best skincare

Erborian Korean Skincare

- Vicki Leave a comment
Korean Skin Therapy

#Gifted It has been so nice to try a selection of Erborian’s best selling/hero products, a great introduction to a brand I have heard so many wonderful things about. Let’s start with the 3 skincare products, Red Pepper Paste Mask, Ginseng Super Serum and the Ginseng Infusion Total Eye Care, all three are focused on reviving tired, lacklustre skin. Exactly what I look for in skincare, I have quite dull, dehydrated skin and being in in my mid-forties I need smoothing, invigorating and energising products.

Erborian skincare combines the effectiveness of traditional medicinal herbs with sophisticated Korean technology. What is also pretty cool about this brand is that they create hybrid products that combine skincare and make-up, like their iconic BB Cream and award-winning CC Cream. I do enjoy make-up products that also give effective skincare benefits too, the Korean’s seem to be damn good at this!

Erborian Korean Skincare

Erborian Red Pepper Paste Mask

This mask is all about radiance and energising! It’s a powerhouse of skin loving ingredients, and because of this it quickly transforms tired skin,

  • Red pepper extract – Known for its energizing and antioxidant properties, it boosts the natural radiance of the skin.
  • Exfoliating enzymes – (fermentation): They smooth and improve the texture of the skin.
  • Niacinamide – Known for its illuminating properties. It helps to maintain skin’s hydration.
  • Licorice root extract – Known for its illuminating and antioxidant properties.

This mask has quite a thick consistency, and the red pepper means it is bright red. The mask is a paste, and it applies easily, and smoothly it feels cool and soothing on the skin. After 10 – 15 mins, wash it off to reveal a refreshed, velvety smooth complexion. It is quite astonishing how instantly it transforms your skin. A great addition to your Autumn/Winter skincare routine, to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant during the colder months, it is a great product to help protect skin from external stress that can accelerate signs of ageing.

So all in all, this Red Pepper Paste Mask is good skin health in a bottle! It gets 10/10 from me!

Erborian Red Pepper Mask

Erborian Ginseng Eye Cream

Erborian Ginseng Infusion Total Eye Cream

Fantastic at reviving tired, dark under eyes, gives the skin a soft focus finish whist hydrating and invigorating. This rich, lightweight eye cream wears so well under make-up, concealer glides on and stays put, looking smooth and fresh. It’s not hard to see why this is not only one of Erborian’s best selling products, but also an award winning product and a beauty industry favourite too (oh & a firm favourite of mine).

The name is to be believed, it is a total eye cream, it’s anti-ageing, reduces the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and fatigue whilst nourishing and protecting the delicate skin around the eye area!  This is a morning skincare must have, even if you don’t feel awake, your eyes will look fresh and bright.

  • White Ginseng Complex – known for it’s anti-ageing benefits, is full of antioxidants that help soothe, smooth and protect the skin.
  • Corn oil – Ginseng Infusion moisturiser helps strengthen skin’s barrier function whilst Sesame oil and Shea Butter which help nourish and soften the skin.
  • Flecks of Vitamin E – help fight against the signs of ageing and protect the skin against environmental aggressors

‘Composed of white ginseng root, licorice, wild yam, horsetail plant and Kigelia fruit extracts, this unique complex is known for its protecting, smoothing and moisturising effect on skin’.

Korean Skin Therapy

Erborian Ginseng Super Serum

Right away after applying this serum you will notice how smooth your skin looks, it is that effective. Lightweight and smoothing, this serum is pretty incredible, I am quickly learning that the Ginseng products from Erborian are up there with the best skincare I have tried, especially for my age group.

Great for morning and evening, this serum will keep your skin looking naturally radiant, serum is one of my favourite skincare steps. I love the added hydration this serum gives my skin, how plump and healthy it looks after applying it.

80% Ginseng extracts, 90% natural origin ingredients

White Ginseng Extract – prevents the appearance of the signs of ageing and helps to smooth wrinkles.
Fermented Red Ginseng – helps to preserve the youth of the skin.
Ginseng Aqueous Extracts – obtained through a process of steam maceration of Ginseng, they contain minerals necessary for the balance and the hydration of the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid – plumps up the surface of the skin
Peptides – maintains collagen levels for a firming and smoothing effect
Complex of Tara fruit and Red Algae extracts – smooths and reduces wrinkles

Erborian BB Creams

Now on to the make-up products. I’ve testing out 3 of Erborian’s make-up/skincare hybrid products, make-up with the benefits of skincare. I’m sure most of you have heard of, it not used at least one of Erborian’s iconic, BB or CC creams, they’ve won countless awards, and really put Korea at the centre of the beauty industry.

