Introducing: Aromatica - Clean & Vegan Beauty Products from Korea

It's always exciting to receive packages from abroad, especially when it comes to discovering ethical beauty brands who are leading the way in sustainability and clean beauty values in their home countries and beyond. This week, I'd like to introduce you to Aromatica from Korea.

Aromatica prides itself on offering a wide range of cruelty-free and vegan-friendly products that covers, well, everything! From haircare and skincare to body care and items for the home, Aromatica has something for everyone. Born in 2004, it is involved in researching cosmetic ingredient safety campaigns for Korea and works alongside the EWG (Environmental Working Group) to help educate consumers who are concerned about the impact of certain ingredients on their health and the environment. 

Needless to say, all of Aromatica's products are certified by ECOCERT & COSMOS, Vegan, EWG VERIFIED™ and follow the company's own strict standards when new formulas are tested and developed. I was kindly sent a selection of Aromatica's bestsellers to try out to give you an example of what they have to offer.

 Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo* (400ml, $26, link)

The colder months can often spell trouble for those who have sensitive and dry scalps, and they can even trigger symptoms in people who generally don't have any problems throughout the year. If your scalp is feeling itchy, irritated or you're suffering from dandruff, give this Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo a go.

Free from silicones and sulphates, as well as a vast range of other potentially irritating known ingredients, this shampoo produces a light lather when plenty of water is added to it and it has a pleasantly fresh and herbal scent. The 97% natural ingredient formula does an excellent job of gently cleansing the hair and scalp, but like many shampoos of this nature, it did leave my hair feeling a little drier than usual afterwards, so a good quality conditioner is a must to use alongside it. On the plus side, it's great for clearing up dandruff!

 Aromatica Organic Jojoba Golden Barrier Oil* (30ml, $36, link)

If you're a fan of aromatherapy, you'll be all too familiar with the concept of barrier oils and these multi-purpose oils are a great way to customise a skincare routine. This one features quite simply a high quality, 100% natural and organic cold-pressed Jojoba Seed Oil, without nothing else added to it for the ultimate purity. The luxurious glass bottle comes with an inbuilt dropper dispenser and you can use this in so many different ways.

Create your own facial, bath or body oil by mixing it with your favourite essential oils, or simply just apply it on its own to reap the natural moisturising properties of this liquid gold.

Aromatica Rose Absolute First Serum* (130ml, $44, link)

Perhaps one of Aromatica's most popular products is the Rose Absolute First Serum and this may be partly due to the Korean beauty trend of including an essence in their famous multiple-step skincare routines. This highly concentrated treatment triples up as a toner, essence and serum, all-in-one and it boasts a formula which is 97.3% natural and 80.4% organic.

Perfect for dry and mature skin types, the serum has a thick but easily absorbed consistency with the unmistakable scent of fresh roses. It helps to balance and brighten the skin, boosting hydration levels and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, so if you're looking for an all-round anti-ageing skincare product to add to your Christmas gift list, this is definitely one to try!

Aromatica Organic Aloe Vera Gel* (300ml, $14, link)

I also want to give a special mention to this Organic Aloe Vera Gel because I've been using it on a regular basis to soothe my dry skin for the past month or so. Made from 99.5% natural ingredients, 96.5% of which are certified organic, this is a wonderful multi-purpose gel which will appeal to those who don't like using heavy or sticky body creams or butters. Instead, this lightweight gel sinks quickly into the skin and it helps to calm down and reduce any irritation. A pleasure to use on the face and body, it's also ideal as an after-sun treatment to combat sunburn.

Shop the full range at thearomatica.co with free shipping over $100

What are your favourite natural Korean beauty brands?

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Skincare Helpers from Hope's Relief for Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis

The arrival of Spring can trigger flare-ups for those who suffer from inflammatory dry skin conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis, but help is on hand from the natural brand, Hope's Relief.

If you've been following my blog for a while now, you'll probably already know that I've had eczema since I was a child and it's been an upward battle trying to find products that help with flare-ups which aren't loaded with steroids and petroleum. Thankfully, I've been fortunate enough to be able to have tried and tested numerous products over the years, and through a lot of this trial and error, I've discovered that my skin reacts a lot better to more soothing and natural formulas, than it ever did to the steroids-heavy prescription creams that my GP would give me. 

