Amazing Oils Magnesium Moisturiser

September 22, 2016 · 12 Comments

Amazing Oils Magnesium Moisturiser

This moisturiser is my new best friend.

Let me start by saying that I have tried out lots and lots of natural skincare.

However, nothing I have tried has ever had this much noticeable improvement on my skin.

I don’t want to get overly dramatic and gushy here, but wow. Really…. wow.

Okay, so let me tell you all about it!

I have been a big fan of the Harold family and their all Aussie owned and made Amazing Oils business for a few years now. The magnesium products are truly great quality and as most people are deficient in magnesium, they get good results for a wide range of ailments.

This month they have released their new magnesium moisturiser – the first ever organic skincare range based on magnesium. I was super keen to test this out! It comes in a 100g tub and the ingredients are: shea butter, coconut oil, hazelnut oil, magnesium chloride (22%), apricot oil, glycerine and vitamin E.

Very simple, all natural ingredients which have a very mild, slightly coconut smell. They have perfected the formula so that it is stable and doesn’t separate which often happens with products containing coconut oil.

How do you use it?

I have been trialling it for around six weeks now and this is how I prefer to use it for my skin. I get a pea sized amount of the moisturiser, rub it into my hands to melt and then massage all over my face until it’s all absorbed. It takes a while to sink in so keep massaging well.

I find if I use too much, it sits on top of my skin and is a bit oily and I have to keep massaging in half an hour or so afterwards. A small amount, massaged in well is fine. I prefer to use it regularly at night but if I am at home through the day, it’s okay for day time use as well. If I am going out and wearing make up, I prefer to use something a bit lighter on my skin.

For the first few days, it was a little itchy but nothing too bad. This settled down and now I have only experienced the itchiness if I have just exfoliated my skin. If you get stinging after using magnesium, this article explains why.

After a few weeks of use, I had a few breakouts around my chin, which may or may not be related to the moisturiser but I suspect that the magnesium has a bit of a detoxing effect. I just used the Ugly Bits Stick on them though and they were gone overnight. (PS here are my thoughts on the Ugly Bits Stick).

What I have noticed?

After about four weeks of use, I got a few compliments on my skin! Wow, that hasn’t happened for a long, long time. After having some health problems, I often look very tired and washed out, with a bit of a dullness.

To be honest, I hadn’t really noticed as I don’t spend a lot of time looking at myself in the mirror and our bathroom lighting is pretty bad. I have never really been one to worry about wrinkles and stuff. I do cover up blemishes with a bit of make up if I am going out but that’s about it!

Anyway, I went out to the car in the full sunshine and checked it out in the car mirror! Yep, I could see and feel some differences. And more so in the last two weeks.

♥ softer and plumper more hydrated skin

♥ a reduction in fine lines, particularly around my eyes

♥ a softening of the acne scarring on my cheeks

♥ a lightening of the pigmentation, particularly on my cheek bones that has been there since having kids

♥ overall the skin tone has improved and is more consistent and smoother

♥ would it be lame to say dewy? 😀 No, really I think my skin has a really nice glow about it now

That’s after six weeks of use. I am pretty darn impressed.

When I looked into why it works, this is what I found out. The magnesium blend balances the PH of your skin, the magnesium lightly exfoliates and detoxes dead skin cells which is what helps with spots, blemishes, wrinkles and pigmentation. When you use it daily, it promotes new cell production which gives you that nice glow.

The Harold family at Amazing Oils recommend that you can use this moisturiser in three ways.

♥ As a rich overnight facial repair treatment.

♥ To soothe skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, eczema and rashes. So you can use it all over the body – not just your face like I did!

♥ To gently boost your magnesium levels.

If you use it twice a day, it should last 4-6 months. Remember you only need to use a teeny bit!

Want to try it?

I am so keen on using this as my nightly moisturiser now to see what else happens! I am also going to get my hubby and mum onto it as well. Luckily the lovely Harold family are giving us a discount code to use so you can all try it out and see what difference it makes to your skin.

Use the code: NNAM for 10% off the entire Amazing Oils shop until the 5th of October 2016!

Check out the goodies at the website here.

Have you tried it? What did you think?

(this post is sponsored)

100% Jojoba + Rosehip Oil Review and Giveaway

August 4, 2015 · 68 Comments

I was pretty excited to find out that The Jojoba Company had a new product out combining two of my favourite things – jojoba oil and rose hip oil!

