Favourite Blemish Treatments & Skin Saviours

I think I'm finally getting to a place with my skin that I know mostly how to keep it in check. For reference I now have normal skin, slightly combo in places, recovering from post acne marks and scarring. The past couple of years my acne has subsided considerably to a point where my skin is mostly clear with smaller blemishes and the odd larger one now and then.

I'm 31 and upped the game with my treatment products these past few years so I thought I'd run through my favourite skin saviours - all of these I'd recommend in a heartbeat as they each excel in their own ways.

Murad Acne & Wrinkle Reducer

I spoken about this product before and it's still up there as a good blemish buster. I like this on occasions when I have larger, redder bumps as it helps to bring them down and also softens fines lines as well. I've used this all over my face at night with no issue.

Sunday Riley Good Genes

My love of Sunday Riley has begun with this amazing product. It is a little multi-tasker that at first seems quite unassuming as it's a light creamy serum that doesn't feel potent on the skin, but when used at night, the next morning it seems to have refined and brightened the skin and also brought blemishes down or gotten rid of them without pulling a sweat. I had ummed and aahhed for a while before buying this as it is at the top range of what I'd spend on a single product, but reading others glowing reviews and a Beauty Expert discount code swayed me into it, and I'm glad I took the plunge as it's a valuable product in my skincare arsenal.

May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon
This was something I tried a sample of and it was immediate love. May Lindstrom uses the most exquisite natural ingredients and it's really telling in her products. This divine smelling balm includes Blue Tansy, Virgin Marula and Baobab oils as well as a whole host of other gorgeously pure ingredients. It's is a light blue coloured concentrated balm that upon contact with the warmth of the skin melts into a light oily texture. It completely soothes and calms the skin, reduces inflammation and evens the look and overall quality of the skin. You only need the tiniest amount of product so it doesn't feel in any way greasy or overwhelming but quite the opposite. I like using this post face mask or at night in place of a night cream, but it's one of those products that has a multiple amount of uses. I also have May Lindstrom's Clean Dirt and found that her products last a while so despite the high price tag (this was a treat to myself for passing my driving test), I'm confident the Blue Cocoon will last me ages before needing replenishment.

Cane + Austin Anti-Blemish Treatment Pads

When I first purchased these I was not really taken with them, I thought they were possibly a waste of money but as you can see I have finished my pot up of these pads and done a complete 180 from my initial assessment. To start with I was using them everyday but I think it was possibly too much so I only used them when I had more congested or uneven skin as the combination of 5% Glycolic and 2% Salicyclic Acids is quite potent and really helps to bring blemishes down. I would sweep a pad over my face, leave it to do it's thing for about 30mins, then follow up with a soothing or less active product (I like The Blue Cocoon or Ren's V-Cense Night Cream after this). It does sting a tiny bit initially upon application, but understandably so as it is a little powerhouse of a product.

This Works In Transit First Aid

As the packaging says this is 'brilliant in a crisis' and I would have to agree with this statement as it's one of those rescue products that is great for when I don't know what's up with my skin. On the odd occasion I've had some irritation or freak array of blemishes appear that I know need killing with kindness, this is does the trick nicely as it's a natural blend of oils with antiseptic qualities.

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum
I don't think I've ever spoken about Balance Me considering I've liked just about everything I've used from them (their cleansers are my fave picks from them) and this product is no different. This one I like to use in the day as the light gel serum texture works well underneath my moisturiser and is non-drying so good for use under makeup. It is gentle but works quietly to bring blemishes down and soothe skin. It's pleasant to use and smells lovely with a refreshing citrus scent.

As you can see I like a good selection and these definitely fit the bill. I'd love to hear your recs - what are your favourite skin saviours?

YÜLI Panacea Elixir Review

YÜLI is a natural skincare brand from the USA I came across last year and it stood out to me as the products are high performance yet use clean, high quality and pure grade ingredients in an innovative and advanced way. The products are created in small batches in YÜLI's lab located on their farm and this attention to every detail creates a line that is highly potent and effective. 

Clean brands have come a long way in recent years, there are some exciting brands emerging that are challenging the natural skincare arena and YÜLI to me is definitely amongst those brands that are doing things differently. The aesthetic is minimalist (which I love) and it means business!

I placed an order for two of their products, the Panacea Elixir and the Cell Perfecto PM (review of this to come).

The Panacea Elixir is a toner for normal to combination, oily and blemish-prone skin. The base of the elixir is crafted from 'organic and wild-crafted botanical hydrosols and flower water that contain living nutrients and are incredibly active'.

YÜLI describe this toner as a 'multitasking toner that rebalances skin, refines skin texture, primes skin's delivery system for corrective regeneration, delivers intense lasting hydration, and decongests skin of excess sebum, toxins, & waste. Made from the finest botanicals collected from around the world, this toner truly is a cure-all!'

With the promising sounding description and ingredients I had high expectations for this product, but unfortunately was left feeling a little disappointed as this for me was a bit underwhelming. It is nice for a toner, feels gentle, hydrating but I was expecting a little something extra, to take it from the realms of ordinary to something I want to absolutely rave about. I haven't found a great many toners that I really get the urge to repurchase (Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Trilogy Hydrating Mist and Liz Earle Skin Tonic are amongst my repurchased toner list).

