Oct 22 2014

For Mum & Baby: Thea Skincare Baby Naturals Review

Posted on October 22, 2014 by admin

I take my family’s skincare regime seriously and love reviewing nutrient-rich organic skincare for my Superbabies. Yet my quest continues for something truly amazing for Dex. His skin doesn’t require the same level of care as his baby sister’s (hers is prone to hypersensitivity and eczema), yet it is still some way from structural maturity. Like all toddlers, at age 2 he has a high turnover rate of skin cells compared to adult skin, and the ability to shed and renew dead skin cells quickly. His skin is also two-thirds thinner than ours leaving it susceptible to allergens, UV and other unwanted external influences.

I’m looking for something really nourishing and crammed full of nutrients that will simulate the role of collagen in mature skin. In other words, something that will keep him hydrated, even oily to touch, and act as an buffer whilst his skin is building up a resistance to the world.

So when Thea Skincare asked if I wanted to review a selection of their products, I did my research. I regularly turn down reviews when they don’t offer something new, and skincare is something I’m traditionally very fussy with. But I was intrigued by the fact Thea are 2 time winners of The Green Parent Beauty Awards and also have a Skinmatters Gold Award in their trophy cabinet. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

Who are they?

Thea Skincare is the eponymous range of natural and organic skincare products created by Althea Giscombe. Science graduate and former Avon Cosmetics Manager she had something of an epiphany when traveling in Africa in 2008. Whilst visiting a village on the Lake Malawi, she observed the locals using the natural resources around them as part of their beauty regime; using grains of salt that lined the banks to exfoliate their skin, and the rocks and stones to remove hard skin off of their feet.

A passion for ‘hard performing natural ingredients’ grew and at age 50, Althea funneled all her pension into creating and developing her range. Launched in 2011 it’s quickly gained momentum and a cult following of beauty pundits.

In order to reflect her core values all Thea products are free from sulphates, parabens, artificial fragrances, are cruelty-free and suitable for vegans.

What did I receive?

I received four samples in a dinky hessian travel bag (an early hint as to their eco credentials); Aloe & Rosehip 2 in 1 Calming Bath & Baby Wash, Jojoba & Chamomile 2 in 1 Baby Shampoo, Coconut and Lavender Soothing Top to Toe Baby Lotion and a treat for mummy, the rather blandly named Cellulite Body Butter. There was also a letter from Thea outlining the history of the brand and Thea’s charitable aspirations. It’s difficult not to fall in love with a brand with such demonstrable values and certainly makes you feel less guilty when you whip out the credit card.

What did I make of it?

Coconut and Lavender Soothing Top to Toe Baby Lotion (200mls / £8.95)

Immediately you’re struck by the lavender scent making it perfect for bedtime massages (especially if bath times are part of your little ones night time ritual). The scent lasts for a good hour too so will promote a restful and prolonged sleep.

In fact, massage is the key here. The trick to using a lotion (as opposed to a cream; heavier and will give deeper hydration over an extended period) is to apply liberally whilst the skin is still wet, then quickly dress baby to lock in the moisture. Don’t be tempted to wait for the lotion to dry before dressing. This little lotion packs a punch - having used this for over a week now, Dexter’s skin is still moist in the morning. Perfect.

Part of it’s staying power lies in its viscosity - once warmed this baby lotion takes on the consistency of massage oil making it easy to apply and enabling it to deliver more intensive moisturisation.

I would definitely buy this for Dexie, but would be hesitant to use it on Heidi, or any other newborn. At 78% organic and heavily scented (albeit naturally), I would more inclined opt for a fragrance-free lotion for tiny ones.

Aloe & Rosehip 2 in 1 Calming Bath & Baby Wash (200mls /£8.95)

The calming tag is spot on. The rosehip and essential oils really shine through especially with the natural steam from the bath water. If your child has been hit hard this cold and flu season, this will help unblock their airways and give them some respite.

Meanwhile nutrients are delivered to baby’s skin via Vitamins B5 & E. It feels like you’re giving a wet massage when you rub it in; very oily so a little goes a long way. It does lather although takes some working up in your hands, but foaming action is overrated in my opinion; I’d much rather his skin gets a thorough cleanse yet isn’t stripped of its natural oil & sebum.

This also works fabulously as a bath oil and leaves your baby’s skin nice and hydrated post-bath. Dexter smelt divine after his bath and ready for a relaxing massage with the accompanying lotion.

