MADARA Custom Actives Skincare

Recently launched, the MADARA custom actives feature the purest ingredients to either add into your skincare routine or replace a product you have finished using. Intending to help treat a specific problem, the range is easily identifiable by selecting which active you would like to use and some can even be used together when choosing from the 11 available options. Personalising your own skincare to your own needs has never been easier because lets face it no ones skin is the same, just add 2-3 drops to your face or body moisturiser, its as simple as that! Keep reading to discover the three i am reviewing which are all housed in light protective packaging and are vegan-friendly. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products. 

The MADARA Isoflavone Concentrate is ideal for mature and sagging skin types because it utilises isoflavones which are natural phytohormones derived from organic red clover extract which in turn help stimulate the regeneration of the epidermis, support collagen synthesis and reduce enzymatic collagen degradation. The oil-free concentrate also contains humectants for improved hydration whilst also containing lactic acid which is a gentle exfoliant for improvement in skin texture and tone. The slightly coloured serum texture helps my moisturiser absorb quicker while i did experience a slight tightening effect when incorporating it into my skincare in the morning, it can be used both AM and PM if you wish. A great vegan-friendly skincare product to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. restore skin elasticity, and also support/boost the skins regeneration process. Priced at £13.25 and available here: Madara Custom Actives - Isoflavone Phytohormones Concentrate 17.5ml

The MADARA Plant Stem Cell Concentrate is perfect for those looking to use a product that acts an as antioxidant with skin-restoring benefits. Utilising biotechnologically obtained plant stem cells from the Northern Dragonhead flower this concentrate helps to prevent prevent pigmentation, dark spots and premature ageing when applied under your sunscreen. It can be applied at night to also improve skin elasticity, reduce pigmentation, and also help the skin after sun exposure when mixed in with your night-time moisturiser. The light pink colour of this slightly thicker textured serum instantly conditions the skin whilst i tend to reach for this one for day time usage because of its antioxidant benefits to defend the skin from free radicals that can damage whilst with continued use it will help improve skin tone and texture from the hydrating AHA lactic acid also included in its formulation. Priced at £19.50 and available here: Madara Custom Actives - Plant Stem Cell Concentrate 17.5ml

The MADARA Provitamin A Concentrate utilises a vegan-friendly and plant-based retinol from sea buckthorn, cloudberries and rowan berries. The water-free formulation is beneficial for those who want to treat the signs of ageing skin, support collagen synthesis, and also ideal for those wanting to treat acne and scars. Applying directly to the skin or certain areas you wish to treat, you can also add 1-3 drops to your chosen moisturiser AM and PM. I like to involve this oil in my evening skincare routine by dispensing a few drops over any water-based serum to seal in hydration, but don't let the bright orange colour of this highly emollient oil put you off. The bright colour soon disappears when massaging into the skin while a pleasant aroma/fragrance is present, but soon fades when the oil absorbs quickly to leave the skin feeling perfectly nourished. A highly recommended plant-based retinol to reduce the signs of ageing and inflammation whilst respecting the skins integrity and barrier function. Priced at £13.25 and available here: Madara Custom Actives - Provitamin A Concentrate 17.5ml

MADARA provides natural skincare ingredients with cutting-edge technology formulas which have passed ECOCERT's green international standards to be certified natural and organic. All of the custom actives need to be used within 3 months after opening the bottle to ensure the best results, which one, two, or three...will you choose? Take a look at the the full range here: madara custom actives x Neil. 

Lavera SOS Help Lip Balm

Soothe, comfort, and nourish the lips when applying the vegan-friendly lavera sos help lip balm that utilises natural and organic ingredients. Providing instant relief to sensitive, irritated, cracked and chapped lips you will find out why this award winning product won the Beauty Shortlist 2019 Award in the Best Lip Balm Category from your first application. The easy-to-use balm is dispensed from a tube which is also ideal for hygiene reasons so you can keep the dispenser germ-free whilst its size is pocket and bag-friendly for on-the-go applications. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product. 

