Hi Beauties,

Been super busy lately so excuse my absence from the blog but I am super excited that I’m a judge for the CertClean Beauty Awards 2019! I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be chosen for such a worthy role.

CertClean are a well-known trademark which helps us to identify and be certain in the knowledge that the beauty products we buy are formulated without toxins, parabens, carcinogens and nasty chemicals that may harm us.

As you may know, the beauty industry is highly under-regulated, therefore we need proper certification to be sure our products are free from harmful ingredients that can affect our hormones, reproductive systems and neurological functioning. See my previous post – Toxins in beauty products

Here is a promising and re-assuring quote from the CertClean website –

With clean beauty products proudly bearing the CertClean logo, it is now possible for shoppers to confidently and easily discover safer beauty and personal care products. At the same time, the clean beauty products now get the authentication and distinction they deserve.

CertClean is not a certification for products with a certain quantity of natural or organic ingredients but a certification for products free from ingredients that may pose risk to our hormonal, reproductive and or neurological systems, like talcum powder, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, and hundreds more (See Standards). CertClean is a certification which prioritizes human health over the use of organic and natural ingredients.

So as you see, CertClean is not just another certified organic trademark to look out for, it is unique in that sense. I was so happy to be chosen as a judge for CertClean as I have been talking about the need for such certification on my blog for years! I welcomed the opportunity with both hands as it is a subject I hold close to my heart and something I am really passionate about.

CertClean’s motto –

Clean beauty: what we call products formulated without questionable ingredients! Check out another of my previous posts for more on that – Benefits of Natural Skincare

I literally couldn’t wait to try these out but I decided to give each serum a proper trial so did one at a time. I am still in the process as I will be submitting my full reviews at the end of the month but so far, some of these serums have had an amazing impact on my skin.

I have sensitive skin to some extent but not overly-sensitive so I was a little wary of trying new products. In order to give them all a fair trial I gave each one at least a week.

I have been coming back to certain ones that I love, especially if having a bad skin day and I have to say, some of these serums are truly amazing! I won’t give away too much yet but you can expect a full review on my faves and another few posts outlining each serum and my verdict so stay tuned for that.

I have been posting some pics on my Instagram page and I will be posting more as I go along, in no particular order as I have tried nearly all of them now but have been mad busy with work and school holidays so bear with me!

Here are each of the lovely serums I have been lucky enough to try anyway –

1 Reverse Longitude Dynamic Layer Retinal, Asthaxanthin, Backuchiol and cold processing (R-ABC Cynamic Complex TM) with New Zealand red algae and Totara heartwood.

This powerful serum has antioxidant properties with retinal and red algae to help refine the appearance of skin cells. It helps remove dead skin and combats hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines. It is gentler than standard retinol. This is a night time serum so best used after cleansing in the PM.

It is cruelty free, contains no parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, EDTA, fragrances and contains cold processed ingredients. My skin had no adverse reaction to this serum and it was a nice evening routine. More on that later in the month!

2 The Spa Dr. Nourish antioxidant serum. Made with organic ingredients.

Cruelty free, GMO free, Gluten free and non-toxic. Made to EU Cosmetic Directive Standards. Directions for use – Smooth 2-3 pumps on face and neck morning and evening. I have only started using this one this week so stay tuned for my verdict…

3 Black Chicken Remedies Nocturnalist Night Serum Intensive Cell Repair. 100% natural intensive cell repair serum.

This serum is cruelty free, contains no toxins, paragons or other nasties as it is completely natural. Huge thumbs up to that! While you sleep, this serum works to repair oxidation, dryness and inflammation and even smoothes fine lines. What can I say, this serum is a gorgeous, potent, beautiful smelling luxurious oil. I cannot live without it, I am addicted!!!! Never hear of Black Chicken Remedies until now but I can see them becoming a very well known brand if this is anything to go by. Love.

4 Sioris “A Calming Day” Ampoule is a Korean beauty serum with the motto ” Peak freshness, peak efficiency”.

This was my first serum to try from the box. I love the bottle, glass with an innovative pump that gives you the right amount. It is a grapefruit colour liquid with calendula, Jeju and Super Centella (TM) which effectively calms skin without irritation and treats gently to provide a healthy glow and hydrate.

Perfect for sensitive skin types. I have to say I definitely noticed a reduction in pore size using this as I have open visible pores and that was quite remarkable. So far so good.

5 Gorgeous Gold Stem Cell Serum by Rose Mira. Desgned to nourish and restore vitality, fade and reverse sun spots, stimulate collagen and promote elasticity.

Cruelty free and vegan, certified organic no alcohols, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrance or dyes. For all skin types dry/mature.I have still to test this one so stay tuned for the verdict!

6 Beauty Tofu R3 Serum. Rehabilitate, revitalise and reinstate is their motto. A New Zealand brand and one to watch!

This innovative serum contains some of my all-time fave ingredients that I haven’t seen used together before. Awesome! Activated charcoal, Manuka honey oil, kiwifruit extract, oxygenated colloidal silver, reship oil, Baobab oil and more. An intense cellular recharge and velvet canvas for your makeup. I must divulge, I am absolutely loving this stuff. I keep coming back for more!

7 Jenelt Daily Renewal Firming Serum with super fruits extracts and stem cells.

Essential Organics Jenelt daily renewal firming serum is rich in antioxidants and vitamins that stimulate the skins surface renewal to improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Eco Cert certified organic. Apply to a clean face AM & PM before moisturiser. I need to use this again to see how well my skin responds so let us see later!

8 Leaf People Clinical Hyaluronic Acid Apple Stem Cell Hydrating Serum. Skin quenching elixir enhances luminosity. Targets age spots, wrinkles and dry, mature skin.

Potent hyaluronic acid with Swiss apple stem cell complex, this hydrates and restores a youthful complexion, enlivening dull skin from the inside out. Formumated with herbal medicine by Herbalist Julie Levin. Cucumber hydrosol is another innovative ingredient in this lovely serum. Ahh, this one feels great on tired skin and genuinely feels nourishing. I am enjoying this one a lot so far.

9 Royal Kalahari Face Serum with Baobab and Mongongo oil. Jaboneria Marianella. 100% pure organic oil and vitamin blend.

This anti-ageing restorative serum helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and regenerate cell repair while helping prevent oxidative stress. This one smells nutty and is a light and quickly absorbed oil. The verdict is still out on this one so stay tuned!

10 Edible Beauty B Turmeric Latte Clear & Brighten serum. Revitalise dull and lacklustre skin with beauty-boosting herbs and skin superfoods.

Helps diminish the appearance of dark spots, calm the skin and give a clear and luminous glow. Turmeric root helps brighten and Australian White Cypress Leaf with Snow Mushroom Extract infuse the skin with potent antioxidants.

Deeply hydrates, clarifies and lightens to reveal an even-toned complexion. We will see about that! I tried this in the first week or so and liked it. I will definitely give it a second run in the next few weeks to give my final verdict.

So those are the 10 serums I am judging for the CertClean Beauty Awards in association with PurPicks. Do subscribe to hear the results or come back soon. Check out my Instagram or Facebook for updates too, all accessible on my homepage or by clicking on the above link!

Chat soon x

Ciara 😉