MINI REVIEW- YOUR GOOD SKIN "BALANCING SKIN CONCENTRATE"

Before I give my two sense about the brand here if some information that I've taken from their website:

"Your Good Skin is a brand new skincare range developed by a team of leading dermatologists to restore your skin’s natural balance. Powered by a unique antioxidant complex of Green Tea and Vitamin C, it gently works to visibly improve the health of your skin in just 28 days of its natural cycle. And by health we mean oiliness, dryness, texture, tone and radiance. Everyday concerns that can affect us all. Your Good Skin then goes on to maintain this healthy appearance for the long term, so your skin keeps up as you move through life.

But what really sets Your Good Skin apart is that it was co-created by a community of thousands of women. Women just like you, who share the same skincare issues and worries. And who want products that really work for them whatever their age, colour or skin type.

Over two years, they openly shared their stories and experiences with us, and each other, of how their skin behaved. Not just on the good days, but on the bad days too. They told us what they liked and what they didn’t and it was this constant conversation that helped shape the Your Good Skin brand so that our team of expert dermatologists could create the perfect range of skincare that answered the needs of real women with real concerns."

Products from the brand are available online @ https://www.yourgoodskin.com/uk or its available exclusively @ Boots (instore and online). I think the brand is in most large boots retailers, down the skincare aisle. If you follow me on instagram (thebeautygodzilla) you will also know that I picked up the Blemish Clearing Anti-Blemish Base Lotion however thats a review for another time. 

I've been using this every night since I bought it back in January.  The advise is to "dispense two pumps into the palm of your hand. Dot across your cheeks, chin & forehead & gently blend together" and to do this morning and evening. However, due to my current routine I just use it nightly. 

This treatment aims to "restores & maintains skin's natural balance. Designed to improve the 5 key signs of healthy looking skin; skin texture, skin tone evenness, radiance, moisture levels & oiliness" . I'm about 2/3 of the way through using this product so feel like i've given it enough time in order to give a thorough review. 

Lets start with the packaging. The product is housed in an air tight plastic pump dispenser with a view finder down the side of the bottle. So you can a) see how much product you have left b) automatically get every last drop of the serum out. Its slightly bulky to travel around with but its an A* from me. 

The juice inside is pretty good too. Ingredients include: Bisabolol, Green tea , Japanese Lily Turf, Lipochroman, Sphinganine, Vitamin C (Ascorbyl glucoside) and Vitamin E all which has helped hydrate, calm and even out my skin tone. My skin was really flaky, rough and inflamed before I used this serum, but now I feel more confident without wearing make up knowing that my pigmentation issues are being addressed. Don't get me wrong- this is not an over night fix. You need to be committed to this product in order to see results, and I'm glad I have. It has helped my skin massively and I feel like this is the healthiest it has been in a long time.   I personally would class this as a "serum" but it's not a fluid watery texture. This serum is a white cream, and typically goes on 2nd to last in my night time routine (just before my thicker occlusive hydrating cream). Everything about this product ticks all the boxes...apart from the inclusion of dimethicone which typically gives this serum a silicone finish. It hasn't caused any of my products to pilli however it's just something people should be aware of when thinking about purchasing this. 

I've really enjoyed using this and for £12 it's a very affordable serum, and is something I would repurchase. However, I feel like the effect of this serum has plateaued. Therefore, once i've finished this bottle I'm going to take a break from this product and try something new. I've got my eye on another serum to tackle my pigmentation but I'm trying to not hoard skincare items. Has anyone else tried this? What did you think? Or will you go and pick this up for yourself? 

REVIEW: BOTANICS CLEANSING BALM

I thought I'd give my opinion on the Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm- originally it was priced around £8.00.

Caroline Hirons had previously done a review if people wanna check it out. Available via Google.

Few details about the product:

This deep-cleansing balm contains a luxurious blend of Shea Butter, Rosehip and Jojoba Oil to leave skin smooth, soft and clean. The gentle polishing action of the muslin cloth helps remove dirt, revealing a beautiful radiant complexion.

Active plant extract, Rosehip, is a rich source of Omega oils, which help improve suppleness and keep skin soft and healthy looking.

How its been advised to be used:

Massage balm over face and neck. Soak the cloth in warm water and use as a gentle compress to draw out impurities. Remove remaining balm. Finish by soaking the cloth in cold water and press gently over face to close pores. Use morning and night.

