treat signs of stress, anxiety, and depression and helps restores confidence. The grapefruit inspires an uplifting and positive mindset needed for motivation in this blend. Lime is also used to uplift one's mood and energy, purify the air, and even help with relaxation after a long day. Patchouli is sweet, spicy, and woody, and in this blend; it helps aid symptoms of depression and stress as it induces a sense of wellbeing. The final ingredient is peppermint, known to help relieve sorrow, or feelings of restlessness and offer a sense of calm. We think that the Revive Blend is best used when you first wake up giving a much-needed burst of energy, it’s also a brilliant blend to help give focus.

We’ve always been big fans of aromatherapy essentials oils ,and these blends are another of our #amazingfinds. Not only do they smell gorgeous, but they’ll make a great addition to anyone's aromatherapy collection. Both blends come in small 10ml glass bottles, and the brand advises adding 2-3 drops of these essential oil blends to any room fragrance device or getting creative and using what you have. Also, to note, depending on the base ingredients, these essential oil blends can smell very different when used in their product than in pure form ‘on the nose’. To purchase the Peace Blend Pure Essential Oil Blend see here for £18 or Revive Blend Pure Essential Oil Blend to Refresh & Awaken here for £16.  Or to purchase the full range of the four Life Essentials Pure Essential oils here for £85.

NAYA : Hydration Mask

After the recent cold snap, are you finding that your skin is in need of a big hydration boost? Then keep reading one, as today on The Amazing Blog, we’re very excited to introduce you to the Hydration Mask from the natural and sustainable skincare brand NAYA. It’s another of our #amazingfinds which we judged on The Beauty Shortlist Awards, where it won a very well deserved Editor’s Choice.

The NAYA story began in 2018 when the founder Sarah Zimmer’s wanderlust took her to over 60 countries. It was fueled by these travels, that an idea started to emerge. She was fascinated by local traditions, botanicals and remedies, and saw an opportunity to create a natural, luxurious and sustainably sourced skincare that utilised regenerative farming methods together with scientifically proven ingredients. Her vision is to empower and educate the consumer on their skincare with these natural and sustainable ingredients that offer long-term benefits. “Our focus is to convince customers of providing effective skincare that truly makes a difference and makes you love the skin you are in.” All NAYA products include pure and sustainably grown cacay oil, 100% vegan and PETA certified, making their range both good for the skin and the environment. During the manufacturing process, NAYA consciously uses upcycled and biodegradable materials to reduce the use of single-use plastic and waste. Their focus is on using developmental farming methods to source their ingredients ethically and is very proud of their sustainability. Sarah went on to say, "Our approach to skincare goes beyond our products. I wanted a performance-driven skincare line formulated with fewer proven actives at higher concentration. Products that I could feel good about for their botanical science, proven effectiveness and soil to skin life-cycle." With every purchase, they give back by working alongside projects such as EDEN Reforestation to plant a tree, and Four Seasons to support the protection of corals. Plus their regenerative project - ‘Tierra Radiante - Roots to Glow’ where the harvesters grow cacay and indigenous plants, replacing those used and giving back to the indigenous communities in Colombia. To date, the brand has planted over 1500 seeds. All NAYA products are also gender-neutral, cruelty-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, organic and free from GMOs. The brand has also won multiple awards for six of its products, including its Hydration Mask (below) see here.

The Hydration Mask has been created to help revive, freshen and nourish the skin. This plant-based overnight mask comprises of five key ingredients, that the brand focuses on. These are aloe vera, cacay oil, silverear mushroom (tremella fuciformis), willow bark and four different variations of hyaluronic acid.

