the ordinary

Hormonal skin / acne defense kit

product review

You know only too well those dreaded feelings. Irritable, on edge, mentally imagining hurting people for saying the wrong thing. Craving everything in the world that is bad for you, chocolate, crisps, chips. I’ll have all the calories at once please. Just to add insult to injury, your skin is also plying havoc with you. Lovely great red bumps appearing in cute little mountains all over your face. Yep, you are about to menstruate. And it’s not fun.

For those of us suffering with acne (I only just realised I am now classified as an actual adult, skin condition has evolved into ‘adult acne’), or annoying breakouts right before our period; it can cause stress and lower self esteem. Because as if your devilish hormones didn’t make you feel bad enough, your skin also has to suffer for you being part of the female gender.

I have compiled a kit which helps eradicate the breakouts and keep spots at bay, whilst also targeting other skin concerns. I personally have acne, and severe dry patches of skin (possibly eczema). It can be difficult to find products which can cater for two contradicting issues. Hopefully this kit can be utilised by anyone with differentiating skin types, as I seem to have developed all of them at once!

Here is the ultimate skincare line up of all line ups:

1. What Skin Needs Skin Balm, £9.99

I have mentioned this miracle cream in previous posts, and it continues to amaze me. Containing exotic Aussie natural ingredients, the Balm promises to treat a number of dry skin conditions. This moisturiser will help renew hydration in the skin, which can be lost using stringent cleansing agents – especially when treating acne / spot breakouts.

2. Primark Cucumber & Aloe Hydrating Mist, £2.00 (Available in store)

Just to reiterate, it is mandatory to restore the moisture in your skin. I use this hydrating mist after cleansing my face, however it can also be spritzed on after make up application. Use throughout the day to enjoy a fresh burst of moisture. This is an unbelievably cheap dupe for Mario Badescus facial spray.

3. Vitamin E Dual Phase Cleansing Oil, £2.99

A great everyday cleanser which is gentle to skin. Although it may not assist with breakouts, it will help restore any damage caused by harsh acne treatments. My usual routine is to use a face mask once a week, and cleansing oil for the rest of the duration of the week. It’s easy to over cleanse when trying to eliminate spots and oily skin, counteract this with a cleansing oil.

4. Avon Anew Reversalist Night Treatment Cream, £20.00

This cream is aimed at ageing skin; however if you have been subjected to taking any type of oral acne treatment, or other medicinally prescribed treatments for conditions such as eczema; they often contain ingredients like steroids which can strip layers of skin and cause premature ageing. Not to mention all the chemicals which are features in drugstore ‘acne’ treatments which can also harm the skin over prolonged usage. I feel at 25, this is a great time to start targeting the early signs of wrinkles. This Avon dual treatment is scientifically proven to target wrinkles and improve skin elasticity. It works by rotation, you use the night treatments for one week at a time and alternate between the two. It contains a super retinol which boosts collagen and reduces wrinkles.

5. Dr Organic Rose Otto Face Mask, £7.99

I find this face mask is brilliant at calming down stressed skin; especially during or in the midst of a breakout. It contains natural China Clay, which draws out oils and impurities without being harsh on skin.

6. The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2%, £8.00

I use this intermittently when not using the Avon treatment (this product advises against using with other retinoid treatments). As standard with The Ordinary skincare range, I find this more of a treatment rather than an everyday product. On the day where you feel your skin has broken out – or is just about to. This is the perfect time to reach for this emulsion. Although this also contains super retinoids to target uneven skin tone and ageing. I find this also dries out spots, I use it after Cleansing and before moisturiser as a toner. It doubles up as a wrinkle treatment. Killing two birds with one stone!

With this kit your skin should be armed to face anything. The world can be falling apart around you, at least your skin will be flawless.

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The Ordinary cont. Serum Foundation & Silicone Primer review 

product review

Continuing on from my last post, (no I promise I’m not being paid to promote the Deciem brand), I wanted to write about The Ordinary’s serum foundation and silicone primer. 


The search for a perfect foundation is literally like trying to find a needle in a haystack; and believe me I have tried everything from Rimmel to Chanel. Before trying The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation I had given up. I was using a Dr Manuka BB cream which gives a light natural coverage, and I was rather content with that. But this foundation has completely changed the game. First of all it’s £5.70. It has an amazing amount of shades, catering for everyone. And the blend. Ahhhh the blend is something else. It doesn’t even look as if I’m wearing make up, it blends right into my skin. Any of the Deciem technicians can colour match you at their store (my shade is 1.2p with pink undertones for reference). It gives an absolutely flawless, natural finish. 

I have been using the High Adherence Silicone Primer (£3.90!) along with the foundation, and they work so well together. You can wear it alone, or under make up. I know some bloggers have said it was too dewy for their liking, but I really like it. Unlike some other primers that claim to be ‘matte’, and then completely dry your skin out like a sponge – it’s moisturising but gives a nice naturally smooth texture to the skin. 

Overall I would highly recommend these two products, they are stunning and amazingly cheap. Again, far from Ordinary. 

Deciem – far from Ordinary, AHA Peeling Solution review 

product review

The word ‘Deciem’ actually means ten in Latin, and that is exactly what the brand initially wanted – to own an umbrella of ten different companies. Deciem is the company behind The Ordinary skincare range, an award winning, yet humbly acclaimed ‘ordinary’ skincare range. 


After attending an event (an amazing event by all means) and talk between Deciem and CEO of http://www.reallyree.com, Anne Marie Lodge; I am now practically a brand ambassador. Let me take a brief moment to explain what The Ordinary is about. 


The brand has a strong focus on ingredients. They utilise seemingly ‘normal’ ingredients which have been established as popular for use within skincare. Hyaluronic acid for example, a firm favourite for skincare brands for improving elasticity. However Deciem doesn’t believe in exploiting its customers, here’s where they are different. An ingredient like hyaluronic acid is pretty bog standard nowadays, and not particularly expensive to produce. Moreover, a similar product which would contain the ingredient produced by a high end brand would probably be three times (if not more) the price. The Ordinary range is all amazingly affordable, aesthetically pleasing – and in my eyes, anything other than Ordinary. 

After attending the talk I decided to use and review the peeling solution facial peel, which is £6.30. Now, it is beetroot in colour and the same consistency as blood. But don’t let that put you off! 

The peel used a lot of free acids, and so it an be abrasive for sensitive skin. It is advisable to leave on for 5 mins if you have sensitive skin, 10 if your hardcore. (See the scientific listing of ingredients below). 

The peel promises to peel off dead skin in order to reveal newer fresh skin underneath. And it does just that. Admittedly it is very acidic and astringent, but if you don’t leave it on too long and use a good moisturiser afterwards, you should achieve amazing results. My skin is glowing from within after just one use. Considering the product is under £7, it feels like a high end spa treatment. How you could call this Ordinary, I can’t imagine! 

I was fortunate enough to receive an entire goodie bag full of the skincare range. And I have a sneaking suspicion that upon use my skin is going to be healthier, and positively glowing. ✨✨✨