New Beauty Launch: What Skin Needs Skincare Range Review

New Beauty Launch: What Skin Needs Skincare Range ReviewAll the way from Australia is a new skincare range: What Skin Needs.

What Skin Needs is a range of natural products that provide effective solutions to certain skin problems. This range is good for those with sensitive and problem skin. The active ingredient they use in the range is Plantolin, a patent-protected active plant extract. It is scientifically proven to sooth, protect and renew. The products work for the following problems: psoriasis,, eczema, dermatitis and dry or cracked skin. The key ingredient, Plantolin, is derived from the Australian indigenous plant, centipede cunninghamii. I have always had sensitive skin so I was happy to review and hoping for good results

We got sent the following to review: Cracked Skin Cream, Skin Balm and Soothing Skin Gel.

Cracked Skin Cream

Does the job and works well. Heals cracked skin. 

An intensive skin care solution designed to address difficult problem skin including:
Rough and damaged skin
Feet and Heels
Knees and elbows
Skin Cell renewal

Contains the patented active ingredient Phyoxolin® to soothe, rehydrate and repair rough, dry and damaged skin. It is safe and gentle on sensitive skin.

Supported by a blend of natural extracts and essential oils including:
Aloe Vera: May alleviate dry skin, and inhibit inflammation, May also temporarily improve the appearance of the skin and stimulate the regeneration of skin cells.
Calendula: May help to reduce inflammation, alleviate the inflammation and pain associated with insect bites and assist with relieving itching.
Olive oil: May reduce skin inflammation and accelerate the healing of calluses, reduce bruising and help to prevent wrinkles.
Pomegranate: May help to prevent liver spots, and may thicken the epidermis, may help to diminish wrinkles and stimulate the production of collagen.
Silica: Premature wrinkles including stretch marks after pregnancy may occur as a result of silica deficiency. Supplementation of silica may cause a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and help maintain the elasticity, firmness and strength of the skin.
Green Tea: Possesses potent antioxidant properties stronger that vitamin E. May assist in alleviating rosacea, and reduce the damage to the skin caused by exposure to the ultra-violet radiation component of sunlight.
Myrrh: An antiseptic and has antimicrobial activity.
Vitamin E: May alleviate dry skin and inhibit scarring and early onset of wrinkles. Helps regulate skin cell proliferation and repair and protect the skin from oxidative damage.
Lavender Oil: An effective skin cleanser that is reported to inhibit some types of detrimental fungi. It may also alleviate the pain associated with sunburn.
Geranium Oil: Is used for many skin disorders as a tonic and antiseptic.
Lemon Oil: May kill some types of detrimental fungi. Helps improve circulation.

Skin Balm

Smells good, is light and melts into the skin. Leaves a visible difference. Was very impressed. 

A potent formulation designed to tackle a range of skin problems including dry and damaged skin, rashes and skin irritations. Incredible for:
Reducing irritation
Dry and damaged skin
Reviving stressed skin
Skin Cell renewal
Contains the patented active ingredient Phyoxolin® to soothe, rehydrate and repair rough, dry and damaged skin. It is safe and gentle on sensitive skin.

Supported by a blend of natural extracts and essential oils including:
Aloe Vera:May alleviate dry skin, and inhibit inflammation, May also temporarily improve the appearance of the skin and stimulate the regeneration of skin cells.
Olive oil: May reduce skin inflammation and accelerate the healing of calluses, reduce bruising and help to prevent wrinkles.
Myrrh: An antiseptic and has antimicrobial activity..
Lavender Oil: An effective skin cleanser that is reported to inhibit some types of detrimental fungi. It may also alleviate the pain associated with sunburn.
Tea Tree Oil: Contains over 48 different compounds including the principal active ingredient, Terpineol. Commonly used to reduce skin inflammation.
Geranium Oil: Is used for many skin disorders as a tonic and antiseptic.

Soothing Skin Gel

Smells great, absorbs well and soothes skin. 

Relieves the effects of sun damage, windburn and skin irritation caused by exposure. Soothes, desensitises and protects chapped skin.
Sun Damage
Windburn
Itchy Skin
Skin Cell renewal
Contains the patented active ingredient Phyoxolin® to soothe, rehydrate and repair rough, dry and damaged skin. It is safe and gentle on sensitive skin.

