A Double Win Against Household Names
I'm thrilled to share that JustBe Botanicals was awarded two Bronze medals at the FreeFrom Skincare Awards, recognised by the awards presented at the Love Natural, Love Organic Show at Olympia by the wonderful Janey Lee Grace.
The FreeFrom Skincare Awards celebrate skincare that is free from common allergens, harsh chemicals and unnecessary additives, kind to skin, kind to the planet and honest about what's inside. Products are evaluated by a panel of testers for the Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible after a month of real-world use, with in-depth, honest feedback throughout.
Going up against established, well-resourced household names and bringing home two Bronze medals felt genuinely amazing for a small, hand-blended Scottish brand still in its early years.
Eye Makeup Remover - Bronze Award, Face Care (Take Off)
Testers loved the gentle balm texture, the ability to remove even waterproof makeup in seconds and the way it left lashes looking thicker after a month of continuous use. With just a few drops, skin was left clean, smooth and nourished with no greasy residue, no irritation and no synthetic chemicals.
"It's the best eye makeup remover I've ever used. Pure ingredients, effective results, and a little goes a long way."
This was the beginning of a recognition journey for the Eye Makeup Remover that has continued ever since. It has since gone on to become our most awarded product — earning further recognition from the FreeFrom Skincare Awards, The Beauty Shortlist and OK! Magazine Beauty Awards. Eight natural ingredients, endlessly recognised.
Cleansing Gel - Bronze, Family Skincare
The gentle yet effective Cleansing Gel, with its uplifting blend of pink grapefruit and mandarin, proved a hit with testers of all ages: from teenage hormonal skin to sensitive adult complexions. It left faces fresh, hydrated and visibly clearer, without any dryness or irritation.
"Blackheads reduced, pores disappeared, blemishes calmed and no dryness. It's a game-changer for young skin."
Winning in the Family Skincare category was particularly meaningful, recognition that JustBe products are gentle enough for all skin types, at every age and effective enough to make a visible difference.
Where the Spa Story Started - Armathwaite Hall
Around the same time as these award wins, JustBe Botanicals was offering spa treatments at Armathwaite Hall in the Lake District, a beautiful, historic hotel and the very first professional spa setting to introduce JustBe treatments to guests.
The Armathwaite Hall partnership was where the conviction was first confirmed: that a small, hand-blended Scottish brand could hold its own in a world-class spa environment. For the JustBe Rebalancing Spa Day, guests received a personal consultation at the aroma bar, a 60-minute JustBe treatment and an aromatherapy rollerball to take home - the JustBe philosophy delivered in a setting that felt perfectly aligned.
Armathwaite Hall was where the spa story started. Everything that followed, The Gin Spa, De Vere Spas and all the bespoke spa treatments developed over subsequent years can be traced back to that beautiful hotel in the Lake District.
Two Products, Two Awards, One Clear Belief
These early FreeFrom awards reaffirm something we have always believed at JustBe: that simple, clean ingredients can be both luxurious and highly effective. That you don't need long lists of synthetics to achieve remarkable results. And that real testers, using products every day for a month, will always tell the truth.
With gratitude for every tester who took the time and every judge who cared enough to notice, Gail