Morning Skincare Routine

I usually start my day by drinking a glass of water when I wake up. I keep it on my beside table so I can grab it when I first wake up. This helps me to feel refreshed and rejuvenated (and able to trudge to the shower!). While I’m in the shower I start my skincare routine by cleansing my face with Garnier’s Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash, Scrub and Mask. This product contains salicylic acid and zinc which help to zap blemishes and mattify your face. As I have oily skin I find this helps prevent breakouts. This product has exfoliating beads in it so I don’t go crazy scrubbing my face every day (this WILL irritate your skin and make it look red raw and feel sensitive as you are removing the top layer of your skin) but I just gently rub in the product in circular motions over my face. I leave this on, like a mask, for a few minutes before I wash it off to absorb all excess oil.

Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash, Scrub and Mask

After I’ve finished with my shower I moisturize my face and body. For my face I’m currently using Garnier’s Moisture Match Shine Be Gone Moisturizer. I used to use The Skin Doctor’s T Zone No More Oil moisturizer and before that Innoxa’s Skin Clear Oil Free Moisturizer. Personally I felt the Innoxa moisturizer was the best for me, I never had a problem with oil or acne while using this product, but I found it to be discontinued which is disappointing in my opinion as this was truly a great product. I have tried some of their anti-aging moisturizers and these were great, moisturizing and plumping but as I have problem oily skin, I broke out while using this. The Skin Doctor’s and the Garnier products do the job, but for my skin, nothing will beat the Innoxa moisturizer. If anyone has any recommendations for a mattifying moisturizer please let me know!

So anyway, I moisturize my face and body straight out of the shower to trap the water still on my body and let it absorb into my skin. I don’t even dry my skin fully before moisturizing for this reason. This not only helps my skin feel moisturized and refreshed but is a product saver too, as the water helps the product go further. Even though my face is oily, my body, especially my hands, are super, super dry and prone to dermatitis (I feel like I have a lot of problems!). Because of this I just use plain Sorbelene Cream on my hands and body. It is very inexpensive, has no fragrances and contains Vitamin E so this is the best product for protecting my skin. I always moisturize my hands every time they are wet (after hand washing, cleaning etc) and I keep a dispenser next to the sink for this. Another great product for dry skin, especially if you are prone to eczema or dermatitis is the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and the Avene Cold Cream Body Lotion. The biggest enemy to eczema and dermatitis is dryness, but please check with your doctor first for a personal treatment plan! I also use the Clinique Superdefense for Eyes SPF 15 on my undereyes and eyelids.

After moisturizing I apply The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel to any pimples on my face and let it ‘soak in’ for a minute. Then, if I’m just running errands for the day, I apply Garnier’s Oil-Free for Oily to Combination Skin BB Cream (which contains SPF 15!) and fix my eyebrows and mascara, then I’m good to go!

A final note, I cannot express enough how important it is to wear sunscreen, or at least products containing at least SPF 15. Skin cancer is not something to take lightly or disregard. There is no need to live your life in fear of skin cancer, but be proactive about protecting yourself by purchasing products containing SPF. Also I highly, highly recommend to use a fake tanner than baking in the sun for this reason. No matter what country you live in, no matter if it is summer or winter, rain or shine. Protect yourself every day. You won’t even notice you’re wearing SPF and your skin will thank you for it. Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of weird and disgusting skin cancers in the lab and I can assure you it’s not something you want to have…

I hope you enjoyed reading about my skincare. It is in no means final and I could change it tomorrow if I found this right products, but this is what is working for me right now and I’ll stick to it unless you guys can offer me some new suggestions?

Love. X.