25 In Beauty/ Wellness

Summer skincare discoveries

summer skin saviours

My skin doesn’t like summer (neither do I, really).  It over-reacts to everything in warmer weather.  Creams and sunscreens that I use the rest of the year all of a sudden start causing problems.  I get frequent breakouts and red patches, and the overall tone and texture of my skin looks worse.   The pores on my nose, cheeks, and chin get congested, and my T-zone acts like a T-eenager.  The only solution for me is to use a good exfoliating product with lactic or glycolic acid to increase cell turnover.  I never use scrubby physical exfoliators; they do my skin more harm than good.

I’ve written about the Ren 1-minute facial  a few times before;  it really is one of my favourite skin care products.  I never travel without it because my skin always decides to misbehave when I’m away.  A few times a month, I wheel out the big guns and use the Ren Glycolactic radiance renewal mask.  This hoovers out all of my junky pores, whisks off that top layer of dead skin cells, and leaves my skin fresh and prepped for a good serum.  It is stronger than the 1-minute facial, but especially in summer, I need it.

Recently, John Lewis sent me a selection of products to try, and after using them for a month, a few have made it into my summertime rotation alongside the two Ren facials.   My favourite was the Rodial Super Acids exfoliating glycolic cleanser.  I knew I was going to love this after just one use and a quick glance at the ingredient list.  It contains my beloved glycolic acid and  lactic acid as well as some fruit acids and enzymes.  For summer, this has now replaced my morning and evening cleanser.  The second star product is the Rodial X-treme pore shrink cleansing pads.  I’m not sure everyone will rave about this as much as I do, but it addresses precisely my skin’s summertime issues.  These pads contain salicylic acid (excellent for spots), amino acid, as well as olive oil and some probiotics for softening and strengthening.  These are ever so slightly hydrating and don’t leave my skin feeling tight or stripped at all.  I could see an improvement in my skin within just a few days of using both of these.  I addressed the issue of midlife breakouts before in this post.  These two products from Rodial’s Super Acids range (and perhaps a few other things that I’ve not yet tried?) are quite effective for the breakout-prone amongst us.   I also tried the Rodial Bee Venom day cream with SPF 30.  On a hot summer day, this is too moisturising for my skin, but the rest of the year it should be fine.  It didn’t break me out, but in the heat it gives me more glow and sheen than I’d like.  Also, in the summer I prefer a higher SPF than 30.  It contains some expensive and high-powered ingredients which I’m keen to try on my skin in cooler weather.

I was also (luckily!) sent several products which I happen to be a big fan of already:

One is Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm, which is the only lip balm I use.  I buy several at a time so I can keep one beside my bed, one in the bathroom, one in my handbag, one in the kitchen, and one in my office.  I am very loyal to it because it works better than any other lip balm I’ve tried.   It is neither too matte nor too glossy, and it has a pleasing faint citrus scent.  Since it is always in my bag, I even use it as an emergency eye cream if the skin under my eyes starts to look dry!

This Works Deep Sleep pillow spray is another lovely product.  It is mostly lavender, but it is softened with wild camomile and vetivert, so it isn’t overly astringent.  The scent is so relaxing.  I sometimes spray it on my clothes if I know I have a stressful day ahead.  I’ve never been disappointed in any product by This Works.  Their Perfect Legs Skin Miracle is a staple for me; I’ve probably been through about 5 bottles now.   It gives a natural colour to my pale skin (not just legs, I use it anywhere exposed).  It doesn’t rub off on light coloured clothes, and it washes off.   I’m wearing it in nearly all of my blog photos, in fact.  I was also sent This Works In Transit Camera Close-up, a ‘mask, moisturiser, and primer in one’.  I’ve only tried it twice because with my skin freaking out recently, I was nervous to use anything with the word ‘moisturiser’ on the label.  It contains some plant oils and  hyaluronic acid, which is a great moisture-binding ingredient.   My skin seems to approve   You know who else approves?  Victoria Beckham!  Apparently, she is a fan of this.

Another product I like which happened to be included in the skin care box was Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir.  This facial mist was recommended by Lisa Eldridge a few years ago, and I’ve been using it on my skin ever since.  It is water fragranced with bitter orange flower, rosemary, peppermint, and rose.  Honestly, it doesn’t do anything, it just feels and smells really gorgeous.  When you’re sitting on a plane or in a car for a long time, sometimes that’s enough!

