Winter Skincare Recommendations

I feel like I’m sometimes drowning in my own oily skin, but the worst thing that people do when they have oily skin, is try and starve it of oils completely. When you do this your skin cries out and produces even more oils. It’s a nasty, little, slippery circle that can be easily beat, with the right knowledge. This post is all about products that are perfect for adding oils, hydration and nourishment back into your skin at whatever budget, take them as my winter skincare recommendations. For people with oily skin, there’s some real amazing products in here that can help balance your oils out, but if you have dry skin, they you need to be looking at 99% of these because they are beautiful, even if I don’t agree with the branding on some….

 

I’m a huge fan of Merumaya, I even included the cleanser in my Top Beauty Products of 2015 video, so I was really eager to try out the Everything Everywhere Beauty Oil™ at £26.50 and the new Mud Marvels Mask™ at £19.50.  The Everything Everywhere Beauty Oil™ contains Kahai Oil, which you may not have heard of before but it’s actually more beneficial than everyone’s favourite Argan Oil. It has 50% more Vitamin E and twice as much Linoleic, essential fatty acids, as well as 3 times more Retinol than rosehip oil, which helps with anti-ageing by plumping up the skin. Merumaya says that ‘in trials for Kahai Oil, 95% reported a reduction in wrinkles while 100% reported an improvement in hydration and firmness and many skin conditions have reportedly improved with Kahai Oil.’ It’s not greasy at all and absorbs quite quickly which means you can use it for a range of things such as brows, lashes, cuticles, scalps, I’ve only used it on my face though and I love it. The Mud Marvels Mask™ is a completely different way to do a mud mask, instead of irritatingly drying out the skin like most, this is slightly moisturising. It cleanses and controls oils with the charcoal inside and kaolin, but also contains nourishing oils so your face doesn’t feel stripped.

Next up is the Collagen Bomb Essential Skin Fuel at £39.00 for 30ml. On the website, Time Bomb Co explain…
What it does:
– Addresses issues associated with the loss of collagen which makes the skin begin to age.
– Even the dullest of skin appears immediately fuller and firmer, whilst being velvety-smooth with a healthier-looking colour.
– It claims that visible results are immediate, improvements are on-going with continued use, just like most products of this type.

Why it’s critical:
Collagen protein makes up 70% of the skin’s structure. After age 30 (although I’ve heard from 21) collagen begins to break down and the ageing process begins, starting with a loss of oil and a decrease in collagen production.

How it stops the clock:
Collagen Bomb is supercharged with powerful ingredients known to help “fuel” production of collagen and prevent it from breaking down. The only problem I have with this is, of course, that collagen cells are actually too big to penetrate the skin and join the collagen in your skin’s structure. Adding collagen on top of your face will help fine lines and wrinkles, but with what these ingredients are claiming, it’s a little far fetched. With a combination of the following ingredients:

‘Pycnogenol, derived from the bark of maritime pine trees found in the South of France, has been clinically proven when applied topically to help maintain skin’s structure by 1) binding to and reinforcing collagen 2) inhibiting collagen destruction 3) promoting better quality collagen 4) scavenging collagen-attacking free radicals. Padina Povanica brown algae, found to promote healthy collagen renewal and preserve the integrity of collagen fibres. Davilla Rugosa leaf extract found to protect newly synthesized collagen, Borage Oil, found to enhance collagen production and Micro-collagen, found to deliver intense moisturisation.’
So basically, all these things, when put with actual collagen, will do what they’re saying, but as this product can’t actually reach your collagen cells, it’s not going to work how it’s trying to imply. The last time I said this about collagen, a blogger asked a skincare specialist who basically said the complete opposite. People seem really confused over collagen, but you cannot put collagen back into your skin, you can only help preserve as much as possible by looking after it well. Regardless, this is a beautiful cream that definitely does leave you feeling nourished and plumped, I use it on my neck where I do have a lot of lines, as obviously at 21, I can’t really tell you much about ageing on my face.

