Tag Archives: blemishes

A shift on my skincare routine

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsFrom time to time I like shifting my skincare routine and over a month ago I introduced five Image Skincare products to it. I had never heard of the brand, so was very excited to see that they are paraben free and have an extensive range catering for all different skin concerns.

After describing my skin, I was sent a mix of products from a few ranges, including the gorgeous the Vital C Hydrating Anti Ageing Serum, the Ageless Total Eye Lift Cream, the Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturiser, the fabulous ClearCell Salicylic Clarifying Gel Cleanser and the Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Masque.

I used them almost exclusively for over 4 weeks and here’s what I found…

The serum

Because I am a sucker for serums, that’s where I’m gonna start: the Vital C Hydrating Anti Ageing Serum (£72) is fluid and spreads very well on the skin, sinking quickly. I felt it gives my skin radiance; and that seem to be persisting throughout the day and not only in the morning.

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsThe hydrating serum has oil-soluble Vitamin C which helps soothe the visible effects of environmentally damaged skin. Vitamins A, E and highly potent anti-oxidants help on the nourishment front, for that youthful glow.

Keep it clean!

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsOne product I am in love with is the Clearcell Salicylic Clarifying Gel Cleanser (£28). Foamy and with a light scent, this cleanser makes skin feel super clean and not a tiny bit dry.

I feel it’s been a god send on these hot days where you sweat a lot at night. It contains a 5% blend of salicylic acid, neem leaf extract and granactive acne, and does a decent job of removing makeup, even eye. It has anti-inflammatory properties and gives skin a gentle exfoliation, so perfect for blemish and acne prone skin.

The eyes (always) have it

Now, eye creams are amongst my favourite type of skincare and the Ageless Total Eye Lift Creme (£48) delivers extreme hydration and nutrition to the area. I use at night as it has a richer consistency, but it applies super well and absorbs super quickly, not upsetting my sensitive eyes.

It contains a retinol-derivative glycolic blend  to help tighten the skin, chamomile, green tea and coneflower soothe and a peptide blend to reduce inflammatory processes, as well as potent antioxidants.

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsDaily protection

I was looking for a multitasking face moisturiser and that’s exactly what I found on the oil-free Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturiser (£46).

With a microsponge technology that absorb surface oils to mattify and leave skin shine-free, a blend of anti-oxidants that scavenge free-radical, and broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 32+, it helps reduce the damage caused by the sun and environmental exposures, so it’s the perfect shield for everyday.

As all other creams from the brand, it applies well, absorbs great and sits amazingly well under makeup. All points!

The treat

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsAnd because everyone loves a sheet face mask, I also tried the Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask (£9), which is laden with concentrated ultra-hydrating ingredients: amino acid Complex, Jeju volcanic oxygen water, Onsen-Sui mineral charged water, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica extract, portulaca, oleracea extract, green tea, ginseng and beta glucan.

Skin feel plumped and hydrated after use; a real treat (and treatment!) suitable for all skin types.

Overall, a great brand discovery with products that kept my skin in check. And they have so many more exciting products I think would work for me!

You can browse their range on the Image Skincare website.

Also, I tried to take pics where the products live, my bathroom. Needless to say I won’t be doing that again, so the conclusion is the products are WAY better than my photography in this instance…

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains GIFTED PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

A blemish rescue oil. Yes, really

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

Votary Blemish Rescue OilThis year you haven’t heard it: oh how I love a facial oil. And this is a gem from a brand I got to know quite recently: Votary, which makes this post that little bit more exciting.

Now, my personal battle navigating between aggressive, drying blemish fighting and hydrating, nourishing age fighting products is known to an extent here (and I’ll publish a full piece on it soon), but this little hero addresses just that. Tamanu oil and salicylic acid, make it nourishing with blemish fighting properties.

Votary Blemish Rescue Oil’s 2% salicylic acid goes down deep in the pores dissolving dead skin cells and exfoliating all the way to the surface. This helps with the congestion that usually brings spots about.

And the blend of natural plant oils including rice, oat, tamanu and rosemary essential oil aids quicker recovery and promotes  balance.

Votary Blemish Rescue OilIt’s a great targeted, non-aggressive solution which is a bliss to use: it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy, and even though it’s for use on the spot, I feel it works wonders on the whole face or areas, like the chin, to help prevent breakouts.

