damaged skin

Albiva - ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum

Everyone knows that the weather conditions here in the UK are wildly unpredictable. One minute it’s rain, the next sun, and who knows what the following day might be doing - snowing?! All these temperature changes effect our skin with varying degrees of dryness or break-outs. Which prompted our mission at The Amazing Blog to look for a natural skincare to protect and nourish it rain or shine. This is where we’d like to introduce you to Albiva (who we met at the CEW Awards showcase) a new natural skincare where science meets nature, and they kindly sent us their ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum to try out.

Ivana Iesini founder of Albiva, was diagnosed with a spinal tumour at the age of 28, where she was having to combine so many conventional medicines, that it started to make her feel worse. During her months of recuperation, she thought about her grandmother, Albina who was a herbalist. She remembered the natural remedies that she was introduced to from an early age, and the power of all these botanicals used to help heal and regenerate the body. Her journey into launching Albiva had begun. The name is a portmanteau combining the name of Ivana’s grandmother and her own. Ivana combined her knowledge of these natural remedies, her studies in biomedical sciences together with embracing an organic way of life, and bingo! From this, Albiva skincare gradually took shape combining her knowledge of science and natural compounds, all collated from sustainable sources. Another thing that sets this brand apart is their use of ‘gemmotherapy’ (an advanced branch of phytotherapy, which isolates the active ingredients from the embryonic tissues of plants). They also remove plain water from their formulations, where Albiva prides itself on replacing the plain water with COSMOS certified organic Raspberry water, this in itself is an active ingredient renowned for firming, lifting and smoothing properties. There are skin-identical and cell communicating ingredients, all designed to stimulate cell regeneration using the skin’s own cell biology. Let’s not forget to mention the ultra-hydrating blend of botanical extracts, powerful antioxidants, collagen supporting ingredients, peptides, ceramides, compound of oligo-elements, phyto-stimulins, nucleid acids, marine algae extracts, essential fatty acids and many more. Now you know why this brand is so very special!

The ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum (ECM means extra cellular matrix) combats hyperpigmentation (age spots) and equalises the skin texture providing natural minerals and vitamins that the skin might be lacking. This serum rejuvenates and restores damaged skin by combining an array of natural botanicals: Mallow, Peppermint, Cowslip, Lady’s Mantle, Speedwell, Melissa, and Yarrow together with Swiss Garden Cress extract; all to enhance the complexion protecting it from environmental damage. It is vegan, cruelty-free, dermatologically tested, contains 77% of certified organic ingredients and 92% of natural ingredients. We like that it’s light in texture, absorbs quickly (no oiliness), with the subtlest of fragrance and left our skin feeling hydrated and looking brighter. We used it under our regular moisturiser and SPF primer, and were pleased to note that it complemented these other products. This serum is suitable for all skin types, so whether you are combating age spots or the effects of the erratic UK summer weather, the ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum is going to be your perfect ally. This is one brand to keep an eye on, as we’ll predict they’ll being going places…. To get your very own special serum, go to Albiva’s website here 30ml for £195.00.



Shiny Lips Lip balm, Shea Butter Filtered Through Volcanic Rock and a Nourishing Beauty Mask from Manna

The Amazing Blog is a huge fan of the Manna brand, not only do they have excellent values but their products are always perfect. As the weather is beginning to change, it’s time to start switching up our skincare routine and products, and it seems only natural to incorporate Manna into this change. We have decided to include three of Manna’s products to help protect our skin from the ill effects of a dropping temperature and central heating. We sampled the Shiny Lips Lip Balm, the Shea butter Filtered through Volcanic Rock with Roman Chamomile and their Mattifying and Nourishing mask with blue clay. 

If you are anything like us then chapped lips go hand in hand with cold weather. It’s unfortunate but true and cold winds have a nasty habit of ruining our lips. As such we are never far from a lip balm, and Manna’s Shiny Lips Lip Balm is the perfect way to keep lips perfectly hydrated and shiny all through the bitter months. Made with natural ingredients, the balm contains Sesame Oil, which helps with hydration and elasticity, Castor Oil which nourishes the lips and Cocoa Butter which will hydrate and protect the skin from various impacts. The product also smells amazing thanks to the orange and lemon essential oils in the product, which give it a great citrus scent.  If you lips dry out then so too will your skin, so it is imperative to apply a nourishing cream or butter to it at least once a day. We love the fragrant Shea Butter Filtered through Volcanic Rock that Manna produces. It is deeply nourishing and acts as an excellent base for makeup. This is because Shea Butter filtered through volcanic rock differs from the usual kind as it tends to be creamier and gives a more even texture and coverage. Manna filters their shea butter through the rocks (perlite) without using any chemicals in the process. 

Although winter can be drying, that doesn’t mean you can get away with not properly looking after your t-zone. So if you are someone with naturally oily skin, you are still going to have to take care of your complexion. We would recommend the Mattifying and Nourishing Mask for this as it purifies skin in a gentle, natural and efficient way. Despite what people may think, oily skin is actually the most vulnerable as it dehydrates quickly, this mask will help keep skin looking great, healthy and hydrated all day long.

You can purchase the Shiny Lips Lip Balm here for £5.30, the Shea butter Filtered through Volcanic Rock with Roman Chamomile can be bought here for £14.80 and the Mattifying Mask here for £9.20