Tag: Pai Skincare

Safe Sun Protection, Every Day

Sun protection is something we should all use daily, rain or shine. I used to think it was only needed on bright, sunny days but UVA and some UVB rays travel through clouds and cause ageing (UVA) and sunburn (UVB) no matter what the weather. UVA rays can also travel through glass.

I’ve been looking into options that fit seamlessly into my routine. In the past I’ve found that some sunscreens have left me feeling as though my make-up is sliding off my face, before I’ve even left the house. What I want from a sun care product is to not notice it’s there but know it’s keeping my skin protected.

I’m cautious about what I put on my skin as it gets absorbed into the body. I’ve spent time looking into what ingredients are best avoided. I mentioned a couple (oxybenzone and octinoxate) in a previous post, Clean Suncreens. Also, oxybenzone, octinoxate, butylparaben and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor are all known to cause damage and bleaching to coral reefs. In my opinion, it’s best to look for natural, mineral-based, physical sun protection; products that use either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in a non-nano molecule form. This is because they’re considered safer for humans and safer for the environment. Physical sun protection sits on the skin rather than being absorbed by it, it forms a physical barrier; though it is still possible that other ingredients within the product may be absorbed.

I’ve been trying out a few products that are new to me, to get a feel for what works well within my current skincare routine, with my fairly sensitive skin. I layer quite a few products these days and don’t find it problematic. I know some people may struggle with layering but it’s all about the products you use and the order in which you apply them (I’ll save that for another post). I should add that, currently, I wear very little make-up and prefer a fresh dewy look.

Sun protection should be an important layer in your routine, it’s not one to skip.

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30

I’ve been using Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30 since they discontinued another great product I used for a year or two, previously (Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer). The new serum is a bit of a wonder product; combining skincare, make-up and sun protection in one. It’s perfect for lazy days or people who prefer to use as few products as possible. It has a sheer finish, evening out skin tone but doesn’t completely cover up dark spots. It has a fluid texture, more akin to a serum or face oil, and leaves the skin well moisturised and incredibly dewy. It isn’t a product I would use just before a photo shoot, simply because it leaves the skin quite shiny. It’s a very easy everyday product that saves time.

Ilia are careful about the ingredients they use, they believe “that not every natural ingredient is good for the skin, nor is every synthetic bad. Clean beauty is where those two collide—with conscious, carefully-selected ingredients, and no compromises”.

The key ingredients in Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30 are niacinamide (vitamin B3), plant-based squalane and hyaluronic acid. The natural sun protection comes from zinc oxide and gives protection from UVA, UVB and UVC rays, blue light and infrared light.

Seed to Skin The Eclipse SPF 30

For something a little simpler but no less effective, I think Seed to Skin The Eclipse SPF 30* is a fantastic sun protection product, which also guards against environmental pollution. You apply a few drops to your face and neck, after your regular moisturiser. It feels like a thin face oil and leaves the skin very dewy. It has a slightly pale caste when you apply it, which quickly disappears.

“Seed to Skin goes beyond the trend of purely natural, combining the power of nature’s curative properties with the results-driven efficiency of advanced science.”

The ingredients in Seed to Skin The Eclipse are 100% natural. Sun protection comes from titanium dioxide (another physical sunscreen agent) which protects against UVA and UVB rays, as well as environmental pollution.

Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF 25

Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF 25 is a moisturiser with the added benefit of an SPF. I like a multi-functional product due to its ease of use and because it saves time; with this product it’s also much harder for you to forget or skip using an SPF. It’s a fairly thick cream that goes on easily. It leaves a slight white cast that disappears within a few minutes of application. If you’re applying make-up, I would give it 10 minutes to settle fully.

Balance Me “genuinely fail to see why people would choose synthetic over natural when clinically proven bio-active ingredients exist and work”.

Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF 25 is a vegan-friendly product. The key ingredients are hyaluronic acid and rose hip. Hyaluronic acid is deeply moisturising and replenishes the hyaluronic acid that’s found naturally in the skin. It works by drawing in moisture and therefore keeps the skin hydrated and plump. Rose hip is rich in naturally occurring vitamin A, an excellent anti-ageing ingredient. Sun protection comes from titanium dioxide, protecting against UVA and UVB rays.

