Pampering

Skinstation is an online store that allows you to browse and buy luxury skincare products at the most competitive prices. They’re passionate about improving skin concerns across the UK with  clinically proven skincare systems. They’re certain that we can find a skincare regime for you that is going to yield results you never previously thought were possible. You can book a face to face consultation or use their online store.  With over 60 years combined experience in dermatology and cosmetic medicine, they will work with you to help achieve your goals.

Skinstation recommended I try some products from Pure Obagi, so I’ve been trying these out over the last few weeks.  I was glad to be able to try something new for my skin as I felt it wasn’t looking its best and needed a bit of TLC.

I love to go for a salon facial when I can, but for me it’s just as important to be able to access good skin care at home. I’ve been trying the Obagi Elastiderm Eye Cream as the skin around my eyes is a particular beauty concern of mine.  I do suffer from dark circles and have some fine lines, so I was interested to see how effective the cream would be.  It has a light, creamy texture so it doesn’t sit heavily on the delicate eye region.  I have found it has made my eyes look a lot more fresh and bright.  My lines seem to be reduced and the skin there seems to be firmer.  I’m feeling more confident about my eyes since I started using this cream.

Using Obagi Retinol 1. every evening has been very worthwhile for me.   My skin feels generally fresher, brighter and clearer.  After use my skin feels hydrated and refreshed without feeling greasy. This product is part of a three part system for those who wish to preserve the natural beauty and youth of their skin. I feel my complexion is much better and I feel more confident both with and without makeup.

Obagi Nu Derm Clear is a product I’ve been using this twice a day for a few weeks now.  This anti-wrinkle retinol face cream will help to boost skin cell turnover to minimize fine lines and wrinkles while diminishing hyperpigmentation. Hydrating jojoba oil and shea butter promotes firmness and elasticity, as vitamins C and E work together to neutralize free radicals. I’ve found it has reduced a pigment mark I had due to sun damage. It works gently on my skin, but seems to work very effectively.

I’ve been very happy with my experiences using Pure Obagi over the last few weeks.  The products are pleasant and easy to use.  I am very pleased with the results and I do think my skin looks brighter and younger looking since I started using these as a major part of my skincare regime.  I think I’ll continue to use them as part of my skincare routine in the future.

Disclosure: I was sent these products for the purpose of reviewing them.

Over this last year I’ve been using more home beauty treatments.  It’s been the only way during lockdowns with salons closed.  I’ve missed the salon pampering experience, but I’ve enjoyed the ease and convenience of being able to have the treatment whenever I want.  Obviously, at home you aren’t always able to use the full range of products or give yourself all the treatments, you would get professionally, but there are plenty of options out there.  The added benefit is that it’s often cheaper too. Here I’ve been trying out some gentle tooth whitening products to help whiten my teeth.

Introduction: What are the Benefits of Gentle Teeth Whitening?

The benefits of using gentle teeth whitening are that it is easy to use, it does not require the person to stop eating or drinking for long, and there are no negative side effects.

How Does Gentle Tooth Whitening Actually Work?

Gentle teeth whitening works by using natural ingredients like charcoal and apatite to naturally whiten teeth.  There are two main ways that these ingredients are applied: in a toothpaste or as part of a kit using strips or something similar to apply the ingredients to the teeth.  Toothpastes are the easiest to use and can be used as a maintenance treatment.  Using a kit will often get a quicker result, but it requires you to set aside some time for the treatment.

Charcoal based toothpastes

Just a word of warning here.  These toothpastes are black in colour.  Once you get over the fact that you are putting something black onto the teeth you want to whiten, you’ll soon realise how effective these toothpastes are.

The first brand I tried was White Glow Toothpaste from cruelty-free, dentist led brand Millionaire Smile. The Volcanic White Glow toothpaste is specially formulated using the latest innovative ingredients including hydroxyapatite, activated charcoal and volcanic minerals.  It is designed to tackle surface stains, prevent staining throughout the day, rebuild enamel, reduce sensitivity and gently but effectively whiten teeth. It also helps maintain healthy gums and fresh breath, resulting in a brighter, whiter smile and a healthier mouth. I find it very pleasant to use – I liked that it wasn’t minty to the taste.  I found that my teeth quickly became a few shades lighter.

