Review | Simple Active Skin Barrier Care Replenishing Cream Cleanser

Designed to do more than just cleanse, Simple's new Active Skin Barrier Care Replenishing Cream Cleanser hydrates, softens, smooths, brightens, and strengthens the skin.

What The f**k Are Probiotics?

In super simple terms, probiotics are strains of friendly bacteria that are naturally found in the body. Although probiotics are found naturally, they are also found in certain foods and supplements. They are celebrated for their ability to maintain great gut health and a strong immune system. Now, you will often hear the word prebiotic alongside probiotics - making the whole thing even more confusing. However, prebiotics are just carbohydrates (mostly fibre) that feed probiotics, enabling them to go about their business and keep your body healthy AF. I will do a post on prebiotic skincare soon, don't worry, girl...

Review: Gatineau Floracil Gentle Eye Make-up Remover

It was the top selling eye make-up remover on QVC and the best-selling Gatineau product of all time, until it disappeared from skincare shelves three years ago. However, after endless demand from loyal fans, Gatineau’s iconic Floracil Gentle Eye Make-up Remover is back on the beauty scene.

Review: Pinks Boutique Hydrating Deep Cleansing Melt

Pinks Boutique's Hydrating Deep Cleansing Melt is a nourishing cleansing balm that removes makeup perfectly and effortlessly. So much so that it has quickly become one of my favourite cleansing balms.

Ask TBI: Choosing The Right Cleanser

Question: I have been using a foam cleanser for the past few weeks and I have noticed that it is making my skin really dry and tight. I do have dry skin but I think the cleanser is making it worse! Is there a better alternative? - Emily Thompson.

Weekly Worship | bareMinerals, Buxom, NeoStrata & Skyn Iceland

After a few months of congested skin, I've been focusing on cleansing correctly. I now double cleanse my skin every night - regardless or whether I'm wearing much makeup. My first cleanse is done with the bareMinerals Total Cleansing Oil (£22 feelunique.com) - a miracle makeup remover that takes everything off in a matter of seconds. Unlike other cleansing oils I'm used to, this one has a beautiful aromatherapy scent that helps get you relaxed and ready for bed. A surprisingly small amount of product is needed per use and the oil rinses off easily and completely, ensuring that no nasty residue is left behind. For my second cleanse, I use my favourite Antipodes Juliet Skin-Brightening Gel Cleanser (£24.99 feelunique.com).

Ask TBI: Looking After Oily But Dehydrated Skin

Question: Could you please recommend a skin care regime or even just a cleanser and moisturiser for oily but dehydrated skin? I have spent a small fortune searching for the right products without much luck! Some cleansers can be too harsh and some moisturisers too rich - Sinead.

The Tuesday Tip: Cleansing With Olive Oil

Olive oil, the humble kitchen necessity, has so many health benefits that I would bore you to death if I listed them all.

However, when it comes to skincare, olive oil has one standout benefit...its ability to cleanse. It can remove makeup ad impurities just as well as any other expensive cleanser and it is cheap AF and easily available. Olive oil is also completely natural, so it will not irritate the skin or strip it of natural oils...

Review: Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm

The Promise: "This gentle facial cleansing balm removes all makeup, including waterproof mascara, and cleanses all skin types without stripping to leave the complexion soft, hydrated and radiant"

The Price: £48.00 / $110.00 50ml

The Stockist: omorovicza.com / Sephora

The Application: Unlike other balm cleansers, Omorovicza's Thermal Cleansing Balm doesn't feel overly oily on the skin, even post-application. It has a very thin, lightweight consistency and only the smallest amount is required per use - I tend to use a little over a pea-sized amount when taking off the inches of makeup I wear on your average day. The Cleansing Balm feels calming on the skin and can be worked in easily, bringing up every inch of dirt and makeup to the skin's surface.

Grooming: L'Oréal Men Expert Skin & Stubble Purifying Wash Review

The Promise: "The Skin & Stubble Purifying Wash eliminates dirt and pollution from face, stubble and beard area. It leaves skin feeling instantly refreshed and energised and conditions and softens facial hair".

