Bio-Oil - an expert product

Bio-Oil £8.95 60ml

With its vital skin building ingredients, Bio-Oil is a multi-tasking, in my opinion, wonder product. It is described as specialist skincare for scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone - also known as ‘pigmentation’ (often an after-effect on the skin of beauty treatments), aging skin and dehydrated skin on the face and the body – an agenda set by other oil-based skincare products. A lovely pink fluid, Bio-Oil is a most pleasant beauty product. The scent is of the nourishing natural plant oils it contains - calming lavender at first and then invigorating and mildly antiseptic rosemary, skin cell renewing calendula (or marigold) and chamomile which cares for sensitive skin. This oil is supplemented with Vitamin A for elasticity, tone and skin texture, and moisturizing Vitamin E, two key skincare vitamins. Bio-Oil is non-greasy. It doesn’t accidentally stain your clothing. It contains a breakthrough ingredient Purcellin Oil which reduces the thickness of the oil and ensures more efficient absorption to the second layer of the skin where Bio-Oil performs its various amazing functions in skincare. For it’s entire agenda, see the human body visual accompanying this post below.

Stretch marks are not a result of the skin expanding when we gain weight. Stretch marks happen when the skin surface reduces again. Bio-Oil treats stretch marks and also the sagging skin stretch marks can leave behind. It rehabilitates the skin with its skin building ingredients and it reduces the possibility of stretch marks again. I applied Bio-Oil to vague stretch marks on my upper right thigh and the moisture it provided made them instantly disappear. Proving an incredible efficacy after just two weeks, read details of a Bio-Oil stretch mark study here. It is suggested you use Bio-Oil for a minimum of three months. As a treatment for dehydrated skin on the face, I found Bio-Oil instantly smoothed and adequately moisturized. It is suggested you use your regular daily moisturiser with Bio-Oil for optimum glow. I now gently apply Bio-Oil as often as possible to my throat and neck, especially at night as a rejuvenating treatment. You will find this area needs specialist care. It ages more rapidly because of repeated head movements and all year round exposure to the sun, the most aging factor of all, although Bio-Oil does not contain a Sun Protection Factor. As an overall body moisturiser, it is intensive. I moisturise my stomach in particular and my arms and shoulders especially. And the Bio-Oil effect? In one word, it’s excellent.

Bio-Oil is tested for allergies, it’s preservative-free, suitable for sensitive skin, and is not tested on animals. 60ml £8.95. 125ml £14.95. 200ml £19.95. Available from Boots, Superdrug, Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons, Savers, and independent pharmacies nationwide. Find more information on Facebook where product users testify to the efficacy of Bio-Oil and its many uses - https://www.facebook.com/biooiluk Bio-Oil is an expert product.

Bio-Oil - a guide

Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream - the ultimate in age prevention!

Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream
containing Copper PCA

Containing Copper PCA, Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream, available with SPF30, is an anti-aging face cream for all ages. It’s a daily moisturiser which is scientifically proven to improve and strengthen skin elasticity by 32% within four weeks.

After cleansing and applied at night and mornings, I found my skin benefited from this amazing face cream after just two weeks. Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream promises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, prevent new wrinkles forming, smooth skin texture (through hydration) and minimize the appearance of pores from week one. Aging skin with weakened elasticity is visibly wrinkled, has enlarged/irregular-shaped pores and is rough in texture. Improved elasticity in the skin makes it look younger with a smooth appearance, fewer wrinkles, and fewer fine lines and enlarged pores. With the loss of elasticity (the elastin and collagen in our skin) beginning in our 20’s, maintaining elasticity is one early way of preserving the health and youth of your skin. This is a useful cream, an excellent anti-aging cream to use from, I would recommend, the age of 27 or 29 onwards in a skincare routine.

