This is the first ever hit and miss natural beauty product review I have done on the blog. Reason being, I like to show you what works for me and what doesn’t, even though everyone is different. I have combination skin with some dark spots from years of hormonal acne, the wrong products, wrong skin care and of course, the sun! Luckily, I discovered natural skincare a few years ago and since then my spots have retreated and I only get the odd breakout of a pesky spot now and then. Hallelujah!!!

Ok, so I do love my natural skincare but I’m a bit tight when it comes to spending. I am not one to spend a fortune on skincare because over the years, I have been disappointed time and time again with products that irritate my skin or just plain don’t work. It is hard not to ogle pretty packaging and be enticed by clever marketing ploys and I have wasted a good bit of money in my time. Believe me! My quest for clear skin has been a long and expensive road. One lesson I have learnt is to stick to natural ingredients and that is my main advice, if there is only one thing you take from this article.

Sorry to babble on but if you follow my blog, you will know I am an advocate for natural skincare and the reason is because it changed my skin. I had horrible, angry and irritated hormonal skin for most of my life until I finally caved and opted for the natural and organic skincare route. I am still irritated and hormonal a lot of the time LOL but at least my skin is calm. One major factor in my life that makes me happy. Probably because if you have lived with crappy skin, you will know how it feels to be so self conscious and held back by it. Either way, health-wise natural skincare is a major concern nowadays with the amount of manmade chemicals in beauty products.

Enough about that, let’s cut to the chase. Here are my recent hit and miss natural beauty products – This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my site (at no extra cost to you) I make a small commission. Thanks!

1 Nubian Heritage African Black Soap. This is a bar of soap (obviously!) but not just any bar of soap. Aha! This was recommended to me a few years back and I bought it for my acne but it cost me a lot at the time, like 15 quid or something but I really loved it. It is a lovely creamy cleansing soap that is nothing like normal soap to me. It is rich and moisturising but not oily for oily/combination skin. Basically, it is fantastic as a makeup remover and body soap. It lathers up quickly so great for ease of use and speed (big factor in my house – you have no idea!). I live in a mad house where I basically get 5 mins to myself if I’m lucky. I managed to grab one for 3 quid last week, to my absolute delight and I’m using it along with my Clarisonic dupe by Silvercrest (reviewed below) and as a makeup remover. So lovely and foamy without drying and perfect to have in the shower as a cleanser and body wash. I recently gave up using shower gel as I way prefer soap. Much less wasteful. This one has a nice scent and best of all, it is natural. Happy days. HIT!

2 Deliciously Ella Rose Lime and Cucumber Wash. I was really excited to try out the range since all the hype surrounding the celebrities book. She changed her life around by changing her eating habits after being diagnosed with severe medical issues and has teamed up with one of my all time fave brands, Neal’s Yard – to create the skincare range. I look at her perfect skin and think to myself, yes please. Unfortunately, the cleanser didn’t live up to my expectations at all. Oh well, you can’t be lucky all the time! Perhaps this is more geared towards other skin types but it did nothing for me at all. MISS!

3 Life-Flo Cold Pressed Pure Rosehip Oil. I do love roseship oil and have tried a few brands in my time but this one is really great. It is reasonably priced, certified organic and contains retinolic acid (pure vitamin A) which helps replenish and restore mature and sun-exposed skin. It has 99% roseship oil (from the ripened fruit of the rose -hips) and 1% vitamin E to preserve it which is a well known antioxidant. Ahh I love it. I put it on in the morning after my fave natural glycolic acid cleanser. HIT!!!

4 KIEHLS Ultra Facial Oil Free Cleanser. I was recommended the range by a friend of mine who is a skincare junkie. I went along to the shop and asked for some product recommendations and I left with this toner and something else, can’t remember what but anyway, they’re a fairly expensive but well known brand. Umm, I have to say this didn’t really seem to do much for me. I kept at it but just stopped bothering after a while. I didn’t notice any difference in my skin after using this so moved on. I scanned it through the app I use for distinguishing toxins and chemicals present in products (Think Dirty App) on a scale of 1-10 and it came up as 5. Obviously there are some undesirable ingredients in there. Not the worst but nothing special. It is a MISS I’m afraid.

5 Now Solutions Jojoba Oil. I do love jojoba oil and have written a whole blog post on it here. This is an organic brand with thousands of great reviews online. It is certified organic and non GMO verified by USDA and nongmoproject.org. It is expeller-pressed and hexane-free organic Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) seed oil. I use it after my shower all over and as a hair mask. I use a 50p size amount and work it into my hair while damp. Then wash it out! Really happy with the quality of this and it is great value for money. HIT!

6 Neal’s Yard Calendula Cleanser. It has rich conditioning plant oils with soothing calendula. Certified organic ingredients. It is mainly for dry and sensitive skins. I have quite sensitive skin as I tend to have a reaction from various products but those tend to be the non-natural ones. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this as I don’t normally go for a milky cream type cleanser. I was really surprised at how well it worked. It has a lovely scent and is very gentle. It doesn’t remove makeup that well but I really like it and it helped keep my skin balanced. HIT!

7 Aura Cacia Castor Oil. This is a USDA and QAI certified organic cold-pressed oil. It has 100% pure botanical ingredients and is very reasonably priced with tonnes of positive reviews. That is why I chose it. It is an emollient and it protects and soothes skin. It is really great for hair also. See my blog post here. A great choice and here is a tip – drizzle some on a warm damp cloth and use it as a refreshing facial moisturiser or body oil. HIT!

8 Bio Genesis derma roller. Ok so it was big step for me but I decided to purchase a derma roller after much research online. I read that using a derma roller can help get rid of hyperpigmentation or red marks which I suffer from. So annoying ahhh! Unfortunately, I didn’t like the process, it was a bit too invasive so I wasn’t sold on this at all. I so wanted to like it but no. MISS!

9 Frankincense Hydrating Cream by Neal’s Yard. Big fan of Neal’s Yard but this product just didn’t do anything for me unfortunately. I know of others who swear by it so don’t be shy about trying it yourself. I do love the new Frankincense Intense Lift range though. Expensive but better! MISS.

10. Silvercrest Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush. This is a cheaper alternative to the ever-popular Clarisonic and I found it at LIDL! It cost less than 30 quid and does a great job. Been using it once or twice a week, when I have time. Busy Mum stuff. I would love to have more time but anyway this is a wonderful exfoliating, yet gentle product. Recommend it to anyone on a budget like moi! HIT.

11. Now Solutions Avocado Oil. 100% pure hydrating and nutrient rich avocado oil is great for dry skin areas and especially dry and brittle hair. It works brilliantly for me as a hair serum as it tames any frizz instantly and gives shine too. You only need a tiny amount. A great multifunctional nourishing oil. I also use it as an eyelash enhancer on its own or mixed with castor oil on a cotton pad. For a great natural eyelash enhancer, read on. Non GMO project verified. HIT! See this post on DIY Eyelash Growth Serum.

12. Monkey Clean Hair Towel. Another LIDL bargain that is a better alternative than a towel for drying your hair without any breakage. HIT!

So that is my hit and miss natural beauty product review. Have you tried any of the products? Do let me know in the comments!

See ya next week!

Love,

Ciara x

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