Holy Grail Beautyy . . .

• Cruelty Free NO
• Fragrance Free YES
• Alcohol Free YES
• 6 months expiry from time of opening
• Opaque tube packaging
• Formulated for Sensitive skin
• Hydrates for 48hours
• Inexpensive $29.95 AUD
• Non comedogenic, opthamologist and dermatologist tested

This is my first La Roche Posay product review.

Beauty Guru

This is a moisturiser that helps to protect the skin barrier and for skin that is dry, suffers from some redness, sensitivity, that feels uncomfortable and not supple.  I found it useful as I get bad heat rash on my face and neck in summer months and it helped to calm it down and hydrate the skin which was dry and rough.  I now use it to seal in the rest of my skincare before I apply sunscreen during the day and as an added bonus moisture layer after my night time skin routine.

It contains Niacinamide, Squalane, Shea Butter and Glycerin all excellent skin barrier boosting ingredients.

It feels very nice and envelopes my skin in a very comforting manner.  I love it! I wish it came in a larger size with a longer expiry then six months.

I definitely recommend this product.

Ingredients

WATER, ISOCETYL STERATE, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPARTE, SQUALANE, BUTYROSPERMUM, PARKII BUTTER/ SHEA BUTTER, GLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, GLYCERYL STERATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-100 STERATE, NIACINAMIDE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID


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Image via Adorebeauty.com.au
La Roche-Posay

• Cruelty Free YES
• Fragrance Free NO
• Vitamins A and E
• Sodium Hyaluronate
• High end pricing $135 AUD 50mls
• Pump opaque bottle

This is my 8th product review of the Australian medical grade skincare brand, Glyco Skincare.  You can read the others here.

Beauty Guru

This moisturiser lives up to it's name of Daily Benefits! An oil free, sheer emulsion, it contains Vitamin E, Sodium Hyaluronate and Retinyl Palmitate.  It comes in an opaque, pump bottle so the ingredients are protected from oxidation and bacteria.  It does have a slight fragrance but quickly evaporates after application.

The hyaluronic is no joke I have a deep wrinkle under my left eye and this product fills it up completely! Hence why the name Daily Benefits is so apt! I experienced some skin peeling with the retinyl palmitate mainly on my nose which really needed it and in the area between my eyebrows and was left with fresh, smooth skin. 

I use this moisturiser in conjunction with Glyco Skincare Cellular Defence Day Creme SPF 15+, and Banana Boat Sensitive SPF 50+.  That is my daily routine after cleansing with Glyco Skincare Peptide AOX Cleansing Gel. 

Every product I buy and try (as you receive two samples with each order which is awesome) I fall in love with and become addicted to!

This moisturiser is perfect for those who don't like heavy formulas and is great for the summer time too as it absorbs into the skin in seconds.

I definitely recommend this product!

What are your favourite moisturisers? Comment below!

Ingredients

Water, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Caesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Capryle Glycol, Fragrance.


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Image via Glyco.com.au
GLYCO Skincare

• Cruelty Free TBA
• Fragrance Free NO
• Expensive $10 AUD for one
• Normal to dry skin types
• Sheet mask with cut outs

This is my first sheet face mask from FaceInc.

Beauty Guru

I love sheet face masks especially a cat themed one! This mask is feline themed and it contains chamomile, propolis wax, rice bran extract, green tea and botanical root extracts to name a few.

The mask itself fits average, the bottom half of the mask fell short in terms of not reaching my full face and it goes past my chin but doesn't stick under and whilst that is not a problem in itself, the mask is incredibly saturated with its active ingredients.  I had to use a hand towel and prop it on my chest to catch the excess which is a shame, although I could apply to my neck and hands.

Its left on for 15 minutes and then you remove and let dry, no rinsing required.  The result was great I do think it brightened my face and it felt very cool and smooth and enlivened.  It does contain denatured alcohol which is the third ingredient on the list which isn't ideal but it is a one time use product so I wouldn't buy a product now with that as the third ingredient but in a face mask well there is worse things.

