Helping with Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of a pigment in the skin known as melanin, this basically means dark patches appear on the surface of the skin . At times it is heredity, due to hormonal changes and can also occur due to overexposure of sunlight. Hyperpigmentation tends more common with darker skin types (such as Asian/Indian, African, etc) and I get quite a lot of questions about how to treat it. Please bear in mind that I am talking about mild to moderate hyperpigmentation here, if you have a more severe issue then I would recommend seeing a skin specialist for a tailored treatment which will give you more effective results.

Firstly, I have to mention the importance of sun protection…even if you like in sunny England like me! Using products contacting SPF helps to protect the skin from further hyperpigmentation from occurring, sitting in the sun hoping you will get an even tan to help hide any dark spots will in fact make it worse. It’s also important to counteract the early signs of ageing so it really is a must. My daily routine always contains layering SPF’s, I start with my high SPF moisturiser, an SPF foundation/bb cream and a finally a powder containing SPF protection too (just to be on the safe side).

There are so many products on the market which claim they are the best when dealing with hyperpigmentation..  In an attempt to help you make a more informed decision, and having some hyperpigmentation myself,  have put together a list of my top ingredients that I would look out for;

Niacinamide – This ingredient is widely known (and praised) for being great at treating hyperpigmentation. It works by blocking melanin transfer to the outer layers of the skin, which has been shown to decrease hyperpigmentation and also improve melasma. Lots of clinical research has also been done around the positive effects of Niacinamide and it’s definitely worth checking out. I have just started using Zelens Luminous Brightening Serum which contains high amount of this ingredient (as well as many other active ingredients). After just a few days, I am already seeing a huge difference in the tone and texture of my skin, it’s pretty amazing to say the least!

Glycolic Acid – This is an all-rounder for your skin. Glycolic acid rejuvenates the skin by penetrating the uppermost layer of the epidermis. It helps break apart the dead, damaged cells for easier removal and exposes the healthier layer of skin beneath. It can therefore help to fade the effects of hyperpigmentation by gradually peeling away dark marks and scars. It does a good job of giving your skin an overall glow and brightness. The key is to regularly use glycolic acid for improved results, this can either be on a daily basis with an mild glycolic toner or more stronger/highly concentrated peels which should be done only at professional beauty salons.

Vitamin C – This vitamin increases the production of collagen in the skin, a great antioxidant and works to brighten the skin. It also helps with hyperpigmentation by its natural tyrosinase inhibitors. These inhibitors help prevent enzymes in your body from producing excessive amounts of melanin which in turn reduces the appearance of brown/age spots, freckles and many other pigmentation related issues. There are many skincare products that contain this vitamin and are affordable too so it makes it a great place to start if you are dealing with mild hyperpigmentation. However, creams/lotions/serums etc containing vitamin c can oxidise fairly quickly so once it starts to go dark or brown in colour it’s no longer worth using.. it’s actually counter-effective.

Liquorice root – Similar to vitamin c, the extract from liquorice root is naturally high in glabridin which is a chemical compound that inhibits tyrosinase. Studies have shown it may be of benefit in skin lightening products as it contains properties  which induce skin lightening by dispersing melanin pigment and enhancing more even pigment distribution. Using products that contain liquorice root extract or powder will lighten the dark spots and brighten the rest of the skin. It also works on reducing inflammation which can lead to further scaring and discoloration in addition to having antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It works well with other ingredients too as its natural and safe, you will find that many skin care brands use liquorice root in their skin brightening product ranges.

Frankincense & Sandalwood Essential Oils – While they may sound like they would make a lovely fragranced candle, these two ingredients can help to naturally treat hyperpigmentation. Sandalwood helps to reduce any inflammation and counteracts any discoloration and frankincense aids cellular turnover to revitalise skin and minimise the appearance of scars and wrinkles. Many premium brightening face oils contain these in their formulas, the essential oils by the themselves are quite cheap to buy and can easily be incorporated into your skin care routine for an added radiance boost.  

