We are focusing on the Skinceuticals
Vitamin C range today! I have three of their powerhouse serums that are all
empty now as I have been using them over the last year so let’s dive in! Skinceuticals
is a US based, award winning, medical grade skincare brand founded in 1997 by
Dr. Sheldon Pinnell. Their mission is to improve skin health and they do this
by providing advanced skincare backed by science. Formulas are high potency and
proven to penetrate optimally into skin to correct signs of aging, protect
healthy skin, and prevent future damage.
This brand is super hyped in the skincare
world and CE Ferulic in particular is seen to be the gold standard in Vitamin C
products. Vitamin C of course being an antioxidant known for brightening skin,
improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles and discolouration. I received
these in PR almost a year ago at the end of April 2023 and I have been using
them back-to-back as part of my morning skincare routine before moisturiser and
SPF ever since, finishing the last bottle at the end of March. I started out with
the Serum 10 AOX+ as this is the least potent then moved onto the Phloretin CF
and finally the CE Ferulic.
This is regarded as an introductory
Vitamin C serum for sensitive or normal skin types and contains 10% pure Vitamin
C (L-ascorbic acid) and 0.2% Ferulic Acid (another antioxidant enhancing the
benefits of Vitamin C). My skin looked even, brighter and fine lines were less
noticeable with use.
This one contains 10% pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic
acid), 2% Phloretin (an antioxidant that helps improve cell turnover and the
appearance of discolouration) and 0.5% Ferulic Acid and is ideal for normal and
oily/combo skin. This kept my skin looking bright and I didn’t notice my fine
lines while using it! This also helped with oil control especially around my
nose.
Lastly, this one contains 15% pure Vitamin
C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol to replenish skin lipids),
and 0.5% Ferulic Acid to enhance protection against environmental damage caused
by free radicals that can contribute to visible signs of atmospheric aging and
is ideal for dry, normal and sensitive skin. It improves signs of aging and
photodamage, the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, and the loss of
firmness, while brightening skin’s complexion. This worked really well to
target my fine lines and leftover marks from spots faded much quicker.
Overall, I am gutted to be finished these!
They are out of my price range right now so will not be a repurchase
unfortunately for me as I really do think they have benefited my skin! I find Vitamin
C serums tricky and all three of these were beautiful formulations! They
absorbed quickly, helped brighten my skin and kept it looking more even and
marks from any spots that popped up while I was using them faded much quicker!
I didn’t notice my nasolabial folds forming a fine line at all which is the
first thing I normally do notice when it comes to signs of aging! I can definitely see
the hype with these and if you are in a position to afford them I cannot
recommend enough!
All three serums lasted me 11 months
altogether with everyday use so just over three months each. Oxidation was
minimal and I kept whatever bottle I wasn’t using sealed in a drawer until I was ready
to open it. CE Ferulic definitely stands out most to me as it’s the most
potent but the Serum 10 AOX+ is a great (slightly more affordable) option that
worked really well too! I have a few serums from the hyaluronic acid range as
well as a couple of moisturisers I am excited to try next from Skinceuticals!
What’s your favourite Vitamin C or Skinceuticals product?
Empties time again and I’m so happy I’ve
started the year with a good batch. Sometimes it can take me 3-4 months to get
enough to post about but this is around 2 month’s worth and it was harder to
photograph as I left it too long so I am feeling good about getting through my
stash!
Bodycare
Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil
This is the second bottle of this I have
had though this was the jumbo size and its lasted me two Canadian winters (and
a summer) and is perfect for the season. It’s a thick oil and feels so luxurious,
not greasy at all, and creates a mild lather. It is formulated with vegetal
biolipids that create a defensive barrier over your skin and after my shower my
skin feels soft and nourished. It keeps dry patches at bay and is very lightly
fragranced. Read more about it here! Will repurchase in the future when I finish some more body
products!
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body
Wash
Another shower product I enjoyed though I
wish this was fragranced! It’s a creamy formula that contains glycolic and
lactic acids and really helped smooth my skin while keeping it hydrated. It
lasted a good amount of time though I did have difficulty getting the last bit
out of the packaging! Would repurchase in the future!
Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion
I asked a friend to bring this back from
the US for me and while I enjoyed it, based on the hype I thought it was going
to be way better than their normal Complete Repair (without the AHA’s). It was
good and I would happily use up again but I find the Complete Repair easier to
get a hold of and just as hydrating and smoothing! Will repurchase this or CR
in the future!
