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Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion

Feb 13, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

I know this is nothing new, and I’m 40 years too late for this to be a ground-breaking review, but this is a product that I believe to be one of the most effective on the market.

Created by the skin care company that inspired them all, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion is something pretty unique indeed. Firstly, there is no difference between this and Clinique’s M-Lotion, it’s the same thing, completely. There are two formulations, this for very dry-dry/combination skin and then an oil free gel for combination-oily skin types, both formulations endeavour to achieve the same balancing effect, except one adds oil, the other reduces it.

This product, being one of the first products brought out by Clinique in the late 60′s, was designed to balance the skin’s natural oil and water. It’s formulation was one that Clinique’s Dermatologists established as being the closest thing to the oil and water that our skin naturally produced.

It contains no SPF, no anti-ageing, in fact very little ‘extras’ at all, because it really doesn’t need to thus allowing it to be ageless, genderless, raceless and perfect for even the most sensitive skin. It’s been designed to balance and restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier then allowing it to be more responsive to anything you wish to layer over the top of it, such as the serums and sun protection products, anything you want really, look at it as a skin primer. As with any product, it works best when the skin has been well prepared using a good facial wash and regular exfoliation as unprepared skin won’t allow the product to penetrate quite as easily.

The product remains to be Clinique’s number 1 selling product of all time, and one of the world’s number 1 moisturisers (possibly the number one but I really couldn’t say). If this is something you’ve never tried before then go to your local Clinique counter and have a sit down consultation, you will never be pressured but its a great way to find out your skin type and how your skin concerns can be treated.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion £29/125ml at Clinique Online

Baxter Oil Free Moisturizer

Feb 07, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

Despite hating having to spell moisturizer with a ‘z’ for this post, this is an absolutely fantastic fragrance-free moisturiser designed for normal-oily skin.

The moisturiser uses plant-based ingredients to formulate a stunning hydrator that leaves skin feeling smooth and looking completely shine-free. Aloe calms and soothes irritated skin whilst Vitamin E defends against environmental damage. Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract is a good anti-oxidant as well as another great anti-inflammatory agent coupled with the soothing properties or chamomile.

All these ingredients go into making quite a fantastic product, that I can imagine as well as being great for daily use, would be unbelievable on sun burn. My skin felt hydrated all day and it really did stay shine-free. If you’ve not encountered Baxter before (or even if you have), then its definitely worth a try!

Baxter Oil Free Moisturiser £20/120ml at NkdMan.co.uk

Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions

Feb 04, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

I did a brief introduction to this product range a while back in my Guide to Acne, but never an in depth product review. If you believe you do suffer with acne/serious spots then check the guide out by clicking here.

This, in my opinion, is the best option for clearing up spots and is honestly the reason I work for Clinique, a range of products that do what they promise, quickly, effectively and that follow the rules and science of great skin care. Peronsally, I have trouble with spots all the time; you’d never know to look at me, but that’s because I spend a huge amount of time ensuring they don’t appear, because my god, they really try to.

The range is composed of three core products [above]: Foaming Facial Wash, Clarifying Lotion and Moisturiser. The foaming facial wash is SLS free, which is important as some acne sufferers suffer from the most amazingly delicate and sensitive skin imaginable, and SLS can trigger this quite often. For those who aren’t as sensitive, like myself, I prefer the Face/Body Bar, which has a stunning lather on it and personally, I feel cleaner using it, and its amazing for those little spots you can get on the back of your arms.

The Clarifying Lotion is the exfoliator, now, no matter what you read, you should NEVER manually exfoliate spots simply because this can open the spot, cause the bacteria to spread and also increase the risk of scaring because you’re basically creating a wound. With this product, apply a small amount onto a cotton pad and wipe over the face gently, never going over the same area twice, so no scrubbing fiercely with it; this process will remove all the dead skin cells.

Finally the oil-free, anti-bacterial moisturiser is wonderful, hydrating the skin whilst penetrating through the top layers of skin to destroy the evil p.Acne bacteria. Sometimes it isn’t enough hydration as this product range is suitable for the oiliest of skins, so for those that are dry – combination add in some more hydration, but make sure it’s oil free, something like Clinique Moisture Surge often does the trick for me, coupled with some City Block SPF40 to stay well sun protected, but you can experiment.

Results vary from person to person but since using it, I barely get a single spot and the ones that do get through are tiny little nothings.

If you suffer from spots, then this is for you, if you hear people EVER say that Clinique skin care drys your skin, then that’s a pile of stink to be honest, because if you read this, you’ll understand how to use the products. Any resulting dryness is often caused by over use of the Clarifying Lotion and/or not adding in a little extra hydration when needed, so you tell them that, but obviously I must say that everyone has the right to his/her own opinion (but they’re wrong!).

Because I love this so much and for it’s contribution to the quest to help acne sufferers, which can be a confidence shattering concern, I award the Manface Approved Award.

Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions £46.50/Complete Set at Clinique Online

Clinique Redness Solutions and Redness Facts

Jan 25, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

Redness is one of those concerns that can’t be treated with a simple moisturiser and general skin care routine. Depending upon the severity, whether it’s simply high-colour, right through to rosacea, different steps and measures need to be followed to ensure a chance of improvement.

Redness is caused by blood vessels that are closer to the surface of the skin than normal. Often this is coupled with flushing, often caused by exercise, spicy food and wine, or even just being a little embarrassed. Because of the fragility of these blood vessels, over time, these flushes cause the vessels to break and fork of, therefore spreading and becoming more visible.

Firstly, even though this skin concern can result in dryness, you should avoid using products that are oil based, in favour of oil-free creams that can still hydrate just as effectively; oil can cause irritation and make the skin appear redder. Secondly, avoid manual scrubs, these cause increased blood flow to the skins surface, which in this case is not desired. Finally, sun protection is key; sun exposure one of the biggest irritants of redness and must be protected against daily with at least an SPF15.

One of the best skin care ranges designed for this concern is no other than Clinique Redness Solutions; providing a 2 step regime with 2 special care add-ons. The first product is the Soothing Cleanser, providing a rich oil-free, soap-free clean and containing a chemical exfoliator, removing the need for scrubs whilst still removing the build up of dead skin which exacerbates dryness and tightness. The moisturiser comes in the form of the Daily Relief Cream, an incredibly rich and hydrating yet oil-free moisturiser that leaves the skin unbelievably comforted but not greasy or heavy in the slightest. It’s packed full of anti-inflammatory agents such as caffeine and kelp, and ingredients grouped as glycoseaminoglycans, that actively reduce redness.

Over time these products will reduce redness as well as create healthy skin. The two extra products, one of which is a must, are the Daily Protective Base SPF 15 and the Urgent Relief Cream. The Daily Protective Base provides all over sun protection that as I mentioned, will help prevent redness becoming more intense due to sun damage, as well as a green colour, that visibly reduces redness, and leaves skin looking a little less flushed.

Finally the Urgent Relief Cream is not always applicable. It’s for if redness ever becomes painful, inflamed or prickly, and is more of a medicine cabinet product to be used as and when; its also brilliant for insect bites!

Hopefully this has shone a little bit of light on the causes and possible treatments of redness, but each case needs to be judged individually. If your redness is a real concern then do get in contact with your doctor or dermatologist, as there are many prescription treatments that can make a real difference. If you are using a prescription treatment for your redness, then you can use Redness Solutions, as this is what it’s been designed for, just make sure that your prescription cream or roll on goes on after the Daily Relief Cream but before any sun protection.

If you have any concerns and would like to get in contact, leave me a comment below or just email me and I’ll endeavour to get right back to you.

Clinique Redness Solutions from £14.50 at Clinique Online

Creme de la Mer Oil Absorbing Lotion

Jan 19, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

COVETED BY THOSE IN THE KNOW

The Oil Absorbing Lotion gives you all the power of the original Creme de la Mer whilst reducing surface oil on the skin. The lotion contains the exact same concentration of The Miracle Broth as the original but is completely oil free.The plastic pump tube is a much better design in my opinion as it’s more portable and much lighter, as well as incredibly hygienic, as the formula contains very little artificial fragrance.

The miracle broth is an unknown formula derived from a very limited supply of rare sea kelp combined with a lifetime of cell research by the now late Dr. Max Huber, an astrophysicist and botanist. He created the broth to heal the scars he incurred from a rocket accident that left most of his face inflamed with scar tissue. After years of use, his scarring was reduced to virtually nothing and was completely accountable to his Miracle Broth. The even cooler thing is, is that from his original batch, a small amount was saved to be then used to formulate the next and this continued, meaning there’s a small amount of his original creation in every pot, tube and pump of Creme de la Mer.

There’s very little reason for me to go into the ingredients with this, as it doesn’t follow normal rules and formulas, its a one off. What I can say is that from the moment you apply the product, as well as a visible reduction in oil, the skin feels different, smoother, softer and more radiant. After only a few days use, as opposed to weeks, the skin changes for the better. My occasional blemishes disappear without a trace, leaving no red marks. Skin is calmed.

It’s difficult to write a review on this product because I know what some of you must be thinking, but it’s really not just a moisturiser, it’s beyond that. Look at it in this nerdy manly way: MI5 have all sorts of technology that can do things we only see in Sci-Fi films, stuff that won’t come onto the mass market for years to come. Well Créme de la Mer Oil Absorbing Lotion is that.

Creme de la Mer Oil Absorbing Lotion £150/50ml at Creme de la Mer Online

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Welcome to Manface

Welcome to Manface, a Men's Grooming Blog. Here you can find all sorts of reviews and articles on Men's Grooming products, Cosmetics and Skin Care by Thom Watson, a specialist in skin care and derma-concerns. If you have any questions or suggestions, contact me.

All views are my own and do not represent those of Clinique or Estée Lauder Companies.