Friday Favourites: Hand Creams

Hand cream is an absolute must for us at The Amazing Blog and as we’re still in the throes of winter, we can’t help noticing our chapped hands and split nails. Today we’re going to introduce you to some TLC for your hard-working digits. Whether you’re looking for a quick light fix or a protective barrier cream, we have a selection of our #amazingfinds for you to try.

As regular readers will know we are fans of Rosenserien products and you’ll find our most recent post on their Shampoo & Body Scrub here. Now we are testing out their rather rich and delicious smelling Hand Cream this has 100% naturally sourced ingredients with more than 75% being organic, it is also vegan friendly and not tested on animals. Key ingredients are Aloe vera, coconut wax, jojoba oil, shea butter, calendula, vitamin E, soybean and rose oil.

What we particularly like about this hand cream is that it feels thick, nourishing and it lasts. It also smells deliciously of roses; this comes in 100ml tube for £17 here and a little goes a long way.

Yes, it’s yet another natural skincare brand that we have a bit of a crush for. We recently wrote about their Firming Body Milk here . This SOS Help Hand Balm they say is for ‘demanding hands that require special intensive care,’ and we couldn’t agree more. Perhaps not as thick as Rosenserien, but equally as effective. This is much lighter in texture and the cream absorbs quickly. Their organic actives include cacao butter, almond and macadamia nut oil (to relieve tautness) shea butter (for increased elasticity).

SOS Hand Balm certainly comes to the rescue leaving soft hand and hydrated; this is perfect in this current chilly weather. SOS Help Hand Balm is 50ml at a reasonable price of £6.95 available here.

This is a very different kind of hand cream from the others that we’ve mentioned. Cuderm Hand is more science-based and offers an intense hydration that forms a protective barrier. It has been created specifically for dry and sensitive hands and is fragrance free, SLS free, hypoallergenic, paraben free and alcohol-free. What makes this particularly unique is the key ingredient of their clinically proven colloidal oatmeal, which is obtained as a natural extract from oats. This helps to support, protect and promote healthy skin.

We think this cream is ideal for anyone with itchy or sensitive skin or who is exposed on a daily basis to environmental irritants. To purchase the 75ml tube for £5.49 see here.

When you talk about a Potato Hand Balm its doesn’t sound very sexy or enticing. However, I’m assured that potato juice is the thing and extremely rich in vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and potassium minerals. These all offer protection against dry and cracked skin and various skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Potato juice is also deemed safe for any sensitive skins.

Styx Naturacosmetic is one of our #amazingfinds; and with over 50 year standing, this family run Austrian skincare brand has a strong belief in sustainability. So much so, that they’ve scooped up many environmental awards along the way. They believe in using organically grown and locally sourced wild plant-based raw materials for their ingredients, and when we met with them, they were insistent that we had to try this Balm! In Austria potatoes have been used for centuries to help heal the skin. This Potato Balm is based on a traditional Austrian peasant farmers’ recipe used as a remedy for treating all skin blemishes, sunburn, rough and chapped skin. In the balm there are also cold pressed vegetable oils (jojoba and macadamia) with the addition of shea butter and of course the potatoes. We like the slight sweet nutty fragrance, and that there was no greasy residue and it absorbed quickly. Potato Balm is available in a 70ml tube at £14.26 from Amazon here.

Whether your hand cream is made from roses, nut oils, colloidal oatmeal or potatoes; we hope that we’ve given you a ‘helping hand’ to try something just a little bit different.

Ellactiva Collagen Chews

Our mothers have always encouraged us to take our vitamins, and here at The Amazing Blog, we take that advice very seriously! We recently came across, Ellactiva, a UK based company who provide Collagen Soft Chews that are easy to take on-the-go. These chews are boosted with 2.5g of bioactive collagen peptides, improving your skin from the inside, and making it feel as smooth as ever, in just four weeks.

With three different flavours (blended with minerals and vitamins), the Collagen Soft Chews not only make you look great, but you will also feel healthier. They give you all the energy you need from within, strengthening your immune system, and improving your bone health simultaneously. Additionally, the three different flavours provide benefits that go beyond skin depth.

The first, Collagen & Energy, contain bioactive collagen peptides that help improve the skin's structure and elasticity. They also include high levels of vitamin C and chromium picolinate, which maximise collagen synthesis, as well as prebiotic fibre and resistant starch, reducing hunger cravings and supporting energy release. What makes these chews even more irresistible, is that they come in a sugar-free orange flavour, to enhance our taste buds and boost our energy levels at the same time.

The second superpower is the Collagen & Healthy Bones pack, which comes in a sugar-free caramel cream flavour. With a base of bioactive collagen peptides, they help to give a younger look to our work loaded faces. Additionally, vitamin C maximises collagen synthesis, and with the help of calcium and vitamin D, we are packed with all the good stuff and are ready to take on the day.

The last powerhouse is the Collagen & Immunity package that helps to maintain the skin’s structural integrity and firmness, due to its blend of bioactive collagen peptides and prebiotic fibre. With the aid of zinc, selenium and vitamin C, our immune system gets the boost it needs to keep us healthy and fit, even on the coldest of days in the UK. The best part? These chews have a fruity blackcurrant flavour.

