Review| E45 Dry Scalp Shampoo

You all know about my current dry skin problems lately (which are slowly being fixed) but my scalp, which usually doesn’t have that many problems started to become flaky as well. It was not really itchy, just horrible horrible dry skin. I just had to rub my scalp a bit and the dandruff was already falling out. I do occasionally get eczema on my scalp but usually just a small amount – never really dry, dandruff-y scalp. My main concern was that it was gathering around my hair line where most attention is drawn to, which just leads to embrassment. I wanted to try and find a shampoo that would help me get rid of this problem.

So I’ve been trying out different shampoos lately. The E45 Dry Scalp Shampoo has been in my daily routine for about a month now so I thought it was about time I reviewed it for you.

It cost £5.49 in Boots which is cheaper than some of the shampoos I’ve used, claiming to help dry skin, who are also generally on the more expensive side of things.

E45, “the dry skin experts”, have developed a shampoo especially formulated with a ‘unique combination of ingredients to provide effective relief and gentle cleansing for dry, itchy, flaky scalps while protecting your hair to give it life, body and shine.’

The E45 Dry Scalp is ‘suitable for use on all hair types’ but obviously I wanted it for its claims to be suitable for use on more serious very dry, itchy skin and scalp conditions. The bottle says that it is clinically tested, perfume free and hypoallergenic – all good things if you have extra sensitive skin.

I really like this shampoo as it is really gentle on the scalp and hair and leaves hair nice and clean and shiny. Really like how it doesn’t have many ingredients in it either, which is refreshing because a lot of the other shampoo’s I’ve used that also claim to help dry scalps have double the ingredients and don’t seem to do anything.

This one did though! The dry patches of skin around my hair line were gone and my scalp was clear after a few washes. The smell is not the best however, just smells of soap to be honest with you. I’m used to fragrant smelling shampoos or at least a strong scent. This is a very gentle, non-smelling product really, very simple but it fixed the problem, I was very impressed with the results.

My only down side to this product is that my hair seems to have become quite flat. My hair has grown quite long now and really needs a cut but my other shampoos brings some life to my hair and although they don’t help with the dry scalp – this all contributes to feeling good about ourselves. So I am still going to continue with my search of a shampoo but will continue to use this to help control my scalp.

So, if you do have eczema, dry scalp or dandruff (from dry scalp), do try this shampoo!

Have you tried any this shampoo or any other thats helped with your dry scalp?

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Review| Dr Organics

Dr. Organic as the name might suggest sell organic products, which are paraben, SLS, artificial colour and fragrance free, also vegan and vegetarian. The have a number of lines including Organic Moroccan Argan Oil, Organic Manuka Honey and Organic Pomegranate among many others. As well as selling a variety of face products the brand also sells hair and body products. And the best bit – not that pricey! These 50ml jars of face cream sells for £8.49* complete in a rather expensive looking glass jar – which I love.

I came across this brand while reading a fellow blogger’s website and thought why not give it a try.

Manuka Honey Rescue Day Cream

The Dr. Organics website says this about the Manuka Honey range:
“Manuka Honey’s wonderful properties make it a powerful and effective ingredient in skincare products. As a moisturiser it restores and hydrates dry, cracked and damaged skin enhancing natural cell regeneration and improving skin tone, creating younger and softer looking skin. Manuka Honey also nourishes and revitalises the scalp and helps in maintaining healthy looking hair.”

This is a great product. This really has worked wonders for my skin, really hydrates it and leaves it so soft. You only have to use a tiny bit at a time, the first time I used it I put on far to much and ended up with really greasy skin. Being an emollient cream I find that you just need a tiny dab a little on your cheeks, chin and forhead then rub it in and after a while it sets in – a little goes a long way. So I would say that you definitely get your moneys worth. I would only reccomend this product to people with really dry skin, and even then, use it sparingly, not suitable for people with combination skin.