The hero ingredient of cacay oil is one we know well. This precious oil from the Amazon is proven to help cell growth, skin hydration, and collagen production. Plus, it contains three times the amount of vitamin C and 50% more vitamin E than argan oil. Aloe vera extract is made up of 80% water, and has lots of vitamins, nutrients and minerals, which help moisturise and soften skin. Silverear mushrooms are commonly used in Asia for both medicine and beauty. This ingredient is known to hydrate, rejuvenate, and heal the skin. The silverear mushroom is also known for its hydrating properties. Even by ingesting this mushroom, it’s said to help keep skin hydrated and is often found in traditional Asian recipes. Willow bark extract and high in salicin, polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids. Salicin is a natural exfoliant and substance that is converted by the digestive process to salicylic acid when taken orally. It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties, can help soothe acne, eliminate wrinkles, and promote increased firmness. Polyphenols and flavonoids, have strong antioxidant properties and are ideal for fighting free radicals and stopping them from harming healthy cells. Tannins are frequently found in toners and help shrink and tighten pores, control oily skin, and make for a firmer complexion. They are also excellent anti-agers as they protect the skin from harmful UV exposure.

Let’s explain the four types of hyaluronic acid found here: Sodium acetylated hyaluronate (SAH), sodium hyaluronate (SH), sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer (SHC), and hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate (HSH). SAH is a different variation of hyaluronic acid that has better moisture retention and bonds .This improves skin elasticity and has long-lasting effects. When applied topically, SH can help moisturise, reduce wrinkle appearance and inflammation, and even help heal wounds. SHC is a modified form of hyaluronic acid with a polymer structure that enhances hydration. HSH is lighter in molecular weight in comparison to regular HA. This helps the product penetrate the skin improving skin elasticity, HSH is able to stimulate HA production to protect skin from harmful skin radicals. This makes for a potent combination to help boost skin moisture and hydration. To quote NAYA, “Multi-hyaluronic acid approach increased skin hydration by 155.1%, an hour after application. The skin’s TEWL (transepidermal water loss) decreased by 32.3%. It improves the natural moisture levels from the inside out, making skin smoother and more elastic.”

Apart from the ingredients, what we loved about this overnight mask was how soft it left our skin in the morning. It really is the ultimate hydration boost and one that replenishes the skin with all the vital vitamins and minerals that it needs to plump up again. We applied an even layer to clean skin at night time, it takes about 15 minutes until it’s fully absorbed (so no residue on the pillow!) No need to rinse. Quickly added, we have very sensitive skin and the great thing about this mask is that it’s suitable for all skin types; also they say it’s safe enough to use even for expectant mothers. We love how inclusive this product is, and It’s certainly one we’d recommend. The Hydration Mask comes in a 50 ml jar packaged in a recyclable box. You can purchase this product here for €65 or approx £53.93.  

L’abeille : Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence

Some days, our erratic British weather feels like it’s constantly drying out our skin. So, at The Amazing Blog, we're always on the lookout for a serum that will help with skin hydration and luminosity. And today, this is another of our #amazingfinds with the award-winning Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence by the South African beauty brand L’abeille, which collected an Editor’s Choice, and we were lucky enough to judge for the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Karen Potgieter officially founded the South African brand L'abeille in 2017. Her first foray into the world of skincare began with her first range Bee Pure in 2013. However, four years later, Karen decided that she wanted to produce a more high-performance natural skincare line to work on a cellular level and with more scientifically proven claims. After lots of research and studying, she created L'abeille. Karen told Formula Botanica, "I am very fortunate to have a well-equipped lab on the farm in South Africa, and am able to work from home. It all started after our first honey harvest. I started researching all the amazing benefits of honey & the use of beeswax in skincare." Being of French descent, Karen decided to combine her love for both Africa and France. The brand uses high-performance actives found in African oils, some botanicals harvested from the coast of Brittany, France. The honey and floral extracts in L'abeille come from her bee colonies on the farm. These colonies are vital to sustaining their flowers. This is also why they chose the name L'abeille which translates to "the bee" in French, and the brand has a clean beauty ethos. "From our raw material sourcing to the production lines, we are committed to providing luxury skincare of unparalleled excellence and revolutionary results. Our ingredients are carefully selected locally and abroad from trusted and honest suppliers." L'abeille uses quality ingredients that are sustainably sourced, environmentally friendly, and cruelty-free. The brand also promises full transparency between the company and the customer. It includes bio-based/bio-available and bio/nature-identical ingredients to optimise skincare benefits without compromising on their ethos. With a constant commitment to research and development, all products are scientifically engineered and this is where they aim to stay at the forefront of the clean beauty movement. . Their packaging is in Miron glass, the violet glass is an excellent all-natural, high-vibrational frequency container that can preserve and protect from UV damage and enhance the quality of ingredients. The brand is no stranger to winning awards, see here.

