Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Skincare Routine Update!




I haven't done a Skincare Update post in quite a while, so what better time than the present? Experiencing an extended period of shitty breakouts a few months ago really made me re-assess my skincare routine (or lack thereof!). After switching up a few products and sticking to a morning and nightly skincare routine, my skin is clear and looking pretty healthy on the whole. I'm not going to lie, I am using a lot of different products right now (partly because I'm trying to use up my samples). Most of them are geared towards either clearing and preventing breakouts or anti-aging, as those are my two main concerns. Here's what I'm slapping on every day....




I use Lush Ultrabland Cleanser (see my review herewhen I don't have any spots. It leaves my skin feeling plumped out and super-soft. The thick, oily texture means I have to remove it with a washcloth, but it's totally worth the extra effort. When my skin's playing up, I cleanse with Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser (Blemish-Prone Skin) which is an amazing gel that clears my breakouts up fast. I would highly recommend this cleanser if you have problem skin.




Again, I alternate between two products when it comes to Toner. My old favourite is TN Dickinson's WitchHazel which I love for the super-cheap price (around $6) and its ability to minimise my pores and clear my skin. I also use, albeit less frequently, The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner. Anyone else love the smell of tea tree, or is it just me? Confession time! When I can't be stuffed cleansing before bed, I actually use one of these toners to remove my makeup. Hey, it hasn't killed me yet!




I've pretty much switched from gritty to liquid exfoliants now. The two products I'm using are Alpha-H Liquid Gold and Paula's Choice Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment (with 2% BHA) both of which are pretty potent, so I only use them every two to three days. I like keeping my skin on its toes by using Liquid Gold before bed, then in a few days I'll use the Paula's Choice exfoliant, and so on and so forth. Although Liquid Gold isn't classified as an exfoliant (it's marketed more as an acid toner), that's the way I see it. It's actually a treatment containing Glycolic Acid and licorice that firms, revitalises and boosts radiance. The Glycolic extract does exfoliate, but I really appreciate the multitude of skin concerns Liquid Gold addresses. When a product reduces fine lines, tightens my skin, makes it glow, reduces pigmentation, smooths, clears and makes me look younger, I will keep using it.




So many eye creams (mainly samples)! I love trying lots of eye creams, even though I know my Holy Grail is La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift, a true miracle worker. I've not featured it here because I only use it for special occasions; I have a tiny amount left in a sample tube and the full version costs $380 for 20ml. I just can't bring myself to buy it yet. I've been using La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex instead, which has a watery consistency and is still effective. I've also been enjoying Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Eye Cream and Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar Eye, both of these do work well. FreezeFrame Revitaleyes (which I wrote about in Five Fabulous Faves) has also been improving my under-eye area, and once a week I use Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Moisture Cream (not pictured) under my eyes for an added moisture boost.




I am loving facial serums at the moment! I'm using a number of different products, basically just depending on how I'm feeling that day. And again, I'm working my way through the various samples I've accumulated. La Prairie is a favourite brand of mine (why do they have to be so expensive, though?!) and the La Prairie Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster is great. Their products work so well. Since hubby bought me the Elizabeth Arden GWP a few months ago (blogged about here) I'm falling more in love with this brand. I'm really enjoying the Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging + Intensive Repair Daily Serum, with the Flawless Future Powered By Ceramide Caplet Serum a close runner-up.




Every morning I pop on Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Firm and Reflect Moisturizer half an hour before applying my makeup, as it needs that amount of time to properly absorb. I love the way this makes my skin look as it really does give my face a firmer appearance. Nightly, I use Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Powered By Ceramide Night Cream, another winner in my book. About twice per week I'll use Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rejuvenating Cream before bed instead, but not on a night where I've used Liquid Gold itself, as it might be a bit much for my skin. This cream is pretty sticky and I wouldn't even attempt to use it under makeup!




My go-to for any spots is Paula's Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment, which I bought as part of the Clear Extra Strength Kit. This range is amazing and completely cleared up my persistent breakouts. I rarely need to use this anymore, but I like knowing I have it on hand, just in case. If you're interested in purchasing from Paula's Choice, you can use my link to get $15 off your first order, and I'll get $15 credited to my account!

I'm not really using Face Masks at the moment, because I don't love any of the ones I have. However I have found a few sample sachets and once-off masks in my stash (hello SK-II Facial Treatment Mask) so I might bring back Pamper Sunday!

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Disclaimer: All products were purchased by me, my husband or were free samples I got instore or with online orders. All opinions are my own. Using my Paula's Choice link means you get $15 off your first order and I get $15 credited to my account.

I'm linking up to Fabulous and Fun Life's Monday Makeup Madness Linky Party!

What's your favourite skincare brand or product?

21 comments:

  1. I've been using the same bottle of witch hazel since high school, you can't go wrong with it! But I have a small bottle of bioderma to use around my eyes.

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    1. Oh cool! I seriously thought I was the only one using the stuff!

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  2. I've never tried using toner to remove my makeup, I'm surprised it works! I'd been keen to try the Alpha-H Liquid Gold and the Paula's Choice Resist Daily Pore-Refining Treatment, do you think it'd be okay for oily/combination theme?

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    1. Yes, I have oily/combination skin too and both the Liquid Gold and PC Resist Treatment work great on me!

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  3. I feel so inadequate at my lack of skin care routine now - I better up my game!

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    1. I haven't read a book in about 7 months if it makes you feel any better!

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  4. good Lord thats a lot of stuff hahaha

    I must try the body shop toner, my nivea is old and tired. And you arent alone, sometimes toner is the way to go forward when sleepy Pam cant be arsed :p
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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    1. I want to form a rock band and call it Sleepy Pam Can't Be Arsed. LOL xx

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  5. I love reading what skincare products other people are using and loving!

    $380 for 20ml of eye cream! Hooley dooley!!!! You'd want this eye cream to be a miracle worker at that price! I'd love to try it but I suspect I'll never get the chance to! Lol!

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    1. Ask for a free sample Ingrid, it is truly amazeballs. It firms and eliminates my dark circles and more importantly gets rid of the fine lines under my eyes. No other eye cream has been as effective and I've tried a lot.

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  6. This just might well be my favourite post of yours so far hon - love every word and every picture, and seeing what you're using is a real treat! Alpha-H, EA & La Prairie - sigh ♥♥♥

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  7. Wow. Some amazing products lined up there! So many I would like to try!

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    1. Yeah, I thought it was time I upped my game! I'm not getting any younger.

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  8. I think I might have to check some of these out, I always tend to break out after drinking alcohol and as we come into party season these will be handy! #TeamIBOT

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    1. I break out at that time of the month, like many women. Thanks for visiting! :)

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  9. I love anything from Lush! I havent tried the Ultra bland though, but from what you say it must be good.
    Renee x

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    1. I'm a massive Lush fan, too! Ultrabland takes some getting used to, but it's worth it! x

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  10. I need a new day cream, but I'm still deciding what brand to buy. There's a few I like, but they are pretty expensive.

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  11. I really need to get more serious about my skincare. The breakouts are killing me! Bron x

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  12. Oh man I so suck at skin care, I really do! I need to stave off those wrinkles lol xx

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