Sarah Chapman Overnight Exfoliating Booster and Overnight Facial

Whilst I don't profess to have any qualifications in talking about skincare products I do take a very keen interest in what I put on my skin-especially since my skin went all kinds of loopy after my cancer surgery last year.  I talked about my new delightful hormonal adult acne a couple of months ago but I seem to have hit on a combination that is working for me in keeping my skin calm, clear and happy.  I dread publicly saying that my skin is fine because it always seems to bite me on the arse and the next day my skin breaks out horrendously!  But right now as I type this, my skin is the best it has been in ages.  There will be a few more skincare raves coming your way soon.

I'm talking about two Sarah Chapman products today-both of which I bought from Space NK.  I initially bought the Overnight Facial oil but then after I saw the reviews of the Overnight Exfoliating Booster on Space NK I was intrigued enough to buy it.

So if you're new here I am 35 and my skin type is oily/combination, I live in air con and humidity (Dubai), my jawline and chin are now prone to breakouts but generally I don't get spots elsewhere.  My skin cannot tolerate cocoa butter and I am wary of lavender oil.  It also doesn't like me eating yoghurt but is fine with any other dairy.  It likes Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, loves Retinol and can tolerate small amounts of Lactic and Glycolic acid.  I have lots of little acne scars too but they cover easily with make up.  My skin is also very used to AHA and BHA's so I rarely get the 'tingle' you get if you're a new user.

I'm giving you this 'skin background' because these products aren't cheap and I personally would want to read a detailed and honest review before I spent my hard earned cash on something so pricey.

Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial

This is a 'much raved about by bloggers' facial oil and whilst when I used it first I liked it I wouldn't say I loved it.  It's an oil which I totally embrace even though I have oily skin-I saw wonders in my skin when I used the Clarins Lotus Facial Oil.  (Caroline Hirons also talks about oil on oily skin here) 

Some of the claims:

"The essence of a Skinesis facial in a bottle, this famed multi-award winning power potion combines concentrated cosmeceutical actives and exotic essential oils to leave skin plump, dewy and rejuvenated.

This silky elixir firms, boosts collagen production, enhances radiance and prolongs cell life while you sleep. This sophisticated serum-oil has an easily absorbed silky cashmere texture which leaves skin soft, smooth and plump by morning.

A potent cocktail of antioxidants, vitamins, Renovage™, omega oils, Dermaxyl™ peptide and flower extracts combine with Skinesis’ skin brightening complex to firm and revitalize the skin. Added Abyssinian, Meadowfoam seed oil and hemp seed oil are all rich in anti-inflammatory omegas and essential fatty acids to help calm stressed skin. Cocoon yourself with the much loved exotic infusion of Overnight Facial’s soothing essential oil blend of jasmine, frangipani, rose and tuberose. Slip into a deep sleep every night while this delicious serum delivers a signature Skinesis post facial glow.

RESULTS:
- Repairs and neutralises daily environmental damage
- Lifts, firms and plumps
- Boosts collagen production
- Smoothes lines and uneven texture
- Rejuvenates the skin leaving it radiant, brighter and with a more even skin tone
- Refines the look of the skin
- Calms stressed, irritated skin

HIGH PERFORMANCE ACTIVES:
Vitamin A, VCIP Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Lipobrite®HCA-4, Coenzyme Q10, Renovage™, Dermaxyl™ Oligopeptide, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Abyssinian Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Melon Oil, Baobab Oil, Jojoba, Jasmine, Rose "

When I was using just the oil in the final step of my evening skincare routine (after double toning) I would agree that my skin was looking calmer and less irritated, it didn't make me break out despite the high levels of essential oils (some people are sensitive to them, some aren't) and that my skin looked plumper and glowing in the morning.  I am reliably informed this smells amazing but as someone who suffers with Anosmia I can't detect any scent at all.  Also, in case you're not aware, Vitamin A is a Retinol which my skin likes a lot, especially when it starts breaking out and really seems to help.

So I thought it was a nice facial oil but nothing outstanding.

Then I bought the Overnight Exfoliating Booster.....

When I read the outer packaging it actually recommends using this before the Overnight Facial so I thought 'right I will use this immediately'.  From day one my skin looked better.  And better and better using this combo.

Again, first the claims:

A night time detoxifying exfoliant serum which targets blocked pores, uneven skin tone, blemishes and wrinkles, without the need for stressing the skin with physical scrubbing.

This booster resurfaces and supercharges your night time skin care routine. Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Exfoliating Booster contains a potent cocktail of non-abrasive skin resurfacers that gently exfoliate the skin whilst you sleep to accelerate natural skin renewal and address uneven skin tone.

This serum helps to prevent clogged pores, eliminates dead surface cells and limits pore distortion and blemishes, resulting in smoother, more radiant skin.

Inspired by Sarah Chapman’s specialist resurfacing clinic treatments, the booster is non-glycolic and incredibly brightening with ingredients to keep pores clean and skin decongested.

RESULTS:
- Skin appears clearer.
- Pores are decongested and appear tighter and smaller.
- Skin looks more radiant.
- Wrinkles are minimised and skin looks smoother.
- Skin texture is smoother.

HIGH PERFORMANCE ACTIVES:
Lactic Acid, Willow Bark, Retinol, Exfolactive EL®, P Refinyl®, Glycorepair®.

