Facialderm Advanced Neurocosmetics – 05 Anti-Pollution & Anti-Stress Serum and C1 Anti-Ageing & Anti-Stress Moisturiser

We all experience different skincare issues from time-to-time either with redness or dehydration, which can be triggered by environmental issues or stress. Today at The Amazing Blog we’re excited to introduce to you Facialderm, who have begun a skincare evolution with their innovative neurocosmetic range and patented technologies.

Founded in 2004, Facialderm’s parent company Sensalia Labs prides itself on bringing the future to cosmetics. Recent winners in The Beauty Shortlist Awards 2020 for Best Beauty Breakthrough Brand (innovation), they offer unique formulas based on new technologies in neuroscience which are then applied to their skincare. After all, the skin and the brain are connected. In simple terms, they explain: “Stimuli perceived from the outside through nerve receptors in the skin, are transmitted to the brain and processed by it for interpretation.” These are related to wellness and energy, which in turn focus on the reduction of facial stress.  Facialderm has a range of five customisable serum boosters and two creams all of which are formulated with Neurophroline™. This is an inhibitor for the production of cortisol, the stress hormone and acts on its consequences such as accelerated ageing, flaccidity of the skin and decreased luminosity. Neurophroline™ is an extract based on tephrosia purpurea, a plant native to India and also a key ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine. Let’s talk about the technical stuff: The Neurophroline™ in Facialderm’s products claim to reduce up to 70% of cortisol production in just two hours. Neurophroline™ also increases up to 163% the amount of beta-endorphin released by the cells, a natural and pain-relieving peptide. All products have natural ingredients, where they refer to them as ‘earthceuticals’ (concentrated plants) and ‘seaceuticals’ (concentrated sea plant) power.

We tried the 05 Anti-Pollution and Anti-Stress Serum which is detoxifying and moisturising with antioxidants and vitamins to protect the skin from dehydration, solar radiation, pollution and REM/blue light. Apart from the Neurophroline™, there are antioxidant plant extracts ginseng, apple, peach, wheat and barley;  as well as marine glycogen (protections against blue light) and vitamin B5 which activates cell regeneration to soothe itching, redness and irritation. Suitable for all skin types, we applied 3 - 4 drops alone (or you can mix with another product in the line), it absorbed quickly leaving skin feeling soft, we also liked the slightly fruity/ginseng fragrance.

We then combined this with the C1 Anti-Ageing & Anti-Stress Moisturiser which is best suited for normal to dry skin. Its ingredients include hyaluronic acid, chrondrus crispus (an extract of red algae), providing cells with the energy necessary for their metabolism to aid the process of regeneration and tissue repair. Caviar extract also helps to slow down the ageing process, and rice extract to help with cell longevity slowing down the process of cell senescence. The cream feels luxurious, almost whipped in texture; regenerating and soothing on the skin it left skin our supple and hydrated. We applied day or night after using the Serum and massaged into the skin to promote absorption.  We like that this can be customised with any of the Facialderm Serums as a ‘booster’ in the cream too. The 05 Anti-Pollution & Anti-Stress Serum 30ml, can be purchased here for £34.95, and the C1 Anti-Ageing & Anti-Stress Moisturiser 50ml for £34.95 can be purchased here.

These dermatologically tested, and cruelty-free products are packaged in bright colour-coded glass bottles and jars. As mentioned previously, this intelligent skincare range can be personalised to target specific skincare issues, while the advanced neurocosmetic technology uses their Neurophroline™ to limit the production of stress hormones. Best of all, it’s available at a very competitive price point!

SKN-RG - Alpha Serum High Energy Liquid Laser

At The Amazing Blog, it’s no secret we love natural and organic skincare that also acts as a performance brand too.  We’re excited to share with you one of our favourite brands that we’ve written about in the past SKN-RG. Today we’re going to introduce you to one of their hero products the  Alpha Serum High Energy Liquid Laser, which creates a natural shield against UV and blue light as well as helping to tighten and lift the skin for a more youthful appearance, which certainly makes it one of our #AmazingFinds.

