Dr Organic Rose Otto Lotion – Not all Roses but Does the Business

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Advantages – Moisturizes, Hydrates, Refreshes, Smoothens, Softens, Firms, Tones, Anti-Aging, Absorbent.

Disadvantages – Not so much rose? A lot of ingredients for the formulation of the lotion as well as the nutrients.

WHY I BOUGHT THIS – and Who it Might Be Helpful For

I recently came down with an inflammatory illness that lasted 2.5 months and was pretty much bedridden for approx 1month of that. It started with joint swelling and then all over in some places. Some of the heaviest swelling was on my jaw which ended up ‘locked’ and so I liquid fasted for that month. I just wasn’t in the mood to think about let alone keep up with a skincare routine but I was still worried about the effects prolonged stretching and contracting would have on my skin – stretching from the swelling, contracting from the major weight loss and then subsequently weight gain after being able to eat again. Then there were the effects of alternating hot and cold e.g. hot water bottles and ice. I didn’t want stretch marks, loose or extra dry skin. I needed my skin to stay supple yet firm and be able to manage transitioning for a long time especially in the recovery period when joints were not back in place, and then hopefully go back to its original texture.

Other factors I took into consideration were my age, soothing properties for swelling and the weather. Being early 30’s in addition to the illness meant I wanted something ‘extra’ in comparison to what I usually go for, so I decided on something specifically anti-aging. The weather being mild meant that I didn’t have to worry about the product being too heavy or light but I did intend to use lots of it hence I didn’t want taking too long to absorb yet I did want to feel the benefit of instant hydration as well rather than moisturizing without thirst quenching. Asking a lot eh?

Thankfully I came across Dr Organic Rose Otto Lotion at just the right time and it falls into the ‘affordable’ price range for organic beauty/health products.

COMPANY INFO

Dr Organic or ‘dr.organic’ is an extensive and attractive skincare brand primarily available at the ever wonderful Holland & Barrett, purveyors of more ethically friendly food and health items (e.g. vitamins and cosmetics) for those with special diets, health needs and just a general interest in improving/maintaining health with a purer quality of product. The ‘Dr’ is a British brand with an international reach in the ingredients they source (though I’m not clued up about their ethical policies for sourcing, fair trade, transporting etc), are enrolled in a number of organic standard certifications and have a plethora of awards.

http://www.drorganic.co.uk/about.asp

”’Our Promise…”’

Organic ingredients – We strive to use organically grown ingredients. Where an organic ingredient cannot be used we will always source sustainable natural alternatives
Bioactive ingredients
Natural ingredients
No harsh chemicals
No parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), perfumes or artificial fragrances.
All our products are suitable for vegetarians.
No animal testing
No mineral oils – Petro-chemicals such as paraffin and petroleum are avoided, plant based oils and extracts are used.
No GM ingredients
Preservatives – Where necessary preservatives are used to guarantee product safety and shelf life. Only the highest grade broad spectrum naturally derived preservatives are used.

What does bioactive mean?

I posted some Dr Organic lotion reviews on my blog a while back HERE and have found them to be amongst some of the most popular search items in my reader statistics and the term ‘bioactive’ comes up a fair bit too.

They describe themselves as providers or ‘bioactive skincare’; bioactive basically means a substance that can be used to affect or promote a response from a living organism, and/or can extracted from a living organism. To me it sounds like a very general slogan which can be applied to any number of cosmetics and non-cosmetics alike.

I couldn’t find an exact definition on their website. However they do state that they are committed to creating products that are ’ functional by design and formulated to capture the key active properties within the ingredients used’ To me that implies that Dr Organic are interested in conveying the beneficial properties of the items used without clashing or heightening/playing down some characteristics over others and attempting to bring out the best in most if not all them. That’s no easy task and a big claim and since they can’t please/cater to everybody at the same time with a product I don’t doubt that some are hit and miss for different people. But in conjunction with the ingredient lists I’ve seen on products in general in the past I respect that ethos/aim because more often than not I come across products that use key words to promote products and then you find that the corresponding ingredient(s) is only included in a very minor percentage or as a topnote. Such disappointing advertising is also often accompanied by numerous filler ingredients both natural and synthetic but mostly synthetic and possibly some other ‘nasties’ that can cause skin irritation as well as other speculated undesirable side effects. The ingredient lists I’ve seen on Dr Organic lotions are not top notch and have more ingredients then I would ideally like for aesthetics rather than nourishing properties but they’re hardly synthetic or as unhealthy as a whole than the majority of highstreet buys e.g. I’ve seen formaldehyde in some hair conditioners. In comparison to those Dr Organic is quite mild so worth checking out for sensitive skin types but for those with grain intolerances bear in mind the Xanthan Gum and Sodium Phytate in the ingredients.

Ranges

The ranges available are Aloe Vera, Pomegranate, Tea Tree, Vitamin E, Lavender, Manuka Honey, Olive Oil, Royal Jelly, Rose Otto, Coconut Oil, Moroccan Argan Oil and Dead Sea Mineral. All of the ranges are vegetarian friendly and most vegan friendly; the lotion in this review is vegan friendly and 200ml in size.

Each range has a variety of products available including the usual Lip Balms, Body Butters, Hand & Nail Creams, Face Masks, Face Scrubs, Soaps, Body Scrubs, Body Washes, Face Washes, Shampoos, and Conditioners etc. Some more interesting items are toothpastes, deodorants and items focusing on the foot care.

PROPERTIES

This product has the Rose Otto signature so I would have thought Rose Oil, Extract and perhaps Rosehip would be the main ingredients. There is no Rosehip and the Rose Oil and Extract are quite far down in the list. I’m not a chemist so I can only give Dr Organic the benefit of the doubt due to their ambition for ‘bioactive’ skincare and rely on Rose being one of if not the main active component in this lotion and as such will give a few properties here.

It’s one of those multi-faceted oils being known for antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, cholagogue, cicatrisant, depurative, emenagogue, haemostatic, hepatic, laxative, nervine, stomachic and uterine properties. Generally rose oil can be used to aid stress/anxiety relief as it is soothing and uplifting and in cosmetic skincare has maintained popularity in older women due to its fatty acids and vitamin content that nourish, moisturize, fill out the skin as well as stimulating skin cell renewal which is helpful for new skin but also can potentially help with scars and pigmentation.

Note that Geranium Oil and Geraniol are in this mixture. The Geranium is before the Rose ingredients; Geranium is often used as a substitute and/or filler for Rose in Rose products as it is cheaper and the Geraniol at the end of the ingredient list is harder to speculate on as it can come from Roses, Geraniums or a number of other plants.

Consistency

The lotion was a thick, pure White cream which felt very soft and silky smooth and I really mean silky – it felt slippery to the touch though not thin at all and yet rich at the same time. To me it didn’t smell very rose like but there’s a heck of a lot of oils in it so in that sense I wasn’t surprised but was surprised and amused that the overall blended smell reminded me of lychee/litchi fruit with an after-smell/hint of rose. I love litchis so found it pleasant but obviously something to think about for those who don’t like sweet, fruity scents.

Though a thick lotion it wasn’t greasy to the touch and absorbed quickly as well giving instant hydration in a reinvigorating and soothing way. It made both an effective day and night cream, I didn’t try it under make up but I think a small amount could work and for touch ups to awaken tired eyes and on/around the mouth after eating.

