Last month the combination of travel, overindulging over Christmas and our trip, and just generally being stressed and run down sent my skin into meltdown. Not only was I breaking out more than usual, my skin was just much bumpier, more textured than usual, and dry to the point of flaky. So, it was time for a hard reset, a little skin TLC, and THANKFULLY things are looking much better now, so I thought I’d share the skincare routine that got things back on track. Note, links are affiliate.
Morning Skincare Routine
A Great Cleanser – Something to strip my skin of any dirt, sweat, nasties, and wake me up in the mornings. Right now I’m using the Innisfree Brightening & Pore-Caring Facial Cleanser, a creamy formula that really leaves my skin feeling bright and clean. This is a really simple formula, but one my skin really enjoys. I try and wash my skin with super cold water in the morning too, to wake my skin up and tighten the pores.
A Hydrating Mist – Right now, that’s the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Mist, but honestly any mist will do. I like this one because it smells fantastic and the mist is so fine it feels like it really gets every part of your face, but this is really just a gratuitous extra step to add in a little extra moisture.
A Glow Giving Serum – In the mornings, I try to focus on brightening and hydrating, so using a serum with vitamin C in is the perfect fit. The Glow Recipe Pineapple Bright Serum is a favourite, I’ve nearly finished my first bottle. I feel like applying this just smooths my skin, and with continued use things are definitely looking brighter and healthier. This one isn’t cheap, but it’s definitely my favourite when it comes to texture.
A Smoothing Eye Cream – I’ve never been great with eye creams, but since discovering Glossier Bubblewrap I’ve been diligent. I’m not sure what this does in the long term, but short term it really smooths and plumps my undereyes, leaving things looking less knackered, and making my makeup apply much better! (P.S. use this link for 10% off Glossier!)
A Bronzing Serum – I bloody love the Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti Pollution Sunshine Drops. A pump of this mixed in with my moisturiser just makes my skin look so much healthier and awake! I’m not sure it does much in terms of anti pollution, but I suppose it can’t hurt!
A lightweight moisturiser – Lightweight is always the way to go in the mornings, a dose of hydration for your skin that will sink in fast and not disrupt your makeup. I’m using a lot of drying products in the evening, so I’m trying to really layer up on the moisturising products in the morning to help balance that out, and the Innisfree Nourishing Essential Emulsion with Ginger and Honey does just that. Lightweight enough that it can be pressed into the skin immediately before makeup, but hydrating and soothing enough to make a difference to the skin.
An easy lip balm – Something quick to slap on that can absorb while you do your makeup. Tis the season of cracked lips so I’m pretty diligent in this step, right now I’m favouring the Glossier Rose Balm Dot Com.
Evening Skincare Routine
A deep cleanse – Nothing new or exciting to note here, I always come back to The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Balm, which just hits all the right notes for me. It removes makeup like a champ, leaves the skin clean and fresh without feeling like the balance has been disrupted at all. I’m double cleansing with this right now for a really deep clean.
A gentle acid exfoliant – Finding an acid exfoliant that worked for me has been a long road, but I discovered the REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic last year and I haven’t looked back. Gentle enough to be used every day, but powerful enough to make a difference, using this just refines my pores and helps keep any unwanted bumps and texture at bay.
A nourishing oil – I’ve used a rosehip oil for years as a tool to heal troubled skin. Historically, I’ve always reached for the Trilogy one, but recently I’ve been testing out The Ordinary Rosehip Oil, which seems to do the same thing for a cheaper price. I generally find rosehip oil to be super nourishing, but it also just helps speed the process of a breakout up a little more, and prompts the skin to heal faster, reducing any redness too. A miracle oil with change from a tenner.
A hard working serum – The main place where my routine has changed is here with serums. I’ve tried a lot of different breakout busters in my time, but nothing has ever been quite as effective as The Inkey List C-50 Blemish Night Treatment. Using Vitamin C as an effective acid treatment, this just seems to get rid of spots overnight. It can be a little drying though, so be warned!
A soothing eye cream – By the end of the day my undereyes are usually crying out for some TLC, so a soothing eye cream is a must. I picked up the Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask in Sephora whilst I was in Canada and I’ve been smitten ever since. The gel product is super nourishing, but honestly I’m mostly in it for the applicator, a soothing, cooling ball that is heaven on tired eyes.
An effective spot treatment – Attacking breakouts head on means a ball busting spot cream too. I’m usually faithful to my american formulated Zit Stick from Glossier, but at the moment I’m finding that a little too drying on my skin in combination with everything else. So, I’ve swapped it out for the Versed Nix It Complexion Solution, which does the same job without drying the skin out at all. It’s a little tricky to apply, the solution is runnier than your average spot treatment, but otherwise this is super effective and pretty purse friendly.
A hard working overnight mask – You didn’t think I’d pick just one, did you? These days I rarely use a moisturiser in the evening, favouring overnight masks instead. They just give an extra dose of nourishment that really makes my skin happy. I swap out a few on rotation, the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Mask when I need brightness and plumpness to my skin, the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask for when things are dry, and the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask to help purify and nourish.
What products do you use when your skin isn’t looking it’s best?