A note about Hydroquinone. This ingredient widely used in skin lightening products in the US, however, it is not available here in the UK (or Europe). Whilst it may affective in some cases, it can cause some adverse side effects on the skin such as increased irritation/sensitivity and tissue discoloration with darker skin tones which may mean it’s not safe for everyone to use. Even though I am always on the lookout for the newest treatments, I would avoid products containing hydroquinone.. it’s not worth the risk, my skin is far too important to me. 

As always, please feel free to leave your comments below! 

Xoxo 

Is my shampoo damaging my skin??

I have made a recent discovery since using the TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Shampoo and Conditioner. I normally stick with premium brands for my hair but as December is a pretty expensive month (spending too much on skincare probably doesn’t help!) I thought I would try this out seeing as though it was on offer for just a few quid and the bottles are huge at 750ml.

 

I immediately realised it was rubbish for my hair. It was ok on the first day I washed it but the very next day my hair would feel greasy at the roots but very dry at the ends. I kept using it (so I could get through it quicker) and used dry shampoo for my roots and hair oil for my ends in the hope of making the best of a bad situation! It’s made me realise that it is definitely worth spending that bit extra for a product that does a better job and keeps my hair in good condition, quality over quantity wins every time.

However, what’s made me finally pour it down the drain today is what its actually doing to my face! In the past I have talked about how physical exfoliators make me come out in red little bumps on my skin and this is why I much prefer to use acid exfoliators. Whilst this still occurs nearly every time, however, I have noticed that the irritation predominately occurs around my mouth, nose and chin area.

I think that my skin is showing signs of ‘perioral dermatitis’ which is a separate skin issue entirely. Perioral dermatitis is a rash and/or, small red or pink lumpy spots develop on the skin anywhere around the outside of the mouth, they may appear on the chin, cheeks, and the skin next to and below the nose. For more info on this condition, check out; http://patient.info/health/perioral-dermatitis-leaflet

I have noticed that this has been happening for a while now and I couldn’t put my finger on what was actually causing it. I tried to slaver on sudocream, eczema cream, facial oils, and so on to try to reduce the redness and inflammation around my mouth, nose and chin. I don’t think its terribly bad, not compared to if you google perioral dermatitis, but it does feel slightly sore at times and I feel as though you can see the bumps under my make up, I never had this problem before. It is more prominent when I have hot showers (I shower in near boiling temperatures, this doesn’t help either!) which leads me to smothering my face with aloe vera gel which is one of the only things which would calm it slightly.

However, when I used the Tresemme shampoo and conditioner yesterday I could see the usual irritation but after a while my chin was covered in little bumps and around my nose was very red and sore looking, much more the usual.  I had changed nothing in my skincare routine and I couldn’t understand what was causing it. After some research, I found many people saying that shampoos containing sulfates can exacerbate the problem further along with certain cosmetics, especially those that are petrolatum or paraffin-based or contain isopropyl myristate and topical steroid creams. Before using Tresemme, I used the ‘LOréal Hair Expertise EverPure Colour Care & Volume Shampoo’ which contains no sulfates and I don’t remember having any flare ups, or nearly this bad ...hey presto, I think I have found the reason!

I was never really bothered if my shampoo contained sulfates or not, as long as it did a good job who cares? Whilst sulfates help to make you hair feel clean and free of grease/dirt, I have realised that this can potentially be overly drying for my coloured hair and an unnecessary irritant for my skin too, not something I need in my life thanks!

Now I think I understand what’s going on, I’m making a conscious effort to ensure my haircare products are free of sulphates and my makeup and skincare doesn’t contain ingredients which could make it worse. To help with any more flare ups which I may get, I have recently bought the ‘Avene Cicalfate Cream’ which contains properties such thermal spring water and sulcrafates which protect and sooth irritated skin. It also contains zinc which is widely used to treat perioral dermatitis… I hope it works!

I know that this is a bit of a random blog post, but I hope you found it insightful.

Please share your comment/thoughts, I would love to know if you have had similar experience!

