2014 Favourites: Skincare

Skincare products are always difficult for me to find as I have sensitive skin, prone to occasional eczema, and my skin is dry. Although this year I have found a lot of skincare products that I have LOVED from fantastic brands!

Facial Cleanser Winner: REN Hydracalm Cleansing Gel 

Runners Up: Burts Bees Sensitive Cleanser & RMK Cleansing Balm

Micellar Water Winner: Bioderma Hydrabio

Runner Up: Nivea Sensitive Cleansing Water

Face Scrub Winner: Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Scrub 

Face Mask Winners: Bioderma Soothing Mask & Neutrogena 2 in 1 Mask

Runner Up: Botanicals Balancing Mask 

Face Cream/Moisturiser Winner: Nivea Sensitive Day/Night Creams 

Runners Up: Bioderma Atoderma Zinc Ultra-Soothing Cream & The Body Shop Aloe Day Cream

Facial Oils Winner: Rodial Stemcell Superfood Oil

Runner Up: Bodhi + Birch Desert Rose Facial Oil

Lip Balm Winners: Nuxe Reve De Miel & Rodial Glam Balm

Runner Ups: Burts Bees Beeswax Lip Balm & Nivea Hydro Care

Eczema Care Winner: Protopic 0.1% for my facial eczema

Runner Up: Betnovate 0.1% for the eczema on my hand 

There are my 2014 skincare favourites, no toner or spot treatment as I don't really use either but here are a couple of skincare products that I love but didn't quite make the cut: 

The Bodhi + Birch Neroli Facial Oil is gorgeous but I just prefer the rose version most of the time; also I love my clarisonic but I haven't been using it as much as I was last year. 

What skincare products will be on your 2014 favourites list? Have you tried any of the products I have mentioned? 

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Review: Botanicals Balancing Detox Mask

I am always on the hunt for new, natural skincare products and the brand Botanicals ticks that box! Botanicals is a multi-award winning natural skincare and bodycare brand with products that are cruelty free and suitable for vegans. I was kindly sent the *Botanicals Balancing Green Clay & Avocado Detox Face Mask (£18.95, 60g). Firstly, I ADORE the packaging - the bag it came in is so cute and it is a really nice touch! The product packaging is equally as lovely, it looks and feels really quite expensive. 

The mask contains "mediterranean green clay which helps draw out impurities and eliminate dead skin cells. While cold-pressed avocado and jojoba, rich in essential fatty acids, leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and clear." The mask is a typical green shade, it feels a little gritty when you first apply it but it smoothes out almost into a green oil on the skin - which doesn't sound great but it is! The mask smells very natural, fresh and grassy to me, I actually love the scent of this mask! 

As this mask does not contain water, it is more concentrated so you only need a small amount and I find a little does go a long way. It smoothes onto the skin quickly, easily and it massages into the skin nicely. The mask doesn't slip off the skin, it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin and it just works well. I have only been using it on my t-zone as the rest of my skin is normal/dry and I find it leaves my skin very smooth, refreshed and very cleansed without being stripping or harsh. I very very rarely get spots or breakouts so I cannot comment on how well this mask would perform in the long term on more breakout prone skin but for me this mask is definitely a winner. My sister who has more combination/breakout prone skin than me has tried it twice and she likes it although she hasn't noticed a massive difference in her skin personally so far. 

Overall, I am very happy with the mask, it simply works very well  for me and I adore the packaging as well as the brands ethos of being cruelty free and as natural as possible. This mask contains 70% organic ingredients, it is made in England and the packaging can be recycled. I would definitely recommend this mask and the brand in general, I have a few products on my wish list already including the lavender and chamomile hand salve and the organic hydrating toners! My overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried anything from Botanicals? What is your favourite face mask?

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