Modern Botany : Natural Deodorant

As summer begins, so does our search for the perfect deodorant. And we’re happy to report that at The Amazing Blog, we’ve found the optimal match for our needs; Modern Botany's Natural Deodorant. What we love about this award-winning Irish brand Modern Botany, is that it’s inspired by the principles of botanical science, utilising the best natural product sourced from Ireland and all over the world.

In 2016, Modern Botany was developed and co-founded by John Murray CEO, and pharmacognosist Dr Simon Jackson in West Cork, Ireland. Dr Simon Jackson is the founder of several companies, including the award-winning Dr Jackson's Natural Skincare. Dr Jackson has a rich background, including 20 years of worldwide expeditions and research; fascinated by the study of ethnobotany (a cultural and regional study of people and their relationship with indigenous plants). He went on an expedition to Indonesia, where he decided to continue learning and returned to London to complete his PhD in pharmacognosy. In an interview with The Clean Beauty Edit, Dr Jackson said, "In setting up skincare brands like Modern Botany, I was able to use this as a vehicle to transfer this knowledge of the natural world, and the wealth of learning I had obtained through the years both academically and also first-hand from ethnic communities from around the world." Modern Botany started with the simple belief - it's time to do better by creating personal care products that are kind to our bodies and the planet. Sustainability and inclusivity are of paramount importance to the Modern Botany brand; Dr Jackson said, "Likewise, sustainability was always going to be a central element to the brand DNA in terms of ingredient sourcing, production, and packaging. Inclusivity is also very important to the brand as the universal flavour of our products were designed to keep the focus on skin and problem skin and not gender per see." Modern Botany focuses heavily on their ‘Power of Five’ - Flaxseed for giving, Borage for gratitude, Seaweed for loving, Calendula for nature, and Chamomile for sleep. They also believe that no more than five or six key ingredients should be used in any one formulation and that a good product should have multiple uses and be suitable for all skin types. Modern Botany’s products are made in Good Manufacturing Practice facilities, are all 100% natural and’ Cosmos Natural’ as a minimum benchmark only using botanical and mineral extracts. They were awarded 'The Best New Brand' at the 2021 CEW UK Beauty Awards. Furthermore, the Natural Deodorant won ‘Best Natural Deodorant- Spray’ at the 2022 Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards.

The Modern Botany Natural Deodorant is a unisex natural spray-on 100ml deodorant made with powerful plant-based active ingredients. They also offer the option of a 25ml travel-size or a 500ml refill bottle for when you run out. As members of 1% For The Planet, Modern Botany donates 1% of its revenue to environmental causes. The deodorant is made from astringent and deodorising active ingredients, which naturally counteract underarm bacteria and prevent odour. We love that it can also be used as a multipurpose product such as a body mist or perfume. The blend of 11 essential oils leaves the underarms with a clean, fresh scent, a delicate and natural fragrance. The formula is clinically and dermatologically tested, suitable for all skin types and contains no parabens, petrochemicals, or aluminium salts. With more and more health issues being linked to cosmetic ingredients, it is vital for consumers to know exactly what their products are made of, which is why Modern Botany is very transparent with its ingredients. Here these include witch hazel, water, lavender, sandalwood, eucalyptus leaf, vetivert, coriander, lemon tea tree, clove leaf cedarwood, frankincense and chamomile.

Let’s look at the ingredients in more depth: Witch hazel is derived from bark and has a fresh woody scent and has traditionally been used as a natural astringent and an anti-inflammatory for centuries. Lavender, apart from its floral signature scent, has strong germ-fighting, antibacterial and relaxing properties. Sandalwood has a sweet woody scent and is traditionally used for skin disorders and as an antimicrobial. Eucalyptus has a camphoraceous aroma and is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial. Vetivert has slightly citrusy/soapy notes and has good antiseptic properties. Coriander has a lemon/nutty/spicy scent, it can be used as a skin detoxifier and is rich in powerful antioxidants like vitamin C. The lemon tea tree has a zesty scent and is a strong skin healer helping to eliminate microbes and fungi. The frankincense has an aromatic sweet, warm woody and soft balsamic scent and is often used for wound healing as it’s cytophylactic (protects the cells of the organism). Clove leaf has a spicy/woody/warm sweet scent used for skin-calming and is anti-bacterial. Chamomile has a herbal/ floral scent and is also a soothing, hypoallergenic and anti-inflammatory agent. And finally, with its sweet wood scent cedarwood, is good for skin-calming, particularly for those with rashes or eczema.

