Carun Active Hemp Soap Bar

RRP: £4.99

--What does the promo say?--
"Organic Cannabinoid rich gentle cleansing soap bar.

Naturally effective hypoallergenic skin maintenance and protection.

Naturally Antibacterial, analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.

Made from 100% organic oils, Carun soap is an incredibly gentle cleanser, helping to balance and maintain your skins natural PH and moisture levels."

--Packaging--

Packaged in a very environmentally friendly manner, the soap bar comes in a cardboard box with the white, blue and green colour scheme which characterises it as part of the Carun line. 

--Application--

Lather up under running water to create a foam which you can rub over clean dry skin and then rinse off.

--Appearance--

The soap is a creamy light cacao/off yellow colour which lathers into a white foam, leaving no visible residue on the skin. The Carun name and its trefoil logo is carved simply into the bar.

--Scent--

Again a creamy scent with a slightly refreshing zest to it, most likely thanks to the cacao and sea buckthorn.

--Texture and consistency--

The foam is fine yet luxurious.

--Effects on the skin--

The soap effectively rebalances the skin, reducing the amount of sebum production and generally calming the skin's condition, leaving it feeling moisturised.

--Value for money--

At £4.99 this is hardly going to break the bank and it indisputably calms acneic skin down, especially in conjunction with the Active Hemp Face Cream. One bar lasts ages and is not costly to replace. I was sent mine for free, but would buy again.

perfect partners

Active Hemp Face Cream, £16.99

Hemp Ointment, £16.99

Hemp Body Oil, £13.99

Hemp Bath Spa, £19.99

Beuti Beauty Sleep Elixir

RRP: £42 for 30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"With its 14 precious plant oils Beauty Sleep Elixir supports skin barrier function and plays a key role in fighting inflammation. Packed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that counteract irritation and inflammation. Beauty Sleep Elixir can be worn under makeup in the evening and boosts skin tone, acting as an on the spot blemish treatment due to its anti-inflammatory powers and brightens the complexion for no makeup days. During precious beauty sleep, skin renews itself thanks to this product's super boost of vitamins, minerals and a complete omega hit of 3,5,6,7 and 9, letting you wake up to beautiful glowing skin. Softalia, from a sustainable plantation in Australia, counteracts inflammation and has unique activity on the skin due to its ximenynic acid content, helping hydration and reducing fine lines. Caribbean coral neutralizes the enzyme responsible for skin ageing, acne and sunburn and is one of the worlds most potent anti-inflammatory ingredients."

--Packaging--
The opaque glass bottle is perfect for a product of this type as it enables you to see exactly how much is left at all times, as well as letting the beautiful amber colour of the oil shine through. Equally, the minimalist product information on the bottle and the silvery band and lid contribute to a classy effect. The pump-action mechanism is practical and minimises waste.

--Application--
Massage into face, hands or body for use as a moisturiser. You can also use it to cleanse or remove makeup with by massaging over the face and then removing the oil immediately with a cotton pad.

--Appearance--
A golden orange oil that disappears invisibly into the skin, leaving no residue.

--Scent--
The woodier scents are dominant in this, so I'm guessing the sandalwood is largely at play here. However, a citrus element is also detectable thanks to the sea buckthorn: a hard berry reminiscent of orange and lemon.

--Texture and consistency--
A smooth, non-greasy oil which absorbs quickly into the skin.

--Effects on the skin--
Has deeply moisturising properties which work well on all areas of the body as well as the face. Perfect for these sunnier times of the year when skin may dry out from exposure to the sun, the sea, or chlorinated swimming pools.

--Value for money--
A little goes a very long way and the product is clearly composed of high quality ingredients (which, for what it's worth, are 98% organic and 100% natural). An excellent multi-purpose product for affordable luxury moisturisation.

Dr Hauschka Almond Body Moisturiser

 RRP: £24 for 145ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Ultra-rich care that gently nurtures the senses. Provides intensive, nurturing care for dry, sensitive skin, helps your skin prevent moisture-loss throughout the day, and helps your skin restore and harmonise its natural balance."

--Packaging--
A glass pump-action bottle that would look elegant anywhere. Sadly, no smaller sizes are available for travel.

--Application--
Massage into dry skin, ideally before bed or before getting dressed in the morning.

--Appearance--
A pale, cream-coloured lotion that sinks invisibly into the skin.

--Scent--
The almond scent is obvious as soon as the lotion comes out of the bottle - you don't even need to rub it in for the scent to be activated. Basically makes you smell like cake, which is always a winner.

--Texture and consistency--
Wonderfully creamy and luxurious. Not at all sticky or watery. Takes a bit of time to sink into the skin, however.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin is left beautifully soft both short and long-term, meaning that you wouldn't even need to use this daily to keep up the effects.

