We’re halfway through the year and I’m not entirely sure how that’s happened. But a new month means a new Skincare Shake Up – here is my full skincare routine for June, including some new goodies that I think you need to know about along with some favourites you may have heard of already.
If you have any questions about this month’s Skincare Shake Up (application tips, terminology queries, other recommendations etc.) don’t hold back! The comment section is all yours and I flipping love chatting about skincare.
Evening routine:
Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil – I’ve spoken about this in a few Skincare Shake Up posts already but I absolutely love it. If you’ve never used a cleansing oil to remove your make up, I really recommend it – especially if you have sensitive skin. It dissolves make up incredibly quickly, doesn’t sting my eyes, doesn’t leave a grubby layer on the skin, and doesn’t irritate my rosacea.
I’ve been using the new Sönd Gentle Daily Cleanser* as my second cleanse (double cleansing is especially important in the summer as you use more SPF and your skin is probably grubbier with the sweat and oil produced in the warmer weather). It contains camomile and marigold to soothe and calm, plus shea and cocoa butter to remove oil, dirt, and make up without leaving the skin dry or tight. Sönd offer a 30 day return policy which is great for us sensitive skinned folk who are scared to splash out on new products just in case our skin hates them! I’ve tried out some other products from the range which you can read about in some other Skincare Shake Up posts HERE.
The glō-therapeutics Renew Serum* contains 1% Retinol, 7% Glycolic Acid and 1% Salicylic Acid. It’s great for those looking to focus on signs of ageing, as well as those with acne-prone skin. It also targets uneven texture and pigmentation, PLUS is good for oily skin types as it helps to regulate sebum production – something I’m always looking for. Sensitive skin often reacts better to chemical exfoliators like these, rather than traditional physical exfoliators (scrubs) so don’t be scared by the word ‘acid’! I have been using this twice a week and haven’t had any kind of irritation or redness from it, but have already noticed an improvement in the texture of my skin and the reduction in congestion.
I went to a dinner with Bio-Extracts* last month and was so excited about the unusual format of the products. You pick your moisturiser (I’ve been using the Light option for oily skin types, but there is a Normal and Rich version for dry skin types), which comes in an airless jar which means no sticking your fingers in a pot – hooray! You then pick the boosters – shaped like syringes – that target your skin’s concerns. You can then combine them to make your own tailored skincare! Clever huh? I chose Redness-Relief (helps to soothe skin, calm redness and strengthen the skin’s barrier), Anti-Oxidant (for those worried about signs of ageing and pigmentation), Hydro-Boost (which I’ve been using at night, containing hyaluronic acid, great for dry or dehydrated skin), and Clean To Clear (the other booster I’ve been using at night, contains willow bark which is a natural exfoliator – great if you have congestion or are acne-prone). They’re all vegan, British made, and paraben free. There are some deals and bundles HERE if you’re not sure what to choose. I found that when I mixed the products as instructed, the product felt a little sticky on the skin and left a tight residue on the skin. I didn’t mind this as much overnight but under make up I found it bobbled, so I started using the boosters separately and then applying the moisturiser afterwards which helped. I think that this concept is such a clever idea as our skin can change depending on the weather, the time of month, our diet, the season… and who wants to buy a different moisturiser and serum for each of those times? I think this is the direction in which more skincare will be heading in the future – tailored, individual skincare to suit everyone.
Morning routine:
As the Bio-Extracts moisturiser left a little bit of residue on the skin, I’ve been needing to properly wash my face each morning. For those who don’t know, my rosacea can be aggravated just by water, so I often only do a ‘full’ face cleanse on an evening, preferring to use a micellar water or toner in the morning to prep my skin. However, in this warmer weather, it’s been nice to cleanse on a morning and I haven’t noticed any irritation from my skin so hopefully it’ll remain well-behaved. I’ve been using the Sönd Gentle Daily Cleanser*.
As well as the Bio-Extracts boosters (Anti-Oxidant and Redness Relief), I’m still using the Vichy Slow Âge Fluid*, either alone if my skin feels hydrated or underneath a moisturiser if it feels like it needs some more help. You can read more about why I like this product so much in last month’s Skincare Shake Up, but to summarise: it’s very lightweight (which is great in this heat), contains SPF 25 (although by now you should know that I recommend a separate, dedicated SPF), and contains antioxidants to target signs of ageing. It’s also in the Escentual 1/3 off sale at the moment so you can grab a bargain if you need any more encouragement!
If needed I’ve been using a moisturiser and I’ve gone back to an old favourite: La Roche-Posay Rosaliac UV Legere Anti-Redness Moisturiser. This is a lovely lightweight moisturiser (there’s a ‘Riche’ version if you have a drier skin type) that soothes my sensitive skin and leaves it feeling very calm. I haven’t noticed a great reduction in my redness when using this, but it does help to keep my skin happy (and is another product that’s in the sale at the moment!)
For SPF this month, I’ve been using the new Bioderma Photoderm AR Tinted Cream SPF 50*. It’s a peach-tinted cream, but that colour doesn’t show up on the skin at all so don’t worry about matching skin-tone. It’s broad-spectrum (protecting against UVA and UVB) and designed with sensitive and reactive in mind. It’s non-comedogenic (great for those prone to congestion and spots), water-resistant, and fragrance-free, plus I’ve also found it a great base for make up. It does contain silicone, which I don’t mind, but I know some people hate that silky feeling. (*cough* also in the Escentual sale *cough*)
And that’s June’s Skincare Shake Up! A few old favourites, along with some new products that have really surprised me. What has your skin been loving this month? What new releases have you seen that you’d like me to try out? Let me know in the comments!
Lex
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I like the sound of the Superfacialist cleansing oil. Thanks to your blog I picked up the Simple cleansing oil recently (and it was half price in Superdrug) – I would never have thought of trying a cleansing oil but I have to say I like it and find it easy to use. I now use the Simple oil as a first cleanse (and use a separate eye makeup remover – usually Simple or Garnier) and then use Body Shop’s aloe cream cleanser as a second cleanse. Then follow with a toner. As I wear makeup everyday I like to ensure my skin is fully clean.
The glo-therapeutics Renew Serum sounds intriguing – all those ingredients sound like they would be helpful for my skin. Do you leave the product on your skin or is it like a face mask/scrub whereby you remove it after a period of time?
Hi there! I read your article on The Pool website and it really struck a chord with me. I suffer from Rosacea too and really struggled to get any find regime that didn’t physically hurt my skin or lead to flare ups. I remember having to brace myself when before I cleansed as I knew it would be so painful. I eventually went to see an amazing dermatologist in London called Dr Sam Bunting and she prescribed me Finacea and did a skincare regime for me with lots of avene and Obagi hydrate. In two days my skin was transformed! Honestly it has changed my life. I cannot recommend Finacea enough and just needed to tell you when I read your article.
Jenny, do you use Finacea foam, or is there a cream or gel form? A friend gave me a brand new bottle of her Finacea foam, but it’s very drying on my 40-year-old skin.
Also, there’s a product by The Ordinary, Azeliac Acid Suspension, which is the main ingredient of Finacea, and it’s a lot cheaper! I have been using it for only a week, but my skin looks better than ever. I also use The Ordinary’s 100% cold-pressed Rosehip Seed Oil, which also helps with rosacea.
We all have rosacea, but we all have different skin types and concerns, so we have to use products that work for just that.
How do you like the Avene moisturiser? I’ve read such amazing things about it, but it is a little pricy for me right now.