Xoxo

Current skincare favourites... November 2015

Here are my skincare favourites for this month which I have been loving!


Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution

Now I have only been using this serum for just over a week (twice daily) but I’m already enjoying what it’s doing for my skin. This product wasn’t cheap (google it, my husband might be reading this!)  and promises to ‘combat all types of uneven skintone, dark spots resulting from aging and sun damage with proven antioxidants ferulic acid and retinol, hyperpigmentation and hormonal changes with azelaic amino acid and bearberry, and blemish scars with salicylic acid and willowbark’... so course, I have high hopes!

 

The formula is a very thin colourless consistency and has a slight medicinal smell which I don’t mind.  It comes in a 30ml size glass bottle with a separate dropper and also microfibre pads. It is recommended that for specific areas of concern, you should apply the solution with pads on the desired area or use as an all over treatment. I don’t like using the pads as I think they absorb the precious (and expensive!) product and also I prefer to use it all over my face as I have slight patches of pigmentation on my cheeks, forehead as well as freckles next to my eyebrow too . After I apply the serum on my clean face, it is left feeling slightly tacky in the first instance but this soon dries away. I like to wait a couple of minutes for it to fully absorb before apply my moisturiser and any other products.

I am most impressed about that it has done for my ‘laughter lines’ around my mouth. They aren’t really that bad as I am only 27, but I noticed when I wore make up these lines would be exaggerated. After about a week, I have noticed a real difference in that they now seem less prominent and have diminished somewhat in appearance. I think that there is also a similar product especially for the eye area, however, I have been mixing some of this solution in with my eye cream to hopefully get the same results!

As for its claims regards uneven skintone, I think it’s a bit early to determine its effectiveness. Nonetheless, I have seen some fading of a post-spot mark on my right cheek which I have had for ages which is positive and it has brightened my overall complexion to some extent. It’s also worth mentioning that my skin did react mildly at first, after the initial application I did have few little red bumps on my face but my skin soon got used to it and it’s no longer a problem.

I’m looking forward to continuing to use this and hope to a full review on this soon, but for now it’s so far so good!

                                                                                                                                                                 
Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil

If you follow me on Instagram (@shradhas_skincare) you will see this appear a lot on my page. The Palmers Skin Therapy Oil is aimed at improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, dry & damaged skin and uneven skin tone.

 

I primarily bought this oil to use on my body as extra nourishment for the winter months. I soon realised it left my skin feeling super soft and supple without any greasiness which I loved. I also noticed that it helped with my stretch marks slightly and other areas on uneven skintone on my body, well as much as a topical product can do anyway!

Unfortunately, in the past I have used Bio Oil on my face (big mistake) and I was left looking greasier then a deep fat fryer and it always caused me to have spots too. But as this oil felt so different, I decided to mix a little with my moisturiser for dewy skin during the day and on its own as an hydrating treatment before bed…I think I use it pretty much every day and my skin adores it.

It is light-weight ‘dry’ oil and has a slight golden colour with the classic Palmer’s cocoa butter scent. It rubs easily into the skin and takes little time to fully absorb. It makes a great facial oil as it contains some beneficial ingredients such as vitamin E , cocoa butter and rosehip, sesame and canola oils, ingredients which are found in many other premium facial oils.

For £7.49 (currently on offer at Boots) for 150ml is a great value for money, multipurpose oil which I would highly recommend for all skin types.

 

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

As you can probably tell, I am loving oils at the moment! I am a big fan of cleansing with oil, it’s a great way of efficiently but gently cleansing the skin. The Body Shop’s Camomile Cleansing Oil has remained a firm favourite of mine for a long time, it has quite the cult following as it works beautifully at removing make up and is affordable too (compared with high end cleansing oils!). It’s also ideal for those with sensitive skin types.

