We've got used to winning at the Free From Awards (we were 'Best Brand' last year), and have always done well with our entries. This year's awards took place in early July at the 'Love Natural Love Organic Show', with the prizes being presented by Radio 2 personality and long-time promoter of all things natural and organic, Janey Lee Grace.

Unfortunately there was no gold for Botanicals this year - but we did win silver in the 'Problem skin' category with our Soothing salve. And our Nourishing face balm won bronze in the 'Face care (leave on)' category. So considering the number of entries from virtually every producer of natural skin care products (and there's an awful lot of us), that's still pretty good going - even if we say so ourselves!

Rigorous testing

Just getting the products short-listed is an achievement - and all four of the products we submitted (including Beautiful hands anti-ageing serum and our Mandarin & chamomile cleansing melt) sailed over that hurdle. This involved "a rigorous month of 'real life' testing" by a team of six Beauty Bible testers.

The short-listed products then went on to an expert round-table panel of experienced judges who decided on the gold, silver and bronze winners in some 13 separate categories, including facecare products, bodycare products, men's grooming, products for problem skin, and many others.

Our Soothing salve also won silver in the same 'Problem skin' category back in 2013. Here are some comments from this year's judges about our popular salve;

"This salve is really lovely and extremely effective.”

“A great product and I'll definitely buy it again.”

“Day-to-day the salve performs well and offers immediate relief and protection from dryness.”

Speaking about the award, Botanicals founder, Wendy Stirling, said;

“The Problem Skin category is the most challenging category to enter. The team of Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible testers have sensitive or reactive skin or a specific interest in natural, organic and ‘free from’ skincare.

"Any shortlisted product therefore has to stand up to close scrutiny as to its natural and organic credentials as well as its gentleness and effectiveness at soothing and calming problem skin. Then it has to be a cut above the rest in the eyes of the judges to win an award."

View all four Botanicals products which were short-listed for this year's FreeFrom Awards.

• In the Hand, nail and Footcare category: Beautiful hands Anti-ageing serum
• In the Face care, leave on category: Nourishing face balm
• In the Face Care take off category: Gentle cleansing melt
• In the Problem skin category: Soothing salve

The awards are a fantastic way to promote natural, organic and "free-from" brands and we really enjoy being part of them each year. You can find out more about the awards at the Free From skincare awards Website.