teenager

19 December 2020

Sukin Spot Banishing Gel for Blemish Control
(Gifted/Unpaid) 

I have the driest skin but even I'm prone to the occasional pimple and I'm noticing a few more now that masks have become a daily accessory. I find the best way to target spots is with a dedicated product and so I've been using Sukin Spot Banishing Gel.

Before I continue with this review just a little mention to the fact this product contains Limonene and Linalool. The latter allergen (linalool) I avoid but for small pimples I can get away with using this product without causing irritation. As long as I'm free of eczema in the affected area then I'm usually OK. I'm using the gel in small quantities for only a couple of days rather than long term daily applications which also makes a difference.

I've been a fan of Sukin for as long as I can remember. It's affordable and these days easily available online and in high street stores. Sukin Spot Banishing Gel contains active ingredients of willowherb, quince and salicylic acid. This combinations helps soothe skin, control bacteria, limit pore size and prevent shine. This also sounds impressive but does it actually work? My answer is YES and I've been VERY impressed at how quickly my spots seem under control and less painful. The gel has a cooling sensation which I think alleviates any heat, redness or pain associated with a pimple. When applied in the evenings by morning my skin is looking much better. I then let nature take its course and pretty much forget about my spot, I only re-apply if it's a stubborn pimple that needs additional treatment to clear.

If you are prone to oily skin and blemishes you can compliment the Sukin Spot Banishing Gel with their Blemish Control range which includes face wash, toner and moisturiser. These products are available individually or boxed as a 4-step Blemish Control Kit, perfect for gifting.

Sukin Spot Banishing, Blemish Control products and other dedicated skincare ranges are available to purchase through online retailers.

Sarah x

12 May 2015

Natural Skincare for Oily, Combination and Teen Skin
There are many natural & organic skincare ranges that are targeted towards oily, combination and teenage skins. Typically, teen hormones are likely to contribute to oily/combination skin with pimples or acne. The mistake many seem to make with this skin type is to treat it harshly and expose it to ingredients which strip natural oils. If you are trying to manage oily and problem skin, my tips are -

- Avoid products with alcohol, SLS and perfumes
- Cleanse twice a day and remove every trace of makeup. 
- Skincare should not make your skin sting or burn, if it does this is likely to be a sign of irritation. 
- Don’t fall for the marketing hype. You have to be in it for the long haul and maintain your routine, miracles do not happen overnight.

Digging into the archives I did write a post in 2011 in which I mentioned four free from brands aimed at teens - Amie Skincare, Young & Pure, Oy! and Good Things. These brands are still available but let me point you in the direction of some new suggestions.  Whilst my focus today has been teenagers, don't shy away from this list of brands if you are older with problematic skin, there are some suggestions for you as well.

Conscious Skincare - the Neutralize range caters for oil/problem skin as I have experience of testing the Gentle line I am more than happy to recommend this brand.

Lulu & Boo - I have always been a fan of this brand and they have four products in their problem skin/teenage category.

Living Nature’s Natural Being - When I started my “green journey” I was using products from this range and enjoyed them. Manuka honey and manuka oil have healing properties which makes them ideal ingredients for problem skin. 

Odylique - you all know I love this brand so they have to get a mention. The lemon & tea tree purifying wash and Spot On serum are suitable for teens or those with combination, oily or spot-prone skin.

Salcura - I have used and recommend their Derma Spray for Eczema but the Antiac range is targeted to “overcome a flare-ups or persistent moderate/severe acne”

Problem skin is the opposite of my own but I do get readers looking for recommendations so I hope this list has been helpful. 

10 January 2012

Back at the beginning of December, I started following Elizabeth’s Daughter on Twitter. I was contacted and ask if they could send me their Intensive Moisturiser and I accepted the offer. 


I only discovered the company because it popped up on my “Who to Follow” list so I checked out the website. I learnt that their products are 95% natural and free from parabens, SLS and petrochemicals. The concept behind the brand is unique. The idea is that Mothers and Daughters can share the products. 

Elizabeth (the founder) explained to me how the products came about - “I have had acne and rosacea for most of my life. About 6 years ago when my skin was really bad, I couldn't find products that suited my skin, most of the so-called natural products irritated my skin and as I also have a daughter I decided to produce my own range (I have a background in cosmetics and skincare).” The Intensive Moisturiser was developed for sensitive, irritated and dry skin. Elizabeth said that a number of her customers with psoriasis use the product. As someone prone to eczema this is always good to hear. 

There are some familiar ingredients in this cream – Apricot Kernel Oil, Mango Butter, Argan Oil, Coconut. There are others that are new to me – Sacha Inchi Oil, Tahitian Monoi and Kakadu Plum (which apparently is high in Vitamin C, equivalent to 10 Oranges). 

So what do I think? The moisturiser can be used on the face and body which is appealing, definitely helps cut down on an already overcrowded bathroom cabinet. Having a multipurpose cream is also ideal for those who want to save space in their luggage. The first thing that caught my attention is the fragrance, it is lovely and not like anything else I have been using. This is a heavy fragrance that lingers and I can see that it may not be to everyone’s liking. There are days when I wake up and my nose is feeling sensitive, I sneeze at my deodorant or make up, on those days I tend to avoid applying to my face because of the scent. 