Apart from the excessive liquid I recommend this mask but there is much better out there.  I loved this one.


Ingredients

WATER, GLYCERIN, ALCOHOL DENAT., 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, CARBOMER, TROMETHAMINE, ACACIA CONCINNA FRUIT EXTRACT, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT, GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, DISODIUM EDTA, SALICYLIC ACID, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, PHENOXYETHANOL.


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Images by me.
FaceInc

• Medical Grade Skincare
• Dermatologist Formulated
• Australian brand
• Cruelty Free YES
• Fragrance Free 
• High end pricing 50mls $210 AUD
• Vitamins C, E and F
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Peptides and Marine Algae

UPDATE APRIL 2019:  I have recently joined Glyco's new affiliate program and if you wish to enhance your skincare wardrobe, then please use this code for $20 off your purchase.  SAVE20-TZHESI 

I just turned 39 years old and I have a fair oily/combination skin.  


This is my fifth review on products from the Australian medical grade skincare brand Glyco Skincare.  Check those reviews out on the Product Index. 

Beauty Guru

This is my first ever experience with a neck cream from any brand.  Now that I am 39 years old I have noticed certain changes in my neck skin and decided it was time to intervene! I was experiencing crepey skin in the clavicle area, lack of moisture, and an overall aged appearance.

This stunning cream is a pleasure to use with its thick, opulent texture that absorbs immediately once applied.  It contains essential antioxidants vitamins C, E and F plus evening primrose oil among other highly beneficial skin cell communicating ingredients.  I use it twice a day and apply it in a rhythmic fashion with upward strokes which is the best way to apply it to get the most benefits from the cream for your skin.

I feel the whole decolletage area and neck is rejuvenated, the skin is supple and and has quickly become part of my day and night skincare routine seamlessly.

I received the cream in the first week of September and its nearly been a month and a half of me using the product,  I wish I took a photo of the areas of concern when I started using it because it would illustrate just how much it has improved. I have photos of it during October though in which you can see the state of my skin in the neck area.



I definitely recommend this cream!


Ingredients

Water, Ethylhexyl Palitate, Stearic Acid, Xylitylglucoside Anhydroxylitol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Cetyl Alcohol, Galactoarabinan, Polyacrylamide, C13-14, Isoparraffin, Laureth-7, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Linoleic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Ascorbate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Evening Primrose Extract, Algae Extract, Pullulan, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Lecithin, Tall Oil Sterol, Mannitol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA

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Product image via Glycoskincare.com.au
Glyco Skincare

• Cruelty Free YES
• Fragrance Free YES
• Medical Grade 
• Multiple Peptides and Marine Formula
• High End Pricing $135 AUD 15mls

UPDATE APRIL 2019:  I have recently joined Glyco's new affiliate program and if you wish to enhance your skincare wardrobe, then please use this code for $20 off your purchase.  SAVE20-TZHESI

This is my fifth product I have reviewed from the new Australian medical grade skincare brand Glyco Skincare. You can read them and more at the Product Index . 


Beauty Guru

I have never used an eye cream until now.  I also didn't feel the need to use one also until now! I turned 39 in September and my eyes are puffier and there is a little bit of uneven pigmentation under there also and crows feet starting to grow deeper and longer. I started using the product in the first week of September and I apply it twice daily.  I noticed changes after a month had passed.



This eye cream targets eye concerns that many people struggle with namely darkness, puffiness, crows feet and improving clarity and firming under the eye and surrounding tissues.


For me this creme has de-puffed my under eye significantly so much so that even my father commented on my face looking particularly fresh and bright! Now that is the type of reaction I like to hear when I'm using a new skincare product! The area underneath looks bright and clear and I couldn't be happier with the results.

I definitely recommend this product!

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Images of me by me; product image via Glyco Skincare website
GLYCO Skincare


Ingredients

Water, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dipeptide-2, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Pullulan, Steareth-20, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

We are all know that our environment impacts our skin's health.  From cigarette smoke to exhaust fumes it all takes its toll on our skin and its inherent health and appearance.

