Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator & Skin Repair Moisturiser

As the Liz Earle range is agreeing with my skin so well, I decided to expand my collection with their exfoliator. I also received their Skin Repair Moisturiser in one of their latest offers, and a very relaxing Eucalyptus & Rosemary Candle. 

The exfoliator includes eucalyptus, cocoa butter and jojoba beads. A little goes a long way - I work it into my skin in circular motions, concentrating on those parts that I want to invigorate and brighten. I use it about twice a week and find it great. 

I prefer the Skin Repair Moisturiser to the Superskin Moisturiser I already had. It has a slightly thicker, richer texture, I think. I chose the one for Dry/Sensitive Skin. It includes borage oil, echinacea, hops and avocado oil.

Perhaps it is due to the passage of time but it is certainly not due to my diet (which is another story or blog post!!) but my forehead which was quite bumpy is now smooth and blemish-free. In general my skin has never been so clear and healthy looking! :) 

Liz Earle: Superskin Moisturiser & Instant Boost Skin Tonic

A few weeks ago I started using and posted about Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish. Today, following a complimentary facial, I added to the range with a moisturiser and a tonic. 

 

The Instant Boost Skin Tonic revitalises, soothes and tones. 

It contains:

- Aloe Vera to hydrate

- Calendula for its anti-inflammatory properties

- Cucumber to rejuvenate

- Rose-scented Geranium for anti-aging

The Superskin Moisturiser is for mature or very dry skin. It smoothes, plumps and replenishes. Unlike the cleanser & toner it is fragrance-free. It can be used both day and night.

It contains:

- Cranberry Seed Oil moisturises

- Borage Oil for its anti-inflammatory properties

- Rosehip Oil rejuvenates

- Pomegranate Fruit Extract hydrates

The naturally active ingredients contained in Liz Earle's Skincare range were specifically chosen to combat skin disorders such as eczema, acne and rosacea. It has been a while since I used the 3 steps: cleanse, tone and moisturise. I can't wait to start cleaning my face properly once again! 

PS - Happy Autumn! :)

My first time cleansing and polishing with Liz Earle

I have been washing my face with coconut oil all summer. I recommend it and it works very well. However, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I was looking for an exfoliator suitable for rosacea and was drawn to Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. 

So I used it last night and this morning. Since I was cleaning off my (minimal) makeup last night I used a full pump and a little extra. It is recommended you use it with dry hands on a dry face. This amount was enough for my face and neck. Using my finger tips I worked it all in. It is creamy and smells so good (eucalyptus mmm).

The only thing about this product is that I cannot use hot water (hot water and rosacea are not such good friends) so I use cold or tepid water. I rinsed and squeezed the muslin cloth (you get 2 cloths with the cleanser) and rubbed off all the cream gently. This gently exfoliates your skin. 

Unlike the coconut oil which I had been using, this cleanser has those added extras which will hopefully benefit me - rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter and eucalyptus. 

This morning I used less than a full pump as I did not have any makeup to wash off. I wouldn't usually cleanse twice a day but I thought there was no harm in smelling that divine scent again :) I am booked in for a free Liz Earle facial in a few weeks time so I will keep you posted on my experience with Liz Earle products. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I am so sorry for the long wait but I just had not bought anything very interesting until today! It has been reviewed at length already but I thought I'd review it too. 

For this post I thought I would show how the cleanser is packaged, rolled up in the muslin cloths inside a zipped bag. I thought I would have to pay more for the muslin cloths but they come free with the cleanser. 

I am curious to try this cleanser and cloth combination as I have heard quite a bit about it. I was actually looking for an exfoliator today but the lady guided me towards this product which both cleanses and gently exfoliates. 

It contains naturally active ingredients: Rosemary, Chamomile, Cocoa Butter and Eucalyptus Essential Oil. It is also alcohol-free so it's perfect for me and my roscaea :)

I will try it tonight and report back tomorrow. 

Coconut Oil #1 Face

I have been reading up and watching videos on the benefits of Coconut Oil for quite a while now and finally purchased it yesterday. 24 degrees celsius is the temperature at which it liquefies (it is a solid below this) which explains why it turns into an easy-to-use oil when rubbed between your fingers. As indicated on the jar, it can be directly applied to the skin.

