SPOTLIGHT: My Skin Care Routine - What and Why...

I'm always intrigued with what products other gals use on their faces - there's a thousand and one choices out there, so finding out their selection criteria or why they persist with a particular brand is always of interest to me, especially if they have a similar skin type or "issues" as I do. The skin care market is even more vast than the fragrance one, so I find any suggestions are helpful when trying to figure out where to start. Of course once I've made my choice, it then takes quite a bit for me to stick with a product for any length of time, unless of course I see amazing results...

So in case anyone is interested in what I'm currently using, here's a snapshot of what's on my bench at the mo' - some of the inclusions are quite different than they were a few months back as I've decided to introduce some products with a whole lot more bang-for-my-buck in the anti-ageing department (I have a major milestone birthday coming up!). Some of these products I plan on reviewing in full in the weeks to come once I've given them a chance to show what they're made of, but for now, I'll just add a brief comment as to why they've scored a place in my kit...

These are in the sequence I apply them to my face - I usually follow the recommendations on the pack initially, but I use quite a few products, so it can get a little confusing. But right or wrong, this order seems to work ok for me. For the record, I have combination skin - normal/dry cheeks and an oily T-Zone, and I have freckles all over (which are now morphing into age-spots - boo!). Considering my age I don't have too many wrinkles so far, but I'm keen to diminish what I have, and slow down the formation of any new ones... 

DAY TIME

I always start my day with a scrub or a gentle polish in the shower - I haven't included any here because they're covered in my "Confessions of a Scrubaholic" series, but current faves are nude by nature Face Scrub, St. Ives Smooth & Hydrated Oatmeal Scrub & Mask, and Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub...

Next product to hit my skin is Neostrata Renewal Cream - I bought this after reading the (mostly) rave reviews by the beautyheaven Trial Team. I wanted to target the wrinkles around my mouth, the enlarged pores on my nose, and the deep creases between my brows, and I can say that after only a few short weeks, all those areas are showing improvement every day - yay! I'll review this in depth once I've used the whole tube ♥

After this I pat on Neostrata Intensive Eye Therapy - again I was encouraged to give this a try after checking out the beautyheaven reviews. It's early days yet, but the crows feet around my eyes are diminishing, even when I smile they're nowhere near as deep as they were...

I then wait about 30 seconds, and apply Neostrata Bionic Face Serum everywhere (except my eye area). I was in the market for another serum, and figured this was a companion product to the two mentioned above - love how soft and hydrated it makes my skin feel, and the overall brightening effect is encouraging...

Last is Elucent Whitening Day Moisturiser - this bottle is like the Magic Pudding, it doesn't seem to end! Have been using this daily for over 4 months, and there's still some left ♥ A truly lovely day cream, this has helped even out my skin tone, as well as protect it from future sun damage, and I will definitely repurchase...

NIGHT TIME

I wear a lot of makeup, so a thorough cleanse is vital to keep my skin clear, and allow the products I apply overnight to work their wonders. I start with removing my eye make up. There is only one I use (and have been doing so for many many years) simply because it works faultlessly and effortlessly - Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover. I've tried heaps of others, but only this baby removes my waterproof eye makeup/mascara without harsh rubbing. This is a kats-can't-live-without ♥

To cleanse my face, I use L'Oreal Skin Perfection Gel-cream Wash - I'm really enjoying this soap free, fragrance free cleanser because it doesn't dry my skin, nor does it foam up too much. Will report back later as to whether it's any better in the long term than the others I've experimented with...

I moved away from toners last year - my skin was becoming too dry in patches, and now I only ever use either Garnier Mycellar Cleansing Water, or Lacura Mycellar Cleansing Water. I find the Garnier one is gentle and almost as effective as Bioderma, and for a fraction of the price. The Lacura one has more ingredients - the label says it's 3 in 1, and that it tones and refreshes, and I find that to be true. My take on it is that it's half way between a mycellar water and a toner - I use this when I need a wee bit more cleansing oomph, like when I've worn long-wear foundation...

I usually clean my teeth while I'm waiting for my face to dry, and then apply the same three I use in the morning, and in the same order - Neostrata Renewal Cream, Intensive Eye Therapy, and Bionic Face Serum...

As far as night creams are concerned I've pictured two - I've been using the Elucent Whitening Night Moisturiser for the last 4 months (and just purchased my second jar), but just recently received the Boots Serum7 Regenerating Night Cream in my Ageless Beauty box from The Parcel. The Elucent cream is a beauty - suits my skin perfectly, and it's helping to fade my freckles, as well as give my skin all the nourishment it needs. But I'm loving this new Boots one as well - it's super softening and delivers the right level of hydration without being greasy. We'll see which one wins ♥

Like most beauty bloggers, I have some other products waiting in the wings - Neostrata Daytime Protection Cream & Neostrata Ultra Smoothing Cream, as well as Serum7 Protecting Day Cream and Lacura Cuvee Royal Anti-Aging Luminous Serum Concentrate, and will do another one of these posts in a few months. Gee willikers, with this backlog, I almost need another face lol!

So gals, do you stick with the same skin care products for long periods of time, or are you a Little Miss Fickle like me?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Monday Makeup Madness is happening over at Ingrid's Fabulous and Fun Life blog - starts 6:30am, and you won't regret paying a visit to this terrific listing of beauty bloggers...