9 Ingredients to Avoid in DIY Skincare Hacks And & what To Use Instead

There are so many D.I.Y skincare recipes floating around pintrest and the web in general and while they may look like they're saving you money, some of the ingredients in the recipes can actually damage the skin. I recommend checking out eMediHealth under the skin and beauty tab because their recipes are written by dermatologists and they list any potential ingredients that could irritate or cause a reaction for certain people. Additionally try patch testing on your hand or behind the ear for 48 hours before you apply it to your face. Keep reading to learn about which ingredients to avoid. 

1. The biggest misconception is to use lemon juice on the skin. Please don't use lemon anywhere on the face or body! When life gives you lemons make lemonade. Do not make a lemon DIY toner, face and body exfoliator or as a treatment to lighten the skin. Dermatologists are struggling to get the message heard that applying lemons to the skin is actually harmful. Lemon is highly acidic at pH 2 and can change the pH balance of your acid mantle (skin barrier) causing skin irritation and hyper pigmentation. Citrus oils are photo-toxic meaning that when you go outside in the sun, the lemon will irritate the skin and make it hyper sensitive to the sun. This can lead to a chemical burn which may cause permanent damage and excruciating pain. Additionally the acid content varies from lemon to lemon so you never know precisely how much acid you're using. While the first time using lemon juice might be OK, the next time could cause serious skin problems. 

2. Don't use bicarbonate of soda/ baking soda. Baking soda often appears in DIY recipes for face and body scrubs to exfoliate the skin or to help fight acne. Baking soda is not your friend. It is an alkali which will change the pH of the skin and cause deterioration of  the top layer of skin so that bacteria will seep in, causing reactive red skin and infections.  

What you should use instead of lemons or baking soda....

If you are looking for an exfoliating treatment try an AHA toner (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) with a pH between 3 and 4, this will be low enough to exfoliate without the dangers of using baking soda.  I have not stepped into the world of AHAs due to my sensitive skin, but I've recently read about the The Inky Lists PHA Toner. PHAs are similar to AHAs but have larger molecules and are less sensitising making it a better choice for more sensitive skin. The Independent Newspaper has a useful article here  they awarded Oskia Liquid Mask aid micro peel as it's best buy. It contains lactic acid which isn't as harsh as glycolic acid and works overnight. They also liked GOOP's G.tox malachite+ AHA pore refining tonic.  Paula's Choice pH skincare guide  recommends Resist Anti Aging 5% AHA Exfoliant and Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant. Don't forget to wear at least SPF 30 immediately afterwards and a week after using AHAs.

3. Don't use Walnut shells to exfoliate your skin because they are too abrasive. 

The pieces are harsh and can create micro cuts/ injuries to your skin and make your skin prone to sensitivity. It can decrease the skins effectiveness in protecting against environment pollutants. 

What You should use instead

If you are looking for a physical exfoliator for your face use oats or chickpeas because they both have a neutral pH and once ground/milled are gentle on the skin. You need oats that are unflavoured, raw and in a dry state and grind them into a fine powder using a blender or a pestle and mortar. Do the same for chickpeas (garbanzo beans) for roughly 2 minutes until fine and the consistency of flour. Chickpeas have the added bonus of being rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help protect the skin's surface from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules in the environment such as pollution, cigarette smoke and UV rays that damage your skin by clinging to your collagen and weakening elasticity and so aging the skin. 

You can also use poppy seeds or beads made of hardened oil like jojoba. Another alternative is to use a flannel/washcloth on wet skin.  

4. Don't use apple cider vinegar (ACV). It's been touted as a treatment for acne, fading blemish scars and age spots and for removing skin tags. However it does sting and long term undiluted ACV can burn the skin. Any acne sores will suffer burns or major irritation. If you get it in your eyes, you could experience inflammation or even a cornea burn. 

5. Don't put toothpaste on spots to make them go away, I tried this when I was a teenager and the toothpaste burnt my skin. Mint is an irritant and according to dermatologist Ranella Hirsch toothpaste can actually increase melanin production meaning it can create brown spots and discoloration in the areas where it was applied. 

What You should use instead of apple cider vinegar or toothpaste....

Use DILUTED  tea tree oil instead. According to WikiHow mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel or water (boiled first and then use cooled.) You can also use carrier oils such as olive oil with the tea tree oil, this may appear counterintuitive but you don't want the area of skin around the spot to become dry.  Apply using a cotton swab or fingers. Beware of applying it neat because can be very irritating.  You can buy Tisserand Organic Tea Tree oil or Neals Yard here.  Another option is to use Salicylic acid such as Paula's Choice BHA, benzoyl  peroxide or Corsx pimple master patches. 

6. Do not use Preparation H on your face. Preparation H is a cream to treat haemorrhoids. It's also used in beauty pageants, on the red carpet and on fashion runaways by makeup artists to reduce puffy eyes. However the effect is temporary and not without risk. Preparation H contains Phenylephrine which works by constricting blood vessels. Long term use may make it ineffective and can lead to rebound swelling. Preparation H also contains 1%  hydrocortisol, a topical steroid that can thin the skin on an already thin, delicate under eye area. It can also cause steroid acne and enlarged blood vessels, making your eyes look worse over time. Additionally it can cause allergies including eczema and if you accidentally get Preparation H in your eye it can do some serious damage. 

What you should use instead

If you're going for the DIY approach cold teabags are a safer choice to reduce any swelling but the effect is also temporary. If you want to reduce dark under eye circles then use an eye cream or solution with caffeine (such as The Ordinary here,  The Inky List here, Garden of Wisdom here)  or creams with “firming” or “lifting” properties that can tighten the skin around the eyes. You can also use gel packs or an anti-histamine to reduce puffy eyes.

7. Egg whites are common ingredients for 'tightening up' the skin. However their effects cease once you've rinsed the mask off but more importantly raw egg can be contaminated with Salmonella.  Therefore it is not a good idea to have uncooked egg so close to your mouth. There is also a risk of contracting a gastrointestinal tract infection or a localized skin infections especially if you already have blemishes that are trying to heal.  Additionally raw egg is a contaminant which hang around on surfaces for several hours, making your bathroom a health hazard. If you are allergic to eating eggs do not even attempt to put this on your skin. Egg whites are also mentioned in DIY nose pore strips to remove blackheads and whiteheads. However just like the Biore nose strips when you pull them off they can damage the skin. 

What you should use instead

If you want to tighten and minimise pores then try Tony Moly's Egg pore tightening cooling pack. This mask has bentonite and kaolin clay as well as egg shell powder to deep clean and minimise the appearance of pores. To remove blackheads I recommend this technique Make Up Savvy to decrease blackheads and shrink pores.

8. The “cinna-mask”  became a trend after beauty blogger Enjoy Phoenix praised cinnamon for purifying the skin. While Enjoy Phonenix was ok, some people who tried the mask experienced burns. Cinnamon is also a common ingredient in DIY lip plumping recipes as it irritates the skin making it swell and tingle like a lot of lip plumping lip glosses. However being allergic to cinnamon is actually very common but even if you're not allergic your skin may still be hypersensitive to it.

9. Cayenne Pepper is often used in skin recipes for 'glowing skin.' There is actually good evidence for this since cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which can soothe itching and dull skin.  It may also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However this does not mean that it's safe to use in DIY recipes as too much cayenne pepper can cause irritation and burning. Applying them to the lips as a 'plumping' treatment can cause serious irritation and burns. 

