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Personal care

Our favourite products — Tracey's September 2020 edition

Photography by Tracey Creed
Words by Tracey Creed


Published September 26 2020

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:

When it comes to skincare and our bodies, many of us tend to take an out-of-sight-out-of-mind approach. For me, ingrown hairs specifically on my thighs have been, are still — to an extent, an issue. Despite relinquishing the razor many months past. But skin on the body is often prone to the same problems as the face, and it can benefit from regular attention. Some people are more prone than others.

Sasawashi Body Scrub Mitt

An ingrown happens when a hair grows at an irregular angle and curls back into the skin, inflaming the skin around it. My regular aesthetician advised me to use an exfoliating mitt to prevent ingrown hairs. And I honestly think — as does my aesthetician that it's the biggest game-changer for personal care I've purchased in a while. I will never shower without it again. Made in Osaka, Japan, the Sasawashi textile is a hyper-absorbent blend of organic Kumazasa plant fibres, antibacterial, deodorising, and gently exfoliating. It doesn't irritate my skin, and it works to reduce the appearance of scars from ingrowns — of which I have a lot! I'll spend extra time on areas that tend to be more problematic, like the inner thighs using dull long, sweeping motions to exfoliate and help new hairs emerge from beneath the skin.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

To prevent infection around hair follicles, I ordered a bottle of this glycolic cleanser to a recent Mecca order to exfoliate further and avoid infection. If ingrowns are an issue or acne, look for targeted body products with ingredients like lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid to decongest. This cleanser is actually for the face, but glycolic is a general clarifying agent — the monarch of all alpha-hydroxy acids. I found this cleanser too harsh for my face — I patch tested it, and was keen on the idea of having a multi-tasker. After a month of daily use, I've noticed my skin stays smoother, longer. There's less hyperpigmentation from scarring. I also recently purchased the A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap to calm my skin preemptively. It smells like summer, and I use it about every other day and highly recommend it. Both get the job done.

Weleda Hypercal Healing Lotion & Cream

To calm said ingrowns, I purchased a tube of Weleda Hypercal Healing Cream that I've been using every day after I shower. And to double down on my efforts, I'll also use the Weleda Hypercal Healing Lotion every other day. If you've got ingrown hairs, I highly recommend it. Both contain Calendula and have natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties which can help with inflamed bumps in delicate areas. I've not been using the lotion as advised, for efficiency while my thighs are still damp — I'll pat the lotion into my skin. I consider this the dilution. If I need to extract an ingrown, ideally I'll do this after I shower, and apply a warm wet compress to the area to soften the hair and help bring it to the surface. And then using superfine tweezers sterilised in alcohol, gently pull the end of the hair out.

Aesop Redemption Body Scrub

Everything Aesop smells amazing and the Redemption Scrub is one of my favourite body products. I use this three times per week. The tube is grainy, a physical exfoliation that uses milled Pumice Bamboo Stem to slough away dry patches. I use it from the neck down and take the time to massage it into my skin in circular motions to promote circulation. I'll also use a pumice stone and work this scrub into my heels which always seem to be dry. Redemption leaves you feeling very clean, ready for moisture — and bed. On exfoliation days, I'll skip the Le Labo Body Cream and use body oil — either this one from Salt by Hendrix or Everyday Oil since your pores are more open to absorb oil best. Post shower, smooth oil onto damp skin — this water will act as a carrier to absorb and draw in the oil for ultimate hydration.

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.

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