Burt's Bees Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub For A Very Scrubby Way To Scrub

If there's one thing I've said before, and it's one thing I'll continue to say again, Bee Conservation is so bloody integral to our survival, and it's one thing that should never go ignored. Burt's Bees production ethics are bob-on in terms of sustainability, conservation and partnering with charities to help maintain our bee populace (you can read about their policies here). 

What's more, Burt's Bees also avoid microbeads in their products, featuring natural alternatives instead, such as fruit and nut kernels, milled petals, jojoba beads and ground seeds. Microbeads are little plastic spheres that are too large to dissolve, making them a deadly pollutant as they are consumed by countless marine life. You can find out more about microbeads, alongside a list of products containing microbeads specific to your country, here.

Burt's Bees offer three different types of facial exfoliators, all of which I've purchased and all of which I love for different reasons. The Anti-Blemish Pore Refining Scrub (reviewed here) is the softest one of the group, using jojoba beads to exfoliate, this scrubs provides lusciously smooth and clear skin. The Citrus Facial Scrub (reviewed here) is a cakey little number that provides clear and balanced skin, using ground almonds to exfoliate. As for the Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub, I'd refer to this as the mastodon of the group. This really is a heavy-duty scrub. While I love it for my oily and congested skin, I'd always err on the side of caution if your skin is unsteady around a exfoliator that doesn't hold back.

This 100% natural facial scrub, uses nothing but the finely ground stone of a peach to - what we must refer to as fairly aggressively - exfoliate the skin. Now, this is indisputably heavy duty, designed for a skin type like mine, that has a quick cell turnover (an onset of which, a build-up of dead skin and clogged pores). Even I can only use this once every 2 weeks. 

While finely ground, the peach stone is still rather large and can very much be felt. As they aren't perfectly spherical, the stones can be almost sharp and gritty, their jaggedness is present as I roll them around my skin. For me, this isn't neccesarily a scratchy product, but it is something I can only apply with very little pressure indeed.

The ground stones are carried in a very lightweight and easily spreadable cream. This cream is thin, so thin in fact that it disappears as you begin to lightly scrub. This makes it quite a raw process, the cream is almost like a lubricant, to help you get purchase on the stones, allowing the peach do to its magic without impeding the process. 

With a name like Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub, you're going to expect some results. Well, if your pores are easily clogged like mine, I've found this scrub to very effectively 'empty' them, leaving me with a much clearer and smoother complexion. Any dark build-up that was trapped in my pores is removed, making my skin tone appear far more neutralised and all-round balanced. 

Interestingly, after watching Wild Organic Beauty's vlog recently (I know it's really late, but would you like to see my August favourites?), she mentioned that this scrub was far, far too aggressive for her face and instead used it as a foot scrub. I gave that a go myself, and you know what, she's onto something here! This product makes for a really effective foot scrub. Our skin here is usually a little tougher and if you're prone to hard or dry skin on your feet, this little gem might just do the trick. 

I do like this, I honestly do. If my skin is ever craving a heavy-going exfoliation, this is the scrub I can rely on. But once again, I would go on the explicit advice of your own skin. My skin can take a little brutality (product depending), or  it occasionally needs some tough love, so me and the Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub get on like a house on fire. Just be warned, this scrub pulls no punches. Effective, don't repurchase.

The Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub can be purchased from Burt's Bees for £11.49 / 170G.

Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub: It's Like Cake On Your Face, Instead Of In It

Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub is the most scrumptious facial exfoliator I have ever used. It's like taking a delicious slice of rich fruit cake and massaging the sweet, sugary crumbs into your skin. Let's be honest, isn't this what we've always wanted from cake since the dawn of home baking?

I have used all 3 of Burt's Bees exfoliator offerings now, and let me tell you, Burt's are the king of the gentle and refreshing exfoliation. They are very simple natural exfoliators that avoid the use of any microbeads, using ground up nuts and petals as a substitute. 

