Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C 2in1 Brightening Serum Cream

The lightweight creamy texture of the Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C 2in1 Brightening Serum Cream provides perfect application by dispensing a few pumps onto clean skin in the morning while being quite effective for those days when your in a rush because the product acts as a serum and moisturiser with SPF25. Humectant hydrants are welcomed by the glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate added while the Adenosine is also included because it is a cell-communicating ingredient that helps wound healing, barrier repair, and also is an anti-inflammatory agent. The other key ingredients such as emollients, antioxidants, and the sunscreens are featured below, enjoy the read. 

Brightening With Improved Texture.

Ascorbyl glucoside is one of the best and most promising vitamin C derivatives that provides three anti-aging benefits (antioxidant protection + collagen boosting + fading hyperpigmentation while Hydroxyacetophenone is an antioxidant and has soothing benefits for the skin.

Brightening and improved texture are helped by Capryloyl Salicylic Acid that is a derivative ester of salicylic acid which works as an exfoliant, anti-inflammatory, and has antiseptic properties while being a great ingredient for acne or spot-prone skin. 

The Citrus Limon Fruit Extract/ lemon fruit extract / Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract / grapefruit fruit extract are chemically complex mixtures with a bunch of other active components such as Vitamin C, flavonoids, phenolics, carbohydrates and essential oil properties. 

Mica, tin oxide, and titanium oxide balance out undesirable tones in the skin, making it a popular choice for brightening products to give the skin a refreshed look.

The Sunscreens

Ethylhexyl Salicylate works as a UVB sunscreen filter and works well in combination with others sunscreen agents to enhance the SPF in a product.

Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid - water soluble chemical sunscreen that provides Protection in the UVB range. 

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine - broad-spectrum covers the whole UVB and UVA range chemical sunscreen agent

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane - avobenzone chemical sunscreen agent that provides proper UVA protection.

The Emollients

Dimethicone- emollient to help skin feel silky smooth while also providing a protective barrier on the skin for better hydration.

Octyldodecanol - emollient to help make the skin feel nice and smooth

Isopropyl Isostearate - emollient that feels non-oily on the skin. 

Cetyl Alcohol and Behenyl Alcohol - non drying alcohol

Stearic Acid - fatty acid that acts as an emollient while also helping water and oil ingredients to mix. 

Cetearyl Alcohol - non-drying and non-irritating alcohol

Palmitic Acid - skin-identical fatty acid that acts as an emollient. 

Keeps The Skin Matte

Silica - keep your skin matte as it has great oil-absorbing abilities. It’s also used as a helper ingredient to thicken up products or suspend insoluble particles.

Sodium Polyacrylate Starch -  absorbent, binding, emulsion stabilising, film forming, viscosity controlling.

I didn't experience any flaking off from the product during and after application and the scent which features linalool, geraniol, limonene, and citronellol soon disappears after about 2 minutes. I was worried of seeing the SPF added into the product because these can sometimes make my eyes sting or sore even when avoiding the eye area but to my amazement i had no sensitive or watery eyes! The serum cream is the perfect balance between hydration and nourishment but without any stickiness or greasiness and is lightweight in texture before it absorbs and dries down quickly, you can even add your own SPF50 over the top if you are seeking a more higher protection. A quick and easy product to use that not only performs excellently but saves you time from having to use different products to achieve hydrated and brighter skin, highly recommended! Available here: Garnier SkinActive Vitamin C 2in1 Brightening Serum Cream x Neil. 

Eclat Skin London Retinol Serum

Eclat Skin London Retinol Serum.

Applying a retinoid at night can achieve many benefits for the skin by helping to increase cell turnover, stimulate collagen and also help with blemish-prone complexions. Incorporating into your skincare routine at night, you can choose to use every other night by allowing your skin to build tolerance to this multi-beneficial ingredient before progressing to applying it every night, just don't forget to wear your broad-spectrum SPF in the morning to protect your renewing complexion. Read on to discover the Eclat Skin London Retinol Serum. Disclaimer - The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product. 

What Is Inside The Eclat Skin London Retinol Serum?

