Tag: oily skin

Murad Age-Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30 – honest review on acne-prone oily skin

Murad Age-Balancing Moisture SPF 30 50ml - £66 - my honest review of it

I purchased Age-Balancing Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ on Murad.com back in September 2021 and have been using it daily ever since. I wanted to wait before reviewing, to give me time to really understand how it’s changed my skin and what I think of it.

It was £65 back in September. It’s now £66 (+1.5%). You get 50ml for this price on Murad.com

I purchased Murad as I wanted a really good moisturiser that also has SPF protection for my 30+yo skin. Honestly, I’ve never been bothered or had SPF in my moisturiser. I only (previously!) wore sun protection on holiday – usually abroad – never in the UK. It’s only now I’ve started to protect my skin daily – I hope it isn’t too late!

So far I’ve tried a few moisturisers claiming to act like moisturiser but have sun protection – unfortunately they’ve either been a horrible consistency that leaves white residue on my skin, or too thick and blocked my pores so bad I’d sweat within 2 minutes of putting it on my face, even if I wasn’t doing anything that caused me to sweat.

The SPF is 30.

I decided to try Murad as they’ve got a lot of credible reviews, everywhere – on Cult Beauty (who only stock brands they believe in), Marks and Spencer, Selfridges – you name it – all the top places sell it. I read a ton of reviews, and they all were excellent, so I decided to give it a go.

£65 was a little hard for me to part with for a moisturiser, but I figured I wear my face every day – it deserves a proper looking after for the first time in my life.

I also got these 3 small samples when buying from Murad.com:

AHA / BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Sample
Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector Sample
Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum Sample

Significantly improves hydration for youthful suppleness. Leaves skin hydrated, plump and smooth

Murad Age-Balancing Moisture SPF 30 50ml - £66 - my honest review of it — I’ve used it daily in a morning for over 8 months and absolutely love it – it balances out my oily forehead, is a great makeup base and smells nice

What’s the consistency like?

It’s like any other moisturiser – thick, but not as thick or oily like normal sun protection lotions. It isn’t so thick you can’t smooth it across your face easily, and it sinks in very quickly which is great for me as I like to do my makeup not long afterwards.

I use a pea-sized amount and this does my whole face plus neck, ears and hands. It feels very smooth and a high-quality product.

It smoothes my fine lines and crows feet, and makes my face look glowy – I look healthy.

There is a very faint smell – not too perfumed though which I really don’t like in products. It’s a ‘clean’ smell – not as in cleaning products (gross!) but a clean smell as in I love the feeling I get after moisturising – I know I’m clean and ready to start my day.

Which skin type is it good for?

According to their website, it’s good for combination, dry and balanced. I’m not too sure what ‘balanced’ means to be honest.

good for combination, dry and balanced skin types

I have an oily T zone, dry patches either side of my nose/upper lip (random I know), and normal everywhere else. I’m happy to say it’s worked a treat on all places – it hasn’t even made my oily forehead worse, which some moisturisers have done.

Rich Yet Fast-Absorbing SPF Moisturiser Replenishes with Long-Lasting Hydration. This moisturiser deeply nourishes dull, dry skin while improving elasticity to renew a youthful glow. Broad spectrum SPF shields skin against UVA and UVB light. Absorbs fast for a non-greasy finish that wears comfortably under makeup.
Murad.com

What’s my verdict?

I’m chuffed with it – not only has it smoothed my fine lines/crows feet, it’s helped reduce the sun spots I had at the top of my forehead. I didn’t unfortunately take before pics so I can’t show you the difference. Previously I used to apply concealer to the top of my forehead, but I don’t now as I don’t feel like I need it.

I feel like I’m really looking after my skin by wearing it. Even though I only use a pea-sized amount, my skin feels smooth and glowy. Having SPF protecting me as well as it feeling so good on my skin is win-win.

Buying it for £65 back in September and still using it now in April is well worth the money. It’s pretty empty now, but I think I can get a few more weeks out of it.

Using as a primer?

I don’t use this moisturiser as a primer, but I do put it on last in a morning before my makeup. You (apparently) should put SPF on last, so that’s what I do. I add other lotions (usually vitamin c) first, then this Murad Age Balancing moisturiser, then my makeup. I always leave at least 10 minutes after putting it on before applying makeup, to allow time for it to sink in. Don’t forget to take any moisturiser off your lashes before applying mascara – I realised this is why I always get really bad panda eyes!

