I’ve decided to write a blog post about my current skincare routine and favourites just because I feel like I’m in such a great place with it that it’s worth sharing. I have dry and sensitive skin which some of you might also be dealing with. Some people are blessed with great skin or great hair. I think I’m one of them when it comes to skin. I’m not so fortunate on the hair front though. I have exceptionally great skin and I’ve never had issues with acne or breakouts. If you are struggling with one of these conditions then my recommendations probably aren’t quite suited for your skincare needs however you might find products that somehow overlap with your routine.
Luckily there is a lot we can do to improve our skin day to day.
Dehydrated skin and dry skin are two different conditions – they need different treatments and if you want your skin to look and feel its best you must hydrate and moisture at the same time. Dehydrated skin lacks water whilst dry skin lacks natural oils (sebum).
I would like to show you how to combat dry skin and what to use that are effective if practiced consistently.
Consistency is key.
My skincare routine is something that I’ve been working on for a while and trying to make simpler and simpler. I hope you will benefit from my suggestions and the lessons I’ve learned along the way and that you will enjoy reading about some cruelty-free options. The movement towards brands turning to cruelty–free is big and very exciting but also a lot more complicated than what we think it is. I enjoy discovering and sharing fair priced cosmetics that fit all women’s budgets so I will be covering a variety of price ranges from the lowest (£) to the highest (£££).
My Skin Type
I have dry & sensitive skin with mild redness but my biggest skin issue is dryness. I have enlarged pores which are often associated with oily skin, but it’s worth noting that dry skin types can experience them too.
My Routine:
I like keeping things simple and I’m strongly against wet wipes. During my high school years and university I was using face wipes to remove make up which is an awful choice. It’s not only irritating your skin but also extremely damaging to our environment. While they are convenient for our busy lives it’s not the way forward.
Morning:
The first thing I do is drink then cleanse my face in the morning.
- 1: Cleansing my skin with my usual cleanser from PAI. Yes, this cleanser is expensive (£34-£54) and this is certainly premium beauty but it works wonders if you have sensitive skin. I’ve been loving mine and keep re-purchasing it. I have a budget friendly but kind alternative for you from Boots which also works well and it is pretty inexpensive.
- 2: Apply Hyaluronic Acid Serum from NIOD. (£25) Modern science, right? I layer my hyaluronic acid with everything especially that I’m using products like glycolic acid and retinol too. Adding hyaluronic acid to my skincare routine is the biggest help for me to combat my drying effects. NIOD´s Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best hyaluronic acids on the market with a lot more technology (combining 12 forms of hyaluronic compounds) in the product compare to The Ordinary ones. Don’t get me wrong, the The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid (£5.90) is a wonderful product but the difference between them is significant. If you have very dry skin I would invest those extra ££ and buy from NIOD.
- Beauty Pie Super Retinol High Dose Booster
- No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate
- Glycolic Tonic from PIXI Beauty
- Retinol Tonic from PIXI Beauty
- NIOD Hyaluronic Acid
- 3: Moisturise with sun protection: I don’t like heavy moisturisers despite my dry skin just because they tend to clog my pores. This product has probably won the “odd” choice category however I have discovered it a couple of months ago from Aldi after watching some skincare videos with experts sharing their opinions on face creams and ingredients.
- This moisturiser is from Aldi and it’s called the Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream. (£6.99) It is very light and silky in texture and full of luxurious ingredients with added SPF. Always use SPF. It is designed to be anti-ageing, it aims to promote collagen production with added caviar extract, snow algae and it’s also cruelty-free. I have never purchased any skincare products from a regular supermarket before but this one I can highly recommend.
I also like using Thermal Water Sprays and mists that provide pure, natural relief for sensitive skin. I usually use them after I’ve applied my make up or throughout the day when my face feels a bit dry. I always have one in my handbag.
Evening:
Make Up Remover: I usually remove my make up using micellar water with reusable organic pads. I also like cleansing balms as they remove all of my makeup without drying out my skin. This works well for me because I prefer to wear a “no make up” make up routine which is easy to remove. Most times I only wear a little bit of mascara with foundation.
Cleanse: I love using a hot cloth cleanser each night. I usually apply the cleansing product of my choice on dry skin and massage it onto my face for 2 minutes or so. I then rinse the face cloth in hot water and place it on my face until it loses all the heat. I repeat this four times.
I use muslin cloths and I can highly recommend these ones from UpCircle on Effortlessly Eco. Fairtrade Organic Muslin Cloths – Effortlessly Eco – You can use my discount code: SLOWLIVING10 at the check out.
- PAI Skincare Organic Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
- Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser
- Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser
Exfoliating: I use Lactic Acid 5% + HA from The Ordinary. (£5.50) It is a gentle exfoliator for people with dry skin. I use this 2-3 times a week.
Serum: I’ve been really enjoying this lightweight chia seed facial oil lately. This formulation from The Ordinary contains 100% pure chia seed oil (£6.70) that is sustainably-sourced, organic, virgin and cold-pressed. It is soothing, calming with high concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (This acid provides anti-inflammatory, moisturizing and healing support. It also helps fight acne and softens the skin) with multiple minerals and antioxidants. I also use this on my hair after washing. If you are into light facial oils then definitely try this one.
Mask: In addition to my daily routine, I also like using a mask once or twice a week. I’m currently using this Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Masque (£37) from Aesop.
Aesop is one of my favourite brands out there. It is on the more high-end side of skincare but it’s worth the investment. Each bottle is like a secret potion!
Firming Body Oil for stretch marks: I am obsessed with this Frank Body “Booty Drops” (£13.95) body firming oil with caffeine. Each drop is packed with caffeine to firm, carrot root extract to hydrate and grapeseed & jojoba oils to soften skin and get you glowing. My stretch marks on my legs are slowly disappearing from this oil.
Hand cream: My true saviour this winter is the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm by Aesop. (£21) It is fast absorbing and it smells really lovely.
It is important to mention that our skin and skincare is connected to mental health. When you are stressed and anxious your body produces a chemical reaction that increases your skin’s sensitivity. 2020 was a difficult year for all of us and so having a dedicated skincare routine could help you to have a boost in confidence. Your skincare routine does relate to your mental state. The more stressed and upset you are the more likely to skip a routine. Pay more attention this year to self-care and love because when you have less love, you have less care. Take care of yourself in the new year, practice long-term stress management, such as meditation or yoga.
B🌻
Your Slow Living Guide 
Aesop has some awesome products! Thanks for the post!
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