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[unpaid] I’ve wanted to take my skin care routine down to the very bare, highly affordable basics for a long time but the life of a beauty reviewer means there is little space or opportunity to do it. As I have nothing that can’t wait or any looming sponsored content regarding skin care (I test sponsored products for a minimum of two weeks usually) – I think actors might call this a ‘resting’ period (ahem) – I decided at the beginning of the week that I could commit at least a week and maybe a bit longer to just using Vaseline and Boots Glycerin & Rosewater. Old fashioned skin care revisited, if you like. On my Instagram channel, my post has brought up lots of comments about Nivea and Astral and the like.
Passing this bottle in my local Boots is what prompted me to make time for traditional skin care. It was £2.39. There’s no way in the world you would call this natural although it sounds innocent enough. I’ve already had comments about the alcohol content. The ingredient list reads: Aqua, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Eugenaria Carypophyllus Leaf Oil (clove) and Rosa Damascena Flower Oil. I’m struck at just how ‘rosy’ it smells. Otherwise, it feels softening and as glycerin is an excellent humectant, not in the least bit drying. The toning element is predominantly the alcohol and clove although it doesn’t astringent in the least.
So, onto the Vaseline. I really don’t have any qualms about using this highly purified form of petroleum jelly, any more than I do using Vaseline Intensive Care body moisturisers which are great. It’s naturally occlusive so will prevent any moisture leaving my face during the night – more so than my usual products. It’s basically a mix of oils and waxes and even if you’re not willing to using it as your moisturiser, it’s a useful ‘sealer’ to lock in other products. It feels more tacky than any usual moisturiser so you have to do a bit of a sensation adjustment and I’d suggest tying your hair back because sleeping on freshly Vaseline’d skin will lead to transfer and you do not want Vaseline in your hair. The ingredient in Vaseline Original is 100% triple purified petroleum jelly. It cost £3.15.
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I’m using the Vaseline at night and the Glycerine and Rosewater in the morning, essence-style on a cotton wool pad. I’ll be back in a week or so to update you but this is really an extreme experiment to satisfy what I think I already know – skin care shouldn’t be as prohibitively expensive as it is and nothing bad will happen if you can’t afford Creme de la Mer. I should also say that I’ve just spent over a month using And Begin (sponsored) so my skin is in good condition to start with.
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10 comments
Boots Glycerin & Rosewater l have used this in the past and like the smell and results but have been uneasy over the ingredient list.
I have has a few moles sliced off my face and a wart scrapped off my finger by a dermatologist. Both times I was told to keep the wounds moist with Vaseline and that it was good for the skin. I was very pleased with the results on my face no scars at all. Less so on my finger but the wound was worse. Subsequently when a beloved relative fell and scraped all the skin off a shin I successfully treated the wound with twice daily applications of Vaseline. The GP’s practice nurse was very impressed with the regime and good outcome.
It did make me wonder whether it was worth paying for up market face creams. I will watch your experiment with interest.
That’s interesting because only this morning I was thinking that of the two, I’d drop the rosewater. Yes, I think we undervalue Vaseline.
I love this experiment! I take my skincare quite seriously (not super-expensive, but considered and consistent) but you do see old photos of women with absolutely lovely skin. It’ll be interesting to see how you fare.
Yes, I’m interested too but in honesty, I don’t expect anything bad to happen 🙂
As a very very lazy maintainer I am very invested in this!
well, me too and so far so good 🙂
I love that you’re doing this. It’s easy to get sucked into more and more advanced/expensive skin care. Not all of which is good for my skin.
I concoct my own toner/mist from a mix of flower waters (just distillation waters, no extras) and witch hazel with a few drops of a basic hyaluronic acid in a small bottle. Changing the waters to suit my mood rather than any ‘benefits’
That sounds perfect Mary!
I am looking forward to hearing about the results of your experiment. I like the idea of these experimental type posts, as and when you have the capacity to do them.
I’m always curious to see how well budget skin care works but as you say, I don’t get many windows to try them in the longer term.