‘With a lighter texture than foundation, not only does it provide full coverage with a flawless matte finish, but it also moisturises the skin all day long and protects it against sun damage. Part skincare, part make-up, this hybrid product is the ideal alternative to foundation’s instant results, with long-term results on top. Erborian BB Cream is one of the best guarantees for year-round beautiful skin!’

Erborian BB Créme in Nude

This is a 5 in one BB Crème (beauty balm), with buildable coverage, it evens out your skin tone and minimises imperfections giving you a healthy, radiant flawless base. This formula is lightweight, hydrating, nourishing and looks very natural. It is a real powerhouse of skin loving ingredients, including a highly concentrated selection of herbs used traditionally in Korean skincare, to promote skin healing.

Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Liquorice Root Extract and Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract: these help to reduce blemishes and make the skin more radiant.
Licorice & Ginger: Act as anti-inflammatories, helping to protect the skin against free radicals
Titanium dioxide: Sun protection SPF 20

I’d say it is a great everyday product, fantastic to help your skin look fresh and radiant with a light (buildable) coverage of make-up. If you feel more confident wearing make-up but do not always want to apply heavy foundations, then a BB cream would be a great option. I wear the shade NUDE, which is the middle swatch below.

Erborian CC Cream

Erborian Super BB Crème in Nude

This is the newest addition to Erborian’s make-up products. Think BB Crème but with the ability to cover more imperfections which gives your skin a more flawless, but natural finish. This is the third swatch in the photo above, a slightly lighter shade than the BB Crème but still a good match to my skin tone. If you have redness, dark spots or uneven skin tone, the Super BB Crème is a must-have for your make-up bag. It is still very lightweight but offers a higher coverage, with the added benefit of amazing skincare ingredients too. This also provides SPF20.

Super BB – combines two Korean super-ingredients: White Ginseng and fermented Ginseng flower, in a formula that instantly reveals a smoother and moisturised skin. In order to visibly reduce imperfections (pimples, pores, blackheads, etc.), this BB cream for acne prone skin has been enriched with Niacinamide, a powerful active ingredient for clearer skin.
Erborian Hybrid Makeup Skincare

Erborian CC Crème in Clair

This is a game changer and works like magic. It comes out of the tube almost like a moisturiser, in that it is white, so the magic is that colour controlling pigments self-adjust to your natural luminous beauty. The intelligent, hybrid formula transforms your skin, to give a velvety, ultra-soft spotless finish, I have the shade Clair which is a light beige, very natural and flawless finish. You can wear this as your base, for a luminous, radiant finish, or underneath a BB Créme or foundation for extra coverage and glow.  lightweight. It is easy to see why this product is an industry favourite, it is so easy to use and it is so effective! This also provides SPF25.

‘At first glance cream appears white, but upon application, it adapts precisely to match your skin tone, naturally revealing a more even complexion, leaving skin luminous and soft, while reducing the appearance of blemishes.’

Centella Asiatica: Helps increase collagen production and antioxidant activity. Anti-ageing active ingredient.
Adenosine: An anti-ageing active ingredient. Improves skin elasticity and softness.
Vitamin B3: Protects from free radicals. Strengthens skin barrier and reduces skin unevenness.
Tiger Grass – Anti-inflammatory benefits and helps with healing
Honey Extract – Softens and firms the skin
Vitamin E – Has anti-free radical properties and helps protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Erborian Skincare Products

Trying a selection of their hero products has given me such a lovely introduction to Erborian, who are a brand that I’ve heard so many positive reviews of, and I am now on that band wagon. I am here to say, they’re all true, and they have not only lived up to all the hype, but quite possible surpassed it.

I am converted, addicted, in love with this brand (not an exaggeration). Every single one of the products they sent me to try out, are now in my everyday routine. I am very much looking forward to trying more from them, especially the Ginseng Collection – which targets fine lines and wrinkles.

