certified organic

10 May 2018

Organic Beauty Certified Brands COSMOS soil association
If you frequent social media you may already be aware that it’s Organic Beauty & Wellbeing Week and the Soil Association is running the campaign #WHATIMMADEOF. Sadly the natural beauty market is full of greenwashing so they want to “clear the confusion and debunk the myths that surround organic”

Back in 2013 I wrote an article about Organic Certification but that information is a little outdated now. When buying organic skincare in the UK the Soil Association is a recognisable logo on packaging. The certification is rigorous and reviews manufacturing processes, sourcing ingredients, formulation procedures, premises and packaging. When I wrote my previous article there were a number of different organisations across Europe offering organic certifications but the standards varied between them. The Soil Association teamed up with BDIH in Germany, Cosmebio and Ecocert in France and ICEA in Italy to develop a harmonised standard known as COSMOS. Since January 2017, The Soil Association and the founding partners certify to international COSMOS standards
COSMOS has two levels of certifications. 

1. The COSMOS natural certification addresses whether a natural product contains ingredients that fit with the natural ethos. Some ingredients can’t be organic (e.g water, salt, clay) so products like toners, scrubs and masks would never be able to achieve an organic status. The COSMOS natural certification gives consumer a level of reassurance which could also protect against the wider problem of greenwashing. 

2. The COSMOS organic certification requires formulations contain organically farmed ingredients that are grown without being genetically modified and no herbicides or synthetic fertilisers.

When buying products with the Soil Association COSMOS logo you are guaranteed they are free from animal testing, GM ingredients, controversial chemicals, Parabens and Phthalates, Synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances.

As you know I’m a huge advocate of reading labels and understanding more about the products we put on our skin. My routine isn’t entirely organic but I’m focused on natural skincare. I avoid certain ingredients which could trigger allergies and that I believe are unnecessary for our skin and the environment. If you don’t buy into the idea that cosmetic ingredients are toxic on our bodies then I would ask you to consider environmental factors. Our planet is choking on plastic and this is an area of focus for natural brands, you’ll often find eco-friendly packaging.

So what organic brands can I recommend? Well my top favourite is Odylique and if you’re a regular reader that won’t be a surprise to you, I bang on about their Gentle Herb Shampoo and Superfruit Concentrate at every opportunity. You can also check out Ihana Skincare, Balm Balm, Saaf Skincare, Herbfarmacy, Lulu & Boo, MuLondon, Nourish, Alucia Organics, Inlight Beauty, Skin & Tonic, Terre Verdi, Pai Skincare, Botanicals, Made for Life and I’m sure there are many more to chose from.

Sarah x

19 September 2016

Organic Beauty Week: Look for the Logo  Soil Association
The Organic Beauty Week Campaign for 2016 is #lookforthelogo. A long time ago I wrote a piece titled "How to make sure you are buying truly organic skincare". It could do with updating but the general principals remain the same, in order to guarantee a beauty product is truly organic you need to look for a certification logo such as the Soil Association.

I thought I would share with you some of the organic brands which I enjoy using and talk you through my favourite products.

Odylique - if you are regular reader you will know that I rave non-stop about Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo, honestly it changed my life the day I discovered it. No more itchy scalp for me, I can't be without it and purchase the 500ml bottle in bulk. I also love the Creamy Coconut Cleanser, my struggles with linalool have been well documented and this cleanser is a repeat purchase for me. I also think Superfruit Concentrate is one of the best facial serums your money can buy and if you struggle with eczema then I recommend the Repair Lotion.

Skin & Tonic - the Naked Beauty Oil is up there with Odylique when it comes to unscented facial oils. It's a beautiful product which I highly recommend. I haven't tried much else from the range because of my allergies but I know many of my blogger friends rave about their products so I'm confident there is something for everyone.

Terre Verdi - I've had the pleasure of knowing this brand through the Free From Skincare Awards and more recently they attended our Gorgeously Green Event. The brand has come a long way since my review last year. Elegant and stylish bottle full of gorgeous ingredients what more do you need.