Skincare and beauty consumers in China are focusing on their air quality and its subsequent effect on their skin with targeted anti-pollution skincare products.  Particularly face masks are being used with not just a dirt removing function but an actual premise of  'cleaning' the skin and over 30 percent of Chinese interviewed stated that pollution is a huge concern to their skin's appearance.

The sheet mask is the 'most wanted' skincare product due to its ease of use, having lots of options for consumers to choose from and the inclusion of superior quality ingredients, which appeals to the savvy customer.  In 2017, 15% of new products launched were face mask formulations as recorded by Mintel Global New Products Database.

What we are really talking about here is Free Radicals and Antioxidants.

So what are free radicals?  Free radicals were brought to the public's attention some time ago and now they are back at the forefront of skincare news under the euphemism 'Pollu'aging'.  They are the chemical particulates leftover from damage to our skin once it's occurred, causing inflammation from pollution, being in the sun, smoking, taking legal and illegal drugs and poor diet etc.  This in turn causes dull, aged, thickened, uneven tone and rough textured skin.  That is why you need an effective barrier skincare system to combat the daily stressors our skin gets bombarded with. 

What are antioxidants? Products containing ingredients such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, SPF 15 or higher daily and reapplied, retinol, stem cell products and peptides counteract the damage caused by oxidation to a living organism like our skin, to clean up the free radicals that will in turn reduce the inflammation of the skin that free radicals cause.  It comes down to healing the skin with targeted antioxidants because free radicals are impossible to completely avoid every day. SPF is essential to have a barrier between your skin and cancer causing UVA/UVB rays. Having a thorough skincare regime is key to keeping your skin at its best and armed to deal with environmental stressors.  Sheet masks are just one way of getting the ingredients you need, below are some cruelty free antioxidant hero products.

Products to try

•  Glyco Skincare Advanced Cellular Stem-C Serum $165
•  Glyco Skincare Cellular Defence Day Creme SPF 15 $138
•  MooGoo 3 Vitamins Serum $24.90 
•  MooGoo Natural Sunscreen SPF 40 $19.90
•  Societe Rejuvenating Peptide gel sheet maskpack of 13 $130
•  byterry Detoxilyn City Serum Detoxifying Defense Concentrate $185
•  Rationale Super Antioxidant Serum $156

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Consumer Report information - SpecialChem

• Cruelty Free YES'
• Fragrance Free NO but unobtrusive
• Chemical free SPF YES
• High End pricing $138 AUD for 60 mls 2 fl.oz
• Lightly Tinted 
• For men and women

UPDATE 3 APRIL 2019:  I have recently joined Glyco's new affiliate program and if you wish to enhance your skincare wardrobe, then please use this code for $20 off your purchase.  SAVE20-TZHESI

UPDATE 2:   I had this creme from May 2018 and it is now 19 January 2019 and I just RAN OUT OF IT! That's right the same original tube!  This is an unprecedented amount of time for a daytime moisturiser that I have ever used.  I love this product so much it is now an essential product for me, its formulation also assists oily skin due to it's mattifying properties which is a dream for oily/combination people like me! Can't rate this product highly enough!! 

UPDATE:  Product is now airless pump packaging.

This is one of four products that I have tried after two or so months of using.  My skin type is oily/combination and currently 38 years of age. 

Beauty Guru

GLYCO is a new medical grade skincare company in Australia.  Clinically proven results are available on their website and I absolutely believe I am a recipient of those proven results in my skins appearance!

This creme is tinted very lightly and I have mine in light.  The SPF component is made up of zinc and titanium for a chemical free recipe of protection from UVA/UVB rays.

I absolutely love this day creme.  The tint in it is very sheer, but gives a lovely glow that with other cosmetic products like face powder etc work very well when layered.  It does recommend this creme as a primer or light foundation anyway.