Pai British Summer Time: Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30

Pai British Summer Time: Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30* (previously Hello Sunshine) is the one I would recommend for those with particularly sensitive skin. Pai’s founder, Sarah, struggled so much with other skincare products and created the brand because she couldn’t find any that didn’t irritate her skin. It smells incredibly fresh and a little goes a long way. The pale yellow cream quickly vanishes to leave an invisible, non-shiny finish.

Pai believe “the highest quality organic ingredients create the best performing products – it’s a simple equation”.

Pai British Summer Time: Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30 is 99% natural and vegan-friendly. Key ingredients include cotton extract and vitamin E. Cotton extract (AKA gossypium herbaceum) is an active botanical that helps protect skin from oxidative damage caused by UVA, UVB, infrared and visible radiation. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that offers significant protection against UVB rays. Sun protection comes from zinc oxide and protects against UVA and UVB rays, blue light and infrared light.

NUORI Mineral Defence Sunscreen SPF 30

If you’re looking for something incredibly fresh, there’s NUORI Mineral Defence Sunscreen SPF 30*. All skincare products lose their efficacy over time, NUORI’s approach is to offer the freshest skincare, made in small batches, to be used as soon as you receive them.

I particularly love the texture of this product, it’s quite thick but smoothes over the skin so easily and doesn’t leave any white residue. It has a slightly pink colour which may be why it’s less visible than some of the others. Along with PAI’s, this leaves the most natural finish.

“All NUORI formulas are developed to deliver visible results using only the best natural ingredients and the latest generation of bioengineered actives.”

NUORI Mineral Defence Sunscreen SPF 30 is an all-natural formula. Its key ingredients are French maritime pine extract and sunflower seed oil. French maritime pine extract is one of those miracle ingredients that has multiple health benefits that include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Sunflower seed oil is a great source of omega-6 fatty acids, great for promoting a healthy skin barrier, reducing inflammation and increasing cell renewal. Sun protection comes from zinc oxide and gives protection from UVA and UVB rays.

NUORI Sun Repair Serum* isn’t a sun protection product but as it works so well alongside their Mineral Defence Sunscreen to reduce skin damage, I’ve included it.

This serum is so refreshing, you can feel it working hard to replenish lost moisture, as soon as you apply it. Natural hyaluronic acid and carbohydrate complex have water-binding properties which help draw moisture into the skin and keep it moisturised. The skin’s natural response when damaged by the sun is inflammation; this serum contains plant-based, bio-fermented sorbitol complex and chamomile flower to help reduce inflammation and irritation, quickly helping to calm the skin. There’s also liquorice root extract and vitamins C and E to help neutralise damaging free radicals, with their potent doses of antioxidants.

REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30

If shine is something you try to avoid then REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30*, with its mattifying properties would be a good one for you. It does leave skin a touch paler but if you’re applying make-up afterwards then you won’t notice.

REN say, “‘Clean’ is at the heart of all we do… But what does it mean? For us it’s giving you visible results from skincare that isn’t full of shady ingredients. Ingredients that work with your skin, without causing irritation. Ingredients your skin would choose, from sustainable sources and sustainably packaged – cause great skincare shouldn’t cost the earth, right?”

REN Clean Screen Mineral SPF 30 has a naturally-derived formula, that’s vegan-friendly. Key ingredients are yellow passion fruit seed extract (a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from pollution and free radical damage) and rice starch (which absorbs excess oil whilst soothing any irritation). Sun protection comes from zinc oxide and gives protection from UVA and UVB rays, and blue light.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are currently considered to be elite sunscreens. They both give good broad spectrum coverage (meaning they protect against UVA, UVB and UVC rays) and are highly stable (unlike avobenzone AKA butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, an incredible UVA sunscreen agent that’s, sadly, not photostable and degrades in the sunlight). The downside is that they are hard to spread on the skin but when combined with the right ingredients that’s not usually a problem with the end product.

Please bear in mind that, no matter which product you choose to use, you will need to reapply it throughout the day to a maintain a good level of protection from the sun’s rays.

Organic & Natural Skincare Brands On A Budget

I was originally going to call this post ‘Affordable Organic & Natural Skincare Brands’ but affordability is personal, not dependent on the size of your income but how you choose to spend it. My approach to affordable skincare is to find products that are effective for my dry, sensitive skin; that don’t expose it to unnecessary chemicals; and I wouldn’t consider buying simply as a treat.

