Highly Requested: My Everyday Skincare Routine!

Hey guys!!!

So…. lots of you have been asking me about my skincare routine lately, and while I have listed the full routine in my new book, I figured there was no harm in sharing five of my favourites on here!

My favourite skincare products do change from time to time, that’s the case for any beauty blogger, but, like every girl, I do have a few products that I know I can absolutely rely on.

My routine is pretty standard, and I suppose being a beautician – the one thing I was always taught is; you have one skin, so you better look after it and so I do. I cannot stress how crucial it is to develop a good skincare routine. It’s never too late to make a difference to the appearance of your skin, and the right products can do just that.

So… lets get down to my routine…..

Every evening I cleanse, tone, use a good hydrating serum, moisturise and always ensure to use a good eye cream, after all this is the one area that ages the quickest. Every morning, I do the same as above but I ALWAYS make sure to include some SPF for the day ahead.

I am now about to talk you through the products for each step that I consider a God send, especially for a normal – dehydrated skin type.

Step 1: CLEANSING

I use the Declare Gentle Cleansing Milk

I am very selective about which cleanser I use because my skin is slightly on the dehydrated side so the last thing I want to do is use a cleanser that might dry it out even more. Instead, I always use a milk or a lotion, and at the moment, I am loving the Declaré Gentle Cleansing Milk. It’s also designed for sensitive skin, and at times, my skin can indeed be quite sensitive, especially around my cheeks.

Step 2. Tone

I use the Thalgo Pure Freshness Tonic Lotion 

I raved about Thalgo Pure Freshness Tonic Lotion before, and I’m going to rave about it again, because it is still a firm favourite of mine when it comes to toners. It really improves the appearance of my skin. It’s alcohol-free too which is a big plus. I don’t like using toners that contain alcohol, because alcohol just strips the skin of its natural oils, dries it out even more, and causes breakouts. It’s fine to use if you have oily skin, but not otherwise.

Step 3. A Hydrating Serum

I use the Kinvara Skincare Rosehip Face Serum

I know you guys have seen this one before. I feature it time and time again… but it totally deserves it. Kinvara Skincare’s Rosehip Face Serum is my desert island product! In fact, I would even go so far as to say that if I had to use just one skincare product for the rest of my life, then this is the one I would undoubtedly choose!

I always notice a big difference in my skin when I use it. My skin feels so fresh and dewy, and my makeup goes on so much better too. It’s like an intense care treatment and I couldnt be without it, which is why it is always in my handbag!

This serum gives my skin the care it needs, especially when I’m ultra busy, working late or flying.

If you are looking for a more available product, then I have another recommendation. 🙂 Lately, I have been using the Body Shop Vitamin E over night serum because my Kinavra is all gone and I have to say, I am pretty impressed!! I mix it in with my moisturiser and it gives my skin that really nice hydrated feeling.

Step 4. Moisturise

I use the Darphin Hydraskin Rich Moisturiser

I always slick on some moisturiser after I have applied the serum. That way, the serum becomes locked into the skin. I have a few moisturisers that I quite like, such as Elemis Collagen Cream for example, but my current favourite is the Darphin Hydraskin Rich Moisturiser.

Not a lot of people would be familiar with the Darphin brand because unfortunately it’s not very easy to get. In fact, I only first came across it after I went to Carton House Spa for a facial and the girls there told me about it. It works brilliantly and I have been a fan from the moment I used it.

Step 5: Eye Cream

I use the Thalgo Créme Silicium Regard Eye Cream

I love the Thalgo range, and their Creme Silicium Regard is one of the best when it comes to eye creams. The pharmacy ranges are fantastic, but when you are dealing with the delicate skin around the eye area, I think a top quality dermatology cream is the way to go. I turned 30 this year so an eye cream has become an essential part of my routine, even though I have been using one since the age of 24, but I now use it daily, religiously!

After all, who doesn’t want to keep those lines at bay for as long as possible? Trust me, you cannot go wrong by investing in a wonderful eye cream.

Elemis, Darphin, and Clarins are other brands I would recommend when it comes to moisturising eye creams.

Step 6. SPF

I use the Thalgo Oxygen 3 Defense Fluid SPF 15

SPF is as important to my daily skinmcare routine as cleanser and moisturiser. I particularly like the Thalgo brand of sunscreen because it has quite a thin consistency and doesn’t have that SPF smell. SPF is far too important to skimp on in terms of quality, which is why I like to stick to Thalgo. Their products are amazing.

An added extra that I HAVE to let you in on:

The Elemis SOS Emergency Cream

As if ‘that-time-of-the-month’ wasn’t annoying enough, there’s also those dreaded ‘time-of-the-month’ break outs to deal with as well! When that happens, I turn to Elemis SOS Emergency Cream. I have found it to be a real saviour on those days when my skin is acting up or just being generally problematic, esp around my chin.

The SOS cream really stood to me last year when I broke out in red rash. At the time, so many makeup artists had been doing my makeup for different events, and I think one of them had cleaned her brushes with spirits, because I remember detecting a slight smell of spirits one day. Not long afterwards, I developed a small red rash-like patch of skin on my face, which I couldn’t get rid of! I went to Elemis for a facial, and when I explained my problem, they recommended the SOS cream. Not long after using it, the patch completely disappeared. The SOS cream is not something I use everyday, but it becomes part of my skincare regime whenever I need to get rid of a breakout, etc. It is also a very popular cream amongst people suffering from psoriasis and eczema, which shows you for that reason alone, it really must be a good cream.

There you have it guys, five of my skincare favourites!

Let me know your wonder-products in the comment box below!

Sue xx