So 14 weeks ago I started Happy In My Skin and at that point I didn't expect anybody to read or take an interest in my blog. In fact I was imagining one of two things to happen..
1) People wouldn't even look at the blog.
2) People would look at my blog, see the state my skin gets in and laugh at me.
Neither of the above happened. In fact it has been quite the opposite.
I have actually received a huge response from my posts. People have messaged me who can relate, others have found help from some of the things I have posted about and surprisingly various companies have taken an interest in my blog and my journey to clearer skin. Every different response has meant so much to me and if I can help just one person by sharing my experiences and trials I will be a happy girly!
About 6 weeks ago I received an email from a skincare company called Premae. They had come across my blog and had a product range they felt would be able to help my skin. After speaking to them to find out a little bit more about the brand I knew it was an offer I couldn't turn down for a multitude of reasons..
If you follow my Instagram you will know that I follow a vegetarian and sometimes vegan diet - I have been vegetarian since I was 8. I never liked the taste of meat that much as a child and when I learnt what it was, that was it. For me personally being vegetarian is an easy way of life - I don't like meat and I really don't like what meat is. It isn't an opinion I would ever force upon anyone else, I don't voice my opinions to others around me that eat meat.. everyone has a choice.
I have mentioned in my previous post that I often opt for vegan meals in a bid to help my skin. This is something a lot of people who suffer with acne actually choose to do. It is well known that animal products like milk can contain hormones that the animal will have been fed to mass produce the products desired. These hormones are transferred from the animal into the product and then when consumed by humans reside in our bodies until absorbed or expelled. It isn't 100% proven but there is a lot pointing to dairy products and acne aggravation, so in order to minimise the risk I try to keep my milk and dairy consumption to a minimum. I love coconut, almond, cashew or hazelnut milks so I don't find substituting hard at all.
As I was saying, a lot of people who suffer with a skin condition can end up following a vegan, vegetarian or plant based diet as well as trying to keep their products as natural as possible. For me its all about keeping aggravators to a minimum and that is exactly what Premae is about!
The products are not only plant based but also, vegan, alkaline and free from tree nuts, gluten, oats, soy and parabens. All of the ingredients are 100% natural, unrefined and not tested on animals. Premae is actually renowned for being the first luxury vegan beauty brand! For me it ticked every box - How exciting to be given the opportunity to try?
When the products arrived (beautifully with skinny popcorn I need to add) I was so excited. The products are really generous sizes and look gorgeous on my bathroom shelf. I received the Harmony Range which is formulated to target and help acne. I opened my package at work and couldn't resist a quick sniff.. The smell of a product is always really important to me, what can I say? I'm quite a sniffy person! The products didn't disappoint, they have a very fresh scent without being artificially perfumed which is down to the ingredients within being all natural and unrefined.
- Cleanser - Balancing Face Wash (£21 when purchased individually) This cleanser turns into a lather when a small amount of water is added and foamed up. I use around 4 pumps every evening after I have pre-cleansed and it really does wash away remaining makeup and dirt! It's formulated for oily and combination skins and contains Lemongrass Oil which fades scarring and reduces oil build up. My face always feels really fresh when I've used this cleanser and any larger pores really tighten up. Since using Premae my skin seems a lot more balanced on the whole.
- Toner - Essence Water Toner (£17.50 when purchased individually) Featured in the Glossy Box in 2013 and British Vogue, this rose infused toner is perfect for oily and combination skin types. The toner comes in a spray bottle which you can either spray directly onto the skin after cleansing or do as I do and spray a couple of pumps onto a dry cotton pad and wipe over the face. A lot of people still don't tone but it is a really important part of a cleansing routine! Toning the skin helps soothe and refresh open pores whilst keeping blackheads at bay. Closing the pores tightly with a toner can actually result in less future blemishes. As well as the rose water which restores balance in the skin's acid, Lemongrass Oil helps to fade acne scars and reduce oil build up. I have tried a lot of toners and I have to say this is my favourite to date!
- Serum - Balancing Shine Control Serum Primer (£19.50 when purchased individual) A game changer in my skincare routine! I adore this serum. It's going to have to be one of my staples from now on and I'm so pleased Premae introduced me to it. This lightweight oil-controlling serum can be used as a foundation base or mixed with a small amount of foundation to create a daily BB cream. The serum hosts grape seed to smooth uneven skin and soothe redness, lemongrass to fade spots and mineral salts to treat bacteria build up such as whiteheads. I don't tend to cleanse and tone in the morning unless I am super oily, but that's just the routine that works for me - I wash my face with cold water, apply my eye cream, moisturise and then pat two pumps of this serum onto my face. I like to pat the product in to stimulate my circulation and wake up my skin. I'll then make a tea whilst it soaks in before I apply my makeup. This really is a dream product if you are struggling with acne and oiliness throughout the day!
- Moisturiser - Matte Sheen Balm (£25 when purchased individual)
Nourishing and not oily.. Did you ever think you would hear that in the same sentence? Well I have found the product that I can finally say this about. The balm can control shiny skin and absorb excess oil whilst hydrating. It is the perfect combination of aloe vera and jojoba that give this product the clever ability to hydrate whilst mattifying. Bizarrely, for saying I suffer with acne and breakouts I still get dry skin so I have always struggled to find a moisturiser that hydrates my skin without making me oily. I spent years not even moisturising in the morning because I could never find that product that wouldn't turn me into a grease ball and cause my makeup to fall off my face one hour into the day. It was a constant war between a dry tight face or a hydrated oil slick so this for me is a revelation. I use this morning and night - underneath my serum in the AM.
Whilst writing this post I've not only learnt about the benefits of each individual ingredient used in these products, I have also learnt about new ingredients within the range that work well with a skin that struggles with acne and blemishes - some that I hadn't experienced before or known about!
I've really taken the time to appreciate these products and have realised just how much I love them. I already knew I really liked the range but writing this has really made me concentrate on how each one works independently. Each product goes one step further that just being a product - they all achieve the results they promise and are delivering great results for me.
I have taken photos of my skin's journey with the Premae Harmony Range from the night before I started using the products to four weeks later. I took a series of photos every Saturday morning so you can see my skin calming and clearing. The photographs go in order as I said from the night before use commenced, one week later and then every week until week 4. It's the general improved condition of my skin that I've noticed the most, along with the clarity and reduction in oiliness. The products are doing exactly what I want from a skincare range - especially when I struggle with acne.
I have popped links to the Premae website and Instagram below so you can have a look if you wish. I hope you will find this post helpful and that you have all had another wonderful bank holiday weekend.. They go by far too quick don't they?! Enjoy the rest of your week!
Bethany xx
Premae Website: http://premaeskincare.com/product-category/harmony/
Premae Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premaeskincare/
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