My current skin care routine

Skincare routine As a beauty enthusiast, when it comes to skincare, I am constantly chopping and changing, and trying out new products. Rarely would I stick to one product for so long, because there will always be some new launches, which are too exciting to resist, beckoning me to try. But for the past 6 months, I found myself quite ‘committed’ to a routine with the same products, and haven’t been swayed much by anything else.

I think when it comes to skincare, you know you have found the right routine that works for you when you can see a noticeable and dramatic change to your skin (in a good way of course!), as simple as that. As someone with normal to dry skin, hydration is key when choosing skincare products for myself. Whatever it is that’s going to help boost and maintain my skin hydration, I will happily take on board.

I start my morning routine with a spritz of Liz Earle’s Instant Boost Skin Tonic all over my face. This contains all the refreshing and soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, calendula and chamomile, to really calm and perk up my skin, prepping it for other skincare products. Then I’ll follow with Antipodes’ Apostle Skin-Brightening Serum, which is a water-based serum that not only helps brighten up my complexion by reducing the effects of overproduction of melanin, but also helps to restore essential moisture while delivering anti-oxidant benefits.

As it is currently winter, which is the worst season for anyone with dry skin, I’ve really up my game when it comes to moisturiser. I usually swear by Lancer Intensive Night Treatment (which can be used both morning and night if you skin is very dry), but at the moment I’m currently loving Rodial’s Stem Cell Magic Gel, which is such a champion multitasking product. It acts as a hydrator and repairer and can be used in multitude of ways; from intensive moisturiser to a night mask or as a makeup primer. It also has anti-ageing benefits, helps boost epidermal regeneration, which means tighter and firmer skin with less wrinkles. I absolutely adore both the texture and scent of this moisturiser. Although it is an intensive moisturiser, it has a very lightweight texture with a pleasant cooling sensation that melts into the skin very quickly. The Stem Cell Magic Gel, as with all Rodial’s products, has a gorgeous, feel-good, spa scent, which makes you feel really refreshed and revitalised.

Then as a final step to my morning routine, I like to add a few drops of Rodial’s Stem Cell Super-Food Facial Oil and pad it all over my face. Sometimes, if I want to save time, I will just mix a few drops with the moisturiser, and they go perfectly great together. The Stem Cell Super-Food Facial Oil is a powerful cocktail of super-food actives and anti-oxidant ingredients, which targets dehydration to restore your skin’s natural glow. It also contains Rosehip Seed Oil, which promotes elasticity and firmness.

For my nighttime routine, after toning, I’ll go in with Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Nourishing Milk, a two-in-one product combining face oil with treatment serum. It is designed to be used alongside your moisturiser, and specifically catered for normal to extra dry skin, which is perfect for me. It gives your skin an extra boost of nourishing moisture for instant radiance, and work over time to rejuvenate the skin for a healthier complexion in the long run. As the name suggests, it has a white milky, runny consistency, and a lightweight texture to be expected from a hybrid of oil and serum. It absorbs into my skin in no time and has the most gorgeous calming scent that reminds me of Sisley skincare.

I use Rodial’s Stem Cell Magic Gel also as a night time moisturiser, but then add a few drops of Rodial Snake Booster Oil either after the moisturiser or mix in with the moisturiser. The Snake Booster Oil contains a special dipeptide ingredient that gives a mild freeze like effect to the skin to reduce expression lines as well as dramatically tighten and firm the skin in the long run. It also helps boost collagen production, which is always a plus in my book.

I swear this blog post isn’t sponsored by Rodial, but I’ve just been very impressed with their products of late. I’m also quite surprised that the brand has not been hyped about as much as its peers in the market. If I have to point to the products that have given me the most noticeable results, I would have to say all three of the Rodial‘s products combined, without a doubt.

Have you tried any of the products mentioned in this blog? What’s your current holy grail skincare product?

Wake up to a better skin: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate review

Kiehl Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I’ve recently added Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate to my skincare routine. Admittedly this is hardly a new product; it’s been around forever but for some reasons I had never got round to trying it out. But because my skin has been quite dehydrated this winter, I thought it was about time I give it a try.

What it is –> As written on the bottle, it is a replenishing elixir of pure essential oils and distilled botanicals that visibly restore the appearance of skin by morning.

Essential oils are very good for you being that they are 100% natural and are basically extracts from plants. Essential oils are natural ingredients that can easily get absorbed into your bloodstream and penetrate deeply into your skin, which makes it most effective and that’s why it works so well. Since this is definitely a natural product, it is a safe choice if you are concerned about chemicals or parabens as this contains none of those.

What it does –> “Visibly” rehydrate, plump, brighten and restore the look of healthy skin by the next morning. And I’m not even joking! You know how sometimes some products just get hyped up so much that you kind of think it’s all marketing ploy and you’re reluctant to try it. Well this was the case for me but now I’m literally kicking myself. My skin the next morning looks and feels amazing, like I’ve drunk a gallon of water and had about 10 hours sleep.

How to use it –> It’s an evening or overnight treatment, which can either be used on its own or mixed with a moisturiser. What I normally do is to use it on top of my moisturiser; so after my night cream I would rub 2-3 drops in my palms and gently pad all over my face and neck. I find this seems to lock in all the hydration overnight.

Who is it for –> Despite having an oil consistency, it is suitable for all skin type and is definitely designed to be used by everyone. Even though you might have super oily skin, you still need to keep your skin moisturised and hydrated to balance the production of oil, as your skin only produce excessive oil (which can then cause a breakout) when it is dehydrated. The more hydration you give to your skin, the less it’s going to produce the oil.

Unlike other facial oils, I find this feels least greasy on the skin. It’s very quick to absorb into your skin and does not leave that oily residue. In fact it leaves your skin feeling lovely and soft as soon as you put it on. I can’t recommend it enough!