I have been feeling like the blogging muse has left me. When I mentioned this to my friend Undina, she encouraged me to try a post about skincare, especially as she enjoys reading them. As you will see from this post, Undina is unlikely to be reading frivolous blog posts at the moment, but I wanted to write this for her. Even if she doesn’t read it right now, the thought is there.
As it happens, I have had the chance to try a range of high-end products over the last few months thanks to a Caroline Hirons Hall of Fame kit and the SpaceNK Beauty Advent Calendar. Below are my thoughts on some of them.
Votary Rose Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil
This is a top quality product and smelled pleasantly of earthy geranium. However, I’ve decided cleansing oils just aren’t for me. It was nice to use during winter mornings because it felt nourishing but I didn’t particularly enjoy the feeling of it on my skin and I prefer something that feels more cleansing in the evening.
Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser, Beauty Pie
I’d heard a lot of hype about this cleanser so when subscription service Beauty Pie did a month’s free trial it was top of my list. I must say it has a lovely creamy texture and feels very soft on the skin. It is the furthest thing from a harsh, stripping cleanser. It’s nice but I didn’t feel the love I expected. The scent is a bit too subtle for my taste. OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel is still my favourite.
NMF Lactic Toner, Pestle & Mortar
Last summer when I was taking a break from tretinoin, I would use this exfoliating acid toner after cleansing. I love the dispenser which means you just have to press down your cotton wood pad on the top to saturate it. It left my skin increasingly glowy with regular use and did not irritate. Lactic acid is more hydrating than glycolic or salicylic acid. I’ll continue with this or the MediK8 Press and Glow Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic each summer or whenever I have a stubborn dry patch of skin.
Hydrating Accelerator, Josh Rosebrook
Caroline Hirons calls this ‘Jesus Juice’ and it’s far and away the best mist I’ve tried. Nobody needs a facial spritz in their routine but I like them and tret dries out my skin. I use one every morning after cleansing but I particularly like using them after an acid (like the one above) as a kind of neutraliser. This has an aloe vera juice base infused with a range of vitamins and nutrients. It is hard to find a facial mist which isn’t like a fire hose but Hydrating Accelerator dispenses the finest mist I’ve come across. It also has a lovely vanillic natural fragrance. It’s expensive (£35) but I will repurchase when I run out and can get a discount.
Hyaluronic Serum, Dr Barbara Sturm
Talking of Caroline, if there is a brand that is likely to make her blood boil it’s the one by celebrity dermatologist Dr Barbara Sturm. I can see why. Charging £235 for a 35ml bottle of hyaluronic acid is eyebrow raising to say the least as HA is not a super expensive ingredient. I always apply a hyaluronic acid after my spritz to rehydrate the skin after cleansing. This one worked well and a little went a long way, but I would not dream of spending that much on a hydrating step. I’ll stick with Hada Labo.
CEO Glow Vitamin C and Tumeric Facial Oil, Sunday Riley
Once my hyaluronic acid has sunk in, I use a vitamin C serum. My holy grail is the CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum by Sunday Riley but I got the oil version in the calendar. I think it’s a good option for sensitive, dull skin but I’ve come to the conclusion I’m just not a fan of facial oils generally.
The Rich Cream, Augustinus Bader
Another super spendy brand, the 15ml mini I got of this moisturiser was worth £69. I hate to say it, but it’s good. It’s not the overly heavy cream I expected it to be. It has a substantial texture but didn’t feel heavy on the skin and sank in pretty much straight away. I wouldn’t blame anyone who had the money for buying this, but it’s still ‘just’ a really nice moisturiser. I prefer to put most of my money into my actives. My current moisturiser of choice is Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream.
The Blue Cocoon, May Lindstrom
Now this is my kind of luxury skincare product. Completely organic and made by hand, its quality and ethical production is unquestionable. What I love about it though is the sensorial experience. I adore the glorious blue colour, the chocolatey smell and the way it melts into a oil as I massage it into my skin. I use it on weekends when I take two nights off from tret and it’s a real treat. I’ve heard it can be a game-changer for all sorts of skin conditions but luckily I don’t currently have any those concerns. It gives me a nice glow in the morning but I can get that from an acid. If money were no object, I’d never be without a jar for the pure joy of it.
