Skincare Shake Up February 17

This month has been a tricky one for my skin. It got *really* cold in London and every time I leave the house my rosacea instantly kicks off! Add this to the fact that I think the person living below me is running a sauna from their living room (it’s the only possible explanation for the heat emanating through our floorboards…) my skin doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going. Old favourites and new discoveries galore: are you ready for Skincare Shake Up February 17?

As I mentioned above, my skin has not been happy this month. The dry patches around my brows and forehead have emerged with a vengeance, my cheeks and nose have been more red than usual and I’ve had a few spots around my mouth which is very unusual for me. So I’ve stuck with some tried and tested products as well as introducing some bits that I thought would help to target my unhappy skin. Let’s jump straight in to my Skincare Shake Up February 17!

My evening routine looked like this:

I am a huge fan of La Roche Posay and their Rosaliac range, but I had my doubts about the La Roche Posay Rosaliac Micellar Make-Up Remover*. I typically use a cleansing oil to remove my make up as it makes such light work of dissolving make up. I was pleasantly surprised at how well this light gel removed whatever was on my face without aggravating my skin or sensitive eyes.

For my second cleanse, I’ve been using The Body Shop Aloe Calming Cream Cleanser. It’s a milky cleanser that leaves my skin feeling soothed and soft. The bottle design is a little annoying, as the suction makes it hard to dispense the product. I would have preferred it in a pump bottle… but I’m very picky!

I’m still really loving the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid. My skin looks smooth, the rough patches are diminished and the uneven bumps around my eyebrows are definitely much better. My only issue is that I have to use quite a lot to soak the cotton pad – it seems to be absorbed into the pad very quickly and drag on the skin otherwise. I need to use more of this than of the Alpha H Liquid Gold – I’m not sure if this is just me though. Let me know if you’ve experienced this!

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 – this is another repeat product and one I’m still loving. It’s light, non-sticky and has given my skin such a boost in this horrible cold weather.

I bought the Ducray Kelual DS Cream in Paris last year when I was sprinting round City Pharma like a loon (you can see my full French beauty haul from that trip HERE). This appealed to me as it’s designed to help with the redness, tightness and scales associated with dermatitis. It’s an emollient-type cream, similar to the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 which I love. The latter is much easier to get hold of in the UK so I’d recommend that one if you’re torn between the two.

I usually introduce a facial oil into my skincare routine in colder months and The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil* is really lovely. It contains three different oils: rosehip (a brilliant oil for those with rosacea or sensitive skin), black cumin seed oil (for itchy or aggravated skin) and camellia seed oil (used for moisturising skin and hair and made famous by geishas). This is a really light oil that sinks in quickly, doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, and smells flipping divine.

My morning routine went a little something like this:

I stuck with the La Roche Posay Effaclar Astringent Micro Exfoliant Lotion *- if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! If you’d like to read more about why I love this exfoliating toner, take a look at my previous Skincare Shake Up posts HERE.

Another Deciem product to add to my love list: Hylamide Hydra-Density Mist* is a wonderful light facial spray designed to add hydration to your skin routine. It is so easy to apply, with a fine mist and a formula that is easily absorbed. It is also great for sensitive skin and skin that’s prone to redness, leaving it calm and soothed.

I was so excited to see an essence on the high street, as they are taking their sweet time to go mainstream in the UK. Essences are a very lightweight fluid, designed to be a step between cleansing and serum/moisturiser. The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence* is really light and didn’t provoke a flare up of my rosacea, but it did sting when I applied it. Denatured alcohol is the second ingredient listed so I think it’s just a little too harsh for my sensitive skin, but for those with dry skin or less sensitive skin I think this would be a great way to keep skin moisturised while also getting the benefits of SPF 50.

Last month I reviewed the Beauty Vinegar from the same range (such a scary name but a really lovely product, you can read my review here) and this month I was trying the Roger & Gallet Le Soin Aura Mirabilis Double Extract*. This is halfway between an oil and a serum and it feels so luxurious and pampering on the skin. I was worried at first that this would be too greasy to use before make up, but it absorbs really quickly and leaves the skin looking really glowy and healthy. The little coil inside is a really clever dispenser that only tips out exactly the right amount of product you need for your face and neck.

It’s been another mixed bag for my Skincare Shake Up February 17. I’ve been totally converted to the Hylamide Hydra-Density Mist, the La Roche Posay Rosaliac Micellar Make-Up Remover, and the Roger & Gallet serum (they are going straight in the permanent collection cabinet!) Some of the other products will be passed to grateful friends who have drier or less sensitive skin than me. As I have always said, my readers and I may disagree on our favourite products but hopefully you find these Skincare Shake Up posts helpful. I’d love to hear what products your skin is loving at the moment, so don’t forget to leave a comment below. I read every one and really appreciate them!

Lex

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