Why you should not use Petroleum Jelly

Winter is coming and I know many of you reach for Petroleum Jelly to moisturise dry skin especially chapped lips.  I urge you to stop applying petroleum based balms and throw them in the bin.  Let me educate you in why I think everyone should ban petroleum from their skin care routine.  For clarification petroleum may also be referred to as mineral oil, liquidum paraffinum, paraffin oil, paraffin wax and petrolatum.

Petroleum is a by-product of the oil industry and used in the beauty industry because it is a cheap ingredient.  You will find mineral oil in lipsticks, baby lotions, oils and lubricants.  It is often promoted as a healing moisturiser but this could not be further from the truth.  Initially your skin will feel silky smooth but your skin does not absorb petroleum so the results are superficial. Petroleum creates a barrier and this is bad news if you are applying to a wound.  Initially petroleum jelly may help keep out infection by creating a barrier on the skin but it can also have the opposite effect and trap in the germs.  It is known to clog pores and block the skin’s ability to moisturise itself.  Repeated use may set off skin conditions such as acne and dermatitis and for this reason I never use it on my eczema.

When buying an alternative to petroleum jelly choose products with ingredients such as olive oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil, grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil, rose hip seed oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba, coconut oil, cocoa butter or shea butter.  

My favourite balms are Papaya/PawPaw Salve and Natural U. I have recently switched PawPaw brand to Pure Papaya as Simmons is no longer manufactured. A word of warning avoid Lucas PawPaw Ointment as it contains petroleum. If you want a good lip balm try Gwdihw Smoochy Lips or Cornish Creams. I have linked my reviews of these products. I also recommend Figs & Rouge and Balm Balm which are readily available in Boots.

Remember your skin is the largest organ of the body it deserves some TLC. So do it a favour and ditch the petroleum for a natural healing balm.  Promote self healing and let your skin breathe. 

12/09/12 Update - I discovered a while back cutecosmetics.co.uk they sell Vegan & natural lip balms from a variety of brands in an assortment of flavours


oil rig picture copyright www.123rf.com

Grab a cuppa and lets have a chat

Hi Sugarpuffettes this is just a random general chit chat post.  I wanted to say hello to my newest followers.  It is exciting for me to know that I have managed to attract 152 people to come read my little blog.  Don't be shy do leave comments.

I am loving Twitter at the moment.  Thanks to a retweet I discovered a local Christmas Craft Fair and Farmers Market so have spent the day mooching around.  I picked up a few gifts but I can not share them with you because friends and family read my blog and I don't want to give away the Christmas Day surprises.  Instead I am sharing with you my other purchases.


At the craft fair one stall stood out to me and that was Dilly Daydream, a beautiful collection of shower caps, the perfect gift idea.  Click here to check out the website.

My BF and I picked up these Chelsea Buns at the Farmers Market.  They are as big as my head OK perhaps not but they are almost as large as a side plate. Yummy!

I discovered Miss Polly via Twitter and today I received a soap I had ordered (along with a little freebie).  Miss Polly soaps are free from parabens and SLS. Let me tell you these two little soaps smell divine.  I can not decide whether to keep them for myself or give them away as Christmas Stocking Fillers.

I found these Organ Deli Crackers (Multigrain with Poppyseed) in Sainsburys. They are Gluten & Wheat free, Dairy Free, Egg free and Animal Derivative free. I would describe them as mini crispbread perfect for dipping.

I am obsessed with rice crackers and was happy to find (in Waitrose) the above San-J Teriyaki Sesame Brown Rice crackers.  Gluten free and no dairy or egg.

The final treat of the day is my favourite dark chocolate covered marzipan bar. Dairy free, Gluten free and suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans. Delicious!

As you all know Monday is Halloween.  Check out the following link for some amazing carved pumpkins www.thedailybeast.com

I hope everyone is having a great weekend?  Don't be shy and leave a comment below, tell me what you bought this weekend or any great food you enjoyed. 

halloween picture from  http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Blogger - My Perfume Diaries

Today my Spotlight Blogger is Su from My Perfume Diaries.  I am not great at describing fragrance but Su is an expert.  She has a wonderful writing style  that makes you want to dash out to the nearest department store to sample perfumes.  Sometimes I virtually smell the fragrance whilst reading, I know its odd but that is how good she is with her descriptions.  Do check out her blog it makes a pleasant change and stands out from the rest of the crowd.

1. Why did you decide to start your blog?  

I had so much to say about perfumes and no one to talk to in real life. I thought that my head would explode if I didn't blog! 

2. Did you follow any blogs before creating yours? 

Not many, just one or two. I was completely new to the blogging world when I began.

