Banishing the Blemishes #003 - The Skin Regime Book & Peel

Hi everyone! Part 3 of my Banishing the Blemishes series comes from a book called The Skin Regime: Bootcamp For Beautiful Skin. Dana, the author, contacted me a couple of weeks ago and very kindly offered to send me a copy, as well as a sample facial peel.

If you're anything like me, the thought of a peel makes you think of acid, pain, and your whole face being burnt off! Oh, how wrong I was. Dana's book guides you through how to safely perform peels at home, and encompasses skincare tips and tricks throughout.

I'm not really one for reading (unless it's a magazine, of course!), but Dana's book was a pleasure to read. It's written in a very matter-of-fact way, and is also very informative on the peels, and skincare in general. The book provides you with a Skincare Regime (hence the title!) to follow inbetween peels, which is very similar to my own, so big thumbs up to that!

*How amazing does Dana's skin look WITHOUT makeup?! Living proof the peels work wonders!

The book is ideal for any skincare fanatic (ahem, like myself), but also people who know very little about skincare, and have concerns about ageing/spots/scarring, etc. Now, on to the peel.

When Dana first contacted me, I was a little apprehensive of the peel side of things. I have always been worried about doing these sort of things in the past, but my mind was completely put to rest when I received the book. It's almost like a cook book, for your face. It has a whole section dedicated to how to use the peel, how to prep your skin before (and maintain it after) and a little bit on what to expect once the peel is on. After scouring the book, highlighting here and underlining there, I felt like I was ready to try it. The peel itself is in liquid form, so it needs to be gently swept over the face with a cotton pad, and left for around a minute (2 at the most). Upon application, my skin was tingling lots (a very strange sensation and quite hard to describe!). I washed it off, as instructed, and was left with very soft skin (if a little red!) The redness had subsided by the morning, but my skin was still beautifully soft!

Of course, I've only tried one peel, so can't comment on the long term effects, but my skin was left very soft and radiant. I can see how this peel would be fantastic for any congestion and scarring, as it really exfoliates and renews your skin. I would thoroughly recommend the book to all of you, as well as the peel. Even if you have sensitive skin, Dana guides you on how you can make the peel work for you. The peels are even sold in different strengths, so you're bound to find one perfect for you! Both the book and peels can be purchased on Dana's website here. You can also find Dana on Facebook and Twitter.

Have you ever tried an at-home facial peel?

xxx

Meet Mia... (Clarisonic Mia!)

The biggest of my recent skincare splurges recently... I finally caved in and bought a Clarisonic Mia! After hearing so many amazing things about it, umming and aahing for a good year, and wincing at the thought of handing over 120 hard earned pounds, I closed my eyes and pressed the Checkout button at Current Body.

Mine is the limited edition colour "Peony" which I am actually in love with! Currentbody offer a two year guarantee on their Clarisonics, and also a 60 day money-back guarantee! They also offer a price match on other sites, so should you find the Clarisonic cheaper anywhere else, just email their extremely friendly customer service team who will match the price! I ended up paying just over £97 for this baby, which I am over the moon with. I can honestly say I have never been more excited to wash my face - I just have to wait 24hrs for it to charge.. Boo! 

As with all of my recent skincare purchases, I will be sure to keep you updated with how I find them. Just one question for all you lucky people with Clarisonics: which cleanser(s) do you use with it? I'm a bit overwhelmed and not sure what to use!

Have you been tempted by a Clarisonic before? 

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

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 2 Update - Avene Cleanance Range

Hello all! Time for a week 2 update on how I'm finding Avene's Cleanance range, which I'm trialling.

Nothing much has changed since I updated you last week, although my skin is getting a little dry, so I've been using lots of moisturiser! I've noticed the texture of my skin is improving, which I think is down to the Cleanance K. I've had a little breakout, but it's definitely being controlled by the range. Overall, I'm still very impressed, and I'll have another, hopefully a more lengthy update for you next week!

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