Skincare products I have used up 2025

June 28, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

*Samaya Ayurvedic Pitta Renewing Exfoliant

This creamy exfoliator is great if you have sensitive or redness prone skin, the lightweight formula combines natural fruit enzymes and Botanical actives to gently remove dirt, makeup and grease to promote cell renewal and even out skin tone without irritation. The Samaya exfoliant requires no scrubbing which is fantastic, simply apply, leave on for 20 minutes, and rinse off, so if you are prone to irritation this is the perfect non-abrasive exfoliator. There are such a wide range of wonderful, natural and effective ingredients in this exfoliator, this is well worth the price tag, think spa quality at home.

Jasmine flower extract – to soothe sensitive skin, reduce redness, and tone gently.
Gotu kola oil – boosts collagen, supports healing, and strengthens sensitive skin
Neem oil – purifies, calms irritation, and helps prevent breakouts.
Saffron extract – brightens skin tone, improves radiance, and supports even pigmentation.
Aloe vera leaf juice – soothes, cools, and replenishes moisture.
Vitamin E – softens skin, offers antioxidant protection, and supports repair.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum

This is the cool looking pink serum, if you haven’t seen it before it looks so fun and unusual (it gets its pink colour from vitamin B12). As with a lot of my skincare, I’m always looking for products that help calm redness and protect my skin, and I think this serum is one of the best I have found. It has so many ingredients which are all focused around being gentle, protecting, soothing, strengthening for your skins’ barrier whilst reducing irritation and redness. I really loved this serum and will be getting another bottle ASAP. I always forget how affordable The Ordinary products are.

Vitamin B12 – reduces visible redness and dryness.
Gallic acid derivatives – calms and soothes irritated skin.
Bisabolol – alleviates redness and discomfort.
Soothing complex – eases tightness and irritation.
Centella asiatica phytotechnologies – protects against external irritants and supports calms skin.

Super Facialist Vitamin C Brightening Polish Wash

This took me a while to use up, because you need so little product, a little bit is very effective. I would say this is a gentle exfoliator, with a lightweight gel texture, packed with biodegradable microbeads that exfoliate away dead skin and daily grime. I used it at least 2 times a week, it’s been perfect for keeping my skin smooth. It is enriched with ferulic acid plus vitamins C and E, it helps brighten dull skin and smooth rough patches, especially around the nose and chin. My complexion has looked fresher and more radiant, and my makeup goes on like a dream after using it – my skin feels soft, clean, and glowy. A great, affordable exfoliator, it doesn’t irritate or strip the skin. I highly recommend it.

Aveeno Nourishing Oat Cleanser

I thought this product was just OK, didn’t blow me away, and I really didn’t look forward to using it up. I wear SPF every day, and I felt like this cleanser left behind a residue and made my skin feel like it wasn’t properly cleansed. I know this is a gentle formula, but I think it is lacking in being able to clean your skin if you are wearing makeup or SPF. I am sure it would be better if you used it as a morning cleanser, but I like a deeper clean and this didn’t cut it.

Garnier Rose Toner

You can’t go wrong with Garnier toners. They’re affordable, effective, and there’s a version for every skin type. I’ve used loads over the years and liked them all. I get redness on my cheeks, especially in colder months, and this rose toner is always gentle and calming. It’s one I keep repurchasing – a forever favourite

We can see that I like gentle products that soothe and calm my skin, as well as brighten. If you have any recommendations of products you have been enjoying.

*this post contains affiliate links, If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All products mentioned were purchased by me and not gifted or received as PR.

Green People Cha Vøhtz Age Defy+ Range

April 4, 2022September 4, 2026 - Vicki

(#gifted) Organic beauty brand Green People has expanded their popular Age Defy+ range to offer an AHA mask which promises to leave your skin ‘velvety soft’ this new mask promotes cellular renewal to help give you that sought after bright, youthful complexion. Count me in! This Age Defy+ collection was actually developed by the founder of Green People Charlotte Vøhtz and is targeted at those aged 35+, so this trio of luxury products really focuses on hydration, radiance and rejuvenating tired skin.

Being in my mid 40s, this Age Defy+ trio is ideal for replenishing and nourishing my skin as well as targeting the texture and dullness. I have been using the products for a little while now, and they have become a really welcome part of my evening routine.