Have you tried any of these or found something new to add to your skincare routine? Please let us know in the comment.
A Bottled Rose 
Undina was right as usual. 🙂 I also like your skincare posts, always something new to be found there.
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Thanks Ines! I appreciate the encouragement.
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I haven’t tried any of the products you reviewed. I have switched to a totally new skincare routine using Vemel products only. After a period of intense grief I developed eczema in my face, and my rosacea got a lot worse. I tried the Vitamin Rich Face Butter and added other Vemel products to my routine. The eczema has almost gone, my skin has calmed down and looks a lot better.
Hope the muse finds you again.
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Thank goodness your new routine worked. Eczema can definitely be brought by stress. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Did you see my reply on the Saturday’s Question? Otherwise my email is under ‘Contact’ here.
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Oh, I didn’t see it. Will contact you! Thank you.
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I mailed you, sometimes my mail ends up as spam.
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I enjoy your skin care post, fun to learn what is new and what you like. All new to me except the Sunday Riley. I also use tretinoin religiously and occasionally need a day or two off due to dryness and irritation. I love HA and use Timeless, as well as the vitamin C from that line. I also like Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair for a soothing overnight treatment.
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That’s good to hear Kathleen. I did enjoy writing it once I got going.
I heard that as a guide, you use tret the same number of nights as the first number in your age. I’m nearly 50 so I do 5 nights a week which seems to work for me.
I hear a lot about people using Timeless in the US. They sound like good quality products at an affordable price.
I know a lot of people swear by ANR. I just couldn’t get on with the texture when I tried a sample but that was a long time ago.
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That sounds about right by my experience. Now that I am in my 50s, 5 nights per week works for me as well.
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I’m having rosacea problems lately, so my skin care routine is very simple. Cleansing with Fresh soy face cleaner, Tatcha rice powder enzymatic exfoliant and La Roche Posay Cicaplast cream.
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I’m sure keeping it simple is the way to go. Cicaplast has such a good reputation for soothing stressed skin. I found the Soy Face Cleanser nice and cooling.
I heard we might finally be getting Tatcha in the UK this year. I hope so.
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I am very happy you regained your mojo in a skincare post, and how beautiful is that Blue Cocoon balm! Unfortunately I am in a pretty dark place at the moment with my three kinds of dermatitis and a new skin condition on top of them(!), so pretty much nothing works anymore, and I have patches of this and that showing up more days than not. The Vitamin E allergy further bedevils the matter, as some of the Vemel stuff I was curious about on seeing Hamamelis’s comment turns out to have it in. On a good day I do really love that Beauty Pie cream you got me! Will be sorry when it is gone.
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I’m so sorry V. That is truly miserable. If only it could be anywhere but the face! Too bad about Vernal but always worth checking these things out. Wish there was a magic potion out there for you.
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Thank you, Tara! I loved this post!
I previously tried Protini Polypeptide Cream and liked it, but your mentioning it just put it into my shopping cart for the upcoming Sephora sale.
That blue potion looks great! But I’m not ready yet to pay that price (though, it might be well worth it).
I’ve heard previously about the last 2 brands in your mini-review post but never tried any of the products.
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Excellent! My goal was achieved then.
I like the Protini moistuiser because it’s a good way to get a range of peptides into my routine without adding another serum.
I think at some point you should treat yourself to the May Lindstrom Chocolate Box which has 7 deluxe samples including The Blue Coccon for $70. Lord knows you deserve some indulgent self-care.
https://www.maylindstrom.com/products/the-chocolate-box
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I really enjoyed reading this! I have to try the hyaluronic serum, I’ve been seeing it. Great post 👍
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Thank you!
There are a lot more affordable options on the market but HA is great for dehydrated skin.
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