REN ClearCalm Non-Drying Spot Treatment

I had hoped that as I approached my mid thirties (sob) that bad skin would become a thing of the past.

After all, spots and blemishes are just something that teens have to deal with right?

WRONG.

Every single month, without fail, I’ll develop a small amount of pimples on my chin and it matter not what I do, how I cleanse, what products I use or even what I eat, as sure as the sun rises they’ll appear and do you know what, I still don’t know how to get rid of them quickly.

For years and years I’ve been mistreating my skin, thinking that applying harsh, stinging treatments and strong astringents will somehow manage to make them disappear in an instant.

The reality is that I was left with sore, burnt, flaky skin around the spot. And the spot was still there but now it looked twice as angry and twice as noticeable.

Sigh.

If only REN Skincare’s ClearCalm Non-Drying Spot Treatment  had been invented back in the day.

This gentle, targeted and as the name may suggest, non drying treatment works to reduce and clear blemishes without drying out your skin.

Hallelujah!

Formulated with willow bark, this naturally derived precursor to salicylic acid helps to clear your spots without irritating your skin. 

A Maritime Pine and Thyme Complex soothes your skin, aiding recovery and reducing the risks of scarring , Xylitol from corn and wheat helps to keep the surrounding skin healthy and hydrated and a Prebiotic Chlorella Extract supports your skins natural microbiome and rebalances healthy bacteria.

Impressive I’m sure you’ll agree.

The product itself is almost a gel-serum in texture and has a very faint, botanical scent.

Lightweight and soft in texture it is designed to be applied directly to your spots.

Unlike many traditional spot treatments which can sting on application you’ll be pleased to hear that no such reaction occurred here. In fact, my red angry skin actually felt soothed, cool and more calm after it had been applied.

Unlike some treatments which sit on top of the skin making make up application impossible, this gel-serum sinks into the skin and once dried it disappears entirely, allowing you to conceal the area should you desire.

After using the product twice daily, even after just 24 hours I could see a reduction in size, swelling and redness.

Better still, the skin around the spot hadn’t been aggravated at all so my skin was able to repair and heal without any additional irritation.

I’m so impressed by this little wonder tube and urge all of you to invest in it. 

Perfect for the occasional breakout, sensitive skin or regular breakouts it is super gentle, calming and soothing- just what your skin needs when it is angry and irritated.

REN’s Clear Calm Non-Drying Spot Treatment is available now and costs £20.

Antonia Burrell Cream Supreme Moisturiser

Of all the skincare products I use it’s always the moisturiser that makes me nervous.

I’ve got oily/combination skin and while I can get the rest of my routine spot on, if I then plonk the wrong kind of moisturiser onto my face it can all go very, very wrong, leading to breakouts and super greasy skin.

Not nice.

I count myself lucky then that I’ve discovered Antonia Burrell’s Cream Supreme Moisturiser.

This 100% natural, radiance giving, anti ageing moisturiser is designed to help reduce redness, tackle blemishes, break-outs AND pigmentation too.

Talk about a multi tasking product right, all this and It also helps to smooth and improve your skin!

But how? Well, this lightweight moisturiser is infused with an organic certified Anti-Acne Complex, which has been clinically proven to reduce acne bacteria activity and redness, improve the health of oily skin and provide balance between hydration and oil production.

It also contains Larch Extract, a natural SPF Booster with UV-absorbing properties and a plant alternative to collagen,patented Olive Leaf Extract clinically proven to reduce the appearance of irritated and stressed skin and Mango Seed known as the ‘super-fruit’ with excellent levels of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E to protect skin from further free radical damage and maintain healthy levels of hydration. 

It’s an impressive cocktail eh? Well it doesn’t end there as it is also enriched with Amazonian patented bio actives, which have been clinically proven to effectively balance oily skin, reduce acne and manage hyperpigmented disorders. 

Wowzers.

Well, the proof is in the pudding right?

The cream itself is a wonderfully light product, more lotion than cream in texture which sinks into the skin quickly leaving no trace.

Skin is immediately left feeling soft and nourished without a hint of greasiness and after using it twice a day for 4 weeks I have definitely noticed a dramatic change to the quality of my skin.

Breakouts are fewer and I’ve actually noticed than my T-Zone appears much less oily throughout the day which is amazing.

Because it doesn’t clog your skin or feel heavy, it makes a brilliant base for make up and offers just the right amount of hydration.

I love using a product that I know is not just going to tackle my breakout issues but thanks to its potent ingredients is also going to help me fight the signs of ageing- something that now I’m in my thirties I’m finding myself more concerned about. 

Antonia Burrell’s Cream Supreme Moisturiser is a brilliantly gentle and effective moisturiser that is so fab it can be used by all skin types.

You can grab your own pot over on Antonia’s site now where it costs £48.

Murad Blemish Clearing Solution

Trying to combat breakouts can be a nightmare at the best of times, but throw sensitive skin into the mix and you’re looking at a nightmare.

Many spot busting products can be too strong for my skin but thankfully I’ve come across Murad’s Blemish Clearing Solution.

This milky coloured solution has really helped my skin in its time of need when angry breakouts occur and has helped to get rid of them quickly without aggravating them further!

The powerful anti-blemish forumula helps to rapidly heal breakouts and supports the healing of inflamed, stressed out skin.

Salicylic Acid and Queen of Meadow extract exfoliates and prevents dead surface skin build up while fighting breakouts, keeping pores clear of blemish causing bacteria without irritation.

Tea Tree Oil purifies skin and prevents future breakouts and Its Vitamin blend helps soothe and supports healing of inflamed skin.

It has the perfect combination of hard working, spot fighting ingredients and skin loving, soothing ones which ensures that your skin is looked after.

The product itself is a cloudy, light fluid which you apply to your face or other problem areas such as your neck and chest after you’ve cleansed and before you moisturise. 

It has a very subtle, pleasant scent and is absorbed super quickly into your skin leaving no trace.

There is no nasty stinging sensation or alcoholic smell often associated with blemish treatments and it doesn’t leave your skin feel tight or sore.

It’s as if you’ve not used anything on your skin at all in fact!

Research from Murad says that 96% of users saw clearer skin in 72 hours and I’d be inclined to agree with these stats.

Blemishes were reduced in size and redness within 24 hours and in my opinion, cleared far more quickly than without any treatment at all.

Now, this serum is pretty pricey at £39.50 BUT Id you only use it when you need it it’ll last you ages, like it has me.

If you have sensitive skin like me but still want to help clear your skin then I’d say Murad’s Blemish Clearing Solution is definitely worth a shot.