What you should use instead of cinnamon or cayenne pepper

If you are after something to purify your skin then try masks with kaolin and benonite clay. Make sure you buy cosmetic clay or pharmaceutical clay from a health or cosmetic store. Don't get it from an art supply shop. An alternative to cinnamon is honey it is antimicrobial, heals minor wounds and doesn't irritate the skin. However if you are allergic to honey, pollen or bees avoid applying honey on the skin. For people without known allergies, it is still important to test a small part of the skin before applying it to larger areas of the body. Make sure all traces are removed before bed as it can trap dirt and leave the skin sticky. 

If  you are after plump lips then try Rodials Dragon's Blood Lip mask it contains sodium hyuronate and 'dragon blood' or tree resin extract to moisturise and plump the the skin.   

If you are after 'glowing skin' then you should exfoliate the skin, this removes dead skin cells on the surface of the skin so that your skin looks smoother and reflect light. You can do this with a physical exfoliator (see number 3 above) or chemical toners (see number 2 above.) Use a good hydrating moisturiser because when skin is moisturised it reflects light, making the skin look glowy. You can also add Vitamin C serum to your routine which will brighten skin, lighten dark areas, boost collagen, heal skin and contains antioxidants to prevent damage to cells caused by free radicals. There are different types of vitamin C and they vary in strength, L-ascorbic Acid is the most effective but can be irritating while Ascorbyl palmitate is supposed to be the least irritating. Don't mix Vitamin C with retinol, use them on different nights. You can also mix a liquid highlighter in your foundation.  

Dermatologist Goldenberg recommends "a gentle cleanser, twice daily moisturizer (with sunscreen every morning), and a vitamin A cream at night, such as retin-A or retinol.” Drinking plenty of water, getting a good nights sleep and eating a diet low in salt and processed food should also improve your skin.

 

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7 Beauty Myths Debunked

Updated May 2020

1. Alcohol is such a common ingredient so it can't be that bad. False! There are some good alcohols like stearyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol which are great for the skin, particularly dry skin because they are emollient (moisturising.) These alcohols are also used as a thickener to improve the texture of a product and to keep the ingredients stable. 

However it is denatured alcohol otherwise known as SD alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol which is a problematic ingredient, especially if it's listed in top three on an ingredient list because that means there's a large amount of it in the product. Denatured alcohol is used in cosmetics for a quick-drying feel or to immediately degrease skin for a matte finish while feeling weightless on skin. While it sounds like a hero ingredient for oily skin types looking for ways to control oil, denatured alcohol can actually cause enlarged pores and bumps and dry out the skin because it's too harsh. It can strip the skin of essential lipids, proteins and fats which maintain the skin barrier resulting in a weak skin barrier that's prone to inflammation and irritation.  It can also create even more oiliness because the immediate de-greasing effect is eventually counteracted, leaving your skin looking even more shiny. It's also been said that alcohol helps other ingredients such as retinol and Vitamin C absorb into the skin more efficiently. While it does enhance absorption of ingredients, the alcohol also destroys the skin barrier and it's not worth the negative effect it has on the skin.

2. Mineral Oil is bad for the skin- Not always! If you have acne prone skin you may want to  avoid it but it's good for dry or sensitive skin types*

Mineral oil is a transparent, odorless oil derived from petroleum. It’s then purified to become cosmetic grade mineral oil. Mineral oils are used in cosmetic products for it's moisturising properties.  Mineral oil contain large molecules making it difficult to penetrated the layers of skin and instead will sit on top of the skin. This enables it to trap moisture and prevent it from leaving your body, so that the skin feels more moisturised and less dry. This protective layer on the skin creates a barrier against environment stressors such as wind and pollution. Some people do use products that contains mineral oil to form an 'occulsive barrier' that seals all their nightime products underneath while they sleep.

Another reason why mineral oil is al used in cosmetics is because of the low likelihood of causing a skin reaction (making it a good choice for sensitive skin) and the fact that it doesn't spoil in hot, humid climates. It’s completely safe, soothing and non-sensitising. Mineral oil is actually classed as as low on the comedogenic scale (0-2) which means that by itself it's not pore clogging. However mineral oil can trap other ingredients onto the top layer of the epidermis which can lead to clogged pores if that ingredient is known to clog pores. Heavier products such as face balms and ointment tend to be heavy and are more occulsive  which may make some acne and rosea prone skin worse. In this case choose lighter formulas or perhaps avoid using this ingredient.

