11 uses for Lanolips Lovely Lanolin Golden Ointment

I love versatile products which is why when I tried Lanolip's  Lovely Lanolin Golden Ointment and kept finding different uses for it, I made sure it's always in my handbag wherever I go.

Packed with 60% medical grade lanolin, Manuka honey, apricot oil and vitamin E - ingredients that soothe, smooth, heal and rebuild the skin's natural protective barrier.

This light golden coloured ointment is thick and highly moisturising so a little goes a long way. It can take a bit of rubbing for the product to absorb into the skin but it is worth the extra effort for the multitude of miracles it performs on problem skin. So far, I've found 11 uses for my little tube of golden magic ointment:

1. For itchy skin. Allergy and ezcma, psoriasis sufferers can rejoice and stay off steroid creams with the use of this ointment for minor and temporary relief of itches. Even nappy rash can be soothe with this little beauty. 
2. On mozzie bites - A life saver when bitten, it soothes the bite and settles swelling.  Now I just have to work out how to get those mozzies to stay away from me. 
3. As an ultra hydrating lip balm - when you'r lips are dry or chapped, nothings seals it and moisturise it like this ointment. It also has the slightly sweet taste of honey that makes it lip-smacking delicious. 
4. As a lip exfoliator - layer it on a thicker than you would use as a lip balm and leave for a few minutes before rubbing it off gently with your fingers to remove the flakies bits off your lips. Trust me, you will love the resultant kissable soft lips.
5. for dry elbows and knees  - it's the bee's knees for it (sorry, for the lame pun - I just couldn't help myself). 
6. As a heel softener -  keep those feet happy and cracked heels at bay by rubbing a bit on and popping on a pair of cotton socks when you head to bed at night. In 2 weeks weeks, you'll have no cracks or rough heels in sight. 
7. As a cuticle cream - soften cuticles and treat rough/ragged bits from your fingers by rubbing this in any time your digits feel dry.
8. For Minor burn treatments - it seals the burn and blister area and helps prevent bacteria getting in. It also helps skin to heal faster. 
9. As an intensive hand cream - too greasy for normal use but if your hand is super dry or like me, you do chores and wash dishes and hand wash clothing leaves your hands under stripped of moisture, then this will be your S.O.S ointment. 
10. As an extreme weather barrier - this is great for air travel or when visiting the snow where air is dry and thin. When applying on my face, I spritz a bit of water to wet it first to make the ointment spread more easily. 
11. As an after-shave balm - its soothes and calms irritated skin after shaving as well as provide hydration and less than a pin head size of the ointment is needed for rubbing in to the chin and each side of the face. 

So if you are after a multi-purpose product or just lacking space when traveling and want to pack light, pack a tube of this and you will be set for almost all sorts of skin situations. 

Lanolips Golden Ointment RRP A$28.95 for 50g at David Jones, Priceline, Adore Beauty online and Terry White Chemists.

Products that relieve allergic itchy skin

Earlier this year, I broke out in hives. I have no idea what triggered it as I never had an allergic reaction before but for 6 weeks everyday, I would develop itchy rashes across my legs, arm and body (thankfully my face was spared).

These weren't your regular rashes either; they were scary itchy and painful mosquito like lumps that bandied together and formed a large raised patch on my body and sometimes my finger tips would be so itchy they swell up and become painful.

My GP prescribed me 1% cortisone cream and put me on antihistamine tablets to control the symptoms. The cortisoid cream only gave temporary relief (15 mins) and antihistamine tablets were the only thing that effectively stopped my rashes from forming until the drug wore off and I need to take the next dose.

However, I didn't want to be dependent on drugs and steroids (which is what the cortisone cream is) all the time and so started looking for alternatives to relieve the itch and pain. I found some in these amazing products to help deal with my on-going skin irritations.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR Multi-Purpose Dry Oil for Face, Body, Hair 50ml* – RRP $24.95 /A$29.95 (non-shimmer/ shimmer version) 

Dry oil did I hear you say? Yes, dry oil – which means it doesn't leave a sheen that normal oil products do on skin and there is not the slightest greasy feeling at all. In fact, my skin has a smooth velvety feel after the luxurious French oil is absorbed.

