Showing posts with label cheap skincare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheap skincare. Show all posts
If you had asked me who or what Cerave was this time last year I wouldn’t have had a clue. I first came across the cult US brand when it started appearing in Boots. It then started popping up on my feed and I could see it had a lot of (good) attention around it. People seemed to be flocking to the shelves in the shops.
Cerave is popular for a number of reasons. The most popular being that all of the products are enriched with ceramides. Ceramides help to repair and strengthen the skin’s barrier helping it to retain moisture. This means that Cerave’s products are all about hydrating the skin and maintaining the moisture throughout the day. They are fragrance-free and free of ingredients that irritate the skin.
The price range for Cerave is mid-level. It’s more affordable than La Roche-Posay but not as cheap as high street brands like Simple. The brand has a small range of roughly eight products that work for the body and face.
I finally gave in to my product junkie urges after I decided to simplify my skincare to help improve my skin— which of course started with some new products as an incentive. I’m currently on acne medication and needed something gentle on my skin. I saw that Cerave is often recommended when you're on acne medication. If you like, you can read more about my acne journey here.
I picked up the Foaming Cleanser and Moisturising Cream to see if they were worth the hype. The Foaming Cleanser is suited to normal and oily skin which is exactly my skin type. Since I have been dealing with very dry skin, I wanted a strong moisturiser that could penetrate the flaky patches I got.
I’ve almost finished both bottles and I really like them. The cleanser is really soft and light. It foams up well and is good at keeping my skin hydrated. Especially since when I use the prescription cream I can’t put anything on my face for 15 minutes. My skin feels a lot lighter, softer and plumper from all the bonus moisture.
The moisturiser is lovely, thick and enriching. It doesn't cover up my pores or trap dirt and allows my skin to breathe. Normally, I'm a little apprehensive on applying such a thick cream with oily skin. I'm not sure if it's these products specifically or a combination of everything I'm using in my routine, but my skin has been a lot less oily.
Cerave is a basic, no-frills brand. It is one of those brands that reinforce the main purpose of skincare- to clean and hydrate the skin. From what I’ve used, it’s very gentle on the skin and definitely hydrating. You can see a difference in your skin within a week of using them regularly. When it comes to the hype around skincare products I expect big things. Personally, I’m not sure Cerave fits my criteria of a hyped product. But I will say that it is incredibly soft, gentle and hydrating without making you look greasy.
Love, Aoife xo
If you had asked me who or what Cerave was this time last year I wouldn’t have had a clue. I first came across the cult US brand when it started appearing in Boots. It then started popping up on my feed and I could see it had a lot of (good) attention around it. People seemed to be flocking to the shelves in the shops.
Cerave is popular for a number of reasons. The most popular being that all of the products are enriched with ceramides. Ceramides help to repair and strengthen the skin’s barrier helping it to retain moisture. This means that Cerave’s products are all about hydrating the skin and maintaining the moisture throughout the day. They are fragrance-free and free of ingredients that irritate the skin.
The price range for Cerave is mid-level. It’s more affordable than La Roche-Posay but not as cheap as high street brands like Simple. The brand has a small range of roughly eight products that work for the body and face.
I finally gave in to my product junkie urges after I decided to simplify my skincare to help improve my skin— which of course started with some new products as an incentive. I’m currently on acne medication and needed something gentle on my skin. I saw that Cerave is often recommended when you're on acne medication. If you like, you can read more about my acne journey here.
I picked up the Foaming Cleanser and Moisturising Cream to see if they were worth the hype. The Foaming Cleanser is suited to normal and oily skin which is exactly my skin type. Since I have been dealing with very dry skin, I wanted a strong moisturiser that could penetrate the flaky patches I got.
I’ve almost finished both bottles and I really like them. The cleanser is really soft and light. It foams up well and is good at keeping my skin hydrated. Especially since when I use the prescription cream I can’t put anything on my face for 15 minutes. My skin feels a lot lighter, softer and plumper from all the bonus moisture.
The moisturiser is lovely, thick and enriching. It doesn't cover up my pores or trap dirt and allows my skin to breathe. Normally, I'm a little apprehensive on applying such a thick cream with oily skin. I'm not sure if it's these products specifically or a combination of everything I'm using in my routine, but my skin has been a lot less oily.
