Well, it is safe to say Britain has been bathed in unprecedented sunshine these past few weeks, in fact, I can’t remember what it is like not waking up to blue skies and temperatures in the high 20’s. I love it and the sunshine makes me feel positive and happy, so fingers crossed it continues right into September (please).
One thing I’m a firm believer of is in being sun aware & slip slapping on the SPF. I personally use it all year round but it’s so important to use and reapply SPF in these high temperatures especially when spending prolonged periods of time outside. It really is a must to protect your skin and minimise the damage from the harmful UVB & UVA rays.
UVA rays are not filtered by clouds or windows and are present all year round. UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply and cause greying of the skin, wrinkles/sagging and cause skin cancer. It is these UVA rays that cause the premature ageing of our skin so finding an SPF with a 5* UVA rating is super important! This purse-friendly range from ASDA are all 5* UVA rated and also provides UVB filters too so that is fantastic.
UVA causes the premature ageing of our skin, whilst UVB rays cause sunburn and lead to skin cancer.
As the school holidays are underway and many of us are heading off on our Summer Holiday’s be it in Britain or abroad make sure you stock up on SPF before you go. This ASDA Protect range is fantastic for all the family and you can pick it up whilst you’re in the supermarket, which is most convenient.
ASDA Protect SPF30 Moisturising Sun Lotion
This is your typical SPF for the body, it is quite thick and feels like a body lotion. It is easy to apply and massage in. It gives the skin a white cast when you first apply it but that fades after a few minutes and although your skin feels like you’ve applied SPF it isn’t greasy or heavy and it has quite a matte finish.
ASDA Protect SPF15 Moisturising Sun Lotion Spray
This is the one my husband prefers to use, I think it’s because it comes in a handy pump bottle which makes it easier to apply. This is a slightly thinner consistency but is just as easy to massage in and it dries down very quickly. Again it doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy or tacky.
ASDA Protect SPF30 Mattifying Facial Sun Cream
You should use a dedicated facial SPF if you can and one that offers a high sun protection. I only ever use SPF30 or above on my face. This is a great sized tube for travel and I often take it with me in my handbag so I can reapply on the go! It has a lightweight matte finish so your face won’t look shiny or greasy and it offers SPF30.
All the products in this range contain Vitamin E to help protect against skin cell damage and leave the skin feeling hydrated.
After a long day in the sunshine it is important to hydrate & soothe your skin and applying a nice cooling aftersun lotion is the perfect way to do this.
ASDA Protect After Sun Gel With Aloe Vera
My husband prefers to use the gel as it is really refreshing and sinks into the skin faster than a lotion and leaves no greasy residue. After a day in the sun, it’s exactly what your skin needs. It feels so refreshing and cooling, it replenishes the skin, stops it feeling dry and tight and it also helps prevent skin from peeling. It contains Aloe Vera which is great for calming and I like to keep this in the fridge so it is extra cooling.
ASDA Protect After Sun Lotion With Tan Enhancer
This has the consistency of a body lotion and it helps deepen and prolong your tan. I love applying this to my arms & legs just so my golden tan stays looking fab for longer. This is so easy to apply and although it isn’t as soothing as the gel I really like that it helps enhance my tan, as I am not someone that likes to be out in the sun too long so anything that helps me get a bit more colour without having to actually be in the sun gets a thumbs up from me. It has a nice fresh scent and the cream is quite lightweight and easy to apply.
If you’re heading away on holiday or have some fun day’s out planned in the UK make sure you check out the ASDA Protect Sun Care Range next time you’re in a store. It is affordable and offers 5* UVA protection, so your skin is in good hands!
I do love a good face mask mostly because they can help with so many skin concerns but also because they’re a great excuse to have a pamper session. I’m very excited to tell you about some fab new masks from nspa beauty, who if you’re not aware are an affordable, indulgent beauty brand with 25 years experience in creating quality skincare. They’re also exclusive to ASDA. So you can pick up your favourite skincare treats whilst doing your weekly shop (perfect right!). I have used lots of nspa beauty products over the years and always been very impressed with the quality of their products, even skincare goddess Caroline Hirons has sung their praises so you know they must be good (her word is gospel in my house).