This luxurious French oil softens skin and relieves my itching bumps better than the cortisoid cream ever did - I kid you not. Although it also only gives temporary relief (about the same time of 15 minutes), it’s also adding moisturise back to by dry scaly skin and with its pretty gold shimmer particles, imparts a subtle golden flickering as well.

Made from over 95% natural ingredients including a blend of wonderful oils (macadamia, sweet almond, hazelnut, camellia seed, borage, olive, sunflower), rosemary extract and vitamin E, this dry oil is suitable for all skin types on the face, skin and hair (I haven’t tried this on my face yet, only on the neck and I’d only work this into the ends when using it on hair) but who would have thought a natural product fared so much better than a prescription drug – I have Yishan of BeautySwatch to thank for alerting me to try this for my hives.

Available at selected pharmacies and Adore Beauty online.

Ingredients listing for Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR

*

Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Wash 295ml* – RRP $19.99 

I’ve been avoiding all possible skin-irritants so I've been keen to stay away from soap and body washes containing SLS (sodium laureth sulphate) as it is a known skin irritant. I found this soap-free and fragrance-free body wash a soothing addition. With sunflower oil and vitamin E to soften and niacinamide to provide anti-inflamatory properties, it is designed to restore skin's natural barrier and protects it.
I found this body wash very gentle, easy to rinse and moisturised the body, keeping it soft and supple whilst not aggravating problem skin such as eczema and rashes has helped reduced my itching.

Available at pharmacies and Priceline nationally.

Ingredients listing for Cetaphil Restoraderm skin restoring body wash

*

Suvana Paw Paw and Honey Balm 25g – RRP $8.95 

This organic balm is very rich and leaves a greasy feeling on skin so I only use it on the problem skin areas (the actual rash bumps) and don’t work it into my entire body. It provides itch relief as well as soothes the bumps so they settle down faster.

This multi-tasker also works wonders on cracked lips, elbows and heels and also makes a kick-ass lip balm/conditioner that I apply at night for soft chap-free puckers in the morning. It is small enough to carry around everywhere making it handy to keep into the handbag.

Available at Chemists nationally and online

Ingredients listing for Suvana paw paw & honey balm

*

After 2 months, I no longer take any antihistamines to control my symptoms and rarely apply the cortisone cream – I still break out in rashes every few days but thankfully, they subside after an hour or so now and by using these alternative products daily and watching what I eat (alcohol and shellfish seem to bring out the rashes), I’ve managed to keep my conditions under check.


Do you suffer from any allergies – how do you keep it in check? What other products do you recommend?

Products marked * were provided for consideration. Other products were purchased by yours truly. 

Kio Kio Natural Body Care

For most of us, even if we love experimenting with new products, we tend to stick to products from brands we have used before. After all, nothing is more powerful than the trust that we have built up for a brand through extensive use and familiarity.

Luckily for me as a beauty blogger, I have the privilege of trying out new products from new and established brands and letting you know whether a new brand or product is worth embracing and making it into your loved and trusted list.

And let me tell you, readers, I don’t take this responsibility lightly. I know the power of advocacy and the trust you bestow on me, and for that I’m very grateful and humbled. I always avoid using my influence to paint a positive picture for a product unless it is deserving of it.

So today, I want to showcase a brand that desrerves to make it to that list. Let me give you a little introduction to it.

Kio Kio is a natural bodycare range conceived in the pure lands of New Zealand and uses organic filtered spring waters and oils and native bioactive botanical extracts to give it a unique scent, luxurious texture and feel. There is nothing synthetic in its ingredients and no chemicals that you wouldn’t want absorbed into your skin. There are four unique fragrance range from Kio Kio and each fragrance range features a body lotion, body cream, body mist, shower wash, body soap and hand cream.

With Names such as Citrus petal and Tarata, Pacific Tiare & Ti Kauka,  Rainforest & Koromiko, Frangipani & Puriri, they are sure to tempt any exotic scent lover.

