3 Weleda products currently in my bathroom

Standing in the shower the other morning, I noticed that three of the items I used were all from the same brand - Weleda - so I thought I would show them a bit of love. Weleda is a German/Swiss company which has been around since 1921 (although somehow I have only recently come across it in the past 12 months or so!) that focuses on creating natural and organic products in ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible ways. They source their key ingredients from biodynamic, organic and wild-crafted suppliers. I had never heard of "wild-crafted" before, but it means that plants are cultivated without chemicals in their natural wild environment and harvested sustainably to conserve their numbers, which is pretty cool!

The three products that I currently have from Weleda are the Wheat Balancing Shampoo, Lavender Creamy Body Wash (kindly gifted at the most recent Bloggers United Australia Perth event), and the Salt Toothpaste.

The Wheat Balancing Shampoo is for hair and scalp care. It promises to remove loose flakes, moisturise dry scalp, and gently cleanse the hair. The shampoo is free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances and colours as well as containing no mineral oil or silicone. My hair is generally pretty flaky and I usually employ Head & Shoulders to get rid of the flakes when they appear once every other month. I wanted to try a more natural shampoo to see if I could have any luck controlling the flakes on a more ongoing basis.

The shampoo is a golden-coloured gel that smells very herbal with a definite hit of tea tree and hints of rosemary. I always shampoo twice - once to remove any products from my hair and again to properly cleanse and massage the scalp. When I first started using the shampoo, I found that it left my hair feeling really heavy, especially at the back, almost as if I had washed it with an oil or put too much product in my hair and it looked oily too. I promptly gave up (bad blogger) and did not touch it for a couple of months, thinking that natural shampoos were not for me.

In our recent move from Perth to Bunbury, I picked it up again and thought I would give it another go whilst I wasn't working and it didn't matter how my hair looked. After consistent use over a week or two, the heavy feeling after washing with this shampoo disappeared and the flakes on my scalp had completely cleared up. Apparently it is pretty normal for your hair to "detox" when you switch from one shampoo to another (regardless of whether transitioning to a natural shampoo or not) so I just needed to persist with it whilst my scalp adjusted. It is probably worth noting that I kept using a non-natural conditioner, although I am going to look into buying a natural one now too!

The Lavender Creamy Body Wash promises to gently cleanse the skin whilst soothing and calming with pure lavender essential oil. I have previously used the pomegranate version of this body wash and loved it, so I asked the Weleda representative at the Bloggers United Australia event what she recommended, which is how I ended up with the lavender version.

This is a really beautiful rich creamy body wash that is super moisturising for the skin. It does not lather up a whole lot, which doesn't bother me, but for those who like a bubble bath in the shower may be a problem! My issue with this body wash is the scent. It is so intense! The lavender oil is really strong and too much for me. I find it overpowering rather than relaxing, so unfortunately I just don't enjoy this body wash as much as its pomegranate sister.

The Salt Toothpaste promises to prevent tooth discolouration and reduce the build up of tartar with regular brushing. This toothpaste is definitely out of the ordinary compared to a regular toothpaste! I have been using natural toothpastes for a long time now - Grant's mild mint toothpaste is my favourite given it's Australian (and available from Coles) - and I am always happy to try something a bit different. I had seen great reviews for this one by Weleda so thought I would give it a go.

It is a gritty brown paste that does not look super appealing but smells minty like a regular toothpaste. I swear I read a review somewhere that said this tastes like salted caramel, so I was super keen to try! The taste is pretty overwhelming. Really salty with hints of mint. It takes a while to become used to it but I have pushed through and don't notice it so much anymore. Luckily too, because this has a really whitening effect on my teeth, more so than any other natural toothpaste I've tried (including two activated charcoal ones which are all the rage at the moment). So, positives and negatives for this one.

There you have it. A quick review on three Weleda products I'm currently using in my bathroom. I think the likely only repurchase for me would be the shampoo. Whilst I like the Salt Toothpaste, the saltiness is just too much sometimes (especially right after breakfast!) and the body wash is not my jam.

100% Pure Vitamin C Serum

100% Pure is a Californian brand that I have slowly become more acquainted with, via a few too many orders from online store for everything organic Nourished Life. This particular serum was purchased on a bit of a spree to qualify for a gift with purchase (shhh!). The brand is cruelty free and all products contain no artificial colours, fragrances or synthetic chemical preservatives. Personally, I waver back and forth between choosing natural skincare versus everything else but this is definitely a brand to check out if you like to live an organic/cruelty free/vegan/natural lifestyle. My personal favourite product is their coffee bean caffeine eye cream which is absolute joy (review will follow one day, promise).

