My skin condition pretty much changes with the seasons and therefore I like to update my skin care two to three times a year.
First things first: I got to take off my make up and all the dirt my face likes to collect throughout the day and for this step I like to take good old coconut oil. Unless you have been living under a rock, you must know by now how many benefits coconut oil has and it works great as a first step cleansing balm.
I like to rub it on my dry face and really massage it in, to get everything off that doesn't belong on my face, like oil (oil attracts oil), dirt, make up, primer, sunscreen and all that fun stuff. Then using a clean face cloth and running it under hot water, I take everything off.
After that I cleanse my face with the Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser. I like to use a better cleanser for the second round, because I don't just want to use it to get my make up off but to actually benefit my skin. And I simply take it off with water.
Then comes my favourite step involving acid toners.
This step is so crucial and really makes the biggest difference in my skincare routine. I like to switch between the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Salicylic Acid, the Paula's Choice CLEAR Anti- Redness Exfoliating Solution 2% Salicylic Acid and the Alpha H Liquid Gold.
I use the Liquid Gold only two to three times a week, because it is very strong and I use the other two exfoliaters the rest of the week.
Acid toners help with acne, blackheads, red scars, fine lines, they minimise the appearance of pores and they help your face absorb whatever product comes next better.
Sometimes, when I have a lot of extra time, I like to use an exfoliating mask on top of that, for example the Avene Cleanance Mask.
The next step is eye cream, I especially like the Hübner Augenbalsam plus, because it contains hyaluronic acid and last but not least I use the Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream for very dry skin.
- Julia xxx
¡Hola! What's up? Over the last few weeks I have been collecting garbage. Well...kinda. Basically products that I have used up and wanted to share with you.
Quick overview of all the products. Very exciting.
Lavera Handcreme (Organic with Almond- and Sheabutter) - This is the best handcreme I have ever tried. Therefore it is already my second tube. It is really nourishing but sinks in within seconds.
L'Oreal Elvital Total Repair Extreme Reconstructing Conditioner - This is a conditioner I just tried because it was on offer and I must say that I do like it. Compared to the Lush one I am currently using it is not my favourite, but it does the job and leaves your hair feeling really soft. But full of silicone probably.
Alverde Repair Shampoo Grape and Avocado - This smells vile, like some cough medicine I had to take when I was a child. And it also left my hair feeling coarse. In the end I just used it to wash my brushes with.
Lush Aqua Marina x2 - This is a face cleanser and apparently I must really like this because I had two of those in my Empties- Bag and I totally forgot about them. I would this cleanser is great for oilier and/ or acne prone skin. And it did make a noticeable difference in my skin. Smells a bit fishy though, but I was able to get past that because it's just a great product.
Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask - This is a face mask for acne prone skin with Garlic! What is it with me and bad smelling things?! This smell made me gag a bit, not gonna lie and it didn't work THAT well either. I am not gonna repurchase this one, for sure.
And another picture of the open Lush containers, just so you can see that I am not a liar.
Dr. Hauschka Face Mask - Really moisturising and soothing and it is natural, so you can't go wrong with this one. You can even apply it underneath your eyes and leave it on for as long as you want. Big thumbs up for this one.
Dr. Hauschka Ice Plant Body Lotion - This is just a life essential. Always. I have incredibly dry skin on my arms and this is the only thing that can soothe the dry-, itchy- and redness.
Luvos Face Moisturizer with Healing Earth - This is great for all skin types, except if you have really dry skin. Like really really dry skin. Otherwise this is perfect. Not to heavy, but still moisturizing enough and it helps keep blemishes at bay. Also perfect as a primer underneath make up if you have slightly drier skin. Unfortunately for me, since I am on Roaccutane at the moment, this is not enough for my skin, but I can see myself repurchase this after the 6 month course.
