Natural Skin Care from Koru Naturals {A TOS Review}

The majority of the time that I share reviews, I am sharing products that I have used with the children. Occasionally, I have the opportunity to try out a product for me. My latest review from The Schoolhouse Review Crew is from Koru Naturals. My husband and I have both been trying out the two products I was sent . We received a 2 oz bottle of Emu Oil and a 1.4 oz jar of Koolpurrie Restoring Balm.

Koru Naturals is a company based in New Zealand, a land of natural beauty and ancient traditions. Out of these ancient traditions has come some wonderful, natural health products. As members of the Review Crew, we were all given the chance to try out the Pure Emu Oil and were given a choice between the following products:

• Pure Lanolin Lip Balm
• New Zealand Pure and Simple Lanolin Cream
• Manuka Oil and Honey Shampoo and Conditioner
• Koolpurrie Restoring Balm

Though all of these products sounded so tempting, I was excited about the chance to try out the Restoring Balm as it was a product my husband and I both felt we could use. 

I would like to share the Emu Oil first.

I loved the sound of the Emu Oil as I have always had dry skin, especially on my hands. I have to tell you, the winter months take a terrible toll on my hands. Every product I have tried in the past has caused a reaction  on my skin, even products that help my mother who has similar concerns. I had high hopes for the products from Koru Naturals. I mean, this Emu Oil is a product that has been used for thousands of years by the peoples of Australia. It is all natural, fully refined, doesn't clog pores and hypoallergenic. It includes vitamins, minerals, plus Omega 3 and Omega 6. 
When I first received the package from Koru Naturals, I was very excited to try out the Emu Oil. It can be used on skin to help alleviate dry skin and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used in hair to moisturize. As I researched, I also discovered it may be able to stimulate hair growth, though this isn't a benefit Koru Naturals mentions. I thought it would be a wonderful use as my hair has gotten quite thin as I have gotten older. I started by just using it on my hands. Only a few drops are needed as it spreads really nicely and then absorbs right into the skin. The company has made a note on the website that if your hands feel greasy after applying the oil, too much has been used. Let me tell you, the first couple of days I used the oil my hands felt so smooth, smoother than they had in years. 
Unfortunately, this moisture didn't last very long and I tried adding some more later in the day. It seemed to be working on my fingertips and palms, but the backs of my hands still felt dry after each application. Sadly, on the third day, I started to notice little cracks on my skin.  
I also applied it to my hair a couple of times prior to washing it, per the instruction on the website. My hair did seem shinier, though my hair is so long, it took a lot of oil to cover it. The directions state to use 5-6 drops. However, it doesn't state what hair length this is suitable for. I wasn't quite sure I was using the correct amount. But, that is actually a moot point, because of the effect it was having on my hands.                                             I decided to switch to the Koolpurrie Restoring Balm to see if it could "soothe, heal, and restore [my] dry and damaged skin." My husband continued to use the Emu Oil on his hands, and he used the Restoring Balm on his feet.  The Koolpurrie Restoring Balm also contains all natural ingredients. It is a combination of Premium Grade A Emu Oil and Pure Lanolin. Then there is the list of things that are NOT in this product, "no dyes, perfumes, preservatives, paraffin, or chemicals." The balm is definitely greasier than the Emu Oil by itself. When I was trying to figure out how to describe it's consistency, the only thing that would come to mind is, petroleum jelly, though it is not quite the same. Again, only a small amount is to be used, a thin layer on the damaged skin, applied with clean, dry hands. I used it on the back of my hand, where the Emu Oil didn't seem to help. And, as I stated, my husband used it on his feet. The directions on the website state that it is most effective when applied at bedtime. Due to the greasiness, I don't think I would use it at other times during the day. I didn't use it every night, but on the nights that I did, it helped the cracks to heal and I woke up with smoother skin. 
Unfortunately, during the day my skin still got really dry, causing me to scratch to relieve the itching. After a couple of weeks of use, I noticed it wasn't just dry skin that was causing my hand to itch. I was starting to have the same allergic reaction to the Restoring Balm as I have had to every other product that is meant to help relieve dry skin. I can't tell you how disappointed I was that even this pure, natural product didn't seem to be able to help me. It was wonderful when it was working. I just seem to have very, very sensitive skin that reacts to everything. 
I did want to share my husband's experience with you.
"For the past two years I have had huge problems with my feet.  More precisely,  the skin on my feet would get so dry throughout the winter months and itch that I would sometimes spend 15 minutes at a time scratching them trying to get comfortable.  It used to get so bad that the itching of my feet would wake me up from a sound sleep.  I would scratch so hard that huge chunks of skin would come off the bottom of my foot.  This lead to infection, pain, and costly trips to the Podiatrist for antibiotic cream. This year, while using the Koolpurrie Restoring Balm my feet haven’t itched nearly as much and I haven’t ripped out big chunks of skin. And I haven’t needed to use any antibiotic cream."
I would definitely recommend these two products for use on dry and damaged skin. As I stated, it felt wonderful, before my skin started reacting to it. The Restoring Balm did heal the cracks in my skin at first and when I awoke in the morning, my skin was very smooth, with no greasy feeling remaining.  I know others who have skin problems have mentioned that the Emu Oil does work for them, so I don't want my extremely sensitive skin to be a deterrent to anyone who wants to try it. Just be aware, if you also have very sensitive skin, you may have a reaction. 
You can purchase the Emu oil in 2 oz bottles, 4 oz bottles, a set of 2- 4 oz bottles, or an 8 oz bottle.  You can stop by their website to check out their current prices. As of the posting of my review, the 2 oz bottle we received is selling for $9.85.
You can purchase the Koolpurrie Restoring Balm in one size, the 1.4 oz tub I received for review. Please stop by their website for more details. At the time of this post, the Balm can be purchased for $12.50. You can find Koru Naturals on Facebook and Pinterest.
Because you are to use a small amount at a time, these products should last a long time.
Don't forget to check out what my fellow Crew Mates thought of these products. 

