SeabuckWonders - ‘Berry of Steel’ Flexes Its Super Health Muscles!

Hi ladies! Move Over "Man of Steel", there is a new super hero in town – the sea buckthorn berry! This amazing "Berry of Steel" has come all the way from the Himalayas to fight off free radicals, sun damage, aging and potential illness. This berry packs a real healing punch and beats out every other "Super Berry" - Dr. Oz does not call it the "miracle berry" for nothing!

Having not heard of sea buckthorn berry before, I was very excited to be kindly given the opportunity to sample a few SeabuckWonders products!

Infused with a potent blend of Omega 3, 6, 9, and the rare Omega-7, SeabuckWonders’ Deep Hydrating Serum ($34.97) will not only moisturize skin, but also improve texture and tone. This serum nourishes and supports cell regeneration to minimize fine lines and help maintain a youthful, healthy glow. It is ideal for all skin types and is highly effective, yet it will not leave your skin oily or irritated.

I am always pleased when a serum is absorbed fast into the skin, since I like to apply a heavier moisturizer right after, especially since the colder weather is approaching. The Deep Hydrating Serum feels like a refreshing gel and it locks moisture, leaving my skin feeling fresh, smooth and pampered.

Intensely moisturizing despite its surprisingly light texture, the Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion ($14.97) rejuvenates and replenishes the skin’s natural balance, softening and nourishing for silky, touchable skin. Its high concentration of sea buckthorn oil allows for superior moisture retention while protecting the skin from signs of aging and the effects of exposure to the sun.

I still can't believe how quickly this lotion is absorbed into the skin - it almost disappear on contact, I have never experienced something like that! It does calm the itchiness due to eczema, and I don't feel the need to re-apply this lotion until my next shower. I don't know how well it would work in the colder weather, but I have almost already used it up since it is so addictive!

Both products are naturally scented with essential orange oil for a subtle yet pleasant scent, but they are also made with certified organic Sea Buckthorn, they do not contain paraben, and they are vegan and cruelty-free.

SeabuckWonders has a whole line of the highest quality sea-buckthorn-berry-based supplements and skin care products in the marketplace. Feel free to have a look at their website to experience the powers of these super-berry products yourself! 

Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

Vitamine & Sea Cleansing Milk

Hi ladies! I was very lucky to be kindly treated to a few Vitamine & Sea products and after trying their Mineral Clay Mask, I was eager to try this luxurious cleansing milk, which seemed perfect for my dry and eczema-prone skin with its unique formula rich in vitamin E, A and B5 to soften, strengthen, clarify and preserve the skin. It also contains organic lavender, rosemary, sage and aloe to give you the softest and most nourished skin possible while adding moisture and being gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, and believe me, it really does!

I don't remember ever using a cleansing milk before - when I was younger and less knowledgeable about the vast world of skincare products, I tended to rely on harsh foaming face cleansers, which left my poor skin even drier and irritated, often causing eczema flare-ups. Now, I have learned to care for my eczema and to stay away from such chemical products and I favour gentle, creamy and non-foaming face cleansers.

Vitamine & Sea Cleansing Milk is absolutely dreamy to use, and I think that is due in part to its milky texture, which is completely new to me in a cleanser. I like to wet my face and rub the product on it, insisting gentlyon the eyes area, if I am wearing eye makeup. It is actually gentle enough to be used on the eyes but it is not able to remove my makeup completely - I often step out of the shower with racoon eyes!

After use, my skin feels surprisingly moisturized without that squeaky-clean feeling, but it is weird how it just does not feel 100% clean - maybe I just need to get used to it since it is so gentle? I would recommend using a toner or a micellar water after this, especially if you were wearing foundation just to be sure everything has been properly removed.

I also appreciate the convenient pump bottle instead of the usual slippery tube, and one pump is enough to cover my whole face and neck, so be careful not to overdo it. I think it's nice that the bottle, despite being made of plastic, does not look cheap at all - in fact, at first glance, I really thought it was a glass bottle!