Many antiperspirants aim to block the body from sweating and releasing toxins. The natural way, however, is with this formula which allows the body to sweat and also helps to minimise perspiration. With its key ingredient of witch hazel, it closes the pores and tightens the underarm skin, promoting the healthy function of the sweat glands and reducing perspiration. it has a fresh and subtle scent and makes a superb effective deodorant for our morning routine. Plus, because we like the fragrance, it’s another quick spritz to freshen up at midday and in the evening. It’s another one of our #amazingfinds and one we heartily recommend. To purchase the 100ml Modern Botany Natural Deodorant for £22, see here, or for the 500ml refill at £84 here. NB, apologies, we’ve just seen that due to its popularity - it seems to have sold out! So, If you would like to try the travel size at 25ml at £15 see here, where it’s currently in stock.

Herbal Earth - No 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil

At The Amazing Blog we like to give our readers the ‘heads-up’ when we find a new natural skincare brand with eco ingredients and biodegradable and recyclable packaging. That’s why today we want to talk about Herbal Earth’s No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil.

Based in Ireland, Herbal Earth was founded in 2017 by Nancy O’Reilly to “provide natural solutions to common problems.” A year into this business, Nancy graduated with a diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation from Formula Botanica, where the knowledge and education she received have helped her create a range of skincare that is honest, natural, and gentle. The ingredients are simple yet effective, with no cheap fillers or exaggerated claims, and are “rich in high-performance components carefully selected for their skin benefits.”  Nancy believes that creating clean skincare is crucial, but knows that sustainability goes beyond just the ingredients. Inspired by the trailblazing Jo Chidley from Beauty Kitchen, Nancy has adopted a similar “return, refill and repeat scheme” for her products. With this process, once you finish your favourite Herbal Earth product, you simply return the bottles to Herbal Earth, where they will clean and sanitise the glass jar to be used again. This process allows everyone to feel good about their choices in a world that is consumed by increasing waste and overconsumption. Beyond this approach, Herbal Earth uses biodegradable packaging to help reduce its impact on our planet and are looking to install wind and solar technologies to power production and run the office. Plus, they have partnered with Mossy Earth a global organisation that helps rewild the planet. Herbal Earth’s goal is to “combine the best of nature and science to create natural skincare for sensitive skin.” 

What we like about Herbal Earth’s No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil is that it protects the skin from harmful effects of pollution, UVA, UVB and blue light (HEV) damage; while also nourishing and repairing the skin and its natural barrier. Launched in June last year, this award-winning facial oil is packed with natural antioxidants and botanicals with scientifically proven benefits. Let’s talk about the ingredients; each has its own unique benefit and is delivered in a concentrated oil form. Passion fruit seed is high in vitamin C, which promotes collagen formation and reduces redness; it also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Marula seed is high in antioxidants and fatty acids and so it helps improve the skin’s ability to hold moisture. Watermelon seeds are full of vitamin C and magnesium, which enhances the complexions overall appearance. Grapeseed is high in vitamin E and other vitamins and minerals; these strengthen collagen and maintain elastin. It is also known to be “exceptionally high in the omega-6 fatty acid”, leaving a lightweight feel while penetrating the many layers of skin. The next ingredient in this facial oil is meadowfoam seed, an oil pulled from the seeds of the meadowfoam flower; it delivers nutrients deep into the skin while also locking in moisture. Astaxanthin, here, is one the most potent antioxidant that can be found, belonging to the carotenoid group. Carotenoids are the most widespread group of pigments that are found in nature, visibly seen in algae, lobster, salmon, and prawns. This is where astaxanthin improves the appearance of fine lines and protects the skin against UVA, UVB and blue light damage. Last but not least, are frankincense and myrrh. These two ingredients are both derived from tree sap and are best known for their fragrance in incense. Frankincense is known for being antifungal and for rejuvenating damaged skin. Myrrh is an ancient ingredient that dates back to Ancient Egypt when used for face masks and other cosmetic purposes. This extract has rejuvenating properties, where it evens skin tone giving a more youthful-looking appearance.

