CeraVe Overview - Coming to the UK!

Finally, CeraVe have announced that they are launching in the UK and will be available at Boots as of 5th March! I for one am extremely happy with this news as I have been loving the brand for around a year, so thought I would share my views to help anyone who hasn't experienced the amazingness that is CeraVe! For those of you who are not aware of them, they are a huge American skincare line which has been developed by dermatologists and focuses on ceramides in particular. They are widely available in pharmacies such as Walmart and Target and come with a very affordable price tag. In my opinion their products deserve high praise, I love that they make themselves accessible to all budgets without compromising on ingredients.

The spotlight ingredients are essential ceramides (1, 3 and 6-II) as well as fatty acids and other lipids which are found naturally in skin. These are essential in maintaining healthy skin and for repairing and strengthening the skin’s barrier to retain moisture and prevent dryness and itchiness. CeraVe have created a ‘revolutionary’ delivery system called MVE (MultiVescular Emulsion Technology – what a mouthful) which releases moisturising ingredients over the course of 24 hrs, aiming to keep skin hydrated all day. I personally cannot attest to that as I think all moisturising products should aim to keep skin moisturised all day, but that’s just my opinion!

CeraVe has over 70 products within their range, all fragrance free and designed to be gentle and care for skin. I have only tried the 3 I am reviewing here, but I would say that this brand is suitable for most skin types including very sensitive/eczema prone. As with anything I’d patch test before slathering it all over though!

         (Left - Right: Renewing SA Cleanser, PM Moisturiser, Hydrating Cleanser)

Hydrating Cleanser:

My favourite product here and one that I will repurchase again and again. I would say if you have no idea what to buy from the brand then this would be a good place to start. It’s a non-foaming lightweight lotion containing hyaluronic acid and glycerine. It makes for an ideal morning or second cleanse and is super gentle and instantly calming on the skin.

My main concern was that this would clog my pores but I have not experienced that at all thank goodness. It cleanses the skin incredibly well and leaves skin so soft! It can be applied to dry or damp skin and removes easily with water without the need for a cloth. On this basis I find myself wanting to use it regularly and end up reaching for it over some of my more expensive cleansers, especially if I am breaking out or feeling sensitive. It just does everything I need it to. I personally wouldn’t use it to remove makeup but if I was only wearing a light layer then a double cleanse of this should suffice. It’s a basic no faff cleanser, but sometimes that’s exactly what the skin needs!

Apparently, it will sell at £9 for 236ml so I really don’t think you can go wrong, I can guarantee this will fly off the shelves!

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phytosphingosine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum

PM Moisturiser:

This has become a trusty companion in my collection, a lightweight cream-gel hybrid which is perfect for oily/combination skins like mine. Again, packed with wonderful ingredients such a niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and cholesterol, I personally like to use this mixed in with a facial oil or on its own under an SPF during daytime.

 It feels soothing and nourishing on the skin and is easily absorbed, skin feels hydrated without feeling overwhelmed. I personally couldn’t use these on its own during the winter months as it wouldn’t be enough, but in the summer it’s ideal. I love that it mixes well with other products and makeup applies nicely over the top. Definitely one to try if you have dehydrated oily skin as it provides enough moisture for skin to feel comfortable without leaving any greasy residue. There are not many lightweight lotions on the market that tick so many boxes, this is a winner!

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Phytosphingosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceteareth-20,  Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

Renewing SA Cleanser:

This is the newest addition to my CeraVe collection, I have only used it a handful of times but enough to give you my thoughts. If I compare this to other similar cleansers I’ve tried with Salicylic Acid then this would come out top, I personally prefer this over the IS Clinical Cleansing Complex which has a big following.

Of course you get quite a lot for your money quantity wise, but in addition to that it truly delivers when it comes to smoothing the skin and providing gentle chemical exfoliation without stripping it of its natural oils. When I saw that it was a gel texture I instantly thought it would leave my skin feeling dry and tight, but was pleasantly surprised that it does none of those things! I assume that this is because the formula contains hyaluronic acid and glycerine which give a healthy boost of hydration.

Despite being a foam cleanser it honestly leaves the skin super comfortable and soft. It doesn’t contain any harsh physical exfoliants so this would work extremely well as a daily cleanser for congested, acne prone skins. I personally like to use this when my skin is feeling dull and groggy, more so when my skin is suffering from hormonal breakouts as it helps reduce spots and calm them down. A must have when skin is misbehaving!

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Sodium Methylcocoyl Taurate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Salicylic Acid, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Sodium Benzoate, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholecalciferol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide

So, there we have it, my brief reviews on each CeraVe product I own, I hope they have been helpful and give you some ideas of what to purchase when the brand arrives in the UK! I’m sure they will be a massive hit over here and will go a long way in helping people achieve healthy skin without spending a fortune! Depending on what products they release here I’m thinking of purchasing the eczema/anti itch line for my son who suffers with eczema to see how they fare. I’m looking forward to seeing if they introduce the whole range or just certain popular products… I have my eye on the hydrating micellar water and SA cream next!

