More skincare? Yes please! Unfortunately after my little breakout I have been scrambling to find a new routine to fix it. So while it looks like I’ve been burning through skincare, I have been testing them behind the scenes.
I also have very reactive skin, so I can tell the next day if something won’t work for me. For whatever reason my pores get so congested around my chin and mouth. I tend to give it a week, to make it’s the new skincare I’m testing and if it is, then it’s off to the skincare graveyard!
This week I have a couple of products from Antipodes, a skincare brand from New Zealand. A lot of their skincare is infused with Vinanza Grape, which is chock full of anti-oxidants, and they boast a ton of scientific studies behind their ingredients.
Joyous – Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum
Ingredients
This has a base of blackcurrent oil, as well as the essential oil of blackcurrent and it’s not a scent I enjoy at all. In fact it’s so overpowering for me, it actually smells like a chemical fragrance. It doesn’t dissipate either, so even after washing my hands, if I sniff them I still get whiffs of it.
I used it on my face maybe once or twice before I couldn’t handle the scent anymore. Those times it didn’t sink in completely, so it left me feeling a little greasy. I don’t think it broke me out though, so if I could tolerate the smell, I’d try it again.
Grapeseed Butter Cleanser
Ingredients
I’m surprised I don’t hate the scent in this. The blue chamomile flower overpowers the lavender and evening primose oil. Fortunately it’s light enough to only be noticeable if I inhale deeply. I love the texture of this. It applies as a thick balm and as you rub it in, it thins out to an oil. I’m a big fan of oil cleansing and this is no exception.
I use this every night, as opposed to mornings because it adds about 5-10 minutes to my routine. After massaging this in over my face, I slowly add water and keep massaging to emulsify the oils. I can’t remove this with water alone, so I use a face cloth to finish the job.
I definitely think it’s a worthy step to my routine. I love the extra cleansing after a day of wearing makeup!
Final Word
Unless you’re sensitive to scents like I am, I would disregard my experience with the Joyous serum. I wasn’t able to give it a fair chance so who’s to say it wouldn’t work wonders on my face. If there’s a store near you that has testers, I’d suggest trying it for yourself before you commit to a full size.
While I didn’t have much luck with the serum, I really do enjoy the butter cleanser. I love the feeling of clean skin, without it being stripped or feeling tight. This accomplishes that and leaves it feeling softer than when I began. The hibiscus bloom is meant to provide a gentle exfoliation and it is completely undetectable. If physical exfoliation is something that irritates your skin, then it could be a good choice for you.
Gone Swatching xo 