Superdrug Vitamin E Moisture Cream with SPF15

I have often read about how good Vitamin E is good for you and how it should be part of your skincare routine - among its many benefits are its antioxidant properties protecting the skin from cell damaging free radicals. UV light, pollution and other nasties are all things that can age your skin prematurely and using Vitamin E regularly helps protect it. Vitamin E helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Taken orally it also has benefits.

I seemed to ignore all this advice and didn't really think of trying it for whatever reason, I suppose preferring to get en-wrapped in the glamorous advertising and packaging of the more prestigious brands and trying many many moisturisers and not really being happy with the results and wondering if I will ever find a great moisturiser. Having reached my early thirties and reading again about the importance of Vitamin E I decided to purchase a Vitamin E based moisturiser and at the price that I found the Superdrug one, well if I wasn't happy it wasn't a real hole in the purse and I am really excited to tell you about my latest find..

This product is fantastic, it delivers what it says it will do on the jar -  12 hours of moisturisation. It is quite thick, but I think to get the benefits of the SPF15 it should be applied generously. When I usually apply a moisturiser my skin feels tight about 10 minutes after application but this made my skin feel soft and great all day. It gave a lovely healthy glow on application which I thought was super and my skin lapped it up supplying a great base for the rest of my skincare and make up regime. The scent is a  light coconut which reminded me of suncream but I although I am not a fan generally of that smell it wasn't lasting. I think for the surprisingly low price it really delivers and I urge you to try it too.

Available for £2.99 for 125mls from Superdrug stores

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser

For my first product recommendation I am going to suggest Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser. Kylie may be singing its praises now but I have been shouting it from the rooftops for many years as anyone who knows me will testify!!

I would imagine that sales have shot up since Kylie mentioned that she used it in a recent interview, even the Boots website has a tag line - As loved by Kylie Minogue. Let us hope that Pond's don't try and cash in by raising the price, a bargain at £3.99 for 75 mls. It is available in other chemists and shops too.

How did I discover this classic beauty gem? Well my mother suffers from Crohn's Disease and spends a lot of time in hospital , she meets lots of people and asks the elderly ladies who look younger than their years and those with lovely skin what they use and the answer is pretty resounding - Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser.

So I thought I would try it, and I can confirm it really is incredible. It removes all your make up, even waterproof mascara and makes your skin feel really, really clean with its deep cleasing action. It has a pleasant scent too. You can apply it with your fingertips or cotton wool, I apply a smooth thin layer to my skin, it looks a bit greasy when applied and rub it in, then I get a hot muslin cloth and wash it off. The result - soft, glowing, clean skin that doesn't feel tight. Used twice a day it keeps my spots at bay.

Packaged in a basic glass jar with plastic lid (in a similarly designed box) it is an unassuming product which looks pretty old fashioned and may be hard to find in the fussy packaged, eye drawing beauty aisle with all the products vying for your attention ..but its contents, oh you won't be sorry if you buy this!

Water, water, everywhere

Models often say when interviewed that the amount of water they drink contributes to their great skin.

I used to dismiss this until I worked in an office and had access to a water machine and would drink copious amounts of the stuff without even realising it! Very soon I noticed a clear difference in my skin and again noticed it when I became a mother and lapsed in drinking it, my skin quickly became dull and lifeless and no amount of great foundation could hide what was underneath.

Water has great health benefits and we are always being told to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but how much water really depends on your size, height etc  -  Eating plenty of water rich food like watermelons, cucumber, tomatoes, spinach, watercress - essentially lots of fruit and veg will also help with your water intake.

Being well hydrated can help with weight loss as it curbs your appetite, may reduce headaches and improve your energy levels. Skin wise it will promote a clearer complexion as it clears dirt and bacteria from your skin and flushes toxins from your body. Dry Skin can benefit from water as its a sign of dehydration and have you ever noticed that most beauty products have water listed as an ingredient...?

I like to drink tap water with some ice and a slice of lemon, just like the picture above - mmm delicious.
Drinking green tea, white tea or even herbal tea can all contribute to flushing out the system, making you feel great from the inside which will then promote looking great on the outside.
Of course I still enjoy a nice cup of standard tea or coffee too - everything in moderation.

Welcome

I first became interested in skincare and make-up at the tender age of 15 when a lady came to our school to teach us 'ladies' deportment and the importance of looking our best. Her name was Julia Hammond, an ex model, and she could probably be credited for my foray into the beauty world.
We were handed samples of CoverGirl foundation and therein started my revelation, what was this magic coloured liquid... I had flawless, beautiful skin!

Since that moment I have spent hundreds if not thousands of pounds in the pursuit of the perfect skincare and make-up products. From budget to prestigious brands I have tried them all. This blog brings to you the best that I have found, and will continue to find in my lifelong quest for the ultimate beauty products.

Beauty is my passion, let it be yours.