Just dropping by with a quick Skincare related post for you all! I get asked quite frequently what I use on my skin, as what I recommend for individual friends. I have expressed my love for a few products in the past, but have never compiled it in an all-in-one post. I will showcase the order I use the products in, and provide a brief description about the purpose of each product, as well as links with more information and where to purchase them.
I have quite similar routines for morning and night, with obvious products like sunscreen being left out in the PM etc. Now - my routine is by no means perfect, and some of these products may not work for everyone, but they are currently working for me. There are some staples that I don't see myself ever getting rid of, but I will quite often mix up my moisturisers, cleansers and treatment products. One thing missing from my routine is a Vitamin C Serum, and I am currently on the hunt for one - if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below!
I do not use a cleanser in the morning, rather just splash my face with cold water and have done this my entire adult life. I think over-cleansing can cause issues with skin (especially when using a stripping cleanser!).
1. SKII Facial Treatment Essence. This product is something I can not go a day without. Made from 90% Pitera (the company's signature ingredient), it leaves your skin feeling moisturised, and helps maintain the skin's natural renewal cycle, which in turn creates a wonderful glow. I have been using this product everyday for the past 6 years and would be a 'Desert Island' selection for me.
2. Clinique Even Better Clinical. Another product I have been using for about 6 years. Being quite fair skinned (and not into tanning - I am pretty much Snow White all year round), some pesky pigmentation spots became slightly visible on my cheekbones when I was quite young. Only really visible to me, I still wanted something to make these fade AND stop new ones from forming. Enter this product. I definitely stand by the Even Better and it's fading powers, and have occasionally tried other newer concoctions, but always come back to this. It is something you need to use consistently to see results, and you MUST wear at least an SPF30, otherwise it is a complete waste of time! Bonus points for this product - it also helps to fade those annoying red spots that acne can leave behind.
3. Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Eye Serum. Another one from the 6 year family! This product firms, brightens and restores the under eye area like no other. It sinks into the skin in an instant, and despite the name, it isn't really 'serumy' (made up word, I know) like most serums are - more like a slightly oily water. Would not go a day with out this product either.
4. REN Keep Young and Beautiful Eye Cream. This is a relatively new product to my collection, so I am unable to give you my long-term thoughts, however the last month or so I have been using it, I have really liked it. It claims to 'dramatically reduce the appearance of wrinkles, crows feet and deep expression lines around the eyes'. I don't really experience any of those yet, but I am all about prevention. I find it very moisturising and replenishing.
5. Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 30+. Yet another 6 year baby. Can you tell I got 'serious' about my skincare at a certain point in my life? Love this sunscreen. Although I would prefer to use a Physical rather than a Chemical sunscreen, I am yet to find one that my skin likes. This Mecca sunscreen also doubles as my morning moisturiser and primer as it sinks in like a dream and isn't even remotely greasy. Triple win.
Despite what it may look like, my Morning Routine does not take me that long, and after I have applied my sunscreen, I start with my make up application.
Some of these products are double ups from my Morning Routine, so I will not go into any detail in regards to those. Like I mentioned earlier, Moisturiser is something I change quite often, and sometimes think about going back to my good old Oil of Olay I used for over a decade, but being the beauty junkie that I am, I love trying new products too much to settle on a permanent moisturiser...