Cerave is a basic, no-frills brand. It is one of those brands that reinforce the main purpose of skincare- to clean and hydrate the skin. From what I’ve used, it’s very gentle on the skin and definitely hydrating. You can see a difference in your skin within a week of using them regularly. When it comes to the hype around skincare products I expect big things. Personally, I’m not sure Cerave fits my criteria of a hyped product. But I will say that it is incredibly soft, gentle and hydrating without making you look greasy.
Love, Aoife xo
Who remembers the Micellar water craze a few years ago? When everybody was raving about how amazing micellar water was. Or was that just me? I’ll admit, I was part of that craze. I loved sprinkling the holy water on a cotton pad and watching all my makeup disappear from my face. But what if there’s a better, more effective, way of removing makeup? Like, oil cleansing?
In the last month or so, I have been obsessed with Nay (@LABeautyologist). Her Twitter is filled with skincare advice, tips and tricks. As a licensed esthetician, she also provides scientific explanations so you can understand more about what each ingredient or step in your skincare routine does and make your own informed decision. One night, I ended up in a YouTube black hole and watched all her YouTube videos. I learnt about double cleansing, toning and all about oil cleansing.
The Oil Cleansing Method...
I have oily acne-prone skin and so the thought of adding oil to oil and spots can be a little daunting. However, it has been tried, tested & shouted from the rooftops that using an oil cleanser can help the skin’s oil balance and won’t make it more oily. The oil cleanser itself doesn't leave any residue behind and is not drying.
The way oil cleansing works is by gently massaging a few drops of oil onto your face for at least 60 seconds. Remember to keep your palms and face dry when you apply it so it can work properly. The oil lifts the dirt from clogged pores, excess sebum and removes dead skin cells from your face. You can read more about the science here or watch Nay's video here. Once you've massaged the oil around your face, you gently wipe the oil off with a wet face cloth. It's a really good method of clearing out build up from your pores and has really helped with my acne.
What I found...
In this experiment, I used Simple’s Hydrating Oil cleanser (recommended by HeyitsMorgan). It's made with 100% grapeseed oil and is incredibly soft and gentle on my skin. I use a 1p coin-sized amount of oil and massage it around my face for at least a minute. I follow the #60secondrule so whenever I cleanse my face I rub the cleanser in for at least 60 seconds.
The fun part of oil cleansing is the longer you massage the oil in, the more dirt it picks up from your skin. I think the longest I've oil cleansed is 4 minutes. You can often feel gritty bits coming away from your skin and see little beige dots on your palms; these are the oil plugs that have been lifted from your skin. It’s the most satisfying part of oil cleansing.
The Results are in...
Out of the two cleansing methods, I prefer oil cleansing. I feel like it's more suited to my skin. It’s a much gentler and cleanses more than just the surface. This is evident by the grit you can see on your palms. It's not as drying as Micellar Water and my skin looks a lot less red. I’ve noticed a big difference in the past month on the appearance of my pores and the regular facial massage has helped improve my blood circulation, so I am practically glowing.
I love that you can spend more time cleansing and massaging your face than with a face wipe or micellar water. The massage really helps me to unwind in the evening and is perfect for when I need to escape the chaos of my flatmates.
I love that you can spend more time cleansing and massaging your face than with a face wipe or micellar water. The massage really helps me to unwind in the evening and is perfect for when I need to escape the chaos of my flatmates.
What are your thoughts of oil cleansing? Do you think you'll try it?
Love, Aoife xo
Who remembers the Micellar water craze a few years ago? When everybody was raving about how amazing micellar water was. Or was that just me? I’ll admit, I was part of that craze. I loved sprinkling the holy water on a cotton pad and watching all my makeup disappear from my face. But what if there’s a better, more effective, way of removing makeup? Like, oil cleansing?
In the last month or so, I have been obsessed with Nay (@LABeautyologist). Her Twitter is filled with skincare advice, tips and tricks. As a licensed esthetician, she also provides scientific explanations so you can understand more about what each ingredient or step in your skincare routine does and make your own informed decision. One night, I ended up in a YouTube black hole and watched all her YouTube videos. I learnt about double cleansing, toning and all about oil cleansing.
The Oil Cleansing Method...
I have oily acne-prone skin and so the thought of adding oil to oil and spots can be a little daunting. However, it has been tried, tested & shouted from the rooftops that using an oil cleanser can help the skin’s oil balance and won’t make it more oily. The oil cleanser itself doesn't leave any residue behind and is not drying.