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Another great moisturising cream for
winter! This is a creamy formula that is easy to spread and instantly soothes
and hydrates my skin! Will repurchase in the future!
Really enjoyed this lotion but I found
the packaging a little tough to get the cream out as it comes out of quite a
small hole. The cream itself, while it takes a little extra time to rub in
completely, helped firm and smooth my skin! Would repurchase on offer!
Rocky Mountain Soap Omega 3 Hand Cream
I found the scent of this a little like
play-doh weirdly and the formula takes longer than I would like to sink in but
one it does it feels nicely smoothing and hydrating! Not a repurchase!
Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturiser
This was OK for a sample but not a
repurchase for me!
Haircare
Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care 2
in 1
Bit of a boring one but also a bit of a
necessity! I grab this when it’s on offer and because I like to have at least
one SLS containing shampoo in the shower to fully detox my hair from the
products I use on it! This worked great and helped with dandruff too! Already
repurchased!
Living Proof Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
The next two are my favourite dry
shampoos! Both are pricey but work so well! I flit between which is my
favourite but currently it’s this one! I can get away without washing my hair a
couple extra days when I use this compared to a drugstore dry shampoo! This is
so easy to rub in and leaves my hair looking like it’s just been a couple days
since I washed it not nearly a week! Already repurchased!
Living Proof Dry Shampoo
Another great option! This one doesn’t
give me quite as may days as the Advanced Clean version but still more than a
drugstore dry shampoo and my hair looks less greasy and lank! See my full review here! Already repurchased!
NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying
Scalp Scrub
I’ve been through so many of these tubs! It’s
such a great clarifying scrub and really invigorates my scalp! Read more about it here! Already repurchased!
Olaplex No. 3
Another product I’ve lost count of how
many I’ve been through and I’ve loved it over the years but I think I’ve
officially moved on! This has worked well for me to strengthen my hair and make
split ends less visible, but I can’t be bothered wetting my hair and applying
before my shower and I have replaced this with the living Proof Triple Bond
Complex which is a leave in treatment and much handier for me! Read more here! Not a repurchase
right now!
I loved this! It lightly lathers and
feels gentle despite containing physical as well as chemical exfoliants and has
really been helping to keep my skin smooth and give me a good base for the rest
of my skincare and makeup application! It lasted me ages too so while pricey
for a cleanser if you can get it on sale I think it’s worth it! Read more here!
Will repurchase in the future!
Fenty Skin Fat Water Toner
Enjoyed this one too! It contains
niacinamide which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, even skin tone,
and fight excess shine, Barbados cherry which is full of vitamin C and witch
hazel to reduce oil. The texture really is that of “fat water” and it’s also
nicely hydrating. With consistent use it’s helped the overall tone of my skin
but the packaging is not my favourite! It’s hard to get the product out and the
lid can get a little messy! Read more here! Already have a back up!
Nivea Double Effect Waterproof Eye Makeup
Remover
Probably my most repurchased skincare
item ever! This is incredible at taking off waterproof eye makeup, never stings
or affects my vision and is super affordable (in the UK at least!). Read more here! Already
have about 4 bottles in my backup stash!
Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturiser
Another product I loved! This is a
lightweight moisturiser filled with peptides, encapsulated ethylated vitamin C
and panthenol which helped my skin look smooth and kept it hydrated all day
long! I favoured using this in the morning as it sat so well under my makeup
and it was hydrating enough through winter too! Will repurchase once I use up a
few other moisturisers!
I’ll be honest I have a love/hate relationship
with this one! I’m suspicious I have reacted to it in the past when my skin was
more sensitive so I am always a little cautious using it! When it works for me,
it’s great, it contains a fast-acting retinoid, a time-released retinol and a
retinol booster as well as niacinamide to improve the appearance of fine lines
and wrinkles and strengthen the skins barrier. It left me with plump, smooth skin
in the morning! Not a repurchase for me right now!
This is the ultimate comfort blanket for
stressed out, dehydrated, sensitive skin and I am gutted it’s finished! It
contains shea better, macadamia oil and microalgae extract and provides deep
moisturisation reduces redness and irritation. This was my go-to when my skin
is sensitive and stressed out and it works every time! It felt instantly
soothing, reduces redness and is so comforting and hydrating! It feels like
more of a balm than a cream and it melts into skin keeping it hydrated and
protected overnight. Read more here! Will repurchase in the future on a good
offer.
