Doublebase Gel

I purchased Doublebase gel to relieve my poor dehydrated skin after using the Duac acne cream/gel.  My skin got really dry after using the Duac (which I was expecting) so I was in desperate need of finding something to get my skin back to normal.  I don’t own any good moisturisers what so ever so I knew it was time to give in and buy the Doublebase.  I’d been pondering over buying it for a while because I’m always nervous when it comes to trying new products.  My main set back is that they will break me out in spots, which is ridiculous because 9/10 they don’t.  I bought it from my local chemist for about £5 something for 100g.  You can buy a larger 500g bottle but I didn’t want to splash out on the bigger one just in case I ended up hating the product and wasting my money.

I’ve only been using it for two days but I’m already really happy with the results.  My skin feels so soft, the softest it’s felt in months.  The moisturiser I’d been using was one by clean and clear but it wasn’t moisturising enough for me.  I think the only product that has saved me for the past few months has been my Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, but that deserves a whole new post of its own. I will post a review on that later on in my blog.  Anyway, enough rambling, Doublebase for me, was definitely worth buying.  I just hope that things don’t go wrong.  I don’t want to end up expressing my hate for the product on here in a week’s time.  That would just be far too upsetting!!

Would I buy it again? Yes                                                                                                                                        Where can I buy this product? You can get it prescribed by your doctor or buy it from most chemists.  

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation

I purchased the Vichy Dermablend foundation in 15 opal to use as a concealer after seeing Lisa Eldridge use it in her tutorials.  I’d never really used concealer before, instead I would wear a mask of foundation to try and cover my imperfections.  Learning about concealer is very important for anyone who wears makeup.  Applying a thin layer of foundation and using a concealer to conceal any parts of the face that the foundation hasn't covered gives a much nicer finish than plastering on your foundation.

Vichy Dermablend foundation is designed for those of us with not so perfect skin.  Its indications include uneven complexion, dark circles and diffused redness.  It claims it has 12 hour coverage with no mask effect.  Being an acne sufferer and seeing its miraculous concealing abilities Lisa's video tutorials I wanted to try it out.  And I’m glad I bought it, it is fantastic for covering just about everything.  I use it on my dark circles, and they are very dark hereditary ones.  I use it on my acne and uneven skin tone and it covers it really well and stays on all day.  And you do only need the tiniest amount, a little goes a long way.  I apply it with my eco tools concealer brush but my fingers do the trick just as well.  I have never used it as a foundation though so I can’t comment on that.  I do have one slight problem with this product though, it only comes in 5 shades, therefore not everyone is going to find their perfect colour match.

Would I buy it again? Yes.
Where can I buy this product? Boots.

Day 3. 28.09.2011

I tried my new Duac cream last night, and I have woken up with a slightly sore face.  It isn't too bad though, and to be honest, after reading through the reviews last night I was expecting it to be a lot worse than it actually is.  I can see an improvement already, my active, red spots are noticeably smaller and the little bumps I get under the skin have almost disappeared. My only concern about using it everyday is that it will irritate my skin even more, so I'm thinking of using it every other day.

I'm still on the hunt for a good moisturizer, and I need to find one asap because of the Duac.  My friend started getting acne about a year ago and she was prescribed a cream which dried her skin out too.  She started to get really down about it and was recommended by her sister to try a moisturizing gel called Doublebase which she was prescribed by her doctor to treat her eczema.  My friend started using it too and it really helped her with her dry skin.  I really want to test it out, and although my friend swears by it I'm still not convinced that it is going to work for me.  She is acne free now and still using the gel as her everyday moisturizer.  If it worked that well for her then I think it is worth a trial. I am going to buy some online from Chemist Direct.

Day 2. 27.09.2011

Today I went to the doctors to discuss my recent acne break outs. He said that my break outs were probably due to coming off the antibiotic's I was previously on for my skin.  He has prescribed me a topical antibiotic cream called Duac once daily.  I have been reading through some reviews on various websites about the cream and I am really looking forward to testing it out.  Most of the reviews I read were positive, with the only negative being that it dries out the skin.  Most acne creams I've tried have always dried out my skin so I was expecting that from the cream anyway.

I need to find a good moisturizer which won't break me out.  Most acne moisturizers I've tried aren't moisturizing enough and the ones that aren't for acne prone skin usually break me out.  Some research into moisturizer's is definitely on my list!! My doctor has said to use the cream for a week to 10 days and if I see no improvements or if it gets worse then I have to go back.  He is really helpful and understanding, so many doctors I've seen in the past don't even care or give you the time of day.

I obviously can't comment on this product as I'm yet to use it but I will give my feedback on it later on in my blog. Fingers crossed it's a miracle in a tube!!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

I ended up purchasing this product after being unsuccessful on my hunt to find the La Roche-posay cicaplast in my local boots.  I wanted to try cicaplast after watching Lisa Eldridge use it in her acne covering tutorial.  In the video she uses it as a primer before she applies the makeup.  Much to my disappointment of not finding cicaplast I decided to purchase the Effaclar Duo instead.


