Banishing the Blemishes #002 - Ren Clearcalm

Part 2 of my Banishing the Blemishes series comes from a natural skincare company called Ren. Again, having heard amazing things about Ren all over the blogosphere, I was so excited to be able to try out the Clearcalm range. Ren pride theirselves in producing products free from synthetic fragrance/colour, PEGS, parabens and propylene glycol. 

I received the Clearcalm range to try out, best suited to blemish-prone skin. The set compromises of cleanser, mask, moisturiser and night serum. Unfortunatley, the day moisturiser has been discontinued, but the tzone balancing fluid is a fanatstic substitute.

Clearcalm Clay Cleanser - £18/150ml

This cleanser is unlike anything I've ever used before, it is clay-based, so has quite a firm consistency, very similar to the mask. It is full of gorgeous natural ingredients such as french clay, salicilin and mayblossom to deep cleanse and detoxify the skin. I really like this cleanser, I feel it really calms down my skin and also any angry blemishes I may have. It is quite hard to remove on its own, due to the clay-base, so I like to use a warm muslin to remove, in the same way you would a hot cloth cleanser. I have already ordered the full size version of this, and would highly recommend it if you currently enjoy using a hot cloth cleanser, but maybe your skin is acting up a little.

Clearcalm Clarity Restoring Mask - £30/50ml

This mask is fantastic, the real star of the range. In conjunction with the cleanser, it works wonders. It contains very similar ingredients to the cleanser, and does a wonderful job of clearing up any blemishes you may have. It has a very potent scent, but nothing too awful - I can definitely ignore the scent for the results it gives! I only apply the mask to areas where I have an active breakout, because it is very concentrated and can be a little drying. I think I've hit a winner here! I even apply it to individual under-the-skin spots as it does a great job of drawing them to a head. I am counting down the days until payday, when I can indulge in the full size!

T-zone Balancing Day Fluid - £26/50ml

This moisturiser really lives up to its name. This lavender scented gel contains an exotic mix of essential oils to mattify and balance the skin, as well as protecting the skin from free radicals. This would be the perfect moisturiser for combination skin had it contained some SPF. I always use SPF during the day, so was a little disappointed at this. For this reason, I like to apply a moisturiser with SPF after, which also gives me a little more moisture for the colder months. Nevertheless, it is a great mattifying moisturiser and keeps me shine free (almost) all day.

Clearcalm Replenishing Night Serum - £22/50ml

The serum-gel hybrid contains licorice to reduce sebum production and lingonberry extract to correct hyperpigmentation. It feels extremely light and comfortable on the skin, and is absorbed by the skin almost immediately. I can't really comment on hyperpigmentation, because if something drastically improved hyperpigmentation in 2 weeks, it would be a miracle worker. However, when applying this, I wake up with super soft and glowing skin, almost as if I've applied a liquid exfoliator such as Alpha H liquid gold. It's not quite moisturising enough for winter, however, I will definitely be reaching for this gem during the summer months when my skin is an oily mess!

I have thoroughly enjoyed trialing the Ren Clearcalm range, and it definitely contains some gems! As aforementioned, I have already bought the full sized version of the cleanser, and am waiting on payday before I buy the mask! If I had to recommend you one item from the range, it would definitely be the cleanser. I can't see my skincare routine without it, and in the long term, I'm sure it will whip my troublesome skin in to shape.

Have you ever tried anything from Ren?

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

Fabulous Freebie: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish with RED Magazine!

Hi everyone, I hope you all enjoyed the easter break and indulged in plenty of chocolate! Just a quick heads up to let you know that May's Issue of RED Magazine contains a free 30ml tube of the infamous Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and a Muslin Cloth, with retail value of £5.50! This is fantastic if you'd like to try the cleanser, as the magazine is only £3.90! A word of warning, though: I got mine from Sainsbury's, as in some places, the magazines do not contain the freebie (yes, I'm talking about you, Morrisons!), so watch out! Here's what the issue looks like:

"We only make one cleanser because this formulation is the ultimate in concentrated yet gentle cleansing power and works on every age and skin type.

Our plant based cleanser has a two-phase action, phase one is the cleansing. Free from mineral oil, it has a rich and creamy texture and swiftly removes all traces of face and eye make up, even stubborn mascara.Phase two is the polishing. Polish off the cream using the pure muslin cloth to gently dislodge dead skin cells and help reveal clean, soft and radiant skin. Naturally active ingredients include eucalyptus and cocoa butter for smoother, clearer skin. Suitable for all skin types"

-Taken from their Website

In addition to the Liz Earle freebie, there are two samples inside the magazine: an Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup Sachet (Pg. 35) and a Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Sachet (Pg. 194).

As if this wasn't already enough, there are also several pages with perfume samples on! Overall, I would highly recommend picking up this magazine, as you're not only getting a tube of Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish, but numerous samples and a hefty 300 page magazine to keep you busy! All for just £3.90 - a total bargain!

Have you tried Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish? What did you think of it?

xxx

Final Review: Avene Cleanance Range

Hi everyone! Over the past 4 weeks, I've been updating you with my progress with the Avene Cleanance Range. As it's been a month since I started using it, I think it's about time I gave you a full review on the range! Please note: this range is best suited to oily, blemish-prone skin.

The products I was sent to try: Soapless Cleanser, Purifying Toner, Anti-shine Regulating Lotion, and Exfoliating Hydrating Treatment Gel.

Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser 200ml - £8.25

I have really enjoyed using this cleanser! It is a thick, luxurious-feeling gel which produces a light lather on contact with water. It glides across my skin and leaves it feeling unbelievably smooth and feeling deeply cleansed. It has a fresh, clean scent which isn't too strong - always a plus! It is a little drying, which is nothing a little bit of moisturiser can't fix! However, as a result, it is fantastic at oil control during the day, in combination with the Anti-shine regulating lotion. These two will be a match made in heaven for the summer months, where my skin goes in to oil production overload! I can see this bottle lasting quite a while as I've been using it twice daily for a month and it's just under 3/4 full still! All in all, a perfect cleanser for the summer months, which I shall continue to use! I will however revert back to my Cetaphil Cleanser during the winter months, as it does dry my skin out just a little.

Cleanance Purifying Mattifying Toner 200ml - £8.75

Next up is the toner. Unfortunately, this, in combination with the cleanser was a little too much for my skin. Bearing in mind, the weather was wintery when I started using the range, my skin was a lot drier than normal, and was too dried out by them both. However, I plan to reintroduce it in to my routine during the summer, when my skin is a lot oilier. I will definitely let you know how I get on!

Cleanance Anti-shine Regulating Lotion 40ml - £10.50

I can't sing this gem's praises enough! If the thought of putting moisturiser anywhere near your oily blemish-prone skin makes you cringe, look no further! This lightweight, easily absorbed cream sinks in to the skin beautifully, and aids the healing of old blemishes. It keeps my skin hydrated all day without breaking me out, or leaving my skin like an oil slick a few hours later - a miracle! I actually look forward to applying this moisturiser, as it balances my skin out, and calms everything down unbelievably! It's a pleasure to use, and I would highly recommend it. The star product of the range, in my opinion! I can't wait to have a calm-looking, matte face mid-summer, as long as I'm using this wonder moisturiser!

Cleanance K - Exfoliating Hydrating Treatment 40ml - £10.50

Finally, another wonderful product from this range! This gel , best used as an overnight treatment, combines AHA's (Glycolic & Lactic Acids) with the BHA Salicylic Acid to gently but thoroughly exfoliate and refine the skin. It leaves my skin feeling amazingly soft and literally glowing by the morning! It, in conjunction with the other products, has also reduced the appearance of my post-acne scars, which is fantastic! I feel chemical exfoliatants are miles better for acne-prone skin than granular exfoliants like scrubs, as they are less irritating, and don't scratch the skin to smithereens (St Ives Apricot Scrub, I'm talking about you!) They can also aid healing by stimulating the skin's cells to regenerate. I will definitely continue to use this exfoliator as opposed to my old facial scrub, and I would highly urge anyone with acne-prone skin to try a chemical exfoliator, as they are truly fantastic! 

The range has definitely improved my skin - I have had one tiny (and under-control!) breakout since I started using this range, which is such a joy, compared to my previous 3/4. My oil production has definitely reduced and I haven't had to use oil blotting papers at all this past month! As well as fighting my acne, the range also keeps my skin so calm-looking and reduces redness, which is wonderful. In addition to the products I was sent, I purchased their Hydrance Optimate UV Light SPF 20, which is a holy grail product for me. It is incredible - no word of a lie, it is the first facial SPF I have ever used that hasn't left my skin feeling tacky or looking shiny after a couple of hours. It has a very similar texture to a light moisturiser, and also sinks into the skin extremely quickly. It leaves my skin feeling extremely soft, and also looking matte ALL DAY, yes, all day! I would highly recommend this as a daily SPF for people with troublesome combination/oily skin, especially during the wonderful weather we've been having recently!

If you're looking for a reasonably priced range to sort out your oily blemish prone skin, while totally calming it down, then this range is for you! A big thank you to Avene for giving me the opportunity to try these products. I'm so excited to see my skin getting better day by day! You can purchase the whole range from Boots, E-Chemist, and Escentual.com, where all Avene products are 33% off at the moment!

I hope you've enjoyed the series of updates and reviews I've posted, and they've been somewhat helpful! How do you keep your skin under control during the warmer months?

xxx

Week 3 Update - Avene Cleanance Range

Hello all, time for another update on how I'm getting on with the Avene Cleanance Range I'm currently trialling. I must say I really am enjoying updating you weekly, as it makes me think about the products and their effects much more than I would normally!

Now, down to the update. My skin has remained relatively clear since I've started using the range, with exception to the odd hormonal outbreak. Having said that, I have noticed my spots disappear and heal a lot more quickly while using these products!

 The cleanser is still drying out my skin a little, however, it is nothing a little bit of moisturiser can't fix! It does, however, do a fantastic job at controlling oil for the whole day! I feel it will be perfect for the summer, as my skin is a little more troublesome in the warmer months. I am still really enjoying using the SPF and moisturiser, which I would highly recommend to people who have oily acne-prone skin, and can't find a moisturiser with SPF which doesn't cause outbreaks or oiliness. Big love for that product! Finally, after 3 weeks of using the Cleanance K exfoliating treatment, I really am beginning to see and feel the benefits! My skin appears a lot brighter, smoother, and I think it's reducing the appearance of some light scarring I have developed post-acne, which is fantastic! 

I will be writing my final review next weekend, when I have used the range for a whole month! I look forward to updating you then!

xxx

Week 1 Update - Avene Cleanance Range

Hi everyone, so it's been a week since I started using the Avene Cleanance Range, so it's time for my first update! Just in case you missed my introductory post (link here), I was sent the Cleanance range to review by the lovely Katie at Avene. 

I received the whole range and I must say, I am extremely impressed! Although it is still only early days, I am really happy with the effect the range is having on my skin! The moisturiser doesn't contain SPF, so I purchased their Hydrance Optimale Light SPF 20, which I will also include in the review. I have used all the above products twice daily for the past week, with the exception of the toner. When I first used the range, the cleanser followed by the toner was a little too much for my skin, as it is already a little dry due to the cold weather. However, I hope to re-introduce it to my routine during the summer, when my skin is a lot oilier. So, this is how my routine looks at the moment:

First off, the cleanser. This is an absolute pleasure to use, and even beats my beloved Cetaphil. It is a thick, luxurious-feeling gel which produces a light lather on contact with water. It glides across my skin and leaves it feeling unbelievably smooth (something which Cetaphil didn't!) and feeling deeply cleansed. It has a fresh, clean scent which isn't too strong - always a plus! However, a little warning: keep it away from your mouth as the taste lingers and isn't too pleasant! It does a great job at controlling oil production (in combination with the Emulsion moisturiser) and hasn't broken me out. In addition, it calms down the redness on my skin fantastically and isn't harsh at all. Overall, a fantastic cleanser which I actually look forward to using!

Next up: the Emulsion and SPF 20. The emulsion itself is a very light gel, which vanishes in to the skin immediately, leaving no greasy residue at all. This is too light for me during the day in the winter months, but I'm sure it'll be perfect for the summer, when my skin is an oil-slick by noon. However, I use it underneath the SPF 20, and the combination is fantastic!

The SPF is amazing - no word of a lie, this is the first facial SPF I have ever used that hasn't left my skin feeling tacky or looking shiny after a couple of hours. It has a very similar texture to a light moisturiser, and also sinks into the skin extremely quickly. It leaves my skin feeling extremely soft, and also looking matte ALL DAY, yes, all day! I would highly recommend this as a daily SPF for people with troublesome combination/oily skin.

Finally, the Cleanance K. This is an exfoliating gel which I use as a night cream. I really rate chemical exfoliators - I feel they are perfect for acne-prone skin as they won't shred your skin to death! This product leaves my skin feeling silky-smooth in the morning, and is a pleasure to use. Although I haven't seen any reduction in scars/blackheads/open pores, it is still early days.

Since using this range, I haven't had any new breakouts, so, so far, so good! I feel the range is effective, yet also extremely gentle - which is a must for acne-prone skin. I look forward to continuing to trial this range, and will update you again a week today!

xxx

Avene Cleanance Range: An Introduction

Hi everyone! I've been extremely upset with my skin lately: It feels like I've tried absolutely everything to get my acne under control with no avail. Following reading Jemma @ Bamboozle Beauty Blog's Blemished Skin Series (which you can read HERE), I contacted Avene about their Cleanance range. I was sent the range by the lovely Katie to try, and here's my introductory post on it. I will be updating in a months time with how I get on with it, and I'm extremely excited to start using it tonight! I have taken some photos of my skin before using the range, so hopefully if I see results I'll feel brave enough to post them on here!

I was sent the following products to review:

Cleanance Soapless Cleansing Gel

Cleanance Purifying Lotion Toner

Cleanance Anti Shine Regulating Lotion

Cleanance K Exfoliating Hydrating Treatment

I am so looking forward to testing out these products and letting you know how I get on! Remember to check back next month for my full review!

Have you ever tried this range? What do you think of it?

xxx

The Big Skincare Revolution - Revealed!

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll have seen I reviewed a mystery, unbranded face wash a little while ago (link). Well, the brand of the product has been revealed via The Big Skincare Mystery Facebook page! Without further a due, I give you...

Clearasil's Daily Clear Wash & Mask with Avocado & Pomegranate Extracts!

"A creamy 2 in 1 cleanser that can be used as a daily wash or an indulgent treat when left on the skin as a three-minute mini facial mask. It contains clarifying salicylic acid with a blend of avocado, pomegranate extracts and vitamin E known to nourish the skin, so it’s extra gentle but strong enough to clear away impurities. 150ml for £4.99"

-Taken from their Facebook Page

I assumed the product would be made by a company along the lines of Clearasil/Clean and Clear/Neutrogena, so no huge surprises for me. Although, I must say I am really surprised with the packaging! It looks really neat, "grown-up" and attractive, which is a definite positive.You can read my review on it here, I was definitely impressed with it, and would recommend it! I think the PR for this product was a fantastic idea, and would love to participate in one of these mystery trials again in the near future!

What do you think of the new product? Are you going to try it out now it's been released?

xxx

The Big Skincare Mystery - Review

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a free sample of an unbranded facial wash/mask. Intrigued, I trotted over to their Facebook page and ordered myself one. On Friday morning, a 3ml sample sachet arrived, and I'm going to let you know my thoughts on it.

"Wash & mask cleanser. As a wash, wet face and squeeze a small amount into hands. Massage gently on to face avoiding the delicate eye area. Rise thoroughly and gently pat dry. For best results, use twice daily. As a mask, use up to 3 times per week. Apply to wet face. Leave on for up to 3 minutes and rinse off"

My first impressions of this mask were ok. The smell was a little artificial, but never-the-less fruity and pleasant. The texture was very runny - I advise applying it to a nearly dry face, as the texture is much runnier than normal face masks, say Neutrogena 2 in 1 Wash/Mask. This made me question its abilities, but I wasn't disappointed.

I left it on for longer than the recommended 3 minutes as it hadn't dried out in time. After 10 minutes, I was pleasantly surprised! It hadn't dried solid and cemented my face at all!

After I'd washed it off, my skin felt clean, smooth and refreshed! I can't wait to discover the brand of this product. Whoever they are, they have a fantastic PR team as I really enjoyed taking part in the unknown sampling process. I'd really love to see more of these in the future as it prevents you from having "Product Prejudice". 

If you'd like to try this product yourself, head over to the Skincare Revolution Facebook page!

Have you tried this product? What did you think of it?

xxx