Dermalogica Clear Start Matte Moisturiser

Early last year I posted about this product, except then it was under a different name and in slightly different packaging. Click here to read my thoughts on the original product (!). Going from "Clean Start" to "Clear Start" might not seem like much of a leap but for teenage skin clear is certainly what I was after. We all want clean skin but that comes from a cleanser or face wash; clear skin is personally how I want my skin to look. 

Still aiming to target oily skin, not much has changed aside from the packaging. Personally, that's a good thing. This is my favourite daytime moisturiser and has been for well over a year. I can wear it alone if I'm in the sun or under make-up to give my skin a matte base. It still smells faintly like cola cubes and doesn't leave any unwanted residue.

When I was at my local Dermalogica counter I asked why the change had taken place and I was told it was to make the brand "more Dermalogica" as Clean Start was previously part of another brand. 

Once that's confirmed I will make sure I clarify that here!

This product is a 10/10 would recommend to teens and young adults who want to combat excess oil in the skin. You can buy one here (!) for £16 / 60ml.

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My Cold Weather Skin Saviours

I have really frustrating skin when the weather changes. Some days my make-up can practically slip right off my face and other days I'm desperately searching for something to hydrate unexpected dry patches. 

By chance I found a winning combination to counteract the effects of the gale force winds and the hideously heavy rainfall we've been experiencing in the UK. 

My first port of call is this heavy duty La Roche-Posay emulsion. It's extremely thick and creamy so I don't need much to cover dry patches. It is mainly for skin that is excessively dry rather than just slightly problematic but as a night cream this is perfect as I can apply it and let it sink in gradually.

I use this particularly on my chin and my nose to combat any dryness that may come from either a day exposed to the elements or from a face scrub on a pamper evening. (This is an old product but it wasn't opened until December '13 which is why the bottle looks so ancient!)

My day time moisturiser is definitely the Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser. It's light on the skin but has quite a thick consistency. It smells fresh and slightly floral like the rest of the Liz Earle skincare range and sinks into the skin relatively quickly. I find there's just enough time to make a cup of tea while I wait for this to work it's magic!

You can find the La Roche-Posay Hydranorme emulsion here (click!) and the Liz Earle Skin Repair moisturiser here (click!)

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Vanishing Cream Moisturiser by Lush

A low-fat lavender moisturiser that disappears into the skin 

leaving nothing behind except beautiful soft skin. 

Wonderful on oily skin or on T-zones. 

I bought this in Lush in Swindon earlier this week after needing a creamier formula for my night-time skin routine. I adore my Dermalogica moisturiser that I reviewed here (click!) for daily wear and for warmer, summer days but after using an exfoliator or muslin cloth on my skin in the evenings I've needed something to restore the moisture that was removed by my cleansing products.

This moisturiser does what it says on the lid - it's beautifully fragranced with lavender which is really relaxing, especially before bed. It soothes and rehydrates my skin and doesn't leave a heavy layer that takes a while to sink it, although if I've used a little too much at any point I've noticed a slight tackiness can occur. It doesn't last long though and doesn't affect the application of make-up either - I'm a firm believer in giving your skin time to adjust between applying products so this isn't a problem for me but if you're more of a "slap-it-on-and-go" kinda gal then this might not be ideal for you. However, counter arguing myself here - Lush also have their Emotional Brilliance range which includes a face powder to be mixed with your favourite moisturiser to create a tinted moisturiser; I think this moisturiser would be perfect to pair with it as it would probably bind well and stay on the skin from the minute it's applied so that could be a solution to that problem!

I prefer this moisturiser as a night time product or for days when I'm either not putting make-up on or when I know I won't be putting make-up on for a while. I like to let it fully absorb before I slather on my foundation or primer to avoid any nasty build up. Clogged pores are not cute! the best thing about it being suited to oily skin is that it's not horribly thick. It has a yogurt like consistency which I find ideal.

This isn't a cheap moisturiser but it isn't especially expensive - it's £17.50 / 45g and comes in the pot as shown in the photos above. It doesn't come in another form of dispenser which is a shame - I'd quite like a pump for this but alas, no such luck. 

Dermalogica Active Moist Moisturiser

I know it was only the other week when I reviewed Dermalogica's Clean Start SPF 15 moisturiser for younger skin but I'm back with another Dermalogica moisturiser! I bought these at the same time as one another which to some might seem stupid but after talking to the lovely lady at my local counter she said that applying the Clean Start moisturiser after washing my face in the evening was a total waste of the product since it contains SPF...and unless I'm sleeping outside in the middle of the day there really is no point. So away I walked with my little baggy full of skincare products ready to try my new babies out.

This moisturiser is aimed at those with excess oil production but as I've mentioned before my skin is not oily, oily but in the winter months I'm greeted with a little more shine than I would like when I look in the mirror! I've been using this moisturiser on days when I'm inside all day and at night after cleansing my face.

It has a soft, gel like formula but it isn't sticky like some gel moisturisers can be. It's very smooth and lightly fragranced (naturally!) with hints of lemon, lavender and cucumber. Cucumber is known for its cooling properties and it really helps calm my skin after a stressful day. Although the moisturiser comes out looking like a translucent white colour it soon goes clear and doesn't leave residue once massaged into the skin. I used this all over my face and lightly around my eyes and haven't experienced any irritation.
It doesn't provide a matte base for make-up but it hasn't interfered with my foundation application or any make-up that's applied after whether it is powder or liquid so I'm really pleased with that.


This moisturiser has an RRP of £43.00 so it's certainly not cheap but I'll 100% be repurchasing it to make sure I always have some in my drawer. I absolutely L O V E how it smells and how hydrated my skin feels afterwards.
If you want to pick up your own tube click here (!) to view the product description on the website or here (!) to view the rest of the extensive skin care range.

Dermalogica Clean Start Welcome Matte Moisturiser

I actually received a sample size of this product in a Glossybox a few months ago and bought the full size last week. At first I was tentative about it because I have quite sensitive skin but I was hooked after the first time I used it! I've never had particularly oily skin but the winter months saw my skin do a total turn around after being in and out of heating and cold ar to and from university. It's less of an issue now but I've been looking into products aimed at varying skin types than those aimed directly at "normal" skin.

This moisturiser contains oil controllers and Salicyic acid, the latter is know to help combat blemishes and is found in many products targeted specifically at clearing the skin. I'm pretty sure this range is aimed at younger, teenage skin but I can't find that clarified anywhere on the Dermalogica clean start webpage (click!) but it has the added benefit of SPF 15 (although as everybody knows all skin should be protected with an SPF, not just teenagers!) which does mean that if you're skipping make-up for a day or spending a day in the sun you can be confident that at least for a while you'll avoid any nasty sunburn!

This product has a creamy formula that's quite thin, it doesn't feel like it's blocking up my pores or clogging my skin with lashings of SPF that is sometimes the case with either products that do contain SPF or the dreaded application of sun cream on sunny days. It also has a relatively nice scent, it reminds me of cola cubes but I could be way off the mark there. It isn't too pungent or offensive to those who might prefer non-fragranced products. It sinks in quickly, doesn't leave a shine or greasy feeling and definitely does it's best at controlling oil on the skin. It doesn't affect any make-up that I apply after either so there isn't a "knock-on effect"from the mattifying properties of this moisturiser.

This moisturiser isn't cheap at £15.35 for 60ml but is currently offered with two free mini products which I also received with my purchase. You can buy it here (click!) but I'm not sure how long the offer stands for so hurry!