The Ordinary Vitamin C 23% + HA Review

I've heard mixed reviews about this product. Some say its gritty and others say its too irritating (although it was reformulated at one point). That being said I've wanted to try it for a while in the hopes it would help my Hyper-pigmentation so thoughtfully left over by my acne. This formula has 23% ascorbic acid, one of the best forms of vitamin c for pigmentation issues but The Ordinary has a guide for their different forms of vitamin c, here. But another popular form is Ascorbyl Palmitate and is often found in cheaper products, especially moisturizers as its oil soluble and it's a good antioxidant but won't do much for pigmentation.

Ascorbic acid can also increase collagen production helping to with fine lines and protect against free radical damage. That being said ascorbic acid has a tendency to sting or be gritty as aforementioned. When left for long periods of time or in bad packaging it can easily oxidise so it's not something you want to keep in a stash and use only once in a while.

Oxidation is when it reacts with the air (acting as an antioxidant, losing electrons) which will cause the serum to change colour rendering it ineffective and some say it can be harmful. Its nothing to be worried about but if the serum changes colour its time to bin it.


Free From:
Water, Silicone, Oil, nuts and alcohol are listed on the product page. Although Deciem says "across all brands including The Ordinary, are free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, benzalkonium chloride, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury, oxybenzone."

Ethics:
Don't test on animals or sell in China. Vegan.

Price:
£4.90 (12.17)

First Impressions
The product has slip and is smooth, it has a slight metallic smell. It does feel a bit greasy after applying but it's not too bad. The 2% Hyaluronic Acid defiantly helps to smooth out fine lines. I was very much expecting to have to deal with stinging and a gritty texture but luckily I had none of that. The serum has a low viscosity, meaning its quite liquid but is sold in a tube. They say they changed it from a bottle with a dropper to a tube after it was requested by customers but I don't feel like its thick enough for a tube, it can be quite clumsy to get some out so I'm not sure whether I like the packaging.

How I recommend using it:
It's somewhat thick and occlusive (sits on top of the skin). I would use it as a last step before moisturiser as it wouldn't be nice to layer under other serums.

Overall Opinion:
I don't like the texture that much with it being overly occlusive, instead, I am trying their Alpha Arbutin 2%. I might find a different use for this serum, maybe on my hands. I did try and use it under my eyes but it moved into them from rubbing quite quickly and caused a fair amount of stinging.


References

Humbert PG , et al. (n.d.). Topical ascorbic acid on photoaged skin. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12823436

Oxidation of ascorbic acid. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://chemistry.oregonstate.edu/courses/ch130/old/VITCTEXT.htm

Vitamin C in dermatology. (2013, April). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/

June Favourites

As it is the start of summer my skincare has been focused on light textures, sun protection, and hydration. I really recommend looking after your skin in the summer as heightened levels od UV can lead to darkening of acne scars and accelerating the look of ageing.

Skin

Body Shop skin defence £16

When I saw this was going to be released it was around the time I was looking for a new moisturiser, especially one with a high SPF. Initially, my thought was either an SPF from a french brand or the Body Shop vitamin C moisturiser but when this came out I couldn't resist.

It has a light texture which Is great for summer as I find mattifying can be too dry and other moisturisers too thick. This essence that turns to a water provides a light texture and doesn't leave a white cast. It's SPF 50 pa++++ whilst also containing anti oxidants such as vitamin-C which provides a good all round protection. I recommend to anyone looking for a new SPF this summer: this is your match!

Superdrug Clearly Youthful Cream Cleanser and Serums

I first tried this range a while back when I bought the night serum and although I liked it I didn't really use it much until recently. After that, I used the cream cleanser, which if you've seen my review you probably know I liked it and I've been using it a lot, most nights in fact.

After liking the cleanser I decided to go back to the night serum but also try the day serum. The night serum boasts 2% salicylic acid, lactic acid, and tetra peptide. It does talk of other ingredients but most of that didn't really interest me. The day serum has less salicylic acid but has mattifying and hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. I've really come on board and introduced these serums into my daily routine and have seen a difference in my acne.