One brand that I've often recommended to fellow eczema sufferers who are looking for a natural alternative is Hope's Relief, and during a recent flare-up due to the change of season (and probably some exam related stress!), I've been able to put these two products below through their paces.

Hope's Relief Topical Moisturising Spray* (90ml, £15.95, link)

This multi-purpose topical spray offers fast-acting relief for those times when your skin is feeling horribly dry and itchy, and is ideal for anyone who has generally sensitised/irritated skin, as well as those who are prone to Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis. The formula is made from 98.5% natural ingredients and includes Calendula, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree and Borage Oils, to quickly cool, soothe and calm itchy, irritated skin in a matter of minutes. 

Free from steroids, fragrances, SLS, parabens, paraffin, lanolin and petrochemicals, I've found this spray very easy to use, especially on larger surface areas as a light spritz is all you need to cover it, so it would be great for babies and young children who won't let you put creams on them. You can use them anywhere on the body, but I'd recommend spraying it onto a cotton pad first if you want to use it on your face, so that you don't get any in or around your eyes.

Hope's Relief Itchy Flaky Scalp Soothing Conditioner* (200ml, £16.99, link)

It can be easy to forget about the skin on your scalp, and many people who have eczema also experience sensitivities and dryness on their scalps which can lead to unbearable itchiness. I always suggest cutting out SLS in your haircare to see if that helps first, but if you're looking for an additional specialised product, this Itchy Flaky Scalp Soothing Conditioner can certainly lend a helping hand! Virtually everyone can use this (including babies as a treatment for Cradle Cap) and it's highly suitable for those who have Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff problems. 

Being fragrance-free, pH balanced and hypoallergenic, it's a very gentle but effective formula which contains hospital grade Organic Manuka Honey UMF 10+, Gotu Kola, Aloe Vera and Calendula, to soothe the scalp and condition the hair. To use it after shampooing, I simply massage a generous amount into my scalp, leave it to do its magic for a couple of minutes and then rinse it out. Afterwards, my scalp feels much happier and less tight and dry, with the 'no itchy' feeling lasting usually until my next wash (so a few days for me as I only wash my hair twice a week). If you have very dry hair (lengths and ends), you may want to keep it just as a scalp conditioner/treatment as I prefer a much more heavy duty conditioner and this is definitely a lighter conditioning option, but I imagine it would be ideal to use if you wash your hair every day.

Hope's Relief products are available online from LoveLula.com

Have you tried any of these?

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Introducing: Alchemy Oils - Grapefruit & Alma Hair Remedy review

When it comes to the world of hair treatments, hair oils have long reigned supreme thanks to their ultra-nourishing properties that can transform the driest and frizziest hair into a mane worthy of a Disney princess. My latest obsession comes from Alchemy Oils, and their travel-size bottles are perfect for those who are in the market for a new hair oil to try out.

Alchemy Oils are a simple and honest brand that specialises in creating amazing natural hair oils. They despise the short-term, quick fix approach of heavy chemical/silicone laden hair treatments that are all too common to find in the mainstream, and instead, have decided to focus on the tried and tested natural ingredients that have been used for centuries in places like India, where hair oils are used in Ayurveda-based scalp massage practices. They've utilised this age-old knowledge and have succeeded in creating formulas that are not only good for the long-term health of the hair, but also help to promote and stimulate hair growth, whilst providing those instant styling results that most of us are looking for to make our hair more manageable on a day-to-day basis.

How I Use Hair Oils & How Often

I mostly use hair oils as an intensive scalp treatment (applying a few drops directly to the scalp, massaging it in and leaving it on for a few hours or overnight before shampooing as normal), a pre-shampoo treatment (applying a tiny amount to the ends and lengths of dry hair for an hour before washing), a pre-blow dry protector (a few drops through towel-dried hair before blow-drying to make it more manageable), and as a leave-in conditioner (just 1-2 drops) to smooth away frizz and flyaways, and help keep my hairstyle sleek, moisturised and shiny all day.  As I have dry but fine hair, I use oils as a treatment probably 1-2 times a month, and only once a week as a leave-in conditioner or blow-dry protector. If your hair is a lot drier, more damaged or thicker, you can use them more often if needed, but fine hair can get weighed down easily if oils are used too regularly.