Firstly they all smell luxurious, with soothing scents of mandarin, palmarosa, geranium, lavender and neroli, each product is a little pampering at home spa treatment, very nice indeed. My evening skincare routine has become somewhat of a wind down treat after a long, stressful day.

Cha Vøhtz Age Defy+ Purify & Hydrate Cream Cleanser*

A lovely creamy textured cleanser that is fantastic at removing makeup, I have been using it as my first evening cleanser, but you can use it in the morning too. It feels so soothing on the skin but is still very effective at removing heavy makeup, leaving your skin looking fresh, bright and feeling smooth. Packed with skin loving ingredients to give you long-lasting benefits that you can see and feel. This is a must-have cleanser if you’re over 35!

Gently, yet effectively cleanses away makeup and impurities
Intense nourishment and hydration improve skin tone and elasticity
Hibiscus helps firm and lift the skin and reduce wrinkles
Aloe Vera and Jojoba rehydrate and soften even sensitive skin
86% certified organic ingredients

Green People AHA Radiance Peel Mask

Green People Cha Vøhtz Age Defy+ AHA Radiance Peel Mask

Now this is the latest product to be added to the age Defy collection and of the three products I have tried it is the stand-out product. This mask is a blend of natural fruit extracts that deliver 5 gently exfoliating AHA’s to the skin. Long gone are those harsh abrasive exfoliating masks that do more harm than good, now we have access to gentle, natural exfoliators that deliver results, mush kinder for the skin. This mask gentle removes dead, dull skin, which helps smooth your complexion and give you that healthy glow. It promotes cell turnover which over time helps your skin rejuvenate, have increased hydration and become softer & smoother

Orange & Lemon Fruit Extracts – provide naturally occurring Citric Acids to gently exfoliate and promote healthy cell turnover
Sugar Cane Extract – provides naturally occurring glycolic acid to loosen dead cells and promote a soft, smooth texture
Billbury Fruit Extract – provides naturally occurring lactic acid and produces a healthy, youthful skin glow
Maple Sugar – provides malic and tartaric acids to further refine the skin tone.

I love this mask, the texture of my skin is smoother it feels more plump and looks brighter. Perfect way to get my skin Spring ready!

Green People Hydra Glow Sleep Mask

Green People Cha Vøhtz Age Defy+ Hydra Glow Sleep Mask

A lovely, nourishing, not too thick night cream that acts like a face mask whilst you sleep. I do enjoy a product that is intensive and that you see results from toot sweet, you genuinely wake up with smooth, plump rejuvenated skin. The fresh, scent of this sleep mask is also so nice and relaxing.

Best used 2–3 times a week after you have cleansed and exfoliated, as this aids the absorption of the mask. This has been such a luxurious pampering product for my skin after such a long Winter, I feel like my skin is getting its natural glow back just in time or Spring/Summer.

Deeply moisturises and rejuvenates overnight for a nourished, youthful complexion
Green Macro algae is rich in penta-saccharides to stimulate collagen production
Caesalpinia Spinosa delivers intense skin hydration and long-term firmness
A silky-textured cream face mask suitable for mature and sensitive skin
91% certified organic ingredients

You can find out more about this Age Defy+ Range at www.greenpeople.co.uk the collection is quite extensive, everything from serums to moisturisers and even tanning drops and body oil. So lots of products that are specifically targeted to those of us over 35 who want to have glowing, healthy skin.

Green Pride themselves on delivering, organic, vegan, cruelty-free products. Using ingredients that are ethically sourced.

* The products in this post are PR Samples.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

March 2, 2020September 4, 2026 - Vicki

*Gifted. It’s safe to say it’s been a dark, wet and miserable start to 2020, I don’t think we have seen the sunshine so far this year and my skin has been bearing the brunt of this. My skin has felt dry and dull, what with the effects of the central heating and lack of sunshine, I have really been relying on my skincare and makeup to help revive my complexion. I thought I would share with you a few products that have become staples in my routine, which I’ve been using religiously over the past couple of months.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 30ml

I love so many products from The Ordinary Skincare, but this serum is pretty epic. I have used it for over a year now and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. Apart from the fact this brand is incredibly affordable, their skincare is fantastic quality and shows real results. This didn’t irritate my skin despite it having quite a high concentration of Retinoid, it is easy to apply and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I apply it at night 2–3 times a week, as my first step after cleansing, and I wake up with smooth, bright, plump skin. Over time this serum helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen which helps to reduce the signs of ageing, like uneven skin tone, age spots and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.