Jojoba & Chamomile 2 in 1 Baby Shampoo (200mls / £8.95)

This lathers up surprisingly well and Dexter’s hair still smells heavenly the next day. It’s tough enough to wash away all the tomato sauce, gravy, melted chocolate and other unpleasantness your toddler has taken it upon himself to ‘save for later’, yet mild enough not to cause itching. Dexter sweats a great deal in the night as he suffers from night terrors so I needed a shampoo that is gentle enough to deal with excess sebum without causing greasiness- this definitely fits the bill.

I can’t comment as to it’s efficiency of soothing away cradle cap as Dexie is a fully fledged toddler now, but once again, I’d be cautious about popping anything too heavily scented on early skin.

Once again, this definitely passes the sniff test too - there’s still a pleasant lavender scent from the blend of essentials oils making it a great product for night time bathing.

Cellulite Body Butter (200mls / £8.95)

I was always going to struggle to review this one as I’ve already found the best stretchmark butter on the planet. However I should flag up that this is one of the best firming creams I’ve used in a long time. It sinks in immediately and your skin feels visibly tighter after just one application.

Perfect for hips, bums, arms and breasts, this has slotted neatly into my beauty regime given I’m currently losing weight. The essential oils blend of Neroli, Rose, Jasmine, Geranium, Sandalwood, Chamomile, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Lemon, Lavender & Frankincense Essential Oils invigorate and increase circulation, and elasticity is improved via a combination of 4 rich butters (Organic Shea, Cocoa, Kokum & Mango Butter).

The scent of this one is far more subtle with the butters drowning out the essential oils. As it sinks in so quickly it’s perfect for a nighttime treat before diving under the covers.

The consistency of typical of body butters and you end up prodding it without actually getting any on your fingers. Best advice is to delves in as £24.95 is a bargain for 200mls.

Additional thoughts…

Don’t expect to be seduced by the packaging. Whilst mine are samples, the full sized bottles are no sexier. But then looks aren’t everything, for all we know Brad Pitt could be a real pain to live with.

Whilst reading other reviews I was a little taken aback to see so many people balking at the prices. I pay anywhere between £8 and £25 for Dexter & Heidi’s basic essentials (shampoo, body wash and body lotion) so at £8.95 for a healthy 200mls, these products seem bang on the money.

Finally, I suspect Thea Skincare will be jostling for position among the big boys in organic baby skincare (Lasinoh’s Earth Friendly Babies, The Green People’s Organic Babies, Burt’s Bees, … and newbies Cowshed’s Cow Baby, Lulu & Boo, Odylique, and Miamoo… I could go on). Yet parents have really embraced organic skincare for their little people and there is plenty of room for everyone (and plenty of space left on my bathroom shelf!). I’ll be watching this brand with interest to see where they go next.

To check out this fab range for yourself (including their brightening and anti-aging formulations), head to TheaSkincare.com. You can also stay in touch via Twitter and Facebook.

Aug 11 2014

TEN Skincare Review - A new skincare range for mother & baby

Posted on August 11, 2014 by admin

I’m sure you’re already aware I’m skincare obsessed. So much so, Craig and I have our own bathrooms so he won’t lose his shaving foam under all my lotions, serums and body butters. I’ve passed this obsession down to my children and now Dexter’s favourite post-bath ritual is to smother himself in E45.

Whilst I adore all the massages and slippery cuddles with the kids, I often neglect my own skincare routine. There are days I’m so exhausted I’ll fall asleep next to Craig with a full face of make-up, and gone are the days I have baby soft legs against our bedsheets every night.

As such, I love products that are specifically designed for the dehydrated and tired skin of a new mum. Making the transition from breastfeeding to formula, late nights, and an erratic diet can play havoc with your skin. With Heidi only 16 weeks old, I can definitely testify to this. Most notably, my boobs have lost some of the elasticity they once had. Okay, compared to some, I’ve got off lightly. They’re not yet drooping and are still firm enough to look good in a bikini, but there are some stretchmarks at the top of my chest where gravity and rapid growth are taking their toll.

So for the last few weeks, I’ve been trialling Clever Skin’s new -TEN- Skincare Breast Care Cream. This has been specifically formulated to combat stretchmarks, improve elasticity and firm up the breasts during pregnancy and beyond. Their no nonsense brand message promises to use skin science that is as natural as possible and will offer the very best results.

At -TEN-™ we have a no-nonsense approach to skincare and empower you with making the right skincare choice for you. We tell you what the key ingredients we use are, and most importantly, why these are used.