Herbfarmacy - you'll often hear people mention their balms, Mallow Beauty Balm appears to be a cult favourite amongst bloggers and I have enjoyed using it over the years. I recently took on my holidays the Marshmallow & Vanilla Lip Conditioner and I know some many think "what's so special about a lip balm" but seriously it's a wonderful buttery blend of ingredients.

Botanicals -  an award winning vegan brand that I've had the pleasure of knowing for quite some time. I highly recommend the Rose & Camellia Nourish Cleanse Melt is you love using cleansing balms. I also enjoy using their Raw & Pure range of Cold Pressed Oils perfect for those who like to keep things simple or have fragrance allergies. 

Balm Balm - simple packaging and ingredients makes this brand awesome. I've been a fan for years and often recommend Super Light Coconut Cleanser if you have sensitive skin. Also an affordable range for organic certified products.

Lulu & Boo Organics - dig around in the archives and you'll find a review for the Chamomile Cleansing Balm and Shea Butter & Jojoba Hair Treatment. I've know this brand for a long time and I recommend them.

Do you have a favourite certified organic brand or product? 

Sarah x 

15 September 2015

Organic Beauty Week Sugarpuffish's Top Organic Brands Review Organic September

As it is Organic Beauty week, I thought I would mention a few of my favourite brands which are certified by The Soil Association. 

Let me start with the wonderful Odylique. Long time readers will know that the Gentle Herb shampoo is my Holy Grail closely followed by Superfruit Concentrate. Another great is Pai skincare, formulated for sensitive skins and the Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream is a staple in my collection.

I recently discovered the Herbfarmacy Mallow Beauty Balm which is turning out to be a great multi-tasking product. It’s suitable for problem dry patches and I just know will be great for sore noses comes cold season. Talking of balms, you all know I have an addiction to balm cleansers. Several of my favourites are certified organic - Lulu & BooSuti, Botanicals, Circaroma, Saaf and Inlight.

Spiezia are the “grandparents” of certified skincare, they refer to themselves as pioneers as back in 1999 they helped determine standards with the Soil Association. I’ve had the pleasure of sampling their facial cleanser and rose & vanilla face oil.

Organic skincare doesn’t have to blow your budget, there are many affordable brands but a firm favourite with me would be Balm Balm. I’ve bought many of their products over the years for myself and for friends. I like the simple packaging but faultless products with good ingredients and formulations.

Have you tried products from these companies? Do you have a favourite Soil Association certified organic brand which I haven’t mentioned?

Sarah x

1 September 2015

Soil Association Organic September Organic Beauty Week #campaignforclarity
I feel quite strongly about brands who possibly mislead customers by marketing themselves natural and organic when they contain few of these ingredients. I personally refer to this as Greenwashing but others many feel differently. Back in 2013, I wrote an article giving guidance for buying organic beauty products. It's a little rough around the edges but the general message is you have to be label savvy if buying Organic is important to you. I know accredited organic certification isn't for every company because of the expense but as a consumer I do feel it is the only way to ensure the skincare products are truly organic. Standards such as COSMOS provide requirements for ingredients and manufacturing.

This leads me on to this years Organic September and the Soil Association's Campaign for Clarity. The campaign is a way to show the industry that greenwashing isn't acceptable.

"At Soil Association, we believe in educating and empowering consumers to shop for organic products so they know and understand exactly what they’re buying so we are launching our Campaign for Clarity, calling on brands to be honest and open in their claims and organic content and inviting consumers to join the campaign and fight for a better understanding of organic beauty and what it all actually means."

You can show your support for Campaign for Clarity by joining Thunderclap to share the message 

Sarah x

27 August 2014

Balance Me Intensive Wrinkle Repair Cream & Essential Care Organic Avocado Replenishing Cream
Mini reviews for you today as I have been using up some samples which were passed on to me from Ria of Naturia Beauty.

I confess that Balance Me products never seem to hit the spot for me but I was still curious to try the Intensive Wrinkle Repair Cream (10ml). This cream is described as “a super rich cream for drier and +35 skins to firm and lift whilst visibly improving the signs of aging.” I am over 35 so the target market for this cream although I am not overly concerned about ageing and wrinkles. I did find this cream rich in texture which suited my dry skin and I did not find it greasy. Balance Me do have a good free from ingredient policy and this product has a lengthy list of natural extracts and essential oils. For me, it is too heavy on these ingredients and I would not purchase a full size because the fragrance was not to my personal taste. You have to remember a lot of my facial creams are unscented (in order to avoid the allergens in essential oils) so it can be a shock to the system to apply something with a distinctive scent. 

