Inspirations have I none

3.8.21

Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator

A few months back I purchased the Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator as I was in need of a new exfoliating toner.

The Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator contains Glycolic, Lactic, Citric, Malic and Salicylic acids, plus Pumpkin and Papaya enzymes to lightly exfoliate the skin. This toner is formulated to a pH suitable for blemish prone skin.

The instructions mention to apply it to the face and neck morning and night after cleansing, and the name implies that it can be used every day, however since my recent over-exfoliating disaster I am too scared to use it daily so have been using it for the extreme amount of... once a week.

As retinol is also in my routine a couple of nights a week and don't want to over-exfoliate ever again, I've been using this once a week and right now it feels like just the right amount.

Even though the Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator contains 5 different types of exfoliating acids, plus 2 fruit enzymes it does not dry out my skin thanks to glycerin, which is the second ingredient in the formulation.

The toner does not contain any added fragrance, and it also features soothing Aloe leaf juice to prevent irritation, so I think it would be suitable for dry and even sensitive skin.

As mentioned, I've only been using it once a week, however I can always feel a difference the next day: my skin feels much softer and smoother, and the best part is that any imperfections get significantly reduced to the point of being almost gone by the morning.

I would definitely recommend the Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator if you are looking for a gentle but effective chemical exfoliant that is non-drying.

Find the Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator in Lloyds Pharmacy, Superdrug and Ocado.

29.7.21

Summer Skincare Wishlist

My actual wish list is much larger than the couple of items pictured above, but these would be a nice start!

My skin has been feeling dehydrated which is very different to the oily skin I was used to and grew up with. It can get tight, a bit red, dry and uncomfortable so I'm on the lookout for gentle exfoliants, non-drying cleansers and lightweight moisturisers.

Farm Stay Dermacube Probiotics Therapy Toner: with salicylic and glycolic acids, as well as vitamins, and fermented complex to hydrate, brighten and reduce fine lines.

Pyunkang Yul Black Tea Time Reverse Eye Cream: a nourishing eye cream with macadamia oil and shea butter, plus ceramides, peptides and centella asiatica, for softer a and smoother undereye. Oh and an adorable metallic box that I would definitely repurpose for stationery ha!

Garnier Micellar Gel Face Wash Sensitive Skin: with a very similar formula to the Cetaphil cleanser for oily skin, this fragrance free gentle cleanser contains glycerin to avoid drying out the skin.

RNW DER. CONCENTRATE Ceramide Plus: a serum with niacinamide, oat extract, 5 types of ceramides and 8 types of peptides for smoother, softer skin.

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glow Serum: after using the Booster version of this product, I'm looking for something a bit more moisturising and this prebiotic serum has a lotion consistency that sounds great. With Pentavitin (or Saccharide Isomerate) to moisturise the skin.

blanc doux Prebiotic-Cera Liquid: contains mango seed butter, glycerin, 5 types of ceramides, prebiotics and soothing dandelion and frankincense in a lightweight moisturising toner formula.

B. Pure Micellar Oil: an oil-to-milk cleanser with vitamin C and E to help dissolve mineral sunscreen at the end of the day and provide gentle exfoliation.

Have you tried any of these products?

27.7.21

Summer Skincare Routine 2021

Haven't done a skincare routine post in ages (over 4 years if you are curious) and I feel like it is a good thing to have my routine documented as it gives me insight on what products are working for me if I ever need to go back to something I know will be good for my skin. It is also nice to look back and remember what my routine was like and see the evolution of my product preferences.

At the moment I'm at a point where I want products to be effective but gentle, moisturising and lightweight at the same time, as I feel that a gentle approach can be so beneficial for problem skin and sometimes breakouts can be caused by a damaged skin barrier and dryness, which harsh products and exfoliants can provoke, so currently working towards a more eastern-style approach to my skincare routine.

Morning routine:

Garnier Organic Lemongrass Detox Gel Wash: a gentle cleanser with glycerin that leaves my skin soft (full review here).

HaruHaru WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner: it hydrates, helps the following products to apply more easily and is high in antioxidants (full review here).