Conclusion- It is safe to use. It's good for dry skin but may aggrate acne prone skin or those with rosea espeically if it's a balm testure. It's best when used by itself eg vaseline or in a product that contains other ingredients that are low on the comedogenic scale. 

Photo by Becky Fantham on Unsplash

3. The Natural is better fallacy. Natural Skin and body care products are often claimed to be better for you as they don't contain 'chemicals.' However natural does not equal better. Arsenic is a natural chemical but it's posionous and fatal to us even if it's just rubbed onto the skin. It's better to look at the ingredients lists for common irritants like essential oils particularly lavender.  Mint essential oils can also be irritating if you have sensitive or acne prone skin so avoid using peppermint, eucalyptus and spearmint. Citrus essential oils are also irritants, they include lemon, orange, bergamot and lemongrass. 

4. Do not assume that expensive products will work better. Yes high end brands will have more money to invest in the latest technology and invest in quality ingredients but it is possible to find something that works and doesn't cost the earth. For example award winning brand The Ordinary was a game changer by making skincare products such as oils, AHAs and BHA's at affordable prices. Skincare brand Garden of Wisdom and The Inky List rival The Ordinary with their affordable pricing, although I haven't tried any of  their products yet I've read lots of good reviews. I love Simple skincare because they cater to my sensitive skin, their products are often fragrance free and they can be found in any drugstore. I also like Aveeno because I've never reacted to their products and they're fairly gentle on the skin. In fact in the Eve Lom cleansing Balm is the main ingredient is mineral oil which is quite inexpensive and yet the product retails at £55.

5. Oily Skin does not need moisturising and you shouldn't use oil on oily skin -Wrong!

Your skin still needs hydration whatever the type. With oily skin you will find that the oil lubricates the skin but does not provide moisture. (This is why dehydrated skin and dry skin also get mixed up. Dehydrated skin lacks water not oil. Dry skin types just lacks oil.) A common mistake is to avoid oils and just use cleansers that end up removing the natural oil (sebum) in the skin. Unfortunately this will just prompt the skin to overcompensate for this dryness and produce more oil! The Oil Cleansing Method is based on the idea that like disolves like-  meaning that oil is able to dissolve and remove excess oil/sebum, clear out clogged pores and remove waterproof makeup and dead skin. Oil cleansing can help regulate oil production by balancing the skin and maintaing hydration. For oily skin types jojoba oil is supposed to be good balancing oils and reducing acne.

6.  The SPF in my foundation is all I need- Wrong! While it's great that some foundations have SPF, often they're too low to adequately protect your skin against the sun (e.g. SPF15, SPF20.) While foundations with higher SPF of 30 and above are better they still need to be liberally applied on the face but we don't tend to apply foundation this way so we apply too little.

So what should you do instead? Either apply sunscreen underneath your foundation or try layering products with SPF in them. Layering products means that the layer will become thick enough to protect your face from the sun. To layer products, one of them must be at least SPF30 and applied liberally all over the face. Choose products for your skin type and layer them by texture. For example if you have oily skin, a lightweight, matte finish moisturiser with SPF 30 can be generously applied first, then a primer with sunscreen and finally a liquid or powder foundation with sunscreen. If you want to add an eye cream with SPF, apply it after your SPF moisturiser and then put on makeup.

Note: Beware of SPF maths! Applying an moisturiser with SPF 30, and then a primer with SPF 15, and then a foundation with SPF 25 doesn’t add up to SPF 70 but it does give more sun protection which is the most important thing.


