Priori Advanced AHA Daily Defense SPF30

I'm always on the look out for a daily face cream with a high SPF.

My requirements are:
Not too greasy
Doesn't give me spots
Isn't jam packed full of chemicals
Doesn't give me sore red patches
Doesn't leave a white residue
Doesn't cost as much as a weekend break.

Lately, even creams that I used to like have given me problems, I recently re-puchased Origins A Perfect World SPF 25, which I used to love. Now it gives me spots. Very annoying.

So I was very keen to try this new product from Priori. I have a fair bit of sun damage, in my teens I really believed that coconut oil was all I needed all summer long. If only I could go back and shake myself. So now I'm ultra careful, but decent levels of SPF can be tricky when you've got sensitive skin.

You don't need much of this cream, I'd recommend squeezing a small blob onto the palm and warming it by rubbing between your hands to thin it a little before applying. On me, it does sting/tingle slightly when I first apply it - which is sometimes a sign I'll get a reaction - but the feeling quickly goes, and luckily I've had no bad reaction at all. No spots, no soreness, no greasiness.

It also contains AHA, so it's targeting the signs of ageing I already have, as well as helping protect me from the sun.

Another bonus - it's only £17. It's not that easy to track down , so call 0845 555 2121 for stockist info.

A fishy story: Perricone MD Cold Plasma

It's taken my until the grand old age of 39 to get my skin under control. So I'm always wary of trying new skincare products. 

However, I was recently sent a pot of Perricone MD Cold Plasma cream, and feeling brave, I thought I'd give it a go. 

This is a face cream for all skin types, but it's main aim is to combat the signs of ageing. I quote "Cold Plasma addresses the 10 most visible signs of ageing: wrinkles, enlarged pores, dryness, discolouration, redness, uneven skin tone, impurities, loss of firmness, loss of smoothness and loss of radiance". Now that's quite a claim. 

My current skincare regime (which I'll go into in more detail in a future post) uses Karin Herzog Oxygen products, and they've not only combatted the problems I've had with spots, but they've helped keep the years at bay as well - and for my age, my lines are pretty minimal. But at my age you can't be too careful, so I was willing to introduce Cold Plasma cream to my routine.

The first thing you notice about the product is the smell. As a young child I was force fed tablespoons of cod liver oil. And this is like smearing the stuff on your face. Basically, it bloody stinks. Now apparantly this is due to the fish oils it contains - so the smell makes sense. And really I'm happy they haven't covered the smell with fragrance which could cause a reaction.

Due to it's stinky nature I chose to just use this cream at night (the instructions say morning and night). It says you can apply a moisturiser over the top, and on occasions I've used my usual night cream afterwards, especially during the old weather. Straight away I feel a difference - the next morning my skin was softer and incredibly smooth - not only could I feel this but I noticed the difference as I applied my make-up. I've been using it for 10 days now, and I'm going to keep going until I've used it all, so I'll report back on any further differences, but so far I'm impressed.

I don't think I could cope with the smell day and night, and to be honest, I don't feel a twice a day application is needed. I'm pleased with the results, but there's a downside. Mr Beauty Cult says it stinks, and he's right to say so. So it doesn't do your love life any favours. But then isn't there always a price to pay for beautiful skin?

And talking of price, this is not cheap stuff. In fact even in the luxury skincare market it's up there in the higher price bracket at £120 for 30ml. If you do want to take the plunge, you can order it online, but I'd have a go at getting a sample first.

Miracle product: Eve Lom Dynaspot

I've spent most of my life searching for the ultimate spot zapper. And now, at the grand old age of 39, I think I've found it.

It was a random purchase. I forgot my cleanser on a weekend away (dur) and popped into Space NK to get some Eve Lom as a stop gap. Like most of us I get break outs at the worst possible time, and I could already feel that I was likely to wake up with a huge spot the next day. So when I noticed there was now an Eve Lom spot product, I thought it was worth a punt.

The ingredients aren't particularly revolutionary, they include tea tree oil, salicylic acid and zinc oxide plus herby things like yarrow extract, fennel, camomile and balm mint. You apply it and then let it dry, and it leaves a white/pink crusty layer on your skin (a bit like calomine lotion). Not pretty. The instructions claim you can brush this layer gently off and apply make-up over the top, but I've found this a little messy. However as an overnight spot treatment it's totally amazing. Apply and leave to dry, then if you get chance apply a second layer. Seriously, spots are gone, or at least majorly reduced, by the next morning.

I used to use Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion, which shrinks spots but leaves dry patches on my skin. But this Eve Lom product is so, so much better. Pricey at £18.50, but well worth it for the results.

It IS ok to squeeze spots!

After years of being told NEVER to squeeze, cult beauty brand Karin Herzog have come clean, and told us what beauty therapists have known for years, squeezing spots IS ok if you know what you're doing.

I'm a big fan of the Karin Herzog products, so here's their guide to safe & hygienic home extraction:

Clean hands thoroughly before you begin.

Apply any of the Karin Herzog Cleansers to eye area, face and neck massaging for approximately 2 minutes then remove with a damp sponge.

Take a small amount of Mild Scrub, work into the face using small circular movements (avoiding eye area) then remove all traces using a damp sponge.

Blot the face with a tissue. Apply a thin layer of the Essential Mask or Oxygen Face Cream avoiding the eye area; apply in thicker layer on very congested areas. Leave for approximately 5-10 minutes.

Take three strips of cling film and place directly on top of the Mask. The first strip across the forehead, the second across the nose and cheeks, and the third across the chin and jaw area. (Allow breathing holes).

