The Spa Spies try organic products

With September being National Organic Month, we challenged the Spa Spies to test 100% organic products or (near as damn it) to find out if caring for the environment means compromising on quality – here’s what they unearthed.

Comfort Zone Sacred Nature Youth Serum
(30ml, £68)



Key ingredients: 99.6% organic ingredients including Kangaroo Paw Flower & Tamarind, a vegan alternative to hyaluronic acid.

First impressions:
The Sacred Nature Youth Serum comes in an attractive green and white box with white branding on the front, and the ingredients and instructions on the back. Open the lid to reveal a see-through glass bottle with silver lid. A few pumps of the top yields a dot of a creamy, silky liquid which has a subtle fresh scent.

What’s it like?
After cleansing, I smoothed the liquid all over our face and neck using just three dots. Some serums need to be worked in quickly to prevent them dripping down my face (nobody needs that first thing in the morning) but this product sinks in quickly with no residue left around the pump.  

Does it work?
Does it ever… my skin felt so soft after one application I wondered if I could ditch my moisturiser but - after several years as a Spa Spy - am well versed in the benefits of layering.

Verdict:
Granted this isn’t the cheapest serum around but a little goes a long way, and the bottle is small enough to use on the go.
 

Neom Organics Real Luxury Scented Candle
(420g, £48.00)

Key ingredients: Lavender, Brazilian rosewood and Jasmine.

First impressions: 
The Neom Real Luxury Scented Candle comes in a large stylish white box with black writing and a blush-blue floral contour synonymous with the ‘scent to de-stress’ range. The creamy, hand-poured candle is made of naturally-derived wax – so no nasties. It comes in a simple and chic glass jar which - due to its weight - could easily double-up as a weapon.   

What's it like? 
The scent envelops you before you even lift the lid, giving a total spa feel. Once lit, it’s initially quite subtle but gradually fills the room with a heady mix of jasmine, sweet florals and undertones of lavender.

Does it work? 
Made with a blend of 24 pure essential oils, it’s soothing and comforting; the house smelt lovely. The simple glass design looks chic on my fireplace, and the three wicks burn evenly for around 3-4 hours.

Verdict:
The indulgent scent gently nudges the shoulders to unravel; it’s like a big nurturing hug. The price tag really is worth it for the scent-alone; stick it on your Christmas list, fast. With 50 hours of burn time, I’ll be lighting mine up daily.
 

Made for Life Organics miniatures: Daily Radiance Facial Cleansing; Replenish & Protect Daily Facial Moisturising
(10ml, £12.60; £10.50)



Key ingredients: Facial Cleansing Balm: coconut oil, eucalyptus, jojoba oil; Daily Moisturising Balm: carrot and wheatgerm oil, ylang ylang, vitamins A & E.

First impressions
These travel goodies come in recyclable aluminium screw-top pots with Made for Life branding on the top. Unscrew each to reveal a golden balm; the daily moisturiser has a fresh scent; the facial cleanser smells just like Christmas.

What’s it like?
The cleansing balm glides on easily and sinks in quickly, removing make-up and cleaning deep down. The moisturising balm is thicker than the moisturiser I usually use but – after warming on my hands - is easy to apply and leaves no residue.

Does it work?
After washing the cleansing balm off with warm water, my skin felt immediately soft. The moisturising balm left my hands a little greasy on application but its a small price to pay for protected, well-nourished skin.

Verdict:
Being a light packer I’m a big fan of these miniatures; at 10mls a pop, they are well below the size limit for taking on the plane making skincare in the air a cinch.
 

Voya Mindful Dreams Relaxing Body Oil
(100ml, £37)

Key ingredients: Evening Primrose oil, Argan oil, lavender essential oil, rosemary oil, Himanthalia Elongata (seaweed).

First impressions:
Voya Mindful Dreams Relaxing Body Oil comes in a green box complete with wild seaweed image – a nod to Voya’s key ingredient which is hand-harvested off the Atlantic coast of Ireland. At 100mls, the recyclable glass bottle inside is a decent size. The product’s story weaves up the bottle like seaweed dancing on the ocean bed.

What’s it like?
I added a few pumps of the clear liquid gold to a hot bath and soaked away. Afterwards, I smoothed it on to my body using long strokes (you don’t need a lot); it glides on easily and absorbs well – leaving the skin glistening. The scent is distinctly lavender and rosemary - two of my faves.

Does it work?
This oil makes a lovely bedtime ritual – soothing my mind for a good night’s sleep whilst hydrating my skin.

Verdict: 
Any product that deeply nourishes my skin whilst calming my mind and nervous system is a winner. Not only is the oil 99.96% organic and cruelty-free, it’s also suitable for vegans, pregnant women and those undergoing treatment for cancer.
 

The Organic Pharmacy Eco Refillable Carrot Butter Cleanser
(50ml £43.00; refill pod: 50ml, £36)
 

Key ingredients: Beta Carotene, calendula, rosemary, lavender.

First impressions: 
The cleanser comes in a white eco-friendly cardboard box with a clinical light blue Organic Pharmacy logo on the front and a pale pink colour block indicating the collection the cleanser belongs to.

What's it like? 
The balm itself comes in a clear thick glass jar with a chrome lid.  A spatula is included to avoid sticking fingers into the product (very thoughtful). The 100% natural and organic balm is sunshine yellow with a subtle herby fragrance of lavender and rosemary. 

Does it work? 
The product melted in my fingertips and glided on smoothly; a hot damp muslin cloth is a must to remove the cleanser without leaving any residue. My make up dissolved quickly (including waterproof mascara); my skin instantly looked brighter whilst feeling silky soft.

Verdict:
This cleanser is for all skin types, including sensitive skin. After using it in the evenings for two weeks, my problematic skin was noticeably clearer with a more even skin tone. We love the refill system which not only saves money but is better for the environment. It’s organic, too.


Sothys Organics Revitalizing Emulsion
(50ml, £36)

Key ingredients: birch sap, hawthorn floral water, alfalfa extract.

First impressions:
The product comes in a stylish white box with a sage label at the top on which the logo and product name sit. Open the box and take out the white tube which has the same sage panel and branding, and a screw-off white cap made from 100% recycled plastic. 

What's it like?
The white cream is thick enough to not to spray out but not too thick to clog your pores; the scent more herbal botanicals than flowers. A mere dot covered my face and neck sufficiently leaving a little grease on my fingers which I washed off with warm water.

Does it work?
Being organic, vegan and perfect for sensitive skin, it certainly hits the brief. We loved the key ingredient of alfalfa extract, a herb grown in France which contains natural retinol-like properties without leaving your skin senstitive to the sun.

Verdict:
Only time will tell if this little tube delivers what's promised on the website (reduced signs of fatigue, visibly smoother skin, freshness and radiance) but so far, so good. My skin felt soft to touch after just one application, it's small enough to carry in my handbag and is sustainably produced. Add the organic, vegan properties and it gets my vote.