My Favourite, Most Effective Spot Treatments!

Hi everyone! Today, I'm going to tell you about my favourite spot treatments. I have suffered with my skin for just over 5 years now, and along the way, I've found a few gems that have given me relief from dreaded spots, so here they are!

Lush's Grease Lightning - £5.65

"This is for those times when something erupts on your face and you just need it gone as soon as possible. Grease Lightning is a clever combination of natural ingredients that attack spots without taking it out on the rest of your skin. We use carrageen moss, a seaweed, to make a clear gel that we base this product on. Seaweed gel is very softening and won't dry out the skin around your spot"

I find Grease Lightning really effective for drying up spots (sorry, TMI!) without drying the surrounding skin too much. It is particularly effective for whiteheads for this exact reason. I used to have quite a lot of congestion on my forehead, and this cleared it right up within a week! The bottle lasts forever as well, it is fantastic value for money.



Nixoderm - 99p

"Nixoderm For Skin Problems Cream 15g is for all types of skin infections.

Eczema, Pimples, blemishes, rash, Athlete's foot, Ringworm, scaling skin due to external irritation."

This is a recent discovery for me, after a few bloggers mentioned it. It is very strong though, so I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive skin. The scent is also very strong, so keep it well away from the eye area, as it can cause your eyes to water a little! Again, this is very effective at drying out spots.

Avene Triacneal - £22.50

"Triacneal is a non-greasy emulsion which helps to eliminate severe imperfections. Efectiose enables targeted action on the mediators responsible for the irritation. Glycolic acid, a powerful exfoliant which has a peeling effect upon the surface of the skin. Paraben Free"

This is a star product for under-the-skin spots, which seem to lurk forever and hurt really badly! It dries them right up within a couple of days and also helps to reduce the appearance of acne scarring. A wonder product in my opinion, and the first I have ever come across to completely diminish under-skin spots. It is also yellow in colour due to one of the active ingredients, which I find is fantastic for toning down redness. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil - £6.50

"Apply directly to skin using fingertips or a cotton bud. For facial steaming, add three or four drops to a bowl of hot water. Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and steam for a few minutes."

Most of the time, I don't actually use this as a spot treatment - I add a few drops to a bowl of hot water and steam my face with it. It is fantastic at really detoxifying the skin, and also helps to combat spots. It is also fantastic if you have a cold: the tea tree really unblocks your airways! I do also use this as a spot treatment, however I dilute it a little as it is very strong.

What is your favourite spot treatment?

xxx

Fabulous Freebie: Ren's Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

Hi everyone! Another fantastic freebie from Whats in My Handbag to let you all know about this evening! This weeks try comes from Ren, a fantastic skincare company producing natural, paraben free products. WIMH are giving you the chance to win a 15ml deluxe trial size of Ren's Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask, which has an RRP of £30! As far as I'm aware, they have several to giveaway, so there's a great chance of picking up one, absolutely free of charge!

The mask is a firm favourite of Model Lisa Snodin, who says: "I call this my red carpet facial - I do it before events and parties for an instant glow. It's quick, leaves my skin looking radiant, plup and firm, smoothes out imperfections and has also helped to lighten areas that suffer from hyper-pigmentation"

Sounds amazing, right? This is by far my favourite Try to date, and I've already signed up so fingers crossed! If you would like to enter (come on, who wouldn't want to?!), sign up here and then click the "Try" tab.

Have you ever tried any of Ren's products?   

xxx

Caudalie Beauty Elixir - Worth the Hype?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you'll have seen rave reviews left, right and centre on Caudalie's Beauty Elixir. I've always been a little sceptical about toners - to me, they're just a bottle of water with a few fragrances chucked in for good measure, and I've never really seen an improvement in my skin from using them.

However, I really am intrigued by this little bottle of goodness. The elixir claims to smooth, tighten pores and provide an instant burst of radiance to the complexion with extracts of grape essential oil, rosemary, orange blossom, myrrh, mint and rose. This sounds perfect for summer, however, it doesn't come cheap: a tiny 30ml bottle will set you back just under £10 and the 100ml full size is £28.80!

Have you jumped on the Caudalie Band wagon? I really am on-the-fence with this one, so if you have tried it, drop me a comment. I'd also be interested to know if it has any noticeable effect on spots, so let me know!

xxx

Liz Earle 30ml Cleanse and Polish for Just £3!