The Price: £6.35 150ml

The Stockist: Boots

The Application: The Skin & Stubble Purifying Wash has a creamy-gel consistancy that foams when worked into the skin with water. Because of its lathering effect, only a small amount of product is required per use. The Purifying Wash also has a refreshing scent, partially due to the inclusion of peppermint extract; an ingredient that also provides a nice cooling sensation to the skin. The facial wash also rinses away really easily - one swipe with a flannel and it is gone completely, without leaving a sticky or tight feeling on the skin.

Win: One Of Three Burt's Bees Cleansing Sets

Burt's Bees is one of my favourite American beauty brands, as it is affordable, 99% natural and great at treating the skin.

Burt's Bees hero products include the Beewax Lip Balm, Almond & Milk Hand Cream, Peppermint Foot Lotion and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. However, for me, Burt's Bees cleansers are the highlight of the entire range. I love them so much, that I've teamed up with the brand to give three of you the chance to win a cleansing set. Made up of four skin-cleansing classics, the set is worth over £40.00 and even includes the amazing Beewax Lip Balm!

The first cleanser in the set is the Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. Made with orange oil, soap bark extract and olive oil, this cleanser deeply cleans the skin, leaving it problem-free and super soft. Next up is the Peach & Willow Bark Deep Pore Scrub; an 100% natural scrub that gently exfoliates the skin without causing irritation. The set also includes the Facial Cleansing Towelettes With White Tea Extract, for speedy makeup removal, as well as the Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream. This gentle cleanser is perfect for acne-prone skin, as it contains aloe and menthol which help to soothe skin and reduce inflammation.

Win: Dermalogica Skincare Essentials

If there is one brand that knows skin, it is Dermalogica. The brand invests heavily in research and has a large arsenal of results-focused products that treat just about any skin concern. Also, if you're unsure of your skin type, or have a skin concern that you want looked at, Dermalogica offer a unique Face Mapping® service - find out more here!

As I use many Dermalogica products in my daily skincare routine and recommend the brand to many friends, I thought it was about time I gave y'all the chance to experience the brand. So, I have teamed up with Dermalogica to offer one reader the chance to win three of the brand's skincare essentials, worth over £100.00. 

The first skincare essential up for grabs is the UltraCalming Cleanser. This gel-like cleanser is perfect for those with sensitive skin. It provides a nice cooling sensation whilst on the skin, is fragrance free and doesn't create any post-cleanse irritation or tightness. It also does an amazing job at removing tough makeup, a rarity in gentle cleansers. It also helps reduce redness and keeps skin hydrated long after it has been rinsed off.

Next up is the Daily Microfoliant, one of Dermalogica's most loved products. Unlike other exfoliators, this one comes in powder form and requires water to activate it. The rice-based powder is mixed with water to create an exfoliating paste. This paste, if made correctly, is easy to apply and - though gritty - feels gentle on the skin. It removes dead skin cells and dirt perfectly, leaving skin refreshed and glowing!

Finally we have the Super Sensitive Shield, a sunscreen with a SPF30. The Super Sensitive Sheild is formulated with 9% Zinc Oxide and 7% Titanium Dioxide, which provides great UVA and UVB protection. This protecting moisturiser has a light fluid texture that, unlike some sunscreens, applies easily and doesn't leave white marks on the skin. It just leaves skin protected and nourished and, as it contains Dermalogica's exclusive UltraCalming Complex, it is great for those with sensitive skin.

Win:

• Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser
• Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
• Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield

If you want to win these skincare essentials, all you have to do is enter (via Rafflecopter) below!

Rules:

• The giveaway will run for two weeks
• The giveaway is open to UK residents only 
• The winner will be contacted within 24 hours of the giveaway closing. If I don't hear from the winner within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Beauty Myth: You Don't Have To Cleanse Your Face In The Morning

The Verdict: False

It's frustrating addressing this crazy ass myth but no, it is not true that you don't have to cleanse your face in the morning. Yes, you cleanse in the evening, however don't think for a second that your face remains oil free, sweat free and dirt free throughout the night.

The skin repairs itself naturally while we sleep and, in doing this, produces dead skin cells and excess oil that need to be removed the next morning. Now don't go thinking a splash of water will help remove these nasties; water alone only removes around 65% of oil and debris from the surface of the skin. You will need a cleanser and I recommend using a gentle one, such as the La Roche-Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel 200ml (£12.00 Boots / £21.99 laroche-posay.us).