3. Favourite time of the day to write posts? 

I draft a lot of my posts during the day and add final words, finishing touches at night.  

4. What do you think is the best thing about blogging? 

The best thing has to be the fantastic blogging community! Everyone is supportive, friendly and so helpful! Just so glad to be a part of it!  

5. What inspires you when it comes to your blog? 

The obvious answer is smell but I'd also like to add that my readers, comments, the traffic I get, definitely inspire me to write more because it feels good to be acknowledged.  

6. Where are your favourite places to shop? 

I shop mostly online. Etsy, eBay, Starwberrynet, to name a few!  

7. Has blogging changed the way you make purchasing decisions? 

When I started blogging, I got a little carried away and bought a lot of things just to write about them. Though it did not make me poor, it was a little out of my budget. Somewhere along the way, I decided that I would never buy anything just to review. I still stick by that rule. I think this change to my purchasing habits is positive, both for the pocket and for the blog. It takes off the pressure makes reading and writing more pleasurable, not just about spending money! 

8. What is your all time favourite brand? (cosmetic, clothing or anything else) 

Perfumes: Guerlain and Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab 

9. What is your favourite time of year and why? 

I love summer! I grew up in the tropics and summertime reminds me of the carefree time I had as a child in summer holidays :) 


10. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

I wish everyone in the world has access to healthcare, education and human rights. If it is just one thing, it would be universal healthcare. 

Peachykeen Organics

I came across Peachykeen Organics a company with a small range of handmade, natural and organic skin care products.  Peachykeen’s motto is “keep it simple” so the range is made without synthetic nasties such as parabens, artificial fragrance or colours, petrochemicals, phthalates and PEG's.  

I approached Peachykeen and they kindly agreed to let me review a product.  I chose the Rosehip Face Oil because a) I have never incorporated oil into my skin care routine and b) Rosehip oil has been the talk of beauty magazines.

Peachykeen say A 'super-oil' for your face - think of it as food for your skin. Rosehip is renowned as a treatment for sun-damaged skin, fine lines and scars. Our rosehip is cold-pressed and organic so as pure as you can buy. Apply after cleansing last thing at night and let it work while you sleep. Sounds fantastic doesn't it? So can Rosehip Oil perform miracles? It certainly is an all rounder as well as the above it can help with eczema, psoriasis and acne.  

So where do I start with this review?  As you can see from my picture the oil comes in a glass bottle with a pipette.  This is the perfect design for a product like this because it allows you to be precise and limits spillages. 

I think I expected Rosehip to have a floral scent but instead the oil is neutral and I do not object to this.  At first I was concerned about using facial oil which makes no sense as I have extremely dry skin.  I thought oil would be too heavy and leave me with a greasy face.  However, I was very wrong this is dry oil and magically disappears.  I have been applying 2-3 drops of oil in the evenings after cleansing for the past four weeks.  I even experimented one evening and applied a few more drops and it had no ill effects.  My skin still managed to absorb the product overnight.

In the morning my skin feels hydrated and soft with no trace of oil.  I think I can see a difference in my skin tone especially on my chin where I have some old scarring (from eczema not an injury scar).  I can see that this product will be of huge benefit to me in the winter months when my skin is at its driest.  I always struggle to maintain moisture levels across the day so this could be the answer I have been searching for.

Overall, I am glad to have discovered Peachykeen Organics and I would like to try other products in their skin care range.  If you have any skin problems at the moment I would recommend you give this oil a try, with time you may see an improvement.  Peachykeen's Rosehip Oil is a very reasonable £11 for 30ml and is available in two varieties Rosehip (reviewed here) and Rosehip & Geranium for combination skin.

Disclaimer – I was sent these products free of charge, all opinions are my own and I am not being paid to do this review or to promote the website/product.

Double Guest Post on Science is so Sexy

When Esmeralda asked me to Guest Post on her Science is so Sexy blog I was stuck for what to write, science is not one of my strongest subjects.  Lucky for me Esmeralda understood and we decided to collaborate.  I have written about living with Eczema and she has worked in the Science facts.  I think its an interesting piece so Click Here to read it.

Newly Discovered Allergy Friendly & Free From Products

Today I thought I would once again share with you my free from finds from the past week.

I discovered via Twitter that Evolve Organic Beauty has had a make over and are now offering samples.  This is a range I have seen on other websites but never taken the plunge to buy.  When money is tight and you have allergies sometimes you are reluctant to try new things.  Samples are free but you do have to pay postage which is 60p.  Evolve is a natural brand, vegan & vegetarian friendly and free from the nasties such as parabens, sulphates, silicones, synthetic fragrance & colours.