The way this cream works as one of the most technically advanced anti-aging creams you can buy at the moment is through its unique, hydrating combined formula of  Copper PCA, Abyssine, Calcium PCA and Apricot Kernel Oil. Abyssine is a naturally derived survival molecule which thrives under the extreme conditions of heat, pressure and toxicity. Apricot Kernel Oil is high in Vitamin E, aiding fast absorption. I found this cream is instantly absorbed and its smooth texture spreads easily on the skin. Copper is an element naturally present in the skin for its healthy appearance and it multi-functions in this moisturiser. It is an element which stimulates the production of elastin and remodels it. Copper is a vital antioxidant defending the skin against oxidative stress and, with Calcium, it maintains the health of the skin’s moisture barrier. 

I found the Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream visibly reduced fine lines on my forehead in under two weeks and my mid-40s skin gained an overall youthful, relaxed appearance. As a powerful wrinkle reducing cream, it is the mildest and most calming I have ever used, qualifying it for sensitive skincare. Its effect on the skin is completely softening. Apply gently to the neck also.

As one of the best age-erasing creams I have ever used, although not the most firming, I highly recommend the newest  Kiehl’s anti-aging offering in skincare, Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream, £42 for 50ml. Available with SPF30 and as an eye cream, Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream £32 for 14ml. Buy online or at Kiehl’s stores in the UK and worldwide. For the ultimate in age prevention. Fragrance free. Made in the USA.

Water! Drink Water

...and drink water

Drinking water at the correct time of day maximizes its effectiveness. Drinking two glasses of water after waking up helps activate internal organs. One glass of water taken thirty minutes before a meal aids digestion. One glass of water before taking a bath or a shower helps lower blood pressure. One glass of water before going to bed lessens the possibility of stroke or heart attack. No amount of moisturizer will replace a well hydrated skin by drinking. Drink water regularly. Up to eight glasses a day is recommended highly - DC

Steamcream!

Lila

Fragaria
Fragaria is the Latin for strawberry

Essential oils bound with a shot of steam, lending the name Steamcream, now one of my favourite moisturisers of all time, especially considering the price, £12.95 for a very generous 75ml. Not a complicated technology, binding the ingredients with the steam, keeping costs down, in creating a light cream emulsion bursting with natural hydration for the skin. Steamcream is instantly absorbed. Absorption is the mark of an excellent cream, one that works. Steamcream contains Oatmeal Infusion, Lavender Essential Oil, Orange Flower Water, Chamomile Blue Essential Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Orange Blossom Absolute, Cocoa Butter, Rose Absolute, Organic Jojoba Oil, Neroli Oil and necessary technical ingredients for emulsifying, making the cream. Skin brightening, moisturizing, anti-aging, antibacterial and antiseptic, Steamcream treats acne. Orange Flower Water balances sebum production so this cream is ideal for overly oily skin. There’s skin conditioning Vitamin A and Vitamin E in Sweet Almond Oil. The Cocoa Butter smoothes wrinkles and treats stretch marks. Rose Absolute is particularly effective in preserving more mature skins and Neroli Oil is also.

Invited to take the Steamcream challenge (see #SCchallenge on @STEAMCREAM), I tested Steamcream first as a gentle exfoliating face mask made with Steamcream mixed with dry oats, as in porridge oats, crushed with the back of a spoon or a rolling pin. Apply the cream and oats mixture to a damp face for five minutes and remove with warm water. The whole oats naturally remove dead skin cells to reveal a very clear complexion. I found my skin refreshed, cleansed, clear and noticeably brighter. 

The second part of the Steamcream challenge (see #SCchallenge on @STEAMCREAM) was to use Steamcream as an invigorating brown sugar body scrub made by mixing the two. To make the body scrub, start with a small amount of unrefined brown sugar and add it to Steamcream to your preferred consistency, thickening gradually. The consistency is sticky and oily. The scent is amazing! A little of the Steamcream goes a long way and the oils carry and lubricate the body-scrubbing sugar. I found my skin was exfoliated and softened by the effects of this homemade body scrub, the fantastic oils and the sugar exfoliating dead skin cells naturally. One tip – do not rub too vigorously, especially if your skin is delicate or sensitive to redness.