Alchemy Oils have just five products in their whole range; three different types of Hair Remedy oils, and two oil-based formulas for beards. Naturally, I've been trialling two of their Hair Remedy oils to see if they can help my notoriously dry and frizzy hair.

Best for Strengthening Hair & Combatting Dandruff - Alchemy Grapefruit Hair Remedy*

The first thing that you'll notice upon opening this bottle is a gorgeous uplifting scent from the Grapefruit Essential Oil which instantly reminds me of Summer and sipping fruity cocktails on the beach! This Grapefruit Hair Remedy is made from just five natural ingredients, each of which brings it's own unique properties to the blend; Coconut Oil (helps to strengthen the hair and keeps the scalp healthy), Avocado Oil (brilliant for damaged and brittle hair), Castor Oil (packed full of fatty acids and proteins, as well as being naturally antibacterial and high in Vitamin E), Almond Oil (contains lots of polyunsaturated and mono fatty acids as well as vitamins E, D, B1, B2, B6 and A which all help to deeply condition and soften the hair), and Grapefruit Oil (a natural cleanser that fights dandruff and prevents product build-up).

Best for Hair Growth & Conditioning - Alchemy Alma Hair Remedy*

The Alma Hair Remedy is an interesting one as I haven't tried anything with Alma in it before. Also known as Indian Gooseberry, Alma is mostly famous in India thanks to the high levels of antioxidants and carotene that's naturally found in the fruit. It's often used as a powerful hair tonic to promote healthy hair growth by strengthing the scalp and roots, so it's a popular ingredient in many natural hair loss products. Alongside Alma Oil, you'll also find Lemon Essential Oil (to naturally cleanse and add shine), Sesame Seed Oil and Coconut Oil (to strengthen and condition the hair), Avocado Oil (to soften and strengthen) and Argan Oil (to deeply nourish).

Overall Thoughts

I really like these Alchemy Hair Remedy oils and have seen good results from both of them. They're both similar in consistency and these are definitely a lot heavier than some other natural hair oils that I've tried, so you only need to use the tiniest amount, otherwise, they'll make your hair look greasy (especially if you have fine hair!). The Grapefruit one is definitely useful for helping to clear up dandruff or a dry scalp so brilliant for scalp massages, and I like the Alma one as a conditioning treatment on my lengths and ends to stop them from feeling dry. My only bugbear with these is the packaging, as they really need to have a pipette because it's easy to pour way too much into your hand, so I use a pipette that I bought off eBay with mine to help control the amount that I use. Other than that, these are definitely worth a try!

Alchemy Oils Grapefruit & Alma Hair Remedy (30ml travel sizes are £8 each, full-size 100ml bottles are £27 each) are available from LoveLula.com who offer free worldwide shipping on orders over £15.

Are you a fan of hair oils?

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Winter Haircare: 4 Products To Help Save Dry Hair & Problem Scalps

Whilst we know that cold weather can have a negative impact on our skin (read my Hydrating Serums post here if you're looking to upgrade your Winter skincare routine), it can be all too easy to forget that our hair and scalp can also benefit from a helping hand (or two) during this time of the year. 

My hair is naturally very dry and I've been dealing with a sensitive scalp since I was a teenager. Most of the time, I can slap on a good hair oil or mask once a week, and everything will fine and dandy as long as I avoid SLS in my haircare (I discovered a few years ago that this was the main ingredient that was causing my scalp to become drier than the Sahara desert - ditch it if you think it could be a problem for you too!). However, when Winter hits and especially when temperatures drop to freezing, I have to give my cold-battered tresses and dried out scalp some extra TLC.  

So if your hair is feeling drier than usual or your scalp is starting to drive you insane, here are some products that I've been using recently which can definitely help. You can also use them at any time of the year if you have dry hair, a problematic scalp and/or have been hitting the curling/straightening irons too hard!

Tony Maleedy Juniper Scalp Therapy Shampoo* (250ml, £17.50, link)

Specially formulated for problematic scalps and clinically developed to help treat dryness, dandruff, and inflammation/irritation, Tony Maleedy's naturally anti-mitotic Juniper Scalp Therapy Shampoo is one of those products that I wish I had known about sooner. It features six natural plant oils which are revered for their therapeutic and antibacterial properties; Niper Oil, Corn Mint Oil, Thyme Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Oil and Eucalyptus Oil. They not only help with dryness but also improve the overall health of the scalp, that in turn can help to reduce hair loss and provide the right conditions for healthy hair growth as well. It smells strongly herbal as a result and you need to leave it on to do its magic for a good five minutes or so before rinsing, but I've found this shampoo so useful for getting rid of a dry and flaky scalp quickly and saw a noticeable difference after just one wash. Although it feels gentle, it is quite clarifying as these kinds of shampoos often are, so it's something that I would alternate with another shampoo if you wash your hair frequently. Highly recommended though!

