Tighten The Skin, Shrink Pores... Well Will It? Review of Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner

I was just about to run out of my LaMer Toner, which helped keep my normally shiny/oily skin, shine free. Seeing that the toner by LaMer is a little pricey, I decided to try a fall back toner from Boots No 7, which is

one of my favorite skin care product creators.

I usually just buy their wrinkle creams, and never before managed to spot their Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner, perhaps that was because I was never looking for it.

I spotted it fast though at my local Target, and what was interesting was that this toner almost resembled LaMers, only the application was easier; a pump applicator allowing you to easily pump the toner out onto a cotton swab and apply it to your face. With LaMer, you risked spilling a lot when applying it due to their not being a pump.

At any rate, Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner is designed for those with combination skin, which is my skin type, a mix of dry and oily. I mostly hate the oily areas because of the unsightly shine that it gives off.

It stated on the bottle of Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner that it would keep my skin shine free, and would not dry it out, a perfect balance, thus the name, 'Beautifully Balanced'.

I just hoped it worked at keeping my skin shine free, and kept it from drying out in other areas on my face.

Before applying the toner, I first washed my face of all makeup. I then pumped some of the formula out onto a cotton ball and began to swipe it around my face. The toner picked up leftover makeup and dirt that I thought was gone, but was not. I knew if anything, this toner would keep my skin beyond clean, and breakouts would be less and less, if at all due to how clean it made my face feel.

Once the toner began to dry it did not dry out my skin, but what it did do was quite impressive. The shine I previously had going on, on my forehead was gone, a nice matte finish with no mirror effect.

This toner would become my only toner, and LaMer pushed to the curb if it managed to keep my skin shine free for the day, the way LaMer's toner does.

Move over LaMer, Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner has won me over, with a price more than cut in half compared to LaMers oil absorbing tonic.


My skin remained shine free for hours, without drying out my skin. I had shine free skin, I was happy I did not have to continue to blot my skin throughout the day, and I loved how after a week of use, my skin was clearer and tighter in the pores. No breakouts!

I would recommend this toner to anyone looking to keep shine at bay, without sacrificing your skin to drying out to get the same results.

This toner can be found online or at Target for under $10.00.

Will It Leave Your Face Shine Free? Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser- Find Out!!!

When I spotted Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser on a shelf at my local Rite Aid, I picked it up and bought it on a whim, as I so often do. I tend to try and scoop up every oil controlling or shine reducing cleanser and moisturizer whenever I happen to see one.

While many work really well, others fail to impress me. My all time favorite has got to be LaMer, oil controlling tonic, but they ask for such a pretty price for their wondrous product.

Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser was right there, I did not have to wait for it to come in the mail, and I did not really worry about the price. It was just under $7.00, and I figured, yeah it's a little up there in price, but if it works, it would be well worth it. If not, I could always just bring it back for a refund.

With summer months approaching, I worry most about shine and oil, as my skin tends to be harder to control when it comes to excessive oil and shine when the weather is hotter and more humid.

Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser comes in a standard stand up squeeze tube, and its dull pastel purple color actually allows it to stick out on shelves among the competitors whom use bright scream at you, look at me colors and logos. The simplicity of it actually allowed it to stand out. Hmm, Clean & Clear is doing something right!

My Use:

I planned on using this one in the morning before applying my makeup. I liked the idea of it promising to control shine all day long, and I hoped it would work, because I hate having to blot and powder my forehead every other hour due to it shining so disgustingly.

The cleanser is not really all that cleansing. Its texture is that of lotion, and my skin did not at all feel all too clean after using it. It has a nice fresh scent, and there is nothing chemical or gross about it, so that was a plus. I just really wished it contained some micro-beads to give my skin a deeper clean feeling.

Afterward, I applied my makeup as I usually would, and decided to not check my skin till noon to see how well the cleanser worked at keeping my skin flawlessly shine free.

Results:

So by noon, there was some shine, but it was actually not a bad shine, it was more like a glowing kind, where my skin had a perfect balance of healthy glow, and shine control. An hour later I had to blot with some powder to rid my skin of shine, but to be honest, this cleanser worked really good compared to others that contain the same promise, and deliver nothing but shine.

When it came to Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser I was happy with what I saw for as long as I saw it. Most cleansers and shine free moisturizers do not last till noon and beyond, and this one actually did.

It will not keep shine away all day long as it states, but it will keep your skin looking shine free and healthy for about half the day, and heck, that's not too bad for the price I paid.
Recommended:

Yes. I have very shiny skin normally, and the fact that this cleanser was capable of keeping shine at bay for as long as it did, makes me happy enough to recommend it to anyone who cannot stand the sight of shiny, or oily skin.

The Best Skin Care Routine For Those With Oily and Dry Skin (Combination Skin)

I have skin that is ever changing, in my teen years I suffered primarily from extremely oily skin, mixed with everyday pimples and zits. It was quite disgusting...thankfully though skin care has come a long way these past 10 years, and no matter what type of skin my body feels like delivering, they have something to fix it.

My skin as of lately though has been plagued with something new. My oily skin is still present, yet I get extremely dry patches near the sides of my nose, and on my forehead.

I was at my wits end with the dry skin! The oily skin I could handle by using a mint facial mask, however using a mint facial mask in conjunction with dry patches on my face would only make it worse, and in more severe cases it would make the dry spots larger, and uglier.

Finally though, finally I was given a solution from a relative who works with skincare products. She bought me an entire skin care deal, and told me how to use the products, when to use them.

I imagined the products would be annoying, and that I would not have the time to put into the routine which I needed to follow daily. However after seeing the most superb glowing skin after just one day of following her advice, I had to share with you the absolute best routine your money can buy.