Directions

‘Apply liberally to the skin. Repeat as often as required. Suitable for use all over the body. Avoid contact with eyes. Due to the ingredients natural origin, colour and consistency may vary from batch to batch. This does not affect the quality of the product.’

From my experience a little of this goes a long way as it spreads really easily, perhaps an effect of its silky consistency. I also found it very gentle and soothing on both the sensitive swollen (both hard and soft swollen) areas and areas that are generally sensitive due to thinner skin such as around the eyes. A 200ml bottle would usually last me approx 2 months but since I was slathering it on it lasted half the time.

HOW WELL IT WORKS

Taking into account the properties described above the lotion did everything I’d hoped for; it refreshed, soothed, moisturized, hydrated, toned and prevented the rapid aging I’d worried about – the swelling underneath it would go down a little too when I’d first apply it which was helpful. It softened the harder areas directly over joints like elbows and knees and really softening and filling out the dry skin on my hands. It didn’t make my skin radiant or glowing with youth as some oils I’ve have but I really just wanted it as a preventative and for damage control and in that sense it got top marks. On areas of loose/loosening skin it shrunk/toned and on the ‘regular’ skin it maintained and thirst quenched like a thicker body butter would do.

For those with stretch marks and scars I wouldn’t say this decreases the visibility of them but it should help prevent them spreading or new ones.

Regardless of my age and health I’ve always had spot prone skin, yet I was using a lot of this and constantly but amazingly my skin didn’t breakout so I found it really breathable and non-irritating.

In regards to layering I did try it with other lotions and oils and at no point did I find it created any bad smells or negative affect on my skin, all in all it was like a nursemaid throughout. I would think that it would layer ok with fruity, sweet fragrances should you choose to wear it alongside a scent but of course let it sink in fully first.

In terms of lasting ability I’m pretty confident in thinking that had I not been ill it would have not only been a great assistance during that time but would have improved the quality of my skin in general and with further use the anti-aging properties would probably have been more noticeable. As it was, it helped keep my skin the way it was before I got ill.

INGREDIENTS – Know What You Put in Your Body and Why

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aqua, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isocetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens (geranium) Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllata (clove) Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena (rose) Flower Oil, Parfum (Natural and food grade), Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Tilia Europaea Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Eugenol.

Breaking the above down abit:

The base includes Aloe Vera Juice, components of Olive Oil, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Liquorice and Vitamin A,C&E.
Then Irish/Carrageen Moss (a type of Red algae), and the oils of Geranium, Clove, and Damascena Rose.
Then Damascena Rose, Passionflower, Lime flower, Calendula and Chamomile Extracts.

Quite a power house and packed with properties I could benefit from. They all share/overlap in quite a few of their properties but generally:

Aloe, Lime Flower and Chamomile all have soothing, calming and healing properties.
Irish Moss and Clove have anti-inflammatory properties.
Liquorice and Passionflower both have pain relief properties.
Calendula is revitalizing plant, a wake-up call, giving immediate energy.

The Vitamins are all antioxidants preventing degenerative oxidative stress on cells, and are all immune system maintainers/boosters. They have individual properties but in general for skincare Vitamin A promotes and maintains skin tissue quality and can help with acne, E is a soluble fat helping to keep the skin plump/youthful C prevents discolouration of skin.

Compromises

Bear in mind the ingredients list isn’t the most natural you can come across but I was compromising due to lack of choice at the time, choosing a lotion for thirst quenching hydration combined with soothing plus texture convenience over the heavier/thicker/messier/longer to absorb body butters and oils, and price. At this level it was unlikely I was going to find a pure formula with less and completely ethical, natural bonding and liquefying agents and preservatives – things that are necessary to making and keeping solids and oils in blended lotion/cream form. Plus it’s cheaper than buying all the ingredients and making my own.

In regards to the less recognizable ingredients in the base;

Emollients/Emulsifiers:

Dicaprylyl Ether – derived from coconut or palm kernel oil, skin conditioning ingredient promoting quick absorption.

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate – an emulsifier, sometimes emollient, provides water resistance (prevents separation of ingredients) and maintains the cream consistency when combined with stearate – stearate can be an irritant, though considered low hazard in this mixture.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – again from coconut or palm oil, this time specifically the Caprylic/Capric fatty acids of the oil, making it lighter than a carrier oil, more compatible with emulsifiers and silky. Not the same as ‘fractionated oil’ which is from distillation combining all the fatty acids.

Isocetyl Palmitate – A combination of Isocetyl Alochol and Palmitic Acid. A viscosity increasing agent, water resistant – again to help maintain the consistency of the cream whilst including the most common fatty acid found in plants and animals, in non-animal cosmetics most likely to be from palm oil. (Palmitic is often an added to cosmetics and food to add texture.)

Myristyl Myristate – Mix of myristyl alcohol and myristic acid, vegetable derived, primarily used for making cosmetics White and holding them together particularly where there’s lots of oils/butters, and thickens the product.

Glyceryl Caprylate – natural thickener and emollient produced from vegetable oil and fatty acids from coconut or palm oil, it also maintains the ‘wet’ texture of the cream.

Preservatives:

Sodium Benzoate – also known as E-Number E211. It’s a salt derived from benzoic acid found in some fruits and spice. It’s commonly used in food, perfumes, medicine and cosmetics. It’s a masking agent, anti-corrosive, prevents bacteria and fungus but is controversial in the natural health sphere. The original benzoic acid is not the issue but the sodium benzoate can interact with Ascorbic Acid (part of Vitamin C) to make the known carcinogen Benzene. Light, heat and shelf life can affect the rate at which Benzene is created.

Potassium Sorbate – A salt derived from Sorbic Acid, a common preservative and ingredient often found in fragrances too. It’s naturally occurring and aids against fungi, mold and yeast though not anti-bacterial. A paraben alternative with shorter shelf life and one that needs to be used with other preservatives. Considered a mild preservative and safe long term though can cause skin irritation for some and has lesser carcinogenic concern regarding neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption.

Other:

Sodium Phytate – A salt from of Phytic Acid which is found in the seeds of cereal grains and is derived commercially from corn. Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent usually used in oral care for detoxifying metal agents or treating hard water…

More natural, streamlined and presumably higher priced lotion/semi-liquid/easily absorbed products (as long they’re high quality) should be expected to perhaps harden a bit in cold weather or separate/go a bit runny in hot conditions or after some time. Either is easily remedied though by warming the product a bit or shaking/mixing it. Whereas products like this lotion tend to last longer due to the less desirable ingredients and the amount of them but even many of the ‘best’/priciest brand products will have a blend of synthetic and natural preservatives in which some of the natural ingredients will likely not be labeled or thought of/used as preservatives but do have the properties. Whenever water/aqua is a base ingredient alcohol is often used and preservatives are needed to retain quality and prevent contamination unfortunately. Pure oil or shea/cocoa butter bases don’t need that so much if at all and have longer shelf lives (unless compared to products with parabens in them), they’re not immune to contamination but as long as they’re kept safely and hands are washed before use it’s not such a worry.

Really pure, minimal ingredient products are usually custom made in small batches with a short shelf life and sometimes need to be refrigerated. It’s the age old paying more for less/pure formulations and paying less for more cheap, filler ingredients. Particularly ingredients from palm oil that anybody interested in ethical products will know is a massive environmental issue, not the tree or oil itself by the methods of cultivating, deforestation/loss of habitat and fertile land, use of workers and pollution. Dr Organic state on their website that whenever they can’t source an organic ingredient they use a sustainable natural alternative instead.

That’s the toss up in using lotions over or along with high quality body butters and oils.

Price

£7.39 currently at Holland & Barrett, I think that’s a bit more then when I bought it but remember that H&B do frequent buy-one-get-one-half-price and buy-one-get-one-for-a-penny sales.

THE PACKAGING – Mainly a Disadvantage

I find their packaging to be quite heavy/bulky and for some products less could be more making it easier on you and recycling. The lotions come in the form of squeezy containers, very thick plastic which is very secure against damage and spillage but a pain once you’ve used half of it and have to put more effort into getting the product out. When I get to the point where squeezing the bottle yields nothing and it feels much lighter in weight telling me it’s ready for the bin it’s actually concealing a lot more. Be prepared with a strong pair of scissors as the lid will just not come off, not even with consistent effort lol so I always have to cut off the top half to reveal at least 1 week’s worth of lotion throughout the innards that would be an absolute waste to unconsciously throw away. Note – remember to cover the chopped bottle halves or place them in a container to prevent the lotion drying up and going hard before you can finish it.

CONCLUSION

I like that the first ingredient is aloe vera and not water; I have no problem with water of course but in this day and age it’s hard to know where it’s coming from, what’s in it and how/if it’s been filtered even in organic products. The additional use of coca butter, shea butter and sunflower oil (not sure about the olive oil unsaponifiables which I relate to soap making rather than lotion) for the base help make these lotions nourishing and moisturizing. This particular lotion made a nice barrier and boost for the skin, successfully living up to its ‘anti-aging’ tag in my opinion with complimentary oils and extracts that soothed, calmed, restored, firmed as well as softened.

It was very easy to use, lasted long enough and thankfully in my experience there’s usually a Holland & Barrett on most highstreets but they also have a website making them a helpful and convenient alternative to hunting down appropriate lifestyle products on foot or online especially if looking for organic or plant based products.

I’d rate this 3.5/5 or 7/10 because it is an above average product but the amount of emollients/emulsifiers, preservatives and Sodium Phytate used are offputting plus and I would have preferred Guar Gum over Xanthan. It is still high quality, does what it says it should and large size product for the price although I really don’t need an item to be White in colour or silky. The thickeners I understand but to an extent since I don’t mind thinner lotions though with all the oils and butters in it that shouldn’t be a problem. It seems a case of culmination, adding one ingredient to solve an issue only to need more because of it like the parable of the ‘Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’.

Weleda Wild Rose Body Oil – Beauty is only skin deep? I don’t think so

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Introduction

I bought the full sized 100ml rose oil (£19.95) after having received a tester 10ml (£2.95). Now the price alone is usually out of my price range which goes to show just how impressed with it I was and still am. Acquiring a little rose oil from masses of petals is resource heavy and labour intensive hence it is quite pricey in general and the process also renders the more popular rose water. Used sparingly it can last a long time with good results and I bought Weleda’s version rather than a cheaper one because not only had I tested it but because Weleda is known as a high quality and ethically invested company. I try to support such companies, in my own tiny way as an individual, in order to help increase their market presence but also to help keep them in business – they only use basic natural ingredients without extras, synthetic alternatives and excessive processing and packaging yet their items are considered to be luxury items because they are not high street brands and less widely available. Then once these items are gone, they’re gone and as with any business everyone in the supply chain suffers and you might be left trying to find a replacement for an item you love with less choices then the local beauty store.

You can find more information about Weleda in general: http://www.weleda.co.uk/scat/aboutus

That said I’m not sure which process of extraction Weleda uses, each method produces a different type of oil and since this oil is mixed with other oils it’s hard to tell what it physically originally was or where it likely came from. Rose oils are commonly made from Damask Rose (Rosa Damascena) which is a Eurasian rose, or the Cabbage Rose (Rosa Centifolia) which is largely an African rose. However Weleda specifies Wild Musk Rose (Rosa Moschata) in their publicity/advertising which is the parent rose for Damask and is a mountain rose thought to have originated in the Himalayas – it’s a rose noted for it’s strong scent. Included in the mix is Rosehip Seed oil (seed oil extracted from wild roses) – Rosehip is generally extracted from Wild Musk Rose from the Andes but can also be found from common Dog Roses (Rosa Canina) which are found in many places (I pick wild ones for eating – not the bulbs which can make itching powder). The reason why I’m going into the types is because if you know your roses you may want the more often used/sold rose oil smell. I find this one to be quite pungent (and lovely).

Experience

This isn’t an essential oil or pure oil, it’s been diluted in carrier oils and hence is ready for cosmetic use without worry over whether using too much, that said there’s no need to go overboard and a little goes a long way 🙂

Ingredients:

Jojoba Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Fragrance*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Benzyl Alcohol*, Benzyl Benzoate*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Eugenol*, Farnesol*. (*From natural essential oils)

(I know it says Rosa Damascena – confusing right? I’ve put the Weleda promo info at the bottom of the review so you can see why I’m a little flummoxed – all I know is that the oil I’ve tried from them seems quite potent and so would guess that it’s made from a fair bit more ‘fresh’ rose than the geraniol* in the ingredients which is a common filler in rose oil and can come from roses, palmarosa (a perennial Asian lemongrass) or geraniums which are obviously cheaper to produce. From the ingredients I can’t tell where it comes from.)

The combined oil comes in a dark glass bottle to help preserve it as long as possible and prevent sun damage and as oils have a long lifespan it’s better if they can retain their strength over the period until you finish them.

The first things I noticed was that the oil itself has quite a strong Yellow colour and the smell, wow the smell. The first time I opened the bottle and got a waft of the scent I thought ‘beautiful’ and then when I put it on the palms of my hands to put on my face and it warmed with the temperature, only then did I realize fully how beautiful the aroma was. It is enchanting and I can see why rose oils have been used since ancient times to attract one’s love interest. It really is like walking into a rose garden every time I use it – something to bear in mind for romantic occasions and use on pulse points unless you or the partner dislikes strong fragrances.

The oil is fairly absorbent and doesn’t take too long to sink in with massaging so I am able to use it during the day (hands, face and neck) as well as overnight. I noticed that not only was my skin very soft, it was also smooth and more taut. There were a few nights during the testing period where I was too tired to moisturise before bed and where I didn’t sleep in good positions i.e. I ended up sleeping on my face but the following mornings I noticed that the tautness remained from the day use of the rose oil, all the way through the night and to the next morning. My skin would be drier than when I’d first applied it but as soon as I got up it went straight back into place rather than leaving sleep lines. That said, the oil doesn’t make my skin appear more ‘youthful’ i.e. fuller and radiant but the skin is left in better condition which in itself can take years off your appearance.

