April Favourites

I haven’t written a monthly favourites blog post before, but I felt compelled to do one this month because I have used a few new products worth mentioning.

Dr Organic Bioactive Skincare Organic Vitamin E Pure Oil Complex - I have dry skin, which requires a lot of moisture to take away the tightness and make my skin look plump and radiant. Over the winter months, as part of my evening skin care routine, I would slather my face in Bio Oil. Not attractive, but necessary. I like the idea of using a facial oil on my face, but I just felt that maybe Bio Oil was just a bit too greasy and I didn’t feel like it sunk into my skin well.


Recently, I watched a Youtube video, by one of my favourite YouTubers Barbara from thePersianbabe. She purchased the Dr Organic oil and gave an impressive review of it, so I hopped on over to my local Holland & Barrett and picked one up for myself.


I have only used this for over a week but I am really impressed so far. Obviously, one week isn’t enough time to give the product a full review, but I really do it. The first thing I noticed when using it, was that it isn’t as greasy on my skin as Bio Oil, and it sinks in quite well.


For £8.49 you get 50ml, but you honestly don’t need a lot to cover your face, so I can see this lasting me a while.


You can read more about the Dr Organic product on the Holland & Barrett website.


Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Skin-Brightening moisturiser SPF15 - I brought this as I was looking for a moisturiser that didn’t contain any harmful ingredients, such as parabens or phthalates.


It contains light diffusers, which makes the skin look more radiant.


It is clinically proven to even out skin tone and texture.


I also love that this product comes in a pump. The only compliant I will make about this product, is that I wish the packaging was transparent. I have a thing now for using products which I can see, so I know when I am likely to run out.


You can read more information on the Aveeno moisturiser on the Boots website.


Caudalie Beauty Elixir - I have heard a lot about this product in recent weeks and after using a recent 10% discount code on Feel Unique, I placed an order.


The main ingredients include extracts of grape, rosemary, orange blossom and rose extracts. It has a strong herbal scent, so if you don’t like strong mint smells then steer clear. The beauty elixir is somewhere inbetween a toner and a facial mist. I use it to set my makeup, or just to refresh my skin throughout the day, particularly after the gym.


It costs around 9.90 for 30ml. A larger 100ml version is available, but I prefer the smaller size as it’s perfect for travel.


You can read more about the Caudalie Beauty Elixir on the Feel Unique website.

Small Boots Haul

Like I need an excuse to go skincare shopping, but Boots are currently running one of their 3 for 2 offer on skincare at the moment, which I believe will run for at least two more weeks, so check it out, it really is worth stocking up on your favourite products, or like I have, a cheaper way to try out new ones!

I brought:


Aveeno positively radiant daily skin-brightening moisturiser (with SPF15)-- £9.99


I've seen the brand Aveeno stocked in my local Boots, but never tried it. I was really after a new moisturiser since binning my paraben-laden Olay one that I had used for years and years. I'm still lusting after the gorgeous Origins vitazing moisturiser, but cannot part with the eye-watering £26. This Aveeno one was a lot cheaper at £9.99.


Link here to the Boots website.


Aveeno positively radiant daily exfoliating cleanser -- £5.99


I brought this because I really wanted a foamy cleanser to use with my Clarisonic Mia. The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish works fine for me at the moment, but it is quite creamy. I'll post my thoughts on this cleanser after using it for a month.


Link here to the Boots website.


Oilatum natural repair face cream -- £7.65


I had been using my Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate, and as much as I loved it, I wanted something a bit more rich and moisturising to use at night. As the name suggests, it contains natural ingredients and is free from fragrances, preservatives and emulsifiers. I'll post my thoughts on this face cream after using it for a month.


After I brought this, I heard that Sam and Nic from Pixiwoo recommend it, and you know something's good when they use it!


Link here to Boots website.


Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your thoughts below!

Current skincare routine

To be honest with you, up until a few months ago, my skincare routine had stayed the same for about eight years. But then I learnt about chemical nasties and parabens in products, so I switched up my skincare routine pretty sharpish. The only two original products that I still use are the Elemis fruit active rejuvenating mask and St Ives invigorating facial scrub. Everything else is new and has been tried and tested since January.


My skin has taken quite well to this new arrangement, and apart from the inevitable crazy purging stage of five simultaneous pimples (thanks to my Clarisonic Mia!) my skin is now soft, smooth and clear, I'm happy to say.

My skin type has always been dry and a bit dehydrated. But the majority of products I use are suitable for all skin types.

First row Products:
1. Origins Ginzing eye cream
2. Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate (night-time)
3. La Roche-Posay Rosaliac UV Legere anti-redness moisturizer (morning)
4. Elemis Fruit Active Rejuvanating Mask (once a week)


Second row products:
5. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

6. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic

7. Bioderma Crealine H20 Cleansing Solution 

8. St Ives Invigorating facial scrub (once a week)

Chemicals in your skincare

When it comes to skincare, I’ve always held the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. I’ve been using the same skincare products day in, day out for many years. After all, I didn’t have an adverse reaction to them and they did the job so I never thought to change them. But it wasn’t until recently, that I really took an interest in reading about chemicals and skincare ingredients. I realised that I had been quite naïve about the ingredients and subsequently, I updated my skincare routine (bar one product) based on everything I had read.


There are many dangerous chemicals used in skincare and cosmetic products every day. Below I’ve listed three common ones, which pose a high risk:


- Parabens (or anything ending in -bens)
These preservatives act like estrogen in the body, throwing off hormonal balance. Parabens have been shown to accumulate in cancerous breast tumours. Parabens can be found in cleansers, body washes, for example.


- Tetrasodium EDTA
Preservative that’s made from the known carcinogen, formaldehyde and sodium cyanide. It is also a penetration enhancer, meaning it breaks down the skin's protective barrier, going right into your bloodstream. Many companies trying to be "natural" will use Tetrasodium EDTA instead of parabens to preserve their products.


- Propelyne Glycol
Is a penetration enhancer, meaning it’s a carrier for other chemicals, bringing them into your skin and your bloodstream. It's a known skin irritant, which can be found in deodorants, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner and body washes.