Skincare products I have used up 2025

June 28, 2025July 29, 2025 - Vicki Leave a comment

*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.

Tropic Skincare Facial Serums

February 4, 2020May 12, 2024 - Vicki 2 Comments

*Gifted. Tropic Skincare seems to be one of the best kept secrets in the beauty world, they’re a cruelty-free all natural, British beauty brand that produce products of incredible quality and that actually give effective results. I have tried a few of their skincare, body care and makeup releases, and they always exceed expectations. I find myself recommending them to friends and family of all ages, it is skincare that you can really rely on.

So I have been trying out two of their serums, Glow Berry & Rainforest Dew. They’ve been helping hydrate and give my skin back it’s natural healthy glow.

Tropic Skincare Glow Berry Brightening Serum*

I’d say my number one skin concern is dull skin, not all year round, but certainly over the darker, colder months. So having this brightening serum in my skincare routine these past few weeks has been wonderful for combating dark spots, uneven skin tone and giving my skin back its natural glow. This serum has a very fluid consistency, I apply it as part of my evening skincare routine and I keep it in the fridge as instructed by tropic as it keeps the active ingredients at their best.

Vitamin C – Which we all know is a fantastic ingredient in brightening skincare, it helps with pigmentation, boosts collagen production, protects against free radical damage and helps give your skin a natural radiant glow.

Kangaroo Paw Flower Extract – This plant is endemic to Australia and is incredible at nourishing the skin, tightens and firms skin (which helps to minimise your fine lines) as well as targets the visible signs of ageing. So your skin will look and feel smooth and lifted.

Super berries – A powerful blend of antioxidant-rich strawberry, muntries, riberry (endemic to Australia) and Tasmanian pepperberry extracts give complexions a boost of radiance, help reduce hyperpigmentation and UV related sun damage. Boosting your skin’s radiance and healthy glow.

Tropic Rainforest Dew Hydrating Serum

This is a really lovely nourishing, hydrating and soothing serum, I have found applying this as part of my morning skincare routine works well for me. It helps my skin retain moisture so it stays hydrated and soft throughout the day. I love the dewy effect it gives, it is great under makeup and the dewiness makes my makeup sit so well and look healthy all day long. Again it is very lightweight, similar in consistency to the Berry Glow serum, 3 drops are usually enough for my face. As with all Tropic products, it is packed full of incredible natural skin loving ingredients,

Plant Peptides – encourage cell renewal, encourage collagen production and improve skin’s elasticity and plumpness.

Evergreen Fern Extract – This is a soothing ingredient, great for calming and reducing redness.

Hyaluronic Acid – This has become such a popular ingredient in skincare over the past few years, it helps skin retain moisture which keeps it plump, hydrated and replenishes tired looking skin.

Matcha Tea Extract -Wonderful at protecting and reducing the effects of free radicals on your skin. As well as being soothing and anti-inflammatory, so this combined with the evergreen fern extract really help calm and sooth.

So if your skin is in need of a serious moisture boost, especially over the Winter months, then I highly recommend this Rainforest Dew Serum.

If you’re looking to include or add a new serum to your skincare routine, these two options are pretty amazing. Glow Berry is ideal if you want to target more dull, fatigued skin and even out skin tone, and the Rainforest Dew is for anyone that is suffering with dry skin or just loves that fresh, glowing look.

*Products in this post were gifted as PR samples, but the review is 100% my own

Five Skincare Favourites June 2019

June 28, 2019July 1, 2019 - Vicki Leave a comment

Alex Steinherr Miceller Cleansing Gel

I was so excited back in May (after months of waiting to get to a Primark that stocked it) to finally get my hands on the Alex Steinherr skincare collection. I bought 4 products and all under £10 each, and they have all slotted right into my skincare routine. I love them all. This cleansing gel is gentle, soothing and will remove light makeup, I love using it in the morning to freshen up my skin. It works perfectly for a morning cleanser, as it will only remove light makeup, although you could use it as a second cleanse in the evening if you removed your makeup with a balm or something a bit more effective.

Tropic Skincare Pure Lagoon Serum*

If I only had one word to describe this serum I would use the word incredible. I received this serum at a time when I needed it more than ever, I was turning 40 and my skin had decided to breakout and go nuts like never before. It became my skincare saviour, I used it religiously for months and low and behold my blemishes calmed down, my pesky blackheads all but cleared up. This blue (yes it is really blue) serum has been formulated to prevent blemishes and blackheads as well as reducing sebum production. If you are blemish prone, your skin is in seriously good hands with this in your skincare arsenal.

It is jam packed with so many fantastic ingredients such as Blue Spirulina and Malachite Crystal Extract – which give the serum its blue hue, they’re also rich in copper and are anti inflammatory. The serum calms angry red spots and help your skin become calmer and have a more clarified complexion. It has Hyaluronic acid and watermelon fruit extract think amazing hydration and boosted moisture levels. This might be a lightweight feeling serum but it is very hydrating too. The fact that this is a preventative skincare product is what I love most about it, it prevents the build up of dead skin cells and sebum, so over time skin produces less blemish causing bacteria and is smoother, calmer, hydrated and it helps your skin break the spot forming cycle.

Tropic Skincare Face Lift Brightening Mask*

This is a wonderful mask that targets skin that needs tightening & lifting. It helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles whilst helping to keep saggy skin at bay. I use this mask on a weekly basis and apply it to my forehead, chin and neck. It has a very thick, almost clay like texture and I leave it on for around 20 mins. It is a great mask to use when multi masking, I apply it to targeted areas, to get maximum results.

