La Roche-Posay - Lipikar BaumeAP

Many of you may remember my grá for La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5 and it's ridiculously long list of essential uses. Well for the past couple of weeks, since being sent Lipikar BaumeAP to trial, Cicaplast (my third tube by the by) has had a strong contender for favourite skin saviour around Casa Cherry.

Lipikar BaumeAP is a lipid replenishing body balm with anti-irritation and 24 hour anti-scratch efficacy. It comprises a unique ultra-penetrating, non-greasy, non-sticky consistency, which soaks in quickly to allow you to dress, almost immediately without hanging round swinging your nudey limbs in the air (unless you really want to).

Aimed originally at the 50 million people in Europe with Eczema, Lipikar hasn't been used for that around these parts (we're nothing if not enterprising). Instead it's been used on my arms, that are prone to KP, to great effect and the lads backs and shoulders to counteract raging teenage hormonal skin. The effects are literally clear to see. Their skin is calmer, with redness reduced and the associated scratching cut down hugely, mine is soft and even with little or no raised bumps following 3 weeks use.  

The thick, creamy balm is almost soothing just to look at. 

Although fragrance free, I've found myself reaching for this over any body butter, lotion or potion in rotation and also found myself pleasantly surprised at the velvety results on my skin each following day. 

But just what makes this La Roche-Posay offering so special? I hear you ask, well, it contains 20% Shea butter to restore skin comfort, 10% hydrating Glycerin and 2% Canola oil. They combine to make probably one of the softest balms on the market today. 

Should you be in need of more than just the balm, there are 3 products in the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Range aimed at washing and soothing distressed skin, (Syndet: Cleansing Gel, Cleansing Oil and Baume AP) which all promise to be:

- Paraben-free (except Podologics & Hands) 

- Fragrance-free 

- Colouring agent-free 

- 100% Hypoallergenic
- Non-Comedogenic 

- Tolerance tested under dermatological control on atopic skin
- Proven efficacy in real use conditions
- Packaging to minimise risk of microbacterial contamination
- Quality guaranteed by Use-by-date

You'll find Lipikar BaumeAP in all good pharmacies, priced at €12.50 for 200ml and €18.50 for the 400ml pump. 

Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream - A Natural Saviour

I've been eeking out the last of my most recent tube of all round wonder Cicaplast Baume B5 so when Human + Kind's Family Remedy Cream dropped on the mat of Casa Cherry last week I was delighted. You only need to put 'Natural' in the search bar over there --> to see my fondness for natural products so I knew this tube and I were going to get along. 

Having never tried anything from the Human + Kind brand before but read oodles about them online, this Family Remedy seems to be the perfect introduction for us. With 96.2% natural and 3.8% naturally derived ingredients it promises to cater for every skin ailment and issue. 

Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream - €22.95

Being the nose bag that I am, I had to take a look at the all natural ingredients used to make a Family Cream such as this, listed on the pack we have Organic coconut oil, shea butter, centella, calendula, avocado oil, rosehip seed oil, white lily, chickweed, birch extract, tea tree leaf oil, horsetail extract, marshmallow, olive leaf extract, broccoli extract and aloe vera. But even more heartening, you'll find full details of all ingredients online. All of the background information is transparent and clear, just how I like my natural products. 

So is it any use? In a word 'Absofeckinlutely'. I've used this cream several times over the past week. 

• On a burn on my wrist from the iron (I'm such a martyr)
• A nasty graze on the youngest's forearm (Usual Evil Kenevil antics)
• A raised blemish on the eldest's neck (Teenage woes)
• On my ankles that were rubbed raw from new shoes (I love 'em anyway)

Each and every time Family Cream (aptly named btw) has worked a treat. It has the scent of tea tree and feels more like a cooling balm than a cream but it does exactly what it says on the green & purple tube. 

You'll find many more uses for Family Cream (& Stockists info) on the Human + Kind site but for Casa Cherry's uses, it's a great all rounder.