If you missed out on Red Magazine's free Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, this is the perfect opportunity to try the Cult product! Head on over to Latest in Beauty where you can add the 30ml Cleanser with Muslin Cloth to your basket. Furthermore, enter the code FREERAIN at the checkout to receive free postage! If you'd like to try this then hurry, I doubt it will be around for long. I have just ordered mine!

Have you tried the Cleanse and Polish?

xxx

What's in my Handbag Giveaway!

Hi everyone! If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll have seen my post on a site called Whats in My Handbag. It is basically a collection of "Whats in my Handbag" photos, and you can also see where to purchase the contents, and maybe even win them! They run weekly giveaways, and I was lucky enough to win one! I was so excited when turned up on my doorstep this afternoon...

I am in love with their gorgeous packaging and attention to detail!

As my prize, I received:

.Miller Harris Citron Citron Eau de Parfum 1.6ml

"The essence of citrus with all the bright, clean freshness that suggests. A vibrant spritz of Sicillian lemon, Spanish orange and Jamaican lime are given spin by cool mint and basil, while complex base of green moss, Moroccan cedar and cardamom provide a lasting background"

.Miller Harris Citron Citron Body Lotion - 35ml

These smell gorgeous and I am so grateful and thankful of Whats in my Handbag for choosing me as the winner! If you'd like to join the Whats in my Handbag site (which I highly recommend, it is amazing!), click here. Once you're signed up, you can sign up for the weekly giveaways by clicking the "Try" button.

Have you signed up to the Whats in my Handbag site?

xxx

Exfoliators: Once you go Chemical, You'll never go back!

My trial of the Avene Cleanance range was my first experience with chemical exfoliators, and I can safely say they are miles better than granular, physical exfoliators. The results I have seen while using a chemical exfoliator have been incredible, and hands down, beats any physical exfoliator I have ever used. The one I'm currently using is Avene's Cleanance K.

"Avene Cleanance K helps reduce spots, blackheads and blemishes. Based on exfoliating AHAs (glycolic and lactic acid) and BHAs (Salicylic acid), Cleanance K has a peeling effect on the surface of the skin"

-Taken from their Website

Chemical exfoliators use acids as opposed to particles to gently exfoliate the skin. They are the best type of exfoliator for spot-prone skin as they minimise irritation - scrubbing at your spots isn't going to do you any favours! I really like Avene's Cleanance K as it combines AHAs and BHAs, but more so, as it actually hydrates the skin, as well as providing the exfoliating action. This makes it perfect for use as an over-night moisturiser and exfoliator in one! 

The texture reminds me of a light moisturiser - it is absorbed by the skin immediately and leaves no tacky residue behind, which is a wonderful feeling on combination/oily skin. Come morning, my skin is left feeling amazingly soft and moisturised, and it literally glows! It has dramatically reduced the appearance of my post-acne scars, and helps to refine dilated pores. The Cleanance K retails for £10.50 for 40ml and can be purchased here. I can see the bottle lasting quite a while as I've used it for a month and it's no way near empty yet!

Following my experience with Avene's Cleanance K, I would love to try other chemical exfoliators in the future. Here are a few which have recently caught my attention:

Alpha H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid - £31.50 for 100ml

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid - £21.50 for 120ml

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant with Fruit Enzymes - £38.50 for 75g

Have you ever tried a Chemical Exfoliator? Do you have a favourite?

xxx

Fabulous Freebie: Murad Age Reform Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30 (Worth £39!)

Hi everyone! I have another fantastic freebie offer from Lookfantastic to tell you about today! Purchase any Murad item (excluding Travel/sample sizes) from their site and get a free full sized Murad Age Reform Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30 (Worth £39!)

"Worth £39, the Murad Age Reform Perfecting Day Cream with SPF 30 is your free gift when you buy any Murad product*. Moisturising your skin on contact, Murad Age Reform Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30 is a luxuriously rich cream that provides maximum hydration and sun protection, whilst restoring suppleness and delivering powerful antioxidants. *Please note: This offer excludes Murad Trial Sizes."

Murad offer several ranges (click here for a list), catering for all skin types - from blemish prone to ageing, there really is something for everyone! The cheapest item is just £13 (click here) and shipping is free! If you like Murad, grab this bargain quick as I doubt it'll be around for long!

Have you ever tried anything from Murad?

xxx

Fantastic Offer Alert: 50% off all Naked Products!

To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, all items on Naked's website are half price! This offer lasts all weekend, or until stocks last. Just enter "JUBILEE50" at the checkout! I would definitely advise you all to check out this fantastic offer, as Naked's products are great!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xxx