 

The product comes in a 200ml pump bottle and is a colourless light oil. It doesn’t a heavily perfumed scent, it has a subtle chamomile and floral smell to it which I don’t mind. I tend to use it in the evening as my first cleanse to remove my makeup. You don’t need to use a lot, a little goes a long way. I simply rub the oil onto my dry face and massage it in, focusing around my eyes to remove any stubborn eye makeup… I always end up looking like a panda! It does a good job of removing eye makeup, it does require some gentle rubbing for the oil to get to work on breaking down the makeup.  As soon as you add water it creates a milky emulsion which I  thoroughly rinse off.  It leaves my skin feeling very clean with no residue, some reviews have said it does leave a slight residue but I think this depends on how well you take it off. If you want your skin to be extra clean, you could always use a hot flannel to remove the product too. I always do a second cleanse after using this product as it creates the perfect base to use a cleanser more targeted towards specific skin concerns.

I think this cleansing oil is perfect for the colder months as it doesn’t leave my skin dry, tight  or irritated after use, it has just the right amount of nourishing ingredients to keep my skin feeling clean but well balanced. If you are new to oil cleansers, I would definitely give this a try. The Body Shop has 40% off deals on a regular basis so you can pick this up for around £7 (normally £11).

I hope you have enjoyed this post, please feel free to leave your comments below as always!

Xoxo

Review on the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Foaming Cleansing Wash

I’ve been using the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Foaming Cleansing Wash nearly every morning for about 3 months (and there is still a tiny bit left!) so I thought it was time for a review! J. I was using the moringa cleansing balm before this (I have a review on this too!) and whilst I really enjoy using it, it is definitely something to use in the evening when you have that extra time to fully benefit from its amazing formula. At the time it was 25% off at Debenhams and I had a gift voucher too and as loved the cleansing balm, I thought I would give it a try to use as a quick and simple morning cleanser.

The cleanser claims to have the following benefits;

‘Essential oils of Rose, Neroli, Jasmine and Orange help to balance the skin.

A blend of Moringa extracts and Pumpkin fruit enzymes ensure the skin is left thoroughly cleansed, refreshed and lightly exfoliated, revealing smoother, brighter, younger looking skin

A gentle yet effective daily cleanser which brightens, softens and conditions the skin whilst essential oils of Neroli, Bergamot, Sweet Orange and Madarin help to uplift and energise the senses’

The product comes in a 150ml pump bottle and (as the name suggests) has a foam consistency when applied to the skin. It has a lovely light floral scent which is very similar to the moringa cleansing balm and it’s a pleasure to use every morning. I always apply the cleanser to a dry face, as is my rule with all cleansers…products don’t fully get to the skin if it is wet. I massage the light foam onto my skin for about a minute to really absorb the active ingredients. I then simply wash it with water and I only do this because it rinses away easily leaving behind no residue at all. I would highly recommend it for a morning cleanse as I don’t think it would remove makeup effectively enough.

Some mornings, I add a small amount of the ‘Indeed Labs facial powdered exfoliator’ into the cleanser for more of a ‘physical’ exfoliation and this works very nicely, I can’t use the powdered exfoliator on it on as it way too harsh for my skin and I always end up with angry red bumps L! Also, some evenings I mix my cleansing balm with some of the foaming cleanser (as a consultant at Emma Hardie kindly told me on my Instagram page) as the pumpkin enzymes add a mild exfoliation to the balm, which I then remove with a hot flannel.

Now this foaming wash doesn’t get half as much attention (and lack of reviews too!)  as the cleansing balm and I honestly think it its underrated. Having used the cleanser daily for a while now, I have found it does a great job of purifying and also nourishing the skin. I know lots of people have experienced foaming cleaners to be very drying, however, this doesn’t not leave my combination skin tight or stripped of its natural oils. I definitely agree with the claim that it is gentle whilst still being effective and the addition of the essential oils in the formula really maintain hydration and plumpness in my skin. It has gone some way to brighten my skin but I wouldn’t say this is its biggest plus point.. and as for the younger looking skin, I don’t think that any cleanser can make that much difference! All in all, my skin has been left smooth, nicely balanced and generally feeling very happy. It’s a product I can rely on and the days where I am having issues with my skin, it will just do the job without making anything worse.

