When it comes to skincare for oily and blemish prone skin, one thing I have always been nervous about is stripping the skin’s natural oils and damaging the outer layer of our skin.

In fact- I had a chin FULL of acne in my early 20’s for about 5 years and GOSH what a knock to the confidence it is. My heart really does go out to any one suffering with skin issues. If this is something that you are going through now, please know that they will not be there forever and this will be making you grow into even more of an amazing person you are now, stronger and more compassionate.

Back then, the skincare really was not what is is now. If we had acne or even the odd spot, we were encouraged to head to ‘that counter who’s products look and smell like nail varnish remover’ to buy the STRONGEST THING WE COULD POSSIBLY FIND.

ergh, it gives me shudders even thinking about it.

After years and years of countless topical products, a very short stint of roacutan, endless facials and the biggest blow to my self esteem imaginable…. the thing that ACTUALLY worked was taking it back to basics and using the most natural and simple skincare routine.

Within days, my skin started to feel less tight and aggravated.

IF ONLY THERE WERE BRANDS LIKE BOTANICS THEN!

Ok, so let’s talk about Botanics.

Botanics are a very affordable vegan, cruelty free and sustainable skincare brand available on the high street…BOOTS. Their products are laced with gorgeous natural, innovative ingredients from Mother Earth.

Their products are gentle- yet effective.

PLUS, they genuinely thinking about the planet with every step of their production.

What is not to love?

I can hear a stampede of eco concious teenagers on route to BOOTS right now!

THE NEW BOTANICS CLARIFYING RANGE

I was lucky enough to start using the new Botanics Clarifying range a few months before it came to market. I have had some hormone imbalances and therefore my chin around my mouth had a few blemishes that don’t seem to want to go away.

The magical key ingredients:

TURMERIC:

natural anti bacterial ingredient and anti-inflammatory

WILLOW-BARK:

a natural alternative to salicylic acid.

So I started using the cleanser, The mask every few days and the moisturiser. (I also use the scrub a little too).

I really liked everything in the range- however 2 products stood out for me the most. The Mask and the moisturiser.

The Boots clarifying mask I have been using just around my mouth a few times a week for the past few months. I found that it instantly calmed down my skin, making it feel less irritated and have noticed that it’s diffused big angry spots developing when I have felt the first initial blemish rearing it’s head.

The star of the show for me is the moisturiser. As a make up artist I work on A LOT OF SKIN. Very often I have found that moisturiser for oily skin dries skin out too much. This one feels super nourishing, hydrating and skin feels so comfortable afterwards. It also helps to take down a little shy and make skin more matte. I am adding some to my kit immediately.

I would love for you to share your thoughts on the range too!

Love, Em-J xx

SHOP BOTANICS CLARIFYING RANGE