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.

SKIRR: Anti-chafing Stick Sport Body Balm

In this new world of lunchtime walks, jogging or running for our daily 10k steps - we’ve heard lots of moans and groans of newfound soreness from skin rubbing or blisters. So, when we at The Amazing Blog  heard about Skirr Skin with their Anti-Chafing Stick Sports Body Balm – we had to give it a try – after all, prevention is better than cure!

Skirr Skin is a sustainable sports skincare brand based in Argyll, Scotland, for eco-conscious adventure and endurance athletes looking for body care to address sport-specific problems and protect their skin from chafing and blistering. Chafing and blisters are caused by friction from clothing or two areas of skin rubbing together. It can worsen during very sweaty and wet conditions causing extreme discomfort. We don’t want that! Skirr, an old Scottish word for glide or move faster, and is founded by registered nutritional therapist and entrepreneur Moira Newiss. Having graduated from Formula Botanica, Moira always dreamed of being an entrepreneur with an eco-focused company. When she couldn’t find a brand that sold natural and sustainable products for sports skincare, she was eager to start her own to combine her passion for sport and the environment. Soon, Skirr Skin was launched in February 2020 with her first product, the Anti-Chafing Stick Sport Body Balm. This was formulated and tested out at the Tyndrum24 Ultra race in January 2020 at the Scottish Highlands and proved itself to have effective protection for runners over 70 miles! Moira believes she has created not only an eco-friendly product but a product that protects athletes (and novices) who have struggled with chafing. One of these athletes is Kyle Gordon, who is the brand’s first ambassador, a full-time Scottish elite cyclist who is training for the Commonwealth Games 2022 and spends between 15 – 25 hours a week in the saddle. We couldn’t wait for our tester to try this Body Balm. 

The Anti-chafing Stick Sport Body Balm  contains eco-friendly, natural and organic ingredients that help to prevent blisters, chafing and maintain healthy skin. It also acts as a nourishing moisturiser to keep the skin supple and in good condition. It is suited for multi-sport use, including running, cycling, swimming, skiing, and surfing. We think that you’ll never go wrong with this Sport Body Balm! It even contains 30% more product than its main competitor. It is packaged in fully recyclable cardboard so you can enjoy sport as well as preserve the outdoors. Skirr suggests using the Sport Body Balm by pushing up the tube’s bottom and applying it directly to areas where you may experience chafing, such as the feet, groin, neck, or chest. The ingredients are unique and critical here. Coconut oil contains nourishing fatty acids that help hydrate and protect the skin. Jojoba seed oil is a crucial ingredient proven to combat acne, dry skin, and other skin conditions such as chafing. Beeswax creates a protective layer on the skin. It also removes dead skin and keeps the skin soft and hydrated. Sunflower oil is a highly absorbent non-irritant that helps combat dry chafing skin. Finally, vitamin E will help make the skin look its best, and rosemary will relieve any pain and inflammation. Our tester is new to exercise, with both running and cycling, and complained bitterly about the soreness on the inside of his thighs. He even purchased lycra shorts to wear under his tracksuit bottoms – but alas these didn’t offer a solution. After we handed him the Skirr Sports Balm to try, he eulogised how even after a whole weekend of full-on activities, there was no more soreness. He was also impressed with how this Sport Body Balm both protected and soothed. He has subsequently abandoned his undergarment of lycra shorts! You can purchase the Anti-chafing Stick Sport Body Balm directly on Skirr Skin’s website for £19.99 here. 

Sweet Pink CBD: Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD Oil & Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm

For the past year with #lockdown, self-care has been our number one priority. That's why at The Amazing Blog, we search out lots of new CBD products to include in our daily life. Today we’d like to introduce Sweet Pink CBD and their Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD Massage Oil   and Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm as two of our latest #amazingfinds for CBD body care.

