Mount Olympus - Lemon Goat's Kefir + Mojito Water Kefir

We’ve found searching for an alternative to traditional cow's milk kefir somewhat difficult, and the ever saturated kefir market is a minefield for both new and old kefir drinkers. Add to that the plethora of other healthy drinks, and you're probably equally as confused as us, at The Amazing Blog. Personally, I’m a goats milk drinker; therefore I was very happy to discover that Mount Olympus, a brand that prides itself on produces a range of different kefirs, also include a goats milk one! They kindly sent us two of their signature products, the Lemon Goat's Kefir and also a Vegan Water Kefir.

Conceived on the slopes of Mount Olympus (hence the name) by Greek founder Kostas Kapelas, whose background is as a holistic health therapist. Kostas' ethos is to work with small-scale and family-based Greek manufacturers, to produce the finest organic, natural and sustainable kefirs. Mount Olympus is against artificial stimulating hormones and antibiotics or any other additives. Additionally, while many kefir products on the market contain non-vegan ingredients, Mount Olympus provides kefir waters for the vegan consumer too, so here there is something for everyone.

If you’re not sure what kefir is, then you're probably not alone. Kefir is formed from lactic acid bacteria and yeast which is fermented (more commonly in milk), to provide a consistency similar to thin yoghurt. Milk based kefir is rich in fatty acids and has lower lactose levels than traditional cow's milk, making it easier to digest for our lactose intolerant friends. Typically, kefir of the dairy variety is made from cow, sheep, and goat's milk. It has been proven that goat's milk is easier to digest, and makes a smoother curd when fermented. So what is the added bonus? Drinking kefir restores microbiomes, which know to help heal troublesome skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis.

We tried the Lemon Goat's Kefir which is delicious with its zingy flavour with a light citrus twist. We particularly like that the 100% natural ingredients come from local producers and suppliers and that this kefir contains Greek free-roaming goat's milk, kefir cultures, frozen lemon juice, stevia with inulin (a prebiotic). Many argue that this beverage is better for you than yoghurt, as goat's kefir contains live probiotics, billions of active bacteria, and is 100% preservative-free. We recommend keeping it refrigerated, as kefir is best enjoyed when chilled. Ensure that you shake it well before opening, to enjoy the full benefits of this healthy and tasty drink. For stockists of Mount Olympus’ Lemon Goats Kefir 300ml in the UK visit here.

Alternatively, as some members of our team are dairy intolerant, the Mojito Water Kefir 310ml proves to be a great alternative. As Mount Olympus explains, there are two kinds of kefir, water and milk. Water kefir is made from ‘good’ bacteria and as the name suggests, it’s fermented in water. We tried the ‘Mojito’ flavour, made from filtered water, sugar, frozen lemon juice, spearmint, mint & lime aroma, and vegan kefir cultures. It’s a refreshing taste with all the added benefits of 29 strains of live probiotics and billions of active bacteria, all critical for a healthy gut. It is also low in calories, 100% preservative-free, and contains 100% natural ingredients. Other beneficial ingredients include a wide range of organic acids, lactobacillus bacteria, vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. The ‘Mojito’ Water Kefir has a natural fizz, making it a fun non alcoholic drink to sip on. As with the Lemon Goat's Kefir, the ‘Mojito’ Water Kefir is best served chilled, for optimum probiotic power. For stockists of Mount Olympus’ ‘Mojito’ Water Kefir 310ml in the UK visit here.

Hydranure - Dry Skin Cream

Unfortunately, The Amazing Blog team are no strangers to dry skin and eczema, and it seems to us to be a bit of a modern-day epidemic. So you can imagine how glad we were to learn about this new product Hydranure, which is specifically designed to help heal skin issues ranging from acne to dryness, infant eczema, and psoriasis.

Scottish founders, Paul and Laura McGregor, welcomed their first baby who arrived with dry, rough, red skin. The couple grew frantic as they tirelessly searched for products that would calm their child’s incessant itching. The doctor’s prescribed short-term fixes that temporarily would relieve irritated skin. However, after finding a cream in America, the couple thought they had solved the problem. That was, however, until their son grew out of it. Then, when they welcomed their second child who also had eczema, that’s when their third child was born, their company Hydranure. In their hunt for help creating their formulation, they found a botanicals expert in south of Aberdeen, who helped them design their unique emollient and dry skin healer Hydranure. It contains only natural ingredients aloe vera, calendula, grapeseed, shea butter, sesame seed, vitamin E, all preserved in an olive oil derivative.  Finally, they had found a solution not only for their child but a product to help other children and adults who were tormenting with eczema and dry skin problems. In fact, after conducting a brief survey amongst Hydranure users, 94% of respondents saw skin improvement – some within 24 hours. Obviously, hearing this we were eager to try.