We loved using this Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence; it’s made with three different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA (hence the name). These enhance hydration and make skin appear firm and plump. The key ingredients here are pentylene glycol, polysiphonia elongata microalgae extracts, niacinamide and ectoin. These combined to help to significantly improve the skin's quality, density and dullness for smoother, brighter, and more luminous skin.

Let’s look at those key ingredients; hyaluronic acid, as well all know, has many skin benefits. It's excellent for skin hydration as it locks moisture into your skin. The sodium PCA, in essence, has humectant properties. This attracts moisture from the air and retains moisture in the skin. Sodium PCA also has anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, and skin protectant properties. The pentylene glycol is sourced from sugarcane and corn and is a by-product. It’s also known for its hydrating properties and solvent to aid penetration of other ingredients, helps improve the formula’s texture and is a mild preservative. The polysiphonia elongata microalgae extracts claim to help with ageing signs such as fine lines or wrinkles. This red species of microalgae extract improves and brightens the complexion, aiding in hydration whilst revitalising and toning. What interested us is that these algae in vitro studies show an extraordinary collagen increase of up to 35%! It’s full of essential vitamins and antioxidants that protect skin and repair previous damage, protecting the skin against harmful free radicals. The ectoin is an active cell protector (against pollution). It’s hailed as a revolutionary nourishing ingredient with a patented cell protection booster that protects skin from environmental stressors and photo-ageing, which is done by binding molecules and forming hydration shells around skin cells. Niacinamide is (AKA vitamin B3) along with being one of the best ingredients for anti-ageing, niacinamide has lots of other skin benefits. Vitamin B3 is known for helping with fading hyperpigmentation. Because it also produces ceramides and elastin, this ingredient also helps strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier. This allows it to fight against free radicals that cause DNA damage from everyday pollutants. Lastly, niacinamide is safe for all skin types, including those who have a sensitive skin.

Other ingredients present are jojoba seed oil, vanilla planifolia, lavender and jasmine oil. Vanilla planifolia fruit, commonly referred to as vanilla bean, is a source of catechins (also known as polyphenols), which have antioxidant activity and serve as skin-soothing agents. Lavender oil moisturises and is non-comedogenic for pores, and is skin calming. It also has antibacterial properties meaning it kills harmful bacteria that might infiltrate the pores. Jasmine oil has strong moisturising properties and is full of antioxidants and actives that help to stimulate cellular regeneration.

The Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence has a viscous texture, a cross between a liquid and gel; it’s been created to help make the complexion brighter, smoother, and more luminous. We loved using this as a first skincare step, using it on the face, neck, and décolleté. A huge bonus is that it’s safe and gentle enough to use around the eye area and really helps to plump out fine lines. L'Abeille recommends using the products before applying heavier serums and creams; we used it alone, day and night, and also with our regular moisturiser. It has the subtlest natural fragrance, so it won’t conflict if you use it in conjunction with other skincare products. It’s always of interest to us when a brand has cutting-edge formulas where science meets nature, and L’abeille certainly has this! We loved the performance of this serum, and would heartily recommend this to anyone looking for an excellent newt skin-boosting serum. To purchase the 50ml Hyaluron-3 Hydration Essence, for R1290 (which is approximately £63.68), see here. 

Dr Jackson's : 05 Face & Eye Essence

Following on with more of our Beauty Shortlist Winners, here is a brand that has won no less than six awards this year, with some of the highest accolades given which include ‘Best Blue Beauty Brand” and “Best Vegan Skincare UK”. We are talking about Dr Jackson's a British beauty and well-being brand that prides itself on being clean, organic, gender-neutral and fragrance-free. Today we are featuring one of our favourites, which was awarded “Best Product of Tired Eyes/Signs of Fatigue” their 05 Face & Eye Essence.

