Review | Dry Skin Remedies ( TheFaceShop & Lush )

So stepping out of winter, I felt that my face needed to be super quenched with hydration. All of that harsh windy snowy weather definitely took a toll on my skin. To make matters worse, I had a cold for a good 2 weeks as we were stepping out of winter, and I didn't have the energy to care for my skin. Also, blowing my nose caused so much chaffing T^T... On the bright side, I'm healed up now from the sniffles and went shopping for dry skin remedies!

My Haul!

The Face Shop | Real Nature Face Mask 

With a dire need of intense face treatment, I immediately picked up some face mask sheets. I picked up 3 for $5CAD total. I actually won a cucumber face mask from playing this promotional game they had in their store the following week!

My Verdict
• smells light, clean, and refreshing
• sheet is durable and covers good surface area
• the cutting of the sheet makes it difficult for the paper to sit smoothly on face
• there is a generous amount of essence - enough for 2 more applications
• excess residue after removal of mask is only slightly sticky, but not annoying
• face stays smooth and hydrated for 6+ hours after application
• doesn't treat any other problems despite the claims written on the packet - doesn't clear skin of acne, trouble spots, whiten etc.

All of the scents were similarly refreshing, with some that were more calming and others that were more citrus-like. Even when left unopened at room-temperature, the application is always cold and awakens me every time. In terms of applying it more than once, I squeezed out the excess and just applied it on my face after washing my face for a few times. Although they all have different claims, I feel all had the same result, so I feel that the experience was more fun than looking to see what changes happened on my face. It did however take care of the dryness under my nose so I definitely will be purchasing  these little face candy-treats again!

Lush | Ocean Salt Scrub

My notion behind getting this best-seller was because I felt that my skin was dull and flakey, not only under my nose, but especially my legs. I never really exfoliated prior to now, but it really has made a difference to the absorption of my other products, including the face masks above.

Ingredients
• fine & coarse sea salt - exfoliating agents of dirt and blockages
• grapefruit infusion - brightens and cleanses
• lime extracted in vodka - antibacterial, closes pores
• avocado butter, extra virgin coconut oil, lime oil - moisturizes
• seaweed absolute - anti-inflammatory, soothes
• violet leaf - anti-bacterial, antiseptic

My Verdict
• AMAZING scent;  I love using this product
• salt can be harsh if rubbed too hard
• salt dissolves when rinsed off making the bathtub/sink gunk-less!
• gets rid of unpleasant odours easily (aka armpits)
• skin feels super smooth after with no dry-abrasive feeling

Unmixed ocean salt

To note, when first opening the tub, stir the contents together before using because all the coarse salts are sitting on the surface. I only use it once a week since that is the recommended usage for exfoliation.  Exfoliating generally opens the pores to deep clean dirt and the salt can be drying so toner and moisturizer are strongly encouraged afterwards to ensure pores are closed and skin is moisturized. Like every Lush product there is an expiry date but this will last me for approximately half a year which is worth it for $21CAD. I also got a sample of Charity Pot which was a lovely floral-scented lotion. ^-^