Meet Aviela, a natural skincare range using ethically sourced 100% pure, highest grade, unrefined pure Shea Butter as the hero ingredient and not quite like the Shea Butter you are used too. I have been very lucky to have these two products in my possession for over a month now and they are both incredible.
What I have loved learning about Aviela is how it came to exist and with such a personal story, it is one to read. The lady behind the brand, Patricia Monney tells this story
You wouldn’t expect a holiday to change your life, but it happened to my family in 2007 when a visit to my home country, Ghana in West Africa, actually changed two lives.My name is Patricia Monney and, at the time my daughter, Charissa, was two years old but still hadn’t taken her first steps because of a stiff ankle that simply wouldn’t support her weight.Our GP at home recommended that we allow the issue to resolve itself but, whilst on that Ghana holiday, a respected doctor suggested I massage unrefined Shea Butter into the ankle several times a day. It was hard to believe that this simple, everyday vegetable extract contained the kind of powers that would make a difference but, since it couldn’t do any harm, I duly massaged her ankle for a couple of minutes, three or four times a day. It took barely four days for Charissa to feel comfortable enough to put her weight on her foot. A day or so after that, she took those first precious steps.While the massaging action itself no doubt played a role, ‘unrefined’ Shea Butter is widely known to have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and these clearly helped to make her ankle more comfortable.
From here, Patricia explains that the brand name - Aviela, pronounced A-vee-el-ah, is a very dynamic word used by the Dagara people from the Northern part of Ghana (where Patricia comes from) and that it generally has a positive connotation to mean something ‘Good’ or ‘Nice’ or ‘Beautiful’. Now with a brand boasting of 6 products and 6 kits to choose from, you are spoilt for choice.
I have the Aviela Pure Shea Butter which is described as being the ultimate dry skin butter. It comes packaged in a weighty brown glass jar and everything you need to know about the product is clearly visible to see.
Inside, you will find the most wonderfully 100% pure, highest grade unrefined Shea butter which, as you can see is fairly solid. It is rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamins A and E, and natural soothing properties. As you swipe your finger across the Shea Butter, you actually get a texture which is really light and airy, absolutely not what I was expecting, from the jar shown above.
On the skin, this Shea butter absorbs quite rapidly and it does leave a very thin layer on the skin's surface to form a natural protective barrier to prevent moisture loss. I have used this Shea butter on my hands and feet over the past month by using a fairly thick layer and then covering with gloves or socks to give my hands and feet a bit of TLC and impressively there has been a huge difference in the dry, chapped feeling on my hands, especially on my palms and to the souls of my feet.
If you prefer a product with a different texture, then the Aviela Body Lotion is a great alternative to choose. Packaged inside a pump action bottle for easy use, again, everything you need to know about this product is clearly visible.
Described as being exquisite skin nourishment with the power of aromatherapy. This Shea butter body lotion is a rich blend of 100% pure, highest grade unrefined Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Crambe Seed, Sunflower Seed, Sweet Almond and Baobab Oils all brought together in a wonderfully light whipped lotion.
From those ingredients listed above, this body lotion is packed full of fatty acids, vitamins A, D, E and F. On the skin, it does absorb really quickly into the skin to deeply nourish and moisturise the skin, whilst at the same time, once again a smooth, soft layer of protection against dehydration is created.
That layer of protection from both products is in no way greasy or tacky, you don't even notice it is there, but your skin does thank you for it! With prices from as little as £14 this brand is delightful!