7. The white specks under your nails means you have a calcium deficiency-Wrong!

Credit Almay

These white blotches are called Leukonychia punctata. They are caused by damage to the base of the nail also known as the matrix. Nails consist of cells containing large amount of sturdy protein called keratin. These cells grow outwards to form fingernails and toenails. Any damage to the matrix will stop any newly formed keratin filled cells from bonding together properly. This resuts in a small white blotch  at the bottom of the nail. The blotch moves upwards as it begins to grow. The damage or trauma to the nail can be from excessive tapping, chewing nails, smacking a table, even a vigorious manicure or slamming a finger in the door. We don't tend to make the connection as to what caused the white blotch because our nails take so long to grow. It can take up to 6 weeks for the damage in the matrix to grow and manifest itself as a white spot in the nail. By then we've forgotton about the time we smacked the table in frustration or tapped our fingers in impatience or nervously chewed our nails at an interview or had a vigorius manicure. These blotches are like nail bruises. Simple white blotches on the nails aren't harmful and they will grow out but it can take up to 8 months. However if the nail is completely white it could be sign of someting serious such as liver cirrhosis, kidney failure or heart disease, so it's best to go and see a doctor.

Refrences
2. *Brydie Dermatologists settle the mineral oil debate. / Paula's Choice Ingredients Dictory /Dr Dray The Truth about mineral oil in skincare
5.Healthline Oil Cleansing Method How it Works Healthline Jojoba Oil & Acne Does it Work? / Bustle Beauty Myths we need to leave behind. 
7. The Naked Scientist Myth: why we get white spots on our nails / Wikipedia Leukonychia/ The Sun Do you have white marks on your nails?

REN Skincare Review

The ethos behind REN is 'clean skincare' meaning that ingredients come from '100% plant and mineral derived actives and are free from skin unfriendly synthetic ingredients.' Every product has a logo on the back stating that the there are no parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, petroleum, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colours, T.EA, D.E.A, silicones and PEGs in their products. 

REN skincare is a company that is able to invest in the newest or hard sought ingredients and technology. However I think this is sort of their Achilles heel. They aim towards 'simple' and 'pure' skincare while throwing in random fruit and plant extracts and essential oils for the sake of fragrance, but which are likely to cause irritation, counteracting the other good ingredients in the formula. There is also some debate about whether the ingredients they purposely exclude such as mineral oil are actually that bad and REN have been accused of green washing.  I personally haven't experienced any bad reactions to REN's products. The packaging is kept simple and white- clean like their skincare and unisex. I have been trialing these travel sized products but the full sized versions come in tubes with a push up bag inside them. REN is also against animal testing.

REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser  Full Size 150ml  £16 for all skin types
The cleanser comes with a small wash cloth/ flannel measuring 8" x 8." I have been using this for over a month. REN claims that this cleanser will decongest and gently exfoliate the skin and remove all make-up. 'Skin will be refreshed, radiant and smoothed, without dryness or tightness.'  Both the rosa damascena and vitamin P soothe the skin. You are supposed to massage the cleanser onto dry skin and then use a hot cloth to remove it.  It does remove eye makeup but I think the Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk (below) cleans my face slightly better. My skin didn't feel dry or tight while using this. But apart from using a flannel it didn't exfoliate my skin much.

The Evercalm range is aimed at those with sensitive skin. These samples lasted just over 2 weeks

Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk  Full size 150ml £17
This cleanser 'gently removes dirt, pollution and make up, leaving skin purified, calm and soothed.' It also claims to minimise the feelings of sensitivity and combat premature ageing. Calendula and omega 3 and 7 reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. The fennel seed extract de-stresses the skin by neutralising harmful pollution particles while protecting against the oxidative damage that causes premature ageing.