Have you tried CeraVe? What are your favourites from the brand or what are you looking to purchase when they come to the UK? I’d love to know!

Thanks for reading xx

Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic – First Impressions

It has been a while since I last posted anything on my blog but I very much believe that you should do what’s right for you at the time, and simply life got in the way. I lost motivation and dare I say it more important things took over and blogging took a back seat.  But fear not, my passion for all things beauty has not waivered during this time! I’ve been enjoying playing around with new products and being more consistent with my skincare routine.

I am going to attempt to get back into a much more regular schedule with posting, without putting too much pressure on myself. Quite simply, if I have something to talk about I will do it here rather than at length on my Instagram…

Anyway, I am back with a first impression review of the newly released Ren acid toner. I’ve been using this every night for just over a week, and I wanted to share my thoughts. Touted to be similar to Pixi Glow Tonic without the glycolic, this has been everything I wanted it to be and more. When I first saw that Ren were releasing a lactic acid based toner in a pump style bottle I knew I had to have it. Even if I didn’t ‘need’ it!

The star player in this formulation is Lactic Acid which is hailed as a gentler, more tolerated alternative to Glycolic. This milder AHA is becoming much more popular within the beauty industry and I can totally see why. It delivers results without stripping the skin or leaving it uncomfortable. I personally cannot use glycolic as it causes me irritation no matter what percentage I use, so I had really high hopes for this.

In addition to the lactic, salicin (willow bark extract) has also been included, this is a popular natural exfoliant which is both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. These ingredients combined work together to clear pores, smooth the skin and improve texture/tone whilst minimising irritation.

Another interesting inclusion is Azelaic Acid precursor which without going into too much detail is an organic compound found in wheat, rye and barley. To be honest I haven’t really heard much about this ingredient but after doing a little research have found that it has many skincare benefits! Primarily it is used to treat rosacea and like Salicin has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial powers which helps prevent clogged pores. But from what I understand Ren have included this ingredient for its abilities to help with pigmentation and promote the brightening of the skin, which leads to the name ‘ready steady glow’!    

Anyway, now onto the bit you all want to know, does it deliver! So far yes…

I’ve been applying around 4 pumps of this to a cotton pad, gently sweeping across my skin, paying particular attention to congestion prone areas. There is a slight tingle and immediate mild redness but nothing that doesn’t disappear within minutes. Based on this sensation I thought that maybe my skin would react, but have been pleasantly surprised that my skin can tolerate this regularly. Although, half way through the first week I did notice my skin was feeling a little sensitive, so decided to back off and refrain from using it that particular day, but continued the following evening and all has been fine since then. No irritation has occurred.

In terms of results, without sounding like a cliché, my skin straight away looks brighter and more glowy after use! I imagine that using this paired with the mask in this range would be amazing when you want to get a radiance hit and lift dull skin.

Since adding this to my routine my skin has stayed blemish and bump free, even during my hormonal week, which is no mean feat! The texture around my jawline and chin area has improved, it’s the most prone to clogged pores but is currently smooth and calm! Of course, it may not solely be down to this, but in general if my skin is exfoliated regularly with formulations that suit my skin, breakouts/congestion occur rarely.  

The biggest change in my skin which I’ve only noticed in the last few days especially is that I am not as oily. Usually come early afternoon my skin is in much need of powder, but it’s not been required. I look in the mirror and feel comfortable with how my skin looks. Glowy, not greasy. In fact, I haven’t felt the need to even look in the mirror, oily skin folks will know what I mean, I haven’t been getting the urge! It could be a complete co-incidence but rarely do I find something that improves sebum production! I will keep a watchful eye and will continue to report back my thoughts!  

The only thing I would say is it is fragranced. I personally have no issues with this and I quite like the citrus scent, but it may be too strong for some. It has mandarin peel oil, orange flower oil, grapefruit peel oil and tangerine peel oil alongside added fragrance. These are lower down the list of ingredients and aren’t a concern for me but it may not be suited to highly sensitive skins. Saying that I wouldn’t disregard this tonic based on this, I have sensitivities towards some essential oils and fragrance but I really think it depends on the quality/formulation and quantity used.

To wrap this up it has been the perfect boost to my skincare regime, it has refreshed my skin and lifted it to a happier place. The formulation is gentle but very effective especially compared to other ‘acid toners’ on the market. The only other product that I have tried that possibly rivals this in terms of results is Sunday Riley Good Genes, but this is much more affordable! The pump delivery system is fun and practical, a design I wish other brands would take note of! I am looking forward to seeing the longer-term results, but based on my feelings so far, I am convinced this is going to be hugely popular in the beauty world and a product you will be seeing a lot more of. Especially in my skin routine!

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Heptyl Glucoside, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Triethyl Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Benzoic Acid, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Heptanol, Parfum* (Fragrance), Limonene

You can purchase this whopping 250ml bottle from here for £25.00 at Cult Beauty.

Have you tried this yet? If so I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading xx