Hey Sweeties,

For me and I know a lot of you out there, do your damndest to ensure that the products you use for your beauty and skincare are as close to 100% natural and cruelty free as possible. With this being something so many people now view as a value, more and more brands are surfacing that offer just this for consumers, as well as people willing to spend that extra time seeking out cruelty free beauty and skincare. Fortunately, within the UK and Europe more broadly, the testing and selling of (finished) cosmetic products and its ingredients that have been tested on animals is illegal. That being said, it’s well worth reading up on this stuff and particularly, while we all go nuts for American beauty hauls etc. UK brands sold abroad may comply with different laws and all I’m saying is, just be aware. The Queen of skincare that is Caroline Hirons, wrote a blog a little while ago titled ‘Tested on Animals/Sold in China’ (here) and it’s well worth a read if this subject is important to you. As I have written before in my decision to eat a plant-based diet (here), animal welfare is of huge importance to me and while I believe I shop safe in the knowledge I am not supporting animal testing, I have no doubt that I have been caught out in the past.

Apologies for the random tangent on animal testing, but my initial point was that where possible I seek out 100% natural, cruelty free skincare and I was delighted to be sent this Moroccan rose infused facial oil* by Dr Botanicals. Dr Botanicals create vegan, 100% natural ingredient products, free from parabens and harmful preservatives, believing that oil and plant extracts can make a genuine difference to skin.

In recent months and particularly following a period during the last year of subscribing to and purchasing various beauty boxes that have exposed me to several new brands, I have developed quite an interest in facial oils. While I don’t use them all the time, and some I prefer over others, you don’t have to be using them long to appreciate and notice the benefits.

The Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Infused Facial Oil “is packed full of minerals and vitamins, all working together to rejuvenate, renew and protect skin. Rich in antioxidants and moisturising properties to keep your skin protected and hydrated. This facial oil contains Vitamin C, A and Almond oil to stimulate, rejuvenate and brighten skin while ensuring it is kept moisturised and nourished.”

I love this oil, like, a lot! The Moroccan Rose scent is divine and the oil itself feels more like a rose water than it does an oil because it’s incredibly light to the touch and upon application. I like to massage a couple of drops into my face after I’ve come in from work and removed my makeup and cleansed, allowing the oil to gently absorb during the evening. Oils can of course be used any time of day but I personally, like to allow facial oils to do their thing in their own time, without piling product on top of them too soon which is why I –as a rule- use them as part of my evening skincare routine. As the description above states, this product, stimulates, rejuvenates and brightens skin and it really does just what it says on the tin. After I’ve applied the oil, my skin soon feels radiant and hydrated and it simply just cannot get enough of what this product does for me.

I won’t lie to you, this Moroccan Rose Infused Facial oil is quite pricey, and while I personally would struggle to spend this, I certainly don’t need to be persuaded on its benefits as it’s a lovely, lovely product. Next year I hit thirty and that marks a new chapter of time whereby my skincare will need upping and maybe then I will be more comfortable in spending more for good, quality products and when that happens I am totally down with it. Right now, I’m allowed to fully explore the market, see what’s out there and in time, narrow down my choices of what works best for me and my budget.

What are you favourite natural skincare products?

Until next time x

*Contains PR sample.