Let me know what Erborian products you have tried, what you’d recommend or if, like me, you are new to this brand what would you like to try out.

If you want to learn more about Erborian and their product range, visit them at www.erborian.com

Introducing ARK Skincare

- Vicki Leave a comment

{gifted} ARK is a British Skincare company that has a refreshing, modern approach to skincare. They acknowledge that age plays a big roll in how our skin changes and so our skin concerns change alongside. They have  developed what they call ageintelligent skincare, which focuses on treating skin by age as well as concern.

You start by picking your ageintelligent range, then if you need any targeted treatments you select their skinperfectors for effective treatment (like redness, hydration and de-stress) and then their core skinessentials collection which is daily skincare to enhance your regime.

All their products are easy to understand and incorporate into your regime. They are clear, specific and fuss free.

The three ageintelligent ranges are,

  • ageprotect – for teens and 20’s
  • agedefend – for 30’s and 40’s
  • agedefy – for 50’s and over

I have been trying 2 products from the agedefend collection and 1 from the skinessentials

ARK Skincare Product Review

ARK agedefend Replenishing Moisturiser

This collection aims to boost skins collagen production, protect skin from free radicals and nourish skin to reduce the signs of ageing.  The key ingredients in this collection are,

  • Kiwi and Passion Fruit lipids – packed with Omega 3 fatty acids to boost skin’s moisture
  • Blue Lotus – a powerful antioxidant which boosts firmness and elasticity
  • Vitamin A – keeps skin strong, plump and increases collagen production

This replenishing moisturiser contains natural moisturising agents Shea Butter and Olive Oil which are rich and hydrating, leaving your skin feeling soft and velvety smooth to the touch. It is also helps skin look plump and toned, which reduces those fine lines and wrinkles.

I have been using this cream as part of my morning skincare routine and love the way it feels on my skin, not too heavy but very moisturising and my skin looks fresh and healthy after using it. I think it’s a fantastic cream to add to your routine for Autumn/Winter to keep your skin hydrated, boost elasticity and keep skin looking radiant whilst targeting the early signs of ageing with all its fantastic skin loving ingredients. Your skin is in good hands with this in your skincare arsenal.

The packaging is hygienic and feels very luxurious. The product is dispensed by pushing the lid down, I find that two pumps is enough product for your face and neck. It is a slick and easy to use, I like that you get the right amount of product, which means no waster and you don’t have to scoop out product which keeps everything clean and germ free. 

ARK Skincare Age-Defend Conditioning Cleanser

 ARK agedefend Conditioning Cleanser

This lightweight cleanser is great at keeping skin not only clean and washing away the build up of dirt, grime and impurities from the day. It also nourishes skin, protects against moisture loss and gently exfoliates helping remove dead skin cells to keep your complexion looking rejuvenated and blemish free.

  • Moringa Oil – rich in Vitamin A and C and helps skin retain essential moisture.
  • Kiwi and Passion Fruit lipids – packed with Omega 3 fatty acids to boost skin’s moisture levels
  • Blue Lotus – a powerful antioxidant which helps skin firmness and elasticity.

I use this in the morning and night, I find the botanical scent uplifting very fresh. The cleanser leaves my skin looking energised and although I do not typically remove my makeup with it, I have used it to remove a light face of makeup and found that it did it with ease. I have been very impressed with both products I have used from the agedefend range and if like me you’re in your 40’s, I think your skin would benefit from the extra boost of antioxidants, lipids, and vitamins that this collection provides. This collection helps you achieve beautiful, healthy, radiant skin.

ARK Skincare Skin Protector SPF30 Primer

Ark skin essential Skin Protector SPF30 Primer

I never leave my house without wearing a facial SPF as we are all fully aware by now, the best way to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays (the primary cause of premature ageing) is to wear a good quality broad spectrum UVA & UVB SPF.  So when my primer contains SPF30 this makes me very excited. This lovely product has taken pride of place in my skincare line-up, I have been using it religiously for a couple of months now and LOVE it.