I have been trialling it for the last month or so and love it. I am also giving you all a chance to win some and a discount code to try it for yourself.

Okay, so what is in it?

It’s rare to find skincare with only two ingredients, but in 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil, that is exactly what you get. Just jojoba seed oil and rosehip seed oil.

What’s so great about these oils?

Well, jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax, very similar to the wax sebum on our skin. This enables it to penetrate to the deeper layers of our skin. It is also a powerful antioxidant and contains vitamins A, D and E and omegas 6 and 9. Jojoba is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic so it’s amazing for all sorts of skin ailments from acne to cradle cap!

Rosehip oil has long been recognized as mother nature’s secret weapon for wrinkles and scaring! Being high in Vitamin A, it’s great for skin rejuvenation and healing.

Combining the two oils allows the rosehip to really get deep into our skin alongside the jojoba, making it work even better. It also extends the shelf life of rose hip oil which can go rancid easily. It’s a fantastic synergy!

Jojoba beans ready to be cold pressed.

So, who makes it?

I love this company and have featured them before on the website. The Jojoba Company is an all Aussie family business. Ian Turner and his family planted their first jojoba crop in Yenda, NSW in 2008 and have gone on to produce beautiful cold pressed oil for use in their skincare range. Find out more about the farm here.

The ethical practices and philosophy also appeal to me. They never test on animals or use animal derivatives and there are no nasty toxins in any of the products.

What’s it like to use?

I am always a bit nervous about oils for my skin as having oily skin for most of my younger life meant that I really used to shy away from adding any more oil! Some face oils I have used take absolutely ages to sink in and leave a shiny layer on your skin that doesn’t look particularly attractive and makes applying makeup impossible.

I have been using the 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil morning and night and I love it. The scent is very subtle and slightly woody floral (hard to explain!). Some rosehip oil products I have used smell so bad I can’t stand it on my skin so this is the first thing I check.

It’s also not a thick claggy oil (well, it’s actually wax remember), it’s very light in texture, spreads easily and sinks straight into the skin. I love the feeling it gives my skin – it’s soft and plump after applying. I feel like my skin is really sucking up all that hydration. I haven’t been getting that tight feeling that some moisturisers leave you with – you know, when you feel like you need another application.

Okay, tell me how much it’s going to cost?

You know I am a low-maintenance sort of girl and I don’t believe in paying ridiculous prices for skincare! I am loving that this product is only $24.95!! Even better, you only use 2 or 3 drops each time, so it lasts for ages. No fancy gimmicks or marketing spin, just two beautiful oils from mother nature.

What are the negatives?

I am actually struggling to find anything about this product that I don’t like. My only suggestion to The Jojoba Company is that I would love to see some greener packaging using recycled materials.

Where do you get it?

You can shop online straight from the company at their website, The Jojoba Company or you can check out their store locator to find a retailer near you. The range is in health food stores (Healthy Life and Go Vita), pharmacies and salons/spas around the country.

Would I buy it with my own money?

Absolutely! In fact, I am going to buy myself another bottle this week. Unfortunately due to an incident involving my teenage son and my dastardly dachshund (don’t even ask) my bottle has been prematurely used up! I really, really love it. I had just started rubbing it into the back of my hands that are showing a few signs of pigmentation and ageing. I will keep you posted on how that goes on my Facebook page.

Giveaway:

Want one to try for yourself? The lovely people at The Jojoba Company are giving me five bottles of 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil to give to five of you!

The giveaway has now closed and the lucky ladies getting a bottle of jojoba and rosehip oil are Sara, Tania, Liz, Rachel and LJ!

How to enter:

Head over and give The Jojoba Company a like on their Facebook page and then leave me a comment below telling me why you want to win.

[box] Terms and conditions. Australian residents only. Winner will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry requirements, announced on this article and emailed. Giveaway closes 5pm 18th August 2015. Good luck![/box]

Discount Code:

Want to try some now? Use the code: NNAM001 to get 20% of the Jojoba and Rosehip Oil until the 18th of August. Only at the online store here.

{This is a sponsored post}

Top Tips for Avoiding Dry Winter Skin

May 21, 2015 · 11 Comments

Top Tips for Avoiding Dry Winter Skin

Winter time can exacerbate skin conditions and the wind and heaters can make your skin dry, itchy and lifeless.

Here are some tips for keeping your skin lovely and soft over the cooler months. I also have some of the best natural skincare products that are all especially for repairing dry skin!