This product is a great way to achieve that youthful, healthy glow, in terms of long term use you really see your complexion improve. It is like liquid gold! Just remember Retinoids can react with more sensitive skin, so dilute at first if you are concerned (or use the 1% version) also please remember to use a high factor SPF as your skin will be more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays.

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation SPF35*

Although I’m someone who doesn’t like to wear much makeup on a daily basis, I still like that look of being put together and like my skin to look evened out with a little glow. This Beauty Booster from Tropic gives me just that. It is lightweight, and I just apply it with my fingers on top of my moisturiser. It leaves my skin with a nice touch of colour, helping to reduce redness, uneven skin tone and gives the illusion that I haven’t seen the sun for months! The other wonderful things about this lightweight, almost tinted moisturiser (with a bit more coverage) is the fact it has UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and SPF35, so if you do venture out you know your skin is well protected.

Antioxidant-rich resveratrol and vitamin E help to condition the skin, while building defences against daily pollution. Titanium dioxide gives a mineral SPF of 35 to shield against everyday exposure. So if you’re looking for a base that gives you an even, lightweight, natural dewy finish then this Tropic Beauty Booster is the one. I have been loving it and using it every day as my base to combat my tired, dry winter skin!

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume*

This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells beautiful and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it. The scent is uplifting and just gives me a reminder that warmer, brighter days are on the horizon (even if it is raining cats and dogs). It has such a rich, warm creamy scent, but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I am not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes, but this one has something special.

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class, whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron
Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss

This would make the most luxurious, thoughtful gift or treat to yourself, it’s a beautiful perfume and the scent lasts so long, I can smell it on my scarf/coat days after I have spritzed it. The quality is second to none. The bottle is also beautiful, the minimal dusky pink give it a subtle, classy feel and the simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.

ARK Skin Perfector Firming Serum*

I tried a few products from UK based ARK skincare last year and was very impressed with their ethos of products that target specific skin concerns depending on your age, as our skin changes so much as we get older and ARK have targeted skincare so it is easy for you to include it in your routine and see fantastic results. This Firming Serum has been a skincare saviour for me this year as it targets your skins’ loss of elasticity and works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and with my skin being so dry from the weather it has helped smooth, hydrate and plump! So if like me, you’re in your early 40s this is a wonderful product to use for long term results. I like to mix the serum in with my moisturiser and apply it as part of my morning skincare regime.

It is jam packed with some wonderful ingredients that help keep your skin looking fresh, smooth and healthy.

Micro Algae Extract – Highly purified microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effects

Hyaluronic Acid – Active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and improves collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.

Biomimetic Lipopeptide Idealift – targets skin sagging and improves resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture

ARK Skincare is proudly developed & manufactured in Britain. Cruelty Free, with many of their products being Vegan friendly. They use Bioactive, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin but give effective results. You can browse their entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.

Delilah Illuminating Powder in Aura

I love this compact, not only the fact that it is a beautiful rose gold & pewter, but it has a good size mirror which makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag. This stunning bronzing/highlighter is also a wonderful product to add a touch of radiance to that Winter complexion without going OTT on the glow. It’s a mix of rose gold, soft peach and lavender pink and I just swirl my brush to pick up a little of all the colours, and it gives my cheekbones a nice bronzy warm touch of colour. Such a beautiful product and a very luxurious and not so well known brand, their blushers are super nice too.

*Products have been provided as PR samples, but reviews are 100% my own.

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Collection

September 16, 2018September 4, 2026 - Vicki 2 Comments

Jurlique has completely revamped & remastered their iconic Herbal Recovery Range. Not only has the packaging received a (stunning) facelift but the new formulas are more potent, have a higher concentration of botanicals and the ingredients have all been meticulously selected to improve the overall appearance of dull, uneven skin. There are 5 products in this new range, including a serum, hydrating mist, eye cream, moisturising lotion and rich moisturising cream.