  • Vitamin E – antioxidant and provides photo protection
  • Shea Butter – nourishes skin and protects from free radicals
  • Sunflower – packed with vitamins and minerals
  • Hyaluronic Acid – helps skin retain moisture keeping your complexion plump, smooth and radiant

Its not as heavy as a cream but is more like a thicker serum, I like the consistency and it instantly feels refreshing on the skin.  The fact that it is lightweight is important to me especially when layering quite a few products, quite often a primer can feel slippery or tacky on the skin. I like them to be almost weightless, like they’re not even there. This is quite hard to find in skincare products that contains a high level of SPF protection, but ARK have managed to pull it off.  This primer is for me a multi tasking product, you can use it not only as a primer, your SPF too and I find it to be hydrating enough to use as my moisturiser. I do this on really warm days, where you do not want to wear a heavy cream under foundation and that works well to keep everything in place without becoming greasy. This primer can also be worn alone, it helps my skin looking very fresh, that classic healthy, natural glow. Its wonderful.

 

I have enjoyed using all three products over the past few months and although I would say the Primer is my stand out product I think they all have enhanced my skincare regime. My skin looks healthy and feels hydrated. The agedefend collection is perfect for me in my 40’s. I have my eye on a few of the oils from the skinperfector range to see how they help tackle a few more targeted skin concerns, like pigmentation and redness. Let me know if you have tried anything from ARK and if so what products would you recommend.

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.

*This post contains PR Samples

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Collection

- 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

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.

www.jurlique.co.uk 

MONU Brightening Boost Serum

- Vicki 6 Comments
MONU Brightening Serum

MONU Skincare

MONU Skincare

This MONU Brightening Boost Serum* has been a staple in my summer skincare routine, I have been road testing it for about 3 months now and my skin loves it. It is a lightweight serum designed for more Mature Skin or those that have Sun Damage but I think it can be used by people of all ages and It’s an ideal product for people with a dull complexion as it leaves your skin instantly smooth and looking radiant.

I find it to be very hydrating and lightweight, I massage two pumps worth into my face and neck and that is quickly absorbed leaving my skin looking smooth, bright and feeling soft. I have been using it on the backs of my hands too as I do have a couple of age spots appearing & it seems to be helping them look lighter. I will keep applying it until I’ve run out & let you know if there are significant changes to them.

MONU Brightening Serum

So this serum promises to,

  • Lighten & Brighten Complexion
  • Improve Radiance
  • Reduce Hyperpigmentation
  • Even Skin Tone
  • Reduce Sun Damage
  • Plump skin & reduce the signs of wrinkles

That’s a lot of promises but I will say that you see almost instantly a brightening and smoothing of the skin which helps your complexion look radiant and healthy. I don’t have hyperpigmentation so can’t comment on that but my skin tone is looking even and a few dark spots around my eyes are looking less visible. I’m not too sure I have a huge amount of visible sun damage but I guess it can do no harm in keeping the effects of sun damage at bay.

This serum contains Vitamin C which helps combat free radicals and helps even skin tone. Also, Hyaluronic Microspheres which hydrate and plump the skin helping to reduce the visibility of wrinkles. Which is something I really need help with, I have quite a few wrinkles around my eyes & a few appearing on my forehead, so anything I can do to keep them as small and not notable. The packaging is also sleek and in a frosted bottle, it looks and feels expensive. It takes up no room as all in my skincare box & is a great size if you travel often, the bottle is so slim and has a very handy pump.

MONU Vitamin C Skin Brightening Serum

MONU Brightening Serum

I like the hydrating feel to this serum and how easily it absorbs into the skin. Its gives me radiant healthy looking complexion but its always hard to say definitively if a product is helping you look younger & diminish signs of sun damage. I’m naturally freckly and have quite fair skin so this serum can be doing no harm in helping fight the signs of ageing & sun damage. As I’ve said  in many posts I’m very much in to SPF and wearing it all year round but there are times when we are exposed to the sun & this serum seems like an effective way of giving your skin a boost to keep some of the first signs of ageing at bay and help you improve skin tone.

Its been a welcomed addition to my skincare routine & if asked I would recommend it to people that are concerned with dull skin & that want to give their skin a boost of Vitamin C to give them radiance and even out their skin tone. I also think this wears well under my makeup and helps my skin look radiant all day long. I think my mum would really like this serum.

Let me know what skincare products you are using to help give your skin radiance & let me know if you have tried anything from MONU and have any other recommendations of product that I should try from them.

MONU Brightening Boost Serum £22.50 

Products that are marked with a * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own