Current Skincare Routine

 So, here it is my current skincare routine, with a few new products I am trying at the moment. Normally I don't pay a lot of attention to my skincare, and go for cheaper brands, but I've found recently my skin has been a lot more problematic, so wanted to invest in some more high end products to see if it makes a difference to my skin.
My skin is combination oily, and I get a lot of problems with oil in my T Zone. I also have a lot of open pores, and get blackheads quite easily. One of the main things that bother me about my skin is the milia I tend to get around my eye area. If you are lucky enough not to have encountered milia before, they are small white lumps under the skin that cannot be squeezed out. These little white cysts are caused by keratine, a protein found in skin tissues, that gets trapped under the epidermal layer of the skin. I have always struggled with these and only recently was told it may be because I am using a face moisturiser over the eye area, which is too rich. So I decided to invest in a separate product specifically for this purpose.

So the first thing I always like to do is to cleanse my face using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. These have become really popular recently, so most skincare brands have brought out their own versions but this is the one I like the best. I have always been really impressed at how easily it removes makeup, and leaves my skin feeling refreshed. I would never use this product alone to cleanse but I find that it helps to remove the bulk of the product from m y face before I go on to use anything else.Garnier claim this product cleanses, removes makeup and soothes the skin, as well as being sensitive for all skin types. It also claims that no rubbing will be required with this product, which I really agree with. If I have a lot of product on my eyes, I only need to hold a cotton pad with the product on my eye for a minute, and it almost melts it off. This is a great cleanser to have in your kit as well, as it is suitable for all skin types.

Once the skin is cleansed, I then use Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, to remove all the makeup from my skin and to gently exfoliate the skin. This is a hot cloth cleanser, that is plant based and free from mineral oil. This results is a creamy consistency, that at first I thought I wouldn't like. It doesn't foam or lather, so it has a very gentle action. So at first I apply the cream to dry skin, covering the entire face and neck. I will spend a bit of time working this into the skin, concentrating on the nose area, and any bits that need a bit of extra attention. Every few days I will use my Champneys facial brush with this product to deeply exfoliate the skin. Again focusing this on any problem areas. Then I soak the muslin cloth that comes with the cream, in hand hot water, and remove the product, using a different area of the cloth for each area of the face. This has a beautifully fresh fragrance and is my favourite product I have ever used to cleanse my face. 

The next step in my facial routine is to apply an Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster. This is an added step to my skincare routine, and Elizabeth Arden claim that it boosts your skin's natural defenses, boosts your skin's ability to renew and enhances the performance of the rest of your skincare products. In short it contains ceramides which helps to increase the hydration of your skin alongside many other hydration boosting ingredients. I received a sample of this and couldn't believe the difference it made and I really feel like my skin is more moisturized and plump since using this product. Also it has a crisp, fresh scent, and makes my skin feel amazing when applied. 

Next, I apply my eye cream, and the one I am currently using is Clinique Pep Start. This is a lovely formula that is designed to brighten up the eye area and to reduce puffiness. 

  

I love this product, the ball applicator makes it easy to apply, and stimulate blood flow, and it absorbs quickly, without feeling too heavy. The lady on the Clinique department said that it is aimed at young skin, so probably would not recommend for more mature skin types. The only thing I don't like about this product is that the applicator pops up and if you don't put your finger over the top when closing it, then the product goes everywhere. Apart from that I would definitely recommend this to others. Like I said earlier, the only reason that I started using this product, was to reduce the amount of milia I get, and I've noticed a big reduction since I've changed my routine, especially on my brow bone area, where I usually get a lot. 

To complete my moisturising routine, I finish by applying my Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex. This cream is aimed to act as a cushion on the skin and prevent moisture loss. I love this formula, the fragrance is really comforting, and it feels light on the skin, but really hydrating at the same time. I have not used  primer since I started using this (I normally use Illamasqua Radiance Veil) and my makeup has gone on really well. When applying I have patted it all over my face and neck, this seems to be absorbed better than when rubbed into skin. If I had to change anything about this product, I am not crazy about the packaging, I prefer a product that has a pump, or comes with a spatula to scoop product out. Last but not least, I have been using two extra products alongside my skincare routine. These are the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, and the Papaya Gold, Paw Paw balm. I have been using these on my lips, or any patches of irritated skin recently. The Paw Paw balm is an Australian beauty product, that's ingredients include Manuka honey, and tropical Paw Paw. This balm is meant to help heal and soothe irritated skin, but I have been using it as a lip balm, whenever I'm not wearing lipstick or lip gloss. Because I wear a lot of lip products, especially liquid lipsticks, I tend to get quite dehydrated, chapped lips. Since using this balm my lips have been given a new lease of life and are a lot softer and feel plumper. This is a handbag must have!!

The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is aimed at doing the same job as the Paw Paw balm, but with slightly different properties. This has been great on irritated skin, my boyfriend had a small area of painful, irritated skin, I gave him that to use and the next day, it was much less red and less inflamed.

I hope you have found this helpful, and if you have any recommendations of products for me to try I would love to hear! 

Until next time Bo xxxx