Skincare Routine

I've been meaning to do a post on my skin care routine for what seems like forever. I was always waiting until I felt like I had my routine sorted but I think that will probably never happen so here goes. I've filmed a (rambly) video - linked below, but if you prefer it in text please keep reading!

MORNING

Most of the time I don't cleanse my skin in the morning, but spritz my face with Avene Thermal Spring Water. If my skin is breaking out or if I have a lot of residue left over from my night time products, I will cleanse my skin with the Murad Clarifying Cleanser, as this contains salicylic acid. I always apply sunscreen, my favourite is Murad's Oil Free Sunscreen (reviewed here). I wear the Origins Vitazing Moisturiser on the weekends or sometimes underneath my makeup as it gives a tiny bit of a tint.

EVENING

To remove my makeup, I use Wotnot Facial Wipes if I'm feeling lazy. Otherwise, I use the Eve Lom Cleanser. I rub the paste all over my skin while my face is dry, then step into the shower and massage it off with a cloth. This cleanser both removes makeup and cleans my skin so if I'm using this I won't use another cleanser. If I'm not wearing any makeup I will cleanse my skin with the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. This is a really great, gentle cleanser which never strips my skin or leaves it feeling dry. I exfoliate my skin every second day, using either the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (a powder exfoliator which is super gentle) or the Neutrimedics Microdermabrasion scrub. Once out of the shower, I spritz my face with one of the Echolife Facial Mists. I love the Lavender, Rose and Tea Tree ones. The Tea Tree one is especially great if my skin is breaking out. To take off any extra eye makeup, I use the Almay Moisturising Eye Makeup Remover Pads (review here).

Sometimes I don't use any moisturiser on my face after this, especially if my skin is breaking out. I find that when my skin is breaking out or irritated, the best thing for me to use on it is nothing. For a night time treatment, I love the Alpha H Liquid Gold, which is a chemical exfoliant. I apply this with a cotton pad and don't put on anything else on top. I always wake up with clear, soft skin.

Otherwise, I use the Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Moisturiser, which contains retinol. This is a really light moisturiser which has never irritated my skin. Sometimes I apply the Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum on top. On spots, I'm using the Origins Super Spot Remover and the Alpha H Clear Skin Gel, however I haven't been using either enough to determine the efficacy. On my lips, I love using the Sukin Lip Treatment. I've been using a sample of the Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Eye Cream, which I really like but it's super expensive.

A few times a week I like to use some face masks. I usually use a few in a row. Lately I've been using the Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask, the REN F10 Smooth and Renew Mask and the Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitalising Mask. The combination of these leaves my skin feeling soft and looking great.