Thrifty Treat Of The Week: MooGoo 100% Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil has become a cult beauty product. Rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, it hydrates dry and ageing skin, while also improving the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Acclaimed skincare brand Trilogy is synonymous with rosehip oil; a 20ml bottle will set you back €19.99. However, I’ve found a much cheaper alternative that blows Trilogy out of the water.

MooGoo is an Australian company that make a range of natural products for sensitive and intolerant skin. Most rosehip oils come in a glass dropper bottle, but MooGoo’s is sealed in an airless pump bottle to prevent oxidation. This occurs when oil is exposed to air and sunlight which causes the oil to lose its effectiveness. The pump also dispenses the perfect amount of product without any mess. While I love the packaging, it’s what’s inside that counts. The oil is a beautiful amber colour that absorbs quickly. I’ve been using it a few times a week at night instead of my night cream and eye cream, and I’ve noticed a huge difference in the texture of my skin. Dry patches are reduced and my skin appears plumper. I wasn’t expecting much from this €10.50 oil but it’s really dazzled me.

MooGoo is stocked in pharmacies and health food stores across Ireland. To find your nearest stockist click here.

Thrifty Treat Of The Week: Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30

 

I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I spotted this moisturiser in Boots. I just couldn’t believe it was €5.29. When I realised it wasn’t on offer, that its retail price is actually under a tenner, I knew it had to feature on Thrifty Treat Of The Week!

Very few budget moisturisers have high SPF; the majority only go up to SPF 15. It seems that if you want a moisturiser with a decent SPF, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, you have to pay big bucks. Well, not anymore!  

The moisturiser itself is a light cream that absorbs quickly. You would think a moisturiser of that description would only be suitable for combination or oily skin, yes? Wrong! This cream effectively hydrates my dry and sensitive skin, probably because it’s packed full of nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E, glycerine and sweet almond oil. It’s also an excellent base for makeup.

And what makes this Thrifty Treat Of The Week extra special? It’s currently 3 for 2 on selected Simple skincare in Boots!
 

Thrifty Treat Of The Week is a weekly series on The Retro Suitcase. I want to help you save your hard-earned moolah with my bargains, tips and offers. Keep an eye on Facebook for more wonderful deals.

Beauty Review: Dermalogica Products

 

Last year I resolved to take better care of my skin and invest in some high-end skincare products. I typically have normal/dry skin but I'm also prone to flare-ups of dermatitis. With my skin’s propensity for extreme dryness, I was concerned about premature ageing. I chose Dermalogica over other skincare brands for a number of reasons. (1) Dermalogica classifies skin care as a health issue as opposed to a cosmetic concern. Its products are free from common irritants and ingredients found in budget skincare products. (2) My sister uses Dermalogica products and swears by them. (3) Dermalogica products repeatedly win beauty awards in respected women's magazines. (4) Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham and Lucy Liu have all stated they use Dermalogica products. If they’re good enough for them, eh?! Millies Beauty Rooms have the best value Dermalogica products in the country. You can buy online here

Intensive Moisture Balance (€41.95 for 100ml, €31.25 for 50ml): This is an ultra-rich cream for dry or prematurely-ageing skin. Vitamins A, C and E and nourishing ingredients such as ginkgo, wild yam and grape seed all work together to smooth dry lines and reduce the signs of premature ageing. I noticed a huge improvement after using this for a few days. My skin looked plumped up and dry patches disappeared. As Intensive Moisture Balance doesn’t contain SPF, I use it as my night cream.

Daily Microfoliant (€37.50 Winner of ‘Best Facial Exfoliator’, InStyle Best Beauty Buys 2012): This exfoliator is unique in the sense that it is a powder formula. It transforms into a creamy paste upon contact with water. This paste is so gentle that it can be used every day and around the delicate eye area which is ideal if, like me, you suffer from dry patches under your eyes. Like Intensive Moisture Balance it is packed full of gorgeous ingredients such as rice enzymes, salicylic acid, grapefruit, liquorice, green tea and colloidal oatmeal. Daily Microfoliant effectively removes dulling skin cells leaving skin smoother and brighter. It also soothes the skin while helping to balance uneven skin pigmentation.

