Tried & Tested: Grahams Natural Manuka Honey Soap for Dry Skin and Psoriasis Cream review

One of the best things about the internet is being able to find a wide range of products to help treat Eczema and Psoriasis, both of which I've had since I was a child. If you've been following my blog for a while now, you'll have no doubt seen me mention my struggles with eczema flare-ups, especially at this time of the year and when the seasons change.

Both Eczema and Psoriasis can be incredibly debilitating depending on the severity of the individual's symptoms, and I had one of the worst Pompholyx flare-ups (also known as Dyshidrotic Eczema) over Christmas which I'm still trying to get under control now. For these reasons, I'm always open to trying out products which are specially formulated to help these conditions as I have found that it can sometimes take a lot of trial and error before you find something that really works for you.

Lately, I've been trying out these two products from the Australian brand Grahams, and like so many companies that specialise in this area, Grahams was set up by a husband and wife team to help their son who was suffering from eczema and needed a more natural alternative to what was available on the market. After 17 years of perfecting their formulas, they now have a range of products which are dedicated to those who need something more natural based and steroid-free, to soothe their Eczema, Psoriasis and Dry Skin problems.

Grahams Natural Manuka Honey Soap* (100g, £6.99, link)

If you have any kind of dry skin condition, you may find switching your regular hand wash and/or your shower gel to a more gentle soap can really help to alleviate some of the symptoms. I personally find that my eczema is often triggered by SLS that's the commonly used foaming ingredient in many mainstream products, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. 

Grahams Natural Manuka Honey Soap is free from SLS and sulphates, and instead is made from just seven natural ingredients; Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Purified Water, Glycerin, Manuka Honey and Neem Leaf Powder. It produces a light lather and feels very moisturising, but doesn't have any noticeable scent to it so I like using it mainly as a hand soap, although it does work well in the shower if you want something that feels very neutral and 'clean'. The only negative is that I would prefer to use a soap that's made without palm oil, so I'm not sure that I would repurchase it.

Grahams Psoriasis Cream* (75g, £19.99, link)

I've had a stubborn patch of Psoriasis on both of my hands since the start of the year so this Psoriasis Cream arrived at the perfect time for me to test it out! Described as a 'Class 1 Formulated Medical Device' in Australia, this product is an effective, non-sterile topical emollient with clinical data to back up its formula. Key ingredients include Purified Water, Manuka Honey, Calendula, Urea, Avocado Oil, Gotu Kola Extract, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to bring instant relief to the symptoms of Psoriasis.

It's a relatively thick cream product as you'd expect from a product of this nature, but it doesn't feel overly sticky or greasy and depending on how much you apply, you may be surprised by how quickly this absorbs compared to similar emollients that I've tried in the past. The fragrance-free formula will also be appreciated by those who have sensitive skin, and the cream can be used anywhere on the body and face. It's not been a miracle worker for my psoriasis, but it has definitely helped to improve the worst of it by keeping the skin nicely moisturised, so if you're looking to try something different, it's certainly worth a go.

Grahams products are available in the UK via LoveLula.com

What do you use for managing eczema and psoriasis?

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Foodie Friday: 3 Ways With Porridge - Quinoa, Barley and Polenta (Vegan & Dairy-Free recipes)

Stuck in a porridge rut? Bored of having oats every morning? Why not try out some different ingredients as the base to jazz things up a bit - all three of these comforting bowls are healthy, wholesome and filling!

Porridge ranks very highly as one of my favourite breakfasts to enjoy during Winter. In fact, I often eat it throughout the year, but there's something extra comforting about wrapping your hands around a steaming bowl of porridge on a cold Winter's morning; it's the food equivalent of a good cuppa when it's freezing outside.

However, porridge can get a little boring, especially if you eat it every day so I like to raid my kitchen cupboard and try out some different ingredients to keep things interesting. The best thing about porridge is how wonderfully customisable it is - from the toppings, to the consistency (just add more or less milk/water to suit your Goldilocks preference), and the actual base ingredients - you never have to get stuck making the same recipe over and over again if you don't want to.

To give you some porridge inspiration, here are three of my favourite ways to make it, all of which are vegan-friendly and dairy-free.