Last night was my first time to clean my face using coconut oil. This included makeup removal. I dug my clean fingers into the jar (you could use a spoon) and softened it up between my fingers. Using circular motions, I worked it into my face and neck. Some even got in my eye but did not hurt at all. I then washed it all off gently with a face cloth and cool water. My face appeared very clean, soft and moisturised. I checked the effectiveness of coconut oil as a cleanser with a toner. The cotton pads had no residue, makeup or grime; the coconut oil had worked. I really was amazed that my face was so clean after such a quick and easy process. At the same time my face felt very moisturised.

For those of you with redness or rosacea, this is a very kind and calming way to clean your face- 100% natural too. If you are coming to the end of your facewash or cleanser, I highly recommend you to try this. Remember to wash off with cool water as warm/hot water will aggravate your skin.

The jar contains 453g or 16oz. which will last a long time. It is a very versatile product so I will blog about this a few more times, each time outlining a different use.
Stay tuned for Coconut Oil #2 Smoothie

Image Skincare

Hi, I am back with yet more skincare and perhaps my favourite brand yet!! I cannot say enough about the quality of these products. As you know I have rosacea which is quite difficult to manage. I have tried and tested many products but these are right up there in terms of sensitivity, effectiveness and scent ( they smell divine!) 

I was recommended these by a beauty therapist after I was pampered with an Image facial. The facial itself was amazing and really brightened up my skin. I highly recommend them and facials in general; I love going to the spa. It is an absolute treat for me and I go a few times a year. 

Back to Image Skincare - I am currently using their Vital C hydrating anti-aging serum and their Prevention+ daily matte moistuiser (SPF 32). The Vital C soothes the visible effects of environmentally damaged skin. It contains vitamins A, E and highly potent anti-oxidants. It feels so nourishing and brightens up the face. It is a little pricey but absolutely worth it. The moisturiser smells amazing and has such a lovely consistency. It soaks in very well and is very gentle on the sensitive areas of my face. It also contains anti-oxidants. I also feel very protected wearing a factor 32. 

I wanted to buy more of their products but as I mentioned already they are dearer than what I normally go for. 

Cotton pads or face cloth?

I have swayed between both cotton pads and face cloths but at the moment I am settling with the latter!

Face cloths can have a gentle exfoliating effect, depending on how you use them. I find they are faster and easier to remove make-up and cleanser. When I use them now, I only use them for one day, in the morning and evening, and then I put it in the wash so it's pretty hygienic. However, due to the texture of the face cloth, it is quite easy to pull and drag at your skin. If care is taken though, face cloths are a good option. 

Cotton pads are more costly as they need to replaced regularly. Unless you are careful, you could spread product around your face while using them. I find it takes longer to remove make-up with them and I need more make-up remover/cleanser in order to do so, which is further expense. However, when you are feeling lazy and you just want to hop into bed, the cotton pads are handy. They also come in handy on nights away where washing and drying your own face cloth would not be practical. 

What do you prefer and why?

The Body Shop's Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-oil & Moisture Lotion SPF 15

Hello everyone, I am back after a busy few weeks. I thought I would update you on two vitamin E products from The Body Shop - their moisture lotion and their overnight serum-in-oil. 

Their moisture lotion is for daytime and has an SPF of 15. It claims to help protect skin from environmental damage and premature skin aging. Although it is very creamy and leaves skin feeling soft, it did not soak into one dry patch of dry skin that I had. It was very moisturising for all other parts of my face though. It also has a strong scent, a sun protection type scent. It is a little on the greasy side so even though it says it is for all skin types I would not think it would be ideal for oily skin. So on the plus side it has an SPF and leaves your skin feeling soft and on the down side it has a strong scent, is a bit too greasy for my liking and it does not penetrate dry patches. I definitely would not opt for this again. 

Thankfully, the overnight serum-in-oil was a lot better. It claims to replenish and recharge moisture while you sleep. I definitely noticed a difference using this; my skin felt so soft after just one use. It has a slight scent. It really softened the more 'normal' parts of my skin but did not work wonders on the blemishes. This would be ideal for people with 'normal' skin; I cannot imagine it would be good for anyone with clogged, congested skin or very dry skin. I will continue to use this for its softening qualities.

What's new?! - La Roche-Posay, The Body Shop & dr.organic

I thought I would share a few new products I got lately. I am not going to talk about them in any great detail today as I do not know what they are like yet but if they work for me I will post about them again in a few weeks. 

La Roche-Posay's Rosaliac Micellar Make-up Removal Gel (for Redness Prone Sensitive Skin) - I have used this twice so far and I love it. Definitely a must try. It's unlike anything I have tried before in terms of consistency, application and removal. 

dr.organic's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Day Cream - this brand looks great and I wanted to buy more of their products but I thought I would start with this. This brand is definitely worth a browse. 

The Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture Lotion (SPF 15) & Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil - to top up those Vitamin E and moisture levels

Malibu's Lipcare SPF 30 - for these brighter days!

Warm Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Drink

Here is one of my latest concoctions which is apparently good for the skin - boiled water (allowed to cool a bit) with a spoonful of honey and a little Apple Cider Vinegar. 

Slightly cooled boiled water: 

1. Helps to dissolve the honey

2. Has a detoxifying effect

3. Aids Digestion

Apple Cider Vinegar:

1. Has anti-biotic & anti-bacterial properties

2. Reduces redness in skin

3. Balances pH of skin

Honey:

1. Anti-bacterial

2. Moisturising and nourishing for skin

I have heard a lot about Apple Cider Vinegar lately and picked up this brand by Aspall's. It has quite a severe taste and scent so is best diluted in water. It can also be used as a facial toner, diluted in water. 

Maybe I am imagining things but I think I have noticed an improvement already! 

Update on La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

After using La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, specifically on my forehead, for a week or two I thought I would let you know how effective it was. 

Within the first few days, the congested and clogged pores were hugely improved, which I had hoped for. The only thing that is left now are residual red marks, which I now treat with honey. 

At the time, I did not realise that there is a new and improved Effaclar Duo+, which reduces those red marks. When I get this product, I will let you know if it really does treat the marks. 

If you want to treat congested, clogged pores Effaclar Duo will hopefully work for you as it did for me but I would advise you to go for the Effaclar Duo+

Honey as a cleanser and moisturiser!

Honey has antibacterial properties and has a calming effect on the skin so it is perfect if you have acne, rosacea or if you just want to prevent any further breakouts. If you don't have blemishes but just simply want softer, nourished skin, try it out too. 

It is a little messy but if you're careful you shouldn't get any on your clothes, shoes and floor like I did. I took out a small spoonful and used a cotton bud to apply it directly on the areas I wanted to treat. For me, that was my forehead and sides of my nose. Avoid your eye area. I smoothed it out so that there wasn't a very thick layer or any big blobs. Gravity will obviously take an effect but you can always catch any drops and lick them - yum! 

After a few minutes it will harden and you will feel it tighten. I left it on for about 20 minutes and then washed gently away with warm water and a facecloth. 

I immediately felt my skin was softer and my blemishes looked less red - much improved appearance over all. I did this at night time and in the morning my skin was so moisturised from the previous night's treatment that I did not need moisturiser at all!

I used a jar of honey that has been in my press for ages - it had congealed so I heated it up by placing the jar in a pan of hot water. I put this on the heat, stirring the honey as it softened and hey presto, I had runny honey in no time!

Does Effaclar Duo really clear up breakouts??

My skin, which reacted badly nearly 2 months ago, still has not fully cleared up so I have decided to go gung ho on La Roche-Posay products only. My forehead is quite bumpy and actually looks worse under make-up than without. Around my mouth has cleared luckily. I finally gave in and bought La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo  - Corrective and Unclogging Anti-Imperfection cream. I had been refraining from buying anymore products. 

The assistant was guiding me towards their Rosaliac range as it would treat redness but at the moment I just want to clear my bumpy forehead. It did look very tempting though!! If this Effaclar Duo clears my forehead I might treat myself to the Rosaliac range :)

I had simplified my routine and minimised the application of products; I had even avoided make-up but my breakout is still sticking around. There were a few blemishes around my mouth but they have subsided thankfully. 

Many months ago I got a sample of La Roche-Posay's Physiological Cleansing Milk which I loved; I recently bought the full size. It is so soothing, moisturising and smells so so good. It is one of, if not the most soothing, moisturising cleansers I have used. I also got a sample size of the Physiological Soothing Toner.

My plan is to do a 3 step routine of cleansing milk, followed by soothing toner, followed by Effaclar Duo &/or moisturiser. I will post before and after pics once I see a difference.

Calming the Skin!!

Recently my skin has been breaking out in areas it does not usually break out, like the forehead and above the lip. It has been going on for most of March. I am still trying to figure out what I am doing differently to cause this. It could be because I was trying and switching a good few products like cleansers, moisturisers and foundations. Or it could be my diet? Or that I don't always wash my face at night? Or hormones? Weather? Or a combination of all the above. It's hard to know for definite!

