Morning Routine Spring 2017 - Mini Review
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The change of season coincided with some changes in my skincare current skincare collection. In fact, I have managed to finish all of the products used in the winter routine so the spring version features some new brands and my new favourites. You might notice my morning routine contains quite a few products. This does not mean that you need all of them. Or some of them. Or the same number in your routine. This is what works for me so this is what I use. You can be as simple or as complex with you skincare as you want, just do not forget your SPF. My SPF cream is not featured in this mini-review because it is not natural hence I would not repurchase it again and wold not want to recommend it either.
Organic Surge Daily Care Refreshing Face Wash RRP £8.95 for 200ml
As all of my organic Surge stash, I have picked it up in my local TK Maxx for half the price. The cleansing lotion is very light and is great for a morning cleanse. It does not dry my skin, sting my eyes or give the uncomfortable tight feeling. The only potential problem is that the scent of geranium can be too strong for some people, as I have found with the majority of the products from that range. However, the price is unbeatable! The company has a fantastic charity stance, their products are reasonably priced and organic so definitely check them out.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin**, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sucrose Laurate, Lauryl Glucoside, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Alcohol Denat., Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Geraniol, Sorbic Acid. *ingredient from organic farming. **made using organic ingredients.
Natural and Organic Cosmetic certified by ECOCERT Greenlife. 98.89% of the total ingredients are from natural origin. 22.1% of the ingredients are from Organic Farming.
Vegan, organic, made in the UK
Acure Facial Toner RRP $12.99 for 59ml
I have purchased this toner a year ago when I made a big order from My Lucky Vitamin. The official UK stockist now includes the Content Beauty (however, depending on the product, it may actually be cheaper ordering from iHerb, especially if you keep the order value below the importing VAT limit). I have noticed the packaging looks revamped now, the glass bottle was swapped for a plastic tube which makes it more travel-friendly, however, I would have still preferred a glass bottle because you can see the remaining amount and it is also kinder to the environment. Looking at the ingredients, I thought I would enjoy the smell - rose, chamomile and rooibos tea sound like a great blend. However, the smell is something I disliked the most about this toner. To me, it smells sour. The toner was still in date and due to its small size I have used it up pretty quickly, hence I do not think it went off. While I did not enjoy the smell, it did not make much of difference to me. The quick swipe of toner to remove the excess sebum and cleanser and witch hazel helps to narrow the pores, while calendula soothes the inflammation.
Ingredients: organic hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, aqua, organic rosa damascena (rose) flower water, organic chamomilla recutita matricaria (chamomile) flower extract, organic aspalathus linearis (rooibos) leaf extract, organic calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract, organic vegetable glycerin.
Vegan, organic
The Organic Pharmacy Lip and Eye Cream RRP £26.95 for 10ml
Despite the title, I have only used this cream as an eye cream. The consistency is very thick so I squeeze a tiny amount on my ring finger and spread equally between 2 ring fingers. Then I dab around the eye area - no spreading or pulling on the delicate skin, just lightly pat around. The cream is very thick so you need just the tiny amount. It sinks quite well and preps the eye for makeup. I think my under eye circles also seem to have faded slightly. No odour that I can detect too.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Squalane (Vegetable), Glycerin (vegetable)*, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Sucrose Distearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Eye Bright (Euphrasia Officinalis), Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare), Bilberry (Vaccinum Myrtillus)*, Magnesium Sulfate, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Neroli (Citrus Aurantum), Frankincense (Boswellia Serrata), Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis)*, Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Sorbic Acid, Perfum (Essential Oils),
Vegetarian (beeswax), organic, made in the UK
Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum RRP £31.50 for 60ml
I have been recommended this serum by a lovely assistant when I popped into the Content Beauty store in London. It is on the pricey side however you do get a whopping 59ml. I have oily and blemished skin so I was looking for a serum which can help me with these problems. Salicylic acid found in this serum is of relatively small percentage (0.75%) so you can get away using it every day if your skin is already adjusted to acid treatments. I love the dropper because you can precisely control the amount you want to use. I usually place 3 drops on my palm and press and spread on my face, concentrating on congested areas and breakouts. There is no obvious odour to this serum and the consistency is rather thin. I did not experience initial purging or irritation. I do not think it is a miracle product, I have not seen any difference in my pores but I think overall my breakouts are less frequent.
