If you read my , you will know that during my teenage years my skin was pretty well behaved. (I’ll apologise now, this post may be slightly repetitive in places, but I want to explain it properly for newer readers!). I would only really experience spots when it was time of the month, and to be honest it wasn’t anything drastic, perhaps two spots on my forehead or something. Definitely manageable and I’m pretty sure I was the envy of a lot of the girls who were going through awful issues of acne and scarring. Like anything in life, you don’t think it will happen to you – until it does.
When I hit 20, my skin decided to have a mind of it’s own. I’d gone from being able to use any product I fancied to having to be really selective with ingredients and being a lover of beauty, I was pretty bummed. I invested in (a hell of a lot of) Liz Earle products and my skin absolutely hated it, and that’s where Clinique stepped in. Yes, it was fantastic for clearing up blemishes, reducing redness and eliminating the pounding pain that throbs through spots (yum), but as soon as it cleared up one load – perhaps 15-2o spots at a time, another batch would pop up twice as sore and 122034953x as large. Believing in my product I convinced myself that it was my hormones/lifestyle causing the breakouts and that Clinique couldn’t possibly be at fault. I mean, they were clearing up my skin so well and it had restored a little bit of hope that things might get better!
Then, the ever wonderful Zoe of Zoe New Love sent me a rather hefty (but much appreciated) email about my skincare and how she thought I could improve it. Basically, what it boils down to is that Clinique works a bit like paint stripper. Yes, it’s wonderful at ripping all the baddies off your face and appearing to keep your skin clear but really, it’s taking all the goodies out of your skin too. I always said how it controlled my oil fantastically, when what it was really doing was removing all the natural oil, which you actually need to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. Hence the breakouts – when your skin is de-hydrated it will lock all the oil in and produce it in excess, causing a breakout. So, a big fat lovely THANK YOU to Zoe for helping me out and throwing some suggestions my way!
That's where my new skincare comes in. NUDE...
First step is cleansing, I've been using their Perfect Cleansing Oil (RRP £28 100ml) and for me, perfect is the 'perfect' word to describe it. First impressions, I thought no way ho-say am I using an oil based product on my oily skin, but it turns out it's exactly what my skin was craving. Was my skin naturally oily? Or was it just craving the right balance of skincare to keep it at bay? I use one pump in the morning and two at night - simply because I like to take my makeup off with it (really impressed with how amazingly delicate this is around the eye area - no stinging at all), and that means using an extra pump helps. Once I've rubbed it in, I wet my hands and continue to massage - this causes the oil to turn into a milky consistency and then I just wash off with warm water. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed, silky smooth but for me most importantly - oil free and not dried up. Because this is a natural brand, there's pretty much no fragrance to this cleanser, something my skin loves and after one use it had helped to clear my spots tremendously.
Second is their Radiant Daily Moisturiser. (RRP £42 40ml) This is reasonably light in consistency, which means a little goes a long way (something I always look for in a moisturiser). Again fragrance free, this moisturiser makes me feel refreshed and sinks in beautifully - there's no waiting around to put your makeup on, it dries almost instantly and it really feels like your skin is drinking it up. Like the cleanser, it soaks up the oil but doesn't leave my skin feeling dehydrated, quite the opposite really. In conjunction with the cleanser my skin has never felt so amazing. And honestly, I'm not just saying that.
Lastly - the ProGenius Treatment Oil. (RRP £58 30ml N.B. my picture is the tester size bottle) Good GOD, seriously I cannot praise this baby enough. I use this every other evening (instead of my moisturiser). Like the cleanser, I was dubious to say the least in using pure oil on my face, but how wrong I was. And please, if you've used treatment oils before and reacted badly to it, don't let that put you off. I used the Liz Earle facial oil and my skin went banana's, but these treatments are so amazing for your skin and it's just a case of finding the one that fits you. There's so many yummy oils in this bottle, I won't list them all but here a my personal faves: Sunflower, Apricot, Sweet Almond, JoJoba, Rosemary and Soy Bean to name a few! I apply two drops to my fingertips after cleansing and warm through my fingers before dabbing all over my face. There is a very subtle hint of Jasmine to this oil, but when I say subtle I mean it, perfect for a night time treatment. (it also says you can use it under foundation, but I don't fancy that). I personally love the glass pipette and bottle, it's got quite a bold price tag, and if the treatment itself wasn't enough for you, I think the packaging ensures you're satisfied 100%. I haven't had to use a spot treatment since I've used this oil - that's how good it is. If I've experienced a breakout a few drops of this every other night has cleared them up whilst I'm sleeping. Literally, I am so happy. That probably sounds pathetic, but if you've struggled with your skin then you'll understand where I'm coming from.
In fairness - I have no basis to compare how these products work singularly as I've only used them in conjunction with one another - but if you're a bit put off by the price, and want to try it, then go for their starter kit - you get one of each (smaller sizes) for £38 and the cleanser and moisturiser lasted me about a month, the oils still going strong with probably another month or so left. So it's definitely fantastic value for money.
I think even if you don't have problematic skin, this brand could work for any skin type. Their main focus is anti-ageing. Nude use n-probiotic, which causes the skin to produce its own anti-ageing ingredients, including collagen, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants; omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9 that help to defend against ageing and protect whole skin cells so not only is your skin being cared for, it's also helping you naturally face the first signs of ageing. And at 23, I'm not one to be scared by anti-ageing products. Personally, I don't see the benefit in waiting until your skin has aged to try and rectify it - surely the title anti-ageing says it all? Fight it whilst you can, and use it as a preventative, not a cure. The packaging is gorgeously subtle, but not only that, it's recyclable. And lastly, Nude are 100% natural and don't test on animals. To be honest, I don't think they could be any more perfect.