The 100% Pure Vitamin C Serum claims to boost collagen, brighten skin tone, and stimulate skin cell renewal. It can be used both morning (under SPF) and night at the serum stage.

I have used up the entire bottle of this serum at this stage, applying primarily in the morning, due to the tightening effect that it has on the skin after application (I prefer to use something heavier and more nourishing at night like a face oil). It is a clear thick, gel - pretty similar texture to its main ingredient, aloe vera gel - that spreads easily on the skin and absorbs really fast. It is great under makeup in this respect, as there is no chance of it breaking through. There is no real scent that I can detect, perhaps faintly of aloe vera. It comes packaged in an opaque amber glass (essential for preventing the degradation of vitamin C due to exposure to light) pump bottle



I cannot say that I noticed any real effect of this serum on my skin. It kept my skin sufficiently hydrated but there were no skin brightening or clearing effects that I noticed. My hormonal (and otherwise) acne kept popping up regularly and didn't fade away any faster than usual. I did not notice any anti-ageing effects to report back either. My suspicion is that either:

a) the vitamin C had broken down ruining its efficacy, due to vulnerability to air and light (the bottle does not have an expiry date so there is no real way to know, however I used the bottle with the 6 month use by indicated on the bottle after opening and there was no change to the colour of the serum to indicate oxidation had occurred), or
b) the concentration of vitamin C was not high enough to have any noticeable effect on my skin (the concentration of vitamin C in this serum is around 2% but you can purchase serums with anywhere up to 25% vitamin C).

As mentioned, the base of this serum is organic aloe vera, giving it a thick, gel texture. The vitamin C is in the form of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, one of the two forms of vitamin C that are stable in water solutions. Other ingredients include vegetable cellulose, vitamin E in the form of tocopherol, xanthum gum, green apple extract, grape extract, vitamin B5 in the form of panthanol, superoxide dismutase (a potent antioxidant), alpha lipoic acid (another antioxidant), broccoli seed oil, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, willow bark extract, witch hazel, and glycerin.

This would not be a repurchase for me as I did not notice any great skincare benefits despite using up the entire bottle. I would love to try a more potent vitamin C serum, as it has such excellent skincare benefits. This serum would be suited for those looking to try vitamin C for the first time, and definitely for those with sensitive skin due to all of the soothing ingredients included in the formula.

Price: $49.95 (Nourished Life) [$1.67/mL]
Rate: organic ingredients, packaging, great for sensitive skin, good under makeup
Hate: efficacy
Verdict: would not repurchase, but I am not giving up on vitamin C just yet!

Lush Gorgeous Facial Moisturiser

Lush is one of those brands that I want to try everything (and I want to try it now!) from because it all looks and smells amazing, yet I have tried very few of their products outside of those catering to the bath and shower. The Gorgeous Facial Moisturiser is my first foray into their skincare line and I definitely will not be stopping here!

Gorgeous promises to melt easily into the skin and give a soft, matte feel perfect for day time. It also claims to be able to adapt to suit every skin type made with six organic oils and butters.

Gorgeous is a really light, surprisingly non-greasy lotion, given all of the oils included in the formula. It is slightly thick (almost the texture of runny yoghurt) but I would not describe it as a cream. It spreads easily over the skin and absorbs quite quickly. You are not left with a heavy, 'I just applied a really nourishing moisturiser' feeling - instead you can start applying makeup straight over the top, which makes it perfect for me in the mornings before work. In the time that it takes to do my eye makeup, my skin has gone from tacky after application to matte and ready for makeup. It provides more than enough moisture for me throughout a 12 hour day out of the house and in office air conditioning, even in winter.

Gorgeous has a sweet, nutty scent and is packaged in the typical small black Lush tub. I do not love the packaging because unfortunately it is prone to leakage around the sides and I cannot help feeling that if I am going to pay this much for a moisturiser, I would like it to be packaged in something that looks and functions a little better. The scent is quite strong and it does linger for a little while after application, so if you are someone that is quite sensitive to heavy fragrances in cosmetics - even if natural - then you might want to avoid this one.