It comes in a handy spray bottle and 3 different sizes - 10ml trial ($12), 50ml ($36) and 100ml ($68).

Ingredients:

D-Aloe barbadenis, R. damascena (Rose) hydrolat*, H. italicum (Helichrysum) hydrolat*, L. angustifolia (Lavender) hydrolat*, H. virginiana (Witch Hazel) hydrolat^^, A. millefolium (Yarrow) hydrolat^^, frequency enhanced water, C. sativus (Cucumber) extract, N. officinale (Watercress) extract*,Papaya Enzymes, Trace minerals complex, Colloidal silver

* Organic
^^ Wildcrafted

Despite my slight disappointment with this toner, I am still curious to try their other 2 variants (Cocoon and Metamorphic).

I bought this directly from the US site (so was stung by customs and Royal Mail handling fee), but YÜLI is also available from amazingy.com which ships from Germany.

www.yuliskincare.com

S5 Replenish Serum

S5 Skincare's Replenishing Serum has got to be one of the most silkiest oils I have ever used, it is a ridiculously smooth consistency that I have been loving using in the evenings, especially after a clay mask as it's very nourishing and excellent for massaging in.

This particular serum is targeted for dry and scarred skin as it is rich in Omegas 3, 5, 6, & 7 that help dryness, elasticity and scarring. My skin is normal to combination with dehydration and is blemish-prone with scarring left from past acne.

S5 Replenishing Serum has Arctic Sea Buckthorn Oil which is naturally rich in Omega 7 and Omega 3. I take PharmaNord's Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn Oil supplement and I find it excellent for my skin and it has helped improve my acne so I hold this ingredient in high regard and was excited to see it included in this serum.

This also contains High Altitude Rosehip oil which is rich in vitamin A that helps to regenerate and heal the skin; Desert Pomegranate Oil which has anti-oxidant properties and helps reduce inflammation and accelerate cellular regeneration; and lastly Desert Argan Oil which is rich in Omega 6, 9 and tocopherol.

One thing that takes a little getting used to is the scent as even though it's naturally derived, it is unusually strong although after a while I don't notice it as much as when I first started using it.

Even though this is plenty nourishing on it's own, I prefer it under a moisturiser as I feel it kind of seals in the goodness of the serum and as you only need a few drops I have found this has lasted quite a while.  

 

Overall this has been a beautifully healing oil that hasn't aggravated my skin but helps to calm it and as the name states is 'replenishing', especially when I feel like I need something extra.

Ingredients:

Coco-Caprylate, Rosa Rubigiosa Seed Oil*, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil*, Punica Granatum Seed Oil*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Parfum (Natural, Low Allergen Fragrance), Tocopherol. *ingredients from organic farming

 

www.s5skincare.com

Pai Echium Eye Cream

Eye creams to me are not the most exciting element of my skincare ritual, but it's one step I would not skip. Since turning 30 last year, I find I need a little bit more hydration from my skincare, and my current eye cream of choice is Pai's Echium Eye Cream.

This is a lovely light cream texture, that absorbs well without greasiness and gives an immediate hydrating feel to the skin. I find this very handy post makeup removal and/or cleansing as my eye area can get a bit dry and this cream sorts this right out, no doubt due to the gentle yet effective ingredients such as Echium Seed Extract which is rich in Omegas 3 & 6 that attribute to the nourishing and soothing effect. Fine lines are also given a helping hand with Gamma Linolenic Acid and Steridonic Acid.

I tend to stick to the same eye cream for both morning and evening and this works well during the day under my makeup, and is nourishing and replenishing for night use.

I think Pai do creams really well - I am a sucker for lush textures and after their Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream, the Echium Eye Cream is my next favourite Pai product, it is a lovely all-rounder.

Ingredients: aqua, argania spinosa kernel oil* (argan oil), prunus armeniaca kernel oil* (apricot kernel oil), carthamus tinctorius seed oil* (thistle oil), cetearyl alcohol (coconut derived emulsifier), glycerin* (vegetable glycerine), butyrospermum parkii butter* (shea butter), echium plantagineum seed oil (echium extract), rosa canina seed extract* (rosehip seed oil), cetearyl glucoside (corn-derived emulsifier), pelargonium graveolens oil* (geranium oil), citrus sinensis peel oil* (orange oil), jasminum officinale flower extract* (jasmine oil), helianthus annuus seed oil* (sunflower oil ), mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin e), sodium levulinate (corn extract), sodium anisate (basil extract), sodium lauroyl lactylate (from coconut oil), glyceryl stearate citrate (from sustainable palm oil), lactic acid (from sugar beet)

Naturally occurring in essential oils: citronellol*, d-limonene*, geraniol*, linalool*

*Certified Organic by the Soil Association (Organically produced 74% of product).

Just a note that I have the previous packaging as the new one has 15ml instead of 10ml.

www.paiskincare.com

Skin & Body Care Supplies from Naturally Thinking

A while back when I wanted to purchase Jojoba oil and some empty bottles to decant skin and body products into, I came across Naturally Thinking, an essential oil, aromatherapy and spa bodycare product site that stocks a wide range of oils, cosmetic bases, packaging and ready-made skin and body products. There is a lot of information on the site, as well as thorough details on the product pages of base components, origins etc so it's a great place if you're looking to concoct your own creations.

