I’m always a little wary of posting about my skincare routine. It’s such a personal thing and what works for me may not work for anyone else. That said, I always enjoy reading similar posts on other blogs and it can be a useful way of finding out about products or ranges that you’re not so familiar with.
In may ways I think the principles behind an individuals skincare routine can be more informative than a list of specific products. A few months ago I stumbled across Lisa Eldridge’s videos on YouTube. Her take on skin care prompted me to readdress the way I cared for my own skin and led to a complete overhaul of my routine.
I would suggest that although the products I use may change depending on my skins specific needs (due to the weather, hormones, stress, my inner product junkie who can’t resist the odd splurge on new skincare etc), the principles behind my skincare routine will remain the same.
I’ve come to appreciate that at the heart of any good routine is gentle but effective cleansing. Since making a concerted effort to get every scrap of dirt, grime and make-up off my face at the end of the day my skin has been clearer than it’s been in years. The key, for me at least, is to double cleanse every evening using a cream cleanser and a muslin cloth. If you’ve ever been for a professional facial you’ll know that they always use this approach at the outset of your treatment. The first application dislodges any make-up or dirt and the second gets your skin really clean.
However, it’s not just about getting the skin clean, it’s also about treating it gently. Lisa’s suggestion that acne-prone skin should be treated as sensitive skin was a revelation to me. It makes perfect sense though and it really made me reconsider some of the products I was using. Facial wipes, the lazy girls holy grail of cleansing, are definitely a big no no for me now and I’ve tried to eliminate as many synthetics from my routine as possible.
I’ve been using this approach for 5-6 months now (with a variety of cleansers/toners) and I have to say that my skin is generally happier since I made these changes. Ultimately I’d recommend all of the products within my regime.
Morning:
1. Wash with Neals Yard Orange Flower Facial Wash – In my experience it can be hard to find a facial wash that doesn’t dry the skin out but as this product is marketed as ‘nourishing’ I was keen to give it a try. The absence of synthetics and chemicals in NY products also added to its appeal. The ingredients list sounded delicious, aloe vera to soothe and orange flower oil to regenerate the skin. And it didn’t disappoint, I adore this product. The creamy formula foams very gently, smells heavenly and leaves my skin feeling comfortable and, well, nourished. It’s not cheap (£14.50 for 100ml) but to me a non-drying facial wash is priceless.
2. Apply a hydrating toner – I’m still totally smitten with my Guerlain toner but I’ve also tried The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Hydrating Toner (nice) and Lush’s Eau Roma Water (really nice).
3. Moisturise – I will not be tempted to stray from my Lush Vanishing Cream. For me it provides the perfect level of moisture, it’s light enough that I don’t have to worry about it clogging my pores and it contains lavender oil to balance, rose oil to calm and tea tree oil to help keep breakouts at bay. And it smells divine. I’ve been using this since it was released nearly 2 years ago. Did I mention I love it?
4. Apply SPF – The only fault I can find with my Lush moisturiser is that it doesn’t contain any SPF. I think we all know why it’s so important to protect our skin from the sun’s rays but what Lisa made me realise is that failing to use an SPF could not only lead to signs of premature aging in later life, it could be be making the scars/blemishes caused by old spots worse now. So far I’ve road tested Chanel’s UV Essential Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF 50 which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. It’s an extremely light fluid that applies incredibly smoothly and appears to have an almost mattifying effect to my skin. I took this to Bali with me and for the first time in as long as I can remember I didn’t come home with a fresh crop of freckles! It doesn’t break me out either which is always a bonus!
Evening:
1. Do the double cleanse – As I mentioned earlier, I use a cream cleanser in the evening. Since first watching Lisa’s videos I’ve sampled a few… Vichy (good but boring), Lush 9-5 (smells gorgeous but left a residue), Avene (left my skin feeling taught). Ultimately, I was still searching for ‘the one’ when I stumbled across the new Starflower range in NY. I decided to give the cleansing milk a whirl and I would venture that it’s my favourite so far. It does a really good job of getting my make-up off (although on the days where I go a bit heavier on the eye-liner or mascara I’ll use a separate remover first) and leaves my skin feeling soft and comfortable with no hint of an icky residue post cleanse. I always try and give myself a good facial massage when I apply this product to get the blood flowing and as I said I cleanse twice, removing the product with a muslin cloth and warm water. The only negative I can attribute to this product is it’s funky smell. It’s not horrendous (I’ve smelt worse) but it doesn’t smell amazing either, it’s a sort of herbal, earthy scent. This is a little pricey (£18 for 185ml) but I haven’t even made a dent in my bottle yet and I’ve been using it daily for near on 2 months.
And that’s where my evening routine ends! I don’t use night cream or serums, I operate on the principle that my skin does most of its repair work while I’m sleeping so I just leave it to breathe. If my skin is feeling a little dry I may apply a spritz of hydrating toner but it will probably be the middle of winter before I feel the need to add anything extra into my night time regime.
So ladies, what are your skincare principles? Or are you still searching for the perfect routine?
Loveaudrey xxx
I use a similar routine to yours. For years I used really harsh toners and exfoliating products in my acne prone skin and then a dermatologist gave me the same advice about treating my skin as sensitive. Within a few weeks of switching my products I noticed a real difference in my skin’s overall appearance, it just seemed healthier. Such a revelation!