Dr Jackson's was founded in 2008 by the PhD pharmacy in pharmacognosy Simon Jackson. However, the history of the company dates back a few decades. Even as a child, Simon was always intrigued by the power of nature and took an interest in native plants used by indigenous tribes in Amazon, Indonesia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Simon relates how a particular fruit drew his fascination and how it was sparked an idea to create his skincare. It was the Kigelia or "sausage-tree", traditionally, this fruit is used topically for its anti-microbial properties, which help reduce symptoms associated with eczema and skin irritation. Dr Jackson related in a past interview that, "95% of the world's population use natural products or plants as a primary healthcare, so for me, it is a real inspiration as to why people use natural products as a medicine." With his extensive botanical knowledge, a range of incredible plant-powered, vegan, sustainable skincare, and organic herbal teas, were born. Dr Simon Jackson is currently the CSO and co-founder of Modern Botany skincare.

Today the company is led by Kristijana Durakic, a scientific officer. She is a biological sciences, pharmacy, and biomedicine professional who oversees a team of scientists and formulation experts. Under her leadership, Dr Jackson's stays true to its roots and offers clinically tested and sustainable products with reduced waste that minimises its carbon footprint where it is “led by science, inspired by nature.” The packaging of the products is always eco, simple plastic-free, and in recyclable 100% compostable cardboard boxes. Additionally, Dr Jackson's is a member of 1% for the Planet, a non-profit organisation whose purpose is to ensure that the earth and future generations thrive. One of the key ingredients that the brand uses is Baobab. They now have an alliance with the Baobab Foundation to support their educational programmes and Baobab Wilding Campaign, planting young Baobab trees and protecting them from external threats. The brand considers itself gender-neutral and inclusive, as its products are designed for everyone regardless of their age, gender, or skin type. 

The 05 Face & Eye Essence is a firm favourite with us as a hydrating and toning gel, particularly for the contour area of the eyes. The four key ingredients are damask rose flower water, bitter orange flower water, chamomile flower oil and baobab seed oil.

The damask rose flower water restores, tones and calms leaving a soft mood-boosting fragrance. The bitter orange flower water is excellent for relieving stress and boosting energy, and is full of vitamin A and phosphorus, known to tighten large pores and even out skin tone - it leaves skin clear and radiant. The chamomile flower oil is ideal for sensitive skin as an antipruritic and anti-inflammatory it neutralises any irritation. The baobab seed oil strengthens and moisturises thanks to its vitamins C, B, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium; and as the brand says, “The fruit has six times as much vitamin C as an orange, is a plentiful source of antioxidants and it combats skin ageing by improving skin firmness and strength by boosting the elastic quality of the skin and encouraging cell regeneration”. 

There’s aloe leaf juice which hydrates and soothes and is enriched in vitamins and antioxidants, to help prevent premature signs of ageing. Finally, the marula seed oil is a nod to the brand's origins and is one of the most popular skincare oils in sub-Saharan Africa, Packed with vitamins C and E, as well as a lesser-known antioxidant phytochemical epicatechin which helps to stave off the free radicals caused by exposure to UV rays or pollution.

This Face & Eye Essence is dermatologically tested and suitable for sensitive or eczema-prone skins. It is a multi-purpose product that can be used to reduce puffiness or applied as a primer. It’s a little gem that will be your new best ally for soothing tired eyes after a bad night's sleep or for cooling the skin after sunburn. It comes in a glass jar that can be recycled or reused and has a small spatula for application to avoid any contamination. Apply night and day and gently tap the gel around the eye area. A little goes a long way, as it’s highly concentrated in actives, let the skin absorb the gel for a few minutes, before applying makeup. Our top tip is to store it in the fridge before using it - as cool, it’s absolute heaven on tired eyes! This is another of our #amazingfinds, one we repeated buy, and can’t live without. See here to purchase the 50ml 05 Face & Eye Essence for £60.

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.