There were several other products which I didn’t mention here, because I haven’t used them enough to be able to give a proper review.  I’ll include those in a future post if they impress me as much as the products I’ve mentioned here did.

If you want any more info or have any questions about any of these products, feel free to ask in the comments.  Also, if you have any great summer skin recommendations, let me know.

Disclosure: This is not a paid post.  A big thank you to John Lewis for sending me these products to try.

Linking up to: honest mum,

 

 

 

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25 Comments

  • Reply
    Liz
    June 30, 2016 at 8:00 AM

    Oooh, what a lucky girl getting these products! Thank you for the in-depth reviews too. Like you, I don’t use “scrubby” exfoliators preferring an enzyme mask. I swear by the Elemis Papaya Enzyme mask which is both gentle and effective and doesn’t irritate my neck or chest- it sounds very similar to the Ren 1-minute facial. I’m looking to increase my skincare armoury so will come back and refer to this post. Thank you xxx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      June 30, 2016 at 12:46 PM

      Thanks Liz! I’m going to try the Elemis Papaya Enzyme mask; from the ingredients, that sounds like something my skin would like. xx

  • Reply
    Samantha
    June 30, 2016 at 10:51 AM

    I am a sucker for a new beauty product Lisa, and I am always on the lookout for anything that does not react to my skin.
    (I can go purple…honestly! Clarins is the worst offender for me)
    I am coveting this box of goodies. I love the balance me products already but would love to try the Ren and Nuxe.
    Unfortunately, most of my new beauty buys tend to be expensive mistakes..:o(
    Luckily, I can hand them on to friends…and even my girls.
    My youngest had a pot of Decleor face cream at one time! Hahaha…very funny really.
    XXX
    Samantha

    • Reply
      Lisa
      June 30, 2016 at 12:44 PM

      I do the same, Samantha! Anything that is too emollient and breakout-inducing goes straight to my husband or friends! My husband is using a pot of insanely expensive ByTerry rose scented cream because it pains me to waste it, and it makes me break out. AND! I’m using that horrible Chanel eye cream as a hand cream just to get rid of it. When I find products I love, I always share the news! xx

  • Reply
    the frenchie mummy
    June 30, 2016 at 12:18 PM

    Looks really nice. I would love to try NUXE Rêve de Miel® Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm #brillblogposts

    • Reply
      Lisa
      June 30, 2016 at 12:41 PM

      It is addictive! The best balm, in my opinion! xx

  • Reply
    themotherhubblog
    June 30, 2016 at 1:13 PM

    Am super tempted by the this works pillow spray.. might give it a shot. good idea to spray on clothes too. #brillblogposts

    • Reply
      Lisa
      June 30, 2016 at 1:30 PM

      It is a LOVELY product! xx

  • Reply
    Jan
    June 30, 2016 at 3:03 PM

    What a treat to read a summer products post, and that you are experimenter. I have pretty good skin for my age but lately have had a singular break out a few times. With all the other aging stuff going on with my face and body, though not terribly big, they’ve looked like half dollars to me.

    Ren products are in my local Blue Mercury shop and I’ve ignored them, except for the tinted moisturizer sample that find it sway into my purchases. My Blue Mercury is great about samples and I’ll get myself there to try your products. Vis a vis lovely facial mists, Chantecaille has a beautiful rosewater one, and the ever-creative Karen Klutznick has not only a gorgeous rose hydrosol, but also others, like orange blossom, at a much more inviting price point.

    Off to revisit your old post on midlife breakouts…

    • Reply
      Lisa
      June 30, 2016 at 6:27 PM

      Thanks so much, Jan! I want to try Karen’s ones when I’m in the States next. Ren products are amazing. If you’re into rose scents, their Rose Otto bath oil is pretty legendary. I’ve also been very pleased with their cleansers. Let me know what you try! xx

      • Reply
        Jan Sugar
        July 1, 2016 at 1:28 PM

        So good to know about Ren, right in my back yard!

