I have oily skin, can I use face oils?

There’s a common misconception that using a face oil will cause your skin to become too oily and lead to breakouts. But it's often synthetic oils, such as mineral oil found in many mainstream, conventional beauty products that typically either (i) strip your skin of its natural oils or (ii) have such a large molecular structure and sit on the surface of the skin as they can't be absorbed, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.

Using natural and organic, plant oils helps to prevent breakouts and acne due to the balancing effect they have on the skin; the small molecules resemble our own skin cell structure, allowing them to be very easily absorbed by the skin. These oils signal to the sebum glands to slow down sebum production and in turn leave your skin more balanced. 

Read more on the Journal: How to Use a Face Oil in Your Skincare Routine

 

Is your collection suitable for use during pregnancy?

The entire By Sarah collection is safe for use during and after pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

We detail a full ingredient list on the front label of each of our skincare products, so you can be reassured and empowered that you know exactly what you’re giving your skin. We use only the very finest all-natural and certified-organic, plant oils and extracts across our skincare collection. We do not formulate with any essential oils or synthetic fragrance, which can be skin irritants and expectant mums in particular look to avoid these. The Body Oil is loved by expectant mums, brimming with skin-loving omegas and vitamins to target dry, stretched skin.

If you have any particular skin sensitivities or medical concerns, we do always recommend checking with your doctor or test patching on a small area of the skin first. 

 

Is your packaging sustainable and recyclable?

We are committed to minimising our environmental footprint and choosing the most sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options. In July 2019, we were awarded the Eco Age Brandmark for recognition of sustainable excellence and in February 2022 we certified as a B Corporation. A couple of highlights are:

Our Glass Bottles and Jars.

We use amber glass bottles and jars for our skincare collection. To protect the integrity and nutrient content of the natural, organic, plant oils and extracts, we use amber bottles which help to keep out the deteriorating effects of sunlight. The glass is also fully reusable. You can upcycle the bottles as a single stem vase or use the jars as a home for kitchen essentials or jewellery. And when recycled, the glass breaks down and returns to its original state, mainly silica sand. A little reminder to take extra care with the glass in your home, we cannot be responsible if a bottle or jar is dropped or spilled. 

Our Eco-friendly Packaging.

Each order is hand-packed with fully recyclable paper and the smallest size box available is selected for each order. We only use cardboard shipping boxes which are fully recyclable and made from 100% recycled material. There is no single use plastic, bubble wrap or packing tape. 

 

Should I test patch a product before use?

Our whole collection is Dermatologically Approved and Suitable for Sensitive Skin. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you can carry out a skin compatibility test by testing a small amount before incorporating a new product into your daily rituals. If you have specific health or medical concerns, we recommend you consult with your doctor before starting a new product.

 

Are your products fragrance-free?

The full By Sarah London skincare range is free from essential oils, limonene and synthetic fragrance that are known to irritate the skin. We source the finest, natural and certified-organic, plant oils and extracts, and choose not to mask them with any synthetic fragrance. That way you can experience the natural scents of the ingredients in our collection, including organic virgin coconut oil, organic apricot oil and organic sweet almond oil, which is both comforting and delicious.

 

Do I need to use an SPF?

Our skincare does not contain SPF so you can use your SPF of choice. We recommend opting for a natural, mineral-based sunscreen, due to their gentle and protective properties, as shown in dermatology research. Mineral sunscreens contain physical blockers, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which work by sitting on the surface of the skin and reflecting UV rays, whereas chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. Mineral sunscreens are generally considered to be less irritating for sensitive skin, as they do not penetrate the skin barrier. We also recommend avoiding any sunscreens that contain any parabens or fragrance.

Are you a B Corp?

Yes! As a purpose-led business, we've committed to people and planet from the very beginning and it's why we are delighted to be a certified B Corp.

It's taken many months of rigorous assessment and we are so proud to be the first UK independently-owned and female-founded skincare brand to have achieved B Corp status. 

To become a B Corporation is the gold standard in sustainability. To now have the B Corp seal of approval validates everything we've been saying for many years - and gives you the extra confidence in our commitment to making the world a better place.

 

Are your products suitable for vegans?

Our vegan products are registered with The Vegan Society.

The Lip and hand balm is vegetarian as it contains beeswax which is 100% organic, ethically-sourced and produced without harming animals in any way. Look out for The Vegan Society logo on the product page and label of the vegan products in our collection.

Are your products cruelty-free?

We are approved cruelty free with Cruelty Free International - you'll spot the Leaping Bunny logo across our collection.

We believe that beauty products should be cruelty free. We are proud to be Leaping Bunny approved. A global programme, Leaping Bunny requires cruelty free standards over and above legal requirements.

All of our brand beauty products are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme, the internationally recognisable gold standard for cruelty free products. We adhere to a fixed cut-off date policy and proactively monitor our suppliers to ensure that our products continue to adhere to the Leaping Bunny criteria. Our supplier monitoring system is also independently audited. For more information about Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny and Leaping Bunny criteria, you can visit crueltyfreeinternational.org.