I was able to road test a couple of products from their various fragrance range to get a nose of their scent and see how well the products performed.

Kio Kio Rainforest & Koromiko Body Cream 200g – NZ $49 

This light and indulgence cream is like a whipped gel and is instantly cooling on skin. It has a delicate clean and fresh scent with a hint of green tea that reminds me of a running stream in a rainforest. It also contains the Koromiko flower which is a native plant and has skin healing properties.
As a moisturiser, it is hydrating and softening on skin and suitable for those who have normal to dry skin. Very dry skin types will need something more heavy duty than this jar of whipped goodness. There is no sticky residue and you get a nice sheen on skin afterwards. I like applying this after shower and allowing it to quickly absorb into the skin before wearing clothes.

Ingredients listing: Aqua (organic water)*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Glycerin (sugar alcohol), Cetearyl Glucoside (coconut wax), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetyl Esters (coconut wax), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Cetearyl Alcohol (coconut alcohol), Glyceryl Stearate (coconut oil emulsifier), Phenoxyethanol (aromatic ether), Vitamin E, Perfume, essential oils & botanical native NZ extract, Potassium Sorbate. *denotes organic ingredient. Not tested on animals.

Kio Kio Citrus petal & Tarata Body Wash 240ml – NZ $29

By far my favourite of the bunch I’ve tried, this shower gel is soft and unlike other citrus shower gel is can be strong and over powering, it has more of a floral and powdery base which must the Tarata flower’s influence. It is both relaxing and soothing to use and leaves my skin incredibly soft without dry it out. It’s the perfect shower prep for application of the body cream. Of course it cleanses too and does a good job of degreasing my skin, especially my back which can get quite oily during the day.

Ingredients listing: Aqua (organic)*Cocamidopropyl Betaine (coconut oil source), Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, Decyl Glucoside (coconut oil source), Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (coconut oil source), Cocamide MIPA (coconut acid)Disodium Laureth Sulphosuccinate, Coco-Glucoside (coconut source), Glycerol Oleate (vegetable oil extract), Glycerin (sugar alcohol), Polysorbate 20 (coconut oil source), Phenoxyethanol (aromatic ether), Perfume, essential oils & botanical native NZ extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate. *denotes organic ingredient. Not tested on animals.

Kio Kio Pacific Tiare & Ti Kauka Hand Cream 50g – NZ $29

This has to be my favourite scent of the range. It is sparkling, floral and powdery soft orange blossom scent– much like the lighter version of the Daphne flower in the evening that immediately captivates me.

The hand cream itself comes in a pump container and my problem is that it squirts a such tiny amounts that I need quite a few pumps to get enough product to use (it’s far too fiddly for an impatient person like me - I’m used to hand creams in tubes that dispenses more product at a given time).

The product itself is light and quickly absorbed. It is a good hand cream but I personally feel I need something more intensive for my dry and roughened fingers, a by-product of not wearing gloves when doing chores. Because of this I usually use this hand cream at work when I’m at my desk and don’t want my hands too greasy but still hydrated enough. Given the divine scent ,I’m definitely keen to try out more from the Pacific Taire & Ti Kauka range.

Ingredients listing: AQUA (organic water)*, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (Sweet Almond) Oil, GLYCERIN (sugar alcohol), CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE (coconut wax), CETEARYL ALCOHOL (coconut alcohol), COCO-CAPRYLATE (coconut oil), SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (Jojoba) Seed Oil, CETYL ESTERS (coconut wax), PERSEA AMERICANA (avocado) oil*, ORGANIC CYATHEA MEDULARIS, (Mamaku) water, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (Shea) Butter*, GLYCERYL STEARATE (coconut oil), TOCOPHEROL (Vitamin E), FRAGRANCE/PARFUM, CORDYLINE AUSTRALIS (Ti Kauka) extract, CITRUS LEMONUM (lemon) oil, CITRUS RETICULATA (mandarin) oil, PHENOXYETHANOL (aromatic ether), POTASSIUM SORBATE.
*denotes organic ingredient. Not tested on animals.

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to have discover Kio Kio. It’s definitely a brand with unique and amazing delicate scent and natural quality ingredients found only in a unique region of the world. Kio Kio products that is not only indulgent, uplifting and pampering in its everyday use but also gives peace of mind that its ingredients are organic and natural based are sustainably sourced. It definitely is deserving to be added to the list of brands that everyone should try and no doubt love.

Kio Kio products can be purchased online (with worldwide delivery) or at selected boutiques in Australia and New Zealand. Selected Kio Kio products can also be purchased at Amazon.
These featured products were provided for consideration.

Skincare Series: Hydration Booster for Winter

Are you one to change skincare with the season? Skin being exposed to different environmental conditions need different protections and with the dry, cold weather in Melbourne, I like switching to slightly richer and more hydrating facial and body creams.

Here are my favourites for this winter season:

L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Cream 50ml – RRP A$82

This cream sinks straight in, provides all day hydrating and works a treat as a rich yet non-greasy day cream over treatment serums (I even use it as a night cream sometimes because it’s rich enough) and suits all skin types particularly those with extremely dry skin. It smells of a bouquet of fresh field flowers and leaves a lovely silky finish on skin.

It contains the Immortelle essential oil (called the immortal flower because the petals doesn't lose colour even when it is dried or dies) to stimulate micro-circulation, increase collagen production and and has good anti-aging properties.

This facial cream is now in its 10th anniversary with a new improved formulation and continues to be one of L’Occitane’s best sellers that will give smoother, firmer skin.

Tip: remember to use on the neck and décolletage for silky soothe skin there too

Available at David Jones, selected Myer stores and L'Occitane online.

We all know by now our skin recharges overnight whilst we sleep so it’s worthwhile investing in products that give it a boosting hand. 

Clinique Turnaround overnight radiance moisturizer 50ml - RRP A$90

This multi-tasker does exactly that by gently exfoliating the skin and increasing cell-turnover (salicylic acid in a time release system and chestnut seed extract) to reveal clearer tone and complexion.

Emollient and rich but not greasy, Clinique Turnover Overnight Radiance Moisturizer works to give intense hydration and facial-like results while you sleep. Not only does it provide that extra hydration boost (hyaluronic acid, hydroxyethyl urea and trehalose) at night without the grease to make skin is brighter and more even in tone after a week’s use, and within a month, I’m seeing smooth velvetly skin that is all plumped up, clear and radiant.

Avaliable at Clinique counters in Myer and David Jones store and Clinique online.  I wasn't provided the product packaging so don't have the ingredients listing for this moisturiser.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 30ml - RRP A$59

On alternating nights I use this elixir of pure botanicals and essential oils (rosehip, evening primrose, jojoba and rosemary leaf oil). With a light lavender (from the essential oil) and faint squalene (plant-based from olives) scent, it is lightweight and readily absorbs into the skin to leave only a light sheen on the skin and fixes any dry patches, plumps up skin and helps to replenish lost lipids in skin.

Skin is soft, supple and hydrated after two uses and after a month of continued use, I notice faster he I use it in place of my night time moisturiser after applying treatment serums and within a week notice plump, supple and brighter skin.

Available at Kiehl's counters in selected Myer and David Jones stores and Kiehl's online.

Grown Rosa Damascena Acai & Pomegranate Intense Body Cream 120ml - RRP A$29

One of my favourite body moisturiser, it is intensely hydrating but non-tacky and leaves a silky dry finish on skin once absorbed. The cream forms a light shield on skin to help improve the skin's barrier function to increase skin hydration.

It also has a light pleasant orange vanilla scent and enriched with rose oil, pomegranate and acai extract to help improve skin firmness and replenish lost essential fatty acids back into skin. I love rubbing this cream into rough areas like elbows and knees as well as all over the arms and legs for immediately soft, smooth skin.

Available in selected Myer and pharmacies - check here for stocklist and Grown online.

So whether you live in freezing southern states or warmer northern regions, the winter months brings on dryer weather and your skin will need a hydration boost. Be sure to look at your current skincare regime to see what you can introduce to give it that extra level of moisture.


