Tried and Tested Beauty Products that we can thoroughly recommend

April 29, 2022

This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.

I have favourite skin and hair products that are my go-to and never change choices. However, occasionally it is nice to ring the changes and try some new beauty products. These are a few of the ones I have recently tried or been recommended by trusted friends.

Aveda botanical repair™ strengthening leave-in treatment

I recently tried this and whilst I thought my hair was in good condition I realised after using the Aveda Leave-in treatment how much better my hair is now.

It instantly strengthens and repairs damaged hair from the inside out. Reduces frizz & detangles to help prevent breakage and protects against heat up to 230°, safeguarding against damage caused during blow-drying & heat styling. I blow dry my hair and whilst my hair is short it only takes a few minutes it is still a few minutes of intense, direct heat. My hair was bouncing with shine and good health having used this and now like to use it once a week. Leaving it in did not make my hair flat during that day which I was impressed with.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

This is an expensive product though there is a £10 discount (code CLEAR10), on the Face the Future website when you spend £100. The cost for me meant that it had to really perform. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a worldwide admired Vitamin C serum, it’s also one of the best-selling antioxidants on the Face the Future website. Regular users are very loyal to this serum. I have quite sensitive skin so I was impressed that this product seemed gentle on my skin. It absorbs really well so is perfect to wear under your own moisturiser. It is excellent for use in conjunction with sunscreens and is suitable for normal to dry, or mature skin types. Could I see a difference after using it for one month? My skin was definitely less dry and I liked that I could use it on my neck and chest area which it definitely helped.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5

Hydrating B5 Gel is enriched with vitamin B5. It is a moisture-enhancing, oil-free serum to add moisture and hydration to the skin. This moisture-enhancing gel is enriched with 1.25% hyaluronic acid and effectively hydrates the skin. Hydrating B5 Gel is recommended for use alongside vitamin C products and daily use will help to maximise the benefits of your daily moisturiser.

I have only been using this for a short while as I was trying out the CE Ferulic first. I like that this is a gel that is not sticky. So far it feels very hydrating but then I have had a month of using the other serum. It is recommended for anyone who suffers from acne.

The SkinCeuticals range is highly commended throughout the skincare industry so is worth trying if you are looking to change your skincare routine. This range is available from the FACE THE FUTURE website which is well worth a browse.

Naked and Thriving Renew Serum

The Naked and Thriving skincare collection consists of just a few categories of products, including face oils, treatment serums, one body oil, and cleansing bars. The brand also sells skincare tools like facial rollers and gua shas. 

The Renew Serum is top of many skincare experts’ lists as a serum that really works. When I am not testing a new product I revert to Naked and Thriving. I particularly love it when on holiday as swimming in the sea and the effects of the sun, even though I wear SPF50, can be very drying and so this range with its face oils really help. Actually they more than help they solve the problems and my skin always feels fresh and there is no need for any makeup.

Renew Resurfacing Night Serum is intended to gently exfoliate dead cells to reveal brighter, more even skin with natural ingredients like sugar cane and fruit-derived AHAs. Many skincare experts would say that you need extracted, pure AHAs to do this job however I prefer to use a natural product on my skin.

Naked and Thriving Rejuvenate face oil

The brand’s most popular product is Rejuvenate Face Oil, an anti-ageing face oil with a base of sweet almond oil and argan oil. 

There’s also antioxidant-rich pomegranate oil to help protect the skin against free radical damage. This is important because the harmful effects of free radicals occur as direct chemical alterations of the cellular DNA, the cell membrane, and proteins, including collagen. Damaged collagen manifests as signs of premature skin ageing, including wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin.

The addition of sea buckthorn oil provides even more antioxidants to this formula, as well as omega fatty acids, which means it can help brighten and moisturize skin. 

There are additional fragrant essential oils that may not work on sensitive skin. I have no problem with this oil and would take it with me to a desert island.

It comes from the U.S. so delivery is not overnight!

Herlum Hand Lotion – Sandalwood & Grapefruit

After ten years working in the beauty industry, Isadora Belfort founded her concise collection of earth-conscious luxury body care and candles, which take inspiration from her Brazilian heritage.

This hand lotion is made in England with sweet almond and cacao oils. It is a lightweight and fast-absorbing lotion and is enriched with lauric and oleic acid properties to encapsulate your skin’s moisture.

I absolutely love the fragrance and so I have it next to my kitchen sink and used it every time I wash my hands there. I am so happy there is now a 50ml travel size bottle so I can take it with me on holiday.

The bottle is made from recycled, ocean-bound PET plastic and is fully recyclable.

Lotil Moisturising cream

My body skin is so dry – it is more like a snake’s skin that sheds regularly. I need an industrial-strength moisturiser to deal with it. India Knight introduced me to Lotil moisturising cream via her Sunday Times column.

It is definitely heavy-duty and requires lots of massaging otherwise you are left with a white limb. And the fragrance is very almondy obviously due to one of the key ingredients. However, it is incredible as even after this long winter I have emerged with pale but moisturised limbs and not that dry, flaky look that I am used to.

I understand that people who suffer from eczema swear by this cream and if you read the reviews it seems to heal cracks and little cuts too. It is a true household hero and my bathroom shelf is never without it.

You can find more tried and tested beauty (and other) products here

At Annabel & Grace magazine, we firmly believe in looking after ourselves as well as those we love. We must all accept that for women wellbeing is of crucial importance and not to be left as an afterthought. For many women, years of caring for others has left little time for self care – ladies, now is the time to recharge your batteries! You can read all our wellbeing articles here.

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