Meet My Friends

As in skincare friends!

I said I would do a post on my 'current skin care'. Although it does change rather frequently, as I'm always on the look out for other products.

OK, lets start at the beginning

Cleansers

I tend to use the Clarins Extra Comfort Cleansing Cream as my morning cleanser, although I have used it to remove makeup in the past. I probably stopped because it's not the best to take off eye makeup. It's a lovely texture and really gentle on the skin.

Note none of my cleansers are foaming.

Clinique Take The Day Off (TTDO) is a really simple cleanser which does what it says on the tin, well, jar. It comes in other forms (milk/oil) but the balm is my favourite.

So once I've removed my makeup, I always go in with a second cleanse. Depending on how my skin is feeling. Normally after work my skin is feeling GROSS so I use Soap and Glory Ultimelt which is a purifying cleanser, and makes my face feel super clean with out stripping it.

Alternatively I may use The Body Shop Camomile Balm, which is quite similar to TTDO or Neals Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm; full of antioxidants and good stuff. The most expensive of the lot too.

It's also probably worth noting I apply all my cleansers to a dry skin and remove with a damp muslin cloth or flannel.

Toners

I only use acid toners, as they offer gentle exfoliation, and I alternate Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion which contains salicylic acid and Clarins Gentle Exfoliator* which contains glycolic acid.

In the past I have used acid toners from Avene and La Roche Posay, but they don't quite cut it.

I have recently started using the La Roche Posay Serozinc as a kind of second toner step. It's still early days so I can't really offer an opinion yet. But it's supposed to help reduce blemishes.

*Clarins recommend this product as a weekly treatment, but my skin is quite used to the acid toners so I use it alternate days- but listen to your own skin. It does increase sensitivity to the sun, so always wear an SPF.

Serums

I'm not an experienced user of serums. I haven't found a 'problem skin' serum I really liked, so I use a hydrating one. 

Any good serum for dehydrated skin will contain hyaluronic acid like Vichy Aqualia Thermal serum is actually one of the few products I have repurchased more than once. It's a beautiful texture, and suits my combination skin. Previously I have tried Clarins HydraQuench bi-phase serum, which does essentially the same thing, but I preferred this one.

I know I said I wasn't keen on problem skin serums, but I do have the Vichy Night Detox which I have used on and off for a while now. Not a particularly avid fan though.

Moisturisers

I'm unsure whether you should use different moisturisers for different purposes like with cleansers or serums. 

Either way, I only have one which is the Vichy Aqua Thermal, to match the serum. As you can see it's practically empty, and I have brought a backup. But thats not to say I wouldn't change if another came along. I haven't seen anything that takes my fancy yet!

Oils

As I said, I only have one moisturiser, and I don't get along with night creams, so I use Clarins Blue Orchid Oil. It's a hydrating treatment oil and smells gorgeous. 

I normally apply it on it's own after cleansing, and occasionally I will use it after the Vichy Night Detox. It lasts for ages too, as you use such a small amount.

Treatments 

In the lead up to my wedding I wanted my skin to be as good as it could be, so I bought a more intense glycolic and salicylic acid from Bravura, which make the Dermaflannel I have previously written about. 

These are nightly 'peel' treatments, although NONE OF YOUR SKIN PEELS OFF. I would highly recommend these products, as they are so affordable (under a tenner) and work incredibly, but please only use them after an email consultation they offer on their website. 

Finally I try to use the Clarins HydraQuench mask once a week... But it's more like once a month.

It's a lovely cream mask, so it doesn't set, and it's super at getting the hydration back into the skin and making it look plumped up and healthy!

As you can see, it's not too extensive- or expensive. I've managed to find a lot of great products that my skin loves that don't cost the earth!

You also don't have to stick to products that are solely for your skin type. Hardly any of my products are specifically for a oily/ combination skin.

What skin care product can you not live without?

Which part of your routine are you looking to change?