The Eclat Skin London Retinol Serum combines soothing and hydrating ingredients with the beneficial ingredient retinol. The full ingredients are as follows: 

Aqua - Solvent for ingredients to mix.

 

Alcohol Denat - Penetration enhancer to help ingredients deliver into the skin while giving formulas a light texture. It can be drying to the skin but followed with hydrating ingredients can counter balance this effect.

 

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice - Moisturises and soothes the skin with anti-inflammatory benefits while also supporting healing and regeneration of the skin. 

 

Glycerin - Natural moisturiser found in the skin, it supports the lipids and barrier function of the skin while also being a humectant that is ideal for dry skin types. 

 

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl taurate - Controls the texture of a formula while also stabilising and improving the efficacy of the product. 

Hydrogenated Polydecene - Pure and hypoallergenic emollient that forms a breathable film on top of the skin without feeling greasy or sticky. 

Retinol - Proven anti-aging benefits once converted in the skin to retinoic acid while also improving texture and tone of the skin. 

Arctium Majus Root Extract - Skin-conditioning benefits with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

 

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract - Soothing Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

Ethylhexylglycerin - Emollient and preservative that helps boost the effectiveness of phenoxyethanol. 

 

Trideceth-10 - Acts as an emollient, helps water and oil ingredients mix, while also helping to deliver specific ingredients deeper into the skin and helps the product spread on application.

 

Phenoxyethanol - Preservative to prolong the shelf life of a product to use safely.

Imidazolidinyl urea - Preservative to stop the product from spoiling.

 

Potassium Sorbate - Preservative to stop the production of mould and yeast. 

Sodium Benzoate - Preservative to stop the production of fungi.

Sodium Hydroxide - Adjust the pH of a products formula.

 

Parfum - Makes the product smell nice.

 

Hexyl cinnamal - Fragrance ingredient that usually smells of Jasmine.

 

Limonene - Penetration enhancer and fragrance ingredient. 

How To Use The Eclat Skin London Retinol Serum?

Presented in a sealed bottle, the lightweight and silky gel-serum can easily be dispensed onto cleansed skin at night. Applying a pea sized amount (One Pump Delivers The Perfect Amount) the hydrating gel glides over the skin easily and absorbs quite quickly to leave a softer and smoother feeling to the skin. Ideally you should wait at least 20 minutes to allow any retinoid to fully work with no interaction that could hinder its performance if products are immediately applied over the top. You can then follow with your hyaluronic acid serum and a night time moisturiser that is typically richer in texture to comfort and support the skin overnight. 

I really like how easy it is to use to slot the retinol serum into your skincare routine at night and even though there are scents included in the ingredients, i couldn't detect a strong scent at all.

Purchase the Eclat Skin London Retinol Serum available from here: Eclat Skin London to feel and see the results for yourself with continued use x Neil.

LoveLula Beauty Box February 2022.

The element of surprise each month is welcomed by natural beauty lovers in the UK and international, when receiving the LoveLula beauty box February 2022 full with organic goodies. The monthly beauty box features exciting brands and their products that are available from the easy-to navigate LoveLula website, whilst also introducing products to you that you may not be aware of to purchase. The selection of products you receive each month are varied whilst there are many subscription plans available for you to choose from (details at the end of blog post) to enjoy your delivered beauty box. Disclaimer: I received the beauty box free as part of the LoveLula accredited blogger program, this does not influence or change my honest opinions expressed in my blog posts. The links used are not affiliated and are only used for you to discover the products.

What Is Inside The LoveLula Beauty Box February 2022?

