Ishga Organic Skincare Review – Scottish Seaweed Cleansing Lotion and Hebridean Marine Toner

Whilst on the hunt for a cleanser and toner made with only natural and organic ingredients, I came across Ishga Skincare, a Scottish brand that is relatively new to the green beauty world and has recently launched their prized products at the Beauty Short-list Awards 2014.

Knowing that the Beauty Shortlist is a reputable and trusted source when it comes to all things natural skincare, hair-care and beauty products, I was intrigued as ever to find out why fellow natural beauty journalists and beauty bloggers were going mad for this newly launched natural skincare brand.

I contacted the Ishga team via twitter to find out more about their products and after an insightful DM conversation around seaweed, one of their main active ingredients used and its benefits, Ishga Skincare kindly offered me the opportunity to try a product or two from their range.

After spending a good few days carefully analysing their products to determine which ones would be right for me, I was torn *literally* between their marine face cream and their cleanser and toner.

Having thought about the affordability and what my readers estimated price range will be I finally settled on trying their cleanser but before I share my thoughts on the products kindly sent to me, I shall use this opportunity to enlighten you all about the Ishga Skincare brand.

Ishga Skincare Background

The name Ishga is derived from the Gaelic word for water.

The founders of Ishga Skincare believe that the seaweed content in the products is higher than any other Seaweed brands on the market. Scientific tests have shown that Hebridean seaweed contains natural anti-oxidants that have anti-ageing properties which help protect the skin.

Ishga products have been made to work on every skin type, even the most sensitive by harnessing the potent powers of the finest Scottish seaweed.

Seaweed Benefits

Seaweed is a natural resource that grows in abundance in the pure unpolluted coastal waters of the Hebridean Islands of Scotland. It has been used for centuries for its natural healing and therapeutic properties and is known to contain a balanced combination of:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Trace elements
• Amino acids and a
• Antioxidants that are considered essential for maintaining healthy and youthful skin.

Using Seaweed as the main active ingredient in cosmetics is said to help tighten and tone the skin, stimulate blood and lymph circulation, deep clean, and increase the skin’s moisture levels and elasticity. Seaweed is increasingly becoming a popular choice in Spa and Thalassotherapy.

It is now being recognized for its ability to revitalize, repair and moisturize the skin, promoting a healthy, glowing appearance. Seaweed is also reputed to help with skin conditions such as Eczema and Psoriasis.

Seaweed is increasingly becoming a popular choice in Spa and Thalassotherapy and is now being recognised for its ability to evitalize, repair, and moisturise the skin promoting a healthy, glowing appearance.

Now you are somewhat familiar with the Ishga Organic Skincare brand, I shall now share my thoughts with you on the products sent.

Ishga Skincare Cleansing Lotion

As you would have guessed by now I do love a bit of nicely presented packaging so you can imagine my sheer delight upon first opening my package to a box of brightly coloured purple boxes and was just as equally impressed with the gorgeous plastic bottles their products came in.

Both of the bottles were made with a pump inside of them which for me, is always a big plus as you can easily control the amount to use as opposed to the scenario of emptying out far too much that one has to spend the next few minutes messily attempting to put the contents back inside the bottle *speaking from experience*

Having swooned over the presentation for quite sometime, I must admit was a bit apprehensive and somewhat sceptical to use this product at first for most cleansers I have previously used always seemed to irritate my face and make it go bright red around the t-zone after using and as a result of this, I chose to stay clear of such products and took to washing my face with nothing but water.

My worries were instantly put at ease at the first time of using the cleansing lotion and were taken aback by just how gentle the cleanser was on my face!

I found that two squirts were more than enough to cleanse the face thoroughly and LOVED the sweet but subtle aroma of Jojoba and Orange Oil coming through as I worked the lotion around my face. Whilst seaweed is the main active ingredient in this product the usual strong, pungent and distinctive smell associated with seaweed was not present at all.

The lotion didn’t lather as first anticipated but instead turns into a thin milky like texture that coats the face well. Having worked the lotion around my t-zone, the corners of my nose and my neck it washed off with total ease and to my amazement my face was not bright red. It was left feeling smooth and refreshed.

I must point out this is my first natural, organic cleanser I have used since transitioning my chemical ridden skincare and beauty products and can honestly confirm I am absolutely smitten with it!

Ishga Organic Skincare Cleansing Lotion are sold in a 100ml bottle and can brought directly from their website at the price of £30.00

Ingredients Used

Aqua, Fucus Serratus Extract, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glycerine, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Theobroma, Cacao Seed Butter,  Tocopheryl Acetate, Coocamidopropyl Betaine, Phonoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Limonene, Linalool.

Ishga Skincare Hebridean Marine Toner

I generally use this product straight after applying the cleansing lotion, using between 2-3 squirts whilst gently rubbing into my face and neck area. I find this gives your face extra hydration and contains Seawater from the purest marine waters of the Hebrides.

It is further blended with Hebridean Seaweed extract, Hebridean natural spring water, hydrating aloe vera, and Cucumber extract which leaves the face feeling soothed and revitalized.

This product can also be used on it’s own and would recommend it be a part of your handbag / manbag essentials when your face is in need of a little hydration whilst out and about.

Ishga Organic Skincare Hebridean Marine Toner is sold in a 150ml bottle and can brought directly from their website at the price of £25.00

Ingredients Used

Aqua, Maris Aqua, Fucus Serratus Extract, Glycerine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Symphtum Officinalis Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool.

Verdict  

Overall I am thoroughly impressed with the two products sent to me and will definitely be making a purchase once they eventually run out. As it is the first natural and organic cleanser and toner I had the pleasure of using on my face, I can only compare them to previous chemical riddled products used and can confirm Ishga Organic Skincare most definitely tops other cleansers and toners I have used in the past!

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, my eyes are firmly set on trying their wonderfully described Anti-oxidant Marine Face Cream but currently priced at £70.00 I think I would have to wait until my birthday to be in receipt of this (just over a month to go please god).

Some might think that spending a total of £55.00 on a cleanser and toner is possibly a bit steep in comparison to known high street and supermarket beauty / skincare brands but I see it as a great investment.

Not only does these products go along way (I have been using mine religiously everyday and night over the last three or so weeks and haven’t even reached the half way mark), you are reassured that you are putting nothing but natural products on your face that is not harmful or toxic to your skin which are more expensive to source than chemical alternatives.

So there you have it, the natural and organic standards have now been set *pretty highly in my opinion* and honestly feel Ishga Skincare’s Cleansing Lotion and Toner will be a tough one to beat but nonetheless, I am open to suggestions on other natural and organic cleansers and toners to try before I can make a true comparison of any kind.

For more information about Ishga Organic Skincare, including a detailed look into the benefits of using seaweed and the other lovely products they have as part of their range, they can be found online by visiting the Ishga Organic Skincare website, Ishga Organic Skincare Facebook or by simply following them on Twitter

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post and no money has been exchanged. The products were sent to me free of charge for the sole purpose of a review. All views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.