Grevinnans Rum: Firming Body Oil

At The Amazing Blog we have a soft spot for Scandinavian skincare brands, especially those that include their native ingredients. We have had our eye on this lifestyle brand Grevinnans Rum as many of their products contain locally sourced organic botanicals and cold-pressed oils. Today we are featuring their Firming Body Oil.

Grevinnans Rum is an organic lifestyle and skincare brand based in Gränna, Sweden. Founder Karin Egertz has worked with skincare all her professional life, and has always made her own small batch skincare. After realising that the type of sustainable and organic skincare, that many people were looking for didn’t exist, she decided to expand her production and open a shop. In a recent interview, with the Nordic Natural Beauty Awards  Karin said, “With help from my husband and sons, we expanded the production to meet the demands. Everything was handmade by us from the finest organic raw materials. The demand was so great that we decided to close the shop and only focus on production.” Unlike other skincare brands, Grevinnans Rum products are handmade using the finest raw materials sourced from local Swedish producers. Products are also free from palm oil and animal testing, making them cruelty-free, vegan friendly and suitable for all skin types. The range has artisian soaps, lotions, body balms, salt scrub, body oils, face oils, serum and many more. When asked what Grevinnans Rum is about, Karin said in an interview with a Scandinavian lifestyle blog Stromstadspa, “In short, you can say that everything about us, is about natural luxury and no-nonsense!” The formulas are designed with the utmost care making them one of the most exclusive natural brands in Sweden. They bring to life traditional knowhow with their use of medicinal plants, with an alchemy that embraces both the old and the new.

Grevinnans Rum Firming Body Oil is a luxurious dry oil designed for the whole body. it has benefits such as anti-ageing, helping to get rid of stubborn wrinkles and cellulite, and of course, skin firming; with the added bonus of soothing the skin and giving it a natural glow. The ingredient include: Sea buckthorn oil, this is extracted from berries and seeds of the plant, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. This specific oil can help stimulate skin regeneration and reduce inflammation following UV exposure, protecting skin against sun damage. Rosehip oil contains vitamin C and A which can benefit the skin in many ways as it can reduce hyperpigmentation and stretch marks. In order for this body oil to keep the skin supple and nourished, marigold oil is added, which has healing properties that offer an immediate boost to dull skin. Avocado here is rich in vitamin E and biotin, this fruit helps increase skin elasticity and prevents dry skin. Carrot and sunflower oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin. Lemon verbena is another botanical here that not only awakens the body, but it also detoxifies and treats the skin. Lastly, natural peppermint adds to the relaxing smell and cooling effect. Other ingredients include thistle oil, safflower seed and a few others. With this plethora of botanicals and natural oils, makes this a nourishing Firming Body Oil ideal for rosacea, psoriasis, eczema or stressed skin. The fragrance is subtle - all we could detect was a gentle mix of lemon verbena, mint and marigold. When applied it left our skin looking glowing and radiant - we used it on décolletage, arms, legs and torso; and when applied it felt super- luxurious! It may be for skin-firming but we also found it hydrating and replenishing too. It’s a fantastic multipurpose oil (think about adding to ends of hair too) making this 100ml bottle, in our view, a ‘must-have’ item to take on your travels this summer. To purchase the 100 ml Firming Body Oil see here for 499 KR/£42.02. 

VENIA Cosmetic: Unique for Women

As regular readers will know, at The Amazing Blog we're always on the hunt for new natural skincare products to reviews, especially when they have more unusual ingredients. Today we're featuring a brand called VENIA Cosmetic who have a range of natural skincare products infused with 24-carat gold. They kindly sent us their Unique for Women cream, which has natural plants and oils and their signature 24-carat gold flakes.