The way oil cleansing works is by gently massaging a few drops of oil onto your face for at least 60 seconds. Remember to keep your palms and face dry when you apply it so it can work properly. The oil lifts the dirt from clogged pores, excess sebum and removes dead skin cells from your face. You can read more about the science here or watch Nay's video here. Once you've massaged the oil around your face, you gently wipe the oil off with a wet face cloth. It's a really good method of clearing out build up from your pores and has really helped with my acne.
What I found...
In this experiment, I used Simple’s Hydrating Oil cleanser (recommended by HeyitsMorgan). It's made with 100% grapeseed oil and is incredibly soft and gentle on my skin. I use a 1p coin-sized amount of oil and massage it around my face for at least a minute. I follow the #60secondrule so whenever I cleanse my face I rub the cleanser in for at least 60 seconds.
The fun part of oil cleansing is the longer you massage the oil in, the more dirt it picks up from your skin. I think the longest I've oil cleansed is 4 minutes. You can often feel gritty bits coming away from your skin and see little beige dots on your palms; these are the oil plugs that have been lifted from your skin. It’s the most satisfying part of oil cleansing.
The Results are in...
Out of the two cleansing methods, I prefer oil cleansing. I feel like it's more suited to my skin. It’s a much gentler and cleanses more than just the surface. This is evident by the grit you can see on your palms. It's not as drying as Micellar Water and my skin looks a lot less red. I’ve noticed a big difference in the past month on the appearance of my pores and the regular facial massage has helped improve my blood circulation, so I am practically glowing.
I love that you can spend more time cleansing and massaging your face than with a face wipe or micellar water. The massage really helps me to unwind in the evening and is perfect for when I need to escape the chaos of my flatmates.
I love that you can spend more time cleansing and massaging your face than with a face wipe or micellar water. The massage really helps me to unwind in the evening and is perfect for when I need to escape the chaos of my flatmates.
What are your thoughts of oil cleansing? Do you think you'll try it?
Love, Aoife xo
I was introduced to the brand when they kindly sent me an email asking if I’d like to have some of their products. They didn’t want anything in return but they did turn me into a convert. And more importantly, a French skincare convert. All of their products are made with special thermal water meaning they are filled with goodness. <- My interpretation.
In my current routine, I use the Effacular face wash and Effacular corrector cream. As well as their BB cream for light coverage. The Effacular range is targeted at acne-prone oily skin. The price range is in between high street and luxury. The most expensive thing costing you £16 for a BB cream and also the corrector cream.
Before I started using La Roche-Posay, I had a lot of chin acne that would often flare up and I’d also get these annoying pimples popping up on my forehead or my cheek. I was really self-conscious of how red the spots would be against my pale skin so I did end up wearing a lot of foundation. Don’t get me wrong, I still get spots around my chin and other parts of my face like you can see in the picture but very rarely are they clusters of massive vibrant red volcanos. They are more like little bumps that never quite form into proper spots.
The face wash is £12 or £18 depending on the size. I bought the £18 bottle for uni and I have to say, it’s lasted me longer than a year! You only need a coin-sized amount of face wash as it foams up really well. It’s my favourite product from the range and I feel it really helps to reduce the amount of excess oil my skin produces. It leaves my skin feeling a lot more balanced and actually cleaner from within.
This review is similar to my last one as I love all of the products. I still buy the corrector cream even though it is the most expensive part of my routine. But that and the BB cream are my little splurges. In my last review, I complained that I didn’t feel the corrector cream was hydrating enough and the instructions on the packet confused me. It still does. However, I’ve figured out how to use the cream- yay! I only use a small amount as it is expensive and apply it to the key problem areas on my face such as cheeks and chin. I also find it easier to use and it glides on when my skin is healthier and not dry.
This review is similar to my last one as I love all of the products. I still buy the corrector cream even though it is the most expensive part of my routine. But that and the BB cream are my little splurges. In my last review, I complained that I didn’t feel the corrector cream was hydrating enough and the instructions on the packet confused me. It still does. However, I’ve figured out how to use the cream- yay! I only use a small amount as it is expensive and apply it to the key problem areas on my face such as cheeks and chin. I also find it easier to use and it glides on when my skin is healthier and not dry.
I occasionally use the Serozinc toning spray but only when I feel my skin is feeling really oily. When I first started using these products, my face used to feel so oily but it's definitely calmed down since. Something I accredit to a mixture of these products and a better diet. I don’t really eat greasy fast food or dairy as much as I used to and that’s really improved how my skin feels and looks. The spray contains zinc, which is common in a lot of oily skin products. It’s a very cooling and refreshing spray.
