Gamila Secret skincare review

If you'd told me a few months ago I'd be raving about washing my face with soap, I would have laughed at you. That was until I was introduced to Gamila Secret.

Gamila Secret is a Palestinian brand that have launched in the UK with a range of natural cleansing bars and facial oils that help to nourish and soften the skin and return it to it's natural balance.

The cleansing bars are made up of over 80% cold pressed olive oil and also contains a mixture of 15 herbs from the mountains and foothills of Galilee. There are several varieties of the cleansing bar, all designed for different types of skin. Most contain essential oils, however there is one unscented version if you have very sensitive skin or prefer not to use scented products.

I've been testing out the newest cleansing bar* in the range, which is a Pomegranate version. Suitable for all skin types, it treats skin to a high level of  vitamin c and also potassium, both of which help to revitalize the skin and even out skin tone. To use the cleansing bar, simply wet it, and massage between your hands to create a soft lather (it won't foam heavily as it has no harsh foaming agents in). Massage the lather into your skin to cleanse and rinse away using a warm flannel.

I was really pleased with how gentle this cleanser was - it was really effective at removing my makeup, but didn't leave my skin feeling at all dry. The pomegranate scent isn't particularly strong and doesn't linger once washed away. I also tried the Lavender* version, which works just as well, and has a lovely soft scent to it.

The cleansing bars aren't cheap, with the Pomegrante costing £30 and the Lavender costing £22, however, they will last a good few months, and I think would make the perfect choice for anyone with sensitive skin. They also do mini versions of the soap for around £12 which would make a good way to test them out before investing in a fuller size product.

Another product in the range that I've really enjoyed using is their Wild Rose facial oil*. I tend to use this as a night treatment, applying a few drops to my skin after cleansing and toning, in addition to a moisturiser. It really helps make the skin feel soft and supple and sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue. For me, this is a little too heavy to use in the day time, however it's perfect at night for a more intensive moisture burst.

Like the Cleansing Bars, the Wild Rose Facial Oil is full of natural ingredients and contains no nasties, and is a mixture of pure pressed vegetable oils, rose otto, rose essential oil and Gamila's mixture of 15 herbs. It's quite pricey, at £85 for 50ml, so is definitely a luxurious treat!

You can find the entire Gamila Secret range in selected House of Fraser stores and at House of Fraser online. I'm so glad I tried it - I now know that not all bars of 'soap' are created equal!

What do you think of this range?

*PR samples