Creamy Quinoa Porridge with Agave Syrup, Pumpkin & Sunflower Seeds

Quinoa is one of the most versatile gluten-free pseudo-grains around, and if you haven't tried it as a porridge yet, this is the perfect recipe for you! It's much lighter and easier to digest than regular oats, and to make it have a creamy consistency, simply pair it with a plant-based milk such as Cashew or Coconut, which also gives it extra flavour. Packed full of protein, B vitamins and minerals, it's a super healthy way to start your day and will keep you full until lunchtime.

Ingredients: (for one)

• 40g White Quinoa
• 200ml Water
• 200ml Cashew or Coconut Milk
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• Sprinkle of Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds (to serve)
• Drizzle of Agave Syrup (to serve)

Method:

• Rinse the Quinoa well and then add to a small saucepan with the Milk and Water. 
• Bring to the boil, partially cover with a lid and then reduce to a simmer. 
• Cook for 20-30 minutes until the Quinoa is soft. Add the Vanilla Extract and Cinnamon and give it a good stir.
• Add a splash more water or milk if desired to get the right consistency, and transfer to a bowl.
• Sprinkle over the Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds, and add a generous drizzle of Agave Syrup. Enjoy!

Cacao & Barley Flakes Porridge with Dates and Flaked Coconut

If you don't want to stray too far out of your porridge comfort zone, give Barley Flakes a go instead of your regular oats. They are incredibly similar to oats, yet have a slightly denser, nuttier flavour and a chewier texture, so if you prefer a 'chunkier' type of porridge, like I often do, Barley Flakes are a brilliant alternative. They're full of beneficial fibre and minerals too. I love going all out with this recipe and making the most indulgent porridge ever with gooey sliced Medjool Dates, Cacao Powder to give it a rich chocolate flavour and a plentiful amount of Flaked Coconut on the top - simply heaven in a bowl!

Ingredients: (for one)

• 40g Barley Flakes
• 120ml Water
• 160ml Almond or Soya Milk
• 1 tsp Cacao Powder
• 2-3 Medjool Dates (pitted and sliced)
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Flaked Coconut (to serve)

Method: 

• Add the Barley Flakes, Water and Milk to a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the Cacao Powder, Dates, Cinnamon and Vanilla Extract and give it a good stir.
• Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, depending on how chewy or soft you want the Barley Flakes to be. 
• Check the consistency, adding more water or milk if desired and then transfer to a bowl.
• Top with the Flaked Coconut and dig in!

Sweet Polenta Porridge with Cardamon, Sesame Seeds and Maple Syrup

Polenta is rather underrated and overlooked here in the UK, but it's very cheap and filling, plus it's low-fat and provides a source of protein and fibre, so it's a good base ingredient to use if you want to lose some weight. Add some Cardamon for a delicious twist, a splash of Maple Syrup for sweetness and Sesame Seeds bring some additional nutrients and nutty flavour. Ready in just three minutes, it's perfect for busy morning people so there's no excuse to skip breakfast.

Ingredients: (for one)

• 40g Polenta
• 110ml Water
• 110ml Rice, Almond or Soya Milk
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cardamon
• Sprinkle of Sesame Seeds (to serve)
• Drizzle of Maple Syrup (to serve)

Method:

• Add the Polenta, Water, Milk and Ground Cardamon to a small saucepan over a medium heat and cook for three minutes. You'll need to stir it continuously to prevent it from sticking.
• Check the consistency and add more water or milk if desired. Transfer to a bowl, sprinkle over the Sesame Seeds and finish it off with a generous drizzle of Maple Syrup. Enjoy!

What's your favourite way to enjoy Porridge?

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Introducing: Routine Natural Deodorants - Blackberry Betty and Like A Boss review

Shortly before Christmas, I was asked to be one of the Finalist Judges for the Cert Clean Beauty Awards and since then, I've had the pleasure of trialling a bunch of natural deodorants. With three weeks of judging left to go, I thought I'd share my thoughts on one of the brands that I've been using.

I hadn't heard of the Canadian brand Routine before and when I saw their cute packaging for the first time, it instantly grabbed my attention. They specialise in cruelty-free, natural cream deodorants that come packaged in glass jars which is brilliant for the environment. All of the products are made at the base of the Canadian Rocky Mountains by two sisters who share the same ethical practices, and with Routine having such a wide and varied range of deodorants available in numerous fragrances and formulas, I was very keen to try them out.

But I know what you're thinking - are they actually any good?

The short answer is yes. They're very, very good in fact!

