Bescher: Sea Cucumber Collagen Regeneration Serum & Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Ageing Cream

At The Amazing Blog  we know how important skincare is!  And as we like to support smaller and more natural brands today, we’re featuring the Australian skincare Bescher which has a very unique key ingredient of sea cucumber collagen in their range of three products.  

Bescher is a natural skincare brand founded in 2019 by Renee Alyce. Before developing Bescher, Renee had many skin issues, including fair and sensitive skin, pigmentation, redness, and pimples. Renee lived on a secluded island in the Pacific for six years, and this is where she discovered all of the benefits of the sea cucumber. On the island, she noticed villagers applying sea cucumber collagen to minor wounds, infections, and other skin conditions. This is when Renee researched sea cucumbers and found that they possess extraordinary regenerative and healing properties and even help to regenerate themselves. This was enough to convince her to try sea cucumber collagen extract on her face, and after a week of application, she felt like her skin was ‘reborn’. Renee recently said in an interview, “Sea cucumber collagen changed my skin and the way I felt about myself, and I just knew from that moment if it had the power to make me feel better and to help heal my skin, maybe other people could feel the benefits too.” When Renee returned to Australia, she worked with a leading laboratory to help her formulate the skincare line. Using her products has made Renee feel empowered and confident in fact, so much so, with the improvement in her complexion she’s stop wearing foundation. The base of every Bescher product is sea cucumber collagen, which contains benefits that far outweigh terrestrial mammalian. For a long time, people have eaten sea cucumbers to gain health benefits, and Bescher is the first skincare brand to put sea cucumber collagen into a skincare. The sea cucumbers are sustainably sourced from a specialist in research and development for marine biotechnology. These are harvested from unaltered marine ecosystems, where they are all about preserving the marine environment and working with local communities to return young sea cucumbers to their habitat for further growth. Bescher, a natural skincare, promises its products are clean and free from all nasties. They are fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin, contain sustainable ingredients and come from small-batch production. They are completely recyclable, with two products in glass jars, and the plastic serum bottle with pouch can both be disposed of safely, each in its proper recycling chain.

Bescher’s Sea Cucumber Collagen Regeneration Serum is an ultra-concentrated serum that rapidly influences collagen production and boosts skin cell turnover. This serum helps delay visible signs of ageing, gives the skin radiance and luminosity, and reduces scarring, redness, and ageing. The main ingredients in the serum include sea cucumber collagen, orange stem cells, matrixyl 3000 TM, and hyaluronic acid. Sea cucumber collagen is the star ingredient — it repairs skin collagen and elastin protein fibres, generates a protective layer on the outer skin surface, and enhances the homogeneous distribution of collagen fibres. Orange stem cells protect the protein and nucleic acids in our skin from oxidants, enabling cells to excrete free radicals to avoid UV oxidisation, genetic mutation, pigmentation, and wrinkles. Matrixyl 3000 TM transforms your skin through increased collagen production, rapid skin cell turnover and renewal, anti-inflammation, skin pigmentation reduction, UV protection, and increased blood flow to the skin. Hyaluronic acid encourages skin cell growth and renewal, provides anti-inflammatory benefits and free radical protection. We used it morning and night to clean, dry skin. It’s a clear, viscous liquid that’s fragrance-free and absorbs quickly and gives a feeling of slightly tightening the skin. We then followed this with the Sea Cucumber Collagen Cream (which we’ll discuss below). Our favourite area of use this was around the eye area, where we found that the serum worked well to brighten and soothe dry, tired eyes and reduce fine lines and under-eye circles. You can find the Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Ageing Cream herefor £63.75.

The  Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Ageing Cream regenerates the skin’s tone, texture, and luminosity and reveals younger, brighter, and they claim it will revitalise skin from the first application. This cream leaves the skin looking and feeling renewed and minimises lines, wrinkles, and signs of sun damage. The main ingredients in the cream include sea cucumber collagen, munapsys, squalane, kakadu plum, and hyaluronic acid. Sea cucumber collagen is again the star ingredient — it repairs skin collagen and elastin protein fibres, generates a protective layer on the outer skin surface, and enhances the homogeneous distribution of collagen fibres. Munapsys is a ground-breaking anti-age ingredient that flattens wrinkles, elasticises tired skin, and dramatically improves the appearance of skin texture. Squalane hydrates and moisturises skin and is a detoxifier, natural booster of collagen, and anti-bacterial. Kakadu plum brightens dull skin, antioxidises to prevent free-radical damage, protects from carcinogens, banishes fine lines and wrinkles, soothes inflammation, and heals hyperpigmentation and busting acne. Hyaluronic acid encourages skin cell growth and renewal, provides anti-inflammatory and supports collagen production. This was our favourite out of the two. Again fragrance-free, in an almost opaque gel x cream consistency - we found that a little goes a long way, making it perfect for our dry and sensitive skins. It was a joy to use as it hydrated and plumped up the skin creating the perfect canvas for foundation or makeup. Yes, another one of our #amazingfinds! You can purchase the Sea Cucumber Collagen Regeneration Serum here for £68.67.

