In 2012, Beauty Bible was asked to collaborate with the new FreeFrom Skincare Awards, a spin-off from the FreeFrom Food Awards.  That’s because people with sensitive skins can have a reaction to ingredients they apply topically (on their hair too) as well as the ones they eat.  In fact, we discovered decades ago that some experts were more worried about topical allergens because they are not filtered by the liver. So… we helped the Skins Matter organisers, Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, editor of the FreeFromMatters.com website, and Alex Gazzola, deputy editor of SkinsMatter.com (and a health writer specialising in allergies), to organise trialling the short-listed products according to our rigorous protocol, with testers recruited via www.beautybible.com. The short list and consumer trial comes after meticulous screening, then a preliminary judging process which Sarah takes part in every year.

Over the last three years, the number of entrants has grown and the standard is demonstrably higher.  ‘All winners and medallists performed exceptionally well and demonstrated terrific “free from” properties,” said Alex, the Awards co-ordinator.  ‘It was particularly encouraging to see many smaller or boutique brands holding their own among the big guys – and often beating them.’

The whole list of winners and short-listed products, in 12 categories, is available on www.skinsmatter.com.

Just to give you the headlines: Botanicals was awarded 'Best Free From Skincare Brand', overall, with Green People, Aurelia and Tropic Skincare as runners-up.  (You can see more via the web link above above.)

A BIG congratulations to all the winners from all of us at The Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible.