Awards, Reviews and Press
Trusted by customers, recognised by beauty editors & winners of 40+ industry awards
Since our first industry recognition in 2014, JustBe Botanicals has earned over 40 awards and accolades from some of the most respected names in natural beauty, food and wellbeing. Our products have been featured in Vogue, House & Garden, Condé Nast Traveller and OK! Magazine. They have been endorsed by Caroline Hirons, Joe Wicks and the Great Taste Awards judges. And they are tested, tasted and loved by thousands of customers across the UK and beyond.
Every award is independent. Every endorsement is unscripted. Every review is real.
Your Wellbeing is at the Heart of What We Do
JustBe Botanicals creates award-winning Scottish skincare and mood boosting aromatherapy products designed to support both skin and emotional wellbeing. Hand-blended in Scotland using natural ingredients, our collection has been recognised by beauty editors, industry judges and customers alike. Discover customer reviews, beauty expert recommendations, press features and award-winning products that have helped make JustBe Botanicals one of Scotland's most loved natural wellbeing brands.
We love hearing what you think of our products and would appreciate if you can leave us a review on Yell.com or Facebook
What the Beauty Experts, Judges & Customers Say
Caroline Hirons on JustBe Nourishing Cleansing Balm
"One of the nicest cleansing balms I have ever used. It's that good. The cleansing balm easily and effortlessly removes all of my makeup and leaves no residue. Eye makeup is no problem. I've been double cleansing with this if I have a face full of makeup, but I would happily use this for both my morning cleanse and evening skin cleanse. A little goes a long way. Suitable for all skin types. The smell is extremely subtle. Highly recommended."
Joe Wicks, The Body Coach on JustBe Loved Dark Chocolate
"This is the nicest chocolate that I've ever tasted. And I mean it."
Mail on Sunday YOU Beauty Editor on the JustBe Hydrating Serum & Treatment Oil
"I was overwhelmed with the results, this all-natural formula immediately quenched my skin, without leaving it greasy and worked miracles on my décolletage. It smells amazing and feels super nourishing."
House & Garden Magazine - JustBe Hydrating Serum & Treatment Oil
"Pretend sleep and clean living in a bottle."
Meet JustBe Botanicals Founder: Gail Bryden
JustBe Botanicals was founded in 2009 by Gail Bryden, a qualified Clinical Aromatherapist, whose own experience of corporate burnout became the beginning of JustBe.
After a successful corporate marketing career working with Kimberley Clarke, Heinz, Scottish & Newcastle and Diageo, Gail's body began to shut down and the recovery that followed introduced her to the power of natural therapies. Retraining, she qualified across multiple disciplines: Holistic Massage, Bach Flower Remedies Practitioner, Lomi Lomi massage, Mind Detox and Life Coaching. This lead Gail to work as a therapist on retreat in Turkey, where she noticed that what clients wanted most was simply to be themselves.
Every product in the range is developed by Gail, using natural ingredients and pure essential oils. Her approach combines traditional aromatherapy principles, shaped by years of hands-on clinical work, with modern self-care rituals creating products designed to support relaxation, balance and everyday wellbeing. Gail continues to train and her latest qualifications include oncology massage and a Sauna Master qualification.
What started as a personal journey evolved into JustBe Botanicals, an award-winning Scottish skincare and wellbeing brand dedicated to creating products that nurture both skin and senses. Today, JustBe Botanicals has won more than 40 industry awards and has been featured by leading beauty editors, wellbeing experts and national publications. However, Gail's mission remains the same: to create natural skincare and aromatherapy products that help people reconnect with themselves and find moments of peace in busy lives.
"My aim is to help you look good, feel great and just be you." Gail Bryden
Read the full founder story.
JustBe Botanicals Skincare Awards
Nourishing Cleansing Balm Winner: Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible 2014 Best Balm Cleanser: Beauty Shortlist Awards 2015, Featured in Vogue's All Star Glamour Beauty Edit, October 2017
Eye Makeup Remover Winner: Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible 2014, Bronze: Face Care, FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2015, Editor's Choice: Beauty Shortlist 2016, Highly Commended: Beauty Awards with OK! Magazine 2017
"Unbelievable. Quick and easy to use, a gentle wipe and my eyes and lashes were sparkling clean and moisturised in one go. Lashes looked thicker after a month because I don't rub them any more. Pure ingredients. A little gem." FreeFrom Skincare Awards tester
"The results were fantastic. My skin felt really cleansed, smooth and nourished. Most importantly, it was a really enjoyable experience that left my eye area silky and bright. This is my favourite JustBe product and I would definitely buy it again." Good Spa Guide 2014
Hydrating Serum and Treatment Oil YOU Beauty Discovery Box: August 2014, Featured subscriber gift: House & Garden Magazine, April 2016
Radiant Eye Cream Bronze: Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards 2022
Radiant Face Cream "A very versatile cream that can be used both in the daytime and at night. It contains zinc oxide which is a natural SPF. This has a very light, almost mousse feel to it but it still manages to be incredibly moisturising. I can't recommend the products highly enough, I am in love!" Ana Goes Green
JustBe Cleansing Gel Bronze: Family Skincare FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2015
"Gentle yet effective, cleared teenage blemishes and blackheads without dryness." FreeFrom Skincare Awards tester
JustBe Botanicals Body Care & Aromatherapy Awards
Kind Aroma Roller Gold: Best New Wellness Product, Pure Beauty Awards 2019 Commended: Beauty Shortlist Awards 2020
Kind Body Butter Bronze: Best New Body Product, Pure Beauty Awards 2019 Commended: Beauty Shortlist Awards 2020
Happy Body Butter Silver: Body Care, FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2017 Featured in No.1 Magazine, Vegetarian Living Magazine
"Felt luxurious to use. My skin felt soft, nourished, deliciously scented and looked smoother after I applied the product for the first time." FreeFrom Skincare Awards tester
Pure Body Butter Silver: Best Pregnancy Massage Oil/Cream, Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards 2018
"Perfection in a jar. Skin softer, smoother, glowing. Gorgeous uplifting fragrance." Green Parent tester
Happy Hand and Body Wash Silver: Body Care, FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2016 Highly Commended: Beauty Awards with OK! Magazine 2017
"Beautiful zingy citrus that smells natural and mood enhancing. I absolutely adored it and couldn't wait to use it every day." FreeFrom Skincare Awards tester
Soft Lip Balm Bronze: FreeFrom Skincare Awards 2017, Commended: Beauty Shortlist Awards 2020
"My lips now feel significantly softer, more moisturised and look plumper. Significantly better than other lip balms I have used, both natural and non-natural." FreeFrom Skincare Awards tester
Active Botanically Enriched Soap Bar Shortlisted: Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards 2020
Inspired Essential Oil Blend Winner: Best Essential Oil Blend, Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards 2020
Happy Pamper Hamper Winner: Best Stress-Less Product/Gift, Beauty Shortlist Baby Awards 2015
JustBe Botanicals Chocolate & Herbal Tea Awards
JustBe Loved Dark Chocolate One Star: Great Taste Awards 2017, Featured in Condé Nast Traveller's Most Wanted, December 2019
JustBe Energised Milk Chocolate Winner: Best Aromatherapy Product, Beauty Shortlist Awards 2015
"Would give the Swiss a run for their chocolate money. JustBe Tranquil white chocolate with lavender, topped with raspberries is as delicious as it sounds. Taste-wise I'd rank it even better than a brand like Green & Black's." The Beauty Shortlist
"JustBe's chocolate collection is delicious and each one contains a health-boosting or soul-soothing ingredient. So you can have a little treat and help your body and mind, just a little bit naughty and a whole lot of good." Natalie Allera