Anyway today I was dying to get home from work to clean my face, so as to let it breath and be product-free. However, in order to become product-free I needed a product to clean off my make up so I decided on Avene's Gentle Gel Cleanser as I thought it would be the most gentle. I used the facial brush very gently as I have not used it in a week or two! Oh how I love those bristles!!

  

I went about my evening then, product-free but before long my face felt tight and dry and I knew I wouldn't last in that product-free state. So I rummaged through all my moisturisers (as the one I have been using the past week or two could be the cause of my breakout) and went back to the good ol' faithful Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturiser. During the rummage, I rediscovered their Redness Solutions which I had forgotten about. 

I have not had the most consistent skincare routine lately as I have been trying and testing a cleanser here and a moisturiser there. My face does not know what it will be lathered in from one day to the next so I think it's time to be more consistent and simple and minimise the amount of product being applied. This, of course, puts an end to the shopping for a while as I am quite the skincare shopper!

I have been drinking more water than usual lately so I am going to continue to do so, alongside my more consistent skincare routine. 

 What do you do to calm your skin??

AVENE Soothing Moisture Mask & AVENE Skin Recovery Cream

I used and blogged about the Skin Recovery before and loved it. Since my skin is going through a rebellious time lately I thought I would go for it again. For such a light cream, it really works magic and this calming formula is perfect for my sensitive skin. Time will tell if it improves my skin.

While browsing at the Avene stall I found their Soothing Moisture Mask and had to get it. I used it this morning and it was heavenly. A thick layer is applied to the face and neck and allowed to absorb in for 15-20 minutes. My face was left feeling so, so soft and moisturised. 

I am so delighted I started using Avene as it suits my sensitive skin so well, calming and soothing it. I love and highly recommend these two moisturisers. 

L'Occitane Immortelle Collection

I treated myself to some new creams last weekend, deciding to indulge in L'Occitane. Their store in Liffey Valley is so inviting and I could have bought many other things but these should keep me going for now! There was a special offer on their Immortelle collection which targets anti-aging. I got the day cream, night cream, cleansing foam, serum and lots of samples thrown in. It ended up being very good value for money. I have been using these for a few days now and they feel amazing!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Serum

I got this new creamy serum as a gift recently and find it very good. As the name suggests it claims to perfect the skin by minimising pores, evening skin tone and leaving skin feeling silky soft. I usually apply this after cleaning my face and before or with my moisturiser. It almost acts as a primer as you get the smooth surface on which to apply make-up. It is also a nice treat at night time. Definitely worth a try!!

La Roche-Posay Toleriane - Cleansing and Make-up Removal Fluid

I really like La Roche-Posay's packaging and their products always draw me, as someone who has sensitive skin. A few months ago I started using Avene's Extremely Gentle Cleanser and I was curious to see how La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleansing and Make-up Removal Fluid would compare. I found it thicker in consistency and easier to apply to my face. Rinsing is optional; it all depends on whether you are removing make-up or simply cleansing a clean face. On the occasions I did use it for removing make-up I wiped it with a facecloth, cotton pads or water wipes. 

Personally, I found this did not remove make-up quickly and easily but it is quite nice as a cleanser once your face is clean. It leaves skin feeling hydrated and soft. I would not buy this particular product again but I am definitely not turned off the brand. 

A mini Clinique haul!

Happy New Year to all my viewers!! I thought I would share a few things I got in Clinique last month. I was delighted as bonus time had ended but the assistant fortunately let me have the last bag she had put away. Hooray!!

I was keen to try out their Redness Solutions daily relief cream. It is suitable for Rosacea or redness prone skin. I really like its thick and creamy consistency; it is also oil-free. I will be using this a lot more often to see if it really does relieve redness. 

I was also curious to try out their chubby sticks for eyes; I chose the brown colour 'lots o' latte'. They are so easy to use, all you need to do is run it over your lid and blend with your finger. These are perfect if you don't want to spend a lot of time doing eye makeup and you don't need any brushes.

I got the following products as part of bonus time: 

7 day scrub cream: a great exfoliator, leaving your skin soft and smooth

blush, in iced lotus: a very nice, rosy pink

high lengths mascara: I found this disappointing as it doesn't seem to lift the lashes or give length

chubby stick for lips, in plushest pink: this is a bright pink, more suitable for summer

The Body Shop's Facial Brush

This brush is so soft and gentle and yet loosens all the makeup. I use it with my cleanser. It feels so nice, especially if you make time to brush it all over the face and neck - so soothing and relaxing. It is all in the bristles!! You are then ready to just rinse and pat dry :)  It is also super cheap!