Medik8 Titanium Dermaroller: A First Glance.

I did it. I have been lusting over Medik8's 'Titanium Dermaroller' for what feels like a year (and mentioning it in a couple of wishlists), and I finally pushed the boat out and purchased one.
What actually did it was an article by Dr Sam Bunting (my skincare guru and the only person I will look to for advice), 'The Secret to Bare-Faced Chic or ‘Bien Dans Sa Peau’', where she mentioned Dermarollers in a positive light, and then I just had to get hold of one.

This is more of a 'first-impressions' post, but will be doing a proper review in a couple of months, once I get enough use out of it.

For those who don't know what one of these scary-looking instruments is, here we go. Dermarollers are basically mini paint-rollers, which tiny needles attached. You roll the dermaroller over a area of skin, and the reaction of the skin is that "this stimulation causes the skin underneath, to use your own collagen to fill and soften wrinkles and scars. It has similar results to Laser Treatment, Chemical Peels and Dermabrasion, but it is considerably less invasive, zero downtime and carries only a fraction of the cost" (quote taken from Dermacare here) It is used to reduce acne scarring (including indented ones), wrinkles, lines, cellulite, stretch marks, even out pigmentation and enhance absorption of skincare products.
Personally, I was interested in evening out my pigmentation, reducing my acne scars and reducing some fine lines that have appeared on my forehead! I am still using a retinoid to prevent any further breakouts, so I was also interested to see how I would get on using both the retinoid and the dermaroller together!

I bought mine from I bought my dermaroller from dermacaredirect.co.uk, which is a Medik8 official stockist. They also do a great little bundle which includes both the dermaroller (whatever size) and the Sterilizing Solution (a must-have!) for only £54, which I thought was a great price, considering the Dermaroller by itself costs £50 and the Sterilizing solution is £12 everywhere else I've looked!

I have used this twice so far - not going to say anything yet apart from OUCH!!! - and I'm really keen so see if this improves my skin texture at all!

I'll keep you posted!

La Roche Posay 'Effaclar Mat'.

La Roche Posay always get it right when it comes to simple, yet effective skincare. And this product is no exception, it has quickly become a staple and a favourite within my skincare routine!

"Neutralise persistent shine right at the source with the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat sebo-regulating moisturiser. With daily use, Effaclar Mat helps to slow sebum production and prevent shine on the skin’s surface. Updated formula now contains Sebulyse. Oil-free texture enriched with absorbent micro-spheres and perlite."

The 'Effaclar Mat' product is a matte daily moisturiser for those with oily skin and enlarged pores. It also claims to help regulate sebum production in the skin, which in turn helps to refine pores. I do have an oily skin which is prone to imperfections, and my pores are normally very large, so this seemed like the perfect product for me! I also wanted a hydrating moisturiser which was light and matte enough so I could use it underneath an suncream, so hence 'Effaclar Mat' went in my basket and I bought it!

The consistency is that of a gel rather than a cream, and it glides on so smoothly, and when it sinks in, my skin looks matte but yet feels incredibly soft and moisturised. It doesn't leave a nasty residue or a heavy feeling upon the skin. This makes it great underneath a primer, or even on it's own it acts as a great make-up base, keeping your make-up really matte and keeping it in place all day!
It does lack an SPF, but I find that it is brilliant base for under suncream. I don't experience any balling up of the product at all, like I have experienced before with some products under suncream. I do find that suncream by itself isn't particularly moisturising or hydrating to the skin, and I do need a moisturiser underneath, especially in winter, and this product fits the bill perfectly!
You can also use this product overnight, which might be a good idea if you really struggle with the oiliness of your skin, but for me, my skin isn't oily enough to warrant overnight use, day-time use is enough for me!
I have read some reviews on the tinterweb which say that it can be quite drying and dehydrating on those who have normal/dryer skin types, so it is probably a moisturiser which strictly stays in the sweaty mitts of the oiler members of society.

I have noticed an reduction in pore size since I started using this product, which is something I'm very pleased about, since the size of my pores are the bane of my existance! I have not had very many spots since using this prouct, I get the odd one or two...or three but nothing like what I am used to. Plus I'm not even on my oral medication anymore, so this product must be having some sort of impact! I do find that my skin isn't as oily as it used to be before I started using the product, so I do find that the claims are ringing true!

The packaging is a little irritating in my opinion. Until you get near to the end of the product, then it's all problem free, but when you're trying to use the last quarter of the bottle, then this is when you'll be screaming whilst squeezing the bottle in your fist.
The presentation of the packaging is very simple, and practical. It's plastic which is great for travelling and shoving in your bag. I like the packaging by LRP, it's all about the product and there is no gimmicky packaging.

You can get it from Boot's at £13.50, which in my opinion is quite expensive for 40ml of product. I will repurchase because I do really like this product and it's become quite the essential in my routine (I use it almost every day!), but I will groan about having to spend £13.50 every time!

Ingredients: AQUA / WATER, GLYCERIN, DIMETHICONE, ISOCETYL STEARATE, ALCOHOL DENAT, SILICA, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ACRYLAMIDE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE COPOLYMER, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-100 STEARATE, COCAMIDE MEA, SARCOSINE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, TRIETHANOLAMINE, ISOHEXADECANE, PERLITE, CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID, TETRASODIUM EDTA, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, POLYSORBATE 80, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, SALICYLIC ACID, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE.

Suggestions and a wee chit-chat for those who use retinoids.

I think retinoid products are fantastic, both as an actual medication for acne and for it's skin benefiting properties. However, retinoids can have some pretty gross and nasty side effects if used incorrectly or with the wrong skincare products, and sometimes it is a bit confusing what to use with them and what not to use with them!
After using retinoids for the best part of four years to help with my acne, I have had my disasters and have found out through trial and error what works with them, and what doesn't work with them. For your information, I am on Retin-A 0.0025% (I have a blogpost here all about the little gem).
I thought it would be a good idea for me to impart what knowledge I have on the area, so here are a few tips and suggestions for those who are just starting out or are already on retinoids and are a bit confused about what they should and shouldn't do.

1) Always wear an SPF in the day. The top layer of your skin is being peeled off, making your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Find a good SPF product which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, since both are harmful. There are plenty of good suncreams out there, you just need to find one which suits your skin type and your preference! Please, protect your skin from the sun.

2) Don't use exfoliating products/mitts/scrubs/Clarisonics whilst you're using retinoids. Especially with those who are using Retin-A, the peeling effect you get can be pretty gross and can mess up a makeup look completely. Do not be tempted to scrub this peeling skin away, because this peeling skin is attached to loose skin which will shed itself naturally. If you scrub at it, you will take all the skin off your face and will end up with a very sore and oozy face. Leave all exfoliating till at least three days after the last night/day of retinoid application.

3) Do not use any harsh astringent or products containing other chemical exfoliants. This will further irritate your skin, and, from my own experience, they will sting your skin like absolute hell. Not worth it! Treat your skin gently and with kindness and your skin will recover easier and you'll have less 'downtime'.