I recommend this range for anyone with acne or people below the age of 25 concerned about ageing
.

Sure Max Protection

I find a lot of deodorants irritate my skin but recently I've found the perfect remedy: dimethicone. Found in many skincare products and my under arms have been much less itchy with the added bonus of being an anti-perspiring and barely scented.

Plants and Fashion

An obvious pairing I swear.

Recently my favourite colour is khaki. I try and stay away from just buying clothes in one colour and try to get variation but I admit I've been buying rather a lot of khaki. This shirt is from Asos as I found it in the sale. The sale didn't have many other things I like but I am quite picky, Id rather buy very little then a lot that I don't wear or wear because I bought it even though I don't actually like it. The top was from topman, I decide Id go for this summery yellow as it thought It was a happy colour and went with a lot that I already own.

The plants are all from Tesco, ranging from £3 to £4 which is a bargain for succulents. It's nice to see succulents so available as I used to only be able to find them at Wilko and select garden centres. One tip with the aloe is to take out the baby plants and plant them in smaller plants else it will getter proper crowded. The smallest plant does not have a drain hole so I've been watering it really carefully. If you find you over water plants Id suggests you stay away from that one. Recently I've noticed they've changed the pots... which is rude.

Books

Stephen King: Finders keepers

I've read a couple Stephen King books before. His latest books are always easy to find at supermarket book sections so they're almost always an impulse buy, unregretfully. His books for me are always an easy read as they're interesting and unlike many books I find I can't often get the plot halfway through which makes them so exciting. Finders keepers is no exception. It's an immersive tale of a boy who finds a hidden stash of money and when the owner comes looking for it, it all kicks off. Really worth a read whether you're new to reading or not.

Caitlin Moran: Moranifesto

Caitlin Moran is funny and interesting and such a great writer. She writes for the Time's magazine but If you don't what to buy that then this will be a great read. It's a collection of all her brilliant articles from the last few years, ranging from funny to inspiring to serious to introspective to funny again. I couldn't read it faster. It covers topics such as life, politics, and popular culture. She,s someone I aspire to be and write like.

That's it for my June favourites. For July and august I'm sure to be basking in the sun (protected) and relaxing.

Clearly Youthful AHA/BHA exfoliating cream cleanser

Why It interested me?
I originally saw this on Instagram and very quickly decided I needed it and I've liked other products in the range before such as the night serum. At the time when I saw this product I was looking for some new cream cleansers and the idea of a nonphysical exfoliating cleanser excited me.

How I used it?
The directions recommend using a cotton wool pad and sweeping it over your face. Don't listen to that as washing with water is important for exfoliation. I used warm water and a muslin cloth. Unlike a physical exfoliator, I think you could use this as often as you like just use it a bit less if your skin gets irritated or you're using other AHA's (you're probably fine with BHA's).

What did I like?
As I said before it is a nonphysical or nonmechanical exfoliator meaning it uses acids instead of grains, charcoal or plastic beads... which I much prefer as they give a much better and nondamaging exfoliation. The BHA is great for acne and blackheads and the AHA (lactic acid) is good for evening skin tone.

What I disliked?
It can be slightly irritating if you have already irritated skin but if you have sensitive skin and this is the only AHA/BHA you use it shouldn't be a problem.

Who's it for?
Anyone. The Clearly Youthful is for people looking for clear skin and anti-aging but many of the active ingredients they used can help many skin type. If you have sensitive skin and you're looking for an AHA or BHA then this wouldn't be a bad choice.

Where can I get it?
Superdrug £3.69
http://www.superdrug.com/Skincare-Offers/Superdrug-Clearly-Youthful-Cream-Cleanse-150ml/p/296601

Best BHA: Stridex or Paulas choice Clear

BHA's should be the basis of any acid tone for oily skin, acne and clogged pores. A BHA is salicylic acid and it clears pores, works on discolouration (red or brown marks) and reduces inflammation. Products can range from £1 and up but today I'm going to be comparing 2 alcohol free options.