Personal Tip:

I usually like to use more than one oil, either separately in a day/night or blended but this is ready mixed and yet when I use this oil I like to use it by itself and without using other oils in the same time period. I do that because of its strong scent and I like to get the maximum effect over a small period of time (up to one week) before going back and rotating oils or using combinations based on what I need/feel at the time. When I say maximum effect I mean that the skin absorbs and gives out the fragrance in a ‘natural’ way i.e. you exude the scent without having to use as much oil. For people wanting to try this simply spread a thin layer of the oil over the desired body area (if not the whole body) and let it absorb. This can be done day or night but it’s usually best after you’ve washed and if you are warm – the recently moist skin will still have open pores so the oil will sink in faster and deeper leaving less residue on clothes or other surfaces and the body temperature will help both to absorb and release the fragrance. Do this twice daily for the first 2-3 days and then once a day until the end of the experiment. Unless you sweat a lot or work in conditions which mean you have to wash more frequently than average you should find that you don’t have to wear perfumes or deodorants as much if at all, which have on average up 200-300 ingredients but are simply labelled as ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on product packaging without any further explanation. Hence using oils for scent is much healthier.

Other Uses for Rose Oil

This an be added to baths for relaxation; rose oil can be used to aid stress/anxiety relief as it is soothing and uplifting. As this is already diluted you don’t have to worry about how many drops you use.

The steam from such a bath, or by inhaling separately such as over a bowl of hot water with your head under a towel, can also help with respiration or again stress/anxiety.

Rose oil has been known as a ‘feminine oil’ not just for its beauty/amorous uses but because it can help with hormonal balance helping to regulate menstruation. As a hot compress it has been used to relieve menstrual cramps.

It’s one of those multi-faceted oils being known for antidepressant, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, astringent, bactericidal, cholagogue, cicatrisant, depurative, emenagogue, haemostatic, hepatic, laxative, nervine, stomachic and uterine properties. (Obviously research this before trying anything.) Do not take internally.

Conclusion

Overall I’d give this 10/10 – it’s another Weleda oil that does was it says on the box and it has everything my skin needs. It’s moisturising, nourishing, improves the skin’s condition, is absorbent, long lasting and smells heavenly. I don’t need anti-aging items to fill out lines/wrinkles so this suits me just fine. For those who do I would recommend combining the oil with an unscented or complimentary scented lotion/base unless your skin can’t take heavy concoctions, in that case rose oil might not be a long term solution for you but rather an occasional item and the tester size (10ml) could be more practical.

I had tried a couple of rose products before but hadn’t been too impressed and put ‘rose’ items on the back-burner but that was until I tried this oil… Now I’m looking forward to trying other products from the rose range at Weleda, which includes soap, lotion, facial oil and body wash.

Sidenote:

I would recommend this product for women from about 30 and upwards rather than younger ages because not only does it improve skin tone but it has a mature quality to it. This is going to sound vague but it has a personality like with wines, where it’s more full bodied and wouldn’t seem appropriate for girls or young ladies. That might sound biased and of course there will be younger women who are exceptions but overall I’ll just say people throughout the ages have used rose oil as an aphrodisiac and there are people who will monitor their consumption (orally and through the skin) of particular ingredients to affect their hormones and after using this oil I understand why.

What Weleda has to say

From the packaging:

‘Wild Rose Body Oil. Pampering care. Helps improve skin’s suppleness and elasticity leaving it smooth and radiant.’

From advertising received:

‘Musk rose oil is rich in skin-caring essential fatty acids, and helps stimulate the skin’s natural functions. The Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Care range contains a selection of products to protect, moisturise and care intensively for delicate skin. The scent is uplifting, refreshing and feminine. It takes three tonnes of fresh rose petals to make just one litre of precious essential oil of rose.

Weleda’s European beauty consultant, Lilith Schwertle, explains: “In our 30s the skin retains still its youthful resilience and elasticity but is also starting to show the fist signs of ageing, mostly around the eyes. Our unique facial characteristics are beginning to form. The skin may not glow as much as it used to in our 20s, and may be drier. At this time it’s important to support the regenerating processes in the skin with ingredients high in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as Rosa Mosqueta seed oil. This helps skin stay elastic and firm, strengthens the skin and builds up the protective barrier functions. Rose seed oil has also been traditionally used to counteract and reduce scar tissue and pigmentation, and to stimulate skin cell renewal. This nourishing oil contains vitamins A and E which help minimise the signs of ageing. Rosa Mosqueta helps the skin to maintain a harmonious balance.” ‘

Dr Organic – Natural and Organic Skincare Products on the UK Highstreet

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Please note – The Moroccan Argan lotion is no longer vegan, it now has beeswax (cera alba) in it.

Introduction

Dr Organic or ‘dr.organic’ is an extensive and attractive skincare brand primarily available at the ever wonderful Holland & Barrett, purveyors of more ethically friendly food and health items (e.g. vitamins and cosmetics) for those with special diets, health needs and just a general interest in improving/maintaining health with a purer quality of product. The ‘Dr’ is a British brand with an international reach in the ingredients they source (though I’m not clued up about their ethical policies for sourcing, fair trade, transporting etc), are enrolled in a number of organic standard certifications and have a plethora of awards.

They describe themselves as providers or ‘bioactive skincare’; bioactive basically means a substance that can be used to affect or promote a response from a living organism, and/or can extracted from a living organism. To me it sounds like a very general slogan which can be applied to any number of cosmetics and non-cosmetics alike however in conjunction with the ingredients lists I’ve seen it implies to me that Dr Organic are interested in conveying the beneficial properties of the items used without clashing or heightening/playing down some characteristics over others. I respect that because more often than not I come across products that use key words to promote products and then you find that the corresponding ingredient(s) is only included in a very minor percentage or as a topnote. Such disappointing advertising is also often accompanied by numerous filler ingredients both natural and synthetic but mostly synthetic and possibly some other ‘nasties’ that can cause skin irritation as well as other speculated undesirable side effects. That said the ingredients lists that I’ve noted are also quite mild in general so some ranges would definitely be worth checking out for sensitive skin.

http://www.drorganic.co.uk/about.asp

Our Promise…
Organic ingredients
We strive to use organically grown ingredients. Where an organic ingredient cannot be used we will always source sustainable natural alternatives
Bioactive ingredients
We use certified bioactive extracts to ensure each product is truly functional by nature.
Natural ingredients
Natural ingredients are used in all formulations.
No harsh chemicals
We do not use ingredients often criticised for their side effects. We never use parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), perfumes or artificial fragrances.
No animal ingredients
All our products are suitable for vegetarians. In some products we used by-products from animals, most of which revolve around honey, these include; honey, royal jelly, propolis and bees wax.
No animal testing
Our products are always tested on human volunteers to ensure they are completely safe and effective. No animal tests are ever performed on finished products or raw materials.
No mineral oils
Petro-chemicals such as paraffin and petroleum are avoided, plant based oils and extracts are used.
No GM ingredients
Genetically modified or genetically engineered organisms are avoided to ensure all formulations are as natural as possible.
Preservatives
Where necessary preservatives are used to guarantee product safety and shelf life. Only the highest grade broad spectrum naturally derived preservatives are used.

The ranges available are Aloe Vera, Pomegranate, Tea Tree, Vitamin E, Lavender, Manuka Honey, Olive Oil, Royal Jelly, Rose Otto, Coconut Oil, Moroccan Argan Oil and Dead Sea Mineral. All of the ranges are vegetarian friendly and most vegan friendly; the lotions in this review are vegan friendly and 200ml in size.

Each range has a variety of products available including the usual Lip Balms, Body Butters, Hand & Nail Creams, Face Masks, Face Scrubs, Soaps, Body Scrubs, Body Washes, Face Washes, Shampoos, and Conditioners etc. Some more interesting items are toothpastes, deodorants and items focusing on the foot care.

