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Describe the brand in three words.
Natural. Plants. Heritage.
Who is it for?
Dry, rough, dehydrated skins. People suffering from rosacea, cracked skin and dermatitis. Weather-chapped. Pissed off faces.
What’s in it?
Water (Aqua), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lanolin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Glycerin, Limonene*, Viola Tricolor Extract, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Hydrolyzed Beeswax, Sobitan Olivate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Arginine, Zinc Sulfate, Linalool*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Coumarin*. * from natural essential oils
What’s not in it?
Petroleum, parabens
Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
Beeswax, lanolin, fragrance from essential oils
Suitable for pregnancy?
Yes
Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Natural/organic
Tested on animals in home country/sold in territories that require testing?
No
How does it smell?
It just smells like a rich face cream, soft and comforting. I know that sounds really strange, but that is what it reminds me of..
How do you use it?
Squeeze a little bit on to the tips of your fingers, warm it gently between them, and then apply directly where you need it, it’s thick and not suited for much massage. Put it on and leave it alone.
Can it be taken around the eyes?
I’d go easy, it can make them puffy. Orbital socket only.
Best for winter or summer?
Winter for most, summer for rosacea, eczema and extremely/genetically dry skins.
How long did I test it for?
A few weeks.
How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?
A whopping £10.95 for 75ml.
Works well with?
Anything, but it all needs to go under this, Skin Food is too thick for anything to penetrate through it.
What’s good about it?
This balm has saved my face. There’s really no two ways about it. I know I’ve been quiet lately so here’s what’s been going on:
I started retinoling (Webster’s need to add that to their dictionary!) in early September when I got back from holiday and knew I was done with the (intense) sun exposure.
I used prescription strength a few times a week for about a month, and got a little too ‘peely’ (also a skincare word), so stopped and stuck with things like Votary, Jordan Samuel and Pestle & Mortar.
My skin has suffered as a side effect of my blood disorder this month. Without turning into WebMD, my HB count is low, my skin is slow to heal and is pale, a little yellow and consequently the odd little food allergy spot was not healing, and lingering for ages. Bloody infuriating.
As a last resort, last week I applied a little prescription strength retin-a to each spot around my mouth area to dry them up (works a treat, more info to come). Except I didn’t use a Q-Tip, I just dabbed a teeny bit in each place with my finger and quickly and roughly rubbed it in. About 18 hours later my entire chin started peeling off. I was peeling under my chin like people peel off the skin on their feet after doing one of those detox masks. It also attempted to start up my dermatitis at the corner of my mouth again. Grim.
‘Then’ – proper winter temperatures hit the UK. It’s been getting steadily colder here for a few weeks, and my skin had clearly had enough.
You know how sometimes when you’re so busy you carry on as if on autopilot, and just keep doing the same thing? I took a moment one evening and told myself to get a grip. I cut back on the acids (once a day with PIGM400), grabbed the Alpha-H Vitamin B and Zelens Vitamin D and then layered this all over my face. It absorbed in about 5 minutes, which if you know how thick this is, you’ll realise just how compromised my barrier function had become. Unlike me, but it’s the busiest time of year for my business and I’m trying to do everything, so cutting myself some slack. Work is great, so something has to give. This stopped my face from being the thing that ‘gave’. Sometimes you just need to go back to basics.
What’s not so good about it?
Not much, assuming you don’t use this with the incorrect skin type.
Would I purchase/repurchase?
Yes.
Do you need it?
If your skin feels tight, sore, red, rough, annoyed, chapped or just in need of some really quick comfort, yes.
Similar products?
Farmacy Honey Saviour
African Botanics Intense Skin Repair Balm
Weleda Skin Food is £10.75 and available here: FeelUnique