Kallo Organic Dark Chocolate Rice Cake Thins - Suitable for Vegetarians, Gluten Free.  Not advertised as dairy free but I eat them as they do not contain milk.  Kallo do state may contain traces of milk due to manufacturing processes.

Bear Yo Yo (Blueberry) - Ok so these are aimed at Kids but I enjoyed this sweet treat of 100% fruit.  The collectable Bear nature fact card that is inside the pack cheered up my lunchtime!

Tiger Tiger Microwave Rice Noodles - quick lunchtime ready meal snacks when you have allergies are impossible to find.  I regularly have the Easy Snax Rice but spotted these noodles.  Gluten free, Dairy free, suitable for Vegetarians, no artifical colours, flavours or preservatives.  Other flavours are available but check labels as allergens vary.


All the food products featured here were purchased in Sainsbury's.  I can recommend everything was very tasty.

Spotlight Blogger - Earth Friendly Beauty

Today my Spotlight Blogger is MissTeaAddict from Earth Friendly Beauty.  I love this blog because it's my Aussie cousin, by that I mean MissTeaAddict focuses on natural beauty (same as moi!) but she is on the opposite side of the world.  From my point of view, it is interesting to see beauty brands from other countries and I love Australia.

1. Why did you decide to start your blog?

I decided to start Earth Friendly Beauty after realising just how hard it was to find good quality, natural alternatives to my beauty staples. There were products that I was interested in but I couldn’t find reviews online so I started this to help others sort out what's worth switching to and what isn’t worth your money.

2. Did you follow any blogs before creating yours?

Absolutely! I would bookmark blogs and check them every few days. Now that I have a blog, my updates feed is huge though! Blogs which really inspired me to start blogging include Girly Green Girl, Accidental Greenie and A Plastic Free Year.

3. Favourite time of the day to write posts?

I have a terrible habit of blogging when I should be trying to sleep. I'm a night owl by nature and my brain just seems to work better at night. Besides, i'd rather enjoy the sunshine on a beautiful sunny day.

4. What do you think is the best thing about blogging?

Being able to share my knowledge with others. I'm certainly not the most knowledgeable when it comes to natural and organic products but I can't help but share anything valuable that i've learned so far. If my blog convinces someone to start making healthier choices and switch to natural or organic beauty products then that makes it all worth it.

5. What inspires you when it comes to your blog?

I'm always finding out about new, exciting products and I love to share great finds with others. I'm a beauty junkie, my cupboards are overflowing and I hope that my blog helps people realise that they don’t need to resort to chemical filled products to enhance their natural beauty. Hearing about natural alternatives when previously there wasn't one definitely inspires me to spread the word in hopes that people will make the switch.

6. Where are your favourite places to shop?

In Australia, we're incredibly lucky that one of the biggest pharmacies/stockists of beauty products, Priceline, has a large selection of natural products. Priceline not only has a large range of natural products but they have an easy way to identify which ones are green and which ones are just greenwashing. When I go in store I look for their green leafy "naturally gorgeous" logo so that I can easily spot new, natural or organic brands. This is actually how I started my journey into natural beauty. Other than Priceline, I shop online and at my local discount health food store.

But aside from beauty products, I really love my fashion, homewares and jewellery. My favourite store to buy these things from would have to be Tree of Life. It’s really refreshing to find a business which is so wonderful towards all of their customers and gives back. Every Tree of Life store in Australia sponsors children in India and the stores get regular updates on their progress. It makes me feel really good about shopping there.

7. Has blogging changed the way you make purchasing decisions?

I think it gives me an excuse to buy more, haha! It also stops me from buying cheap, chemical laden products even if they do catch my eye. I think that my blog holds me accountable since I like to post up pictures of my natural beauty hauls, people would probably tell me off if they saw a chemical product in the corner. I’ve become more interested in finding out about companies’ ethics and values, such as making sure that they’re against animal testing. I also pay more attention to exactly what goes into a product and why it’s in there.

8. What is your all time favourite brand? (cosmetic, clothing or anything else)

My favourite brand would have to be Gaia. They were the first natural brand that I tried and the first face products that really worked for me. Not only are they natural and work really well, but they're very affordable. Their range is small at the moment but it's very simple, you don't need 20 different products to look and feel good. Plus they’re always creating new products based on customer feedback.

9. What is your favourite time of year and why?

I've always loved Autumn because I associate it with my birthday. The warmer weather just doesn't agree with me. I always worry about not looking so nice, getting sunburned and feeling sweaty and yuck throughout Summer but Autumn is perfect, not too hot and not too cold. I feel much more carefree when it’s Autumn.

10. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

I'd love for the world to be less wasteful. There is so much unnecessary packaging on everything, especially on food. So much packaging can't be reused or recycled. It's not just food packaging either, it's electronics, clothing, everything. I think that if we were less wasteful and more mindful of the environment we wouldn't have all of the environmental problems that we currently do. Wherever I go, I always have about 10 reusable shopping bags with me so I don’t need to use any plastic bags, it's a small step but if we all make a small change it can make a big difference.

Bad Hair Day? Have you tried Organic Surge?

Organic Surge is a brand of body and skin care products that is free from SLS and parabens.  I recently bought Organic Surge Moisture Boost Conditioner for dry or frizzy hair.  I am less inclined to experiment with new shampoos as it took me several years to find a shampoo that does not irritate my eczema and scalp.  It is easier to experiment with conditioner because I do not apply to the roots therefore less chance of allergic reactions.

According to the packaging this conditioner contains grape seed oil and wheat protein to smooth and detangle, seaweed extract to smooth and boost moisture retention.  It has a beautiful delicate fragrance which I am guessing is from the almond and palmarosa essential oils.  It is the right level of scent enough to delight your senses whilst you use it but does not linger or overpower so it will not clash with any other fragrance you might be wearing.

I would describe this as a light/medium thick texture which is perfect for me.  I have dry hair but it is thin so I need a moisture boost but without heaviness otherwise I end up with greasy hair.  It washes out easily which is another bonus.

In the past I have found hair care which is free from SLS and parabens does not performed to the standard I look for, however, I have been very impressed by the results from this conditioner.  My hair feels lovely and soft without being weighed down.  Even my BF made a comment on how nice my hair felt; now my BF is a man of few words when it comes to beauty so I was pretty impressed by that.  Blow drying tends to make my hair fluffy and bouffant but I have noticed an improvement since using this product.  

Overall, this is a great product and budget friendly (£4.99 for 250ml or I found it for £2.99 at TK Maxx).  I would happily give up my usual salon brand conditioner for this.  Check out the complete Organic Surge Hair Care range at organicsurge.com

Ingredients - Aqua (Water)*, Glycerin (Veg)*, Cetrimonium Chloride*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Vitis Vinifera*, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride*, Aqua*/Chondrus Crispus, Phenoxyethanol/Benzyl Alcohol/Potassium Sorbate, Parfum*, Citric Acid*, Tocopherol*, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein*,Geraniol, Limonene. *naturally-derived ingredient. Naturally occurring within essential oils.

Eco Friendly Pumpkin Pie

If you follow me on Twitter you may have notice I wanted to buy a Pumpkin Spice candle but could not find one anywhere.  I got the impression it was a popular fragrance in America as oppose to the UK.  After a couple of searches online I came across Annie's Candles and Melts and placed an order for a Pumpkin Spice 4oz tin candle.  

Annie's candles are handmade from 100% Soy and Rapeseed waxes.  The benefits of soy wax - non toxic, soybeans are a renewable source unlike paraffin and it is naturally biodegradable.  I did research and some people will dispute the eco benefits of soy wax in comparison to paraffin so I think it's personal preference.

I am not someone who regularly burns candles for relaxation instead I like to use them in my kitchen to help eliminate cooking smells, especially when my BF cooks sausages.

When I purchased the candle I was not thinking about a future blog post but I have been so impressed I thought it was worth giving this site a mention, especially if you are looking for Christmas presents.  I must admit I was not expecting much from a candle but I love the attention to detail.  My candle was beautifully packaged.  I love the sparkle and decorations on the candle.  

There were also some extras thrown into the parcel which was a pleasant surprise - 5 melts.  I had not noticed when ordering that free samples are included with every order.  

Above - O Holy Night, Black Raspberry & Vanilla, Red Velvet Cake

Below - Frosted Pinecones, Peppermint Patty

The fragrances are heavy but delicious and I look forward to burning everything.  Check out the website there are plenty of gorgeous candles, melts and bath products on offer. Prices are reasonable and the candle cost £3.95

My Two Pennies Worth

I have carefully deliberated whether I should write this post but I feel very strongly about what I am about to say.  At the moment there is a blog post being regularly retweeted popping up in my Twitter timeline.  I don’t follow the blogger but her article seems to have some popularity.  I am referring to British Beauty Blogger (BBB).

BBB’s article titled "Organic or just has advertising budget" is my bone of contention.  I must clearly state that what I am about to say are my own opinions, I don’t follow this Blogger but I feel there are some matters that need addressing.  This is not an attack on BBB, simply another side to the debate.  I suggest you read the article for yourself and the comments below the post because several inaccuracies have been addressed so I won’t go over those again.