And for that, I really want to get the Votary Clarifying Facial Oil, as I think it would be a very powerful duo for problematic skin.

The Votary Blemish Rescue Oil costs £35 for 15ml (it goes a looooong way!) and you can find the gorgeous Votary products at Liberty – I mean, any excuse for a trip over there – or online on their site.

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Well oiled up

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

Oil on my face. That is something I never thought I’d put on deliberately. Having had problematic, blemish  skin all my life, I always struggled with the oiliness of my dry skin.

Three years ago, facial oils changed my life. And my skin. For the first time, I felt radiance coming from my acne-treatment-battered skin. And oh, boy, did I get addicted!

And now, I cannot live my life without it. For those that like me ran away from facial oils, give it a go. The reasoning behind it is that if you provide oils to the skin, it won’t produce, or produce much less of it.

On top of it, oils carry a great concentration of raw nutrients, nourishing the skin and working mainly on texture and condition.

Some nights, all I put on is face oil. I give it a lovely uplifting circular massage to my face and neck, breathe in the natural aromas and off to bed I go!

The this works stress check face oil is a bliss, I’ve been loving it recently. On top of its redness relief, calming and hydrating properties, thanks to its botanical oils, vitamin C, E and omega 3, it has the most calming neroli, patchouli, lavender, vetivert and camomile fragrance. A treat for face and mind.

Caudalie has just launched a fab facial oil, the Vine[Active] Overnight Detox Oil, perfect for city skins which are exposed to pollution and free radicals.

It is 100% natural and works towards detoxifying and regenerating stressed skin. Full review coming soon!

And while on the natural subject, other pure blend oils such as Dr Jackson’s everyday oil and the Skin & Tonic London Naked Beauty oil, a bit richer, are perfect for overnight.

I feel they work their magic getting deep in the skin, healing and supporting the skin regenerating process.

I love that Dr Jackson’s everyday oil also comes in a handy roll on, perfect for travelling, and perfect to carry on the plane. Definitely one to invest on for the holiday season, for its portability and to help sun exposed skin heal!

Super light oils like the Body Shop Oils of Life facial oil, the Eucerin Facial oil and the dermalogica phyto replenish oil are perfect to add to the foundation for extra hydration and glow.

For more specific needs, the GOSH Primer Oil Essence doubles up as a night oil that preps the skin for the next day and the Indemne Gimme Clear! oil is a helping hand for blemish prone skins.

Of course, I cannot leave out the first oil I ever put on my face: balance me radiance face oil. On the “natural, richer” category, this one really changed my skin and I owe it my absolute love (ok, obsession) with facial oils.

The market is brimming with great products, for all budgets. It is a great time for facial oils. And my skin is grateful!

What about you? Have you tried facial oils? How do they feel on your skin? Or are you like me in the beginning, scared of using them?

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Let it be light!

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

A while ago I appeared on Instagram bobbing along looking like something out of a sci-fi movie. remember that?

Well, I’ll refresh your memory. It turns out I had just started to try the revolutionary Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask, a device that bring the dermatologist LED therapy into your home, safely and at a fraction of the cost.

But what does it all mean? Basically, the futuristic looking mask emits therapeutic blue and red lights that penetrate intro the skin to kill the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts.

The blue light kills the bacteria while the red light reduces inflammation (is it just me our it feels should be the other way round? Hehe).

After using for about a month, I noticed my skin is calmer. Usage overlapped with my pre-menstrual period, when my breakouts are more active. Although I still have some, I feel they disappeared much quicker.

I did notice some changes pretty early on. Small breakouts seem to be zapped, larger ones subdued quicker, skin tone, texture and general condition seem to have improved. I feel it is a bit addictive.

Using it is very easy: wash your face, attach the activator device, make sure the metal pin is all the way in, pop the mask on like sunglasses and hit the button.

The daily treatment lasts 10 minutes and the mask turns off automatically. In the activator, you have a display with a count of how many treatments you have left.

And that is the catch and what people have been feeling uncertain about: the mask itself costs £59.99 and can be re-used. Now the activator, which is a necessity for it to work, costs £14.99 and deliver 30 treatments of 10 minutes, enough for a month.

Some find it is unfair that such a revolutionary treatment is made available to the masses but has an ongoing cost. As someone suffering from acne for 20 years, I will put it out there: this has always been the way.

