The CH Blog
Caroline Hirons' expert advice, reviews and recommendations, all in one archive.
The function of the blog is to help you find what you do and don’t need in your skincare routine. From the core basics through to the spectrum of retinoid strengths and everything in between, the blog is an archive to breakdown jargon and present you with both my opinion and simple scientific facts.
Caroline Hirons, Founder and Qualified Skincare Expert
Space NK x Skin Rocks Roadshow
Store Appearances: Join me in Space NK stores across the UK & Ireland. I will be on hand to give product advice (across all brands, obvs!) and show you the...
15/11/2022
Freaky Friday Giveaway - Skin Rocks
Happy Friday! This week, we are giving away a year’s worth* of Skin Rocks Retinoids. You can choose between 1 or 2 depending on your skin’s needs. Head over to...
11/11/2022
How To Use Retinoids
Skin Rocks Retinoids Shop now Loved by dermatologists and aestheticians alike, retinoids (aka vitamin A) are best known for their ability to significantly improve the appearance of the...
10/11/2022
What is Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate?
Skin Rocks Retinoids Shop now Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, or HPR, is a vitamin A derivative – a type of retinoid. It is also commonly referred to by its trade...
08/11/2022
Vitamin A Stages of Conversion
Skin Rocks Retinoids Shop now Prescription* strength vitamin A is retinoic acid (also known as Tretinoin/Retin-A). This is the star of the show in terms of skin...
08/11/2022
What is Retinal and How is it Different to Retinol?
Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is a type of retinoid. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives – some common examples are retinal, retinol and retinyl retinoate. Retinoids are widely known as...
08/11/2022
CHeat Sheet - Vitamin A
Widely considered as the gold standard in skincare, retinoids, such as retinol, are derivatives of vitamin A – a key nutrient needed in order for our skin cells to function...
08/11/2022
Which Skin Rocks Retinoid You Need Based On Your Current Retinoid
The Skin Rocks Retinoids have launched, and I have understandably had a lot of questions about which Retinoid you need, based on what you are currently using. In the first...
08/11/2022
Skin Rocks Retinoids 1 and 2 Have Landed
Caroline Hirons review of Skin Rocks Retinoids 1 and 2, including which one you need, who it's for, who needs it and who doesn't.
08/11/2022
Freaky Friday Giveaway - Pai
Happy Friday! This week, Pai are offering four lucky winners a bundle including: Light Work Oil Cleanser Century Flower Mist C-2 Believe Moisturiser Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil The Impossible Glow Bronzing...
04/11/2022
Freaky Friday Giveaway - Dermalogica
Happy Friday! This week, Dermalogica are offering two lucky winners a personalised consultation, and over £500’s worth of skin care recommended in your consultation! Head over to my IG to...
28/10/2022
The Science Behind The Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum
A hero product in The Best Version Of You Box, learn more about the Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum, including how to get the best out of the...
27/10/2022
Freaky Friday Giveaway - Allies of Skin
Happy Friday! This week, Allies of Skin are offering not just one, but five lucky winner a bundle including their newest launch! The bundle includes: Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser...
21/10/2022
What Are Probiotics and How Do They Help the Skin?
You’ve probably heard of probiotics in skincare, but perhaps are unsure as to how they work and what it means for your skin. Here, Aurelia London’s Head of Brand and...
12/10/2022
The Science Behind NIOD’s Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist
A key product in The Menopause Box 2.0, we asked NIOD to explain exactly how the ingredients in this intelligent mist work to protect and support the skin. This product...
06/10/2022
The Menopause Box 2.0 Has Landed
After the sell-out success of the original Skin Rocks Menopause Box, we have just released a 2.0! The Menopause Box 2.0 is worth £221 and is yours for £95, saving...
29/09/2022
deBUNked - Compliancy in the beauty industry - how safe are we? (hint - very)
Welcome to a new series with various extremely-intelligent, qualified-in-their-field people (and me 🙂 ), who will pick through the marketing mumbo jumbo and give you straight facts and simple answers...
26/09/2022
Kelo-Cote: Clinically Proven Scar Treatment
Kelo-Cote is a brand that specialises in scar treatment. Kelo-Cote gel is recommended by plastic surgeons, and the clinicals and results speak for themselves. Last month, one of my lovely...
26/09/2022
COSMOSS by Kate Moss
‘Cosmoss’, the lifestyle brand by Kate Moss, launched to predictable fawning from the fashion world earlier this month. What the brand says: (strap yourselves in) This is literally ‘The Story’...
23/09/2022
Stella by Stella McCartney
*Post Edit:Stella McCartney’s team contacted me to clarify a few points made in my live and below and I am more than happy to share them.. Refillable Pouches – For...
21/09/2022
“I’ve had an idea”: The Story of The Skin Rocks App
Here to revolutionise the way you shop for and learn about skincare, discover exactly how the Skin Rocks App came to be as Journalist, Claire Coleman, sits down with our...
01/09/2022
The Hit Refresh Kit Has Landed
Is your routine in need of a refresh? The Hit Refresh Kit is what you need. It is a full routine, worth £460 and is yours for £160 for a...
31/08/2022
CH Freaky Friday Giveaway - Jordan Samuel Skin
Happy Friday! For this weeks giveaway, my gorgeous friend Jordan Samuel has offered two lucky winners a bundle worth £488, including his brand new Mandelic Exfoliating Mask. The bundle includes:...
26/08/2022
100,000 DOWNLOADS!!!
