Skincare Shake Up January 17

It’s the beginning of February (stop it) so it’s time for my Skincare Shake Up January 17 edition! I have a very mixed bag this month with some winners and some products that just didn’t work for me. Strap in and prepare yourself for a lot of skincare…

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

In case you’re new round here the concept of Skincare Shake Up January 17 is very simple: I go through my skincare routines (both morning and evening) and talk you through all of the products I’ve been using in the past month. Some were new in my cupboard for January, some are old favourites. I have very sensitive and awkward skin (I have rosacea, an oily t-zone, and dermatitis around my brows, temples and forehead) so my skincare needs to suit those specific needs. My word is not gospel, I am not a trained facialist, but I have been testing skincare on my picky skin for over 11 years!

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

Let’s start with my evening routine:

Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil* – I finally used a cleansing oil that isn’t the Body Shop one! Are you proud of me? You should be. Back in the day I used to use a lot of Simple products as I found it was the only thing my skin could tolerate, but I haven’t used them in a long time. I was so impressed with this product, especially considering the low price. It’s a small bottle but you don’t need much to remove all make up, including waterproof mascara. If you want to try cleansing oil but don’t want to spend lots of money on something you might not like, then this would make a really good gateway cleansing oil.

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

Flint + Flint Everyday Wash* – The Flint + Flint packaging is so cool: all dark grey bottles with bright, eye-catching colours on the crosses. It’s definitely something you’d want to have out in your bathroom. However, this cleanser smells so strongly of soap that I was instantly put off. You know the solid soap smell that lingers? That. I assumed it would be very drying and would leave my skin feeling tight (due to the scent and also the fact that it foams slightly) but it was actually fine: my skin felt soft, clean and comfortable after using it. It contains Salicylic acid which is great for acne prone skin or people that suffer with redness and inflammation on the face. This contains 2% Salicylic acid but I’m not sure that will do too much as a cleanser isn’t on your face for very long. However if you want to try Salicylic acid, it’s recommended that you start with a cleanser and then build up to a product like the Paula’s Choice one below that will give you more of the benefits of the exfoliation. The smell and the price of this would probably put me off buying it, but if you have spot-prone skin and are wanting an introduction to Salicylic, then you may find it better suited to you!

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid – As mentioned above, this is a leave-on treatment that uses Salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the skin while you sleep. My lovely friend Beccy recommended that I try this as my Liquid Gold just wasn’t cutting it anymore and I was getting very self conscious about the rough, bumpy skin around my brows. I noticed a difference the morning after using it for the first time – it’s not a miracle product, the bumps are still there but they are less dry and definitely less obvious. I’ve been using this twice a week but may ramp that up to 3/4 times. You apply it to a cotton pad and wipe it over your skin. It didn’t sting at all and my rosacea was absolutely fine with it. I got the sample size from the website for £8. Why don’t more sites do small bottles so that people with sensitive skin don’t waste their money on huge bottles that might not work for them? I will keep you updated with my thoughts on this as these kind of products tend to work better over time.

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

Roger & Gallet Le Soin Aura Mirabilis Beauty Vinegar* – And the award for scariest sounding product this month goes toooooo… BEAUTY VINEGAR. That just sounds like it’s going to burn your skin and smell horrid doesn’t it? Neither of those assumptions were correct. I only knew of Roger & Gallet for their hand cream and perfumes so a skincare range was intriguing to me. These types of products originated in the 18th century and use both fruit vinegars and officinal plants to clean, smooth and dissolve dead skin cells. It’s like a more gentle version of the La Roche Posay exfoliating toner above. I have been using this on and off for the past few months (which is why there’s a third of the bottle missing!) but January was the first month that I used it consistently – on every night that I wasn’t using the Paula’s Choice exfoliating liquid. It doesn’t sting at all and it smells so herbal-y, fresh, and spa-like. Lovely!

