Skin and Tonic London product review

Earlier this year I published a post telling you about Sarah & Josh, founders of the natural British skincare brand Skin and Tonic London, a niche British natural beauty brand that has been gaining recognition and accolades for all the right reasons, one of them being the return to simple skincare routine. Having used various brand products pretty much since they launched their products in 2014, now is the time to spotlight some of their products individually and let you decided which one might appeal to you and your skin type.

But before I dive in and share my impressions and experience with some of Skin & Tonic products, I have asked Sarah to share some information about the product ingredients, that she considers to have ‘star’ power:

Sarah’s tips on the best way to use this product:

Ingredients:

 

1. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*
2. Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower oil*
3. Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*
4. Anthemis nobilis (roman chamomile) flower oil*
5. Calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract*
6. Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract*

*Certified organic by the Soil Association; 100% natural & organic

 

Steam Clean, 50g, £27: this softly soothing and nourishing cleansing balm smells of spearmint and eucalyptus, clearing the cobwebs from the mind, as well as gently but effectively cleansing the skin. I enjoy using this balm when it is cold outside, as it doesn’t strip the skin’s mantle but effectively lifts dirt and debris, as well as make-up, from your skin, leaving your skin a clean and soft canvas, ‘fertile’ for night-time nurturing and rejuvenation.

The balm has a ‘slippy’ texture, which makes your fingers easily glide across your face, not dragging the skin and making for an enjoyable ‘massaging’ experience a long the way. By boosting the circulation and cleansing your skin properly but without irritating it, you skin will be perfectly ‘primed’ to receive nutrients that will allow it to be on ‘perfect’ form.

Sarah’s tips on the best way to use Steam Clean & Calm Clean cleansing balms

1) Massage a small amount into your face and neck. Soak the cotton face cloth in warm water and hold against your face for one minute, to steam and activate the essential oils. Breathe in deeply and cleanse away.

2) This cleansing method also works well at removing make-up.

3) Apply a small amount to dry lips and dry skin patches for a nourishing, soothing boost.

 

4.) Calm Clean can be applied to small skin irritations, bites or stings, as the German Chamomile & English Lavender are analgesic/ anti-inflammatory oils.

 

5.) Mix with mineral powder to create a nourishing, calming cream blush.

 

6.) Use to maintain ‘flyways’ or to help shape eyebrows.

 

Ingredients:Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil *

1. Carthamus tinctorius (thistle) seed oil *
2. Cera alba (beeswax) *
3. Borago officinalis (borage) seed oil *
4. Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) leaf oil *
5. Mentha spicata (spearmint) herb oil *
6. Tocopherol (vitamin E) **
7. *Certified organic by the Soil Association

Gentle Scrub, 100g, £18: I first got this product as an unexpected ‘bonus’ to my initial purchase at Content & was quite taken with its sweetly uplifting smell. This is a gentle scrub that can be used daily several times a week, if you skin feels like it. The benefit is double, as not only is it gentle enough for sensitive skin, if that is your skin type, but it also ‘detoxes’ the skin thanks to the French Pink Clay. It can double up as a skin mask (please see Sarah’s tips below) and will leave your skin feeling fresh, clean and soft to the touch. It can easily form part of a nurturing ritual at the end of a day, when you let go of the worries of the day, observe your skin in the mirror, making a decision as to what it needs and mix this powder according to your decision on the skin treatment that night.

Sarah’s Top tips on using Gentle Scrub

Ingredients:

1. Zea mays (corn) starch *
2. Avena sativa (oat) bran *
3. French pink clay
4. Probiotic yogurt powder
5. Rosa canina (rosehip) seed powder
6. Pelagonium graveolens (geranium) leaf oil *

*Certified organic; 100% natural, 74% organic

Calm Clean, 50g, £27: this heavenly cleansing balm, that is particularly suitable for dry and mature skin, has a beautifully unusual colour due the blue camomile flower oil. It has  a gently soothing and easily ‘meltable’ texture – as soon as you dip your finger into the jar and the balm ‘meets’ up with the warmth of the tips of your fingers, it is like an instant synergy. Cleaning with it is a pleasure, whether you feel a bit frazzled in the morning or tired in the evening – inhale its calming scent, take a few deep breaths and a gentle calm with descend on you.

It cleanses the skin effectively, even when you wear a ‘heavier’ foundation and leaves the skin soft and supple but don’t use it to remove your eye make-up. I sometimes add it to the ‘tops’ of my hands, when working at the desk and lacking focus and fairly quickly feel that cobwebs float away and calm concentration winning the reigns back. I would go on to say that among this brand’s cleansers, this one is my ‘best friend’ thus far.

Ingredients:

1. Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil *
2. Cera alba (beeswax) *
3. Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil *
4. Daucus carota sativa (carrot) root extract *
5. Lavandula augustifolia (lavender) flower oil *
6. Chamomilla recucita (blue chamomile) flower oil *
7. Jasminum sambac (jasmine) flower extract

*Certified organic; 100% natural, 99% organic

Lip Balm, 4.3g, £3.50: this lovely ‘baby’ comes in three flavours – naked, peppermint and lemon. Nurturing, non-sticky and non-lip drying, unlike some other counterparts on the market ( you know those lip balms that make lips feel drier the more you re-apply them during the day ?) . This one is gentle enough for the kids ( so do stock up, if you have boys or girls. Little girls particularly are keen, as many of their friends use their mothers lipsticks and so when mine asked for a lip balm, I happily obliged, letting her choose the flavour and explaining that a lip balm shouldn’t be shared, unlike a cookie and that she is as yet too young to use a grown-up lipstick ).

I like using the Naked balm as a lip ‘primer’, before applying the red lipstick for example, especially if it has the matt texture and use Peppermint on those days when I don’t wear any colour on my lips, but still want them to feel & look beautifully cared for. The joy of simple skincare is that is helps enhance your beauty traits and makes you feel like you, just somewhat better.

Another good point to know about Skin & Tonic, is that they have added miniatures  (Calm balm, Steam clean, Brit beauty oil & Gentle scrub ) to their list of products, as well as a miniatures gift/travel set, so you can buy ‘minis’ to try the products, before committing to a fully-sized version of a product or use miniatures for your travels or keep them in your work desk, if you need to get ‘camera ‘ready’ before a work dinner date or social event straight after work.

Ingredients:

PEPPERMINT

1. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter *
2. Cera alba (beeswax) *
3. Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil *
4. Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil *

NAKED

1. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter *
2. Cera alba (beeswax) *
3. Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil *

LEMON

1. Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter *
2. Cera alba (beeswax) *
3. Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil *
4. Citrus limon (lemon) peel oil *

*Certified organic by the Soil Association; 100% natural and organic.

For more information about Skin and Tonic London, as well as the list of stockists, please click here