This facial oil is a glorious rich russet colour, probably from carotenoid in the astaxanthin, and has a subtle warm and slightly wood scent, all of which help the skin “recapture its radiant glow.” Best of all, for those with sensitive skin, this No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil doesn’t contain any essential oils or nut oils. To use simply apply 1 or 2 pumps day and night to damp skin, and then gently massage in an upward and outward movement. According to Herbal Earth, an impressive 86.7% of users tested said their skin was smoother and more moisturised. Made in small batches with only natural ingredients, Herbal Earth pays particular attention to the little details that make this facial oil stand out. If you live in Ireland, this facial oil is included in Herbal Earth’s sustainability initiatives by offering a refill purchase option. If you choose just to refill your facial oil, you will receive a bottle with a cap (you need to hang onto your pump insert for reuse) and this option is sent without a product box, reducing paper waste. The No. 42 Antioxidant Facial Oil is available in a 30 ml jar for €54.95 or a mini, 3ml jar for €7.50 here.

Skin Beautiful Organics: Luscious Day Souffle

For those of us at The Amazing Blog who struggle with keeping our skin hydrated in a blazing 30 degrees (yes, after a gloomy August, the UK is finally now having an Indian summer!), a good light and long-lasting natural moisturiser is essential. Which is why we are returning to one of our favourite and trusted all-natural luxury skincare brands, Skin Beautiful Organics with their popular Luscious Day Souffle.

For those unfamiliar with this company, Skin Beautiful Organics is a luxury skincare brand based in the USA. This newly launched brand was released in 2020 by founder Ethel Emmons, but her own skincare journey began in 2007. Ethel, a digital strategist and entrepreneur, constantly struggled to find skincare products that would not cause her sensitive skin to redden, swell, or itch. She found it hard to find chemical-free and natural products that would work with her skin sensitivity. Ethel started experimenting with creating homemade, natural skincare remedies to soothe and protect her skin, using ingredients like whole fruits, herbs, and essential oils. With this, she found her passion and decided to pursue formal studies at the UK International School of Natural Skincare, where she received her Certificate of Natural Skincare Formulation. After finishing her studies, Ethel created Skin Beautiful Organics to make all-natural skincare products, such as cleansers, serums, creams, scrubs, and toners. She uses only the most innovative natural science techniques and manufactures all her products in an FDA-registered and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant facility powered by 100% renewable wind energy. All products are handcrafted in small batches to maintain freshness, created using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, and have met or exceeded the Whole Foods Premium Standards for Personal Care Products.

The Luscious Day Souffle is the first dedicated day cream that we have tried from Skin Beautiful Organics. This Day Souffle cream rejuvenates and protects the skin from the unavoidable environmental stress that our skin faces throughout the day. It also absorbs quickly and aims to repair and nourish dull, dry, uneven, or ageing skin without clogging the pores or feeling heavy. Like many of their other skincare products, this cream contains a whopping number of organic ingredients, in fact it’s sixty-four in total, that all serve different purposes in helping to replenish and maintain the skin. We note that top of the list of ingredients is aloe vera, with its cooling, anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties, and it couldn’t be a more appropriate ingredient for this light and luxurious Day Souffle cream. Some of the other most unique and notable of these ingredients include raspberry seed oil, macadamia nut oil, and papaya seed oil. The raspberry seed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps lock in moisture, while the high amount of vitamin E found in this oil prevents oxidative damage. All together, the raspberry seed oil is a highly effective moisturiser that helps to keep the skin dewy and firm, all while protecting the skin from premature ageing. Macadamia nut oil is rich in oleic acid, which has impressive moisturising and anti-inflammatory abilities. The oleic acid found in macadamia nut oil is perfect for those with mature skin, as it deeply penetrates the skin's surface to moisturise and prevent the formation of wrinkles. The papaya seed oil has a broad range of antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, and omega fatty acids. The papaya seed oil provides gentle skin exfoliation, which encourages skin cell turnover, leading to a fresh and bright complexion while increasing skin elasticity. This multifaceted day cream works quickly to hydrate, protect, and nourish the skin, leaving the skin looking radiant and youthful.

Skin Beautiful Organics advises after cleansing and toning, to apply a small amount of the Day Souffle cream to face, neck, and décolleté area; plus to use one of their facial serums first, to obtain the best results. We found that this Day Souffle cream was perfect for under makeup or a sunscreen, and kept skin cool and hydrated even in this late summer heat! It felt very soothing to apply, a little went a long way and with regular daily use it kept going for an astonishing 45+ days. We loved the light scent where the subtle sweet fragrance of the neroli essential oil comes through, and found that our skin felt dewy and soft after application. If you are looking for a gentle, hydrating and luxurious day cream that will bring out the best in your skin, then this highly rejuvenating Luscious Day Souffle will be for you. To purchase this day cream for £75, click here.

