The UK's best selling skincare products

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

All articles are available and were written on TheRankTank.com

Earlier in the summer, I wrote some retail pieces for the website TheRankTank.com.  The Rank Tank is a site that promotes the best selling products for a variety of companies, and it is the job of the writers like myself to produce detailed and informative content about the various sectors assigned to us.

There are areas on the site for a whole range of products.  This ranges from toys and games to computing and entertainment segments.  I was set the task of researching the top five skincare products for the male specimen on this planet.  

Below is the top five, with Nivea for Men as expected leading the way.

NIVEA FOR MEN REHYDRATING MOISTURISER

BEST PRICE: £5.20 at Amazon

Nivea products have always been very successful

One of the most annoying issues for men is the development of dry skin, especially on our faces. For supreme protection from this aspect, use Nivea for Men Rehydrating Moisturiser. Apply to the areas that need the most attention, mainly facial and neck areas twice a day. Before applying for the maximum result, use either Exfoliating Face Scrub or Nivea for Men Deep Clean Face Wash.

Nivea is a proven winning product. Between the years of 2004 and 2010, it was voted number one in skincare range by readers of FHM magazine.  Men who use this product can trust to get the results they are looking for. Afterwards, their skin will feel smooth and supple, and it will look healthy again, alienating those dry patches that for some can be very tempting to pick away at. It also helps protect the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Nivea for Men Rehydrating Moisturiser (pictured above) is formulated with special Vitamin E and Provitamin B5, and provides solid and effective protection from dry facial skin for 24 hours. It is a handy product to use to keep the male breed looking cool.

NIP+MAN SCRUBBING FACE WASH

BEST PRICE: £5.95 at Boots

Using Nip+Man on a daily basis will produce the right results

Nip+Man Scrubbing Face Wash (pictured) should be used daily to retexture and resurface skin elements while Caffeine Extract brightens and refreshes your face. This product is currently not available in the United States, so the potential of it expanding into a wider market is most definitely there. Use this on a daily basis and it can be used as a pre-shave preparation product to allow for a smoother and relaxing shave.

The use of the Brazilian Papaya chemical provides the results you would be looking for. Put a very delicate amount onto your hand when using the product, then place gently into damp skin areas that are causing irritation. Finally rinse with warm water to get the complete facial experience. It makes your skin feel completely re-energised, ready for another day in any occupation of life. The contents of 150ml might sound small, especially when you consider the best prices but as long as individuals are careful and don’t use it in one go, a tube of this should last approximately two or three months.

Nip+Man Scrubbing Face Wash is one of the leading male skincare products on the market at the moment, and it provides cool cleansing and eccentric energetic results to your skin.

NO7 MEN POST SHAVE RECOVERY BALM

BEST PRICE: £8 at Boots

Say goodbye to raw skin with use of No7 for Men

No7 for Men Post Shave Recovery Balm (pictured) is an exclusive product of major pharmaceutical giant Boots and is currently unavailable in any of the leading supermarkets or internet shopping websites. This indicates it is a rare product and a leader in its particular targeted market.

This is a skincare product that is suitable for those who have sensitive skin. It should be used after shaving. Boots have come up with a product that not only replenishes skin texture, but leaves it feeling calm and soft after use.

This product shouldn’t be used in large quantities. In fact, all you need to do is squeeze a small amount onto the palm of your hand, and we’re talking th amount of about the size of a fingertip. Rub the contents onto both of your hands to leave an even amount on each hand. Then massage onto all areas of your face, but pay the most attention to those parts that are creating high irritation or elements of redness.

Boots have worked hard to push this product, thanks to their skincare experts and the result is No7 for Men Post Shave Recovery Balm means you can wave goodbye to irritated and raw skin after shaving.      

PALMER COCOA BUTTER MEN BODY AND FACE LOTION

Best Price: £2.99 at HealthMonthly.co.uk

Palmer’s is the UK’s number one Cocoa Butter Brand and it has now created its first Body and Face Lotion for men. This product offers effective no-nonsense masculine skincare.

Palmer's Cococa Butter Formula works all over the male body

For use on a daily basis, it can be used in small or bigger quantities. Gently massage the contents used onto your skin after washing. The main ingredients of Vitamin E and Cocoa Butter will combat areas of dry skin, and also parts that have undergone rough layers.

However don’t just save this for facial skin, as you can apply the product all over your body, ideally after you’ve bathed or showered. The male specimen won’t need to worry whether they then look a bit of a fool in the immediate aftermath. Palmer Cocoa Butter is both non-greasy and the ingredients allow for it to dry fast and quickly onto applied areas. The product is also ideal to use after shaving.

Although it is freely available in many of the regular shops, best deal with free delivery is actually online on the website HealthMonthly.co.uk. You won’t regret going there either.

Providing soothing skincare, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula for Men (pictured above) has been made for males, to be used by males and to give males an excellent finish.

LAB SERIES PRO LS ALL-IN-ONE FACE TREATMENT

Best Price: £22 at John Lewis

Dealing with four skin treatments makes Lab Series Pro expensive

Now this is a product that is completely different from many in its skincare range competition. Lab Series Pro LS All-In-One Face Treatment (pictured) doesn’t just deal with one area of your skin, it deals with four.  It is a four in one treatment, and that is why the price seems quite expensive. However you will get your money’s value for using this product.

