How to Choose the Right Anti-Ageing Skincare Products for You

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If you’re looking for the right anti-ageing skincare product for you, it’s hard not to feel bombarded with choice. The market is saturated with brands and different kinds of products, and it may seem difficult to know where to start. The good thing is you can find effective anti-ageing products to suit any budget or lifestyle, and there are specific ways to target certain problem areas. If you do a bit of research, you can find the right ones for you. Here are a few quick tips to help you.

Go for a high SPF

Sun damage is one of the main culprits that can cause premature ageing skin so SPF is essential. First and foremost, you need to choose a sunscreen or moisturiser with a high SPF that you can rely on every day. Look for a product that suits your skin type and budget. Once you’ve found something your skin agrees with, it’s then a good idea to stick to the same brand. This way, you can rest assured you’re protecting your skin from harmful rays without a risk of irritation.

Select products according to your skin type

In fact, you should aim to select all skincare products according to your skin type. Look at the labels and find out if they’ve been specially formulated for dry, sensitive, or combination skin. If you’re not exactly sure of your skin type, you could take a test online to find out. If you have any allergies you can also check the labels for ingredients.

Target your main skincare concern

Rather than trying to target all your skincare issues at once, it’s best to keep it simple by using SPF and moisturiser, and focusing on one main concern. This may be reducing the appearance of fine lines or dark circles, or boosting elasticity and glow. The Avon anew range, for example, has several products that target different issues. You can choose the one that’s specially designed for the issue you want to correct.

Stick to your budget

There’s no reason why investing in skincare products needs to break the bank as there are anti-ageing products for all budgets. In fact, some of the most popular products can be found in your local supermarket. Read online reviews of brands that fall within your budget. There’s no need to go over a set price range if you don’t have to. This will also help to narrow your options.

Be mindful and minimal

Be mindful of the products you buy and always think twice before splashing out on something new. It’s better to find a product that agrees with you. It’s not ideal to pile on too many products at once, and a combination of sunscreen, antioxidants, and retinoid can suffice. Here are a few more tips from the experts on how to create a minimalist anti-ageing skincare routine. Be gentle to your skin and always remember to practise self-care. This way you’ll glow both inside and out, and have younger-looking skin for longer.

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

Lookfantastic x Rosie Connolly August Beauty Box

This months Lookfantastic box for August has arrived and firstly, how is it August already and secondly, this is a really good box!

Unusually for Lookfantastic, this months box doesn’t have a theme, previous themes have included the Wanderlust edition which lay month gave that cute carry case and then Eco Elements back in June. All of these alongside boxes which focus on one brand such as the soon to launch Omorovicza Box, which is incredibly exciting and then we are still awaiting information on the collaboration with Revolution!

So this months box sees Lookfantastic tram up with fashion influencer Rosie Connolly, whose name you might recognise from the Colour Wow box which launched back in February. Another slight change to this months box is the inclusion of a QR code in place of the Lookfantastic Magazine, the QR code instead linking you to everything you need to know about this months box.

The first product out of this months box which caught my attention was the AHC Natural Essential Mask Sheet Mask. This soothing sheet mask, which is crafted from 10% cotton, is described as being once which is powered by a host of nourishing ingredients that work to comfort and replenish the look of tired, angry skin.

This mask, which is gentle enough to use on even sensitive skin types. Using Aqua Ceramide which defends against uncomfortable dryness while locking in a layer of moisture as well as other nurturing properties which help to quench parched skin with an intense surge of hydration, leaving the visage supple and silky to the touch.  Full-Size worth £11.

The second product from the box is from Percy & Reed with their Hold It Right There! Strong Hold Hairspray (50ml). 

Described as being a genius lightweight spray for heat protected, brushable locks. The ultra-fine formula works with expert ingredients to resist humidity and provide a flexible hold, so flyaways stay in place, but your hair maintains its movement.  This 50ml can, which is handy for your handbag or travel bag is worth £7.

The next product is from AHAVA with the Superfood Kale & Turmeric Smoothing Body Lotion.