Although REN describes this as a 'cleansing milk' the texture is thicker and creamy like a lotion rather than runny milk. The directions tells you to rub the cleanser between your hands and then massage the product onto the face and finally rinse off with water or remove with cotton wool. I preferred to rinse with water in case it left a film over the skin. I didn't really understand why they suggest you rub the product between your palms because it felt like the product disappeared between my hands and so I ended up using more.  The mandarin peel oil makes the cleanser smell fresh and citrusy and the extracts of chamomile, fennel and rosemary gives it essential oil scent. I mainly used this as an evening cleanser before bed. If I was wearing makeup I followed up with a micellar wet wipe afterwards, just in case I still had makeup or dirt on my face and the wipe often looked clean showing that all the dirt had been washed away. I didn't use this to remove my eye makeup because I'm a little wary of using products with essential oils on my eyes. Since this is only sample size I can't really make a comment on whether it has reduced my skin's irritation and sensitivity level in the long term.

Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream Full size 50ml  £29
This moisturiser aims to keep your skin 'optimally hydrated, calmed, soothed.' REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream shares many ingredients of the cleansing milk (and smells very similar) but with added Bisabolol to sooth and reduce redness. The 'Global protection complex'  is potent blend of bio extracts that fights free radicals and oxidants to protect the skin from UV damage and premature ageing.

This day cream not as rich as an intensive moisturiser but more hydrating than a light summer moisturiser, it's between the two and perfect for the transition of seasons. It is gentle and soothing and didn't sting my cheeks like some moisturisers can. I didn't see any difference in terms of redness on my cheeks but so far it hasn't caused any break outs. It's perfectly fine to apply makeup on top and you don't have to wait very long for it to sink in. Ren claim that over time this moisturiser will train your skin to be less sensitive but as this is only a sample size I can't comment as to whether it reduced my skin's sensitivity in the long run.

Evercalm Anti Redness Serum  Full Size 30ml £29  my sample lasted 1 week
This serum claims to improve sensitive skin, hyper pigmentation, redness and reduce signs of aging. Milk polypeptide and Prebiotic Oligosaccharides strengthen the skin barrier, protecting the skin against toxins and environmental aggressors. To target aging, Sirtuin activators promote the natural repair of skin cells and Antileukine helps to reduce damage caused by U.V. radiation. The tyrosinase Inhibitor reduces the appearance of hyper-pigmentation. It also contains super moisturising hydrauronic acid.

I have red patches around my nose and cheeks and after using this every morning for a week I found that my red patches were fading to pink and the red areas on my cheeks were significantly reduced! This is the first serum I've used and I did not expect it to make such a difference! Now I've finished the sample up my cheeks still look less red so it wasn't just a temporary thing. REN also claim that after 3 weeks your skin will be less sensitive. Since my sample only lasted a week I couldn't test this out, but my main concern were my red patches rather than calming the skin. I also don't have any lines on my face so I couldn't notice a difference there but I would advise against using it around the eyes because of the arnica flower extract. Due to the lactic acid and bitter orange extract in this serum that can make skin photosensitive and prone to pigmentation you should follow this up with sunscreen, even when it's not sunny. The only negative points are that it takes around 12-15 minutes to truly sink in which is annoying and I'm not keen on the smell.

The Vita Mineral Range concentrates on moisturising skin. 

REN Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream (Day Cream) 
Full Size (50ml) £29 My sample lasted 1 week
REN Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream seems to have the longest name ever!
However I can see why they called it that because of the vitamins, mineral ingredients and antioxidants that all aim to keep skin toned, radiant and youthful. Vitamin A boosts cell renewal and retains moisture. Vitamin P decongests and soothes the skin. Tocotrienols (a Vitamin E sub group), protects the skin against UV damage, preventing the skin from premature ageing and protecting against free radicals. Trace mineral elements Copper, Magnesium and Zinc boosts radiance and collagen.