 

Beauty Review: Eau Thermale Avène Products

                                  1950s Dior photographed by Walde Huth

I’m having a French love affair. It’s intensely passionate and all-consuming. Unfortunately it’s not with a mysterious vineyard owner from Bordeaux called Jean-Pierre or with a suave bearded Parisian by the name of Jacques. It’s with the whole country – the language, the fashion, the food. I’ve never even been to France but I’ve just finished a basic French language course so here’s hoping I’ll get to visit soon. Naturally I’ll meet the aforementioned men and be swept off my feet, especially now that I have the lingo. Parle plus lentement s'il vous plait!

But what I absolutely love is the effortless natural beauty of French women. There must be something in the water. No, there IS something in the water! France's many springs and unique geological environment produces thermal water, water which is perfectly balanced and rich in trace elements. This water is the basis of many French skin care brands including pharmacy favourites Vichy and La Roche-Posay. However, the number one skin care brand in French pharmacies is in fact Eau Thermale Avène, a brand that has just become widely available here.

 

 

Avène is a unique dermo-cosmetic brand dedicated to every skin concern be it sensitive, oily, dehydrated, blemish prone or ageing. Each product is fragrance and paraben preservative-free and contains the Avène thermal spring water.


Extremely Gentle Cleanser:

This cleanser is a no rinse, tissue-off formula specifically designed for sensitive and irritated skin. The consistency is very fluid as it contains a high percentage of thermal spring water. I found this cleanser to be light and soothing, instantly hydrating my skin. It effectively removes makeup apart from heavy eye makeup so you will need to use a separate eye makeup remover. This doesn't bother me as I always use a seperate eye makeup remover, usually a bi-phase one, but it might bother some people. It's also oil-free so it would be suitable for blemished skin. I apply this cleanser by massaging a walnut size of it onto my face and removing with cotton pads. I can't find the receipt for this but I think it was approximately €11


Thermal Spring Water Spray:

This is a miracle multitasker! It soothes various irritations such as sunburn and razor burn, can be used as a toner; reduces facial redness, sets makeup and is the perfect travel companion – promptly quenching parched holiday skin. The 50ml bottle fits snugly into handbags but it’s also available in 150ml bottles. I love to use this spray as a toner; it works really well with the Extremely Gentle Cleanser. Just spray a fine mist on your skin and then gently pat dry after a few minutes. Price: €4.77 for 50mls

 

        Guillaume Canet: Another reason hot & bothered females reach for the thermal water spray!

Hydrance Optimale UV Riche SPF 20 Rich Hydrating Cream:

Hydrance Optimale is Avène’s range for dry to very dry sensitive skin. This day cream is formulated to hydrate and protect the skin from daily aggressions and help prevent skin ageing caused by the sun. Despite its name, this cream is quite light and sinks into my skin quickly with no greasiness. This makes it a perfect base for makeup. I also love that it has a SPF of 20 as most pharmacy brands only go up to SPF 15. It has effectively hydrated my skin over the summer but its real test has yet to come. Winter wreaks havoc on my skin and I’m not too sure if this moisturiser is up to dealing with the dry patches I tend to get from icy wind and central heating. I have a feeling something more intense will be needed. Also, at €21.25 it's not very purse friendly for those on a budget.

 

Cold Cream Lip Cream:

I absolutely adore this! It is without a doubt the best lip balm I have ever used. It provides immediate relief and protection against chapped, flaky and cracked lips. It literally heals lips overnight. The tube lasts for ages and it also has very little shine so it’s a fantastic base for lipstick. This little wonder is definitely one of my favourite products of the year. Price: €10.17