Skincare Shake Up November 16

I wrote this weeks ago and convinced myself I’d published it. I have Christmas madness, clearly. Anyway, here’s my belated Skincare Shake Up November 16! This month we have some products that have snuck into my all-time-favourites already, a few products that are good standard products but nothing to write home about, and one product that disappointed me. INTRIGUE. Let’s do this! Don’t forget to head to the comments to tell me the skincare you are relying on at the moment, you know how I love to be enabled…

This month has been a tricky one for my skin. The cold weather has descended in the UK so I’m dealing with chilly air outside and central heating inside (both of which my rosacea HATES). An article about my rosacea appeared on a few newspaper websites and – irony alert! – the fall out resulted in my worst rosacea flare up in about a year. You can read more about that HERE and HERE.

As always, I’ll start with my Skincare Shake Up November 16 evening routine.

Kicking everything off with The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil*. Are you bored of hearing about this oil yet? I promise I’m trying something new in December! I just really love this stuff. It’s quick, easy, doesn’t aggravate my sensitive skin and is a bargain for how long it is lasting me!

The Balance Me Restore and Replenish Cream Cleanser* has been my second cleanse of choice this month. It’s a fairly standard cleanser but my skin feels very calm after using it and looks plump and soft. What more could you want?

I received a sample of the Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser* and have been testing it very tentatively. It’s quite harsh on my rosacea: the first time I used it I had a minor flare up: it only lasted about 15 minutes and there was no redness or discomfort after that. Every time since  – I think I’ve probably used it 4 times in total – it’s made my face feel warm and a little sensitive so I probably won’t use it again. If you have very sensitive skin I would stay clear. The product does contain salicylic, lactic and glycolic acid (but in small amounts and I don’t think it will be on the face for long enough for them to do anything) but I think the main exfoliating action comes from the jojoba beads suspended in the thick gel-cream. If you have ‘normal’ skin that is receptive to manual exfoliation and are looking for something to polish and refine the skin, this would be great for you. Sadly, it’s going in my ‘friends and family’ box!

On the nights when I didn’t use the Murad exfoliator, I’ve continued to use the Avène Cleanance Expert Emulsion* on my chin and nose. I’ve spoken about this more HERE if you are interested in a gentle blackhead treatment.

What I say next is going to shock you. For the most part, I haven’t been using anything else on my skin at night. I’ll wait for you to pick yourself up off the floor… Yep, you read that right. I’ve been wondering for a while whether my skin was out of sync with itself due to using lots of products all the time and after visiting Dr Askari and having a natter with him, he suggested I try giving up my night time routine for a while. Disclaimer: the skin around my hairline, temples and eyebrows is affected by dermatitis so every few days I would use some of my trusted La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. But apart from that, nothing! My skin hasn’t fallen off, it doesn’t look dull or dry, in fact I think it’s less oily and temperamental than it was before which has shocked me. As we’re getting into colder weather I will probably introduce an oil or night cream back into my routine but I might go lighter with it now that I know my skin can cope without it! I’ll be honest, I’ve kind of missed my night time routine though, is that strange? I am not telling you to give up your routine, but perhaps think about taking a break to get to know your skin a bit better – especially if you’ve followed a set skin routine for a long time. Your skin may be very different now to when you first chose those products, I know that mine is!

When it comes to my Skincare Shake Up November 16 morning routine, here is the rundown:

First thing, I have been using either the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Micro-Exfoliant Lotion* or The Body Shop Seaweed Oil Balancing Toner. I’ve spoken about the former a lot (read my thoughts HERE) but the latter is a new edition. I have been using this on the mornings where my skin is feeling too sensitive for an exfoliating toner, and it’s lovely. Refreshing, calming and clears away any dirt and oil from overnight. There are Body Shop toners for every skin type, but this one is designed with oilier skin types in mind. It’s a little stingy around my sensitive eyes, but as I remove my eye make up before I go to bed, I don’t usually need to get it near my eyes.

Another non-mover (I feel like I’m presenting Top of the Pops!) is La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R Corrective UV SPF 30*, which also features in my ‘things you simply must buy from Escentual’s French pharmacy sale’ post HERE if you want a little more info on this bad boy. I’ve been using this version of the Redermic R gel for over a month and I’ve really noticed a difference in the fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes. It’s nothing dramatic (I don’t think I’ll pass for 18 again!) but has made a definite difference.

Next up is the Manuka Doctor Drops Of Crystal Cashmere Touch Serum*. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this but I’ve really enjoyed using it. My first impression was to be wary as it has a strong scent – it’s a bit floral with an alcohol-y undertone – and I was worried that it would upset my rosacea. But it was fine, no reaction whatsoever. It’s a very light gel formula that sinks in almost immediately and leaves my skin feeling firm and smooth, ready for…

…the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Sorbet. I bought this in France months ago and, at a recent Caudalie event, I mentioned to Cia that I hadn’t tried it yet and she basically made me promise there and then that I would! She has atypical skin too so I trusted her endorsement. And my goodness is this good! It’s a light, almost mousse-like texture and makes my skin feel wonderful. It’s great for those with dehydrated skin that is also sensitive.

I’ve been trying a new SPF and I’m very happy to say that it’s a new favourite. It’s the SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF 50*. It’s a very light fluid that’s tinted to give a tiny bit of coverage, which I love. Obviously I wouldn’t wear it without extra make up on top, but for those of you who love a tinted moisturiser and want additional SPF, this is the dream. It’s broad spectrum (which means it protects from UVA and UVB rays) and has 100% mineral filter (mineral protection tends to be better for sensitive skin than chemical because it sits on your skin, reflecting the sun’s rays, rather than being absorbed), no fragrance, no parabens, and is slightly mattifying which is ideal for me. You have to shake it before use, but be careful when you tip the bottle: it’s very fluid-y! Overall this is wonderful and I think it may have replaced La Roche-Posay as my top SPF recommendation. CONTROVERSIAL.

There is one product that didn’t make the cut this month and I’m so sad as I’ve heard such great things about it… the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, an antioxidant serum that targets signs of ageing including fine lines and pigmentation. I’d heard about Phloretin as the new amazing ingredient that people are raving about but unfortunately this product contains alcohol which I think is what really irritated my skin. My forehead started peeling after a few days but I persevered, hoping it was just my skin getting used to it. But after a week my forehead was sore and so dry. Within 2 days of stopping use, my forehead was much better. It is such a shame as I was excited to try it, but I’m just not the target market for this product. I always try to put a disclaimer in negative reviews that my skin is very picky and what doesn’t agree with me might be absolute perfection for you. This product is very pricey so I wanted to give my thoughts on it just in case someone with similar skin to me was thinking about treating themselves. Having said that, do let me know if you’ve tried this in the comments below. A blog review, by its very nature, is so personal and individual and I’m always keen to hear from those who have different skin types and experiences to me!

I hope you enjoyed my Skincare Shake Up November 16. What skincare have you been loving this month? Have you seen my new blog series: ‘5 Best…?’ I’m kicking it off with a budget skincare for sensitive skin mini series – check it out HERE.

Lex

*PR samples. Links may be affiliate. For more information please see the Disclaimer tab at the top of the page.

=PIN ME=