And a lot of what is now readily available, wasn’t when I was a teenager that could not afford expensive treatments. And what was available was extremely costly.

Again, making your skin a priority might require some compromise on other areas and back up from your parents. This is how I went through countless treatments when young.

Also worth bearing in mind that this product is not suitable for severe acne, which I did have for a few periods of my life. In those cases, seeing a doctor and seeking a dermatology referral is always the way forward.

However, if you suffer from mild to moderate acne, which seem to be the case for me nowadays, this products is great and I highly recommended.

Furthermore, I’d say that after a while month I will get extra activators and not do it every day. Maybe every other or even every three, just as maintenance.

Also, the depleted activators can be recycled and Neutrogena offers information on it, so they can be disposed responsibly.

The Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask costs £59.99  and comes with one activator for the first month. Additional activators cost £14.99 each, and multipacks are available. The recommended initial treatment is 3 months.

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Eucerin DermoPurifyer: Tackling blemishes one product at a time

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by
eucerin-dermopure-review - 1Difficult. That’s how I’d describe my skin on the best of days. It’s rarely happy – it’s always either dryness, sensitivity or breakouts.
When I was introduced to the Eucerin DermoPurifyier range I was really excited to see how it would treat my skin, as its formulated to care for skin which is being treated for acne.
Always worth remembering that Eucerin caters for sensitive skin, a reassurance for me.
That might not mean a lot you never got treated for acne. Treatments are usually really harsh and stripping; most non-comedogenic, oil free products do not nourish the skin properly.
The result is angry, flaky skin which is far from ideal.
I had a fab skin analysis with Eucerin and they got me a whole new routine to tackle my concerns.
eucerin-dermopure-review - 6Very mild and gentle on the skin, the Dermo Purifyer Clenaser does not contain soap or fragrances. It lathers well and does a great job removing makeup.
eucerin-dermopure-review - 5The Toner is slightly exfoliating with lactic acidd and it’s not drying. Skin feels comfortable and fresh after use.
eucerin-dermopure-review - 2The Adjunctive Hydrating Care day moisturiser is a star. With SPF30, it feels thicker than my usual, but is well absorbed by skin and behaves very well under makeup.
It contains licorice extract, an anti-inflammatory, carnitine, which helps reduce sebum and moisturising decandiol.
eucerin-dermopure-review - 4The Active Night Care moisturiser has extra strong ingredients to work while you rest and feels good on the skin. I wake up fresh and plumped.
The lactic acid works to exfoliate and moisturise at the same time.
eucerin-dermopure-review - 3For those extra stubborn spots, the Active Concentrate gel, also very mild and not tingling, contains lactic acid and decandiol and can be used many times a day.
eucerin-dermopure-review - 7Finally, for a more deep cleanse, there is the Scrub, which is not too abrasive but has a good grit to it. It also contains lactic acid and pore-refining particles that get deeper into pores.
Overall my skin welcomed the regime. Extra props for the toner, which is also helping me with pigmentation (I suffer from dark hormonal spots during the summer) and uneven skin tone.
In the few weeks I’ve been using it, the spot is visibly lighter.
You can read all about the range at the Eucerin website, and you can get them from retailers around the country, including Boots and Superdrug.
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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

 

 

Review: S5 Balance Fluid

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

S5 balance fluid

One of the brands I discovered in 2014 was S5 Skincare, which creates organic cosmeceuticals. Now that I’ve tried another product, I am truly sold.

The  S5 Balance Fluid is a face moisturiser that has anti-ageing properties as well as anti-blemish ones, which for me, is the perfect combination.

Continue reading →

Product review: Skinetica anti-blemish

skinetica blemish treatmentI was really excited to receive Skinetica – the promise to fight acne alone makes it go half way up in my good books! Having struggled for more than half of my life time with acne, this is an extremely touchy subject for me. Heart pouring posts have been written only to never see the light of day. Maybe one day they will….

But for now, let’s talk about Skinetica, an anti-blemish treatment with no harsh chemicals, no side effects, gentle to the skin, non-toxic, non-staining and non-greasy. Yes, sounds way too good.

The active ingredient is Quaternary Ammonium Chloride with a Sylyl base, to stick to the skin – none of the usual benzoyl peroxides and salicylic acids. Basically, it means that this is straight from a chemistry lab to work at a molecular level on the skin (the particles are really small and absorbed quickly by the skin, staying put) and killing the bacteria.