I have tried all sorts of products, and believe me, even though the products I am about to mention now are a bit pricey, they will work flawlessly for your combination dry/oily skin. I can tell you even though they are pricey, they will save you likely hundreds of dollars a year on wasted money on products that have promises, yet do not deliver.

Another thing most people seem to think is that buying one expensive facial care product will solve all their issues. I know I used to think that way! However little to my knowledge, I learned that your skin needs different products, at different times of the day. One product may do some wonders, but when used in conjunction with other products, the results are faster, and noticeable after just one treatment!

The first thing you are going to need to begin your journey to gorgeous flawless skin is:

Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher.

You will apply this first in the morning after fully cleansing your face. ANY cleanser will do. My personal favorites though are Olay Warming Cleansers which will have a warm feeling when rinsing your face. It opens the pores allowing the Estee Lauder Idealist to work really deep down into the skins tissue. You can though use any cleanser you like. Olay is just one of my personal favorites.

After cleansing you will apply a fair amount of the Estee Lauder Idealist Refinisher to your dry face. Rub it around and let it dry. It dries rather quickly.

After applying the Idealist solution you now want to apply a nice even layer of Estée Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF15 for Oily Skin.

This stuff is simply divine. It has a nice cucumber melon scent to it, and absorbs quickly into the skin. What is so great about it though is that it does not leave your skin feeling dry. It combats oil, yet will not dry out areas that are already slightly parched.

This right here is all you will need to start your day.

You can apply makeup, cover-up, whatever it is you want to your face afterward.

You will notice that all day long your skin will remain shine free. Your dry areas will be fully moisturized, and you will simply be in love with your face! Yes, in love!

What is so wonderful about DayWear Plus Lotion is that it will also protect against future wrinkles, it is oil free, and it will hydrate the skin.

When you are ready for bed, before hoping in and falling asleep, go and cleanse your face again. Any cleanser will do.

Before heading off to dreamland, you will have to apply just two more products to your face for the ultimate daily skin care routine.

The first product being Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment.

This is an odd little character. It is very expensive, and comes with an eye dropper applicator. You simply squeeze the eye drop rubber, which will fill it with the serum. You then apply the serum to your face, and massage it in. One eye drop fill is enough to cover your entire face. You don't have to use a lot because it spreads easily.

You are probably wondering what this $85.00 serum does though huh?

This one will visibly repair the appearance of past damaged skin, while at the same time it will be protecting your skin's future. It is considered natures moisture magnet. It locks in moisture which will creature naturally beautiful skin. Like a mini bottle of fountain of youth, this stuff is great!

It will also neutralize up to 90% of environmentally generated free radicals, before they are able to cause skin to look prematurely aged.

You are not quite done yet though darling. You will want to slap on one last thing before catching some zzz's.

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion was made by dermatologists, and is the last final face topper for your skin care routine. Although it may not look fancy, and it does not have a fancy price attached to it either it is by far one of the best moisturizers you can use on your skin. It will restore and maintain your skins natural protective function.

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion can be found in smaller squeeze bottles, or in larger tubs. I bought the largest tub for tons of use. It does leave skin feeling a little slick and sticky, however using it at night will protect the skin, and will not cause break outs! This is one thing I feared about using CeraVe. It has a sticky texture that gets left behind. As you sleep though it will absorb into skin. In the morning you will awaken with beautifully healthy looking skin, free of oil, free of dry spots, and free of break outs.

These are the exact products I use, and I have in 3 days since beginning the routine, seen such a gigantic difference that I had to tell others about it.

Follow the routine daily.

Neutrogena Microderm Cleaning Pads

The main reason I purchased Neutrogena Microderm Cleaning Pads Illuminating,was because I suffer from dry areas on my skin. I got annoyed with non stop plucking at my dead skin areas with a tweezer, so I figured an exfoliating cleanser would do the same job, in less time.

Neutrogena's Microderm Cleaning Pads Illuminating is designed to gently exfoliate skin, remove excess dirt, and leave skin feeling soft.

The package comes in a pack of 24 pads, which is enough to get you by for most of the month.

The pads are made of soft cotton, and have 2 sides, with 2 different uses. One side of the pad contains exfoliation dots, which give the pad a more rough rugged texture, while the other side is softer for polishing the face.

In the middle of the pad there is a slit for you to slip in your fingers for a better hold on the pad. I liked this feature, and not many facial cleansing pads available are made like this.

After I slipped the pad onto my fingers I then ran it under some water as directed. I then began to scrub my face with the textured exfoliation side of the pad.

Small bubbles began to form on my face the more I scrubbed. What I ddn't like though was that the foam had a very greasy slime like texture it left behind as I scrubbed.

Besides the nasty greasy texture, I was also not to impressed with the texture of the pad itself. It was too soft on my face. When I exfoliate, I expect some sort of rough texture. This ensures a flawless cleaning. Neutrogena Microderm Cleaning Pads Illuminating, though was soft, and did not make my skin feel like it had the best possible cleaning.

I flipped the pad and used the softer side to polish. This side sucked as well. It barely felt as if it were doing anything for my face; besides leaving behind oil slicks.

Overall:

Even after washing my face it felt greasy. I had to rinse twice just to rid the horrid texture off of my skin.

Neutrogena Microderm Cleaning Pads Illuminating, also did not leave my skin feeling as clean as other products do. All in all, I am disappointed in Neutrogena Microderm Cleaning Pads, Illuminating. I'm packing them up, and getting my $6.00 back.

Those with sensitive skin may like them; however they are so weak when it comes to exfoliation....and they leave behind a nasty oily residue.