Supported by a blend of natural extracts and essential oils including:
Aloe Vera:May alleviate dry skin, and inhibit inflammation, May also temporarily improve the appearance of the skin and stimulate the regeneration of skin cells.
Myrrh: An antiseptic and has antimicrobial activity.
Lavender Oil: An effective skin cleanser that is reported to inhibit some types of detrimental fungi. It may also alleviate the pain associated with sunburn.
Tea Tree Oil: Contains over 48 different compounds including the principal active ingredient, Terpineol. Commonly used to reduce skin inflammation.
Geranium Oil: Is used for many skin disorders as a tonic and antiseptic.

 

 

How To Keep Your Skin In Tip-Top Shape This Winter

Winter can really leave your skin looking awful. It is not just the weather outside, central heating indoors can also take a toll. The differences in temperature and humidity can dry skin out and leave it looking red. Cell turnover can also slow down resulting in dry, flaky skin. So what to do? The best thing to do is winter-proof your skin from the inside out. Here are our tips.
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Stock up on omega fatty acids and plenty of water. Omega 3 supplements are great for those on the go.

Instead of using a light lotion use a heavy, thick moisturiser. If it feels too heavy on your skin then pat your face with a muslim cloth after you have applied.

Another top tip is to add a little face oil to your moisturiser. A good face oil can be expensive but you only have to use a few drops and it can make a huge difference to your skin.

A good under-eye concealer is an essential. Dark circles do no one any favours and you can also cheat your way to a healthy glow with blusher and bronzer.

A hydrating face mask makes all of the difference to winter skin.

A mild cleanser will stop harsh chemicals stripping your skin and making it more sensitive.

Go easy on the exfoliating. Skin is more sensitive in winter and over-exfoliating will lead to irritation.

Wear a good SPF. UVA rays are strong all-year round and they really age the skin.

A bowl of water near or on every radiator helps put moisture back in the air. Add some lavender oil for extra benefits and a lovely smell.

Use a good conditioner for your hair. Even fine hair can benefit from a good leave-in conditioner.

Follow makeup artist Bobbi Brown‘s tip to neutralise redness: ‘pick a tinted moisturiser or foundation with a slight yellow tone, which neutralises redness. Finish with a light dusting of bronzing powder- the brown tones will counteract any remaining redness.’

Skip perfume as the alcohol content can strip moisture further and also irritate skin.

Be careful about what you put on your skin. Harsh products full of chemicals will just dry it out more and increase sensitivity. Something that happens more in winter.

Don’t forget your hands, slather on a good hand cream and make sure it has an SPF. Just because it is winter doesn’t mean the sun isn’t out. Lips also dry out terribly in winter. So make sure you are carrying a good lip balm.

What are your winter skin tips?

 

 

Ruby Red Body Moisturiser Review

We loved this new Soothe and Nourish Hydrating Body Moisturiser from Ruby Red. It absorbed easily and was gentle on those with sensitive skin. We love natural products and this fits the bill. It has six nourishing plant oils including hydrating Babussu oil to lock in moisture all day. It left us silky smooth and moisturised. Good stuff.

rubyredmoisturiser

The moisturiser has:

Olive Oil to moisturise and aid skin regeneration
Sweet Almond Oil an emollient to soften the skin
Grapeseed Oil a moisturiser with active antioxidant
Babassu Oil to soften the skin
Shea Butter to aid skin hydration
Jojoba Oil to condition the skin

With added actives of Aloe Vera and Glycerine to soothe and ease absorption and Vitamin B% to reinforce the hydrolipidic barrier for improved skin hydration and to even out skin tone.
Naturally fragranced with soothing oils of Jasmine, Cardamom and Ylang Ylang.

Suitable for dry and sensitive skin.

Available from Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, Planet Organic, John Bell & Croyden and selected independent beauty boutiques and online at www.ethicalsuperstore.com and the Ruby Red shop – www.rubyredcosmetics.co.uk.