Dermalogica Precleanse - This was just a sample, but I thought I'd still mention it. To be honest I don't really get the concept of a "precleanser", doesn't double cleansing with your regular cleanser do the trick? I mean, it was nice and everything but I think it's just a money maker.
Lavera Cleaner for Dry Skin - It says "foam" on the bottle and that was what kept me away from it for the longest time. But my bought it and I tried it and fell in love. It is not drying at all and really light. I'm already on my second bottle.
Clinique Take the Day off Cleansing Balm - This was my very first cleansing balm ever, after I read about cleansing balms on Caroline Hirons blog. And once you use a cleansing balm, there is no going back. But really. Cleansing balms are the best. Especially this one from Clinique since it is so gentle and doesn't contain a bunch of unnecessary ingredients. BUT ever since I ran out of this, I use plain old coconut oil and it works just as well.
Lush Breath Of Fresh Air Toner - Didn't do anything for me. I initially bought it because I read so many good reviews about it. Since it contains tea tree oil and what not and it's supposed to help with breakouts. But the effect was just like I was spraying water on my face. And the spray- thingy squirted out way too much product and made your whole face wet (that's what she said- I don't know about you, but I am cringing over here haha).
MAC Eyebrow Pencil Fling - Nice colour. Way too much money for an eyebrow pencil and way too little product, though. I ran out of this after 3 weeks of using it. Not cool.
Manhattan Tasty Lips Peach - A shimmery, peachy browny lipgloss that isn't sticky and smells of peaches. Excuse me? Does it get better than this? I don't think so. Already repurchased.
I am going to "Back to Lush" the three empty containers and you're allowed to choose one face mask for it. Do you have any recommendations for their face masks? Thanks ;)
- Julia xxx
I have pretty bad skin but I have found a few products which work pretty well at keeping my acne at bay (as far as that is possible) and still moisturizing my dry skin.
I do have mild acne with blackheads, whiteheads and big spots (sorry for grossing you out here) but at the same time my skin is very dehydrated and I can get dry patches all over my face if I don't take care of it.
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| Cleansers |
I like to use my Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm, especially when I am wearing make up that day, because it feels really good on my dry skin and it removes every last trace of my make up. It even removes waterproof mascara within seconds.
I massage it into my dry face for 30 sec. to 1 minute and than add a little bit of warm water and take everything off with a muslin cloth.
After that I use the Avene Clean-Ac cleansing creme to really deep clean my skin. This is a soap-free cleanser that is super gentle and won't dry out your skin.
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| Exfoliators | |
For chemical exfoliators I usually use the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid which helps to get rid of my spots and fade my acne scars. So it does make spots disappear faster but it doesn't prevent them from coming at all. To change it up I like to use my Alpha H Liquid Gold once or twice every week, to help my scars disappear even faster and to brighten dull skin. As a spot treatment I am still using up a sample of the Avene TriAcneal gel, which is a thick yellow-y gel with glycolic acid. I put a thick layer of it on any of my big spots and though it doesn't get rid of them overnight, it really heps to reduce their size.
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| Masks | |
When I am not too lazy, I try to use a mask at least once a week. My two favourite masks are the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcol Mask and the Avene Cleanance Mask.
The Origins mask is a grey charcol mask, which really helps to draw out the dirt in your pores. I like to use it before I go to bed and I can see a clear improvement in the appearance of my skin the next day.
The Avene Cleanance mask is again with glycolic acid. You're only suppossed to leave it on for 5 minutes since it is so aggressive. It also helps to make my spots fade quicker and to brighten my skin.
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| Moisturizers |
Because my skin is so very dry, I have to use a thick moisturizer at night. I am currently really liking the Lush Celestial moisturizers, because it is super hydrating, it's natural and it doesn't break me out. I find it really hard to find a thick moisturizer that doesn't break me out, so the Lush one is perfect.
For my lips or any super dry and cracked skin, I use the Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment which works wonders! I am absolutely obsessed with this stuff. It is a great lip balm but it also helps to heal small cuts.