To sum it up, I think it makes for an ideal and quick morning cleanser, suitable for most skin types and I would recommend it if you have been put off by drying foaming cleansers in the past. Just one point on the price, I believe it retails for £34. It may seem on slightly on the expensive side but it has lasted me ages! It’s definitely worth checking out if it is on offer and it may well be with Christmas only just around the corner! J

Have you tried this cleanser? I would love to hear you thoughts, comments and suggestions!

Xoxo

My recommended facial oils for dry, combination/normal & oily skin types

Facial oils can do wonders for your skin. However, knowing you skin type is really important when choosing a facial oil in order to keep your skin happy and perfectly balanced.

I get asked a lot of questions regarding facial oils for different skin types so here are some of my recommendations for those with dry, combination/normal and oily skin types!

Dry skin

The Body Shop - Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil (£15)

Pai – Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil (£22)

Clarins - Santal Face Treatment Oil (£33)

Decleor - Aromessence Marjolaine Oil Serum (£44)

Josie Maran -  100% Pure Argan Oil (£39.50)

 

Combination/normal skin

Kiehls -  Midnight Recovery Concentrate (£36)

Emma Hardie - Brilliance Facial Oil (£31)

REN - Vita Mineral Omega 3 Supreme Skin Face Oil (£25)

Aurelia - Cell Repair Night Oil (£45)

Clarins-  Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil (£33)

NUXE -Huile Prodigieuse Multi Usage Dry Oil (£17)

Oily skin

 

Sunday Riley - Artemis (£66) 

Manuka Doctor - Normalising facial oil (£19.99)

Clarins - Lotus Face Treatment Oil (£33)

Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil (£25.50)

AromaWorks - Balance Face Serum Oil (£45)

Acid exfoliators.. where have you been all my life?!

I have spent many years of my life thinking my skin would only be really clean by using an abrasive exfoliator. Until only quite recently, I have realised that it has actually been doing my skin more harm then good. Whenever I used an exfoliator with beads/particles, my skin was nearly always left red and irritated. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin so I never really knew why that happened. It was also the reason that I had little bumps just under my skin, I would continue to use the exfoliator to try to get rid of these… a never ending cycle really! On top of that all that, scrubbing my skin made any existing blemishes more tender which nearly always lead to scarring as a result… great(!)

 A little while ago I just stopped using abrasive exfoliators altogether. I finally realised that more gentle, but effective, cleansers would make my skin feel clean and refreshed but never left feeling stripped or tight. Balm and oil cleansers removed with a muslin/flannel in the evening and cream or gel cleansers (some foaming cleansers.. not all!) in the morning are now my skincare routine essentials. It took me a while to get used to not literally scrubbing my face, years of habit I guess! I have to admit, I did recently buy the ‘indeed labs powdered exfoliator’ and even though this is a very gentle exfoliator I have noticed my old skincare concerns starting to appear again.

 Nowadays I choose to exfoliate my skin by using liquid products which contain AHA’s (glycolic and lactic acids) and BHA’s (salicylic acid). If you have read my post on Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold (containing glycolic acid) you will know how much this has transformed my skin. I still continue to use it every other night and definitely notice a difference if I don’t use it for a while. Everyone who reads Caroline Hiron’s blog will know how much she raves about acid exfoliators.. and she is never wrong! They really are the most effective way of brightening and smoothing skin by sweeping away dead skin cells. As some acid exfoliators can be quite potent, your skin may feel quite tingly but should never feel burnt. Therefore, if you do have sensitive skin then I would suggest using mild versions of BHA’s to begin with.  It’s also really important to hydrate the skin after use as well as using an SPF on top during the day (this should be done anyway!). Below are some products that I have used and/or would recommend;

 

Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold (obviously!) - £31 for 100ml/£45 for 200ml

Clearasil daily clear superfruit refreshing pads (I like to press these pads on my skin as opposed to swipe it across my face.. they are a bit scratchy!) - £3