Featuring humectant and soothing moisturisng properties of Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Betaglucan and Echinacea Purpurea Extract the lip balm formula is also boosted by soothing properties from Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Bisabolol and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract. The emollients featured in any lip balm help to keep the lips soft and smooth whilst also stopping transepidermal water-loss are Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter and Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil. Antioxidants to defend against free-radicals that can damage and influence already compromised lips are included in the formulation and these are Tocopherol and Ascorbyl Palmitate whilst Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract is also included to boost skin-conditioning benefits. The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil and Alcohol stop the growth and spread of bacteria's which are ideal to keep the area clean.

The 100% silicone free, paraffin free, gluten free and mineral oil free formula glides onto the lips easily whilst you will experience the scent from the peppermint oil which soon disappears a few minutes later. You can apply this on its own which works wonders in transforming dry and chapped lips but you can also apply this over your face serum to trap the humectant and moisturising benefits serums can bring (especially hyaluronic acid ones) when applying above the vermilion border of the lips. I like to apply this overnight for the formula to get-to-work while it can be used frequently throughout the day to provide relief because the lavera sos help lip balm is much more than just a lip balm, its ingredients help to restore and nurture the whole lip area back to health rather than just provide a layer of oil that sits in the area providing emollience. Priced at £5.95 and available here: Lavera SOS Lip Balm  x Neil.   

Wildtree Skincare Organic Cleansing Face Scrub

Wildtree Skincare not only provide products that include 100% natural plant-based ingredients but they also include superfoods to maximise potency of their formulations. Offering natural and organic alternatives to mainstream beauty, their range can easily be recognised when looking for a facial or body care product to use. Lets take a look at their recently launched product that is suitable for all skin types and can be effective when used in your skincare routine. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are only placed for you to discover the products. 

I am a huge fan of exfoliators (you may already know this by my previous reviews) because they are part of a happy skincare routine that basically should consist of exfoliate, hydrate and protect! Physical exfoliators are ideal for those who don't like or cant tolerate chemical exfoliators typically used after cleansing when swiping across the skin. Guys can use a physical exfoliator before shaving to achieve a closer shave while also stopping ingrown hairs, whilst everyone can incorporate one in their skincare routine to gently buff away dead-skin cells to not only improve tone and texture but also it will help maximise absorption of your skincare products.  

The Organic Cleansing Face Scrub utilises Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Almond) Seed Meal that not only provides the "gentle" exfoliant action but it also cleanses and nourishes at the same time. Emollient benefits are achieved by the Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Squalane and Carthamus Tinctorius Seed (Safflower) Oil to help boost nourishment and moisture to keep the skin soft and smooth. The Superfoods included are Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Matcha) Powder which has high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that has antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits whilst Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Fruit Extract provides antioxidant benefits from its Vitamin C And E content whilst supporting/improving the skins barrier function and improving skin tone and texture with its anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Unscrewing the lid off the glass jar, the handmade face scrub applies beautifully over damp skin whilst using circular movements with your fingertips will gently buff the skin from the physical exfoliator included. Leaving on the face and neck for 1-2 minutes to allow and take advantage of those organic and superfood ingredients, you can then remove either using a flannel, muslin cloth, or just your hands using warm water to reveal softer and smoother skin. I was quite impressed on how gentle this face scrub performs and can be used 2-3 times a week because it does not strip the skin of its essential moisture, but adds to it! An organic face scrub that improves texture and tone with added emollience and antioxidant benefits that your skin will love from the very first application. Check out the full range of superfood vegan beauty products here: wildtree skincare x Neil. 

LoveLula Beauty Box May 2022

The last ‘rolling subscription’ box from LoveLula has arrived but that doesn't mean the end, the good news is that the lovelula beauty box will continue in a different form. It will now be available to purchase on their store individually as opposed to being subscription-based and the future Beauty Boxes will be curated with a more defined theme or purpose in mind. Lets take a look at what products featured in the LoveLula Beauty Box May 2022, disclaimer - the links in blue are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products. I did receive the beauty box free to review but this does not change my honest opinion about the products.