We have just hit 100,000 downloads on the Skin Rocks App. Unreal!When we first spoke to our app tech agency about making an app, we were told to ‘manage our...
25/08/2022
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
Brilliant for use as a first, second or morning cleanse.
25/08/2022
StriVectin SD Advanced PLUS Intensive Moisturising Concentrate, Limited Edition & Competition | AD
To celebrate StriVectin’s 20th birthday, one of my favourite StriVectin products has had a makeover! The SD AdvancedTM PLUS Intensive Moisturising Concentrate has new, Limited Edition packaging by illustrator Joanna...
24/08/2022
CH Freaky Friday Giveaway - Tatcha
Happy Friday! You know what time it is, it's Freaky Friday Giveaway time. This week, Tatcha have offered not one, but FIVE lucky winners a full ritual worth £263, containing...
19/08/2022
My Beauty Pie Edit | AD
Beauty Pie are a brilliant members club, where you pay a yearly fee to get direct access to exclusive, lab-direct pricing. Beauty Pie have a whole host of skincare, haircare,...
18/08/2022
Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Eye Cream - Be In It To Win It | AD
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream from Allies of Skin has been around for a year now, and has featured in my skincare wardrobe since I first tried it. This...
17/08/2022
CH Freaky Friday Giveaway - Clarins Bundle
For this week's Freaky Friday Giveaway, Clarins have offered not one, but FIVE lucky winners a deluxe bundle, containing the following products: Double Serum 75ml Velvet Cleansing Milk 400ml Hydrating...
12/08/2022
Skincare is 99p on Kindle!
A quick heads-up that my book Skincare is currently 99p on Kindle! Just in time to download for your hols. :)
05/08/2022
The Skin Rocks App Has Landed
The Skin Rocks App has landed, and is available to download for free on the Apple App Store and Play Store here: apple store google play A lot of you...
12/07/2022
EXCLUSIVE SKIN + ME OFFER EXTENDED | AD
Since my last post there’s been so many DMs about Skin + Me! You lot are full of questions about actives. When to start. What do they do. Are they...
10/07/2022
The Balance & Go Kit
The Balance & Go Kit is a full routine, worth £349 and is yours for £160. A saving of over 54%. It includes your cleanser, mist, eye, serum, moisturiser and...
02/07/2022
The Hydrate & Glow Kit
The Hydrate & Glow Kit is a full routine, worth £398 and is yours for £170. A saving of over 57%. It includes your cleanser, mist, eye, serum, moisturiser and...
02/07/2022
The Kits Have Landed
The Kits are now live on the Shop Floor. The Hydrate & Glow Kit is a full routine, worth £398 and is yours for £170, a saving of over 57%....
01/07/2022
What is Azelaic Acid?
You’ve likely heard plenty about the radiance-boosting benefits of vitamin C but did you know that azelaic acid is another ingredient that can be effective at brightening the skin? Here,...
23/06/2022
Open The Brightening Box with Caroline Hirons
The products included in The Brightening Box are hand-picked by our Founder and Skincare Expert, Caroline Hirons. Read on to find out why she chose the products and to discover...
21/06/2022
The Skin Rocks Brightening Box
You need this if… Your skin looks dull or is lacking ‘oomph’. You don’t need this if… You have a glowing, even complexion! The Skin Rocks Brightening Box is now...
20/06/2022
NIOD: My Sensitive Skin Picks and 23% off | AD
I have been recommending NIOD products since the brand launched. They have something for everyone at a brilliant price point. Everything is backed by science and their formulas are sophisticated....
20/06/2022
The worst product I have ever tried.
This is, without doubt, the worst formulated product ever to cross my path in 25 years. I bought this Cay Skin Isle Glow Face Lotion SPF 45 from Sephora on...
14/06/2022
Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30, 50ml - £46.00 SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Mineral Non-organic vs organic? Inorganic aka mineral. Main SPF active ingredients?...
10/06/2022
Top Tips for Breakout-Prone Skin
The cause of breakout-prone skin is varied and can be down to a number of reasons but first of all, let’s clear a few things up (no pun intended): There...
09/06/2022
Dr. Sam Bunting Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50
Dr. Sam Bunting Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50, 50ml - £29.00 SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Non-organic vs organic? Inorganic aka mineral. Main SPF active ingredients? Zinc oxide and Octinoxate. Full...
09/06/2022
Clinique Superdefense City Block SPF 50
Clinique Superdefense City Block SPF 50, 40ml - £23.00 SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Non-organic vs organic? Hybrid. Main SPF active ingredients? Zinc oxide. Titanium Dioxide. Homosalate. Full inci: Octinoxate 5.0%,...
07/06/2022
My Murad Summer Skin Faves and 30% Off | AD
Use code CHFF30 for 30% off sitewide* at murad.co.uk and murad.com As I type, this is the first day where I’m not the only one using aircon in the office,...
30/05/2022
Paula's Choice Sunscreen SPF 50
Paula's Choice Sunscreen SPF 50, 148ml, £23.00 SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Non-organic vs organic? Organic (traditionally called chemical). Main SPF active ingredients? Avobenzone Homosalate Octisalate Octocrylene Oxybenzone Full inci: Aqua,...
24/05/2022
Skingredients Skin Shield SPF 50 PA+++
Skingredients Skin Shield SPF 50 PA+++, 73ml - £51.00 SPF 50 PA +++ Broad Spectrum Refillable Non-organic vs organic? Inorganic aka mineral. Main SPF active ingredients? Zinc oxide. Full inci:...
23/05/2022