The LoveLula beauty box February 2022 edition arrives in secure recyclable packaging and each product inside is protected by the recyclable filling to keep your products valued at £70.00 in tip-top condition. The printed card inside details all the products included whilst also including a voucher code that can be redeemed if you would like to purchase any products from the brands included. The products featured are as follows:

Featured in the beauty box is the Ooh! - Oils of Heaven organic milk thistle face oil that i have previously blogged about and enjoyed using. The oil is beneficial because of its anti-aging, soothing, and dark spot fading abilities. The 100% Sylibum Marianum content that comes from the milk thistle plant contains antioxidant polyphenols and flavonolignans which contribute to the oils reparative and soothing abilities when applied to the skin, but that is not all. The plant ingredient also has the ability to neutralise damaging radicals such as UV light that influences depleting collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid which all lead to visibly aged skin. Inhibiting enzymes in the upper most layers of the skin to counteract damage, studies have also shown that when applying milk thistle topically it can help fade discolouration without any adverse side effects. The oil also contains alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), phospholipids, squalene, and polyphenols such as vanillic acid and p-coumaric while the anti-inflammatory benefits are also ideal for chronic inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis, constitutional dermatitis, and acne. Finally an oil for oiler skin types and spot-prone skin because it wont block your pores while also having antioxidant benefits to protect (though always wear a broad spectrum SPF) and improving skin tone!

Supplement and condition each eye lash and eyebrows with one application, when applying the PHB Ethical Beauty lash & brow growth serum. The pH balanced formula combines hydrators and nourishing oils with biotin, caffeine, and castor seed oil that all work to stimulate and improve strength. The wand features the perfect brush to coat each lash or the eyebrow hairs and can be applied either on its own or before applying your favourite mascara. I like to apply overnight to let the formula get to work and was impressed on how quickly this nourishes without leaving a sticky or crunchy texture while also being clear in colour. A must-have product to be included in your self-care routine that nourishes and strengthens eyelashes and the eyebrows while also respecting the delicate eye area!

Protect skin from the colder weather when applying the comforting and warming Balm Balm Hygge Hand & Body Balm to the hands and body. Sealing essential moisture in the skin is helped by the beeswax, shea butter, calendula and jojoba ingredients while the clove, sweet orange, and the mandarin provide the comforting scent included. I like to apply this balm after a shower or bath to damp skin to seal in the surface moisture present, while applying to damp hands after you have washed them will also help to improve moisture levels and help combat dryness. A little amount of this balm on application does go along way and u can determine how much you need because your skin will absorb it without you feeling sticky or greasy while the warmth from the clove oil is comforting especially on those cold days! It does contain the essential oils Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus reticulata peel oil and Citrus paradisi peel oil that all help the product smell nice but can also sensitise the skin and contain the problematic compounds furanocoumarins that make them (mildly) phototoxic, great for their scent profile not so great for the skin.

Nourish and support the skin that is regenerating and repairing overnight when applying the Organic Works Renewal Night Cream. Featuring emollients Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter and Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, the rich cream also includes Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil with Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil that both support and repair the barrier function of the skin. Soothing and antioxidant properties are included from the Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil and the Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea) also in the formula but you will notice on application the smell of lavender from the Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil. The thick cream does apply brilliantly on application while absorbing quite quickly to leave the skin feeling perfectly nourished and balanced, great for those who don't like heavy, greasy, or sticky moisturisers! If you don't like to use essential oils then this cream wont be for you as mentioned previously it does contain Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil that does have calming, relaxing, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties but also has potentially irritating fragrant components that auto oxidise on exposure to the air forming strong contact allergens and sensitivity, great for its scent not so great for the skin.

How To Purchase The LoveLula Beauty Box February 2022.

The total value of the LoveLula February beauty box is £70.00 while the many subscription plans available for the UK and International customers are varied but are excellent value for your money!

The UK Prices:                                                                   

Just Try One Box £19.95                              

Monthly Recurring £14.95                          

3 Months £42.60 (save 5%)                         

6 Months £80.70 (save 10%)

12 Months £152.50 (save 15%)

The INTERNATIONAL Prices:

Just Try One Box £24.95

3 Months £52.50

6 Months £100.00

12 Months £200.00

*Prices Correct At Time Of Writing - February 2022

Enjoy the selection of products for yourself, or buy as a gift for someone else to enjoy, when purchasing or subscribing to receive a beauty box to your door. I wonder what the March beauty box will contain and what will be featured for you to discover products you may not be aware of to purchase? Purchase any LoveLula beauty box February 2022 available here: lovelula beauty box  x Neil.