What I love about this site is that many of the oils and base products come in different size options and at reasonable prices so it works out quite cost effective, especially if you are buying the large sizes.  Here's what I purchased:

Rose Pure Organic Floral Water

I adore rose products so I bought this to mix with powder based masks and to use as an all round toner and refresher. Naturally Thinking source the roses from the Bulgarian Valley of the Roses, and is 100% pure with no preservatives or alcohol added.  This is the 1 litre size which was £10, which I think is a bargain.

SLS Free Shower Gel

This is one of the bodycare bases and is a simple mild shower gel that you can add your own essential oils to suit your mood. Again this is the 1 litre size and was £10.

Naturally Thinking also have a huge array of packaging, from glass, aluminium and plastic bottles and jars to foamer bottles and different closures from only a few pence. It's worth noting that you have to purchase the lids/caps/atomisers separately as there are different options for each bottle/jar. 

I bought a little plastic atomiser spray bottle to decant the rose water for spritzing on the go and a larger aluminium one to keep around the house.

There's no minimum order but there is a postage charge for delivery which is £3.95 for mainland UK (free over £80) although if you're local you can collect for free from their stores. They offer shipping to outside of the UK as well.

I've purchased a couple of times from them now and I've been very happy with the service and quality of the products (their Organic golden, cold-pressed Jojoba oil is gorgeous!) so I'd definitely recommend checking them out.

www.naturallythinking.com

Imedeen Derma One Review

Back at the beginning of February, British Beauty Blogger did a post on starting a trial of Imedeen skin supplements and it piqued my interest as I take quite a few supplements but not anything of this nature for my skin.

Something I was not aware of is that Imedeen do Derma Scan skin scanning so you can see at a deeper level how good your skin is. The scan is free and open to anyone, and at the end of the assessment, you get a 15 day trial pack.

I find these sorts of things fascinating and I like seeing exactly what condition my skin is in rather then guessing so I booked in for a Derma Scan back in February which was carried out by Emma. She scanned the skin (it's done on the forearm, not on the face) and I was surprised to hear that my skin was a little better than average. For reference I am 29 and my skin is acne-prone (this has calmed down somewhat over the past year), combination/dehydrated, acne scarred (my main issue) so I wasn't expecting much!

Emma recommended the Derma One which helps to 'combat loss of radiance and moisture associated with the first signs of ageing' and contains an 'exclusive Marine Complex™, vitamin C and zinc, the formula contributing to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, supports normal collagen formation and helping to maintain healthy skin'.

I went away with my trial pack and started taking the supplements straight away that same day. You take 2 a day and they are small so easy to swallow.  Typically it takes 12-24 weeks to see results which is what I was expecting so I was rather surprised when I looked in the mirror a couple of days later and was like 'no way!'

It was a minuscule change but my skin appeared somehow improved - my acne scars seemed a tiny bit refined, fractionally smoother maybe and my skin seemed softer. Thinking it was maybe my imagination, I didn't think too much of it but it wasn't until a work colleague commented several days later and asked what had I been doing as my skin had more of a 'glow'. I really could not believe that someone had noticed a change and that I was seeing results so fast.

Even after this I still was curious to see proof and the opportunity came about again when I went to the Vitality Show in March and Imedeen were there, along with the Derma Scan, so I had the scan again and here was the result:

The black line on the left side represents the epidermis - the top part of the skin you can see and touch, and on the right the coloured dots represent collagen, elastin and moisture retaining elements in the invisible dermal layer. The darker the colour and the more evenly distributed the dots, the better the quality of the skin.

Derma Scan on 9th February 2013

Derma Scan on 23rd March 2013

The first pic is the 'before' scan, and you can see that the area is not as densely packed with coloured dots. In the second 'after' pic you can clearly see a marked improvement in the density of the skin - in values it went from 45 to 67.

I am so pleased with these results and after I finished my trial pack I did go out and buy 6 months supply from Boots (thank goodness for 3 for 2!). 

It's been exactly 3 months today since I started taking Imedeen and I'm hoping with prolonged use that my skin will continue to improve and that my acne scarring will be less visible. So far, so good!

Thanks to BBB for bringing Imedeen to my attention and the lovely Emma at Imedeen!

*I am not a beauty/healthcare professional and am not affiliated with Imedeen. Opinions are my own. 
 As with any supplementation, it is advisable to seek professional advice beforehand*

MuLondon Organic Rose Foaming Face Wash

The MuLondon Face washes have been on my radar since their launch but seeing as I had a load of cleansers I wanted to use up first I've only recently got round to giving them a go.

There are 3 different cleanser types:

Rose - dry, irritated or sensitive skin types

Lavender - all skin types, including dry and sensitive

Fragrance free - all skin types, especially sensitive

I am rather crazy for rose in skincare so naturally I went for the rose variant. MuLondon uses organic and steam distilled Rose Otto oil (30 roses are used to make one drop of oil). Rose is beautifully healing and soothing for the skin as well as giving the cleanser a wonderful fragrant rose scent.

Along with the Rose Otto, Rosehip extract is used which is a great repairer and helps with scarring and wrinkles as well as rehydrating the skin.

The base of this cleanser is an organic castile soap, free of synthetic detergents (like SLS) so it gently cleanses the skin without stripping it.