Clinique’s mild clarifying lotion (a very gentle but effective exfoliator, keeps the skin balanced) - £16.50

Biologique Recherché's Lotion P50 - £52 (the ultimate acid exfoliator! Quite hard to get hold of, but you can order it through BR’s UK website)

 Nip+Fab's glycolic fix night pads extreme - £15 (currently on offer ar Boots for half the price)

Pixi's glow tonic (an afforardble but highly rated product) - £18

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner  (to be used once or twice a week) - £25

First aid beauty's facial radiance pads (can be used daily) -  £22 for 60 pads 

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant - £18

I hope you found this post helpful! As always I would love to read your thoughts and comments! :) 

Xoxo 

Mini review: Clearasil Refreshing Superfruit Pads

I first heard about these pads from the skincare guru that is Caroline Hirons and soon started to see other skincare bloggers use them too. I haven’t used a Clearasil product in a few years, I always associated them with only catering for teenage/spotty/oily skin types so I thought it would just be too harsh and overly drying for my skin. However, I saw them on eBay for £2.50 (including delivery) and quickly snapped them up!

 

The product is described as ‘gentle exfoliating pads help prevent blemishes for radiant skin day after day.  Containing a blend of raspberry & cranberry extracts, known for their antioxidant properties and Vitamin B3.  These exfoliating pads are infused with a refreshing fragrance you will enjoy using every day’. The formula also has 1% salicylic acid included.

 

The pads come in a tub and are pre-soaked with an exfoliating ‘waffle’ like texture. There is a quite a strong fruity scent which some may be put off by but I personally don’t find it offensive. They are suitable to use morning and evening but I only really tend to use them in the morning after cleansing as they feel refreshing on the skin. They do a good job of gently treating any current blemishes (with the help of the salicylic acid) and keeps the skin in a nicely balanced and smooth too. I don’t find these pads to be drying, instead my skin feels quite soft and plump after use. There’s a slightly sticky feeling at first but this soon goes away and gives a really nice base for layering your moisturiser on top. My only gripe is that the texture of the pad is quite rough so it feels scratchy.  I therefore dab the pad on my skin on rather than swipe it across my face. I like to hold down the pad on any blemishes to let it really soak in.

 

Overall, I am impressed with this product by Clearasil, it’s great to see an effective formula at a budget price making it amazing value for money. If you are new to acid exfoliating/toning, I would really recommend them and they are gentle too so would suit most skin types.

As always, please feel free to leave any comments of questions!

XoXo

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

I was lucky enough to win the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm in a giveaway contest by Beauty By The Geeks (I love their blog and Instagram page too!)

I have used it roughly every night for 3 weeks now so I thought a review on this was much needed. This cleansing balm claims be ‘a balanced daily cleanser that thoroughly cleanse deep in the pores, moisturises and calms all skin types. Grape Seed Oil and sweet almond oil rich in essential fatty acids help to plump and soften. Moringa seed extract, wild sea fennel and vitamin E balance, purify and help to minimise the appearance of open pores. Essential oils of orange, neroli and mandarin rejuvenate and revitalise the skin whilst calming the senses. Jasmine and rose help to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated and mature skins'. 

 The product comes in a heavy glass jar which looks and feels luxurious. I quite like that you can see all of the product and you can scrape every bit out of it too! The texture is quite solid when cold but becomes much softer when its warmed up in the hands. The scent is quite heavy with the main ingredient, moringa. This along with other flower and plant ingredients makes it smell very exotic and reminds me of India strangely! To use the balm, I take a small amount and lightly warm it in my hand before applying it to my face. The consistency then turns to what is very similar to an oil and massages into the skin beautifully. As I use it in the evening, I like to take to take a bit of extra time to really work it into my skin. The product comes with a cleansing cloth which is dual sided, one side is muslin which is to exfoliate dry, thickened and congested areas and the other side is micro-fibre for more delicate areas. I really like this cloth and its great quality too and it is perfect for removal. That being said, on days where I put this cloth in the wash, I use other muslin clothes that I have accumulated and they seem to do a pretty decent job too.