Sweet Pink CBD is a vegan CBD wellness company launched by Suffolk resident Tannine Montgomery, in support of her daughter Indie-Rose. At four months old, Indie-Rose was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. For three years, Indie-Rose had seizure treatments, but they proved ineffective, and soon, she lost the ability to walk. She continued to have seizures every single day. In 2018, out of desperation, Tannine decided to turn to a doctor in Holland to prescribe Indie-Rose with a high-strength CBD oil. After starting the prescription, Indie-Rose went four days without a seizure, and was able to play with her brother for the first time! Since then, Tannine has been fighting to grant a license for Cannabidiol – cannabis-based oil prescription in the UK, which is how Sweet Pink was born, as Tannine says, "Sweet Pink would not be here without Indie-Rose." The brand works with small, artisan farms across Europe that grow their hemp organically which is then extracted with CO2 and ethanol. What makes Sweet Pink's products so unusual is their use of organic full-spectrum CBD distillates in both their oils and topicals. Full-spectrum CBD is also known as whole plant CBD. Some people prefer to use full-spectrum CBD, because of the all the cannabinoids found in a whole hemp plant are present, which leads to a more robust potency. The small amount of THC in these products will not affect the user; instead, it will help boost the CBD effects. Sweet Pink's products are thoroughly lab tested by Greenleaf Processing with and have a certification of analysis to ensure maximum health and safety.  As Sweet Pink CBD are still in the start-up phase, they looking into being 100% plastic-free soon. Tannine sources as many reusable materials as possible; for example, the only plastic really used is the inners of the lids. Next year, they will be looking into more refillable products; to cut down on the amount of packaging used.

The first product of the two we tried was the Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD  if like us, you are hunched at your desk all day, this is the product you need. The Body Buzz Massage Oil combines 300mg of whole plant CBD extract with carefully selected ingredients of vegan and organic base oils, and essential oils; these work together to invigorate the senses and help to get the day off, to a good start. It’s infused with citrus essentials oils from both sweet orange and bergamot, packed full of monoterpenes to stimulate your senses, relieve stress and uplift mood.  The base oils here are a combination of sweet almond, wheat germ, hemp and jojoba, all rich in antioxidants working together to boost immunity. To use this massage oil, Sweet PinkCBDUK recommends warming the oil in your hands before massaging it into the skin or adding it to a hot bath to reduce tension. The zesty fragrance was a winner with us, as it makes this Massage Oil incredibly revitalising. The oil itself has enough ‘slip’ for massage but absorbs swiftly into the skin, so that it won’t cover your clothes with a layer of grease!  This was our favourite out of the two products and we think best used after a shower in the morning, to make you feel ready to take on the day! The 100ml Wild Orange & Bergamot Body Buzz CBD Massage Oil is available for £30.00 here.

The brand also sent us their Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm which has been created for muscle and joint fatigue relief in mind. If you're anything like us, you will be reaching out for this Balm to help relieve aches and pains from your home workout. Like the massage oil, this Balm also contains 300mg of CBD where it intensely nourishes and regenerates sensitive and tired skin. Together with the hemp oil, they are both high in omega 3 and 6 with non-comedogenic properties, which means they don’t block pores. The other ingredients include coconut oil which keeps skin hydrated reducing inflammation and has the added bonus of good antimicrobial properties. Candelilla wax is reputed to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and age spots. The lemongrass has antifungal, and again has antimicrobial properties. Whereas turmeric contains curcumin known to reduce the body’s response to cutaneous wounds by decreasing inflammation and oxidation. This balm is smooth to the touch and easily applied anywhere on the body. We found with its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it relieved aching limbs and worked well targeting the joint areas like hips and knees. Unlike other CBD Balms we’re tried, the lemongrass element here, is not overpowering, making it easy and pleasant to use.  The 30ml Lemongrass & Turmeric CBD Balm is available for purchase for £36.00 to purchase see here. To get the full benefits from these unique CBD wellness products, a quick reminder to remember to store in a cool, dark place, out of direct sunlight.  BTW any first time orders over £30, we give 10% off with code FIRST10.

EarHub: Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs

Did you know that apart from irritability and fatigue, sleep deprivation can also lead to imbalanced and dehydrated skin? And as tomorrow is World Sleep Day (yes, there really is such a day!) we at The Amazing Blog, thought we’d review the perfect partner to aid a peaceful night’s sleep, the simple, reusable and invaluable:  EarHub’s Sleepwell Silicone Earplugs.  

EarHub is a UK based company specialising in developing and delivering a range of superior ear protection. It was launched in 2020 with a purposeful mission to raise awareness, and educate the consumer about ear health and wellbeing, by providing premium foam and soft silicone earplugs. According to EarHub’s Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, “Many people will be struggling to sleep because of a noisy sleep environment and these Earplugs may significantly help to improve the quality of sleep by reducing noises such as a snoring partner.  These earplugs may reduce usual background noises and snoring (45 decibels - 65 decibels) by as much as 50%. This is a small price to pay for a good quality night's sleep which can not only make you look and feel better.” If you’re having some trouble sleeping, you should know that you’re not alone, since 51% of adults worldwide get less sleep than the average amount needed. As EarHub claims these earplugs can reduce the background noise by 50%, think what a difference that will make if you live with a snoring partner or pet! As we’re based in the heart of a noisy city - we couldn’t wait to put these to the test!