  • Reply
    Abby
    June 30, 2016 at 5:21 PM

    Lucky you! How come I never get stuff for free? I guess it’s because John Lewis doesn’t do “jokes gift sets” 🙂 BTW I miss it terribly, I used to be one of their most frequent customers back then in London. Personally I like the Caudalie raisin cleansing mask. But now that I discovered Sisley’s Black Rose Cream Mask, there’s no way back. It’s one of the most expensive masks I’ve ever used, but the result is OMG! Being menopausal and suffering from dry and dull skin it’s short of a miracle. Very insightful post Lisa, as usual! xx Abby

    • Reply
      Lisa
      June 30, 2016 at 6:24 PM

      OMG, I’m SOOOO with you on the Black Rose Cream Mask, Abby… I can only use it in winter though.

      John Lewis is so super. I lived exactly a seven minute walk from Peter Jones for years and years, until we moved. Now I’m over the moon because they’re putting one in the Westfield close to me, wheeeee! xx

  • Reply
    Michelle
    July 1, 2016 at 9:09 PM

    I have completely lapped up this post Lisa, even clicked through to buy the pillow spray already!
    My skin changes any time I veer off my regular routine so I’m loathe to annoy it. Although I may have been persuaded to try the Rodial exfoliating cleanser. I’m a sucker for all things acid on my face! heehee
    Also I’m currently trying the same Caudalie Beauty Elixir but it’s still early days, I’ll keep you posted x

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 1, 2016 at 10:54 PM

      The pillow spray is DIVINE, Michelle! Even my husband loves it. The Caudalie Beauty Elixir smells gorgeous, but doesn’t do a thing… it is just water with a beautiful fragrance! The two Rodial acid products are knocking my socks off though! xx

  • Reply
    Michelle
    July 2, 2016 at 1:19 PM

    As you know, what with house sales and business problems, I’m having a stressful time at the moment. I really like the idea of the pillow spray, I would never have thought of spraying it on my clothes. Good tip and one I’ll definitely implement.

    Michelle xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 2, 2016 at 2:20 PM

      You need some aromatherapy in your life right now, dear Michelle! Just keep it on you all day and spray liberally as life throws you curveballs! xx

  • Reply
    Heather
    July 2, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    Totally agree with you on the Nuxe lip balm, I have them everywhere too – work, handbag, bedside!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 2, 2016 at 11:44 PM

      I’ve never used anything better! xx

  • Reply
    Emma
    July 17, 2016 at 10:24 PM

    Have you tried Skinceuticals? They have a great range of products for all sorts of skin types & problematic skin. I swear by their products. Know what you mean about the Caudalie Beauty Elixir – I use it if there’s someone smelly sitting next to me – it really comes into its own then, although I don’t think it was intended for that. ????

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2016 at 12:24 PM

      I LOVE Skinceuticals, Emma! I’ve been using a few of their products for years. I especially like the sunscreen, the Ferulic acid serum, and the Resveratrol night serum. I like your off-prescription use of the Caudalie Elixir, ha ha! xx

  • Reply
    Sheela Goh
    July 25, 2016 at 9:56 PM

    Ugh. I completely understand your current situation, Lisa. I went from dry skin (which I ought to have appreciated far more than I did) to the worse and most oily complexion I’ve ever experienced in my entire life with the introduction of Testosterone injections in early March (part of my SLE treatment regime). Even as a teenager, I barely had pimples. Probably a dozen throughout the entire puberty stage? And now, it’s absolute madness. An explosion of massive, angry puss-tipped pests, complete with enlarged pores and post-eruption scars. I admit, I cussed, loudly and colourfully. I mean, weren’t the butterfly rash and angioedema enough?? Ok, rant over GRIN I completely overhauled my skincare line-up and now, almost 5 months later, I finally have some measure of control over the situation 🙂 thank the lord. I’m very glad you have too xoxo

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 26, 2016 at 2:46 PM

      Oh no, what a totally disruptive pain skin disasters are. I sympathise completely with you! I’m pleased you’ve found something that works; I find I do have to change mine a lot as my skin starts to get used to some products, I need to change it again. xx

      • Reply
        Sheela Goh
        July 26, 2016 at 5:27 PM

        Yes, thank heavens. And the Korean beauty gods, they’ve saved my face (quite literally) several times over now xoxo

        • Reply
          Lisa
          July 26, 2016 at 6:19 PM

          Ahhhh, there’s nothing better than a Korean beauty product! We may have to share intelligence on this matter! xx

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