There were some claims when I read online about this product that it would help get rid of redness, and although it has got rid of my dry skin I still have a patch of red skin on my cupids bow. However my skin looks brighter, clear and healthy, which in my book is all fantastic I haven’t had that for a while.

Virgin Coconut Oil Nourishing Night Cream

The Dr. Organics website says this about the Organic Coconut Virgin Oil range:
“A moisture surge overnight rescue with Organic Virgin Oil. It improves firmness and tone and protects against cell damaging free radicals. It is ideal for a deep penetrating overnight hydration. Leaving the skin more supple with a youthful appearance, stimulating the contraction of collagen fibres and protects the skin support tissue.”

I wake up with a lovely complexion every morning when I use this. I was thoroughly impressed with this cream, it’s thick in the jar, making it feel luxurious and rich – it is however not as thick and the manuka honey rescue cream. But melts perfectly into the skin to give a coverage that isn’t to heavy. The jar says this is also anti-aging, but that’s something very hard to test not having many wrinkles myself.

I’ve found both of these creams really effective for my skin, I have however gotten some blemishes while using these creams but nothing major, I feel that the look and texture of my new found skin out weights this problem. I would say if you have seriously dehydrated and dry skin on your face and neck the Manuka Honey cream will be perfect for you, I only had slight dryness and this has done more than enough – although the smell isn’t my favourite thing, I think it’s a Love/Hate smell but its not big deal.

However both of these creams are on the thicker side and with summer coming I would love to try out another of their creams that is slightly lighter but that still gives great effects.

I brought these creams from my local Holland and Barratt store but you can also purchase them online (click here).

Have you tried out any of the Dr. Organics products? Let me know how you found them.

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Tried & Tested| Body Moisturisers

Another tried and tested post, here are a number of moisturisers I have in my collection. I’ve reviewed each of them in a short but sweet way. I hope you enjoy…

Diprobase Cream Emollient:

Currently this is my daily moisturiser. On a prescription from the doctor this is an emollient cream meant to help treat eczema and other dry skin conditions. It helps to moisturise and protect the skin as well as soothing and relieving dry and redness causes my skin conditions. I use everyday after having a shower of bath. I find moisturisers work better when the skin is wet because it soaks in more, in my experience; I do something find when putting moisturisers on dry skin it can make me feel dirty and the skin feel especially heavy but this can go on dry skin without irritation to the skin, and soaks in just as well as having a shower.

Aloe Vera Gel: Olea

I’d never used a gel before but when my parents were holidaying in Greece they brought this back for me by someone who recommended it the shop. Its an all natural product and came with a pamphlet that explained all about the brand. I really enjoyed using this, it hydrated my skin, helped soothe my red itchy skin and left my skin the softest its ever been. This was only a small tube – my parents didn’t know if I would react to it or not, so small is always a good to go for if its a new product – I’ve repurchased another brand of the same product, also natural and I’m seeing the same effects on my skin. Currently I put this on as I get out of the shower/bath do my face moisturising/cleansing etc and then put on my diprobase cream. My skin has never felt so good. Great Combo!!
(My new gel was from Dr. Organic which can be brought online or at Holland and Barrett and was about £5 something)

Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days

When this first came out I went online to get a sample before they all ran out and it really hydrated my skin. However personally this is better for my body and legs, where my skin is less sensitive and dry. It leaves your skin hydrated and soft. On my arms and neck where I have the bulk of my eczema and dry skin it wasn’t enough. But is is a great light moisturiser for the summer.
(This can be purchased at any local drug store for around £1.99)
Cyclax Moistura, Super Rich Moisturising Lotion

This cream was given to my by my Gran who also suffers from an itchy skin condition. I found the smell of this to be quite overpowering, its a very ‘perfumed’ fragranced cream, but it hydrates well. But like the Garnier cream this was better for my body and legs rather than my arms. It has a light smooth textures and would be great for people who just needed a little hydration in the winter months.
(This retails about £4.99 I haven’t seen it in any drug stores but it can be found online.)

