Updated Skincare Routine
My favourite thing to do in the morning is gather a handful of products and create a fresh, healthy makeup look to see me through the day, but at the end of the day, my favourite thing to do is take off my makeup, removing all products and nasties that have got into my skin throughout the day from walking around the city. Despite being Spring, it's still too early to rotate my routine and ditch the thick creams, the weather is still blisteringly cold and windy which means I'm still giving my skin all the hydration it needs to maintain a normal state. I've had the same routine for about three weeks to a month now and at the time, fully updated my routine after visiting Kiehl's for a skin consultation and adding a number of new Kiehl's products into my morning and evening skincare regime!
Cleanser
Despite many of us believing that serums and moisturisers are the most important part of the routine in terms of helping improve your skin, cleanser is actually the most important step in our routines. In the morning, it's really down to personal preference, some like to splash their face with cold water or a toner whereas others, like me, prefer to go in with a light cleanse to prep the skin for the day. In the evenings, using a cleanser is a vital step in removing your makeup and I've been using the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel (both morning and evening) for it's gel to oil formula that spreads across the face, breaking down makeup to reveal smooth, clean and radiant complexion. Made with Pumpkin Enzyme, this unique cleanser unclogs pores and dissolves impurities whilst Vitamins B2, C and Omega all aid in brightening and protecting the skin, firming and detoxifying. I've also started using the Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser* which is perfect for when my skin is feeling ultra sensitive or has a few blemishes as it's oozing with Omega's 6 & 9 and Vitamin E which replenish my skins barrier and gently clean the skin.
Toner
Toning is the next important step in your routine before you go in with the products that re-hydrate and treat. At the end of a day, when our skins had makeup sat on it for hours and we've removed everything with cleaner, our skins pH levels aren't normal and a toner is what will bring our skins pH levels back to normal, allowing our skins barrier to block out any external harmful which may be harmful. Using a toner that in non alcoholic is very important to me as I like to keep my skin hydrated and comfortable which is why I've been using the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner as it helps to refine and prepare the skin for my moisturisers going on top.
Eye Cream
Using an eye creams, serums and eye masks have become really important to my routine as I have naturally dehydrated eyes, before using an eye cream my concealer used to crease and look cakey under my eye, this was what pushed me to start using one and I've never looked back since. The skin around our eyes is extremely delicate which is why it becomes dry, puffy and dark circles begin to appear. With a lot of this down to lack of sleep and water, it's also a good idea to use an eye cream to re-hydrate and refresh the area. I've been using the Malin and Goetz Rice Bran Eye Cream for about 9 months now and that's what transformed my eye area into being smoother and brighter but I've started using the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye which is a creamy formula for the surrounding eye area to provide brighter, de puffed eyes by morning and for the past two weeks I've been using it, I've seen noticeable results. For a morning treat, if my eyes are feeling tired or looking as though they need a pick me up, I'll apply my Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks* which reduce the appearance of fine lines and use hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
Oils
Before using my oils in my skincare routine, my skin was dull, lacklustre and lacked hydration. Face oils are incredible for restoring skin cells, brightening the complexion, evening skin tone and re-hydrating. I've been using oils in both my morning and evening routine, both from Kiehl's and both fabulous. In the morning, post tone I'll add 3-4 drops of the Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate which is a lightweight oil that helps provide radiant looking skin all day long. Being a dry oil, this works beautifully under makeup and ensures it stays in place and doesn't slip around the face throughout the day. Ginger root, Sunflower and Tamanu helps keep the skin looking youthful and refreshed for energised skin that has all day protection. As an overnight oil, the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a beautiful option with it's naturally derived oils ingredients that help replenish the skin overnight for a brighter looking face in the morning. I apply 2-3 drops of this as it's a much more fluid consistency and spreads well across the face and neck and like to massage it into the skin to help plump.
Serum
For maximum results, it's important to lock in the oils with a serum and for me, with de-hydrated skin I need an intense serum that provides some serious hydration. I've been using the Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturising Serum Concentrate* for nearly over a month now and I've fallen in love with everything from the cooling feel it gives upon application to the amazingly soft skin it leaves me with. The main ingredient is plant based Glycerin which is known for being a moisture magnet, acting as the perfect ingredient to improve skins appearance and plumpness. I apply 1 full pump of this into the palm of my hand which provides a full layer of moisture onto my face and neck, smoothing easily over the oil.
Moisturiser
The last step of moisture in my routine, is of course, moisturiser, the final layer of product I add onto my skin both morning and night, over my oils and serum. The Kielh's Ultra Facial Balm* is a rich, creamy, luxurious and extremely moisturising balm that provides a blanket of hydration to your skin providing the perfect base for makeup. Formulated with Edelweiss Flower Extract and Antarticine, it melts onto the skin providing layers and layers of moisture for smooth, radiant skin.
Masks & Exfoliators
Depending on how my skin is behaving and feeling, I'll use a mask two to three times a week, rotating between something hydrating, something brightening and something replenishing. The new Kiehl's masks are definitely two of my skincare picks of the month, the Cliantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defence Masque is such an effective mask that you leave on over night to defend against impurities, replenish and renew whereas the Tumeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque is amazing for a morning pamper. Working as an "instant facial" in a masque to instantly make the skin oozing with radiance and transform the look of a fatigued complexion. Whilst working as a brightening mask, the cranberry seeds work as a gentle exfoliant for a smoother complexion. Using an exfoliator is another favourite part of my routine as it's the one product that really transforms your skin within an instant. Exfoliators are perfect cleaning the skin by buffing away at the dead skin cells but also great for refreshing and illumination. The Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening Exfoliator is paraben and fragrance free meaning it works well on all skin types even those prone to breakouts or sensitive skin types.
What products are in your current skincare routine? Let me know in the comments below!