My hope was that the weakened skin around the top of my breasts would receive some much-needed nourishment. Fluctuating growth throughout pregnancy and nursing, then switching back to the bottle quickly, saw them grow to a staggering 34HH from a 36G so the skin has certainly been stretched. I just wanted a smoother appearance and a bit more firmness to counteract even more stretchmarks as I attempt to lose the baby weight.

So what’s in it?

Rice extracts (Oryza sativa) - Rich in anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids which are an effective substitute for lanolin, this can help reduce inflammation and itching. It is also a great source of vitamin E which helps to protect dry, scaling and chapping of skin.

Papaya extracts - Elastin and collagen are two fibers in the skin that contribute to skin firmness and help restore skin elasticity. The papain (a digestive enzyme) in the papaya can help rebuild the elastin and therefore help improve the elasticity and firmness of your skin.

Hydrolyzed fibronectin - Proteins are made of long chains links made of amino acids. So for instance, collagen has about 1,000 such links. Fibronectin (also a protein) has a molecular weight of 4,000 amino acids. Fibronectin is a large molecule in fact too large to be absorbed by the skin, and so it is reduced by being hydrolized, thus making it easily absorbed. It is added to improve overall elasticity and skin firmness.

Whoa!

I know what you’re thinking! Didn’t -TEN- say they were going to leave out all the science jargon for the benefit of us mere mortals…? They definitely could dumb it down further. However, the proof is in the pudding so to speak.

To my surprise, the cream has made a notable difference to my boobs. This might just be because they’re now receiving more attention than before and getting a daily massage. Regular massage can help improve your circulation and encourage new tissue growth so it wouldn’t be unusual to see visible results if the skin is getting a bit more love than usual. But all in all, I’m really happy with the results.

I’d described the smell as a mixture of sun lotion and cocoa butter that isn’t at all unpleasant. Give it 3 minutes to sink in and it dries to a matt finish. I’ve also been using this on my hands and have noticed they look much younger. At £34.50 (inc tax) this is undeniably expensive compared to high street alternatives, but I just can’t argue with how great my skin looks.

I also trialed the Hydration Body Cream which has an exhaustive list of ingredients including Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, Vitamin F, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Cacao Butter and Wheat Germ Oil. There’s an explanation on the website behind each ingredient that is just as mind-boggling as the breast cream, but once again this stuff really works.

The smell is equally good, it’s incredibly hydrating and leaves your skin silky smooth. It’s also really cooling and refreshing and would be a real treat for swollen tummies & legs during pregnancy, particularly as the skin can undergo some fairly dramatic changes due to hormonal activity within the body. At £31.80 (inc tax), once again it’ll be one of the more expensive brands available to you, but you do get a soft sheen that lasts the entire day.

My only criticism of the range (and this is perhaps a little unfair) is that the Clever Skin website clearly needs some proof-reading. I spotted several spelling mistakes that might ultimately put people off what is essentially a premium product. Other than that, the rest of the range looks to be equally impressive with products tailored to expectant mummies, babies, and the everyday woman, with face, body and hair all covered.

Okay, the range isn’t cheap, but it’s a lovely range for mama & baby pampering. It’s lightly scented and incredibly delicate for sensitive baby skin, and skin that’s undergoing the trauma of pregnancy. It would make a fabulous gift for new and expecting mums, or an ideal treat for yourself if you’re feeling a little jaded with your post-baby body. If you’re into skincare, or have a specific skin complaint that’s affecting your comfort or confidence, you won’t be disappointed by -TEN-.

You can buy the range from CleverSkinCare.com or from Boots. You can also see what other mums thought of the range by checking out TENSkincare on Facebook and Twitter.

Samples were provided for this TEN Skincare Review

Jul 1 2014

In my hospital bag: miamoo skincare

Posted on July 1, 2014 by admin

Before I gave birth, I was sent a miamoo travel kit to review. The dinky travel sizes seemed just perfect for my hospital bag so in it went, crammed in between the breast pads and spare knickers ready for my post-birth shower. Owing to the fact I ended up having an emergency c-section and staying on the ward for 3 days, they were even more essential than I first thought!

First things first, what’s miamoo?

miamoo is a skincare range created by the lovably gobby Saira Khan from the Apprentice. Having suffered from dry and sensitive skin all her life, her products are born out of her desire to bring a truly natural skincare range to market. She goes to great pains to debunk myths surrounding products that claim to be natural and organic, and explains that miamoo has as many natural ingredients as are humanly possible. I love the brand ethos which is refreshingly honest and simple.

As a result, the products are suitable for the whole family and none of the following can be found in any miamoo product:

Parabens
Petrochemicals
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
Synthetic Colour/Frangrance
PEGS

What’s included?

