Northern Skincare Addict

Sorry for being so MIA lately. Work has been busy, so more overtime for me, but less time for me to actually blog. Oops. I will try to do a post a week (she says). So I thought I'd shared with yous what skincare items I finished in September and October. I finished another tub of The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter in September. This is my holy grail first cleanse cleanser. I love how effectively takes off the day's grime and SPF and it emulsifies so easily. For £10, you can hardly go wrong. Another product I finished in September was The Body Shop Aloe Calming Cream Cleanser. I enjoyed this, but I won't necessarily repurchase it unless I was looking for an Aloe based cleanser. But it's a good, hydrating cleanser if you want to try something more hydrating and gentle. In September, I also tried a sheet mask for the second time ever. The first one I had ever tried was Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask, which was very off putting. But I was walking past TK Maxx ...

Apologies to everyone, I'm sorry I've been so absent on here lately. August was a busy month for me, I was doing a lot of overtime at work but thankfully, I should be back down to a few days a week, which is good as I am exhausted. In August I finished 18 products in total, as they were mostly sample sachets. So, I'll be talking about the samples that I finished.  First up is the Paula's Choice Resist Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA. I tried a few samples of this and it was good. I have bumpy skin on my upper arms, and I thought this might help with it. I did see a slight improvement from using it. I think to see a greater improvement, I would have to buy the full size tube of it and use it consistently. I am going to purchase a full size of this in the future, but not right now.  Next up is the Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Moisturiser Normal to Dry Skin. I tried two samples of this and I really enjoyed. It's hydrating but it doesn't leave...

I love a good cleanser. I genuinely look forward to the end of the day so I can cleanse away the day's grime and SPF. The thought of being able to put the day behind me by doing my skincare routine, genuinely gets me through the day some days. Today, I'm going to write about the different cleansers I use and enjoy. My go to cleanser: My go to cleanser is the Camomile Cleansing Butter from The Body Shop. This is my favourite cleanser ever. I will always have a tub of this in my skincare collection, because it's wonderful. I love this so much. I love the gentle scent it has. Now, I'm not a big fan of scented skincare, it can be irritating, but this is light and it doesn't irritate my skin. This cleanser also helped save my skin. Earlier on this year, my skin became red and sore, because I was using an unsuitable cleanser and it was still winter. My skin was so dry and raw, it was very irritated. I had a tub of this, and I thought I'll try a more nourishing clea...

I am currently patch testing the Calm Redness Relief Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin from Paula's Choice. I've tried a few samples of this before, and I finally committed to buying a full size version of it. I love this cleanser. It's everything I want from a cleanser. It's simple, cleansing, but non-stripping. Some gel cleansers that I've used in the past have ended up being too stripping for my skin, but this is not like that. It's a gel consistency, which lathers slightly when massaged onto your skin. I love this as I feel it's cleansing my skin more than other cleansers I've used. It's just what I need to help keep my skin refreshed in summer. Some days my skin feels quite congested and I just need a gel cleanser to help refresh my skin. It is a bit pricey, it's £19 for 198ml which is quite expensive when you can get cleansers that are 200ml for about £3 to £5. But I'm not too concerned about the price as I'm using this for summer and ...

Before the beginning of August, I treated myself to one last online order before my no buy started. I decided to treat myself to a few goodies from Easyparapharmacie. I bought the following: Avene Trixera Nutrition Nutri-fluid Cleanser 100ml Avene Trixera Nutrition Nutri-fluid Lotion 100ml Noreva Sensidiane Micellar Milk Cleanser 100ml Bioderma Crealine Yeux 15ml  Bioderma Crealine Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant 50ml Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Cream 200ml I also received two samples with my order, I got a sample of the Filogra Optim-Eyes eye cream and a sample of the Weleda Evening Primrose Revitalising Body Oil.  I am excited to try all of the products, especially the Trixera products and the micellar milk. These products are going to keep me satisfied whilst I'm on my no buy. I'm going to save the Bioderma Cleansing Cream for Autumn/Winter when my body needs a bit more nourishment. Thanks for reading! 

Another month has come to an end. I can't believe how fast July has flown over for me. I have used a lot of samples of skincare products this month. First up, I tried a few samples of the Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum. This was a nice lightweight serum. Whilst it was nice to use, I won't be purchasing a full size version of it. This is probably more for someone who needs something soothing to use after using an AHA or BHA regularly, not someone like me who uses them infrequently. I also tried a few samples of a few different toners from Paula's Choice. I tried two samples of the Calm Redness Relief Toner Normal to Dry Skin. This was nice, but it wasn't very hydrating, and I won't be thinking about buying a full size version in the future. I used two samples of the Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner  which I fell in love with. It is very hydrating. I've purchased a full size version of this, as I need this in my skincare collection ...