I've had a good experience using their Hemp moisturiser, but there was a part of me that was a little hesitant about this cleanser as (a) it is made from castille soap and I've used other cleansers with this as an ingredient and I wasn't particularly keen; and (b) it is foaming. But MuLondon is unlike those others and indeed these doubts were soon case aside after I used this cleanser, it feels unlike any cleanser I've used before.

Once you dispense some of the product in your hands it looks like a light foam but as soon as you start massaging it, it produces a light, creamy lather that feels lovely and soft on the skin, no soapy bubbles!

On the face of it this seems like a simple cleanser, but as I have found with their moisturiser, this still is remarkably effective. It leaves the skin feeling soft and has a little bit of a calming and clarifying effect. Initially it does have a little bit of a squeaky-clean feel once rinsed (which I'm not keen on in particular), but I found that if I've used nourishing products like oils and serums at night or during the day, then once I've cleansed my skin I get less of this sensation, and am left with more of a natural feel.

This makes a great morning cleanser but I think it works even better as part of a double cleanse. In the evenings I've been removing my makeup with organic jojoba oil and a warm washcloth (I always use a separate product to remove makeup) then following up with the MuLondon cleanser and it works a treat.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Potassium Sunflowerate (Saponified Sunflower Oil)*, Potassium Cocoate (Saponified Coconut Oil)*, Glycerin (vegetable, naturally occurring)*, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate (Potassium Salts), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil)*, Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto Essential Oil)*, Rosa Canina (Rosehip Extract)*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Extract)*    *Certified Organic Ingredients

The cleansers come in a trial size (50ml) and the full size (150ml).

I purchased this from mulondon.com

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream

In the past I have used several products from The Body Shop's Vitamin E range, although never the moisturiser so I was interested to see how I fared with this as I feel a bit more willing to experiment as my skin has improved on the acne front these past few months.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream is part of their range of skin products containing vitamins to help 'hydrate and protect' the skin and 'leave it soft and healthy-looking'.

The texture of the cream feels light and absorbs quickly so at first I wasn't exactly hopeful that this would provide adequate hydration as in the colder months I normally lean towards moisturisers for normal to dry or sensitive skin as even though I'm a little combo, I'm also dehydrated and apart from my t-zone, the rest of my face can feel a little dry in this changeable weather.

To my surprise this provides just the right amount of hydration without feeling I have much on my skin and I find that it works well when layering with other products as the formula is light.

Overall a good moisturiser, but it does leave me craving a little something extra in my skincare as now I'm in my late 20's (approaching 30 in July!) I have been taking a few more preventative measures skincare wise.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Isopropyl Palmitate (Emollient), Sorbitol (Humectant), Lanolin (Emollient), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), Cetyl Esters (Emollient), Steareth-2 (Emulsifier), PEG-100 Stearate (Surfactant), Ceresin (Stabiliser), Triethanolamine (pH Adjuster), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Steareth-20 (Emulsifier), Carbomer (Viscosity Modifier), Methylparaben (Preservative), Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Benzoate (Solvent), Butylparaben (Preservative), Ethylparaben (Preservative), Hydroxycitronellal (Fragrance Ingredient), Isobutylparaben (Preservative), Propylparaben (Preservative), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Geraniol (Fragrance Ingredient), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Cinnamyl Alcohol (Fragrance Ingredient), Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone (Fragrance Ingredient), CI 14700 (Colour).

*PR sample*

GlamGlow Mud Mask

When it comes to facial masks, I am a bit of a devotee of Ren's fabulous face mask offerings, but I'm always on the look out for other effective masks, especially clay ones as many brands I've tried just don't cut the mustard. I want the ritual and the results!

Luckily this mask is much more than it's swanky packaging. GlamGlow mud mask is quite a potent concoction, it is clay based but has a fine pumice-y/earthy texture and also bits of green tea in it that give it an exfoliator feel. Because of this texture, I find that I have to be quite gentle when applying it so that I am not rubbing the skin.

The mask does dry and it goes tight so you can definitely feel it on the skin as it's a slightly cool, tingly and quite active sensation. The first time I used this it did feel a little stingy on the first few seconds but I had used another treatment product beforehand which I didn't need as this packs a punch on it's own. I would proceed with caution if you have sensitive or dry skin as this might feel like too much.

I leave on for around 10 minutes and it removes quite easily with water but as I'm removing I let the water soften the mask and then I massage it a little and then rinse off.

This makes my skin a bit brighter and much smoother, and I do not encounter any redness after use but because the mask is drying, I make sure to give it nourishment by following up with a hydrating serum and moisturiser.

Personally I don't think it's quite as effective for spots, although I've come to the conclusion that those buggers are best dealt with a 'kill them with kindness' approach so rather then trying to dry them out, I use oils and creams that have nourishing, anti-inflammatory ingredients.

The packaging has a nice, weighty feel and is a bit razzle-dazzle although I quite like that:)

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Montmorillonite (Volcanic Minerals), Kaolin (French Sea Clay), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (Purified Clay), Polyethylene, Pumice (Micro Volcanic Rock), Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea Leaf), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (Green Tea), Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract (Chamomile), Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (Marigold), Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract (Cucumber), Hedara Helix Extract (Ivy), Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract (Comfrey Herb), Lavandula Hybrida Oil (Lavender), Glycerin (Vegetable), Parfum, [Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool], Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea.