VENIA Cosmetic is a small UK family run skincare business, started by the founder Jessie Matharu, in 2016. The inspiration came from his own journey, having suffered from dehydrated skin from many years of long-haul travel, having worked in the airline industry. It took six-year in development, including two years of testing and working closely with a team of professional cosmetologists. Venia Cosmetic then launched as a premium 100% certified, natural skincare range. Matharu was recently quoted as having said, "We have meticulously sourced and tested each natural ingredient over the last six years to treat a hormonal skin problem, ageing and sensitive skin. It's lightweight, luxurious formula is packed with antioxidants and the finest plant extracts leaving the skin nourished with a sumptuous floral scent." In Latin, VENIA means "indulgence," and this is where the brand wants to offer everyone the opportunity to purchase a little piece of affordable luxury. All formulations contain 24-carat gold, herbal extracts, essential oils, plants and marine-based ingredients. All products are manufactured locally, and it’s Soil Association and halal-certified, suitable for vegans and paraben-free; plus part of the Cruelty-Free International. The brand has a wonderful giving-back policy with their charity partner the Alzheimer's Society donating 5% of all their online sales each year on World Alzheimers Day (which will be on 21st September 2021). This particular charity apart from being a great cause, has a special meaning to Jessie's family. It helps people affected by dementia and Alzheimer's by funding research to find a cure, campaign for change, and create a supportive community.  We see that the brand recently won a Gold Freefrom Award 2021 for their Signature-Men's natural 24-carat gold daily face hydration cream. As they say, their concept is simple, "Create pure, natural products made using only the finest ingredients."

Unique for Women is a natural 24-carat gold moisturiser for women. This daily moisturiser is versatile and light, making it ideal for all skin types - including sensitive skin. The idea is that it creates a radiant glow, balances skin imperfection and leaves skin rejuvenated. Let's talk about their key ingredient 24-carat gold flakes. Some of you may think this sounds like a bit of a gimmick; however, our research has shown otherwise. Gold as an ingredient has many benefits from helping to increase moisture to reducing dryness, and due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it protects the skin against free radicals that accelerate ageing. And this soft precious metal's purity and composition allows the skin to absorb it readily. Thus, making it ideal for those experiencing sensitive, hyperpigmented, or acne-scarred skin. With regular use, many claim that a more youthful appearance can be seen from the use of gold flakes, as they help stimulate skin cells renewal and blood flow, making the skin clearer of toxins and appear dewy and firmer. But what we liked was the subtle luminous effect Unique for Women gave as the 24-carat gold flakes combined and melted with the other ingredients. And lastly, to say on 24-carat gold, it boosts natural occurring collagen in the skin, creating a plump and younger-looking skin, and who doesn't want that? 

The other main ingredients in Unique for Women are derived from natural plants and oils like shea butter, vitamin E, omega 3 & 6, and argan oil. Having high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter is the ideal ingredient for conditioning and toning skin. What really seals the deal for shea butter is its emollient properties. This rich tree nut oil creates a smooth barrier that locks in moisture. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from being damaged and increases blood circulation, causing the skin to become firmer. Argan oil, derived from Morocco, is a firm favourite of ours; it improves water retention and keeps skin more hydrated. With multiple healing properties, Argan oil can reduce rosacea, hyperpigmentation and acne, creating a calmer complexion. Omega 3 & 6 are types of fats found in flaxseed, nuts, and leafy vegetables, these naturally occurring fats increases the fatty acid levels, repair the skin barrier to improve moisture and elasticity and reduce UV-induced photo damage and signs of ageing.  We used Unique for Women, night and day for a week and liked its texture and performance. It seemed to be fragrance-free with a hint of natural Argan, which meant that it didn’t conflict with any of our other SPF ‘s or cosmetics used. It felt soothing, hydrating and gave our complexion a much-needed boost, and our skin felt healthy and supple. Unique for Women is packaged in a glamorous gold orb, making it an item to proudly display, and unscrews to reveal the tiny gold flakes in the rich cream. This moisturiser feels like a treat, so why not treat yourself and purchase this 50ml Unique for Women, see here for £65. 

Käsämä Cosmetics: Sea Buckthorn Exfoliating Clay Mask

Self-care is important, especially during these stressful times, and we think the best way to start a relaxing self-care routine is with a face mask. As always, we’ve been on a quest to find a new face mask that work with the skin’s natural balance. Today we’re introducing a waterless face mask from Käsämä Cosmetics with their Sea Buckthorn Exfoliating Clay Mask made of 100% natural ingredients.