 

 

Fushi Virgin Marula Oil Review

I fell in love with facial oils last year after being sent some to review. I never thought I would like putting oil on my face; it would be too slick and greasy. But it actually makes a huge difference and is lighter than some moisturisers. Another benefit is that you tend to massage it in rather than just put it on, which also makes a huge difference to skin.

 

Fushi Virgin Marula Oil

Facial oils tend to be natural too, and Fushi Virgin Marula Oil is so natural that you can actually eat it. Perfect for sensitive skin and for those who are sick of putting chemicals on their face.

 

Fushi have a large African oil range, all of which are perfect for protecting and reviving skin and hair from the damages caused by the summer sun and the environment.

 

Fushi Virgin Marula Oil Review

With a higher antioxidant level than Argan oil, Marula Oil works in two ways to help fight the ageing process; protecting the skin against damaging free radicals and also visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

 

Marula oil is often known in Africa as a “miracle oil,” Marula Oil has been revered among African women for hundreds of years for its powerful moisturising and anti-aging benefits. This prized oil is extracted from the fruit kernels of the Marula tree from Kenya. Marula oil deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin and is quite unique due to its super rich content of fatty acids, vitamins C and E. Marula oil is thought to have a richer content of antioxidants than even Argan oil. It is ideal to use to protect the skin from aging, for fine lines and crows feet. A light non greasy oil, Marula oil is absorbed easily and is the perfect anti aging night oil for the face and neck area. It is most effective at protecting the skin from those damaging free radicals that accelerate aging.

 

It says it is perfect for mature skin types but I am in my twenties and I still love it. I don’t have any wrinkles yet but I have noticed some enlarged pores and a few fine lines forming. After using the marula oil I have noticed a significant difference. Even my fiance remarks that I am ‘glowing’. It is also great for dry skin as it really hydrates.

 

The smell isn’t great but it is bearable and doesn’t linger for too long and a little of the oil goes a long way. I don’t use this during the day as it leaves the face shiny and I am just not sure it would work but it is my current night oil of choice. I love it and it is organic, cold-pressed and fairtrade. Sigh, I’m in love.

 

You can buy it from the Fushi site.

 

 

Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2011 Wine Review

Errazuriz AC Chardonay2011Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay 2011 is a high-quality, sophisticated chardonnay. It is not sweet, It is dry with a smooth texture. It tastes great and has lots of exotic, tropical stone fruit in the form of apricot and peach, along with touches of quince and honey. It has white floral notes accompanied by a hint of truffle.

The wine is a pale yellow color with greenish tints. The grapes are 100% Chardonnay and naturally occurring yeast in the grape skins are used instead of cultivated yeasts. There is also a taste of oak due to the subtle use of 10% French oak. This is a well balanced wine. There is also a rich creaminess.

The intense fruit and acidity ensures it has great cellaring potential but enjoy it within the next two-to-five years to let the further integration of oak and fruit.

Enjoy with grilled or roasted white meat, fish/shellfish, pizza, pasta, salads and mild, creamy cheeses.

 

£14.95 from  majestic.co.uk

Cune Barrel Fermented 2012 Wine Review

cunebarrelfermented2012We have been lucky enough to review a lot of wine and this Cune Barrel Fermented 2012 is one of our favourites. A fresh and balanced wine which doesn’t have the terrible acidity that lesser white wines tend to have. Although this is a young wine it still had the class and refinement of an older wine. A lot of effort has been put into this wine and you can tell.

A manual selection of grapes are picked at their optimum point of ripeness. Once in the winery, the grapes are cold macerated for 6-8 hours to creature more structure and flavour to finish the wine. The grapes are then lightly pressed and the juice transferred to new American oak casks for fermentation for between 15 to 20 days at cellar temperature, between 16 and 20 Celsius. The wine is tasted until it is at it’s optimum moment to rack and bottle.

100% Viura, the dry white wine has a toasty richness and is balanced by crisp, fresh, citrus characters.  A soft, aromatic wine that goes beautifully with poultry dishes, smoked fish and makes a particularly good partner to paella.

This wine is now a favourite of mine and I will be buying it again. It is fresh, crisp, dry and has a wonderful citrus character. Great flavour.

RRP £9.49, Waitrose, Christopher Piper Wines, Eynsham Cellars, Luvians