Live Native Exfoliating Earth Cleanser & Essential Mist MSM Toner

Live Native is a unique skincare range that uses raw ingredients to create their products. As the ingredients are harvested and produced without heat, this raw element helps to retain the beneficial properties such as enzymes and nutrients contained within the living ingredients.

They are also free of 'colourings, preservatives, parabens or phthalates, petroleum by-products, synthetic fragrance, alcohol, water, unnatural stabilizers or any of the usual skincare 'nasties'.

Live Native Exfoliating Earth Cleanser

This is a very interesting and unique looking cleanser, as the name suggests it looks very earthy but it's much more than how it appears.

This has a base of Oat Kernel Meal and Rhassoul Clay, the texture reminds me a little of Dr Hauschka's Cleansing Cream although Live Native's feels like a more separated consistency rather than the more paste like quality of the Dr Hauschka (Live Native's also smells way better!).

  

You take a bit and mix with a little water to form a paste then gently massage onto the skin and rinse off. I find that if I try to mix a thicker paste it can get a little messy as cleanser falls off my hands as I go to put it on my face, so if I mix with more water to get a slightly thinner texture, this is easier for me to work with. Messiness aside, the end result is much softer, velvety feeling skin and it lessens the need for a separate exfoliation product. It feels gentle to use daily although I prefer this as an evening cleanse after removing makeup as the scent is quite refreshing and relaxing at the end of the day. 

 

Ingredients:

Oat (Avena Sativa) Kernel Meal*, Rhassoul Clay (Montmorillonite)*/***, Chamomile Macerate in Sunflower oil*, Argan (Argania Spinosa) Kernal Oil*/***, Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil*, MSM (Dimethyl Sulfone) from Pine Trees, Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria) Flower*, Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Root Powder*, Kelp (Ascophyllum Nodosum)**, Marigold (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Oil*, Vitamin E (natural d-alpha tocopherol), Glyceryl Caprilate, Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Seed Extract in vegetable glycerin, Acerola cherry (Malpighia Glabra) Fruit Extract*.

* organic   ** wild harvested   *** Fairtrade

Essential Mist MSM Toner

I am a fan of rose water based toners, I feel they are rather calming and softening on my skin so I was keen to try the Essential Mist MSM Toner as this has rose water as it's base along with MSM which is an organic sulphur extract from the pulp of pine trees that helps to build collagen. Other ingredients include acerola cherry which is an antioxidant, naturally high in vitamin C and essential oils of rose otto, sandalwood and frangipani.

This mist is incredibly fine (as a mist should be!), and is absorbed quite easily into the skin. I use it as a prep before moisturiser or if my skin needs a little bit of a rescue as it's soothing and feels comfortable on my skin.

The smells quite strongly (to my nose anyway) of rose but there is something in this that gives it a little sharpness in a way that if I spray it directly on my skin, it gets in my nose and makes me cough a little. It feels quite potent (or maybe I'm just sensitive to something in it, I don't know!) I think this is just me as my sister has tried this and doesn't experience anything of the sort.
It hasn't stopped me from using it but I apply onto a cotton pad rather than directly on my face.

Ingredients

Rosa damascena (rose) floral water*, Dimethyl sulfone (MSM from pine trees), Malpighia glabra (acerola cherry) fruit extract*, Rosa damascena (rose otto) essential oil*, Santalum austrocaledonicum veill (sandalwood) essential oil*, Plumeria rubra (frangipani) absolute, (*denotes organic) contains the following components of essential oils: citral, citronellol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol and linalool.

* organic

I bought these from www.livenative.com   (not an affiliate link)

Elemis Skin Nourishing Hand and Body Lotion Review

With this changeable weather we are having at the moment - one minute it's freezing then suddenly it's milder, my skin doesn't know where it's at so it can get rather dry. My skin is on the drier side anyway (especially my hands!) so I am always on the look out for products that will keep it nourished so the Elemis Skin Nourishing Hand and Body Lotion seemed ideal to tackle these issues.

This body moisturiser is a lovely smooth lotion, it feels quite creamy for a lotion texture, but regardless of this, it is easily absorbed without being greasy, which is something I definitely prefer, especially with hand products.

It contains concentrated Milk Protein and Camellia, Macadamia and Jojoba oils to nourish the skin and this does a good job of alleviating dryness with the added base of Shea Butter and Sesame Seed oil, leaving my limbs feeling softer as well.  It has a soft floral, slightly nutty scent that I love which lingers a little after application.

I also like the fact that it comes in a pump bottle, it's much more convenient and I do end up using it more because of this.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Butrospermu Parkii (Shea butter), Cetearyl Alcohol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Sodium Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Polyacrylate,  Benzoic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexane Carboxaldehyde, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone.

*PR sample*

Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover Review

I had completely finished up all my eye makeup removers recently so was on the look out for something new and the Clarins Instant Eye-Make-up Remover seemed like just the product.

Even though I'm currently using cleansing balms to remove my facial makeup, I do like a separate product for eyes as I find some balms irritate my eye area.

This one by Clarins has only recently been released along with a gentler version for more sensitive eyes. I went for the this one as I have quite a few stubborn mascaras that need something more effective so I don't get the whole panda-eye look.

The Instant Eye-Make-up Remover is a bi-phase remover that you shake up like usual before use. What I like about this formula is that it's not oily like other bi-phase ones I've used before so it doesn't leave an oily residue, just a nice soft finish.