Käsämä Cosmetics, is a natural skincare brand from Finland, and founded by Pauli Wigelius. Wigelius has a background in commerce but was inspired by Finnish wilderness and nature to get into the business of cosmetics — Käsämä is named after an area in North Karelia, Finland, where the clay is sourced and first used by the indigenous people for making pottery nearly 6500 years ago. The brand currently sells three different clay masks, each for different types of skin — the classic mask is for all skin types, the cranberry mask is for sensitive and normal skin, and the sea buckthorn is for oily and combination skin. All face masks are sustainable, vegan, cruelty-free and waterless, and the latter allows for the products to be stored safely for several years, even without preservatives. The brand said, “Käsämä clay deeply cleanses and purifies our skin and helps us see and appreciate our pure, innate beauty, our truest self and brings a touch of the purest natural healing power within reach of modern-day city dwellers in the world’s busy metropolises.” Although the company is based in Finland, they have distributors in multiple countries and deliver worldwide. 

The face mask that we tried was nominated in the Nordic Beauty Awards 2020, the Käsämä’s Sea Buckthorn Exfoliating Clay Mask is formulated primarily for oily and combination skin; this mask exfoliates and purifies skin by absorbing impurities, removing dead skin cells, and cleansing clogged pores — pretty much everything we look for in a mask. The only ingredients this mask contains are clay, sea buckthorn extract, and zea mays (corn) starch. 75% of the powder in the mask is clay, which is the key ingredient here to absorb impurities and excess oils. Sea Buckthorn is one of nature’s wonder-berries, full of antioxidants it has a healing and rejuvenating effect on the skin and is also a natural cleanser and exfoliator. It also contains vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, and C that hydrate and regenerate skin. Whereas the zea mays starch reduces oil and has anti-inflammatory properties. To apply, measure 1-2 teaspoons of the powder and add lukewarm water by drop until a smooth paste is created. Then, massage onto your face, neck, and shoulders and wait 5-10 minutes before rinsing away with lukewarm water. They recommend using it 1-3 times per week and avoiding contact with the eyes. Each package contains 35g, which is enough for about 10 full facial applications. The strength of the mask can be adjusted by adding different measures of water, making this a versatile mask for every skin type. We love the brand’s eco-credentials as it’s contained in a simple recyclable paper packet, and of course, being in powder form it cuts the weight of the product in half. What is fantastic about this powder mask is its purity, how refreshing it is to have no additives or chemicals - you really feel like you are at one with nature. If you want to feel the healing benefits of this mask, you can find it here for €17.90. 

Intelligent: Enzyme Toothpaste & Mouthwash

As brushing teeth is a ritual that we all do at least twice a day, for us, finding a good quality toothpaste and mouthwash is paramount. At The Amazing Blog, we’ve already reviewed many different oral products here. However, today we are featuring Intelligent’s cutting-edge range of natural enzyme based toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Intelligent is an oral care brand based in Taiwan since 2004, and what sets them apart from other oral care companies is that they use natural enzymes in their products. These all contain four natural enzymes and lactoferrin, which can effectively restore the oral saliva antimicrobial power and ecological balance for better oral health. The Intelligent products “adhere to the use of natural extracts of food-grade raw materials, safe and non-toxic ingredients and the use of healthy saliva to improve oral problems.” The toothpastes and mouthwashes contain saliva enzymes, which strengthen the saliva function — including amylase, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and pearl powder. The amylase reduces tartar formation, the glucose oxidase decomposes sugar, the lactoperoxidase removes dental plaque, the lysozyme fights bad breath, the lactoferrin is antibacterial, and the pearl powder supplies nutrition. The brand‘s range includes toothpastes for adults, kids, pets and pregnant women, as well as toothbrushes and mouthwashes. Intelligent’s Natural Enzymes Toothpaste won the Pure Beauty Awards London 2020 Silver and a Reddot Award in 2016. In addition, Intelligent founded the Yixue Education Foundation for Ideal Competence, which contributes to children’s oral education. 