The skin care includes peptides, antioxidants and it definitely gives the skin a plump, youthful and refined look.  I have found once I have used these products from GLYCO I don't think I can go back to what I was using before! Rice proteins give excellent hydration to skin and reinforce its barrier from the toxins in our daily environment. 

My only concerns/criticism with this product is that it does contain fragrance.  In this day and age I do not understand the inclusion of fragrances in skin and cosmetic products.  At least this product is not tested on animals.

I definitely recommend this product!

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Image via Glyco.com.au
GLYCO

Ingredients:

Active

Titanium Dioxide 4.0%, Zinc Oxide 7.5 %


Inactive 

Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Caapric Tryglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C13-16 Isoparaffin, C12-14 Isoparaffin, Aluminum Hydroxide, C13-15 Alkane, Isostearic Trihydrate, Octyldodecyl, Neopentanoate, Phenoyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein (Colhibin), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein (Elhibin), Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Aloe Vera Gel, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Fragrance.

• 50 mls for $48 AUD or 1.76 ounces
• Combination to dry skin types
• Fragrance Free NO
• Paraben Free YES
• Vegan Friendly YES
• Ingredient and hygiene friendly pump jar
• Does include Dimethicone

This is my first time using a moisturiser from the eponymous named brand by beauty brand Mecca Cosmetica.

Beauty Guru

One glance at the ingredients list you can see that this formula contains great moisturising and replenishing ingredients such as Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Allantoin and more.  I was disappointed in the inclusion of fragrance in this product because we all know it's not necessary and not good for our skin.

The rest of the ingredients are standard fillers and emulsifiers and preservatives that most products require to have a controlled formula that doesn't separate etc.  It is housed in an airless pump tub which is great for ingredient integrity and hygiene which is beige and gold.  The price is good for 50mls, if it were 30 mls I would be side eyeing it heavily! 

The cream is white and rich but not greasy and absorbs quickly.  The fragrance is not over powering which is good.  I have combination oily skin that is 38 years old right now, and my skin loves it.  I also apply it to my hands and neck/decolletage as my last step in my night time skincare routine.

I am unsure about this brand's cruelty free status although I have a feeling it is not as they advertise it as vegan and paraben free so it would make sense if it were cruelty free that it would state that information as well. 

All in all, I do recommend this product but I would love it more if the formula omitted the fragrance.

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Image via Mecca.com.au
Mecca

This is my second face mask from the brand, Garnier you can read that review here Garnier Volcanic Clay Rock 3 Minute Mask

Beauty Guru

This is a black sheet mask which fits pretty well on my face with the cut outs for eyes, nose and mouth. The first thing I notice is that it smells like something from childhood, I THINK it's Mercurochrome or something that smells just like it i.e. alcohol.  (Mercurochrome is an anti bacterial liquid that is bright red and our teachers at primary school used to put it on our cuts and scrapes in the playground.)

This mask is left on for fifteen minutes and you are advised to either rub the residue after the mask is removed into your skin or you can rinse it off.  This mask contains some good ingredients and some not great ones too; namely fragrance, alcohol and phenoxyethanol.  It does leave a bright, 'clean' appearance to the skin and it definitely was hydrated, plump and youthful looking.  I would prefer to have the least amount of irritating or damaging ingredients in my skincare and the intense alcohol smell was not comforting to me, despite the cosmetic appearance of my skin looking fresh and plump.

I will not recommend this mask for the damaging ingredients included in this mask.  When you can smell that alcohol in the intensity I did, just is not acceptable.

INGREDIENTS: 

WATER, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, PEG-32, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PVM/MA COPOLYMER, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ANANAS SATIVUS FRUIT EXTRACT/PINEAPPLE FRUIT EXTRACT, P-ANISIC ACID, ALCOHOL, PROPANEDIOL, SUCROSE, HYDROGENATED STARCH HYDROLYSATE, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID, XANTHAN GUM, FUCUS VESICULOSUS EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE

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Image via beautyheaven.com.au
Garnier

L'Oreal Paris introduced a range of skincare based on Centella Asiatica or aka Gotu Kola or Tiger Grass last year.  The name of this product is Revitalift Centella Cicacream Skin Repair Moisturiser.

