Hydraluron- does it do what it says on the box?

According to the box, Hydraluron is a hydration serum inspired by injectable hydration treatments employed in Swiss clinics. It uses the world's purest grade of hyaluronic acid from the Netherlands as it's hydration active, which can hold up to 1,000 times it's weight in water. Hydraluron also contains a bio-engineered strain of marine red algae, which causes controlled and mild stimulation of skin turnover to allow thorough penetration of the hyaluronic acid. Basically, it seems to be a product that allows us to retain high levels of moisture in the skin, with clinically proven results. Not only is skin hydration improved drastically in 8 weeks, skin elasticity is increased by 27% and skin roughness is reduced by 10%. It's available in Boots stores for £24.99.

A small amount of the serum can go a long way! The amount in the picture is enough for my whole face, and so don't be put off by the small tube. It's used as the last step before moisturiser, and it smooths onto the skin beautifully. I've been using it morning and night as part of my usual routine. 

I started using hydraluron with high hopes. After seeing it hyped up by all of the beauty bloggers out there, I started to believe that there was finally an answer for the dry skin problems that have plagued me through life! I promised myself I'd wait to review this product until I had been applying it for the eight weeks used by the testers so I could give a full review.

Through the first few weeks, I could honestly say it was a wonder product. I used to have to moisurise my nose several times a day and that necessity seemed to vanish within the first few days. Had I found a wonder product?? After I passed the six week mark, my skin was starting to dry again. Now I don't know if this was because my skin was exceptionally dry after being subject to the constant changes in the weather or not but I really did expect there to be a more constant improvement. 

I would buy the product again as I think that, with a lot of products like this, I'm just used to the effects now and my skin was really dry before so without using a serum it will just return to how it was! I'd love to try more serums out there but the reality is that they're just too expensive right now. At £24.99 this is most than half the price of loads out there. What serum's do you swear by?

On another note, I seriously do think that a healthy diet and eight glasses of water a day could be a "wonder product" by itself. I've decided to drink at least two litres of water a day and see where that takes me before I start spending a lot of money for a product that is not guaranteed to work! I'll continue to use the serum until it runs out (STILL going after eight solid weeks!) and let you know the results. Have any of you tried Hydraluron? Did it work for you?

Kate A x

Bed time Beauty Regime

Around 90% of the time, I manage to follow a full bedtime routine to take all my make up off and prepare my skin so it's lovely and fresh for the next day. I often switch products and will continue to do so until my skin is perfect (is that a thing?), but for now these are the products that work well for me!

First of all, I make sure my hands are clean, which I always used to overlook. I'm a little bit of a germ freak when it comes to my skin so I prefer to use a hand sanitiser to make sure my hands are germ free! I was recently sent the Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Happy Hands hand gel and it's perfect for just making sure my hands don't have much of that nasty bacteria on that can clog my pores and give me spots. Unlike other hand sanitisers I've tried, it's more of a liquid consistency, and I think this makes it dry a lot faster. The 70% alcohol content is really quite noticeable in the smell, but the added tea tree oil helps to mask it slightly and is an added bonus if I'll be touching my face straight after! It's available to buy here for £5.09 which is a bit pricey but I really do think it does the job. Plus, it has added glycerin for moisturised mitts!

Once my hands are squeaky clean, I'll use my Loreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution. I'm a very new convert to Micellar water and I don't think I'll be turning back. For a full review, check out our own Linzi's blog post on the stuff, I fully agree with everything she says! A little bit goes a long way so I'll definitely be repurchasing once I run out in a few months time. As it also acts as a toner, I can skip a step and avoid using too many products on my sensitive skin.

Next, on to step three- serum. I went on a crazy hunt in several Boots stores for this, it seems to be the new hype and is sold out almost everywhere- Hydraluron Moisture Booster. I first heard of this on a beauty haul on Zoella's channel and knew I had to try it. I've probably mentioned before but my skin is super dry, so when a serum containing a high concentration of "ultra-high-quality" hyaluronic acid that claims to hold up to 1,000 times it's weight in water crops up, I'm going to jump on it. Hydraluron claims to increase skin's hydration from below the surface, displaying both immediate results. A clinical study has proven that within 8 weeks skin elasticity is improved by 27% and skin roughness is reduced by 10%.

About this much is needed for my whole face, and I just smooth it onto my skin and give it a little massage. Although I've only been using it for a few days now, I have noticed I don't need to moisturise my dry patches as much throughout the day and my skin is brighter. It's a small tube so for £24.99 it is a pricey product but if I continue to see results I'll definitely repurchase! Stay tuned for an 8 week review at the end of August when I can tell you if it really works.

Moisturiser time! I change my moisturiser all the time but the one that has worked for me for the last four bottles is the super cheap Simple Rich Moisturiser. This currently retails for £3.89 in Boots and is on a 3 for 2 offer so grab it quick! I've paid up to around £20 for a good moisturiser before but I've found this one to be the best. I use a small amount and massage it onto my face in motions moving up and away from the middle of my face. It's suitable for sensitive skin which is a must for me, and comes in a 125ml bottle, which is a lot more than those little pots of expensive creams (which I want to try so much, why are you £42 Nars moisture cream??)

Finally, if I have any extra dry patches, I'll apply a small amount of Hc45 hydrocortisone Acetate cream, grab the nearest lip balm and jump in to bed! If I'm feeling really good, I'll smooth some Vaseline onto my lashes to condition them so my mascara sits beautifully the next day.

What are your bed time routines? Let me know in the comments below, and check out our bloglovin' to subscribe to our posts!

Kate A x