NATURAL SKIN CARE FAQ

What do Natural Creams Look Like?

If you have only been using highstreet cosmetics, you may find our natural creams a little richer. Start with a tiny amount to see how much your skin requires and if necessar apply some more. If you find the creams on the heavy side, don't be put off. Next time you put some on make sure your skin is slightly damp (from face washing or apply a face toner) and use a little less. There is nothing in the products to clog your pores, but just wonderful oils to soothe your skin.

Some of our creams have the consistency of a standard 'white' cream, others are a lot richer and have the look of a butter (ointment). To be sure you understand what product you are ordering, simply check the ingredients list. If the product contains purified water or flower water (hydrolat), it will be of similar texture to a conventional cream. If the product contains only oils and butters, then it will look like a butter.

What Do Natural Shampoo & Shower Gel Look Like?

Our Shampoo & Shower Gels, based on the mild sugar derived detergent Coco Glucoside, look very similar to standard shampoo and shower gel , just a litte bit cloudy or jelly like. They are very gentle and will not strip your skin from natural moisture. Because they are mild, you may find they don't foam as much as commercial products, but rest assured they cleanse just as effectively and will not damage your skin or hair. For best results when using a sulfate free shampoo, wet your hair thoroughly, apply the shampoo and wait a minute or so before rinsing.

The African Black Soap looks very different from what you have probably been using so far - it has the look of hot chocolate, apart from it isn't hot. It produces lovely lather when applied to the skin or hair, but not if you are planning to use it as a bubble bath.

How Do I Use Natural Creams?

It is best to use a clean spatula or even a cotton bud to remove the creams from their jars as opposed to fingers, which may harbour bacteria and contaminate the creams. If you do decide to use your fingers, please make sure they are really clean.

If you are using a natural cream for the first time, it is advisable to do a patch test first, just to make sure you are not sensitive to any of the ingredients.

How Much Do I put on?

It is best to apply a little bit of cream on, see how much is absorbed by your skin, and if necessary apply a little more. Sometimes customers say a cream is a little too heavy for their skin type, but very often this results from putting too much on. Your skin will only absorb what it needs, and any excess amount will stay on the surface and may give you a shiny face. As with all natural skin care, a little does go a long way, so try applying your natural cream sparingly and you will soon get used to the amount of cream your skin type needs.

How long does it take to see any results?

It takes around 30 days or so for the deeper skin layers to come to the service and renew themselves. When switching from synthetic skin care, it is normal for the skin to go through a period of 'detox' while it clears away all toxins built up over the years, before it starts healing and looking healthy. Although our tester pots are good to discover if you are sensitive to any of ingredients, like the scent or the consistency of the product, it is best to continue using the cream for about month in order to see if there is an improvement in your skin tone, we are sure they will be.

Why does my latest cream have a different consistency/colour/scent?

Unlike mass produced products, all Handmade Naturals products are made by hand, meaning everything is measured by hand and it is absolutely normal to have a slight variation in richness or consistency from one batch to another. Although we try to keep our suppliers the same, sometimes there can be a variation in the colour or richness of an oil or a butter too, which can also affect the consistency of the final product. This does not affect the quality of your cream.

We use unrefined oils to make our skin care products. These unprocessed oils tend to vary slightly in colour and have a natural scent from the plant, which can also vary between different batches of oils, butters or flower waters. Invariably this will be transfered to the finished product to some extend. Any difference in scent or colour is due to a natural variation of the ingredients used to prepare it.

How Do I Store Natural Creams?

Due to the non-reliance on chemical preservatives, true natural creams will detiriorate faster than standard skin care products.

The creams are best stored away from direct sunlight and below 25C. Most creams have a shelf life of about 12 months unopened and 3-4 months once you start using them.

During warm weather, it is normal for the creams to become a little runnier and slight separation of oils to occur. Do not worry, this is entirely normal, simply stir or shake the product to emulsify the ingredients. This does not affect the quality of the cream.