Natura Siberica Alladale Repairing Natural Hair Mask* (120ml, £7.99, link)

This affordable hair mask is an excellent repairing treatment for anyone who has dry or damaged hair. The superstar ingredients in this mask are Scottish Wild Thistle and certified organic Siberian Cedar that help to deeply strengthen and moisturise damaged hair within just 5-7 minutes.  It has a lovely texture and performance wise, it beats some of the higher-end haircare products that I have in my bathroom, making it a fantastic budget-friendly discovery. If you colour your hair a lot or are simply a little too heavy handed with heated styling tools, this hair mask is a must-try. 98% natural and created in collaboration with the Alladale Wilderness Reserve in the Scottish Highlands which you can find out more about here. 

Organic Shop Organic Avocado & Honey Express Repair Hair Mask* (250ml, £2.49, link)

Another hair mask that my dry hair has been lapping up recently is from the Organic Shop. Their Organic Avocado & Honey Express Hair Mask is 99% natural, free from parabens, silicones, mineral oils and SLS, and features certified organic Avocado Oil and Honey to restore weather-beaten hair to its former glory. It has a reassuringly thick consistency that spreads onto the hair easily and can be used as a quick and easy 2-3 minute treatment as and when you feel your hair needs that extra shot of hydration. Amazingly, this hair mask is only £2.49!

Natura Siberica Professional Oblepikha Scalp Scrub* (200ml, £5, link)

Lastly, for this feature I wanted to give a special mention to this Oblepikha Scalp Scrub which is from the Natura Siberica range (you know something is Winter-friendly when it uses plant extracts from Siberia!). If you have a dry and flaky scalp, you'll want to include some kind of exfoliating product in your haircare routine to remove that build up of dead skin cells, and a scalp scrub does this job beautifully. This one utilises a range of wild-harvested Siberian Herbs and also includes Altai Sea Buckthorn, Argan Oil, Calendula, Amino Acids and Raspberry Seeds, to give a seriously deep exfoliation that stimulates the scalp, helping to boost blood flow to the hair follicles, balance sebum production and keep dandruff at bay. It's a little tricky to rinse out all of the scrubby bits (this isn't something that you can do in five minutes!), but the results are definitely worth the extra effort and I love how refreshed and clean my scalp feels afterwards.

What are your favourite hair products for Winter?

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November Beauty Favourites

Happy 1st of December everyone! Before I dive into the Christmas Gift Guides (these are coming up next week!), it's time for a quick recap of my November Beauty Favourites.

 Botanicals Hands & Nails Replenishing Serum* (10ml, £14, link)

I haven't been using this product for very long, but after testing it out every day for just under two weeks, I'm already smitten with it. I usually am with anything from Botanicals, and this Replenishing Serum for Hands & Nails is no exception! Made from an exquisite blend of cold-pressed organic oils, this serum has been specially formulated to give your hands and nails a seriously good rejuvenating treatment. It tones, gently tightens, reduces the appearance of micro-wrinkles, and helps to soften dry cuticles. I also find it very relaxing and therapeutic to massage a few drops of it in - a perfect self-care product to add to your me-time routine.

 DHC Beauty Lift Eye Care Essence Roll On* (6ml, £24, link)

If you're looking for a great anti-ageing eye treatment, this new one from DHC has been keeping my peepers happy this month. Their Eye Care Essence Roll On is the latest addition to their popular Beauty Lift range, and is packed full of peptides and beta-glucans to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crow's feet. The treatment is packaged in a convenient clicky pen that dispenses a little of the essence through the top where three massaging beads are, and these feel lovely and cooling on the skin. It hydrates my dry undereye without overloading it and smoothes out fine lines so that my eyes look brighter and younger. Perfect to use first thing in the morning before applying concealer.