Face masks have always been a popular step in most people skincare regime but over the past year or so multi-masking has become the new craze, and I am 100% onboard. So this trend has been a beauty insider secret for a while and it has been catching on fast, so the trick is to apply several, different masks at a time depending on your skin type or skin concern then sit back and let them work their magic. For instance, you might have an oily forehead, breakouts on your nose and dehydrated skin on your cheeks and you can get a face mask to address all of these concerns individually. SO why not apply the specific mask to the area you need it the most, creating a bespoke skincare regime that is perfect for you.
Within the nspa rituals range, they have released 8 masks each one targeting a specific skin concern. They have clay, moisturising and hydrating masks which includes a sheet mask. With all 8 masks costing only £1.50 each, this is such an affordable way to multi-mask and get the most of your skincare. Let’s talk masks,
This balancing Mask helps to deeply cleanse with anti-pollution properties. Kaolin Clay is enriched with detoxifying Charcoal and refreshing Menthol to draw out impurities and excess oil to leave skin looking and feeling calm and clear.
Clay masks are a great way to help keep skin looking clear. Clay purifies skin drawing out dirt, sebum and also protects against the effects of pollution which is such a growing skin concern. The Kaolin clay in this mask helps absorb excess oils and impurities so It’s a good mask for balancing skin and reducing oils, which if like me you suffer from an oily t-zone this mask is perfect for combating that. Whilst the charcoal is drawing out impurities the menthol clay is soothing the skin and helping to calm redness and angry blemishes.
I do enjoy using a good clay mask, I use them at least once a week although I try not to leave them on too long as they can be quite drying on the skin but I like to apply them to my forehead and chin which is where my skin is most oily and where I get a lot of blackheads and clogged pores.
This self-warming Mask helps to open pores ensuring a really deep cleanse. Kaolin Clay is enriched with Ginger Oil to draw out impurities and leave skin looking and feeling clear and refreshed.
This is the second clay mask in this beauty rituals range but this one is self-warming and gives the skin a very deep cleanse, I know these warming masks are not to everyone’s taste but I think they feel quite soothing. This is another mask for fellow oily skin sufferers and a great mask to multimask with. As with the previous clay mask, it’s for applying to specific oily areas like forehead and chin just to clear out pores and balance skin reducing the excess oils, thanks to the Kaolin Clay which draws out impurities. The Ginger Oil acts as an anti-irritant and is an effective ingredient for protecting and soothing the skin. This is a very gentle clay mask, so if you tend to shy away from them this might be a good one to try.
This replenishing Mask helps to deeply cleanse skin. Kaolin Clay is enriched with Seaweed and Aloe Vera to help detoxify, draw out impurities and balance skin leaving it feeling revitalised and refreshed.
This soothing, cleansing antioxidant-rich mask is going to detox your skin without drying it out or stripping it of moisture. It is a gentle clay mask with added aloe vera to ensure skin is left calm and rejuvenated. I really liked this mask and my skin felt so soft and glowing after I’d used it. Seaweed seems to be a popular ingredient in this new beauty rituals range and my skin is loving its rejuvenating, balancing qualities.
This replenishing Mask helps to moisturise and refresh skin. Kaolin Clay is enriched with Pomegranate and Blackberry to help even skin tone, draw out impurities and hydrate skin, leaving it feeling moisturised and nourished.
This clay mask is rich in fruity antioxidants and both Pomegranate and Blackberry are great for anti-aging and act as an anti-inflammatory. So this Kaolin Clay mask will hydrate, protect and help promote cell rejuvenation. It is a great refreshing clay mask to have in your routine.
This exfoliating Mask helps to smooth and brighten. Exfoliation is essential to buff away dead skin cells for softer, clearer skin. With Coffee Bean and Jojoba to help reveal a radiant, clear and nourished complexion.
Exfoliating masks are a quick and easy way to buff away dead skin and the build-up of grime from the day, especially if you live in a city. This mask contains ground coffee beans which make a great natural exfoliant (coffee beans are so on trend in the skincare world right now), the granules in this mask that are small but very effective and not in anyway abrasive. Whilst Jojoba is a very popular ingredient in skincare as it helps smooth, sooth and soften skin it’s also great for calming redness too. Oh & this mask smells SO damn good, almost good enough to eat (no, don’t eat it).