SKN-RG was founded in 2009 by scientists Deborah and Robert Scott who realised in the overpopulated world of skincare, it was vital for them to make stand-out products that really work. Their approach is to use cutting edge technology to make something really amazing. In 2011 they created and evolved the use of the world’s first Quanta® extraction machine, built to extract the plant’s full benefits, using a broad spectrum of light and sound waves. Giving their brand name from the convergence of skin + energy = SKN-RG.

As a British brand, each product is created in their laboratory in Essex and contains a unique blend of herbs and adaptogens that complement each product’s specific function. Each herbal blend is only made possible through the power of Quanta® technology. In 2014, SKN-RG reached a turning point in their business when their Quanta® technology was given a Government and University Business Innovation Award. SKN-RG’s other awards include Natural Health Magazine and Beauty Shortlist Awards in 2019/2020 such as Best Face Mask and Best Makeup Remover for products from SKN-RG’s ‘Advanced’ line.

The Alpha Serum High Energy Liquid Laser which won the Editor’s Choice Award in 2020 at the Beauty Shortlist Awards, is a part of SKN-RG’s ‘Evolution Line.’ The Alpha Serum is emulsifier -free and offers a natural lift with unrivalled protection by creating a natural shield against blue light and UV. Ingredients such as kombuchka, a fermentation of sweet black tea by the symbiosis of two-microorganisms commonly used in skincare for radiance, anti-ageing, smoothing and re-densifying. Other ingredients include hyaluronic acid to help retain water in tissues and adaptogenic herbs which help to increase cellular and promote anti-bacterial properties to aid in clearing up acne, leaving the skin more radiant and beautiful.

We’ve enjoyed using serum by applying using a sweeping upward effect to aid skin tightening, it is slick, cooling and provides a wonderful blurring effect making it the perfect base before applying makeup. If you too would like to experience the power of the Alpha Serum High Energy Liquid Laser, it can be purchased here for £75 for 15ml.

Dr Russo - Once A Day Sun Protection SPF 30 & SPF 50 Invisible Face Gel

Good skin starts with prevention, and here at The Amazing Blog we’re always on the lookout for the best SPF and suncare. Today we’ve got one of our #amazingfinds, meet Dr Russo’s Sun Protection Invisible Face Gel ideal for protecting the complexion and combatting harmful rays when out and about. 

The founder Dr Luca Russo is renowned internationally for his work in reversing sun damage and premature ageing. He is a London-based cosmetic and dermatologic surgeon who lecturers on skin rejuvenation. This sun protection gel features Dr Russo’s innovative long-wear SPF technology that creates a force-field on the skin to deflect the harmful sun’s rays. His philosophy is to protect the skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30 and SPF 50 sunscreens and potent antioxidants throughout the day, followed by reversal agents that stimulate new collagen production and repair all signs of photo-ageing. The beneficial ingredients are antioxidants, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. All of these repair existing signs of DNA damage, inhibit tyrosinase, help to maintain elastin and collagen levels, reduce glycation of proteins and soothes inflammation, so the skin becomes stronger, more luminous and resilient. These ingredients also help repair existing signs of damage, as well as stopping the production of melanin which causes dark spots. The product is free from PABAs, parabens, artificial fragrance and compatible with all sensitive skin types.

The formula is light-weight, non-greasy, and does not leave a chalky film on the skin, making it perfect to wear everyday under makeup. Protect, moisturise and repair your complexion with a single sweep with this once a day application.  It keeps skin protected and is waterproof and sweatproof for up to 80 minutes. The product comes in SPF 30 and SPF 50 variants, to apply, use the unique click brush applicator, sweeping the product over the face and neck area. It retails for £26 for 15ml and can be purchased here. In a 15ml bottle, this is the perfect size for your handbag or to take on a bike ride.

Afon Mêl - Heather Mead

Regular readers at The Amazing Blog will know, we can’t resist trying a new tipple! If you like us, you thought that honey was something reserved just for your tea and toast, then think again...  Let us introduce you to a honey-based wine, which we found to be so delicious that it rivalled even our most favourite of dessert wines. We’re talking about Afon Mêl’s Heather Mead, whose outstanding pedigree won a 3-Star Great Taste Award in 2019.  You can also see here the video of the judges sampling their Heather Mead here.