 Vee Beauty LDN Lash & Brow Serum* (10ml, £10.95, link)

Vee Beauty LDN are a new natural and cruelty-free British brand that I came across on Instagram recently, and I was curious to try out their Lash & Brow Serum. Made from 100% natural ingredients, it uses a blend of oils which have been revered for their natural nourishing properties that help to promote hair growth naturally; Castor Oil, Avocado Oil, Argan Oil, Olive Oil and Vitamin E (sourced from Wheatgerm Oil). I've been using this on my lashes and brows every night for about a month now and I've started to see some differences, mainly in that my lashes feel stronger and more resilient (I'm not getting the odd one on my cheek that comes out after I take my mascara off anymore), and my brows are starting to look a little fuller than they were before. I'm hoping that with continued use I'll see even more results, but I'm loving it so far!

 Fushi 100% Pure Organic Shea Butter* (300ml, £11, link)

Shea Butter is one of my go-to multi-purpose products in the Winter months and this stuff is literally magical at saving dry skin. I always recommend buying unrefined, pure and organic shea butter wherever possible because a lot of products on the market that are labelled as 'shea butter' often only contain 5 or 10% (usually in a cheap mineral oil base - no thanks!), so I was very happy to stumble across this one from Fushi. 

Not only does it tick all of those boxes, but this shea butter has also been ethically sourced from the Yumzaa Women's Association which is a community based cooperative in Ghana. In addition, Fushi donates 50p from the sale of every jar to Tree Aid, which goes towards the Women's Enterprise Group that helps teach local women how to use the nuts from the shea trees, to make and sell products like soaps and butters. This means they can make their own livelihoods, support their families and further their education and independence. A brilliant initiative that results in a brilliant product! 

Aveda Pramāsana Exfoliating Scalp Brush* (£16.50, link)

Earlier this year, I wrote about Aveda's new Pramāsana range (full post here) which is a dedicated range for 'scalp-care'. If you have an itchy, dry or flaky scalp, using exfoliating products and properly massaging it, can really make a big difference and I've had a lot of success with changing one or two things around in my own haircare routine to accommodate a few extra massaging steps. I recently managed to get my hands on the Exfoliating Scalp Brush from this range and I love it. The brush is so lightweight and features soft, looped bristles which gently massage your scalp to loosen dirt and dead skin, plus it helps to increase microcirculation for a healthy scalp that leads to happy hair days - win win!

What are your beauty faves this month?

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New In Haircare: Aveda Pramāsana Purifying Scalp Cleanser & Protective Scalp Concentrate review

A healthy scalp is essential if you want strong and healthy hair, but it's often an area that most people don't really talk about or spend much time on, which is why I've been so excited about Aveda's new Pramāsana range. 

I have a sensitive scalp that gets easily irritated to the point where it can sometimes be unbearably itchy and flaky during really bad flare-ups (I've discovered that these bad times are often linked to seasonal changes, dealing with too much stress and when my eczema plays up). It's not a pretty thing to imagine and it can be a real confidence killer, but it's a very common problem for many people. Whilst I'm working on my coping mechanisms for dealing with stress, I've found that using SLS-free hair care has helped me enormously, and I'm sure my regular readers will have spotted numerous SLS-free haircare reviews on here for that very reason!

I've experimented with various scalp treatments and oils over the years, and although I've had the most success with using Philip Kingsley's Scalp Toner, it still hasn't completely solved my problem, so I was interested in trying Aveda's new Pramāsana range as soon as it launched. 

The Pramāsana range is basically a three-step targeted system that gives the equivalent of a facial to your scalp. It deeply exfoliates, cleanses and balances, giving it that extra TLC that a sensitive scalp so often needs. 

Step 1: The first step involves dry brushing the scalp to increase micro-circulation and there's a handy video here showing you how to do this. This method feels amazing and is something that I've been incorporating into my daily routine. The next two steps use the following products which I've been testing out for the past month and they've really been helping me so far:-

Step 2: Aveda Pramāsana Purifying Scalp Cleanser* (150ml, £23.50, link)

Used as a cleansing treatment before you shampoo your hair, this Purifying Scalp Cleanser is made from 98% naturally-derived ingredients and features Wintergreen derived Salicylic Acid to deeply exfoliate the scalp. It removes any build-up from styling products, dead skin cells and helps to rebalance any excess sebum, so it's a good one to try if you hit the gym a lot or like to do hot yoga! To use it, I apply a small amount directly to my scalp all over, making sure that I cover the top of my hairline which is where I get itchy and flaky the most. Once applied, I massage it in, where it starts to lightly lather up (in an SLS-free manner of course) and it feels so nice and cooling when I do this! There's no leave on time with this, so I head straight into the shower, rinse with warm water and shampoo and condition my hair as normal.