Clarins Body Rich Moisturising Body Lotion

LOVE THIS LOTION! Great hydration, I love all Clarins products. I found when I first started using this it helped clear my skin, hydrated and soothed my skin and had a great scent. Its not a majorly thick cream, but in the middle of light and thick, going on very smoothy. But it is on the expensive side (£24-30) and hate over spending when I have so many other products to use up but I definitely think I will be repurchasing this product.

I Love… Raspberry & Blackberry

Another product given to me by my boyfriend. He’s always getting me things to help with my eczema, he hates watching me itch etc. it is horrible. But anyways this has a great scent – you smell like a dessert which is excellent ha ha and it is a good moisturiser, I really liked it. I found it to be a strange texture however, it almost has a jelly look to it but its creamy at the same time – its quite hard to explain but it doesn’t really matter. (This retails around £2-3)

Coconut Body Butter: The Body Shop

This is one of my all time favourites. I’ve always had a pot of this in my draw, I have tried other body butters, but I aways return to body shop. Its application is good, not sticky and I dont have to spend loads of time rubbing it in. The results are instant with my skin displaying immediate softness and rehydration. It brings the smell of Summer to the cold of Winter especially during the winter months when my skin is suffering from the cold and I use this more and more.
(Depending what size you want this can be brought from £5 – £13 – but the body shop always has offers on).

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Eczema Kit Product #2

Ok so a while ago I wrote a post about one of products in my eczema fighting kit lol (click here), but having not added to it since I thought it was about time I did.

Product number two is usually a product that is constantly changing – usually because after some time my skin reactions to medicated products. Its to help with with patches of eczema that flare up. Currently this product is Hydrocortisone. Its a mild topical corticosteroid (also referred to as a topical steroid). Hydrocortisone relieves the symptoms of a flare-up by reducing inflammation, itching and redness. I have to tell you that it is not a cure for eczema, but it will help to relieve some of the symptoms.

This is a product that can be bought over the counter at pharmacies, without a prescription but I usually do, because the tube you get on prescription is larger. You’re meant to only use this for 7 days, but I’ve been using this for years now. NOT EVERYDAY HOWEVER!!

I did find after a long period of time that the side effects started to show (thinning skin or discolouration;). When summer came round and I started to tan (which is ever so slightly) patches of white skin where I had been applying the product stayed white. This scared me off it and I didn’t use it for a year worried about what is was doing to my skin – I tried using alternatives such as sudocream but it didn’t work as well and my skin suffered.

However when my skin got extremely bad I decided to go back to the cream because it was the only thing that helped with the inflammation, redness and generally helped clear up my skin. I now however only use this when I have a bad flare up. I no longer use it to help clear up any patches.

I don’t want to scare anyone off using this, because it has done wonders for my skin and is in my eczema kit. But at the time I was young and just wanted to get rid of all these horrid eczema patches over my arms and so used it more than I should have. But all in moderation it is a great product.

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Review| Pai Skincare Trial Pack

I wrote a post a little while ago about purchasing the Pai Skincare organic sample set (Click here to read post)- I thought it would be a good idea to review the samples for you to see how I got on.

Pai Skincare is a British made certified organic range, free from parabens and petrochemicals and a whole bunch of other unfriendly skin chemicals. The set is of course aimed at providing a taster to potential new clients, at a very reasonable £5.00.

It comes beautifully packaged in a little card box, with a pull out drawer to hold all your pots, this will slip neatly into an overnight bag. I thought these would be perfect for travelling, weekends & overnight stays etc especially if you were buying the products again.

The set contains 6 very sweet little pots of the following, plus a muslin cloth:

• Camellia & Rose x 5ml
  gentle hydrating cleanser
• Macadamia & Rose x 5ml
  dry skin cream
• Avocado & Jojoba x 4ml
  

  Pai Skincare Samples

  hydrating day cream

• Kukui & Jojoba Bead x 5ml
  skin brightening exfoliator
• Chamomile & Rosehip x 5ml
  sensitive skin cream
• Geranium & Thistle x 5ml
  combination skin cream

The smells of the products were all very nice, but from past experiences I was worried the strong scent would be a trigger for my eczema, but they weren’t.