The balm balm little miracle rosehip serum features a blend of rosehip, jojoba and borage oils that all have emollient properties with skin nourishing fatty acids. The formula does contain essential oils which are frankincense, rose geranium, palmarosa, juniper and mandarin which have antioxidant and antimicrobial components, but also fragrant constituents that are not ideal for sensitive skin. I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly this lightweight oil absorbs to leave the skin feeling perfectly nourished and soft to the touch while it works perfectly under any moisturiser and sunscreen during the day. A lovely lightweight oil that absorbs quickly to provide emollience benefits either during the day or when applied at night to nourish and nurture the skin,

The ooh oils of heaven argan oil is cold pressed from the argan kernels and appears as a gold coloured oil which is why it has been named as the "liquid gold of morocco". The rich content contains unsaturated fatty acids which are oleic, linoleic and palmitic which all help to nourish and moisturise the skin while also supporting the barrier function. It also contains antioxidants of vitamin e, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and epicatechin to defend the skin from free radicals while also providing anti-inflammatory benefits from the rare sterols it provides. I like to apply a few drops over a water-based serum or moisturiser to help seal over these products because this will help to stop transepidermal water-loss from the skin when applied either in the morning or evening. 

The phb ethical beauty balance moisturiser is ideal for people who are an oiler skin type whilst also suitable for those who have breakouts and acne. The daily moisturiser features rebalancing lavender oil that also calms and clears impurities with its antimicrobial properties while geranium and sea buckthorn regulate oil production and aid in skin repair. Applying to clean skin or after toning, the moisturiser glides over the skin easily, before absorbing quickly, to leave the skin feeling nourished from its light texture, It does contain essential oils with fragrant constituents so if you don't like skincare products with essential oils than this wont be suited to you but if you do, then this light moisturiser nourishes without being too rich and leaves the skin feeling supported throughout the day and night. Suitable for all genders & ages 13+ while being safe to use during months 3 to 9 of pregnancy. 

The inika matte perfection primer is a silicone-free formula that has oil-absorbing properties but still provides long-term hydration for the skin. Dispensing 1-2 pumps on to the skin after your chosen SPF, the lightweight primer instantly absorbs to leave skin perfectly prepped for your foundation, BB or CC cream. The alcohol-free formula combines hydrators, emollients and skin-conditioners that nurture the skin without clogging the pores but the primer does contain essential oils which also add to the fragrance of the product. It is tinted when dispensing but this soon disappears when applying with fingers or a brush to leave the skin feeling velvety and not looking overly super matte, just enhancing your natural beauty while absorbing a little oil. 

Samples are a great addition for you to try a product before purchasing the full sized version, the dr jacksons is a new range to LoveLula. The "everyday oil" is a soothing moisturising oil that can be applied to the face, body, hair and even the nails. Featuring a host of emollient fatty acid oils but does contain fragrant constituents which are not great for sensitive skin, the lightweight oil does absorb quickly to leave the skin feeling nurtured and comforted especially when applying to the body after a bath or shower. The "night cream" also featured is rich in texture to deeply moisturise the skin overnight thanks to the high emollience of the butters and oils it contains but does contain fragrant constituents (limonene and linalool) which naturally occur in essential oils, but are not ideal for sensitive skin. The cream does absorb well on application to leave the skin feeling comforted and nurtured throughout the night for a well-rested complexion that will greet you in the morning. 

Stay up to date with the new format of the LoveLula beauty boxes that will be available to purchase individually as opposed to being subscription-based here: lovelula beauty box may 2022 x Neil.

Théa Pharmaceuticals Limited Support Ophthalmic Care And Good Eye Health.

The eyes can easily become influenced and irritated by many factors such as dry eye disease that affects one in four people and occurs when the eyes do not make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. The other major factor is allergies such as hay fever in which the seasonal symptoms start from March to September, many people can suffer from itchy, red, sore and tired eyes. Seeking products to alleviate and relieve any discomfort has just got easier thanks to Thea Your Eye Health where u can find their extensive range of products that are free from preservatives to help manage Dry Eye Disease, along with a range of eye supplements to help maintain healthy vision. Utilising the best eye care solutions that won’t damage or irritate the eyes, you can even check out their free online eye symptom checker for reliable and excellent advice. Lets take a look at the products - Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products.  

