Author: Tracey McAlpine Category: Beauty Product Reviews, Beauty
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Featuring La Roche-Posay, Secret Key and DHC

December just flew past, it was another of those months that were crazy busy, and no one was free to film.  I planned to film by myself but somehow that didn’t happen either. 

So, here I am in January catching up on the December Beauty Review as I wanted to share some of the products that worked for me during the hectic run up to Christmas.

I went off to Paris with Charlotte to see the Dior exhibition and it drizzled with rain the whole time and I arrived home with a nasty cold, a sore throat and no voice.  My skin seemed to take a battering as well, it was really dry and came out in several angry red patches.  I had never had anything quite like this before.  I stripped back my skincare routine and dropped in a couple of La Roche-Posay products suitable for sensitive and reactive skin.  Within a week my skin was back to normal and had calmed down, the redness had gone, and it didn’t feel so dry. So, it won’t come as a surprise that so much of this month’s review is based around hydrating products.

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum

This hyaluronic acid serum combined with thermal spring water, arginine and serine, quickly gets moisture back into the skin and keeps it there, making skin feel far more comfortable.  A little of this light gel goes a long way and sits well under any skincare.  It’s also very reasonably priced.  What I liked most, was that my skin still felt hydrated at the end of the day, it was as if the serum had created a barrier against the elements.

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum 30ml £20.00 available from Lookfantastic

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra

This cream is suitable for ultra-sensitive skin or allergic skin.  It’s a soothing cream with neurosensine which helps calm irritation and has no preservatives, parabens, fragrance or alcohol.  It also comes in ultra-hermetic packaging which means it can’t be contaminated.  The cream worked quickly to calm and hydrate my skin.  I was so impressed with both these La Roche-Posay products that I’ve already replaced them!

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra 40ml £17.50 available from Lookfantastic

Secret Key Multi Cell Night Repair Ampoule

If you are a regular reader, you will know that Nikki and I have been trying Korean skincare for a while.  When I was invited to test an Ampoule, I foolishly thought it was a product that came in a phial.  Little did I know that in Korean skincare an Ampoule is in fact a concentrated essence, a lightweight serum.

When Multi Cell Night Repair arrived, I couldn’t help thinking it was a real dupe for Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.  The large 50ml dropper bottle contains a lightweight, deeply hydrating serum, which contains 3 types of plant stem cells taken from grape, tomato, and green tea, it also contains bifida, a fermented extract which conditions the skin.  This formulation helps to brighten the skin while the antioxidants help with repair.  What I liked most about this serum is that it didn’t sink straight into the skin, it left a dewy layer that could still be felt in the morning.  I used the serum alone at night and woke up to fresher looking skin which still had this feeling of being moisturised.  Multi Cell Night Repair is amazing value for money, it suits all skin types and ages, and a little goes a long way.  Just remember if you are ordering this product to be imported you might have import duty to pay.  At this price, it still makes the Ampoule very cost effective.

Secret Key Multi Cell Night Repair Ampoule 50ml £12.52 available from YesStyle

DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-In-One Gel

I did say I had gone all out for moisture for the cold winter months and another product that has been in my routine recently is DHC Astaxanthin Collagen Gel.  This peach coloured moisturiser is the perfect daytime protector.  Astaxanthin is an antioxidant 6,000 times more powerful than Vitamin C and can protect against UV damage.  That’s not to say that it acts as a sun protector, you still need to use an SPF.  The astaxanthin which is derived from freshwater green algae, helps to brighten and tone the skin as well as improve the skin’s moisture levels. This really is the all-in-one as the added benefit of collagen helps plump and smooth the skin.

Astaxanthin Collagen All-In-One Gel slips into the skin and works perfectly under makeup.  As it’s so lightweight it will work for all skin types and ages.

DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-In-One Gel 120g £40.00 available from Feelunique

DHC Beauty Lift Eye Care Essence Roll-On

This is another great launch from the Japanese company DHC. I spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen which dries out the eye area so much.  Although most of my skincare is kept in the bathroom, this eye care wand has stayed on my desk.  The applicator has three tiny roller balls which gently massage the essence into the skin.  This helps with drainage as well as hydration, making sure the essence penetrates the skin.  It’s so soothing and relaxing, especially after a long computer session.  Oat kernel and a host of clever peptides help to tone and refresh the skin around the eyes.  So easy to
drop in your bag or take it on the plane, I’ll definitely be replacing this when it runs out!

DHC Beauty Lift Eye Care Essence Roll-On 6ml £24.00 available from Feelunique

Well that wraps up my hydration products, how have you been treating your skin during the winter?

If you have any questions about these products just drop them in the comment box below.  If you wish to purchase any of the products click the links above.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post; I only talk about the products I genuinely believe in and love to use.  Some links may be affiliate links.  Products may be press samples.