Even though it's already spring, it hasn't been that warm yet (it actually snowed today, though I missed it as I was in the shower ha!). So here is a more wintry outfit from a couple of weeks ago, wearing my first thrifted coat ever: a super warm, genuine suede and sheepskin coat which was an absolute bargain from Vinted.
xo
You know how I am a big fan of affordable skincare, so today I am bringing you a dupe for a popular Vitamin C serum.
The La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum contains, as the name suggests, 10% Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbic Acid. It also contains salicylic acid to help further brighten while exfoliating, plus neurosensine, which is a soothing peptide to prevent irritation from the active ingredients.
The Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains a more stable 3.5% vitamin C derivative in the form of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, plus a couple of brightening citrus extracts. It also includes salicylic acid, just like the LRP version, however instead of neurosensine it uses Niacinamide, know for its soothing and brightening properties.
Both products are owned by L'Oréal but one retails for £38 and the other £12, which is less than 1/3 of the La Roche-Posay one.
Have you tried any of these serums?
xo
After a couple of years going hardcore on high strength active ingredients and over exfoliating which damaged many skin barriers (including mine), the future of skincare is looking less harsh and much more soothing, so here are my top 3 Skincare Trend Predictions for the foreseeable future:
1. Ceramides: after all that exfoliating we need to bring back nourishment to the skin.
2. Probiotics: a gentle and non-drying way of dealing with breakouts is balancing the microbiome.
3. Low strength active ingredients: prepare to see lower percentages of actives and kinder exfoliants such as PHA everywhere!
If you are looking to try out any of these trends (which I'm loving!), then here are a couple of products that are also on my wishlist:
Naturally Radiant Glow Facial Tonic: with probiotics plus Gluconolactone to gently exfoliate.
BYOMA Clarifying Serum: with ceramides and PHA to prevent breakouts without drying.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Fluide: this new formula now has soothing probiotics.
Will you be trying out any of these ingredients?
xo
Near the end of January I was kindly sent the new Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum, which is the newest release by Lancôme and is designed in a triple chamber bottle to maintain each formula fresh until application.
The components of the Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum are Hyaluronic acid to help plump the skin, Vitamin C + Niacinamide to brighten and reduce pigmentation; and Ferulic Acid, an antioxidant to reduce free radical damage.
After having tried this serum for 8 weeks (using it morning and night during the first 4) I feel confident enough to write about it.
The main benefits mentioned on the Lancôme website are that skin feels and looks firmer, plus the look of wrinkles and dark spots appear reduced.
While I don't suffer from deep wrinkles or lack of firmness to my skin, I do have some pigmentation, including a dark spot and did notice that it was reduced. It does help moisturise the skin and leaves it feeling very soft, which I liked. It also helped improved the look of texture on my skin and reduced redness significantly. However, these last two effects were not permanent and continuous use is needed to maintain them.
What I didn't love about the Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum was that it is strongly scented, although I got used with time but this might be off-putting for some. Also the packaging is plastic, which is disappointing considering the price of the serum and that the Genifique ones from the same brand come in glass bottles.
While the bottle is designed to maintain the freshness of the formula, I felt that having to mix it myself using my fingers might not be as efficacious as a formula that comes already integrated, which could lead to patchy application of active ingredients in some areas.
All in all, it is a good serum that can help improve the look of texture, redness and pigmentation. While I do feel like there are many alternatives out there that won't break the bank, if you are looking to treat yourself or a special someone then this would be an option to consider.
Find the Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum with 25% off at Look Fantastic.
xo
You can now watch a new mini haul video with my latest YesStyle buys:
Jumiso Patches ❤ Laka Lip Balm ❤ Soon+ Skincare ❤ Etude Centella Set ❤ Gudetama Eraser ❤ Note Pad
Everything you see in this video was free (including delivery) using points, free gift of the day, a giveaway win and sponsored product of the month.
If you would like to receive a free sponsored product from YesStyle every month, join their Influencer Program.
And remember to use code NAV2019 on your next order for an extra discount!
xo
A couple of months ago I purchased the Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser, motivated by the dry and tight skin feeling I have been experiencing as of late.
The Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser contains Niacinamide and Ceramides and is designed to gently cleanse while hydrating the skin, leaving it smoother and softer. It is suitable for normal to dry skin, and can be used daily on face and body.
This cleanser is very easy to use, just dispense a small amount and massage it onto wet skin, then rinse off with warm water. The Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser does not lather but after rinsing my skin does feel clean and soft; it has a cream consistency and is perfume free, however the smell of it reminded me of ballpoint pen ink when I first started using it.
As you only need a small amount it will last a really long time - I've been using it for nearly 2 months, morning and night and have only used less than 1/3 of the product.
I would definitely recommend the Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser if you are looking for a non-foaming cleanser with ceramides that won't dry skin out and is also affordable.
Find the Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser at Superdrug.
Have you tried this cleanser?
xo
I have been thinking about featuring a new section on the blog where I share dupes for popular or higher end skincare products. I do love a bargain and believe that most of the time it's not necessary to spend a lot of money for a product that will achieve results as good as an expensive one.
Recently I was made aware that a new L'Oréal product has pretty much the same ingredients as the SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleanser.
L'Oréal Paris recently launched a glycolic acid range, including a 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser, which has an almost identical formula to the SkinCeuticals version:
L’Oreal Paris 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser
Aqua / Water, Coco-betaine, Propylene Glycol, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Disteareth-100 Ipdi, Parfum / Fragrance, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium Edta, Linalool, Steareth-100, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate (f.i.l. C274108/1).
Blemish + Age Cleanser
Aqua/Water, Coco-Betaine, Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Disteareth-100 IPDI, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Steareth-100, FIL D42553/1
The main difference seems to be that the L'Oréal Paris cleanser contains Aloe Leaf Juice and the SkinCeuticals one has no perfume and uses parabens as preservatives.
Find Blemish + Age Cleanser at SkinCeuticals, and the L’Oreal Paris Resurfacing Gel Wash at Feel Unique.
What do you think of this new section? Do you enjoy discovering money-saving dupes?
xo
Back in December I bought this new pair of boots from Hotter, which even though they do have a bit of a heel, they're actually very comfortable. I love the snakeskin effect and the neutral colourway means they go with pretty much anything. The Uniqlo jumper was a Christmas gift from Dotcito and the coat I got for my birthday last year.
xo
Recently the boom of skincare with actives in high concentrations has lead to impaired skin barriers (read redness, dryness and irritation) on many people, including myself! Cue the rise of gentle and repairing skincare, which I predict will become very popular this year.
A couple of days ago I found out about this new skincare brand called Byoma, which aims to boost the skin's barrier to achieve balanced and brighter skin without the use of stripping, high-strength actives and repair any damage done by said actives.
All of the Byoma products contain a proprietary Tri-Ceramide Complex with the 3-1-1 golden ratio of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, which is key to optimum barrier repair; plus other ingredients such as Niacinamide, PHA, Green Tea, Liquorice and Probiotics for extra soothing properties and a healthy glow.
Above are the products I would love to try from Byoma, including the Creamy Jelly Cleanser, Balancing Face Mist, Clarifying Serum, Moisturising Gel Cream, or even the So Clear Set for a start.
Find the full BYOMA range at Cult Beauty.
xo
