Sensitive Skin Care: The Simplest of Face Oils

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basic face oils

Those searching for beautifully simple facial oils, look no further; the below are just about as unadorned as facial oils get. If you find that you’re sensitive to essential oils, or just prefer a more purist approach to your skincare regime, then the three I’ve picked out are a great place to start. Two of them (the Argan and the Rosehip) have nothing in them apart from what’s in the title – the third, Weleda’s Almond Soothing Facial Oil has a tiny touch of blackthorn and plum oil but it’s still incredibly simple. If you’re looking for sensitive skin care and want a “starter” oil to see how you get on, then take a look at these…

Just Argan Oil: Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Argan Oil. I know I bang on about this one, but it does wonders for my skin. It’s an overnight wonder – brings dry skin back to life and is packed full of Vitamin E to protect and repair the skin. Also, I’ve been to the place in Morocco where it’s made and so I have a soft spot for it – it’s extremely ethically sourced. You can read my whole blog post on it here, or find it online here. It’s £17.50.

Just Almond: Weleda’s Almond Soothing Facial Oil. I say “Just Almond” but, see above. It’s a nice basic moisturiser – won’t work wonders like good old Argan, but I quite like to use this oil for cleansing eye makeup off (don’t get it in your eyes unless you want blurry vision for about eighteen years) and as a bit of a “pre-cleanse” if I’m travelling and don’t have a proper balm cleanser to hand. It’s around £15 (you can get a simple SIMPLE version in your chemist’s, probably, for much cheaper) but you can sometimes find it on Amazon for about a tenner. There’s some at the moment here.

More facial oils…

Just Rosehip: Pai’s Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. This is the one to go for if you need some repair work to happen. Rosehip has long been known for its regenerative properties and this version claims to be the most concentrated version on the market today. It’s a potent but non-irritating form of Vitamin A and brilliant for helping to heal scars, stretch marks and sun damage. It also helps with fine lines, skin firmness and general suppleness and elasticity. An all-round powerhouse and a great (and surprising) price: £22 online here.

More skin care for sensitive skin…

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A Serious Splurge On Dry Shampoo…

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I never imagined I would be using a £30 bottle of dry shampoo, but here we are.

When I think of dry shampoo I think of cheap, colourful cans of white/clear aerosol that make your hair feel matte and disgusting and often promise volume but fall flat.


The Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo comes in an aerosol-free, squeezy tube and is nothing like traditional dry shampoo. It’s clay based, and as such can feel a little heavy if not used correctly, but with practice, I now know just how much to use to give my hair volume, remove any oily roots and just generally refresh 2 or 3-day old hair.

To use I simply give the bottle a little shake upside down and then squeeze little puffs of the powder into my roots. I then work the powder into my hair to distribute it where it needs to be and leave it to soak up any oil for a few minutes before giving my hair a quick brush. I also really like the natural vanilla scent that comes from the addition of vanilla powder, it removes any other scents clinging to my hair.

What’s more amazing than how well it works for me? How long I’ve had it and how much my boyfriend likes it too! I purchased my bottle back in January(!!) and I still have just under half of the powder left, a little really does go a long way, and that’s with two people using it on the regular. My boyfriend likes to use this in two ways, as a styling powder, he finds it gives his hair some grit and hold and he can style it in his carefree ‘I’ve done nothing with my hair but really spent a few minutes trying to look like this’ look. And he uses it as a traditional dry shampoo to remove grease. He has a very sensitive head so I’m glad this has such simple ingredients that haven’t irritated his scalp.

The ingredients list is incredibly simple; Fuller’s earth (Clay), Organic Tapioca Starch (Cassava root), Illicium Verum (Star Anise), Vanilla Planifolia, Citric Acid. 


So why pay so much? Honestly, I couldn’t tell you, it’s like paying £40 for luxury natural toner that has the main ingredient listed as water! It’s a luxury purchase, and as I’ve often found with purchases like this you tend to convince yourself that the price means this must absolutely be better than the version that costs half the price.


I haven’t tried a cheaper version such as the Acure Dry Shampoo, and when my bottle of Rahua finally runs out (I would guess in another 4-5 months, giving me a full years use out of one bottle!) I will be torn choosing between a tried and tested product that lasts us ages and ages, to something new that we may not like as much. What would you do?





Would you spend £30 on dry shampoo?