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. 

errbshop CBD Infused Massage Oil Candle – rb+ Lavender

Apart from completely changing our daily habits, this current global pandemic has also increased our anxiety and stress levels at The Amazing Blog.  Today we thought we'd feature another great stay-at-home product to enhance all our wellbeing, making quarantining both more enjoyable and peaceful. We're excited to be one of the first to feature the rb+ candles from errbshop.  It's a three-in-one candle to relax, renew and rebalance. These are not just any candles, they are multi-functional massage candles with the addition of THC-free CBD oil. It's almost like having your very own home spa. 

The founder, Maggie Finneran was born into the fashion world and a leader in the luxury goods sector, where she launched a global girl's footwear brand. Ever the entrepreneurial spirit, with her great passion for travel and food, these led her on to launch renowned Californian eateries such as The Beverly Hill Beignet and Charcuterie Boss. With this hectic lifestyle, Finneran was always striving for balance which is when she had the inspired idea of creating the errbshop massage candle range. She explained: "We all search for a balance of lifestyle and wellbeing, I experienced this several years ago while having a candle massage in the Amalfi Coast. There was something to be said of the 400 year old recipe created by Franciscan Monks and the cavernous calmness of the Monastery I was staying in and enjoying this massage. I knew I needed to share this with everyone." Hence the errbshop brand was born, with selected candles in the range containing the blended healing ingredients of THC-free CBD Oil and pure plant oils. All their products are sustainably-sourced and ranked at one on the EWG list. errbshop is an online health and wellness lifestyle brand that aims to ignite balance of mind, body, and spirit through personal health products and education. The company is founded on the belief that wellness is not an indulgence, but a necessity. Their specially curated blend of nourishing botanicals, soothing soy wax, and full-spectrum CBD is designed to deliver plant-powered healing and optimal wellness to every system of the body. Fueled by harmoniously healing ingredients and driven by a passion for wellness, errbshop is dedicated to enhancing your sense of balance and wellbeing, one candle at a time.

The rb+ candle is in a 6oz (170g) tin that features a convenient pouring lip, making it easily portable and extremely travel friendly. The candles are vegan and made out of bio-cellulose with formulas that are so clean that they claim that you can almost eat them! This rb+ range offers five fragrances: Unscented, Eucalyptus, Rose, Grapefruit and Lavender (our candle). As several studies have shown, CBD oil has many potential health benefits; we find it particularly good for reducing anxiety and stress. So, you can imagine how happy we were to try this out.  As regular readers will know we are big fans of CBD (see here) as it also helps to relax soothing our minds and improving our focus. As mentioned earlier, their CBD oil is THC-free and extracted by the CO2 method making it full-spectrum with over 80 naturally occurring phytocannabinoids. In fact, there are 120mg of CBD in this 6oz tin!  The other ingredients are soy wax, apricot oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, vitamin E, shea butter, jojoba oil, all of which have anti-inflammatory properties and aid in deep relaxation of the mind and body. The primary ingredients here are lavender and CBD which are particularly good in helping restore the body's natural biorhythms and relaxing the nervous system. The fragrance here is deliciously subtle and not at all overwhelming, and the oil from the burnt candle is warm to the touch, never hot – making it easy to handle. Firstly, light the candle and enjoy watching the flickering flame and inhaling the fragrance - ideal for creating calm. When it has sufficiently melted, blow out the candle and pour the oil into the palm of your hands to begin your massage. If you have any specific areas of pain (in my case arthritic hips!) then target this area first. Otherwise, concentrate on inner wrists to help you create your own inner calm. The candle is reusable – we relit it about 3 or 4 times. So, to feel energised, more grounded, and most importantly, nourished, you can get yours here at $40 USD Or for more information, contact info@errbshop.com.  Namaste!

