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New Skincare on Trial #6


I've had so many skincare products to try lately! Today I'm giving you the lowdown on the latest batch I've been testing out from affordable to premium.


Cleansing

Alpha-H Essential Cleansing Balm | £27.50 | I love a cleansing balm but hadn't actually tried anything from Alpha-H besides the legendary Liquid Gold. I like that this is the kind of product that comes up through the centre of the pump top - it's hygienic and just prevents waste. Although this can be used for removing makeup and does a pretty good job of that, I personally think it's too much for my sensitive eyes, leaving them watery and a bit sore. Instead I use this as a morning cleanse - it's nice and nourishing and the way it emulsifies makes it easy to remove and means it doesn't leave behind a residue. It's aimed at making the skin plump and moisturised, which I think it definitely achieves.
Ingredients include: rose, antioxidants, fatty acids

Nadur Rinseable Oil Cleanser & Makeup Remover* | £26 | I wish this product came with a pump for the price instead of a flip-top, however otherwise the packaging is both functional and stylish in a lowkey way. It's a really nice product - it's non-greasy and I like to use it for removing makeup. It lifts my dark eye makeup without too much work and there's pretty much nothing left when I remove it with a damp muslin cloth. It's fine to use on the eyes, however isn't the most gentle product I've tried, which makes me feel as though this isn't going to stand out enough on the shelf for me to reach for it over some of my absolute favourites.
Ingredients include: jojoba oil, pomegranate oil

Cocunat 3 in 1 Micellar Water Toning Cleanser* | £13.50 | I've tried so many micellar waters that it takes a lot to truly impress me. This is from a new all-natural skin and body brand. I actually find it nice and even quite moisturising on the skin and it's very good at removing makeup (though, as is inevitable with micellar waters, it can take a while to fully get off waterproof black eyeliner and mascara). However I do find it very slightly harsh on my eyes, which is a bit of a deal-breaker for me! When there are this many products on the market, I have the option to get something that doesn't have these little negatives, so I can't recommend this over the others out there.
Ingredients include: aloe vera, lavender

Gatineau Gentle Eye Makeup Remover* | £32 | Obviously I have a mini here - don't worry that's not £32! - so I've linked the full-sized product. I generally don't use eye makeup removers as I take off my face makeup with an oil-based cleanser, which also lifts that black, waterproof mascara and liner. As the name promises, this is a gentle formulation that doesn't sting my eyes. I do find it takes a little while to shift heavier eye makeup, so although it works well enough most of the time, I don't think I'll be abandoning my usual routine for this.
Ingredients include: cucumber, green tea, aloe vera

Foreo Luna Play* | £29.50 | I'm a huuuuge fan of the Foreo Luna Mini 2, so I was looking forward to giving this travel-sized version a go. These are single-use and disposable, which I do find a little bit wasteful, however it is an affordable way of trying this range before investing in the rechargeable devices. It has two different textures and one setting. I love this kind of cleansing brush because the bristles are silicone, making them hygienic, easy-to-wash and very gentle on the skin. It still does the job of the full-sized product and just helps work in your cleanser, taking its effects to the next level, though the size makes it slightly fiddly. 

Gatineau Deep Cleansing Brush* | £24 | I've tried quite a few cleansing brushes now, however none quite like this. It's a manual brush and has very soft but densely-packed bristles. It's nicely gentle on the skin and helps to work in the cleanser, increasing its effectiveness. I personally won't be swapping my Foreo products for this (because they're just next-level), however it does work pretty well for me.

Serums & Moisturisers

It's Skin Power 10 GF Serum* | £12 | This is one of those products that's nice for the price but in all honesty, it just didn't blow me away. I obviously try a lot of serums at different price-points so I know what I'm looking for. The pros are that it's not tacky and is fast-absorbing, making it good for people who are combination or oily but still need a hydration boost every now and then. I do see a bit of an effect and it's fairly soothing (which is what it's billed as) but it just didn't take things to that next level. 
Ingredients include: Maitake mushroom extract, Licorice

It's Skin Power 10 VE Serum* | £12 | I did fare a little better with this version, however it's fairly similar - aimed at protecting and hydrating the skin. Again, it has a nice texture that makes it quick and easy to apply and it works nicely under makeup. This was a little more nourishing and did plump my skin out a little, but again it just didn't knock my socks off!
Ingredients include: Vitamin E

The Hero Project Hyasoft Instant Moisture Boost* | £19 | This works as a serum for dry skin types or as a moisturiser if you're oily or combination. The cooling gel formula really does feel like a splash of hydration. It's oil-free and absorbs into the skin so quickly, plumping it out and giving a nice, fresh boost of moisture. 
Ingredients include: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5

Treatments & Masks

Gatineau Mini Collagene Expert Targeted Wrinkle Corrector* | £5 | I'm always a bit bemused by anti-aging products as I'm only 24, so what I do now probably won't be apparent for years! However I do get some fine lines and I was interested to see how this would help them - though they're nothing major, I do find it unflattering how makeup can sometimes settle in and emphasise them. This is a gel product that comes in a rollerball, making it a quick and easy step in your routine. So far I have noticed it plumps up the skin nicely, however only much more time will tell whether it will keep the wrinkles at bay!
Ingredients include: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C

Gatineau Peeling Expert* | £41 (for full size) | I absolutely love glow-boosting skincare, especially in the form of products that are quick and easy to use in the morning, so this ticks several boxes! It's an unusual formula - it comes out as a standard gel, however as you massage it into the skin it sort of 'melts', at which point you know it's time to rinse it off. It's a nice little boost of hydration and radiance and isn't at all harsh or intense.
Ingredients include: Bamboo, Vitamin E