You all know one of my favourite brands is Essential Care (now known as Odylique) so I was keen to try the Organic Avocado Replenishing Cream (15ml). It is also aimed at dry and mature skin. In comparison to Balance Me, the Essential Care cream is thinner in consistency. I certainly enjoyed using it and felt that my skin responded well to the ingredients. I am sceptical whether it would be suitable for me during the winter months. I know avocado is a super ingredient but I cannot shake the reassurance I get with a thick textured cream. It’s a mind over matter issue. The fragrance blend is lavender and frankincense but sadly it is not my cup of tea. Of course, Essential Care does have an excellent free from policy, products are certified organic with the Soil Association and this cream is suitable for Vegans.

Even though I would not purchase full sizes, I do feel that both creams are worth recommending based on ingredient formulations. I can not deny these are good moisturisers but sadly they simply do not suit my taste when it comes to scent.

Sarah x

2 May 2014

Review Badger Balm Arnica Blend Joint Rub
Muscle rubs are not the most exciting of skincare products but it is something I have been using for a number of years. I have desperately been trying to replace my ibuprofen gel with a natural alternative. In a recent Haul Video, I mention Badger and Gwdihw products and explained that several years ago I had sustained an injury from a road traffic accident. The problem with ibrupofen gels is they contain alcohol and petroleum and they aggravate my eczema, hence the desire for a natural alternative.

I have been doing some research and there are a number of products on the market. One thing I was warned about is the essential oil ingredients in muscle rubs can be strong and they may not suit my skin type given my problems with irritation. I decided I had to take the risk as I needed to find a solution to my ongoing pain. The first product I purchased was Gwdihw Magic Muscle Rub. I went for this because I had previously used their lip balm and the price is a reasonable £4.49 for 25g. I will mention that the product label is terrible, no INCI (only English), no best before date and no batch number. Packaging is adequate but the lid does not close properly and keeps falling off. Putting that aside, in terms of effectiveness, this muscle rub did nothing for me.

I decided to look at Badger Balm products and I ended up buying Badger Arnica Blend Joint Rub. I went for this one rather than their Cayenne & Ginger Muscle Rub because I have used Arnica gel before and was pleased with the results. The Joint Rub is not the softest of balms and we have been using a spatula to remove from tin. I say “we” because my Boyfriend has the task of rubbing this onto my shoulders as I can't reach. It does melt on contact with warm skin so you can massage with it. I like the fragrance; it’s a soft gingery scent with a hint of sweetness. The important part for me is Joint Rub works. I use the balm at night time and by the morning I feel a lot better and it has relieved pain. Herbal/Aromatherapy treatments like this one are of course an individual experience but in my eyes this is a little miracle worker and I highly recommend it.

I would say that Badger Balm has a large following in the Green Community, it’s up there with Dr Bronner’s and you rarely read a negative review. Ingredients are 100% natural, USDA organic certified and cruelty free. I bought my balm from feelunique.com and it cost £3.99 for a 21g tin. 

Are any of my readers Badger Balm fans? Do you have a favourite product? Do you use one of the muscle rubs?

Sarah x

12 February 2014


Review: Odylique Essential CareBaby Gentle Wash & Shampoo

For the most part, I understand my skin and body and the way it reacts to foods or ingredients it dislikes. I have gone through stages in my life where things are under control and then there are times when I can not figure out what is going wrong. It can be very hard to pin point what has caused a reaction. I have this recurrent stubborn eczema patch on my chest, it comes and goes more times than I have had hot dinners. Mum says it's stress and I think it's allergy related. When my skin does flare up, I have to strip back my diet and skincare routine to the basics in an effort to calm my skin and stop the itch. This is a long winded way of explaining how I ended up buying Odylique Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo. For the past year, I had been switching between Deep Steep Lavender Chamomile body wash and Bodhi Mint Thé Shower Therapy. I suspect the high essential oil content becomes an issue when my skin is having a tantrum. 

