Aldi Lacura Cleansing Balm - Emma Hardie Dupe?

Aldi have a bit of a thing for creating dupes - from good and drink to homeware and beauty. The latest edition to their beauty line has created quite the stir because it is claimed to be a £6.99 dupe of this much-loved Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, which just so happens to be my favourite cleansing balm ever, so how does this version compare?

The Aldi description of their Lacura Cleansing Balm. reads: 

"Try an alternative luxury way of taking off your make-up with the Lacura Cleansing Balm. The lightweight formula is enriched with moringa oil, shea butter and cocoa butter. It transforms from a solid balm into a silky smooth oily texture to remove make-up and dirt leaving your skin deeply cleansed. Implement into your daily routine to help your skin feel balanced, refreshed and hydrated."

From the description alone it sounds pretty much like my beloved Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm with its Moringa Oil, the ingredient that gives the balm that most incredible scent. It is also a solid balm, like Emma Hardie and again when it comes into contact with water it transforms into a silky smooth oily texture - but this part is where Emma Hardie wins hands down because the formula is similar but it is not as good. From Aldi you get a texture which is much more oily and the balm isn’t as solid, the Moringa scent which is clearly noticeable when the lid of removed from the pot isn’t as strong but, and this is a big but, the Aldi Lacura version does do a pretty good job at removing that dirt, grime and other detritus from your skin, especially when used as a first cleanse and this includes waterproof mascara - including the most difficult to budge!

The hero ingredient, as you might expect is moringa oil and it is worthy of a mention because lol it is best known for its anti-inflammatory and collagen-building properties as a start and added to that, it is also said to help fight fine lines and wrinkles, it is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive of skin and if that’s not enough it is also a great oil that addresses other skin issues such as pigmentation, soothing sunburned skin, healing scrapes, and burns. Aldi’s version also includes both Shea and Coconut Butter which leaves the skin feeling smooth, hydrated and nourished. 

How to use it? Massage a small amount into the palm of your hands and apply directly onto dry skin before rinsing off with water and removing the excess product using the cleansing cloth. Speaking of cloths, this one also comes with a dual sided microfibre muslin cloth which is designed to remove the Lacura Cleansing Balm and gently exfoliate and polish the skin - again, the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm also comes with one of the best cloths I have ever used and I seem to buy them a lot, but this cloth, well I didn’t hate it, given the price tag, but it isn’t as good, the texture of the cloth from Aldi isn’t as good on the skin, but it is a great back up to have if you should ever need a cloth and you’ve run out of your favourites.

Aldi beauty dupes have been some of my favourite discoveries - from Laneige and Elizabeth Arden to Nip + Fab and Pixi Aldi has offered similar products of the much loved iconic and cult brands and their products at a fraction of the cost and they sell out super quick, this Cleansing Balm sold out as quickly online as it went live and even finding it store has become quite tricky.

The Lacura Cleansing Balm is priced at £6.99 is definitely not something to sniff at, it does an alright job, you would absolutely love it without question if you haven’t tried Emma Hardie, but I’m an Emma Hardie fan and for me that cleansing balm cannot be duped or replaced, it is a firm favourite from the scent and the feel of the balm to being something I just want to bathe in from head to toe.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Temple Spa - Most Revealing Glowing Skin Oxygen Peel

Temple Spa Most Revealing alpha hydroxy acid peel is one of the most exciting products to come out of the brand in recent months and I couldn’t wait to give it a try.

I am a huge fan of Temple Spa, Drift Way and Repose are my two favourite products that I turn to when I am feeling stressed and need to find a way to relax and unwind. Most Revealing is described as being a Glowing Skin Oxygen Peel which is perfect for dull, lacklustre and uneven skin.

Treat your skin to the powerful formula of Temple Spa’s Most Revealing Glowing Skin Oxygen Peel. An oxygenating bubble peel that promises to leave your visage positively glowing, it is powered by a cocktail of vitamin C, glycolic, malic, lactic, citric and hydroxy acids. You simply need to apply the mask to damp skin and watch it foam and fizz, lifting away dead skin cells and debris.

Now if that doesn't sound and read like fun skincare then I don't know what will.  

As this is a Temple Spa product, there is a whole host of ingredients within this Oxygen Peel you will find a cocktail of glycolic, malic, mandelic, lactic, citric and hydroxy acids and together they work to slough away dead skin cells and then working deep within the surface of the skin to remove debris and decongestion from the pores, reduce inflammation, improve the skins moisture and smooth the skins texture to name just some of the benefits of these acids. Added to that you will not be surprised to find a fruity twist and with this we have the inclusion of extracts of apple, kiwi, chamomile and sweet orange and bergamot oils, all to work together for smooth, bright and radiant skin. Then there is the addition of Retinyl Palmitate, which is also known as a vitamin a, which is an antioxidant. We need antioxidants for our skin as they help protect the skin from free radicals, which in turn can damage the skin and speed up the skin ageing process. From this ingredient we get a whole lot of goodness which includes the evening out of the skin tone and one which is also smoother and feeling softer. The final key ingredient to mention is Sodium hyaluronate which hydrates and cushions the skin.