Fade Out White Protecting Day Cream at £9.29 for 50 ML, is clinically proven to work in 4 ways:

Prevention of melanin reaching the upper layers of the skin, which would darken it, therefore the skin appears lighter.  Protection from the ageing and darkening effects of the sun, this means that it looks younger and obviously doesn’t burn. Correcting areas of hyper-pigmentation, skin discolouration, age spots and sunspots, so that dark areas fade over time. Finally, future defence, now it says that it ‘enhances the cell renewal process, slowing down and inhibiting the formation of further dark spots. so that skin remains lighter’ but I obviously that’s the whole cell/collagen renewal talk again, so I think it’s trying to say using an SPF daily will help with future defence. Immediately my skin does look brighter, I almost wondered if there was some kind of hidden lustre in this cream but there isn’t. I’m excited to see the results after 4 weeks, even though I’m pale, I do have darker spots on my skin and it’d be great to be evener.

The Rice Bran & Borage Seed Face Cleansing Oil at £14.75 for 100ml is a natural oil cleanser blended from Jojoba, Borage Seed and Avocado Seed botanicals, which makes it perfect for all skin types, even those more sensitive. Only pure high-quality cold-pressed oils are used in this cleanser which very gently cleanses and leave the skin feeling really hydrated. It’s safe to use around the eyes as it doesn’t contain essential oils that could sting, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good at removing eye makeup. In fact, I found this incredibly difficult to remove any makeup as it’s just too moisturising unless I’m using a cotton pad. Which is why I usually use this on no makeup days to leave my skin feeling extra soft and loved.

You’ve probably seen these types of masks everywhere, and I’m finally trying a sheet mask out! The Wow Mask be exact, a box of 5 will set you back £60, so it’s in no way just a cheap mask to pick up. Described as ‘a professional aqua gel mask for immediate visible results of skin restoration. It is based on innovative technology and components to ensure that you feel and look younger after the very first use.’ It claims to be able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate, improve elasticity and leave it feeling smooth. I can definitely say that your skin feels incredible after wearing this mask for 20-40 minutes as recommended. I’ve given these masks to my parent’s and I’ve heard no complaints at all, it’s actually quite funny trying to put one on them, as they’re quite weirdly packaged and folded up, so care is needed. If you’re looking for a super hydrating facemask that you can stick to your skin and go about your business, this is the one.

The Optimum Grape Overnight Peel from Superdrug at £12.99 is a super light gel texture which has a really cool feeling when first applied. With a blend Googled ingredients of PhytoCellTec Solar Vitis, protects against and helps UV damage, and Vivillume which helps with skin a radiant complexion and it is infused with a Glycolic Acid Complex. It helps to firm and plump the skin, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles while helping to improve skin tone for a more radiant, younger-looking complexion, at a bargain price too. My skin feels amazing when I use this overnight, my chest has started to look firmer around my neck already.

Finally, the Brilliance Facial Oil that was £37, but is now £24, is so beautiful. It’s a blend of 18 naturally sourced oils and includes 3 patented actives which means you’re really getting a blend of well thought out ingredients that will show results. None of the brandings talks about collagen at all, but rather it says how much of a fresh-faced glow you’ll get from it’s patented IBR-TCLC®. It improved the signs of fine lines and helps with hydrating from the Kahai™ Oil, which is also mentioned at the beginning of this post, and it’ll also be visibly smoother from the Gatuline® In-Tense.

There’s also a plant oil blend of vitamins A, C and E which with all the antioxidants, it helps with protection from environmental damage. Omega 3, 6 and 9 are also included to help with moisture levels and Retinol, the classic anti-ageing ingredient is present. Not only that, but favourites such as Neroli, lavender, bergamot and patchouli leaves skin delicately scented and leaves you feeling relaxed and pampered. I love this oil!