The packaging is simple: a plastic tube, flip open top, nothing fancy, all functional. It looks like water, the smell is almost nonexistent. The indication is to apply to clean skin (if you apply over a product, it won’t work!) with a cotton wool pad twice a day and let it dry. Once dried, it is chemically inert (it won’t come off or dilute) and you won’t feel anything. You should re-apply every 12 hours, as this is the time one application will keep working, even if you wash your face. I use it morning and evening – I apply it in the morning and after the product is completely dry I put my make-up on as usual and at night, I cleanse my face, let it dry and then apply moisturiser. I have been using it daily fora month now.

This product caught me at the bitter end of my worst breakout in eight years. Yes, awful. I stopped the antibiotics and topical solution (which didn’t seem to be doing much anyway) and  in a brave move, stuck to this. Just this. I must point out that my spots are usually quite deep, medium to large in size and extremely persistent.

So, does it work? Well, for me, I felt it really made spots go away quicker. They don’t become sore and angry anymore. I usually have the type of spots that takes weeks, sometimes months, to vanish, and occasionally culminate in a yellow tip (eeew, I know). I could really feel a difference with this product..

Do I think it prevented  new spots from coming up? Well, I cannot say for sure. I tend to think it did. I certainly have less than I had at the time I started – it is worth pointing out that was an unusually bad patch for me, but the improvement could well be due to the product. I still have a couple, but who knows how it would be now?

Having said all that, what really makes like this even more is that it’s really gentle to the skin. In a sad way, I am used to harsh products – peeling, tightness and redness have been part of my life for a long time. With this product, I had nothing. It has been great; my skin is not dry, irritated or sensitive – just normal. Also, for the first time in my life, I am using only one acne related product on my face on a daily basis. This, for me, is quite something.

At the retail price (under £10 for one bottle, including p&p), there is no way you shouldn’t try if you suffer from blemishes – superficial or deep. I really recommend it, it is really worth a go – and that is coming from someone who tried everything. I mean EVERYTHING. And my skin seems very happy with it.

I will purchase another bottle to keep using, as regular use will have no long term undesired effects – anything to keep the spots at bay, better if it is only one product that works and is not aggressive!

You can find more information about the product and purchase it here.

This post contains PR samples, however, this review is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Product review: Elemis freshskin skin clear

Sometime ago, I went to the Elemis freshskin event. It was a lovely evening and I left with some great products to try, and met some lovely people.

When trying skin care, I like to use for a few weeks to have a real sense on how my skin likes it, how it reacts to the goodness slapped on it, and if I can see an improvement.

I have been using four products of the freshskin Skin Clear line for the past few weeks now and they have treated my skin very well. If you have been here before, you probably know that although I am not that young, I suffered from severe acne and to this day, I can suffer from breakouts and this is a very touchy subject for me. This event came at a time I had been very upset about the bad breakouts appearing.

I introduced the range to my routine, so I am going to breakdown by product and tell you what I think:

Purifying face wash

What they say: “helps detox and purify the skin. With antiseptic properties, the wash promotes healthy cell growth to repair damaged tissue. White Willow Bark provides gentle exfoliation whilst Cedarwood and Cucumber soothe the skin. Experience an extreme clean.”

What I thought of it: smells very fresh and give you the impression of a really clean skin. A small quantity goes a long way and the smell is fresh, without being overpowering. It does not dry my skin.

Key active ingredients: extract of iris, zinc salt and vitamin A.

Mattifying moisturiser

What they say: “helps control the shine of oily skins. A skin multi-tasker, this reduces T-zone shine within one hour of application and maintains a matt finish for up to 8 hours. Shea Butter helps promote cell renewal, hydrates and protects all day long, whilst reducing redness, inflammation and helps minimise post blemish imperfections.”

What I thought of it: has a rich consistency, but not too much. What I really like about this is that it feels nourishing, is absorbed by the skin very nicely and doesn’t feel greasy. Good to use under make up.

Key active ingredients: seamat, shea butter, bergamot.

Treatment gel:

What they say: “gel to powerfully bust blemishes. With Salicylic Acid to de-clog pores, allowing spots to shrink this multi-tasker reduces swelling and redness around spots, clears blemishes without over drying the skin and encourages fast and effective healing.”