4) Moisturise, moisturise, and moisturise. You need to find an intensive moisturiser, which helps the skins healing process. Be warned, there are some cream which will sting, and there is no saying which ones will and which ones don't. It is trial and error, but stick to creams which are designed for those with extremely dry and sensitive skins, because these are less likely to contain products which are harsh to skin. Look for products designed for extremely senstive/allergic/dry or cracked skin, these products should contain less nasty harsh stuff and more of the gentle, good stuff.

5) Deal with it. Retinoids have side effects. It is important to know that from the very beginning. And in my experience, every application proves a different result skin-wise. One week you might use it and skin might peel with minimal redness and then heal quickly, leaving skin radiant and beautiful in no time, whilst other times your skin might peel leaving sore-looking red patches all over your face, and downtime feels like forever. Yes, it's a bummer, but think about the result of your skin after using retinoids, and all those days of walking around feeling dejected about the red patches on your skin will be worth it, especially from an acne-front. Focus on the long term.

6) Don't over-use them. I only need a couple of nights application of Retin-A to get my skin to peel, any more than that then my skin gets increasingly sore and dry and almost impossible to normalise. After these two nights, I moisturise my skin like hell to minimise any dryness and to help my skin to heal. Overusing the retinoid will not make it more effective, it will just worsen the side effects!

7) In terms of acne, it gets worse before it gets better. If your doctor has prescribed you retinoids for your acne and you've not been on them before, it is important to be aware that acne might get worse during the early stages. This does not mean the medication isn't working, it just means that the medication is purging the skin of all the nasties that lie beneath the surface of the skin. Be diligent, don't stop applying the retinoid and you'll soon see the benefits.

8) To cover, or not to cover. I don't tend to cover up my Retin-A side effects, because in the past I have tried to cover up peely skin with concealer/powder/foundation, and my skin balls up and it looks worse than going au naturel. Everyone has their preferences though, so if you can't bear to go bare-faced, then don't, but find something that works with you and your side-effects. Redness is slightly easier to cover up, but I think that if you treat the treated skin with the utmost care and gentleness, you're minimising irritation and so redness should fade quicker than if you're scrubbing and pouring paint-stripper-type-toner all over your face.

Tried-and-tested products (with reviews) that I always turn to when I'm actively using Retin-A:
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Eucerin Aquaphor, Vichy Capital Sun SPF 50 Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch. Barefoot Botanicals Face and Body Rescue Cream.

This blogpost is made up from personal experiences with Retin-A and what I've been told by dermatological experts. Everyone's skin/reaction to retinoids is different, and always read the insert that comes included with medication and over-the-counter retinoids!
I am open to suggestions about products, so if you use retinoids and have a product that is great at treating the horrid side effects, let me know!

Barefoot Botanicals S.O.S 'Face and Body Rescue Cream'.

I have been looking for new daily moisturiser for quite a long time. At the moment, my skin swings from an acne-prone oily skin to a Retin-A-induced extremely dry and irritated skin, so I needed a cream that would cater and look after both. I have used a few day creams (like the La Roche Posay 'Hydraphase UV Intense Light'), but I really dislike the fact that they have quite low SPF levels (I hate going below SPF 50), and sometimes they aren't moisturising enough for when my skin is at it's worst, and then others are too greasy if you want to wear sun protection over the top. It seemed like an impossible task of finding an instensely moisturising cream with high SPF, or an intensely moisturising cream that was matte enough to be used under SPF, and also had to be suited to irritated and sensitive skin. See my problemo?

So after some research, I came across a brand called Barefoot Botanicals. The Barefoot Botanicals' 'S.O.S' range of products are designed for extremely dry, sensitive, irritated or uncomforatble skin. I was particularly attracted to the 'Face and Body Rescue Cream', which is described as 'an intensively rich and nourishing cream'. Then I read a review which said the product was matte. That was all the encouragement I needed, and the product was swiftly purchased.



I have actually only used the 'Face and Body Rescue Cream' for a few days, and I know you're meant to leave skincare to work over weeks, but I am not going to be observing any anti-ageing benefits, I am just interested in how it moisturises my skin, and I have been so impressed with how it's managed and sorted out my horrific dry skin and normal skin that I just couldn't wait any longer to rave all about it!

The 'Face and Body Rescue Cream' is free from nasties like parabens, petrochemical ingredients, SLS, SLES or synthetic perfumes, and contains natural ingredients like Stellaria, Burdock extracts, Macadamia, Evening Primrose, Organic Sulphur, Neroli and Chamomile. These ingredients comfort, soothe, deeply moisturise, nuture, and replenish dry skin.
Aside from all these wonderful natural ingredients having a more serious purpose in the product, they do make the cream smell wonderful. It is quite a subtle floral scent, and isn't overpowering in my opinion.

As I have just said, I have used the 'Face and Body Rescue Cream' on serious dry, flaky, irritated skin, and I have also used it on my normal oily skin, and I have to say it deals with both fantastically.
When my skin was at it's worst, application of this product did result in some stinging which resided after a couple of minutes. This was disappointing, because I was expecting so reaction whatsoever, but it was to be expected (the only thing I have ever used that doesn't sting is Aquaphor). It reduced redness and irritation overnight, and although the peeling took two nights to resolve, I was pleased with how fast the cream seemed to act to nourish and restore moisture to my skin!
On skin which has not been in contact with Retin-A, there is no stinging or irritation at all, and it so comforting, rather like your wrapping your skin in fluffy white towels.
For what is a very rich and nourishing cream, the texture is so light and not at all cloggy or thick. It sinks into the skin wonderfully, leaving no shine, no nasty residue and a matte finish. It comforts my skin the whole way through the night, and by the morning my skin feels moisturised, baby soft and supple, even after hours of pillow contact!

This cream is absolutely amazing for wear during the day too. Because of it's matte finish and light texture it is super easy to apply makeup and/or sun protection over the top without looking at all greasy. It hydrates the skin all throughout the day, which is essential with all the added seasonal skin-stressors like the cold, wind and central heating!

It comes in an off-white little plastic tube, which is nothing fancy, but is so practical. This cream is something you want to be carrying around in your bag for those dry skin emergencies, so the packaging needs to be practical so it doesn't end up all over your bag!

I bought this from Feel Unique at £10.50 for 50ml, or £18 for 100ml. I think this is a good price for something that has helped my skin so much. It isn't the cheapest cream you can find, but it is at the lower end of skincare prices, and it is definitely worth every single penny!
I will definitely be repurchasing this product. It has become my most-used skincare product at the moment, and I think it's a little gem and it gets two massive thumbs up. This should be in everybody's skincare arsenal. As I've said, only gripe is the slight stinging, but my skin was in such a bad way so I'll let it slide.

Have you guys used anything from Barefoot Botanicals before? If so, what and how did you get on with it?

November skincare wishlist.

