Ok, sounds like a clickbait headline, but it is true: there is one consistent action that pretty much vanished melasma from my face.
For the record, mine was never that bad. Low level, it was always there, on the edges of my eyebrows, patches on forehead and around the bottom of the eyes.
During the warmer months or a nice holiday, the pigmentation would become very visible, and harder to hide with usual make up.
They’d fade in the colder months but always be there. For my already acne scarred face, that was yet another reminder of my terrible skin and I wasn’t quite sure why.
If my make up had SPF and I was wearing 30+ on holidays, with frequent application, why was it still there???
Once I read that the light from laptops and electronic devices also cause ageing and all made sense.
I started wearing “real” SPF 30+ and not make up or skincare with added SPF, which usually are low 10-15, even on the days I wasn’t leaving the house, my hormonal pigmentation vanished, and never returned.
It became a fixed step in my morning routine, regardless of the exposure I was expecting for that day, or time of the year.
While I appreciate some cases are more severe than mine, this was life changing in my skincare routine.
I’m constantly trialling different ones as sunscreen can cause even more havoc to my acneic, sensitive skin.
So far I’ve been very impressed with Skinceauticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense SPF50, Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF50 (also available with a light tint), Image Skincare Prevention+ SPF32+, (surprisingly) Nivea Cellular Luminous anti dark spot day fluid SPF50, Sunsense daily face invisible tint finish SPF 50+, Garnier Ambre Solaire Over makeup Super UV SPF50, La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL tinted fluid SPF50+, Piz Buin Mountain Suncream SPF50+ (great for the winter) and a few more gems I encountered since I adopted the new habit.
Next on my list to try? SOS Serum SPF 30 and 50 and the Bioderma Photoderm Anti Melasma tinted SPF50+ both great value for money at under £20. What’s not to love?
You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains some mentions to PR samples as products were sent to me free of charge, with no obligation to post, but the majority were purchased with my own money. Opinions are honest and my own.
My love affair with Nivea is long standing. I think I’ve already told how I remember my mum using the classic tins when I was a little girl!
The Daily Essentials Urban Skin Defence Day Cream has an SPF 20 and comes in a gel like form. It applies great, absorbing well and quickly, leaving skin fresh and super moisturised.
I do love the moisturisers and been using for a month now, but must admit my fave is probably the 1 Minute Urban Detox Mask + Purify, which has white clay and magnolia extract.
My skin has always been a constant issue for me. Being far from perfect, more often than not it has caused me more pain than joy.
My favourite has to be the fantastic Antioxidant Power Serum (£85, 30ml) with L ascorbic acid, niacinamide, vitamin e, ferulic acid and panthotenic acid. Full of antioxidants, it’s like a vitamin shot for the skin, it supports collagen production and has anti-ageing and pigmentation repair properties.
The Micronutrient Night Repair Cream (£75, 50ml) is another delight. For a night Cream, is rich but very light thus being perfect for my skin, which just drinks it. I must point out that the dispenser is great, a push downso your product in the pot never gets in touch with air thus not oxidising!
With an SPF 50, the mighty Moisturising Sun Protection (£50, 100ml) has quickly became a favourite of mine. Vitamins B5 and aloe vera add hydration to the broad spectrum sun protection.
Finally, tying the regime together is the Antioxidant Q10 Toner (£35, 120ml). Very mild but potent, it has coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, aloe Vera and botânica extracts, this toner adds to the moisturisation and skin support as well as refreshing and improving radiance.
Hands up if you’re guilty of, at some point in your life, not re-applying SPF as often as you should not to ruin your makeup? o/
So we get it: sunscreen is very important. Even in the city, and all year around.
It also creates an anti-pollution barrier that can be reinforced throughout the day, effortlessly.
Here we are again at that time of the year when I can no longer look at my coats, when all I want is to ditch them and the 85 layers (including the fat ones amassed over the winter) and see the sun shining in the sky.
The Wilkinson Sword has repackaged and changed the colours on their razors and the 
As everyday gradual tanning moisturisers go, the 
Top it off with the 
This 
Maybe I am overreacting with my title… it’s sort of out. Ish. Ok, ok. Should be out.
To top it off, it also has two types of hyaluronic acid, to deeply moisturise and help plump those fine lines.
So Many Lovely Things 