See my quick tutorial on how I apply it each morning: https://youtube.com/shorts/9-exc8i9K1c?feature=share

What’s the price?

It’s £66 for 50ml. I bought it in September and have used it once daily – there’s still a few weeks left.

Even if it lasted a few months, it’s well worth the money in my opinion. I’d spend this much money on clothes or bags without a second thought – why would I think about not spending this on my face – something that I see everyday!

Delivery is £3.95 or free over £30 on Murad.com

Discount codes

Looking at their website (murad.com) they’ve got loads of offers on – 10% (sometimes 20%) for signing up to their newsletter; free gifts when you spend over £120; 25% off gift sets. Well worth checking these out. I’d also have a nosy at their social media accounts to see if they’re promoting anything else.

UPDATE June’22

I haven’t been using it this past week due to the heatwave, and my skin has gone pretty bad with acne – whether it’s from being hot and clammy, or from not using this, I can tell ya I’m 100% happier now I’m back using it.

UPDATE Sept’22

Ordered a new bottle using a £10 off voucher that’s currently running on Murad.com – £56 total with a few samples! Still loving this moisturiser – it’s so thick but soaks in so well. I love it.

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Tags Moisturiser, murad, oily skin, SPF

Skincare

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin – my honest review on oily skin

I’ve never used a cleanser – previously before bed, I’d splash water over my face to ‘clean’ it, or if I’d worn make up during the day, I’d use my Face Halo with Body Shop camomile cleansing butter to get rid of all the crap that had built up. I never realised that dirt built up on my face during the day that would take more than water to remove.

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin - photo of bottle

Developed with dermatologists, this non-drying face wash for normal to oily skin deeply cleanses, removes excess oil, and refreshes your skin without disrupting the skin barrier. This gel-based facial cleanser is an effective, yet gentle way to cleanse and care for your normal to oily skin.
From cerave.com

I started seeing ads for CeraVe foaming cleanser and decided to do some research. I have sensitive skin on my face – acne prone, oily T zone, normal and sensitive bits, so I’m always careful what I put on it. I’ve tried lotions including moisturisers for oily skin have completely dried out my skin – or made the oiliness worse.

It’s gel-based that foams when you run it under water.

It’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores and contains niacinamide that’s great for skin – it calms it down (by being the most potent anti-inflammatories in skincare)
Me

How much is it?

I bought the 236ml size for £9.50 from boots.com. It’s a medium size bottle and so far has lasted me since mid-December 2021 (3.5 months) and there’s plenty left too, even after using it at least once a day.

Buy the larger version, 473ml from Amazon for just over £12, here.

When do you use it?

I tend to use it in at night once I’ve washed my face and taken any make up off. I use it as a last defence to make sure I’ve taken off every last bit of dirt. I use it in a morning maybe once or twice a week, when I want an extra clean. I prefer to use it when in the shower, as the constant stream of water helps the increase the amount of foam – using it in the sink, sometimes I really struggle to get a good foam going if I don’t add enough water at the right time (it’s a bit fiddly but it’s probably just me).

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin - photo of bottle and liquid from nozzle — it’s pretty runny as you’d expect – it turns into silky foam when you rub with water

Are they an ethical brand?

No – they test on animals as they sell in China where animal testing is required by law. However on their website, they say they don’t test on animals:

No, CeraVe products are not tested on animals and they are cruelty free.
This is in their FAQs but unfortunately they do test when required to by law – e.g. in China

Some of their products are vegan, so they don’t include animal products – but it’s not clear from cerave.com which products are and which aren’t vegan.

I will recommend this cleanser as soon as they become a cruelty-free brand. Unfortunately, testing on animals is against everything I stand for, so I won’t be buying this or another CeraVe product until they change this status. In future, I won’t rely simply on the brand’s FAQs and will do thorough research before buying again 🙁

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Tags cerave, cleanser, oily skin

Skincare

Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Face Mask on my acne-prone oily skin- my honest review

Sand and Sky Pink Clay Mask comparison review

I wanted to share my thoughts around this clay because it’s one of my staple products I’ve consistently used for years (although I only use a couple of times a month due to the price).