I haven't done a wishlist in a long time, because there hasn't been really anything in a while that I've thought 'wow, I totally need that in my life', and one thing on here has already appeared in a wishlist I did back in early 2012, so it's been a bit pointless doing one. Until now, because I've found something else to lust over as well!

The product I've been wanting for probably about a year is something called a dermaroller, specifically the Medik8 'Titanium Dermaroller', which is, in crude terms, like a lint-roller but with very fine needles on it. It's aimed at reducing wrinkles, cellulite, hyperpigmentation and scars since it helps promote collagen synthesis, and also improves penetration of skincare products, such as retinoids.
I honestly don't know why I haven't bought it yet, because it's continuously in my thoughts. I actually think I might be in love with the idea of owning one. It's £40 from Feel Unique (link above), which I think is a very good price, heck it's what I'd be happy to pay for just a jar of cream! You do have to replace it every few months(the needles get bent and cause more damage than good), which I suppose is like having a Clarisonic and replacing the brush head every 3 months.
It has been hard to find a lot of written reviews regarding this product, but I have heard a lot of people talk about the benefits of dermarollers, and that's enough to make me want one!

The other thing on my mental skincare wishlist is the iSkin 'i-ntelligent Microdermabraison System'. I normally use Retin-A, which peels my skin away thus improving acne and the redness and scarring left behind. However, I just can't step away from the physical exfoliator (I use this No7 one at the moment) for use when the Retin-A symptoms have ceased.
For £29.99, this microdermabraison kit seems like a total bargain, and includes the necessary equipment to get started. I have had a casual look at the prices of microdermabraison sessions at salons and spas, and they are quite expensive, especially as you would need to go back a few times to get significant results. The additional costs related to this kit is replacing the head and the 'Crystal Microdermabraison Creme'
I have read the reviews for it, unfortunately there aren't many, but mostly everyone who has bought this product seems to absolutely love it, and speaks about reduced lines, reduced pores and more radiant skin. It's got a 5 out of 5 on Makeup Alley, so it must be very good!
My skin is quite good at the moment, with few spots appearing (god bless acne medication), so I'm seriously considering this kit to even out my complexion and get rid of some scarring and hyperpigmentation left behind by my acne.

Has anyone used any of these two products? If you have leave me a comment with your thoughts, it'll help make up my mind about which I should get! Which will probably be both, my poor wallet...

Dr Jart 'Water Fuse Beauty Balm'.

I had my eye on the Dr Jart 'BB' products ever since they came out; such a fuss was made about them when they debuted in the UK you would have been blind/deaf/ignorant not to know about them!
Beauty balms, blemish balms, blemish base, beblesh balm (?!) or quite simply 'BB' creams are the buzz-word in the beauty world, and almost every beauty company has released their own version. They act as several products all in one; primer, concealer, foundation and SPF. And for this reason, it makes it a must-have for those who prefer to keep their makeup routine simple and uncomplicated. I am one of those people!

There are several varieties of the Dr Jart Beauty Balms, 'Water Fuse', 'Premium', 'Regenerating' and 'Platinum' (I have linked them all to the Boots website, because they are they official UK based stockist).
I chose the 'Water Fuse' Beauty Balm, purely because at that time I thought I could benefit from a more moisturising BB cream with the colder weather quickly setting in and on that particular day my skin was feeling quite tight and dehydrated.

The 'Water Fuse' Beauty Balm is aptly named for the reason that the 'Water Holding System helps maintain healthy moisture level to leave a dewy, flawless look without glossiness'. More specifically, it is a Beauty Balm 'containing glacier water, deep ocean water, hyalorunic acid rich in moisturizing power, and aloe vera soothing skin comfortably, helps to raise the water content, providing dry and weary skin with wetness like applying water cream.'
Hyaluronic acid is another buzz-word in skincare and makeup. It's a water magnet, holding water in the skin, keeping it hydrated. Wikipedia gives a great explanation, a better one than me!

I would say that the 'dewy' finish is great when first applied, you look so radiant and glowing, but at about midday it's too shiny and greasy looking on my skin. I do have quite an oily skin, so to avoid the dreaded 'midday-mirror-shine' have to set the Beauty Balm with a light dusting of translucent powder in the morning, and then I'm sorted for the rest of the day. Those with drier skin-types may not need to set it with powder.
I'm not particularly fond of the fact it only comes in one shade. It is a shame, because the shade it comes in is a shade too dark for me. For those with fairer skin, I would probably look for a paler alternative or do what I do, and mix it with a paler foundation upon application to get the exact shade match.
The BB cream provides quite a natural sheer finish on the skin, but also provides quite good coverage, which I didn't expect. The formula is quite buildable, which is great if you desire slightly more coverage than one layer gives you. I only need to dot concealer in a few places before having skin that looks incredibly healthy and flawless.
Another thing that I am not so keen on is the fact that the SPF is quite low at 25. I normally don't go under SPF 50, so I do feel a little bit, ahem, naked and unprotected without high SPF on. The other Dr Jart Beauty Balms have varying levels of SPF, ranging from 25-40.

I would say that I am really excited about trying the other products in the range, especially the 'Premium' Beauty Balm as it gives slightly more coverage than the rest, but the only bugbear is the crap colour range! I don't know if it's worth buying the BB creams only to mess around mixing with foundation to get it to match! The jury is still out on whether I would repurchase or not.

Have you tried Dr Jart's Beauty Balms before? Which one did you go for, and how did you get on?

Me and my acne: Week 47

It has been so long since I talked about my acne, and because I've left it so long, quite a lot has happened, which is going to make this quite a long and ramble-y post.

Just after my last post, I was struggling to get my 0.025% Retin-A from any pharmacist in town. They said it might be a manufacturing issue, or maybe they had discontinued it. I hoped it wasn't the latter, my Retin-A is my saviour when it comes to helping to deal with acne.
But, since I couldn't get hold of it, I went to the doctor to see if I could get an alternative. At that point, my acne had flared up again, with lots of small red pustules across my forehead and on my cheeks. Speaking to the doctor, he prescribed me Differin, which is another retinoid, and also prescribed me the contraceptive pill Yasmin (retinoids cause serious birth defects, so if you're on a retinoid the doctor will probably force you to take a contraceptive pill!).
I tried the Differin for a few weeks, and I hated it. I didn't notice any acne-related results, I was continuously covered in the multiple small, red and angry-looking spots on my forehead and cheeks, and so stopped using it. It just isn't as effective as the Retin-A I was so used to using. So after being bummed out for a while, I had found a old prescription with Retin-A and Lymecycline (an old oral antibiotic I was on for a while), which was printed back in early 2012. I went to a completely different pharmacist I had never been to before, and I managed to get hold of my beloved Retin-A. I could not tell you how happy I was, honestly I could have cried.

