Monday 15 July 2013

S.W. Basics skincare review

After accidentally using a face wash that was past it, I had a major irritation. And in my usual panic I ordered a bunch of new skincare. One of these was a travel kit from S.W. Basics.


As it turned out, my skin went back to normal before any of the products arrived . Regardless, if it wasn't for that incident, I probably would not have tried this very simple line of beautiful products.

I enjoyed everything in the kit, however when I was running out of toner, I knew I had to reorder and choose what I want carefully. This is a review of the products that I have repurchased.

Exfoliant. I don't generally think of my skin as sensitive, but I guess it is. It just is sensitive to most things that are for sensitive skin, and not to some products that sensitive types should stay away from. Generally most exfoliators don't cause a reaction, but I personally think that a gentle product is best long term.


This particular one, is probably the gentlest exfoliator that I have ever come across. After I use it, my skin doesn't look flushed ( which is pretty much a given for me with any scrub). It just looks more even toned and feels smooth. It doesn't feel squeaky clean or stripped of oils.

It has only 3 ingredients (sea salt, almond flour, oat flour) and smells predominantly of oatmeal as there is no added fragrance.

Toner. This has become my most used product and one that I would not want to be without. It seems to balance my skin, even out the skin tone, and generally makes it more normal rather than what it is (oily and somewhat sensitive).



It does smell like apple cider vinegar (one of only 5 ingredients) but I would say it is not as strong as when you put some vinegar in your salad.

When I had the travel bottle I used to spray it on, with the top and pour bottle I am using a cotton ball, I would say both way work equally well. The small bottle lasted me a month with mostly twice a day use (very occasionally only in the evenings), so you can expect a full size bottle to last about 4 months.

Cream. This truly is goodness in a jar. It has a texture of butter, super soft, melts right into your skin. I only need a tiny amount (less than a pea sized blob) for my face. Skin feels ridiculously soft after it. I have used this both day and night and for spring/summer weather I prefer it for night time use. I think come winter this will be my go to product for both morning and evening.



Instead of getting a full sized cream, I got another small jar. I don't want to be left without this gorgeous product, but after using it once nightly for more than a month, it is still about 3/4 full, and as my skin doesn't like a lot of moisturising products in the summer, there is simply no point having such a large pot for me, it will just go off. I am so grateful  that S.W. basics have travel sizes, makes it perfect for what my skin needs. However if you want to use it for both face and body, then the bigger jar is the way to go.



The cream smells just like raw shea butter, and even though I wasn't a fan in the past, I am totally converted. Ingredients are shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil.

This is a no nonsense skincare line that really works, as they use only a few ingredients in each product, it is really easy to figure out if your skin reacts to something. I will be reordering once again when my toner runs out (other products last longer) and will be getting the face wash  (and maybe a few lip balms, hoping to run out of the ones I have by then). Honestly if this line was available in UK I would probably own every product they make by now, I like them that much!

Update: You can actually get this brand in UK from here. Thank you Sarah from sugarpuffish !

7 comments:

  1. I've got good news you can buy from www.cutecosmetics.co.uk (I reviewed the shea butter cream for them but at that time the brand name was Sprout)

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    1. How did I not know this? will update my post, thanks xx

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  2. I like this brand, but I'm always feeling like I could probably make some of them myself for cheaper? But, having said that, I do still want them sitting on my dresser! x

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    1. If you get the proportions right you probably could, but it is a bit like going to a restaurant instead of cooking at home, sometimes it is just nice if someone else does it ;)

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  3. I've been using the toner recently and am in love with it, probably part of the permanent collection now - but one question. How are you making it last so long? I've had mine for about 2 weeks and I'm already a third of the way through!

    Mayah x

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    1. Hm ok, are you using it as a spray or with cotton wool? If as a spray you only need two sprays for the face, with cotton wool, do not use the balls use the round flat disks ( I use the simple organic cotton ones they are well pressed in) the fatter disks just waist toner. So you hold the disk to bottle opening and than quickly put the bottle upside done for like less than a second, then move the disc a little so an area that doesn't have toner covers the top of the bottle and repeat. Now you should have an optimum amount of toner. It makes most of the disk damp but not soaking. So you can wipe your face with one side of the disk, turn it around and wipe again if you feel the need. So you save both toner and cotton pads. Hope this helps, ( a bit of a long winded explanation sorry ) xx

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    2. No that's really awesome, thanks Tammy! I used the flat disk cotton, but I think I was being a bit over zealous and was doing what you described a couple of times. Learnt my lesson now! Once is all that's needed really, should help slow down the rate at which I'm using it now haha, thank yooou!

      Mayah x

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