Simply CBD Bronzer - Self Tan Mousse

Have you noticed that the popularity of CBD being used in the beauty sector is growing rapidly by the day? Many spas and salons are eager to add cannabidiol based treatments to their roster which has prompted beauty companies to create an even bigger offering of CBD infused topical products. As regular readers will know, at The Amazing Blog, we’re big fans of all things CBD (see here) and are excited to share with you another one of our #amazingfinds with Simply CBD’s Bronzer. Launched as the UK’s first professional CBD-infused spray tan in 2018, they now have a range of sunless tanning which is for home use, which as regular fake tanners we’ve been itching to try!

Simply CBD Bronzer Tanning Mousse has four key ingredients, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), aloe vera, green tea extract and cannabis oil. The DHA is at 10% which develops into a good even medium tan - it is a safe FDA approved substance derived from glycerine that reacts with the amino acids naturally present in the surface layers of skin, which in turn then produces a brown colour change. Aloe vera offers increased moisture and reduced inflammation with a gentle antiseptic effect. The Green tea extract is rich in vitamin E and supports and maintains collagen levels, it detoxifies and is a powerful antioxidant also rich in anti-inflammatory properties and can serve as an antibacterial to help clear pores and ease acne. The cannabidiol (CBD) hydrates and nourishes the skin by offering moisture retention and regulating oil production for an even and beautiful tan. The CBD used here is 75mg per 200ml and has been refined to contain no trace of THC. Rich in phytocannabinoids, terpenes and fatty acids, the CBD helps to combat dryness. It soothes the skin and is an excellent source of antioxidants with supplementary vitamins A, B, C, D and E.

We found this natural, cruelty-free and vegan self-tan super easy to apply. After showering and exfoliating body we moisturised the dry bits like knees and elbows before applying the mousse with a microfibre mitt. Simply CBD recommends leaving the tan on for 6 to 8 hours; we left it on overnight. In the morning, we rinsed it off in the shower and were left with the stunning, even and natural bronze colour. Unlike many other sunless tanning products that with regular use have dried out our skin, with this Simply CBD Bronzer Tanning Mousse we found to our surprise that it actually helped to boost our skin’s suppleness and hydration! We’ll certainly be looking to try more from this brand.  It’s the perfect way to keep your summer glow without basking in the sun’s harmful rays, and for keeping the skin looking sun-kissed all year long; you too can purchase Simply CBD Bronzer 200ml for £29.95 or a Travel Mousse size 50 ml for £12.95, both are available here. 

Codex Beauty – Bia Skin Superfood

Here at The Amazing Blog we’re always on the search for new and innovative products, particularly ones that will hopefully live up to our high expectations! One of our recent #amazingfinds is the Irish brand Codex Beauty, which has a collection of organic skincare that combines both science and nature.

Created by Irish herbal scientist, Tracey Ryan, who has combined Irish botanicals free from harmful chemicals with her latest cutting edge scientific technology. With Ireland’s small population and low level of pollution, a little known fact is that it has the highest proportion of natural vegetation in Europe, where plants grow rich and robust ready to use in Codex’s ingredients. What impressed us is that Codex are mindful of sustainability as well as what materials they use with their COSMOS-certified formulas.  So it’s good to know that their tubes made from plant-based polyethylene  (PE) materials; paper is sourced from sustainably managed forests for their cartons, which have renewable fibre certified by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

Knowing all this, we were excited to try their hero product Bia Skin Superfood. This organic plant-based product that has undergone pharmaceutical grade processing made with their BiaComplex™ and has already been through lots of efficiency trials too. Bia Skin Superfood is recommended for face, hands and body cream targets dry, flakey or any area which has irritation. Key ingredients are calendula and immortelle botanicals which both have incredible anti-inflammatory properties to help firm, soothe and protect the gentle layer of skin. The other ingredients are marshmallow, heart’s ease and comfrey which moisturise, offer protection and help to rejuvenate the dermis.

Unusually fragranced with the herbaceous immortelle (a subtly sweet and honey-like fragrance) what we particularly like is that this cream is gentle enough to be used on skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema psoriasis or sunburn. So, if you’re travelling and only have room for one cream – make it this one,  at 75ml it will fit snuggly into your clear plastic bag for carry-on.  It’s also vegan and cruelty-free cream comes in an elegant green tube at the retail price of £48 here.