Reviewing New Products #4

Hello my beauties!!! 

This is the fourth installment of my "Reviewing New Products" series! I think this is going to be my last one as I feel like after all the trial and error of trying different products I have finally found the ones that work best for my skin. Also I don't know how much more my poor skin can take! I tried the Belenos Botanique Rosehip Oil but I didn't like the feel of it on my skin and it didn't seem to do very much. Then there was The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension that made my neck itch. So I returned them and swapped the azelaic acid for the Active Formula Vitamin C Power Serum, which my skin liked a lot better. I can't say I've noticed much of a difference in the overall brightness or texture of my skin but I love the subtle fragrance and how easily the serum absorbs into my skin. It can be frustrating when products don't work for you but it's how you figure out what products and formulas work best for your skin. I've been trialling 4 new products for the last month and I'm excited to share my experience with you! I've put them in the order in which I introduced them...


#1) Nip + Fab Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum

Reasons for purchase: I was looking for a second serum to use at night after my Vitamin C and thought this product sounded cool! It said in the description that it helped calm redness, plump the skin and make it appear more radiant. I also liked the idea of a product with a "plumping" effect. It would also add an extra step to my nighttime skincare routine :)

Thoughts (after 1 week): Initially I liked the scent and the milky gel-like consistency of the formula. It spread well over the face and made my skin glow. However I was concerned that I had too much fragrance in my PM routine and that this was contributing to my redness after doing my routine. So after 5 days of testing it out I decided to return it, so that I could find a fragrance free alternative. Rating: 6/10

#2) L'Oreal Hydra Genius Aloe Water (Combination Skin)

Reasons for purchase: I purchased this product after my Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel ran out. I got it when it was on offer in Boots but it's full price was too expensive for me, so I decided to get a different gel moisturiser. I remembered using this moisturiser before and liking it. It also came in a bigger size than the water gel and was a few pounds cheaper, so you got more for your money. I also liked that it was for combination skin and had a pump dispenser.

Thoughts (after 3 weeks): I liked the lightweight formula and that it was made from aloe vera, which is a plant based humectant that draws moisture from the air to hydrate the skin barrier. However, compared to the Hydro Boost Water Gel it's very watery and doesn't have the same consistency that I'm used to. I used this in conjunction with the Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum and would mix the 2 together in my palms before applying it to my face and neck. However, once I stopped using the serum I realised how thin the consistency was and I missed my Hydro Boost Water Gel. I've now stopped using it and repurchased the water gel which I'm enjoying a lot more. I even managed to find it on eBay with a £5 off code :) Rating: 6/10

#3) Vichy Mineral 89 Daily Booster

Reasons for purchase: After returning the Dragon's Blood Fix Serum I decided to swap it for a fragrance free hydrating serum that had the same properties but wouldn't irritate my skin. I'd had my eye on the Vichy Mineral 89 serum for awhile and was desperate to try it, especially as the 30ml bottle was reduced to £8!

Thoughts (after 1 week): The first night I tried it I noticed that it was a lot thicker and gel-like than the other serum. It didn't spread as well and it made my skin feel tight and tacky after applying. After a couple of nights I noticed that the following evening my t-zone was a lot more oily than usual. So I decided to leave it out of my routine the next time I did my PM routine. Once I stopped using the serum I saw my oil levels decrease and go back to normal. I may try using it again in the future but this was purely an impulse buy and I wouldn't repurchase it unless it was on offer and worked really well for my skin. Unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations this time round. Rating: 2/10

#4) La Roche Posay Effaclar Astringent  Micro-exfoliating Lotion

Reasons for purchase: I'd been using the Pixi Glow Tonic as my chemical exfoliant for the past couple of months, however I was curious to try a different one. I saw this astringent toner and liked that it was made from a salicylic acid derivative called lipohydroxy acid (LHA) which means that it exfoliates the cells at a slower rate. Having sensitive skin I really liked the idea of a gentler exfoliation that would still penetrate my oily skin and unclog my pores of dead skin cells.

Thoughts (after 2 weeks): I've been trying to incorporate this chemical exfoliator into my routine gradually, so I started using it once a week and then increased to twice a week. A couple days after using it for the first time I noticed that I was starting to break out on my chin, cheek and forehead. Within 3 days I had 5 whiteheads and one under the skin pimple. At first I wasn't sure why after a month of clear skin I was suddenly getting multiple breakouts. However, I then read about skin purging online and how it can make you breakout in lots of little whiteheads in places where you'd normally get acne. Purging can happen as a side effect of trying new products that increase cell turnover, such as chemical exfoliants. I've decided to carry on using it as once the purging has cleared up I may start to notice some results. Rating: Needs further testing.

*Disclaimer: Although a few of the products didn't work for me, it doesn't mean they won't work for you, this is just my own personal experience.


Since my skin purging I've decided to go back to the skincare regime I had 2 months ago, as that's when my skin was at its best. I've stopped using the Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser and L'Oreal Aloe Water and repurchased the Nivea Refreshing Facial Wash Gel and the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. The only things that have stayed the same throughout the last 2 months are my rose water toner and TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum as I've never had any issues with them. However, I've decided to keep the Vitamin C serum in my nighttime routine as I'm hoping that in time it'll help fade my acne scars, improve texture and even my skin tone. If I don't notice any difference within the next month I may consider using a different Vitamin C serum, such as one from The Ordinary. I also want to continue using my Hydro Boost Awakening Eye Gel Cream as I can't see it interfering with any of my other products or causing breakouts. 

After simplifying my routine over the last 4 days I've noticed that my spots are already clearing and fading with the help of my Freederm Fast Track spot treatment, which I used before lockdown. I only stopped using it when I started the niacinamide serum and saw a massive difference in the amount of breakouts I got and how quickly it cleared them. I think I hoped that I wouldn't need any other spot treatment. However I think it's good to have one for the evening, just incase I get the odd breakout here and there. I'm going to keep doing my old routine- with the added Vitamin C, eye cream and LHA toner- and see if my overall skin condition improves. If my skin continues to breakout I might take out the Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Lotion and switch back to the Pixi Glow Tonic. After doing this routine for at least a month, I'm going to do an updated skincare routine blog post to let you know how I'm getting on with all the products and whether any tweaks need to be made. 

So watch this space!!!

Who Cares, We Care, Skincare :)