Ingredients 101: Kigelia Africana

Natural or Synthetic: Natural

Origin: Kigelia Africana is extracted from the bark, roots and fruits of the Kigelia Africana tree. The Kigelia Africana is part of the Bignoniaceae family and is often referred to as the 'Sausage Tree'.

Location: The Kigelia Africana grows throughout tropical Africa.

Beauty Benefits: Kigelia Africana has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and it has been used as a healing agent for centuries. It is also great for reducing inflammation and redness. However this amazing ingredient is most loved for its ability to tighten and firm the skin! And that's not the only thing it firms - women in southern parts of Africa are known to use the fruit of the Kigelia Africana on their breasts as a firming treatment!

Warnings: Kigelia Africana is safe to use topically.

Found in: The Aurelia Miracle Cleanser 120ml (£34.00 urbanretreat.co.uk / $53.00 net-a-porter.com). This aromatic cleanser removes makeup and dirt completely, whilst keeping skin hydrated and soft. Hardly any product is needed per use and it smells divine!

Weekly Worship: FaceB4

Price: £9.97

Stockist: Boots

FaceB4 is a skincare system made up of a daily anti-bacterial cleansing foam (100ml) and an after-cleansing serum (30ml), both £9.97 each.

Scientific trials have shown that the cleansing foam is the most effective anti-bacterial face wash in the UK - pretty impressive huh? Now, when used together, these products help to treat acne and prevent further outbreaks. I passed on both products to a friend who suffers with acne and, since using them both, she has become a loyal fan.

Having used the cleansing foam and after-cleansing serum daily, my friend noticed a great improvement in her skin. Her acne isn't half as bad as it once was and her redness has been significantly reduced.

Her favourite product is the after-cleansing serum. She found that it helped improve the texture of her skin and created a great base for makeup. It also kept her skin soft and helped treat dry patches - which is great considering most acne treatments dry out the skin.

So, if you suffer from acne-prone skin, she would recommend giving these affordable acne treatments a go!

Review: Urban Retreat Skincare

The Promise: "A staple yet luxurious skincare range that uses effective natural ingredients that leave skin feeling soft and looking radiant".

The Stockist: Urban Retreat at Harrods / urbanretreat.co.uk

The Review: The new Urban Retreat skincare range features seven essential skincare products that include a face oil, eye gel, lip treatment, moisturiser, cleanser, mask and exfoliator. I got my hands on the cleanser, exfolitor and moisturiser and, for the past couple of weeks, I've been putting these products through their paces.

The Urban Retreat Cleanser 120ml (£20.00) is a lightweight cream cleanser that deeply cleans the skin, whilst keeping it nourished, super soft and radiant. In addition to apricot kernel, olive and rosehip seed oil, this gorgeous cleanser contains avocado oil and pomegranate - two antioxidant-rich extracts that protect skin from environmental damage and improve its overall texture.

This cleanser applies effortlessly, rinses off easily and smells wonderful. The only downside is that it isn't so good at removing mascara.

The Urban Retreat Exfoliator 75ml (£30.00) is one of the best exfoliating face scrubs I have used in a long time. I'd put it up there with Kiehl's Epidermal Re-texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion, which is really  saying something! It is a rich, creamy exfoliator that, unlike most exfoliating face scrubs on the market, is jam packed with very fine biodegradable Ecoscrub beads that help to buff the skin quickly and more effectively. However this major pro can also turn into a con, as applying a product this effective too frequently can cause irritation.

This exfoliator smells amazing and can be worked into the skin easily. It contains coconut, wheat germ, avocado and sweet almond oil that all work together to deeply moisturise the skin. Even hours after rinsing, skin feels soft and nourished!

The Urban Retreat Moisturiser 120ml (£60.00) is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins E and B, making it a great anti-ager. It plumps up the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and  it helps to correct pigmentation. It is also great for treating dry and dehydrated skin as it contains rosehip seed oil and jojoba oil - two ultra-nourishing ingredients. If that's not enough, it includes Sodium Hyaluronate, an ingredient that not only draws in moisture but also retains it!

This moisturiser has a thin, lotion-like texture that applies evenly and absorbs quickly. When it comes to dosage, only a tiny amount of product is needed to cover the entire face, neck and décolletage. The only real downside to this moisturiser is that it is lacking in SPF.

What do you think of the new Urban Retreat Skincare collection? Have you tried anything in the range?

