Sure, so we’re only a couple of weeks into 2024 but I am loving taking some time to sit and type and decided that sharing a few ‘in progress’ reviews was what I felt like doing today. I say in-progress because the products I want to share here are a mixture of new-ish to me products, so I would say I’ve been using them for 2-3 weeks ish on average. I like to really throughly try a product for a decent amount of time before sharing my thoughts so usually for a month plus but these are ones I just can’t wait to share my thoughts on so here goes.
Shiseido Waso Shikulime Gel-To-Oil Cleanser
To say I love the texture of this cleanser would be underplaying it. I absolutely adore it. I’ve always had a thing for an oil or balm cleanser, this is all the slippery goodness of an oil cleanser but less messy. As it starts out thicker then beautifully melts as you massage into skin it really is the cleanser that keeps on giving. Managing to be silky smooth and not remotely stripping. It does a great job at dissolving makeup but works well as a first or second cleanse step just as well. Or just stand alone if a single cleanse life is your thing.
This cleanser has earned itself a fast forward to top 5 list (along with the likes of the Elemis Cleansing Balm and Clarins Pure Melt) If you like that sort of melty oil-like goodness then this is one that you should add to your list. Trying more from Shiseido is definitely on my list for 2024.
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum
I was lucky to be sent the Future Renew range back when it launched in 2023. However in chaos of moving house, I kept it in the box for months and only dug it out in December. But so far, loving the eye serum – it’s one of those lighter eye product textures that feels like a drink of water for the skin. I can’t confirm if it’s reversed any age related damage as such, but I can say it’s lovely and hydrating and leaves my notoriously dehydrated eye area moisturised but feeling fresh on each use – morning or evening (I’ve been using for both). So top marks from me on first few weeks of use, I will give one of the face creams a whirl next once I’ve finished of my current in-use selection soon.
Skin Rocks Retinoid 1
I have to confess I’ve had this product in my possession for quite a few months before giving it a proper test after Caroline kindly offered to get her team to send for me to try. Why did I wait to try? Well, not to sound dramatic but I can be nervous of retinol products. Yes I know, I am skincare/beauty obsessed and can still be nervous of retinol products. It’s the talk of retinol damaging skin barriers, flaking and purging. Having used the full on tret level skincare I can vouch for both the great results AND the skin reactions that can occur. I stand by the fact with the tret I have always done all the carefully-carefully steps but there’s still a concentration level that seems to trigger a dry/flaking upper lip line. Always specifically that area. I can’t fully explain it but I don;t love it. I do however, absolutely love the glow and smoothness that retinol products can give. So I persevere.
So what is all that waffle about? Let’s get back to what I’ve liked about Skin Rocks Retinoid 1 – I like that it’s gentle, it really is the ideal intro to a retinol routine if you’re either new to it, sensitive skinned or perhaps returning to use post pregnancy etc. (This was me when I first got started dipping my toe into the retinol world again). I have not yet had a single issue with this, it applies and absorbs like a dream and my skin is very happy using it. Do I see the same level of results as with tretinoin? No, but that’s as I would expect – it’s the level one, a different ingredient (Retinoid vs tretinoin, in very very basic terms, same family – different ingredients and thus different result levels expected). This is really the ideal intro to a retinol whilst you build your tolerance, let your skin adapt as you use and take it from there.
So if you’re entry level retinol user, sensitive or just a little nervous about it like I mentioned – give the Skin Rocks Retinoid 1 a whirl.
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