Family Health & Care Product Reviews

Organic Monkey

Organic Monkey has been set up by two entrepreneurial mums, Heidi and Claudine who identified a gap in the market for a truly organic range of baby skin care products. They have incorporated the use of Fairtrade ingredients where possible, providing a better deal for producers in developing countries.

We loved the classy packaging of these rather unique products. And fell in love with the Hello Mellow Massage Oil. Children beware! Grown ups will not let you keep these products to yourself. They're an absolute treat for the whole family. Find your new favourite treat here: www.organicmonkey.co.uk

Naturally Cool Kids

If you take a look at the range of products from Naturally Cool Kids you'll see that they offer a fun and effective alternative to the usual summer and winter skincare ranges. Each one of their products has its own unique benefits. With no chemicals, parabens or SLS, they use natural and organic ingredients to protect and moisturise young skin in the summer sun, and soothe and protect from the symptoms of colds in the winter. Our kids found the products brightly coloured with instant fun appeal and very moisturising. The packaging is no mess and therefore no stress. We'd definitely recommend that you give these products a try, find out more here www.naturallycoolkids.com

NEW BABY LOTION FROM HALOS N HORNS 

Halos N Horns has two new additions to its baby and toddler fun bath time range, a Baby Moisturising Lotion and a Gentle Bubble Bath & Body Wash.  Both new skincare products will be exclusive to Boots. To celebrate the launch, there are savings of up to a 1/3 for a limited period only* in Boots stores nationwide. Halos N Horns Baby Moisturising Lotion is gentle and hypo-allergenic, it smells lovely , and our testers Mum did admit to using the moisturiser on herself too.  The lotion costs £3.99 (250 ml).

Halos N Horns Gentle Bubble Bath & Body Wash is very versatile, it can be used in the shower on toddlers or as a bubble bath.  It smells scrumptious too.  The bubble bath costs £3.49 (250 ml). We also tried the shampoo and body washes - Zingy Orange Hair & Body Wash, Mango-Melon Mayhem Shampoo and Conditioner, and Berry Burst Shampoo & Detangler. They left the kids with soft, detangled beautiful smelling hair.  What more could you want?

Green People's Organic Sun Lotions for Children, available in No Scent or Lavender (SPF25)
My children are truly fussy about Sun Lotion, to them it's a waste of time, who wants to be putting on lotion when they can be out playing? It's jolly good that Green People have come up with these no mess easily absorbable products, quick to apply and low on the fuss scale. I cannot sing the praises of the Lavender scented sun lotion enough, although the children prefered the unscented version I adored the lovely smell as the kids brushed passed me. Find out more about these and other products in the range at www.greenpeople.co.uk

Dill and Organic Lavender Hair and body wash
  Little Me Bath and Body Products

Myreen Young
Babeeze Organic Cradle Cap Oil and Sleepeeze Drops - reviewed by Sarah

Babeeze Organic Cradle Cap Oil is a beautiful blend of sweet almond, safflower, calendula, lavender and mandarin essentials oils.  I have been using this product on my now 20 week old son for 4 weeks and have found it has made a huge difference in the health of his scalp.  Initially it was very dry and flaking and now looks normal.  I've also used it on my 2 year olds hair and scalp as he still has some cradle cap.  I've noticed again that it is starting to make a difference and the cradle cap is clearing up.  His hair is also very shiny and healthy looking from it.  The oil smells beautiful and is very easy to apply.  Overall a fantastic product for the whole family. 
 
Sleepeze Drops are a gorgeous blend of lavender, vertiver, valerian and chamomile essentials oils.  Again I have been using these to aid both my toddler and baby's sleep.  I have been putting a few drops on each of their mattresses at night and I do believe they've aided in a much more restful sleep.  This is a lovely product to use and fills the room with a beautiful aroma that again the whole family can enjoy and benefit from. You can purchase these and other products in the range at www.my-skincare.co.uk

Cares Child Aviation Restraint - reviewed by Catherine and Luke (4 yrs).

I was thrilled to be chosen to test the Cares Child Aviation Restraint System as we were travelling to Canada for the first time with our 4 year old son and I was concerned about him only having a lap belt on the plane. In a car he is safely strapped in and I felt it was important for him to be just as safe in a plane. The Cares Child Aviation Restraint System was  very light and compact and came in it's own drawstring bag which I thought was a really good idea as it kept everything together.

Liquorice Balm - kiss summer cold sores goodbye

A new lip balm containing liquorice could help reduce the frequency and intensity of cold sore outbreaks.

