Naturally Good: The Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Range

The Burt’s Bees Baby Bee range is completely natural, so there are no nasties in there to irritate teeny skin. You’d be amazed how many popular baby brands pump their products full of well-known irritants. Ingredients like Sodium Laureth Sulphate(SLS) can cause irritation to adults, so it’s no wonder it can affect a baby’s delicate skin. I’ve been keen to use only natural stuff on my daughter since she was born just over six months ago, and I absolutely love everything I’ve tried from the Burt’s Bees baby range. Undoubtedly it’s more pricey than the likes of Johnson’s, but for me, the quality of the ingredients and the fact that you only need small amounts each use make it good value. And whilst money is tight at the moment (hello Statutory Maternity Pay!), I would rather pay more to look after my baby’s delicate skin. 

Of the many things I’ve learnt since having a baby, it is that new cracks and crevices seemingly appear on a daily basis. Just when you think you’ve got your bathing and drying routine down, a new crevice comes along to remind you that you're not as on top of things as you should be. When Iris was a few weeks old, she smelt of what can only be described as festering, sour cheese for a good few hours before I realised that milk had been collecting under her armpit. Not only did the poor girl stink to high heaven, she was left with a horrible red sore there too. I applied the Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment (after a good wash) and the next morning, the redness was gone. So whilst the name suggests it’s designed for use on bottoms, I find it works really well elsewhere too and it has successfully soothed Iris' dribbly chin and airless neck rolls. It’s basically a natural version of Sudocrem and it smells lovely – there’s definitely a hint of lavender (a natural antiseptic) in there. My only gripe is that the cream is quite thick and getting it out of the tube is a bit tricky – a pot would be much better. Other than that (and the annoying Americanised name), it’s a gem of a product which is well worth having in your baby kit.

The Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Multi-Purpose Ointment is an all-natural alternative to Vaseline which will appeal to parents who want to avoid using petroleum-based products on their little'uns. I've been really impressed with this stuff. Following an horrendous case of nappy rash at two weeks old, leaving Iris’ poor little bottom with bleeding, open sores, I’ve used this after every change and she’s never had nappy rash since. On holiday recently, I forgot to take it, and lo and behold, the nappy rash reappeared. Whereas Vaseline creates a protective barrier to prevent moisture from a wet nappy penetrating the skin, this stuff has the added benefit of providing nourishment too. Whilst I have a small person to look after, I will never not be without it.

I bathe Iris every couple of days and use a small amount of the Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and Body Wash (not pictured) to cleanse her hair and body. It’s really gentle and hasn’t stung on the few occasions it’s got into her eyes when rinsing her hair. I’ve been using it for six months and I’m only a quarter of the way through the bottle.

Iris sometimes gets dry skin on her cheeks and around her eyes and I’ve found that the Fragrance Free Nourishing Lotion from this range really helps to keep it at bay. I apply a small amount (saying “cheeky cheeky cheeky chops!” whilst doing so is not compulsory). It sinks in really quickly and leaves her skin really well moisturised and feeling nourished. This would be a fantastic choice for adults with sensitive skin too. I’m still on bottle number one despite using it every day for six months.

Lastly, and possibly my favourite from the range, is the Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Baby Oil. I got this in a gift set but didn’t try it until one of the mums I’d met at a baby group recommended it. I quickly grew to love it and now use it all over Iris’ body after each bath. It smells AMAZING, sinks in quickly and leaves her skin beautifully soft. It’s also great for use during Baby Massage.

There’s currently a third off the Burt’s Bees Baby Bee range at Boots

The Best Hair Mask You'll Ever Use (and four other ways with coconut oil)

It may be more commonly found in the kitchen cupboard than the bathroom cabinet, but invest in a tub of virgin coconut oil and your skin, hair and nails will only thank you. 

Solid in the tub, once warmed into your hands it melts into an unctuous, versatile oil that smells delicious. 

With no hidden nasties, preservatives, fragrances or chemicals, the best thing about it is that it’s completely natural.

I’ve had a tub of Coconoil Organic Virgin Coconut Oil on the go for months now and there's still plenty left – amazing value at just £10.45 for a huge 460g tub. 

Any coconut oil will do though, just make sure it's the virgin variety as that's when it's at its most pure. 

Here are my favourite ways to use it.

1. The best hair mask you’ll ever use 

If your hair is dry, coloured, over straightened or is just looking a bit lacklustre, I recommend giving a coconut oil mask a go. 

It has the ability to transform my dry, frizzy locks into shiny frizz-free curls in a way that no other product has ever been able to do. Its anti-bacterial qualities make it a good choice for people who suffer from scalp conditions, such as dandruff, too. 

I’m usually a fan of treatments that get to work instantly, but alas, there are no short-cuts here. You need to leave the oil on for at least an hour – longer if possible – to really feel the benefits. I tend to use it when I’m hibernating at home with no likelihood of encountering another human being. I’ll apply it in the morning, go about my daily business (i.e. binge-watching cooking programmes), then wash it off a few hours later. 