The travel set contains 6x 30ml products; splashy wash, fresh locks, baba oil, huggy lotion, spritz & wipe and cheeky cream. All this came in a neat little perspex case with a cotton cloth. Being miniatures, they’re perfect for taking as hand luggage on aeroplanes, and they’re neat and contained to save you space for other travel essentials.

First Impressions…

I won’t pretend the bottles are anything to coo over, but for £15 you are getting a great little handy set. There’s everything you need in there for a long weekend away or, in my case, a few days stuck in a recovery ward. The smell is out of this world with dozens of essential oils that give you a real lift when you’re feeling a little yukky. I had my post section strip wash with these products and was so grateful that everything was to hand so it was as quick and as painless as possible. I also showered in the hospital when my wound was sufficiently healed. I felt really relaxed afterwards and much more human.

Needless to say, I didn’t feel up to exploring the products in any great detail with a beautiful newborn baby to stare at. So I retrieved the set from my hospital bag when I got home and have been using them on Dexter for the last few weeks.

The splashy wash

With lemon oil to cleanse and soya bean, aloe vera, jojoba, chamomile and Vitamin E extracts to moisturise the skin - the splashy wash smells light and fresh. Gentle enough to be used on the face as well as the body, it leaves Dexter smelling fabulous. With a bit of thrashing about from Dex, it also creates dozens of bubbles to keep little ones happy. Although Dex isn’t a sufferer, it’s also suitable for those with eczema, psoriasis and other dry skin conditions.

Best bit? It’s not extortionately priced. At £6 for the full size (200mls) if your child has sensitive skin, this could well be the answer to your prayers.

fresh locks 3 in 1

This was my favourite product. The smell is divine with lavender to calm any itchiness, and aloe vera, jojoba, soya bean, rosemary, silk and vitamin E to moisturise. As it’s so gentle, it’s also safe for little faces and bodies. Ar £6 again, it’s well worth the money as Dexter smells heavenly after his baths. A little goes a long way and I’ll definitely be buying this again.

As with all miamoo skincare products, it’s also tear-free. We can definitely testify to this, can’t we Dex?!

The baba oil

This is hailed as miamoo’s ‘hero product’. Despite the name it’s suitable for everyone in the family and can be applied all over (including hair if you have dry and sore scalp). It absorbs into the skin quickly so you’re not wandering around in your birthday suit for fear of staining your clothes. As you’ll inevitably use less of this, it’s available in 125ml for £7.50.

The smell is much more subtle for this one with sweet almond , sesame seed, lavender oils and vitamin E. It’s really effective at dealing with sores and dry patches on Dexie and his skin is markedly improved after use. My only criticism would be that the travel size comes in a plastic spray which is a little irritating if you’re trying to use it covertly on a toddler. Dexter gets way too excited and wants to spray himself which has ended in the odd time-out.

huggy lotion

Mixed results with the huggy lotion if I’m being brutally honest. It’s non greasy and light and sinks into the skin easily, but I’d question whether it provides the intensive moisturisation it claims to. I tried it on my legs after shaving and it didn’t keep them from drying out throughout the day. It’s £5 for 125mls too which is curious given it’s a staple product you’re bound to use frequently - it should be available in a bigger size.

Nevertheless, it’s great for Dexie’s post-bath massage and his skin continues to be as lovely as ever. Again, the smell is much more subtle with this one as the lavender is missing (orange flower water, sweet almond oil, marshmallow extract, wheat protein, silk and jojoba seed oil).

spritz & wipe

Love this. It was a perfect pick-me-up during labour and had a calming effect too - great given I was in for the worst labour imaginable. It has so many uses too - a detangler on hair, a cleanser , a toner and a spritz. It has an energising effect on skin and instantly cools leaving you nice and refreshed. The smell is heavenly too with limewater, bitter orange extract, Vitamin E and complex minerals (magnesium, copper, iron and silicon).

At £5 for 125ml, I’ve trialled spritzes at nearly double this price that aren’t as effective.

cheeky cream

Finally, there’s a barrier cream that can be applied to the face, hands and baby’s bottoms, the cheeky cream. This absorbs beautifully and does exactly what it says on the tin. A great natural alternative to Sudocrem it’s fabulous for delivering quick relief to sore bums and chapped hands.

***

Overall…

The only product I wouldn’t clamber over my own mother to buy is the huggy lotion. Otherwise it’s an essential kit that made life in hospital a much nicer experience. Oh and I defy any mummy not to buy the fresh locks forever more once they’ve smelt it.