My view is that the BBB clearly has a passion for her topic but has gone in head strong, resulting in an article which is misleading.  Her main gripe seems to be with Google and the advertising of large brands.  In her tweets to me, BBB demonstrated that she thinks people do not understand how Google works. I disagree.  I think her post would have been better written from a different angle.  Rather than criticising marketing strategies, here’s a thought: why not educate people in the ways of Google?  Teach people that they need to be savvy when using the internet, that they should not take things at face value and to take time researching the product they are interested in, for example, by checking for appropriate organic certification. 

To clear things up Search Engines function on key words, the same principle as tags in blog posts.  In order to market your brand you associate yourself with key words to give yourself more exposure in a search.  BBB claims Liz Earle (LE) appears in ads when you google the word organic but they are not an organic brand.  However, LE is probably thinking that people who are searching for Organic items may also have an interest in their product at no point does it claim to be organic.  It upsets BBB that LE is paying for an ad under a term which they do not qualify for.  I have no problem with this.  I understand that these ads are highly converted and might not be what I am looking for.  Smaller brands that do not have the same marketing budgets have other ways of advertising, they are not disadvantaged.  At the end of the day Google and Liz Earle are businesses you cannot fault them for selling/buying advertising space.

Spotlight Blogger - Sugar & Silk

This week's Spotlight Blogger is Isabella from Sugar and Silk.  This is one of my favourite blogs to follow as it is girlie and chic.  Isabella blogs about a variety of topics from fashion and beauty to anything else in between.

1. Why did you decide to start your blog?

I had been watching You Tube videos for a while and I was absolutely addicted to the beauty community (I still am). I wasn't so sure about putting myself out on You Tube, but then I discovered the Blogging Community. I thought doing something like that would be such a fantastic thing to be part of, and there was so much I wanted to talk about and share with regards to beauty and fashion, that I realised that creating a blog was ideal. I also wanted to improve my writing, so blogging has really made a difference to that as well!

2. Did you follow any blogs before creating yours?

I didn't start following any blogs until I had started creating an account, but everyday I would check the blogs FleurdeForce, DollyBowBow and Zoella! They were all fantastically written with very in depth reviews and very impressive photos!

3. Favourite time of the day to write posts?

To be honest, I'd happily write blog posts all day! But if I had to pick a time, it would be early morning whilst munching on breakfast, or at night watching TV and sipping on some hot chocolate!

4. What do you think is the best thing about blogging?

The best thing about blogging in my opinion, is it alerting you on new products, inspiration for fashion, fun ideas try out, informative reviews, reading about the lives of other people and finding a place that you can share your passion amongst others.

5. What inspires you when it comes to your blog?

I really don't know as it can be absolutely anything! But one website that always gets my creative juices flowing is www.polyvore.com which is a website where you have the ability to make collages. The website provides you with millions of images of the most beautiful fashion, to beauty and random images to add a more creative spin to the sets you make! Something on that website will always inspire me!

6. Where are your favourite places to shop?

Primark, H&M, New Look and I love the jewellery from Topshop!

7. Has blogging changed the way you make purchasing decisions?

Definitely! Bloggers have always steered me in the direction of the best products on the market and they always provide such informative reviews that I know I can trust!

8. What is your all time favourite brand? (cosmetic, clothing or anything else)

Ooh, that's a tough one! Well it would probably have to be either Chanel, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, D&G, but of course they are completely out of my price range. Nevertheless, they really create the most beautiful, jaw-dropping fashion.

9. What is your favourite time of year and why?

Winter! I absolutely love to wear cosy jumpers, woolly hats, gloves, boots, seeing snow gracefully drifting in the air, hot drinks, Christmas trees and decorations, watching films, Christmas shopping-just everything! 

10. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

I hate to say it, but there are so many things I'd most like to change in the world. But there are some things that make me especially angry. First of all, homophobia. It disgusts me that homosexual people are still bullied, treated as different, can't be accepted in society and how people use it used as an insult which is completely awful. Secondly, smoking. I cannot think of a single reason why smoking is a benefit to people. It infuriates me that people would damage their bodies and cause harm to the people around them. And to be honest, there is nothing more unattractive than rotten teeth, straw like hair, and bad breath. Smoking is absolutely ridiculous and because of it, so much of our money must be used by the NHS because of the decision people make to smoke and destroy their health. 

Well on that sombre note, I hope you enjoyed reading my responses and again thank you so much for featuring me on your blog!