It has a lovely light floral scent that I like and makes a nice touch as I appreciate a multi-sensory element to my skincare, and Clarins is a brand that excels in this aspect.

As I wear quite a bit of eye makeup I have got through this bottle rather quickly but it is effective and thoroughly removes everything although some tougher formulas may need a few more passes.

Ingredients:

Cyclomethicone, Aqua/Water/Eau, Rosa Damscena Flower Water, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cl 42090/Blue1.

I bought this from House of Fraser.

Super Facialist Rose Calming Creamy Cleanser and Miracle Makeover Facial Oil

A line that has quite recently been introduced into Boots is Superfacialist by Una Brennan who is a facial and skincare expert and has been treating clients for the past 17 years.

The line has 3 ranges within it for specific skin concerns:

Rose - to gently cleanse, hydrate and calm

Neroli - Anti-ageing, firming and plumping

Tea Flower - to deep cleanse, balance and mattify

My skin is combination, dehydrated and acne-prone so in the colder months I tend to go for more creamy, nourishing products so went for the Rose products to begin with.

Rose Hydrate Miracle Makeover Facial Oil

Before reading information on this I immediately assumed this was a normal facial oil that you use kind of like a serum. I thought to myself 'I've got quite a few of those in my drawer to use up', so was going to pass on it for the moment until I read reviews (notably Jan's over at Beauty Diarist and also A Model Recommends) that it was made apparent that this is a pre-cleanse oil, so I use this in the evenings as my first cleanse, then follow up with a wash-off cleanser.

I apply several pumps onto dry skin and massage for a few minutes. The oil is quite thick and is a perfect consistency for massaging the skin and does not emulsify so to remove you use cloth/flannel dampened in hot water. As the oil doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin, it doesn't leave any residue, only lovely, soft and refreshed skin. It does remove makeup but some more stubborn/waterproof eye-makeup it doesn't quite get it all off so I use a separate product.

I absolutely love this, it is unlike any other facial oil I have used as it is such a sensory experience - it is full of a variety of different oils such as rose, geranium and raspberry that give it such a heavenly and therapeutic scent that it really is like having a facial everytime you use it. It feels like a pro product and definitely a stand-out for me and one I would totally recommend.

Ingredients

Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, Persea gratissima (Avocado) oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) seed oil, Cucumis sativus (Cucumber) seed oil, Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) oil, Lavandula hybrida (Lavandin) oil, Eugenia caryophyllus (Clove) leaf oil, Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) oil, Mentha arvensis (Peppermint) herb oil, Rosa damascena (Rose) flower oil, Acacia dealbata (Mimosa) oil, Viola odorata (Violet) leaf oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Calendula officinalis (Marigold) flower oil, Laminaria ochroleuca extract, Beta-carotene, Daucus carota sativa (Carrot) root extract, Daucus carota sativa (Carrot) seed oil, Ascorbyl palmitate, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.

Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser

This is a lovely, thick white creamy cleanser - if you've tried Pai's cleanser it feels similar but Pai's is a bit denser where as this while thick, is a lighter consistency that washes off easily with water (big plus for morning cleansing!). I use as an AM and 2nd PM cleanse and it leaves my skin soft and clean but not stripped and a bit calmer too.

The scent is rose but different to the scent of the oil, more of a slight petal rose fragrance (the oil has a more complex and aromatic scent). Again, a really great product!

Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl esters, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), Rosa damascena flower water, Sorbitan stearate, Polysorbate 60, Rhus succedanea fruit wax, Phenoxyethanol, Pelargoneum graveolens (Geranium) oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Allantoin, Benzoic acid, Althaea officinalis root extract, Panthenol, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Salix alba (White willow) bark extract, Polyaminopropyl biguanide, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool, Dipropylene glycol.

Overall I am really impressed with what I have used so far, especially as a lot of the products are under £10 and give the high-end a run for their money. The Calming Creamy Cleanser is £7.99, and the oil is £14.99, although Boots have upto £7 off the range until 29th January 2013.

MuLondon Organic Hemp Moisturiser Review

Happy New Year everyone! I thought I'd start off 2013 with a product that I come across last year that has been something of a skin rescue and that is MuLondon's Organic Hemp moisturiser.

This little pot of wonder has been sitting in my drawer for a while, reserved more for skincare emergencies such as random patches of inflammation/smaller spots but over the past month I have been using it much more consistently so feel that I can give it proper consideration.

MuLondon is a vegan, cruelty-free skincare range which uses natural and organic ingredients without any preservatives or fragrance (the products have scent from the essential oils that are used). The moisturisers for example do not have any water in them and are concentrated formulas that are deceptively effective at tackling skin issues.

As my skin is combination, acne-prone and dehydrated, I opted for the Organic Hemp moisturiser as my first foray into the brand as this also has rosemary extract and vetivert oil to help with acne and balance the skin. The moisturisers come in two sizes - 60ml and 30ml. I have the 30ml which is £9, so they are really very reasonably priced for the quality of the formulas.

The base of this moisturiser is shea butter so it has quite a solid feel to it and you take about a pea-sized amount and warm it in your hands and massage into the skin. As the product is being warmed, it can initially feel a little bit oily, but once massaged in, this disappears to a natural skin finish. You really only need a tiny amount so it's only if you've taken too much that it might leave shine/oiliness on the skin.