L'Oreal's site states the following description of what a Cicacream is - "WHAT IS CICA CREAM?"
Born from French pharmacies, Cica creams are dermatologically formulated to soothe damaged skin by helping to reinforce its barrier function."  

This means mostly reddened skin and acne so these creams aim to reduce inflammation and attempt to help acne scarring.  Usually several versions of Centella is included in a formulation to help fight the inflammation and acne.  If you have these skin concerns then you should check out these brands versions of the cream and find one that works for you.

There is a lot of other brands that have a Cicacream in their product ranges, I have linked other blog/website product reviews for you to read:

Uriage bariederm repairing cica cream

Bioderma Cicabio Creme 

Product Review

OPE Derma Repair Cica Cream

 Product Review

Dr Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream

Product Review

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm

Product Review

A'Pieu Madecassoside Cream

Product Review

Acwell Anti Mark Gel Cream

Product Review

Cosrx Centella Blemish Ampoule

Product Review

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream

Product Review


Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream


Product Review

I hope you explore these options if you are concerned about the skin issues cicacreams can help with.

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All links are not affiliated to me.
Image from Bloommajesticbeauty.ca

• 3 minute mask
• Fragrance Free NO
• Cruelty Free NO
• Red Volcanic clay and rock
• Pore minimizer
• $3 AUD

My skin is 38 years old, freckled and oily/combination.

This is the first mask I have ever used by Garnier.

Beauty Guru

This mask purports to render pores minimized, to remove oil and give a purified appearance.
I had a bit of trouble opening the pack up it had those corners indicating to open from here and I applied it on the skin with a flat foundation brush.

It was easy to put on and after three minutes it started to warm.  I used makeup wipes to remove it as I thought it would be the easiest way if not showering.

I have to say that my pores were the most obvious thing on my face after this mask! Usually my pores aren't very prominent.  My skin looked matte but also lacking hydration.  Unfortunately for me this mask did not give me any benefits.

I have read other reviews and some are positive and some are like my experience so it really is a try it and see.

I do not recommend.

Ingredients

Glycerin, Kaolin, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Montmorillonite, Water, Propylene Glycol, Tea-Lactate, Urea, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Allantoin, Sorbitol, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Serine, Perlite, Propylene Carbonate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate,  Fragrance.

• Cruelty Free YES
• Fragrance Free YES
• PH Balanced
• Australian brand and made
• Mineral oil FREE
• Paraben FREE
• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate FREE
• PEG and Synthetic Penetration ingredients FREE
• Reasonably priced $34.90 AUD 2.6 ounces

This is my first time using MooGoo products.  I needed another moisturiser after I finished the Strivectin SD Advanced Intensive Concentrate for Wrinkles and Stretch Marks moisturiser and I use the Drunk Elephant B Hydra Intensive Gel moisturiser at night time.  After cleansing with the Sante micro fibre facial cleanser disc, I use this moisturiser then a 50+ SPF by Banana Boat.

Beauty Guru

I definitely wanted to get a new moisturiser by a cruelty free company.  MooGoo is certainly cruelty free and affordable as well!

Here is an excerpt from the Moo website that explains how the brand came to be: MooGoo came about when the head of our herd thought it was unusual that his mother was using a product made for cows for her skin condition. The "Udder Cream" being used in dairy farms was designed to help keep the skin on cow’s udders in prime condition for milking. Cow’s udders need to be soft and supple, not dry or cracked. However the original Udder Cream his mother used was very thick to apply. So he set about adapting this cream for humans by making it lighter and non-greasy.