Dermaflannel Results - Skin Care Update - Dairy Update

This is a bit of a wordy post, but I hope it will be helpful to people struggling with skin problems, and I've tried to throw in a few pics to break it up a bit

If you've read any of my previous posts, you'd know I've been suffering from various levels of problems skin. It has really yo-yo'd in state since I was eleven, but I believe I may have nailed a skin care and diet routine which is nourishing and healing for my skin, and I'd like to share my results with you.

I've always wanted to do a dramatic skin transformation results post, but have never had enough improvement to justify one, so I put the idea on the back burner for a while, and it wasn't until I stumbled across some photos I took around the time I wrote the Dairy Disappointed post, which I published nearly a year ago, and was shocked how much my skin had improved!

Before I share my results with you, maybe you'd like to know what lifestyle changes to achieve this improvement?

First, and I really do think most important, is your diet. Not only do you feel different on the inside, it shows through your skin. I can't stress enough, I have not embarked on some strict 'dieting' scheme, just eating less sweets and junk food, more veggies and fruit. You know the deal, it's not rocket science!

Source

I have also found an incredible difference eating full fat dairy products, which I know to some of you would seem like a no-go. I don't exactly know the in's and out's of the science behind it, but it's something to do with the skimming process which reduces the fat in dairy products which alters the produce and some peoples digestive systems can't process the enhanced food. Also many companies add extra sugars to low-fat foods to make them taste decent, which kind of counter acts the reduced fat part!

Source

Once I had my diet pinned down, I wanted to (gently) tackle my acne scars. They were red-raw and bumpy, and even the best concealer couldn't hide them, and my make up would end up cakey and didn't grant me any confidence. The opposite of what I wanted to achieve!

I had banned any nasty scrubs as I knew now these irritated my skin, and wanted to try some BHA and AHA products, but I had limited funds, I then stumbled across the Dermaflannel. It promised to achieve similar results to those acid products but was suitable for people who couldn't use them (or who were on a budget) I asked for one for my birthday this year and haven't looked back.

The Results

I have actually decided to share the worst side, as I felt it had more improvement. It's also the side I sleep on the majority of the time, although I'm not sure how much of a impact this has.

I also noticed when comparing the photos that I have more of a defined jaw, which is probably another result of diet improvement.

As I'm sure you can see, I still have improvement to make, but I felt what I had been doing in the last three months had made such an improvement I was confident and trusting enough to share these slightly grim photos from my past.

What skin care improvements have you noticed recently?

Do you think it's a good idea to track developments?

On a side note, my blog will be a year old on the 25th May, how does a blogger celebrate this?

Bravura London Dermaflannel

I finally got round to using my new Dermaflannel (RRP £11.99) that I got from my birthday. I was slightly intimidated by all the precautions that are included within the instructions, which is why it took me a few weeks to get round to trying out, as I wanted to give it my full attention. This isn't some body scrub you can excessively use in the shower.You'd be surprised how much damage this soft little flannel can cause if used incorrectly.

It's an innovative product from Bravura London, which gives the results of a chemical peel in the comfort of your own home. As well as being very cost effective, it is suitable for people who are unable to undergo chemical treatments, due to pregnancy or medication.

It has a long list of rave reviews from fellow bloggers and on the Bravura London website, and it's easy to see why; With this little flannel you will no longer have to buy expensive exfoliators or face scrubs. It's great for evening out skin tone, improving problem skin and fine lines, it also it great for removing dead skin on knees and elbows, reducing ingrowing hairs and brightening dull skin. In fact it can be used all over the body except the delicate eye and genital areas, and can be used to treat a whole host of skin concerns.

The secret to the success of the Dermflannel is in it's unique weave; It's woven from tiny fibres in a special process which results in it's distinctive appearance. The fine fibres the flannel is composed of allows the surface to deeply cleanse the face and body removing any excess dirt, oil and skin. It's so good at it's job, all you need to add it water!