I know that some of the beauty products I write about could be considered a little on the expensive side. I don’t believe cost is a sign of a product’s efficacy. There are a lot of overpriced brands on the market that seriously under-deliver. When I feature a more expensive product, it’s because I believe it’s worth spending money on and because it’s a product that works for me. I believe it’s important to invest in my skin.

There are a lot of brands that could easily charge a lot more for their brilliant products. There are some great natural and organic skincare brands that suit most budgets. In this post, I’m sharing a few of the most reliable and affordable brands I use.

REN Clean Skincare

REN Clean Skincare is probably the skincare brand I’ve used for the longest, of all the brands I recommend in this post. I can always rely on their products to be efficacious, whilst also being gentle on my skin (all their formulas are pH balanced). It was the gentleness of their products that first attracted me. When I was at university I became aware that my skin was becoming quite sensitive, probably as a result of my less than healthy lifestyle. It was at this time, I discovered REN.

Their ingredients come from sustainable sources, and are chosen for their effectiveness and because they don’t cause irritation to the skin; like the blackcurrant seed oil (an oil rich in Omega 3) in their Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk, and the wheatgerm (which increases skin firmness) in their V-Cense Revitalising Night Cream. Both of which I’ve used for years.

I also love REN for their positive approach to social projects. Their ‘Clean to Skin, Clean to Planet’ initiative is part of their pledge to become zero waste by 2021. Campaigns in partnership with Surfers Against Sewage and Surfrider Foundation have seen groups around the UK and USA cleaning up our beaches. They currently use post-consumer-recycled plastic for their tubes, all designed for circular recycling; and they teamed up with TerraCycle to create their ocean plastic bottles. Their next step, refillable bottles in co-ordination with TerraCycle’s Loop program.

REN products are all cruelty-free; some are also vegan. All products are manufactured in the UK.

If you sign up to their newsletter you’ll receive 15% off your first order.

Products I use:

PAI Skincare

It was Julia Rebaudo from Stylonylon that introduced me to PAI Skincare, back in 2017. She had visited their factory in London (where they make all their products) and, knowing we both share a love of natural skincare, suggested I try them.

I met up with their PR and over a lovely lunch she told me about founder, Sarah Brown’s, struggle to find products that were gentle enough for her irritated, hyper-sensitive and acne-prone skin. Finding nothing that worked for her, she created her own.

Sarah’s approach is to use natural and organic ingredients in their products, reducing the use of chemicals that may cause irritation. They don’t use any controversial chemicals, parabens or phthalates. In order to qualify as natural, a minimum of 98% of the ingredients come from nature; certified to a Soil Association COSMOS Natural standard. Where possible they use organic ingredients, which they (and I) believe are better for our health and the environment. Any non-natural ingredients they use in their products are those necessary to keep it fresh or make it work. They meet strict standards, green chemistry principles and don’t exceed 2% of the product’s ingredients.

PAI products are so gentle, they’ve never caused my skin any irritation, but have also given me good results. When my pores are blocked (after cleansing), I use their Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator. The natural and bio-degradable jojoba beads remove dead skin cells. I then follow this with their Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask to remove congestion. My skin is left feeling super clean but not tight or uncomfortable.

PAI take their social responsibilities seriously. Sarah’s mentorship program educates young girls in London, in entrepreneurship and the career opportunities in manufacturing. In addition, they work closely with a few cancer centres, offering cancer sufferers skincare advice throughout their treatment and after.

PAI have taken measures to reduce their environmental impact by using glass wherever possible for product packaging, as well as introducing a recyclable bioplastic tube derived from sustainably sourced Sugarcane. They use only FSC-certified paper and card, and stopped using laminated boxes back in 2015.

PAI products are all cruelty-free and vegan. All products are manufactured in the UK.

If you sign up to their newsletter you’ll receive 10% off your first order.

Products I Use:

Balance Me

Just like myself, Rebecca and Clare Hopkins are on a mission to slow down and take care of themselves. Like a lot of us, they found the fast pace of twenty-first century life stressful and realised that it was taking its toll on their health and skin. Both sisters had developed incredibly sensitive, red skin and were suffering from hormonal breakouts. They decided to create Balance Me, skincare products that enable us all to take a little time for self-care each day. They create natural products from sustainable, renewable ingredients that are kind to your skin and the earth. Some products do contain non-natural ingredients but these are carefully selected and tested to ensure they are safe for your skin.

