Wednesday 2 August 2017

Evening skincare routine


"I regret taking such good care of my skin."
- Said no one ever 


I've changed things up a bit since the last time I wrote an evening skincare routine post, so I thought it was about time to run through an updated routine. If you fancy watching a YouTube vid on my routine, you can find it in the sidebar and linked below!

First cleanse 

If I've been wearing makeup (which at the moment is most days) then I will do a first cleanse to remove all of the make up. My go to first cleanse at the mo is a toss up between Clinique's Take the Day Off and Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse with Pixi. Both of these are great for removing all traces of make up (even stubborn eye make up) leaving the skin clear of all make up. I apply and massage all over the face and eyes, remove with a flannel, then I am ready for the next step. If you have not used a balm before, you may be a bit concerned with the texture, it feels a bit greasy and possibly worrying for oily skin types - however, there is no need for worry as it attracts all the filth off your skin and once wiped away, leaves the skin feeling smooth and clean. See a review of these here

Clinique Take The Day Off Balm- here  // Pixi Double Cleanse Caroline Hirons - here


Second cleanse 

Once all of the make up has been removed, I second cleanse to clean out pores and remove excess oil. I alternate between something fairly gentle like the Fresh Soy Cleanser and an exfoliator like Formula 10.0.6 One Smooth Operator (that's if I am not using the second step in the Pixi Double Cleanse) The exfoliator is quite abrasive which personally I like, but it is a bit too much for every day use (I tried and I went way too dry) but seeing as I have large pores that tend to hold on to everything, I like to use a regular abrasive scrub. I massage the cleanser all over my face, this time leaving out the eyes, and then remove again with the same flannel. After that my skin is clean and ready to go for the next step.

Fresh Soy Cleanser - here // Formula10.0.6 One Smooth Operator - here


Acid toner

This is one of my favourite steps because I feel it makes such a difference to skin tone. It really does make my skin have more of a glow and it removes the old skin ready to make it more receptive to further products. My ultimate favorite is Lotion P50W by Biologique Recherche, it is the best I have tried and does add the wow factor when you look in the mirror the next morning (review here) It is however a bit on the pricey side at £52.00 a pop, so I am trying a few cheaper alternatives to see if I can find anything else. I am currently using the Nip & Fab Extreme night pads which I am finding quite good, they are pads impregnated with acid to give an acid exfoliation. At £9.95 they have turned out to be a good alternative to P50W (until I inevitably end up buying it again!) I would alternate this with the Formula 10.0.6 exfoliator so that one night I will get a abrasive exfoliation and the next an acid one, the balance between the two seems to work quite well.

Biologique Recherche P50W - Link // Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix Extreme Pads - Link


Mask

My usual mask of choice is something clay based to really clean out pores. I have been using the L'oreal Pure Clay Detox mask which I find good for a deep clean without drying, at around £5.00 (usually there's an offer on) its a good staple to have in your bathroom, I also really like the red clay wash in this range too! If I need a hit of hydration then I usually reach for a sheet mask which I find to leave the skin plump and refreshed. My usual choice is the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb tissue mask - again this is always on offer somewhere and usually cost around £1.99. I was a bit cautious to use this at first because of my oily skin type, but I find it helps to put back the good hydration into the skin leaving it nice and plump/fresh.

L'oreal Pure Clay Detox Mask - Link // Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Tissue mask - Link


Spray 

After the exfoliation, I would then spray my face with La Roche-Posay Serozinc to give a hit of moisture. It is actually quite a nice refreshing step to have a spritz on super clean skin! as it contains Zinc, It also helps to combat oil and blemishes - win.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc - Link


Retinol 

This is the latest addition to the routine, one inspired by Caroline Hirons/Trinny Woodall. The general advice is that it is a good idea to start using a retinol when you hit your 30's , and with me being 32 I was well into that category. Retinol is a vitamin A that helps with the signs of aging, actively helping to improve the skin, including fine lines and enlarged pores. There are different levels of retinol, I have started with one of the more milder versons with Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Skin Resurfacer Serum. I apply this of an evening a few times a week (again I started out doing more, however that was too much for my skin so took it down a notch) remembering to use a full SPF the morning after as it creates skin sensitivity. I am not too sure what the results are yet as I have only been using it a few weeks, there are definately general improvements but I am not quite ready to give an overall verdict just quite yet. If you are thinking of introducing a retinol then this is a good place to start.

Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Skin Resurfacer Serum - Link

Empty space // Treatment oil

So this is where I am looking to add a treatment/oil/serum into my routine. I have had a dabble with a few options but I am yet to find something that I am happy with. The last one I tried (not whole heartedly) is the UFO Clarifying Oil from Sunday Riley, however, for whatever reason, I have never stuck with it, not really feeling I was getting anything from it. I am going to give it a proper go and keep an eye out at the same time for something else. This oil is supposed to help regulate excess oil, minimise pores and tackles fine lines, so really this should be ideal for me. Must try harder.

Sunday Riley UFO Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil - Link


Moisturise 

There's still only one for me, and that is Clinique's Moisture Surge. To be honest I am a bit nervous to try anything else as this works so well on my oily skin. It sinks straight in without clogging pores, I have spoken about this a lot! I am considering using vitamin C in my routine so may well try a vitamin C moisturiser instead. However, I am going to get used to the retinol and the extra treatment I am going to add/UFO oil, then look at switching up my moisturiser.

Clinique Moisture Surge - Link

http://honestmum.com/brilliant-blog-posts-3rd-august-2017/
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5 comments

  1. I use the red clay mask and it's really good too. If you're looking for an oil, I got an Elizabeth Arden oil from the 8-hour cream range and it's lovely! You should look into it!

    #Brillblogposts

    (Jenny from Accidental Hipster Mum) x

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