Products featured were provided for consideration.

Put the moisture back into skin with Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus

With the dry Autumn weather and constant bombardment of the air conditioner at work, I like to add back moisture into skin. I also like to use intensive mositursing products after using clay masks.

Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Range

As you know, I’m a total sucker for rose scented products so it’s not a surprise that I love Jurlique’s Rose Moisture Range. I love it even more now that they have release the Rose Moisture Plus range - a cream cleanser, moisturising cream and facial mist all with antioxidant complex to help prevent the early signs of premature aging.

Moisturising Cleanser: 100ml - RRP A$32
A lightweight, high performance cleanser with an antioxidant complex and skin conditioning ingredients that help moisturise and protect the skin to address signs of dehydration.

I use the cleanser after rinsing off the mask and daily for gentle foaming action that adds hydration back into my skin after makeup removal in the evenings or when my skin is feeling tights in the morning. It leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft, supple and smooth and I swoon at the scent every time I use it.

Moisturising Cream: 40ml - RRP $A52
A rich, high-performance moisturising cream that provides the dual benefits of hydration and antioxidant protection with powerful plant oils and an antioxidant complex to help address signs of dehydration and premature ageing.

After any treatment serums and lotions used, I layer on the Rose Moisture Plus moisturising cream for a luxurious creamy feel that easily absorbs into skin and provides hours of deep hydration to skin.

It also contains anti-oxidants (tea tree, rosehip and soy proteins) to protect skin from environmental factors but for my skin, it need stronger anti-aging products and if I’m heading outdoors, a separate SPF product is always layered on top.

Tip: I also love using it to condition my lips as it’s has great hydrating properties and results are similar to that of the Guinot lip conditioner.

Rosewater Balancing Mist -  500ml RRP A$30
A daily hydrating mist featuring the relaxing scent of rose that restores and hydrates the complexion and is ideal for normal/combination skin types.

For added moisture the Rosewater Balancing mist contains aloe vera and rose essential oils to help keep skin cooled, fresh, lightly scented at a spritz of the bottle. It also makes for a wonderful for setting spray as the mist is so fine, it doesn’t cause any streaking or blotching of your carefully applied makeup.
Tip: Keep the spray in the fridge for an even more refreshing coolness in hotter climates.

Right - so I have my hydration sorted, I can spend more time perfecting my makeup application on a smooth and hydrated base.

Jurlique is available in David Jones, Myer stores and online.
This featured product was provided for consideration.

Okoii: Made to Order Natural Skincare

Want some freshly home-made natural skincare but don’t want to get into the whole messy DIY scene?

How you ask? Easy – you outsource the job to someone else! Now you can have the best of natural ingredients made up especially for you every time you place an order.

Pioneered by the concept that nature provides the finest skincare ingredients possible and we only have to harvest it, niche online skincare company Okoii brings the idea to life with its line of luxury handmade natural skincare products.

Since moving to Australia from Japan, Founder Yoko has always wanted to bring the benefits that these ingredients have been providing women of the orient centuries of skincare benefits to the wider community.

This dream is realised with the creation of Okoii and by using the finest quality traditional ingredients found in many Japanese and East-Asian skincare products including green tea, rice bran, azuki bean, the selected products are designed to give the full potentials of these nutrient rich ingredients to look after skin naturally.

Each product only comes to life after you place your order – Yoko hand makes each product to exacting traditional Japanese recipes to ensure you get the freshest and finest natural products possible. Nothing is mass produced here. Each batch uniquely for you.

Okoii’s range include facial scrub, toners, masques, moisturisers and beauty oil and there is a body soap and body moisturiser to complement the facial products. There's even a product for our friendly four-legged friend.

Intrigued about this make-to-order concept in skincare, I was thrilled when offered an opportunity to try some of Okoii’s handmade skincare products a while back.

When asked which products I was interested in, I selected the rice bran whitening masque and camellia rose floral facial cream but was overwhelmed by Okoii’s generousity as she also included sample sizes of her other popular products the rice bran body lotion, seaweed revitalizing masque and rice bran soap.