After 5-10 minutes remove the first strip of cling film from the forehead, then remove any traces of Mask with a damp sponge. Blot the forehead with a tissue. Study the area. If there are any blocked pores try a light extraction.

Take another tissue, rip in half and wrap both index fingers ready for extracting any blocked pores and blackheads (use a mirror). N.B.: When extracting, remember to always wrap the fingers with clean tissue. Never use your nails, only use the fingertips. Always use gentle pressure all around the blocked pore - if it does not want to come out, leave it until your next facial. Use a rolling movement in towards the blockage with fingers flat on the face. The oxygen mask will allow blockages to be removed without too much force if ready for extraction.

After extracting all blocked pores and blackheads from the forehead, its time to move around the face from the forehead to the right cheek, then the chin. From the chin to the left cheek, leaving the nose area until last as this is everyone’s area of concern with blocked pores and blackheads and will benefit from leaving the Mask on for as long as possible.
When moving around the face repeat steps 7 and 8 for each area.

When all traces of Mask are removed and after any extraction apply a small amount of Vita-A-Kombi Cream or Oxygen Face Cream. Massage all over the face to sterilise the skin.

N.B. Remember to never apply too much pressure during extraction. If blockages are stubborn, they will be easier next time.

Please Note: These home facial notes are designed to give you a taste of what a professional Karin Herzog facial can do. If carried out correctly it will give results but it is not intended as a replacement for a professional Herzog Oxygen Facial in any of our salons where the treatments are carried out within strict professional guidelines and where we recommend you visit if you have any real skincare concerns. Our salon partners offer a treatment, called the Bodicial, which lasts 2 hours and has body Lymphatic drainage as part of the treatment.

Karin Herzog accept no responsibility for any client who has been a little over zealous with the extraction. If in doubt, call our free phone hotline - 0800 0562428. A qualified therapist should always treat serious problems or cases of persistent acne. Your skin is delicate and when treated gently and with respect will reward you by looking its best.

Brits go nuts for Vanessa Hudgens' skin regime

We told you about the Neutragena Wave way back in November 2008, and it seems there's no chance of it's popularity fading. Latest sales figures show it's selling at a rate of one every five minutes, and that's in Boots stores alone!

So is this a cult product that we should all be using? Or are we being total suckers believing it can give us skin like Vanessa Hudgens?

Vanessa tells us "I’ve used a lot of cleansers, but I’ve never tried anything like the Wave. My skin looks softer right away – even my friends noticed.”

Fair enough, but let's not forget that Vanessa is 20 years old and completely stunning, Neutragena Wave may be fantastic, but it can't work miracles!

If you're one of the few women not to have tried the Wave:
Neutrogena Wave Starter Kit (with 14 pads), £12.71
Neutrogena Wave Refill Kit (30 pads), £4.88

If you have tried it - let me know how you got on!

Clinique Even Better Make-up: Will this be the best foundation ever?

Clinique's latest wonder product is Even Better Make-up, designed to solve the problem which causes most women to buy foundation in the first place; uneven skin tone.

According to a recent study, uneven skin tone is the next big worry after lines and wrinkles. Not only does this new product claim to provide great coverage, but it's said to reduce hyper-pigmentation with continued use.

It contains antioxidants such as vitamin C, combined with Vitamin E, mushroom yeast extract, grapefruit peel and white birch extracts to break up and reduce the appearance of an uneven skin tone and help prevent it getting worse in the future.

Available from April 1st 2009 nationwide, the foundation will be available in 14 shades.

If it works, it will become a must-have product for millions of women. Watch this space for a review and more information.

Beauty Myths: Junk food is bad for your skin

We all know that a healthy diet is best for a healthy body. However there’s no evidence that chocolate, chips and junk food directly cause spots!

Spots are caused by hormonal problems and/or ducts in the skin becoming blocked by sebum and bacteria.
The best way to keep your skin clear is to stick to the basics: cleanse, tone and moisturise with good quality skin-care products twice a day.

My routine includes cleansing with Eve Lom's Cleanser twice a day, using a light but effective moisturiser (either Eve Lom's SPF 15, or Rodial's Glamotox) and attacking any spots that do break through with a Salicylic acid based treatment, for instance Dermalogica's Medibac Overnight Clearing Gel or Jan Marini's Bioclear Lotion.

I also use a face mask every three days, Balaton Spa's is wonderful.

A monthly facial will also help, I find the Karin Herzog's Pore Draw works wonders. The Karin Herzog site can help you find a salon near you.

Great products for acne or spots

Spots are a pain. Whether you suffer all the time, or just get the occasional zit, here's my guide to getting and staying spot free.

Product wise, there are two approaches when trying to get spot free. Blitz them, or soothe them. It’s easy to overload your skin with products if you’re spotty and getting desperate. But try treating your skin delicately and you may find it will calm down and heal itself, which should results in less spots.

Dr Hauschka products are pure, organic and gentle. Try cleansing Cream (£12), followed by Facial Toner (£18) and Normalizing Day Oil (£18). The Day Oil can feel a bit odd, it may appear oily but it will help your skin balance its oil levels.

An Origins survey claims that 84% of people asked said that their skin was soothed and calmed by the Mega-Mushroom Programme, and having tried it I’d agree. If you buy just one product make it Origins Mega Mushroom Face Serum, (£40 for 30ml, or £50 for 50ml).

Eve Lom’s magnificent Cleanser (£48 for 100ml lasts about six months, £78 for 200ml) is also a great product for sensitive spotty skin. Follow Eve’s technique of applying, removing with a hot muslin cloth, and then applying a cold muslin cloth, for the best results.

If you need to take it up a gear, check back here next week for my guide to some tougher spot products.