Review: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

I was so excited when I was contacted to try out a great skin product for dry skin/dry skin prevention.

Full product description:

A shielding lotion does the real work to prevent dry skin in two ways.

First, it assists the inner layers of skin to absorb moisture. The humectant (an ingredient that attracts moisture) used in Skin MD Natural is unique to it and has been laboratory tested to be 6 times more effective than any other you will find in common creams.

Second, a shielding lotion enhances the power of the top layer of the skin to resist environmental irritants while protecting the inner natural moisture.

This can be a big benefit for those who cook, wash dishes and garden because Skin MD Natural helps skin retain its natural moisture and oils in the face of all those irritating soaps and chemicals.

The manufacturer's website www.skinmdnatural.com has hundreds of dermatologist and user reviews including many addressing severe dry skin problems such as eczema andpsoriasis. People with sensitive skin -- and those of us who like to live as naturally as possible -- will appreciate that Skin MD Natural is hypoallergenic, free of fragrances, parabens and colorants. It is made with more than 90% natural ingredients and 100% food-grade ingredients that are on the FDA's "most safe" list.

I was unsure what to think of this product.  I have tried numerous products to help with my dry skin.  I have had skin problems since I was a teenager, similar to problems my mother has.  However, products that work for her will still cause reactions on my skin.  I either have had to suffer with dry skin which itches, cracks and bleeds, or skin that itches because it is reacting to a lotion or medicated cream.  I tend to get what looks like little bubbles under my skin.  

Let me tell you, in a day and age when it is recommended to wash your hands before and after everything you do my hands were a complete mess. While I loved working at the Montessori my hands were always dry and/or itchy because of food handling and diaper changes.  

I had given up on ever finding a product that would work for me.  I was resigned to the fact that I would have dry, cracked skin.  Now, I feel differently though.

I have been trying out the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion for a month now.

I was sent a whole bunch of packets and they have lasted a while.  You only need a small amount of this lotion and it will moisturize your skin.  The reason I requested additional time to try out this product was because, as I mentioned above, products that would work for my mother did not work for me.  They would actually work for me at the beginning, but then I would start reacting to them.  So I needed to make sure the Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion was a product I could recommend.

Let me tell you

This product works!!

My skin has avoided cracking and it is not itchy.  There are no little "bubbles" under my skin.  My hands feel moisturized like they never have before.

This is the best skin care product I have ever tried.

If you have dry skin or would like to prevent dry skin during this harsh winter or when the weather warms up and you are going to be working in the garden and have to wash your hands a lot, give this lotion a try.  If you work with children or with food and are constantly washing your hands, try out this lotion that will keep them moisturized.  

Check out this link to see why this product works.

You don't have to take my word for it

check out this link to read numerous other reviews

Click here to find a retailer near you.

Or you can order online

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