For those wanting to know just what aspects the product covers, it soothes, moisturises and repairs skin, and provides the mattifying treatment. This is ideal to use in a post-shaving environment, so either after a testing day in the work office or a hard workout in the gym. With the 50ml tube, you get more than what might be expected considering the best price, which is matched by Boots, but John Lewis online services offer free delivery, whilst Boots don’t.

The absorbing formulas limit the appearance of skin redness and irritation, meaning it looks refreshed after shaving. The shine control protection absorbs oil instantly leaving for a cleaner finish and damage repair eliminates the ugly appearance of dine lines and wrinkles.

With four treatments in one, and designed to be used anytime of the day, the All-In-One Face Treatment provides the complete package.

Categories: Amazon, Boots, Brazilian, Butter, Caffeine, Environment, FHM, John Lewis, Men, Moisturiser, Nivea, Office, Skin, Treatment, UK

Eight steps to enjoy University

For the first time since 1994, I am not in any kind of full-time education and that is an odd feeling to have.  Honestly, it is something I haven't quite got my head around yet.

A lot of people have just started University and trust me, freshers is the best experience when starting out.  So, from my own experience of three years which saw me finish with a 2:1 degree, here are eight steps to enjoy your first year at University.

This includes feeling happy, being successful and becoming well-liked.  These steps worked for me and it might not work for everyone but some could be useful to take on-board.

1. Never forget your roots

Going away from home for the first time on your own can be a daunting experience.  However, it is essential to never forget your roots.

Always keep in touch with your family, whatever form you feel comfortable.  Taking a photo from home of the family will help in any battle against feeling slightly homesick.

2. 'Ring of Fire'

In my view, this is the best drinking game ever!  You have to do some daft things, like drink the dreaded dirty pint! (I somehow managed to avoid this!)

Build up relationships with everyone you live with, get contact details, go out on the town and enjoy yourself. During 'Freshers Fortnight,' make sure to play this game.

3. Budgeting

Keep a budget, it does help especially with new fees to deal with.

Now this is vital, even if you don't like doing it.  Work out a rough weekly/monthly budget and try not to go over it.  

That's easier said than done for sure and most will get a student account with a nice, chunky overdraft.

However, you don't want to get into a bloody mess and the last thing you should be doing is asking friends for money.  Resist temptation if possible, don't go and spend £100 on designer shoes you don't have if you can't afford it.

Most students will leave University with debt, so don't add to it...

4. Decorate your room at halls

Wherever you stay in first year, it can't be much worse than sleeping and staring at blank, plain walls which can look as dull as dishwater.

So buy some posters, make a mural like I did of your family and friends and turn your place into your own personal space.

Struggles will occur, so when they do, look around the room and make it inspire you.

5. Get into a routine

Whenever timetables get published, I would try and get into some kind of routine plan throughout.  It is better being organised than disorganised at University.

Don't get too distracted by online gaming, Facebook etc.  Set time aside for these luxuries of course but it’s always handy to have a rough idea of getting work done before the last minute.  It really helps being organised.

6. Useful electrical equipment

To get you through first year, you will need to have some useful electrical equipment at your disposal.

Have a decent laptop is essential for any course you study.

First, all students must have a decent laptop to get through first year.

I survived with Windows Vista but Windows 7 is probably the best form of laptop to get.  Also, keep an eye out for Microsoft Office deals which are fully licensed and offer discounts.

I got the full Microsoft Office package in first year for £35, instead of the usual £200 - an 85 per cent student discount deal.

There are torrents of course, but this is a safer option than picking up a virus which could destroy the laptop.

Have plenty of DVD's to watch, get a decent alarm clock and some form of music player.  Listening to music often kept me motivated throughout first year.

7. The good morning wake-up boost

Trust me, 9am lecturers are the worst thing to have and I had that for the first term at Uni on a Monday morning.  The worst possible start!

Early mornings can make you sleepy, see a lack of concentration and dozing off in lectures is seriously not a good idea.

For me, having a coffee in the morning really helped, as it gave me that boost to be far more awake in the mornings.

I never liked coffee until I started Uni but it became a necessity to have.  It is a nice caffeine boost to have first thing in the morning and it usually worked.  

However, having a Red Bull energy drink at 9.30am in the morning is not a good idea.  I know a couple of people who tried this and it didn't give the best results.

8. Enjoy it!

You are going to have some tough days and stressful experiences because everyone does.

Remember though, this is what you want to do for the next three years, so persistence is the key to be ultimately successful.  

Giving it up after six weeks is useless and makes you look like a quitter.  Once you are committed, you should remain committed.

Have a social life of course and get the right balance between working and meeting assignment deadlines, in regards to some wild and much-needed partying.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so embrace and enjoy the University experience.

I wish everyone the best of luck across the country to all first year freshers who are just starting out with the University experience.

Categories: 1994, Caffeine, Coffee, Debt, DVD, Education, Experience, Freshers, Microsoft Office, Monday, Red Bull, Social Life, Student, University, Virus, Windows