summer skincare update
I'm 36 this summer. It's crazy to think that when I was 29, I was using Simple purifying cleansing lotion on cotton wool pads to take off my makeup before bed, that was it. That was it! My whole skincare routine. Fast forward 7 years and I look after my skin SO much better.
Quite quickly after turning 30, I decided it was time I started taking proper care of my skin and I'm so glad I did. Not only has this journey into skincare improved the texture, oiliness, dryness and redness of my skin, it's been good for the whole of me. I would go so far as to say that it's improved my mental health and self care. Carving out this little bit of time to treat my skin to what it needs, both in the mornings and the evenings, really helps with my mindset. It helps me get into alignment at the start of my day and wind down for rest at the end of it. Since having my son Constantin in 2018, it's also kept me doing something just for me in the midst of juggling his needs, SMUG, my wider career and my values around the kind of wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend I want to be.
I thought I would share with you here the skincare products I'm using and loving at the moment. As I already mentioned, me and my skin are 36 years old this summer. My skin is combination dry and oily. It gets very tight if it isn't moisturised deeply enough. But I also get a super shiny nose and still have to cope with it being covered in black heads at this ripe old age! I thought that would be something I grew out of for sure. Maybe the extra oil keeps me looking young!? I have redness too, particularly on my right cheek. I get the occasional spot but not many these days. Although they do seem to leave a dark blemish for a long time which sucks. Hopefully those details will give you a little context around what type of skin I have and that these products will work really well for. Of course I'm not an expert but wanted to share with you my experience of what's been good for my skin. Do let me know in the comments or through Instagram if you use any of the same products, have any recommendations for me to try, or would like to ask any questions. I hope you find the below interesting/helpful/inspiring/educational (delete as appropriate) when it comes to making time for yourself and taking care of the skin you're in.
Since properly cleansing, using a hydrating serum, introducing a glycolic acid into my routine and finishing up with a rich moisturiser and eye cream, my skin has hugely improved! In my 20s I didn't really go out without make up on. In my 30s I do all the time. Here are the skincare products that I come back to time and time again and will be using all summer long.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O - I use this Bioderma cleaner to remove my make up if I have any on, so this is isn't a product I'd use in the mornings but is the very first step in my evening skincare routine. I have a highlight on Instagram called SKINCARE of my whole night time routine process if you fancy a look.
Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover - I very rarely use water proof mascara (weddings and funerals only) but if I do then this is the best best best product to get it off!
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel - I use this fabulous oil/gel cleanser every morning and evening to wash my face. I take one pump and massage it into my skin (it feels so luxurious!) and then I remove it with a damp face cloth. I rinse the cloth and go in again so my skin is super clean. In the mornings and on days I'm not wearing makeup, this is the first step in my skincare routine.
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic - Usually in the mornings but sometimes in the evening too if my skin is feeling a bit clogged up, I take a cotton wool pad and push down a couple of times on the pump of this bad boy (great packaging which makes this super easy) and sweep it over my face. It does what it says on tin so to speak and creates a 'glow' by lifting away a layer of dead skin cells. It's v gentle though so works for my sensitive skin.
Glossier Moisturising Moon Mask - I try to do a face mask every couple of weeks or once a month. The real skincare pros would do once a week or more but I'm not quite there yet! This mask from Glossier is a firm fave of mine. Defo leaves the skin feeling super clean and gunk free but is also moistening and evens out your skin tone. You may have noticed that these are the two things (a moisture boost and more even skin tone/glow) I'm after in pretty much all my skincare products. I also love the Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Mask which is more detoxifying.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum - Drunk Elephant is a newer brand for me and I'm in love. I was waiting with excitement for it to land at Space NK last year, as before that, you couldn't get hold of it in the UK. The B-Hydra Serum does exactly what you'd expect and it has been a game changer for me in keeping my skin better moisturised.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum - Speaking of game changing! The combo of these two serums seems to have been the key recently to my better moisturised skin with a more even skin tone. I use this one at night only as you'd expect from the name of it. It's probably the most 'active' of all of the products I use but it's still gentle on my sensitive skin and I've seen great results with it.
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream - I like this eye cream. I should mention too that the Drunk Elephant twist and pump packaging rocks. I also like the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. These are my two faves and I've tried quite a lot of eye creams. I do find eye creams a bit tricky though as it's hard to know if they're making an impact. It's more of a product I feel I should use to avoid ageing rather than one I use that instantly makes me feel like it's doing something. There's a bit of trust involved I guess. An investment I think is worth it for my older eyes!
Herbivore Moon Fruit Night Treatment - This guy is new to me. I only picked it up this week. I've been feeling that I wanted something to use at the end of my evening routine that is moisturising enough that I don't need a traditional moisturiser on top but that is more 'active' than a night cream. I've used it three nights in a row and am loving it so far. It was the inspiration around doing the skincare routine video on stories (again, now saved as a SKINCARE highlight if you want to see it in action). I'll keep you updated as to the results once I've used it a little longer but so far, so very good.
Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich - Moisturisers are so up my street. They totally do feel like they make an instant impact and for me, most of the moisturisers out there not pack enough of a moisturising punch. This Glossier bad boy is defs rich enough and leaves my skin feeling deeply moisturised. Also in that category and equally good in my view, is the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream. If anything I might like it slightly more. My all time moisturiser fave though is Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream but it's pretty pricey so it's more of a Christmas present treat from my mum type thing.
Pixi Rose Oil Blend- One way of boosting your existing moisturiser is to add an oil to it. This Pixi one is something I always have in my stash in case I want even more moisture umph. I'll either add a drop or two to my moisturiser once on my hand and rub the two together, or I sometimes use it as a night treatment alone by popping a few drops all over my face and neck after I've applied my moisturiser. I tend to wake in the morning all dewy and super moisturised which is rather nice.
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily Defence- In the summer months I finish my morning skincare routine with an spf and this is my fave. It's super important to keep your skin protected from the sun. You only get one skin, take care of it etc etc. This spf is light, moisturising and soaks in quick. Done and done.
Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning for Face and Décolleté- Keeping my face properly protected from the sun usually means it stays a little lighter than the rest of my body and it's sometimes nice to bring a little warmth to it the safe way and catch up with the colour of the rest of my skin. I use this as the last step at night if I want to give my face a warm glow by morning. It's important to wash your hands well afterwards but I've had no probs at all with darker tan close to my hairline or any unevenness. This product is super gradual and just gently warms things up for me so it's easy to use and gives that nice even skin tone look I've been banging on about.