This incredibly lightweight body lotion from AHAVA’s bodycare collection envelops your skin in a plumping, smoothing cushion of long-lasting hydration. It boasts a soft, milky texture that absorbs rapidly into skin, the lotion plumps the skin with moisture, instantly refining patches of dry, rough skin to restore its silky-smooth texture while at the same time protecting it from environmental aggressors. This 40ml tube is worth £8.

This months box does feature a makeup item alongside all the hair and skincare and it comes from Ciate with their Glow-To Illuminating Blush in the shade Matchmaker.

Described as being a virtually weightless powder that dusts your complexion with a luminous, rosy-hued iridescence. It is said that this product will give up to 12-hours of smudge- and cake-free wear and the finely milled formula contains an ombré blend of matte blusher with ultra-refined highlight pigments which help to create a natural looking flush of colour with a subtle shimmer in one simple sweep.  This 2.5G mini blush is said to be worth £11.60.

The next brand is GLOV Mask Off Mask Remover Cloth. GLOV is a brand I’ve come to know through my love of beauty boxes and this is the first time I’ve had this particular product.

This mitt which is described as being an innovative cleansing mitt fits over your hand and is designed to quickly and effectively remove face masks from the skin. It is made from special polyester fibre, the mask removal tool expertly draws and removes the remains of your face mask without absorbing it. Instead of exfoliating the skin, the fibres slide over the surface, dissolving the mask whether it is a mud or clay and it doesn’t need to be used with anything other than water. Full sized product worth £8.90.

The final product in this months also is also a shaircare product and it is one I can never rave about enough! It is the incredible Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo and I’ve got a full review of it right here.

This Dry Shampoo is powered by the Living Proof patented Healthy Hair Molecule and it has a 'Triple-Action Cleaning Technology' which not only absorbs and removes oil, sweat and odour, it also makes your hair look and feels clean, all with those telltale white drops all over your clothes and no itchy scalp after using. This a 92ml can and it is worth £11.

So that’s the Lookfantastic August Beauty Box 2021 and as I said, it is a brilliant box, full of amazing brands and their products. If you like the look of this edit, it does on sale from August 1st and as Lookfantastic Beauty Box is a monthly subscription service* membership starts at £15 per month, but with the code BBSUN there is £5 off. There is also further membership offers of signing up for a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription to save money.

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

HARRODS The Beauty Box Hair & Beauty Salon Edition

From Harrods we have The Beauty Box Hair & Salon Edition Beauty Box which is described as being packed with skincare goodies and haircare heroes designed to give you that feelgood glow.  This isn’t the first time Harrods have offered a beauty box, they have them fairly frequently, but for me, this is one of their best yet.

The Beauty Box Hair & Beauty Salon Edition has been put together to celebrate the opening of the new Hair & Beauty Salon here at Harrods. If you have ever been to Harrods, it has the most wonderful beauty section that is an absolute delight to walk around and lose yourself in, but having had a slight makeover, I can imagine it is even more incredible. 

This box, which is worth over £200 is on sale right now for just £59 which is a real bargain and it has been filled with a selection of full-size products, travel-friendly miniatures and covetable samples of the salon’s bestselling brands. 

Contents

• Murad Nutrient Water Gel 7.5ml, 
• Olaplex No.3 100ml, 
• Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm 50ml, 
• Temple Spa Trufflesque 7ml, 
• Aromatherapy Associates City Serenity Bath & Shower Oil 3ml, 
• Larry King A Social Life For Your Hair 30ml, 
• Rahua Hydration Shapoo 22ml, 
• Rahua Hydration Conditioner 22ml, 
• Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Hair Oil 10ml, 
• Christophe Robin Purifing Sea Salt Scrub 40ml, 
• Maroc Maroc Caresse de Neroli 40ml, 
• QMS Collagen System Discovery Set 3 x 5.5ml

For a box worth over £200, this is a really good collection of products which fits with the theme “ HARRODS The Beauty Box Hair & Beauty Salon Edition” showing off some of the best Harrods has to offer, though there is a whole lot more!

You can find this box on sale, here, for just £59.

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

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.