de Mamiel – Winter Facial Oil

Posted by dulwichmum on Mon 24 January 2011

Name of product: Winter Facial Oil – de Mamiel

Price: Limited blend of 25 ml bottles £59.00

The blurb: “de Mamiel Seasonal Oils are hand blended and produced in a strictly limited edition, using only premium ingredients from the purest natural organic sources possible. These ingredients are chosen just weeks before the product goes on sale to ensure the most therapeutic blend to suit the effects of the climate and the emotional aspects of the season ahead. Available only four times a year, at the Solstice or Equinox of each new beginning, each Seasonal Oil is developed specifically for use during that season. It is literally one of a kind, exquisite and unique, designed for just one moment in time. These treasured blends will replenish and put back what nature and our lifestyles take away, to regain balance and harmony within. The oils work on an emotional and therapeutic level to have outstanding anti-ageing effects on the skin

Winter December 21 – March 20 (Water Element)
Water element provides deep nourishment for all activities of life, birth, and growth. This is the time for us to rest and replenish, and the crucial time for deep rest that brings replenishment and renewing of the spirit.
Naturally re-generating Macadamia Oil to strengthen the cell membrane, helping to lock-in moisture. Evening Primrose Oil and Blackcurrant Oil, rich in essential fatty acids to reduce inflammation, to penetrate deeply and work on cells as they migrate towards the surface. Coffee fruit extract, a powerful antioxidant to protect the skin against free-radical damage. The powerful anti-ageing combination of Argan, Sea Buckthorn and Rosehip Seed Oil, exceedingly rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, to protect and regenerate skin helping make it soft, supple and elastic – returning colour and life to damaged skin and fabulous for reducing fine lines around mouth and eyes

Green Hay absolute to immerse the senses, soothe and leave a sense of comfort and being grounded. Frankincense and Myrrh to regenerate cells, working on fine lines, and helping to promote confidence and inner stillness, where there is agitation and stress. Rose Geranium to increase circulation to allow delivery of fresh blood and nutrients to cells. Sandalwood and Neroli for dry skin, restoring moisture, reducing redness and sensitivity which is so often prevalent in the winter

English Chamomile, soft and sweet, to calm the sensitivity and dryness winter imparts. Caraway to warm and centre us and Patchouli to refine, strengthen and moisturize. Sweet Orange to impart optimism and encourage movement beneath the skin. Deeply sustaining Vetiver to improve circulation and boost the immune system. Jasmine, delicately picked at night to preserve its precious qualities, is harmonious for the skin and mood

High Altitude Lavender, sourced from New Zealand, to calm the skin and help us let go of emotional baggage. With Grapefruit seed extract acting as an antiseptic and preservative, this is a true synergy with nature”

First impressions: Smells nice. Golden oil in a pharmaceutical-style dropper bottle made from dark glass, presumably to shield the contents from light-induced decay. It contains many different plant oils (Lavender, Thyme) all with supposed therapeutic effects

Ease of Use: Simple to use. The physical act of using the oil could not be simpler: 4 drops are placed on hands and massaged into cleansed skin, after which one cups ones hands over ones nose to inhale the supposed therapeutic aromatherapy effects

Pros: Easy to use. Smells nice: like a winter evening in front of a log fire on Mont Ventoux. I felt it gave my skin some extra protection against the unseasonably cold weather. I spend hours of my day outside and the oil rendered my skin softer and less tight than before! I used it on my combination skin and my husband on his dry to sensitive skin and it caused no ill effects at all and made our skin noticeably softer

Cons: I can’t see any cons really, although if one is assiduous in using oil free products only, this is probably not for you although it does say it is for all skin types. De Mamiel make many claims for the therapeutic benefits of this oil, which I’m not sure can be substantiated, especially given the necessarily limited quantities in each bottle of seasonal blend unless, that is, one believes in alternative remedies such as aromatherapy and homeopathy, which I do not. However, the placebo effect is well documented and it does smell nice

Value for money:. It does seem rather expensive especially if one is sceptical about the benefits of a particular blend of oils