And now there is a whole range of products including hair-care, deodorant, a special oncology pack and so much more! I had no idea there was so many products.  So far, my experience has been great with this cream.  It is better to apply it with a slightly damp face because I feel it absorbs better.  The two main stars of this product is an oil soluble Vitamin C and Resveratrol, both strong antioxidants.  There is another moisturiser with sunscreen in it in the range.  But I chose this one deliberately.

Now the product is housed in a opaque pump bottle.  It has a slight sweetish milk scent which figures because it is based on milk! It is a white lotion that spreads quickly and leaves a matte feel to the skin.  I apply it to my neck as well and tops of my hands.  I accidentally got some cream in my eye and it felt funny because I had something in my eye and i simply wiped it out and that was that.  Some products if they make their way to the eye can cause intense irritation and loads of rinsing out but the lack of reaction for me speaks to how safe these ingredients are.  I feel that this cream leaves a great base for the next product you wish to layer with and so on, due to the matte effect.

Usually I list the ingredients with hyperlinks out to what they are but the MooGoo site lists their ingredients and it includes what those ingredients actually are in a table below the product description, so I am just going to link that address instead and you can see the list all at once below.

I definitely recommend this cream as a great source of natural efficient ingredients at a reasonable price.  Holy grail status!

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Image via MooGoo.com.au
MooGoo

This is my third product I have bought from The Ordinary, having been impressed thoroughly by two of their other products which I have reviewed here the Matrixyl 10 % + HA and the Buffet serums.

Beauty Guru

I was looking for a replacement vitamin C serum as I knew I was about to run out of my current choice, the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum product (which I have gone through at least three bottles of previously) and I also wanted to branch out and try different vitamin C products for my skin and also for review purposes. 

After having so much personal success with the other products I have tried from The Ordinary, I decided to try this vitamin c formulation,  There is another vitamin c preparation that they have but I ended up choosing this one.

Let me tell you, the effect the next day was immediate.  My face was considerably brightened! It was hydrated, smoother, softer just everything you want to achieve with these kind of products. I only use vitamin c products on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and the rest of the week nights I use AHA's and other skin care products. During the day if I am not wearing base products I will cleanse, moisturise and apply sunscreen. 

The product component itself is again in a frosted dropper bottle.  If you are not careful with the dropper and replacing the dropper back into the bottle, it can get on the bottle so be mindful.

Thankfully, it doesn't smell like citrus which I didn't like with the Drunk Elephant version.  It is a clear, slightly viscous liquid which you can quickly smooth across your face, hands, neck and decolletage.  It dries quickly and has an ever so slight tackiness to the touch on the skin.  Once you apply another product on top that vanishes so it does layer very well.  I used it for the allotted time of three nights and I am sold on this product.  The effect is wonderful and for such an affordable price.  There is not too much more to say other than this is a great product.


Once again, it is very affordable and I got mine in a 25% off sale.  Otherwise I think it was approximately around $20 AUD for the standard amount.

Definitely recommend this product!  Ten out of Ten! Holy Grail Status.

For more information on ingredients please see below and click the one you are interested in and it will take you to a page that will inform you of the ingredient and what it does for the skin in this formulation.  None of these websites I have linked to have an affiliation with me.  It is purely a reference material resource.


Ingredients 

Aqua (Water), Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Triethanolamine, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

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Image created by me.
The Ordinary

• Cruelty Free NO
• Fragrance Free NO
• 30 mls
• Pump bottle
• Expensive at $85 AUD

My skin is oily/combination, fair with freckles and 38 years old currently.


I have never used Clarins products before so this was a new experience for me with the brand.  I actually won this serum in an Instagram competition with Clarins Australia.

Beauty Guru

I had just finished my Lancome Genefique Sensitive Full Concentrate and this prize came at just the right time! I believe this is an updated incarnation of the original serum.  This version contains approximately 20 or so plant extracts

The bottle is a pump action one with two settings one for a small drop of product and the second setting for a larger drop of the product.  There is two separate products that are contained within the component which combine when you press the pump and then you mix the liquid with your finger before applying to the face.