Nadur Antioxidant Face Oil* | £32 | I really enjoyed using this facial oil - it is slightly heavier, however doesn't feel too greasy and does absorb into the skin (I apply it a good 15 minutes before bed so it's sunk in before my head hits the pillow). It has a really nice nourishing and plumping effect on the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. It's also nice and calming, helping to reduce redness, which is especially great for sensitive post-winter skin. 
Ingredients include: rosehip oil, argan oil

Hero Project Glow Drops Dry-Touch Facial Oil with Vitamin C* | £24 | Ok, confession time: I actually mistook this for a serum, using it for the first time on a rushed morning, and applied a couple of drops. I never use oils during the day because I do have combination skin and although I need hydration, I also don't want to do anything to aggravate the shine. However it was too late to go back, so I just had to go with it and I ended up loving the effect! True to the name, it doesn't leave that surface shine I'm usually worried about and left my complexion looking fresh, radiant and hydrated. I'm really impressed with this natural skincare brand so far!
Ingredients include: Vitamin C

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalene | £7.80 | I was a huge fan of the original 2% formula and that's been updated along with a few variations being launched, including this. I actually prefer how the original version feels on the skin, with it's milky, fast-absorbing formula - this one is more of an oil. I use it as an overnight treatment and it does give those amazing retinol effects (check out my full overview of this ingredient here) - leaving my skin looking smoother and evening out its tone. The Squalene just gives that extra plumping, hydrating effect, so I guess it's worth having a slightly heavier formula for that!
Ingredients include: retinol, squalene

It's Skin Sheet Masks in Avocado, Rose & Aloe* | £2.99 each | These sheet masks are so affordable and I really like using them before bed. The fit is fairly good - I've had better but I've also had much worse! The Avocado is really nice and nourishing, so perfect for skin types that need something a little heavier. The Rose mask was my favourite - it's very lightweight in texture, smells amazing and noticeably hydrates and plumps up my skin. The Aloe mask wasn't as hydrating as I'd hoped, however it is very soothing for red or sensitive skin types.
Ingredients include: avocado, rose, aloe vera

Lips & Body

Gatineau Defilift 3D Perfect Design Revolumising Lip Care* | £32 (for full size) | This is a lip balm unlike any I've really tried before - although it is nice and hydrating, it's aimed more at giving that smooth, full effect. It has a glossy finish and I do think it plumps the lips nicely (though there's none of that awful tingling like those lip gloss formulas you can get!) It also lasts surprisingly well before disappearing. It is pricey though, and I feel like more mature skin may see more of a dramatic result with this.
Ingredients include: jojoba oil, shea butter, lavender extract

Cocunat All-in-One Regenerating Divine Balm* | £25 | This is one of those lovely multipurpose products that will always have a place in my skincare collection. It's essentially a balm-to-oil that's super-nourishing. It can be used on the face where you have dry patches (mine's usually around the nose - though it definitely gives a shiny finish, so I stick to an overnight application), I often apply it between my fingers and I even occasionally put it on my hair to smooth and hydrate.
Ingredients include: olive oil, honey, sunflower oil, beeswax


Bybi Babe Balm* | £18 | I do love a multipurpose balm and obviously this is a little more portable than the other one in this post! I always have something like this in my bag in case my lips or any irritated patches of skin get dry during the day. It's pretty similar to my Glossier Balm Dotcom, though I'd say it has a slightly oilier texture that would be great for very dry skin, so I'd say you probably don't need both (having said that, it doesn't stop this one being a nice product!)
Ingredients include: shea butter, camellia seed oil

Yu-Be Moisturising Cream* | £13.50 | This is a skincare staple in Japan that's great for winter skin. It has an unusual texture for a nourishing product, almost feeling like a fast-absorbing balm. It works to soften the lips and also smooths and hydrates any dry patches of skin on the face or body, helping the irritation and discomfort heal.
Ingredients include: Vitamin E 


Have you tried any new skincare products recently?


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Disclosure - products marked * were sent to me for consideration however all opinions remain my own.

Read more posts from this series here!


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12 comments

  1. The regenerating divine balm and Alpha-H cleansing balm sound like products I would love! xx

    Beautylymin

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  2. Wow you have tried out so many products, I don't even know where to start! I really want to try some of the Ordinary products! xx

    https://zoe-ware.blogspot.ca

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  3. Sounds like some great new products here! Just started to try out the Ordinary products and so far I'm really enjoying them! Lovely post xx

    Jasmine | https://jasminelaurenfancy.blogspot.co.uk

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  4. I love your skincare posts because they are so in depth and you talk about so many items. I am going to have to try these out because my skin is suffering at the moment!

    Danielle xx
    http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

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  5. I really want to try more from alpha h, I love the sound of the balm for a morning cleanser!

    http://claresloves.blogspot.com/

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  6. Gatineau is one brand I'd like to try out!

    www.upyourvlog.com

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  7. Now that's a brand that I very rarely read about, Gatineau. It's a pricey brand too which is why I haven't try anything from them.

    Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity

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  8. While I am a complete obsesser over cleansing oils, I'm actually yet to try a cleansing balm. I'm definitely interested to see which one I'd love more for removing makeup. The Gatineau peeling expert sounds wonderful! Like you I definitely love anything that makes the skin glow - peels and acid toners are my absolute fave!

    www.themakeupaficionado.com

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  9. I haven't tried or even heard of many of these, but I love the sound of the Gatineau products!

    www.prettifulblog.com

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  10. Their product range is huge! x

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  11. Yeah I'd never really explored their range outside the Liquid Gold but now I'm intrigued about what the rest of their products are like :) x

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  12. That's a shame as most of their products are fairly reasonable here in the UK :( x

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