And that's what I'm on at the moment. Since I had the prescription for the Lymecycline, I decided that I might as well take those as well as the contraceptive pill, and apply the Retin-A once a week, which has resulted in the clearest skin I've probably EVER experienced.
But my Retin-A days are nearly over. I have been asking pharmacists every so often whether they have any deliveries of the 0.025%, and it's not even on their system, so it's more than likely discontinued.
I don't want to try anything else. I have been faffing around with different medications and I would just rather stick to something I know works for me. So that leads to think about trying the stronger concentration 0.01% Retin-A. I'm used to the side-effects (I've been on it for three years!) and if I use a small amount of the stronger concentration, then I'm sure my skin will be able to get used to it quite quickly.

Before I go back to the doctors and demand the new Retin-A at gunpoint I want to make sure I actually need it; I might have a period without acne medication and see how I get on. Who knows, I might not need any more medication!

Has anyone tried the 0.01% Retin-A? What do you make of it and how bad are the side-effects?

Elemis 'Papaya Enzyme Peel'.

I had heard so many good things about the 'Papaya Enzyme Peel', from magazines giving it countless accolades, dermatologist/expert recommendations and all-important beauty blogs, so it was only a matter of time before I would actually get my grubby mitts on it.

On the back of my tube, Elemis explains that 'this smooth cream peel contains an exotic cocktail of natural fruit enzymes from African Papaya and Far Eastern Pineapple that helps to gently exfoliate and purify tired or sensitive skin. Enriched with extracts of Bladderwrack, Sunflower, Porphyridium and Vitamin E to help remineralise and condition the skin, whilst providing Anti-Oxidant and free-radical protection'.
Basically, the 'Papaya Enzyme Peel' is a chemical exfoliator which uses fruit acids to do the exfoliating business!

It is alike the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash in the fact that it took a while for me to actually notice a difference. I'm the sort of person who expects results immediately, and am not patient. But instead of getting grumpy with the lack of results, I kept on using it, and over the period of two months I have noticed that my skin looks more radiant, more smooth and much more refined.
I do think it helps that my skin-care routine is aimed at refining, preventing and correcting, so my skin is generally quite good anyway at the moment, but this is definitely a gem which I couldn't be without.

It comes out of the tube as a cream (which smells so good you almost want to eat it), which you apply onto cleansed skin. You leave it on the skin for approximately 10-15 minutes, and then you remove it with a lukewarm water. Normally, I use mine before bed, and just leave it on the skin until it completely sinks in, and then I'll remove it and get on with the rest of my night-time skincare routine. Or sometimes if I'm being completely lazy I'll leave it on for the whole night. But this leaves my skin looking so bright and amazingly radiant in the morning, so maybe it does pay to be a lazybones!
I love how simple to use this is: just apply a thin layer to cleansed skin, with no massaging, no complicated mixing or whatever, and relax! Plus, it leaves even overly-sensitive (due to Retin-A) skin soft, plumped and dewy without a hot, sore, red face that some face masks can leave me with, making it a great pre-event facial treatment!

The packaging is very simple and wonderfully practical, but I think simplicity can be beautiful, which is definitely the case here. It is in a silver plastic tube, with a silver plastic screw-on lid, with the brand logo on and the necessary information printed on.
The fact that the product is in a plastic tube makes it travel-friendly.

I actually paid £22.08 for my 50ml bottle, compared to a RRP of £28.60. There was some sort of Elemis discount on Feel Unique, so I thought I would take the bait and get this and the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash for cheaper than normal!
I know it is quite expensive for an exfoliator, and being a poor student I should probably be a bit more sensible (hey, I can live off cheap tins of sardines for another month), but I still think that this product (and several others) has certainly given my skin a very youthful, radiant, more refined appearance, and for this reason (and the reasons above!) I would definitely repurchase, because it's a mask I enjoy using, and most importantly, it produces noticeable results!

Are there any other Elemis products I should consider using?

Obagi 'Professional-C Serum 20%'

Now, this is my first product from Obagi. They have been on my radar for a few months now, but because their prices are quite expensive, I have only just plucked up the courage to purchase one of their products.

To me, Obagi seem to be a brand that are quite focused on the science and chemistry behind skincare. I follow a blog ran by a dermatologist, and she has mentioned this serum (along with others - she always offers impartial advice regardless of brand) in a post about taking care of your skin against UV rays and it was something I just had to have.

The science behind this product is that the penetration of anti-oxidants (L-ascorbic acid) into the skin (which is apparently penetrates deeper than any other product they claim) provides "maximum daily antioxidant protection against free radicals, which cause premature signs of aging including fine lines and wrinkles."

This product is to be applied before any skincare or makeup in the morning. It is a serum designed to be used in the morning only, which means you would have to have to use another serum at bedtime specific to a night-time regime.

Even from the first application my skin felt brighter and more radiant. I could honestly see my skin felt better and looked better. In just three days my skin looked amazing and it really seemed to help with my acne, I only had one spot break out. The small red scars seemed to fade. I am not kidding you, it was so refreshing to see a product which actually made a difference. I know the results seem so far fetched in such a short amount of time, but I am telling you it's like magic in a bottle.

I didn't experience the tingling associated with using the product at all. I decided to go straight for the highest concentration (it also comes in 5%, 10% and 15%) because I wanted maximum results straight away. I would have thought I would have experienced some irritation or stinging or even slight redness, but no, absolutely nothing. I even use it around my eyes and have had no side-effects!

One con about this product is that it smells really weird. I have researched this and other people have also mentioned the smell, some like it and some hate it, so I know the product was not delivered to me out of date.
The smell reminds me of old mouldy oranges, you know, the smell you get when you have a tangerine in the bottom of your handbag for a week.
The smell isn't a deal-breaker for me because it works so damn well, but I know some people are really pedantic about the smell of the product they use so I'm just putting it out there!

The bottle comes in a little cardboard box. I think the design of it makes it look very medical, it looks like a box full of medication! But fancy packaging doesn't make a product fantastic, so it's not a deal breaker!
The bottle actually arrives with a screw top lid, and the dropper separately. I'm not sure what benefit this has, maybe it travels better?
One thing I don't like about the dropper, it doesn't hold the serum very well, so be careful! Occasionally my dresser surface has received more a vitamin C boost than me...

You only need about three/four drops of the product to cover the face, and cover it well. The serum does spread well over the skin, which is great considering it is so damn expensive you don't want to be using loads every time you apply it!
The bottle has lasted me ages, and one month in I have barely used any!
Now that brings me onto the worst part about this product - the price. I bought mine from Amazon so I paid £57 (I got free shipping) for the 30ml bottle, which was the cheapest price I saw online.
It is quite steep in price, but my mother has a handy old trick of making skincare . She says if it lasts me, say, 2 months/60 days, that is less than £1 per day. Which puts it into a little bit more perspective. Plus, look at looking after your skin as an investment.

You need to be careful with this product - don't expose it to light or warmth otherwise the vitamin C will destabilise, just like it does when you keep fruit in the light and warmth! And then that's your money wasted. I keep mine in the cardboard box it came in and store it in my bathroom since it's quite cool in there compared to my bedroom.

