Every now and again a product hits the health and beauty market that is truly life-changing.
GHD hair straighteners, Keratase Oleo Relax Serum, Berocca, gradual tan. And zit patches are, as far as I’m concerned, no less revolutionary.
There are many available on the market and I have tried two:
Vice Reversa’s Micro Needling Pimple patches are fantastic for very large cystic spots. Those under-the-skin ones that are more like boils. The patches are semi-opaque discs of silicon with a central patch of hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, Totarol (whatever that is) and tee tree. Left on overnight it works taking down swelling and neutralising that motherfucker. If you’ve got a really massive one, you can leave it on during the day, as well. They are practically invisible and have a blurring effect do you can’t see the red angry spot underneath. You can dab make-up over the top for total invisibility.
Dots for Spots are less effective on large throbbing cysts but very good on all other kinds of zits – for example if you’ve got one coming up, or if you’ve just squeezed on and pissed it off and it’s now all weepy/crusty and just generally cramping your style. These, too, are small, semi-opaque silicon discs but they are smaller even than the pimple patches mentioned above. It only contains hydrocolloid, which draws out fluid from the zit and generally renders it less hellish.
Like the pimple patches, they not only work actively on the spot, but provide a shield to stop you touching or picking it. On its own it also has a sort of blurring effect to make the spot less visible and you can apply a bit of make up or powder over the top. As the disc is a smooth surface, the make-up goes on better over it than over a spot, which will leak grease and cause the make up to slide off, or go crusty and just make it all look, like ten times more obvious.
I keep a healthy supply of both kinds of zit patch in my house at all times.
How about you? What health and beauty products do you consider to be revolutionary? And have you tried any zit patches? What did you think? Please leave a comment in the handy box below.
Yes! The Cos-RX ones are a serious staple in my house, particularly as my twelve year old son has just started the spotty puberty phase. I tend to buy the clear fit ones so I can keep them on all day and as long as I move constantly at high speed people can’t see them.
Cool! never heard of those I will look them up
Oh god. Wish they’d had these in the 70s. And 80s. And 90s…
As someone who suffers from cystic acne (who knew at 37 plus didn’t Mizz and Just 17 say a bit of tea tree and after your teen years they’d be gone?) I shall be having a look for these ASAP!!
those bitches were WRANG
Haven’t tried these zit patches, but they sound great (so nice when something skincare-wise ACTUALLY works – I’ve found most beauty product promises to deliver the square root of f**k all..). However, something which for me has been revolutionary is niacinamide – using very simple products with a good percentage of niacinamide (about 5% seems to be effective, anything much lower seems not to do that much) has completely turned around the midlife, perimenopausal rosacea I started to suffer with a couple of years ago. I believe it’s role is in repairing and strengthening the skin’s barrier, thus reducing water loss and the chance of nasty stuff getting in. Whatever, it bloody well works and I totally recommend it to anyone with sensitivity, redness, inflammatory anything skin-wise (possibly acne too?) xx
Dry shampoo.
AMEN SISTER! Any thoughts on which one is best? xx
YES!! My favourites are Living Proof or Schwarzkopf xx
I second the Klorane tinted one for dark hair. Also if you have lighter coloured hair or can be arsed giving it a decent blend/rub in then the Aveda Shampure one is excellent. I’d say it offers the best oil absorption of any I’ve tried. The only downside is the whiteness. I figure now that I have a few grey hairs it all just morphs into one. The Aveda one has a sort of puffer lid to apply it (instead of aerosol) and you can get a refill bottle if you’re into saving the planet etc.
Klorane specially if you have dark hair as they do one with a slight tint which doesn’t make you look like you are wearing a powdered wig but then doesn’t also leave you with a dirty face like for example the Batiste one for dark hair. Boots normally have it in their endless 3 for 2 offers. X
The Alex Steinherr/Primark ones work for me – they’re only £3/packet.
4Head for headaches. It’s like a menthol lip balm for your head and it woooorks on stress headaches
omg I need this for Kitty she’s always got headaches
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA is life changing. I use the one in the turquoise bottle. Really helps to combat redness.
I second the recommendation for CosRX pimple patches. I have reached a stage in my life where I am comfortable not wearing any makeup so will often wear them out and about, and even to work. 👀 I really want to try the micro needling ones.
Dr Sebagh’s Deep Exfoliating Mask is great used twice a week when in the pursuit of glass skin.
Biore Watery Essence SPF 50 – sunscreen is now no longer a chore!
And Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is just a great all rounder! Try the Foil sheet masks when Look Fantastic have their Black Friday Sale on.
Apparently the BioEffect 30 serum is miraculous – I very much want to try this but it’s 💴 💴💴 for something that may not work for me.
I LOVE skincare posts! More, please, Esther!
Ash YOU need to write one LOL! you are an expert!
I tried the BioEffect serum. I‘m a sucker for skincare that promises the world and its mother. I probably would have happily spent my last few coins on any old snake oil pressed upon me by a moustachioed guy at a fairground If I lived in the olden days. Re BioEffect to be honest I do think it made a difference to my skin’s general texture and helped a little with brightening. It feels nice and not drying. But I’m not sure it’s better than a good exfoliating serum though – those Paula’s Choice ones are great and not insanely priced. For pigmentation – my bugbear – the game changer for me was Obagi C Clarifying serum, containing hydraquinone, which needs I think to be bought from a medical practice (I bought it from a dermatologist). It is many ££££, but really fades those age spots. And you can’t use hydroquinone for more than a couple of months so it’s not (too) habit forming, at least…