I ended up using the larger setting and it lasted two months at least.  I used it once a day at nighttime on my face, neck, decolletage and tops of my hands.  It definitely feels nice when applying to the skin but I am undecided as to whether it made that much of an impact on my skin. 

 It does contain sodium hyaluronate so your skin will appear plumped up and there is ton of plant extracts including plants that are known skin irritants such as Perilla seed oil which is part of the mint family (if you want to know more about any of the ingredients listed just click on the name and you will be directed to an information source *not affiliated*).  It contains a large amount of fragrance and is listed way up in the first quarter of the ingredients list which is also not what you want in this type of skincare and with the price of this product it shouldn't be included.  Personally, I would rather it smell unappealing or of nothing at all. 

It also contains mineral oil which a lot of people have issue with on their skin and from a consumer ethics aspect.  It doesn't cause irritation on my skin but with the fragrance as well its not a good mix.  Some of the more proven beneficial ingredients such as Vitamin C are on the bottom of the list which means that their concentration in this serum is low to almost non existent.  Even with all the botanical extracts most of them are of average benefit and are only big in skin conditioning or are emollients and which would make this an expensive, fragranced, and light moisturiser. 

I do not recommend this product for purchase.  I didn't notice any particular changes that this serum did for me, and I have gone back to The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA which I saw an improvement in my skin again in a few days.  Interestingly, the Clarins serum also contains Matrixyl but at what percentage I do not know.  I do recommend trying The Ordinary's Matrixyl 10 % + HA instead for a fraction of the price.

This product could have been improved by removing the fragrant ingredients; the ones that are there purely for scent purposes, the mineral oil base, the Perilla seed and the Parsley extract in this serum is also known to have adverse topical applications.  For $85 AUD you don't need this product.


Ingredients

I subscribe to a skincare website and saw this article that is AWESOME!

Even though I still have products that have been tested on animals, I aim to always purchase cruelty-free products where-ever possible and to find alternatives to the products as much as I can.  My aim in the long term is to have all cruelty free makeup. 

Please read this article and share on behalf of all the beautiful animals in our world. European Parliament Demands Global Ban on Animal Testing

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Special Chem

• Cruelty free NO
• Expensive, two sizes available
• Tube component
• Fragrance free NO

My skin type is oily/combination which is fair with freckling and currently 38 years old.

This is the first and only product I have tried by StriVectin and  I have used it for  7 months as I bought the biggest size available. 

Beauty Guru

I had received a deluxe size sample back in late December 2016 with another beauty product purchase in store at David Jones *a local high end department store*.  I started using it and after about two weeks I noticed a difference in my skin.  It is expensive even at the smaller size but because I was impressed by the results from the sample size I splashed out and bought the largest version.

If you haven't heard of this brand, it found fame around ten years ago stating it was a needle free version of Botox.  It received a lot of hype because of this statement which ultimately proved untrue.  There is nothing like Botox except Botox which is an invasive skin injectable.  Until technology can replicate the muscle movement restricting effects of Botox in a topical formulation then that is the state of affairs.

Since then it has been reformulated three times and the Botox claim has been dropped (which never had scientific research to back up such a strong statement ever).  This version has a whole host of beneficial ingredients to provide moisture and anti ageing benefits to your skin.  It is not fragrance free there is a scent there and it is from ingredients cinnamic and ginger.  It is not obnoxious though.

New advances in skincare science have revealed that Collagen III, or ‘youth collagen’, is critical to baby soft, smooth, skin. StriVectin SD Advanced is the first product to harness technology to target ‘youth collagen’ for impressive anti-wrinkle clinical results in just 15 days. Your skin will show a dramatic difference in the appearance of wrinkles with a skin surface that looks visibly plumped, renewed and revitalized. Statement from the StriVectin website on how this product performs.


I have to agree that with consistent use you will see a difference in two weeks.  I only used it at night or in the morning but I did not apply it twice a day but you absolutely can.  The majority of ingredients are great but some are known skin irritants for some people.

