Welcome Our Favourite Products, a monthly feature of the products keeping our skin glowing, mood lifted and health high. It's a combination of the new things we've tried over the previous month and historic repeat purchases that we think you might love too. And as part of our editorial policy, every product we write about is vegan, cruelty-free and 100% natural and where possible organic. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of incorporating clean beauty and wellness products into your daily routine — or even finding them, we hope you find the following helpful. And as a reminder, a constant favourite of mine — clean filtered water. Drink it frequently, daily. Here's what I'm loving this month:
Weleda Arnica First Aid Cream
While on lockdown, part of my routine initially was running in the park nearby. Unfortunately, soon I twisted one of my lower leg muscles. I never understood how it happened, straining that muscle but it was painful, and I had to stick to strengthening exercise workouts for most of the quarantine period. To ease the pain and support the healing process, I applied Weleda Arnica cream a few times daily. Cruelty-free—also free from synthetic fragrances, paraben and preservatives, this cream is packed with dry Arnica flower, Arnica root extract and Arnica oil. Arnica is a powerful plant traditionally used to reduce pain, swelling, and bruising. All I needed for my sprain. The gel also includes Silver Fir, Lemon, Orange, Rosemary and Sage Essential Oils, incorporating botanical pain-relieving properties, while giving the cream a pleasant, fresh smell. The Weleda range is renowned for being a great value brand, and this Arnica gel is no exception. After a week of consistent application, my calf was no longer swollen, and two weeks later, the overall pain was gone and didn’t come back. I am running again. Definitively, this arnica cream will remain a forever first aid staple.
Essano Superfoods Cinnamon Purifying Gel Cleanser
An uncomplicated face wash. That is how I would define the facial cleanser gel from Essano. I got this Cinnamon gel in a goodie bag, and this New Zealand brand called my attention. Essano is cruelty-free and committed to using quality natural ingredients. My tube is travel size, and surprisingly, I have been using it for a few months and only starting to feel the end now. I love a product that lasts long, is practical and stripped away from synthetic chemicals. The gel is vegan, soap-free, and contains Aloe Vera for hydration, Cinnamon to protect the skin from toxins and Pumpkin Seed to support skin health. As a drugstore brand, this Essano facial cleanser gel remains quite inexpensive. I had mentioned in a previous edition why I ditched using water on my face—and why shower time is challenging. Usually showering after gym, I will then take the opportunity to cleanse my face from sweat and dust with the Essano facial cleanser. The gel is gentle and nice to apply. Mixed with water, it becomes a light foam that washes away quickly and easily, leaving my skin feeling refreshed and smooth. Everything I am looking for after a good exercise session.
Bianca Lorenne lavette washcloths
I heard of Bianca Lorenne a couple of years ago thanks to Trace who introduced me to this lovely New Zealand brand. They design and produce beautiful, high quality bed linen, home textiles and interior products. After a visit to the optometrist, the doctor advised me to regularly apply a warm cloth over my eyes for an hour or so to reduce dryness and sebum build up. Given you are kept away from doing anything productive during this time, except listening to podcasts, I thought I would use a washcloth lifting up the experience into a luxurious level. Made from knitted natural fiber, 100% cotton, these Bianca Lorenne cloths are soft and silky. An exquisite tool for a necessary moment of relaxation.
Aloe Vera soap
After their trip to the Canaries Islands, my parents gifted me a couple of Aloe Vera products, including hard soaps. Aloe Vera is everywhere on these islands, and despite not being a native species, it has lived and adapted well for hundreds of years, according to the tourism department. Apparently, it was already growing when Christopher Columbus stopped by the Canaries in 1492. The Aloe Vera plant is famous for a battery of amazing properties, including deep moisturising, helping relieve dry, itchy skin, and favourise healing from commun skin conditions, like psoriasis or acne. My soaps are handmade, with a discrete but pleasant smell. Enriched with Aloe Vera flowers and Malvasia Grape Seed, the soap is a light exfoliant, hydrating, keeping my skin moisturised and velvety. The perfect after-shower feeling.
Podiatric nail clipper
My father is an independent nurse, meaning he visits his patients at their house, not in the hospital. Part of his daily job is to take care of vulnerable patients, washing, grooming them when they can’t do it by themselves anymore. And that includes some minor podiatric treatment such as cutting nails. So at home, we always had a podiatric nail clipper. Perfect to care for ingrown nails, this nail clipper type is the only way to cut the nail far enough without hurting yourself. It keeps the doctor away, who will probably use the same tool to resolve your ingrow problem anyway. However, always learn prior and practice carefully. Podiatry nail clippers are very easy to manoeuvre, opening widely, perfect for cutting thick and irregular nails. Their slightly curved blades are amazing to contour around nails for a clean and smooth cut. You have total control on the shape of your nails. I know these are more specified for toenails, but I also use them from my finger nails and they do an excellent job. So if you are anything like me, you like your nails well cut and clean, this is undoubtedly an essential to invest in.
Everything we create is an effort to participate in a culture shift. All products featured are independently selected and curated by the authors, and we only feature items we use or would use ourselves that align with our values. As part of our business model, we do work with affiliates such as Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases if you decide to purchase through our links. The price would be the same to you either way, but if you find value in our work, then these affiliate links are a way to support it. We only recommend brands, makers and products we use — that we support. Transparency is important to us, so if you have any questions, please reach out to us.