I posted a few weeks back about what I learnt from Caroline Hirons, Skincare Extraordinaire, and she hammered home the importance of investing in my skin, and making sure I use the right products. With Christmas fast approaching, what better time to put together a wish list for my new Skincare routine. I’m looking forward to the 25th already!!
My Current RoutineSince a particularly bad breakout a few months ago, I pared my routine right back to the trusty La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant Cleanser and any moisturiser I had to hand, which was normally Clarins or Embryolisse. With the help of Cane+Austin’s Acne Treatment Pads (reviewed here), I got over the worst of it, but since then I haven’t really returned to a real routine. That’s fine, but I really want to go back to feeding and nourishing my skin now, rather than continuing my "damage control".
My skin type: I have combination skin - I get dry in the cheek area and oily on my nose. When I get spots, they tend to be on my forehead and cheeks. I’m not sensitive at all, and I don’t really to react to products. I’ve only ever had one really bad breakout, which was quite recent, but I have at least one stubborn spot basically all the time.
My Proposed Routine
Second, lighter cleanser: Since I like to double cleanse, I want to have a lighter cleanser form my second cleanse. Something like Clarins Extra Comfort Cleansing Cream, £19, and Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser, £35. I'm sure there are lots of others out there, but these are the two I want to try out first.
Exfoliating toner: The toner stage is really important, as it helps to rebalance the pH of the skin after cleansing. An exfoliating toner contains acids which chemically exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and brightening the skin. I have already purchased Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion, which is having a bit of a moment atm, so I’m good to go on that front. It's a little bit pricey at £50 a pop, and notoriously hard to get hold of now that Liberty have stopped stocking it. There are lots of other exfoliating toners though, including Pixi Glow Tonic, £16, which is touted as a P50 dupe, and Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, £25, which also sounds lovely because it is hydrating as well as exfoliating.
Hydrating toner: A hydrating toner helps to hydrate (duh!) the skin and I definitely don’t feel that I give enough attention to hydration in my Skincare routine. I really want to try La Roche Posay Serozinc (£varies a LOT), because LRP is very reasonably priced and I really like Effacar Duo, but it's ridiculously hard to get hold of in the UK. I have bought Bioderma from the store I linked above, so I'm going to give them a go. I've also tried and loved Omorovicza’s Queen of Hungary Mist, £46. If my budget would stretch far enough I’d have that, but £46 for a toner is a bit much.
Night Oil/Serum: I love a good serum, and my skin never looked better than when I was using Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair, £48 few years back. Apparently, the new formulation is even better, so I’m excited to try it again. I also love Clarins Lotus Oil, £30, which leaves me with baby soft skin when I wake up the next morning.
Moisturiser: For me, a good moisturiser is probably the hardest to find, but it is such an important step. I don’t want something too rich or thick, but I do need something that gives me adequate moisture, because I do get dry otherwise. I have a load of recommendations, but my first pick is Alpha H Essential Hydration, £33.
Spot Treatment: I still LOVE my Cane + Austin Acne Treatment Pads, £48, so this are staying a firm part of my arsenal for emergencies. They’re not the cheapest, but they work really quickly, so you don’t need to use them for long before they take effect.
Let’s hope I get some of these for Christmas!!
...I would love to hear your recommendations for staple products in your skincare routines. Let me know in the comments!
xx
Note: Even though this is a Christmas wish list, I don’t plan to start using all of these products in one go, but will build them up over the next few months (mainly because, even with Christmas coming up, there is no way I will get all of these, and also because, if I do react to anything new, I’d like to be able to narrow down a culprit!)