I was sent two natural deodorants from Routine to judge; Blackberry Betty and Like A Boss - both of which I like for different reasons as you'll soon discover below.

Routine Natural Deodorant in Blackberry Betty* (C$28, 58g, link)

If you have sensitive skin and you're into sweet, fruity berry scents, Blackberry Betty is a must-try. Most natural deodorants that I've tried from other brands have had a very typical 'clean' or floral fragrance, so it was exciting to try out something different which was so wonderfully fruity! 

Made with a formula that's designed to be gentle on sensitive skin, this deodorant contains the likes of Coconut Oil, Magnesium, Kaolin Clay, Arrowroot Powder, non-GMO Corn Starch, Baking Soda, ethically sourced Beeswax, Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Cocoa Seed Butter, and a carefully chosen selection of Organic Oils such as Blackberry, Raspberry, Citrus and Vanilla. This combination of natural ingredients yields a deodorant which is effective at keeping body odour at bay, moisturises and nourishes the delicate underarm area, and makes you smell like you've been walking through a dewy patch of fresh blackberries - yum!

I love using Blackberry Betty as it feels so gentle and it's particularly great for days when I'm not exercising or running around doing lots of errands.

Routine Natural Deodorant in Like A Boss (C$28, 58g, link)

Like A Boss, on the other hand, is definitely for those busy days where you're rushing around doing a million things and have no time to worry about your deodorant! This is one seriously hardworking deo which has a clean and ultra-fresh, unisex friendly fragrance.

With similar base ingredients to Blackberry Betty above (you get all of the gentle hydration and powerful sweat absorption properties from Coconut Oil, Kaolin Clay, Corn Starch, Arrowroot Powder, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Vitamin E and more), Like A Boss is different as it has much stronger essential oils blended into the mix such as Geranium, Rosemary, Mandarin, Spearmint and Lavender, to keep you fresher for longer, so it's perfect for the gym and my sweaty HIIT workouts!

With both of these natural cream deodorants, a little goes a long way as you only need to rub a pea-sized amount into your pits in the morning and you're good to go for the rest of the day. With this in mind, one of these jars will last you around 3-6 months depending on whether you need to reapply after exercise/workouts etc, so they're good value for money if you're looking to switcher a more natural alternative with good ingredients.

Discover the full range at routinecream.com

Do you use a natural deodorant?

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New In Beauty: Lavera Brilliant Care Lipsticks - Review & Swatches

If your lips are anything like mine, they're probably feeling very dry and chapped at this time of the year, but not to worry - these brand new Brilliant Care Lipsticks from Lavera are here to help!

You may already know of Lavera for their amazing green beauty body and skincare products that are also very affordable, but their makeup range is definitely not to be missed, and I'm so pleased that they've released these new lipsticks. 

Formulated with a nourishing, anti-ageing green Q10 Complex and an array of natural and organic plant-based waxes and oils, the new Brilliant Care Lipsticks have quickly become a handbag staple of mine. With ingredients such as Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Candelilla Wax, Coconut Oil, Carnauba Wax, Olive Oil and Cocoa Seed Butter, these lippies have been helping to soothe my dry lips, whilst also adding a gorgeous wash of colour to them at the same time.

Packaged in chic metallic silver tubes, Lavera's Brilliant Care Lipsticks are currently available in four different shades and with each one offering sheer to buildable colour with a subtle glossy sheen, you'll be hard pressed not to want to buy them all!

I have the two most neutral/everyday shades to show you; Light Hazel and Oriental Rose.

 Lavera Brilliant Care Lipstick in Light Hazel* (1.7g, £12.90, link)

Light Hazel is an easy to wear, nude neutral colour that leans a little pinkish on me. Like most nudes, it looks great with a smokey eye and has enough warmth in it to suit a range of different skin tones. 

Lavera Brilliant Care Lipstick in Oriental Rose* (1.7g, £12.90, link)

If you're searching for a moisturising lipstick that's one level up from a tinted lip balm and offers a beautiful 'my lips but better' look, Oriental Rose is the shade for you. I absolutely love this as it's a fraction darker than my natural lip colour and makes me feel instantly more polished and professional whenever I wear it.

Swatches from L-R: Lavera Brilliant Care Lipstick in Oriental Rose and Light Hazel

Shop the full range at pravera.co.uk

Are you a fan of Lavera?

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