Often creams developed for dry skins can be very heavy and take longer for the skin to absorb. I was surprised that this moisturiser has a light texture, sinking into my skin quickly and easily. It leaves skin feeling silky and soft. I have tested on my face and body and I have not had any problems with irritation or dry patches. I have mention before I have super hyper sensitive legs after shaving so this is the place where I put products through their paces. I am pleased to say it did not cause burning or redness. 

The moisturiser comes in a sturdy plastic pump bottle. So far I have not had any major issues with the pump. I find the amount dispensed from one pump is enough for the face and I find one or two pumps is sufficient per arm or leg. 

This really is a lovely cream which I will be recommending to friends and family (as well as you guys!). Definitely check out the website to learn more about the brand and to discover the rest of the range. I note that there is a Starter Set which would be an ideal way to try products. The Elizabeth's Daughter Intensive Moisturiser can be purchase direct from the website.

Let me know in the comment section below your thoughts on my review. Have you hear of or tried Elizabeth's Daughter products?

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR sample, no affiliated links

14 August 2011

Natural Being Manuka Creamy Cleanser

Firstly, I am someone who prefers a cream cleanser that was not always the case but as I get older my skin has changed and it requires some TLC which I think a cream cleanser provides. When I first changed my skin care routine to chemical free products I started out with now very famous and award winning Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish. It is an amazing product but over the years the cost has slowly increased and I have sort out cheaper alternatives. For some time I was using Akin Rose & Geranium Creamy Cleanser which I highly recommend but then I was made redundant and I had to consider my budget again. In 2009 (I checked my order history!) I switched to Natural Being Manuka Creamy Cleanser. I was attracted by the price point of £4.99 for 100ml.


The brand is from New Zealand and is free from certain undesirable ingredients. It contains manuka honey which is known for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. If you currently use products containing Tea Tree I would recommend switching to Manuka. The healing properties are stronger in Manuka and it is not as harsh on the skin as Tea Tree. 

This is a light cream cleanser which I apply to damp skin and remove with a muslin cloth. After cleansing my skin feels refreshed but never dehydrated, it removes my foundation with ease and it never irritates my sensitive skin. It does not have a strong fragrance in fact to my senses it smells of very little. However, there seems to be a love it or hate it reaction to the fragrance if you read the reviews at My Pure website. Overall, I can not be without this product it ticks all the boxes for me. For the first time since 2009 I have been trying other cleansers as I want to expand my blog but honestly after a few days I find myself switching back to this one. 

There are other products in the range to compliment the cleanser and the range caters to various skin types, for example, there is a foaming wash for oiler skin types. I have tried the Rich Day Moisturiser it is a lovely product. Personally I found during the winter months my skin was to dry and it was not quite up to the job but don't let that put you off trying it for yourself.

The Natural Being website will be useful for my followers in USA & Canada. For those of you in the UK I have only known it to be stocked at MyPure and I did find it at Calendula in Southwold. 

Sarah x

Ingredients: Aqua (water), Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Macadamia ternifolia (macadamia) seed oil, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Glucose, Sclerotium gum, Decyl glucoside, Mel (manuka honey), Potassium sorbate, Parfum (fragrance)*, Glucose oxidase, Lactoperoxidase, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) oil, Geraniol*, Limonene*, Linalool*. (* From natural essential oils)

13 June 2011


It has been such a crazy day at work so apologies for the short and sweet review. I recently started using Alva Rhassoul Pimple Stick after switching from the Liz Earle equivalent. Firstly, let me explain that Alva is a natural skincare and make up brand. Alva products are free from petroleum derivatives, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, PEGs, EDTA, phenoxyethanol, lanolin, silk and carmine. The cosmetic range is not tested on animals and PETA approved.

This pimple stick is a great little product and costs £6.70 for 5ml. The key ingredients are lavender, tea tree and manuka oil. I only suffer from occasional spots once a month but I often get red scars which can take weeks to disappear. I apply the product to a pimple morning and night after cleansing but you can apply as often as you like. This does not dry out your skin instead the ingredients work their magic on the bacteria causing the pimple. I also find it very helpful to reduce the redness caused from pimples. The product size makes it perfect for pockets or handbags. It is also suitable to use on insect bits so would make a great addition to your holiday first aid kit.

Has anyone else heard of or tried Alva products?

23 May 2011

Free From Skincare for Teen Skin
I thought I would blog about Free From products for teenage and younger skins. By this I mean some ingredients which may concern people (e.g parabens) have been removed. This is about affordability and choosing to avoid traditional acne and blemish brands such as Clearasil. My teenage years are long gone, so my skin has different needs. I have carried out some research and there are a lot of choice for teenagers when it comes to skincare formulated with plant based ingredients. Here is a list of brands which I suggest you may want to have a closer look at. The products listed below caught my eye and look very appealing.

Amie Skincare - affordable and available direct from their website or on the high street at Superdrug and Boots.  The range includes eye makeup remover, facial wash, 2 in 1 cleanser & toner, moisturiser, exfoliating polish and a clay mask.

Young & Pure -  affordable with prices similar to Aime.  You can buy direct from website or from MyPure.  This brand carries a larger product range than Amie, it includes Face care, Bath & Body, Haircare and Spot Treatment.

Oy! - a teen product range from Green People. Affordable and available from a number of good websites. 

Good Things - this is another affordable range which I have seen at Boots.  Products include cleanser, day moisturiser, exfoliator, cleansing wipes, eye cream & night cream.  Also there is an anti-blemish line which includes a cleanser, mask, spot gel and moisturiser.

Sarah x

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