Cactus Beauty
If you don’t have at least one cactus, or something cacti-themed in your house in 2019, then who are you?! The ultimate in hipster houseplants, the humble cactus is super-cute, easy to look after, and there are SO many different kinds.
But do you have any cacti-based beauty products in your collection? I did a little bit of research and found a few products that you might want to have a look – and the crocheted cacti they are snapped with, are made by me, because I have a cat who eats them and then vomits, so those are the only cacti I can have! (The patterns are from a lovely book called Crocheted Succulents by Emma Varnam)
Aloe Vera is in the succulent family, and it’s perfect for skincare, thanks to its soothing, and hydrating properties. French company Laboratoire du Haut Segala (LHS) has harnessed the power of aloe vera together with natural plant oils in this Aloe range, which has eight lightweight products.
Aloe Vera is timeless hydrator, emollient, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral plant enriched with vitamin A and E. Most of us have probably used it on holiday to soothe sunburn, but it can do so much more.
Aloe Vera is well known for its uses on minor wounds and burns, but its moisturising benefits are often overlooked. Aloe Vera plants are made up of 99% water and their viscous natural allows this moisture to be delivered effectively and efficiently into skin. LHA formulas take it to the next level by adding extra powerful plant oils, such as jojoba to help retain this water and nourish your skin. It really is an outstanding brand and the products are magnificent – Gill Sinclair, Co-Founder of Victoria Health.
The products include Aloe Vera Micellar Water which is enriched with floral waters and hyaluronic acid, to gently cleanse. There are two serums – the Anti-Pollution Serum combines the antioxidant powers
There are two serums – the Aloe Vera Anti-Pollution Serum combines the antioxidant powers of Aloe Vera with seaweed and hyaluronic acid, protecting your skin from external aggressors, and the Face Serum is packed with nourishing oils, including jojoba and hazelnut, as well as the Aloe.
The Day Cream blends Aloe with linden floral water and argan and jojoba pure plant oils, and is a light, hydrating cream.
The Night Cream is lightly scented with delicate floral waters, and has a nourishing formula that melts into the skin within seconds. The marine and plant active ingredients repair and nourish while you sleep.
I love the Eye Contour thanks to the rollerball applicator mainly. The eye cream takes a two-pronged approach to de-puffing and soothing your eye area, and contains hyaluronic acid.
And there is an Aloe Vera Gel that can be used from head-to-toe.
Prices range from £11.90 to £23, and the products are available at victoriahealth.com
I have just come accross a Korean brand called Huxley, available at Harvey Nichols. This K-beauty brand comes highly recommended by beauty editors, dermatologists and makeup artists, and it is also, apparently, an industry secret of flight attendants for instant moisture replenishment and repair against environmental stressors.
It has minimalist packaging, and the cacti ingredient here is prickly pear seed oil. Opuntia, commonly called prickly pear, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. I spent a wonderful holiday in Arizona once, drinking copious prickly pear margaritas. Delicious!
So, this brand has all sortys of products, including Masks and Hydration Essences, Brightening Cream, Cleansing Gel, and the cult-hero Sheet Mask: Oil And Extract. The prices are reasonable – from £20 t0 £38, and the sheet masks are £20 for three.
The prickly pear seed oil is sealed in a separate pouch in order to maintain ultimate freshness. To combine the oil with the ultra-fine microfibre mask, simply fold the bottom pouch three times until it pops, allowing the oil to soak the mask, and apply to the face for 15-20 minutes.
Finally, this lovely Cactus Blossom Body Butter (£15, The Body Shop). I love this product – it smells heaveny, it goes on like a dream, sinks into the skin, and feels lovely. It’s enriched with cactus flower extract from Morocco, and Community Trade shea butter from Ghana. It’s 100 per cent vegan, and is suitable for normal to dry skin.