Blepharitis which is inflammation of the eyelids can be caused by too much bacteria in this area or when the tiny oil glands near the base of the eyelashes become clogged, causing irritation and redness. Keeping this area clean on both eyes can be quite a task because applying any cleansing products to already compromised skin, will and can make it sting and hurt. The Blephaclean wipes can be your essential product to use to ensure a gentle cleanse of the eyelids and lashes to remove impurities, dust, pollution and pollen with its preservative, perfume and paraben free formulation. Clinically proven to relieve symptoms of blepharitis and gentle enough to even be used on children from 3 months old, the non-greasy and no-need to rinse product can be used wherever you are. Using a separate sterile wipe for the eyelids to avoid cross contamination between the two, the wipe easily cleans the upper eyelid and the base of the eyelashes before moving on to clean the edge of the lower eyelid. Great to use at home to manage any discomfort and keep the eye area clean whilst also keep in your bag to remove any pollen and relieve discomfort during the day. 

The meibomian glands which are situated in the edges of the upper and lower eyelids secrete an oily substance needed to lubricate and clean the front of the eye and allow the tear film to spread and perform effectively. In many circumstances the glands mentioned will not perform at their best and the oily substance will then turn to a thick grease resulting in the glands being clogged up and the eyes not being lubricated, but there is a solution. The Blepha EyeBag is a warming mask that Ophthalmologists recommend as the first step of an eyelid cleansing routine in cases of MGD, blepharitis and the related conditions such as dry eye, chalazion and stye. The Blepha EyeBag® is made of silver silk on one side  and black 100% cotton fabric on the other while it is filled with flax seeds (linseed) to not only conform well to the eye area shape but also retain the heat when warming in the microwave. Testing the heat on your wrist before applying the eyebag to the eye area, you can be assured there are NO aromatic or herb fragrances added which help reduce the risk of sensitivity or allergic irritation of the eyelids from scented volatile oils. I would suggest setting a timer for 10-15 minutes before placing it over your eyes but this natural method certainly helps to release the blocked lipids to allow them to spread across the surface of the eye which in turn reduces water evaporation and helps keep the eyes hydrated. 

Ideal for allergy sufferers, the Zaspray is a unique 3-in-1 solution specifically designed to deliver long-lasting relief from itchy, irritated dry eyes caused by allergies. Presented in a specialist bottle with Aptar® technology which has a seal mechanism and a special filter which prevents any bacterial contamination, the 100% preservative formula is ideal because avoiding preservatives is beneficial to the eyes surface long term and eliminates reactions amongst people who have sensitive eyes. Washing your hands and removing your contacts if you wear them before application, you can then proceed to hold the bottle 10 cm away from the eye, close your eye, and then press down on the nozzle to release one full dose of the spray. The formula contains 0.20% Hyaluronic Acid that acts as a soothing lubricant with 4.5% PER-LIP Complex which is made up of 4% Liposomes to deliver phospholipids to help repair the oily layer of the tear film to relieve discomfort while 0.5% Perilla Seed Extract is included to act as an antioxidant for the eyes surface. I was really impressed with the gentle fine mist this produces and it is perfect to use if you are not at home but need an on-the-go solution for when your eyes become irritated, it is also ideal for those who cannot use or struggle to use eye drops. It can be used up to 4 times a day while the 10ml Zaspray® bottle can provide 150 sprays and can be used up to 90 days after the first opening, though always refer to the expiry date on the box before using. 

Ideal for dry eye sufferers, the Thealoz Duo drops provide long-lasting symptom relief and protection for the surface of the eye. Presented in an easy to use bottle, the formula is 100% preservative free which is beneficial to the eyes surface long term and eliminates reactions amongst people who have sensitive eyes. The unique ABAK® multi-dose bottle delivers the drops through a specially designed filter which helps prevent any bacterial contamination while the formula combines 0.15% Sodium Hyaluronate that acts as a hydrating and soothing lubricant with 3% Trehalose which provides long-lasting protection. Applying 1 drop to each eye with maximum usage of 4=6 times daily, you can even add a drop to your contact lenses before placing them in your eyes. I have tried numerous eye drops but these seem to provide instant and long lasting relief especially when your eyes can become dry due to excessive screen time at a computer or having the air conditioning on, air conditioners reduce humidity and cause evaporative dry eye. The Thealoz® Duo can be used for 3 months after first opening but always refer to the expiry date which is marked on the bottle and on the outer box before using.

All the products mentioned are great to use to help relieve dry eye symptoms and especially allergy related eye issues when the hay-fever season begins and throughout. Head on over to check out the full range of products that support ophthalmic care and good eye health here: Your Eye Health x Neil.