I would describe my skin as being oily/combination - oily T-zone, nose, chin and what can often prove to be extremely annoying dry patches (normally on my cheeks/forehead). I do all that I can to deal with the oily side of things by sticking with oil-free skincare products and through using a matte primer underneath the make-up that I wear - all of which seems to be working quite well for me.
The dry side of things however, is a whole different ball game and has taken me a lot longer to master. Obviously when it comes to dry skin one of the most important things to ensure is that you keep it well moisturised and so in addition to the products I am about to mention this is also something that you will need to consider. Fingers crossed though - through the use of this lovely lot, I think I may have finally managed to banish the problem and the flakey foundation that comes with it (bleurgh!).
First off - the two budget buys - both from St Ives. The Gentle Apricot Facial Scrub is a lovely option for those with more sensitive skin (or if it's just a mild exfoliation that you're after). It smells amazing and for the price tag you really can't go wrong. Equally lovely is the Elements Olive Scrub which I actually picked up on a whim - drawn in by my love of olives and the fact that I am already a big fan of the apricot version. The consistency of this is somewhat different to the apricot though as instead of the small beads found in the latter, this one actually contains slightly larger - what I would describe as being crystals - and as you would perhaps expect, it is a lot oilier - thus far more moisturising.
On the opposite end of the scale are the REN Products - definitely more pricey, but completely worth it in my opinion at least - with noticeably better ingredients and results. They are without doubt my favorite of the bunch. Both are relatively recent purchases but have literally changed my skin for the better to such a degree that I just couldn't resist mentioning them. The Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish is currently a contender for my favorite skincare product of all time - big statement I know, but here's why; Apart from the fact that it smells so amazing (an incredibly invigorating minty scent), it does the best job of getting rid of any dead skin cells lurking on my face - I have never felt my skin so smooth and soft and if you suffer with similar issues to myself then I would highly recommend giving it a go. The Micro Polish Cleanser does an equally fabulous job when it comes to the achieving what is effectively the very same thing. In fact, having tried both products I would in hindsight, probably only have picked up the one as they both provide almost identical results. If you are a fan of the much talked about Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask then you may want to plump for the cleanser as it has the same gorgeous orangey/citrusy scent. Personally though, I like how refreshing the polish is and for me it gives it the edge between the two products.
And finally, I thought I would give an honourable mention to the Nude Miracle Mask - a product that I have previously raved about on here and shall continue to do so forever more as I am such a big fan. An exfoliating mask that you simply massage in, leave on for a minute or so, rinse off and voila! Flakiness gone and radiance shines through. I use it sparingly due to the super steep price tag, though it's a lovely treat to indulge in on a Sunday night so that you can feel shiny and new in time for the Monday morning ahead.
