Empties October 2019

So many empties, so many great products. A cleanser, serum, acid toner, and body lotion. Here’s all you need to know about them…

Gallinée Youthful Serum

Gallinée is a French skincare range, all about protecting and supporting the microbiome of your skin, in other words, keeping the good things in your skin, and the bad things out. This serum is super light and has a water-based texture, formulated with skin-friendly bacteria from the lactobacillus family which supports and nourishes your skin barrier. Fern Extract, also in the formulation, is great for lifting and improving the loss of firmness along with giving protection against free radicals while radiance-boosting lactic acid, brightens and smooths the skin. It’s also really hydrating (+62% hydration after 8 hours!) leaving skin feeling healthy and nourished. I used it in the AM before my SPF but you can use it twice daily or as a booster in your other skincare products, simply add a few drops into your day cream/serum. You can find Gallinée locally in Rosscarbery Pharmacy, selected pharmacies nationwide, and meddirect.ie, €52.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush 3-in-1 Body Lotion

This body lotion available in Boots is super valuable and has a great price point, €12.99 for 500ml. It contains skin smoothing Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) a blend of glycolic, malic, and lactic to name but a few, which work to smooth and soften the skin while shea butter and sweet almond oil give intense moisturization. It’s lovely and light absorbs beautifully, and leaves a soft subtle sheen. Scent-wise, it smells fresh and zingy thanks to lime seed oil, which I find really invigorating in the morning. This will last you ages and for those of you who experience bumpy skin on the backs of the arms (chicken skin) or have dry patches, this will help to improve the texture of your skin. Try it!

Exuviance Skin Rise Bionic Pads

I use these in the morning after cleansing. They are single-use pads drenched with a moisturizing, antioxidant, and anti-aging tonic which gently exfoliates, enhancing the clarity, smoothness, and firmness of the skin, giving you a more radiant complexion. I’m on my second jar and I love how it brightens and smooths my skin. They are suitable for all skin types, alcohol-free and non-irritating. Formulated with a blend of Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA’s) – Gluconolactone and Lactobionic Acid – the much larger molecules of PHA’s mean there’s less likelihood of irritation and they also have great hydrating properties too.

Along with PHA’s, there is multi-antioxidant protection from Vitamins A, C, and E and they are also infused with cucumber and eucalyptus to refine and stimulate. Lastly, green tea extract tones and helps to protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and harmful environmental factors. A little tip! I cut each pad in two, as there is so much product, half a pad will be sufficient for you and they’ll last longer too. If you are interested in trying these beauties for yourself use Code SHERNA20 for 20% off on exuviance.ie

Medik8 Brighenting Powder Cleanse

A Brightening Powder cleanser, that also exfoliates – a bit of a theme here! I love any product that gives a brightening radiance to the skin. This is featured on my video What I’m loving Ep.1 and it is a seriously super cleanser. An ultra-fine powder that you mix with water, it turns into a creamy foam that lifts away impurities and dead cells without leaving the skin feeling dry or tight. It uses natural bamboo and Poly Hydroxy Acids (PHA’s) to gently slough away dead skin cells. Specialist ingredient Oxyresveratrol gradually brightens dull skin and inhibits melanin production, lightens discoloration, and corrects sun damage, leaving the skin feeling super soft and looking beautifully radiant.

Suitable for all skin types, mix a small amount of powder with water and gently rub between the palms to activate the powder before massaging into damp skin on the face. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. It is used daily or weekly, I use it for my morning cleanse three to four times a week. It’s not cheap (£30 from SkinCity) but if uneven skin tone and dullness are your concerns, definitely one to try. I’ve just started my second one and can see this being a staple on my skincare shelf.

If you do decide to try any of these products yourself, be sure to let me know how you get on with them.

Sherna x