I love a good skincare shopping spree. I treated myself this month to a Paula's Choice order. For those who've never heard of it before, Paula's Choice is a skincare company from the US created by Paula Begoun. They use ingredients that will help make your skin look younger and radiant and also help fight acne. I adore this company's ethics, as they don't test on animals, and they want the customer to be satisfied, they offer sample sachets of nearly all their products. All their products are fragrance free, and also free from colourants and ingredients that can harm the skin. Here's what I bought: Full size products:  I bought two full size products in my Paula's Choice haul. I bought the Calm Redness Relief Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin and the Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner. I've tried a few samples of the cleanser before, and it's perfect for what my skin needs. It's gentle and cleansing, yet it doesn't strip my skin of it...

Sorry for being a bit MIA recently. I've gotten more hours at work recently as people are leaving or on holiday, so that means more hours for me. I've forgotten about my blog because of this, but I am back now and hoping to do one post a week. In other news, I set up a separate Instagram account solely devoted to skincare. Here's a link to my new Instagram account  I thought I'd make a post about my current collection of SPF. I feel it's important to wear SPF everyday to help prevent premature ageing and to also protect my skin from the harmful damage the sun can do to skin. I'm currently using the Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF50 from La Roche Posay. I enjoy using this sunscreen but I can't wait to try new sunscreens after finishing this one. I use this everyday before I go out to work or before I take my dog for a walk. I like this as it provides a barrier between my skin and the drying air from the air con at work. It's also a very good sunscr...

For the past month, I've been patch testing The Body Shop Aloe Calming Cream Cleanser . I have to say, I'm really impressed. I had heard good things about this from skincare addicts I follow on Instagram, so I purchase it during The Body Shop's 40% off sale. I'm so glad I did. Normally priced at £7.50, it's a bargain anyway. This is a gentle cream cleanser, that cleanses my skin very well. I was a bit apprehensive at first, as I've never tried an Aloe product before, and I know Aloe Vera can be potentially irritating to some people. But, thankfully, my skin is reacting well to it. My skin is more balanced, my forehead is not oily, and my cheeks are not dry, it's perfect. It rinses off very well, and it leaves my skin clean (not tight) and perfectly balanced. Rating: 10/10 Would I repurchase: Yes, definitely Ingredients:  Aqua/Water (Solvent), Pentylene Glycol (Solvent), Butylene Glycol (Humectant), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Emollient), Sorbit...

Well, June has flown by for me. As it's the end of the month, I'm going to post what skincare empties I've had this month. First up is the REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream (15ml). This was part of a REN Evercalm gift set. This wasn't great. It was very greasy. It would not sink in. It also had a weird smell to it. I ended using this up on my feet. The next skincare empty of June is the Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk (100ml). I really enjoyed this. I posted my thoughts about this is my morning routine post. I will definitely be purchasing this again in the future. I received a sample of the Lierac Blemish Correction Regulating Gel. This was good to use and it really helped reduce a spot on my neck. I may look into buying this in the future. This is a sort of skincare empty. I finished a lip balm, which was the  Superdrug Little Moisturising Blue Stick. This is my all time favourite lip balm. I use it every night before I go to sleep and it keeps my lips...

The Body Shop is a brand that I will always use. Whether it be for skincare or toiletries, I really love their products. I'm going to talk about some of their products which I love and enjoy. My favourite cleanser of all time is the Camomile Cleansing Butter. It is the gentlest cleanser I've ever used. It's so simple yet effective. A few months ago, my skin was painfully sore and red. I think that was down to me using inappropriate cleansers for my skin. After using this as my sole cleanser for a month, my skin was better and much happier. I like how after I've massaged it onto my skin, that it rinses off as a milk. It really does a great job at removing the day's grime and my SPF. It's a great cleanser, and for £10, I'm quite happy to buy it again and again. It also doesn't hurt that The Body Shop often have 40% off and sales frequently, so you can often get this for just over half the original price. I've also been trying out a different clea...

I like French Pharmacy brands, and I love it that I'm able to buy them directly from France. Easyparapharmacie is a website that sells French Pharmacy products at French prices and they ship them directly from France. Above are pictures of what I bought. I purchased a double pack of La Roche Posay Hydreane Legere , and the La Roche Posay Toleriane Soothing Protective Cream. I also received a sample of Lierac Blemish Correction Regulation Gel.  I love the La Roche Posay Hydreane Legere , as I mentioned in my posts about my morning routine and my evening routine. I purchased the La Roche Posay Toleriane Soothing Protective Cream as a different moisturiser to try. I tried the Lierac Blemish Correction Regulation Gel the other night and it was actually quite good. I tried it on a blemish on my neck, and it had really reduced a lot by the next morning, so I may purchase it in the future. Thanks for reading!

