A Dash of Iruoma

Category: Beauty

  • A Simple Cleanser-My Take on Simple Kind To Skin Facial Wash.

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    If you’re looking for a review for the Simple cleanser or wondering if it would be a good fit for you, then keep reading.

    Affordable and sustainable skincare sparks something in my heart. At the start of the month, I shared some new products on my Instagram stories, and promised to give a review.

    My face has been in a funny phase (see what I did there? lol). I recently had a skin “reaction”. That’s the best way to put it, but thankfully the diagnosis wasn’t as bad as I thought. It went from “baby butt” aspirant to “bumpy ride”.

    After getting a probable diagnosis, I had to hold off using 2 out of the 3 products I shared. Now this is where I thank God because the Simple cleanser I had gotten was a super mild one and was perfect for this phase.

    Simple KIND TO SKIN REFRESHING Facial Wash

    Cleansing is usually the first step in any skin care routine. It makes sense because you need to clean off the dirt before applying the other things your lovely face needs to stay healthy. If you have a sensitive skin, the Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing facial wash (kind of mouthful) could be worth looking into.

    I had read some good reviews about it and decided to give it a go.

    PS- This isn’t a recommendation. I’m sharing my experience and hoping it will be a useful resource for you. Check the next post on things to note before buying any product for your skin.

    Simple is UK’s top facial skin care brand and there’s a reason it is popular. True to it’s name, it works in a simple yet effective way depending on your purpose of use.

    Description

    • Appearance

    First thing you notice about Simple Facial wash is the packaging. I love the shade of green used. It also comes with a retractable lid and nozzle and is 150ml.

    • Texture

    It is colorless with a jelly-like consistency.

    • Ingredients

    Aqua, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene glycol, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pantolactone, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

    In addition to the ingredients, it contains vitamin B5 and vitamin E. It has no artificial perfume or color, no harsh chemicals, no alcohol, and it’s vegan (no animal derived derivative).

    • Cool properties

    Simple refreshing facial wash is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. Meaning, it doesn’t clog your pores and has very minimal chances of causing you to react. It’s also 100% soap free as it contains no harsh chemicals.

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    Steps to use

    1. Wet face with warm water (sometimes I use cold water).
    2. Apply the cleanser into clean hands and work into a lather.
    3. Massage unto face in a circular motion.
    4. Rinse off with cold water.
    5. Pat dry with a face towel and continue your routine.

    Pro tip: Don’t apply your cleanser and just wash off. That’s literally wasting it and getting minimal result. You need to let it “sit” on your face for a while to activate it before washing. That can be for 30 seconds to 1 minute. I learnt this from Salama Mohamed.

    My experience

    This cleanser always leaves my face supple. I have acne prone and oily skin so that feeling is refreshing. I have also been using E-45 as a moisturizer based on my prescription to balance out any drying effect, but this cleanser isn’t as drying as others I have used.

    It is easy to apply and so gentle. There are no particles in it so it feels smooth when rubbing on my face. It literally is that mild.

    I love the fact that it is sustainable. I have been using it for 4 weeks and it could go 2 more weeks with the quantity left.

    Where to get from

    You can get it from your favorite skincare store or Jumia. I got mine from BuyBetter for #2500 ($6).

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    Pros

    1. This cleanser does it’s job effectively.
    2. It has a minimal chance of irritation as it has no perfume or alcohol so it’s a good fit for sensitive skin.
    3. You only need a pea-sized amount during your wash.

    Cons

    1. If you have some issues you’re targeting on your skin e.g. hyperpigmentation, dark spots, etc. , this may not be a good fit. This is because it does not contain active ingredients for acne prone or combination skin.
    2. The jelly like texture makes it hard to rinse off just once. I have to rinse off at least 2/3 times to get the slippery feel away.

    Would I be getting this again?

    Currently, I would say no as the next step for me is to get products with the active ingredients my face needs after this. I must say that it has served its purpose by just cleansing.

    I would advise that you get it if your skin is at a place you’re okay with, and you’re looking for something mild and gentle.

    Hope this helps.

    Would you like to see more reviews?

    Have you ever used this cleanser? Please let me know in the comments. Enjoy the rest of your week!

  • How To Have A Simple College Student Skincare Routine

    How To Have A Simple College Student Skincare Routine

    As a college student, you can relate to how time seems to go so fast. You barely have time for yourself talk less of adding skincare. Having a skincare routine as a college student is not nearly impossible as you think! I was never a skincare advocate.

    Growing up, I battled with terrible acne. I would look at some of my friends and wonder what it was like to have a “smooth” face. It’s such an irony that college marked the start of skincare for me despite its challenges.

    It is now a goal of mine to inspire other college students to develop a renewed mindset towards their skincare routine. The journey to giving a hoot about my skin has been one of growth for me. I assumed that effective skincare was one of the fancy things people talked about, but wasn’t attainable. How wrong!

    Let’s be honest, being in college (or university if you may), saps out energy for other things. From midnight reading to 8a.m. classes and tests, it’s easy to think you’ll never have time for skincare. The best part is, it doesn’t have to be complex. A simple skincare routine is as effective.

    How can a college student incorporate a simple skincare routine?

    #1- Discipline

    The first step is discipline. Good skin isn’t a drop-down-from-heaven gift. It literally starts with a decision to be intentional about it.

    #2- Map out a simple pattern for your skincare.

    I cannot stress the importance of this. Also, you want something that is suited to you. Remember that being a college student can be pretty overwhelming, so you may not have time to practice the “10-steps-morning-routine” I see on YouTube. I find that sticking with the basics helps build consistency.

    A simple college student skincare routine includes (but is not limited to):

    • Cleanse
    • Tone
    • Moisturize
    • Apply a sunscreen
    • Don’t forget to give attention to your lips too. Use a lip balm to keep them moisturized.

    I would advise that you set some weekends aside to get a face mask done or give special care to your face.

    College student skincare routine

    #3- Be accountable

    Have an accountability partner. This may sound weird, but have you noticed how you seem more inspired when you embark on a new task with your friends?

    My friend and roomie in my 3rd year literally pushed me to do better with my skin. Funny enough, it wasn’t just in words, but in action. She barely missed her skincare routine. She would challenge me to put the action if I wanted to see results. With her, I had a renewed perspective of a healthy face. I also have a friend who is into retailing skincare products and she loves it so much that she’s always willing to give some advice on it whenever I ask.

    #4- Wipe that make-up before bed, sis

    Take your makeup off. Really, this is such a hidden culprit. Ever come back from an event and hit the bed immediately? You forget to take off the makeup and that clogs your pores. Not the best thing.

    Make a conscious effort to wipe it off immediately you return to the hostel. It’s very easy to forget that your makeup needs to be cleaned off especially when you’re exhausted. You don’t want all your good skincare work to be taken 3 steps backward as a result of leaving your makeup overnight consistently.

    #5- Drink lots of water

    What you take into your body reflects on the exterior. An average of 8 glasses of water daily is advised. While it is not the most easy thing to do, drinking more water has been proven to have good benefits. You can have a handy bottle of water that you take along during lectures, ward rounds or break time and so on. Make sure you modify your intake based on your circumstances. E.g. if you exercise often, the weather, etc.

    #6- Take it slow

    Lastly, this may sound controversial, but don’t beat yourself up if you miss days. Remember that as you juggle school work and other activities, it may be overwhelming on some days. Notice what your body needs and treat it right.

    Ps- skincare isn’t magic. It’s a lifestyle. You have to be intentional and enjoy the journey.

    I won’t be going into products in this post but watch out for that soon.

    Do you have a skincare routine in college? Share a struggle with me in the comments.