Skin Care Hero #2: Superdrug's Deep Clean Skincare

Superdrug 2-IN-1 Detoxifying Cream Wash & Mask £2.59

Superdrug Deep Action Cleansing Lotion (Can’t find online, under £3)

As a beauty blogger I’m always on the look out for new skincare products and over the last year, I have been swapping and changing my skincare routine like there’s no tomorrow. And with the high street being inundated with facial washes, wipes, scrubs, toners, cleansers, masks, oils and treatments and with hundreds of beauty bloggers recommending you to get this and that, it can all be a little over whelming and hard to decide what is right for you. During the month of January this year, my dry and sensitive skin was screaming at me to settle down and marry a skincare routine, as I was breaking out in big, nasty, sore spots.This was a first for me and I made sure it was the last. I made the decision to stop using everything and start from scratch and today I have two products to share with you all which I think are quite marvellous.

Both of these products are from a the Deep Action range at Superdrug (no high end skin care here!), which is targeted at problem skin and they have been a godsend! I have used both products together solidly for a couple of months and I have seen my skin recover and improve. These products have been formulated with the maximum concentration of Salicylic Acid, which is proven to help unclog pores and eliminate spot-causing bacteria, which in turn helps reduce breakouts, as it encourages the shedding of dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is often found in spot fighting and acne treatments. Often products with high concentrations of salicylic acid can dry out your skin, burn and irritate and when I first bought these products I was aware of the possible side effects and have been pleasantly surprised to find that both of these products have in fact been very kind to my skin (hooray!). Both products have been dermatologically approved, are paraben free, cruelty free (as Superdrug is against animal testing) and both products are under £3 each.

The cream wash has a cream like consistency (if the name hadn’t already suggest) and smells rather nice and fresh. I like to take a pea sized amount and massage it into damp skin and then wash away either with warm water. On application the wash is cooling and refreshing on the skin and I like the fact it isn’t soapy or foamy which is just a no, no, where cleansing is concerned. It deep cleanses and leaves my skin feeling clean, without the tight and drying feeling and is suitable for everyday use. This cream wash can also be used as a mask, however personally I don't like to use the wash as a mask, as it is a little too intense for me and leaves my skin looking a little pink. However, if you suffer from severe acne this might just be a miracle worker for you. The cream wash and mask is without a doubt detoxifying, as just after a couple of uses my skin was visibly clearer and has continued to stay clear and my pores have without a doubt reduced in size. 

I like to use the deep cleansing lotion, after I take off my makeup with my Garnier micellar water in the evenings. This lotion is a clear liquid, rather like a micellar water to be honest, but this cleanser is packed with Salicylic Acid - so stay clear of your eyes! The formula also contains witch hazel which really helps to tighten pores. On occasion it can cause slight redness and a tingling sensation, so be cautious. After use my pores are visibly reduced and my skin appears much smoother. The packaging is simple, but thats expected for under £3! The scent is similar to the cream wash, but smells a little more chemically (but don’t let that put you off!).

All in all, both of these products have really helped to unblock my pores and clear my skin within a matter of days. I can’t thank Superdrug enough and I’ve learnt not to over look cheap skincare! I haven’t suffered from a breakout since (touch wood!) and haven’t used anything else, not even my much loved Roche posay effaclar duo! Im thoroughly impressed and surprised at the visible results and when I have been asked what I have used to clear my skin, everyone has been surprised to hear that the products I use are, 1) Drugstore products, 2) Superdrug own, 3) Effective and 4) Cheap! If you suffer from spot prone skin, I really encourage you to give these a go! This range is currently 2 for £4.

What’s your current skin care hero? 