I will repurchase this product when I run out for definite. Yes, the price is steep, but it lasts ages and I really think it has made my skin so much better.

La Roche Posay 'Hydraphase UV Intense Light'.

Since summer has gone (did we even have one?), it was time to think about changing my my skincare routine to something a little more substantial.
When the weather was warmer, I was cleansing, applying a serum and suncream and I was done, and that was enough! However, with all the horrid cold weather that we've been getting, my skin has needed that little something extra just to keep it in tip-top condition.
I needed and was looking for a cream that could go over the top of my Vichy sun cream to hydrate and protect my skin, and that wasn't going to make me look shiny.
I hadn't done as much research into this as I normally do regarding skincare, and I picked the little tube up on a whim whilst in Boots a few of weeks ago. I trust La Roche Posay anyway, so I knew I would get on with it well!

La Roche Posay's 'Hydraphase UV Intense Light' is a day cream designed for dehydrated skin, normal to combination and prone to sensitivity. My skin is quite oily, however due to my Retin-A useage my skin does get very dehydrated and sensitive, especially now it's getting colder, so this fits the bill.

La Roche Posay say that dehydrated skin has a 'damaged cellular cohesion', which compromises water regulation within the skin. This means, the skin isn't able to keep the water in.
'Hydraphase UV Intesne Light' contains Hyaluronic Acid fragments, which, alongside a 'reinforced formula', provide 'intense rehydration by infusing the skin with water, a reinforced cellular cohesion in order to help retain water in the skin for longer'. It also contains UVA and UVB protection in the form of SPF 20, which is an added benefit since those sun rays are still peeking through those clouds at this time of year! Plus, UVA and UVB rays also play a part in dehydration of the skin!

It's a white lotion, which sinks in to the skin super fast, leaving it feeling moisturised and soft. It hydrates the skin wonderfully all throughout the day without leaving any tackiness or stickiness on the skin. It does leave a slight shine, but it looks very natural and not at all oily.
You don't need a lot of the product to cover the face; a little bit of lotion goes a long way!
I find that this 'Light' version is perfect for my normally oily skin, but there is a 'Rich' version for those of you with drier and more sensitive skins!

This product is paraben free, reducing the chances of irritation or sensitivity to the product. It also contains the famous La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water, which is apparently rich in selenium, which has anti-oxidant properties.
There is no scent to this product, which doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'd rather a product did the job and had no scent than smelt like a Malaysian forest at sunrise and be totally pants!

The packaging is superbly practical. It comes with a pump, which is handy because sometimes taking off lids can get a little irritating (especially if you drop them and they go under your dresser). I always think pumps are a little bit more hygienic than something you have to take the lid off and stick your fingers into.
The tube itself is plastic, which is great because when on the move, I can just shove it in my bag without fearing a breakage.

It cost me £16.50 for a 50ml tube in Boots, which is not a bad price. I know there are some cheaper face creams I could have got instead, but I really get on well with La Roche Posay products, they are a brand that I trust for good-quality, well-researched skincare which isn't going to cost me the earth.

I like this product a lot, and I would repurchase. It keeps my skin hydrated even when it's been battered by Retin-A, wind and rain, it keeps it protected from the sun and it applies on top of my suncream fantastically, and it doesn't irritate my skin.
I like it, and it's definitely a winner in my books!

Holland & Barrett 'Herbal Authority Tea Tree Oil Soap'

I remember using pure tea-tree oil on my spots when I was about 11. My dad swore by it, and whenever I got a spot or an insect bite, he would be there dabbing it onto the affected area, telling me about the antiseptic properties. The magical thing was that the spot would be dried out and nearly gone by the morning! But that was before I suffered with the acne that I still tend to struggle with to this day!

I have never used tea tree oil on my current acne, I never even thought of it to be honest, I just think about AHAs, BHAs, retinoids, fruit acids, glycolic acid etc. I wandered into Holland and Barrett a few weeks ago, and saw this soap. I remembered all those times that my insect bites/spots had disappeared overnight, and bought it immediately. It was another route to go down in my acne management!

Using it on my oily skin, it foams up beautifully and leaves skin really baby soft and not dried out at all. It cleans so well, it removes every single trace of makeup from my skin, leaving it so clean, but without feeling tight. In regards to my acne, I would say it has definitely helped. I am still on my medications, but whereas the medications help from the inside, the soap helps from the outside, removing all grime and grubbiness and also acting as a antiseptic. It's fantastic.
When I used the soap whilst using my Retin-A at night, I did find that the soap really stung my skin like hell and left it feeling so irritated and full of rashes. I learnt the hard way!
In light of this, I would say that if you do suffer from acne but have really sensitive skin due to medications or whatever, steer way clear of this because it's not worth all the soreness. Use something a little bit gentler.

I would say if you are using the soap, make sure you are using products which moisturise and hydrate your skin well, since tea-tree oil does have a tendency to dry out skin and we are getting into colder weather which will give your skin a bit of a beating too! Personally, I always use Aquaphor overnight, which is an extremely moisturising and hydrating face balm and sort of counter-acts the drying action of the soap but doesn't impede the anti-bacterial properties!

It does smell quite strongly of tea-tree oil, so if you don't like the smell of tea-tree or any strong fragrances, don't get this!
Personally, I quite like the smell, it really makes me feel so fresh and invigorated.

It only cost me £1.49 for 70g of soap, which I think is a fantastic little bargain.

I will definitely repurchase because when I'm not using my Retin-A, this soap is fantastic at cleaning skin without drying it out completely. It's cheap and easily accessible (if you have a Holland & Barrett near you!). And it seems to keep my acne at bay! Win!

Elemis 'Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash'

I had heard good things about the Elemis 'Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash', and I was attracted to it by the the idea that it gently resurfaced the skin. This was appealing, since I struggle with my skin, and acne and acne scars and marks are the bane of my life. I am forever looking for the product which will give me that 'perfect complexion', and am pretty much willing to spend a lot of money and time trying to achieve it.

'Galactoarabinan, a Polysaccharide, enhances the non-abrasive exfoliation process, whilst Brazilian Babussu Oil replenishes moisture. Moringa protects the skin against environmental damage, whilst White Truffle, Poria Cocos, soothes and supports the skin’s natural micro flora.' The product 'sloughs away dead skin cells, smoothes and refines the complexion' and 'skin looks radiant and youthful'.
Personally, I am not sure how effective these ingredients are. I know the normal exfoliating agents used in skincare are AHA, BHA and retinoids, so I'm not familiar with any of the ingredients or how effective they are at resurfacing the skin...but I bought it anyway.

During the first few weeks of use, I became rather quite annoyed with the lack of results. I didn't feel like it was delivering the results I wanted and had heard of (perfect skin, acne remission, scars diminishing). I regretted spending a lot of money on something I really wanted to work, but just didn't. I carried on getting spots and I wasn't noticing any effect in my complexion. I resigned it to the 'never buy again' section in my brain, and just carried on using it to use it up. It was one of those products I loved to hate.
Then a couple of weeks later, I suddenly noticed how clear my skin was. It looked so bright, radiant and healthy, and bar the odd spot, my acne was gone. I haven't had a breakout in about 2 weeks! Even my mother complimented my skin, and she never compliments me!
I am not sure if it is this wash alone, or something else in my skincare routine. But I feel slightly more love for it than I did when I first began using it. It just goes to show, sometimes results aren't immediate and obvious.