One other suggestion? Mix together one part Steamcream to two parts foundation cream on the back of your hand to create light, natural-looking cream with coverage and a beautiful dewy finish. Steamcream is such an applicable, inexpensive product, one you can really use. 

This multi-tasking cream for face, body and hands is completely amazing for its skincare effects. Reviews of the product reveal it as a fantastic treatment for eczema when everything else has failed. Steamcream also gently treats psoriasis. It is lavender-scented for relaxation, so it's a suitable night cream as well. Eco-friendly limited edition artistic tins you twist to shut and seal, keeping the cream in premium condition. Each individual tin design is collectable and something you will want for yourself or as a gift to give away. A remarkable nourishing moisturiser. £12.95 for 75ml. Available from Selfridges, John Lewis stores in the UK and ASOS.com. A vegan product, made from sustainable sources. Not tested on animals. Hand-made in the UK and Japan from traceable ingredients. An amazing beauty product which is also recommended by celebrities Millie Mackintosh (Made in Chelsea) and Kimberly Walsh (Girls Aloud) and key backstage makeup artists including Jemma Kidd. Suitable for all skin types including sensitive. Your skin will glow, positively glow. Buy also here Steamcream. 

Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream

Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating  Cream

Thick and rich on application at first, Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Youth

Regenerating moisturizing face cream contains Rosa Arctica, the rare 

"Resurrection Flower", an African violet, known to withstand up to 31 

months of extreme dehydration. Harvested at full bloom for maximum 

efficacy, this ingredient is proven to re-awaken cell activity in skin 

where cell turnover and barrier function is decreased due to aging. 

Formulated to boost elasticity and reduce dryness, dehydration lines 

and wrinkles, this is a natural cream, not synthetic as suggested by 

its strong, paint-like smell. Another of its ingredients is glycolic 

acid, a fruit-derived mild acid which decongests the skin (rids it of 

dairy spots or whiteheads) contributing also towards a fresher 

complexion. Kiehl's Rosa Arctica is an anti-aging treatment cream which 

delivers the firmer, denser, smoother skin promised by the product. I 

found this cream tightened the forehead instantly and delivered a blast 

of continuous moisture to the skin over the following two weeks. My 

skin was so revived and radiant, I stopped using the product until I 

think it needs intensive care again. Kiehl's Rosa Arctica suits all skin 

types 50g £45. Use as a day cream or apply at night. Available from 

Kiehl's stores nationwide or check online at www.kiehls.co.uk

Dr Organic Organic Rose Otto Night Cream

Dr Organic Organic Rose Otto Night Cream

Like the Dr Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream reviewed previously, Dr Organic Organic Rose Otto Night Cream is free from petrochemicals and artificial preservatives including parabens and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) that strip the skin causing long-term damage. Using only organic and natural ingredients in its products, and the latest scientific methods of extraction, this ecologically-conscious beauty range fulfils the aims of its products I think. 

The Dr Organic Organic Rose Otto Night Cream anti-ages instantly. Working specifically when applied overnight, I found it brightened the appearance of the skin to reveal a natural, moisturized glow. Penetrating  the subcutaneous layers of the epidermis, lowering trans dermal dehydration, and stimulating new fibroblasts - cells that synthesize collagen, the skin’s vital proteins - the health of my skin was revived during sleep. 

One of the most expensive and newly applied essential beauty oils, the Oil of Rosa Damascena contained in the Rose Otto Night Cream is renowned for its rejuvenating properties. It improves the skin's texture making it appear smoother, softer, younger. The rose oil combines with biologically active ingredients including Menyanthes Trifoliata, an aquatic plant clinically tested for its anti-aging properties. As a successful overnight cream, the Rose Otto Night Cream leaves the skin hydrated and nourished. One of my favourite recently found skincare ranges, Dr Organic is stocked exclusively at Holland and Barrett stores in the UK. £9.79 for 50ml. Available also to buy online. www.drorganic.co.uk

Dr Organic Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream

Dr Organic Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream

Free from petrochemicals, additives and artificial preservatives that strip the skin of valuable moisture causing long-term damage, Dr Organic Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream is a rich cream which rescues the skin in emergency conditions. Containing manuka, the healing honey of New Zealand and the Maori people, it is a hypoallergenic (tested against allergies), moisturising, nourishing, rejuvenating and soothing cream which can be used on dry skin, sun exposed skin, sensitive skin, irritated skin and allergic skin. It is, I found, particularly effective as an under eye moisturiser, an eye cream.