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 – If you’ve read my last Skincare Shake Up then you can’t be surprised that this product features again this month. I am still in love with this serum and still utterly amazed that it’s so affordable.

B.Radiant Overnight Mask* – Last month I tried a sleeping mask from The Body Shop and wasn’t a huge fan as I felt something was missing from it. And that’s how I feel about this overnight mask from B. so now I’m wondering if they’re just not for me? They are meant to be a more intense moisturiser that gives your skin a boost but I found that my skin needed something on top of it, otherwise I’d wake up with my skin feeling a little tight. It didn’t actually make my skin dry or red or sensitive, in fact it felt very soothing on the skin. Similar to The Body Shop product, it’s a wobbly, jelly-like product that reforms after you’ve scooped out the blob you need. It sounds odd but it’s so fun (maybe I need a hobby…) Do let me know if you have tried any sleeping masks that really worked for you – I’m looking at you oily-t-zone-but-dry-patches people!

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

Weleda Skin Food* – This was the product that absolutely blitzed my dry patches this month, when the overnight mask fell short. I’m going to do a whole blog post on it, but for now: this is amazing if you have any skin issue anywhere on your body, but be careful if you have oily/acne prone skin as it may clog your pores. I’ll link the blog post here when it’s live, it definitely deserves one!

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

And here’s my morning routine:

La Roche Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion* – I still love this exfoliating toner for refreshing my skin in the morning and keeping my skin clear. I’ve raved about it a lot so feel free to have a read back through my Skincare Shake Up posts if you would like some more information.

Omorovicza Omoressence* – Another repeat product: last month I raved about this essence and I am still in love with it. The smell helps to perk me up in the morning and that added pampering step in my skincare routine makes me feel so luxurious. Love love love!

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

Hylamide Booster Sensitive Fix* – I mentioned in my last Skincare Shake Up that I would continue to use this: I was really impressed with the effect it had on the sensitivity on my cheeks, but didn’t notice much of a reduction in my redness. I haven’t noticed any change in my redness this month, although the effect on my sensitivity is wonderful. To be fair to Hylamide, they don’t say that this would work on rosacea so if you just have facial redness that isn’t linked to a skin condition then maybe this would be a better fit for you.

Flint + Flint Serum* – Another product from Flint + Flint that has a very strong scent. This one reminds me of men’s aftershave which also made me wary to use it as things with that scent usually tingle on the skin. Again, the smell did not translate to any kind of reaction or irritation but I’m just not a fan of skincare with overpowering scents (it has added fragrance so it’s not a natural smell). The serum itself was a thick gel that did its job very well – e.g. it added moisturiser and smoothed the skin – but I didn’t notice the listed Vitamin C benefits and therefore, it’s quite pricey for results I can get from other serums for less than half the price.

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

Superdrug Optimum Birch Water Day Cream* – I’ve not had very much luck with products this month… this is another product that was *okay* but not great. It’s a simple and inoffensive cream moisturiser that comes in a pump, doesn’t aggravate my rosacea, and leaves my skin feeling fairly moisturised. But it’s just missing that extra oomph that I need at the moment. I might keep this moisturiser and come back to it in the warmer months, as it may just be better for when I need a less intensive moisturiser.

SkinCeuticals Sheer Mineral UV Defense* – This sunscreen has been featured before and is just flipping wonderful and I still love it so much. It’s light, it’s tinted, and it doesn’t make my skin feel tight or masked. It’s pricey but so worth it.

Skincare for sensitive skin and rosacea - Skincare Shake Up January 17

And that’s my Skincare Shake Up January 17 edition! I think this is the first one in a while where there were quite a few products that didn’t make the cut. There’s nothing here that provoked a rosacea flare up or that had a detrimental effect on my skin, but they just weren’t good enough to knock some of the favourites off their pedestal.

What skincare have you discovered this month? Does any of the above appeal to you? Have you tried and loved anything that I didn’t get on with? I’d love to chat about it, leave me a comment below!

