Review | The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream

I've spent a long time searching for the perfect day cream. And I think I've found it.

The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream is for combination/oily skin. How it works is it moisturises dry patches of skin and mattifies oily patches of skin.

Throughout my teenage years I had oily skin. I'd get horrible breakouts and I now have the scars to prove it (never pick spots, you'll regret it like I now do). However, recently I've started getting dry patches around my nose and my mouth which shocked me as I've never had to deal with dry skin before. All the skincare products I used dried out these areas even more (as they are for oily skin) so I invested in the Seaweed Day Cream.

 

The cream has a very light consistency and a subtle clean smell. I apply onto my skin using my fingers (or sometimes a foundation brush) and it sinks in immediately. There's no residue left on my skin, and my dry patches feel moisturised instead of sore. There's no shine and throughout the day my skin feels 'normal'.

I would definitely recommend this cream to anyone who has slightly oily skin or combination skin. Most people with oily skin tend to think they shouldn't moisturise but you should - it's all about finding a moisturiser that is best for oily skin, like this one!

The Seaweed range is available online and in store at The Body Shop.

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My Current Skincare Routine

I decided at the beginning of this year that I really need to get into a good skincare routine. Whenever I stuck to one for a few days, I could notice a big difference in my skin so I've made sure that I've found a routine that works for me.

 

I start with Clean and Clear Morning Energy Daily Facial Scrub (£3.99 in Boots) which really gives my skin a boost and wakes me up. I like the scrub as it clears any dead skin cells but it's not too harsh on my skin. If I feel like my skin is a bit oily or I have a lot of blemishes I'll use the Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion (£2.99 in Boots) and wipe over my face using a cotton pad. I have raved about this product so many times but it is really good for clearing and cleaning my skin. Clean and Clear currently have on offer of 2 for £5 too. (That's when I usually bulk buy!). If my skin needs a little boost, I'll use Soap and Glory Bright Here Bright Now Energy Balm (£11 in Boots), which instantly make my skin look more glowing and more radiant. (I reviewed it on my blog recently.) Every day I apply The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream (£10). It's perfect for my skin as I'm not oily everywhere so it adds moisture to areas that need it and mattifies oily areas. It sinks in really quick so I can apply make up straight away. The balanceMe Wonder Eye Cream (£10 normally) actually came free with a Glamour magazine a while back, but I really love how it applies to my skin and leaves my eyes looking much more awake than they actually are!

 

 

At night, I tend to be really lazy with skincare but I'm trying hard to keep to a routine. If I get in late or I'm super tired I'll use the Deep Cleansing Lotion again along with Garnier Soothing Eye Make Up Remover (£2.99 in Boots) - which removes all of my eye make up without irritating my eyes at all -  but I try to use Sanctuary Fresh Faced Purifying Wash (£9.00 in Boots). It removes all traces of make up and leaves my skin feeling super smooth. I then apply Simple Kind To Skin Night Cream (£5.60 in Boots) which sinks in nicely and doesn't overclog my skin. If I have any blemishes I'll apply The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (£7.00) onto the affected area, and by the morning it's significantly reduced.

 

 

What are your skincare must haves?

 

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Clean and Clear

Being a blogger, it can be very easy to constantly purchase new products simply to 'try them out'. I've also had a lot of trouble with my skin, as I still can't work out what skin type I am.

One product that I have used since I was about 12, and still use now is Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion for sensitive skin. It was bought for me when I started to get spots and it really helped to keep them under control. I used it up until I was about 16, and then I decided I'd venture out and try new things. But now I'm back.

Nothing has ever really compared to this. Every other cleanser I try doesn't quite seem to do the job. I'd use it, and then I'd use Clean and Clear and a whole lot of build up of whatever would be left on the cotton pad.

Not only does it remove a build up of make up and grease, it also helps prevent spots. The only downside to this, is that I wouldn't recommend using it after a bath or shower as it tends to sting quite a bit when used on open pores.

The best bit about this, is that it's only £2.99 in Boots, and there's often deals on - whether it's 3 for 2 or 2 for £5.

What are your holy grail products? What products would you recommend for troubled skin?

PS Are you following my other blog yet? You won't regret it if you do. :)

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Biore Wipes Review

I'm really bad when it comes to skincare; I'm lazy and I tend to just use whatever needs using up. My skin isn't the worst in the world, but it could be a lot clearer and a lot more radiant. Every time I try to set up a skincare routine, I fail.

My main reason excuse for this is that I work part time as a sales assistant. Sometimes I'll work from 9am to 6pm and sometimes 1pm to 10pm, and sometimes shorter shifts. I never have a solid routine as my shifts change weekly. So if I start early, I find I never have the time to focus on skincare and when I get in at 11pm from working all day, I'm too tired to do anything apart from climb into bed.

Therefore, wipes are my best friend. As I'm frugal, I used to purchase baby wipes for £1 and use them. Now, most of you are probably in horror at this thought, but they do work and I do recommend them, but not for every day.

Aiden's nan gave me Biore wipes that I had never used before. They normally retail for over £4 but she found them in a shop called Savers for just £1. (If you have a Savers near you - use it! Almost everything is cheaper than in Boots or Superdrug).

The wipes are 'daily deep pore cleansing wipes' which cleanses, tones and exfoliates all in one go! This is perfect for me, as it at least is doing some good to my skin.

Don't forget to use this handy tip to make wipes last longer too.

What are your tips for getting into a good skincare routine? I clearly need help. I've actually purchased a lot of skincare bits and bobs lately and I'm hoping to get into some kind of routine but it's harrrrrd.

PS. There are still spaces available to advertise on my blog - if you are interested please e-mail me at jesswd18@hotmail.com :)

My Quest For Radiant Skin

Early mornings, long days and stress have all taken it's toll on my skin. I always look tired, and my skin constantly looks grey and dull - something that no amount of make up can hide. I went out in search for products that could banish my dull skin and found two great products. One was from Lush (review coming soon) and another was from The Body Shop.

If you are a Love Your Body member, not only do you receive 10% discount at The Body Shop, but you also receive a £5 voucher in your birthday month. I used the voucher to buy The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Reviver as it claimed to do everything I wanted.

I apply this after moisturising and it goes onto my skin so easily and sinks in without leaving a sticky residue. It instantly made me look more awake and my skin looked radiant all day. I couldn't ask for a better product, especially as it made me smell of oranges. :)

I would thoroughly recommend this product to anyone looking for more radiant skin as it really does work. It also works even better teamed with The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion - a product that has been a firm favourite of mine ever since I purchased it. The microdermabrasion leaves my skin feeling fresh and radiant, and is a perfect weekly treat. As you can see, I've used up quite a bit of it.

The Skin Reviver costs £13.00 and the Microdermabrasion costs £12.00. Am I going to buy more products from their Vitamin C range? I definitely will.

Have you tried any of their Vitamin C range? What products do you rely on for radiant skin?