Skincare FAQs
Here is a selection of questions from our customers. If you have a skincare or makeup question, simply email our qualified beauty therapists and make-up artists: info@amarya.co.uk
Q I suffer from chronic psoriasis and have done for about 27 years. I am very competent in managing my medical skincare regime but am finding myself longing for a bit of luxury. I was wondering if you would be able to advise me on a bath additive or shower gel that I would be able to use on my skin.
A A bath product that I would recommend for you is Spiezia's Sweet Orange and Ylang Ylang Bath Oil which contains sunflower oil known for skin healing properties. The bath oil is 100% organic.
A nice shower gel is the Jigsaw Body Wash. It contains Glycerine BP, which has been shown to help in cases of psoriasis. This wash has a gentle foaming effect, which is obtained from fruit and plant extracts, as opposed to skin irritating SLS's that are in a lot of non-organic creams.
Q I am looking for chemical-free skincare products as I have been poorly and want to try and be as healthy as possible.Your website says that your products are natural and chemical-free but I don't understand what some of the ingredients are, they sound like chemicals to me, it is confusing such as plantacare 818 and phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate? I am surprised to see so many products with water and emulsifiers as I thought that natural meant things like plant oils? I am new to all this so any advice you can give is appreciated.
A Chemical sounding ingredients
Our products use natural preservatives, and organic or natural governing bodies, such as the Soil Association and BDIH, have approved all of the ingredients. The reason that some of the ingredients sound like chemicals is that they are scientifically named and added to a food board ingredient list and the names are generally similar to their chemical alternative. I have outlined the ingredients you have enquired about:
Plantacare 818 – This is a cleaning agent that is found in face washes and shower gels, it is naturally derived from coconut oil and palm kernel oil.
Phenoxyethanol – This is a natural preservative, which is derived from grapefruits.
Benzyl alcohol - This is also a natural preservative and can be found from a variety of sources including: some edible fruits, green and black tea, and essential oils such as Jasmine and Ylang Ylang. Benzyl alcohol is also on the Soil Association’s list of preservatives approved for use in organic cosmetics.
Potassium Sorbate – Again, a food preservative that is obtained from either modified Potato Starch or (less often) from unripe fruits
Emulsifiers
As with the ingredients above, all of the emulsifiers that are used are derived naturally, a commonly used emulsifier is Beeswax, but it may also be Carnauba wax (from leaves of palm tree), or borax (naturally occurring salt mineral)
Water
The amount of water that is allowed in products depends upon the governing body, we do have several ranges where there is no water at all in their products, this reduces the need for a preservative. If you are looking for ranges like this then Santaverde uses aloe vera instead water, and Spiezia is totally oil based.
Which products?
The ranges below contain no (or very little) water, with the possible exceptions of floral water, which is produced by macerating flowers over a period of time. These ranges also contain no alcohol, so they are not drying to the skin.
Spiezia: This range is 100% organic across the whole range (Soil Association certified), using a combination of carrier oils - such as jojoba, essential oils, and floral extracts. The products are in the form of oils or balms, and not only are they fabulous to use, they also smell great with no added fragrances. There is beeswax in their balms. Spiezia work to support breast cancer chairties as their products are suitable for people that have undergone chemotherapy and have become sensitive to chemicals.
Trevarno: This range is also totally organic, using floral waters, carrier oils, fruit extracts, and beeswax.
Beyond Organic: This range uses carrier and essential oils mixed with herbs.
Sophyto: This range is suitable for those with allergies to essential oils, it instead uses aloe vera leaf juice, fruits extracts, plant extracts, and extracts from vegetables. This range contains benzyl and grain alcohol, which are both derived from vegetables and grains, neither of which is drying to the skin. This range is also 95% or above organic across the range, and is certified by the Soil Association, who have a very strict set of standards.
Q Can you please suggest a product for my eyes. I am 33 yrs old and have started to get very puffy and lines around my eyes. What can I use to get rid of these.
A I would recommend that you try Dr.Hauschka’s Daily Revitalising Eye Cream. It is designed to calm and sooth the puffiness that develops around the eye, whilst fortifying the skin to prevent premature wrinkling.
Q I am 34 and have combination/oily skin and have tried nearly every product and brand so as not to get oily within a few hours of moisturising. I'm also worried about fine lines. Could you please recommend a product that could help?
A People who suffer from oily skin often benefit from switching to an oil or a gel based product, as opposed to a cream, milk or lotion.
Deep Moisture Gel by Madara is specifically designed for oily skin and will help to regulate sebum production and reduce shine. A good oil to try is the Rose & Vanilla Face Oil by Spiezia, this contains jojoba which is known to regulate sebum.
If you do prefer the texture of a cream then Antipodes Rejoice Light Day Cream is a very light cream that also contains jojoba.