Cleanser

Thursday, 5 June 2014

Review: Therapi Gel Cleanser & Moisturiser

At the beginning of April, I received an unexpected (but totally welcome) parcel from Therapi Honey Skincare. 
I have read a few reviews on their products so the brand had been on my radar for a while. Therapi's star ingredient in everything they make is honey. Honey honey honey!

On the website, the company aims are simple: "to create the best natural and organic honey skincare products, which benefit not only the user but also the natural world in all its diversity and splendour."

The three ranges from Therapi are Rose Otto for Normal/Dry skin, Orange Blossom for Normal Skin and Lemon Myrtle for Oily/Combination skin. Each range has a cleanser, toner and moisturiser but the Rose Otto range also has a Propolis+ Ultra Radiance Cream.
The packaging is beautifully elegant; from the thick textured outer packaging to the heavy, white glass containers with minimalistic labelling, these products look very good on the vanity table. Not that this should matter but lets be honest, sometimes first impressions really do count.

I was kindly sent two products from the Lemon Myrtle range, for oily/combination skin. The Lemon Myrtle Honey Gel Cleanser* and the Lemon Myrtle Honey Moisturiser*
This range contains honey, purifying extracts of citrus, witchhazel and antibacterial lemon myrtle to regulate oiliness and condition the skin. 

I've been using both of these every day for a few months now, as I really wanted to be able to fully review how I've found the products.
And this is how I got on...


The Honey Gel Cleanser* RRP £25 for 50ml is made from 90% Organic ingredients and jam packed with organic honey, yucca extract, lemon myrtle and grapefruit essential oils.
I haven't used a gel cleanser before as I tend to stick to washes in the mornings and balms in the evenings. I know some of you love gel cleansers but I'm afraid it just isn't for me. The gel was fairly runny and I had to use 3-4 pumps just to feel like it wash actually washing my face. My skin feels clean afterwards, yes, but since using this I've found I've had to exfoliate more frequently. It doesn't feel like its working on the deeper layers of my skin and that it is only just about managing to work on the top layer. I certainly wouldn't use this as part of my evening routine as it is just too wishy-washy for me.
I'm sorry Therapi, but I'm not a fan of your gel cleanser.

Now as for the Honey Moisturiser* RRP £30 for 50ml, I can honestly say that it it feels like a dream to use. It can be used both morning and night so it cuts down on needing two different creams. I find I use just a small amount in the morning, applied to the face and neck but use more in the evening to really condition the skin.
The texture is light so it absorbs quickly without feeling heavy or like it is just sat on the top of the skin.
For about 4 months before starting to use this, I'd been furiously using up the many, many samples and trial sized moisturisers that I'd somehow managed to accumulate and hadn't really found a winner. I was tired of trying so many without being able to see any lasting results.
I've been using this morning and night since I received it back in April and I really like it. My skin is looking really healthy at the moment, with less afternoon shiny t-zone (historically the bane of my existence!) and more glow and radiance.
I can't say that it has been down to this cream alone, I think that regularly using the same products has given my skin a chance to settle and I'm back using my beloved Bodhi & Birch Neroli Luce but I do think that it has made a difference.
Also, after 8 weeks of twice-daily use, I've hardly made a dent in the pot so it'll last me a good few months which I'm really happy about.

You can buy both these products and more over at the Therapi Honey Skincare website here.

Have you used anything from Therapi before? What did you think?


*PR samples provided for review. Opinions are all my own based on my experience using them.

Sunday, 13 October 2013

Review: Freyaluna Try Me Selection Box

The Freyaluna TRY ME Selection Box has been on my wish list for some time but for one reason or another, I never seemed to get around to ordering it.
That was until last week when I read on Twitter that they would be giving away a free soap with every order! How could I refuse?

The creator of Freyaluna, Sami Blackford, is a certified Herbalist and Aromatherapist based in North Wales. She created her skincare line after years of battling with acne with the approach that Mother Nature can help you to achieve beautiful skin. All of her products are natural and handmade, free of preservatives and harsh chemicals.
From reading her bio, you can tell straight away that she is truly passionate about skincare and takes a real holistic approach to clear skin - not only for herself but for those who buy her products. I love the philosophy behind the brand and I've got to say, the packaging is just wonderful!

So, onto my TRY ME Selection Box.
The idea behind this box is that you try before you buy - selecting up to 5 of Freyaluna's products to sample before buying full sized items. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I wish more companies would offer this kind of service! After picking your five samples, Sami then gets in contact with you to talk about your skincare issues and then picks a further 3 samples for you to try out.
You can buy the TRY ME Selection Box here for £13.

The 5 samples I picked were:
Marigold & Bergamot Soap - Bergamot is one of my favourite fragrances. Combined with the Marigold, this helps give the soap an antiseptic and healing quality to the skin
Shine Control Tonic - my skin can get oily in the afternoons so I picked this out as I hope it might help to balance out my oily skin. With cedarwood and lemongrass, I'm sure this will work
Patchouli & Orange Hand Cream - you can never have too many hand creams and I like the idea of this mix of essential oils
Rose Lotion - thick creams often sit too heavily on my skin so a lotion is much better for me. This Rose Lotion is light enough to absorb quickly and leaves my skin soft and smooth
Chamomile & Lavender Lotion - I always apply a cream or lotion to my skin before I go to bed. I think this one, with the blend of chamomile and lavender will help not only my skin but to help me drift off to a good nights sleep!

The 3 samples that Sami picked for me were:
Soothe the Sensitive Facial Tonic which contains rose water, aloe vera gel and gentle essential oils to sooth sensitive skin
Soothe the Sensitive Cleaning Cream which uses chamomile and rose to provide gentle care for the skin
Regain Your Balance Facial Moisturiser which contains grapeseed oil, rosewater and jojoba oil which helps the skin to balance its oil levels naturally

My free, full sized soap was Orange & Sandlewood which is helps to soothe anxiety and reduce stress.

So there we have it, a wonderful sample box full of natural goodies. I have already used up the Rose Lotion and I can't wait to get my hands into the rest of this beautifully presented box.

Sami can be found on Twitter @samiblackford

Have you tried anything from Freyaluna?

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