What does sand and sky pink clay mask do?

I bought it because I wanted something to help with my oily skin and to clear out all the rubbish accumulated throughout the day. I also wanted a mask to help (or at least not worsen) my acne.

Detoxifies and brightens the skin
Cruelty-free
Great for clearing oiliness, congestion or pigmentation
Good for acne

This is exactly what S&S does. It detoxes skin by removing dead skin cells, leaving newer skin underneath which makes your skin look brighter. It also helps with acne by reducing inflammation.

A photo the benefits of Sand and Sky Australian Pink Clay Mask, including no sulfates, no silicones, no parabens, no phthalates, no PEGS, no gluten and cruelty-free — from their website at the time of writing – confirmation on what the clay doesn’t include, plus the PETA stamp of approval

from their website at the time of writing – lots of goodies included in the clay

Analysis screenshot from SkinCarisma.com showing a list of the ingredients and what they're good for (& not good for) — I use https://www.skincarisma.com/ to checkout ingredients in products – it lists everything that might not be suitable (dry/oily skin)

I add ingredients from products into https://www.skincarisma.com which then tells me what that product is good for, and what it’s bad for. As you can see, Sand & Sky Clay ticks lots of boxes, especially the ‘fungal acne’ one which is what I look out for because I suffer with this on my forehead. You’d be surprised at how many acne-fighting products include an ingredient which makes this worse.

How do you use the Sand and Sky clay mask?

You use it like a mask – spreading it thoroughly all over your face with the small brush that comes with it. This is the 60g tub – you’d need to check if it comes with the travel size (I’m not sure it does). Using your fingers is easy too, just a bit messy.

A photo Sand and Sky Australian Pink Clay Mask with brush — You get the small brush tool in with the price

A photo of my face whilst using Sand and Sky Australian Pink Clay Mask — it goes on shiny pink but within seconds it starts to dry a white colour

Within seconds of it being put on, it starts to dry. It feels really smooth and it’s thick too, so it feels very expensive and you feel hopeful it’s going to do wonders for your face.

Excuse the happy face followed by the sad face. I usually clean the bathroom whilst it’s drying hence looking fed-up!

As the pink clay dries, it turns white and tight on your skin. Not too tight it’s unpleasant though. I leave it on for 10-15 minutes then rinse off with cool water. I usually rinse it off in the shower to reduce any mess made but in the sink is easy enough too.

A photo of my face after using Sand and Sky Australian Pink Clay Mask — meh bad angle and not the clearest of pics, but as you can see, I’m happy with the result – pores have been completely cleaned out, and reduced in size

What does the clay mask do for skin?

I feel it cleans out the rubbish I’ve accumulated which my other products haven’t picked up.

My pores are clean
blackheads are gone
my skin feels fresh and smooth
any spots are reduced in size/redness
any oiliness is completely removed for a few days (yep, a few days).

I feel 1x or 2x a week is enough for this product, mainly due to the price but as it’s quite a deep clean, my skin might not like it – it’s not good to remove oils from your skin so often because oil is actually healthy for your skin (just not too much of it).

I’d thoroughly recommend this Sand and Sky pink clay mask. It’s a product I’ve used for years, even though it’s expensive (more on that below). I feel like it cleans my skin better than almost anything else.

Should you moisturise after pink clay mask?

Yes! Always after using masks, you need to moisturise afterwards to stop your skin becoming too dry.

Can I leave pink clay mask on overnight?

I personally wouldn’t – the Sand and Sky website says to leave it on for 10 minutes, so this is what I do. It might dry out or irritate skin if left on for too long.

How much does it cost?

It’s around £36.50 depending on where you look for a 60g pot. Several of the usuals have it: Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay. Personally I would visit the Sand & Sky website to see if they’ve got any sales on – at the time of writing this, they’ve got 25% off everything using the code ‘celebrate’.

Failing that, have a nosy around their website then visit YouTube, and a bunch of social media accounts – they might retarget you with an offer.