The reality is that without surgical or invasive techniques there are some things that cannot be altered with a topical product.  One of those is stretch marks and the other is deep formed wrinkles that stay in place no matter what your facial movements are.

The product is a white cream that is of a medium thickness to it.  You will smell the fragrance and cinnamic and ginger, it is not an obnoxious smell and after a while I no longer noticed it.  It comes in a squeeze tube.  It is not oily at all either.

I won't be repurchasing this moisturiser because I have found that using a good serum with a very hydrating moisturiser works better for me when I consider overall performance, cost, fragrance free status and cruelty free status.

I do recommend this product if you don't mind the cost, lack of cruelty free status and fragrance free status then it is a good well rounded moisturiser.  Ingredients that are known to potentially cause irritation to the skin are highlighted in bold type. The ingredients list below has hyperlinks to click on should you wish to learn more about that individual ingredient and learn about what really constitutes an expensive moisturiser on today's market. 

Ingredients List:

Water, Glycerin, Myristyl Nicotinate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Isocetyl Stearate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Resveratrol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Lunatus (Green Bean) Seed Extract, Rutin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Laureth-7, Aminomethyl Propanol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cinnamic Acid, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Stearic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Parfum (Fragrance), Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxide), Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin

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Strivectin

My skin is now 38 years old, fair with freckling and is oily combination.  I also live in Perth Australia.

• Jar Packaging YES but is a special component inside for product freshness
• 50 mls
• High end price point $88 AUD
• No irritating ingredients so more people can use it
• *Cruelty-Free. Recycle for Earth's Sake. Supporter of IEF (International Elephant Foundation).
  

 Previously I had only used the Drunk Elephant Hydra B Intensive Gel moisturiser which I loved especially as I have oily/combination skin, gel moisturisers are a great option for oily skin.  I wanted to try Lala Retro out and I have been using for two months and I am almost finished probably another two weeks worth left. 

Beauty Guru

Lala is housed in a jar with a push down pump to bring up the cream through the middle of the jar.  This is awesome because overall I don't trust the long term efficacy of traditional jar packaging because of the regular exposure to air and bacteria.  I gladly will pay money for a product that is using clever packaging to the benefit of the product and the consumer which of course is beneficial to the company.




It indeed is a light, whipped and creamy fast absorbing product.  There is no silicone's in this or sodium lauryl sulphates, fragrances, alcohol, essential oils which are very irritating to many people's skin and systems, chemical screens and dyes.  Because of these omitted substances, this product can lend itself to many people's skin types.  I use one product daily that has fragrance and you can really notice it when the rest of cosmetics and skincare is fragrance free.

It was voted by readers of Allure magazine as the best moisturiser and also contains six notable african oils.  I will highlight those in the ingredients and you can click the link to read about them.  The cream is packed with antioxidants, hydrating oils, vitamin c for skin brightening, sodium hylauronate for plumping of the skin, glycerin for protecting the skin as a barrier, passion fruit extract provides essential fatty acids and much more.

Does this product work though? It most definitely does! I now love both of the Drunk Elephant moisturiser's.  The creamier formulation did not clog my pores which can happen with other creamier formulations and give me pimples.  The main difference for me that I see is how rapidly the product absorbs which of course the gel absorbs immediately which is why it absorbs faster.  It might be the better option in the summer months and use Lala in the colder months.  Either way you cannot go wrong with either of them especially if you have a similar skin type as me.

My only real gripe is that it is very expensive at $88 AUD for 50mls.  However, I appreciate the product and its formulation and what the company stands for so I am willing to buy it and of course what the product does for my skin but I still try to use it prudently.

Definitely recommend. Ten out of ten. 

Ingredients:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Isostearate, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil/Glucose/Glycine Soja Meal/Malt Extract/Yeast Extract Ferment Filtrate (Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil/Glucose/Yeast Extract Ferment Filtrate), Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Ximenia Americana Seedate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ceteareth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin


*Direct from Drunk Elephant website as is the exact ingredients list.
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Image by me.
Drunk Elephant