As the product claims to lift and sculpt the face, it’s key to use the cloth certain way and this is in a upwards motion from your chin to your temple. You really want to swipe upwards in all areas of the face as well as the neck too, this goes with any cleansing balm really. I have noticed that my face does seem slightly more sculpted and toned but I wouldn’t say this is one of the balms main highlights. The things I love are...

• One of the best products to use when you want to give yourself a good facial massage and is honestly a pleasure to use
• Does a great job of removing all make up and it is gentle enough to use around the eye and lip area too
• Cleanses and purifies the skin perfectly without being harsh or irritating the skin
• Provides just the right amount of moisture and plumpness to my skin
• Doesn’t leave an oily/tacky residue (if removed properly!)
• Rejuvenates the appearance my skin and leaves me with a beautifully clean glow
• After continued use, my skin is left smoother, more clarified and with an improvement in my skins texture
• For days when you really need it (or for extra dry skin types),  you can use it as a deep hydration treatment mask by just leaving it on the skin for 10 mins

I think there quite a lot to love really! However, I do have some slight niggles. There are some days where I just feel this is slightly too heavy for my skin. It is summer right now and I do have combination skin (more oiler then dry) and there a days where I want my skin to feel fresh and not so deeply nourished. I think that this will be fantastic the winter where this is much more needed! I have read some reviews that due to all the essential oils, it may cause you to have breakouts. I (touch wood!) haven’t had this problem as my skin wouldn’t be classed as ‘blemish prone’ and it’s not very sensitive either.  As everyone has different skin and it reacts differently to products, I can’t really guarantee that this won’t give you spots but it’s worth checking out to see if you may have any reactions or allergies to the ingredients before you decide to purchase it.  

For those with oilier skin types, I believe that you can still use this product but just more sparingly. I would never recommend anything that strips the skin of every single bit of oil, your skin will just produce more oil to compensate and your left with more oilier skin than you had in the first place. The aim with any cleanser is to balance the oils in the skin, whatever your skin type. The main reason why I use it in the evening is that it does require the extra effort to really get the benefits. I personally don’t have time in the morning for the application and removal processes involved! So if you are after a totally fuss-free cleanser then I’m not sure you will appreciate the time you will have to spend using this. 

As I mentioned, I didn’t have to pay for this product but if I did it would cost me £38 for 100ml. Obviously this is not cheap and if you are in the habit of buying cleansers for a couple of quid then this may seem very steep or just out of your budget. That being said, I do think the product will last you quite some time. In the time that I have used it, I have made just a little dent in it. I would guesstimate that if I used it once on a daily basis then it would last me between 4 to 6 months, which is pretty good in my books. You don’t have to use it every day like I do, even 2 or 3 times a week will really help to improve your skin, this way it will last you even longer too! If you really want to try this cleanser but aren’t quite ready to splurge £38 on this cleansing balm, it may be worth considering trying the ‘starter kit’ which contains a smaller size of the balm (50ml), the cloth and a 15ml age support treatment cream. I just had a look online and M&S are currently offering this starter kit for £18.40 (usually £23) on their website which is very good value for money!

To conclude this review, whilst I really do enjoy using this cleansing balm and works beautifully for my skin, I’m not 100% sure if I would immediately repurchase it after I run out. I love trying out new products and there are still many balms I would really like to try out (such as Eve Lom)… butif all else fails and I’m left feeling disappointed at least I know I can come back to this one!

Hope you found this helpful, if you have any questions, suggestion or comments I would love to read them below!

X0x0

Alpha-H Liquid Gold - Perfect skin in a bottle

I follow many skincare and beauty bloggers and I have seen the Alpha H Liquid Gold mentioned everywhere! I did my research on the benefits and also it's ingredients and having read so many reviews that raved about this product that I just had to try it.