Curaprox’s Black Is White Toothpaste. Using enzymatic science that reacts with the mouths saliva to produce a whitening outcome, CURAPROX’s Black Is White is safe to use as a regular daily toothpaste, with no harmful bleaching agents.  The Black Is White Toothpaste helps to remove discolouration by using activated carbon without abrading or bleaching and helps with sensitivity too, whilst strengthening oral health with enzymes that protect against tooth decay and support the salivary functions. Again this is really pleasant to use and it also helped my teeth become a few shades whiter.  Another plus point for me is that this came with a black-bristled toothbrush, which is handy as my white one was getting stained.

Other toothpastes

If you don’t like the taste of charcoal or you prefer a minty toothpaste, there are other gentle tooth whitening toothpastes available.  I tried Urtekram’s Fresh Mint Whitening Toothpaste, available from Amazon, is a certified organic and 100% natural origin toothpaste. Specially formulated to strengthen tooth enamel, protect against tooth decay and reduce dental calculus, it leaves your breath smelling minty fresh, too. The whitening effect comes from completely natural ingredients, including Apatite.  This one is great for leaving you with a fresh minty taste in your mouth and it is effective over time.  This is now the toothpaste I use before a night out because of the combination of the minty taste and the gentle tooth whitening effect.

Teeth Whitening Strips

I also tried some Teeth Whitening Strips from Millionaire Smile.  The strips aren’t as easy as using a toothpaste, but they work well at home.  Before use you need to brush your teeth and dry them.  Then you place the strips on your teeth.  You leave them on for 30-45 minutes and you need to avoid eating and drinking during this time.  This isn’t hard to do, but you will have to plan in the time for the treatment.  Once you have done that you can watch TV or read a book or whatever you like, so it’s quite relaxing.  The strips do feel a little odd on your teeth, but you quickly forget about them.  I would use these ahead on a big night out or similar.  They are quicker to work than the toothpastes, so they are a good way of getting your teeth a bit brighter quickly.

Teeth Whitening Products in the News

According to a new Which report, nearly 60 percent of teeth whiteners bought from Amazon Marketplace, eBay, AliExpress and Wish had illegal and dangerously high levels of a bleaching agent.  Which tested 36 whitening kits. Of these, 21 had more than the legal limit (0.1%) of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for home use in whitening kits, while 11 had more than 6 percent H2O2, which exceeds what dentists can use.  Dr Ahmed Hussain, leading dental expert from Harrow on the Hill Dentistry shares his concerns: “Your social media feeds, or searches online, may show you that it is possible to purchase peroxide-based products to bleach your teeth, but I strongly urge you not to buy these products. Who knows the long-term damage these non-professional treatments might cause? Some products may not even be strong enough to make any lasting difference.”

Conclusion

I have been careful here to pick out reputable products that don’t use harsh chemicals.  If you want to use a stronger treatment, make sure you go to a qualified professional for proper treatment.  I found that all these products were effective in making my teeth whiter, so they are a much nicer, whiter colour than before.  None of them were able to remove denser, darker specific stains, so I think I will have to consult a professional about that.  I hope you have enjoyed my round up of gentle tooth whitening products.

Disclosure: I was sent the products featured in this article for the purpose of trying them out to write this post.

I’m always keen to find new products that care about the environment.  The good news is there are a lot of products out there and new ones being developed all the time.  It’s getting easier and easier to shop in an ethical way and that certainly feels good.  Clear Confidence recently got in touch with me to tell me about their products. Clear Confidence is a company that specialises in vegan-friendly and plastic-free products, care about the health of the planet just as much as they care about personal health.

Focusing on delivering high quality personal care products that abide by ethical and environmental obligations, Clear Confidence pride themselves on assuring customers that their supporting a sustainable business practice.  Clear Confidence are a vegan business that doesn’t support animal products or animal testing.  This can be seen by their men’s shaving brush, which uses grass-based bristles instead of the usual badger or boar hair. Not only does it support ethical business, but the grass base ensures more exfoliation and less irritation on the skin. The grass bristles feel pleasant to the touch on the skin.  The brush carries the soap well and does a great job of spreading the product over the face.  So far it’s looking good after use too.

As well as being vegan-friendly, Clear Confidence’s products are also 100% plastic-free.  Their razor, with a handle made of bamboo, uses high-quality, double-edged blades that cost much less than the standard plastic-built razor blades, while their nail files are 100% stainless steel and offer longer-lasting use with ergonomic handles.  The razor has a good weight and is pleasant to hold and use.  The blades glide across the skin to ensure a smooth, close shave.

I’ve teamed up with Clear Confidence to offer a male grooming bundle of a plastic-free shaving brush, plastic-free safety razor and shaving bar to one lucky reader.

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