The set is moisturiser heavy, but it’s a excellent way to try out all their lovely moisturisers, so you can be sure which one is right for you and although 5ml sounds a small amount there is plenty there for a good 3 or 4 days use. I of course having dry and sensitive skin I opted to just use the moisturisers for my skin type and gave the other 2 to my mum.

I really enjoyed using both the Avocado & Jojoba day cream and the Macadamia & Rose samples. The smells were incredible and I felt they really moisturised my face. My skin felt smooth and hydrated afterwards, however they didn’t hydrate well enough for me currently as I still had dry patches in places, where my skin is very dehydrated. But the creams worked well and I enjoyed them immensely.

Personally I’ve found the exfoliator and the cleanser has enough for 1-2 uses. I can’t say a bad thing about the cleanser I loved it so much I brought the 100ml bottle online – the smell again was A-MA-ZING! The texture of the product, out of the sample, was rather thick but you didn’t need to much of the product honestly. I rubbed it over my face and neck and then gentle exfoliated it into the skin in circular motions with the FREE muslin cloth, that came with it. I could feel it hydrating and moisturising my skin there and then – so soft. Another good product was the muslin cloth I’ve used it everyday since I received the sample set.

The brightening exfoliator was nice, strong scent and the texture was very fine, you could barely feel them until you started using it on your face. First time I used this my skin reacted a little and I was apprehensive about using it a second time – but my skin was already a little sensitive so thats probably why. But I noticed my skin was brighter and clearer after one use and the second time I noticed the same, I was even complimented on how great my complexion looked! Big positive!

I will definitely be purchasing and trying other Pai Skincare products in the future. I enjoyed using them and love the philosophy behind their brand.

Have you used any Pai Skincare products? Which do you own and recommend? 

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Eczema Kit Product #1

Now I’ve mentioned this product in my 1st Haul post previously but since I’ve been using it for a while now, it has slowly become a staple in my daily ‘help my eczema routine’ kit lol.

This is just one of my current products which I think will remain – it is the Dermol 200 emollient shower cream.

My doctor recommended this to me when I went to see him about my skin and I have to say I don’t know why I hadn’t used it before. You can get this on prescription but it can be cheaper if you buy it – if you google it there are many stores that do sell it (unfortunately Boots isn’t one of them). It can also be brought in a bath version, I just shower more so this one made more sense to me. But the basic premise of this product is that its a moisturising cream you put on in the shower!

Now this is a total multi-tool product, it is suppose to be used instead of a shower gel, but I’ve used it as a shower gel, a face wash, a moisturising mask, a cleanser after my make-up is off AND a moisturiser – that’s a lot of uses!

Now when I say I’ve used it as a moisturiser I mean just that, it can be used for both in the shower and after. Which I have found beneficial lately with my skin being so dry, like most of you.

It is an emollient, which is in a lot of eczema products from the doctors – for example it is in my diprobase cream, it is suppose to be super hydrating to help with dry skin and people with eczema or dermatitis.

Now I will say the standard ‘what works for me may not work for you’ line but for me this has been a perfect base for the rest of my products.

It even has a clever lid that when you take it off can be transferred to the top of the product so it hangs in the shower just like a normal shower gel. It has a squeezy dispenser so that none of the formula falls out (it looks a bit scary in this picture – right).

Thanks

Laura x

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Review| Avéne Soothing Moisture Mask

This mask is based on the famous Avéne thermal water, which is known for its benefits on sensitive skin. It is a multi-purpose mask, that works in every season and situation. It’s a rich, non-setting mask that is supposed to provide intensive moisturising and soothing care to dehydrated, overstressed skin.