BYBI Glowcurrant Booster

Discover the BYBI Glowcurrant Booster that not only promises to brighten and restore the skin but also it is the worlds first carbon-negative skincare product! The natural, vegan, and cruelty facial oil contains just three ingredients but its contents is rich in skin-loving vitamins and fatty acids that are known for their beneficial benefits. Containing low-carbon ingredients and the bottle being made from sugarcane rather than glass (the outer packaging is also produced by using tree free paper sugarcane) the cap and nozzle uses bacteria found in marine and soil environments to make it compostable, this product is an industry first! Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product.

Presented in recyclable and compostable packaging, the glowcurrant booster features blackcurrant seed oil which is upcycled from the UK juicing industry using the seeds that would of otherwise been thrown away while the other interesting ingredient is white willow bark which is sourced from a UK farm and harvested by hand. The final skin-loving ingredient camelina oil is obtained from the seeds of the plant that is grown in the UK, but lets take a look at what each of these contain to be beneficial for your skin. It is noted to always do a patch test when introducing a new product into your skincare routine:

Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Seed Oil - Non-volatile plant oil that has emollient and antioxidant benefits while also containing a rich source of gamma linolenic acid which is anti-inflammatory. The vitamin rich content also contains omega's 3 and 6 which can help elasticity of the skin while also slowing down aging and prevent/help skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema by providing the skin with essential fatty acids. 

Camelina Sativa Seed Oil - Produced from the flowering plant Camelina or Gold-of-Pleasure, it contains a high source of omega-3 Alpha-linolenic acid with linoleic and oleic acids that contribute to help with dry and sensitive skin because of its anti-inflammatory benefits. It also contains antioxidant Vitamin E that helps to reduce UV damage and protect against free radicals while phytosterol brassicasterol helps to replenish and restore aging skin. 

Salix Alba Bark Extract - Plant extract with anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antioxidant benefits that contains compounds of salicin, polyphenols, and flavonoids. 

Applied daily either in the morning or evening you can dispense a few drops into your serum, moisturiser, or masks and mix them together but you can also apply as the first product to a cleansed face and neck. I personally either mix this with a hydrating water serum or apply over the top of one so the skin is supplied with water soluble (hydric) and oil soluble (lipidic) ingredients, similar to the skin’s hydrolipidic film. It applies beautifully over the skin and absorbs quite quickly to leave skin feeling perfectly nourished, plus there is no waiting around to proceed to apply your moisturiser and broad-spectrum SPF in the mornings over the top. The nozzle on the bottle dispenses the perfect drop of this lightweight but nourishing oil for you to include in your skincare routine, priced at £12.00 and available here: BYBI Glowcurrant Booster x Neil. 

Toniiq Supplements.

Toniiq supplements contain naturally derived ingredients from around the world to offer a range of effective formulations that work. Combining plant-based nutrients with modern science and advance technology ensures the highest potency in every botanical product they have to offer. All of their manufacturing facilities are located in the US and are compliant with the cGMP regulations as stipulated by the FDA, to meet the highest regulatory standards there is. Currently there are three ranges to choose from which are energy, beauty, and sleep that all contain different ingredients to suit these specific needs. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products. 

The Toniiq beet root capsules i have been taking belong to the energy category and are the next generation of beet root powder supplements because they contain an unprecedented 4% nitrates, while other beet root supplements contain less than 1%. In fact one Toniiq beet root extract capsule contains the equivalent nitrates of one cooked beet that the body changes into nitric oxide. Each serving of their 1400 mg beet root powder provides you with over 56mg of nitrates, making this one of the highest strength beet root supplements available anywhere. 

Presented in practical but stylish packaging, i take two capsules once a day with a meal as a food supplement while i was impressed on how really easy these are to swallow. It is suggested DO NOT take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and if you are taking any medication than speak to a health care professional. The surprising benefits when taking these are that they can help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increase exercise performance while also being packed with essential nutrients such as fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. 

The highly concentrated Toniiq Beet Root Capsules are the perfect product to use daily to reap the benefits this root vegetable has to offer with its unique and beneficial profile. Discover elevated nutrients here: Toniiq x Neil.