I admit it: I’m a sucker for balms and face oils.
There is nothing I love more than slathering myself in them at night, not only do they smell divine, they help me sleep and nourish the skin, so I always go to bed in hope that I will awake looking 10 years younger. Whilst waiting for this miracle to happen, I've been keeping an eye out for brands to write about, so, when I came across SUTI I felt like my Christmases had all come at once: I spotted their stand at a trade fair displaying a small selection of jars and bottles in the kind of packaging I would unconsciously migrate towards. On closer inspection, I discovered balms, oils and floral waters which, not only looked amazing, but smelt amazing too. I got chatting to one of the ladies who turned out to be Suzannah, one of the founders of the brand and the one known as “the nose”. We immediately bonded over a mutual passion for natural skincare, oils and facials, and I knew then that I was going to love this brand.
Suzannah (SU), after a long period of illness, converted to homeopathic medicine, and, with that, started exploring holistic therapies. She qualified in Reiki, Reflexology and Aromatherapy, and built up a private practice from home, where she also started making her own skincare products to suit each of her clients’ specific needs. Using organic butters and oils with extracts from herbs & flowers, she formulated balms and treatment oils for her clients to use at home. Her sister in law Tina (TI aka “the eyes”) went from being her guinea pig to her business partner and so, SUTI was born. Tina, a graphic designer by profession, is also the brand manager and the person credited with the fantastic branding which represents everything they stand for: modern, clean, simple, natural and effective products that are “good enough to eat” so you can, as the packaging says, “feed your skin”. The current range consists of 7 products which are all made with cold pressed, organic and, where possible fair trade, oils and butters: a cleansing balm, 2 floral waters, 2 face oils, a treatment balm and a foot balm. This is an oil based balm which, at first, looks grainy in texture due to the Shea Butter, which solidifies below a certain temperature, but melts into a lusciously zesty cleanser which is also suitable for removing eye make-up. As a huge fan of anything citrusy, the scent alone won me over but, not only that, it cleanses without leaving any residue, it gets rid of waterproof mascara and it doesn’t sting your eyes, all of which are absolute basic requirements for me. It contains Shea, Cocoa and Avocado Seed Butters, with Sunflower, Avocado, Apricot Kernel and Olive oils, as well as Calendula, Lime, Mandarin, Lavender and Geranium, which give it a divine scent. One of the nicest cleansing balms I’ve ever used.
Facial Toners: Rose and Peppermint Both of these are made by distilling rose petals and peppermint leaves, resulting in clear, beautifully scented flower waters. The Peppermint is made using organic leaves and the Rose is made holistically using the "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" variety plant which is placed under a full moon to harness its' energy. The perception of the "Rose Moon Essence" is that it is perfect for the heart as it encourages joy and happiness, and relieves sadness and grief. These gorgeous sprays can be used after cleansing, as toners or as refreshing mists. I find they are both fantastic before moisturising, so I’ve been using the Peppermint in the morning, as a wake-me-up and the Rose at night, as a calm-me-down. I like using them to add extra hydration to the skin, so I spritz then, while the skin is still damp, massage my cream or oil in over it. The packaging is also fabulous: lovely glass bottles with a spritzer which can be refilled too!
What was originally created for a client with a facial scar has become one of their best-selling products and goes above and beyond moisturising. With a beautiful warm colour, it’s light and silky in texture and, needless to say, smells amazing. It contains Rosehip Seed Oil and carrot extract (which gives it the colour) to smooth scar tissue and help restore elasticity, Evening Primrose Oil, Sandalwood and Frankincense to heal, repair and promote skin cell growth, as well as Argan and Jojoba Oils to calm irritated, inflamed and blemished skin. Essential oils of Neroli and Tangerine not only give it a beautiful scent, they also help alleviate stress and ease away mental chatter. This, as with all the products, is suitable for all skin types. It’s indicated as a daytime oil, but, I have to confess, I find that I don’t really have time in the morning to allow it to sink in properly before applying make-up, so I’ve been using it at night as well as at weekends, when I don’t wear anything (on my face I mean!) and can really give my skin time to absorb and benefit from it. However, if you have dry skin, you could easily use this as a day moisturiser.
Its’ gorgeous shade of pale green reminds me of delicious unfiltered olive oil, the kind I can just drink out of the bottle. This is an intensive, regenerating treatment oil, formulated to nourish, strengthen and replenish your skin while you sleep. It’s made with Avocado, Macadamia, Apricot Kernel, Sesame Seed and Argan oils, along with Calendula, Orange, Geranium, Bergamot, Patchouli and Jasmine, making it the kind of unguent you want to spend time massaging into your skin at night. Although it feels a little heavier than Rejuvenate don't be put off, your skin absorbs it in such a way that you awake feeling soft and smooth. I have been using both the Nourish and Rejuvenate oils at night, alternating them depending on my mood or how my skin feels. I apply 2-3 sprays of the Rose Flower Water, warm the oil between the palms of my hands, then massage into the skin while it's still damp.
I cannot begin to tell you how good this smells, literally, good enough to eat. It’s kind of zesty, fresh and floral, all at the same time, but without being overwhelming. This oil based balm is designed as a “rescue salve” of sorts, which you can apply as needed to dry patches, lips, cuticles, sunburn, etc. but also as a mask or an intensive treatment. Like the cleanser, it’s also made with Shea Butter, giving it a slightly grainy texture which melts into a divine oil in the warmth of your hands. I particularly like using this as a mask in the bath: I cleanse beforehand, then apply a layer of this all over my face and neck, before lying back for a good 20 minutes. After that, I take a muslin cloth and, with hot water, use it as a compress over the balm, repeating 3-4 times. Then, using the same muslin cloth, remove as you would a cleanser, to reveal plumped, glowing skin. Alternatively, I also like using it after cleansing as an overnight treatment….to be honest, I love it so much I could use it every night, but then I feel like I’m cheating on the face oils….! It contains Shea Butter with Sunflower, Apricot Kernel, Sesame Seed and Calendula oils, Beeswax as well as essential oils of Lavender and Chamomile.
I’ve tried my fair share of foot creams and balms, and found, like most, that you have to apply them every day over a period of time to see any effect. I admit it, I’m very lazy when it comes to this, but, am always willing to give products a chance, so I have been applying it after a bath/shower and within 3-4 uses I did see a difference: Like CLEANSE and PURITY, this is also an oil based balm which melts so you can massage into the skin, however, it sinks in remarkably quickly. It has a wonderful fragrance of Peppermint, Rosemary and Eucalyptus and can be rubbed on the legs also, which is great in hot weather. It’s made with Shea Butter, Sunflower, Olive, Pumpkin Seed and Avocado oils, as well as Calendula, Carrot, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary and Eucalyptus. Foot Heaven in a jar.
My conclusion? Suti products are not only glorious, effective and affordable, they will definitely be winning awards. You heard it here first.
CLEANSE Facial Cleanser £26 for 50ml
Rose and Peppermint Flower Waters £18 each for 100 ml
REJUVENATE Face Oil £28 for 30 ml
NOURISH Face Oil £28 for 30 ml
PURITY Moisturising Balm £22 for 50 ml
FABULOUS Foot Balm £16 for 50 ml
For more details click here
