(From left to right: Sanctuary Deep Cleansing Facial Matte Perfecting Hydra Lotion, Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask, Sanctuary Fresh-Faced Purifying Wash, Avene Cleanance Toner Lotion, Loreal Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Purifying Micellar Solution, Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Spot Treatment Gel, Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It Facial Scrub.)
Throughout most of my teens I suffered from pretty horrendous skin, which went from dry to oily, flaky to spotty and everything in between. When I reached my twenties I assumed that I would be leaving all of that behind me, swapping the Freederm and Clearasil for a much more refined bathroom stash. Although the pesky spots never left me, I decided to invest a little more money in products which would work together, whilst developing a religious morning and night cleansing regime. I'm not going to lie, there are nights when I roll into bed, as drunk as a skunk and wake up to discover that I've slept in my clothes AND my makeup! Complete nightmare! However, in terms of a three-step routine, and a weekly mask and facial scrub, I can safely say, i've got it covered. These are the current products which are aiding me in my facial revolution...
Makeup removal: I know makeup removal is the most tedious task known to man (or woman in this case), and i've found that baby wipes never seem to get rid of everything. When I discovered that bloggers all over the blogosphere were using the Bioderma micellar water, I knew I had to get my grubby mitts on the stuff! Although the bottle lasts aaaages, at £10 a bottle it was something I didn't want to buy too often, but during a trip to Boots I came across a Loreal version for just £4.99!! By just pouring a little onto a cotton pad, I found that this stuff seemed to melt away every trace of stubborn mascara, ready for a thorough cleanse of the skin!
Cleanse: The Boots 3 for 2 offers are my saviour when it comes to braving a new product or brand. During a recent trip, I took the plunge and bought three products I had never used before. The Sanctuary Fresh-Faced Purifying Wash attracted me with its seductive blue tube. This stuff lathers up to a lovely foam, and I find that a little goes a long way. I usually massage it into wet skin for a good minute or so before washing it off with cold water to close up those pores.
Tone: I have seen the Avene products on a number of blogs and have always been intrigued at their effectiveness. This one is specifically for oily or blemish-prone skin, and I would say that anyone with a dryer skin should avoid this toner as it's quite drying on the skin, but certainly helps to refine those pores!
Moisturise: I'm currently having a love/hate relationship with this Sanctuary moisturiser as it has a very strong fragrance which I can only describe as smelling like tequila! The mattifying effect of this light lotion has however, won me over, and I think I can look past the fact that I probably smell like i've rolled out of a Mexican bar.
Mask: I have been pining over the Origins clay mask for an absolute AGE, but in all honesty I can't forget the wonders of the Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask.
I've had this product for quite some time now, but in an attempt at tidying my room, I found this gem and had to apply it straight away. With ingredients such as manuka honey, geranium and green clay, this is certainly a very natural product. Although there is no denying that it smells as natural as it is, I really notice a difference in my skin the morning after I have used this product. I have always been a fan of anything Liz Earle, and this product is a little wonder!
Scrub: The Soap and Glory
Scrub Your Nose In It Facial Scrub is the most cost-effective product on my list, as it doubles up as a mask on those days when your skin needs an extra helping-hand! Soap and Glory are front-runners in all things beauty, so I don't really need to win anyone over with this one now do I?
Zap that spot: Lastly,
the Clinque
Anti-Blemish Solutions Spot Treatment Gel
is a little bottle which probably gets the most use, as
I always manage to find a pesky pimple that needs zapping! I usually dab a bit of this onto the spot just before going to bed, and I can honestly say that it does the job to ease redness and reduce the size.
So there we have it! Hope this may have helped anyone in their early twenties who still suffers from irritating blemishes. What do you use?
Love, Melissa xox
