Being a skincare obsessive, I'm surprised I haven't done this post already. It is definitely the aspect of beauty which interests me the most and gives me the most enjoyment.
So let's do it.....
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| An array of my skincare collection |
I'm a greedy minx when it comes to skincare. Honestly, I can find a product which I absolutely love and which gives me the results I'm after, but then I'll still go looking elsewhere for other products. So as a result of this I don't tend to stick to exactly the same routine every day. Does that deserve a slapped wrist? I don't know, you tell me.
Slapped wrist or not, I love the products I use and wanted to share them with you as I think I've found some gems.
Cleansers
I've used facial washes for as long as I can remember, you know....gel cleansers, foaming facial washes but since reading blogs and being a little bit more informed, I feel the ones I was using may have been a little harsh on my skin and I was noticing some redness after cleansing. So recently I ventured into the world of cream cleansers. I had always been put off these as I found facial washes so quick and easy. With a cream cleanser, you have to have cotton wool pads and it's all just extra effort if you ask me. Sorry but I am beyond lazy. Anyway I use the Decléor Aroma Cleanse Essential Cleansing Milk after I've removed my eye make up and I haven't looked back. I love the fact it's paraben free and it leaves my skin feeling so clean and soft. After this I'll rinse my face with water, pat my face dry then apply moisturiser.
Right now I'm also using The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Cleansing Wash as over the last two months I've been having bad breakouts. I really don't know why this is happening as my skin is usually clear but I'm doing what I can to remedy it. I'm using the tea tree wash as an extra step after the Decléor but will not continue when the spots finally go. I recommend this wash as after I've used it, when I look at my skin the next day, the spots seem more dried out. I also haven't had as many fresh spots. I was literally getting a new one every day.
Toners
Any skincare expert would probably lecture me on this section as to be honest, I find toners completely pointless. I rarely use it and when I do, I use them more as a facial spritz after I've moisturised. The one I'm using now is again from The Body Shop Tea Tree range, the Skin Clearing Toner. I have dispensed it into a spray bottle from Superdrug and I spray it onto the current problem areas of my skin either a few minutes after moisturising or during the day if my skin's feeling irritated.
I will also sometimes use the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic as a facial spritz if my skin is feeling dry or lacklustre. This product is nothing special in my opinion but it's probably the best smelling toner of all the ones I've tried.
Serum
Serums and moisturisers are undoubtedly the best part of the whole skincare routine for me. I love slathering them on, knowing I'm giving my skin the moisturisation it needs and also I love how they make my skin feel. I have one serum, namely Indeed Labs Hydraluron and I absolutely love it. I think it is the purest hyaluronic acid on the high street, which basically means it's going to make your skin hold loads of lovely moisture. It does work and I think it's something I'll always include in my routine, particularly during the colder months.
Moisturisers
For moisturisers, I do tend to chop and change but always find myself going back to Origins. This is just such a stunning brand and my skin loves their face creams. I'm also currently using a couple of The Body Shop face lotions from the Tea Tree Range including the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion and Blemish Fade Night Lotion. These two combined with the facial wash have made such a difference to my skin lately and have helped clear up the blemishes I've been getting. If you are having problem skin I really recommend trying this range.
From Origins I'll either use A Perfect World SPF 35 or the All-Purpose High-Elevation Cream. The latter is one of my holy grail products. I wrote a post on it a couple of months ago, which I link later on in this post, if you'd like to know more. But it is just so good for dry skin. It is so moisturising and leaves my skin feeling and looking amazing. I will even leave the house without any make up on at all when I'm wearing it so that's says something. Although I won't stay outside long as it has no SPF so please bear that in mind if you are interested in the cream. The Perfect World SPF 35 is a much lighter cream, more for use in Summer when my skin doesn't need that bit extra moisture.