JustBe Happy Herbal Tea Two Stars: Great Taste Awards 2014, Winner, Best Health/Herbal Tea: Beauty Shortlist Awards 2015
"We believe this to be a genuine contribution to the market. With a touch of honey or even jaggery as an iced tea it would be fabulous." Great Taste Awards judges
"I have to say these teas are quite simply heavenly. Drinking JustBe Loved is a truly delicious sensory experience, like receiving a warm, vibrant hug from a mug." bella j beauty blogger
JustBe Active Herbal Tea One Star: Great Taste Awards 2014, One Star: Great Taste Awards 2017
Explore our award winning range
Business Awards and Milestones
Winner: Scottish EDGE Award 2013 (£15,000 grant) Semi-Finalist: Virgin Media VOOM 2016 (from 7,500+ entries, pitching at London & Birmingham) Good Brand Award: Sublime Magazine, Small Business Saturday 100, December 2016 Named in Insider Scotland's 20 Women to Watch 2018
As Seen In
Vogue: October 2017 (JustBe Happy Rollerball, Mood Booster section) House & Garden, April 2016 (Hydrating Serum and Treatment Oil subscriber gift) Condé Nast Traveller, December 2019 (Most Wanted: Aromatherapy Chocolate Collection) Lonely Planet Luxury Living Magazine, Winter 2021, No.1 Magazine: Scottish Beauty Brands You Need to Know, Interview with Gail Bryden The National, January 2020 (Purpose Before Profit feature) Holyrood Magazine, May 2014 (corporate burnout to award-winning brand interview), The Herald Scotland, Multiple features Vegetarian Living Magazine November 2019 (Highland Fling feature), BBC Features, As Seen on Channel 4's Four in a Bed October 2019, Cotswold Living Magazine (De Vere Spa6 feature), The Scottish Wedding Directory May 2017 (Sleeping Beauty Spa partnership), Handmade Tale Magazine (artisan makers feature), 17° Forth Valley Magazine September 2023 (Alignment Therapy partnership), Hood Magazine, December 2018 (Business Gateway feature)
JustBe Botanicals Spa Treatment Coverage
JustBe Elemental, Armathwaite Hall Spa, Lake District
"JustBe Elemental uses Atlantic sea salt and Scottish peat and is amazing for tackling cellulite and as an aid to weight loss. The skin is prepared with JustBe Pure Salt Scrub to remove dead skin cells and boost circulation. Warm oil is drizzled over the body before the mineral-rich peat mask is applied. The soluble organic active ingredients leave the skin detoxified, purified and toned." Kindred Spirit Magazine, January 2013
"I feel soft all over, and the stiffness I've accumulated during travel evaporates." New You Magazine, August 2016
Lomi Lomi Massage
"An excellent treatment for anyone looking for a body massage that helps to reconnect both the body and mind and an enhanced sense of wellbeing. You know it's a good massage when an hour seems an hour too short." The Spa PR Company
JustBe Radiant Facial
"My skin glowed and looked so healthy after this treatment." bbalm, February 2012
JustBe Fresh Faced Facial
"One of the best facial massages I've ever had." bbalm, April 2012
Gin Spa, Glasgow, Lonely Planet, January 2018
"The spa takes inspiration from botanical ingredients from some of the world's finest gins, using a customised, natural range of products designed to boost happiness, activity, energy, detoxing or tranquility."
Sleeping Beauty Spa and Salons, The Scottish Wedding Directory, May 2017
"Sleeping Beauty has teamed up with JustBe Botanicals to create a bespoke signature treatment, JustBe Aroma Indulgence. Right from the moment my therapist set to work I could feel all the tension melting away."
De Vere Leaf Spa Torworth Court as featured in The Times 20 Best Spa Hotels in the Cotswolds 2026
De Vere Spa6 as featured in Marie Claire UK Staycations 2020
What Our Customers Say
"The Cleansing Balm is fabulous. The JustBe Happy Hand and Body Lotion is as fresh and soft as can be. It's so gentle my other half uses it after shaving. The body butter is brilliant too." Jane Murray
"My daughter and I love these products. We both suffer from eczema and sensitive skin. They've helped greatly and don't irritate us at all. Highly recommend." Louise Rice
"She uses as few ingredients as possible, all natural and no nut oils, which make her products suitable for all skin types, as well as for those who have nut allergies." Salt and Caramel, MhorFest 2015