--Value for money--
As noted in other Dr Hauschka reviews, you don't get the best value by buying this in the UK - especially given my estimate that 25ml of this stuff will only moisturise your body twice at most (meaning that 145ml will only do 12 applications, tops). In Germany, this is priced at €17, so a much more competitive £14 in today's money, and even in France, with its RRP of nearly €22, you'll save a good £6. Definitely take the opportunity to buy this when in mainland Europe - it's a luxurious yet practical product that ticks all the boxes.

perfect partners
Almond St John's Wort Body Oil, £20
Almond Soothing Body Wash, £13
Almond Soothing Bath Essence, from £3
Moisturising Mask, £38
Almond Desires Gift Set (contains the almond body moisturiser and a soothing body wash sample), £24 

Salcura Skin Therapy Spray

RRP: £2.99 for 15ml travel size; other sizes from £9.99

--What does the promo say?--

"Cooling, soothing and calming solution for individuals with hypersensitive skin or babies, children or infants with skin problems like skin rashes, dry skin or eczema. The safer natural alternative to treating your baby or your sensitive skin.



Gentle Skin Therapy Spray is a 100% safe and natural topical spray that helps to support, soothe and heal hypersensitive skin or baby skin that is prone to eczema, nappy rash, cradle cap, skin rashes and irritations, and dry skin. It is very effective at killing bacteria and fungus and also stops skin itching.

 Intensive is a 100% safe and natural topical spray formulated to provide skin with minerals, oils and vitamins that will repair, strengthen and support skin in its own natural healing process.

Like all Salcura products, it is free from steroids, paraffin, alcohol, parabens, lanolin, anti-biotics and any other harmful chemicals."

--Packaging--

I was sent these tiny sprays from Salcura after participating in one of their Facebook publicity campaigns. The packaging design is similar across the Gentle (intended for baby or sensitive skin) and Intensive versions, but the bold green and blue make differentiation easy. The spray action is effective, targeted and easy to use - if, for instance, you had dry skin or eczema just on your scalp, you would have no problems spraying it directly onto your parting without messing with your hair. The only bad thing was that one of the spray pumps came unscrewed and so leaked into my travel toiletry bag :(  Not that the smell of lavender isn't nice, but yknow. I'd have rather kept and used it.

--Usage--

The Salcura website recommends use of the spray "2 – 3 times a day. Simply shake the bottle and spray onto the skin from about 2 – 3 inches away. You can leave the liquid on the skin and let it absorb or you can gently massage it in. You can apply the spray as many times a day as needed depending on the severity of the eczema, psoriasis, dry or itchy skin." All very easy. If you are using the product on your face, it's easier to spray onto a cotton pad and then to wipe the cotton pad over the skin as you would with an ordinary toner.

--Appearance--

A completely clear liquid that is invisible once sprayed on.

--Scent--

The dominant smell in both sprays is lavender, although perhaps as you would expect, the scent is less strong in the Gentle version.

--Texture and consistency--

Surprisingly, given the amount of different essential oils contained in this product, it is completely non-oily or greasy so shouldn't bother anyone in this regard, even if you are using it directly on the face.

--Effects on the skin--

Even though I don't suffer from eczema or psoriasis (acne is sadly the name of my game), I was amazed by the degree to which the instinct to touch my face reduced. Definitely an anti-itch product! It was also cooling, soothing, and seemed to calm redness significantly - and even though I wasn't using a cleanser at this time (due to wanting to test the sprays and Salcura's moisturiser, Zeoderm, on their own), I was very impressed, too, with the smoothness and cleanliness of my skin, excess oil being blasted into the stratosphere.

--Value for money--

It's great that Salcura allows you to try these products before you buy at the reasonable price of £2.99 - they should do this for their other spray, Antiac, as well. Once you have decided on the right product for you, I think a starting price of £9.99 is very reasonable, and naturally the value for money increases as you go up in size. I was impressed enough with these two sprays to buy Antiac, Salcura's spray for acne sufferers, and am hoping I haven't just taken yet another punt on a so-called saviour product for nothing.

Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum

RRP: from £41/30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Calms. Soothes. Makes skin more resilient. The result: visible ageing is slowed. Now that’s a relief. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum is formulated with scientifically proven, newly discovered anti-irritant ingredients of Chaga Mushroom, Pleurotus Mushroom, Certified Organic Sea Buckthorn, Spike Moss and Mangifera Leaf Extract. This upgraded, more-potent formula works faster on skin and builds on the clinically proven success of the original ingredients in the current Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Collection: Hypsizygus ulmarius, Cordyceps and Reishi Mushrooms, Turmeric, Ginger and Holy Basil. According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, “the Chaga Mushroom is claimed to have beneficial properties for human health.” Pleurotus Mushrooms have been used by a variety of cultures for their beneficial properties. Sea Buckthorn, valued for its golden-orange fruits, provides Vitamins C and E, Folic Acid, Carotenoids, healthy Fatty Acids and Flavonoids. Spike Moss delivers rapid relief to the look of sensitive, red skin. Mangifera Leaf Extract offers Anti-Glycation benefits, helping to reduce the appearance of sensitivity.

PROVEN BY SCIENCE
Recent clinical and sensory studies were performed on hundreds of women from both the United States and Japan. Participants ranged from having normal skin to being dermatologist-diagnosed rosacea patients. After testing was conducted, Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum was clinically proven to:
√ Soothe Skin’s appearance
√ Reduce the appearance of Redness
√ Strengthen Skin’s moisture Barrier
√ Boost a look of Clarity

After just 1 month of continuous use:
96% said their skin felt soothed
94% said their skin appeared healthier
94% said the redness in their skin looked reduced
88% said their skin looked calmed and felt less reactive or sensitive
84% said their skin felt stronger and more resilient."

--Packaging--
The box is a calming, natural, unisex and unusual combination of dark green and white. Kept simple, it explains everything you need to know in concise and understandable terms. The dark green pump action bottle is mysterious and translucent as well as functional.

--Application--
Serums are traditionally applied after toning, but before moisturising. Apply directly to the skin or mix with moisturiser morning and night. No problems here.

--Appearance--
An unattractive runny beige lotion which thankfully blends into skin invisibly.

--Scent--
As you would expect, it has the clean earthy smell of fresh mushrooms, but it's in no way overpowering. It's perhaps a bit of a shame that the other ingredients, such as ginger and basil, don't get more of a look-in.

--Texture and consistency--
A smooth lotion that easily absorbs into the skin, whether on its own or mixed with your usual moisturiser.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin felt instantly smoother, and within a week seemed calmer and less red, as well as showing a demonstrable improvement in the number and severity of spots. I had previously read online that while mainly targeted at rosacea sufferers, those with acneic skin also saw a positive difference, and thankfully for me, the internet wasn't wrong. Huzzah! As for any anti-ageing claims, I'm not sure I'm convinced, but then again, I don't really espouse anti-ageing products anyway: just a normal moisturiser or even a sunscreen will do, surely?

--Value for money--
For something that really does provide relief and an improvement in skin appearance and health to sufferers of acne and rosacea, it's worth paying up - and if you can't quite stretch to the £40-£50 required, you can still test the technology in the smaller and more affordable £29 Skin Relief Collection. Additionally, Dr Andrew Weil, who has worked with Origins to make this products, donates all after-tax royalties and profits from this product range to the Weil Foundation, which supports the advancement of integrative medicine and the training of doctors, so there's an extra feel-good factor too.

perfect partners
Mega-Mushroom Face Cleanser, £23
Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion, £23
Mega-Mushroom Face Lotion, £46
Mega-Mushroom Face Cream, £46
Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Collection, £29
Mega-Mushroom Eye Makeup Remover Pads, £21
Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum, £36
Mega-Mushroom Skin-Calming Face Mask, £31
Mega-Mushroom Body Cream, £36

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash

RRP: £6.95/200ml

--About the brand--
"Weleda was founded in Switzerland in 1921 by a Dutch medical doctor Ita Wegman and the renowned philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Weleda was established in the UK shortly after in 1925. Our aim is to help everyone, old and young, to restore health and maintain wellbeing. We are committed to doing so naturally, ethically, safely, without animal experimentation and without damaging the environment. This is not a marketing ploy but a way of life and is deeply rooted in all aspects of our business. These beliefs affect every decision we make at Weleda."

--What does the promo say?--
"The new Weleda body washes contain eco-friendly cleansers made from sugar and coconut which together with the other ingredients cleanse, moistures and care for the skin, whilst being kind to the environment as they are totally degradable and do not harm marine life. This revitalising body wash is a delicate composition of antioxidant-rich biodynamic sea buckthorn Oil, blended with the fresh aroma of sun-blessed oranges, mandarins and grapefruit from pure essential oils. A revitalising fruity fragrance for shower or bath."

--Packaging--
This is pretty basic recognisable Weleda logo, simple product details, and a white flip-top lid, all backed by vibrant orange.

--Application--
Directions for use: Apply a small amount to the body using hands, loofah or washcloth and gently massage. Rinse thoroughly. Easy peasy.

--Appearance--
A slightly orangey/yellowy coloured cream with no lumps or other visible particles.

--Scent--
Immediately tallies with the product description, and is very naturally scented. Nice one.
Having never smelt a sea buckthorn, I don't know how much of it is detectable in the scent; however, Wikipedia reveals a lovely picture of bright orange sea buckthorn berries, whose initial layers can be used for products like this one, with the bottom layer being edible and thus able to be used in syrups, jams and whatnot, which would indicate that on its own it has a discernible smell and taste of some kind.

--Texture/consistency--
Beautiful: creamy, soft and luxurious. Easily a rival to the better-known Imperial Leather and Dove. Lathers very well.

--Longevity--
While the scent doesn't really linger, the softness does. Skin is strokeable all day.

--Value for money--
The price of this falls right between that of your average high street shower cream and your high end luxury shower cream (just to throw a couple of examples out, Imperial Leather's shower cream is £2 at Boots, while Kenzo's FlowerbyKenzo shower cream is £19). For all the natural stuff in there, though, and the general perfection on pretty much every level, I'd say it's worth it. Not to mention that it's less ubiquitous than Lush.

perfect partners
Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion, £6.95/100ml
Sea Buckthorn Body Oil, £8.95/100ml
Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream, £4.95/50ml