When using it, it leaves skin feeling so clean and incredibly soft, without that dreaded tight feeling you get. It foams up into a really luxurious lather. I sometimes use mine with my Clarisonic if I want to give my skin an uber-clean and exfoliation.
Despite having all those dead-skin-eroding bits and bobs inside the bottle, it is such a gentle cleanser. I imagined it to be a bit stingy and to cause irritation as soon as I used it, but no, I haven't experienced anything but lovely, soft skin. Even when I've been using my Retin-A and my skin is all sore and red, there has been no irritation.

It doesn't take off eye makeup very well, so I take off all my makeup with a facial wipe and then use my cleanser. It is actually meant to be a secondary cleanser, so the idea is that you take off all the makeup and grime with the first wash, then use this cleanser after.
I only need one pump which is an adequate amount for washing the whole of my face and neck area, so a little bit goes a long way. Just as well, considering the price tag!
The smell of the product is well and truly beautiful. It's like stepping out into a tropical garden first thing in the morning, and is so calming and relaxing. It really sets me up for the day ahead!

It comes in a 200ml bottle, which is quite a nice large size. It means it has lasted me absolutely ages, I bought mine about 6 weeks ago, and I'm only about a third of the way through. It also has a pump dispenser, which is quite handy because you can't get too much product like you sometimes can with squeezy bottles. Plus, you can't lose the lid. Yes, it happens.

The RRP is £27.60, which is a hefty price for a face wash. I did actually get it for cheaper, there was an offer on and I got it for only £22, which is definitely more palatable than the RRP!

To be honest, I'm in two minds whether I would repurchase or not. On the one hand it is such a great secondary cleanser, it leaves skin clean and soft, it smells lovely, packaging is practical, it's a gentle and non-irritating cleanser, it has lasted me absolutely ages, maybe it cleared up my acne, and has left my skin looking quite radiant, but on the other hand it is expensive for a cleanser. Actually, that is the only con. But still, price is a very important factor!

Are you a fan of any Elemis products?

How much is my beauty routine?

I saw this feature in 'Healthy' magazine, and found it so interesting to see how much people spent on themselves in areas like haircare, skincare and makeup. Some people would spend more on haircare whilst scrimping on skincare and makeup or vice versa, whilst others would scrimp on all areas.
I thought it would be really interesting to do one for myself, and although I already know what area is going to be the one I spend most on, it would be interesting just how much I spent on each little bit.

So, here goes...

Skincare.
Cetaphil 'Gentle Skin Cleanser' - £8.99
Elemis 'Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash' - £27.60
Elemis 'Papaya Enzyme Peel' - £28.60
No7 'Total Renewal Micro-dermabraison Exfoliator' - £11
Clarisonic 'Mia' - Gifted
Estee Lauder 'Advanced Night Repair' - £54
Eucerin 'Dry Skin Relief Face Cream 5% Urea' - £11
Eucerin 'Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm' - £8.50
Prescription Retin-A - £14
Vichy 'Capital Sun SPF 50 Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch' - £10.43
Subtotal: £174.12

I look at this and I wince. I know in my heart that this is a lot of money to spend. But I can't help it, my skin is the most important thing to me; more important than my figure, my hair, clothes etc. I have always been self-conscious about my skin because of my acne, which among the obvious nasty whiteheads, leaves scars and uneven skintone. And this is what inspires me to find products which will help me achieve a 'perfect' skin. So even though this is quite a hefty sum of money, I don't think I would change my skincare routine, I use what works for me, and that's important.
There are a couple of items in this routine that actually don't necessarily work for me (the Elemis cleanser is not having the effect I thought it would - reviews to come!), so I'll probably switch to a cheaper La Roche Posay physiological cleanser when I've ran out, which is about half the price! This would bring the total spend down a tad.
Overall, in terms of my skincare routine - price is no object. Either way; I'm not a beauty snob and love 'drugstore' products; like Eucerin for night creams.

Makeup.
Illamasqua 'Light Liquid Foundation' - £23
Illamasqua 'Concealer' - £13
Illamasqua 'Cream Pigment' in 'Androgen' - £17
Bourjois 'Volume Clubbing' Mascara - £5
No7 'Amazing Eyes' Eyeliner in 'Blue/Black' - £6.50
No7 'Stay Perfect' eyeshadow trio - £9.50
Rimmel 'Professional Eyebrow Pencil' - £2.99
Subtotal: £76.99

I know I spend less on makeup than I do skincare, I just don't think it is as important as good quality skincare. You can never hide bad skin, no matter how much makeup you cake on. Plus I find it hard to get as excited about makeup opposed to skincare.
I'm looking at cheapening my collection even more, I was looking at purchasing some MUA products (especially the eyeshadow palettes) which have got some very good reviews and products start at just £1! Bargainous!
The more expensive products from Illamsqua have proved good value for money because they last ages and you only use a tiny bit at a time, so I don't regret those slightly more expensive purchases, I view them as investments!

Haircare.
Own brand shampoo - 68p
Botanics '3 Minute Deep Conditioning Mask' - £4.99
Charles Worthington 'Front Row Heat Defence Spritz' - £5.49.
Subtotal: £11.16

I never ever used to really take care of my hair, so it's no surprise I spend the least on it. I used to wash it every day with whatever shampoo I could find (sometimes shower gel!), then blow dry then straighten, and voila. But recently I'm really trying to take better care of it because since I've lightened it the condition of it has deteriorated. This means washing it every other day, using a hair mask and not straightening it so much as I used to. I'm also trying to grow it, so hopefully these changes will encourage it to!

GRAND TOTAL: £262.27

I told you it would be completely obvious what area I spend my money on and what areas I claw back the money!
People have different reasons for spending what they do on either their hair, skin or makeup, and what ever makes you happy is the most important thing. I know people who have look beautiful but their beauty regime is so simple! Unfortunately, I'm not one of those naturally beautiful people and I do need to spend a lot of dollar in order to look respectable!

How much is your beauty regime worth?

Pamper sesh/Mini-facial.

Once a week I like to treat myself to a little facial, so to speak. No, I don't go out and get it done professionally, I do it by myself on myself, in the comfort of my own room. Perfectamundo.