It contains so many incredible skin loving ingredients, including – Agave nectar (rich in amino acids) and sea buckthorn extracts (rich in carotene) which work to hydrate and plump skin. Turmeric and glycolic acids promote a brighter, more even complexion and electric daisy extract works to tighten skin and minimise fine lines. So this mask is packed with nourishing, hydrating and firming ingredients which promote long term results. This is my 3rd pot in 2 years and I wouldn’t be without it.

B Radiant Day Cream SPF15

Rich, creamy, hydrating and a wonderful moisturiser to wear under your makeup. It keeps your skin smooth, soft and very hydrated. I love applying my foundation after this, it just goes on with ease and blends so well, I really like this B By Superdrug skincare, it is very affordable, and they have such a great selection of products. I’m slowly working my way through them and have tried quite a few products to date, the highlights so far have been this day cream, their acid retexturising pads and the Hyaluronic Face Mist.

This day cream contains some great ingredients to keep your skin looking its best including Tetrapeptide which improves elasticity and is great for plumping which reduces the appearance of those pesky fine lines. Hyaluronic Acid locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. Olive leaf and Jujube Seed extracts calms skin and fights the build up of bacteria whist Niacinamide improves moisture retention and boosts skins radiance.

SuperFacialist Vitamin C Micro Polish Wash

I wrote about this in my recent Skincare For Radiant Skin post & I am on to my second bottle. Still enjoying as much, if not more a couple of months on. It really gives your skin that refreshed feeling, it smells of citrus and I love that it is such an invigorating uplifting scent. Think gentle but effective & in short that is this exfoliator. It has a refreshing gel texture which is infused with biodegradable micro-beads (good for your skin and the ocean) to softly remove dead skin cells & daily impurities and dirt. It is boosted with antioxidant ferulic acid and vitamins C & E to promote brighter looking skin, help protect against environmental aggressors. So if you have quite dull skin and get a little texture where dead skin forms around your nose, chin area then this is perfect for addressing that! Packed with Vitamin C and natural skin brighteners, it encourages skin’s renewal and energises the complexion to keep it looking fit, radiant and youthful. I also like how well my makeup applies after using this and that my skin is smoother and super soft! Affordable and great for daily use!

*Products marked with an * have been gifted as PR samples. The words and opinions are my own. This post also contains one affliliant link.

Affordable Skincare Favourites

April 27, 2016March 12, 2026 - Vicki 4 Comments

**Lacura Thermal Spring Facial Care* £1.99**

This is a new release from Aldi’s skincare brand Lacura, who seem to produce some of the best affordable skincare on the high-street. I have tried quite a few of their products and they always impress me. This Thermal Spring Moisturiser comes packaged in a frosted glass jar which makes the product feel luxurious and a lot more expensive than it is.

The cream its self is formulated for stressed, sensitive skin and is infused with natural thermal water to soothe and moisturise the skin. It contains minerals and trace elements which come from natural, mineral groundwater that emerges from the ground at a temperature of over 20°C. This makes a really nice daily moisturiser that does a good job at hydrating and soothing the skin. There is no SPF in this so you will need to wear a separate one but I really like this and think it would appeal to all ages. I want to try a few more products from this thermal spring line and think this is another wonderful release from Lacura.

Superdrug vitamin E Nourishing Eye Cream £2.99

I really like a lot of products from Superdrug’s own skincare line and think they make such great quality affordable options. I’ve been using this eye cream religiously since December at I still have quite a bit of product left. You need only a pea sized amount for both eyes and I just tap it in around the orbital bone, and it helps to hydrate, nourish and smooth that area. It’s not the lightest in texture but if you tap it in until its absorbed it doesn’t leave the eye area feeling greasy. Its very gentle and never irritates my eyes. I also like the cleanser and moisturiser from this vitamin E range. For £2.99 I highly recommend trying it out.

Garnier Skin Active Clearly Brighter SPF15 Moisturiser

This is a lightweight daily moisturiser that helps hydrate, brighten and smooth out my skin. Its non-greasy and absorbs quickly, It also smooths out my skin, so I find it wears well under my makeup. It has contains anti oxidant rich vitamin C and E as well as gentle exfoliating Lip-Hydroxyl Acid (salicylic acid). This is a great affordable moisturiser, especially if you have dull skin, and it’s a nice option for the warmer months because it is lightweight on the skin. It does have a light citrus scent to it which isn’t offensive, but I do with it was fragrance free and I would have preferred it to have a higher SPF, but I do like this moisturiser and have been using it a lot over the past 4 months.

Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum £2.69

I seem to be all about the skincare that soothes, hydrates & nourishes (I have dull, dehydrated skin) and this absolute bargain of a serum from Superdrug is one of the best I have EVER tried. Bold claims I know.

I’m now on to my 3rd bottle, and I’m still loving using it because it just leaves my skin feeling so incredibly soft and my fine lines are reduced because it is extremely hydrating. It contains Hyluronic Acid which helps your skin retain moisture, most of us skincare addicts have heard of this wonder ingredient, and I was surprised to see that this purse friendly serum had this listed as an ingredient. So it’s a fantastic serum if your skin is in need of hydration and is looking a little lacklustre. It feels light on the skin and doesn’t take long for it to skink in. It is also fragrance free and alcohol-free which is wonderful news if you have sensitive skin.

If I could recommend only one of my four favourite affordable products it would 100% be the Simply Pure Hydrating Serum – it’s a steal at £2.69 (you best be adding it to your MUST-try list).

*PR sample

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