You all know I speak highly of Essential Care and I enjoy using a number of products from their range. Generally speaking, products formulated for babies tend to have lower levels of essential oils so that also makes an ideal solution for adults with sensitive skin. The Essential Care baby wash contains olive oil, aloe vera, chamomile, calendula and lavender, perfect ingredients for soothing the skin. I really do feel as if this product, along with other changes I've made, has been making showering less painful. I am not experiencing redness or itching immediately following washing. I am certainly not going to make any outlandish claims but I think if you (or your children) struggle with sensitive skin conditions, the Essential Care Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo is worth considering. It produces a nice creamy lather with plenty of bubbles and has a mild scent of aloe and lavender.

Essential Care have a range of Mum & Baby and a couple of gift sets. This body wash is pH 5.5 balanced, suitable for babies over 3 monthsVegan, Organic and 100% natural (free from SLS/SLES). Essential Care have a range of Mum & Baby and a couple of gift sets. 

When you have skin flare ups or sensitivity do you consider using products formulated for babies? 

Sarah x

8 October 2013

Bentley Organics has been on my radar for years and I finally got around to ordering a couple of products. If you are not familiar with the brand, Bentley Organics offer affordable products which are certified organic by The Soil Association. The range consists of body, hair and baby care plus household cleaning products. I bought the Calming & Moisturising Hand Wash and Washing Up Liquid. 

Let’s start with the hand wash. There are a couple of fragrance options but I chose the calming and moisturising version as it contains lavender and aloe vera. It has a lovely mild lavender fragrance which I like. This does not produce a large amount of lather and does not dry out my hands. Overall, I am satisfied with the performance but it is average, nothing luxurious about it and that is reflected in the price (250ml £3.65) 

Sadly, Bentley Organic washing up liquid has been a huge disappointment. That opinion has been backed up by my boyfriend who I must admit does wash up more often than me, I have trained him well ;-) Previously, we had been using Greenscents which in comparison works brilliantly. The problem with the Bentley one is it loses cleaning properties too rapidly. You end up with a bowl of water without bubbles very quickly. It is fine for lightly solid plates but does not perform well if you have a heavy load with anything greasy like oven trays. I would not repurchase. 

If you would like to look at ingredients for these products they are listed on Bentley Organic's website. I bought these products from mypure.co.uk which is a site I have used a number of times and they offer free UK delivery. Has anyone else tried products from this brand? What did you think? 

Sarah x

16 September 2013


As it is National Eczema Week I thought my next blog post should follow that theme. I have mentioned a few times that my eczema has been causing problems in recent months. Stress has always triggered my eczema so I am blaming the day job rather than diet or skincare. My skin is hot, angry red and itchy as hell at times and that is where the Essential Care Repair Lotion comes into its own. 

Essential Care developed the product from personal experience of atopic eczema so you know that you are in safe hands. The lotion contains calendula and chamomile, two of my favourite ingredients because of their effectiveness on my sensitive skin. The formula also contains chickweed (to relieve itching), olive oil (to moisturise) and aloe vera (reduce inflammation & promote healing). 

The packaging is a pump bottle so that's always handy to avoid spills. It is very runny and light but that makes it rather good for easy absorption into skin. It also makes application pleasant because you do not need to pull or drag the skin when applying. To a certain extent I can live with my ugly skin but I cannot stand the need to scratch. I honestly feel as if this does a fabulous job at relieving the itch. It just works for me. I still love balms for my eczema but this is especially nice when the weather has been hot and sweaty. My biggest patch of eczema is on my chest, around my boobies where my bra sits. The lotion sinks in quicker than balm which means I can get dressed and not worry about getting residue on my underwear. 

Repair lotion is suitable for Vegans which is great because I know that many of the balms I recommend contain beeswax. With Essential Care you also know you are getting Organic ingredients and zero nasty ingredients. If you have an itchy skin condition then I think you should consider trying this product. Repair Lotion is also suitable for babies and children. I have grown very fond of Essential Care products. I honestly can't find fault and I am happy to recommend to others.

Sarah x

Disclaimer - I have purchased this product & have also received one as a PR sample, links are not affiliated

22 August 2013

I think it is fair to say that balms and body wash are my top skincare loves. It may seem odd to chose bodywash as a favourite but as my skin is so fickle finding the perfect product that smells good and does not irritate provides me with great happiness.