Active Ingredient: salicylic acid 0.75%
Inactive Ingredients: Organic juices of vitis vinifera (organic white grape juice)*, pyrus malus (organic apple juice)*, aloe barbadensis (organic aloe juice)*, citrus medica limonum (organic lemon juice)*, vegetable glycerin, sclerotium gum, algin, salix alba (willow bark extract), allantoin, decyl glucoside, panthenol (Vitamin B5), magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C), tocopherol (Vitamin E), salvia officinalis (sage leaf oil), ubiquinone (CoQ10), saccharum officinarum (sugar cane juice), organic botanical extracts of camellia sinensis (organic white tea leaf extract)*, camellia oleifera (organic green tea extract)*, lavandula angustifolia (organic lavender extract)*, chamomilla recutita (organic chamomile extract)*, melissa officinalis (lemon balm leaf extract), algae extract, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, citric acid, lavandula angustifolia (lavender)* and Boswellia serrata (frankincense)* pure essential oils
* = Certified organic ingredient
Vegan, organic
Barefoot SOS Repair + Renew Light Moisturising Lotion RRP £21 for 28ml
Another TK Maxx treasure in my list! I was a bit sceptical of this moisturiser, thinking it would be too heavy for my oily skin but boy, was I wrong! This is a very light moisturiser which soaks in like a dream and makes my skin very soft. I am now in a habit of using a moisturiser with some facial oil to give me very soft and nourished feeling but not at all greasy. What I do not like about this moisturiser is the fact phenoxyethanol is very high in the ingredients list (i.e. the higher something on the list, the greater the amount of the ingredients making up the product) which could be a problem for those with sensitive skin. Also, butylene glycol is present (towards the bottom of the list) so again, those with sensitivities might want to skip it. Due to these reasons, I will not repurchase this moisturiser.
Ingredients: Ingredients: Aqua (water), oleyl erucate, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, borago officinalis (borage) seed oil, hydrogenated vegetable glycerides, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, phenoxyethanol, argania spinosa kernel oil, panthenol, sodium stearoyl glutamate, ethylhexylglycerin, tocopheryl acetate, xanthan gum, tocopherol, allantoin, citrus nobilis (mandarin orange) peel oil, limonene*, retinyl palmitate, fusanus spicatus (sandalwood) oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, boswellia carterii (frankincense) oil, rosa damascena flower oil, alcohol, butylene glycol, calendula officinalis flower extract, tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) flower/leaf extract, linalool*, alchemilla vulgaris (lady’s mantle) leaf extract, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) flower oil, citronellol*, geraniol*, equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate, citric acid. * naturally occurring within essential oils.
Vegan, made in the UK
Contains phenoxyelthanol and butylene glycol
Odacite Green Tea Lemongrass Serum Concentrate RRP £34 for 5ml
I have written about Odacite before so if you are new to the game take a look at the price. Then at how much you are getting for it. Then at the price again. Now, evaluate if you can afford to spend so much money. And if you said no, that is OK. This is definitely a serum because of the high quality of the ingredients. Odacite serums are meant to be added to moisturisers or face oil so you can adjust your skincare routine according to your skin needs without actually going through multiple different products. This is a great idea, however, it can also be very expensive to have a number of these bottles on the go at the same time. I paid my own money for this serum, however, I did not even pay a third for it and I would definitely not buy it for the full price - not because it is not worth it but because it is outside my price range. If you can splurge, then go for it.
The serum is advertised to target the restoration of radiance and skin luminescence. I am in my early twenties with oily skin so radiance is not something I am lacking in. However, I love how lightweight it feels on my skin and the uplifting smell of the lemongrass is a perfect way to start the day (make a cup of your hands and breathe in the citrusy aroma after you have applied the serum).
Ingredients: Highest-grade certified virgin organic Camellia (Camellia oleifera) seed oil, Certified GMO-free Vitamin E (Tocopherols) oil, Certified organic Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) essential oil.
Vegan, organic
Leahlani Skincare Champagne Serum RRP $32 for 30ml
I first heard bout this product from one and only Caroline Hirons (yes, she does not only do natural and green skincare but she is a very useful source of information, you can be selective!) who mentioned this serum is infused with tea. What kind of tea addict am I if I do not have tea on my face too? Affordable price, lovely ingredients. Problem? No official stockist in the UK and this means hello shipping from the USA and hello import VAT and you £8 delivery fee from RM. After panic was aborted, Mr Google told me there are 2 European stockists - So Natural Beauty and Reina Organics (links are NOT affiliated). I have subscribed to both newsletters and waited until a discount opportunity came my way. Finally, the package came my way. I stuck my nose inside and I was taken into a tropical blossoming island where the water is clear and fruits are sweet.