♥ Stay hydrated!

The cold weather can mess with our thirst mechanism a little. Lots of water will keep your skin smooth and moist. Try drinking herbal tea or hot water with lemon if water is a struggle.

♥ Good fats

Making sure you have enough essential fatty acids in your diet. Keep up the avocado, nuts, seeds, good oils and healthy fats.

♥ Upgrade your face moisturiser

You may need to swap your moisturiser in winter for something richer and more hydrating, especially at night time.

Try: Antipodes Avocado Pear Night Cream or Mukti Marigold Hydrating Creme

♥ Swap to a cream cleanser

I love a foaming face wash – they are so quick and easy in the shower but I find in winter they are just too drying. Swap over to a lovely cream cleanser and see the difference.

Try: Cloud 9 Deep Cleansing Balm or Vanessa Megan’s Petitgrain Creme Cleanser.

♥ Add in a serum

If you love your moisturizer, don’t ditch it, just add in a serum underneath. They are so beautiful and you only need a few drops.

Try: Pomegranate and Rose Hydrating Serum or Good Vibes Omega Facial Oil.

♥ Use a hydrating mask

A lovely rich mask once a week is a nice thing to do for your skin in winter. You could just use avocado mashed up with some honey (yum) or find a nourishing face mask. Avoid clay face masks as they will dry out your skin even more.

Try: Antipodes Manuka Mask or Madara’s SOS Intense Moisture Mask

♥ Don’t wash so often

Now I am not suggesting you get all whiffy! If you are in the habit of having a hot shower or bath twice a day, cut that back to once a day and lower the temperature. Hot water will quickly dry out your skin.

♥ Ditch the soap

Don’t use soap!! It’s so incredibly drying. Switch to a rich cleansing bar, body wash or even skip all together and use a body cloth.

Try: Mokosh Olive Oil Soap or Divine Moisturising Body Wash.

♥ Use a body moisturiser daily

I know I can get a bit slack with this in summer, but if you are using something to hydrate your whole body daily, you will notice the difference in the colder weather.

Try: Blissed Out Body Oil or Lhami’s Lavender Body Lotion.

♥ Oil Bath

Seriously divine – add a good splash of body or massage oil to your next warm bath. It’s a bugger to clean the bath, but it’s worth it for the soft, soft skin you get afterwards!

♥ Don’t get too crazy with that towel

Don’t dry yourself too thoroughly in winter. Just pat skin dry and quickly put your body moisturizer on, sealing in some of the moisture.

♥ Exfoliate

Gently exfoliating weekly in winter will get rid of the dry skin cells. Use a body brush or a scrub on your body and a gentle exfoliant on your face.

Try: Lhami Wattleseed Exfoliating Cream for the face and Eco Tan’s new Organic Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub for the body.

♥ Keep it handy

Hands can really get dry, red and irritated in winter, but we have to wash our hands to keep germs at bay. Use a moisturising hand wash and keep a hand cream next to your bed or next to the kitchen sink to remind you to pop it on. Always use gloves to wash up and for cleaning. You can even coat your hands thickly and pop some cotton gloves on overnight to really replenish.

Try: Vanessa Megan’s Peruvian Flower Hand Cream or MV Skincare Hand Rescue.

♥ Pucker up

Keep your lips nice and hydrated with a lovely nourishing lip balm. I keep one next to my bed and in my handbag and apply often. If your lips are really dry and scaly, you can rub them gently with a clean toothbrush to get the flakes off and then apply your balm.

Try: Suvana’s Paw Paw and Honey Organic Lip Balm or Physic Garden’s Winter Lips Balm.

♥ Cover Up

If the weather is really wild and windy, protect your skin with gloves and a scarf.

♥ Spritzer

A hydrating spritzer can bring relief. Use it regularly throughout the day or pop on before your moisturizer.

Try: Raindrops on Roses Hydrating Tonic or Black Chicken’s Hydrate My Face.

♥ Extreme care

If your skin is really red and irritated, it calls for serious heavy duty products on the sore spots. Coconut oil is always my go-to, but you may need something a bit more intense. I advise against the popular pawpaw ointment on the market.

Try: TLC Intensive Repair Oil, Physic Garden’s Soothing Skin Salve or the always popular Weleda Skin Food.

♥ Eczema

Got eczema? Try these tips from our community.

I hope these tips were helpful and you find some relief from that dry, itchy winter skin! I would love to know your tips as well, leave me a comment and let me know what you do!