I've used this both as a day cream and a night cream and for me they work well. As a day cream this works fine underneath my makeup and at night this offers welcome relief and restorative qualities as it seems to heal and soothe patches of inflammation like acne or dry areas without overwhelming the skin. When I'm at home and sometimes sans anything on my face, my skin seems to be more balanced and I feel that this moisturiser contributes to this overall calmness of my skin.

The scent is also lovely, the Black Spruce, Vetivert and Cedar Wood essential oils give the cream a woody scent, but in a light and clean way that is not overpowering and adds a hint of facial-esque therapy.

It does feel very different to moisturisers I've used before as the texture is quite unique, but I have gotten used to it and this is just as effective.

Ingredients

Vitellaria Paradoxa (Shea Butter)*, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp Seed Oil)*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil)*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Extract)*, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp Essential Oil), Picea Mariana (Black Spruce Essential Oil), Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetivert Essential Oil)*, Cedrus Atlantica (Cedar Wood Essential Oil)*

*Certified Organic Ingredients

MuLondon can be found online at www.mulondon.com (not an affililate link)

Pai Lotus & Orange Blossom BioAffinity Toner

I've slowly been working my way through the Pai range and finally got round to using their toner mists. Pai have two types - the Rice Plant & Rosemary (for combination/sensitive) and the Lotus & Orange Blossom (for dry/sensitive).

My favourite of the two is the Lotus & Orange Blossom, as for me the Rice Plant & Rosemary, while lovely, I couldn't tell if it had done anything and it doesn't smell as beautiful as the LOB.

I do have acne-prone skin that is a bit combination and a bit dehydrated, but I often tend to ignore labels that say it's for such and such skintype, and go more with the texture and feel on the skin. So with this one I was sold on the orange blossom scent!

Even though this is pricey at £30 for 50ml, I find that it is quite a hydrating formula and makes the skin feel calm, nourished and soft so even if I don't slap on a moisturiser immediately afterwards - (like on a weekend if I'm home all day) my skin still feels comfortable. Also I don't know if it's my imagination, but it seems to give a tiny hydrated radiance/glow to the skin (which may be from the orange blossom as it's supposed to stimulate circulation and give a brightening effect).

Oh and another thing - the mist action is beautifully fine and even - no horrible squirt as I hate it when brands plonk a lovely product into horrible packaging!

Ingredients:

nelumbo nucifera (lotus) root water**, aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange blossom) flower water*, glycerin*, populous tremuloides bark extract, leuconostoc root extract

DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+ Review

I finished up my last sunscreen which was the Dermaquest ZinClear SPF30 about a month ago, and being a skincare junkie I naturally had another product waiting in the wings which was DeVita's Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+.

I heard raves about this through Skincare Talk and noticed the brand is stocked on iHerb so placed an order along with some supplement bits.

DeVita is a vegan, paraben-free natural skincare and cosmetic brand from Arizona that was created by Cherylanne DeVita after having suffered with chronic cystic acne. They use organic aloe vera as a key 'delivery system' and also have a line of mineral makeup that is infused with aloe.

The Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+ is a mineral based sunscreen using 19% zinc oxide (no nano particles) that has been formulated for skin prone to acne (like mine!) and moisturises the skin as well as providing broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

I'm not a fan of sunscreens that feel like typical sunscreens with the slightly tacky/greasy/whiteish look and I'm happy to say that DeVita's offering is absolutely the opposite of this. It feels creamy, light and non-chalky and once applied absorbs quickly into a natural matte finish that is not discernible on the skin, so no whitecast!

Another thing I like about this is the scent, so unlike any other sunscreen, it has a beautiful light vanilla/coconutty scent that adds to the pleasant nature.

From iHerb this was around $20 for 75ml/2.5oz , which I find reasonable as I don't seem to need too much product so I think this should last a while yet.

Ingredients:

Recent Skincare Empties

Currently I've been more focused at getting my skin in order so while I've not completely done a no-buy on makeup, I've have cut down considerably. I think I'm getting through quite a few bits of skincare so here are some of my recent empties:

No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover
This is something I usually only get with the Boots £5 off vouchers, but I don't know if it's just me but this doesn't seem as good as I once remembered. Sure, it removes makeup well enough (an oil is still my preferred choice), but I find the bi-phase formula separates a bit too quickly, especially as you get halfway through the bottle and you get left with uneven amounts. I do prefer the newly revamped packaging as it's no longer a pump and just a screw-lid so if you need to dip in cotton-buds it's easier than before.

Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
This is a lovely thick and creamy cleanser that is dense enough to massage over the skin for a few minutes before washing away with a flannel/cloth. If feels very gentle on the skin and leaves it soft, clean and comfortable. It has a pleasant light floral scent that is lovely to wake-up to in the morning. 
I do have acne-prone skin so I usually look for a little more in helping to control this issue so while this is a very good cleanser, I don't think I would repurchase.

Pai Geranium & Thistle Combination Skin Cream
I don't think I've ever used a moisturiser up as quickly as this one as it's been so lovely to use. It has a wonderful creamy, nourishing feel to it yet it is not in any way heavy or greasy and leaves the skin feeling naturally matte and surprisingly helps to control oil and I don't find myself getting as shiny. Some moisturisers for combination skin feel very light or have more gel type textures where as this feels like a proper cream which I prefer. This is definitely up there as one of my favourites.

