Searching for up and coming skincare brands to test out, or just want an inclusive selection of green goodies?  Pamoja ticks all those boxes and more!

Supporting small business is more important than ever right now, and while sharing indie, artisan, and small batch brands has always been a priority here on The ecoLogical, I've been trying my best to highlight these amazing creators even more during this crazy time.  And founder Sarah is one of those brilliant formulators that I am so happy to share with all you lovelies!


Pamoja - a Swahili word which means ‘together’ and that is inspired by Sarah's Tanzanian heritage.  Honestly I think it perfectly captures this natural beauty brand, as the range brings together the power of plants as well as the many different skin types and lifestyles that people have to create a truly inclusive range.

The thoughtful touches continue throughout the branding, with Sarah explaining that the packaging design represents this inclusivity.  "The circles represent 'togetherness' (people and planet are interdependent), and the bringing together of natural, sustainable and science-backed active ingredients. The little details represent diversity - a reflection of my dual Tanzanian/English heritage.  The strapline is simply Skin. Care and the products are aimed at busy, conscious women who care - for themselves, for others and for the planet."

I had the joy of discovering Pamoja while judging products for 2020's Beauty Shortlist Awards, and have been enjoying the range ever since - you may have even spotted some of the green goodies in my Instagram posts over the months!  And today I'm excited to finally be sharing my thoughts on the full vegan friendly lineup of balms, cream, and oils...



Reset Cleansing Balm
Cleansing balms are so hit and miss I find, as I firmly believe they should strike a balance between comfort and ease of use.  So many fail to meet my expectations, and so I am always hesitant when starting to test out a new formula.  I can't help but wonder "is this going to break me out?" and "will this cling to my skin and refuse to budge?"  I am definitely harsh when it comes to balms.

So imagine my pleasure when I found that Pamoja not only met my strict ethical standards but also delivered a nourishing balm that didn't frustrate me!


Get in the moment, reset your skin, and enjoy every minute. No tightness, no trauma – just beautifully clean and nourished skin primed for the next stage of your routine.

The Reset Cleansing Balm contains a mix of mango and murumuru butter, safflower, moringa, castor, sacha inchi, jojoba, and sunflower oil, vitamin E, and calendula, carrot root, and rosemary leaf extract, making this a ultra luxurious balm that is creamy, conditioning, and of course deeply cleansing.  Of course this is rich, as the luscious ingredients combine to provide an intensive boost of moisture (something that is essential for those with dry or easily stripped skin), but don't let the compact texture fool you - while Reset may be packed full of fatty acids, it is by no means overly heavy.

In fact, my fussy congestion prone face tolerated this blend with no issues - no breakouts, no greasy feel, and no oily sheen - I was happy to discover the Pamoja cleansing balm performed really well!  The gorgeous golden hue hints at the healing powers within this formula, and the treatment easily melts away daily grime so you are left with a fresh face that feels totally renewed.  I love how this eases any tightness to the skin, and it is so soothing that if you decide to leave the excess on instead of wiping away with a muslin cloth you can actually have this double as a moisturizer!  And while it may be a bit too intensive for the summer months for my skin type, I think it will still prove valuable for keeping my face feeling resilient and smooth after long days in the sunshine.

And the extra special bonus that Pamoja offers?  TWO versions of their Reset Cleansing Balm formula!  One contains essential oils, and one does not, so no matter your skin type you can treat yourself to this fab skincare!

Essential Oil Free:
Pamoja's essential oil free version of the Reset Cleansing Balm is a velvety buttery treatment that applies easily, gliding across the skin with ease.   I find this does a fair job at removing makeup (though a final once over is needed to fully get rid of panda eyes), and I like how gentle it is - no tugging required and no irritation whatsoever!  The formula is softening and leaves my skin feeling well moisturized, and despite the many oils and butters that make up the base of this product I never found that my skin was becoming congested.  That's a pretty rare treat for someone with such fussy skin!

In terms of scent, this is an odd one (though by no means unpleasant!) with nutty notes that are a little earthy and rich paired with an almost fresh salad smell.  While unexpected, I quickly got used to it and found the aroma very settling on the mind.  It's a totally unique experience, and one that is totally refreshing morning or night.

Essential Oil:
The essential oil version of the Reset cleansing balm is almost identical to its sister, with a rich texture that is incredibly smooth, not at all grainy, and intensive without being overly heavy.  The main difference lies in the aroma and in how my skin reacted.

I enjoy the smell of this quite a lot actually, and find it more welcoming than the other balm.  The aroma eases tensions and helps ease my mind on chaotic and stressful days which is a lovely bonus.  The blend of grounding rosemary, soothing lavender, calming chamomile, and anxiety reducing geranium  is perfect for releasing all that built up energy, and I find myself breathing in the excess oils and just letting the scent wash over me.  That being said, I did find the balm irritated my skin very very slightly, and left my skin a bit red after use.  If you struggle with flare ups, then the essential oil free option is the better bet for you, but if your skin loves the extra benefits that come from these added ingredients then you will most definitely enjoy this product!


Revive Multi-action Face Cream
Oh how I have come to adore this face cream!  You all know my issues with moisturizers - most prove to be either too heavy, melt off, or break me out.  Yet the Pamoja Multi-action Face Cream posed no such issues, and actually became my go to product for daytime for the last few months!

Created to deliver instant hydration, relief for tight and irritated skin, and increased elasticity, this skincare treatment is a total dream.


With global protection that acts like an invisible veil shielding providing complete protection from pollution and repairing pigmentation caused by pollution, the sun and blue light. For healthy glowing skin that feels bright and energised, silky smooth and deeply hydrated.

