Last week I introduced the Aveeno Inside & Oat Challenge here that I was kindly asked to take part in. As the week is now up I thought I'd let you know how I got on with both my skincare and healthy living plan and how my skin is feeling now!
As I'm always up for trying something new I really was looking forward to the challenge Aveeno had set me, that being to take an active role in the well being of my skin by adopting a good daily moisturising routine, along with a healthy lifestyle and diet. With the sun shining last week I had no problem trying out a few of the clean recipes laid out for me and really taking an active role when it came to my skin with a few of the wonderful products from Aveeno.
Here's how I got on, what I learnt and the results!
Taking on the challenge of daily moisturising
As I mentioned in my last post, the only time I've ever daily moisturised is when I'm on holiday and constantly in the sun. However I certainly know that keeping up with a daily moisturising routine, much like I do for my face, will only bring good results keeping it supple and hydrated.
Due to being a bit lazy when it comes to moisturising I decided to place all my Aveeno products in visible, easy to reach places where I would use them. The Aveeno Hand Cream was placed on the coffee table next to where I blog, the Aveeno Body Wash in the shower, the Aveeno Moisturising Creamy Oil on a shelf in my bathroom to be used after showering and the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion on my bedside table so I would remember to daily moisturise either in the morning or at night before bed.
With the skincare tips from consultant dermatologist, Dr Shefali Rajpopat, I stopped taking such hot showers as they can remove the surface layer of natural oils on your skin and I started using the Aveeno Body Wash as it's a soap-free emollient wash that helps reduce water-loss from the skin. I found the body wash to foam well with a very subtle scent and could feel my skin was nourished without having an residue left on my skin - a must for me as my skin can be oily and prone to spots. I also made sure to apply the Aveeno Moisturising Creamy Oil all over straight after every shower when the skin's water content is at it's highest. This was actually my favourite product to use as it applied as a cream but moisturised and soaked in much like an oil, plus the cherry bakewell scent from the sweet almond oil is such a divine scent especially for summer - I totally recommend this product!
To keep up with daily moisturising I used the Daily Moisturising Lotion generally before bed as it soaks in quickly and has such a subtle oat scent that doesn't linger. With the easy pump bottle I soon realised that daily moisturising wasn't a chore, taking only a few minutes and actually soon improved dry areas such as my feet and legs after winter. I also found I used my hand cream a few times a day as it was next to my laptop which I'm pleased about as I like to look after my nails and worry about my hands starting to age as I near 30.
Results
Within only a week I noticed a huge difference in dry areas such a my feet which is really encouraging as I'm often lazy and feel it would take too much effort to improve those areas - I will have to remember I'm wrong! I also got into a good routine with all over moisturising after every shower and again noticed how hydrated my skin felt and how easy it was.
My week of clean eating
Over the past 8 weeks I've been on a mission to overhaul my diet and live a much cleaner lifestyle, so I was more than happy to try out a few recipes from alkaline chef and Honestly Healthy founder, Natasha Corrett. Eating healthy can have such positive effects for so many aspects of the body; from the mind to energy levels and of course the skin. Over the week I tried out 3 simple recipes all of which I thoroughly enjoyed and found some new healthy foods I love!
As I love breakfast (I often have two!) I first tried out the Creamy Cashew Porridge which I loved so much I had it 3 times over the course of the week. I'd never actually tried cashew butter but it was instant love and it really did add a creamy touch touch to the porridge. I also enjoyed an indulgent tasting brunch of poached eggs and asparagus. I love asparagus but never think to have it for breakfast so it was such a treat and surprisingly filling. I also finally got why people love avocado with an avocado butter recipe that I enjoyed on rice cakes as a snack and also wholewheat toast for breakfast. Below are the 3 simple recipes if you want to give them a go yourself!
Creamy Cashew Porridge - 50g Gluten free oats, 15g grated apple, 100ml water, 100ml almond milk, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, 1 heaped tbsp cashew butter, pomegranate seeds to garnish - Place the oats, apple, milk, water and cinnamon into a pan and put on a medium heat, stirring continuously for 3-4 minutes until the oats have absorbed the liquid. Stir in the cashew butter until combined and creamy and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds for added sweetness.
Dippy Eggs (or poached eggs) & asparagus - 2 eggs, 6 spears of asparagus - Pre-heat oven to 180oC and roast asparagus for 10 minutes until soft. Boil water and put the eggs in for 6 minutes. I prefer poached eggs which I place into slightly simmering water for 2.5-3 minutes and remove with a slotted spoon.
Avocado Butter - 1 avocado, 1/2 lemon juice, 1 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp melted coconut oil - Blend ingredients in a blender or with a fork and place in fridge to have on hand for a snack on rice/oat cakes or toast. I also liked a little chilli flakes sprinkled on top for an added kick.
Results
Trying out new easy recipes really was a joy and I was so pleased I loved them all. I was also so glad to finally try cashew butter (I think I love it more than peanut butter) and find a recipe I enjoyed the taste of avocado in. Of course you can never really know how much your diet effects your skin but with a clean diet and lots of water you are bound to see clearer skin within a few weeks which I've definitely seen for myself recently.
Overall I'm pleased with my #AveenoInsideandOat results and I thoroughly enjoyed trying something new and feel my skin is all the better for it. I'll 100% be taking moisturising more seriously and keeping up eating healthy!
Let me know if you try out any of the Aveeno products or any of the yummy recipes!
Fee xo.
*This is a sponsored post in partnership with Aveeno*