Cake in a jar. It's indisputable. The Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub is a super thick, super rich cake-like exfoliator that is 99.96% natural. It loses points because it contains fragrance, sadly. To exfoliate, it uses finely ground almonds, oats, pecans and milled rose petals, very gentle, very natural. Yes, it is gentle, yes it is lovely. 

The thick consistency acts like a cushion, meaning I can apply a little pressure while pushing the cake-like texture around my face, without feeling any discomfort. In fact, it's actually kind of nice, like scratching an itch you didn't know you had. So while it is spongy and bouncy, it still has a nice grittiness to it. This is in no way harsh or abrasive, it's completely friendly and soft. 

I scoop up a bite-sized amount of the mixture and combine it with a little water. I also find it's always best to apply this product to damp skin. This helps to really soften up the product, while still allowing the nuts, oats and petals to work their exfoliating magic. At first it might feel a little tough (cue the cake-analogy once more), but once you begin smoothing it into the skin, it will loosen, becoming a lot more manageable. 

In terms of results, Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub is a simple exfoliator, nothing complex here. It's exfoliation powers are mild in comparison to some of the more heavy duty products out there, but it's a wonderful little refresher to help clear your skin, soften and remove any build-up, while providing moisture and nourishment to the skin.

Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub can be purchased from Burt's Bees for £10.99 / 55G Jar. 

Bee Good Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator For A Gentler Way To Exfoliate

Bee Good. I love Bee Good. We know this; I find it just darling, and the Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator is no exception. This little number is one of the most gentlest and caring exfoliators I've used, perfect for my sensitive skin, on those days when I need to refresh without a heavy-duty polish.

There are just three little words that perfectly match the sensation, the scent and the effects of using this product: subtle, polite and nurturing. Polite? What a choice, right? But it's so courteous to sensitive skins, that I can't help but consider it to be the most well-mannered skincare I've encountered to date.

To exfoliate, the Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator uses finely milled lavender petals. These are super, super soft, so as you massage them into your skin, you'll feel nothing but the cushioned lavender roll across your face. You don't need to apply any pressure for the petals to get to work, just massage in circular motions a few times and your skin will instantly be brighter and clearer.

The petals are carried in a wonderfully rich and creamy formula, that begins thick and then starts to thin as you massage away, eventually turning into a milk when it comes to rinsing. I love how plump it feels. It is an insanely moisturising cream that prevents you from becoming dry or irritated. From the descriptions in the ingredients list, the responsibility seems to lie with the Camelina Oil (a flowering common flax), which helps to reduce moisture-loss while protecting and nourishing the skin. My face feels so lovely and supple after exfoliating, which really is something to cherish.

The thing with exfoliation is that it can leave you feeling polished or buffed. Yuck, okay, just yuck. As this is so, so very gentle, it manages to effectively slough off those dead skin sells without over-smoothing my skin. Meaning, I'm clean and renewed, without that shiny/gloss-like finish. This really is made with sensitivity in mind. So much, in fact, that I can use this daily with absolutely no skin qualms. It's so delicate and non-stripping, with the bonus moisturising benefits after use.

The Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator isn't going to work miracles, no, it's far too gentle for that. However, it very effectively cleans my skin, clears build-up and leaves me with a much brighter and radiant complexion after use. My skin is balanced and redness is reduced. But these effects are minor compared to some of the meaner and tougher products I've used.

From what I've found, the bigger the portion size I give myself of this product, the better. Sadly, this product only comes in a 50ML sized tube, meaning, I burn through it pretty fast. Come on, you guys. I'd like to see a minimum of 100ML, for the way in which I like to use it. As it thins fairly quickly, it's difficult to spread as far as you'd expect.

The product has a very subtle sweet and delicious scent that's actually quite comforting to smell. It has a warmness about it, absolutely in-offensive, but beautifully delicate like the rest of the product.

