Almost a month ago now, I was kindly sent a mystery bundle of products from Garnier. Although I bang on about their Micellar Water until the cows come home, and I used to adore their Fresh Essentials moisturiser, I haven't really explored much of their range recently. It seems that in the last year or so, Garnier have really upped their game, releasing products with exciting new concepts (like the Miracle Sleeping Cream & the Moisture Bomb range) whilst maintaining its position at an affordable price point.
Their newest release is the Pure Active Sensitive range, and to be perfectly honest, it's not something I'd have picked up for myself in a store. It is aimed at sensitive and blemish prone skin, so I assumed on face value that these products would by drying on my normal/dry skin. Whilst my skin isn't sensitive, I do still suffer from a blemish or two, so of course I had to give these a go, and I was pleasantly surprised!
The first product in the three-step routine is the PureActive Sensitive Anti-Blemish Soap-free Gel Wash* (£4.99) - The name sure is a mouthful, right? This is aimed at those with blemished sensitive skin, and promises to deeply cleanse and remove oil, impurities and dirt without drying out the skin. It contains active ingredients of Zinc and Witch Hazel to purify and soothe the skin, and is hypoallergenic and pH neutral to suit irritable skins. One thing to note though, is although it says it's "soap-free", it does still contain SLS.
A gel cleanser isn't something I usually have in my skincare routine, but I was in need of a morning cleanser, so this fit right in. I took a shine to it immediately, with its consistency reminding me of the La Roche Posay Effeclar cleanser. It has a refreshing scent of white tea, which is lovely (just don't get it in your mouth), and it leaves skin feeling smooth and soft. Even my mum, who has more mature skin, loved it. I find it really quick and easy to use; it washes off easily and you only need the tiniest pea-sized amount, so it's really economical too. I'm really glad I tried this as it suits my skin nicely and has firmly earned its place within my skincare routine.
The next step is the PureActive Sensitive Anti-Blemish Clarifying Tonic* (£4.99). This is a really interesting product as it is a toner with a gel formula, making it closer to an essence. It is marketed as being particularly effective against blemishes, again with Witch Hazel, as well as Salicylic Acid to purify the skin. It also acts as a serum and hydrates the skin, as well as getting rid of any remaining dirt and refreshing the skin before your moisturising step.
As with the Gel Wash, I loved this instantly. I apply a small amount to a cotton pad and apply it, although you can also use your fingers. It leaves my skin feeling really clean, and the gel consistency is really refreshing too. I can't wait to use it in the summer! I love that it also hydrates the skin to counteract against the drying nature of the alcohol (great for drying out those spots). It's a lovely step in my routine that I really look forward too!
Lastly, there's the PureActive Sensitive Anti-Blemish Soothing Moisturiser* (£6.99). This aims to moisturise and soothe the skin, whilst still containing Zinc and Witch Hazel to fight those blemishes. It has high proportions of both dimethicone (a silicone-based polymer) and glycerine, which as well as hydrating the skin, creates a smooth base which is ideal for applying makeup! This is especially good if you suffer from textural issues related to spots.
It also claims to hydrate and mattify skin for 24 hours, and whilst this is something I no longer look for in a moisturiser, I know that when I had oily skin I would have loved this. I have tried this moisturiser out a couple of times, and I really enjoy its lightweight gel texture, although it doesn't provide quite enough hydration for my normal/dry skin. I love the silky feel it leaves on the skin though, so I think I might try this out as more of a priming step before makeup.
Although the moisturiser wasn't 100% for me, I've been really impressed by the Garnier PureActive Sensitive range. I really enjoy the fresh scent and the products are perfect to use in the morning to leave it feeling clean, soft and smooth. One thing I really noticed when using these products was how calm and clear my skin looked straight after use. I'm definitely going to continue using the Gel Wash and the Clarifying Tonic.
The more I think about it, the more this range reminds me of the La Roche Posay Effeclar range, which I've used and enjoyed in the past, so it's a great affordable alternative. One thing to bear in mind if you do have sensitive skin is the fact that these products do have quite a strong fragrance. I personally really enjoy fragranced products, as it forms part of the "skincare experience" for me, but it might not be for everyone.
Although I do have a few budget favourites in my routine, I can definitely be a bit snobby about skincare, especially when it comes to cleansers and moisturisers. These products definitely show how far drugstore skincare has come, and I'm definitely going to be checking out more of the Garnier products, particularly the Moisture Bomb Glow Boost Water-Cream Day Moisturiser - again, why do they all have to have such long names..?
Have you tried anything from this range?
- Post contains PR Samples (*) & affiliate links -
- This does not affect my views and I will always give my honest opinion of a product -