Essential Care sent me a box of treats which included their Lavender hand and body wash. I dedicated a whole post to lavender as it is one of my favourite ingredients. I find this product works well for me and my sensitive skin. It has a lovely fresh clean and natural lavender fragrance. As with all Essential Care products this is organic and free from any nasty ingredients so ideal for those who have fragile skin like me. The wash is creamy and lathers up nicely and does the job it's intended to do. It has quickly become a favourite and I am happy to recommend it to everyone.

If you are not a fan of lavender this product is also available in lemongrass, ylang ylang and orange and aloe vera. They retail for £9 for 200ml which I think is a good price in comparison to other natural brands. If you can not decide which fragrance you might like or you are searching for a gift, I noticed Essential Care have a gift set with a trio of body wash.

Have you tried Essential Care body wash or any other products from their range? Do you have a favourite?

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR samples, links are not affiliated, 100% my own opinion from testing products

10 July 2013

Back in May I wrote about my quest to find a suitable facial SPF. I mentioned that Badger Balm Aloe Sunscreen was on my list but I was disappointed that only SPF 16 was available in the UK. I went ahead and purchased it because the ml for ml value is better than John Masters Organics. I decided that since I sit in an office 9 hours a day that SPF 16 was adequate to protect me from small amounts of sun exposure. 

Badger Balm products are USDA certified organic and this sunscreen is broad spectrum so gives you protection from UVA & UVB rays. It contains non-nano zinc oxide and is free from Oxybenzone, Octisalate, Octinoxate, Avobenzone, or added Vitamin A. 

I chose the Aloe lotion over the other Badger sunscreens with a higher SPF because it is marketed as suitable for use under makeup. I am very impressed with the consistency. It is not as thick as other natural sunscreens I have used. It initially gives a white cast but I find it easy to rub in and have not experienced any issues applying mineral foundation on top. Come 5 o'clock my makeup still looks fairly reasonable and I do not feel the lotion has any adverse effects on how I look. I have filmed a short video to demonstrate application to my face. 



I would not sunbathe with this particular sunscreen because I prefer a higher SPF for that purpose. As this is one of the very few natural sunscreens that has not broken me out in a rash, it scores brownie points with me. I would certainly look to try others from the range to use on my body. I purchased my Badger sunscreen from Feel Unique and paid £14.95 (87ml tube)

Have you tried Badger Balm Sunscreens? 

5 July 2013


Essential Care have invited me to join in with a live Twitter chat to mark their tenth anniversary. Essential Care is an award winning Organic brand and I have reviewed their Gentle Herb Shampoo and Creamy Coconut Cleanser, both are firm favourites for me. 

One of Essential Care’s great passions is education about the Organic Beauty industry. Understanding what makes organic beauty ‘organic’ can be confusing for consumers. The aim of the chat is to allow anyone with a passion for beauty to ask questions and learn about what goes into Organic beauty and skincare products. I am delighted that Essential Care asked me to participate in the chat. I hope to share with you my personal experience and understanding of sensitive skin and allergy safe beauty products. Essential Care do not wish for the chat to be a branded event. The focus is on empowering anyone who works in the beauty industry to understand Organic and share that knowledge with readers and customers. 

The Twitter chat is taking place on 10th July at 7pm (GMT), using the hashtag #WHATSORGANIC - I hope you will join us :-)


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22 June 2013

Review Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream
Pai is a brand I trust for ingredients, quality and for understanding the needs of customers with sensitive skin. My hands are often like sand paper, they are affected by weather and daily tasks can take their toll. Hand cream is my desert island beauty product. I can't stand the thought of skipping it from my daily routine and Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream ticks a number of boxes for me. It is suitable for Vegans, organic certified, free from alcohol (denat.), artificial fragrance and other common irritants.