As with the other brands I’ve mentioned, Balance Me’s products are gentle but effective. Their Tri-Molecular Hyaluronic Serum is one of the most effective and affordable hyaluronic serums I’ve come across. It contains three different molecule sizes that act on different layers of the epidermis, giving skin a thorough moisture boost. I use it morning and night.

Balance Me are making every effort to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging. They use clear and white glass for most of their bottles, since it is the most widely and infinitely recycled material available. However, being heavier than some materials, it does have an impact on carbon emissions. For safety, balms and oils are packaged in plastic, they use 50% post-consumer recycled plastic for them. All their boxes are made with FSC-certified card and if you order from them directly your package will be packed with corn chips, a biodegradable padding material that you can dissolve in water or put on your compost heap. They’re looking into refillables for the future.

Balance Me products are all cruelty-free; some are also vegan. All products are manufactured in the UK.

If you sign up to their newsletter you’ll receive 15% off your first order.

Products I Use:

Time To Slow Down with C.P. Hart

This post was created in collaboration with C.P. Hart.

The White Company Wooden Bath Tidy | Iris Hantverk Bath Brush | Meraki Sponge | Ex Nihilo Ultra Rose Candle*
C.P. Hart Winchester Freestanding Cast Iron Bath

The latest addition to our house is a new roll top bath from C.P. Hart. We finally have a bath, it’s only taken us 7 years!

At the beginning of the year I wrote a post about my New Year Intentions, one of which was to slow down. Learning when to slow down (especially when you live in a city like London) is an important skill to hone, and one that often takes time to acquire. I’ve lived in London for around 12 years and it’s only now that I truly appreciate the need. Life can pass you by in a flash, so it’s important to take your time to appreciate the simple things. Whether that’s reading a book/magazine/newspaper whilst sitting in a favourite café and sipping on a freshly made coffee. Or taking a walk in a local park/favourite part of town/the countryside and enjoying taking everything in without an alternative agenda. Or (for me) slipping into a deep bath scented with my favourite bath oil (currently Olverum) whilst listening to calming music.

House Doctor Large Rustic Bowl | House Doctor Pure Nature Stool | Iris Hantverk Body Brush | Meraki Nail Brush* | Meraki Pumice Stone* | Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask* | Olverum Bath Oil

Pregnancy really forced me to slow down, I would get tired after the least taxing of activities and, as the months wore on, I got more and more achey as my ligaments softened. Getting our new bath from C.P. Hart was an absolute game-changer. Barely a day went by when I was pregnant that I didn’t take a dip in it, whether that was to soothe my aches and pains or to chill out from the insane heatwave. There’s nowhere I felt more relaxed and would happily wallow away an hour.

There’s not a lot of time for me to wallow these days but I still grab a bath whenever I can, the pregnancy aches have been replaced by back and shoulder aches from carrying my gorgeous little girl around (she’s now 6.5kg). Little Isabelle, on the other hand, uses it daily as part of her bedtime routine.

Balance Me Super Moisturising Body Wash* | Immunocologie Cleansing Lotion* | Immunocologie Exfoliator Lotion* | Susanne Kaufmann Witch Hazel Bath

You might be wondering why it took us 7 years to get a bath. When we bought our house we completely gutted the kitchen and bathroom, removing the floor in-between and the ceiling above. This hadn’t been our plan but that’s what you get when you buy an old Victorian cottage with character. This, sadly, used up our budget and we just couldn’t afford the dreamy cast iron roll top bath I had planned for. Fast-forward 7 years and it’s been worth the wait, I couldn’t be happier with our beautiful bath, it’s just the right size and fits in perfectly, bringing together the old character of our Victorian house with my minimal style.

Just before the bump got too big I was on my hands and knees priming and painting the bath, a week later and the bump was too big and I wouldn’t have been able to. I used Johnstone’s Anti-Rust Metal Primer in Red Oxide and Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell in Off-Black No.57. I used two coats of the primer and then two coats of the top coat. The 750ml pots of each were more than enough.

C.P. Hart were the obvious choice for me, they’ve been around for over 75 years, are well known for producing high quality products and work with some incredible designers (including Alessi and Philippe Starck). I can’t fault them on quality, our bath has been very well made and will be here for many years, long after we’ve moved on. It’s given our bathroom a stunning focal-point and finally it feels complete.

