Intensive treatment

About a month ago, I posted a blogg about a vitamin sold by Holland and Barrett, Skin, Hair and Nails.  Well I thought that you may be interested in an update. I admit that at times it was difficult having to remember taking 3 tablets per day but I noticed the changes in my skin if I forgot to follow the recommended dose.  So I ask myself why didn't I discover this before? Taking a vitamin to repair the skin from the inside should have been something that I did years ago.  Supplementing this with oil cleansing, cleansing with a facial wash, using a serum and a night cream in the evenings would have made even more of an impact.

Out of your comfort zone

As my quest for affordable high street products continues, I manage to find something for my partner.  











Lacura GentleMan's Skincare kit, which includes a 15 ml revival serum and 24 hr hydro cream. This costs £12.99 for the complete set so I thought that I would try just one as he has very sensitive skin and often reacts to the most subtle of fragrances.  


However, this one seems to be a winner, the only problem is trying to get him to understand that less is more.  You only need to use a couple of drops of the serum as 15mls doesn't really go a long way but the 24hr hydro cream is incredible and  feels luxurious to the touch.  If the truth be known I think my partner prefers the cream to the serum but he has agreed to give them both a go, for how long who can tell? 

Once he has applied both of these products his skin looks a lot less tired than it use to and the area around his facial stubble seems a lot more smoother than it did.  When I return to Aldi, I notice that the cost of the product has reduced to £4.99, so what do I go and do? Purchase another 5, I hope he uses them.

Bearded lady

For the last couple of weeks, I've been researching the different types of grooming products available for men.  I've discovered a product called By My Beard and have got a number of men who are sporting different styles of beards at varying lengths to test the products for me and the results are pretty impressive.  The products include a Beard Shampoo, Beard Conditioner/Moisturiser and Beard Oil.  So what's the difference between these products and what's already out there.  Its all in the price and in addition to this as well as using these products I've asked them to all start taking Omega 3. In just over the week, their complexion has improved and their beard is looking great.  

These 3 products are available from www.etsy.com.uk/shop on my SkinProducts4u page and cost £8.50 for all 3.  So if you know someone who has a beard that needs a little TLC then what are you waiting for? Make that introduction and make it happen.

By My Beard - Beard Shampoo 300ml

The Shampoo is made up of selected skin & hair conditioners that have been combined with tea tree oil, a great anti-bacterial.  This will keep your beard clean, soft and manageable and at the same time help to soothe your skin as your beard is growing.

By My Beard - Beard Conditioner & Face Moisturiser 300ml

This wonderful lotion is suitable for all facial hair which includes your 5 o'clock shadow, extended goatee through to your full on beard.  The menthol will reduce any irritation that might occur during those awkward stages of hair growth, whilst the essential oils provides moisture throughout the day.  The Moisturiser can be applied as part of your daily routine and will care for the skin at the base of your beard whilst helping to soften it at the same time.

By My Beard - Beard Oil 30 ml

1-2 drops of this conditioning oil warmed in the palms of your hands is all that is required for your beard hair and skin.  The oil absorbs quickly and leaves a pleasant fragrance, that smells really good.

Skin deep

For the last week, I've been taking skin, hair and nail vitamins, 3 tablets per day which seems quite a lot  but the results are worth it.  My skin started to clear up within a couple of days and my nails got longer and stronger.  I've also noticed that I'm getting less blemishes on my face so I'm hoping to see what happens if I continue to take these tablets over the next few weeks.  I've given up using the Lumie Clear light therapy and feel that taking the vitamins in conjunction with my skin routine is possibly having a better effect.

Skin, Hair and Nails vitamins is available from Holland and Barrett starting from £10.29 for 60 tablets and are currently in the penny sale.

Hiding behind the mask

They say that you can use a face mask (my favourite is Lacura Caviar peel mask £6.99) once a week and that you should steam your face before you do this to enable your pores to be opened. I have a facial steamer but I'm not its biggest fan.  I don't notice any improvement when I use it other than my face feeling warmer.  However, its a product that I rarely use and therefore am limited to comment about its long term effects.  Having said that LIDL also sell a ionic facial steamer which is by Sanitas and will hopefully be part of their special buy range in February 2017, if they decide to  sell it again.  I'm likely to give this a go  as you can never have too many beauty devices.

I'm not invisible anymore

I took it all off, every trace of make-up and I like what's in front of me but I did have a little help, Microderma-brasion.  I purchased my Sanitas Microderma-brasion £24.99 from Lidl about a year ago, I didn't have a clue back then what Microderma-brasion was but thought that it had to be good as there were only a couple left when I got to the supermarket.  So I watched a couple of videos on youtube and its still as effective today as it was back then. Any blemishes remaining on my face just seemed to fade away.  I then followed with Lacura facial treatment oil for dry skin even though mine is combination and the next morning, my skin looked amazing.  The blemishes had virtually gone, (likely to be hormonal given that they arrived quickly and departed in the same manner) my skin was glowing. So I left the house with just eyeliner and mascara and the rest is as they say another story.

I'm not letting go

My partner has no idea what I am doing, he knows that I use a lot of products and that I'm always trying out some new beauty treatment but he never tells me that I should stop. If he did I wouldn't listen to him anyway, the point is everyone has a vice of some sorts and I guess mine is about getting quality at a fraction of the cost that others would want to pay. 

For years, I've have only ever used brand named products. I have lived and breathed Clinique for approximately 18 years but when my skin started to change as soon as I hit my 30's in that I was prone to several outbreaks some would even call, mild adult acne.   I figured that I wasn't really getting what I was paying for, so at the age of 39 I decided to take my skin care routine into unknown territory.  I began by researching a beauty product called Lacura that I discovered could be purchased from my local Aldi store.  I then plucked the courage to do a few skin patch tests to see if I would react to any of the ingredients and four years later I haven't looked back.