Although it's not part of the Rosa Centrafolia line this smells fairly strongly of rose water, so if  you don't like rose scented cosmetics this is one to avoid!  It is lightweight with a mid level of moisture but it is more moisturising than the REN Evercalm Global Protection Day cream. It didn't sting my cheeks or break me out but it didn't really decongest my skin either. Regarding anti aging claims I can't really comment on this because this is only a sample size and I would need to test it for longer and I don't have any lines yet. However I think this would be good for fine lines caused by dehydrated skin. It does give a dewy finish to skin making it look healthy, fresh and glowing.It is moisturising enough to use after a bath and shower when your skin needs it the most.

Which products are worth purchasing?
Personally I would buy the Evercalm Cleansing Milk again and Evercalm anti redness serum in full size. I would also use the  REN Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream. REN also have gift sets which are good value for money the REN Stop Being So Sensitive  Kit (£15) and the Evercalm Gift Set (£35.)

What arr your experiences with REN Skincare? Let me know if you have any favourites below.

Champney's Perfect Pedicure Intensive Foot Butter Review

When it comes to summer my dry and rather neglected feet need some pampering to be sandal ready. Champney's Intensive foot butter claims to leave your feet moisturised and soft, just what my feet need and can be used all year round. It usually comes in a 200ml tub but mine is in a tube from a Champney's gift set. It contains shea and olive butter, ingredients known for their moisturising properties, as well as vitamin E, orange and peppermint essential oils. It smells mainly of peppermint comes out as a light blue/green mousse. This foot butter is dermatologically tested and fairly gentle, it did not cause any irritation to my sensitive skin. (I also suffer from eczema too but did not apply it on those parts.) Although it took awhile to absorb into the skin and dry (about 10 minutes) it did leave my feet softer and moisturised. It's not a very heavy cream but left my feet feeling very moisturised, much more than I expected and so I would say it's an 'intensive foot butter' level of treatment. You don't need to use much, the amount of product on my hand in the photo above was enough for both feet.  The peppermint gives a very slight tingly refreshed feeling after applying. If you suffer from hot or swollen feet in the summer this will cool you down and pamper your feet at the same time. In the autumn and winter this can be used as an intensive overnight treatment under socks. It's a cheap but effective at moisturising your feet and leave them feeling soft and one that I would repurchase and recommend to others. Champney's Foot Butter retails for £8 in Boots and Champneys online.

 

 

 

 

My daily skincare routine (Sensitive-Combination skin)

Let me start by saying I have sensitive, combination skin type with an oily t-zone and some redness around my cheeks. Due to having sensitive skin and Eczema on my body (but not my face) I tend to apply a less is more approach to skincare instead of overloading your skin with lots of products and different chemicals, a philosophy which my mum instilled in me. I also have asthma so I prefer unfragranced toiletries or those that don't have such a strong smell. Generally I stick to these long term favourites which I've used for years and trust and am reluctant to try out many new products because my skin is so sensitive. I usually cleanse with wipes and then apply toner and moisturiser each morning and evening but I'm looking into using facial oil cleansing and miscellar water.

Whenever I have had reactions to other products I always turn back to these Nivea Fragrance Free Facial Cleansing Wipes and these seem to calm and heal my skin back to its normal healthy condition. If I'm removing a full face of make up with medium to heavy coverage foundation I wash my face with Dove Soap (original) using a muslin cloth. To remove further traces of make up I follow up with Simple's Kind To skin Soothing Facial Toner. Finally I moisturise with E45 cream. I was a die hard devotee to No 7's Day cream but after 7 years I developed an allergy to it so I switched to E45 which is equally moisturising and also a lot cheaper! Even in the summer I don't find E45 heavy or greasy as it's pretty light. I'm currently not using a mosituriser with SPF protection as that seems to sting my face so I try wear SPF in my foundation, though a dedicated sunscreen for the face offers much higher level of protection and is recommended. I wear contact lenses and my eyes can get quite sensitive so I rely on No7 Beautiful Skin-Eye Make Up Remover which is ophthalmologist tested and removes any waterproof mascara or eyeliner. I always try to take advantage of the £5 off skincare vouchers Boots give out throughout the year.

What is your daily skincare routine and what products do you use?