The directions on the four reviewed are as follows: ‘Apply liberally to the skin. Repeat as often as required. Suitable for use all over the body. Avoid contact with eyes. Due to the ingredients natural origin, colour and consistency may vary from batch to batch. This does not affect the quality of the product.’

Virgin Olive Oil

Properties

Aptly described as ‘liquid Gold’ olive oil has extensively been used for health and skin care throughout the ages. It’s a thick, protective, light to dark Gold colour with a subtle aromatic smell and usually fulsome flavours (as should be expected from such piquant fruit 🙂 and even better for you when left to mature). It’s suitable for eating as dressing or cooked and unrefined varieties will solidify in less than room temperature. Along with its nutritional benefits it is known for protecting skin from signs of aging/weather beating and turning hair into a beautiful, soft, shiny mane. It is suitable for everyday use as well as top ups and deep moisturizing treatments.

Cold pressed olive oil is rich in Oleic Acid (omega-9 fatty acid) which is a powerful antioxidant and has the ability to sink in past the epidermis (outer layer of skin) to give a long lasting moisturizing and nourishing affect whilst improving the overall condition of the skin in general promoting a more youthful looking and supple texture.

Consistency

I’ve used 3 bottles of this and have found the look and feel to be consistent; the lotion is a thick White-Ivory cream which feels smooth and rich and has a subtle olive smell. It is somewhat greasy to the touch and takes a bit of time and massaging to sink in fully. It’s not heavy but does make an effective night cream and when used in a pea sized quantity it is fine for day wear underneath make up.

How Well It Works – Instant Tan?

As with olive oil in general I find that it makes my skin appear darker and continues to do so until I stop using it and switch to something else. I already have a medium skin tone and on top of that I tan easily even in the Winter sun so I find that this does make me look olive Brown. That could be advantageous to those wanting to look darker or top up their tans but as I don’t currently have two foundations for my skin when tanned and untanned I prefer to use this for my hands and body rather than neck and face.

In regards to moisturizing I find this gently and slowly ‘healing’/soothing in that it doesn’t hydrate in an instant and dramatic way but softens, tones and nourishes my skin in a gradual, long lasting way. It’s particularly good for ‘plumping’ skin so don’t be afraid to try it around the eyes and mouth :-).

As aforementioned this makes a good night cream if a sufficient amount is used but it can be worn (without makeup) either with a two pea sized amounts left to sink in or one at a time as a top up throughout the day.

Ingredients:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aqua, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isocetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ribes Nigrum, Parfum, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Citrus Medical Limonum Peel Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal.

Price

£6.19 at Holland & Barrett 

Pomegranate

Properties

Thought to have originated in Iran (née Persia) pomegranates have an interesting history for both cultural, health and food use e.g. from the trapping/separating of the beautiful Persephone and Demeter to medicinal use in ancient Egypt and India. Pomegranates have a high level of vitamins and antioxidants providing anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. It has become very popular recently as a superfruit and as such can be found in all types of skin care products from moisturizers to sun protection.

In the Dr Organic lotion it sits complimentary amongst aloe vera, cocoa butter, shea butter, olive oil, sunflower oil, and Irish moss and yet still stands out with a wow factor justifying the ‘pomegranate’ label.

Consistency

It is a very White thick cream with a silky feel and smooth texture but the first thing I noticed was the smell… Wow, it’s a very heady and invigorating smell with a powerful affect on the senses. It may have been partly because I hadn’t had any fresh fruit in many weeks at the time but the exotic and very fruity scent really elicited the satisfied sensation of having eaten fruit (akin to how the smell of pure cocoa butter can satisfy chocolate cravings). That said every subsequent time I used it the fragrance was still strong and revitalizing.

How Well It Works

The pomegranate lotion works well for day wear as it absorbs quickly and easily which is helpful for makeup wearers and for those who like to top up. As a night lotion it works well but would not see you through ’til morning so best to pair it a small amount of base oil.

Overall I’d say it’s not as moisturizing as the olive lotion but is super hydrating and helps to ‘wake up’ the skin. It softens the skin, makes it slightly radiant, slightly tautens the skin but doesn’t plump so I prefer to use this in warm weather.

Ingredients:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Isocetyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Punica Granatum Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Aroma, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Citric acid, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool.

Price £7.19 at Holland & Barrett

Moroccan Argan

Properties

I went into detail about Argan oil HERE and so was glad to see Dr Organic specifying their products with the locality ‘Moroccan Argan oil’ since it’s a protected and difficult process to grow and extract argan oil and the work done there is helping local humane initiatives and in particular the independence and respect of women and their place in home/society. Dr Organic was the first brand I saw doing this.

Argan oil has a long history in the Mediterranean as a wholesome and nutritious source of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids making it appealing for skin maintenance/improvement and culinary uses. Akin to the pomegranate it has made a modern impact as a cosmetic ‘wonder’ and is what I consider to be a ‘light’ oil in both colour and body yet still rich.

This particular Dr Organic lotion has an extra abundance of amazing ingredients including Kigelia fruit extract, Roselle flower extract, baobab fruit extract, orange fruit oil, clove leaf oil, Geranium oil, lemon peel Oil, Patchouli oil, cinnamon leaf oil, Rosewood oil, wild mint oil, mandarin peel oil, vanilla fruit extract and spearmint oil. Can you say powerhouse? A list like that paints a picture of the best of both worlds, exotic and local in an evocative yet comfortable dance.

Consistency

True to form/brand I found the lotion to be a thick White cream, soft and smooth in texture and this time with a less discernible smell which I would hazard to say is an acquired taste. I didn’t dislike it but I didn’t like it either. Unfortunately I found the absorbency of this lotion to be very poor, not only taking a long time but being very uneven.

How Well It Works – Instant Face Lift?

I was quite surprised at the use of citrus and strong/’refreshing’ herb oils in the ingredients list and so had uncertain yet hopeful expectations and found likewise the results to be mixed.

Personally I could not use this on my face, a sad realization after numerous fruitless attempts because even though it really tightens the skin and ‘lifts’ the forehead/eyes with a surprisingly good hold it just would not sink in evenly. I had to use less than what I would normally just to be ‘safe’ but even when it finally sunk in it would leave patches all over regardless of how evenly I tried to put it on. The patches were random as well, changing each time I tried it so I wouldn’t think that the T-Zone is a factor. Strangely it absorbed just fine elsewhere on the body.

In places other than the face and neck (where it leaves less visible but still noticeable residue) the lotion sinks in ok and softens nicely. I would say it softens similarly to the olive though not long lasting and not as invigorating as the pomegranate but still refreshing hence it was a happy medium.

Ingredients:

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Aqua, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) butter, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 dicitrate/stearate, Sodium magnesium silicate, Argania spinosa (Argan) oil, Xanthan gum, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Kigelia Africana fruit extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Adansonia digitata fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis, Eugenia caryophyllus (Clove) leaf oil, Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) oil, Cinnamomumzeylanicum (Cinnamon) leaf oil, Aniba rosaeodora (Rosewood) oil, Mentha arvensis herb oil, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil, Vanilla planifolia (Vanilla) fruit extract, Mentha spicata herb oil, Sodium phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium dehydroacetate, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Citric acid, Limonene, Eugenol, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Benzyl benzoate.

