I’m not sure whether it is the time of year, the change of season, or, well, it’s just me getting older, but my skin is fine one day and then, bam!, the next it’s like I’ve entered a teenage nightmare – with blemishes that have come up from nowhere. So here’s my latest kit to keep skin in tip-top condition – super clean and blemish-free.
Start with this face wash by Alteya Pure. The Grapefruit & Zdravetz Facial Cleanser, (£7.20, lovelula.com), is enriched with pure essential oils to gently clean skin from everyday impurities and excess oils.
I like a double cleanse, so after taking off make-up and toning, I then wash skin with this, gently applying in circles with a muslin and hot water, and then rinsing off with cold water. It is enriched with detoxifying Grapefruit and Zdravetz oils, to help keep skin clean and fresh. After drying off, skin feels zingy and super-clean, without any tightness or dryness.
I’ve then been applying Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil, £11, to any blemishes – a tiny dab does wonders. A natural antibacterial solution, Tea Tree Oil is distilled from specially selected Melaleuca alternifolia leaves, a plant native to the coastal regions of northern New South Wales and south eastern Queensland, Australia. And Thursday Plantation is a leader in this field, one of the originators with the benefits of tea tree oil.
This 100% pure, 100% natural oil is a powerful antibacterial which tackles a broad spectrum of bacteria and cleanses and protects skin abrasions and blemishes. Dab it on to any acne area or spots or leave overnight for an intense treatment, and skin soon clears up.
Also from Thursday Plantation, the Tea Tree Manuka Honey Balm, £10, is ideal to erase scars and skin abrasions, as it combines the softening qualities of Manuka honey with the antibacterial values of tea tree oil. Just dab it on and the softening balm does away with problem areas and over time erases small scars and blemishes.
Once you’ve cleansed and prepped, then make sure skin is nicely moisturised with a cream that treats skin as well as adding hydration.
Gorgias London’s Lemon & Tea Tree Oil Moisturiser, £24.95, is ideal for spot-prone skin. It uses natural oils and fruit extracts, including sea buckthorn oil and tea tree leaf oil, as a remedy to gently treat skin without causing any chance of further breakouts. Sea buckthorn oil acts as an anti-inflammatory helping to reduce redness and swelling while also nourishing the skin to soften and heal scars. The addition of tea tree leaf oil provides anti-bacterial properties that causes spots. Lemon extract oil leaves skin feeling soft and revived.
*This review is based on press samples