Each item comes with a product sheet to give more information about its ingredients and benefits to skin. There is also a unique best before date to indicate the best before period for each product to get the most effectiveness from the natural ingredients.

So after trialling the product a over the space of the past month here’s my verdict on some of the products:

Ultimate rice bran whitening skin masque – 50g  RRP A$46.90

This feel just like a homemade masque with a gritty texture from the rice bran. There is a slight scent of sake and an overall distinctive aromatherapy fragrance from the essential oils such as the and rosewood oil which helps to sooth and increase blood circulation when in contact with skin.

After applying for 15 minutes, the gritty texture help the product to stay on skin and also give an exfoliating effect during the rinse off phase. Afterwards, I do feel a film of residue left behind by the masque that keeps skin moisturised (not an issue for me personally) but it may be too sticky for those who prefer the squeaky clean feel.

As for results, skin tone is more even and there is definitely a temporary brightening effect for the rest of the evening (which is when I usually apply my masks). Perhaps long term use will yield a more lasting effects.

Seaweed revitalising beauty masque - 50g RRP A$45.90

This clay-based masque with sea kelp powder (which has this sea smell that I’m not quite a fan of), I find it great at drawing out excess oil and impurities from my face. The sea kelp and ginseng mix also helps to restore vitality back to skin.

15 minutes later my skin is soft, smooth and silky to touch without feeling too dry. If I could get over the scent I’d use this every week.

Camellia & rose floral cream – 30ml A$43.90

You would not believe this was handmade with this light luxurious cream is as silky in texture as high end products. There is a light distinct green fresh scent to this rich cream that needs some extra time to properly absorb into skin. But the extra effort is handsomely paid off with nourished skin that stays hydrated all the time. Skin is soft supple and dry lines around the eye area a thing of the past.

I would highly recommend this cream for dry and hydrated cream and use this on evenings or winters as it may be too rich for the Australian summer or day use.

Luxury rice bran face soap - 80g RRP A$16.90

This translucent rice bran soap is a favourite of mine and gives a smooth full lather for a creamy face wash experience. In fact, it’s the only soap product I’ve used to wash my face in many years! lathering the soap on wet hands and then using the foam to wash my face, this gives more of a cream cleansing wash than a soap. My face is soft, hydrated without any tight feeling with this coconut oil, sunflower oil, rice bran oil and palm oil and glycerine rich formula. Another

Rice bran aromatic body lotion - 110ml A$49.90

This is another favourite product I’ve tried from Okoii. It smells divine with sandalwood, ylang ylang, lavender and patchouli oil and the rice bran coconut, macadamia oil and aloe vera gel nourishes skin without any sticky or greasy feeling at all.

Scaly skin was no longer an issue after using this lotion for 3 days and love it as a hand cream to hydrate and protect my dry hands. 

Things of Note: 
As Okoii products contains only natural preservatives with no fragrance, animal fats, synthetic or chemical ingredients, they are best kept fresh as you would your vegetables, in the fridge. Even then, the products will oxidise over time. I did notice the colour of the products darkening over the month I've had the products for, particularly the face masques.

Rest assured though, as long as we keep within the best before period (3 -6 months from production date for the masques depending on product), the effectiveness of the product is not compromised.

If you are after ingredients listings, head over to their product pages where full listings are available and star ingredients are explained in more detailed. 

Final thoughts
I love the idea that the skincare is all natural and freshly made to order for me. I also love the principles of Okoii to source the best ingredients that are used for centuries to enhance the nurture and care for skin naturally. Now if I wasn’t a DIY fanatic, but want fresh natural derived ingredients in your skincare and body products, this would definitely be the path I’d be take and would recommend you trying their facial, body moisturiser  and facial soap to experience their products for yourself!

Be sure to check out their health and beauty tips too as beauty starts from within!

Do you make your own skincare and masques? Which are your favourite recipes? Would you outsource this job to Okoii?
Samples of products were provided to consideration.