Skin Beautiful Organics: Gold Luxe Clean Oil & Matcha Rose Antioxidant Toner

There is something about all-natural skincare which has all of us at The Amazing Blog coming back for more. That is why we are revisiting Skin Beautiful Organics, which you may remember we have reviewed before here. Today, we had the opportunity to try two more of their luxury skincare products, this time with their cleansing duo the Gold Luxe Clean Oil and the Matcha Rose Antioxidant Toner. 

Skin Beautiful Organics, founded by Ethel Emmons, is a newly launched luxury skincare brand based in the USA. Ethel, a digital strategist and entrepreneur, searched in vain to find skincare products that were gentle, natural, and chemical-free for her sensitive skin. She felt as though she was in an uphill battle with her skin, struggling to ward off swollen, red, and itchy skin that came as a result of using her favourite face creams. This struggle led her to experiment with creating homemade, natural skincare remedies to soothe and protect her skin using various ingredients, such as whole fruits, hydrosols, herbs, and essential oils. With this, she found her passion and decided to pursue formal studies at the UK International School of Natural Skincare, where she received her Certificate of Natural Skincare Formulation. After finishing her studies, Ethel created Skin Beautiful Organics to help others find their perfect skin care match. Skin Beautiful Organics consists of an extensive range of cleansers, serums, creams, scrubs, toners, and masks, all made with the latest and most innovative natural science techniques. All products are manufactured in an FDA-registered and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant facility powered by 100% renewable wind energy. To maintain the freshness of their ingredients, all products are handcrafted in small batches. Organic and locally sourced ingredients are used whenever possible. Skin Beautiful Organics is proud to announce that their formulas have met or exceeded the Whole Foods Premium Standards for Personal Care Products .

The first step for of the cleansing was the Gold Luxe Clean Oil. This deep cleansing facial oil aims to clean the skin and melt away impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oil balance. The oil nourishes the skin and combats inflammation, all whilst removing makeup and leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. The organic facial oil also focuses on restoring skin through its anti-ageing formula with the help of fourteen high-performance ingredients. A few key ingredients include organic rosehip seed oil, raspberry seed oil, and tamanu seed oil. Organic rosehip seed oil is responsible for depleting dark spots and sun damage through its abundance of omegas (3, 6, and 9) and vitamins (A, C, D, and E). The rosehip seed oil actively rejuvenates the skin to create a smooth and flawless look. Another contributor of the antioxidant vitamin E is the raspberry seed oil, which is added to prevent damage leading to premature skin ageing, leaving the skin plump and firm. The vitamin E found in these natural ingredients help to protect the skin from UV damage and other free radicals. The tamanu seed oil, also known as green gold, is a natural non-steroid anti-inflammatory agent that prevents the skin from becoming irritated or red. The multi-faceted facial oil contains many other ingredients that contribute to its nourishing and cleaning properties that leave the skin feeling refreshed, smoothed, and nourished. The application is simple: use your hands, washcloth, sponge, or cotton pad to massage the oil on your face until the makeup or impurities are removed. Finally, rinse off with lukewarm water and enjoy freshly cleansed skin. 

The second step is the Matcha Rose Antioxidant Toner. This toner contains award-winning plant-based antioxidants and the highest possible concentration of botanical actives to deliver remarkable results. The toner aims to remove any last traces of impurities following the cleansing oil and also prepares the thoroughly clean skin for a serum and/or moisturiser. There are twenty-five (yes, twenty-five!) high-performance ingredients found in this toner. A notable few include one of our favourites sea buckthorn oil (which we have written about when found Scandinavian skincare brands), organic green tea, and bayberry. Sea buckthorn oil is well known for its complex lipids and sterols that help keep the skin hydrated, improving skin elasticity and firmness. Organic green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and irritation, making it a perfect post-cleansing ingredient. Bayberry is an all-natural ingredient that helps to remove excess oil that may stick to the skin after cleansing. There are a remarkable amount of other ingredients that enhance the power of this toner and boost cellular regeneration. The toner can be easily applied with a cotton pad and gives off a light matcha green tea and rose scent. We found that they work perfectly as a set, starting with the gentle cleansing of the facial oil, followed by the toner to ensure that all impurities were removed, and finished with a serum and cream. The oil and toner gently removed all makeup and left our skin with a refreshing and smooth finish. If you are looking to deeply cleanse, protect, and nourish your skin using all-natural ingredients, these products might be the perfect addition to your skincare routine. Apart from the ingredients that we love, we also like the elegant long line frosted glass bottles that are chic enough to complement any dressing table or bathroom shelf. You can purchase the 120ml Gold Luxe Clean Oil here for £74.00 and the 120ml Matcha Rose Antioxidant Toner here  for £65.00.

