I have a fascination with beauty products. Maybe it’s panic as the years rush by a little too swiftly, or maybe it’s because, as a doctor, I’m aware how efficiently skin can absorb anything we slap on it – be it beauty creams, medicines – or harmful chemicals. Sadly, some ‘beauty’ products aren’t always as pure and innocent as we may assume.

Mindful of this, I was super excited to discover Avīela. I love their story and I simply adore their products, and as ever, I’m keen to share (their story – not their products, those are all mine).

Avīela products are, unusually, based on raw (unrefined) Shea Butter. The company founder, Patricia Monney first discovered this whilst visiting her home country, Ghana, where a doctor recommended massaging her young daughter’s weak ankle with raw Shea Butter. It worked so well that Patricia researched this traditional treatment and ultimately created Avīela (pronounced A-vee-el-ah, meaning something ‘Good’ or ‘Beautiful’ in the Dagara people’s language).

For those who don’t know, Shea Butter is an incredible natural oil, extracted from the seeds of the Shea tree. It’s been used forever as a remedy in East and West tropical Africa, where the Shea tree grows and is believed to have anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

Although many skin products boast Shea Butter as an ingredient, usually it’s been refined using excess heat and artificial chemicals, which probably destroy some of the natural properties.

In contrast, Avīela ethically source the highest quality Shea Butter directly from the fields of Northern Ghana, supporting local women through a Women’s Cooperative. Because the Shea Butter is left in its raw state, it’s not only free from artificial colours, fragrances and preservatives but also has a light, whipped texture, and melts smoothly and easily into the skin. Trust me you can see and feel the difference.

Do visit their website because their products are a ‘Who’s who’ of pure luxury and at a very fair price too. I particularly love their Intense Moisture Pack, which contains the traditional African Shea Black Soap (quite different from a regular soap bar), made from 100% raw Shea Butter, Cocoa Pod Ash, and Coconut and Neem Oils – it’s suitable for all skin types and you can also use it as a makeup remover. But there’s more – you also get a large (180ml) pot of Shea Body Butter and a Shea Hand Butter too. At just £48 for the set it’s a fabulous deal.

With Christmas racing towards us even faster than my wrinkles, you may want to check out their stocking fillers:

15 ml Mini, Multi-purpose 100% Pure Shea Butter £14

Hand Butter £16

African Shea Black Soap £14

Or their other gift sets :

Mani Pedi Set: Shea Hand Butter, Shea Foot Butter Kit +Free Mini Pure Shea Butter £35

Cleanse and Hydrate Set: Shea Body Lotion, African Black Soap + Free Shea Hand Butter £40

These are simply great products and a great company. What more is there to say?

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.