My Skincare Routine!

It's been a few months since I have updated you on what my skincare regime is, and finally feel 100% comfortable with what I am using. Skincare is extremely personal and what works for me may not work for you. It's vital to listen to your skin, it tells you when it's dry or oily, you need to address it and treat it accordingly.

Skin History:

• I had lovely "normal" skin that was on the dry side up until the age of 22.
• At 23 my skin went bananas and became very sensitive and very spotty. Sometimes, the acne was hormonal, stress related and other times is was cosmetic acne caused by using the wrong skincare and too much make up.
• November 2009, I went for a facial where I was diagnosed with "oily" sensitive skin and had my spots extracted, these were mainly small spots on the sides of my cheeks but in general was on the whole surface of my face, I also had big cyst like spots too.
• January 2010, I went for another facial and my skin was diagnosed as "normal" and even on the dehydrated side.
  

I have narrowed it down to 4 products that work for me and that have become staples in my skincare routine.

Firstly, I want to introduce you to the miracle cleansing bar that I have been using every morning and every evening. It's by SebaMed and looks like a soap, but it's actually soap free. Soap based skin care products can be too harsh for sensitive skin and breakdown the skin's natural protective layer. In the evening I remove my eyemakeup with my DIY eye makeup remover and then use the cleaning bar to remove my face make up. I store the bar in a case I purchased from Superdrug.


I have been using this since November ever since the pharmacist recommended it to me, he took one look at my skin and very confidently said, the PH level of your skin needs to be balanced. I was like, of course#*?!



I read several reviews for this cleansing bar on makeupalley which consisted of mixed views, but I didn't let that affect me. This bar is highly recommended by dermatologists and very inexpensive (approx £2.50). I seriously love it and wouldn't use anything else to wash my face anymore. If you have any spots you may feel a slight tingle but never stinging, it's very gentle and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry. I stopped using it for a couple of weeks, and I got spots again, so I can 100% say that this soap does work!!!

(Click to enlarge)

The 2nd thing my skin has been loving is the Tea Tree water by Lush, for some reason my skin absolutely loves it, it leaves me feeling fresh and doesn't irritate my skin.

Here's what it contains...

When I went for my facial in January at a Champneys spa, these products by Elemis caught my eye. They are the Elemis maximum moisture day cream and maximum replenish night cream. The moisturisers are supposed to be intelligent enough to adjust to your skincare needs. This seemed perfect for me as my skin type keeps changing.

Click photo to enlarge to read the back clearly.

I don't know if they are intelligent or not, but what I do know is that these creams haven't irritated my skin and leave my skin feeling hydrated, smooth but not greasy. They have a lotion type consistency and I love the packaging. as it's very practical yet sleek. The day cream is £35 and the night cream is £40. I purchased the day cream and got the night cream free as I am fabulous at finding special offers. :)

Sometimes, my skin feels dry so I mix a little bit of pure organic rosehip oil from Neal's Yard with the Elemis Maximum replenish moisturiser.

To exfoliate my skin I use Lush Ocean Salt roughly once a week, I sometimes crush fresh fruit and spread it on my face too :) and lately I have been loving up the Montagne Jeunesse face masks for weekly pampering

If you are going to check out one thing, make sure it's the SebaMed cleansing bar!

If you are confused about your skin visit your doctor, a beautician or dermatologist. Please note that it took me almost 4 months to get my skin clear, I cut down on makeup and made the transition from heavy and thick foundations to light foundations or tinted moisturisers. It takes time for scars to heal and no cream is going to solve that issue overnight. Regular exfoliation and care will payoff.

All products purchased by moi.