This Liquorice Balm claims to help reduce such outbreaks. Unlike conventional treatments, due to its naturally derived ingredients, suffers can wear the lip balm at all times, meaning that the intensity of the cold sore outbreaks could be diminished before they really have a chance to take hold.

This was actually tested by my daughter and husband, although my daughter didn't like the smell my husband actually quite liked it. And when he commented 'you know this actually works!' it got the thumbs up from me.

Liquorice Balm costs £10.99 for 30g call: 0844 7009975 or visit www.skinshop.co.uk

Green People Organic Children Shampoo and Conditioner reviewed by Leese from Staffordshire in January 2010

"The shampoo and conditioner both smell heavenly and they are very economical as only a very small amount is needed.  The conditioner really helped smooth out my kids curly/tangly hair - no more tears over hair brush battles! The shampoo also contains tea tree - which so far has meant no sign of those dreaded head lice!!!

We try to be as Green as we can and we were impressed by the organic and fairly traded content of these products without being overpriced.  Overall thumbs up from us all - we'll definitely be buying these again"

Visit www.greenpeople.co.uk

Sanex Dermo Kids Body Wash and Foam Bath reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in December

"I've used Sanex myself before so was interested to try this with Alice.  It worked very well in the bath with a good quantity of bubbles (all important!) and made the bath feel creamy if you know what I mean. 

The other thing I have realised that after a month of using this for Alice's baths her very dry hands are no longer very dry!  This is a big result for me and I will definitely buy some more!"


SuperSoft 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner and Detangling Spray reviewed by Mary from Shropshire in Sept 2009

"A good value shampoo/conditioner and detangler (only £1.75 each) that does the job.  We tried the strawberry and vanilla range and they were very pleasant and Alice loved the smell.  It's nice to have the two products with the same smell.  It's good that they are available from supermarkets and chemists so you can easily restock.  Daisy liked the Smurfs on the packaging although had no idea who they were!"

Available Nationwide

Baby Aid First Aid Kit reviewed by Laura from Berkshire in September 2009

"This is the best compact first aid kit I've seen!  It comes in a cute bag and is full of everything you could possibly need for minor mishaps and more.  Included are burns patches, plasters, bandage, thermometer strips , scissors and reward stickers for your little hero!  It's handy for a changing bag or to keep in the car or under the buggy.  And not just for babies as everything is relevant to older children, in fact they are the ones that will have the scrapes."  Visit www.babyaid.co.uk

Aquasolari Washable Bed Pad reviewed by Heather from Salisbury in July 2009

"The best thing about the bed pad is that it is very soft and can be put on top of the sheets.  It also holds the wee a bit like a nappy so you can avoid changing at night if there is an accident or just take it off and replace very quickly. A really amazing product that has changed our lives, no exaggeration!"  Visit www.aquasolari.com

Hands First - Power Scrub+ & Moisturiser reviewed by Juliet from Hampshire in July 2009

"This product definitely does its job, removing  ground in dirt while simultaneously gently exfoliating your hands.  It has a light, neutral fragrance and and you don't need to use too much, meaning it lasts for a longer time than some other products.  After use my hands felt clean, smooth and not at all dried out.  It also did not irritate my eczema.  I would recommend this as a unisex product for frequent use on all skin types."  Visit www.handsfirst.co.uk

Hands First - Invisible Gloves reviewed by Juliet from Hampshire in July 2009

Quash reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in July 2009

"Loved this!  It's a skin sanitiser made from natural ingrediants including honey and contains no alcohol.  It smelt lovely and comes in a handy handbag size for taking out and about.  Invaluable to have generally and particularly on a long day out, baby changing and at an animal farm.  Funky name and packaging too!"  Visit www.quashme.com

Ouchless Hair Detangler reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in July 2009

"I didn't think this would work but it has really helped the morning tussle when combing Alice hair.  It's not "ouchless" exactly but much more forgiving than the Hello Kitty brush we have been using!  I will definitely continue to use this without question and would highly recommend for any Mum who has to tackle long hair on a regular basis!"

Travel Sickness Bands reviewed by Alisha 8, Eloise 4

To be honest when I received the travel sickness bands I was unsure how effective they would be. My two oldest girls get very bad travel sickness so I was worried about the consequents if they didn’t work! I put the bands on the girls before we set off for our 2 hour journey and they were delighted not to be given a horrible tablet. They fit snugly around the wrist and as well as being bright and colourful they are comfortable to wear. I’m very happy to say that they did work and my 4 year old only complained of mild tummy ache a couple of times, which could have been through boredom! I will definitely be using these again as it’s a lot easier than trying to get them to have a sickness tablet!