Having written about beauty and wellness for a long time, one of the main perks of the job is that I for years now have gotten to test a lot of new products as they come out.

I also frequently get to chit-chat with experts and editors about their own favourites – as in; what are the staple products they always carry with them and will always buy over and over again. A few years back I was in Copenhagen for fashion week and once again the talk turned to what everyone was carting around in their handbags to see them through these hectic days, and one product that popped up as a real cult buy (as in; at least seven different women in our little group had one in their bag) was Weleda Skin Food. I was intrigued and obviously snapped one up as soon as I could – a purchase I have made over and over again since then. The real amazing thing? Not only have I been able to toss so many other products from my makeup bag and replace them with this miracle balm, it is also a total steal at just €14. That's right – a cult beauty buy for less than €20 – and once you try it, I promise you will keep coming back. The interesting thing is that this is by no means a new product. Oh no. It was maybe even your grannies go-to staple long before today’s celebrities, makeup artists and beauty experts all discovered it and cemented its cult status. Formulated by the company’s founder Dr Rudolf Steiner, who developed the healing cream for his patients, Skin Food is a super-heavy balm that heels dry hands and elbows, cracked feet, sore lips; you name it, it can do it. Not only that, it is also perfect for adding a little sheen to cheekbones or taming unruly brows – seriously; it is that good, I always keep one by my bed and another one in my handbag at all times. Oh, and if you have been flying and your skin feels super-dehydrated, try applying a thin layer to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes before gently washing off. Even better? It contains a 100% natural blend of organic plant extracts (meaning I often use if on the kids if their skin gets dry patches), and is also entirely free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colours or petroleum-derived ingredients and is not tested on animals. I also love how the ingredient list is so short – it feels reassuringly natural, and according to the packet, Skin Food consists of sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, chamomile, calendula and pansy extracts, which are either grown by Weleda in their own biodynamic gardens or ethically sourced through fair trade partnerships worldwide. (Feature image via The Frugality)