Current skincare routine 2014

I'm rapidly heading towards the ripe old age of 35, and have never taken my skincare so seriously as I do now. My skin went a bit loco when I hit 30, and when I was 33 I had acne (cystic nasty acne on my chin, chest and back) for the first time ever....I was not impressed! I'm assuming it was a toxic combination of hormones and the copious amounts of hideous medication I had started (and remain on), but trawling the internet on the subject it seems to be a common occurrence amongst 30 something's to have a total skin nightmare. I also discovered the Goddess Lady Caroline Hirons and her no nonsense advice has really changed my skin for the better.

I have tried many products over the years (one of the reasons I decided to start blogging) and have eventually found products that work for me, and my previously dry and dehydrated super sensitive skin with some nasty jaw-line and chin huge spots thrown in for good measure. Thanks Mother Nature.


CLEANSER: My absolute favourite is Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser. It is a cream but has a slight balm texture to it, and is so comforting on my face. It has a slight herby scent to it, but a pleasant one, and is a dream to massage into my skin.

I don't use it for eye make-up removal, instead I use Garnier 2in1 Eye and Face Make-Up Remover (lovely bi-phasic mascara munching stuff!) or Avon Extra Lasting Make-up Remover (oily goodness that really does remove every scrap of eye make-up).

I also don't use the muslin cloth that comes with it; call me old fashioned but I only use flannels! Muslin cloths just don't give me the same 'clean' feeling, and flannels are thicker so I can use both sides if I need to without transferring wiped off product back onto my face. I use a new flannel each morning and night-luckily I have tonnes of them in various colours and states (hate throwing holey and frayed ones away, they literally have to be falling apart for me to do so!).

The cleanser claims to "awaken skin's natural glow" and I haven't seen any demonstration of this, however my skin is calmer and hasn't reacted even in the slightest to this product, which is more important to me than achieving a glowing radiance.

This cleanser really is super fantastic, so much so that I actually cut open the squeezy tube (nice design too!) to get the last bits out! I have never done that for any other product, not even super expensive ones.

Overall a cheap but nourishing cream-balm cleanser with a light scent and plenty of oooomph to remove make-up. I use it morning and night with a flannel, and don't intend to go looking for another cleanser any time soon.


TONER: If you read Caroline Hirons' blog (or watch her now on You Tube *Bob's your uncle*) you will know I am not talking about old skool toners. If you have no idea what I am talking about, you need to visit her blog and unearth the differences and why it is now OK to 'tone' after cleansing (you would have stripped every piece of natural barrier from your skin if you used to use the old skool ones, which is why I didn't use them).

So once my face is cleansed and rinsed, I swish a cotton pad with Dr Organic Rose Otto Skin Toner from Holland and Barrett to prep my skin for acid toning (yep Aciiiid!). There is no alcohol in this toner, and it is hydrating and smells gorgeous. I hate the scent of 'fake' rose, but this stuff smells good. Really good.


ACID TONING/EXFOLIATING: By far, this is my favourite step in my skin care regime. In the morning I use an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid, such as glycolic acid) to help skin cell renewal and diminish age lines. I am currently using Pixi Glow Tonic which has a distinctive scent that I can't put my finger on, but you get used to it pretty quickly.

In the evening I use a BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid, such as Salicylic acid) to keep pesky spots/invisible under the skin bumps away. I have seen a huge improvement around my jaw-line and chin where the unwanted visitors used to congregate despite my protests. The BHA I am currently using is Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Targeted Blemish Relief Toner 2% Salicylic Acid and it has cleared up the marks left from the cystic acne beautifully.

 

If acid toning/acid exfoliation is a new concept for you, there are some super helpful guides from Paula's Choice here and here and here.

 

**Note- Caroline Hirons' advice is to use a hydrating spritzing toner post exfoliation, however I personally prefer to use my hydrating toner before exfoliating. No reason why, it's just what I do**

 

 

 EYE CREAM: I am head over heels in love with Balance Active Formula Snake Venom Eye Cream absolutely smitten in fact!

 

 

This stuff is wonderfully hydrating, without upsetting make-up application, and doesn't cause millia. It has softened my crows feet and got rid of the tightness I used to feel by mid-afternoon when using other eye creams.

 

 

SERUM: The serum that beat all others hands down is the Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum. It is pricey, but Boots tend to have brilliant offers on Indeed Labs products periodically so wait for them and stock up then. My dry and dehydrated skin totally transformed into hydrated and comfortable skin (with no flaky dry patches around my nose and temples) after using 3/4 of my first tube morning and night.

 

 



The hyaluronic acid retains moisture, and over time you will need to use less moisturiser....I really thought this was utter tosh until I used the product. I no longer have to use heavy duty moisturiser (Oilatum, Skin Food, aqueous cream), I can use 'normal' moisturiser which is great for make-up application. I use a pea sized amount all over my face (including eyelids!) and another pea sized amount for my neck and décolletage. I think it is unlikely I will switch serums, this really is a precious skin care staple/Holy Grail product.



