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

Adapting to change and being yourself

By Simon Wright

It is a question that we have to deal with, dealing with change and sticking to your principals. However, how much do you need to change and do you need to make any compromises to fit into new surroundings, new environments and building new friendships. 

That is something I am about to express.

Character traits

As time develops, instincts get stronger and as people, we all quickly realise our strengths and weaknesses.  These can range from a type of food that has been sampled but the taste is disgusting to a personality trait that we simply can’t change.

There have been times where you get into difficult situations and you get trapped into a corner full of remorse, regret and hatred of your own characterisation.

Of course there are aspects that do change, from young age, through the often difficult teenage development and into the prime of our adulthoods.

Again that could be on a variation of levels.  It could be through a happy relationship, changing job roles on a constant basis, or falling to the often bad habit of peer pressure.

Take me as an example.  There are some character traits that I have picked up over recent years.  I would say that since 2007-2008, I am a more relaxed person, a more caring individual and I think more about others than what I ever did in my days in secondary school or before that.

This is called ‘growing up,’ an element where some of us just don’t want to do, or can’t do for whatever reason but is a part of the evolution of life.

Some things will never change, even if you want to try and change for the better.  In my case I’ve always been competitive and don’t enjoy losing at anything, whether that is in a debate or even at a computer game.  I also have a strong opinion on many features of life, but will accept and listen to both sides of the argument.  Another aspect is taking things personally and over-thinking elements of life.

It is a battle that I’ve often tried to take on and found difficult to adapt to.  However I am getting better at these aspects.  I take constructive criticism far better than I even did 12 or 24 months ago.  Admittedly though, over-thinking is probably a character trait that is part of me, and is something that just can’t be eradicated. 

Be yourself - it is far better than developing fake personalities

What I do know is I've never tried to hide anything about my personality.  I am who I am, and have found the right balance in adapting and being yourself (pictured).

Sympathy and greed

I don’t like politics that much, and when I’ve even tried to listen to policies on the news, it is difficult to pay much attention to particularly when you think of some of the current senior figures in government roles.

This is where I do feel some sympathy for our prime minister.  David Cameron has his allies, and his non-supporters who will simply disagree with everything he says, but his personality traits don’t change just because he is the occupant of the most important role in British politics.

In debates and whenever a new policy is voted or considered, Cameron simply can’t win.  He will get attacked by the leader of the opposition, will face fierce fire from some of his own backbenchers and there is then also the various groups in society and of course the inevitable media divide.  He is trying to do the best for our country, and if he just sticks to being himself and not hide behind a shell, then he will still have his strengths in politics. 

Cameron can’t help the background he came into before becoming the main man for the Conservatives after the 2005 General Election.  Sure he has made mistakes but then who hasn’t.  And it is worse if he tried to be a fake person.

This is something I simply can’t stand and despite my passion for the game, Premier League footballers fit into this equation.  The modern day professional gets stereotyped as a greedy, manipulative individual because of the simply ridiculous pay packets they get from their clubs.  You have to be good enough to make the grade, but the perks have now gone into the realms of fantasy.

You do get your good guys in football, just like in any other form of life.  The recently retired Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher were tremendous role models for kids, as you rarely saw them get into any antics off-the-field that put their reputations in jeopardy.  Others like former England skipper John Terry are not a good role model for the youth of today’s generation.

Another player who it is difficult to find too much sympathy for is Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.  The England international is reportedly unhappy at Old Trafford once again, and news organisations have seen it to be so important they class it as ‘news.’  It isn’t news, when was Rooney last happy?  Unless he scores an important goal, Rooney is just about as likely as comedian Jack Dee to have a smile on their face.

Plus when you earn the money like he does, he should think about his situation.  Imagine what it is like for the everyday person, even those who work really hard to try and find a job, but constantly get frustrated by rejected applications.  Personally I've always believed Rooney is one of football’s most over-rated players of recent times.  He has produced moments of quality, but to earn the money he does per week for only occasional flashes of brilliance boggles the mind.  

Rooney is the best example I can think of being a fake individual.  He kicks a football, looks like a miserable person most of the time and is somehow idolised by kids all over the land.  That I think is slightly concerning.  It is people like him which put some off following football and rightly so.  My love of the game won’t change, but I would rather praise and respect our brave soldiers sacrificing their lives for our country than worship a Premier League footballer earning more than £200,000 a week!

Be ready to adapt, but don’t change completely

In my circumstances, I have entered many new environments and phases.  This Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of the most traumatic experience of my life.  On the way home from a night out in my hometown in July 2009, I was attacked by a gang of youths.

My injuries were fortunately light to what it could have been.  On another instance and another night, I could easily have been another statistic.  Though the scars have mentally healed, some of the psychological parts of this will never go away because it is not something you can easily forget.

I had to make changes to myself after this, and while it is no good to sit depressed in a corner and watch the world go by, I had to adapt to not taking so many risks.  I developed a cautious approach to many elements of my life, and it is one thing I’m glad I’ve done.  Sometimes it might not be the right way to approach things, but it is a safer and easier way to for me to live my life.

The one main lesson I took from that night was to understand that every second of my life is precious now and not to take everything for granted.  Sure the extra aspects such as fast cars, a load of cash, and all the flashiest jewellery that can be bought are lovely accessories to have, but I’d trade all of that in when it comes between choosing between security and fortune. 

I’m happy as long as I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat, support from friends and family and some form of daily income.  With my recent new position having started last week, I can say all of these boxes are safely ticked.  Some of us are not so lucky, especially in far lesser developed countries in the world.

When it comes to personality and characterisation of yourself, I believe you must be prepared to adapt in certain situations.  However don’t lose all of the principles that make you the person you really are.  Happiness is more important than progressing up the career ladder, but feeling sad and sorry along the way.

There is no need to change as a person completely.  Having a fake personality will win no friends.  Just be strong in difficult situations, and be yourself.  Have a flexible approach but stick to the majority of your own principles in life.

Categories: Competitive, David Cameron, Environment, Fake, Friendship, Jack Dee, Premier League, Prime Minister, Relationships, Strength