Skincity Moisture Glow Pads

Skincity has become one of my first stops when browsing for skincare. The fact that they offer free express delivery, no matter how much you spend, is a huge draw card for me, not to mention the free sample, tote bag and cute Kokeshi doll with every order!

Not only does Skincity stock a variety of respected beauty brands, inlcuding the likes of Paula's Choice, iS Clinical, SkinCeuticals and Oskia, they also sell their very own range and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t keen to try every one of their offerings. I have previously owned the Cooling Moisture Toner Stick, which is great for Summer, but they have a pretty extensive collection of skincare and tools to choose from. I've got an eye on the SPF50 stick (that's currently on offer) but for now I’ve shown restraint and just have the one item – the Skincity Moisture Glow Pads.

I came across these while on the hunt for something quick to wake up my skin in the morning and the little pads tick all the boxes. Made from cellulose, the thin pads are soaked in an exfoliating PHA solution, with antioxidants inlcuded to protect, clarify and hydrate. Extracts of Algae and Purple Ginseng are in the mix to encourage collagen production, while a touch of Spearmint Oil instantly refreshes and cools.

I have been loving swiping a pad on my face and neck every morning - they have a pleasant tingling effect, with a real skin-awakening effect. Even though they are designed for use in the AM, the pads could be used any time that you feel your skin could do with a quick refresh. Just make sure to follow up with an SPF after your usual serums/ moisturisers when using during the day.

The Skincity Moisture Glow Pads are £20 for a tub of 50 - don't forget there's no charge for delivery. You can also choose the sample/bag/Kokeshi option at checkout or opt for minimal packaging with no sample and extras.

Fresh Kombucha Anti-Pollution Cleansing Treatment

(article contains affiliate links) 

I’ll be honest, when I first saw that Fresh had brought out this no-rinse cleanser, I assumed off the bat that it was just another micellar water. It wasn’t until I read a review of the Kombucha Cleansing Treatment that I realised that it’s actually a lot more than just a quick cleanse.

The Fresh Kombucha Cleansing Treatment is sort of self-explanatory if you go by the name alone, and I should have noticed that Cleansing and Treatment are two words that you don’t often see together. The beauty of Fresh’s latest product is that it sweeps away makeup (including mascara), dirt, sunscreen and general grime but also leaves an undetectable layer of Prebiotic Inulin on the skin.

What is Prebiotic Inulin?

Prebiotic Inulin is a naturally occurring extract derived from the chicory root. In this case, it helps to keep the skin balanced as it ‘feeds’ the skin’s microbiome, which in turn increases the skin’s defences against aggressors such as pollution.

The addition of antioxidant Kombucha also helps to keep the skin clarified and refined while smoothing texture.

The first thing I noticed when using the treatment for the first time is just how inoffensive it is. I know that’s probably a bizarre way of describing a skincare product, but it’s true! It basically looks like water and feels like water on the skin and is so delicately fragranced that any scent is barely delectable. I was expecting the cucumber-esque aroma that many Fresh products have, but this really is virtually scentless. It also doesn’t seem to create a film on the skin of any sort and leaves it feeling soft and comfortable, not stripped in the slightest.

To use, you simply saturate a cotton pad (we know by now that reusable is the most eco-friendly option – have a look at some great ones that I use here) and sweep it gently over the face. Even though it can be used as an end-of-day makeup remover/ cleanser, I wouldn’t use it for this because not only am I very much a cleanse-with-a-flannel type person in the evening, but if I was wearing makeup or SPF I would be washing my face twice. I wouldn’t want to use it as a first cleanse/ makeup remover then rinse away the goodness of the Prebiotic Inulin. With that said, I have been loving using this treatment in the morning to cleanse and refresh my skin. If you are someone who usually makes do with cleansing wipes, micellars and no-rinse cleansers, then this is just as convenient but with the added bonus of the Prebiotic Inulin, so you’re treating the skin as well as cleansing it.

The treatment comes in two sizes - 75ml (£19) and 200ml (£36). The Fresh Kombucha Anti-Pollution Cleansing Treatment is available from Fresh, Cult Beauty and Space NK.