As a rescue cream, it repairs, restores and hydrates dry, cracked and damaged skin, enhancing natural cell regeneration and improving skin tone. Additionally, it contains Sweet Almond Oil, Beeswax, Zinc Oxide, Liquorice Root and the essential skin nutrient Vitamin E. Dr Organic Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream is a treasure of a product. 50ml for the incredibly reasonable price of £8.69. The Dr Organic range is stocked exclusively at Holland and Barrett stores in the UK. Available also to buy online. See the Dr Organic range at www.drorganic.co.uk

Biotherm Skin Vivo Uniformity

Biotherm Skin Vivo Uniformity

In formulating Biotherm Skin Vivo Uniformity, an anti-aging texture and tone reversive day cream, scientists at Biotherm have combined their knowledge of both the clinical signs of aging and genomics (the study of genetics and DNA) to identify and target five key irregularities involved in the loss of skin condition – hyperpigmentation or uneven dark patches, redness, dull tone, roughness and loss of elasticity. Whatever the season, climate or altitude, Ultra Violet or sun exposure remains the primary cause of premature aging of the skin. Skin Vivo Uniformity, the latest in Biotherm’s advanced anti-aging range of face creams, is scientifically proven to help visibly rejuvenate and protect the skin’s appearance by returning a more uniform-looking complexion.

Formulated with five active ingredients combined with UVA/UVB Sun Protection Factor 15, Biotherm Skin Vivo Uniformity contains Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, derived from a micro-organism chosen for its action on dermal proteins. Vitamin CG, a derivative of Vitamin C chosen for its anti-aging, exfoliating and anti-pigmentation properties. ER 195, derivative of salicyclic acid chosen for its micro-exfoliating effect to remove excess dead skin cells that can dull the complexion. Reverserol SV, Senna alata leaf extract chosen for its self-protecting properties. Pure Thermal Plantkon, chosen for its skin-smoothing properties.

This product is recommended for normal and combination skin and with regard to skin tone, I found it delivered a decrease in the appearance of pigmentation imperfection, a decrease in the appearance of redness and an increase in skin luminosity. Skin texture feels refined. There are fewer visible pores. Skin feels more supple. Skin Vivo Uniformity by Biotherm is in fact a supercream. You can feel its potency immediately. Apply once daily and again at night. £59.00 for 50ml. Available at selected Boots or on Amazon or locate a store at  www.biotherm.co.uk

Kiehl's Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream with Vitamin E and Beta Carotene

Kiehl's Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream

Kiehl's, the skincare brand, was founded as an apothecary in New York's East Village over 150 years ago. As a full-service pharmacy, it offered customers homeopathic and herbal remedies, essential oils, over-the-counter drugs, and the first Kiehl's own brand name products. Kiehl's extensive experience has resulted in a specialist cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal and medicinal knowledge refined over generations. 

Containing minimal allergy-causing preservatives and enriched with nourishing Vitamin E and Beta Carotene, the Kiehl's Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream is the one Winter moisturiser I always use. In the most effective way, it combats both the harsh weather conditions outside, and the in-home extremely drying effects of Winter heating on the skin. This face cream’s key ingredient Panthenol is a penetrating, naturally-derived plant protein which absorbs into the skin and is converted into Pantothenic Acid, a B complex vitamin which maintains healthy skin and hair also. It assists skin care products in retaining water and absorbs water from the air, aiding in skin moisturization. The Kiehl's Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream also contains olive fruit oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and avocado oil. To eradicate dryness and for optimal overall skin maintenance, use as a day cream or at night. £35.00 for a generous 125ml. Not tested on animals. Available from Kiehl's stores nationwide.