Spot Treatments That Work

As a teenager I was one of the lucky ones, with barely a spot on my face. Fast-forward to my 30s and it’s been a different story so far. As soon as I stopped taking the pill, just over a year ago, my skin flared up. Initially it was a couple of spots, they would start to clear and then (frustratingly) a couple more would appear. The sudden change in my hormones definitely had a significant affect. I’m sure the pill has covered up many issues that would have otherwise been apparent on my skin. On top of that I’ve struggled with problems with my digestive system for years, thanks to a particularly horrid batch of antibiotics I was prescribed in my early 20s. Anything that’s going wrong in your digestion system will usually show in your skin. Treating these conditions is the most important way for me to deal with my spots but here are some of the best spot treatments that work for me.

1. Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask*

A moisturising mask might not seem like an obvious choice when dealing with spots but bear with me. The skin is in trauma whilst dealing with spots, and needs something calming and soothing. This is not a heavy mask and, thanks to the honey it contains, is great for soothing and healing the skin. Use once a week on a Sunday morning after cleansing or use it last thing before you go to bed instead of a night cream.

2. Pai Skincare Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask*

Another effective mask, this one gives your skin a thorough cleanse without stressing it further. The AHA fruit acids help remove dead skin cells whilst the kaolin clay draws out impurities without leaving your skin dry or tight. Use it once a week for up to 10 minutes, removing it gently with warm water and the muslin cloth that comes with it.

3. Dermalogica AGE Smart Daily Superfoliant

When you have spots and blackheads you still need to exfoliate your skin regularly, to remove dead skin cells that contribute to blocked pores. This is one of the gentlest exfoliators I’ve ever used whilst still being effective. It’s a physical exfoliant (rather than chemical) that uses finely milled rice powder to lightly exfoliate whilst the charcoal powder it contains has an anti-bacterial effect. I use this every day or every other day. Dermalogica say you can use it twice a day but I don’t think that’s necessary and possibly a little excessive if you have sensitive skin.

4. Immunocologie Vital Clay Spot Treatment*

This is, without question, the secret weapon in my spot fighting arsenal! Whatever you’ve read, spots do not disappear overnight but with this little pot you can certainly speed up the process. It has an unusual texture, somewhere between a clay and a gel, combining montmorillonite clay, kaolin clay and salicylic acid. I apply it to my spots with a cotton bud in the evening, after cleansing. I look as though I have Shrek-like spots on my face for the 10 minutes it takes to dry. I then remove it with warm water. And that’s it.

5. Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar*

I usually stick to cream cleansers but this cleansing bar was recommended to me and I can’t resist a good recommendation. The main active ingredient is Dead Sea mud which reputedly contains 26 minerals that deeply detoxify, exfoliate and hydrate the skin. You can use it on its own or in combination with their Detoxifying Cleansing Oil*. I’d recommend using both when you’re taking off your make-up.

Nourishing Skincare



At this time of year it’s very important to keep your skin really well nourished. Cold air, hot air and the constant change between the two can leave skin confused and a little traumatised. These are some of the nourishing skincare products I’ve been using in my skincare regimen this season, to keep mine in check.

Immunocologie Body Serum*

I’m obsessed with this moisturising dry oil from Immunocologie. It’s a lightweight oil that vanishes into my skin in less than a minute, so no waiting around to get dressed. The oil is absorbed quickly thanks to Immunocolgie’s Vital Oligo Science, a natural skincare delivery system. It’s fairly mess-free as the spray nozzle makes it easy to apply, and it also smells divine. After using it my skin feels well moisturised but not at all greasy.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% +B5

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin and it is there to aide in the production of collagen. It also helps skin retain moisture when the molecules are small enough to be absorbed deeply. The Ordinary‘s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains “low, medium and high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid, as well as a next-generation hyaluronic acid crosspolymer at a combined concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration”. If the molecules are too large and sit on the surface of the skin all they do is draw moisture out of the skin so that just the surface is plumped.

Pai Skincare Instant Calm Redness Serum*

I seem to get through a bottle of this lovely calming serum from Pai (the sensitive skincare specialists) each month. It’s a light fluid that’s easily absorbed, perfect for use under your daily moisturiser or face oil. It contains Sea Aster which “inhibits the release of cutaneous neuropeptides, the molecules that cause skin to flare, while strengthening the surface skin, helping to reduce the appearance of redness; as well as Wild Oat which is famed for its ability to soothe reactive skin, enriched Wild Oat extract works to improve the appearance of delicate or damaged skin and helps to protect skin against environmental irritants”.