A corrective and unclogging anti-imperfection care
Reduces the appearance of imperfections 
Unblocks sebum-blocked pores                                                                                                                   

Being acne prone, it won me over straight away.  Anything that claims to unblock pores always sucks me in and I have to buy it.  And being quite pricey at £13 for a 40ml tube I was praying it would do all the things I wanted it to do.  Once I got the box home, I opened it and found more information about the product on the instructions leaflet.  It also has a list of all the other Effaclar products from La Roche-Posay and the roles theyplay.  The Effaclar range is a comprehensive answer to the problems of oily and acne prone skin.   It also claims it is a great make up base with the texture being mattifying and moisturising.   My skin is acne-prone but it also gets very dry so I was a bit reluctant to try it out just in case it dried my skin out even more. 

  

The first time I tried this product I used it over my moisturiser before applying my makeup.  It felt really moisturizing on my skin to begin with and then it dried matte but didn’t feel too drying on my skin.  My makeup looked really nice for about 2 hours but then it started patching in certain areas.  I don’t know why this happened, I’m putting the reason down to that it didn’t mix well with the moisturiser.  I haven’t used it as a makeup base since as I am a bit reluctant to just in case the same thing happens again.  I now only use it at night if I’ve had a bad breakout.   I apply it before I go to bed and in the morning my skin looks 10 times better.  I can’t claim that this is a miracle gel but it definitely helps to clear up my break outs faster.  I don’t think it prevents new spots from developing though, I think it works best for targeting the spots that are already there.   Although I highly recommend this product I am always on the hunt for new products to improve my skin. 

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Where can I buy this product? Boots.

Lisa Eldridge

  I have been a follower of Lisa Eldridge' work for quite some time now.  I often visit her youtube channel for her tutorials on make up application.  One that caught my eye was her tutorial on covering acne, which in my opinion is fantastic, check it out here.  I highly recommend  the Vichy Dermablend corrective foundation.  Another video that caught my eye was her video on skincare, where she shares with us the skin care that she uses on a daily basis. Lisa is a previous acne sufferer so I can really relate to what she is saying.  I am really looking forward to trying some of the products shown in the video.

Products to try recommended by Lisa:
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - I've heard wonderful things about this product.  And I've read it's great for spot - prone skin.  You can buy tester sizes as small as 30ml for only £5.25 which is great because so many times I've bought expensive skin care and it hasn't been right for my skin.

Dermalogica overnight clearing gel - After reading the reviews on this product I will definitely be trying it out.

Dermalogica gentle cream exfoliant  - I am excited to try out a gentler way of exfoliating and hopefully the lactic acid will sort out my spot-prone skin.

  I am going to try out a few of the products Lisa uses which I think are going to be beneficial for my own skin. I will write reviews on the products later on in my blog.

Day 1. 26.09.2011

  I have decided to start a skin diary.  I've suffered with acne since I was 13 and now being 22 I need to find a skin regime to completely clear up my skin.  I am going to research skin care, and research diet changes and record my journey on here.

 I recently came off the antibiotic Oxytetracycline which I was prescribed by my doctor a couple of years ago.  My doctor advised me to come off it as he thought I had been taking it for far too long. Since I’ve stopped taking it my skin has gone from bad to worse.  I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning to discuss my skin and talk about how it has been since I have come off the anti biotic.  The last time we talked he said if my skin started getting worse he would prescribe me a topical lotion, and go from there.  I am a bit sceptical about going on a topical lotion as I know they dry your skin out, which I think can sometimes look worse than the spots themselves.  

My current skin care is in need of a complete change and I am going to research and try out all of the products which could help clear up my skin. I’m currently using Neutrogena Spot Stress Control facial scrub which I think is aggravating my skin from over using it.  I first purchased it after reading great reviews about it and when I first started using it I loved it, it cleared up my uneven bumpy cheeks and felt amazing on my skin.  I have been using it for a couple of months and now my skin is red, dry and uneven.  I know I over use it, as I use it morning and night and I know it is too harsh for my skin.  I need to find a gentle cleanser, one that won't scratch and aggravate my skin.  I also occasionally use Clinique’s clarifying lotion in number 2.  And to be honest I don’t know why I use it. I purchased it a long time ago after visiting a Clinique counter, and after falling for their excellent selling skills of how it was, “going to clear up my skin, and make it glow.” I bought it.  It completely strips my skin of any natural oil it has left and leaves it dry with an uneven red tone, I don't recommend it to anyone who suffers with sensitive skin.  I then moisturise with a clean and clear dual action moisturiser.  I don’t know why I bought this either to be honest, I used to use Clinique dramatically different moisturising gel as part of the 3 step, and after using it for so long my skin got used to it and stopped doing anything for it, my skin started to break out and that’s why I moved onto a moisturiser for acne.  The clean and clear moisturizer just isn't moisturizing enough for me and it doesn't prevent my spots either to be honest.

 I am going to use this blog to record my skin care journey and share with you what works for me and what doesn't.