Let me start with an apology – my Skincare Shake Up for December is a little bit late. In case you didn’t know, my blog was hacked over New Year. URGH. This would have been a faff and expensive to sort out at any time, but it happened while I was on holiday on the other side of the world… which made things so much more difficult! BUT, we are back up and running and so I’m finally getting to post all of the content I wanted to post while I was away. So please excuse the tardiness of this round up: here are the products that made up my skincare routine in December.
Due to my ridiculously picky skin (I have rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, on top of generally oily skin) my skincare has to be very carefully selected. However, December in particular is a tricky month for my skin: it usually means cold, it means stress, it means Christmas which therefore means booze, eating things I shouldn’t (hellllooooo cheese plate) and not getting enough sleep. I also knew that at the end of the month I was going on a long haul flight and needed my skin to be in tiptop condition. So here is December’s Skincare Shake Up, in all its glory!
SKINCARE SHAKE UP: EVENING ROUTINE
The Neutrogena Hydra Boost Cleanser* has been so kind to my winter-aggravated skin: it’s a milky gel that gently removes make up (including eye make up) without leaving my skin tight or hot. Definitely one to try if you’re looking for an affordable cleanser. If I was wearing heavy make up I used theSimple Micellar Water* first, which I’ve mentioned in a previous Skincare Shake Up: it’s quick, easy, affordable, and my skin loves it.
I included the Pixi x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse* as a lot of people have asked me about it. I tried it for a week in December as I wanted to test it before taking it to Japan with me as I knew it would be a great travel product. It contains a solid cleansing oil (for taking off make up) and a cleansing cream (to ensure all traces of make up are gone and to treat the skin) – a much better idea for holidays than taking two separate bottles. It didn’t aggravate my skin so I knew I was safe to bring it on holiday with me… keep an eye out for January’s Skincare Shake Up for my more in-depth thoughts on it!
The La Roche Posay HyaluB5 Serum* is one of my most loved products this month. I am a serum fiend and notice an immediate difference in my skin if I stop using them, but this one is right up there with some of the best I’ve ever tried. It’s a gel with a slightly tacky texture (but that feeling doesn’t stay on the skin) and is aimed at dehydrated skin with signs of ageing. It plumps (for an immediate result) but also works to repair the skin barrier and encourage skin renewal. If you’re not already sold, all La Roche Posay products currently have 1/3 off on Escentual until the end of January… go go go!
I’ve been following it up with the La Roche Posay Redermic R Intense cream*. I’ve used this before and noticed impressive results and I’m not sure why I stopped. I was recommended to start using it 3 times a week and then build it up if I feel like my skin can handle it. It targets fine lines, pigmentation and uneven skin tone – and I have definitely seen improvements in all of those areas. Over the past year I’ve noticed a few pigmentation spots around my eyes and lips and those are definitely reduced after using this product. It’s not at all aggravating to my sensitive skin and it’s a really easy cream to slip into your routine. Don’t forget that if you’re starting to use retinol products, you need to make sure you’re using an SPF. Luckily I have a great recommendation later in this post (which is also included in the Escentual sale)!
I love La Roche Posay products and frequently recommend their ranges to others with sensitive skin but I think they’ve outdone themselves with the HyaluB5 serum and Redermic combo. My skin looks and feels more hydrated, with a definite glow, my skin’s dryness and dullness (due to the cold, wind, festive diet and booze) is much improved, and the change in the texture of my skin is dramatic – not something I say often!
Trilogy are another brand that I’ve been talking about for a long time (their Rosehip oil is unbelievably good) and I’m now adding the Trilogy Replenishing Night Cream* to my list of favourite products from them. It’s the perfect winter moisturiser: it is ‘heavy’ enough that your skin feels very pampered and hydrated, but extremely lightweight and has no gunky feel to it. My skin absolutely drank it up!
On days when I was feeling particularly dry or wanted a bit of oomph, I added a few drops of the new Trilogy Very Gentle Restoring Oil* to my moisturiser. This range is aimed at sensitive souls like me (BTW all of their products are great for reactive skin, but this is the next level!) It has no added fragrance or preservatives, and includes ‘essential fatty acid and antioxidant-rich super-oil maqui berry, Omega-7 rich sea buckthorn and nourishing apricot oil to hydrate, repair and protect‘. Oils can scare some people, especially if they have oily skin, but they are a wonderful way to add a little extra oomph to your skincare routine.
Once a week I’ve been using The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution*, which looks and sounds terrifying but I promise it isn’t! You can read all about it in last month’s Skincare Shake Up post HERE.
And that’s it for the evening routine. Some old faves, some new loves… do any of them catch your eye?
SKINCARE SHAKE UP: MORNING ROUTINE
The Simple Micellar Water* from my evening routine also makes a great quick cleanse in the morning – it gets rid of any dead skin, oil, or dirt that may have accumulated overnight and leaves your skin prepped for skincare and make up.
After that I’ve been applying another wonderful product from LRP (seriously, they are nailing it!): the La Roche Posay Redermic C10 Intensive cream* was recommended to me to be used in conjunction with the LRP Redermic R Intense cream. It targets fine lines, lack of firmness and elasticity, and plumps the skin. Tick, tick, tick!
I’m still using the Hylamide Pore Flush* (which you can read more about in last month’s Skincare Shake Up HERE) and have definitely noticed an improvement in my congestion and oiliness. I think the combination of the great exfoliation products plus this mattifying and regulating product is working for me. I’d say it’s not a ‘must-have’ product but a ‘nice-to-have’ if you have oily skin.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum is no stranger to my Skincare Shake Up posts. I’ve waffled on about how incredible this product is so many times: it’s lightweight, non-sticky, incredibly affordable, and it makes a noticeable difference to the skin. The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%* is another repeat entry. I mentioned last month that I would continue to use this antioxidant serum as its benefits are cumulative. I think my skin is looking increasingly glowy (something I struggle with as I have dry patches and irritation) but I am mainly using this for its UV and pollution benefits, which is tricky as it’s not exactly something that can be measured. I’m trusting the experts on this one!
The last two items in this Skincare Shake Up are the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser* and the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF. The former is a lovely light moisturiser that, due to the gel formula, I found so calming and soothing on my skin. Upon application it changes into a lightweight water-like consistency (hence the name) that sinks in quickly, leaving no residue on the skin but made my skin feel comfortable and soft. I think this come into its own in the summer when my skin is hot and uncomfortable – that cooling sensation will be even more dreamy! The last item in this month’s Skincare Shake Up is another product that I’ve raved about over and over: The Anthelios XL SPF is one of my all-time favourite SPFs and is one I recommend to everyone, whether they have sensitive skin or not. It’s non-perfumed, doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin, doesn’t feel heavy and cloggy, dries matte (so it makes a great base for make up), and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. I’m doing a blog post next week about sunscreen and caring for your face year round so keep an eye out for that!
As always, I’ve rabbited on for far too long. If you’ve reached the end then I salute you! I could honestly talk about skincare for hours so if you have any questions about my routine, a particular product, or just skincare in general, please feel free to leave me a comment below, send me an email, or come chat on twitter/facebook/instagram. I’m always around for a natter!
Lex
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