Made from certified organic ingredients, vegan, fair trade and cruelty-free, Cleansing Milk is available on the Vitamine & Sea website for $28.00

Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

HT26 Extra Moisturising & Nourishing Body Milk

HT26 is a line of ethnic cosmetics born of a relationship of trust between a pharmacist and her loyal clients. This personalized relationship, strong for over 30 years, has allowed the HT26 Laboratory to develop four other ethnic cosmetic lines tailored to the needs of every skin type. All of HT26 products are made with  ingredients carefully selected for their efficiency, and the formulas, original in their composition and dosage, are especillau adapted to the needs of black and mixed skin.

I have been curious about this brand and I was very kindly sent their Extra Moisturising & Nourishing Body Milk, which I have been told should be great for my very dry and eczema-prone skin, since it is intended for dehydrated, dull, dry skin that doesn't tolerate chalk. It is also enriched with sweet almond oil, glycerine and shea butter to softens the skin and makes it satin-smooth. 

I must say I was not especially excited about this product since I usually shy away from body milks in favor of body butters or thick creams, but this seriously works like nothing I have used before. The consistency is, of course, milky, but it is not a runny mess and it is absorbed into the skin within seconds, without leaving greasy residues behind - in fact, you can barely tell you just applied a lotion, if it was not for how smooth your skin feels!

I swear that after the first use, my skin felt incredibly comfortable and it did not itch until my next shower the night after - this is a big win for someone who is struggling with eczema! Also, you only need a small quantity of product since this milk is easily spreadable and you can be sure that this ginormous bottle (500mL) will last you a long time! Oh, and let's not forget about the smell, which is a bit powdery and reminds me of baby products - very pleasant!

HT26 Extra Moisturising & Nourishing Body Milk is available for $40.78 at Zoka Importations.

Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

I have been meaning to post this review yesterday before work but can you believe that, even though I did check my alarm clock about five times before going to bed - as always - it is actually my boss who woke me up at 6:10 when I was supposed to be at work at 6:00? No, the alarm did not ring, because the sound was turned off, and I simply can't understand why, despite all of my precautions! Strange things have been hapenning in my room, not to mention those weird fingerprints in my mirror... Let's just say that I was really angry and publishing this review was the last thing I had on my mind. I am glad it only takes me 15 minutes to get to work, so I ended up being half an hour late, but luckily, my boss understood and was kind enough to allow me to end my shift at 3:00 instead of 2:00. Enough ramblings for now and onto the review!

I was looking for a creamy and non-drying cleanser to pamper my already parched and eczema-prone skin, and I figured out this one would do the trick as it is made of plant-based ingredients. I was not disappointed - I'm always looking forward to using it again! This cleanser is thick and creamy and it does not foam like most cheap gel cleansers.

I love that my skin feels fresh after use (without that squeeky-clean feeling), but it sometimes still feel a little oily, as if it wasn't completely clean, especially when I wear foundation or BB Cream - nothing that can't be fixed with a little toner though. However, I have noticed that if I use this cleanser every day, it tends to  dry me out a bit - this is probably due to the menthol in it, so I would recomment to be careful if you have sensitive skin.

I also appreciate the convenient squeezable tube instead of the usual slippery bottle. I have had this cleanser for a long time and I feel it will last me a while as you really only need a little quantity of product each time thanks of its thick texture.

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream is 98.8% natural and is not tested on animals. It is available for $12.99 for which is relatively cheap for such a great product.

Simmi Essentials Aqua Pura Sweet Almond Hydra Crème

Simi Essentials is a spa quality skin care line, based in natural ingredients (their main ingredient is aloe vera, not water like the majority of the others skin care lines). Formulated by the world's finest experts in the US, there are four simple categories of specialized skin care to chose from: Pampered Temple for the body (all the products in this category help to hydrate the skin of the body), Perfect Balance for acne prone and oily skin, Fountain of Youth for people looking for an anti aging solution, and Aqua Pura to improve the moisture of the dehydrated skin. Simi Essentials products are - of course - cruelty free (they are PETA business friends!) and their bottles and jars and environmental friendly (made in USA). 