Ren Max Moisture Concentrate
I was recommended this ages ago while having a facial to help address dehydration so when I had a discount code from Beauty Expert, I thought I'd give it a whirl. The texture of this is a light lotion/serum feel that sinks into the skin quickly without any residue or tackiness and then I use my regular moisturiser on top. While it seems to suit my skin fine, I was rather underwhelmed as I haven't noticed a great deal from using this. I am a fan of Ren and I absolutely adore many of their other products but sadly this is not one of them.

Naturally, I have got a few new skincare items to use (the current Boots 3 for 2 coming in very handy:) so will report on those in due course.

Dermaquest ZinClear SPF 30 Review

This year I've been exploring the Dermaquest skincare line and the ZinClear SPF 30 sunscreen is a product I've been using for the past few months. The ZinClear was used on me post treatment at DestinationSkin, and I quite like the feel of these so first purchased the version without the tint.

As the name suggests, these are mineral based and contain 18.6% Zinc Oxide.

The texture of these feel lovely and creamy, quite a moisturising feel to them but still relatively light. I like that these don't feel like sunscreen and even though they are quite creamy, the texture is absorbed well and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy (but not matte either) - I took the sunkissed version on holiday to Morocco recently and found it perfect in the 41 degrees celsius heat.

Dermaquest ZinClear SPF30 no tint (L),  Sunkissed tinted (R)

Dermaquest ZinClear SPF30 no tint (L),  Sunkissed tinted (R)

Dermaquest ZinClear SPF30 no tint (L),  Sunkissed tinted (R)

The verison with no tint leaves virtually no whitecast and I didn't really notice anything except there is a minuscule purple tone initially when applying. I do prefer the tinted one as it seems to even out the skin a tiny bit as the shade blends well into my skintone.

Ingredients:

Ingredients - untinted version

Ingredients - Sunkissed tinted

The downside to these is the price - they are around £40-something (depending on where purchased), but sometimes DestinationSkin have offers on the products as when I bought the regular version they had an offer where if you buy one product, the 2nd was half price (the tinted I purchased when there was no offer).

Despite this, I have been reaching for this constantly and it has now become one of my favourite products.

REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream Review

Ren has long been one of my favourite brands for skincare, and many of their products I have repurchased quite a few times over the years. The Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream is one of them.

When I was first introduced to Ren, I was recommended the line for sensitive skin which this moisturiser is a part of as at the time my acne-prone skin was quite a mess with dehydration, inflammation and just generally quite unbalanced.

The ingredients in the Hydra-Calm cream really help to combat these issues as it contains arctic blackcurrant seed and arctic seabuckthorn berry oil which contain Omega 3 and 7 to help with the inflammation, Bisabolol to help soothe and reduce redness, and also a 'Global protection complex' with anti-oxidants to help protect against UV damage.

The texture of this is lovely, it feels creamy and smooth but without being oily or greasy and it applies very nicely leaving the skin feeling well hydrated and comfortable without any heaviness. It feels very much like a 'proper' moisturiser and pleasant to use.

When I first started using the Hydra-Calm cream, I had issues with flakiness on my forehead, and this completely got rid of it, and I've not had this problem since. It does have a slight calming effect in that it helps a little with redness too.

Ingredients:

Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Cetearyl Ethyhexanoate, Myristyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triheptanoin, Oryzanol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu) Symbiozome Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalloliferum (Ho Wood) Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Tocopherol.

This is £27 for 50ml which I think is very reasonable for the quality, and I find that this usually lasts me around 4-5 months (I only use in the mornings), as you don't need too much and also the airtight pump dispenser allows for good control and less product wastage.

Dermaquest Daily Enzyme Cleanser Review

Dermaquest is a range found in professional skincare clinics and one I was introduced to when I had the Agera Oxy facial at DestinationSkin several months back.

I purchased the Dermaquest Daily Enzyme Cleanser when I had the facial as I quite liked the sound of enzyme exfoliation so thought I'd give this a go. I finished this bottle towards the end of May and have had time to reflect on it as sometimes I find I don't like something to begin with, but when I'm coming to the end I think actually, I rather liked using that.

This cleanser is a clear gel texture, that has a light lather (it is SLS free) and rinses off easily with water. This has mild exfoliation properties from the enzymes in the pineapple and papaya in the formula. I have acne-prone, combination skin so I was hoping this would help to clarify the skin more gently then a product with AHA/BHAs like Glycolic or Salicyclic Acid as I was using other active elements in my skincare routine so didn't want to bombard it with something else that was too active.

When I initially started using it, I did find it a little drying at first, but nothing uncomfortable but nevertheless I cut back to using it once a day in the mornings and then after a couple of weeks went back to using it twice a day, and that seemed to be fine.

In terms of exfoliation, I think this on it's own was rather mild to slough away my cloggy pores and it didn't do a great deal in terms of helping acne but it didn't aggravate the skin either.

I think this would make a nice cleanser for the summer months when sometimes I tend to crave gel cleansers to help cleanse away the build up of warmer weather skin ickiness, and leave it feeling freshly clean. I quite liked this, but I'm not sure if it's something I'd repurchase as I want to see more results and I have used other products that have been more effective.

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit ) Peel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 

It is slightly pricer at £27, but it is a 236ml size which lasted a good 3 months.

I bought this from DestinationSkin.