This exfoliating, peeling Mask helps to soften and brighten skin. Exfoliation is essential to remove dead skin cells for smoother, clearer skin. Enriched with Papaya and Hops to help reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion.
This was one sticky mask but once applied it felt cooling and fresh on my skin, I actually applied the sweet almond and Shea Butter Mask on top of this just for some added hydration and that worked out well. This is an exfoliating mask and the fruit enzymes in the papaya help remove the dead skin cells leaving the skin radiant, and smooth. Peel off masks are so satisfying and one of my favourite kind of masks to use, you feel like you’re peeling away all the grease, grime and dead skin revealing a fresh, bright complexion. So this mask is sticky and a brush is a must to apply it evenly but it is well worth the extra effort.
This moisturising Mask helps to revitalise dry skin. Enriched with nourishing Sweet Almond Oil and Shea Butter to help soften, pamper and smooth skin.
I think its widely known how good both Almond and Shea Butter are for combating dry, irritated skin. They’re such effective ingredients for keeping your skin supple, hydrated and nourished. This mask is so gentle and creamy on the skin and I used it a couple of days in a row and it left my skin feeling so supple and soft. This is a great mask if you work in an airconditioned office or travel a lot.
This rejuvenating Sheet Mask helps to revitalise skin. Enriched with Vitamin E and Seaweed Extract naturally rich in anti-oxidants, to help replenish, moisturise and soothe skin.
This sheet mask is AMAZING. It is the first one I tried and unlike the others, I used it alone, no multi-masking with this one. I just apply it to clean skin and leave it on as long as possible (scaring my husband). It is so cooling and soothing on my skin, the seaweed helps balance skin, acts as an anti-inflammatory and is antioxidant rich so your skin is in good hands with this mask. The Vitamin E protects against free radicals, is antioxidant rich and is great for replenishing and protecting dry skin.
It is a great one to use before a night out or big event as it hydrates and replenishes skin making it look and feel soft, smooth and fresh. My makeup blends out and looks great well after using this. This is a mask to stock up on.
With 8 new masks in this range, there is a mask or two to suit most skin types & skin concerns and there’s even a couple of vegan options which is great to see. With all of the products in this range, I would say that each sachet has enough product for at least 2 if you 3 applications, so make sure you store it well after opening or use it on a pamper evening with friends. The nspa range is cruelty-free & available exclusively in ASDA. Let me know if you have tried any of the masks or if you’re going to get a few next time you are in ASDA, at only £1.50 each they are well worth trying.
nspa kindly sent me a selection of products from their new Fruit Extracts Range which is bursting with natural vitamins and real fruity goodness. Not only do they smell incredible but they’re super bright and Summery.
This range is exclusive to ASDA and comes in so many fruity scents, and it includes body washes, scrubs and body butters. There is a fruity scent to suit everyone’s taste.
These come in huge 550ml bottles, so they’re going to last a very long time which is always great. Both have really intense fruity scents and I would say the strawberry is my least favourite of the two, just because it is a little too sweet for me but the passion fruit one is so nice. It smells really tropical and the scent fills my whole bathroom. These are so affordable and great if you have a family and go through a lot of shower gel because the bottles are just so big and very affordable.
Although I found the strawberry scent a little too sweet I enjoyed the raspberry. I think because it has that fruity sweetness but it also has a tartness to it too. It has a good amount of scrubbies but still feels gentle and not abrasive. I like to use this before I gradual tan just to give my skin a nice smooth feel so it applies evenly.
Coconut for me is the scent of Summer holidays and this body butter is so coconutty, I love it. I have been using in the evening after showering as it is a body butter and it takes a while to fully absorb. It is creamy and hydrating and that coconut scent lingers for quite a while after applying it. It is formulated with A, E & B5 Vitamins so your skin will feel smooth, hydrated and ready for Summer!
So if you’re on the hunt for some fruitily scented body care then you should check out the nspa Fruit Extracts range. It is cruelty-free and exclusive to ASDA and prices start at £3.