PR sample

Weekly Worship: Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant

Price: £27.00 / $40.00 15ml

Stockist: cultbeauty.co.uk / aesop.com

The Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant is a beauty add-on that I am a little obsessed with. It contains a dry mix of crushed botanicals, designed to be added to your favourite gel or cream based cleanser to scrub and buff the skin. Alternatively, you can use this product on its own by mixing the crushed botanicals with a tiny amount of water to form an exfoliating paste.

What's amazing about the Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant is its ability to scrub and buff the skin without being too abrasive. Also, only a small amount of product is required per use. I use a pea-sized amount which, coupled with the size of the bottle, helps this bad boy last a very long time.

Tip: I would recommend keeping this beautiful bottle out of the shower. Trying to use it whilst showering can be a little tricky and you may end up with water in the bottle!

Review: Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser

The Promise: “Clear impurities and remove make-up gracefully with this dermatologically approved organic cleanser that is a true gift for sensitive skin conditions. Nutrient-rich avocado oil and marigold flower gently yet effectively cleanse, freshen and soften your visage”.

The Price: £24.99/$41.23 120ml

The Stockists: Antipodesnature.com and feelunique.com

The Hero Ingredients: Marigold, Vinanza Oxifend Red Grape, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E 

The Application: This cleanser is so nourishing and creamy that it actually pains me to remove it. It applies really well, just like any good cream cleanser, and is sooo soothing. It is easily removed, taking every inch of makeup and dirt with it. The Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser has a thick creamy texture and a delicately sweet scent.

The Results: It would be wrong to say this cleanser delivers outstanding results because it is, after all, just a cleanser. Cleansers either remove makeup and impurities well or they don't - luckily Grace does. However, what makes this cleanser great is that it leaves skin ultra soft and works really well with sensitive skin. It is formulated with antioxidant-rich ingredients, such marigold flower and Antipodes' own Vinanza Oxifend, that help reduce inflammation and soothe skin.

I don't actually have sensitive skin however, to put this cleanser to the test, I leant it to a friend that does. My friend's skin is so sensitive that she really struggles to find any beauty product that doesn't inflame or irritate her skin. She tested this cleanser for two weeks and, not only did she not experience any bad reactions, she found that the cleanser actually helped to calm her skin and reduce puffiness.

The Pro: This one of the few cleansers that really leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. 

The Con: The cleanser is a little on the expensive side. However considering that there is 120ml of product, the price isn't that bad.

What do you think of Antipodes? Have you tried any other products from the brand that you would recommend?

Ask TBI: Wave Goodbye To Wipes

Question: I love using face wipes because they are a speedy alternative to cleansing (which seems to take forever!). However I keep hearing that facie wipes are bad for your skin. Is this true? Should I stop using them? - Chrissy, New York.

Answer: Face wipes are appealing to most gals because they are cheap, effective and  quick to use, however you are definitely doing your skin a disservice by continuously using them.

Face wipes are soaked in pretty potent chemicals - including alcohols - that can irritate the skin and cause extreme dryness and premature ageing (remember, unlike cleansing, the solution in face wipes is not rinsed away!). The rough wiping motion required to lift makeup with face wipes can also irritate and damage the skin, especially the delicate eye area. Importantly, although face wipes are a quick alternative to cleansing, they don't cleanse the skin anywhere near as well as you think - they just remove impurities from the skin's surface.

It is, however, good to have some face wipes lying around in case of an emergency. As, when you are in an environment or frame of mind that prevents you from cleansing properly (i.e. you're at a festival, you've run out of cleanser or you're too damn drunk), using a face wipe will be better than doing nothing at all. However, face wipes should not be part of your normal cleansing routine.

If you want to achieve the quickest cleanse possible, I would recommend using a balm or oil cleanser, as they remove makeup, dirt and impurities quicker than other cleansers. One of my favourite oil cleansers is the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil 200ml (£21.50 Selfridges / $28.00 Dermstore). It may be on the expensive side but it lasts forever, removes even the heaviest of makeup quickly and leaves skin super soft. As an extra little tip, I would also recommend buying seven muslin cloths, so you have a fresh one on hand each night!

Now, I know it is easier said than done, however try your best to go cold turkey with the wipes. Your skin will thank you for it, I promise!