Simi kindly informed me that in my case, the most suitable category is Aqua Pura since I am suffering from dry, irritated and eczema-prone skin, so I was sent the Sweet Almond Hydra Crème that promises to help to hydrate my face.

Upon the first applications, I was worried my skin was intolerant to almond oil or another ingredient in this product because my dry patches of eczema and irritated skin did sting a bit, but with consistent use, my skin fortunately calmed down.

While having a nice and somewhat thick consistency, the Sweet Almond Hydra Crème is really lightweight and I like how it seems to envelop my skin in a soothing cocooning, instead of disappearing right away - does this make sense? It is not greasy and it does quickly sink into the skin but I like how I can feel my skin being moisturized throughout the day, and this is what makes the difference to me between an hydrating and a moisturizing product.

I have been using this product every morning since I received it somewhere in the middle of October, and you can barely tell because the little pot still appears almost untouched - you only need the smallest quantity of product since this Sweet Almond Hydra Crème is really rich. Talking about packaging - this product comes in a cute little plastic post, and until very recently, I would have been tempted to say that such packaging tend to look and feel a bit cheap, but since I dropped and broke my glass jar of $40 NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Comfortable Face Cream, let's just say that I now favour practicality instead of beauty.

Simmi Essentials Aqua Pura Sweet Almond Hydra Crème is available for $37.00 at www.simiessentials.com. and don't forget to apply the code Peta3 to get 3$ off and Peta15 for 15% off if you buy more then 50$.

Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

The Body Shop Mango Body Butter

Yes, until last year, I was a The Body Shop virgin because as much as I wanted to try their body butters, I always thought they were too pricey for me - come on, why would I want to pay $18 for a 200ml body butter that I can find at the drugstore for half the price? But that was until I came accross an irresistible 3 for $30 offer on the whole The Body Shop website, which led me to order a few of those mystical body butters.

The first butter I decided to try was the Shea Body Butter as it is designed for very dry skin and from what I have heard, it is claimed to be the thickest and most moisturizing of all The Body Shop body butters, which turned out ot be absolutely true - it is truly a little worker on my eczema! After that great experience, I was eager to try another of their butter, but I can't say I was exactly pleased...

As I used up the last bit of my Burt's Bees Aloe & Linden Flower After Sun Soother, the weather was getting colder and I always favour heavier body creams in the winter, so I figured out it was the perfect time to try another The Body Shop body butter that I have bought last year, and I chose Mango because it is also designed for very dry skin.

I ordered this body butter in the jumbo format (400ml) because it was included in the 3 for $30 offer, but I think the jumbo sizes have been discontinued since then - or am I wrong? When I used the Shea Body Butter for the first time, I was worried I would not be able to go through this humongous tub before the end of the winter (I don't use body butters in the summer, they are just too heavy) and I only hoped it would not go bad too soon, but the Mango butter is less thick than the Shea version - it's actually more like a thick cream.

I can't say I fell in love with the Mango body butter's texture like I did with the Shea version. The consistency is like a rich cream, but it's not solid like the Shea body butter. It melts on my skin but it does take some times to be properly absorbed, and yes, it is greasy, even on my dehydrated skin!

The Mango Body Butter does not smell synthetic to me - but then again it is not something that usually bothers me, as long as it's done right - it actually smells like fresh ripped mangoes, yum! I can smell it on my skin a few hours after applying it, but it does not linger all day or overnight. 

I was not blown away by this butter. Even with continuous use, The Body Shop Mango Body Butter could not completely soothe my irritated skin and too often, my skin started being itchy again after around 15 minutes of applying this product, which is asbolutely unacceptable for the price, and especially because it is claimed to be great for very dry skin! If you have problem skin that requires heavy-duty moisture, I would recommend to skip the Mango Body Butter and go for the Shea version instead, which is much better and actually works amazingly well.

The body butters are available in store for $19.00 for 250ml and on The Body Shop website and you get free shipping with any purchase of $75 (be sure to check out RetailMeNot for coupons before ordering!)