I need a hand cream that is tough on dryness but isn't greasy. Pai hand cream certainly meets this requirement with a light texture that disappears quickly. I have noticed sea buckthorn is an ingredient popping up everywhere. It is a super food with more health benefits than acai and goji berries, containing Carotenoids and Omegas 3 & 7 and properties to rejuvenate the skin. I have read that topical application of the oil can help with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. The formulation also contains nourishing ingredients such as macadamia, avocado, rosehip, shea butter and almond.
Review Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream
I have been more than happy with the way my skin responds to Pai hand cream. It tackles dryness with ease and feels luxurious. I had been using Dr Organic Hand Creams which compare well on performance however Pai Skincare is the more expensive choice which I fully accept on the basis of formulation and organic certification.

Pai Skincare can be bought direct from their own website or from Content Beauty. Have you tried Pai's hand cream? How does it compare to the others you been using?

Sarah x

Disclaimer - affiliate links

15 May 2013



Louise, a cruelty free blogger (looweezbx.blogspot.co.uk) asked me an interesting question – “X label themselves as organic, do you know if they are legit organic or how can you tell?” 

In Britain, laws governing the labelling on organic foods do not extend to cosmetic products. A company can describe a product as organic even if it contains small amounts of organic ingredients. Last year Boots Little Me Organics advert was banned by the ASA (Advertising Standards Agency). A complaint was made that said “claims that the product was ‘organic’ were misleading because they implied it met an independent organic standard. The product had less than 5% organic ingredients.”

If you are keen to use organic skincare then you need to look at product labels and websites for signs of organic certifications from a recognised association. You will need to keep in mind that each organisation has different guidelines as to what qualifies a product organic. 

The Soil Association, UK - A product must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients but if it contains more than 70 per cent organic ingredients, it can still be certified by the Soil Association, so long as the exact proportions are stated. 

NaTrue, European Union - non-profit organization formed by natural cosmetic manufacturers in Europe. NaTrue has created 3 levels of certification (was a 3 star system) as follows: 1) Natural Cosmetics - Ingredients must be natural but they do not have to be organic (from organic cultivation). This level is the foundation of the NATRUE-Label: it defines which ingredients are permitted and how they may be processed. Products of the other two levels need to fulfil the criteria of this level first. 2) Natural Cosmetics with Organic Portion Natural cosmetics containing ingredients of organic origin:at least 70% of natural (and/or derived natural, where applicable) ingredients must stem from controlled organic production and/or controlled wild collection. 3) Organic Cosmetics - At least 95 % of natural* (*and/or derived natural, where applicable) ingredients must come from controlled organic cultivation and/or controlled wild collection.

Eco-Cert, France - Requires a minimum 95% of natural ingredients and a maximum of 5% of ingredients of synthetic origin. 10% of total product by weight (including the weight of water) must be organic.

USDA Organic, USA - a highly stringent set of organic standards for food manufacturers that requires at least 95% organic ingredients to use the "Organic" logo. Products that use 100% organic ingredients can use the "100% Organic" logo.

Organic Farmers & Growers - Further information on The OF&G Certification Scheme for Cosmetics and Bodycare Products can be found here.

Now you know the certification logos to look out for you have to be aware that there are organic "fakers". Having a product certified organic is costly so I understand why smaller companies don't take the plunge. However, I see a growing number of smaller businesses not displaying logos but instead simply claiming and promoting "made with certified organic ingredients". Also using the word "Organic" in the name of your company portrays an image to the consumer which could be misleading, as with the Boots case I mentioned earlier. Some companies even going so far as to use made up logos (I shall not name & shame but I have seen this recently).

So why the fuss? Let me explain that saying a product uses certified organic ingredients is not the same as having the final product certified. One obviously way to spot an organic "faker" is to look at the non-organic ingredients. There are strict guidelines for the preservative systems which are allowed and they must meet toxicity and biodegradability standards e.g if you see parabens then you have a faker on your hands as these ingredients would not be allowed by the Soil AssociationGetting a product certified also involves a set of procedures such as auditing the factory, batch testing products and ensuring correct labelling and packaging.

If buying organic skincare is important to you then purchase from Companies who are certified by a recognised organisation. If you are happy to buy from companies not accredited then make sure you read the labels and understand the true organic content. I see no reason to pay over the odds for a product which has only two certified organic ingredients within it and a bunch of questionable ingredients.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below. Thank you to Abi (Essential Care) & Tamara (Rainbow Feet) for helping me with my research for this blog post.

Sarah x

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