I use Lush Imperialis and have the same issue with it regarding the lack of SPF. If it cintained protection it would be my perfect moisturizer! 🙂
Brilliant to read about your routine and products. I’m not sure if my routine or products are necessarily HG, but they have certainly been working for a long time now. I’ve eliminated exfoliating products, and rely on a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil at the moment) with the facial buffer from The Body Shop. I used Liz Earle for a while, with the muslin cloth etc, but I actually prefer my routine now. I’m a bad girl and use baby wipes to remove my make up…I’ve been too tired during pregnancy and now yummy mummyhood to do anything much more than that! I swear by Lush’s Tea Tree Water toner and am loving the DDM gel from Clinique. I’ve just got Ginzing eye cream too, so far, so good 🙂 xxx
You’re right, it’s always interesting to read other people’s routines. I’ve not tried Neal’s Yard for face products, but I love their body products. x
You are lucky to not have to use any night creams or serums! My skin is already dry, and it feels even more drier after I’ve washed it in the evening, so I definitely can’t skimp on night creams.
I love those kinds of posts, it’s always interesting to know what other bloggers are using on their skin.
Definitely treating acne-prone skin as sensitive is great advice to anyone who’s suffering such problems. I also swear by products which are as chemical-free as possible, it’s given me amazing results so far! xxx
I liked reading about your routine as I’ve struggled for years with my horrible acne-prone skin, which I have made the bad mistake of using really astringent products on before. Didn’t help that I bursted out with serious acne at 2 months pregnant and its only going now now I’m near the end. Oh, and Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit cleanser is the work of SATAN.
I haven’t spent any time thinking about what cleanser/ moisturiser etc I should use. I really should. At the moment I’m using a Simple Moisturising Cleanser which I thought would be nice and gentle, and it is. Skin looks less angry. I’m using Sudocrem to clear up the awful red patches that the Neutrogena stuff left behind, as my normal moisturiser (Simple) was stinging.
I love NY stuff so maybe that’s the way to go as something to try. Is the Lush cream ok to put makeup over?
@Glitterish Allsorts I used to use Imperialis before they brought out Vanishing Cream, it’s a beautiful cream. I adored the smell. The lack of SPF is a pain but I have feeling that if they included it the creams wouldn’t be as light. I’d rather apply 2 light creams then one heavy one that breaks me out!
@Laura I keep meaning to pick up one of the facial buffer thingys, you make it sound amazing! I understand the appeal of facial wipes but I don’t find using my creamy cleanser takes that much longer (although you can’t do it from the comfort of your bed!) and it means I get a little bit of that pampered feeling every evening! Besides, if I used wipes every night I’d be covered in spots in no time! I like the Tea Tree Water too, great stuff. Glad you’re getting on with the eye cream, it would take a lot for me to stray from that one.
@The BBB You should give them a whirl, I think there is def a few gems within the range. They really seem to suit my skin.
@Gaby Yes I’m very lucky, my sister is like you and has very dry skin. Mine tends to get dehydrated and look tired and dull rather than actually dry. I’ll have to add something in once winter comes round though. Central heating is a killer!
@Rocaille It’s def the way forward, I wish more acne sufferers could find out, especially teenagers who are sucked into using really harsh, chemical acne treatments like clearasil. At least if I my 2 are unlucky enough to inherit my skin I’ll be able to point them in the right direction.
@Anonymous Girl I feel your pain, I had the worst acne of my life when I was expecting Jesse. I didn’t want to leave the house it was that bad. My skin was also incredibly sensitive too, reacting to products I’d used for years and years. I’d hazard a guess that you’re expecting a boy. Apparently you’re more likely to get acne because of the male hormones swimming around your body.
I would really rec trying a more gentle approach. Simple is a good start but their range still contains alot of synthetics. I adore the NY stuff, it was their palmarosa facial wash that sorted out my pregnancy spots in the end. Technically it’s astringent but it’s super gentle.
The Lush cream is fine under make-up although it’s worth remembering that a little goes a long way with all their creams and it needs a little time to sink in (not ages, just long enough for me to drink a cup of tea!) The rose oil will help with the red patches. I’d also rec the Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask if you’re trying to calm redness and soothe sore skin.
xxx
Thanks for your suggestions! Very helpful.
Yes, I am expecting a boy! And oh my god, I could not believe how bad the pregnancy acne is/ was. At 6 weeks it just exploded, from my hairline all down my face, all down my neck, and my chest and back were covered so badly that it literally looked like I had measles. I was mortified and have had to cover up with pashminas/ scarves and the like the whole way through. I read somewhere that Savlon antiseptic liquid diluted in water was a good remedy- I’ve been applying that with cotton wool daily for the last 8 months. :o( It does work, but they don’t go completely. Sudocrem also helps a bit. I must admit, I hadn’t given much thought to how a cleanser change might have helped til now.
Luckily I’m near the end and my skin has eased a lot compared to how terrible it was (altho it still goes nuts sometimes) and we’re not planning to have more than one child, so fingers crossed I won’t ever have this hideous problem again!
I’m definitely trying a more gentle approach now and that Lush moisturiser is on my list to get asap. x