The company kindly sent us a 6-pair-set of  Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs. Did you know that damage occurs at noise levels over 80 decibels?  And you’d be surprised where this noise level occurs, think a busy restaurant or an electric lawnmower. Astonishing, isn’t it? That’s why we now like to keep a set of these to hand. These silicone earplugs come in a convenient travel case, making them easy to transport or store. A huge plus for us is that they’re BPA-free and environmentally friendly. Their reusable and only requires a quick wash with warm water and soap. We love their practicality; made of hypoallergenic silicone they mould comfortably to fit the ear forming an airtight seal over the ear canal. They not only block out noise, but also make the ear watertight, ideal for swimming or water sports. They actually reduce outside noise by 27 decibels which is a higher rate than other earplugs that we’ve tried.  They’re also so comfortable, that you almost forget you’re wearing them! BTW they’ve got a give away for a month’s worth of earplugs to mark World Sleep Day tomorrow, for to 5 lucky winners… so head over to their Instagram page here. To purchase Earhub Sleepwell Soft Silicone Earplugs see here  for £8.99.

Shake CBD: Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts - Twinset

Now we’re all at working from home; there is nothing better than taking time out to reflect on our day with a relaxing bath before bed. At The Amazing Blog we’re back with some new CBD bath-time gems to soak away the day with Shake CBD  and their Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts.

Shake CBD founder Leighton was always a fan of all things CBD, especially when he witnessed the difference it’s made to the lives of friends and family. Many people are sceptical of CBD, its effects, and what it does, which is one of the main reasons Leighton started Shake CBD, as he wants to encourage more people to experience the benefits it offers. The CBD industry is beginning to become quite saturated here in the UK, which is why Shake CBD wants to provide cost-effective natural CBD infused products.  The brand is proving to be very popular with the body-building fraternity; and now has a brand ambassador with Will McKeown, the athlete and bodybuilder. McKeown recently commented on using these CBD Epsom Salts: “ With sleep being of critical importance for muscle repair and cognition, I was surprised by just how relaxed I felt after using some of Shake’s CBD infused Epsom Salts. After a tough day of work and training, I was instantly put in a more relaxed state which allowed me to settle down for the evening and get the most out of my night’s rest. I firmly believe using CBD products had a drastic and positive effect on my training.”  Currently, Shake CBD have three CBD products in their range with 1000mg Full Spectrum CBD oil, 1200mg CBD Muscle Rub and their 100mg Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts. They try to keep a low carbon footprint with their CBD which is sourced and manufactured here in the UK.

These handmade artisanal Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts  are a twin set and come in 200mg recyclable and reusable clear glass bottles with metal screw tops. There are only four natural ingredients used which are a combination of Epsom salts, sweet almond oil, 100% pure essential oils and 100 mg of CBD. The sweet almond oil hydrates and nourishes the skin and the type of CBD used in these Bath Salts is a mix of isolate and full-spectrum oil. The orange label bottle has the botanicals of lavender, bergamot and sweet orange essential oils. Lavender can help ease anxiety and also fights insomnia by helping you get a better night sleep. Bergamot is a stress reducer, lessens feelings of fatigue, and helps alleviate inflammation and sweet orangel is also anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. The blue label bottle contains a combination of lavender, jasmine and thyme essential oils. Here the jasmine oil can be a form of anti-depressant and helps release stress whereas the thyme oil is stimulating and anti-bacterial. Apart from the CBD, the other main ingredient in both is the Epsom salts which are not ‘salts’ but are made up of therapeutic magnesium, sulphates and oxygen. They provide the body with magnesium (did you know that most people don’t consume enough magnesium in their daily diet?) Having an appropriate amount of magnesium helps boost sleep and ease stress by regulating over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation and aids muscle and nerve function. The sulphates improve the absorption of nutrients, flush out toxins and soothes headaches.  It was hard to choose a favourite between the two, if pushed, we’d say the orange label as the fragrance we found to be slightly more uplifting.  To purchase these Moisturising CBD Epsom Salts see here for £19.99.