Step 3: Aveda Pramāsana Scalp Concentrate* (75ml, £35, link)

The next and final step after you've finished shampooing and conditioning is to apply the Scalp Concentrate which contains 96% naturally derived ingredients and feels like a protective skincare serum, but for your scalp. It has a handy dropper applicator and the concentrate feels ultra-lightweight so you can use this on towel-dried, damp or dry hair, without it making your hair greasy (if it does this, you'll definitely using way too much!). The concentrate works to penetrate the surface layers of the scalp in order to nourish it, and it helps to support the scalp's natural protective barrier, which in turn helps to further protect it from pollution and other irritating free radicals. To use, I part my hair and apply it directly to my scalp like I did with the cleanser above, and very gently massage it in.  You only need to use a tiny amount as the formula is so concentrated and as it's a leave-in treatment, you can just style your hair as usual afterwards and you're done.

Overall thoughts?

As I mentioned earlier, I've been using these products for just over a month now and I've already seen a big difference in how my scalp is looking and feeling. It's a lot less itchy and flaky, and feels clearer and cleaner than it's ever been before. Really impressed, and I look forward to seeing what the long term results are like - watch this space!

The Aveda Pramāsana range is available from all Aveda stockists and salons nationwide, and online at aveda.co.uk / There's also an In-Salon Scalp Facial Treatment available (from £50), so contact your local Aveda salon for booking info.

Have you tried this new range yet?

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Green Beauty: Trying Out Indemne Skincare for Sensitive, Dry & Eczema Prone Skin

Indemne are a French 'dermo-cosmetic' natural skincare brand who have recently launched in the UK. All of their products have been specially formulated to care for sensitive skin, and to help treat common skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, cellulite and general irritated skin and scalp complaints. 

Unlike other brands who use harsh or drying ingredients that can exacerbate these problems, Indemne use only 100% naturally derived ingredients that are free from the likes of parabens, sulphates and alcohol etc, and the brand as a whole are cruelty-free, with everything being suitable for vegans. 

I've had eczema since I was a child so I'm always looking for new products that will help calm down flare-ups and soothe redness and irritation when my skin is playing up. With this in mind, I was curious to try out a few from Indemne which I've been trialling over the past month.

 Indemne Gimme Soothing! Anti-Irritating Cleansing Base* (225ml, £14.18, link)

Whilst it's common to find creams and lotions to soothe eczema and irritated skin, it can be all too easy to forget that sensitive skin sometimes needs an extra helping hand in the shower, as many shower gels contain a lot of sulphates which can be especially drying and uncomfortable for already irritated skin. Gimme Soothing! is Indemne's solution as it's a super gentle cleansing wash that you can use all over your body in the shower, and you can also use it on your face to soothe away any redness and irritation. It has a lovely fresh and uplifting scent thanks to a complex of pure essential oils like Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood and Palmarosa, and the Vegetable Glycerine and Sweet Almond Oil base helps to moisturise dry skin. This has been great for my eczema flareups and it's a handy product to keep in your bathroom if your skin is easily prone to any kind of irritation.

 Indemne Gimme Clean! Ultra Soothing Lotion* (50ml, £19.09, link)

In addition to having eczema, I have a sensitive scalp that's can feel really irritated and itchy at times (usually during seasonal changes), so I was pleased to find a useful two-in-one product in Indemne's range which addresses both of these problems. Their Gimme Clean! Ultra Soothing Lotion is an interesting water-free, natural oil based treatment that's formulated with a special mix of vegetable derived oils (Apricot Kernel Oil and Squalene Oil) blended with essential oils of Coriander, Cedarwood and Roman Chamomile. It's suitable to use on the face, body and scalp, and you only need a few drops per application depending on where you want to use it. I've been applying it mainly on my body to keep dry areas in check and as a weekly scalp treatment to soothe away any itchy irritations - and it's been working a treat!