As a reminder, the Temple Spa Most Revealing Chemical Peel Benefits:

• Deeply purifies to reveal healthier looking skin
• Helps to re-texturise and correct uneven skin tone
• Instant facial for radiant skin
• Smooths and refines the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Temple Spa's chemical peel for home use is suitable for all skin types except super sensitive, whenever you use a product such as this, it is always best to test it in your skin before using it just in case. To use, you need just two pumps of Most Revealing into the hand and then you apply to directly to clean damp skin, avoiding the eye area. Once it has been smoothed into the skin, you need to give it a massage and then give it a few seconds as it starts to fizz and bubble. As soon as those bubbles and the fizzing starts to subside, remove thoroughly with a warm cloth and then splash your face with water. Pat skin dry and follow with a serum and ideally an SPF moisturiser. Ideal for weekly use to keep that radiant glow. 

As this product contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn, you must use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for at least a week afterwards and naturally it is a product you should use in an evening rather than a morning.

You can find this Temple Spa Most Revealing Glowing Skin Oxygen Peel priced at £40 for 50ml, it is available from both Temple Spa and Harrods.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Jane Scrivner Peace Body Splash

One of my favourite places to relax and unwind is in or near to water - the sea, a shower and especially a bath, I find it calming and soothing, but being a water sign, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise. From Jane Scrivner, a brand I am not too familiar is, is Peace Body Splash Oil, a product I’ve been using of late.

Described as being a comforting, relaxing and warming, a base rhythm to comfort and soothe. To put a full stop on what has gone before and help you fully exhale. PEACE de stresses, leaving you ready to face the world again. That description alone has me sold. Ideal for use in a Bath or being applied direct to the skin, it smells absolutely incredible.

Formulated to moisturise and nourish the skin, all of the Jane Scrivner Body Splash Oils, four in total, are based in golden, pro collagen, Jojoba from Peru and Coconut Oils from Sri Lanka and they all have their own reason for being included.

• ORGANIC JOJOBA OIL - Golden wax ester rich in nutrients including Vitamin B complex, zinc, copper, selenium & vitamin E. Jojoba's ability to mimic the skins natural sebum production provides optimum nutrient absorption deep into the skins matrix. Maintains and promotes the Barrier Function.
• COCONUT OIL - Containing three fatty which helps to protect skin, nourish and soften.
• MYRRH ESSENTIAL OIL - A powerful antioxidant, soothing and antibacterial properties, working to keep your skin nourished and healthy

Even with those ingredients, there is also the inclusion of Sweet Orange Peel and Lavender to create the most relaxing and calming of scents. Being rich in skin repairing Vitamins A,B, D and E as well as essential fatty acids, Omegas 6 and 9 not only do these help to regenerate skin cells and repair damaged skin tissue. 

Being an oil formula, it has been formulated to moisturise the skin whilst absorbing quickly, in doing so, it is neither greasy or tacky when applied to the skin and because of those amazing ingredients, it is perfect to use on those elbows and knees which can be particularly dry, or as in my case, having an ankle injury and spending hour in a supportive boot leaves my ankle really dry, so I’ve been using it around there.

To use, the advice is to shake the bottle, splash a few drops onto the palms of your hands or directly onto your body and massage in. To use as a bath oil, the advice is to run your bath, then with a few inches of water in the bath, dispense 5 or 6 splashes onto the surface of the water, slide gently into your bath, relax and enjoy the fragrance. 

Priced at £33 here it is a luxury but it is worth every penny, but if you are still not sure, Jane Scrivner does offer the option to purchase samples of each product so that you can try them before buying a full sized option, an idea I really like!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Space NK Best of Space NK Vitamin C Beauty Box Unveiled!

I do love a good Space NK Beauty Box and this one absolutely called my name and ended up in my basket before I could share it on my blog. The Space NK Best of Space NK Vitamin C Beauty Box is the latest in a theme of boxes we have seen launched.  In recent times there has been the Beauty Heroes Volume 3 Box, The Essential Gift For Men and then the Essential Box for Her, all of which have been incredible value for money.

The Space NK Best of Space NK Vitamin C Beauty Box which is described as being a limited-edition box contains a full skincare routine for all your vitamin C needs.  We all know that Vitamin C is best known for its glow-giving properties and it also helps to stimulate collagen production - making it your youth boosting go-to.

This box is worth a massive £260 but it is on sale, here, for just £95 which is quite the saving if you purchased these products individually.  The brands and their products included within this box are incredibly impressive and here is what you will find inside.

Contents

• Murad Essential C Cleanser (60ml)
• REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic (50ml)
• Oskia Super C Smart Nutrient Beauty Capsules (60 caps)
• Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream (50ml)
• Kate Somerville Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer (50ml)
• Dr Dennis Gross Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (50ml)

This box, as you can see have some amazing products and one of my favourites of late is the REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, which I featured here after it launched!  Alongside REN Clean Skincare as you can see are some very high end brands such as Dr Dennis Gross and Sunday Riley, not forgetting the fabulous Murad with the Essential C Cleanser, which I also loved and featured in this post.

This box is on sale now with Space NK and it is one worth grabbing whilst it is still in stock, because with these brands and their products, I don't expect it to last long!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.