Afon Mêl is a family-run honey farm, founded by the Cooper family in 1995 in Ceredigion, Wales. They produce five types of raw honey all which have a unique flavour from the wildflowers from the cwms (a steep-sided hollow) and hedgerows which surround their rural farm. Their bees particularly love the blossoms from sycamore, hawthorn, willow trees, as well as the heather, rosebay, willowherb, clover, blackberries and many more. From one of their special raw honey comes the distinctive flavours that give their Heather Mead its original and characteristic taste.

Mead is made by fermenting honey and water together, this beverage has long earned heritage brewed by monks through the middle ages, and it’s thought to be the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world. Also known as honey wine, mead has been around for millennia with mead makers, sometimes being called ‘mazers’.  The word honeymoon originates from the early tradition of the drink being given to newlyweds. Mead’s been expertly crafted for generations and is mainly responsible for making the Welsh famous and the process of making mead takes place over two year period in order to perfect. One of the key factors in making this beverage is to ferment it at ambient temperatures during the summer months allowing it to mature

Beautifully designed in a slim and elegant bottle, the Heather Mead elixir is golden in colour and fermented using their heather honey which gives a rich almost sherry-like finish.  It’s not a sweet as you might imagine, and they say that it has a slightly smoky taste from the heather. We found it easy to drink (perhaps a little too easy!) and it paired well with pudding or cheese.  Apart from the Heather Mead, Afon Mêl also produce a variety of other flavoured meads including the rather delicious sounding Welsh Chocolate Mead and  Welsh Raspberry Mead. If you’re interested in trying an exciting new tipple, then Heather Mead is for you. The Afon Mêl- Heather Mead is 13% Vol and available in four sizes; we tried the 37.5cl which retails for £11.50 here. We can’t recommend this enough and are certainly tempted to buy a few more bottles of their other Meads and raw honey too.

Friday Favourites for ideas for Mother’s Day

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, here at The Amazing Blog, we’ve rounded up a variety of unusual activities and gifts so that you can show your precious Mother just how much you care.

Why not play tourist for the day on Brigit Bakery’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour This afternoon tea is a less formal and more fun than a traditional high tea. This tour will allow you both to experience central London via vintage Routemaster bus while sipping on a lovely cup of tea and snacking on an array of sandwiches, cakes and pastries. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased here for £45. Tours run daily with a 12:30 and 15:00 tour picking up near Trafalgar Square. The 12:00, 14:30, and 17:00 tours pick up at Victoria Coach Station.

Another fun activity to enjoy is a stained glass making class offered by The Indytute.  This class is a full-day workshop where you can create your very own piece of stained glass. This includes everything from soldering the lead, cutting the glass and designing the pattern. The class is led by Aimee McCulloch at her studio in Brixton, where she will teach you the traditional skills involved in this extraordinary craft. Snacks and coffee will be provided; however, it’s advised to bring your own lunch. The next class will be offered on 21 March, perfect for Mother’s Day. Tickets can be purchased here for £140.

Or perhaps find something to help your hard-working Mum unwind at the end of the day? We like the Heathcote and Ivory’s Pinks and Pear Blossom Bathing Flowers. This is one of seven different scents that they offer. This Bathing Flowers scent is fresh and fruity and features (as the name suggests) pink and white blossoms with notes of pear, bergamot and cedarwood. To use, simply tear five to six petals from a flower and scatter in a warm bath to enjoy delicately scented relaxing downtime. The 85g Bathing Flowers Boxes are available for £11 on Heath Cote & Ivory here.

Finally, you could also gift a set of Natural Wellness Boxes with their bi-monthly subscription. The Natural Wellness Box was created by Catherine, a mother of two who has a passion for all things wellness. She primarily designed her subscription box for those with interest in health and well-being but also for those that want to receive a well-deserved treat. All products featured in each box are vegan, cruelty-free and help to promote wellness from the inside out. As an example, this month’s box includes Fais Botanicals ‘Cleanse It’ Oil, Kri’s Awaken Active Eye Cream, Potion London’s ‘Eat Your Greens’ supplement and Raspberry Lemonade Kombucha from Remedy Kombucha, this is just to name a few! The Natural Wellness Box can be bought here. The box is sold each month individually for £37, or you can subscribe for six months for £100 or 12 months for £200. 

We hope that we’ve offered a little inspiration ahead of time for Mother’s Day and of course we realise that no gift or activity will ever do justice in expressing love and gratitude for a very special Mother.