Immunocologie Super 7 Elixir Face Serum*

Another really great serum, it’s one which I prefer to use at night as it’s a little thicker and I like to allow it to settle into the skin before applying my night time moisturiser. It’s super nourishing thanks to a few key ingredients. The first of which you might find a little squeamish, Snail Secretion Filtrate. The Korean’s have been using it for ages and have some of the most advanced skincare in the world. It contains lots of good things like hyaluronic acid and antimicrobial peptides, great for both nourishing and repairing the skin. Anther key ingredient, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract (AKA Okra Extract) has been known to be used in Ayurvedic medicine thanks to its antibacterial properties which help the skin to heal. And, the essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties found in Desert Date (Balanites Roxburghii) Seed Oil soften and repair dry and damaged skin.

Pai Skincare Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser*

If you’re looking for a gentle but effective cleanser, look no further. When your skin is feeling a bit sensitive from the elements the last thing you should do is use something aggressive on it. It’s already on high alert and this would only cause more distress. Instead reach for something soothing and gentle. Pai have developed the perfect cleanser, it’s a cream cleanser that you gently massage into the face and then wash off using their Dual-Effect Sensitive Skin Cloth (which comes with the cleanser). It contains Camellia Oil which has both Omega 9 fatty acids and Vitamin E to nourish the skin, as well as Damask Otto Rose Oil which helps skin retain moisture.

Immunocologie Night Protection*

This is the first dedicated night cream I’ve used in a quite a while. I’d forgotten why it’s important to have a separate moisturiser for day and night. Skincare brands don’t make both so that they can sell you twice as many products but because each offers different properties that are more affective at different times of the day. Immunocologie’s Night Protection works to hydrate and help repair skin overnight. It uses Desert Date (Balanites Roxburghii) Seed Oil just like the Super 7 Elixir Face Serum to soften and repair. Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil which is rich in anti-oxidants and Vitamin C helps defend against free-radicals which age the skin. And, Protium Heptaphyllun Resin is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Organic Bodycare For Sensitive Skin

Pai Skincare Skincare Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash with Konjac Sponge* | Pai Skincare Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream*

I once read that your skin is the largest organ of your body. It’s not something I’d really thought about before, always considering the skin to be just the bit that holds all your organs in place. As I learn to take better care of my body it makes sense to consider what it is I’m putting on it, not just on my face. If you use products that contain lots of nasties and are spreading them all over your skin then it’s pretty likely that you’re going to be absorbing a lot of them into your body.

I spend a lot of time researching skincare brands. Friends that I speak to IRL will know that I’m quite passionate about it, especially when I’m talking about a brand that’s organic. My friend Julia from Stylonylon suggested Pai Skincare to me a little while back, she’d met Sarah the founder and was super impressed with their products. (FYI Julia has amazing skin and has done for as long as I’ve known her.) They’re an organic skincare brand that specialise in products for sensitive skin. I admit, it took me a little while to give them a try but I wish it hadn’t. I’ve been using quite a few of their products over the last month and already have a few firm favourites.

I took a couple of Pai Skincare products with me to Croatia, a body wash and body cream. The Pai Skincare Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash is a little bit different to most as it doesn’t contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a synthetic compound that’s used in a lot of cleaning products (including laundry products). It’s an effective surfactant and foaming agent but it’s also an irritant and pollutant. As Pai Skincare specialise in products for those of us with sensitive skin they’ve chosen not to use it in their body wash. Instead they’ve come up with an ingenious way of creating a foam with the use of a konjac sponge, another product that’s really great for sensitive skin. I have got on so well with this product and have been continuing to use it since returning to London. I’ve also noticed that a little goes a long way with the use of the sponge.

The other product that I took with me was the Pai Skincare Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream. This seemed particularly appropriate as I knew I was going to be in the sun and the calming properties of this cream would be perfect for soothing my skin at the end of the day. I didn’t take aftersun but used this instead. It has quite a thick texture which you need to pat all over to spread it before rubbing in (although I hear they’ve been revising the formula to make it more glossy). Apart from the very irritating mosquito bites I got in Croatia, my skin has been pretty happy.

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