herbfarmacy Mallow Beauty Balm

I've been asked a lot about rosacea this week. The weather is clearly taking its toll. A lot of questions centered around red cheeks and broken capillaries. We can't control the weather, but what we can control is what we put on our skin. Foaming face washes in this weather are just asking for trouble. I'm talking about the drying, washing-up liquid texture, bubbling ones that claim to leave you squeaky clean. A skin that squeaks is a skin in trouble. So here's another lovely, luxurious balm to add to the stable.

What is it?
An 'award-winning facial balm that has marshmallow and mullein that softens and deeply moisturises the skin leaving it smooth and protected.'

What's in it?
*Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, *Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, *Cera flava (Beeswax), *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter), *Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, *Calendula officinalis flower extract, *Verbascum thapsus (Mullein) extract, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, *Pelargonium graveolens (Rose Geranium) leaf oil, *Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) peel oil, *Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil, *linalool, *limonene, *geraniol, *eugenol (Essential oil ingredients)* = Organic

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

Essential oils - although this is really subtle smelling, the essential oils can't be in very high %'s. It's not 'smell overload'.

Shea butter (but it's not a main ingredient)

What's not in it?

SLS

mineral oils

parabens

pthalates

If you're looking for a more natural approach, this one is for you, it's certified organic by The Soil Association.

Who is it for?

Everyone as a cleanser, dry/eczema/psoriasis as a moisturising balm.

How do you use it?

Well. I accidentally applied it as a cleanser, and it worked beautifully. It is actually sold though, as a moisturising balm - so you put it anywhere you need some moisturising protection.

This would be a good one to apply before you go out running in the mornings - smooth a little over your cheeks and chin to stop the cold burn (you crazy people you!). You could also put a small amount over your face before swimming. I tend not to go above the brow though - you don't want it running into your eyes.

And if you are doing any of these activities in a sports club, absolutely apply this before you go into a sauna or steam room. Make your own mini-facial with no effort. 

This is £14.50 for 30ml. You can also request a sample size or try a 15ml size. Value-for-money wise, it's great. A really lovely balm that removes makeup, moisturises skin, works as a lip balm - chap balm for babies, whatever you want it for..

Available from herbfarmacy.co.uk - lovely stuff.

BALMOLOGY CLEANSE Neroli and Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm

I've had varying questions/reactions to previous balm reviews - a lot of concerns re fragrance - synthetic/too much/not enough - and texture - too runny/not thick enough/not a real 'balm'.

This cleansing balm should tick most of your boxes.

Unlike a lot of other balms - this one is completely water-free. It's a proper, get-some-on-your-skin and massage-it-to-oblivion balm.

What's in it?

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, Prunus armeniaca (apricot) oil, Ricinus communis (castor) oil, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Cera alba (beeswax), Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium var. amara. (neroli), Citrus reticulata (mandarin), Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil). 

What's not in it?

Water, mineral oil, parabens, synthetic anything

Who is it for?

Pretty much anyone. There's nothing that should give any skin a hard time. I would say it is particularly excellent for a drier skin, but I'm more a combination and I'm fine. There is an entire FAQ's section on the website discussing the benefits of plant oils to a combination/oily skin. A woman after my own heart.

What's good about it?

• Wonderful texture, solid, but completely melts when massaged
• Quite possibly the best smelling balm you'll ever come across
• 100% natural - it is extremely rare to find something that can claim to be 100% natural - as soon as you add water, it's not considered natural - ironic but true...- this is the real deal
• Doesn't emulsify - if I wanted a balm to turn to milk - I'd buy a milk
• A little goes a long way. Although be warned - its hard not to use too much - purely for greed reasons.
• Made in Cheltenham (UK) by Catherine Lewis - I do like a homegrown start-up!
• Not product related - but the website lists full ingredients - something that the big boys still have to get their lazy-arsed attitudes around to doing - bravo Catherine!

What's not so good about it?

• Not much.
• I wouldn't personally use for makeup removal, but only because I want it for the massage stage. I tend to loosen my make-up with a little Una Brennan pre-cleanse (for example) and then go in with this. For me, this is a second stage cleanser.
• You cannot be lazy with this cleanser. If you don't remove properly with a washcloth/flannel you will have residue. There is no 'rinse away' with this. Any attempt to splash the face is met with the literal repelling of the water as it drips off your face. Excellent! 

How much is it?

£21.00 for 50g (same as 50ml).

This is a beautiful, 100% natural balm that leaves your skin smooth, soft, clean and smelling like a dream.

Highly recommended.

BALMOLOGY is available here.

* Purchase - a happy one at that. The Exotic Rose Beauty Oil is also divine - review coming.

   No affiliate link.

OSKIA Micro Exfoliating Balm - Review

OSKIA is one of those brands that has been on the peripheral for a while that you can feel just 'bubbling under' about to hit the big time.

Firstly, their website is great. I like a brand that puts themselves out there with confidence: This is Who We are, What We Do and Why. It's also full of great tips in general and has a full background on their key ingredient MSM - and why it is the backbone of the range. They label themselves as 'nutritional skincare' which appeals to me - there is definitely a link between what you can eat and what you can use topically.

The Micro Exfoliating Balm has worked its way into my 'always in use' box (I sense a blog post on that box coming up!) and I am really enjoying it.

So:

What's in it?

Full Ingredients
PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL*, GLYCERIN, SESAMUM INDICUM (SESAME) SEED OIL, DECYL OLEATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, METHYL SULPHONYL METHANE (MSM), GLYCERYL DIBEHENATE, SILICA, TRIBEHENIN, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, GLYCERYL BEHENATE, HELLIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, COCO GLUCOSIDE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER*, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS FLOWER EXTRACT, PARFUM (NATURAL FRAGRANCE), MENTHA PIPERITA (PEPPERMINT) OIL, CITRONELLOL, GERANIOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, ZINC GLYCINE, AQUA (WATER), INULIN, ALPHA-GLUCAN OLIGOSACCHARIDE, ALEURITES MOLUCCANA (KUKUI) SEED OIL, ROSA CANINA (ROSE HIP) SEED OIL, TOCOPHEROL, DEHYDROACETIC ACID.
*ORGANICALLY CERTIFIED INGREDIENT.

The exfoliation ingredients are a mixture of silica and pure MSM granules.

What's good about it?

It has a really lovely creamy, rich texture and holds its form in the pot.
A lovely list of 'nutritional' ingredients - this feels expensive on the skin.
Skin is left really soft, glowing and really smooth.
Gentle enough to be used 2/3 times a week and suitable for all skin types.
It has a won a multitude of awards - and awards usually mean something when the brand in question doesn't pay for advertising in the glossys. It means the beauty department like it enough to give it an award over a paying advertiser. Which is a big deal.

What's bad about it?

Nothing is bad with the product itself - but it's not cheap. It's £46.00 for 50ml. That would make me use it as a 'treat', when I prefer to use something as often as I need. The outer packaging is unnecessarily bulky and large. Considering research shows most people bin the box as soon as they've opened it, that seems a little excessive.
But that's about it.

All in all, if you can afford it - buy it.

If not, add it to your birthday list and give it to someone else to buy for you.

OSKIA Micro Exfoliating Balm is priced £46.00 and available here.


*PR Sample