What attracted me personally to this serum is that it was exfoliating but it was non-glycolic.  Don't get me wrong I still love a bit of Glycolic acid in my routine (and I am currently using the Elemis TriEnzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash AND the Pixi Glow tonic (both reviewed previously here) but I think at the moment my skin responds better to BHA's like Salicylic and Lactic Acid and the main ingredient of this serum is Lactic Acid.

Firstly, I dislike the way the product dispenses-it comes with a pipette but the serum is quite thick and the pipette doesn't seem to pick up enough product which is annoying.  I use between 1/3rd and 1/2 a pipette's worth after my double tone and then follow up with the Overnight Facial Oil.

The first thing I noticed is this is a very 'dry' serum and it sinks into my skin immediately leaving no residue.  I only wait about a minute before applying oil on top.  When I wake up the next day my skin just looks so clear and healthy-it really seems to stop any spots in the tracks and I have noticed a marked difference in my old acne red scars-especially on my chin.  My pores around the bottom of my nose also look smaller.

I get no tingling at all with this product and I do think it is more on the gentle side and even though the recommended use is 2-3 times a week I find myself using it almost every day,   My skin is clearer and smoother and I love love it.

So final verdict (and I know this was a long one so thanks for sticking with me)-I adore the Overnight Exfoliating Booster and I like the Overnight Facial.  I feel like the Overnight Exfoliating Booster made an immediate, positive, visible difference to my skin which made me more confident because my skin was better.

I've noticed on the Sarah Chapman website that you can also mix the Overnight Exfoliating Booster with masks and moisturisers for an extra boost.

The Overnight Facial retails at £48 for 15ml (although you can buy a 5ml tester size from the Sarab Chapman website) and the Overnight Exfoliating Booster is £58 for 30ml (and again a smaller tester 5ml size can be bought from the website)

You can also read my thoughts on the Sarah Chapman Rapid Radiance Cleanse here.

Have you tried anything from Sarah Chapman?  Thoughts?

The miracle facial oil?

Caroline Hirons is no stranger to any beauty blogger-her no nonsense skincare advice has certainly made me 100 times more clued up on what I am using on my face.  I literally couldn't stalk the lady any more-I follow her blog on GFC and Bloglovin, her twitter, her instagram and have signed up for email updates when she posts a new post on her blog.

This post popped into my inbox last Tuesday morning about two balance Me products.  She had captioned the post 'balance Me cleanse and smooth face balm (and radiance face oil-secret spot weapon).  Immediate interest from me.  Now to be honest, I have recently suffered from very few spots but that very day I had a spot brewing nicely.  I have been wanting to add an oil to my night time routine and something about the picture she posted of the oil rang a little bell in the back of my mind.  I had that oil!  I didn't buy this oil so I can only conclude this small rollerball version came with my Latest in Beauty advent calender and I've had it for 7 months without realising its magical properties.

Admittedly I knew nothing about the brand balance Me, but its a 7 year old company founded by British sisters Clare and Rebecca Hopkins.  They started making products in their kitchen before being spotted by a leading high street retailer.  balance Me prides itself in 'natural, high performance, paraben and sulphate free aromatherapy skincare products, all produced in the UK'.

 

The radiance facial oil contains a blend of Amazonian buriti nut oil, Roman chamomile, yarrow and benzoin.  Admittedly I have NO idea what those ingredients do.  The balance Me website probably explains it better....

Our 100% natural powerfully active face oil feeds skin lacking in lustre with a rich, replenishing blend of skin- boosting and smoothing ingredients. Don’t be afraid to use if your skin is prone to congestion as oil on oil is extremely balancing, hydrating and comfortable to wear. Oil is a great way to combat congested skin, our radiance oil is packed with conditioning and softening Amazonian buruti, moringa and camellia oils that work together with soothing Roman chamomile, yarrow and benzoin to enhance the radiance of skin of all ages and types.
Slip it on morning and night, either before your moisturiser as an additional layer of protection or alone as an intense skin-boosting treat. Warm two drops of oil first in clean palms and then massage across the face, neck and décolletage using gentle circular movements to help clear toxins, enhance circulation, boost cell renewal and to give your skin back the radiance it deserves.

balance Me list the full ingrediants on their website (big thumbs up!!)

Caroline puts it more succinctly....

If you are someone who suffers from spots/breakouts/acne and slaps on toothpaste (loads gun) or nappy cream (fires gun) - use the above instead. This little rollerball is on my bedside and in my MU bag. Any sign of a zit and it gets rolled to death. Continuous use of an oil like this one is much better for your skin and your spots - and helps prevent scarring - in essence if you use this it will either:

• bring the spot to a head without scarring - OR
• make it completely disperse before it comes to a head
• Also helps heal scarring old and new (remember scars can only be helped without machinery intervention if they are still red/pink, showing blood circulation - this will not fix the scar on your knee that you did when you were 6)

That's what basically sold it to me!  As they say, the proof is in the pudding so I dug out the little rollerball that had been lying innocently in my skincare stash and rollerballed that brewing spot to death a la Caroline.  And guess what, it had only bloody disappeared in the morning! Shut the front door!!!

I've been using the oil every night since-rollerballing any spots to death and pressing the oil into my skin with my palms on the rest of my face.

Another great addition to my routine!

What else would you recommend from the balance Me range?  I don't think I can buy it in Dubai but I have visitors soon from the UK!