Judging CertClean's Clean Beauty Awards 2021: The Body Care Finalists #CleanBeautyAwards

 

Over the years, I have been invited to be a judge on several independent beauty panels for various awards, and this year, I'm very excited to be working with CertClean again for their Clean Beauty Awards 2021.

What Are The Clean Beauty Awards?

The Clean Beauty Awards have been created by CertClean who is North America's leading certification for safer skincare. Although many of the products that I've tested out below fall into typical areas of green, vegan, natural and organic beauty, the general idea behind the awards isn't about how natural or organic a product is, it's about the overall safety of that product instead (in particular, CertClean focuses on products which are free from over 1400+ potentially harmful chemicals).

It's worth noting that all of the entries into the Clean Beauty Awards MUST be free of the following nasties; Parfum/Fragrance, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Siloxanes, Petro-based Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl, Urea, Methenamine, Quaternium-15, Parabens, Petro-based PEG compounds, and Triclosan.

Which products have I been judging?

This year, I have been judging the finalists for the Best Body Care category so I've been testing out the following which have all been new-to-me brands:-

• Farmer's Daughter Lavender Hand and Body Lotion
• Flora's Bare Baoban & Lemon Hand Cream
• Puur Ingrid Ultra Body Oil
• Leaf People Nourishing Body Oil
• Pevonia Age Defying Body Cream

How have I been testing them out?

I've been trying out one different product each week and making notes on the ingredients, application, texture, scent, packaging, and of course, how my skin feels after using them.

When will the winners be announced?

Judging ends on 25th June 2021 and I will be announcing the winners on my social media pages as soon as all of the results have been compiled. You can also keep an eye on certcleanbeautyawards.com and reviews.certclean.com for all the updates.

Big thanks to Cert Clean for asking me to be part of their judging panel for the fourth year in a row! 

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - May 2021 review

Worth £68, this month's LoveLula Beauty Box features a variety of luxury natural, organic and cruelty-free products that can be included in your daily routine. Curious to find out more? Here's a rundown of everything that's inside.

Organic Works Lavender Hand Wash (RRP £10)

Keeping your hands clean has never been more important and now you can use this luxury Organic Works Lavender Hand Wash to gently cleanse away all traces of dirt and daily grime. Made with natural plant extracts and carefully chosen essential oils, it helps to balance skin without leaving it stripped thanks to moisturising Aloe Vera and no SLS. Suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

Urban Veda Purifying Day Cream (RRP £18.99)

Perfect for oily and congested skin types, this Purifying Day Cream from Urban Veda uses a natural formula that's based on Ayurvedic principles to uplift, balance and clarify your complexion. Key ingredients include cold-pressed Neem Oil which has detoxifying properties, Witch Hazel to soothe and heal and several hand-picked botanicals to reduce excess sebum, boost collagen production and refine your pores. I've used it in the past and loved how refreshing it felt on my skin!

Bowe Organics Brow Oil (RRP £17)

Big brows are still very much on-trend and if yours need a helping hand to grow, this luxury Brow Oil from Bowe Organics is here to rescue your overplucked hairs! Composed of just six natural and certified organic ingredients, applying it regularly to your brows will help thicken and strengthen your brows in no time at all.

Walden Rollerball in A Morning Star (RRP £22)

Inspired by a quote by Henry David Thoreau, A Morning Star is one of the latest natural fragrances from Walden who are exclusive to LoveLula. This convenient to use rollerball perfume oil is a lovely way to try out this unique scent which features notes of Lavender, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Rose de Mai, Sandalwood, and Orris Butter. It's a fresh, clean and unisex perfume for all to enjoy.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Treat Yourself: Luxury Smart Cleansing Devices from PMD - Clean Body & Clean Pro Jade review + Instagram Giveaway worth £165!

Summer is on its way so it's the perfect time to treat yourself to some smart cleansing devices from PMD! I've been testing out two of their newbies, the Clean Body and Clean Pro Jade, to see what all the fuss is about.

I've been a fan of PMD for several years now, having used many of their bestselling products such as the Personal Microderm, PMD Kiss, PMD Clean, PMD Clean Pro RQ, and the PMD Personal Microderm Elite Pro. They are an amazing, innovative brand that specialises in smart cleansing devices and it's always exciting to see what they launch next.

Naturally, I was thrilled when I received their new Clean Body and Clean Pro Jade devices over a month ago, as it's been a lot of fun to put them through their paces!

PMD Clean Body in Berry* (£145, link)

Clean Body is the ultimate multipurpose luxury pampering device! Made from ultra-hygienic silicone which is 100% waterproof, the device has a clever ergonomic design that makes it super easy and comfortable to handle and use. It has a rechargeable battery and comes with a one-year limited warranty.

SonicGlow Cleansing Head

On one side, there's a permanent silicone brush head that uses the brand's patented SonicGlow technology to deliver up to 7,000 vibrations per minute which allows the Clean Body to operate at the perfect frequency to lift, firm and tone. There are also four customisable modes (two cleansing vibrations and two massage pulsation speeds) to explore for seriously beautiful cleansed skin.

Flip the Clean Body over and you'll find a magnetic side where you can effortlessly attach three different interchangeable heads for even more pampering and body care options. These attachments are included when you purchase the Clean Body device and replacements are also available to buy separately as and when you require them.

Silverscrub Silver Infused Loofah

This isn't any ordinary loofah! Silverscrub is infused with real silver particles for its antibacterial properties which means that it can cleanse your skin without spreading bacteria around or harbouring any nasties after you're done in the shower. This is brilliant for an everyday gentle exfoliation and works well with your favourite shower gels and body washes.

Aluminium Oxdide Exfoliator

Next up, there's a circular disc which is made from Aluminium Oxide. Again, this is known for its antibacterial properties and it does a great job of buffing away rough calloused skin for smoother results. I love using this on my feet to keep them soft and supple, especially with Summer coming up.

Relax Body Massager

My favourite attachment is the Relax Body Massager and if you buy your Clean Body device in either the Blush or Berry shades, the body massager comes in a gorgeous rose gold colour. Perfect for soothing everyday body aches, you really feel the full benefits of PMD's SonicGlow technology as it works into the muscles for instant relief. You can use it in the shower or with your favourite moisturiser or body oil for a full-on pampering experience at home.

PMD Clean Pro Jade* (£165, link)

I'm really happy to see PMD expanding its luxury gemstone cleansing device range as I enjoy using their Clean Pro RQ which features Rose Quartz, so of course, I couldn't wait to test out the new Clean Pro Jade. 

First things first, the Clean Pro Jade has the same soft silicone bristle head as the rest of the range, and this is great for helping to reduce the appearance of blackheads, eliminating excess oil and sebum congestion, and delivering a real deep cleanse sensation. It's much more gentle than the harsher Clarisonic's so better suited for sensitive skin, and you can reap the benefits of the SonicGlow technology at the same time. The device itself is also waterproof, has different settings to suit your needs, and as it's made from silicone, it's hygienic and easy to keep clean. I'm a big fan!

Jade Stone

The dual side head features an inbuilt, real Jade stone, and Jade has been used for centuries in Eastern skincare rituals thanks to its natural calming properties. One of the best things about Jade is that it stays cold for a long time which you can use in your skincare routine as a way to improve your skin's circulation and remove toxins via lymphatic drainage massage. The coldness of the stone also soothes any inflammation, irritation or redness for happier, more comfortable skin.

Switch on the ActiveWarmth button and this will gently heat up the Jade stone so that you can use it for a pampering facial massage which helps to improve elasticity, stimulate collagen production, lift and tone the skin, open up the pores and allow your skincare products to absorb better.

Fancy trying the PMD Clean Pro Jade for yourself? Enter my competition to win one over on my Instagram!

Are you a fan of skincare devices?

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Skincare 101: How to Prevent Your Makeup from Causing Acne #AD

Makeup is definitely there to improve our self-confidence. Wearing makeup is an effective and fun way to cover imperfections, improve skin tone and emphasize facial features. I believe that there is no girl who does not like to wear make-up. However, what happens when makeup ceases to be our way of beautification and begins to cause us a problem? 

Although today's makeup is designed to moisturize and protect the skin, certain cosmetics could potentially lead to irritation, allergies, dry skin, or even acne and pimples! Makeup acne is definitely something that can occur and cause us a real nightmare! These reactions usually disappear over time and by avoiding certain products. However, the symptoms often last. Acne and pimples can be caused by the interaction of hormones, bacteria, skin oils, and makeup which leads to inflammation of the hair follicles. So stay with us until the end of this post and learn how to prevent your makeup from causing acne on your skin.

Use non-comedogenic make-up products

In addition to the low risk of side effects, makeup can definitely have positive effects on the skin. That is why you should use the make-up that is formulated in such a way as to moisturize, hydrate, and nourish the facial skin and to protect it from the harmful effects of the sun. A thin layer of makeup can actually protect the skin from airborne contaminants - which could otherwise penetrate the pores and cause damage associated with acne, wrinkles or other aging effects. Cosmetics and other personal care products are now designed to counteract these harmful effects of pollution.

Makeup hygiene

Make sure that your make-up and tools are always well protected from external influences. So, to be well closed, covered, and clean - since contaminated makeup and dirty brushes can lead to infections and inflammation that can lead to acne and makeup pimples. Replace makeup at least once every few months and don't share cosmetics with others!

Remove your makeup before going to bed

Every night before going to bed, very carefully remove all traces of makeup from the face and neck, because acne also forms around the chin and neck. This reduces the possibility that makeup will clog pores, and also removes dirt and excess oil that accumulates on your skin during the day. There is no need to "scrub" the skin. All you really need is a gentle cleanser for your face and your hands or a soft cloth for washing your face. After cleansing, don't forget to apply a treatment for acne and pimples. We also recommend using a hot towel for acne after removing your makeup, to make sure that nothing is stuck in your pores and to make sure your skin is glowing.

Proper facial hygiene

When the damage has already been done and you already have makeup acne - you know what to do. Proper facial cleansing at home is crucial to solve this problem and prevent it from spreading and getting worse. Mandatory washing and cleansing of the face 2 times a day (morning and evening) with adequate non-comedogenic and water-based products (oil clogs pores). Make sure that these are some natural ingredients that will not further irritate your skin. After cleansing the face, hydration and care with a moisturizing cream should follow. Again, it would be desirable for your facial cosmetics to be on a natural basis - because natural ingredients are far better and safer for your skin, but also overall health. In particular, since you need to get rid of acne caused by makeup - you should use a cream (or even better, an acne gel) that removes acne and pimples.

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