Skincare | Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Gift Set

As you all know this year has marked a bit of a turnaround in my use of skincare and this is the first of a few skincare reviews to come. I've actually been using the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant* since before Christmas so I thought it was time I did a review as I now feel I can write about it in an honest and informed manner. The Daily Microfoliant actually came with 2 free 'try me' sized products in the form of one of the beauty gift sets available from Liberty it came with a pre-cleanse oil and a gentle cream exfoliant. I will do mini-reviews on the 2 sample sized products but this post will focus on the Daily Microfoliant which is full size.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant £38.00, Liberty London

I have a real issue with raised blackheads on my nose as well as bumpy, blemished skin on my cheeks... I've never been a fan of using harsh scrubs on my face so this microfoliant was a great go-between product. I think many people think that by scrubbing their skin within an inch of it's life it'll be perfectly smooth and radiant; I've found quite the opposite actually... scrubbing makes my skin sore, flakey and dull. However, as the name suggests, microfoliant isn't made of large grains, this Dermalogica one is actually a rice based powder. 

When dry this looks a bit like talc, but when activated by adding water, it turns into a paste which you then smooth onto your face and gentle massage; getting rid of any surface dead skin cells which can make your face feel a bit grimy and your makeup sink into and just look generally awful.

Before water activation

After water activation, in it's paste-like state

This also contains papain and salicylic acid, both known to get rid of excess skin cells to reveal the new skin underneath which is brighter and more radiant. Salicylic acid can also help with spots, which is one of my main skin complaints. 

As you can see in the photo, the paste I made on this particular occasion was quite thin in consistency but usually I make it quite thick (you could make it to whatever thickness you like, just change the ratio of water to powder). You're supposed to massage for 1 minute but I find that 30 seconds is enough for me, leaving my skin feeling clean and smooth. It did make my face feel a little tight but nothing uncomfortable and it soon disappears when I apply my moisturiser. 

This has really helped my nose, which was a real problem area on my face; Jason used to ask me why it was so bumpy and why my foundation always looked a bit weird on my nose and the simple answer was I had rough skin caused by blackheads; those blackheads have now just about disappeared and I believe that to be partly thanks to the Dermalogica Microfoliant. 

The only slight problem I have with this is that its a little bit messy, however it is very easy to get off your face once you've massaged and the packaging is probably the best it could possible be for a product of this nature (the product comes out of 3 little slits in the top of the bottle, so as not to get it absolutely everywhere, which is good).

Mini Review: Dermalogica Pre Cleanse and Gentle Cream Exfoliant

These are the 2 mini sample sized products which were part of the gift set; I love this idea that brands have come up with; you pay the same price as you would just for one product but you get other products from the brand to try; great for the consumer and even better for the brand if they like them and rebuy the full size!

Pre Cleanse (approx £25 where stocked)

This is basically an oil which dissolves a lot of the make up and grime on your face before you continue with your proper cleanse. You massage it onto your face with dry hands and then add water to create a milky emulsion which you then rise off with warm water.

I'm really loving oils at the moment, which is something I never thought I'd say, but to me this feels more like a dry oil, a concept which sounds very odd, but if you tried this you'd know what I meant, it doesn't sit on top of your skin it sinks in meaning it doesn't leave a shiny residue. This is very nice to use although not a necessity, so I wouldn't repurchase purely for the fact that I don't really have a need for it; my current cleanser does it's job very well without doing a pre cleanse, however I still have some of this left and I use it if I have a lot of time to pamper myself.

Gentle Cream Exfoliant (approx £28 where stocked)

I've used this a couple of times in place of my Alpha H liquid gold, and both products do pretty much the same thing apart from this one is a cream formula whereas liquid gold is well... liquid! Convenience wise this cream exfoliant isn't as easy to use as you have to leave it on for 10-15 mins and then rinse off so it's more like a mask, which I do like about it because again when I've got more time to spare I like to extend my skincare routine.

I would actually be tempted to buy the full size version of this because it leaves my skin feeling lovely, it tingles a little when I first apply it but after that I just leave it work its magic.

Have you got any favourite Dermalogica Products?