I was first introduced to skincare by my mum who bought me my first skincare products when I was around 13 years old and it was the Boots own cucumber range which is so nostalgic to me and they worked well from what I remember. I have reviewed a few Boots own skincare products on my blog years ago (here). Now at the grand old age of 22 *23 in August, cries* I have moved onto more natural and more expensive skincare which my bank balance doesn't thank me for. However the Boots own skincare range, including the Botanics products, are fantastic and I was kindly sent a range of their best sellers!
Firstly, lets start with the nostalgia, I have the *Boots Cucumber 3 Minute Clay Mask (£1.50, 50ml) which takes me back to my teen years! The mask claims to cleanse and draw out impurities and excess oils. Myself and my sister have used this mask, I just apply it with a foundation brush to my t-zone and leave it on for 3 minutes. I found this mask to be mattifying and cleansing on my t-zone which can become really oily and congested at this time of the year. The results aren't as good as my Caudalie Detox mask but this product is only £1.50 and the Caudalie mask is around £20! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
Sticking with the detox, cleansing theme, I also have the *Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Deep Cleansing Facial Scrub (£3.21, 150ml) which again myself and my sister have tried out and we both really like - we have very different skin types and it works well on her combination, blemish prone skin and my more sensitive, dry skin. The scrub is dark grey which may look scary but it feels quite spa like to me and it smells medicinal/clean. The scrub is quite exfoliating and it does a great job but it isn't too abrasive. I would personally only use it on my t-zone as that is the only area I have where my skin can be oily and in need of a full deep cleanse. Overall rating: Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.
The final product targeted towards more blemish prone skin is the *Boots Skin Clear Ultra Rapid Action Spot Gel (£3.99, 25ml). I personally don't get that many spots, they only occur every few months but when they do, they take ages to reduce and they usually leave some form of pigmentation behind. I have tried a few spot gels/treatments in the past but none of them really help. The only product I've tried that has a noticeable rapid effect is Sudocrem. I tried this product on one faded blemish and the next day it was definitely smaller, less red and less noticeable! However my sister tried it on more recent blemishes and it didn't work as effectively. In my opinion, it is well worth a try especially for the low price point! Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.
Next up, a couple of Boots Botanics products which is the Boots skincare range I have tried the most from. I wrote a rave review of the Botanics Skin Relief Serum and the Hot Cloth Cleanser both of which I would re-purchase (here). I recently tried the *Botanics Micellar All Bright 3 in 1 Cleansing Solution (£1.49, 250ml) which I've been using on and off for the past couple of weeks. I find that it is fantastic at removing my makeup, apart from waterproof mascara although most other micellar waters struggle with waterproof mascara, in my experience. It doesn't irritate my skin or dry my skin out. This product contains AHA's (alpha hydroxyl acids which are found in fruit, for example) which exfoliate the skin and have anti-ageing benefits. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.
The second Boots Botanics product is the *Botanics Radiant Youth Hydrating Eye Cream (£4.49, 15ml). One skincare product I always forget to use is eye cream however in my 20's I think it's a great time to start using them; also I do have very fine lines under my eyes already! This eye cream definitely helps hydrate and reduce dehydration lines under my eyes which I have most of the time. It leaves the skin looking and feeling moisturised, radiant and it provides a great base for concealer. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
Now onto the last couple of products, I have been using the *Boots Simply Sensitive Protecting Day Moisturiser (£1.74, 125ml) on and off for a couple of weeks and from the first use I was so impressed by it, as was my sister. The moisturiser doesn't irritate my skin, it is moisturising enough and it leaves my skin feeling SO smooth/soft. It isn't too heavy for my sisters combination skin and it has the some smoothing effect. I'm so impressed by this moisturiser and considering the price it is an absolute bargain! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.
Last but not least the *Boots Cleansing Wipes For Dry Skin (£1.50, 25 wipes). Facial wipes are viewed by the blogging and online beauty community as a skincare no-no and on the whole I have to agree. I only use makeup wipes for swatches, changing my lip colour and for my full on halloween looks. Although I used to use the Boots cucumber wipes all of the time as a teen and my skin was always pretty good (apart from occasional eczema). I have tried the wipes and for once they don't feel like they strip my skin but I did experience a small amount of irritation; however my sister really liked them! Overall rating: ★★★☆☆, 3/5.
Phew, there are my opinions on the Boots own skincare best sellers and I have to say there is only one product that I am slightly disappointed by which are the wipes but as I said, I don't use wipes anyway. I think the Boots own skincare ranges are absolutely fantastic especially considering the low price and the range is massive so you are bound to find products suitable for your skin type that are in your budget.
Boots currently have a few offers on skincare. Their Essentials range is currently 3 for £3, the Botanics products are on a 3 for 2 offer and most of their products are currently discounted as I'm writing this on 26/07/2015. You can also receive a free Botanics Instant Moisture Mist when you spend £25 on selected skincare.
Have you tried any Boots own skincare? If so which products did you try? Have you bought any of the products I've featured?