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
One of my favourite cleansers of all
time! It’s a luxurious balm and it works beautifully to remove makeup. I love
the moringa scent and it really makes cleansing an experience! My skin always
feels clean, soft and hydrated after use and I can always find it on offer! Read more here! Already repurchased!
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
I can see why this one is such a cult
favourite now I’ve tried it for myself! It’s a restorative serum containing
peptides and hyaluronic acid bifida ferment lysate and helps protect against UV
damage and repair skin. It’s called night repair but can be used AM or PM
though I tend to use it in the evening and I wake up with hydrated, plump and
firm skin. Read more here! Already repurchased!
These worked well to depuff and hydrate
my eyes and surprisingly remained pretty juicy despite me having them open for
longer than I care to remember as I’m awful for using eye patches! Would
repurchase!
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Another classic and one I saw a
noticeable difference with when I used as it exfoliated gently and helped
clarify my skin! Read more here! Not a repurchase for right now as I have a few
other similar products I’m trying!
Tula 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day and
Night Cream
Enjoyed this mini, it worked well to
hydrate my skin and sat well under makeup. Have others I prefer so not a
repurchase!
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Have used a couple of these up, it’s
lightweight and hydrating but I prefer their cica sleeping mask. Not a
repurchase!
Loved this and can’t believe I haven’t
tried it before! Full of ceramides and this tiny pot lasted me longer than I
expected as I didn’t need that much product. It made my makeup look better too!
Will repurchase in the future!
La Mer Moisturising Cream
Overhyped and overpriced, this was a
thick cream that smelt cheap to me! Worked fine to hydrate but not a
repurchase!
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
This felt lighter than I expected to and
worked well to hydrate. I picked up a Kiehl’s set at Christmas so I have a
larger size to use!
Dr Jart Ceramidin Liquid
Enjoyed using this up but I have other
products that do the same and it didn’t stand out to me as much as their cream
which I love! Not a repurchase!
A great overnight lip treatment. This
contains vitamin C, ceramides and jojoba oil and it scented of lemon. It kept
my lips hydrated overnight and I would repurchase!
Makeup
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place
Makeup in 2N1 Desert Beige
My favourite foundation! I actually
hadn’t worn this for months but went back to it just before Christmas and remembered
how much I loved it! I trust it 100% to stay on all day, cover all my
imperfections and magically this seems to look better as the day goes on. I
know people have a love/hate relationship with it but if you have combo/oily
skin and like full coverage look no further! Read more here! Already have a replacement!
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in
Vanilla
My favourite concealer, this is matte but
not drying and gives great coverage! I don’t experience any flaking with this
and the colour match is perfect for me! I use my finger tip to apply and it
covers imperfection and dark circles without looking cakey. Read my full review here! Have already
repurchased!
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil in Honey
I’ve been through two minis of this and
now the full size. It feels silky and not sticky at all and lasts a surprisingly
long time on my lips keeping them comfortable and hydrated for hours. It gives
a beautiful shine, contains omega 6 and 9, rose oil and jojoba oil and comes in
a few other shades too! See my full review here! Already have a back up!
Clarins Natural Lip Perfector in 01
Another great lip product from Clarins!
This gives a lovely hint of pink to the lips while keeping them nourished and
hydrated for a couple of hours! Would repurchase on a good offer or as part of
a set.
Miscellaneous
Purely Inspired Collagen Peptides X2
Been through so many of these! I find
them great for helping my joints! Already using my repurchase!
Genuine Health Original Greens+
I’m not sure if I see a huge difference
with this but I wanted to incorporate more greens into my diet as a picky eater
and I have grown to like my habit of taking this with breakfast! I just went to
Costco on the weekend hoping to get a jumbo size of this but I had to get a
different brand and I much prefer the Original Greens taste! Will update if I
notice anything with the new tub but otherwise I will repurchase this when I
finish the new one!
Hycosan Extra 0.2% Sodium Hyaluronate Eye
Drops
These are great, the mechanism is a pump
design so no delay or anxiety build up like with a squeeze bottle going into
your eye! Keeps my eyes hydrated and I already have a backup! \
And that’s a wrap on this batch of
empties! Thank you for reading! Let me know if you’ve tried anything I’ve
mentioned and what you thought!