It’s expensive at ~~£36~~ now £34 for 60g but worth it – make it last

Unlike the pics above to show what it looks like, I make it last by only putting it sparingly on the bits of my face that need it, such as my oily patches and not putting it on my dry bits (side of nose).

Using it once a week and you’ll get a good 4-6 months out of it. Pretty good going as an average if you ask me!

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Tags clay mask, cruelty-free, oily skin, review, sand and sky, vegan

Make up

Full review of Il Makiage’s Foundation on my oily, acne-prone 35yo skin

Finding a foundation that works for combination and oily skin can be a full time job. If you have oily or combination skin, you know the struggle—finding a foundation that lasts all day without making your skin look greasy or cakey.

After being bombarded with Insta & Facebook ads for months, I finally decided to try Il Makiage’s ‘Woke Up Like This’ foundation to see if it could solve my problems.

For years, I had been using Estée Lauder Double Wear, but it was becoming uncomfortable, especially on my oily forehead. Plus, I wanted a cruelty-free alternative. Would Il Makiage be a better fit for my skin needs?

Article contents:

Skin prep for the best results with foundation
Does primer make a difference?
How do you get the right shade?
Woke up like this foundation shade 35
How does it cope with my combination skin?
What's the coverage like? How much product do I need?
Post-workout – did the foundation stay on?
Does it cover spots and melasma?
How much is the foundation and where can I buy?

My past foundation struggles

I have combination skin – an oily forehead and nose, sensitive dry patches around my mouth, and normal areas elsewhere. My previous foundation, Estée Lauder Double Wear, provided amazing coverage, but by the end of the day, my forehead looked like a frying pan, and my dry areas felt flaky.

I’ve been using Estee Lauder for a very long time, but now I’m in my late 30s, I felt like it wasn’t working as well.

I needed something lightweight, buildable, and long-lasting without making my skin issues worse. I need a foundation that:

doesn’t make my oily/dry skin worse
I could wear all day (10hr+)
stays on after a workout or if I get sweaty/rained on
doesn’t break me out in spots

Before I get into the actual foundation, I want to talk about skincare and prep.

Skin prep for the best results with foundation

Before we get into how this foundation holds up, let’s talk about skin prep because it makes all the difference. If you suffer with acne, I’ve written about that too which some of the below points go into, 10 steps to help your acne.

cleanse properly – If your skin is oily, a gentle foaming cleanser helps remove excess oil without stripping your skin.
exfoliate often – exfoliating gets rid of the dead skin that can’t drop off your face because the oil won’t let it! I use The Ordinary AHA BHA and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner. I dermaplane often, which gets hair and dead skin cells off, too, for even smoother skin.
use a hydrating (not heavy) moisturiser – Even oily skin needs moisture to prevent overproduction of sebum. I use Malezia.
other skincare – I’ve found no matter how much foundation I use, my skin will still look and feel sad and grey. Skincare is key. I use Dermatica for most of my skincare: tretinoin (similar to retinol for skin turnover), vitamin C, SPF (see my Dermatica review here).
apply a mattifying primer – A good primer helps control shine and gives the foundation a smooth base to grip onto. I use Il Makiage primer and wouldn’t be without it. See my Il Makiage primer review here.
wait before applying foundation – Let your skincare sink in before applying makeup for better longevity. Leave for at least 10 minutes.

Does primer make a difference?

I tested this foundation with and without primer, and the difference was clear.

with primer – The foundation stayed on longer, looked smoother, and controlled oil better.
without primer – Still good, but the longevity wasn’t quite as impressive.

If you have oily skin, I’d recommend using a primer to help lock everything in. I tested the Il Makiage primer with it, and you can read my full review here: See my Il Makiage primer review here or on Ilmakiage.com.

Now, let’s get into the foundation itself.

Is Il Makiage cruelty-free and vegan? Yes! Il Makiage does not test on animals and many of their products, including this foundation, are vegan.

How do you get the right shade?

Il Makiage uses a shade-matching quiz called POWERMATCH to find your ideal shade without needing to swatch in person. By answering a few questions about your skin type, undertone, and concerns, you get a personalised recommendation.

The one they recommended for me was perfect, but they have a good returns policy if it’s not for you on first try. I took the quiz which didn’t take long, and it suggested shade 35. I also reached out to their customer service, who also recommended shade 35.