Quadruple Threat for Acne: Vichy Normaderm

A veritable Teen Dream, the kind folks at Vichy have made two teen gorgebags here at Casa Cherry very, very happy indeed. Vichy Normaderm Anti Imperfection Hydrating Care has just been joined by Normaderm's 3 in 1 Cleanser, Scrub and Mask in the acne fighting arsenal and when I say 'joined' I mean it's kicked everything else out of the running. 

I should add that these really aren't teen only products, quite the opposite but the tables have been turned since 3 in 1 arrived in our door a fortnight ago, the shaggers have hidden it ON ME! I'm forever peace mealing out the goods when it comes to products that really work but once they realised the effect this Normaderm dream team has had on their kissers, I haven't had a look in since. 

Normaderm 3in1 - €13.25

This 3in1 Cleanser, Scrub and Mask is made with Kaolin clay to draw imperfections from the skin, salicylic acid that works to minimise pores and buff the skin surface. Delicately (divinely) scented and alcohol/paraben/soap free this little doozy works on many levels to clean, clear and treat delicate and acne affected skin. 

Since I have normal skin, the youngest has combo/dry and the eldest has combo/oily (Understandable, since they're teens) I was very interested to see how this product would fare on each of us. We sat down en famile last week and applied it as a mask (it's non stop rock & roll here). Although we completely bewildered the poor dog, we astounded ourselves with just how well this performed in 5 minutes. Soft, supple skin all round and for the youngest a considerable reduction in redness and inflammation. Win/Win/Win. 

As a 3 in 1, it works brilliantly as a twice a week scrub, an every other day cleanser or a once a week mask. Truly, I'll be picking another tube up as, try as I might, I've yet to find their hidey hole and Momma wants to try it again. 

Vichy Normaderm Hydrating Care - €15.75

While Normaderm Hydrating Care really didn't like my kisser, it's a prime example of how differently a product can work with different skin types. Containing salicylic and glycolic acids which help control oil production and glycerine and silica to hydrate oily but dehydrated faces, Hydrating Care works to calm, mattify and approve the overall appearance of angry or blemish prone skin. 

Used after the 3 in 1, Hydrating Care drenches the skin in moisture, soaks in quickly and leaves no residue, only softer, calmer skin. The youngest's lovely visage hasn't looked better than it has in the past two weeks. 

Have you tried anything from the Normaderm range yet? And, more importantly, where do you reckon they've hidden the scrub?!

The Konjac Sponge (that bears an uncanny resemblance to Kojak)

Used by the Chinese for over 1,500 years and coming from the potato family, the Konjac sponge is new to Irish shores and going down a treat. (Eh, naturally, it's a bidayto!)

These sponges are made with 100% natural Konjac fibre (a vegetable fibre from the root of the Amorphophallus konjac plant) and are one of the softest sponges I've tried.

There are 6 to choose from, ranging from the Pure Natural Baby Sponge to the Bamboo Charcoal Sponge Puff and they're very reasonably priced (all under €8), considering the savings to be made on cleansing products.

The sponges are moist in their original packaging but do dry out when not in use. 

The Konjac Sponge Company advocate using this baldy little feller with just luke warm water, so as to save products i.e. money and of course the environment. Because it's 100% natural and PH balanced, absolutely you can do that and I have but I've found myself preferring to use it with minimal cleansing products instead.

I spoke last week about my new love for Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and the fact that I found every day use with the provided muslin cloths just too harsh for my skin. This little blighter is perfect though. I find myself using less product as the surface of the sponge is slightly shiny and doesn't absorb as much as a normal sponge. It also doesn't pull or tug the skin as you cleanse, instead it works with you to gently clean off your make up and slightly buff and exfoliate the skin, removing old cells.

If you're a fan of make up wipes for stress free (read quick as you can) make up removal, I'd highly recommend one of the Konjac sponges as it only needs to be dampened to do the trick with no nasty skin hangover or side effects the following day.

Just one point I've found though, if you're a lover of long wear mascaras, as I am, you may need to cleanse your eyes separately first if you use the sponge solo but other than that I really am thrilled with the results I've been having with my little Kojak.

Available now from Misebeauty.com and very soon from Beautyemporium.ie, will you be looking for your own little Kojak?


The Konjac Sponge was sent as a PR Sample
But I've since bought 2 as pressies!

**Dermalogica Giveaway!!**

Happy Chinese New Year, All or Xīn Nián Kuài Lè to those in the know. Today heralds the year of the dragon but that's no excuse for scaly skin, am I right?

Keeping this in mind and clinging tentatively to the association I have a nice little Dermalogica Giveaway for you lovely lot. As one of the best known brands worldwide for skincare, they have a lotion or potion that can work miracles on any and all skin types, if you haven't tried them before then you truly are missing out.

Sandy Beach (Hi, Sandy *waves*) mentioned in the comments of the Naked 2 Giveaway that she'd love to see a Giveaway for those of you that aren't following through the normal mediums (GFC etc) but still take the time to check in regularly and subscribe by email. You know what, Sandy? You're dead right, as a little token of my appreciation for ye and in the name of inclusion the entry for this is simple.

Just send Moi an email with your contact details to cherrysuedointhedo@gmail.com and you're in the draw!

Of course this is open to all followers, new and *ahem* auld. Just be sure that you're signed up to my newsletter so you can be included. (Pssst, If you're not already, it's over there on the right where it says 'Sing up to Mah Newsletter', funnily enough  ----->).


It's open internationally & the winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday the 6th of February. Good Luck, Everyone!