This collection focuses on minimising the signs of ageing, reducing dullness and helping your skin retain more moisture. As I Head into my 40’s this range this new Herbal Recovery Signature range is perfect for my skin type & immediate skin concerns.

New Jurlique Skincare Collection

I’ve been trying 2 out of the 5 products from this new collection and I’ve noticed a positive change in my skin. As we head into the more dry, cold weather of Autumn/Winter I think these products will really help replenish and nourish my skin.

At the heart of the new Herbal Recovery Signature range is a more potent signature blend of powerful botanical extracts. The Viola Tricolor is the pure Viola from Jurlique’s organic farm in the South Australian hills & they’re handpicked only when they’re at their peak.

Viola Tricolor: Our highest dose yet (more than triple) of our vital antioxidant botanical protects from signs of premature ageing
Yarrow rejuvenates and reduces the appearance of fine lines

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream

Jurlique Herbal Recover Signature Eye Cream

I hear a lot of talk about whether or not an eye cream is a necessity and although I don’t think it is vital I still like to use a product that has been specifically designed for this area. The skin around your eye is so delicate and particularly thin and prone to damage. It is where I show signs of being tired and dehydrated so I prefer to use a cream that can minimise these by plumping, hydrating and adding luminosity to my skin, an eye cream is a really good way of doing that. So if an eye cream is within your budget I would say it is a great (not mandatory) step in your skincare regime.

This new addition to my skincare routine from Jurlique is lovely and lightweight, it feels almost like a serum in texture. I pat it all around my orbital bone and on the tops of my cheekbones too and it gives my skin a boost of hydration and leaves my eye area looking fresh, more awake and it helps makeup/concealer sit so much better, I think it is because it plumps, smooths my fine lines and is super hydrating.

Rich, hydrating and bursting with plant antioxidants, this eye cream contains extracts of Yarrow, Japanese Cedar Bud and Beech Tree Bud to firm, re-energise the delicate skin around the eye. As well as combat those pesky fine lines.

The hero ingredient is Persian Silk Tree which minimises the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and smooths skin! Everything you need in an eye cream!

• 80% of women agree skin feels replenished and hydrated

• 88% of women agree skin feels firmer

I am taking this with me on my 40th birthday trip to Amsterdam, I will need all the help I can get to combat those late nights, effects of travelling and all the pollutants from a city break!

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Moisturising Lotion

If you like to use a lightweight moisturiser then this Herbal Recovery Moisturising Lotion will be right up your street, it’s not as heavy as your standard moisture cream and it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy. It has a very lightweight, fluid texture which is easily absorbed, it instantly makes my skin look fresh and feel so smooth. I like to use it as part of my morning routine as I find it works well under makeup but I prefer to use a heavier night cream. This lotion is jam-packed full of natural and effective age-defying botanicals including,

Cedar Bud Extract to help nourish and revitalise your skin’s glow, improves skins suppleness and reduces the visible signs of ageing. Yarrow, Viola Tricolor and Marshmallow Root replenish your complexion and smooths and softens skin helping reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Range

It comes in a lovely pink ombre effect glass bottle with a pump dispenser, I’d say 3-4 pumps give me enough product for both my face & neck (and that is quite a generous amount of product).

• 80% of women agree Herbal Recovery Signature Moisturising Lotion reveals radiant younger-looking skin

I have really been enjoying using this moisturising lotion and would never have thought such a lightweight product could hydrate my skin so well. It has given my complexion a revived radiance (ideal as we head into the colder months) and I’m thrilled to have it in my skincare routine

Replenishing Skincare from Jurlique

I have to say the packaging is just stunning, I love the pink colour palette and the ombre effect adds a fresh modern look which I think It’s quite eye-catching. Each product comes in a glass jar/bottle so it feels luxurious and has that quality feel to it. Top marks on the packaging for sure!

This new revamped version of Jurliques Iconic Herbal Recovery Collection contains their most concentrated formulas ever, optimised with advanced absorption, a more luxurious feel and a subtle scent inspired by the botanical drying shed at their Australian Farm. If you’re looking to add a few new products to your Autumn/Winter skincare regime then you might want to give this new Signature Collection a go.

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