Alcohol and denatured alcohol (alcohol denat) is in many cheap products, the problem is it damages and irritates the skin but also dries out skin which leads many people to think it helps with acne (it doesn't). If you've ever used a product with alcohol after shaving or on broken skin you will know it hurts. Alcohol is best avoided especially when high up on ingredient lists, avoid products where you can feel you face getting tighter.

Stridex Max VS Paula's Choice Clear

Stridex (£8) is sold in many US drug stores, sadly only available on Amazon in the UK. It does contain irritants such as methanol and detergents (ALS).  Get them here.

Paula's Choice (£22) is sold only online. As far as irritants go... its a clean slate!

How to useStridex is pre soaked pads, for PC you need to soak a cotton round. I usually only soak half a cotton round as I find that's enough to wet my face and not waste any. Use both after cleansing before anything else.

How it leaves the skin feeling
Stridex does leave my skin feeling dry, although it doesn't irritate much but I find using an AHA cream over to sting more then usual. PC is a different story, it could be water for all I know as it doesn't dry me out at all.

Effectiveness
I used stridex first for a month and found it did help a bit towards acne control but it didn't really work enough. PC on the other was great, after about two weeks I noticed I wasn't breaking out even though I had run out of benzoyl peroxide.

Conclusion / TLDR
PC is the clear winner. There's not much to say other than it left my skin looking great without drying or irritating. After using this I will definitely try the stronger strength or use their original BHA liquid.

January Favourites

Here are some short reviews of what I've been using the most this month.

Stridex

Stridex is an american brand but easy to find on Amazon. I use the maximum version which contains 2% salicylic acid. I like this as they cost around £8 for 90 pads, they do the job and they don't contain alcohol (win), my only complaint is they do contain irritants which can be quite drying. I use these after cleansing and before a serum, cream or moisturiser.

FAB Ultra Repair Cream

When stridex makes be dry I have this to turn to. Its a thick moisturiser although I find it doesn't break me out as it does contain Shea or cocoa butter. I find its a great cream to keep on hand when my skin is dry or irritated. I use this as a night cream as it doesn't contain SPF, although I believe there is a version that does.

Dr. Organic Tea Tree Face Wash

This is a good SLS free cleanser. Great for acne and any skin type and I would recormend this for sensitive skin. I use this in my night-time cleanse with a muslin cloth.

Eucerin Even Brighter Day Cream

My favourite day cream at the moment. If you have seen the review then check it out:

http://obsessedwithskin.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/goodbye-hyperpigmentation.html

Goodbye Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation (PIH) is often a part of scarring. For example when acne leaves a scar it leaves a dent and a red or discoloured mark. These products help over time to reduce and after 2 maybe 3 months can remove these discolourations.

Eucerin: Even brighter day cream SPF 30
As a day cream Id recommend this to anyone with or without active acne. It leaves skin feeling moisturised without feeling very greasy. Its free from thick moisturisers like cocoa or shea butter so is unlikely to cause breakouts. 

For Hyperpigmentation (PIH) it contains B-Resorcinol and Glycyrrhetinic Acid. Eucerin claims that these can repair the skin and help protect it. It also contains SPF 30 which is vitally important if you're going to spend any amount of money on skincare. This is because, epically when using glycolic acid,  any amount of sun can make PIH much worse and can undo any effects these products have had on you.

Reviva 10% Glycolic acid Cream
Glycolic acid is the number one thing I recommend for PIH. At 10% its very effective although first time users should  try 5% or less first as it can irritate skin and you want to build up tolerance. I use this as a night cream although its not very moisturising, if you have dry skin id recommend putting a thicker moistener over the top. It does sting a bit when I use it, but its only for a short while (as to be expected wit some acids).

I find my skins always at its brightest the day after I use it, and its really effective on PIH.

Non of the products mentioned are tested on animals.