The moisturisers mentioned above are the ones I'll mostly use as part of my day skincare routine. At night time I am dedicated to the one and only Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins. This is a renewal cream that gives instant results and although it renews the skin cells it is gentle enough to use every day. It's so good for night time too because it has a beautiful citrus essential oil scent that I find so calming and it just feels beautiful on the skin and for me personally it has a warming sensation. It is absolutely stunning. God I could build a shrine to it to be honest.
Eye Creams
As for eye creams, I've yet to find one that I really love and keep going back to, but I am interested in trying the Strivectin Eye Concentrate. However, at the moment I'm using Origins Youthtopia and Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Moisturizing Eye Cream and I feel both are working for me. My fine lines are barely visible and I do not suffer from any dryness around my eye area. Although to be honest I wouldn't repurchase the Elizabeth Arden as it contains a paraben and I try to steer clear of products with these in.
Treatments/Masks
This is another part of skincare I really enjoy, particularly masks. It feels so good when you take off a face mask and see instant results. One mask in particular that I use does exactly this. It's the REN Glycolactic Renewal Mask. This is a mask I will repurchase over and over. My skin feels so soft after use and this product basically does what it says on the tin. I blogged about this here, should you like to know more.
I also use mud masks, including The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask, Superdrug sachet masks and Origins Clear Improvement. All these are clay like and dry hard on your face and are really great for drawing out impurities and really sloughing away the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. I will only use the Tea Tree from Body Shop on my blemished areas as it is quite harsh but the other masks, I'll use all over.
When my skin is feeling really dry I'll use the Neals Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm as an overnight mask. This is a really thick balm so it really intensively moisturises and my skin feels so nourished after use. This is another holy grail product for me. It has a beautiful relaxing herbal scent and can also be used as a cleansing balm, and a mild exfoliant by using the muslin cloth it comes with to wipe it from your face. Really recommend if you're looking to give your skin a real treat.
Once a week I use the Alpha H Liquid gold Glycolic Acid. I don't look forward to using this product at all. I feel so bad sending my skin to bed with a load of acid on it instead of it's usual gorgeously moisturising lotions and potions but hey ho it seems to work. When I wake up my skin does look plumped and smooth. However I do find this doesn't really last and my skin does not stay plumped. So I'm not sure whether to repurchase this once I'm done with it as I'm not sure what the positive long term effects are, or if there are any. If you know, do please let me know in the comments.
On my blemishes I'll also use the Origins Spot Remover Gel. This stuff does work. I would say it makes spots heal twice as quick. It will not stop new spots from appearing but it is a good fairly quick fix for a bad blemish if you need it.
Lastly, just a quick note about my lips. I love the Antipodes Organic Lip Balm. This is the only stick balm/salve I've found that actually works. It keeps my lips moisturised for aaaages after I've used it and I will always repurchase.
The Tools
I know this post is lengthy but I can't finish it without letting you know what cloths etc; that I use as part of my routine.
So for cleansing with the Decleor cleansing milk I'll use cotton wool pads. These are available anywhere and are just the best thing for cleansing and removing eye make up. If I'm using a facial wash I'll use an Ole Henriksen Complexion Sponge as it's good for lathering the wash and I feel it gives my skin more of a good cleanse than just using my fingers as it also sloughs away any dead skins cells. The Ole Henriksen sponges are available from Feel Unique. They come to you just as two flat pads but puff up to a generous sized face sponge.
Like so :-)
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| Before water (left) and After being soaked in water (right) Cute huh? |
Sometimes if I don't have a sponge handy, I'll use an Emma Hardie cloth. These are just like face flannels except they have one side as a muslin exfoliating cloth. You can get packs of three for £10 from Bath and Unwind.
Well that's my skincare..... Writing this post has made me realise how many products I actually use. I hope you stuck with me. Well done if you did, I know it was heavy reading :-)
I do have other products which I sometimes use just to change it up a little (all us beauty lovers do tend to get a bit excessive don't we!) but in this post I've highlighted my faves and the ones I tend to stick to as a matter of habit.
Thanks for reading. Any questions please ask below.
