Dirty Works – Lift & Firm Super Skin Serum

This is brand is sold exclusively through Sainsbury’s and has a retro inspired kitsch packaging is similar to that of Benefit and Soap & Glory.  It’s a low priced mass market range which consists of skincare, toiletries, cosmetic bags and accessories.

Claims

Even out skin imperfections – smoothing
Tighten wrinkles and fine lines – firming
Dewy, radiant glow

Ingredients to Support the Claims

Panicum Miliaceum seed extract (Millet), Panthenol (B5), Hydrolysed Yeast Protein & Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (Marigold) - for conditioning and smoothing  
Tannic Acid & Escin (Horse Chestnut) for radiance
Ranunculus Ficaria & Extract & Liquorice Root (Ammonium Glycyrrhizate) – soothes irritated skin
Centella asiatica – reduce fine lines & wrinkles

What is a Serum?

Serums tend to be very fluid and have a higher concentration of actives than standard creams.  The majority are water in silicone and water, rather than oil in as silicones impart a silky feel.  However, silicones sit on the skin surface, give a nice matt effect but oils are more effective at moisturising the skin.

Skin Affinity

Although this has a silicone feel, it actually contains very little silicone and sinks in quite quickly but it doesn’t leave a moisturised quenched skin feel behind.  Applied to the back of the hand and face it makes no more difference than any other cream or serum in terms of smoothing, refining and firming.

Rating

Value for money – at £3.99 for 30ml it fits into the lower mass market price bracket
Stockists - available exclusively through Sainsbury’s’
Effectiveness – this contains 8 plant extracts which start appearing from the 5^th – 14^th on the ingredients list so are at higher levels than usual.  Plant extracts tend to have a minimum amount of actives in an alcohol and are rarely clinically tested for their efficacy – claims are more anecdotally based – on this basis I wouldn’t have thought superior benefits would be achieved
Pampering factor – does not leave a moisturised feeling
Recommended – ok for the price but not sure its delivering anything that special

Skin Sparkle Radiance Revealing Polish System, Virgin Vie

Ingredients

1)   Vitamin C Crystal Polish contains silica and sodium bicarbonate crystals to exfoliate the skin with Vitamin E, C & A to deliver anti-oxidant protection
2)  Energising Activating Serum contains lactic acid and salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells with citric acid boosted by galactoarabinan

Peels or Scrubs?

There are pros and cons for each of the above, but its generally good to help the skin along with cell renewal by exfoliating once a week.  There are several exfoliating scrubs on the market varying from rough to very gentle.  Skin Peels outside of a salon are a bit rarer, as they can be a bit aggressive and not suitable for all skins

How it Works

This is based on micro-dermabrasion technology which blasts crystals onto the skin surface to reveal new radiant skin underneath.  This is a home method whereby you massage in the crystals to exfoliate, calm the skin with anti-oxidants and further remove skin cells by gently peeling them off

Rating

Value for money – costs £15 for the duo pack, available from Vie at Home either on-line or from a Vie consultant

Effectiveness – very effective, it’s a very thorough exfoliator, which leaves skin visibly more radiant, I have used this on a few people, and there is a definite improvement
Pampering factor – there is a lovely natural citrus fragrance from the orange peel oil, I like the fact it doesn’t contain synthetic fragrances
Highly recommended