Intelligent sent us a selection of their Natural Enzymes Toothpastes. The three featured are the Fresh Mint, Fresh Cool Mint, and For Pregnant Women. Did you know that 90% of oral problems are caused by dental plaque? This is where saliva enzymes have the power to actively dispose of dental plaque, where the biological cleaning mechanism of saliva is known to be more effective than traditional toothpastes. These Natural Enzymes Toothpastes clean and protect the enamel, whiten teeth, and treat bad breath, periodontal disease, and mouth ulcers (see the test report for these here). The toothpaste For Pregnant Women contains pearl collagen, vitamin B6, and vitamin B9, all of which have benefits for expecting mothers and even has a test report here on the ingredients. The pearl collagen prevents calcium deficiency and cramps, vitamin B6 soothes vomiting symptoms, and vitamin B9 is an important nutrient for the baby’s development. Intelligent recommends dry brushing with their toothpastes, as wetting the toothpaste will dilute the ingredients and make the toothpaste less effective. The Fresh Mint and Cool Mint also claim to breakdown bacteria, reduce gingivitis and plaque. In addition to the toothpastes, Intelligent also sent us two of their Natural Enzymes Mouthwashes in Mint and Tea. Intelligent’s mouthwashes again have various natural enzymes which help to relieve gum discomfort and improve mouth ulcers as it has a “biogenesis enzymatic clean formula.” They recommend using the mouthwash every day together with one of their Natural Enzymes Toothpastes. Although this is not your go-to cheap toothpaste brand, Intelligent has been in the business of oral hygiene for over 15 years and has proven research and high quality ingredients in their oral care products. What we like about all these products is that they are natural, taste delicious and deliver results. And yes, we think they are worth the investment. To purchase the Natural Enzymes Toothpastes see here from Amazon at £23. The Natural Enzymes Mouthwashes here from their website for $20.

Corpo Sancto: Salt & Thyme Reed Diffuser

Are you a diehard candle person? Or do you love the look of reed diffusers? After all, who doesn’t love to have a beautifully scented room? At The Amazing Blog, we have a weakness for reed diffusers, as we can enjoy the benefits of their fragrance and essential oils even while we sleep! And today, the Corpo Sancto’s Salt and Thyme Reed Diffuser, takes us on a trip down memory lane, with its scent that reminds us of weekends-away, with the rush of briny fresh sea air blown in from the shore.

Corpo Sancto is a Brighton-based candle and fragrance company. It is run by a husband and wife duo who make artisan, eco-friendly candles and other products, like reed diffusers and perfumes. Annelie Bystrom-Turner and her husband, Chris, understand that finding the perfect scent can be a challenge, which is why they have created this diverse selection of fragrance combinations. In addition to being co-owners of Corpo Sancto, Chris is the drummer in Orange Goblin, and Annelie is a well-known makeup artist. They offer a wide variety of scent offerings for their candles, perfumes and home fragrance options. Corpo Sancto prides itself on creating hand-poured candles in small batches. The rapeseed wax used in their candles is a plant-based alternative to other waxes typically used in candles. Corpo Sancto has gone through numerous testing phases with rapeseed wax, which is wax that comes from the oil from pressed rapeseed plants. These are widely and sustainably grown across Europe, with the excess oil from the plant being used for animal feed and fertiliser. The suppliers for their wax and other products are UK or EU based since Corpo Sancto does not believe in shipping things halfway across the planet for something that can be found in their locale. They utilise packaging made from recycled materials whenever possible, and Corpo Sancto’s mission is to be as eco-friendly as possible, carbon-neutral, with biodegradable products that are paraben-free and all without compromising on style or quality.

We were drawn to the Salt & Thyme Reed Diffuser as they describe it as “the fresh smell of seaweed, sea breeze and minerals with notes of thyme and grapefruit”. This scent also includes hints of bergamot, sage and base notes of musk, amber and cedarwood, creating a light and summery scent - and yes, it really does smell ‘sea fresh’. All their reed diffusers are alcohol-free and made up of 20-25% botanicals mixed in a long-lasting plant oil base. With regular turning, these reed diffusers will last over three months, depending on room temperature, season, and oil blend. The slick black reeds are very in-keeping with the brand’s image and are made of natural fibres, which offer optimal scent distribution. We also like Corpo Sancto’s sustainability and zero waste credentials – this is something they’ve thought long and hard about. When this Reed Diffuser is finished, we’ll be using the reeds to scent a drawer, and the metal cone top tin with screw cap will be repurposed as a new pen holder! Are you missing the seaside? Then we recommend purchasing this 200ml Salt & Thyme Reed Diffuser for £35 here to reminisce about roaring waves, breezy sea winds and building sandcastles!