How i've been using it:

• Removing makeup.
• First cleanse.

What's good:

• Works well at removing eye make up & doesn't irritate my eyes.
• Nice gentle cleanse. 
• Decent amount of product for the price (2.3 fl oz).
• Organic approved ingredients.

Something's that aren't so good:

• It does leave a waxy/oily residue on my skin therefore I would want to go in with another cleanser to remove this film.
• Contains shea butter which hasn't shown to irritate my skin but I wouldn't want to chance it, hence 2nd cleanse after, people who don't approve of shea butter would probably want to avoid this cleanser.
• It doesn't emulsify (which I like in a cleanser).
• I've also found that because muslin cloths don't retain heat as efficiently,  the compress doesn't melt the oils as well as a flannel would. So I would suggest flanneling off.

To summerise, good affordable cleaning balm. Would be best as a make up remover or first cleanse with a flannel as a compress to remove the residue. Avoid if you don't want to put shea butter on your face. It has minimal contact time on mine as I wash it off immediately so I don't mind it.

Already have a back up. 

REVIEW: GARNIER MOISTURE BOMB TISSUE MASK

The Garnier Skinactive Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask

RPR: £1.49 (currently £0.99 online at http://www.boots.com/en/Garnier-Moisture-Bomb-Tissue-Mask_1864094/ )

"Super-hydrating revitalising mask for dehydrated skin. Intensely rehydrates skin, reduces the look of fine lines, and revives radiance. Enriched with pomegranate extract, hyaluronic acid, and plant serum. "

"This super hydrating tissue mask, inspired by Asia, diffuses the equivalent level of hydrating serum as per 1 week's use of day care.* Truly innovative, its ultra-thin tissue is infused with a super-hydrating serum. Unmask smoother, bouncier, healthier looking skin in just 15 minutes. Applied to the face, it acts like a hydration wrap that continuously diffuses all the effectiveness of the serum intensely hydrating your skin. Its amazing freshness quenches and comforts skin instantly, for a pure moment of absolute pampering. The mask is easy to apply and remove. Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive. "

* I have normal-oily combination skin that isn't prone to breakouts unless under stress or during PMT. I do have pigmentation issues and would class my skin as dehydrated as I don't drink nearly enough water! Also, being only 20 years old I wouldn't say I've started the ageing process so don't have any fine lines, touch wood.*

Application

When you open the packet the mask is wrapped within a protective blue layer (don't ask me why...incase it rips? within the packaging? hmm). You place the mask side on your face and then peel off the protective layer and sit with the mask on for approx 15 mins. 

How I applied it...

What I found was that the protective layer made applying the mask quite a bit more difficult than it should do! It doesn't give the mask a lot of give so I ended up removing it and then rearranging the mask to suit my face. Once on, the mask adheres to your face and you don't get that uncomfortable slipping. I was able to get up and walk around with it on.

I don't particularly think that my face is big and in the past sheet masks have come up quite large on me, however this one was quite long and came up short width ways. So it miss the sides of my face by a few centimetres. It didn't bother me but I know a snug fit is important to some readers. It was also quite gappy around my nose! I left it on for 30 mins, and didn't apply moisturiser after, just a lip balm.

After 30 mins my skin had absorbed a lot of the serum and the sheet was 75% less saturated. There was a bit of product left in the packaging so I applied this to my neck and décolletage (little tip there). When I had removed the mask there was still excess serum which I rubbed in and left to be absorbed. 

Final opinion

The serum was absorbed beautifully into my skin. 

I woke up this morning with plumped skin and lips! I don't have sensitive skin so had no reaction. I much prefer this to my £5 sheet masks from another brand. My face so so smooth and I found that my oil production was reduced this morning, always a bonus. If only Garnier came out with a brightening mask! I'd be straight there. A definite repurchase especially at the price its selling for at the moment. I can imagine this being my saviour at times of need/when i'm hungover, and during winter with the sudden drop in temperature.

