Soothing skincare

Jurlique Activating Water Essence

- Vicki 2 Comments
Jurlique Activating Water Essence

Jurlique Activating Water Essence

We are seeing Asian beauty influences in so many products being released by Western brands, only last week I blogged about the latest Lancome Cushion Makeup and it seems that the latest trend to hit our skincare routines is the Essence. I had to do a little background reading on just what exactly an Essence was and how best to use it in my skincare regime.

I thought I had a pretty rigorous regime and didn’t realise that there was room for one more step, a step that the Asian market have deemed to be one of the most important. So an Essence is not a toner, nope its used after both cleansing and toning, it can replenish moisture, balance skins PH levels and help skin look glowing. You use your hands to pat the product into your skin and let the rich, nourishing ingredients work their magic. One of the latest to hit the market is the Activating Water Essence from Australian skincare brand Jurlique & I have been putting it to the test.

Jurlique Activating Water Essence* £40

I thought adding another step to my skincare routine would be pointless and even more time consuming but I have to say this extra step has become one of my favourites. The action of patting the product into my skin is quite relaxing and my skin has felt a lot better too since introducing this. This product activates your skin in 3 ways

  1. Hydrates – Delivers continuous hydration and lasting moisture
  2. Conditions – Smooths skin to provide a soft, supple complexion
  3. Revitalise – Revitalises and re-energises for healthy-looking skin

New Jurlique Skincare Release 2016

At the centre of its highly concentrated formula is their star ingredient – Marshmallow Root Extract, which is great at deeply hydrating skin and improving its ability to retain moisture. So what is it about Marshmallow Root that makes it such a good skincare ingredient,

Marshmallow Root Extract has been used throughout history as a healing treatment, it has anti inflammatory properties, its gentle and soothing on the skin whilst also being a natural hydrator.

The Marshmallow Root’s ability to attract and retain water allows it to provide lasting hydration to the skin. It forms a protective barrier that helps rebalance dry skin and prevent moisture loss to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.

Along side the Marshmallow Root there are also quite a few other natural ingredients including,

  • Neem – Conditions and soothes
  • Lavender – Hydrates and calms
  • Rosemary – Invigorates and restores
  • Horsetail – Hydrates and balances
  • Witch Hazel – Clarifies and firms
  • Nettle – Rebalances and refreshes
  • Peach Leaf – Revitalises, regenerates and protects

Since using this my skin doesn’t look as fatigued or dull and it has been really good at reducing the redness in my cheeks. I am pretty pleased to have this step in my routine and can see why it is so popular. This bottle is going to last ages, you only need to splash a few drops into your hands and because it is so fluid a little goes a long way.

Let me know if you already have this step in your routine & if you’re a fan of any other Korean / Japanese beauty regimes or products.

*PR Sample

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Lotion

- Vicki 2 Comments
Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Body Lotion

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Body Lotion

After the success of their Ultimate Blends Haircare range, Garnier has released the new Ultimate Blends Body, which caters for targeted skin concerns. There are four blends to pick from, including

  • Marvellous Oils
  • Mythic Olive
  • Delicate Oat
  • Honey Treasures

I have been using two products from the Honey Treasures range which is the range targeted at restoring very dry skin. So if your skin is suffering in this cold dry weather and you want to get your legs Spring ready then I think you will love the results of this blend. It is blended with what Garnier call 3 treasures from the Beehive, which are

  • Royal Jelly – A revitalising elixir renowned for its restoring properties
  • Propolis – A remarkable ingredient which acts as a protective barrier
  • Honey – A nourishing and smoothing nectar

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Lotion Honey Treasures*

This comes with a pump, always handy when applying body lotion and the texture is lovely and creamy. It feels rich and instantly smoothing on the skin. I like to use this one in the morning as out of the two it is more lightweight and leaves my skin smooth, soft and gives just enough hydration so it doesn’t feel greasy under my clothes. I hate that feeling.

Garnier Honey Treasures Body Lotions

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Body Butter Honey Treasures*

This, as you would guess, has a much thicker texture than the lotion so I like to use this at night when I have more time to let it sink in. If I put it on before bed my skin feels supple, smooth and nourished. This is a great product if you suffer from dry skin, it’s extremely hydrating. It is a little more tacky on the skin than the lotion but after it has been on for 10 minutes or so it feels lovely.

Also, the scent of this range is rich and I think smells quite like caramel. It’s lovely sweet and I can smell it on myself for hours after applying it. I am a big fan of these new additions to the Garnier range and they are helping me get my skin ready for the warmer months, Spring is on its way.

Garnier Ultimate Blends range is now available on Chemist Direct so stock up!

*PR Sample

Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Saviours

- Vicki 6 Comments
Origins Mega Mushroom Skincare

Origins Mega Mushroom Skincare

The Mega Mushroom range from Origins has been a favourite of mine for a couple of years. For the simple fact its hydrating, great for soothing redness and combating the effects of winter on the skin. I always turn to this range it as the temperature drops and this duo have been my skin saviours for the past few months.

