[Review] Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion

When I get really stressed, I am one of those unfortunate people, where it shows physically i.e. In the form of a breakout (thanks to Dad's genes). The amount of times I've tried to find out what I have and not quite pinpointing it to one particular skin condition. Suffice to say I have tried many different products; the latest one mentioned briefly in my previous post was Aveeno's 'Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion'. It was a relative who suffers from severe eczema, that recommended the product to me. I have combination skin, it is both oily and dry (nightmare).

I have tried Aveeno's 'Daily Moisturising Lotion' from their eczema range before but it made my skin even worse so I was reluctant to try the brand again. However, I was so relieved to find the Skin Relief Lotion did not irritate my skin at all and I have been using it for around 6 months now (day and night). Update: I have been using it for over a year now but now use it only at night. It keeps my skin well moisturised without causing a breakout.

It is a heavy cream so a little goes a long way, back when I use to use it in the mornings I'd wait about 10 minutes after application, before continuing my morning skincare routine. There is a subtle smell to it which I find, is neither pleasant nor bad. The original price for this product is £5.99 (200ml) but Boots and Superdrug frequently do offers so I try to restock when they have one on. Currently it is on offer at Boots for £3.99. It is also available on Amazon.

Rating out of 5:     

[Review] Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin & Lotion

Around October 2018 I was having some serious breakouts, the skin around my nose and chin were really red and dry. I know that I was going through a stressful time and that may have been the cause of it along with the sun but I hadn't had such a big flare-up for years. I knew I had to change my skincare routine again but first I tried all kinds of creams including Hydrocortisone 1% and drugstore creams for eczema but none of these calmed my skin down, that is until I tried Aveeno's Skin Relief Nourishing Lotion which seemed to keep my skin under control but still, after a day of wearing makeup my skin would flare up again, I needed something extra with the Aveeno cream which is when I discovered the Benton Snail Bee product line.

I had searched online for "products good for red skin" and this brand kept coming up. The Snail Bee High Content Skin is a toner with the following claims:

"Harnessing the powers of Bee Venom and Snail Secretion Filtrate, Korea's best kept beauty secret, the non-drying toner replenishes and re-balances, whilst delivering anti-ageing properties to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles (and works to improve skin tone and texture).

Moisturising Hyaluronic Acid is combined with protective Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water to soothe rough, dry skin damaged by stress and pollution. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and troubled, you can expect a clearer, brighter complexion with restored vitality." - Look Fantastic.

The toner itself is very lightweight and almost a water-consistency. It absorbs well into the skin and doesn't have a strong smell. I normally use 2 pumps onto my fingers and then pat it onto my face (it's not the most elegant way to put on the product but rather than using a cotton pad where it would soak up all the goodness, I find it does the trick). 

I purchased this product on eBay for £10.70. I have been using this product twice a day for the last 2 weeks and it hasn't caused a breakout and my skin seems moisturised and happy. I will be keeping my eye on any changes but so far I am very content with how it is faring. It is also available on Amazon: Benton Snail Bee Skin.

Update 24.04.18 - I am still using this toner daily and I am so happy with it. My skin is happy and moisturised and I haven't had a major breakout in these last months.


Rating out of 5:      

As I was already set on purchasing the toner from Benton I thought I might aswell try their Snail Bee High Content Lotion too. 

"Restore youthful vitality with the Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion; a lightweight, quick-absorbing formula that caters for all skin types, including sensitive, damaged and troubled skin.

Harnessing the powers of Hyaluronic Acid, Bee Venom and Snail Secretion Filtrate, Korea's best kept beauty secret, the soothing lotion moisturises and hydrates, whilst skin-brightening Niacinamide delivers anti-ageing properties to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles. Defends against stress and pollution to leave your complexion comfortable, rebalanced and replenished with improved tone and texture." - Look Fantastic.

The consistency of the lotion reminds me (and sorry if this puts you off but at least it's staying true to its name) of a snail's slime but it isn't sticky. I find it doesn't absorb into the skin that easily so I am sitting there patting my face for a little while for it to dry in but I like to use this lotion after doing a face-mask because it is so lightweight (unlike Aveeno's Skin Relief Lotion which is very heavy). The next day my skin is smooth and moisturised. It doesn't have a smell and it hasn't irritated my skin which is a major bonus. Again I use 2 pumps of this onto my hand and then pat it onto my face.

I purchased the lotion on eBay for £10.83. I'm not a daily user of this product but I think in the summer or when it starts to get hotter this may become a staple of mine when I want something more lightweight. All in all I am pretty impressed with Benton's Snail Bee range (the other products include an Essence and a Steam Cream).

Rating out of 5:     

Update 19.01.21: I've long since stopped using the lotion as it just wasn't moisturising enough for me. It may be better suited to oily skin-types. 

Updated rating out of 5:    

[Review] Kérastase Discipline Fluidissime Spray - Heat Protector & Frizz Control

Whenever I go to a humid country, my hair goes absolutely crazy and for the most I end up looking like a lion because my hair does not take well to the heat, at all. For ages I have been looking for a product that will help me tame the frizzy mess caused by the hot weather and I hadn't had any luck, until now.

Kérastase have never disappointed me before, so I decided to trust in them again and try out their 'Discipline Fluidissime Spray'. The back of the bottle describes this product as: “Complete anti-frizz* care, for all unruly hair. Heat-Protection - Shine - Smoothness - Movement. Shake. Spray onto cleansed, towel-dried hair. Avoid spraying towards the eyes or on irritated skin. In case of contact with eyes, rinse them immediately. *Anti-frizz 72 hours - Discipline routine of shampoo + rinse-out treatment + spray."

Usage - After washing my hair, I spray this on about 6 spritz (3 on each side of my hair) and then blowdry as usual.

Result - My hair is visibly less wild and it leaves my hair feeling smooth and smelling great. I love that it doesn't weigh down my hair either.

Where to buy - I bought mine online from lookfantastic.com and from Amazon.

Ingredients: AQUA/WATER • AMODIMETHICONE • TRIDECETH-5 • PEG-40 • HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL • POLYQUATERNIUM-37 • PROPYLENE GLYCOL • DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE • GLYCERIN • TRIDECETH-10 • PHENYL TRIMETHICONE • PHENOXYETHANOL • ARGININE • GLUTAMIC ACID • PPG-1 TRIDECETH-6 • BENZYL SALICYLATE • SERINE • HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN • CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCONATE • BENZYL ALCOHOL • QUATERNIUM-87 • 2-OLEAMIDO-1,3-OCTADECANEDIOL • XYLOSE • LINALOOL • ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE • GERANIOL • CITRANELLOL • CINNAMYL ALCOHOL • PARFUM/FRAGRANCE.

Rating out of 5: