Review: La Roche-Posay Serozinc Toner

Hello lovelies,

I'd heard so much about this product and on a recent trip to the pharmacie, it just fell into my basket. For those of you not in the know, Serozinc is  a Zinc Sulphate solution formulated with just that and little else, it can be sprayed on a cotton pad and swept over the face post-cleanser and used as a toner.

Serozinc is anti-bacterial and purifies the skin, as well as soothing irritations and prepping the skin for moisturiser. Zinc is a natural astringent so it's great for my combination skin. I've been getting dry patches with this weather but this really soothes them. I've found that I've been suffering from less blemishes and any existing ones are quickly fading. I wouldn't be put off even if you have sensitive skin, as the zinc is a natural element and it's actually really gentle. 

I tend to use this every couple of days, I wouldn't use it everyday as the zinc acts as a natural exfoliater and I like to switch this up with my beloved Botanics toner. I originally used this by spraying Serozinc directly onto my skin but I found that I was wasting quite a lot of product, so now I spray onto a cotton pad and sweep it across my face.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc can be picked up in the French pharmacies for around the 6 euro mark but if you're not planning a trip to France any day soon, then you can order Serozinc off Ebay for £13.75 including postage. 

Have you tried Serozinc?

Shower Time Essentials

Hello lovelies,

During my mini pamper session last night, I was thinking about what I would share with you for my next post. It occurred to me that I had not featured a what's in my shower, what's most used in my shower and it wouldn't feel right not having them there. Am I the only person who has a little shower routine - shampoo, face wash, conditioner, shower gel? Every time in that order.

I was going to take a picture of them all inside my shower but no one really wants to see an off-white student shower, plus I would probably have to sit on top of the basin to take a half decent picture!

For a while now, the Avon Advance Techniques Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner have been a part of my routine. I normally wash my hair everyday - I just like it to be squeaky clean. They both smell divine, particularly the conditioner and leave my hair soft and shiny. There will be a more in depth review of the pair, so that's all for now folks on these two.

Next up is the Soap & Glory Pulp Friction Foamy Fruity Body Scrub, I have to be honest and say I've only used it once. I went off Soap & Glory for a while, I think I just had a bit of a S&G overkill, every year I received the big box of goodies for Christmas and then I had an issue with the hand creams, they just kept going off. Sort it out S&G! But I'm glad I gave them another chance, I just used this on my arms and legs, and it buffed away all the dead skin.

Following on from the scrub is The Body Shop's Shea Shower Cream, I love this. It is literally the texture of cream and lathers up well. Personally I love the fragrance and I love The Body Shop's ethics. I apply a few squirts to my hands and lather it all over my body, it leaves my skin feeling soft and clean, plus it smells good. What more could you want?

The final product that is essential to me is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser, I just wouldn't be without this and you can find my review here. 

Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - £2.80

Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner - £2.80

Soap & Glory Pulp Friction Foaming Fruity Body Scrub - £8.00

The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream - £4.00

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser - £10.21

What are your shower/bath essentials?

Review: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

Hello lovelies,

It seems so long since I last reviewed anything! But it would just be plain rude of me not to review this much hyped product... when in France and all that jazz. I'm sure everyone has heard of this product as it's been making regular appearances on the blogosphere but for those who haven't, I'll explain. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo aims to help "reduce the appearance of imperfections and purifies pores. Effaclar Duo is a complete skincare solution that combines 4 active ingredients to act on the 2 major signs of skin with imperfections. Niacinamide and Piroone Olamine help reduce severe local imperfections by purifying the skin and protecting against breakouts developing. The LHA/Linoleic Acid combination helps unclog pores by eliminating dead cells responsible for their obstruction. These active ingredients are combined with soothing and anti-irritating La Roche-Posay thermal spring water." I hear you asking what? Basically a non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic light moisturiser that helps to purify and clear blemish prone skin.

Does it work? I apply this on cleansed skin in the evening, I use it as a moisturiser, some people apply it as a serum. If you had dry-combination skin, I would suggest using it alongside a separate moisturiser. I noticed an instant difference the first morning, my skin felt softer and smoother. I'm not saying it worked miracles over night because no product does, you have to use a product on a long term basis to work out if it's right for you. My skin was gradually improving from day to day but around about the two week usage mark, my skin broke out. I persevered, I felt that the Effaclar Duo was helping to purge my skin and draw all the impurities out. It got worse before it got better. 

I've been using this for around about a month now and I have noticed my pores are starting to feel and appear less clogged, the blemish marks are fading and becoming less noticeable. I feel like this sinks in well, the skin doesn't instantly absorb it but it doesn't leave any residue either. I would class it as lightweight moisturiser for problem skin. I have seen negative reviews but I reckon when it gets to the breakout stage, people stop using it and thus a negative view is formed.

It's something that I will continue to purchase for as long as it works for me. I picked mine up in Parapharmacie in France for 7.99 euro but for those in the UK, it is currently on offer for £9.75 at Boots (normally £13.00)

Have you tried this? Did it work for you?

Review: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser

Hello lovelies,

As you all know I've really been getting into skincare and I'm prepared to pay that little bit more for it. French skincare is renowned for being the best in the World, it is known for its highly effective formulas and its reasonable prices. And as I'm moving to France in a month's time- eeekkkkk!- I decided that it was time to work out which products I would stock up on whilst over there. 

The Effaclar range from La Roche-Posay is aimed at people with oily/sensitive skin. My skin is combination, I have an oily T- zone but dry above my eyebrows of all places, so I have to be careful with what I use. I don't want anything that is going to be too drying but neither anything that is going to aggravate my skin. This La Roche-Posay range is designed for blemish prone skin so I decided to try it anyway after loving their moisturising fluid from the same range. Too often I find products that are labelled as being gentle, they turn out to be ineffective and I want to see a change.

The Effaclar Purifying Gel gently purifies the skin by using specially selected ingredients that are designed to be kind to sensitive skin. It eliminates excess oil and sebum (the stuff that causes spots) leaving skin squeaky clean. 

(Ignore all the marks inside the lid, it has been inside my bathroom for ages!)

I use this wash every night to take my makeup off. I wet my face and then rub the gel in, which creates a slight foam, I then wipe off with a hot flannel. I find this removes all my facial makeup and light eye makeup. It isn't designed to be a 2 in 1 remover so it doesn't disappoint me that sometimes I have to follow up with a specific eye makeup remover. You only need to use the smallest amount of gel and it lathers up crazily. 

I've probably been using this for 3 months + and I have noticed a difference in my skin. It's a lot clearer and I visibly have less blemish marks. I don't want to say it's all down to this product as I have been chopping and changing my skincare routine, drinking more water etc. But I definitely feel that it helps to keep breakouts at bay. It leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh, I don't get any tightness.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser 200ml is available at larger Boots store or available online at boots.com for £10.21. This may seem a little steep but it seriously goes a long way. If you're struggling with blemishes, I would without a doubt recommend this.

Have you tried this? Is there any French skincare that you could recommend me to try?