Avani Skin: Hydrating & Illuminating New Skin Serum

If you are an avid reader of  The Amazing Blog, then you'll know that on super-hot days, like today, we keep our skincare to a minimum. It's always with a light hyaluronic-based serum and an SPF. This is why we are excited to introduce you to a new brand Avani Skin with their all-natural Hydrating & Illuminating New Skin Serum.

Avani Skin  is a natural British skincare brand founded in 2020 by Hannah Wilson. She began this journey by living a more natural plant-based lifestyle. Hannah realised that many of the products she used daily contained unnecessary animal-derived ingredients or harmful chemicals. It was then that Hannah decided to begin researching natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients to create products for herself, family and friends. After some trial and error and deciding whether to turn the hobby into a business, Avani Skin was born. The name Avani comes from the Indian origin meaning Earth, and represents what the brand revolves around - naturally sourced ingredients. They are an artisan brand committed to making vegan and cruelty-free products that are gentle yet effective on the skin. They take pride in their high-quality ingredients without the use of mineral oils, parabens or sulphates. Although they only have two products in the range, they wish to highlight their status as a sustainable and all-natural brand. As a part of their sustainability effort, Avani Skin offers a reduced price of thirty per cent off for refills using returned skincare bottles. Another aspect of their mission is to create custom-made products that suit all your needs in one bottle. They offer a personalised skincare service to add specific ingredients for an individual skin type and all of the main active ingredients found in their natural skin serum.

The Hydrating & Illuminating New Skin Serum is a gel serum that works to replenish the skin's natural glow by fading scars, boosting collagen levels, and locking in moisture. This serum is specifically designed to help rejuvenate dry, dull skin and promote skin elasticity, making it an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive, dry, or ageing skin. One of the main active ingredients in the serum is hyaluronic acid, or as Avani calls it, "The Fountain of Youth." Hyaluronic acid is one of our 'must-haves' in a serum as it seemingly slows down the ageing process by plumping and rejuvenating the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines. This ingredient also helps lock in moisture and lock out pollutants or other harmful substances that the skin can absorb. As always, what we find most astonishing about this natural ingredient is its ability to hold 1000x its own weight in water, meaning just a drop of hyaluronic acid contains an incredible amount of moisture - goodbye dry skin! Another natural ingredient that fights against wrinkles and fine lines are the lupine proteins. These proteins stimulate collagen and elastin production, which help to keep the skin smooth and youthful-looking. The serum also focuses on brightening the appearance of tired skin through its use of Chinese Wu Zhu fruit (see photo above) extract and vitamin B3. Wu Zhu extract is an all-natural ingredient derived from the evodia rutaecarpa fruit, which helps with circulation, increases elasticity, and improves skin texture. Vitamin B3 (niacin) acts as a toner by helping to reduce pigmentation and creating an illuminating glow that can only be the sign of healthy skin. All of these active ingredients together make for a quick-acting and multi-purpose skin serum. We used it during the day, first thing in the morning, on damp skin after the shower, as it helps activate the hyaluronic acid and kept skin looking dewy and refreshed. Best of all, it absorbs fast (even in the heat), which made it quick and easy to layer up and apply our SPF. It is a clear and viscous liquid (the HA) with a pleasant and subtle floral fragrance. For the best results, Avani advises applying a pea-sized amount twice daily on damp skin. They also recommend following up with a hydrating cream and nourishing oil blend to lock in the moisture of the gel-serum ). If you are experiencing dull, dry skin or looking to attain a youthful glow, this serum will make a good addition to your skincare routine. To purchase this 50ml Hydrating & Illuminating New Skin Serum for £18.99 see here.