I am now at the stage, where if I had to I would happily leave the house without my foundation on. A few months ago I would have laughed out loud at that statement, but I honestly feel this brand has turned my life around. I have my confidence back and know that I'm protecting my skin too. No more baddies and hopefully no wrinkles either ;) If that's not results I don't know what is.
What do you think? Is Nude a brand you've tried before?
That's where my new skincare comes in. NUDE...
Second is their Radiant Daily Moisturiser. (RRP £42 40ml) This is reasonably light in consistency, which means a little goes a long way (something I always look for in a moisturiser). Again fragrance free, this moisturiser makes me feel refreshed and sinks in beautifully - there's no waiting around to put your makeup on, it dries almost instantly and it really feels like your skin is drinking it up. Like the cleanser, it soaks up the oil but doesn't leave my skin feeling dehydrated, quite the opposite really. In conjunction with the cleanser my skin has never felt so amazing. And honestly, I'm not just saying that.
Lastly - the ProGenius Treatment Oil. (RRP £58 30ml N.B. my picture is the tester size bottle) Good GOD, seriously I cannot praise this baby enough. I use this every other evening (instead of my moisturiser). Like the cleanser, I was dubious to say the least in using pure oil on my face, but how wrong I was. And please, if you've used treatment oils before and reacted badly to it, don't let that put you off. I used the Liz Earle facial oil and my skin went banana's, but these treatments are so amazing for your skin and it's just a case of finding the one that fits you. There's so many yummy oils in this bottle, I won't list them all but here a my personal faves: Sunflower, Apricot, Sweet Almond, JoJoba, Rosemary and Soy Bean to name a few! I apply two drops to my fingertips after cleansing and warm through my fingers before dabbing all over my face. There is a very subtle hint of Jasmine to this oil, but when I say subtle I mean it, perfect for a night time treatment. (it also says you can use it under foundation, but I don't fancy that). I personally love the glass pipette and bottle, it's got quite a bold price tag, and if the treatment itself wasn't enough for you, I think the packaging ensures you're satisfied 100%. I haven't had to use a spot treatment since I've used this oil - that's how good it is. If I've experienced a breakout a few drops of this every other night has cleared them up whilst I'm sleeping. Literally, I am so happy. That probably sounds pathetic, but if you've struggled with your skin then you'll understand where I'm coming from.
In fairness - I have no basis to compare how these products work singularly as I've only used them in conjunction with one another - but if you're a bit put off by the price, and want to try it, then go for their starter kit - you get one of each (smaller sizes) for £38 and the cleanser and moisturiser lasted me about a month, the oils still going strong with probably another month or so left. So it's definitely fantastic value for money.
I think even if you don't have problematic skin, this brand could work for any skin type. Their main focus is anti-ageing. Nude use n-probiotic, which causes the skin to produce its own anti-ageing ingredients, including collagen, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants; omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9 that help to defend against ageing and protect whole skin cells so not only is your skin being cared for, it's also helping you naturally face the first signs of ageing. And at 23, I'm not one to be scared by anti-ageing products. Personally, I don't see the benefit in waiting until your skin has aged to try and rectify it - surely the title anti-ageing says it all? Fight it whilst you can, and use it as a preventative, not a cure. The packaging is gorgeously subtle, but not only that, it's recyclable. And lastly, Nude are 100% natural and don't test on animals. To be honest, I don't think they could be any more perfect.
I am now at the stage, where if I had to I would happily leave the house without my foundation on. A few months ago I would have laughed out loud at that statement, but I honestly feel this brand has turned my life around. I have my confidence back and know that I'm protecting my skin too. No more baddies and hopefully no wrinkles either ;) If that's not results I don't know what is.
What do you think? Is Nude a brand you've tried before?
Wow this post is great, I'm having a similar problem with my skin, and just like you I've been using Clinique anti blemish for years now.
ReplyThanks for the advice.
http://myfashionfoodstyle.blogspot.co.il/
I really believed it was helping Maya, but I guess you don't know until you try something else do you :) glad you found it useful!xx
This was such a helpful post!
ReplyI used to get really, really bad acne and I was using all sorts of horrible, cheap, chemically products to try and shift it. As i've entered my twenties it's clearing up quite considerably but i'm finding using gentler products has helped a lot.
I always assumed Clinique would be a good brand considering the price though!
http://lovelaughlauren.blogspot.co.uk/ xx
Awe Lauren I'm so glad you found it helpful :D such good news to hear your skin is starting to clear up. You're right - natural definitely is the best way! And clinique is about as far away from that as you can get!xx
what a great post, very detailed, i'm looking for new bits to add into my skincare, i may have to research these products a little.
ReplyThanks for the post
http://itsbeautystartswithin.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you Dionne :) I think Nude is a bit of an undiscovered angel - I haven't seen too many reviews on it as of yet!x
thank you for this post.
ReplyIt is strange as my situation is exactly the same... I was very lucky in my teenage years and didnt have ache like most of the girls however in the last 3 months my skin has gone WILD. (Im 24)
I havent changed anything skin care/foundation wise so i went into various skin care brands in departments who stated it was hormonal. The spots are (sorry) big red and very sore all along my jar line... they are like under the skin painful. I have been using origins zero oil range and the super spot remover - works but they come back when I stop using it.
Its really starting to get me down and knocking my confidence!
Do you think NUDE would work for me?
Thanks Megan!
Lucy x
Hi Lucy - I think everyone's skin is very different so there's a possibility that what works for you might not work for me. But I would definitely recommend it with your current breakouts - the starter kit is a great way to test the water - and not too pricey for what you're getting. Are you drinking lots of water too? That's always important :)
One thing I would say, is always go for 100% natural - no nasties that way!xx