One of the really great things about this moisturiser is that I would have to agree with its claim of being able to adapt to suit any skin type. I have fussy skin that can go from dry and flaky one day to oily and breakout-prone the next. However, Gorgeous provides enough moisture on the days my skin is feeling dry and also does not leave me with an oil slick for a face by the end of the day. It is a moisturiser I can comfortably lean on day to day if I am not sure what mood my skin is is (yes, it has moods!).

The six organic oils and butters included in Gorgeous are organic extra virgin olive oil, organic cold pressed evening primrose oil, organic cold pressed avocado oil, extra virgin coconut oil, organic cold pressed wheatgerm oil, and organic cold pressed grape seed oil. It has a beautiful base of orange blossom honey water (lush!) as well as containing glycerin and fresh organic fruit juices lemon, orange and pineapple to help provide a mattifying effect. 

I was fortunate enough to be given this moisturiser to try after attending the Bloggers United first birthday event at the new Lush store on Murray Street in Perth back in June (shout out to the lovely and generous Lush ladies who let us invade their store!), but it is one that I would not hesitate to repurchase despite the steep price as it is such a solid, every day moisturiser that is so nourishing for my skin.

Price: $74.95 (Lush website) [$1.67/g]
Rate: mattifying effect, hydration, reliability, gentle, natural
Hate: expensive (up front but not so bad on per gram basis), packaging, like all Lush products it has no preservatives so expires relatively quickly
Verdict: would repurchase (but would probably decant into easier packaging to handle!)

Kosmea Hydrating Rosewater Mist

The Kosmea Hydrating Rosewater Mist is my hydrating toner of the moment and boy, is it a good one! It is a beautiful rose-scented mist with a thicker feel to it than other sprays I've used - you can almost feel all the nutrients sinking into your skin. It is not an old lady rose and rather I find it quite a refreshing and vibrant scent.

I use it after cleansing morning and night to start the process of adding moisture back into my skin. If I am using an acidic toner, which is usually about every second day, then this comes after that. I use about three sprays all over. Probably a bit generous, but I love this stuff! With the extra slip on my skin, it is much easier to apply other layers of skincare as you do not have to push them around your face. They just glide on to the skin with the moisture from the toner, with another bonus in that you do not need to use as much product to cover all of your face.

It is made purely of rose flower water with a little bit of citric acid. It is such a lovely formula that I have found has really helped to bring moisture back into my skin, especially when cleansing has left it feeling a little bit tight. It feels very luxurious on the skin. I love that it is packaged in a plastic spray bottle, as you would not believe the number of times I have dropped it (klutz!) and have been glad that it is not made of glass. It is my favourite hydrating toner that I have used to date, which is a big call as hydrating toners are one of my favourite skincare products and one that I have used for many years!

Price: $19.95 (Kosmea website) [$0.16/mL]

Rate: scent, efficacy, skin feel, spray bottle packaging

Hate: nothing!

Verdict: would repurchase as it is one of the best hydrating toners I have used

Dr Lewinn's Refining Toner

One of my favourite skincare items is any sort of acidic or exfoliating toner. Traditional exfoliating scrubs are way too harsh on my sensitive skin so I love to use something that is more gentle on the skin, but still achieves the same clarifying and brightening effects. One of the exfoliating toners that I have recently had on rotation is the Refining Toner by Dr LeWinn's.

This is a very light, alcohol fee toner with witch hazel and citric acid (lemon extract). It is very gentle and will not cause any sort of sting when applied due to the acids beings relatively mild. I soak a cotton pad with the clear liquid and apply all over my face, neck and décolletage after cleansing on nights when my skin is in a good condition and does not need something more heavy duty to clear up breakouts and brighten my skin.

This is great for if you are just starting to add an exfoliating toner to your routine and you are a little bit nervous about some of the more heavily acidic versions. It will aid in keeping your skin clear from breakouts or clear any active ones faster and is a much gentler way of exfoliating than harsh scrubs that can scratch and irritate the skin. The hydrating ingredients included will ensure that this does not dry your skin out either.

Ingredients include aloe leaf juice, witch hazel extract, cucumber extract, lemon extract, Vitamin B in the form of panthenol, and allantoin (a by-product of uric acid that is an anti-irritant and skin protectant). It is fragrance free, so will not sting your nostrils either! Primarily natural, with some great cleansing and hydrating ingredients, this is a simple toner that has helped to keep my skin refreshed and clear.