The serum is advertised for dry and sensitive skin types, however, ingredients contain very lightweight and oily skin friendly oils like grapeseed and jojoba. The aroma blend is second to none and the anti-oxidant cocktail of green, white and rooibos tea will soothe away the inflammation and tone the skin. My only complaint (apart from the lack of UK stockist)? The pump can be too generous when dispensing, I have to be careful not to press in the whole way, otherwise, I will get too much product and it would be a waste. I would much rather prefer a dropper bottle so I can have more control over dispensing. As previously, I mix this lovely serum with my moisturiser and enjoy the divine smell. I will rub in the excess into my hands to nothings gets wasted! Please note, I do not use both serums at the same time, I alternate between them.
Ingredients: Organic cold pressed grapeseed oil (Vitis Vinifera), cold pressed chardonnay grapeseed oil (Vitis Vinifera Chardonnay), organic cold pressed rosehip oil (Rosa Canina), organic cold pressed jojoba oil (Simmondsia Chinensis), essential oils of: organic lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla), organic orange (Citrus Nobilis), rose geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens), Leahlani antioxidant cocktail: (organic green tea (Camellia Sinensis), organic white tea (Camellia Sinensis), organic rooibos tea (Aspalathus Linearis), organic calendula (Calendula Officinalis), Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), organic sunflower oil (Helianthus Annuus) and LOVE
Vegan, organic
Laila London Activated Charcoal Tooth Whitening Powder RRP £10 for 60ml
I have first discovered Laila London when I have purchased their items from Latest in Beauty. They also used to host regular giveaways on IG and I was even lucky enough to win in it! However, this whitening powder is not the prize, I bought it myself after seeing many glowing reviews. As a tea addict, the unfortunate side is that it stains your teeth and I wanted to whiten them. For the price, the risk is not too great. This charcoal powder contains activated charcoal (duh) to draw out the toxins, white kaolin clay to whiten and a polish, as well as being a rich source of minerals, and a blend of essential oils to freshen up the breath.
The instructions call to pour some powder into a hand and dip a wet toothbrush into it. I realised this wastes too much product because you can then place all the powder into your hand on a toothbrush so the laziness took over and I just started dipping straight into the pot (just make sure the toothbrush is not soaking wet). I did not realise how far the droplets travel when you brush your teeth until I saw the black stains. To be honest, they are easily removable with a quick wipe but who has time for that every day? The process is somewhat messy compared to just using a charcoal based toothpaste. The taste is very mild of spicy peppermint, hence I also tend to follow with a mouthwash to give me that extra freshness. I bought this powder for the sole purpose of whitening my teeth and after using it for over a month I cannot see any obvious results. Very sad, I was very hopeful it would be able to make a difference to my teeth. The search shall continue. Nonetheless, the polish did a good job at cleaning my teeth and the taste of spicy mint is very unusual and pleasant.
INGREDIENTS: 100% Pure Natural * Organic *Activated Charcoal, Calcium Bentonite, Calcium Carbonate, White Kaolin Powder, *Peppermint Mentha Piperita, Myrrh Commiphora Myrrha Oil, *Cloves Eugenia Caryophyllus and *Cinnamon Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil, Himalayan Pink Salt Sodium Chloride LIMONENE** *ORGANICALLY PRODUCED INGREDIENT
Vegan, made in the UK
Aloe Dent Aloe Vera Mouthwash RRP £3.99 for 250ml
I have found none of the "green" toothpaste gives that conventional minty freshness sensation after brushing. Mouthwash is a great wash to boost the desired effect. Unfortunately, the majority mouthwashes, even the "green" ones, did not satisfy me with their ingredient list. During Holland and Barrett offers, I picked up this bottle to try and the minty side is definitely being delivered! The pleasant strong mint flavour which freshens the mouth. A closer look at the ingredients again made be skeptical. It contains grapefruit seed extract which has potential contamination issues hence I will not repurchase it.
Ingredients: Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis, Sorbitol, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Aroma, Menthol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil, Escin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Xylitol, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Citric Acid, CI75810 (Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex) , Limonene & Linalool (Natural constituent of essential oils).
Vegan
Contains grapefruit seed extract
Disclaimer - products are bought by me with my own money. Please check the official website for up to date information regarding every product. All information presented in this article is the opinion of the author and cannot be taken as a fact.
Agave Bun x
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