Benefits include:

• Rich, creamy, non-setting mask soothes over stressed skin.
• Replenishes moisture to dehydrated skin and helps restore skin’s barrier.
• Deeply penetrates skin to restore suppleness as it minimizes redness.
• Pleasant fragrance tolerated by sensitive skin.
• Preservative-free.
• Contains Avene Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin.
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

It should be applied generously in a thick layer to dry face and neck. Then, allow to absorb for about 15 minutes before you gently tissue off any excess.

As you all know I have sensitive skin and suffer from eczema and I will say I have only used this twice, but whatever is in here leaves my skin looking plump and radiant. It hydrates my skin quickly – when I was trying to take a picture of me wearing it, the thickness of layer I had put on had gone – my skin was very dry and dehydrated. After using, the skin feels smooth and bright! The mask is gentle and non-greasy.

I put it on for a little longer than the time it recommends, I wanted the product to be completely absorbed into my skin. My face and neck have been really rehydrated the last couple days and it really needed the moisture. But you do need to wipe off the excess or you will look shiney – its not greasy just you’ll look a bit shiney.

I have found it to be really calming and a super moisturising mask. Perfect for dry sensitive skin. When my skin was hot, the coolness of the mask helped ease and relieve my skin.

The texture was not what I was expecting, I thought it would be more like a clay mask consistency but it was it was like a thick cream, and it went on like one.

This is not something I would recommend to use I use every day. But I enjoyed using it and the results have been very positive. Will definitely repurchase this treatment mask.

I brought the Eau Thermale Avéne Soothing Moisture Mask in Boots for £11.50.

Have you tried this mask from Avéne? I’d love to hear your opinion. Any tips about other good soothing and moisturising masks?

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Product I Couldn’t Live Without!!

Ok now this may sound like a bit of a drastic statement – A product I couldn’t live without – but its so true.

I brought myself the Aqua Eye Mask from The Body Shop about three years ago and it’s such a multi tool.

Aqua Eye Mask (£6.00)

When my eczema has a serious reaction – for example I’m having one now, that’s what inspired this post – I go to the fridge and get it out and place it on my skin. The reaction gets worst because of scratching, which makes the skin hot, so by putting something cool on it, the ‘attack’ slowly reduces and dissipates. And it just soothes the skin.

I’m NOT recommending putting something from the fridge on your skin, you’ll give yourself a burn – placing something that cold on something too hot – bad mix! But I’ve found this works for me, I can use it for puffy eyes, or when my eczema comes up or just to relax ha ha.

For a product that was only £6.00 why wouldn’t you buy it? I mean you can get the same effect from jars in the fridge but I think this is just so good. You can use the straps – that are meant to go around your head – to go around your neck, or where ever you’ve come up and tie it and it will stay there. It even stays cool when you leave it out of the fridge.

What’s your “Can’t live without Product” ?

Laura x

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Tried & Tested: Hand Creams

After a comment on my Eczema Fact Sheet by ShannonEczema about what hand creams I would recommend, I thought I would just do a blog post about the Hand Creams I have, what I think of them.

Johnson’s Body Care:  24hr Moisture Hand Cream (£2.09)

Goes on nicely. Hands feel smooth and soft as you’re rubbing it in. It smells like baby powder, which is a lovely sweet/fresh scent. The cream feels very thick at first but when you rub it in it doesn’t feel heavy on your hands, nor does it feel greasy My hands feel soft afterwards and the lovely scent isn’t too strong but it does linger which I like. However its not moisturising enough for my hands,even though its meant to be 24hr moisture, my skin just soaks it all up too quickly and within five minutes skin feels dry again.  Would need to be constantly moisturising my hands. I use this product when I’m doing myself an manicure and I want the hand cream to sink in fast so I can do other things. I don’t find this to be a great product for people with super dry hands, but for regular use for people with normal skin, this is perfect.