Price: $29.99 (Priceline website) [$0.15/mL]
Rate: Ingredients, packaging, gentle, natural ingredients, hydrating
Hate: Not as effective as other exfoliating toners
Verdict: This is a great, gentle version of an exfoliating toner, however I prefer toners with a bit more kick!

Go-To Skincare Face Hero

I have been wanting to try the funky and fabulous Go-To Skincare range by Zoe Blake for such a while now - those exfoliating pads especially! - and have been trialling the Face Hero oil for the last couple of months. I have been using it as more of a heavy duty injection of moisture for when my skin is feeling particularly dry or dull, rather than an every day serum.

It's quite a thin, runny oil compared to some of the face oils I have previously used (even in the middle of winter!), so you have to be careful as it is likely to run out of the dropper without any prompting! This does make it easy to spread over the face however and ensures every part of your face can enjoy the goodness. It smells divine in a woodsy, herbal way with a slightly sweet undertone from the orange blossom and rose gardenia natural fragrance.

I tend to use this one at night rather than in the morning as it is a little too heavy for underneath makeup. When I wake up in the morning after applying at night, my skin is glowing and nourished with not a dry patch in sight. It does sink in quickly after applying, although you are left with the characteristic film of oiliness from applying an oil product. I also like to apply this over my lips when they are particularly dry and top with a lip balm overnight. I wake up with hydrated lips in the morning with no flakes.

Is this a face hero, as its name implies? I certainly think so. I like to have a couple of different oils and serums on the go at once, and depending on how my skin is feeling will determine which one I use each day. When my skin is dull, dry and generally needing some TLC, this beautiful golden oil is the one I reach for. If I have any dry flakes, this is an oil that will certainly clear them up overnight. It is a great option for when I am feeling like using something very natural with minimal ingredients that won't irritate my skin.

Ingredients are, of course, completely natural. Almond, jojoba, macadamia, brazil nut, evening primrose, buriti, arnica, rosehip, calendula, and kiwi fruit seed oils all feature. Making up the remainder of the ingredients list is Vitamin E in the form of tocopherol, a natural antibacterial and preservative extract from the New Zealand totara tree called totarol, rosemary seed extract, and natural fragrance.

Price: $45.00 (Go-To Skincare website) [$1.50/mL]

Rate: Ingredients, efficacy, scent, packaging, Australian made and owned

Hate: Nothing!

Verdict: Would repurchase and so keen to try out more from this awesome brand!

P.S. What do you think of my outdoorsy photos for this post? I might have made a bit of a fool of myself taking photos of skincare products outside the front of my house (conveniently situated on the corner of a very busy roundabout intersection). Eh!

Jurlique Rose Love Balm

The Jurlique Rose Love Balm is one of my favourite lip balms - a multipurpose balm for any dry or chapped skin that comes in a little antique-style brown tin. It has a stunning rose scent and a smooth, thin balm texture. It often comes in a set with the beautiful rose hand cream around Christmas time, which is the way I was first introduced to it. It was recently endorsed by Kim Kardashian herself, if that's enough to make you interested in this gorgeous little tin of goodness.

The Love Balm is not quite as thick and hydrating as my favourite overnight lip balm Nuxe Rêve de Miel, however I find that it does a great job so long as your lips are not in terrible condition in the first place and is great for during the day. The thin texture makes it perfect for layering under other lip products for hydration, though it can be a little slippery. It does tend to separate a little as you work your way through the tin and especially in warmer weather. This does not stop it being effective though, just can cause it to feel a little grainy on the lips. I also like to use it as a cuticle balm and it will quickly clear up any dry or peeling skin around your fingernails.






























Main ingredients are olive oil, beeswax, safflower seed oil, soybean oil, caprylic triglyceride (an emollient extracted from coconut), calendula extract, chamomile extract, marsh mallow root extract, French rose extract, daisy extract, viola extract, purple coneflower extract, and Vitamin E in the form of tocopherol. It does contain both alcohol and fragrance which may be triggers for some to avoid. Overall, the beautiful flower extracts and various oils make this a hydrating and fragrant balm that I really love.

Price: $16.00 (Jurlique website) [$1.07/mL]
Rate: Australian made, natural ingredients, efficacy
Hate: can separate, packaging (tin is sometimes a little tricky to open)
Verdict: would always repurchase, I am nearly through my second tin