I get a lot of questions asking about the products I use for my beauty routine. I’m certifiably OCD when it comes to face products. I don’t wear a lot of make-up basically because I’m super lazy when it comes to getting ready, I hate the heavy feel of foundation and I’m dyslexic at applying eye shadow/liner properly, which means I have a bit more financial wiggle room to purchase quality face products, and I’ve coordinated my beauty routine accordingly!
I was a cleansing balm/flannel and a dollop of Rosehip oil kinda gal in my teens and most of my twenties – see lazy, above – but early last year I decided to get my ass into gear and my beauty routine became, how shall I say, very science-centric. I spend A LOT of time in the sun and always apply a good SPF 30+ sunscreen to my face, but I’ve become a bit paranoid about what all those free-radicals are doing to my poor unsuspecting noggin. I also suffer from the occasional PMS breakout, red/hyper-sensitive and dehydrated skin (from frequent flying, alternating between hot and cold climates etc), and obviously want to keep ageing at bay for as long as humanly possible! So for anyone who’s wondering, I tailor my beauty routine/choose products with those concerns in mind. Oh, and FYI – I decant my products into those little plastic travel containers/sprays you can buy from most pharmacy’s and use them when I travel.
My mum has beautiful Scandi skin, but she’s taken care of it ever since she was in her teens using expensive organic products only (think Jurlique, Dr Haushka). She eye-rolls me for using any chemicals whatsoever on my face, but I feel I’m 10 years overdue so I’m open to dousing myself in whatever awesome techie products are going to give me that healthy youthful glow! I also try to use Cruelty and Parabin Free products.
Oh, and I started following the hilarious facial queen that is Caroline Hirons over a year ago and she’s never let me down, so if you’re keen to get on the beauty bandwagon her blog and Instagram should be your absolute first port of call!
But enough babbling, you want to know the ride or die products of my beauty routine! And just a heads up, none of this is sponsored!
Firstly, I follow what I like to call the “serum sandwich” approach. I can’t take full credit for the nickname as I’m fairly certain it’s slipped into my lexicon by osmosis from Ms Hirons herself. But it goes a little something like this:
My Beauty Routine: Breakdown
MORNING
Oil Cleanse
Acid Tone
Balancing Tone
Serums/Oils (MOST IMPORTANT)
Hyalauron
Hydration/Moisturiser
NIGHT
Double Cleanse (cleanse only once if i haven’t worn make-up or sunscreen that day which is like never)
Acid Tone
Balancing Tone
Serums/Oils OR Retinoid (I use retinoids once or twice) MOST IMPORTANT
Active Night Moisture with AHA/Vit C
NB: If my skin needs calming from the overdose Retinoid or AHA I’ll slap on some Ceramide
This is what my current bathroom situation looks like…
A bit much for my beauty routine? Never. I change the serums/oils and hydrators throughout the week depending on how my skin is feeling (whether I’ve had enough sleep, how much time I’ve spent in the sun, if I’ve been in a cold climate, how much I’ve been swimming in chlorine/salt water etc etc). My bathroom cupboard is basically my own little beauty wardrobe.
My Beauty Routine: 10 Ride of Dies
If I had a gun to my head (or maybe if I had to live on a deserted island – better analogy in my case) and had to choose 10 products for my face to take with me, they’d include:
Jojoba Oil – I use Jojoba Oil to cleanse my face. It’s the most like the sebum our skin produces (and therefore EXTREMELY comforting) and it dissolves oil, nasties, make-up and generally feels beautiful and not at all grimy. I massage and wipe it off with a clean, warm flannel. I double cleanse if I’ve had make-up or sunscreen on during the day.
Pixi Glow Tonic – The acid toner of all acid toners! If you haven’t heard of this cult product you’ve basically been living under a rock. I use this 5% glycolic acid toner with a make-up pad after cleansing.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist – Apart from smelling absolutely divine, this is the perfect spray to calm my skin after acid-toning or when my skin just wants to be refreshed/hydrated throughout the day.
L’oreal Revitalift x 3 Serum – I don’t know what it is about this serum in particular, but I’ve just grown very fond of it. It tingles a little bit (but in a good “I’m totally doing my job” kind of way). I always use it in the mornings for an extra added boost of Glycolic Acid and Vit C.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Complex – Again, you’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of this cult product. I know it’s super exxy but a little goes a long way.
Hylamide – Hydrating, always hydrating! I apply this powerhouse serum before my moisturiser so draw H20 to my skin.
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum – I have no idea what the active ingredient “Naturadiance PB18+’ is but it does WONDERS for my glow. Also packed full of natural botanicals and antioxidants and is heaven in a bottle.
People for Plants Face Oil – For when my skin is feeling extra sensitive and I don’t want to deal with any chemicals (or I just want to be lazy and chuck it on after I’ve cleansed)! It’s got the BIG 3 cell-protecting oils – rosehip, chamomile and calendular and Vitamins A and E. Plus it’s easy on the wallet.
Avene Rich Hydrating Cream – Just the best nurturing, daily, multi-purpose moisturiser for my skin. I’m a massive fan of basically everything this French brand makes but this cream especially.
So there you have it, a (very) detailed picture of my beauty routine. OCD or not, I think my skin thanks me for it!
SKA xx
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