Beauty & Personal Care covers skin, lips and body: benzoyl peroxide washes, pads and spot treatments from PanOxyl, Neutrogena, Oxy, Zapzyt and Stridex, Blistex and Aquaphor lip care, Maui Babe browning lotions, New Skin liquid bandage, and biotin, collagen and hyaluronic acid supplements.
Choosing an acne product
Most of the acne range uses benzoyl peroxide, sold as washes, bars, gels and pads at strengths from 2.5% to 10%. If you are new to it, a lower strength or a wash you rinse off, such as PanOxyl Creamy Wash 4%, is a gentler start than a 10% product like PanOxyl Foaming Wash 10%. Benzoyl peroxide bleaches towels, pillowcases and clothing, so white towels are a good idea. Stridex pads use salicylic acid instead, and pimple patches from Neutrogena, PanOxyl and COSRX cover individual spots. These are medicated products: follow the label, and see a pharmacist or GP if acne is severe, painful or scarring.
Lips, tanning and first aid
- Lip care: Blistex Lip Balm, Medicated Mint Balm, Lip Ointment and Lip Serum, plus Aquaphor Lip Repair.
- Browning lotions: Maui Babe Browning Lotion and After Browning Lotion. Browning lotions are tanning products, not sunscreens, so check the label for SPF and protect your skin.
- First aid: New Skin Liquid Bandage in brush and spray versions, Boiron Calendula Ointment and Arnicare Gel.
Beauty supplements
Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin, and vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. Collagen and hyaluronic acid have no authorised health claims, so they are sold on what they contain. Jarrow and OstroVit biotin, Essensey and Trec collagen and more are in Beauty Supplements, and washes and creams in Skin Care.
Beauty & Personal Care: your questions answered
Which benzoyl peroxide strength should I choose?
If you are new to benzoyl peroxide, start with a lower strength (2.5% to 5%) or a rinse-off wash, used once a day, to see how your skin reacts. The 10% washes and gels are the strongest we sell.
Why are my towels getting white patches?
Benzoyl peroxide bleaches fabric and hair. Rinse your hands after applying it and use white towels and pillowcases.
Does Maui Babe Browning Lotion contain sunscreen?
Maui Babe Browning Lotion is a tanning lotion, not a sunscreen. Check the label for any SPF and use a separate sunscreen to protect your skin.
Do collagen supplements have authorised benefits?
Collagen has no authorised health claim in the UK. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin, and many collagen products include it.
Can I use acne treatments in pregnancy?
Ask a pharmacist or GP first. Some ingredients, such as retinoids including retinol, are not recommended during pregnancy.