Indemne I Love Konjac Sponge* (£6.67, link)

I've spoken about how much I love konjac sponges in the past and I think that they're such a fantastic natural alternative to plastic based loofahs and harsh facial cleansing brushes. I always recommend them to anyone who has sensitive, dry or eczema-prone skin as they offer an easy and gentle way to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. I have two in my bathroom; one in the shower and this one by my sink to use with my morning cleansers. They start off hard and dry (it's basically a dehydrated vegetable sponge), but once you add water to them, they turn into a light and bouncy sponge that you can use on its own or with a cleanser/shower gel etc. Best of all, they last for around 2-3 months depending on how often you use it and they're fully biodegradable/compostable when you're finally finished with it. Pretty neat!

Indemne are available in the UK from LoveLula.com

Have you tried anything from Indemne?

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Tried & Tested: Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo & Dead Sea Mud Mask review

I was recently introduced to Maple Holistics, an independent American based company who create a whole range of natural hair and body products and pride themselves on the high quality of the ingredients that they use.   

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Tried & Tested: Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner Flaky/Itchy Scalps

Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner Flaky/Itchy Scalps (75ml, £6.05, link)

Most of the year, my scalp is pretty sensitive and dry, but when winter kicks it, it gets really dry and itchy and flaky and yeah...you get the picture.  It's basically not happy, and when my scalp isn't happy, I'm not happy either.  It's improved a great deal this year due to me switching to SLS-free shampoos (which would be the first step I'd recommend to anyone who has the same problem), but I'm always on a quest to find a way to keep it happy and not irritated.

Cue Philip Kingsley's Scalp Toner for Flaky/Itchy Scalps, - the name doesn't beat about the bush does it?!  This is a leave-in solution that has an anti-microbial and anti-flaking formula.  It contains two active ingredients; camphor which soothes and cools the scalp, and Piroctone Olamine Benzalkonium Chloride which basically stops the flaking.

You apply a small amount to freshly shampooed and lightly towel dried hair and the itchiness, flakiness/dryness is reduced.  I didn't find it to be a miracle product (and it took a few uses to kick in), but it does help, so it might be worth trying out the smaller 75ml size if you have the same problem.  I bought mine from Feel Unique who currently have 15% off Philip Kingsley products.

Have you tried this?  

Does it work for you?

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Tried & Tested: Eucerin Dry Scalp Relief Shampoo

I've mentioned a few times on this blog the minor problems I've had with eczema and dry skin, but I don't think I've ever done a post on having a dry scalp. I guess it's something that isn't talked about much in general, even though it's quite a common condition. Like my eczema, I get flare ups of having a particularly dry and itchy scalp every now and again, and it's often exasperated by cold weather. I have to be quite careful when it comes to picking out shampoos to use because I find that most of the mainstream highstreet brands are packed full of certain chemicals that upset my scalp. I have tried pretty much all of the speicalised medicated shampoos on the market including prescription ones, but the one that has worked best for me has definitely been Eucerin's Dry Scalp Relief Shampoo.

I have gotten through about three bottles of this since Winter began last year and wanted to do a quick review of it in case anyone else has the same problem and was looking for a suitable product to try out. Eucerin's Dry Scalp Shampoo has 5% Urea in it which is its key ingredient in moisturizing the scalp, whilst the chemical Polidocanol soothes and helps to stop the itchiness. It's fragrance free, lathers well and delivers a good cleansing of the scalp, without leaving it dry. I find that it's best to wash twice with this, rinsing in between, so you'll end up using a lot more product than you'd expect. It does the job of stopping any itchiness for a day and I found my scalp to be a lot happier in that it was feeling a lot less dry and angry! Only downside with this shampoo is that it made the lengths and particularly the ends of my hair very dry. Not too much of an issue for me as I use hair oils on those parts often enough, but if I used a light conditioner like Lush's American Cream, then my hair would feel dry by the end of the day, so you'd probably need something much more heavy duty if you were using this on a regular basis.

Summary: I'd recommend this shampoo to anyone who is plagued occasionally by a bothersome, dry, itchy scalp and wants a product to ease it back to a state of normalness again. I'm not sure how this would work on more serious cases of dry skin like psoriasis etc, as mine seems to be more flare up/seasonal based, but judging from other reviews online it seems like it does the job quite well.

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