Price £6.99 at Holland & Barrett

Vitamin E

Properties – What is Vitamin E?

I find the use of names/terms like Vitamin A & E (ahem) to be somewhat vague as product titles and even with the rampant use of such in the cosmetics industry I still find the idea ambiguous because on first impression I’m not sure what I’m getting. That said with healthier options such as Dr Organics I first assume (before reading the ingredients list) that the ingredients have a higher level of said ‘ name’ and in their combination contain or will produce more of the said ‘name’ than the other products from the same brand. I generally know the term ‘Vitamin E’ to apply to a group of health promoting compounds rather than a single vitamin, it’s also a fat soluble nutrient and an antioxidant. That infers to me that it’s a healthy fat (obviously if consumed consciously as part of a lifestyle/diet read up on the possible effects of large quantities and remember that fats are used for many functions in the body not just affecting weight) which is easily broken down and helps prevent oxidization in the body which can lead to degenerative effects such as the ever dreaded aging but also health maladies. With a little research I’ve found that Vitamin E is linked to a healthy immune system, hair and eyes.

As a now common term in the skin care industry Dr Organic describes it ‘as a moisturiser it helps combat premature skin aging and also protects and soothes dry dehydrated and sun exposed skin. It also restores elasticity and reduces the appearance of skin imperfections by increasing hydration.’

Consistency

It is a pure White thick cream which once spread on the palms of my hands looks and feels slightly oily but ‘instantly’ absorbs, yes it’s very fast. I can use it and then type in practically no time at all without leaving grease stains or feeling sticky. This is an excellent quality for daily use and traveling.

I noticed that the Dr Organic website points out that this lotion is fragrance free and usually I see that as meaning not artificially ‘enhanced’ with fragrance/perfume and hence relying on the natural scents of the ingredients or having a mild/subdued smell. However that could apply to all of the lotions of theirs I’ve tried so I’m not sure why it’s described as fragrance free especially as it does have a smell, and a lovely one at that. It’s hard to describe other than it is pleasant and not too strong, almost like a sweet citrus smell.

How Well It Works

I find it moisturizes the facial skin very well with a nice softening both visual and felt. It does the same with the hands but in this weather it takes quite a bit or repeated use to make them visibly softer. I can tell from the way it softens and makes my hands feel smoother/silkier that if formulated as a hand cream specifically I would buy it and it would probably become a staple. As it is I would absolutely love it in warm weather where it would probably make my hands look years younger but right now it’s being hampered by the cold.

It is thick enough to be worn by itself without adding a thin coating of oil and for those wearing make up a thin layer will suffice and dries quick enough to wear foundation or powder over it without it interfering and making lines/runs, blobs or pushing up dry skin. If applied liberally it can also make do as a night cream. On the face I find it has a mildly toning and lifting effect and overall is it very refreshing/hydrating.

Ingredients:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Isocetyl Palmitate, Myristyl Myristate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Xanthan Gum, Aroma, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool.

Price £6.29 at Holland & Barrett 

The packaging – Mainly a Disadvantage

For the packaging junkies and connoisseurs out there for whom the casing can make or break a decision, the images and overall look of Dr Organic products (in my opinion) is very professional, clear and sleek. Just the right balance of minimalist and vibrant/vivid colour as well as informative so not embarrassing to have displayed in one’s home ;-).

On the downside I find their packaging to be quite heavy/bulky and for some products less could be more making it easier on you and recycling. The lotions come in the form of squeezy containers, very thick plastic which is very secure against damage and spillage but a pain once you’ve used half of it and have to put more effort into getting the product out. I generally find that for hand/face use a bottle will last approx 2 months and 1 month with body use and when I get to the point where squeezing the bottle yields nothing and it feels much lighter in weight telling me it’s ready for the bin it’s actually concealing a lot more. Thankfully my suspicious mind aided me into checking the first bottle I bought. Be prepared with a strong pair of scissors as the lid will just not come off, not even with consistent effort lol so I always have to cut off the top half to reveal at least 1-2 week’s worth of lotion throughout the innards that would be an absolute waste to unconsciously throw away. Note – remember to cover the chopped bottle halves or place them in a container to prevent the lotion drying up and going hard before you can finish it.

Conclusion

In the last year I’ve noticed that The Dr Organic products have pretty much taken over and extended (and arguably enhanced though monopolized) the cosmetic shelves at H&B. What has dwindled in brand variety though has increased in product type; from memory H&B have not had such a wide range of skincare products before and upon speaking to staff in smaller stores I’ve learned that they had to make space for them by decreasing or removing less popular products which is of course a nuisance for those reliant on them (I now have to shop purely online for some items that were on the hitlist) but helpful as an alternative to pharmacy and department store aisles of cosmetic chemical craziness.

To be honest I started purchasing Dr Organic lotions out of necessity when I didn’t have internet access or was outside of cosmopolitan circumstances within which I could hunt down products in local shopping districts. Thankfully in my experience there is always a Holland & Barrett in a town or on a major highstreet and despite my initial reservations I resorted to buying a couple of the above lotions but was surprisingly and increasingly impressed and pleased with the results. The regular ‘buy-one-get-one-half-price’ or ‘buy-one-get-one-for-a-penny’ sales also helped in swaying where I spent my proverbial pound 😉 but overall for the size and quality the prices are very competitive anyway.

One thing I like about these lotions is that the first ingredient is aloe vera and not water; I have no problem with water of course but in this day and age it’s hard to know where it’s coming from, what’s in it and how/if it’s been filtered even in organic products. The additional use of coca butter and shea butter for the base help make these lotions thick and reliable. The ones I’ve tried all sufficiently moisturize and hydrate especially in the freezing weather, both as a barrier and boost for the skin making them a helpful and convenient highstreet alternative to hunting down appropriate lifestyle products on foot or online.

I look forward to which one I’ll try next!

Urtekram Olive Hand & Body Lotion – Lasting Lovliness

Urtekram – Olive hand and body lotion 245ml (used to be 250ml)

http://www.urtekram.com

This is a company that really seems to care, not just about the quality  of their products but about the consequences of their actions and  manufacturing. For those of us that don’t have gardens and have  limited indoor/outdoor space or those without access to farmer’s  markets and so it’s harder to make our own cosmetics – companies like  this are fantastic.

 Urtekram Manifesto Values
Urtekram Ecology

Reading through the sections on the above links are impressive, they  state and give examples of how they care not only about the quality of  their products but also the individual steps in how they made from the  ground to the factory to shipping/exporting. Awesome!

The lotion itself is an Ivory/Cream colour and has a medium texture, meaning it’s not thin and liquidy or it’s not thick and creamy. It absorbs quickly and instantly makes the skin look younger, softer and somewhat radiant. A little goes a long way and I can use it frequently  throughout the day without taking too much time and it keeps that  fresh/youthful look all day, or I can use it at longer intervals and it will keep my skin looking younger and softer but obviously isn’t as soft/radiant as when I use it more, it also depends on how many times you wash your hands. I find that it is also easily absorbed into my nails and makes them look shinier, which is nice since I have fairly long nails but I rarely decorate them.

