We put stress-busting products to the test to see if they really can alleviate the lockdown blues
WE are dreaming more vividly in lockdown and it may be down to raised stress, reports research into mental health during the Covid-19 crisis.
As we face more weeks shut indoors, today we trial stressbusting powder, gum and spray, as well as night oils to keep our faces fresh.
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HEALTH
with Jane Atkinson
BOOTS Adaptogens contain herbs, fruit and mushrooms believed to help the body “adapt” to take on physical and emotional life pressures.
They are easily worked into your daily routine, as you can add the vegan powders to a smoothie. I tried Ashwagandha – and whether it was a placebo effect or not, I did feel a sense of calm as I embarked on my day. I’ll keep using it.
- £8 for 100g, from Boots – buy now
INFUSED with 10mg CBD from hemp oil, Pollen Sooth You gummies claim to be a great way to declutter your head space. The veggie sweets are made with fruit extracts and taste just like fruit pastilles.
Two gummies is my preferred dose – I felt calmer, and any more made me sleepy. Pricey, but a good intro to CBD.
- £35 for 30 gummies, from Pollen – buy now
MIO Liquid Yoga space spray uses essential oils said to help calm, de-stress and rebalance. It has a lavender and citrus scent and can be used on pulse points, yoga mats or in the office.
A great alternative to pills. I used it on my pillow and found it uplifting and relaxing. It also helped reduce my tension headaches.
- £6.50 for 53ml, from Mio Skincare – buy now
BEAUTY
with Gabriella Stein
Budget
AN overnight facial oil to help prevent moisture loss and improve appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A combination of argan oil, vitamin E, almond oil and geranium oil left my skin feeling soft and supple.
This oil did leave my skin feeling smooth by morning, but I noticed a bigger difference with the pricier products.
- Argan+ Moroccan Rose Night Time Facial Oil, £12.99 for 30ml, from Feelunique – buy now
Mid
THIS facial oil claims to be rich in omega 6 and vitamin E to hydrate and regenerate stressed skin overnight. It also contains almond oil and grapeseed oil. Absorbed instantly, without leaving my skin greasy.
Has an earthy scent, with hints of the essential oils coming through, including anti-inflammatory lavender and white sandalwood. It totally balanced out my oily and blemish-prone skin – my favourite of the three.
- Caudalie, Vine Activ, Overnight Detox Oil, £30 for 30ml, from Cult Beauty – buy now
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Luxury
A CREAM and oil in one, this promised to aid the natural nighttime repair and renewal of my skin. It has a lightweight, thin texture and only a small amount is needed to cover the face and neck.
Its key ingredient, Night Scented Stock oil, reduces redness and improves elasticity. It has a lovely, fresh fragrance and my complexion was brighter after continued use. A close second.
- Elemis, Peptide4 Night Recovery Cream-Oil, £49 for 30ml, from Elemis – buy now
Stockists: Boots (boots.com), Cult Beauty (cultbeauty.co.uk), Elemis (elemis.com), Feelunique (feelunique.com), Mio Skincare (mioskincare.co.uk), Pollen (withpollen.com)
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