Thermal sprays- La Roche Posay vs Balea

Cetaphil Crème-Hydratante

L'Oreal UV Perfect Ultimate Protection Fluid (6/10)

I bought this product when I was briefly waiting for a changeover in Abu Dhabi airport. 

Eau Thermale Avène Cleanance Gel

I am on my second bottle of this french produced soapless cleanser which I first bought when I moved to Germany. Whether it was the city air or stress of starting life in a new country, I noticed that the relocation had been taking it's toll on my skin, and purchased this is an attempt to rescue my grey pallored face. 6 months down the line I have still remained loyal to this product.

It is technically a gel, but has the same consistency of washing up liquid, and lathers up just like it as well. You only need a pea sized amount for the whole face. I've read some reviews from people complaining that they have been left with residue on their face, this has never personally been a problem for me. I suspect that such reviewers have been using great big dollops! 

Although it is designed for acne prone skin, something from which I have never really suffered from, I have noticed that I have been largely pimple free since using it. This cleanser is great at taking off heavy makeup, and even eye makeup, I normally massage it into the face for one or two minutes and wash off with cold water. 

My face feels squeaky clean and neither too dry or oily but nice and fresh, It is fragrance free and is made especially for sensitive skin and so far my face hasn't reacted badly or flared up after use. 

At 13 euro for a 200ml bottle, this cleanser is mid-range, however as I mentioned, it took me half a year to get through and I used it practically every day. Although the packaging is basic, I think the salmon writing and turquoise colour bottle doesn't make it look too offensive on the bathroom shelf. I would say that the only downside to this product is regarding the lack of pump, which would be much more practical and hygienic than the twisty nozzle it currently has. 

Overall, more than a temporary fling, this product is one that I will stay loyal to (for now). 

Rating: 4/5

The German Pharmacy: Glysolid Hautbalsam

Since I have been living in Berlin for the past 6 months, I thought that I'd begin this blog with a section on 'The German Pharmacy' and what it has to offer. I always feel a sense of excitement wandering around foreign shops investigating the shelves scrupulously. In fact studying all of the exotic products feels like more of an anthropological mission to unveil the beauty secrets of German housewives nationwide, the kind they pass on for generations. Anyhow, somewhat bored of flashy packaging and the fake promises they adorn, I've decided to start testing back to the basics products, in a bid to find hidden gems, and through examining the packaging, improving my German. 

So I was looking around my local pharmacy in Neukolln and was drawn to this bright red clinical looking 

GLYSOLID HAUTBALSAM

With little much of a clue as to what the plastic tub contained, I thought that at 2 Euros it was worth a risk. 

One quick google translate later and I admit I was hardly mind-blown at the revelation that it was 

an intensive skin balm for dry and cracked skin, however I was still intrigued. 

Consistency: I would describe this as a cross between German favorite Nivea, and the trusted Petroleum Jelly that Vaseline consists of. It is a balm, so it leaves a nice sheen after application. Before you go slathering it all over the face, it's very heavy and greasy, so I would recommend that it's used sparingly in targeted areas.

Uses: I would say this is more of a night time beauty product, not something you slap on and go outside with unless you want to go out with a shiny greasy face. Conventionally, the product is used to treat dry patches of skin and cuts. However, I think that it works nicely as a lip treatment.  After exfoliating my lips I smothered this on before bed and voila, woke up in the morning with fresh pillowy lips. Quite a versatile product, it also works well as a hand cream. 

Rating: It is a basic, says what it does on the tin (if you can read it!) product. Like I say I think it works perfectly as a night time lip treatment. At 2 euro a pop, it's purse friendly and a little goes along way, so this 100ml tub will last me a good few months! Obviously at this price, there is nothing Organic or Anti Aging with regards to it's ingredients, however it has no added dyes, ifragrances, or mineral oils and best of all it is free of silicones!

3.5/5