No 7 Younger Longer: Time Resisting Hand Cream (Unknown)

I did not buy this product, it was apart of a free make-up bag when you brought No. 7 products so its size is quite small. I don’t think No. 7 even make this any more but I’ve seen it selling on ebay/amazon etc and other online sites.This had a thicker constancy to that of the Johnson’s however using it I felt it left my skin looking shiney because of it being a little greasy. But the smell is nice, I also like the fact that it contains SPF 15, we all know to wear sun protection on our faces but we all forget our hands. But I wouldn’t say this is a must have product for dry hands, other brands could put SPF in their products too. And the fact that I can’t find it on their website anymore must mean others thought the same – good thing I only have a small sample size ha ha.

Vitamin E: Hand and Nail Treatment (£8.00)

Really lovely hand cream and easily absorbed with a light and refreshing scent – great if you don’t want anything too perfumed. It does seem to strengthen nails with regular use. If you squeeze out too much, keep rubbing it in and it’ll get soaked up rather than leaving you unable to pick anything up for the next half an hour or you having to wipe off the excess. Even after washing your hands you can still smell it, it seems to really soak into the skin straight away without feeling heavy or greasy. Some creams I have found aggravated my exzema – but not this one.  This handcream does an excellent job – absorbs very well and is quite soothing on troubled skin. This is an item I carry around in my handbag. I recommend this product!

The Body Shop: Hemp Hand Protector (£10.00)

My hands suffer in the winter months and this Hemp cream is brilliant for them. I put it on last thing at night with my a pair of moisturising gloves and it really restores the moisture into my very dry and often chapped hands. It went on smoothly and didn’t seem to irritate my skin but it wasn’t until the next day that I noticed what a difference it had made! My skin was far less dry and cracked and my hands felt better. It smells lovely (but if you don’t like the smell of Hemp I would recommend NOT buying this product, the scent can be quite strong) and works instantly, leaving the backs of my hands lovely and soft, although it leaves my palms feeling quite greasy. This is the only downside to this hand cream. This is why I use it as a night hand cream.

Clarins: Hands and Nail Treatment Cream (£20.00)

I love this hand cream! This hand cream absorbs really fast,  it is perfect for giving your hands a surge of moisture making them soft, supple and silky smooth. The texture is rich and the immediate delicate Clarin’s scent hits you straight out of the tube  – very clean and refreshing. The tube is somewhat unpractical though with a lid that needs to be completely taken off. It doesn’t leave a greasy feel, which means you can get on with your life after using it. I often neglect my nails but the cream helped take care of my nails effortlessly. While using this cream, I noticed that my nails were much stronger. Usually my nails break as soon as they grow but after a couple weeks I noticed that my nails were not as brittle. The BIG downside to this product is the price… I got this product in a travel kit that was on sale, which had 5 big products and came with 3 free samples for the price it would cost to buy 2 hand creams – RIDICULOUS! But I do urge you to try this – maybe wait for a sale on or something 😦

What hand creams do you recommend?

Laura x

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram

Hydrating Toner for Dry Skin!

Just wanted to share this toner from The Body Shop that I find really helpful with my dry skin.

I find a lot of toners to be really drying on my skin due to the alcohol in them, which apparently also harms the collagen in your face too (bit worrying!).

However the Vitamin E Hydrating Toner does just that, it hydrates; it clears the pores, but moisturises at the same time. It removes traces of cleanser, dirt and make-up without drying the skin, leaving it feeling soft, supple and refreshed. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and moisturised.

When I first tired this out I knew right away that is was different than anything else I had tried before. Most toners are very watery in texture but this one was thick but still a liquid – if that makes any sense – it’s a really weird texture. The Body Shop recommends to ‘saturate a cotton wool pad and sweep across a cleansed face and neck’ however I find that if you instead pat the toner onto you skin you can restore and retain that vital moisture that your dry skin needs.

The whole Vitamin E range is amazing and I love every product, but just thought this toner is a good thing to suggest to anyone with dry skin because it’s something I use, and is my go to product to buy over and over.

Twitter  | Bloglovin | Instagram