MOISTURISER: Now my skin is behaving itself impeccably, I am trialling many moisturisers and tend to use which one works best with my foundation choice (powder or liquid) of that day. One I have been reaching for quite regularly is Good Things Manuka Honey Daily Moisturiser which smells delicately of delicious honey. It can leave a bit of a sheen on my skin (I prefer the matte look) if I use too much, but my husband always says I look lovely when I have been heavy handed and retain the sheen....so I'm trying to embrace the slight sheen, but cannot deal with the 'dewy' 'glowing' or 'moist' look. Ever.

I'm enjoying testing out moisturisers, it is a real novelty for me, so I cannot imagine I will still be using this particular one in a month or so. That does not mean this isn't a lovely moisturiser, because it is, I'm just revelling in having the chance to finally use pretty much any moisturiser I fancy. I am currently using this moisturiser both day and night.

I spend my money on acids and serum, and save with my cleanser, eye cream and moisturiser. SPF on the other hand is not about price, but how it sits on my skin and reacts with my make-up.


SPF: I use SPF all year round, every day. I choose to use at least factor 30 and one that had UVA and UVB protection. I am super pale and up until this summer have had to hide from the sun due to hives and distressed skin from the sun (no burning, but very tight unhappy skin).

I don't really like SPF in my moisturiser because I'm concerned that it will react with the SPF protection I get from the pure SPF I apply after my moisturiser. I used to use Clinique Super City Block SPF 40 but the 'subtle' yellow tone of it made me look jaundiced on non-make-up days. I then tried La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face Comfort Cream SPF 50 but found it too heavy on top of my previous heavy duty moisturiser......but I have now discovered a total winner....

.....meet the fabulous Soap and Glory Make Yourself Youthful Sunshield Superfluid SPF50 a true hero in my eyes. I was initially put off when I tested it on my hand in Boots as it was tinted, however it is completely colourless/totally invisible when it is rubbed in. I can't even feel it on my skin once applied, and it does not affect my make-up in any way whatsoever. S&G products are pretty much always on offer in Boots so I have stocked up to see me through winter and into spring. If you haven't tried this I really recommend doing so.

**SPF 30+ broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) is imperative when using acids as they are revealing lovely new skin cells, and if no SPF (or poor quality, low rated SPF) is used you are just damaging those lovely new skin cells, thus wasting your money on acids. Also, if you are trying to avoid skin cancer and slow the ageing process down, there is nothing better than broad spectrum SPF daily. Every day. Yes even in the UK!**


I wasn't expecting this post to be so long, congratulations (and thank you!) if you have made it to the end. I hope this inspires and helps anyone who is looking to switch up their skin care routine, or even to start one.


Caiti xxx

*Products purchased with my own money*

Snake Venom Eye Cream from Balance Active Formula

So I was in Home Bargains, drooling over all of the hair and beauty aisles, and spotted Snake Venom Eye Cream from Balance Active Formula. I am down to my last eye cream sample from various beauty box subscriptions I was signed up to last year, and have been looking for a cheap but moisturising eye cream that wont upset my sensitive skin. As this eye cream was only £1.89 for 15ml, I grabbed it thinking that it would probably end up in the bin anyway....it didn't!!

This eye cream does not contain snake venom, and the packaging clearly states '...a snake venom-like neuropeptide'. How refreshing to see a company use non BS, clear as day, truthful spiel (and in big readable letters!) on their packaging.

The active ingredients are Syn-Ake (the snake venom-like neuropeptide) which claims to soften the look of wrinkles and reduce expression lines, and EyePro 3X which claims to reduce under eye bags and dark circles and boost collagen production and hydration. The product is also paraben free and contains a small amount of lactic acid.

I don't suffer from under eye bags (yet!) nor dark circles, but I do have some beautiful laughter lines rapidly appearing. My main need in an eye cream is continued hydration and for it not to upset my sensitive skin. I would dearly love the crows feet laughter lines to disappear, but am well aware that unless I'm prepared to have Botox injected it's never going to happen. I would just like them 'softened' and to look better by being hydrated.

This eye cream is utterly fantastic for what I want an eye cream to do. My eye area is instantly soothed and moisturised on application, the cream does not affect my make up and I have not had one iota of sensitivity since starting this cream 3 months ago. I cannot comment on any of the under eye claims, but I can certainly vouch for the hydration claim. Even at the end of the day my eyes feel comfortable, and there has been a definite improvement in the softness of my under eye area. I use it day and night after cleansing and application of serums and before moisturising. My laughter lines do look better and less harsh, but obviously they are still there. I use this cream all over my eyelids and have no intention of looking for another eye cream as this is,by far, the best I have tried in years.

I cannot believe how good this cream is whilst being so cheap! You can check out their other products here and if your local Home Bargains does not stock it, you can purchase from here or look on Amazon.

I will definitely be trying out some of their other products, if anyone else has please let me know what you think.

Caiti xxx


*Product purchased with my own money*

Superdrug Superberry Mud Mask

I am nearing the end of my beloved Sanctuary 5min Thermal Detox Mask which although pricey (around £10), has lasted me around 8months per 100ml tube. I only apply it to my T-zone and use it once or twice per week. I have also started using it on my teenage son's T-zone to help combat newly emerged oily/blackhead prone/upset skin.

Not wanting to spend £10 on future masks (as now sharing with aforementioned son) I picked up the Superdrug Superberry Mud Mask on my last online haul.

It is a china clay based mask with exfoliating raspberry seeds (I don't recommend using this mask as a scrub!!) and contains 'antioxidant rich Superberry Extract to help protect the skin from free radicals' which makes no sense to me whatsoever, but it smelt nice so I bought it!

My skin does not like this mask at all. It felt fine when I put it on all over my face and wasn't particularly uncomfortable, however when I washed it off, my face looked sunburnt and was very sensitive for about 3 days afterwards. I have dry sensitive skin (which was dehydrated until I finally managed to combat that-blog on my new skincare regimen to follow) so I shouldn't have really put it all over my face, but I'm an 'all or nothing' type of person :0)

My son's skin did not react in the slightest to this mask, in-fact it definitely cleared up his face and I could see his skin becoming less oily for a few days. He has (reluctantly) continued to have this slapped on his T-zone every Sunday and will continue to until it has run out.

So I've reasoned with myself that I should not try a new one for me until this Superdrug one has run out, incase my skin doesn't like it and I end up using it on my son.....ooops I seem to have placed an order for the Sanctuary 5min Thermal Detox Mask! No guilt though as I used my Boots Advantage points ;0)

Caiti xxx


*Products purchased with my own money*

Superdrug online hauling!

So, after 'rediscovering' Superdrug (after being a Boots only shopper) I decided to buy some products online as my local store doesn't carry very much at all.....not only was the website easy to navigate, the shipping cost was free (when you spend over £10), the items were well packaged, delivery was super fast, and I received two free samples (I was not expecting this!).

 

L-R: Lady Gaga Fame EDP 30ml, Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration shampoo, Bee Strong shampoo and Bee Strong rinse out conditioning mask, Schwarzkopf Color Mask hair dye in shade 586 Warm Mahogany, Sleek Face Form (bronzer, highlighter and blush) in shade fair, Anelco Beer shampoo and coditioner 2-in1 (didn't this used to be called Linco Beer??), Superdrug's own brand Superberry exfoliating mud mask, Rio Deluxe Soft Wax, and the two free samples of Ghost Eclipse EDT 2ml and Garnier Ultimate Blends The Sleek Perfecter Oil (with pure coconut oil).

Everything but the face mask, Sleek palette and Rio wax was on offer, Lady Gaga's EDP was only £10 total bargain!

I will be reviewing these products as I use them, and I have to admit that I am pretty excited about this haul :)

Caiti xxx

*Products purchased with my own money*

Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser

Having been a Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean fiercely loyal fan for a very long time, I decided to try a more moisturising cleanser for my dehydrated and dry skin. Cue many hours of You Tube and blog post researching a budget friendly but result giving cream cleanser....obviously Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish came up again and again as the most nourishing and skin softening cleanser on the market, however, I was surprised to see almost as many posts raving about Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser (with Muslin cloth).

 

 

I rarely go to Superdrug, preferring Boots, unless I want some MUA make up (also excited to try their new Make Up Revolution range!)- this has now changed due to their stunning skincare range (more posts to follow as I shamelessly purchased quite a few own brand products). I was actually blown away by how much Superdrug has changed since I last had a proper look approximately 8 years ago, plus they appear to have much better deals than Boots do and more regularly. I duly signed up for Superdrug's Beauty Card, and due to their 30 points per £1 spent I bagged myself a whole load of points which I then spent the following week on 'boys stuff' for my husband and children. Bargain!

My skin absolutely LOVES this cleanser, way more than the Peaches and Clean, not a single hint of breaking out or pH upset. My skin feels moisturised and nourished, and looks visibly calmer and far more hydrated than I was expecting. I don't think Superdrug are aware of what a wonderful product they have created, and they should absolutely be advertising this brand as I only stumbled across it from beauty bloggers/You Tube.

I use my hands to really massage it into my skin in the morning and follow with a warm flannel (I just cannot get that 'clean' feeling with any Muslin cloth). In the evening I use an oil based eye make up remover (I cannot bear cream cleansers on my eyes) and then massage in a generous amount of the Naturally radiant cleanser followed by my Philips VisaPure (which was on offer in Boots last Christmas and quite possibly the best skin care product I own) and rinse off with my trusty flannel.

The cleanser has a slight herbal smell but it is faint and not unpleasant, the consistency is a lovely creamy balm, and absolutely no residue is left on my skin after I rinse it off. I don't think I will be looking for another cleanser for a very long time as I cannot fault this at all, and my skin is also super impressed!

Superdrug also has a new fan in me- there will be more reviews of their skincare products and I intend to spread the word on this great product.....go and try it for yourselves (flannel is optional!).

Please leave me a comment if you have tried it or anything else in Superdrug's own brand ranges, or if you have found any unsung hero products we should all try.


Caiti xxx

*Product purchased with my own money*