Putting Dove’s Super Moisturising New Anti-Perspirant Formula To The Test: The Results Of My Underarm Challenge

 
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SPONSORED FEATURE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DOVE

How many of you stick to the same time old tried and tested products and formulations, believing it’s better the devil you know than the beauty stuff you don’t? Once we discover something we can supposedly rely on, it’s tricky to get into the mindset of regularly changing it up or trying something new – even if we know the grass may be greener on the other side. I’ve spoken previously about the new anti-perspirant formulas from Dove that have been re-formulated to be their most skin friendly ever; they’ve re-balanced the formulations to provide even more moisturisation for this often sensitive part of your body, and the range now features ingredients that are more commonly found within luxury skin care products. All this on top of Dove’s signature 1/4 moisturising cream that its deodorants are so well known for. This reformulation allows the range to lubricate the skin and ensure it’s working effectively, alongside aiding the repair of damaged skin after hair removal. These hardworking features ensure that the Dove anti-perspirants are superior to many other household names I’ve tried, providing a comfortable and effective experience. But how many of you regularly change up your deodorant or seek out something that offers more than just basic protection?

I’ve been a fan of the Dove deodorants for years, because I know their products provide me with an incomparable experience and hardworking care. Their constant innovation and portfolio of scents to choose from keeps it fresh, while ensuring I’m always getting the best from my underarms. However, I know many others stick with their standard antiperspirant and don’t even think to seek out anything new – often for decades on end. In the interests of encouraging my loved ones to shake things up and introduce them to what Dove has to offer, I set six of them a challenge to try out the newly revamped range for a week and let me know their thoughts. This is what they had to say…

MY SISTER (DOVE ORIGINAL)
I’m really sensitive to scents and textures, so Dove has been a brand I’ve long been using. I love the original version of their anti-perspirant as I can rely on it to keep me dry, without worrying that the texture it leaves on skin will irritate or the smell will overload my senses. My underarms feel really soft and comfortable.
MY MUM (DOVE SENSITIVE & SOFT FEEL)
I normally use the Dove shower products but I’d not used the anti-perspirants before. In this heatwave it kept me totally dry and fresh, which I was impressed with considering I usually used roll-ons and swapped for the spray. I noticed my underarms were definitely softer after trying it for a week – in fact I pH tested and the moisture levels in my armpits raised from 19% to 36% in only seven days!

MY NAN (DOVE GO FRESH CUCUMBER & GREEN TEA)
Usually I stick with the rollerball I’ve used for many years. More for the routine and peace of mind than for the protection I suppose. I really enjoyed this, particularly the scent which was really refreshing. It didn’t sting or feel uncomfortable at all, but instead felt pleasant on the skin.
MY BEST MATE (DOVE GO FRESH POMEGRANATE & LEMON VERBANA)
I have sensitive underarms so usually I opt for cream deodorants. I knew Dove would be moisturising and contain ingredients that wouldn’t irritate me, so I actually starting using the Original version a few weeks ago. The pomegranate version smells sooooo nice, without being overpowering. I can apply it straight after shaving with no stinging whatsoever (even the spray version) and it really does make your underarms so smooth! I’ve just introduced my nine year old daughter to Dove as her first foray into deodorant, as it’s a brand I know I can trust to be delicate on her skin.
MY BLOGGER BUD (DOVE GO FRESH GRAPEFRUIT & LEMONGRASS)
I’m generally quite a sweaty person so I always opt for the brands and ranges I think are going to work really hard for me; I always assumed Dove’s antiperspirants were for women who glowed – and that’s not me! I’ve been trying it for a week or so and my pits are definitely a bit more comfortable and it holds up against the sweaty summer heat too. And the fragrance is a bonus: it’s so delicate and pretty.
AND ME? (DOVE GO FRESH PEAR & ALOE)
I’ve used Dove for many years and often flit between the classic scent and new additions. I first saw this in New York last year and was probably a touch too excited about it, so I was delighted to see it being launched in the UK. The fragrance of pear is so uplifting and comforting, especially during the summer months, which when combined with aloe provides me a morning hit of freshness that keeps me confident and dry all day long. My pits are always nourished and don’t ever get sore – which is all I can ask for from my antiperspirant!

Seven variants and seven correspondingly positively glowing testimonials; proof that switching up your usual deodorant for a touch of Dove could give your underarms the care and attention they need. Our underarms are so often neglected, and can be a part of our body we’re not always so confident in revealing, but treating them with the care and attention they deserve will have you lifting your arms with pride! Whether you shave them, pluck them, decorate them, cover them, reveal them or leave them in their natural state, treat them well because they work hard every single day. Why not pick up your favourite and see what difference it could make to you in just a week?

Read my previous post all about the new Dove antiperspirant range here, and why we shouldn’t be treating our underarms differently to other areas of our body here.

Don’t forget to enter our competition to WIN a £250 high street shopping voucher and entire range of Dove antiperspirants too!

Dove’s new and improved anti-perspirants are available now, priced from around £2.30. Discover more on their website here.

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Dove; all opinions are my own and I’ve used the Dove deodorants for more than a decade.

Features PR samples unless otherwise stated. To read my full disclaimer, click here.

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