Over the past year or so, I have started to really care about skincare. My skin is usually oily, and is quite blemish prone, but this winter (which has never happened before) it has started to become a little more dry around my nose. In the morning, I like to focus more on prepping the skin for makeup – making the face smooth and keeping the oil at bay. However, in the evening I use more hydrating and nourishing products. I think I have finally found a simple core routine that really works for my skin, and all the fancy add ons will come in time…
The Routine
Step 1: Cleanse
I start off my routine by taking the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm on my fingers and massaging it all over my face. I then take a flannel and run in under warm water and remove the cleanser. This cleanser feels very luxurious and nourishing, and was quite daunting for me on first use having oily skin. This product has become one of my staples and has really helped change the appearance of my skin.
Step 2: Tone/Exfoliate
I use the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant on a cotton pad all over the face after I cleanse as a liquid exfoliator. This contains salicylic acid, which is great for blemish-prone skin. I don’t find this to be too harsh on my skin and I am able to use this on an everyday basis. I find that it really helps to keep the skin smooth and free of any dead skin, and is much more gentle and effective than a manual exfoliant.
Step 3: Serum
The La Roche Posay Effeclar Duo is a product I would highly recommend to anyone who is prone to blemishes. It is a lightweight serum, and since using this consistently, I have noticed a significant reduction in the amount of spots I get and how long they take to disappear. This is a great daytime serum as it won’t disrupt any makeup, and surprisingly for a product aimed at oily skin it is not drying. La Roche Posay are a great affordable skin care brand that can be found in Boots and I would definitely suggest if you are on a budget to check their range out.
Step 4: Moisturise
Moisturiser is a step that I find quite hard to get right, but I’ve been really enjoying using the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel as my morning moisturiser. I use the ‘Gel’ as opposed to the ‘Lotion’ because it is nice and lightweight and a good base for makeup. Unlike many moisturisers aimed at oily skin, I still find that this is quite hydrating, and feels cooling when applied to the skin. I like this moisturiser because it is basic and simple, and doesn’t break me out.
So that concludes my simple morning skin care routine. These particular products I have been using for several months now, and have all been repurchased once or more. The products I use are a little on the expensive side but I personally like to invest in skincare, because a) it helps makeup apply better and b) who doesn’t want gorgeous skin? If you’re looking for amazing skincare tips and you haven’t already, head over to Caroline Hiron’s Blog as she is simply a skincare goddess and genius and I have learnt so much from reading it – the cheat sheets are incredible!
–RachelElizabeth
–RachelElizabeth