Reviews by Saffia Farr, Isobel Higley, Rosalind Howard and Emily Yates
I have always enjoyed using Weleda’s original and well-loved Skin Food, so was keen to try this body butter. It has a wonderful floral and citrus scent which comes from the wild pansy, calendula, chamomile and natural essential oils. The butter is made from organic shea and cocoa butter which create a very thick but easy to absorb moisturiser. This is a very luxurious product which is a treat to use, and a little goes a long way. The body butter is suitable for vegans and the jar is made from 85% recycled glass. SF
£19.75 for 150ml
This is a very rich and intensive balm which can protect your skin as well as moisturise it. It’s made from beeswax, safflower seed oil, hemp seed oil and chamomile and calendula flower extract. It’s very thick so I only need a very little of the balm which I warm in my hands and use on my face at night as an overnight moisturiser. Balmonds recommends the balm for those who may be prone to eczema, and it can help to soften rough skin, prevent chapped skin or be used to soothe other skin irritations. It’s made from all natural ingredients and comes in a glass jar with aluminium lid, for ease of reusing or recycling. SF
£18.99 for 120ml
Ultimate Beauty Skin Repair Oil
This organic oil is a luxurious combination of natural plant oils including jojoba, rosehip, borage, wheatgerm, calendula and lavender. It also includes vitamin E to maximise the antioxidant effects on the skin. The glass bottle has a “press” dispenser so it’s really easy to just use a few drops – which is all I needed to moisturise my skin. It has a light floral scent and is easily absorbed. I like the additional thought that Viridian put into their products: you can return the bottle to the health food shop you purchased from to receive a 25p refund, and a charitable donation is made with every purchase. The oil is made in the UK and is suitable for vegans. SF
£18.20 for 100ml
These pads are absolutely gorgeous! They are made from bamboo terry backed by cotton fabric. The terry means that they have some exfoliation to help you wash your face or remove make up and the cotton fabric makes them very attractive. They wash well, are approximately 9cm wide and are handmade by Helen in Sheffield. I like the attention to detail which Helen has put into reducing waste: the pads come tied in twine, which I have reused, and the instructions are on paper which is easy to compost or recycle. This creates a product that is 100% attractive and low waste and is also nice to give as a gift. SF
£7.50 for 5 reusable pads
This is the first time I have used shaving soap, and I am converted to these lovely bars which contain bentonite clay for deep cleansing and smooth shaving. Overall, this provides an even application that leaves skin silky and nourished. The bar lathers up well and feels like just the right amount of froth for a clean shave. The coconut oil base makes this product very gentle, which is great as I have sensitive skin. I found this product perfect for legs, armpits and even those more private areas. The soap is lightly fragranced with geranium and patchouli. It is a lovely floral smell that made me feel very fresh and clean. Made from 100% natural ingredients and beautifully packaged in recyclable cardboard. IH
£3.50 for 55g soap bar
I’m always struggling to deal with my dry, frizzy hair which can sometimes be unmanageable, so I was delighted to try Mane Tamer. As soon as I rubbed it into my hands and smoothed it in, it instantly locked my hair into tidy, stylish curls. Not only does the Mane Tamer make my hair look good but it smells amazing! As soon as you open that pot you can’t help but take in a deep inhale. I love the fact that I can buy something that works so well for me but has also used completely naturally sourced ingredients and is supporting a sustainable, local business. Mane Tamer contains calendula infused almond oil and apricot which are easily absorbed and will deeply moisturise your hair. I would recommend this to anyone who has frizzy hair. EY
£12.99 for 55ml
Make Up Removal Pads – Exfoliating
These bamboo and cotton pads are great! The double layer bamboo terry gently exfoliates your skin while removing make up. I used them with just coconut oil to effectively remove make up. I smoothed the coconut oil over my face with my fingertips, gently massaged it in then ran a clean pad under the hot tap and wiped the make-up off using the hot pad. It left my skin feeling clean and moisturised. The fact that they are available in black is helpful because getting white pads back to white after removing eye make-up has always been a challenge. They are good quality and larger than other ones I have tried. RH
£9.95 for a pack of 10 pads, each 8cm. Available in black or white.
Inspired by the seaside and family trips to the beach, this shampoo bar is scented with rosemary, eucalyptus and seaweed. The fragrance is fresh and energising, perfect for a morning shower to kick-start the day. What I like about this shampoo bar is that is lathers up well and it is easy to work it through your hair. I only needed to use a small amount, so no wonder the packaging says the bar will last for 100 washes. My hair feels so soft, nourished and clean. The colour of this shampoo bar is really fun! A lot of my skincare bars are all the same natural cream colour, so this was a refreshing change. It also means I can easily identify which bar is shampoo from my bathroom soap dish. All Wild Grove’s skincare is handmade in Bristol using natural argan oil, mango butter and environmentally friendly surfactants. IH
£6 for 65g bar
Aromatic Baobab and Neroli Body & Hair Oil
Simply warm in your palms and massage into skin and hair after a shower. My skin felt hydrated, and my hair was beautifully soft after this nourishing treatment. This oil was the little boost my hair needed, has brought a natural, healthy radiance and could easily be used as a styling product, as it emphasised my wavy hair and held it in place all day. It’s packed full essential oils including ylang ylang, neroli, coriander, juniper and patchouli. The scent is absolutely beautiful and stays with you throughout the day. Ntuka products are made in small batches using certified organic and wild crafted ingredients. The packaging is gorgeous, which makes the products feel like a really special treat. IH
£32 for 50ml
This feature is published in JUNO Late Summer, issue 74. Find out more here.
Natural Bodycare – Juno Best Buy