Naturally Radiant Glow Skin Perfecting Booster: a redness soothing, microbiome balancing serum that also moisturises the skin (full review here).

SNP mini Eye & Facial Nourishing Cream: a lightweight moisturiser with niacinamide, ceramide and peptides for softer, soothed skin (full review here).

Simple Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30: moisturises well and uses a mix of chemical and mineral filters. Sadly this is now discontinued but I've got their new vitamin C version as a backup.

Night routine:

I have been using the same cleanser, toner, eye cream and serum (not pictured) morning and night, however I switch it up for a moisturiser and added an extra serum.

KLAVUU The Origin Deep Ocean Gel Comforter: a lightweight hydrating gel with glycerin, panthenol and seaweed extracts in a giant 70ml pot (full review here).

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5: a hydrating serum with soothing panthenol to lightly moisturise the skin. I apply it last to avoid any redness or stinging (full review here).

Extras:

Garnier Micellar Rose Water: if I've been wearing makeup or need to pre-cleanse to remove mineral sunscreen I will use this (full review here).

Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator: once a week I will use this toner to exfoliate my skin. Haven't fully reviewed it yet but I am really liking it so far after only 3 uses!

The Inkey List Retinol Serum: twice a week I will apply this serum all over my face after cleansing and under the Naturally Radiant Glow Serum and Klavuu moisturiser. Haven't reviewed it in full as it can take a while to see results.

Cien Tropical Summer Mango Face Mask: a fruit enzyme brightening and smoothing mask that I've been using once a week (full review here).

Sanctuary Spa Charcoal Detox Mask: a warming clay mask that doesn't dry out the skin. I have been using it once a week (full review here).

Do you currently use any of these products?

22.7.21

All Used Up #10

Welcome to another edition of All Used Up! With 50% shower products as I like to use different ones each day to change it up ha.

Elysium Spa Dead Sea Salt Bath & Shower Gel: I really love the fresh citrus scent of this product, it cleanses my skin well without leaving any residue or build up, plus the glycerin makes my skin very soft and supple. As well as Sea Salt it also contains Magnesium Sulphate or Epsom Salts which I enjoy using. I got this for Christmas but it is super affordable and I'll definitely get some more.

Nivea Shower Mousse in Frozen Berry: It produced a nice-consistency mousse, gently cleansed and moisturised the skin leaving it soft thanks to glycerin, hydrolized silk and castor oil. It has a sweet, powdery fragrance and I like that it could also be used for shaving. I believe this product has now been discontinued now but there are other shower mousse options available.

Dove Pomegranate & Hibiscus Tea Body Wash: a very creamy shower product that lightly cleanses and softens the skin. I like Dove products but I feel like they do leave a build up of product on the skin with continuous use, which is why I like to alternate with other brands. I liked the fruity scent that reminds me of berry yogurt.

Garnier Moisture Bomb Multi Protecting Hydrating Mist: Suitable for dehydrated skin with moisturising glycerin, antioxidant vitamin C and pomegranate, and hyaluronic acid. It is a great product to use on the go or to reapply sunscreen over makeup. Sometimes it takes me ages to finish a product and I think this one has also been discontinued but Garnier have come out with a dupe for the La Roche-Posay SPF Face Mist.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: a very gentle, skin softening cleanser. I think this is ideal for oily or combination skin and for summer mornings as you don't go to bed with thick moisturisers which might be a bit hard to wash off using this cleanser as it is quite mild. Did not irritate my skin thanks to its soothing Aloe, Cucumber and Rose Extracts, and left my skin very soft because of Soybean, Sunflower and Borage seed oils. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used on face and eyes. I would definitely have it again.

Lacura ProRevive Hand Cream: it is a light but moisturising hand cream as it contains Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Beeswax and Vitamin E. I love that it has both UVB and UVA filters which protects from burning and ageing, it also forms a protective film that prevented my hands from drying out when washing them. The tube contains a whopping 125 ml which has lasted me ages. I believe it might be a dupe for the Dove Pro Age Hand Cream. I received this as a gift one Christmas as well and it is from Aldi so it will be affordable and I would definitely buy this.