I've always suffered with blemishes around my chin and jawline, but found it difficult to treat as I also had very dry skin. In the past year, my skin has changed, and become more balanced, and armed with some great new products, I can treat any breakouts a little quicker.
The next set of products are also from Holland and Barrett and its their Manuka Doctor range which is currently exclusive to them. The range has been in the news alot as it contained purified bee venom or "Nature's Botox" and Manuka Honey. They do several types in the range; apiclear for blemish prone skin and apinourish for ageing skin, but both contain bee venom. The venom is extracted in a bee friendly way, so the bees survive! Bee venom is said to have a tightening and plumping effect, whilst manuka honey is anti-bacterial.The range is also paraben and sls free, but obviously stay away if you are allergic to bee stings.
My first purchase from the range was the Foaming Cleanser. Add a little water to your face, then massage in, then wash off - I use a muslin cloth for this. I find all the products have a very slight tightening feeling, but to me that feels like its working! This was my wonder product, as it cleared up a breakout in two days, and left my skin feeling hydrated and slightly plumped! I then added in the Skin Treament Serum, which you only need one pump of. This I use on very bad days and concentrate on my chin and cheeks. I have gone through 2 and a half bottles in about 6 months, but initially, I think I was using too much, so have cut that down. With regular use, this cleared everything up very quickly again, but was a little drying for me, so I added in the Facial Moisturising Lotion to use over the top. Then I also thought "what the hell" and through in the Facial Toner! I also have the blemish cream for putting directly onto stubborn spots. I put this on thickly for some time, then rub in.
Just recently, I purchased the Dr Nick Lowe Sebum Control Cleanser Anti-blemish as I saw it on sale in Boots. I wanted to add in a liquid cleanser for lazy days or heavy make up days when I might need to double cleanse.I don't always use the full range every day, if my skin is behaving, I may switch back to my No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser, which I LOVE, with just the Serum or Moisturiser. The products work even better over time, as they work to prevent further breakouts as well, as eliminates causes of blemishes.
Make up wise, there are a couple of things I swear by. For really bad days when I need alot of coverage, I use the Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover foundation. This is seriously heavy, but I find if you use half the amount you would use for a normal foundation, it doesn't look heavy or fake, just evens the skin tone and covers blemishes. You can even just use it as a concealer. Below is a shot of me wearing it to a work do. As you can see, not a blemish in sight, but as it has SPF, a little bit of ghost face going on (and drunk face!)
On good skin days, or non-work days I use No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream for Dry Skin in Fair. I also sometimes use this as a base for makeup. I think it really agrees with my skin, as BB creams have lots of benefits for your skin.
For concealer, I use Benefit's Erase paste, in No1 Fair. I've used this for about three years now, and have never found a concealer that lives up to it! Its brilliant for under the eyes as well, as it has a slight pink undertone which counteracts the blue circles under my eyes.
Two extra things worth mentioning are items to keep things clean! I use Carex Hand Gel in Aloe Vera before, during and after I have any contact with my face, and keep this with all my make up. The other thing is a cleanser I picked up before the Dr Nick Lowe one. It is the Good Things Deep Pore Anti-blemish cleanser. I tried this on my skin, but found it didn't take all my make up off in one go, although it smelled delicious. I threw it to the back of a drawer until I was on the hunt for a brush cleanser. I absolutely swear by Real Techniques Brushes by Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo fame, and deep cleanse my brushes once a week. However, I was planning to buy Mac's Brush Cleanser to use as a spot cleanser, but couldn't afford it, so thought I'd try using the Good Works Cleanser. I pop it on a cotton pad, and after I've finished using a brush, I clean it off on the pad. This keeps the brushes clean, gets rid of some bacteria and means I can switch between colours every day.
Its not to say I never get blemishes anymore, but its my biggest skin concern, so I tailor my skincare routine and make-up routine around preventing and getting rid of any. I've seen a massive improvement in my skin since using these products, so I will continue with these for now.
xxx