Emily

Bare Minerals Original Foundation // Review

 Bare Minerals Original SPF Foundation £25

I cant express how wonderful this foundation is. It completely exceeded my expectations. Forget about everything you thought mineral foundation would be, like being caky, looking powdery and sticking to dry patches. In fact, this award winning foundation applies beautifully and applying foundation has never been so effortless. It has a gorgeous silky, soft texture and isn’t drying in the slightest.  I wear shade medium beige N20, which may be one shade too dark for me, but once it, is blended, I get away with it.

The coverage is customisable from sheer to full, depending on what brush you use to apply it. With a stippling brush you will get a light to medium coverage and with one of the Bare Minerals face brushes, such as their Full Flawless Application Face Brush, or their Full Coverage Kabuki Brush, you can achieve full coverage. And no matter how much you apply, it is extremely light on the skin and it doesn’t really look like your wearing a full face of makeup (my boyfriend approves!).

After moisturizing (and on occasion applying a primer), I like to use the excess powder in the lid and blend it out using my Real Techniques stippling brush. I like to apply this foundation after applying any concealer, as it really helps the concealer stay in place - especially under my eyes! The finish is really flattering, it gives an airbrushed look and it leaves my skin looking really healthy and glowing, which is partly down to the small shimmery particles in the powder, which may sound off putting, but they are very subtle and the effect it gives is outstanding. Also, my skin texture has improved dramatically since using this foundation and I haven’t suffered from any breakouts (touch wood!), which is partially down to my new skincare routine, but I believe this foundation has also really helped. 

Along with the added bonus of having an SPF of 15, it has to be one of the longest lasting foundations I own and have ever tried, with or without a primer. I apply this foundation around 7.30am and at 6pm it still looks pretty damn flawless! This foundation has by far become my go-to and in fact, it is giving my favourite Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation a run for its money.

The only negative I have is the packaging, its messy. You only have to look at the photo to see that!  However, I can look past that, as this foundation is outstanding. It is worth every penny and I certainly won’t be searching for a new foundation anytime soon! It’s been tried and tested and the application is effortless, the finish is flawless and it has improved my skin texture, what more could I ask for?! I highly recommend this foundation, especially if you suffer from sensitive, dull and dry skin like me. I will stop gushing now... but you must try it! Go, go, go!!

Have you tried this product?  Emily

My Night-Time Skincare Secret...

Keihl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate £36 Keihl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is simply magic in a bottle. It's a light, silky oil that is filled to the brim with a high concentrate of botanicals and essential oils. It has been developed to help skin regenerate whilst you sleep (hence midnight recovery). I haven’t read one bad review about Keihl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate - everyone loves it! As a result of my curiosity about this little pot of oil, I had to buy it and confirm the hype for myself. 
Don’t be deceived by the size of the glass bottle, a little goes a long way! I use just two drops using the dropper and press it into my skin after cleansing. It doesn't leave an oily residue (unless you use too much), has a nice texture and is quickly absorbed. It has a strong fragrance, predominately lavender which I quite like and boy does it help send me to sleep.
In terms of results, I can remember the first time I used it last year and waking up and checking my face in the mirror and being uber impressed, the results are immediate! It lived up to all the reviews I had read, as I woke up to radiant, revitalised, fresh skin. It gives my skin that much needed boost, especially as I suffer from dull, dry skin. I have used many a night time moisturiser and a few oils that promise to work wonders but have never worked. No wonder its Kiehls best-seller.
This magic potion also does wonders for keeping my skin clear and speeding up the process of getting rid of and preventing breakouts. I was also surprised at how hydrating the formula is, as the majority of the time I use it alone, without the need to apply a moisturiser over the top. It also softens and plumps my skin and has really helped diffuse my completion and reduce redness. In fact my skin looks best in the morning and it’s a shame I can’t wear it under my make-up! And when I skip this step in my skincare routine, I can tell.
Keihl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate might be £36 a bottle, but like I said, a little goes a long way and this bottle will last forever! When I do run out, which I can't see being any time soon, this is certainly one product I can't be without.
Do you have a  night-time skincare secret?  Have you ever tried this product?  Emily