New additions to my skincare routine

I am a devoted Neutrogena skin care user but these are the three new skincare products I'm currently using:

1. Garnier Pure Active Blackhead Scrub - I'm usually dismissive of products which claim to get rid of blackheads because they never work for me but this one does. As it's also an exfoliator I only use it twice a week in conjunction with my face brush and there has been a noticeable difference in the reduction of blackheads around my t zone (especially my nose). I feel like it cleans my face thoroughly and I love the zingy fresh feeling - it's like toothpaste for the face! I didn't see a result from day 1 (as promised) but it's become a favourite which I repurchase again and again. Usually £4.19 but I like to buy when it's on promotion for £3.49 :)

2. Good Things Fresh Start Creamy Cleanser - I haven't seen many cleansers on the high street but I bought this a while ago after reading good things (hehe) about the brand. SLS/Paraben free and only £4.99, it's affordable and easily available. Once massaged into your skin, you're supposed to use a hot wrung out flannel to remove the cleanser. It left my skin soft and smells REALLY nice and fruity but wasn't very effective at removing my non waterproof mascara - the flannel had to do most of the work.

3. Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser - Two small pumps of this cream gel cleanser is all I need to clean my face and it removes my eye makeup very well. No flannels or muslin cloths needed, just a quick rinse with warm water. It's got a light fresh scent and my skin feels soft and clean afterwards. Hypoallergenic and designed for normal to combination sensitive skin, this product is rich in Avene thermal spring water which is supposed to have soothing and anti-irritating properties. Available in Boots for £11.50 (200ml) it's slightly pricey and probably more suited to those who like to invest in their skincare. However not much product is needed so it would probably last for a while. They also have two other cleansers which are slightly cheaper at around £8 (see here and here).

Do you hate the smell of cocoa butter?

Because I do and I can't be the only one? I can't stand it, especially the Palmer's version which everyone seems to love. I know that it's a good moisturising lotion but I hate the greasy feeling and the overbearing scent.

BUT whilst browsing the aisles of Superdrug this week I saw this new Garnier body lotion on offer (£2.99 for 400ml)and out of the variety of scents (like mango!), I chose the cocoa butter one. It's not like any other cocoa butter product I've used before. It smells like milk chocolate but it's light and not sickly sweet. Only been using it for a few days but I love it so far!

Summer + Skincare

I may not be going on holiday this year but this British summer is proving to be a scorching hot one (and please God let it last!). The last bottle of sunscreen I purchased was about 3 years ago so I promptly dumped it and went in search of replacements.  I'm quite concerned about protecting my skin from harmful rays so I always buy at least SPF20.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Light & Silky protection milk SPF20 - Superdrug has a buy 2 get cheapest 1 free promotion on most suncare products right now so when my boyfriend bought this, he gave me the other one (woo). It's everything I need in a suncream - non greasy/sticky, smells great and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It's so light that I also use it on my face from time to time. It retails at £13.97 which I think is a bit pricey so I would only repurchase if on promotion.

Simple protecting facial hydrolotion SPF25 - This was a sample that I received in a goody bag in November and it's only now that I'm putting it to use. It's fragance free and light but only protects against UVA rays. I haven't seen this anywhere instore though so I have no idea how much the full product retails for.

Korres sunscreen face cream watermelon SPF20 - My first Korres product which I got for the bargain price of £4.99 in TKmaxx. I'm really not impressed with this. Considering it's a face cream it's so thick and hard to blend in. It left my face ashy and ghost like plus the watermelon scent is awful. I can't bear to throw things away so I'm going to try mixing it with moisturiser.

Now I'm off to browse lastminute.com and teletext holidays and lament over the fact that I will not be beach bound this year *mopes*