The elegant and light packaging makes it easy to take your vitamins on the go, helping you to live a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. The collagen infused chews give us back what we have lost over the years, allowing our skin and bones to strengthen, reversing the degenerating collagen process. If you want to take your mother's advice seriously, and treat yourself to some vitamins, then the three packages (including 60 sugar-free soft chews) can be purchased here from £29.99.

Absolute Collagen - Protein Rich Marine Collagen Supplement For Men

Superfoods and supplements have become more and more popular over the past years and we at The Amazing Blog are always on the lookout for new and beneficial supplements to include in our diet. There is still a big trend for ingestible beauty supplements (which means beauty products you swallow rather than apply to your skin) particularly those that are collagen or hyaluronic acid based. We were very interested to hear that the award-winning British brand Absolute Collagen had launched the first-ever men’s ingestible beauty supplement, their Protein Rich Marine Collagen Supplement. We applaud this brand for recognising the need for specific male skincare supplements.

The Protein Rich Marine Collagen has numerous benefits. Fish collagen has superior bioavailability, which means it’s quickly absorbed into the body when digested. Once in the bloodstream, it starts working its magic. The Absolute Collagen supplement encourages the fibroblasts responsible for collagen reproduction to kick-start and therefore helps to fight signs of ageing.

One sachet of 10ml makes a daily dose of the marine collagen. The Supplement is as ‘absolute’ as possible, containing vitamin C for absorption and lemon and sucralose for taste. You can take the marine collagen direct from the sachet or mix it with hot and cold drinks or even add it to yoghurt – the possibilities are endless. We only had a two week supply, and I would like to add that probably I need a lot longer time than just a few weeks, to see significant results. However, I have to say that my joints felt more fluid and my fine lines did start to look slightly more plumped-out. The supplement does actually boast that the skin will look smoother, plumper and more hydrated, so perhaps this is just the start. They also state that the collagen benefits nails, joints, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons as well. I'm very tempted to keep going and order more! You too can order a 14-day supply of the Protein Rich Marine Collagen Supplement for Men here for £29.99.

Golden Greens Expert Collagen Complex

The fear of ageing has women of all ages stressing about the way their skin looks. It’s hard not to feel under pressure when all media portrays is perfect skin. The good news is that you’re not alone. We at The Amazing Blog can completely relate. If you’re afraid of or want to get rid of ageing signs, Golden Greens Expert Collagen Complex will seriously be your new best friend.

As we age, the collagen and hyaluronic acid naturally produced in our bodies, which are essential in maintaining the elasticity and overall smoothness of the skin, start to decrease. Once we get to our fabulous thirties, our skin starts to lose 1-2% of collagen a year, resulting in visible wrinkles and fine lines. To help boost collagen and hyaluronic acid levels, Golden Greens Expert has expertly crafted an organic formula that will naturally give your body back the key nutrients it craves in order to keep your skin looking and feeling as beautiful and youthful on the outside as you feel on the inside. 

The Collagen Complex does not contain any artificial additives, preservatives, or sweeteners and is made up of sustainably sourced Naticol hydrolysed marine collagen and high strength hyaluronic acid. This is all mixed together with a blend of skin-loving ingredients like organic lucuma (a nutrient-rich superfood that makes it naturally sweet), blueberry and acerola powders. Not only does it combine plenty of antioxidants, but it also packs in organic Vitamin C, which aids normal skin functions and collagen development. In other words, your skin will love you for it.

It’s very straightforward to use and easy to take on the go. Just add about two teaspoons to your water, fruit juice, or even smoothies, and mix well. Added bonus? It’s Non-GMO, gluten, lactose, and soy free. Prevention is the best way to keep wrinkles at bay, while maintaining a youthful and glowing skin, so start sipping! The Golden Greens Expert Collagen Complex is available here for £17.99.

The Hyaluronic Complex by Potion London

At The Amazing Blog, we are delighted to share our most recent discovery: Potion London’s Hyaluronic Complex. Potion London is a British healthcare brand that produces health and beauty supplements that will not only complement and improve your skin but promote a sense of wellbeing too. We first heard about them when they won an award with the prestigious Beauty Shortlist Awards in  2017.

The Hyaluronic Complex we are featuring today is formulated to help make you even more beautiful from within. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and MSM these supplements hydrate skin and fight against signs of ageing. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body, and can be taken as an extra supplement either orally or applied topically. We love products that contain hyaluronic acid as they aid collagen production and works to keep our skin looking softer and younger.  The MSM helps form connective tissue in the skin, and it is necessary for collagen production.  Sagging skin and wrinkles, as well as dry, cracked skin are all developed through a loss of collagen.  MSM works together with vitamin C to build new, healthy tissues. Together all these ingredients work in unison to help deliver a firmer, brighter and better-looking skin. 

We think that this product is ideal for anyone looking for an anti-ageing complex to help promote healthier and younger looking complexion. Just take one or two capsules during meal times once a day and watch the effects on your skin as it looks more replenished, brighter and radiant. These supplements not only deeply hydrate skin from within but also promote a sense of wellbeing throughout the body. This supplement is free of any artificial colours, flavours and preservatives and is suitable for vegetarians. Purchase The Hyaluronic Complex here for £30, which is 60 capsules or one month's supply.