Lex

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12 Comments

  1. Kirsty
    7th February 2017 / 1:53 pm

    Hi lex
    I’ve been using forever living aloe propolis creme
    Absolutely amazed by its results.

    • Lex
      Author
      16th February 2017 / 4:16 pm

      Thank you for the recommendation, I will have a look! 🙂

  2. Kathleen
    7th February 2017 / 4:35 pm

    Hi Lex. Thanks for the info. I’ve just started using Tatcha products. I bought their “ritual for sensitive skin”. The packaging is beautiful (even the box it comes in). Purple just happens to be my fav color. So far, I feel pampered by the products. No flare to my rosacea. Can’t speak to ant benefits other than how it makes me feel to use it. It certainly doesn’t feel lacking. Scents are minimal and natural as are the ingredients. It ranks very low on the EWG scale. I’m loving it so far. BTW, thank you for the Sword &Scale and Beauty Brains podcast recommendations. I’m addicted. I find it oddly relaxing to listen to them which is a bonus. Cheers

    • Lex
      Author
      16th February 2017 / 4:15 pm

      Ooh I’ve not heard of that, I will have to investigate! I’m so glad you are enjoying the podcasts – they are both so interesting, for very different reasons! 🙂

  3. Jeannine
    7th February 2017 / 5:58 pm

    Hi lex I have been following you for a few months now since seeing your blog. I suffer with rosecea too along with dry sensitive skin. Recently my dermatologist gave me a new antibiotic along with a cream called Soolantra. It is the only thing that has really made a difference, a big difference. I actually feel comfortable in my own skin without make up again! All of my make up is bare minerals, and I think the bare minerals oil obsessed total cleansing oil has been amazing. A little pricey but so worth it. The difference in my skin is huge and I have not had any papules or postules since using these. I hope you find your solution soon.

    • Lex
      Author
      16th February 2017 / 4:13 pm

      I’ve heard about Soolantra from a few people and need to mention it to my GP – it only seems to be US readers who mention it so I’m not sure if we have it here… I have some Bare Minerals make up that I’m trying at the moment and am impressed so far. I will have to try the cleansing oil as well! Thank you 🙂

      • Sam mcquillan
        20th February 2017 / 5:50 pm

        Soolantra is available in uk. I use it. I have servere rosacea for over 10 years. Its devastating and debilatating when i have bad flairs. I have fans in every room and have to sleep on icepacks. Ive tried everything going over the years. It hugely impacted my life.

  4. Harriet
    9th February 2017 / 11:36 am

    I love the Simple Cleansing Oil, it’s so effective at removing make up, but it gave me really bad spots 🙁

    Harriet | Shake This Town

    • Lex
      Author
      16th February 2017 / 4:12 pm

      Oh no that’s such a shame. Do you have any recommendations for other cleansing oils that you like?

  5. Kathleen
    23rd February 2017 / 7:39 pm

    I’ve been using Elta MD cleanser for my Rosacea, but it’s drying. Neocutis redness control and bio-cream have done wonders for my skin after last ditch laser therapy. I’m now trying Sanitas cleaner…so far so good. Less drying for my combo skin. Sorry to say Soolantra just made thing worse, as did all products from the dermatologist. Was wondering what foundation products you use? The coverage is amazing! So glad I found your blog.

  6. 28th March 2017 / 1:55 pm

    Hi Lex,
    I’ve been wanting to buy the SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF 50 because I’ve read a lot of good reviews about it, then I stumbled upon your blog. I’m ordering the product online, today haha. Thanks for sharing!

  7. 3rd September 2017 / 7:18 am

    Hi Lex,

    I am fond of using face mask so I want to try B. Radiant overnight mask. It really pampers me when using face mask. I am currently using Innisfree face mask, but wanted to try B. Radiant. I hope this face mask gives me a better result just like Innisfree products always has. Thanks!

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