I’m still amazed at the Effacular range and how well it still works. Sometimes I find products become less effective the more you use them. However, I feel my skin has found balance with these products and I still recommend them to anyone with oily skin. My skin definitely feels fresher and free of oil (without that dry feeling) after every wash. They are pricey but they’re definitely worth the coin and you can see results within a week of using them. Plus, the face wash lasts you ages so it probably works out cheaply per wash.
Please note that my skin has cleared up from a mixture of these products, other skincare products I use and a change in my diet. I have cut out as much dairy as I can and I eat dairy-free alternatives. I also wash my face twice a day and a regular routine will help make a noticeable difference.
La Roche-Posay is available online or instore in Boots and it's often on special offer. Also, if you're a student you can get 10% off. Bargain!
Love, Aoife xo
I was introduced to the brand when they kindly sent me an email asking if I’d like to have some of their products. They didn’t want anything in return but they did turn me into a convert. And more importantly, a French skincare convert. All of their products are made with special thermal water meaning they are filled with goodness. <- My interpretation.
In my current routine, I use the Effacular face wash and Effacular corrector cream. As well as their BB cream for light coverage. The Effacular range is targeted at acne-prone oily skin. The price range is in between high street and luxury. The most expensive thing costing you £16 for a BB cream and also the corrector cream.
Before I started using La Roche-Posay, I had a lot of chin acne that would often flare up and I’d also get these annoying pimples popping up on my forehead or my cheek. I was really self-conscious of how red the spots would be against my pale skin so I did end up wearing a lot of foundation. Don’t get me wrong, I still get spots around my chin and other parts of my face like you can see in the picture but very rarely are they clusters of massive vibrant red volcanos. They are more like little bumps that never quite form into proper spots.
The face wash is £12 or £18 depending on the size. I bought the £18 bottle for uni and I have to say, it’s lasted me longer than a year! You only need a coin-sized amount of face wash as it foams up really well. It’s my favourite product from the range and I feel it really helps to reduce the amount of excess oil my skin produces. It leaves my skin feeling a lot more balanced and actually cleaner from within.
This review is similar to my last one as I love all of the products. I still buy the corrector cream even though it is the most expensive part of my routine. But that and the BB cream are my little splurges. In my last review, I complained that I didn’t feel the corrector cream was hydrating enough and the instructions on the packet confused me. It still does. However, I’ve figured out how to use the cream- yay! I only use a small amount as it is expensive and apply it to the key problem areas on my face such as cheeks and chin. I also find it easier to use and it glides on when my skin is healthier and not dry.
This review is similar to my last one as I love all of the products. I still buy the corrector cream even though it is the most expensive part of my routine. But that and the BB cream are my little splurges. In my last review, I complained that I didn’t feel the corrector cream was hydrating enough and the instructions on the packet confused me. It still does. However, I’ve figured out how to use the cream- yay! I only use a small amount as it is expensive and apply it to the key problem areas on my face such as cheeks and chin. I also find it easier to use and it glides on when my skin is healthier and not dry.
I occasionally use the Serozinc toning spray but only when I feel my skin is feeling really oily. When I first started using these products, my face used to feel so oily but it's definitely calmed down since. Something I accredit to a mixture of these products and a better diet. I don’t really eat greasy fast food or dairy as much as I used to and that’s really improved how my skin feels and looks. The spray contains zinc, which is common in a lot of oily skin products. It’s a very cooling and refreshing spray.
I’m still amazed at the Effacular range and how well it still works. Sometimes I find products become less effective the more you use them. However, I feel my skin has found balance with these products and I still recommend them to anyone with oily skin. My skin definitely feels fresher and free of oil (without that dry feeling) after every wash. They are pricey but they’re definitely worth the coin and you can see results within a week of using them. Plus, the face wash lasts you ages so it probably works out cheaply per wash.
Please note that my skin has cleared up from a mixture of these products, other skincare products I use and a change in my diet. I have cut out as much dairy as I can and I eat dairy-free alternatives. I also wash my face twice a day and a regular routine will help make a noticeable difference.
La Roche-Posay is available online or instore in Boots and it's often on special offer. Also, if you're a student you can get 10% off. Bargain!
Love, Aoife xo
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