Monthly Favourites: November 2017

Keeping it simple for my first post on the new blog and doing a quick skincare favourites post for the month of November! 

There are lots of other products I could have included, but I've kept it down to six in particular that I really enjoyed using last month. I'll be posting a lot of individual reviews soon too, so keep an eye out if you want more information about a specific product!

First up is Avène Eau Thermale. A simple thermal water mist, this is something that I've really been reaching for recently. 

It's soothing and hydrating, and I like to spray it before applying serums or moisturisers to dampen my skin. I find that this helps the following products to sink in easier and more quickly. 

I've also used it to help with cleansing on days that I've needed to stay away from manual exfoliation using a washcloth - just apply your regular cleanser, spritz this onto a cotton pad or square, and use it to remove the cleanser from your skin. 

It comes in three sizes (50ml £4.50, 150ml £8.50, and 300ml £13) and all are 3 for 2 at Boots at the moment!

I've been using the Resist 1% Retinol Booster from Paula's Choice every night for the past 22 days and I love it! It's gentle enough for my sensitive skin but has great results too, especially on fading any pigmentation and tackling the few fine lines I have on my forehead.

It's £47 for 15ml at Look Fantastic here, but you can get an extra 20% off if you use the code SKINCARE20 (I'll be ordering a couple!).

Next is my favourite acid toner: Biologique Recherche's Lotion P50 PIGM 400. The original variations of P50 have achieved cult status in the skincare world, and this newest iteration is designed to specifically target pigmentation issues.

I've used up two 50ml bottles and am almost done with my current 150ml, which I repurchased this week. As someone who struggles with acne, congestion, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), this is one of the best products that I've tried.

I normally use it once a week, but recently increased to every two or three days. This has really helped to fade my PIH, clear congestion on my forehead and nose, and stop any new breakouts in their tracks.

It's trickier to get hold of than other brands, but there are a few Biologique Recherche stockists here in Spain. I bought my newest bottle from Cosmeticos Eficaces and it's €33.70 for 50ml, €62.48 for 150ml, or €95.37 for 250ml.

If you follow me on Instagram (@graciefleurs), then it will be no surprise to see Jordan Samuel Skin's Hydrate Facial Serum on this list! I even picked it as my product of the year in a recent skincare challenge.

I'll be doing a more detailed review of this serum soon, but it really is like a drink of water for the skin. I use it twice a day to ward off dryness and dehydration brought on by constant air conditioning and the Spanish heat and will never be without it!

Excitingly, Jordan released the giant size of this serum today! The 30ml is $29, and this new 120ml bottle is $72. I'll be ordering two on Monday, it works out as 4 times the size for 2.48 times the price, so great value.

I picked up this 2ml sample of the Ferulic and Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum (long name!) from Dr Dennis Gross when I placed a Cult Beauty order a whole back. It's a generous sample at almost 1/7 of the full size, and I've been using it a lot during the last week.

I never remember to use a dedicated eye product because I have pretty much given up on fixing my dark under eye circles without the use of concealer, but this is great!

Of course, now I try to find a link I can't find it in stock anywhere in the UK,  but if you're in the states you can get it from Sephora for $68 for 15ml.

Finally, we have my favourite SPF! It's so important to wear sun protection every day, not only to prevent skin cancer, but to stave off premature skin damage and ageing. I'll admit that I usually used a foundation with SPF rather than a dedicated sunscreen when I was living in the UK - as a teacher I'd get to school in the morning when it was dark, stay in a classroom with drawn blinds, and then leave when the sun had set once again! And then before that I was in med school, so it was the same situation but with hospitals and wards.

Now I'm living in the south of Spain however, a daily SPF is a necessity. The Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturiser from Paula's Choice is the best one I've tried. I love how it doubles as an excellent moisturiser for my dry and sensitive skin, and my extremely pale face has stayed the same despite days out in the sun or even at the beach!

Same as the Retinol Booster I mentioned earlier on, you can get an extra 20% off this at Look Fantastic with the code SKINCARE20. It's normally £28 for 60ml and I use the one for dry skin, but they make a version for oily skin too.

So, that was much longer than I had planned, but I do have a tendency to ramble on! I hope you've enjoyed this first post of mine, and please do let me know if you have tried any of these or have any other favourite skincare products at the moment!

Gracie xxx