The Bite Magazine - issue 16

and nourishes the skin. Down Birch is also a very interesting plant; in fact it is the only native tree of the island. Used in various forms, birch is an ancient medi- cine ideal to protect the skin and also to reduce and alleviate the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. It is great to use on hair as it thickens it and makes hair very shiny and healthy, hence why it is used in their shampoo range. And finally Willow Bark , one of the most ancient herbs used since the time of the Ancient Egyptians. It is used to reduce fever, speed up the healing of the skin and is rich in antioxi- dants which is essential for keeping skin younger looking and healthy. The wild herbs are handpicked every summer and the products are made in a small village located at the foot of Mount Kaldbakur.The spring water used in each product is so pure that it can be drunk straight without filtering. The richness and purity of those herbs can be felt not only in the texture of the products but also in the aroma that radiates earthy, woody and also flowery scents. Sóley Organics is well renowned for their skin care as well as their body and hair treat- ments, and the candles are a great way to heal both mind and spirit.When starting on a new skin regime, it is important to follow the basic steps of a healthy routine not only to feel the full benefits of par- ticular ingredients but also to achieve the best skin care condition in the quickest possible way. Therefore cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser and body and hand lotions are the best routines to finish off your daily beauty regime. Sóley Organics Skin Care Routine There are several cleansers in the range but my favourite is FerskWhite Cleans- ing Foam . This cleansing foam not only comes in a convenient pump bottle but works both as a cleanser and face wash, leaving the skin totally cleansed of impu- rities and make-up. The Wild Icelandic herbs are reinforced with extra Yarrow and organic Lavender and Citrus oils to help brighten the skin while reducing the appearance of clogged up pores and oily skin. Upon trial the skin felt very clean, crispy and pleasantly fresh. This was a good start to the skin care range as it allowed the next products to be fully absorbed. The next product I tried was Naerd Tonic , a gentle toner that you can spray onto any part of the skin that feels dry or dehydrated. The tonic contains Orange Blossom and Neroli to help refresh, balance and soothe the skin. This tonic is so light and fresh that I really enjoyed using it during the day as well as a freshener and soothing spritz for those horrid humid days. Just a couple of sprays are enough to feel the full refreshing effects of the toner with great delight. Once the skin is nice and clean, the next best product to apply is a serum which does all the treatments before moisturising. In this case, my favourite choice was Birta Lift & Glow. This serum has organic oil that is so deliciously rich, smooth and invigorating with a very uplifting scent. The Sea Buckthorn oil is infused with vitamins A, E and anti- oxidants that are essential to maintain healthy, younger and luminous skin and this shows in just few applications. Birch and Yarrow are also soothing and anti-inflammatory; their anti-microbial properties can protect the skin from the environment leaving a fresh radiant look to it. Just one or two drops are enough to enjoy the richness of this oil serum. I used it mainly at night to allow the skin to repair during sleep and my skin looked much brighter and glowing in the morning. This non-greasy serum is ideal for all skin types. After the serum, I used Eyglo , the Icelan- dic word for eternal glow. This organic concentrated moisturiser really brings a lot of energy, brightness and radiance to the skin, thanks to its wild herb ingre- dients combined with Evening Primrose, Rosehip and Frankincense oils to improve elasticity and tighten the skin while elim- inating bacterial, sun damage to bring back a radiance and flawless complexion. The moisturiser is very smooth and felt very fresh when applied. A small amount worked very well, leaving the skin feeling cool, smooth, radiant and ever so soft. I enjoyed the sense of tightness that I felt after applying the moisturiser, much like a tingling sensation. The Sóley Organics experience could have not been completed without the body and hand lotions: Lind Likamskrem Body Moistur- iser and Graedir Hendur Hand Cream . They are simply delicious and the perfect way to understand the strength of the wild Icelandic herbs. Both body and hand creams have a calming, soothing and earthy aroma, which can still be enjoyed the morning after.These two prod- ucts are so smooth and soft, it was impossible to resist them.The body lotion contains Shea Butter and an array of organic oils such as Almond, Coconut Oil, Patchouli and Orange Leaves to mention but a few. The skin felt very soothed and fresh, while its aroma helped relax and calm the mind after a long day. The hand cream is ideal for dry and tired skin, and used daily, it really helped to revitalise and soothe cracked skin. Soft hands are very important in our indus- try and the Graedir Hendur Hand Cream really helped to relieve the skin from the dryness and redness caused by the weather or strong chemicals. The cuti- cles seemed to soften after application as well, and is a really lovely product for recovery from dry or dehydrated hands. I really enjoyed discovering the new products from Sóley Organics. This is a lovely brand that has really captured the spirit and the essence of Iceland. A country so natural, yet still on the wild side that produces very effective and powerful herbs. Their strength is very present in all their products with a scent so captivating and uplifting that I can only imagine what it could be like walking through those woods. Together with their family traditions, Sóley Organics has created a luxurious and effective skin care free from chemicals, nasty ingredi- ents and not tested on animals.What a pleasure! www.soleyorganics.com bite beauty