As you know, I am a judge at the first stage of the Skinsmatter FreeFrom Skincare awards. It’s me and another couple of people who ultimately decide who is good enough to even get through the first stage assessment to enter the awards process. If it doesn’t fit the criteria, it don’t go through, simple as.
Working blind so we aren’t influenced by packaging (which is a good thing for me as I am a sucker for a lovely-looking pot), we then decide what we think of the ingredients, whether it is likely to do the job claimed, is it innovative in some way or is it a standard much-like-any-other mix? What’s the value like, would the pot be big enough for slathering on an eczema-prone body or only be enough for a patch or two? Is the labelling clear, could they have done a better job for freefromers (invariably yes, but it is getting better), do I need a magnifying glass to read the ingredients, are they using INCI and common names to meet both legal and customer requirements?
So you see: we don’t just stick a pin in and choose products – and I’ve only described the bit I’m involved in! After that, we meet in London with other consumer, allergy and professional experts to cogitate, trial and discuss, choosing the best of the bunch in each category, and finally they are sent out to our team of trusted testers for their comments. The whole lot is then analysed and the winners discovered.
Phew.
So, without further ado, here are this years’ winners for you; I hope you find something new and lovely. Drum roll, please….
Best ‘Free From’ Product
OVERALL WINNER
Tropic Skin Care, Smoothing Cleanser with Organic Bamboo Cloth
RUNNERS-UP
Blend Collective, Unwinding Soap Bar
Elixirs of Life, Gardeners Life Hand Cream
Green People, Cell Enrich Facial Oil
Herbfarmacy, Mallow Beauty Balm
Lavera, Lavera Men Sensitive Moisturising Face Cream
Best ‘Free From’ Brand
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Category Winners and Medallists:
1. Family Skincare – sponsored by NATorigin
GOLD
Nom Nom Skincare, Organic Pregnancy Stretch Butter Camillia and Vanilla
SILVER
Kosmea, Skin Clinic Rescue Balm
Moa, The Green Balm
Nom Nom Skincare, Organic Baby Butter Calendula and Evening Primrose
BRONZE
Spiezia Organics, Calendula Ointment
2. Men’s Grooming
GOLD
Lavera, Lavera Men Sensitive Moisturising Face Cream
SILVER
Adam and Eve Skincare, Refreshing Face Wash
BRONZE
Green People, Itch Away Shampoo
3. Hair Care
GOLD
Faith in Nature, Coconut Shampoo
SILVER
PurelyPuti Products, StarShine Luxury Hair Serum
BRONZE
Weleda, Millet Nourishing Shampoo
4. Body Care (Leave On) – sponsored by Spiezia Organics
GOLD
Toulou Organics, Nourishing-Vanilla Pod, Aloe Vera & Baobab Body Creme
SILVER
Eve of St Agnes, Hydrating Body Cream
BRONZE
Pure Lakes Skincare, Gardener’s Skin Repair Bar
5. Body Care (Take Off)
GOLD
Odylique, Coconut Candy Scrub
SILVER
Botanicals, Revitalising Body Polish
BRONZE
Beatitude, Joy Bath Oil
6. Oils and Oil-based Serums
GOLD
Green People, Cell Enrich Facial Oil
SILVER
Barefoot SOS, Intensive Treatment Oil
The Rose Tree, Radiance Facial Essence with Rose & Marula
BRONZE
Dash Skincare, Rebalancing Facial Oil
Mel Millis, Rosehip & Pomegranate Repair Serum
Tropic Skin Care, Organic Elixir Oil
7. Make-Up
GOLD
Jane Iredale, Eye Pencil
SILVER
NATorigin, Compact Face Powder
BRONZE
Neal’s Yard Remedies, Lengthening Mascara
8. Hand, Nail and Foot Care
GOLD
Elixirs of Life, Gardeners Life Hand Cream
SILVER
Botanicals, Foot Softening Balm
MuLondon, Organic White Chocolate Elbow, Knee & Heel Cream
BRONZE
Bakewell Soap, Foot Soother
9. Hard Soaps
GOLD
Blend Collective, Unwinding Soap Bar
SILVER
All Natural Soap Co, Coco Castile Soap Bar
Bentley Organic, Calming & Moisturising Bar Soap
Ruth Romano, Handcrafted Natural Lavender Soap Bar
BRONZE
All Natural Soap Co, Oatmeal Soother Bar Soap
Madara, Birch and Algae Balancing Face Soap
Spiezia Organics, Lemongrass and Marigold Soap
10. Face Care (Leave On)
GOLD
Herbfarmacy, Mallow Beauty Balm
SILVER
Aurelia, Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser
Lyonsleaf, Beauty Balm
Purely SKINful, Anti Ageing Night Cream with Celligent
BRONZE
Suti, Honour, Coconut & Roses Face Cream
11. Face Care (Take Off)
GOLD
Tropic Skin Care, Smoothing Cleanser with Organic Bamboo Cloth
SILVER
Aurelia, Miracle Cleanser
Botanicals, Gentle Cleansing Melt
Organic Surge, Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser
BRONZE
Jane Scrivner, Jane Scrivner Nourishing Cleanser
Kinvara Skincare, Absolute Cleansing Oil
UrbanVeda, Purifying Exfoliating Facial Polish
12. Problem Skin
GOLD
Lyonsleaf, Healing Calendula Balm
SILVER
Apicare, Manuka Therapy 30% Honey Cream
Bloom Remedies, Daily Detox Moisturiser with Palmarosa & Tea Tree
Green People, Daily Solution – Anti Blemish
PHB Ethical Beauty, Skin Repair Gel with Aloe and Lavender
BRONZE
Chuckling Goat, Pro-Biotic Skin Food for Troubled Skin
Kris d’Amour, Soothing Body Treatment Butter
MuLondon, Organic Marigold, Frankincense & Myrrh Moisturiser
Weleda, Aknedoron Purifying Lotion