I’ve been using this for months and unlike many other products I’ve tried the effect was not only immediate but long lasting. Most products I’ve tried have had a very nice instant hydrating, moisturizing and youthful effect but after a while it’s like my skin gets used to it and the effect decreases – meaning that even just after I put it on, my skin doesn’t look or feel as nice as it did when I started using the product. I have yet to find a product that actually has anti-aging effects whereby the skin stays soft and supple after washing, most products maintain the skin until I wash my hands for example but this one has had the same effect through continuous use and the effect lasts the longest. That is especially important to me as I dehydrate quickly (it must be all that hot bloodedness… Hehe.)

The rest of my body likes this lotion as much as my hands, and my skin appreciates the instant hydration as well as long term moisturizing effect it has. I find it helpful for drier areas such as elbows, knees and ankles/feet. It combines nicely with oil or body butters and helps them absorb faster so you don’t have to sit around massaging/rubbing the skin for ages before being able to move around or change clothes.

I’ve tried other lotions in their various ranges e.g. the Rose, Lavender, Aloe and Chamomile lotions. An interesting note is that all the aforementioned are labeled as ‘body lotions’ whereas the Olive is the only hand and body one. That might be because, in my opinion, is it the most moisturizing/strongest one. The others are excellent too and display the properties of their namesake e.g the soothing/’cooling’ effects of Lavender and Chamomile for itchy or irritated skin, but they aren’t as ‘rich’ as olive oil, a characteristic which makes it particularly helpful for areas that show aging the most, like hands.

Ingredients

Water, glycerine*, olive oil*, jojoba oil*, shea butter”, olive oil and palm oil products, apricot kernel oil*, lecithin, pea flour*, broccoli seed oil*, lavender oil*, anisic acid, citric acid, vegetable vitamin E. Nothing else.
* = Organic Farming

(the list below is the same above, just with their scientific names)

Aqua, glycerin*, olea europaea oil*, simmondsia chinensis oil*, butyrospermum parkii butter*, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, prunus armeniaca kernel oil*, cetyl alcohol, lysolecithin, pisum sativum*, brassica oleracea italica seed oil*, glyceryl caprylate, lavandula angustifolia oil* (aroma*), p-anisic acid, sodium citrate, lavandula hybrida oil*, citric acid, tocopheryl acetate, limonene”, linalool”
* = ingredient from Organic farming
” = ingredient from essential oils

100% of the total of the ingredients are of natural origin
20% of the total of the ingredients proceed from Organic Agriculture.

Natural and Organic Cosmetics certified by ECOCERT Greenlife according to ECOCERT Standard available at cosmetics.ecocert.com

The only ingredient that I’m not sure about is the ‘palm oil products’ – as many of you know, the manufacturing of palm oil has been very destructive and the qualiy has been questionable with it being used commonly as a filler with little value. However there are companies, such as Lush, that use palm oil from sustainable farming. Side note  – unfortunately I have never seen a cosmetic product that states where the water comes from or how it is treated e.g. if it is filtered.

They also have a non-perfumed body lotion, in which it seems they use alcohol instead of an essential oil (which gives the fragrance in the others, it’s not a ‘perfume’ as in a synthetic perfume made up of lot’s of unnamed ingredients), as well as a non-perfumed baby lotion, a children’s lotion and a family sized lotion.

Urtekram – Hand and Body Lotion Olive- 245ml

In Conclusion

I find this essential, as both a stand alone product and as a partner to thicker/oilier emollients. It can be used throughout the day, for pick-me-ups and overnight. The skin doesn’t become dry again too quickly after using and with long term use keeps the skin softer overall.

It’s cost effective in comparison to other products of a similar type and size. I’ve never paid over £6 for a bottle and I find many online stores give a discount when buying a few of them. Most other products I’ve seen in similar sizes are noticeably higher priced and their ingredients lists aren’t always as impressive, so this is a star buy for me.

PLUS – They do food too! You can see on their website that they make pasta, muesli, cereal flakes and rice cakes too – how cool is that?

Argan oil – giving it a go!

Gallery

Olinia Argan Oil 100ml – cold pressed, organic certified by Ecocert

http://www.organicarganoil.org.uk

I’ve been hearing a lot about Argan oil (from the Argania Spinosa tree in     Morocco) and the opportunity to buy   some presented itself recently, so I  decided to see what all the hype was  about. As a regular user of a variety of  oils, I’m quite content and so wasn’t in a  rush to try Argan oil, which is why I’ve  left it until now but two main factors  persuaded me to go for it; firstly the  price (£8.38 from eBay) and secondly the brand was a  Vegan Society registered one. Now I  know it’s just a single ingredient oil and  before I buy any cosmetic the  prerequisite is that it has to be ethical  and natural, so there was no need to buy  a specified vegan brand. An ‘accidentally  vegan’ brand would have been fine (one that doesn’t have certification but is still vegan friendly) but I thought I’d show some support to a company that has gone through the hoops to make itself obviously available to those who need the clarification or to people starting in ethical and natural products. So basically, for me, this was a bargain.

The container/bottle itself is plastic with airless pump – I usually prefer dark glass bottles but this was an impulse buy. However the same brand has smaller amounts available in the type of packaging I prefer – 30ml and 50ml in screw-top bottle. I went with the 100ml one because I use a fair bit of oil and because I didn’t notice the smaller ones ’til after I’d paid, ha!

The oil is cold pressed and filtered/decanted, which the company explains HERE, I found that page very helpful and informative. As far as I know there are also two other methods; the expeller and unrefined. The expeller method uses a higher heat than cold pressing and is more economical than cold pressing. I prefer unrefined, because I like that the oils solidify when cold or room temp, the strong flavour (and nutritional content for food purposes) and the rich smell they have (no added perfumes) is to me, indicative of quality. However, I’ve found it quite hard to find unrefined oils and cold pressing seems to be the more common option for organic products.

Tried everyday for 1 week on face, hair & hands.

Some of the oils I usually use on my skin and hair are coconut (in warm/hot weather), carrot, olive, neem, jojoba, tea tree, avacado and ginger, and some of those are blended sweet almond oil as a base. My skin type is normal, though it used to be problem skin. My hair type is thick/coarse, curly Asian and is bleached (the exception to my natural ethos alas) though I leave to grow out a fair bit before doing the roots (thank goodness for the ombre trend being popular!)

The bottle label reads ‘Use only 1-2 drops on skin, hair and nails’. I personally find that very hard without a specific dropper insert in the neck of the bottle or a dropper pipette so I was skeptical at first, but tried as little as I could get out of the bottle in one go.

Face: the label reads: ‘Massage into skin using gentle circular motions’. I tried it on my face first and it left a nice healthy/well nourished looking, subtle sheen and was suitable to leave or put make up over. However, it’s not hydrating enough to use only that amount for a long period of time and would need touching up which would be difficult if you put make up over it but fine if you intend to wipe/clean your skin and re-apply e.g. from a day to evening look. For overnight use it would mean waking up and putting more on, so instead, I used more before I went to sleep.

Hair: the label reads: ‘Wash hair, towel dry, then apply through ends of hair using fingers.’ I personally use three methods for oil application on the hair.

1) Put it straight on the scalp and hair and do nothing else with it, let it sink in by itself and do its work.

2) Put the oil on and then a quick warm (not hot) blow dry.

3) Put the oil on and then have a bath so it steams into the hair.

