Clay Anti-ageing Face Mask (SKn Naturals)
First of all, what a huge jar! 250 ml is double what you normally get and when the contents are as good as this mask, the price becomes quite amazingly low. When I opened the package, it had been so mistreated in transit that the tin sported two huge dents. I had to use a tin opener to get the lid off and, when I went hunting for an empty jar to decant the mask into, I had trouble finding anything large enough.

I have recently become very fond of face masks and am always delighted to discover a really good one. My jar was provided to me at no cost to allow me to test it for review purposes. I have used it every third day for the past three weeks, a total of seven times, and my skin hasn't been this soft in years. I have mixed skin and the mask is helping keep the pores closed while normalizing the oily T-zone.
Often clay-based masks dry and crack, making removal rather messy. This mask remains beautifully moist and is really easy to wash off (I use a big sponge and warm water). The recommended application time is 10 minutes, but I have kept it on for as long as 30 minutes and, although the surface does eventually dry, it doesn't crack and peel. In fact, after a very long treatment (I had forgotten about it), I was surprised to see that most of it had actually “disappeared” into my skin! I imagine what was absorbed were the oils (sweet almond and avocado) and collagen that make up the recipe, while the green clay remained on the surface.

It is so easy to use that I look forward to the next treatment and, especially, to the results once I wash it off. Part of the appeal is the scent, it smells fresh and delicious and quite suitable for men, as well. I love the texture, it's thick and creamy, spreads easily and sticks exactly where you put it, without falling off. I like to use it after rinsing my face in hot water, to open the pores. You don't need a lot to cover your face and neck, although there is no downside to spreading it thickly. Natural ingredients, cruelty-free and guaranteed. I think it's wonderful stuff.

Dream Dots for Spots
These clever little patches would have changed my life if they had been available years ago when my face was plagued by intermittent stress-related breakouts. Nowadays my skin rarely breaks out but, when it does, I now have the answer. These small, round patches are nearly invisible once on my face and work like a charm.

Using them is simple: wash the affected area, pat dry with a clean towel and apply the Dream Dot, pressing well for a few seconds. Ideally, the patch should stay in place for eight hours (overnight works well) and I found that they are not affected by water if you decide to leave them on longer. What I really like is that they do not contain any harsh ingredients, unlike the usual acne gels that dry up and irritate my skin.
I find these really useful for those summertime heat spots that don't seem to resolve. The Dream Dots keep the area clean and literally draw out the inflammation, and next morning my skin is well on its way to repair the problem. Sometimes it takes a second application to complete the repair, but it's a brilliant alternative to having an ugly spot that doesn't go away.

There are 24 patches in each packet, plenty for occasional use. There is a trick to peeling them off the backing and, after a few tries, it becomes quite easy. Really a touch of genius.

Test sample gratefully received to enable me to write this review.

Lactic Acid 10% Gel Peel (Refresh Skin Therapy)
When asked to test this peel, I approached it with some caution, but am very glad to have given it a try. It is now a regular part of my skin care routine. The product is an almost clear gel with a smell that reminds me of lotions for acne. The Refresh website has excellent instructions on how to use it and it's a good idea to read them in full before your first application. My skin at 61 has become very sensitive and fragile, but it also needs a lot of help to keep all the unpleasant signs of ageing from taking over. I have been trying to reverse some extensive sun damage on my cheeks. Essentially, I had irregular, brown stains that looked particularly ugly in the winter. My other skin care had already improved things but I think this peel has added some real muscle to the task.

I started very conservatively three weeks ago, with a 1-minute application. My skin did not react, so a few days later, I left the peel on for 2 minutes, and gradually worked up to 5 minutes (I use a timer for accuracy). I am now using it every other night before going to sleep and even put a bit on my hands.
I wash my face with a herbal face cleanser before and after, and follow up with a good hyaluronic acid serum and a soothing seaweed night cream. There is a very slight tingling sensation but the peel is very mild and my skin seems to tolerate it well without getting red. The stains are fading really quickly and my skin looks tighter and smoother. The bottle isn't huge but you only need a small amount, so the price works out to be very reasonable.
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