What I thought of it: really like this! It feels a little bit tingly when applied over the spot, and has a calming effect. It doesn’t dry the area, so it can be used over and over again in the same place.

Key active ingredients: extract of iris, zinc salt, vitamin A.

Overnight serum:

What they say: “helps de-clog pores, allowing spots to shrink, without causing sensitivity. It reduces swelling and redness around troublesome spots whilst tightening pores. Whilst powerful anti-oxidant properties aid skin repair and help minimise post blemish imperfections.”

What I thought of it: Can also be used under make up, actually, I used this more during the day than overnight!!! Feels like a good overall healing and maintenance for the whole face, opposed to the “on the spot” gel.

Key active ingredients: slow release salicylic acid, renovhyal and vitamins C & E.

My skin has really calmed down, it is quite visible. Admittedly I’ve been on medication too, but it is the first time I take meds and my skin feels nourished, not dry and flaky, and more plump, healthier.

For me, it seems like a great range to maintain your skin under control, healing and preventing “daily” spots. Of course, if you, like me, suffer(ed) from severe acne, you might have to resort to powerful oral medication or more aggressive topical products. This range, however, seemed to keep my skin happier, even though it was receiving a more aggressive treatment.

The packaging is simple, nice and the blue colour also appeals to the boys! The smells are subtle and herbs-like. All products are free from parabens, SLS, SLES, DEA, mineral oils, artificial colours and silicons.

I do recommend it, not only for younger skin, but also for adults who may still suffer from acne and need a non-aggressive daily treatment line. If you are in this situation, well worth a go, I do know how difficult it is to find something that will agree with problematic skin.

I am keeping them on my daily routine, and I am fully stocked, as I won their competition after the event. Lucky me!

All images are from the Elemis website, where you can also find more information on the products reviewed.

This post contains PR samples, however, this review is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Elemis freshskin event

The Freshskin range from Elemis is aimed at caring for young skin – late teens to mid-20’s – and you ask: What the hell were you doing there Dani? Very funny, but as I mentioned before, I always suffered from problem skin. From severe acne when younger to breakout bouts to this day, this has always been a touchy subject and the reason I need to be very careful when it comes to skin care.

I will do anything I can to get rid of the blemishes, but making sure my skin is nourished, plump and radiant has been a growing concern in the past years, as the treatments can be quite aggressive. The Clear Skin line, part of their wider freshskin range, targets the problems usually associated with adolescent skin: spots and oiliness, while also caring for the skin.

This range helps to look after those problems on a daily basis. I left with some products and have been using them – review will come soon – but attending their event was really interesting and informative. First, everyone was really lovely. Seriously friendly and chatty!

Upon RSVP, you could choose two treatments from hair, manicure, mini facial and make over. Extremely difficult choice here…  After having a really hard think, I went for hair and facial.

On arrival, there was bubbly (again, the best start as far as I am concerned! And that got replenished plenty), cupcakes and lots of conversation going, followed by a brief but comprehensive talk about the range by the gorgeous Emer Gillen from Elemis,  who is a therapist and a trainer for the company.

Getting a treat

After that, we headed downstairs for the treatments. I had the mini facial, using products from the line, done by Emer herself! It was refreshing and relaxing. I woke up the next morning with really happy skin, calm, soothed and radiant.

Then I had my hair styled by Freya from Electric hair salon. She gave me amazing waves and volume which survived a night’s sleep and still looked lush the next day. Her advice prompted me to buy a curling wand, which I still have to master!

I also had a chat with the ladies from Myface.cosmetics, which were offering make overs! I was very impressed with their Blingtone eyeshadows, they are very sparkly and highly pigmented.

Manicures were being offered using Essie polishes, which created a dark pink shade named after the Elemis range.

I left with a goody bag containing the skin clear overnight serum, mattifying moisturiser, purifying face wash and the treatment gel, as well as a freshskin discovery kit, a mini-size kit of their line for young skin, nail transfers and an eye shadow duo from Myface cosmetics, which I will use to create my next eye make-up look challenge!

As if the evening wasn’t fun enough, after a few days I received a tweet saying I was their competition winner, and I not only I got a bag full of goodies, but I also got a face and body treatment at the Elemis Spa, which I will be redeeming very soon! Yay!