One thing I have been lucky enough with through out my years (even the dreaded teen years) is having even clear skin. If you read my Teenage Chronicles series you might know that up until I was 20 I used Noxema (*gasp*) but into my twenties I started really suffering with dry sensitive skin. Here's a bevy of products I use to keep my skin in tip top shape that are tried and true...
[1] The Body Shop Silky Cleansing Oil is the newest in my skin care lineup. Unlike some oil cleansers, this doesn't contain Mineral Oil and washes away easily. It breaks down waterproof mascara beautifully and stays silky to the touch making it great to massage into the skin and really rid it of every last bit of makeup.
[2] After oil cleansing, I take Vichy Purete Thermale Micellar Solution on a cotton pad to remove any oil that might still be hanging around and any touch mascara/liner. It's super gentle, never stings the eyes and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. I also use this as my morning cleanser.
[3] If you've read my blog since the early days you've probably heard my sing the praises of the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner a few times. This stuff single handily saved me from an itchy bumpy skin allergy, cleared up a blackhead situation and had rid my dry skin of flakes since the day I started using it. I use it every single night, after cleansing and can feel the difference when I don't.
[4] My serum of choice is Indeed Labs Hydraluron after hearing about it on Caroline Hirons blog. A pea sized amount gets the job done better than any other serum I've used, and it's affordable at under $25 usually. I feel like this stuff is the "glue" that holds my moisturiser in my skin, and I use it morning and night.
[5] and [6] Are a one or the other situation. On a regular day I reach for #6 which is my beloved Origins Make A Difference Plus Ultra Cream. Its rich and soothing and hydrating and has kept my skin feeling plump and youthful since I started using it almost a year ago. I use it morning and night.
Once or twice a week (if its the winter or just really dry out) I will reach for #5, which is the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask, which was a Monthly Must Buy a while back. I'll slap it on my skin in lieu or regular moisturiser and wake up with the more gorgeously smooth hydrated skin.
[7] Is something I have used on and off for a couple years, RapidLash. It conditions my lashes which get coated in waterproof mascara daily, and I do truly notice a difference in the length of my lashes when I use this (expect to use it for 4 weeks before you see change) I find it makes my lashes curl up a bit on their own, which is no small feat for insanely straight lashes like mine. I paint it on every night.
[8] I raved about this newest innovation, Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster. You dispense a couple drops into your face cream of choice to custom make your own facial tanner. I just think it is so easy, convenient and fool proof. No more clogged pores from traditional tanners, and the colour is so natural and buildable. I like to use it at night so it can develop while I sleep, but you can use it in the day under your makeup!
[9] Might be one of my favourite bits of my whole skincare routine, and the last thing I do before hitting the sheets. I coat my lips with the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, which is possibly the most hydrating lip product I've tried. It actually stays on all night long and I can still feel it on my lips 8 hours later. Coming from someone who has horrible dry lips, that means something folks!
What are your skincare holy grails? Have any products saved your skin from skin care nightmares?