As I've become more into skincare, I've developed a large stash of skincare products. Now, to avoid waste, I'm not going to throwaway any products I don't like, I'm going to re-purpose them or power through and finish them. The products that I'm not enjoying anymore or dislike are: REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk - Really not enjoying this. I can't wait for it to be finished.  Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel - It's too drying for my skin now, so currently using it as a hand wash.  Soap and Glory Face Soap & Clarity Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash - This is too drying for my face, will use as a hand wash.  The above products are the ones I really want to finish this month. I would also like to finish a few other products this month, but I enjoy the following products, but I just want to try new things: La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF50 - I like this but I have another sunscreen to try.  La Roche Pos...

If there's one group of products that have helped my skin the most, it would have to be the Cicaplast range from La Roche Posay . The products I've tried from this range, have truly helped my skin for the better. The products in this range are: Cicaplast Baume B5 Cicaplast Baume B5 SPF50 Cicaplast Pro Recovery Cicaplast Mains Cicaplast Levres The original  Cicaplast Baume B5 is my favourite product out of this range. This multi purpose balm from La Roche Posay is said, as described by La Roche Posay, to soothe and protect sensitive and irritated skin. This balm contains Panthenol 5% (also known as Vitamin B5) which helps protect skin with it's anti-bacterial properties. I use this on any small healing cuts and scratches on my body, and this really helps them heal quickly and without leaving a scar because I can't pick at them when using this. I apply this onto any cuts and scratches every evening. This is also great for soothing  any irritations. My skin can...

I like to try out new products, but I have to introduce them slowly to try and prevent any major reactions to products. I patch test every new product in the same area, my cheek, chin and nose. My chin and nose are where I experience any breakouts, if I have one. My cheek is where I experience no breakouts, so I test there to see if a new product would cause a breakout in that area, and if it did, the product would be unsuitable for me. I patch test new products for four weeks, to give my skin time to react to the product. I'm currently testing the REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk . Although it's called a cleansing milk, it has much more of a whipped texture, like a cream, more than a milk. I like the pump packaging, it's very efficient. My first impressions of this product were disappointing. I had such high hopes for this product. It sinks in quite quickly once massaged onto the skin, and it comes off easily with a face cloth, but it's just disappointing. ...

Like my morning routine, I don't have too many steps to my evening routine. First, I cleanse with a balm cleanser. I use The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter. I love this. This is one of the best cleansers I've ever used. I like to use a balm cleanser as I find it's the best thing to remove the SPF off my face. I do like to double cleanse on an evening, but I do use this as my sole cleanser on the nights where I'm tired and lazy, it's still removing the SPF and the day's grime off my face. It's so gentle, yet effective. It also emulsifies very easily, which is great. After using a balm cleanser, I follow up with a cleansing milk. This is the same one as I use in my morning routine, it's the Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk.  I like this as a second cleanse as it gives me some added hydration. When I first started taking care of my skin, I used a gel cleanser, but I realised that it was leaving my skin dehydrated. After to switching to more hydrat...

My morning routine is a quick and effective routine for me. I don't do too many steps, just the essential steps; cleanse, moisture, SPF. The first step I do is cleansing. I'm currently using the Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk  as my morning cleanser. I like this cleanser, it's very gentle and cooling on my skin. It rinses off well, which is a good thing, I don't like cleansers that take a lot of work to remove. After cleansing, I moisturise. If I need to, I will use a spritz/mist before moisturising, such as La Roche Posay Serozinc  or Avene Eau Thermale Spray  but most days I don't need to use a spritz/mist. The moisturiser I'm currently using is La Roche Posay Hydreane Legere. I love this. It sinks in quickly and leaves my skin moisturised and ready for the day ahead. I am heartbroken that they have discontinued this in the UK, I'm going to have to get some more whilst I still can. Then before I leave the house, I apply my SPF. I use La Roch...

Hello, and welcome to my blog! Hi, I'm Sophie. I am a skincare addict and I wanted to set up a blog to log my journey with skincare. I became interested with skincare in 2016, but now I am even more interested and I wanted to start a blog, so here I am. I live in the North East of England, hence the title of the blog, and I love it here. I've lived here all of my life, and it is spectacular at times. The weather can be a bit disheartening at times, but it makes up for it in other areas. My skincare goals are: To prevent dehydration - the place where I work and also the weather can cause my skin to become very dehydrated. I have been successfully using products to help combat this, but I'm still learning, and some days my skin can be very dehydrated.  To be consistent - I think consistency is the key for me. I do occasionally try new products, often sample sachets, but this doesn't have an effect on my skin, but I am worried that being inconsistent will cause pr...