I’ve always had relatively good skin, but nothing special. My main list of skin “issues”, if you can call them that, are annoyingly tenacious black heads, little red bumps across my cheeks and tiny little pimples in the crease of my chin. I’m not really sure of my skin type, but if pushed I’d say it was combination to dry – I tend to get greasy round my nose, t=zone and chin, but really dry and flaky across my cheeks and forehead. I think really what underlies the issues I have is general dehydration – I definitely don’t drink enough water and also the occasional social cigarette – not good!
I’ve also always been quite lax with my skincare – I’ve never really had a proper “routine” as such and tended to go down the lazy route of just taking off my make up with face wipes (I love the ones by Soap & Glory! So pretty!) and occasionally using an exfoliating scrub or face mask in the bath.
BUT, things have changed around here. For the last 2 months or so I have been diligently (Ok, not quite diligently – I have my off day every so often!) using the same products for a while. The improvement in my skin has been vast – I decided to properly start using a routine after two horrific cystic spots left me with a permanent dent in my nose and a horrid scar on my chin. I tend to suffer from hormonal acne – I’ve got a few blemishes at the moment for that very reason, but when normal and balance my skin has never looked so glowing, soft and smooth! I no longer have the little red bumps across my cheeks, my skin feels plump and soft, and although I still have a few blackheads hanging around they’re much better than they were. The only thing I can’t figure out how to fix is the chin area, but it’s a work in progress! Right… on to the products!
Above L-R : Bioderma Sensibio, Avené Clenance Soapless Gel Cleanser, Neal’s Yard Lavendar Water, Vichy Normaderm moisturiser, Soap and Glory “Greatest Scrub of Your Life”
Difficult to find, but worth it if you can. I got mine in Paris when I went over Christmas, I think it was around 10 euros per bottle. This is a godsend for people who wear waterproof mascara – I love my MUFE Smokey Lash but dread wearing it because of the effort to get it off – this makes it quick and painless!
Around £7 – A friend gave this to me, but I believe it’s now stocked in Boots.
My camera’s made this look really blue, it’s more of a turquoise green for reference! When I first started using this I felt like it wasn’t really doing anything but my perseverance with it paid off as it’s made my skin balanced and soft. It lathers up nicely and I like the smell.
£9.75 – Neal’s Yard Remedies
After cleansing I use this all over my face. It’s got anti-bacterial properties which I think is why I get less blemishes now, and it also really softens my skin. It doesn’t feel stripping at all and smells lovely. I feel like it hydrates my skin but that’s probably not true! I guess it’s a little expensive for a toner but I find most “drugstore” toners too drying or worryingly full of chemicals.
£11.74 – Available at Boots
This has such a lovely texture, it really sinks in quickly and leaves my skin feeling plumped and lovely. It’s supposed to help with pigmentation and acne scarring, the latter of which I have and it has helped sooth the redness in my skin. I’m normally left unimpressed with moisturisers but I feel like this one has made a visible difference which is why I’ve stuck with it. However, the pump tends to squeeze out more than you need so you’ve got to be careful with it. It should last me a while though. It smells really light and fresh too which I like!
£8.17 from Boots
Not my favourite exfoliator in the world, but I’ve had this tube for ages and I’m trying to use it up. I’m not massively keen on the smell, and sometimes I find it a bit harsh, but it does the job well enough. I probably wouldn’t repurchase, and a friend gave me a tube of Avené’s exfoliating scrub which I think I’m going to start using when this is up. I use this about twice a week, depending how I feel.
On that note… I’m off to wash my face!
ninatoilette 