This little wonder is just charming. A delight for my sensitivity, leaving me clear and bright, without over-buffing. Brilliant for those days when I want to remove build-up, but don't want anything too strong to do the job. Scoring Effective, repurchase.

The Honey & Camelina Facial Exfoliator can be purchased from Bee Good for £10.50 / 50ML. 

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Toner, Moisturising Lotion, Targeted Spot Treatment and Pore Refining Scrub

Putting bees and sustainability at the forefront of skincare, Burt's Bees is a sponsor to the British Bee Keeper's Association and founder The Greater Good Foundation, Burt's Bees helps to both protect the bees and the environment, with packaging made from recyclable materials and recyclable themselves, leaving a low environmental footprint and responsibly sourcing their ingredients, all the products in the Anti-Blemish Solutions range are 99.4-100% organic. 

Another haul. Okay, I'm insatiable, we know this. But this is a mini-haul (excuses, excuses). The only purchase I neglected from this haul was the Purifying Daily Cleanser. Not to deter, while it is 99.4% natural, it includes phenoxyethanol (chemical preservative) and lauryl glucoside (surfactant), ingredients which I don't usually take kindly to in my cleansers (but the reviews do seem positive so it may still be worth considering).

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Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Toner

I love using toners, and this is no exception. While it contains salicylic acid, witch hazel and alcohol denat, it is not at all overly acidic or tingly, in fact, it can't be felt at all on my sensitive skin. It's a fairly runny liquid. Yes, yes, it's a liquid, it runs, but this is super runny, so you'll want to use it with a fairly thick cotton pad. It is lovely and cool on the skin, and sweeps away any dirt or residue without issue. 

This product helps to tone and clarify the skin. I look much clearer and much, much brighter after using this toner. It helps to balance my complexion. I'm not as red in all the wrong places and I'm not as dull all-over. 

In terms of its anti-blemish properties, I don't feel like it's quite enough. It's brilliant as a toner, but it's not enough for blemishes. While it does contribute to keeping me clear, it isn't powerful enough, making it quite a slow burner. 

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Toner is 99.5% natural and is priced at £9.99 for 145ML. 

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Anti-Blemish Solutions Moisturising Lotion

I have been desperate to use an anti-blemish moisturiser for a while. Unfortunately, this one didn't deliver exactly how I wanted it to. I don't want to be super neg towards this product but it's just a little too heavy. But heavy in a greasy way. Heavy can be nice, it makes my face feel heavenly well moisturised and nourished, which is exactly what this product achieves. After a few hours though, I'll start to get greasy. In a slick way. 

Its consistency is, yet again, a little too runny. Which leads to it making me greasy. Ideally, I need more of an emulsifying moisturiser, so this is just not suitable for me needs. However, it is more suitable to my neck where my skin is normal - yet varr blemish-prone. 

On a better note, it does help to reduce blemishes. It is both soothing and anti-inflammatory. It does feel nice to wear, I just wishwishwish it didn't make me greasy. Can't I ever have it both ways?

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Moisturising Lotion is 100% natural and is priced at £14.99 for 55G.

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Anti-Blemish Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment

This is the staple in the range. I love how effective this product is! It is a miniature solution that takes big effect. As mentioned, my blemishes are primarily on my neck so I pour a few drops into the palm of my hand and slap it straight onto my neck, kind of like I'm applying aftershave. But you have to work super quick with the product, as it will dry in your palm almost immediately. 

This product does dry on the skin without leaving a trace. Yes it doesn't dry the skin. It works quickly to reduce blemishes, so quickly that within 12hrs I noticed a difference and with continued use my skin remains calm and clear. 

Unfortunately, the application of this product is all kinds of wrong. You have to tip the glass bottle upside down and it will come running out of the top. As as a targeted treatment, you aren't given much control when wanting to target a blemish. Which is why I have to put it in my palm and slap it onto my skin. Once more, it's another overly runny product, meaning you'll want to be super precise. 

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment is 100% natural and is priced at £9.99 for 7.5ML. 