• Section off dry hair and apply the oil generously all over. I find it works better applying it in sections than in one go – especially if you have thick hair.
• Pay extra attention to the ends, as this tends to be where hair is most damaged.
• Remember to rub the oil it into your roots too, as it is great at nourishing the scalp. Don’t worry about it leaving your hair looking greasy, as it will be washed out later.
• Wrap hair in a warm towel or a shower cap and leave for at least an hour.
• Shampoo twice and condition as normal.

2. Facial cleanser

Coconut oil is an excellent deep cleanser which makes nifty work of removing even stubborn eye make-up. 

Simply massage about a teaspoon-full in well, then wipe away with a damp muslin or flannel. Repeat if you’ve been wearing a full face of make-up or sunscreen to ensure every last bit of grease, grime and dirt have been removed.

3. Post-hair-removal soother 

Whether you’re a Nair on the top-lip girl, a bikini-line shaver or a leg epilator, hair removal can leave skin sore and dry afterwards. 

Coconut oil is the best post-hair-removal soother I’ve used. It quickly imparts moisture back into the skin, calms any redness and quickly soothes itching or burning. I won’t ever be without it for this purpose alone.

4. Cuticle oil 

Man, my cuticles are in terrible condition. My nails aren’t much better. 

They’re just so damn dry all the time. I’ve made it my mission to remember to rub a little bit of coconut oil into the cuticles each evening. I've been doing it for about a month and they certainly feel more nourished and look less flakey. I just need to keep it up now.

5. Body moisturiser

Many body lotions use coconut oil as a base anyway. Apply this all-natural alternative straight from the tub for well moisturised limbs. 

It sinks in surprisingly quickly (just give it a few minutes before putting your clothes on) and leaves a lovely sheen to the skin. You will smell so good you may want to lick yourself afterwards though.

Buy Coconoil Virgin Coconut Oil

So there are my five ways with coconut oil that don't involve cooking. Is there anything I've missed?

Review | STEAMCREAM

Before we get started with the moisturiser itself, let's just take a moment to appreciate the be-auti-ful packaging of my tin of STEAMCREAM for a second. This was a birthday gift for me recently (I'm an April baby, hence the Aries tin). 

Pretty packaging #1.

Here's the Aquarius version which I bought for my Mum. 

Pretty packaging #2.

Aren't they just gorgeous? 

There are lots of other regular and limited edition designs to choose from which are all equally lovely - from florals to peacock feathers, there's sure to be something that tickles your fancy. Once the cream has run out, they make perfect trinket jars.

STEAMCREAM smells naturally floral, with a predominant scent of lavender. Even if lavender isn't usually your bag, it's not overpowering. STEAMCREAM is billed as a multi-purpose moisturiser for body, hands and face. I like the idea of multi-tasking products, but in reality I'd question its abilities as a body lotion. Personally I prefer something richer and the 75g tin wouldn't last very long if applied all over regularly. It could be handy for weekend trips though. 

All natural ingredients make for a lovely scent.

I occasionally use it as a hand cream, but for me, STEAMCREAM is best when used on the face. It's light in texture and just a small amount leaves my normal/combination skin feeling nourished and moisturised. I find it makes a nice base for make up and is rich enough to be used as a night cream too. If used as a day cream, you'll need to use a separate SPF. 

One of the things I love most about STEAMCREAM is the level of information about each of the ingredients on their website. There's no hiding behind fancy-schmancy, unpronounceable names here. Of the less pronounceable ingredients there's an explanation about why they've been used. It's so refreshing to know exactly what you're putting onto your skin.

Ingredients: Oatmeal Infusion (Avena sativa), Orange Flower Water (Citrus Aurantium amara, Aqua), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Lavender Oil (Lavandula augustifolia), Chamomile Blue Oil (Chamomilla recutita), Orange Blossom Absolute (Citrus Aurantium dulcis), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Neroli Oil (Citrus Aurantium amara), Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, *Coumarin, *Geraniol, *Citronellol, * Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

In there we have British oatmeal to brighten and soothe irritated skin, lavender to balance sebum and reduce redness, orange flower water to hydrate, and sweet almond oil to soften and nourish. As the name suggests, they use steam to naturally fuse all the ingredients together, which they claim improves absorption into the epidermis. 

Only a small amount is needed when used as a day or night cream.

So who should try STEAMCREAM?  

For the face I'd say it's best for normal to dry complexions. It may be too rich for very oily skin during the day but as a night cream it should be ok. Very sensitive skins may need to be careful due to the essential oils, but I have sensitive skin and I've not had any problems with it at all. In fact, I've really been enjoying using it and would definitely re-purchase. The gorgeous range of designs and the quality of the product make it a great gift for women of any age too.
  
STEAMCREAM is £12.95 (including free delivery) from www.steamcream.co.uk.