It is great to find a product that avoids using any harsh chemicals which are far too often found in commercial dry skin emollients; it also derives its ingredients from botanicals and the product is preserved naturally. The Hydranure Dry Skin Cream, a 2018 Beauty Shortlist Mama & Baby Awards Winner, was formulated with the intent to help those dealing with dry skin, including infant eczema, eczema psoriasis and rosacea. It cools the skin, reduces redness and itchiness, repairs the top layer of skin and builds a protective layer. And, if you think this is too good to be true – 96% of 141 respondents are said to have had softer skin after using it. We found it to be very gentle, it absorbed quickly, was fragrance-free and it provided excellent skin nourishment. It is also not tested on animals. If you’d like to try Hydranure Dry Skin Cream 100ml, it can be purchased here for £14.99. Hydranure offers free delivery within the UK.

XO Balm

As you know we at The Amazing Blog love to have a go-to beauty staple and for us not many beat XO Balm which is a latest multipurpose balm. The product is perfect for those with eczema, boyfriends with beards or sensitive skin in need or some TLC. The balm is effective in soothing and relieving dryness, sensitive and irritated skin. What’s more, the product is multi functional and can be used on the face, body and hair. 

The balm is 100% natural and has a simple four-ingredient formula that offers a natural alternative to prescription products for those suffering from eczema and dermatitis. The effective combination of beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil and chia seed oil locks in essential nutrients and soothes, restores and strengthens everything it is applied to. The balm won’t clog your skin and is fragrance-free. It contains no synthetics and leaves a long-lasting protective barrier with a matte finish. Within days one of us with eczema found that this balm not only stopped them itching but also took down their redness - we're impressed! We think that this little balm is a handy travelling companion as the tin packaging means that it fits in any bag, pocket or hand making it perfect for those on the go. 

You can purchase the balm here for £12.50.

PURE Papaya Ointment

As we've mentioned a many times before, the gang at The Amazing Blog loves allrounder products. The winter has been and is being very harsh - gloves, faux fur coats and good boots keep us protected from the entreme cold. One beauty product that we've been relying on lately is PURE Papaya Ointment - the 100% natural, petrochemical-free skin care essential from Australia.

In addition to papaya, or paw paw; ingredients include soothing calendula, shea butter, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, styrax benzoin resin, silica, beeswax and vitamin E. PURE Papaya Ointment soothes, moisturises and protects your skin - it goes beyond a lip balm, a body butter or a body oil; it's the ultimate multipurpose skin care product that can be used for so many skin ailments. The girls at The Amazing Blog always carry one these tubes in their bags! It has quickly become one of our handbag essentials.

You can use PURE Papaya Ointment as a lip balm, a body moisturiser, as an aftercare for tattoos, post epilation, post shave, as an eyecream... it's versatility leaves us speechless.

You can purchase this winter skincare essential though their website.

Selexir

Here at The Amazing Blog, we love to review products that we think will become staple items in your beauty cabinet. Sometimes we come across items that we know will be fast favourites, and if you suffer from dry or irritated skin then we think you'll love Selexir's Peace Balm. This luxurious cream is the perfect treatment balm for sensitive skin. Whilst I don't have extremely dry skin, like a lot of people I definitely have dry patches on parts of my body. I don't know about you but my elbows and knees just never seem to get moisturised! Selexir's Peace Balm is a great rescue remedy that soothes distressed, irritated and sensitive skin which can be applied to the face, ears, neck, hands and elbows as often as you need. It's packed with 21 concentrated, natural ingredients, which provide lasting hydration for your skin and help strengthen your skin. A lot of the time a moisturiser will leave your skin feeling hydrated for a few hours, but quickly fade, but Peace Balm penetrates your skin and lasts. Peace Balm is also really nice for anyone with mild eczema, it's dermatologically proven to improve the look and feel of your skin, and won't cause an adverse reaction. While you may be initially hesitant of the colour, the pale green colour of Peace Balm is a visual reminder of the natural ingredients. I suggest using a small amount to start with and then slowly massaging it into the skin, the cream is lovely and thick, so you don't want to overdo it, and at a price of £83 you don't want to waste an ounce! If you're still not convinced you want to commit to getting a full bottle, the wonderful people at Selexir are offering free samples (you just pay for shipping) exclusively online, so click here to get your sample!

So whether your skin is in need of a soothing balm, or you just want to treat your skin to an extra bit of hydration, try out Selexir's Peace Balm for a luxurious treat!