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter

The Body Shop® difference: Our Body Butter is the original and in our humble opinion, the world’s best. But we aren’t the only ones who think so. Our Shea Body Butter is a hit with celebrity fans like Jennifer Lopez, Victoria and David Beckham, and Reese Witherspoon. So you are in good company when you indulge in the luxurious, 24-hour, non-stop moisturizing formula, packed with Community Trade ingredients. And you can feel good when you use it, knowing that you are helping to provide a community of women in Ghana with regular work and income. 

Best if you want to: Treat your skin to non-stop moisturization with a rich, intensive cream featuring the clean scent of shea. 

Best for: very dry skin 

How it works: Community Trade shea butter has antioxidant vitamins A and E to help protect and nourish skin. Community Trade cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer that melts at body temperature, leaving skin soft and silky smooth.

Yes, until very recently, I was a Body Shop virgin because as much as I've wanted to try their body butters, I always thought they were too pricey for me - come on, why would I want to pay $18 for a 200ml body butter that I can find at Wal-Mart for only $6 (I'm talking about SPAresource body butters)? I've always been happy with those drugstore body butters but I ran out of them and my eczema always seems to worsen in the winter and there's no way I will use a body lotion instead, it's just not enough moisturizing.

So at the beginning of December, I stumbled accross The Body Shop's 3 for $30 offer on their whole website, and I figured out it was the perfect time to give those mystical butters a try as they would cost only $10 each with free shipping. To see what I have ordered and to read what I thought of their customer service, you can click here to be brought to my shopping post.

The first butter I decided to try was the Shea Body Butter as it's designed for very dry skin and from what I have heard, it is claimed to be the thickest and most moisturizing of all The Body Shop body butters, which is exactly what my parched and eczema-prone skin needed!

L - R: 200mL and 400mL body butters

I ordered this body butter in the jumbo format (400ml) because it was included in the 3 for $30 offer, but otherwise, it retails at $25 (!!!) Even though I was warned, let me confirm that yes, the jumbo size is really jumbo! At first I was worried I wouldn't be able to go through this humongous tub before the end of the winter (I don't use body butters in the summer, they are just too heavy) and I only hoped it wouldn't go bad too soon, but I have been using this butter since the beginning of December and I'm already half way through it (I use it every night after showering all over my body).

As soon as I started using the Shea body butter, I fell in love with its amazing texture. The consistency is dreamy - rich, creamy and perfectly thick - exactly what I'm expecting in a body butter! Some say it's greasy, but hey, this stuff has been designed for very dry skin for a reason! If you have extremely dry, dehydrated skin, like me, it soaks it all up in a matter of seconds without leaving greasy residue behind.

In the tub, the butter looks hard and solid but it really melts as soon as it comes in contact with the skin.

It's a little hard to describe what Shea smells like but I would say it's a sort of neutral clean and fresh smell that is slightly earthy and nutty, with a hint of floral. I think it's a very creamy, cozy and comforting smell that is not overpowering but I would not say it's very light either. I also doesn't linger on the skin very long, which is disappointing in my opinion.

At first, I must say I wasn't blown away by this butter. I mean, I have tried quite a few body butters in the past and I always went back to the ones from SPAresources because they were inexpensive, did the job quite well and had that perfectly buttery texture. However, I have realized that with continuous use, The Body Shop Shea Body Butter soothed my irritated skin and I haven't experienced any eczema flare-ups since I started using it. Sure, my skin still ocasionally itches and sometimes I have to apply moisturizer in the morning to get me through the day, but I haven't feel the need to reach for my steroid cream and this is a big step forward in my book.

Of course, the main issue for me with these butters is the price: mini (50 ml / 1.7 oz) for $6.00, regular (200 ml / 7.0 oz) for $18.00 and jumbo (400 ml / 13.5 oz) for $25.00.  I won't need to buy these full-price anytime soon because I guess it will take me a long time to get through the six butters I ordered in December, but The Body Shop always has some kind of deals going on such as buy 1 get 1 50% off, buy 3 get 2 free, etc. But still, I'm not convinced these body butters are a must have if you don't have problem skin that requires heavy-duty moisture.

The body butters are available on The Body Shop website and you get free shipping with any purchase of $75 (be sure to check out RetailMeNot for coupons before ordering!)