Banishing the Blemishes #004: Balance Me

Hi everyone! Part 4 of my Banishing the Blemishes series comes from Balance Me - a natural skincare company who seem to be popping up here, there and everywhere recently! They pride themselves on creating natural yet sophisticated products, bursting with pure natural extracts, essential oils and natural actives. I was sent the Congested Skin Serum and Radiance Facial Oil to try out...

Now the weather's getting a bit warmer, it has been the perfect time for me to put the Congested Skin Serum to the test. Much like many others, my skin turns in to an oily mess in the summer, which is not a good look!

 The Congested Skin Serum is an antibacterial gel that contains lots of beautiful extracts such as lavender, eucalyptus and aloe vera to soothe and moisturise the skin, as well as fighting blemishes. I like to apply it to cleansed skin, and it acts as both a light moisturiser and a spot treatment, which is fantastic. It is perfect for use twice a day, as it doesn't at all dry out my skin. I do however like to apply SPF over it during the day, but my skin feels fine without it none-the-less. It is definitely very good for clearing congestion, which I suffer from quite badly on my chin. However, I do find for bigger spots, my skin needs a spot treatment in addition to this. I will definitely continue to use this but only on areas such as my chin and t-zone, where I'm prone to congestion. This would be a fantastic substitute for any chemical exfoliators, as it does a really good job of gently clearing up congested skin, with no irritation whatsoever in my case. It also smells delicious and is beautifully packaged WITH a pump dispenser - what's not to love? You can buy the Congested skin serum here for just £16!

Alongside the serum, I've been trying out their Radiance Facial Oil. Having tried several facial oils in the past (such as jojoba and Clarins Lotus) with good results, I was really excited to give this a go. Contrary to belief, oils can be very beneficial for oily skins as they work to balance out the skin's oil production, while smoothing and moisturising the skin. The Radiance facial oil contains a potent blend of Amazonian buriti, moringa and camellia oils, that feed skin lacking lustre, leaving it feeling balanced, hydrated and comfortable. I really like the roller-ball applicator, which makes the oil ideal for carrying around in my handbag, ready for when my skin (particularly on my forehead and nose) gets a little dry. It also dispenses the perfect amount of product, to ensure you're not left with an oily mess post-application. I like to apply the oil to my forehead (prone to dryness), as well as my chin, where most of my scarring is. Following using the oil religiously for 4 weeks, I can definitely see an improvement in my scarring. A combination of the oil and massaging my skin has been really beneficial for my scarring, and I can't wait to see the results following continued use! You can buy the oil in rollerball form and from the bottle here.

Have you tried any of Balance Me's products?

xxx

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

A Simple (yet effective) Skincare Routine for Sensitive Blemish-Prone Skin

In my experience, blemish-prone skin needs very gentle treatment. I feel it is just stressed out from all of the lotions and potions we slather on it, so it needs a little break! Whenever my skin starts to freak out, I always revert back to this fool-proof routine, and feel I've perfected it enough to share with you!

I start off by cleansing with Cetaphil. It it white in colour and has a gel-cream like consistency, and I massage it in to my skin for around 30 seconds then remove it with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. I find folding the muslin a couple of times helps it to retain the heat, therefore cleansing your pores better and making for a more spa-like feeling! It is extremely gentle yet effective, but it doesn't remove makeup very well so make sure you remove it beforehand. Cleansing with a muslin cloth is ideal, as it acts as an exfoliator. This means you don't have to use a separate product, and reduces the amount of products you need to use on your skin. Less is more with spot prone, stressed out skin!

Depending on whether it's night or day, I will apply a specific moisturiser. For the day, it is imperative to use a moisturiser with at least SPF 15. When spots heal, you may notice the area goes purple/red. This is because the new skin is especially prone to UV damage. If you don't use SPF, your skin won't go back to its normal tone, and you will have purple spot scars (not very nice!). A light moisturiser with SPF is therefore, a must. And yes - oily skin does need a moisturiser! If you don't moisturise, your skin will just create more oil.

Finally, if I do have any troublesome spots, I will apply a little Nixoderm. This is a white cream which smells quite strong, but doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. It is antibacterial and has a plethora of uses, and I find it gets rid of spots in no time. What's more, it is dead cheap! I don't think I paid more than £2 for mine on Ebay.

So there it is: my extremely simple and effective skincare routine. I would highly recommend anybody who suffers with spots to strip their routine back to just the basics, try not to over-load your skin and be very very gentle! It may not seem like much is happening at first, but give it a couple of months and your skin will look and feel miles better!

How do you tackle problem skin?

xxx

Recent Skincare Purchases...

I love reading posts like this, so I thought I'd share with you some of my latest skincare purchases! My skin has been really bad recently so I decided to invest in some new items...

Re-Gen Cream - £4.50

I bought this as Zoella has raved about its ability to get rid of acne scarring. It contains the same sort of ingredients as Bio Oil, but in a moisturiser form. I was really surprised how light it is, despite containing all sorts of oils. I can't wait to start seeing some results!

Etat Pur Salicylic Acid 300mg - £12.20

Another spot treatment here. I have heard a lot about Etat Pur on blogs, and my skin is pretty bad at the moment, so I caved in and bought it. My skin has also reacted well to Salicylic Acid in the past, so I'm expecting good things from this!

Alpha-H Liquid Gold - £28.50

I first heard about this from Ruth @Amodelrecommends and it has recently exploded in the blogosphere! From numerous reviews, it uses 5% glycolic acid to exfoliate the skin, refine pores, clear up breakouts and fix scarring. Sounds like a miracle in a bottle! I am so excited to try this, and will definitely review it soon!