It is one of the most pampering things you could do and your skin will love you for it, and you don't really need fancy expensive products or equipment. For example, stage 1 is cleansing. Any cleanser would do, depending on your skin type. Stage 2 is a repeat, so essentially a double cleanse, and you could use the same cleanser as before or go for a different one if you fancy. I find that my oily congested skin appreciates a double cleanse and I find this really effective at leaving skin prepped and primed. If you don't want to double-cleanse or don't feel your skin needs it - don't. I only do it because I definitely need to! Stage 3 is exfoliation. Any exfoliator will do, just make sure that the exfoliating matierial within the product isn't natural - peach kernels or nut shells aren't naturally round and therefore can scratch the skin, which isn't good. Man-made beads or crystals in exfoliating products are better because they can be refined down and rounded so they have a less harsh effect on the skin but are still effective. Step 4 can be carried out over a bowl of water. You don't have to own a steamer! Step 5 can be carried out again with a preferred cleanser. Stage 6 can be carried out with any mask you like - hydrating, chemically exfoliating, cleansing, whatever you want!. For stage 7, use your favourite moisturiser, and hey presto.
Everyone does their own facial differently, but mine is through trial and error, and this method and these products work for me!

I have written out what I normally do once a week facial-wise. Sometimes I skip out a stage if I'm feeling pushed for time, but normally I don't feel like I'm doing my skin justice unless I do the whole caboodle!

1) If I have a full face of makeup (which is rare), I take it all off with a baby wipe first and then I cleanse my face with the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' face wash to remove all the impurities and oil from my skin, leaving skin already feeling fresh and so clean.
2) I cleanse my face again with my Clarisonic and a foaming face wash (I am loving Neutrogena's 'Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash'), and then follow with Boots' Botanics 'All Bright Cleansing Toner', just to ensure I have cleaned every last trace of grime from my skin.
3) I follow the double-cleanse with micro-dermabraison courtesy of No7's 'Total Renewal Micro-dermabraision Exfoliator'. This is hands down the best exfoliator I have ever used. I haven't yet found one to beat it (yet). It removes all the dead skin cells, revealing new skin, ensuring all my products are ready to be absorbed well!
4) Then I steam my face with my own steamer - I've had it 6 years and it's still going strong! I add Boot's own 'Glycerin and Rosewater' or tea tree to the water. It really depends how my skin is feeling, if it's a wee bit sensitive I opt for the rose water, if I have a massively huge breakout I opt for the tea-tree essence just to clear out my congested pores.
5) Then I cleanse with a foaming cleanser, to make sure I have removed all the micro-dermabraison crystals from my skin.
6) I then apply a mask; this could either be the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' used as a mask (I love those multi-purpose products I do) or the Elemis 'Papaya Enzyme Peel'. I normally alternate but if skin is feeling congested, I will plump for the Neutrogena mask above the Elemis one, and if skin is looking dull and lifeless, I'll opt for the latter!
7) I then apply Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, followed by a nice big sticky layer of Eucerin's 'Aquaphor' to ensure my skin is moisturised like hell - and I'm done!

I do think it is important not only for the skin, but also for the mind to completely de-stress and focus on yourself - I don't have much 'me-time' at the moment so this is the one selfish thing I revel in.

Estee Lauder 'Advanced Night Repair'.

I first got a bottle of this back when I was 17 from my boyfriend for my birthday (not that anybody thought I was old or anything, I have always been obsessed with skincare), and I have always had a bottle in my skincare box ever since.
This serum is probably one of my most re-purchased skincare products, I really love it. I love everything about it, the packaging, the way it works, the smell, the name...I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH OKAY? And this is really a blogpost telling you why.




This serum has won so many awards and accolades it is like the celebrity of the skincare world; Cosmopolitan Beauty and Fragrance Awards 2012 - Best Age Defying Serum, Woman & Home: Best Beauty Icon - Turn Back the Clock 2011, InStyle Award Winner 2011, She Magazine 2011: Best Night Cream, Stylist Skincare Awards 2011 Winner.
This product is dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free and non-acnegenic, the latter being the most important for me because of my well documented battle with acne.

Basically, the people at Estee Lauder understand that environmental assaults damage skin cells and their DNA, leading to fine lines, wrinkles (a sharp gasp) and age spots. Which is true, I mean think of the sun rays, emotional stresses and pollution our skin faces day to day.
These folks believe that 'Advanced Night Repair' can reduce the appearance of past damage and help prevent future damage.

Now here is the really sciency bit; to which I have copied from the Estee Lauder website because I can't put it into my own words;
Skin cells have clock genes that, when in sync with each other, help skin do what it does naturally—repair at night and protect by day.
Working extensively with a leading, independent research team, Estée Lauder scientists are among the first to understand how important these genes are for your skin.
This pivotal research showed that clock genes regulate a series of precisely timed repair responses within each skin cell to help maximize its DNA repair.
Furthermore, with age and repeated exposure to environmental stresses, skin's clock genes become de-synchronized, causing its repair and protective processes to slow down.
Advanced Night Repair; This silky serum with our exclusive Chronolux™ Technology helps support the natural synchronisation of skin's repair process.

If that went completely over your head, then I will tell you what I thought about it!

I find this serum to sink in beautifully into the skin without leaving any residue, leaving it feeling incredibly moisturised and more plump. This serum contains Hyaluronic Acid, which has long been claimed to be 'the moisture magnet'. It is so moisturising you could probably forgo the moisturiser afterwards, but I never have because I think layering up skincare and using different products is very effective. My skin also feels so much more radiant after application, it's so bright and healthy.

I find that using this product over how many years I've used it has improved my skin texture, has minimised the appearance of my enlarged pores (hurrah!), hydrates my skin extensively, and more importantly, it has reduced the redness and pigmentation that has been left behind on my skin after suffering with acne for 3 years. I do still have areas of slight redness, but I would definitely say that this product has helped reduce the level of scarring and pigmentation I have been left with. I don't particularly have a problem with wrinkles yet, so I can't particularly give an opinion on that side of things.
I can use it on my skin even when it's sensitive due to Retin-A use, since it doesn't sting or cause my skin any irritation, as well as using it on my skin is it's normal oily self.

I use this twice a day, in the morning after I've cleansed and toned and before I apply my sun protection (this Vichy suncream) since I feel I need that little moisture-boost underneath my sun cream, and in the evening after cleansing and toning and before my oils/face creams.
Whenever I use it I always use a drop for my forehead, a drop for each cheek and a drop for my chin. I also love to use it around my eyes, I know it's not for that purpose but it makes my eye area feel hydrated and healthy! I always allow ten minutes after applying the serum before applying other products to let it sink in thoroughly.

The packaging is wonderful too. It comes in a cute little brown bottle (rather like the colour of medicine bottles!), with gold lettering. This instantly makes this product look incredibly luxe, and perfect for placing on your dresser for all to see!
It also comes with a little glass dropper attached to the lid, which is perfect for getting the right amount onto the skin, because you can be so precise!

At £41/£54 for a 30ml/50ml bottle, it is a quite expensive product. However, a bottle of this can last me 4 months, which equates to only around £13/month, which really isn't all that bad. I am very happy to spend money on this serum, because I have tried serums in the past where I just thought the product was a complete waste of money. However, the way this works on my skin, I think this product is worth every single penny, and I don't think I could ever be without it.
I hope that when I'm 70 years old the years of using this product will definitely be for all to see.

