As an introduction, I would like to stress several points.
1. I know you cannot see the result of products I use, on my skin, as it's been my choice not to put pictures of myself here. However, the point is I would rather share my feelings towards products (the external aspects of my skin is a detail).
2. My skin is not perfect of course, even if I praise some products. I don't believe in perfection. I would rather talk of "satisfying skin", i.e. I try to feel great in my own skin, despite some imperfections (yes, I do get hormonal breakouts like most women...). I try to take good care of what I have: clean, nurture, protect. And above all, I still feel confident to go out without a bit of makeup, in my own naked (moisturised) face. That's what matters to me.
3. Find products which work for YOU, not for others. Every skin being different, it has different needs. Side effects/allergies may occur to anyone, with any product, at any time.
4. I am not a dermatologist. Please consult a doctor if you need medical advice. That's why my posts are more to be read as testimony, never advice.
Here are some pieces of advice they share:
- Spend as much as you can afford on skincare. If you're ready to splurge on makeup, clothes, cars, etc. why not skincare.
- Keep your routine simple, otherwise you won't stick to it.
- Learn ingredients, document yourself: knowledge is power.
- Be gentle to your skin, give it some love.
In the morning
1. Cleanse
Yes, I have paired down my routine to just a light cleanse with thermal water (not tab water). Believe it or not, I haven't been using Bioderma Créaline H2O for several weeks. I really began to feel micellar water + cotton pads were stripping out my face, even if rinsed out.
Although I feel I need a cleanse before applying any product in the morning, I tried less product, less harshness. For the time being, my skin feels great.
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Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray |
2. Moisturise
I apply moisturiser daily. Firstly my eye contour cream, so that it may penetrate without the barrier of a face moisturiser.
Secondly, I apply face moisturiser. These days I alternate between Caudalie and Bioderma. Finally lipbalm is still a must, whether I apply lipstick or not.
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| Caudalie Moisturizing Sorbet / Bioderma Hydrabio Légère / Labello Lipbalm / Clinique All About Eyes Rich |
In the evening
3. Cleanse
It's my will to use an oil-based makeup remover and cleanser, which cleans face and eyes all in one go. Plus I don't want to feel the urge to cleanse twice or more. I have used different makeup removers over the past years (DHC, Clarins). These days I felt like trying the Clinique cleansing balm: and fell in love.
Personally, after massaging it onto dry face, I then add a little water to my hands to transform the oil into a milk, which I eventually rinse off with lukewarm tab water (that's the same with any oil-based water soluble makeup remover).
I never felt the urge to strip out my skin with soap or any other kind of (foaming) cleanser after using oils. I feel clean but not stripped out (you don't want squeacky clean).
Out of habits, I still spray thermal water.
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| Clinique Take The Day Off / Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray |
4. Moisturise
Nighttime is the time to regenerate and boost your skin cells. You're out of sunrays, out of pollution; nobody sees you're wearing a face mask or some facial oil, so appearances are less of a worry (I don't mind if I feel stickier than during daytime). So time to use nourishing products.
For my face, sometimes I don't use any product and let it breathe and work by itself. Some other times, I will use either a serum, a facial oil or a hydrating mask.
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| Lovea Argan Oil / Caudalie SOS Thirst Quenching Serum / Bioderma Hydrabio Serum / Labello Lipbalm |
Once in a while
5. Exfoliate
Over-exfoliating may sensitize or irritate the skin. So better use with parsimony. I try to do it once a week; when I don't, I feel my skin is a bit clogged and dull. I've been using chemical exfoliant for over two years and wouldn't look back. Also, I stopped using mechanical exfoliants altogether.
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| Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant |
6. Deep Cleanse
If I don't use an exfoliant, and I feel my skin needs a deeper cleanse, especially on the T-zone, I will use a clay mask. I apply it and keep a handy thermal water spray to moisten the mask and never let it dry out.
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| Cattier Green Clay Mint Mask |
7. Moisturise
One in a while, especially during winter, my skin benefits a lot from a simple deeper hydrating mask. Generally, I put it at nighttime and instead of rinsing it, I keep it all night long and resume my normal morning cleansing routine.
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| Caudalie Moisturizing Cream Mask |