Origins Super Spot Remover - £13

This seems to be the cult spot treatment on blogs at the moment, so I just had to hop on to the band wagon and try it out! Now, Bloggers have mentioned how small this is, and I thought yeah ok. They weren't kidding - this thing is tiny! My mouth actually dropped a little bit when I first received it. "I just paid £13 for that?!" The bottle is literally comparable to a penny! It better show some amazing results..

Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask - £30

Ren is another brand very popular with bloggers at the moment, so I decided to try one of their face masks. I've been in need of a good one for a little while now, and feel it'll do the world of good for my skin! Here's to hoping...

What are your favourite blemish busting skincare items?

xxx

Nourish Skincare Range: A Review

Following my review of some Organic Surge products (here), I was offered the chance to try some products from a new skincare range called Nourish. I am really in to natural, paraben-free skincare at the moment, so I knew these products would be perfect for me!

Nourish has four ranges featuring four different ingredients to suit different skin types. These include: Orange for Dry Skin, Apple for Combination Skin, Lavender for Sensitive Skin and Rose for Normal Skin. Each range features four key products: Cleanser, Toner, Moisturiser and Serum. This is one thing I really like about the company: they're not trying to sell you millions of different "wonder" products for every problem under the sun - it's just the basics (which are perfectly adequate, don't get me wrong!) 

I was sent two of their products to try out: The apple toner spritzer and lavender moisturiser. The first thing you'll notice about their products is the amazing scents! Really nice for waking you up in the morning!

"Balanced blend of vitamins and minerals. The refining mist restores the natural pH level of oily and dry skin after cleansing. Recommended for combination skin and to restore the skin's natural barrier. 97% Organic."

-Taken from their website

This is a really, really nice toner. I have always been a bit sceptical about toners as they've never really done much for my skin, except dry it out. This one is totally different: it soothes and calms my skin, without leaving it sticky or greasy. I have noticed that my moisturiser sinks in a lot quicker when I've used this, and I therefore use a lot less product. The scent is gorgeous - it smells of apple, but not a really artificial, sickly-sweet scent: It's very pleasant and refreshing. This would be perfect for taking on holiday for a quick refresh for your skin midday - the spritzer nozzle is perfect for this! The toner is free from alcohol so would be suitable for most skin types, and is a bargain at £8.95 for 100ml. I would really recommend this for the summer (if we ever get one!) as it is extremely refreshing and pleasant to use!

Next up, their Lavender moisturiser.

"With Organic Lavender Oil, Borage and special Shea Butter Nilotica, this delicate and light cream is rich is Omega Oils and balancing ingredients to sooth sensitive skin. Lavender is well known for its powerful anti-inflammatory actives that help to alleviate the effects of damaging free radicals, to reduce physical stress and relax the spirit and soothe the skin.97% Organic."

-Taken from their website

Now, I have to admit, this was a little too heavy for my skin. It broke me out, but I am pretty sure this is down to the shea butter content, as my skin doesn't get on well with it! I was determined not to let this lovely product go to waste, so I have been using it on my neck. My skin is ridiculously confused: my facial moisturiser gives me spots on my chest, but not my face, and this hasn't given me spots on my chest, but does on my face. Strange, right? Anyway, I'm not complaining as I really like this as a neck cream!

The moisturiser is quite thick - it reminds me more of a whipped butter than a cream, which would be very nice if your skin tends to be slightly dry. This makes it perfect for use as a neck/décolletage cream, as it is very moisturising and leaves my skin super soft by the morning. The gorgeous lavender scent makes this heavenly to use at night, as it really calms me down and helps me to sleep - big thumbs up! I also really like the extra little lid which comes with this moisturiser, it makes me feel the product is staying lovely and fresh! This pot will last you a long time - I have been using it for around a month now and I'm not even near half full. You really only need a little bit, as the moisturiser is very thick and nourishing, making it excellent value for money.

If your skin is fine with shea butter, then I'd really encourage you to try this, as it is a gorgeous moisturiser. If your skin is a little more combination, like mine, you'll probably be better off with their balancing moisturiser. 

Overall, I am really impressed with these products. They are extremely good quality for the price, and the ingredients really are something special. There is definitely something for everyone, and the products are extremely affordable and of an excellent quality. Both products mentioned are available on the Nourish website, and since I was sent them, the packaging has had a makeover. I liked the previous packaging, but the new is gorgeous! It makes the products look really up-market, and a lot more expensive than they actually are! Here are some examples of the lovely new packaging, and some of their products I'd love to try in the future.

Have you tried anything from Nourish?

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

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

Fabulous Freebie: Origins Product Trade-In Day!

Hi everyone, hope you're all well. Just a quick heads up about the Origins Product Trade-In Day, which is returning this April!

If you don't know what their Trade-In Day is, it's one day only where you can take any empty skincare container (from any brand!) to one of their counters, and in return, they'll give you a free full size tube of either their Starting Over Age-erasing Moisturiser, or A Perfect World SPF 25 Age-Defense Moisturiser! Sounds great, right?

This year, Origins are working in partnership with Global ReLeaf, which means for every product purchased from their A Perfect World range between 15th and the 28th April 2012, Origins will plant a tree on the Customer's behalf!

The trade-in day itself is the 21st April 2012, so pop it in your diaries, grab your empty container and get down to your nearest Origins counter for the opportunity to try a fabulous free full-size Origins product!


Have you ever tried anything from Origins? Do you have a favourite?

xxx