SKINCARE SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES

I'm back again with my monthly skincare favs! I've been very good with make up and skincare recently and haven't purchased anything new (apart from cotton pads), and because i've been using up my stash I haven't been switching between items so frequently. However, I have got 2 products to talk about:

1. Clearasil Rapid Action Pads (£5.89)- it claims to visibly reduces spot size and redness within 4 hours...and I completely agree. The pads are able to exfoliate to help clear spots and unclog your pores to reduce the chance of further breakouts. I typically reach for this when its the time of the month or if I'm having a stressful few weeks and I'm just breaking out for the fun of it. The main ingredient is alcohol which will put a few people off, however if you follow through with a hydrating serum, toner or moisturiser your skin will not dry out. Furthermore, it contains salicylic acid which is great for achne/blemish prone skin. I haven't experienced my skin drying and I have a combo complexion. Massive thumbs up from me, I feel it's a product I will always have "just incase".

2. Botanics Hydrating Cleanser (£5.99-currently £4 online @Boots)- it doesn't make many claims other than being a hydrating cleanser that removes excess dirt an oil, which it does so nicely. It a gel that transforms into a milky constancy once water is applied. I had this in my stash for so long and gave it a couple of goes but didn't find it very spectacular compared to other cleansers that I was trailing at the time. That was until my lovely friend over on instagram (@lucydorling1980) mentioned she had purchased it and was loving it, so I thought I'd give it another go. I think I found it particularly hard to get on with in the beginning because i'd apply the gel to my skin and then find myself pulling at my face trying to distribute the cleanser, and EVERYONE knows that it's never good to be tugging at your face. However, I find now if I heat up the product in my hands for about 30 secs then apply it to my face it turns into more of a cleansing oil and then glides seamlessly onto my face. The cleanser is actually very good and definitely doesn't leave my face feeling stripped or tight! However, my other bug bare (which I'm sure Ive mentioned before) is the packaging. The gel is too thick to be squeezed out of the bottle! I'm probably just over half way and already struggling to get the product out... I don't know what to do? Its kept at room temp so there is no way its solidifying. Personally, Boots or Botanics if you're reading this, please make the packaging more user friendly. For now I'll look past this flaw as the product is very much agreeing with my skin. 

If anyone has tried these products and have had similar or differing experiences please let me know. 

Shannon xxx

REVIEW: Superdrug Clearly Youthful Triple Action Cleasner, Mask and Scrub!

Hi Guys

It's me again, back at it with a review. SPOILER- it's a positive one. 

I picked up the Superdrug's Triple Action Cleasner, Mask and Scrub from their Clearly Youthful range way back when I was at uni (April/May) for £2.99, which in my mind is an absolute steal for a triple action product containing AHA's. Along side it I also purchased their AHA Cream Cleanser for £3.69 (again completely inexpensive), however in hind sight I probably didn't need this as A) cream cleansers aren't really my "go too" products and B) the triple action product is all you really need for travelling/day to day use as it can be used for other things hence why I've been reaching for it more. 

Anyway, back to the review, it contains vitamin E, lactic acid and salicylic acid. Therefore, in theory should exfoliate, nourish and prevent the outbreak of blemishes (which it absolutely does). Also, I've noticed that the condition of my skin has improved considerably, it resurfaces my skin giving it a smoother appearance/texture and my skin appears brighter. It's not something I use daily it's used more as a treatment once or twice a week. It came with me on holiday and really helped control my skin by keeping it as normal as possible whilst I abused my body consuming far to much alcohol.

I'd say initially I used it more as a mask. My first time using it I could only keep it on my face for about 3 mins maximum as my skin didn't tolerate the AHA's too well. Since then my skin has become used to it and I leave it on for about 10 mins and honestly in the morning I feel re-born. Baby skin would spring to mind. 

I then started to use it as a scrub, and I've put it up there with my St Ives Apricot Face Scrub (my holy grail). I thought because it's a cream it wouldn't be abrasive enough, I was wrong. There is enough microbeads in this product to really disturb your dead skin cells, and it doesn't leave a greasy film on your face after rinsing.

As a cleanser it's good, it's your standard AHA cream cleaner. It's probably more of a milder treatment for your skin in this form, so it's completely acceptable to use daily if you chose to. I think my skin could handle it daily for a bit but then start to become super sensitive and dry so i'd have to really be strict on moisturising and using SPF. Also, I have Superdrug's cream cleanser like I mentioned earlier, so if I want to use a cream cleaner on a particular day I try and use that product. Purely because if I don't i'll have it lying around forever. 

Conclusion: the Triple Action Cleasner, Mask and Scrub would be a really great affordable addition to anyones skincare line up. It's working for me and 100% I will be repurchasing it if I ever get through it. 


Let me know if you've tried it and had similar or different results. 

Shannon xxx