Review: Superdrug Simply Pure Eye Make-up Remover

I've come to realise I have a bit of a 'grass is always greener' attitude when it comes to beauty products: i've yet to find my 'holy grail' items (although I think I may have found it in terms of foundation - review to come!) and so whenever i'm using a product that doesn't instantly amaze me or stand out, I automatically start thinking of the next product/brand I can move on to.

Sometimes, however once i've used a product up and I have indeed moved on to something else, I realise that, in comparison, it was actually quite good and I would buy it again.

The Bioderma cleansing water was one such product, as is the subject of this review:

At £2.59 for 150ml, it is part of the Simply Pure range at Superdrug, which was launched in June 2010 and created specifically for the special needs of sensitive skins - with terrific 'free from' properties to boot.

The range also includes 2 facial moisturisers/creams, a face wash, scrub, face mask, cleanser and toner.

The 'pure' idea covers all aspects of the brand, given that Superdrug own brand products carry the BUAV leaping bunny symbol, and hence are suitable for use by vegetarians/vegans.

The product comes in a simple screw-top (recyleable) bottle, and to dispense you simply unscrew the lid, and 'slosh' it onto a cotton wool pad.

I then place each cotton pad over each eye for about 20 seconds, then gently wipe away.

As you would expect from a product designed specially for sensitive skin, it is very gentle on the eyes and does not irritate them, nor is it greasy and/or constrictive (in terms of tightness on the skin).

Similarly to the Bioderma cleansing water, I find that I have to go over my eyes a couple of times in order to remove all my eyemake up (and thus avoid the panda look the next morning), but as it is a gentle product I don't mind - and i'm still impressed how well it removes my everyday eye make-up (concealer, eye primer,  3 different eyeshadow shades - on average - liquid eyeliner, mascara and leftover duo eyelash glue!)

So thumbs up from me - you can't beat a product that not only works well but you can use guilt free knowing that some little rabbit somewhere wasn't tested on in the process!

i'll definitely be picking up another bottle next time i'm in Superdrug.

Have you tried any of the Superdrug Simply Pure range?

Review: Asda Skin System Eye Makeup Remover

Nowadays, whenever i'm on the lookout for new beauty products, 3 main creteria apply:

Cheap (in price)

Effective

Preferably cruelty free/not tested on animals

This little number could well tick all those boxes:

The Skin System Eye Make-Up remover is only £1.50 for a whopping (for an eye make-up remover) 150ml, and is widely available in Asda stores.

All suppliers used in the production of Skin System products are based within the Europe Union and have been audited within the last 2 years by an independent 3rd party to an ethical standard. 

Asda state as part of their policy that 'Asda is against animal testing and funds research into alternatives', although one has to bear in mind that this policy may only apply to the finished product, not the actual ingredients which may have been tested on animals, which is rather disappointing. Asda have yet also to adhere to a FCOD (Fixed cut off date) scheme.

Launched in September 2011, the range includes basics such as cotton wool pads and facial washes, to more niche, complx products such as wrinkle filler system - all at very reasonable, affordable prices.

All of the Skin System products contain the Algisium C2 Complex which works to improve the appearance of your skin by stimulating cell regeneration, activating collegen synthesis and protecting against free radicals to fight the first signs of ageing.

The Eye Make-Up Remover is suitable for sensitive skins as it is free from parabens, fragrance and artifical colours, and contains Vitamin E, white tea, shea butter and aloe vera leaf juice.

The specific ingredients are:

Aqua - water

Glyceryl Stereate SE - emulsifying agent

Isopropyl Palmitate - palm oil based emollient

Stearic Acid - fatty acid

Propylene Glycol - Synthetic liquid substance that acts as a pentration enhancer

Cetearyl Alcohol - mixture of fatty alcohols

Glycerin - fat/oil component

Decyl Oleate - naturally occuring fatty acid that makes make-up removal easier

Tocopheryl Acetate - Vitamin E

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract - Shea Butter

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract - Green Tea

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder - Aloe Vera

Carbomer - thickening agent

Triethanolamine - strongly alkaline substance used as surfactant and pH adjusting chemical

Disodium EDTA - type of preservative

Sodium Benzoate - preservative

Sorbic Acid - preservative

Potassium Sorbate - preservative

Phenoxyethanol - preservative- used as an alternative to parabens

Ethylhexylglycerin - conditioning agent and (surprise, suprise) preservative

Unlike the majority of oil-based eye make-up removers, this cleanser is of a cream substance, and quite a thick one at that, which means you only need a tiny (pea-sized) amount at a time (and therefore meaning it will last you yonks!)

The directions on the bottle instruct you to apply the make-up remover using cotton wool to remove all traces of make-up, but i've found that gently massaging it with my fingers around (closed) eyes for a couple of minutes and then gently wiping away with a cotton pad does the trick really well.

Despite the list of (what seems to be) largely chemically-based ingredients (then again, most beauty products these days are), I'm actually really impressed with this make-up remover.

It powers through my mascara and eyeshadow far better than even the Bioderma Crealine H20 cleansing water did; a product that is considered HG material for models, professional make-up artists and the like the world over.

I think i've found a (better) £1.50 alternative!

Have you tried any of the Skin System products?

Melanie x