I mean, at the end of the day, would rather spend money on expensive face products rather than things like clothes, I mean who cares about that nice top you're wearing when you've got a face which resembles a raisin?
It would be interesting to hear your experiences with Advanced Night Repair if you've used it! Do you rave as much about it as I do?

No7 'Total Renewal Micro-dermabraison Exfoliator'.

Let me warn you - this is going to be a rave. Why? Because I love this product. I have repurchased this so many times I have lost count. Seriously, I LOVE IT.

When I was around 16/17 I really got into exfoliating products because I suffered with dry patches on my cheeks and exfoliating was really the only way to get rid of them. I tried so many so-called exfoliators and was slightly disenchanted by trying one lame product after another. Sometimes there wouldn't be any exfoliating power to the product, it was like rubbing a cream containing tiny balls into your skin or they were like face washes with a few scratchy bits in. I wasn't enamoured. Then one day my dear mother came home with one of those No7 sample bags you get free if you spend over a certain amount. A little sample tube of an exfoliator was in there, so I used it one day, and my 17 year old self instantly fell in love; it was an exfoliator which actually exfoliated and seemed to work! No more dry cheek patches!



"Aluminium-oxide micro-crystals smooth, refine and renew sweeping away dull cells for incredable radiance from the first time you use it. Within 4 treatments stimulates skin cell renewal to work against fine lines, skin tone evens leaving skin softer, silky to touch and more refined. Helps to work against the appearance of dark areas, sun damaged or belmish prone skin too. Not to be used on sore sun-burnt skin."
In the beauty world there has been a move away from physical exfoliators towards chemical exfoliators. I am prescribed a chemical exfoliator (Retin-A) which is amazing for my acne, but you can't beat a good physical scrub every so often.

This is much stronger than your average facial scrub, and that is why I like it. My skin is very oily and prone to acne (but you already knew that right?) so I need a good effective exfoliating product to slough away all the dead skin and impurities to help prevent (more) blemishes and to help skin regenerate! After using this product I am always amazed how soft, renewed and glowing my skin is. You really notice the difference after a couple of weeks of use: my skin seemed more even in texture and appearance and skin seemed a lot softer and more refined. WIN!

I would not recommend this if you have sore/sensitive skin, because it can sting even on my skin, and I imagine it would be agony if you used it and had sore/sensitive skin. If you have normal/oily/combo skin, it is probably best to use this product every few days, since using it too often can make skin sore and overly-sensitive. Plus it's just not effective! I use mine a few days after I first applied my Retin-A for the week, but when I haven't been using the Retin-A for a couple of weeks I use it every 3 days. Sometimes my acne is so bad I can't use it, and I would say that if you do have acne which results in lots of whiteheads, wait until they've disappeared before use. You don't want to take the heads off the spots because scarring may occur!
When I do use this product, I always use it at night, so that my exfoliating all the potions and lotions I apply at night are more effective as the old dead gross skin has gone leaving the newness behind!

You don't need to use a lot of product to get results: I used a pea sized dot for each area: forehead, left cheek, chin, right cheek. A little bit does go a long way!

I don't find that this product reduces acne pimples occuring, but I do find that it helps at reducing the red pigmentation on the skin and uneven skintone the acne leaves behind, which is helpful for me because I do have some pigmentation issues as a result of my battle with acne.

I am an avid believer that man-made exfoliating material is the best, like the aluminium-oxide micro-crystals in this product, simply because the particles are more uniform, refined and rounder in shape than natural materials like peach kernel, nut shells or the like. They can be quite sharp and may damage the skin. The man-made exfoliating materials are obviously better for this reason, and yet are still effective at doing their job, revealing new fresh skin each time!

This product comes in as £11, which I think is astounding. It is such a high-quality product for a great price. Also, I have had my current tube for about 4 months so far, so that works out at just under £3 a month! If that isn't good value, then I don't know what is.

Packaging is simple. I bought mine before No7 had an image overhaul, so my tube is pearlescent white with a white cap. Simple and uncomplicated is how I like it. Thumbs up!

Overall I think this is an amazing product and there is nothing wrong with it at all in my book, it does exactly what it promises. It works at refining my skin and making it look all shiny and new, and the price is amazing. If you haven't got a tube...why the hell not?!

Boots' Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner.

This toner is wonderful and I really like it. I have only just got into the whole 'toner' thing, and this is the third one I am currently testing out!
I bought this particular toner from the 'All Bright' line from Boots Botanics (the other lines within the Botanics range are 'Radiant Youth', 'Ultra Calm', 'Organic', 'Shine Away' and 'Hand and Body')because I was looking for something which would work on making my skin look brighter and more radiant, since sometimes my skin can look quite tired and dull. On the tube it claims that 'this revitalising toner helps visibly tighten pores and instantly brighten skin. Skin is left feeling fresher and prepared for moisturising'. This toner also contains 'natural' AHAs (alpha-hydroxy-acids), which works at chemically exfoliating the top layer of skin away, revealing newer skin underneath. However, there are different types of AHA (glycolic acid and citric acid to name a few), and the back of the tube doesn't specify which, which is a little disappointing. I always find vague statements a little shadowy. These 'natural' AHAs are said to be derived from the Hibiscus flower, which is new. I have never heard of Hibsicus flower containing AHAs, so I have learnt something there!
It also doesn't state what concentration the levels of AHA are in the product, which again is disappointing if you like to know specifics about the product. My guess is that it would be very weak levels within the product.

This toner claims to cleanse impurities and freshen, which is does very well. It works well after a cleanse at removing every single impurity and trace of oil/makeup from the skin, leaving skin feeling squeaky clean, but not tight or irritated. Skin does feel freshened and 'perked up', so to speak!

This product has not cleared up my acne, which again isn't really a dealbreaker because I didn't buy it for that purpose!
I don't find this toner to really have any effect on my pores either, which is sad. But my pores are huge, and I wasn't looking for a pore-tightening product when I purchased this product, so I'm not holding that against it! There is always the option of applying some pore-minimising serum/moisturiser/primer on afterwards.

The smell of this product is quite flowery, probably due to the Hibiscus derived ingredients, and smells wonderful to me, however if you're not a fan of scented cosmetics I would steer clear of it because it is quite a strong smell. But I find it really puts me in a good mood in the morning, which is amazing, not even Chris Evans can put me in a good mood in the morning!

The packaging is great in my opinion. The design is wonderful and lovely for what I say is a cheaper-end-of-the-market product. It set me back a whoooole £3.99 for 250ml from Boots, which in my opinion is a very good price! I have had my tube for about two months now, and I still have around a third of the bottle left. I like to really saturate my face in it every morning/night, so I do use quite a lot compared to most people!

Overall, I really get on with this toner and for the price and the great qualities I have mentioned I would definitely re-purchase! Although I do think the company need to be a little bit more specific about what AHAs the product contains and in what amounts, but then again I think that's me being completely pedantic!