 

The product is described as ‘A powerful overnight serum. An 'overnight facial', the pioneering formula is a phenomenal, leave on, 'sleep in' liquid peel, which swiftly (and dramatically) revitalises dulled, ageing skin that's lost its lustre, whilst gradually lessening the visibility of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, blackheads, blemishes, pigmentation, scarring and redness. In fact, there's virtually nothing this skin care miracle can't accomplish.’ 

It's basically a chemical exfoliation which resurfaces the skin using acids so it's different to a scrub exfoliator which contains particles or beads. I much prefer using a chemical exfoliator as I find a scrub exfoliator too abrasive, it makes my blemishes more red and sore. I'm also more likely to get scarring as the skin gets damaged in the process. Alpha H state that it is intended for ‘mature, sun damaged, prematurely ageing and acne-scarred skin’ but I would say it is suitable for all skin types except those with sensitive skins.

 

With a description like that, needless to say, I had very high expectations. I decided to go for the 200ml size (priced  at £44.95) and I purchased it online from Beauty Bay, and yes I know, it’s not cheap! Firstly, I love the packaging. The bottle has smooth matte finish and feels premium. The product dispenses via a pour cap which lets to control how much you want to use, you wouldn’t want any to go to waste believe me! It is a clear liquid with quite a strong acidic smell which is to be expected as it contains glycolic acid as well as liquorice extract. To use the product, you simply pour onto a cotton ball/pad and sweep across the face and neck area too. I like to press down my cotton pad for a few seconds longer on my problem areas. To get the maximum benefits, it’s best not to follow with any product such as a serum or moisturiser on top. It is recommended by Alpha H that you use the product in the evening for 3 to 4 times a week, or every other night. I must admit it is addictive and you may be tempted to use it more regularly but as it’s so potent it best to follow this recommendation. I would also like to highlight the importance of protecting your skin with SPF products, you should be doing this any way but it’s even more essential if you are using this product. I recently had a microdermabrasion facial so I stopped using the liquid gold for a while beforehand as it’s probably not a good idea to put my skin through a chemical peel and then blast it with an abrasive treatment on top! 

Now let’s talk about my experience of using the product for nearly a month now. On the nights which I use the liquid gold, I like to use a really mild cleanser before applying the product. The first time I used it I definitely felt it tingling away on my face! That same feeling occurs every time I use it and must admit sometimes it does get quite intense but it soon goes away. On the morning of the first night using the product, I was very impressed. I honestly don’t think I have come across a product that had worked so well and so quickly too! My skin appeared much more brighter and radiant and if did an amazing job of smoothing and refining my skin. I was instantly hooked and couldn’t wait to use it again.

 

Just before I started using the product, I had lumps on my forehead, I mean actual lumps! They were unlike any blemishes I had before, they were so stubborn and refused to either come up or go down and this went on for a couple of weeks (I blame it on having a recent diet of an excessively indulgent food !). However, it all changed after I used the liquid gold. It took a few applications but it totally got rid of these lumps and left no dark spots whatsoever. I really wasn't expecting this to happen and I realised that was worth every penney I spent on it! I also noticed what a wonderful job it has done on a few dark spots on my skin. I had a mark from a blemish near my cheek area which has been around for months but just a few weeks of using this product it's almost invisible now. It's really great to know that when I get a blemish, I have a product which will work its magic on making it disappear! The overall texture of my skin is now soft, smooth and looks as though it's been polished! My skin is looking the best it has been for a long time and I still notice a glow every morning when I use it. 

Have I raved about it enough yet?? In amongst all the love I have for this product, I have just one thing which makes me every so slightly disappointed. I have noticed that it does make my skin more oilier then usual. I think others have experienced this too. I'm not sure why this happens and how to stop it but luckily I don't have very oily skin so I can get away with using a mattifying primer or powder on top. However, I have also read that it's works really well for oily skin types so I really think it depends how your skin behaves when using it. 

As you can probably tell, I can't recommend the liquid gold enough! I think everyone should have a bottle and have the pleasure of using it just like I do. 

I hope that this product review has been helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions, I would love to read your comments and experiences too!

Xoxo