Before the initial use I washed the flannel by hand with some mild anti-bacterial soap, as recommended on the instruction card. I decided to use it to treat my blocked pores first, as it seemed like the least invasive treatment, so I could get used to how the system would react to my skin. I did a initial gentle cleanse with some Micellar Water and some cotton pads, as my regular cleanser contains Glycolic acid and I didn't want to over exfoliate or stimulate the skin.

I then opened the pores by heating the flannel in hot water, wringing out the excess, then placing it over my face until it had cooled. Once the pores have opened the flannel it swept gently across the effected areas to remove excess dirt and skin from the pores and skins surface.

My skin did tingle for about 10 minutes afterwards and felt slightly more sensitive for about 12 hours afterwards. It is also really important to compensate for the heightened sensitivity skin will experience by wearing at least SPF 15 (I wear SPF 30 in Eucerin Dermo Purifyer)

The blocked pore/blackhead treatment it suitable to do daily, but you really do have to be gentle and only go over the same area no more than twice.

For more information on the conditions Dermaflannel can treat visit the Bravura London website, although a full list of instructions are included with every flannel purchased.

Back to Basics: The not-quite-a-review review

A few months ago when I started blogging I realised I really had to up my game when came to skin care.

I invested in the legendary Emma Hardy cleansing balm, but when it came to the add ons I felt a bit lost as to what actually was best for my troubled skin.

I had read reviews and recommendations of various products on other blogs, but no one seemed to to have skin as bad as mine so when they claimed their time-of-the-month blemishes cleared up quickly, I couldn't help but feel they would have disappeared in due course regardless of their skin care routine.

I went into a Space NK branch down the road from my college and expressed how frustrated I was still suffering from teenage skin.

I ruled out anything that could be aggravating my skin such as diet (I had cut out dairy, which is renowned for upsetting skin, and no improvement) products such as makeup; but I had been suffering from troubled skin before I'd started wearing makeup, let alone decent makeup, plus I don't wear it everyday, or anything else which may irritate my skin like hair or excessively touching it. I do have a fringe, but I don't suffer at all from blemishes on my forehead it is mainly along my jawline, cheeks and neck, so I don't believe any of these things contribute to the state of my skin.

(Oh and I also drink lots of water and not that much alcohol)

Once those factors had been ruled out I was told to try two products (along side my cleanser) to calm my skin down and help improve renewal and healing of skin, as well as keeping it hydrated and nourished.

Both products are from the Zelens range (pricey, but I was willing to forgo the expenditure for better skin).

The first product was the Resurfacing Facial Pads, which are designed to gently exfoliate sensitive skin, avoiding harsh grains which can aggravate the skin, as well as having anti-bacterial properties, help cell renewal for faster healing.

These were to be used after a night time cleanse, followed by no night cream.

The other product was Z Matrix Moisture Infusion which is a gel-moisturiser, and supposedly helps draw water to the surface of the skin so it stays hydrated and receives the nourishment it needs.
It is actually a lovely product to use because of the gel texture, and it is cooling for sensitive skin, but I don't think it is worth it's price-tag.

I was told to splash my face with water in the morning (to retain all the goodness from the resurfacing facial pad the night before) then apply the z matrix moisture infusion as a moisturiser afterward.

I was told to use the product for around three months to begin to see any improvement, and I accept that these things take time. So far i've been using it for eight weeks...

I'm a bit stuck on what I have to say about my new skin care routine. My skin definately hasn't worsened, nor has the appearance improved. I would say it is smoother, and much less bumpy, and it doesn't feel as itchy or sore like it was before.

I think what bothers me is the redness, as I've found that so difficult to disguise. Even with a great concealer, it still looks pinky, and Estee Lauder have just discontinued my shade in their camouflage makeup range, but are apparently bringing out a new concealer, so that better be good!

So maybe this is a 'to be continued' post as I'm determined to find something that works for me. In the mean time I will continue to pursue my current routine in the hope I will get some results. Watch this space! 

If any one has any tips or products they would like to recommend I would be open to options.

Has anyone found any 'holy grail' skin care products?