Tóg Go Bog é’ - Feel Good Winter Balms

I am torn. I’m fortunate in that I am often gifted beautiful skincare for trial and review. Recently I was given two new cleansing balms - Nunaia (whom I have written about before here) Superfood Cleansing Balm and the hot-off-the-shelf Ground Rebalance Face Balm. Organic and sustainability come easily to both brands with soil to skin ethos guaranteed.

Choosing my favourite - well that is the problem!

Ground Wellbeing

Ground is the latest addition to the artisanal skincare portfolio in Ireland. Founded by Cork-based wellness entrepreneur Peigin Crowley who has long been at the forefront of the wellness evolution in Ireland as creator of award-winning spa spaces and products, in my view, this is the future of skincare in the slower, more caring world we are currently birthing.

Comprising four wellness families each with their signature bath salt, face and body oil and balm, Crowley cleverly brings timeless Irish terminology into each category: Talamh (ground) for grounding, balance and focus; Codladh (Sleep) for reset and rest; Beo (breathe/life) to invigorate and uplift; and Cúram (nurture) designed for pregnancy and child care. All products are made in small batches in Cork with the utmost care and attention - as would be expected.

Ground is very new and only available in Brown Thomas on line and in store. Born this year, midst the backdrop of the worst crisis in our generations history, it is all about reconnecting with Mother Earth and all ingredients, without exception, uphold this ethos. “From her skin to ours, she gifts us the path to recovering our body’s ability to self-repair and realign,” Crowley explains. The essential oils are distilled in small batches from medicinal flowers, plants, herbs, trees and roots, each with proven and powerful benefits on our skin and wellbeing at large.

The Beo Rebalance Face Balm (€35) is divine. The ingredients are a hymn sheet to nature, nothing added but pure and honest goodness. Think Rosehip, Lavender, Cedarwood, Nigella Sativa (Blackseed), Lime and other precious actives blended into the ideal consistency for cleansing.

Entwined with each product are short, mindful self-care rituals designed to help people craft moments of calm in their daily lives, to slow down and ‘tóg go bog é’ - take life easier.

“After all, it’s no longer about what we own, what we’ve built or how we look. It’s no longer about gender, colour, texture or type. ⁠We’re letting go of these ideas, beliefs and distractions. We’re coming home.”

The Bearded Man (above) is on my wish list as is Talamh Peat Mask.

Nunaia Superfood Cleansing Balm

To Nicola Connolly founder of Nunaïa, skincare is a self-care ritual. “Ritual has been used for thousands of years to give people a greater sense of connection and meaning in their lives.” She discovered the power of ritual and self-care when living in the Peruvian Andes.

Hero ingredients in Nunaia’ capsule range originate from potent, nutrient-dense plant botanicals from the Peruvian rainforest and Andes mountains, which include seeds, fruits and flowers to nourish and protect the skin, just as they have done for centuries.

The Superfood Cleansing Balm (€59) revolves around Nunaia’s signature actives Sacha Inchi (to enhance cell regeneration) and Maracuja (for brightening) and is overflowing with vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids in a balm-to-milk-formulation that quickly dissolves makeup, removing dirt and grime for a supple nourished glow.

Kate’s Verdict

Not being diplomatic, as honesty has always been my way, if I had to choose between Ground and Nunaia Cleansing Balms - I simply couldn’t! I absolutely adore both, and alternate between them every evening. In my opinion, balms such as these come into their own during the colder winter months as in addition to cleaning away the day’s grime, they leave the skin feeling soft and dewy – a feat many other cleansers have not mastered.

Mindful ritual is a key part of both brands, which is so needed in our world now. I always spend a few minutes massaging balms into my skin releasing the stress of my day as I do so, before letting my troubles spill down the sink and BE GONE! Try it, you might just become hooked.

Quality and authenticity are a given with both brands too, and I can almost feel the care taken hand crafting every jar as I gentle massage the balms onto my skin. Both ladies know nature’s finest skincare ingredients and have respectfully captured the best in their respective brands. Being Irish to the core, I am so proud of Peigin and Nicola and hope their stars continue to shine.

All I can add is that if you can only choose one - think whether the superfood goodness of the Amazon or the best of Mother Nature from this corner of our world sings your song today and go for it.

You won’t be disappointed!

Nunaia Ground & Glow At-home Skin Ritual Set

Also worth checking out for Christmas is Nunaia’s Ground & Glow At-home Skin Ritual Set (€125) housed in a fully compostable and biodegradable box made from cutting-edge mycelium technology. The contents will light up the face of lucky receivers on Christmas Day and feature: The award-winning Nourishing Radiance Serum, Superfood Cleansing Balm and a super soft Facial Cleansing Oval to lift away daily impurities.