4 Facial SPFs Perfect for Oily Skin!

Hi everyone! This post is themed around the recent weather we've been having in the UK, which has been beautiful! I really hope it stays like this, as at the moment, I am revising for my A levels, and would like some sunny weather when they're finished, not just to distract me while I'm supposed to be revising! Anyway, In my opinion, SPF for oily skin is one of the hardest things to find: so many just leave your face looking like an oil slick within a couple of hours! After trying several, I have found 4 which are fantastic. The prices range from just £2.50 to just under £17, so there's something for all budgets! 

La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50 - £16.50

"LA ROCHE  ANTHELIOS Extreme Face Fluid includes SPF 50 for very high protection against UVA/UVB rays and especially formulated for sensitive skin that may be oily or imperfection prone."

This is a fantastic high-factor SPF. It is a very runny liquid which glides on to the skin, and doesn't leave a sticky residue. Instead, it gives your face a wonderful glow and fantastic UVA/UVB protection. It does leave a little white caste on your face, but nothing a little bit of powder can't fix! I find this doesn't break me out, and doesn't make my skin too oily, either.  A fantastic buy if you have very pale skin, like me!

Solait SPF 30 Mattifying Face Sun Fluid - £2.45

"This mattifying face sun fluid is specially formulated with a unique combination of photostable sunscreens to help protect the face, hands and chest area against UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays. Quickly absorbed and leaves no residue, this formula helps prevent the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots."

This is a new purchase, but so far, so good! This has a similar texture to the La Roche Posay, however it doesn't leave a white caste - hurrah! I've found its oil-control abilities to be great so far, and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Big thumbs up so far, especially for the bargain price tag!

Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream SPF 20 - £14.50

"A hydrating moisturiser to protect skin from daily aggressions and help prevent skin ageing caused by the sun. For normal to combination dehydrated sensitive skin."

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you will have seen me sing this little gem's praises on numerous occasions. I like to use this during the cooler months, and a higher SPF during the summer. 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.

Piz Buin Allergy Face Cream SPF 30 - £11.99

"Advanced UVA/UVB Protection for Sun-Sensitive Skin.This Piz Buin sun protection face cream combines advanced filters with Calmanelle which helps strengthen skin's resilience."

This SPF is also a new purchase, however, I really like it so far! The texture is thicker than all of the other suncreams mentioned, however, it still feels very light on the skin. The smell is gogeous - it doesn't at all have that "suncream" smell, but instead it smells really floral! 

Have you found the perfect summer time SPF? Do share!

xxx

Fabulous Freebie: This Works Perfect Defense SPF 30 Worth £30!

Hi everyone! I have an amazing offer to tell you about from the lovely people at This Works. Receive a Free Full Size Perfect Defense SPF 30 30ml worth £30 when you spend £35 or more on skincare on their site!

"Receive a free perfect skin defense SPF30 (worth £30) when you spend £35 or more on skincare.

This Works’ philosophy for ageing wisely is simple: stay out of the sun, wear a hat, an SPF and use skin care with proven natural actives that work. To encourage healthy skincare habits and in line with our philosophy to ageing wisely, we are offering the chance to try perfect skin defense spf 30 free with the purchase of  This Works skincare to the value of £35 or more.

Perfect skin defense spf 30 (worth £30) is a tinted, broad spectrum sunscreen that provides UVA and UVB  protection while nourishing, hydrating and providing the ideal base for long-lasting makeup.

Click here to start shopping

*Your FREE perfect skin defense SPF30 will be automatically added to your basket at checkout.

Offer expires: 19th May 2012."

-Taken from their website.

Have you ever tried any of This Works products?

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