Skin Care Picks
At the weekend, I did myself a proper home facial – double cleanse and everything! Turns out that the above selection from different brands came together as the dream team because my skin was absolutely glowing. You shouldn’t fall for the ‘everything from the same brand’ routine – that suits brands very nicely, but doesn’t bring the best out of your skin. Mixing and matching up your products is a great idea, and if you pick up samples as you go along, you can start to get a feel for products from different brands that work well with each other. I’m making it sound more complicated than it is, but you know, be your own master of skin care – it’s your face, after all.
So, I’ll just list out the products and a brief round up of why I’ve found them to be exceptional, in the order that I used them.
Trilogy Make Up Begone Cleansing Balm
Similar to this
This is a new-ish product but I love a balm cleanser so took to it straight away. It does as it says on the label and whips away all your make up with an aromatic balm but leaves your skin feeling supple and smooth. It’s an absolute pleasure to use, actually. It’s £19.50 HERE.
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Ignoring the fact that this comes under the label of ‘Age Reform’ which is a horrible term, this exfoliating cleanser is the jewel in the crown of my line up. Containing both AHAs and BHAs, I used it as the second part of my cleanse. It’s just genius; what can I tell you. The different in the feel of my skin before and after was huge. It’s a mix of salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids with jojoba beads (not as wishy-washy as they sound) so you can expect your skin to look immediately brighter as well as feeling like velvet. It’s £34 HERE and it looks as though there is a GWP on this one as well.
Antonia Burrell Mask Supreme
Generally, I would say no face mask is worth £57, but I am treating this as I would a handful of diamonds! I eke it out because it’s a little bit of skin magic in a pot. The brand has some odd claims on this, but does promise brighter, smoother and more hydrated skin and totally delivers. Again, it’s got acids in it so might be too much for some skin combined with Murad, but it’s very gentle. The pot is small, but I use about half a teaspoon a time and that seems plenty to get a result. Despite the fact that the brand suggests using regularly, I save this for face-treat time and I’m always pleased with the result. It’s HERE.
NIOD Hyaluronic Complex
My skin loves hyaluronic – the NIOD version has twelve forms of hyaluronic compounds plus peptides. This is in almost daily use and only made it into my facial as a belt and braces product and because I feel a little bit addicted. It’s £38 HERE. (If this is too pricey, try Hylamide.. I think it’s just as good).
Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamine A Oil Serum
I’ve had this in my cupboard for a while but brought it out for my facial and have been using it twice daily since. No wonder I was so happy with the results of my facial – this contains 0.5% of pure retinol – I think if I’d read through all the ingredients of everything before I started piling on the products, I might have hesitated, but I didn’t have any reaction other than being mightily impressed at their joint effort! It’s not a loose serum, in fact, it’s more oil than serum really, but nonetheless, my skin loves it. You can find it HERE for £64.
Melvita Nectar Supreme
This is genuinely such a lovely cream – I use it when my skin needs to feel soothed and if I use it before bed, I always wake up being able to feel the difference. It’s top end, price wise, for this brand, but a very soft, comforting skin cream that whacks any dryness on the head. It’s big sell is tw0 different types of nectars and three different types of honey. Who knows if its those that make the difference, but again, I eke this one out because it’s really a favourite. It’s for £49 HERE
Just reading through the all the products, it’s no flipping wonder that my skin was rejoicing – adding all these together, it’s £250 worth of skin care. But, I think you could pull any one of these out to incorporate as that special something to add to a special routine (or daily, if you’re feeling flush!). I think the Murad Exfoliating Cleanser is the big must-try here, but I rate all of these.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
11 comments
Gorgeous products! Skincare is so important, I love using oils on my skin it leaves my face feeling smooth, clean, and mostly blemish-free!
Kiran | http://www.alittlekiran.com
I would spend that kind of money on skincare before I would spend the same amount on makeup or even a gorgeous pair of shoes (and for me, that’s saying something, because I ADORE shoes.) I do have one question for you: do you not double cleanse every night? I vacillate between thinking that the double cleanse is a good idea or a dreadful one (I have dry and sometimes dehydrated skin,) but mostly I do double cleanse every day. Probably because Mrs. Hirons says so. 🙂
I don’t double cleanse every night, no. Maybe once or twice a week – I’m a bit haphazard.. I don’t like to follow a really strict routine.
Recently started getting more into skincare; SO important. The Murad cleanser is fantastic!! Worth every penny – transformed my skin.
I can definitely tell if I don’t use my skin care my skin really suffers for it and I suppose it is a lot of money but we only get one face 🙂 I daren’t add up my routine ha ha xx
Zoe ♥ MammafulZo
Looks like a fabulous routine. My skin really doesn’t like hyaluronic, in fact I’m starting to think my skin just doesn’t like anything vaguely fancy/ different or expensive?! When my skin starts to react I think hmmmm, is this because I’ve changed from my usual cough cough wipes or micellar or should I persevere as it’s just my skin reacting to the change?!
Everyone’s skin is different.. it’s so hard to be prescriptive about what you ‘should’ and ‘shouldn’t’ be doing because it’s always a different experience for each person.
I’ve had the Murad cleanser lurking in my drawer unopened for about a year – I was in two minds because of AHAs needing to stay on the skin for a longer amount of time. You have inspired me to dig it out and give it a go!
The Beauty Locker
Antonia Burrell Mask Supreme Is wonderful. Have you used any of there other products?
I completely agree – I think sometimes we are brainwashed into buying the whole cleanse, tone and moisturise system from one brand (same with hair products) but recently I have picked up a range of fabulous samples, either free with magazines or from buying other beauty products. The micellar water you recommended is now a staple in my cleansing routine. Following that I use a face oil, eye cream and moisturiser, all from different brands and my skin is glowing!
Through trial and error – I’ve discovered that my skin really likes niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and a good clay mask. Still looking for a good eye gel/serum/cream that doesn’t irritate my eyes. I’ve just stepped up to a Rx form of retinol. I’m intrigued by the increase in popularity of Korean beauty. I have found with my combination skin that a softening lotion or essence gives me enough moisture without increasing oiliness. Thanks for sharing what is currently working for you!