Garnier Pure Active Exfo-Brusher Wash

I decided to try this out as it was on special offer in Boots, and was £4.49 instead of the usual £7.49. I was quite intrigued to try this peculiar looking tool to see if its just a gimmick, or whether it is able to clean deeper into pores than normal washes and exfoliators.

The lid to the face wash resembles a small brush with soft, thin rubber bristles. To use, you wet the brush, squeeze a bit of the wash out and then apply the brush to your face in small circular motions.

After using the Exfo-Brusher Wash my skin felt thoroughly clean, but it wasn’t glowing and it wasn’t super soft like I’ve just used a proper exfoliator. My skin felt a little tight so I need to apply a small amount of moisturiser to my checks and eye-area – I just used a tiny bit of light moisturiser (Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturiser) as the whole point of the Exfo-Brusher is to reduce shine and surface sebum levels.

Personally, I’d prefer to use a proper exfoliator or an exfoliator wash (such as Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Scrub) as these leave my skin looking and feeling cleaner and fresher than the Exfo-Brusher. However, as too frequent exfoliaton leaves my skin quite dry, the Exfo-Brusher might be a good ‘milder’ alternative that I can use more frequently.

The pores on my nose tend to get blocked quite easily, so I was hoping the Exfo-Brusher’s claim of ‘reducing surface sebum levels’ might help to minimise blocking. I’m not sure whether this is the case yet, but my face still feels completely grease and shine-free, despite the hot weather!

Overall, this is an OK product but it’s certainly not my favourite exfoliating/deep clean wash, so I doubt I would buy it again.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

I love this stuff! Massaging this aromatic elixir into my skin before bedtime is a sure way to guarantee it's looking nourished and glowing in the morning. This oil works wonders for my dry skin by restoring and nourishing, helping to banish the intense dryness and flakiness I normally experience during the Winter months. However, Liz Earle says that the concentrate is also good for oily/combination skin skins and will help to “rebalance oily and combination skin types”.

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate is an intense blend of 100% plant oils, and contains argan and rosehip oils (to soften), neroli, lavender and chamomile essential oils (to soothe), and natural source vitamin E (to protect). The oil is designed to be used as a night-time nourisher, prior to moisturising (or can be used alone for an intense boost!). Liz Earle recommends to use the concentrate sparingly, and massage it into the face two or three times a week. While the £18.00 price tag (for 10ml) is a little off putting, remember, you don’t need much - my 10ml roller ball has lasted me for months.

I use this religiously twice a week, and would now hate to be without it! It makes my skin glow, even when it’s really stressed-out and looking especially lackluster, and I absolutely love it relaxing aroma. Highly recommended!

Rating: ★★★★☆