The Mega Mushroom Collection has undergone some changes & is back with an even better formula

‘The Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Collection is developed to target irritation and boost cellular energy. These newly added and naturally-derived “miracle worker” ingredients include the powerhouse Sea Buckthorn Berry and the trio of mushrooms, Chaga, Resihi and Cordyceps. Which help promote skin’s resilience, evenness and an overall healthy appearance.’

Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum*

This serum was a new addition to the Mega Mushroom line this Summer & its been a welcomed addition to my skincare routine.

This serum looks quite thick when you first apply it but once you start to massage it in it feels cool and light on the skin. It absorbs easily and quickly without leaving a greasy residue and even leaves my skin looking slightly matte. This has that strong botanical Mega Mushroom scent, which I know is not to everyone’s liking but the scent doesn’t linger too long on the skin.

This serum has also been developed to help protect skin from internal and external aggressors that can lead to increased sensitivity, irritation and premature signs of ageing.

I like how smooth and hydrating this serum makes my skin feel and it sits so well under my moisturiser. I can really see a positive difference in my skin when I use it for a couple of weeks. Its packed full of the following skin benefits,

‘This potent serum is fortified with omega-rich Sea Buckthorn plus skin-repairing Reishi, irritant-soothing Chaga and Cordyceps mushrooms – long used in Chinese medicine to heal, promote longevity and improve health. Used faithfully, skin is transformed from reactive to resilient and from stressed to soothed to reveal a healthier, more radiant appearance.’

Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face*

This like the Serum also includes the new cocktail of ingredients which quiet and calm our skin to protect skin’s barrier. I find this face cream to be such an intense hydrating cream. It’s very calming and it helps reduce breakouts too.

The smallest amount warmed up between your fingers would be enough to moisturise my whole face. It is targeted at people who suffer from redness and the first signs of ageing and that is me to a T.  This is not specifically a night cream but it feels so nice used as a night cream, I apply a thick layer of it on top of my serum and let it work its magic (well its not magic but science). I feel my skin looks better for using it overnight, I wake up to smooth, hydrated and radiant skin. I love it so much.

The Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Collection is made up of 7 products all designed to strengthen and soothe sensitive skin. Its a range I love and always go back too. I haven’t tried the whole range but I hope to try the Eye Serum & Cleanser this year.

Let me know if this is a range you’ve tried and how you got on with it.

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.

Avene Skincare

- Vicki 21 Comments
Avene Hydrating Serum

Avene

Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum

I like using a serum and enjoy this step in my skincare routine, I use one morning and night after cleansing but before moisturising, I think being in my mid thirties it is a step my skin really benefits from. I’ve used quite a few over the years and have a few favourites I call upon when needed. This Avene one came at the right time for me as I was told about 6 weeks ago that my skin was quite dehydrated, so I have been using products this past month or so to try and hydrate my skin. It has worked a treat. I was excited to try this Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum* as I have heard lots of positive reviews of this brand and also of French Skincare in general.

Avene use their Thermal Spring Water in each product which is clinically proven to be naturally soothing and have a calming effect on the skin so with this added benefit this serum is perfect for sensitive skin as it is gentle, calming and protects the skin. I used it in the morning before applying the rest of my skincare, The serum is very lightweight and it felt cooling on my skin. I would apply it before my moisturiser and let is absorb in to the skin for a good few minutes, then apply the rest of my lotions & potions.

‘The thermal water is carried by lipsomes in a patented system to ensure an optimum long lasting diffusion of moisture  in the upper layer of the skin. The glycerine improves the skin hydration, suppleness and comfort. Thanks to the delicate formula of the Soothing Hydrating Serum the skin is silky smooth and rebalanced.’

I found after a few weeks my skin looked brighter, smoother and generally healthier. I do suffer from quite noticeable redness, from some broken capillaries so this wouldn’t stop that but I will say that it helped calm redness around a few angry blemishes I had and helped my skin heal a little quicker after the blemish had gone.

Avene Serum

I like to layer up my skincare but I don’t like to feel that I have applied anything to heavy or greasy, and this Avene Serum slotted into my routine well, as I said its lightweight, almost gel like in texture and non greasy so once absorbed it left my skin feeling instantly smooth and ready for my moisturiser. I have dehydrated skin but suffer from a terribly oily t zone and this serum worked well for me. I had no problems with excess oil and it really helped give my skin a boost of hydration and helped make it look plump and less dull.

This serum comes in a nice glass bottle with a good sturdy pump dispenser, this is so handy and hygienic. It dispenses just the right amount of product in two pumps for my face and neck. Only using 2 small pumps a day this bottle will last a fair amount of time. Which is always great, I hate it when skincare lasts all of a month. It never feels like good value for money.

If you’re looking for a serum to hydrate, calm and protect your skin then this Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum would be a good fit for you. Have you tried any French Skincare? Let me know what your must haves are.

Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum 30ml £17.00 available from www.escentual.com 

Products that are marked with an * 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.