Using those methods I found that, akin to other oils, it makes the hair softer and shinier but unfortunately like other oils in general it tends to make my scalp itch. I didn’t always have that issue and I used to use a lot of oily hairspray (Dark & Lovely mainly) on my hair and scalp but something changed as I got older – now very few things (incl. 1 oil) will sit comfortably on my scalp and this isn’t one of them.

Hands: the labels reads ‘Mix equal amounts of argan oil with lemon juice in a bowl to treat nails’. I haven’t tried this but I did use it on my hands and found it was nice and softening but enough for me and so I mixed it with my hand lotion and it worked better that way.

Observations: After a week’s regular use I’ve found that it’s comparable to other oils – which all have their own specific properties but in general are all nourishing and moisturizing. Like the other oils I use, it leaves the skin soft and makes my skin look/feel younger. It doesn’t make the skin look more taught/toned but it does seem to add a subtle, youthful radiance whereas other oils such a neem or tea tree give a more brightening/glowing radiance. Just a note – for those only just starting to use oils instead of, or in addition to other emollients, such as creams and whipped body butters – you may find that oils alone (and unwhipped) soften the skin but don’t visibly make it look softer or younger. Both my mother and I found that when we first started but that changed over time. Now it’s a case of hydration, where oils take time to sink in, and they soften and nourish but other emollients hydrate faster and make your skin feel quenched and refreshed. Shea and cocoa butter offer a balance have to be whipped or made into a cream to be softening, nourishing and hydrating, otherwise they are very thick, turn oily when warm and take a long time to absorb.

The one thing I definitely agree with from the information I’ve read, is that it is quick drying/absorbing – it’s the fastest absorbing oil I’ve come across when used in small amounts and so is very handy for commuting or traveling, you can touch stuff quickly afterwards without leaving greasy stains. I think it could be very handy for short trips when you don’t want to carry too many lotions and potions with you lol.

Conclusion: Argan oil, though an ancient oil (from a pre-hisoric tree), seems relatively new to the commercial market or at least, it has recently become popular and though it may have enjoyed the spotlight previously it is being lauded in the media as ‘miraculous’ and as if it were new. I don’t know if there are strict cultivation/production limits for it, but the advertising and production might be factors behind the price. From the range of prices I’ve seen it is approximately £10 per 100ml (on eBay), whereas I usually pay approx £4.50-£5 for 150ml refined oils (bricks and mortar shops), and £6-8 for 250-500ml organic/cold pressed (online). So far, even though I like the oil, it doesn’t seem to be any better or worse than the others I use, and since I tend to dehydrate easily I find I need to use more than recommended and so it would be more costly. I can use it with a cream or other oil to address that issue and it works well with other products I use but the same can be said for other oils, so there doesn’t seem to be much point. I’m not saying that it’s not value for money, from what I’ve read it’s a slow and difficult manual process, though with the production done by womens cooperatives and the introduction of mechanical aids it has gotten less time and labour consuming but I’d guess it is still hard work. Also, I read that:

‘It takes all the fruit from an average tree, about 250 pounds, to yield enough seeds for just one litre of oil. The fruit is traditionally harvested by entire Berber families.’ (moroccolondon.co.uk)

So it’s definitely value for money and I believe that oils are essential for both internal and external health, and organic oils using higher quality extraction methods are more pricey (what an upside down world we live in eh when using less ingredients and cultivating them in more natural ways is more expensive than using more – usually a lot more ingredients, many unhealthy – and not treating them). However, for the time being there doesn’t seem to be a greater benefit to using this over the others and because it’s out of my price range, for me personally, it doesn’t seem worth the investment. That might change though. I don’t give up on ethical and natural products just like that, I know that things don’t often happen overnight and that products will work differently and at different rates for different people, so I’d love to hear from any of you that have experienced the long term benefits or have any recommendations for different brands.

http://www.moroccolondon.co.uk

I think for external use the product may be best for people who need or prefer only a small amount of oil and who don’t use many other oils, that way they will probably reap more of the benefits. For myself, I think I may try using argan food oil (which is slightly roasted in production) if the price becomes less prohibitive (the same problem with cumin/black seed oil which I love). I would notice it more in my food as I use various oils for different tastes and cooking/preparation methods. For example I use sunflower oil as a base because it can stand high heats and safflower, grapeseed or flaxseed as finishers to add flavour or cold meals to retain the most nutritional content. I also use olive or macadamia as either a base or topper/finisher. I love the different tastes of oils and blend them with different herbs and spices, and depending on whether I’m making sweet, savoury or sweet/sour foods so I will probably enjoy it more that way.

Finishing note – remember that when using any natural product, I’ve found that the best way to experience as many of the benefits as possible is when also sticking to a healthy diet and lifestyle. I don’t always find that possible, and certainly not easy in the environments many live in, but overall I find I look and feel better when I manage it at least a little. 

Rose MSM Lotion Moisturiser – Hand & Body

Higher Nature Rose MSM Lotion

HAUL:
MSM Lotion Rose with aloe vera, shea butter & wild rose oil for hands and body 150ml. MSM stands methylsulfonylmethne or dimethyl sulfone which is used as a health supplement and in cosmetics for all skin types but is also purported to be excellent for irritated or sensitive skin. This product includes 10% MSM/organic sulphur which is impressive as well as other aforementioned ingredients.  I had never tried Higher Nature cosmetics before and I purchased this on a whim as it was at a reduced price due to being near the Best Before Date. It’s usually priced at around £14 but I got it for £4.50! Bargain! Bear in mind that this is a high quality product and that Best Before Dates are different to Use By or Sell By Dates; products can be used long after BBE dates as they are stable products, it just means that they’re not as fresh as before that date but are still fine whereas UBD and SBDs go off near the specified time.

I’ve used this product for a while now and my hands felt and still feel soft, smooth and even silky… surprisingly so which is great because I’m always cleaning and washing my hands hence the skin gets dry easily. The cream is light, mild and fragrance free (meaning the ingredients have their own natural scent and no added or artificial scents have been used). A little goes a long way and I think this will last a while, so good quality and value.

There’s three types of Higher Nature MSM moisturiser 1) MSM Cream Light for face and body 2) MSM Cream Rose (rose geranium) for face and body and 3) MSM Lotion Rose (wild rose) for hands and body, and after using this one I can say it’s one of the best creams for dry skin I’ve come across, and the other two are probably well worth a try too, glad I found this!

I also bought MSM Cream Light along with this and it’s good but not as nice as Lotion Rose.

Note – the container says vegetarian but this is also vegan friendly.

Higher Nature MSM Rose Lotion 150 ml

COMPANY BACKGROUND INFO:

Higher Nature is another quality ethically inspired company specialising in cosmetics and nutritional products. They have thorough quality assurance as quoted from their website http://www.highernature.co.uk:

‘Naturally sourced ingredients
Trusted supply chain- not commodity traders
HN specification better than pharma grade.
Analysis of botanicals –HPLC not UV
Documented provenance of all raw materials – country of origin, etc
Certified non GM not just GM free
Vegetarian and vegan wherever possible
Largely plant based products
No irradiated ingredients used
Only ingredients certified as pesticide-free used

Animal testing
Not carried out by Higher Nature or our suppliers (Vegan standard)

Stability of all products, but especially oils, carefully monitored.
Recyclable packaging
PET bottles used for maximum stability
UV filter
No Bisphenol A or other oestrogenic additives
Affordable Quality [33% off RRP and free delivery in EU for members]’