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Anti-Blemish Solutions Pore Refining Scrub

Exfoliation is one of my all-time favourite skincare things. Nothing makes me feel clearer than sloughing off all dead cells in the gentlest way possible. And this products delivers on that front. I use this every-other-day, taking a portion the size of one digit and massaging it softly into my cheeks, chin and forehead - the areas where my pores are of more concern. It features jojoba beads for exfoliation, which are super tiny making them super gentle to use. 

It is soft, so soft in fact, that I'm never left feeling dry or tight after use. In fact, my skin is left feeling pretty well nourished. It exfoliates in a really good way. My skin feels so clear after use, smooth and absolutely not irritated. 

In terms of pore refining, that doesn't really mean much. The focus of the product is to smooth skin - which is successfully does - and to exfoliate - which it also successfully does.

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Pore Refining Scrub is 100% natural and priced at £9.99 for 110G. 

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I do like these products. Nothing in this range is irritating, everything is soothing and everything has its benefits. Both the Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Toner and the Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Moisturising Lotion both scored Effect, don't repurchase. While they are effective at what the do in terms of toning and moisturising, they are not effective enough at reducing blemishes. The Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Targeted Spot Treatment scored Essential. I love this product, and it has become a staple in my skincare regime. It's quick-working and effective without leaving any irritation. Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Pore Refining Scrub scored Effective, repurchase. While I enjoy using this product, I will still be looking for other solutions, which focus more on combating blackheads and minimising pores.

All products featured here can be purchased from Burt's Bees.

Bee Good Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Cream Cleanser, For Your Face & For The Bees!

Natural skincare has always been a big hitter for me. Nothing to do with ethos or ethics (though these are major perks), it just far more agreeable with my skin than their chemical-infused opposition. I'm also a big advocate in protecting the Honey Bee (you can discover more about the impact of the decline in the Honey Bee population here, and you can adopt your own beehive here). So any all-natural, all-organic product that sources its ingredients from British Bees while helping to support their population is a-okay in my eyes.

This is my first time using a cream cleanser, and it will certainly not be the last. This product is like massaging a dream into your skin. It has a lovely pillow-y texture, very plump, and you can feel it just enough on your face that it isn't too heavy nor too scarce. 

I find I like this product best when I massage it into dry skin, it almost disappears completely if you massage it enough. However, that's irrelevant because I always rise away my cleansers after use. It actually comes pre-packaged with, what I would qualify as, a very average muslin cloth. For me, it's really not that dissimilar to a standard dishcloth. Boo, I know, I'm being slightly priggish, it's a cloth, it does the job, and it's free. 

This product is not formulated specifically for oily skin types *sob*, but it is suitable for All Skin Types, as it contains some pretty dreamy ingredients that will still make any skin swoon.

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Propolis is made from botanical sources and known as 'bee glue'. In vitro studies show that it possess some antibacterial and antifungal properties, which helps to clean the skin. It is also shown to be an emollient, proving effective against inflammation. 

Beeswax is considered a natural protector with incredible moisturising effects on the skin. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against bacteria. It's a natural skin strengthener, rich in Vitamin A to help support cell rejuvenation.

Rapeseed Oil Sourced from the flower, rapeseed oil offers antioxidant properties for the skin, helping to be both softening and smoothing. It helps to fortify the important skin lipids (barrier).

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This product smells utterly scrumptious. I love to wake up to this scent. I constantly insist that the scent of a product really doesn't mean that much to me, but what it's done right, it means the world, - and this product does it right! It's very sweet and pleasant and totally smells edible (I haven't tried it, right). It really adds to the experience of using a cleanser.

I've used this product morning and night for the past two months and it has helped me to keep fresh and clear. It's super effective and super suitable for oily skin. It has been beneficial to improving my skin quality while supporting British Bees. :-) 

Bee Good Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Cream Cleaner can be purchsed from Bee Good for £11.50 for 100ML. 

The featured book is RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife and can be purchased from the RPSB website for £9.99.