Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate - Review

Bonjour!

Call me predictable but yes the Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate was included in a QVC kit from a while ago. These kits are such good value that you end up paying a fraction of the actual price of the product -it's a no brainer!

A little info from the Liz Earle website ...

"The intense, aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils in this rich, rebalancing night-time treat is suitable for all skin types. It helps to soften dry or mature skin and balance combination or oily skin.

Use at night after cleansing and toning (but before moisturising).

Naturally active ingredients include softening argan and organic rosehip oils, soothing neroli, lavender and chamomile essential oils plus antioxidant natural source vitamin E."

(source)

Over winter, with the cold and central heating etc etc  my skin suffers the usual de-hydration and dullness. I introduced the Superskin Concentrate into my nightly routine a few months ago. I apply after toning and under moisturiser several times a week and massage in mainly over my cheeks - it alleviates any dry or tight feeling immediately - I then take the excess over my t-zone and chin.  It has a wonderfully aromatic strong scent which I find both relaxing and slightly addictive.  I love the fact that my skin feels nourished and have actually been known to do a surprised double take (through very bleary eyes!) first thing in the morning, as it leaves skin visibly plumped, smoothed and balanced.

You may know (as I bang on about it often enough!) that I also suffer from eczema breakouts from time to time with dry, red, flaky patches on my cheeks.  I have massaged the Superskin Concentrate gently into these areas every night during a flare up.  It soothes and hydrates and basically just clears it up. Whenever I suspect a breakout now this is the first thing I reach for to keep things under control.

So I'm thinking that the Superskin Concentrate is turning into one of my desert island products and possibly my favourite of the Liz Earle range.  It works wonders on my dry bits, my oily bits and my eczema bits - I think that covers all my bits!  I have the 10ml rollerball which is £20 to buy alone and although it is expensive a little goes a very long way so I don't need to panic just yet but it's definitely something I'd repurchase as a Winter skincare saviour!

Have you tried the Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate? What is your Winter skincare saviour?

Jen x

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light - Review

Bonjour!

Hope everyone's had a good weekend! I spent most of Friday evening asleep on the settee whilst the rest of the family watched Monsters' University - think I've got sleeping sickness - anyway ... here's my pot of Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light ...

I bought the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light back in June - but have only been using it since mid September - initially just in the mornings,  more recently also in the evening (since I finished my Emma Hardie). It is aimed at normal/combination to sensitive skin prone to de-hydration (yep that's me), is concentrated with Vichy Thermal spa water, enriched with hyaluronic acid and is paraben free.

I did wonder whether I should be using something more potent/anti-ageing (especially at this time of year) - but layered with serum AM and a facial oil PM - the Vichy Thermal Light seems to work well, plus, I use far less product in this way.  It's great under make-up as it's easily absorbed, has no greasy or sticky residue and keeps my skin comfortable and hydrated all day without clogging pores or causing any breakouts. I can actually see it being a favourite during the summer months as it's light, refreshing and soothing on the skin with a subtle fresh scent - it's definitely got that 'thermal spa water' thing going on - know what I mean? I've probably got approx a third of the jar left after a couple of months use so pretty standard on that front.

I have, so far, been impressed with the Vichy products I've tried (still loving the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum - review here) as they deliver hydration and don't upset my sensitive skin/eczema prone areas (which seem to be getting worse with age!).  At £16/50ml it's not too bad a price (especially if you can get a 3 for 2 offer) so I will repurchase at some stage.

Have you tried anything from the Vichy Aqualia Thermal range? What moisturiser are you using at the moment?

Jen x

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion - Review

Bonjour!

The Aveeno range has been on offer (25% off) at Sainsbury's over the last week or so. I took the opportunity to stock up on one of my favourites - the Aveeno Skin Relief Shea Butter Moisturising Lotion.  My current 200ml tube has finished so I went for the 300ml pump bottle (and then went back a few days later and bought another to put away for a rainy day - I don't like to run out of this product!).

I don't use this as a body lotion unless I'm having one of my extra itchy, irritated skin episodes - it's kept in the kitchen/dining room and used as a hand cream.  It performs just as well, if not better, than many 'proper handcreams' I've used.  Although it's described as a lotion it has a creamy texture and is not at all thin or runny but still easily absorbed  - as you may be able to see from the above blob (every time I hear the word 'blob' I just think of Blackadder!) and speaking of 'blobs' that one up there is all I need for my hands in one go!

At times when my eczema has been playing up or when my hands are very dry and cracked from over-washing or stress this is one of the products which I know I can count on to soothe and rehydrate with no greasy residue. It's like locking in a protective layer of moisture on your hands - something I always crave - especially during the winter months.  There is no fragrance or fancy packaging but if you want a paraben free product that is extremely gentle and highly effective then this is a good place to start I reckon.  You can read about the naturally active ingredients included in Aveeno products on their own website here.

I have used and repurchased both the Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion and also the Daily Moisturising Lotion, which is a little lighter, for a while now. The Daily Moisturising Lotion was included in my Rescue Products post which you can see here. Both work well for me in place of the Aveeno 'official' hand cream (which I always seemed to get through in no time at all) and are very cost effective (especially when on offer) as they last for ages.  This 300ml pump of Skin Relief Lotion at £3.56 after discount was cheaper than the 200ml tube - not sure why but who's complaining?

Have you used any products from Aveeno? Which is your favourite?

Jen x

Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash - Review

Bonjour!

The Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash was (yet another!) magazine freebie a while ago.  I took it on holiday to use in the mornings and have been using it since then.  It is paraben and sulphate free as well as carrying the full 'Balance Me Promise' which you can read here.

It contains grapefruit, petitgrain and frankincense essential oils to soothe and balance, spruce knot extract to help with congestion and moringa and rice bran oils for brightening and polishing - seems quite an impressive line-up to my untrained eye! I understand that it is suitable for make-up removal but have only used it as a morning face wash.

It has quite a creamy/gel-like consistency straight out of the tube.  I only use a small blob as a little seems to go a long way - mix with a little water and smooth over my face and neck (it is non-foaming) and rinse or wipe off with a damp muslin cloth.  A few eczema patches seem to have returned to my face this week (must be stress) but this wash doesn't sting or feel uncomfortable and cleanses gently without stripping or drying, leaving skin soft and smooth.  The aroma which hits me the most is the grapefruit and frankincense - very citrussy and zingy which is a great wake-up call in the morning!

I intend on re-purchasing at some stage as I'm really liking the gentle but effective formulation - this is probably my favourite Balance Me product so far.  The 50ml tube is still going after 2 months worth of morning washes so the full 125ml size at £16.00 should last a good while.

Have you tried the Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash? What's your favourite product from the Balance Me range?

Jen x