It’s been a long time since we had a good chat about skincare, and skincare is one of my favourite things, so that’s not okay. I sat down in early May and thought about what my first post Recipe A Day May post should be. Then I remembered that last year I ended Recipe A Day May with a skincare week. Now, I’m not ready to commit to a full week. But upon realising that, I did look at the huge pile of rubbish empties next to my desk and realised this post was long overdue. I love empties posts, you get the mini review, you see what people are actually finishing, they’re fun. This post is strictly skincare empties because we’d be here three years if I mentioned makeup/ body care etc too.
This pile has been growing for a very long time now and I’m fairly confident that I’ve accidentally actually binned my rubbish (wild concept) at least once since I started gathering bottles. As it’ been a while, this empties is quite pricey. I ran out off basically all of my favourites barring one or two in this time period, so this post is kind of a two in one.
Skincare Empties
Garnier Oil-Infused Micellar Water
CF Status: Owned by L’Oreal, sold in China.
Starting with the cheapest, I love this micellar water. Most of them leave my skin quite tight and dry, which makes it more red when it comes to applying the products that follow. This one keeps my skin nicely balanced
Repurchase: definitely
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
CF Status: Sold in China, owned by L’Oreal.
My skin is neither oily or acne prone, so this stuff isn’t marketed for me at all. But I love it for so many reasons. When I do get the occasional breakout, this clears it in no time. This moisturiser contains very small amounts of BHA salicylic acid, which is an exfoliator. What that means to me is that I don’t have to worry about my sensitive skin when I use it. For example, sometimes around that time of the month, my pores clog. I never get a breakout, but I get some texture issues. Also, at that time, my skin suffers from increased sensitivity. This stuff is gentle enough to clear my bumpiness without causing any further irritation. I don’t use it very often, but there’s always one (or three) of them in my drawers.
Repurchase: Always.
Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm
CF Status: Cruelty Free! They pulled out of selling in China last year.
I reviewed this when I first bought it and said that I really like it, but I couldn’t see myself using it as an everyday product instead of the Emma Hardie. Well, Emma Hardie who? I was so wrong. This cleanser is the one. I hate myself for it because it’s so expensive, but I finished my original. Bought another in the feelunique summer sale last year, which I’m now half way through. And then I bought another in the look fantastic Christmas sale, so I have a backup. It’s worth pointing out that this retails for around £55 and I paid £30/35 in both sales, so it’s worth looking for deals!
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Hydrating Booster
CF Status: Don’t test on animals but don’t require products in their supply chain to be CF.
Those of you that have been here since day one, back when I used to speak about skincare a lot more, will probably know that this is basically my favourite product ever. This is probably my 3rd or 4th and I already had a backup when I finished this one. I think I’ll still be using this when I’m 85.
Repurchase: Definitely
Pai Rosehip Oil
CF Status: fully vegan
If you’re looking for an oil and don’t want to spend a fortune, get this one. It doesn’t matter what kind of skin you have, get this one. The rosehip is high in vitamin A, which is like a natural retinol, so it helps clear up any scarring. It’s thick and heavy, so it’s great at boosting moisture in dry skin, without clogging pores. I already had a backup of this too, but this is another one I’ll repurchase forever.
Repurchase: Definitely
Have you guys tried any of these products? Which of your favourite products would be in your skincare empties right now?
Until next time,
Sophie
I’ve only tried the La Roche Posay product and I can also confirm that it is such an amazing product and it works wonders for my problematic skin. The Thermal cleansing balm sounds amazing, I haven’t tried a cleansing balm before so I’ll have to keep a lookout for this in the sales! X
I really need to try some micellar water! I keep meaning to get some because of hearing so many great things. The ‘La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo’ and the Pai Rosehip Oil sound like they could be a great products for my skin. I didn’t know rosehip was like a natural retinol – I have a few scars so I can imagine this would be helpful there too.
Amy,
https://creativenails.uk
I actually never tried any of these but I really want to try the Garnier Oil-Infused Micellar Water I hate having my skin all dry and tight after cleaning it and it’s really hard to find a product that doesn’t do that. Thanks for the rec.
Ooh I love the sound of the hydrating booster – I often have dehydrated skin so this definitely sounds like one to check out. You’ve got a great collection here!
Your photos for this are amazing! I love the Garnier (normal) micellar water, but I’ve been considering getting the oily one as I feel like the normal one dries me out a little, similarly to what you described, so thanks for giving it a seal of approval!
Jas xx | https://thoughtsfromjasmine.co.uk
Oooh I’ll have to check out Pai, I’ve not heard much about them before!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
You have quite a lot of empties this month. Anyway, I’m really curious about that Sarah Chapman hydrating booster.
sarahrizaga.blogspot.com
The Pai Rosehip Oil sounds like such a great product! I love that it’s vegan and inexpensive. It’s great that it doesn’t clog your pores either.
☼ cabin twenty-four
Great Post! I might try that oil infused micellar water since I have problems with the normal one as well!
Jasmin
Love micellar water!!
xx- Nina
The Pai rosehip oil sounds amazing. I’ve been wanting a face oil for a while now & this sounds amazing. Xxx
If I’m being completely honest, I’ve just NEVER got on with the micellar water! My best friend swears by it but I find it never makes my skin feel properly cleansed. I love how you’ve included the CF status in this post too, Sophie!! The Pai Rosehip Oil honestly sounds like it’d be right up my street, I was looking into the Makeup Revolution one (I think it was?) and it was relatively cheap and the reviews were amazing! I’ll definitely have to look into it for Winter as to be honest I stick to creams in Spring/Summer!
Alice Xx
La Roche Posay was the brand that introduced me to French skincare and I never looked back. I love it!
Ashleigh | http://www.ashmosphere.com
I like these kind of posts as well, love that we can see little reviews of a list of products. I’m always so wary about skin products for me, just because of how sensitive my skin is. I tried this face wash the other night, never tried it before and went for it, and while it was on my face I could feel a burn and even after I had washed it off my face still felt like it was burning! There’s my lesson learnt to test these out on my arm instead of my face!
I like the sound of the Pai rosehip oil, might have to have a lil try of that.
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
My skin drinks up rosehip oil, it’s so soothing towards sensitive skin. I hear good things about La Roche-Posay, I hear the brand is marketed towards acne-prone and sensitive skin, which is right down my alley. Gonna have to try it since it’s on your list of repurchasing items
Natonya | https://www.justnatonya.wordpress.com
I love the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm too! So glad they pulled out of China!
Imogen’s Typewriter. <3
I haven’t tried any of these apart from a micellar water from that brand ages ago. I don’t get through many products in all honesty so I don’t have any empties this month!
I can’t believe I’ve not tried any of these apart from Micellar Water! I always love reading empties posts xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I love posts like this that help introduce me to products that I probably would’ve never heard of otherwise. That thermal cleansing balm sounds like it’s amazing. I’ve always enjoyed thermal masks and this seems like a great next step. I wish it was a bit cheaper, but like you said I can wait till a seasonal sale to get it.
– Avalon
I LOVE Omorozivca skincare x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
I have never tried any of these but the only ones I would consider is the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Hydrating Booster and Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm the others don’t sound good for my skin type which is oily and sensitive. I like the little reviews because you let us know enough info about them.
I swear by the Garnier Micellar Water, but haven’t tried the oil one yet! x
Ooooh, I love a good empties post – especially a skin care one as it gives you time to see if there’s any real benefits or downfalls of a product! x