The cream looks like it would be very thick, but it is actually surprisingly airy which makes it feel lightweight on the skin.  With a velvety and delicate finish despite how nourishing it is, the Revive Multi-action Face Cream is an absolute delight to use.  It massages easily into the skin, gliding across smoothly and sinking in quickly as you lightly massage it into your face.  I really like how natural it feels, like having no product on at all, and it didn't cause any issues for me - no congested pores, no irritation, and no greasy residue.

Pamoja's treatment adds a boost of hydration thanks to vegan hyaluronic acid and glycerin, but it also provides a great level of moisture with the many oils and butters found in the formula.  Red raspberry seed, marula, cacay, and sunflower oil along with murumuru seed butter give this balance and helps make this a fab face cream for all skin types and all seasons.  Plus, the aroma is so lovely - creamy, delicately floral and with a soft calming presence that really works to lift your spirits.

Overall, I find that the Revive Multi-action Face Cream leaves my skin looking plumped up and healthier overall.  I like how gentle this is, and found my skin looking less red after a while - definitely a healing formula that does more than just moisturize, and I've really loved incorporating it into my routine.  In fact, I love it so much that my jar is now empty!!


Restore Multi-purpose Beauty Oil
Again, there are two oils in the Pamoja range - one that is free from essential oils, and one that contains a calming and uplifting blend of natural EOs and extracts.  Both are lovely, though again I found myself preferring the sensitive skin version as I found the gentler approach just what my skin needed during times of stress, and I liked how much more versatile it was for me personally.

But before I jump into that, let's look at the basics!

This gorgeous, aromatic oil provides a fantastic boost to your skincare routine, particularly when changing environmental conditions leave skin and hair feeling dull, dry and stressed out.


The Restore Multi-purpose Beauty Oil is a protective treatment designed to aid the skin's barrier, reduce dryness, and provide a natural glow to the face.  With a combination of squalane, sacha inchi, cacay, sea buckthorn, blackcurrant, pomegranate, and sunflower oils along with rosemary leaf extract and vitamin E, this oil is a powerhouse of minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids!  Despite the nourishing results, this is not too heavy nor does it clog pores - it's a lightweight marvel that leaves you with velvety soft skin and a more radiant complexion.

One thing of note about the beauty oil is the packaging which is very different from other bottles I have come across.  Rather than your typical dropper, Pamoja has opted for a twist off cap which the glass pipette is attached to.  And instead of pumping a rubber bulb, you just press down on the lid and it draws up the lovely golden nectar.  The little button gives such precise control, and I really like how simple it is to use.

Sarah explains this decision, saying "I felt strongly that the packaging should stand out.  It's important to be different from other brands, to be unique.  As a young person I wasn't always happy being different, it's tough growing up different, but I am happy in my skin now.  That's what I wanted for the brand - to be happy in it's own skin just as I want my customers to feel."

And like all Pamoja products, the oil is more than just a single use kind of formula - this can be used on the face, sure, but it can also double as a frizz tamer, for cuticle care, pre-shampoo treatment, body moisturizer, bath oil, and more!  Of course all oils are great multi-taskers, but Restore has been created with this intention in mind, making it all the more effective.

As for how the two products differ, well...

Essential Oil Free:
Verging on a dry oil texture, this version sinks in completely and quickly leaving no residue whatsoever  I find it leaves my face feeling silky, restored, and not at all greasy.  I find this perfect for both morning and night as it absorbs so well (making it suitable to wear under makeup or on a bare face) yet still provides a deeply conditioning treatment.  I love how gentle it is, and it has definitely saved me time and again - when my skin has a flair up I need to be careful about what I apply so I don't make it worse, and this version of the Restore Beauty Oil does the trick.  It helps heal, nourish, and protect while also working to get my skin clear and glowing again.

There is a subtle aroma to this, but it fades very quickly and isn't hugely noticeable.  If you're someone who is sensitive to smells, this should be a great pick for you!

Essential Oil:
The consistency of this version of the Restore Beauty Oil starts off similar to the EO free one, but there are definitely differences once you apply.  I found that this takes a bit longer to absorb, making it less of a 'grab and go' treatment for me personally and more suited for evening use.  However, it does still have that lovely dry-oil esque quality which I adore, and the blend makes my face feel incredibly velvety and smooth.  While this feels slightly more rich, the oils remains non-greasy, and gives the needed moisture boost to skin.

As for the scent, this one is most definitely more prominent.  With FC free bergamot, red mandarin peel, palmarosa, geranium bourbon, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and vetivert, this provides a subtle lift to your senses.




I've been enjoying Pamoja ever since discovering their lineup of natural skincare goodies, and I've definitely found myself gravitating towards a few formulas in particular - the essential oil free cleansing balm have been such wonderful find, and the face cream has gradually become a firm favourite of mine from the range especially as the weather has become a tad bit warmer.  But honestly, each and every one of the products has shown strengths, and I find it no wonder that the brand took home three awards in 2020's BSL!

Have you tried Pamoja yet?  If not, you can always grab a 10% off discount as a new customer by signing up to the mailing list!  Be sure to follow over on Instagram as well to catch any promotions - you never know when a great deal will land, and as with all small businesses they are usually rare occurrences so you don't want to miss out!

Which is why I'm super excited to share a very special chance with all of you... A GIVEAWAY!

Yes, that's right!  Pamoja has kindly offered to gift one lucky winner with any product of their choice from their skincare range - how lovely is that??!

To enter, just follow the Rafflecopter link and choose how you would like to take part.  The more ways you join in, the more chances you have to be chosen as the winner!


a Rafflecopter giveaway