Skin Care Favourites

I am obsessed with skin care. Which is ironic, considering my skin is probably my biggest insecurity, and has been troublesome since I can remember. I suffered with eczema when I was little, and acne as a teen. I still battle with hormonal acne, and have scarring. I have had micro dermabrasion and am always looking for products that work with my skin. I religiously read Caroline Hirons' blog, if you don't know who she is then for your skin's sake, look her up. Please. I have broken the skin care up into sections, and all I am currently missing is a serum as I have struggled to find one that doesn't break me out, besides the Body Shop Vitamin E Serum, which is good but I have run out!

Cleansers

I personally like to use a balm cleanser, which is in solid form. You should apply it to dry skin, and work it into the skin, and it will magically melt off your make up. Then I use a hot cloth/flannel to remove the cleanser and be left with clean, soft skin. I use this morning and night, a little goes a long way. My favourite is currently the Clinique 'Take the Day Off' Balm, which can be purchased from Boots for £23.

If you prefer a cleansing oil, I love this Body Shop Camomile Cleanser, which also comes in a balm form which I prefer (and is cheaper!), but this is lovely. You use 1-2 pumps (or more if you are wearing really heavy make up) and apply to dry skin, and remove as above. This is £12 from The Body Shop. 

Toner/Acid/Exfoliator 

I am still learning about this step to be honest, but 'acids' are used to help regenerate and resurface your skin. Acid is a strong word, but you can get weak, mild acids that are good for your skin. The three main acids I have explored are Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid and Hyaluronic acids. Salicylic acid is anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial and anti-acne. Which for me is a must as I am prone to break outs. Glycolic acid is also anti-acne, and gently removes any dead skin. Hyaluronic acid helps attract and retain moisture, and is thought to help with anti-ageing. Some acid toners can be expensive, but these Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme are usually on offer, and although say extreme, are gentle enough to use every other day, and contain glycolic and salicylic acid. I got mine from Boots for £9.97. To use, simply take a pad and swipe over the face after cleansing, avoiding the eye area. I only use this at night.

I also use the Clinique Pep-Start exfoliator scrub, which I really like. It has no synthetic micro-beads in it, and I feel like my skin feels softer and more moisturised after a use. I use this about twice a week in the morning, after I have cleansed. It is £16.50 from Boots.

Facial Sprays

I like to use a facial spray after I have toned/exfoliated to calm the skin, and I am currently using the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray, which is designed to target areas of acne prone skin and calm them, as well as removing any excess oil. I use this in the morning and evening, but also during the day over make up if my skin is looking tired and dull. A bit unnecessary, but so calming. It is £8.50 in Boots.

Eye Creams

I alternate the eye cream I use, and honestly I am really bad at using an eye cream because I often rub my eyes a lot when I'm getting tired, and that means I tend to get it into my eye which hurts. A lot. I only use my eye cream at night, and I alternate between two. Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream (pictured above) which is £22, really brightens the under eye.

I also use the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronised Complex, which retails at £42 at Boots. This is a lovely cream, it is rich but not too heavy, and has a cooling sensation on the under eye, and does have a great impact on the puffiness under my eyes and seems to reduce the lines I have from lack of sleep, and reduces a little of the darkness.

Moisturiser

Now, typically if I had a serum, I would apply it now, before my moisturiser. I want to use my moisturiser to lock in all the hydration that comes from the serum, and lock in all the benefits of the products I am using. Currently I am using the La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Moisturiser. This is designed for acne-prone, oily skin. However, it is also designed to keep the dry parts of your skin moisturised, and the oily parts less oily if that makes sense. It works really well on my combination skin. When I use this, my skin is clearer and feels softer. It is also a great base for make up as it isn't sticky. I use this morning and night, and it is £15 at Boots.

Anti-Blemish

I recently started using the La-Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo(+), which is £15.50 also in Boots (pictured above).  I put this on over my moisturiser in any areas that have any marks or spots. This product is designed to reduce the size of spots, but also remove any scarring, which I really suffer with. Since using this, my skin texture appears to be more even, and I am really happy with the results, as it hasn't dried my skin out. I use this product as and when I need it.


I do use other skin care products intermittently, but these are what I am currently enjoying using.

Megan x