Sunday 4 October 2015

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...

22 comments:

  1. I'm shockingly fickle when it comes to skincare. I love it so therefore want to try it all!
    I definitely have my favorites that I intend to repurchase when my 'stash runs out' but that doesn't happen too often as I keep topping up the stash with new goodies!
    Looking at your makeup removers I'm thinking we like the same things as I'm using both of those micellar waters at the moment as well as the eye makeup remover!

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    1. Ha ha mayday - glad to know I'm not the only one who changes their products constantly, and how interesting we have some common loves, especially given how much stuff there is out there to choose from ♥

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  2. I loved reading this post about what skincare products you are using Kats! After reading this I really want to try the Neostrata products once I've used up my current stash and I will also be searching out the Elucent samples I received a while back but haven't had the chance to use yet. Like you I swap and change my products quite a lot.

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    1. Oh phew - another gal who experiments! Can't help myself Ingrid, always looking for something better, and if possible, cheaper lol. So happy you enjoyed this post hon - thanks for letting me know ♥

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  3. Great post Kats! I like Neutrogena as a brand and will definitely try the oil free eye makeup remover after your comments. I am not sure if I have used it in the past but I am always on the look out for a good eye makeup remover which doesn't involve tugging which is a no no for the sensitive eye skin. I have used many brands of skincare over the years from high end to mid range. Anti-ageing ingredients has to be in all my skincare products, including body care. I also try and avoid alcohol in products, including makeup but this is sometimes impossible. In terms of less expense, I now use a couple of skincare brands available on TVSN which I believe has potent ingredients and can return them within 30 days if I am not happy with them. Nothing beats that. My main brand is SKINN and I use a few products from Elysee and Nourish (developed by a brilliant Aussie girl who lives in the UK).

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    1. Gosh roxy how wonderful it is to read your comment, and that you enjoyed this little article. Can't recommend the Neutrogena remover highly enough - believe I've tried SO many, and this one leaves them trembling in its wake. I wear around 5 layers of waterproof mascara (the only way my lashes show up in photos) and if I hold the soaked cotton pad over my eyes for about 15 seconds, it all comes off - brilliant! Delighted to hear you like SKINN products - the gorgeous Indieana sent me a couple of their goodies, and I'm quite impressed with how good they are, as well as the fact that they smell so delicious. Will check out Elysee and Nourish as well, thanks heaps for the feedback ♥♥♥

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  4. Great post Kats! It's always so interesting to see which products feature in other beauty bloggers daily skincare routines. This post made me stop and think about my daily skincare routine and I realised that facial oils have become so important in mine. I apply some type of facial oil (mostly rosehip oil) every evening. They are super nourishing and despite what most people think they are great for people with oily skin.

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    1. Hi sweetie! Mmm yes I have some Rosehip Oil on my bench too - it really helps balance my skin, and as you say, it doesn't make my oily bits any oilier, in fact I think it reduces the output. Will always keep a bottle handy ♥

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  5. I'm working my way through all my free samples and mini-sized products from GWPs. I've tried a lot of eye creams and unfortunately the La Prairie Luxe Skin Caviar Eye Lift Cream is my Holy Grail - it's only $380 for 20ml LOL *cries*. Amazing results though; it eliminates dark circles, puffiness and under-eye wrinkles better than anything I've tried. My free samples have nearly run out and I really don't want to have to pay for it! Maybe I should try the NeoStrata Eye Therapy instead, after reading your review. It can't possibly be as expensive! :)

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    1. Crikey Di, I've often wondered about the Caviar eye cream - in my dreams I think lol! The Neostrata cost me $57.50, and it's definitely helping the creases and overall firmness of the area, but it doesn't do anything as far as reducing my eye bags are concerned - but I reckon they're beyond being helped by any topical application, boo...

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  6. I chop and change my skin care products all the time. I have some items that i love so much that they become regulars in my routine but other items get swapped about.

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    1. Me too Fawn - actually I've been using Lancome Visionnaire for many many years, just decided to see if I could get the same results from something far less expensive, and so far so good ♥

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  7. Awesome post! The Garnier water is a holy grail for me. I am trying to get through my current skincare and free samples, then will update my routine. Both the Neostrata and Elucent products sound fantastic, will be giving them a try :)

    Fatima // Lipsticks and Coffee

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    1. Hey Fatima - I'm so glad that other companies jumped onto the micellar bandwagon, it's nice to have some cheaper options that work just as well. Will review the Elucent creams first as I've been using them the longest, hopefully this week or the next ♥

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  8. Loved reading this post, hun. It's great to see other's tried and true products. I would like to constantly use the same products, would be a lot easier, but the new products and various rave reviews I read, I'm often adding a new product or 2 or 3... I do generally finish my products before adding something new. Unless I'm on a product trial. So need to try some Neostrata products! xx

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    1. Well I'm hoping that the improvements keep on keeping on Indie - I seem to have reached a kind of plateau with what I was using, hence the change, so fingers crossed ♥

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  9. Loved this, Kats. Really interested to see the Neostrata eye therapy - how does it compare with the Clarins - apart from being less than half the price I imagine? I had to stop using the Neostrata Renewal Cream as I had a reaction but then a few weeks later found out about my alcohol allergy and it has alcohol as an ingredient (like most products!)

    I love the serum I got before the allergy flared up and thankfully I can use it - Springfields - of the essential oil company have a lovely skin care range and the serum is as good as I've used. I have the rose one but there are several. Honestly, with your knowledge, you don't need me adding anything - really love the detail and the concept is excellent. Take care of YOU, won't you?

    Love,
    Trish.

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    1. Ha ha Trish somehow I KNEW you'd ask about the Clarins comparison! The Neostrata is around $40 cheaper, and so far the results are pretty much the same. I was still using the Clarins and enjoying it, but the condition of my eye area was staying kind of static, which is why I thought I'd try something new. Mind you "static" is pretty good at my age, but I always want more lol... Will report back as to whether this formula has the edge. Love and hugs, and yes I'm taking care of me ♥x♥

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  10. LOVED this post - I love seeing what other ladies use on their faces too and why they choose certain products. You're inspiring me to share mine I think ;)

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    1. Oh Jasmine PLEASE do - I'd love to know what you love hon! Always my heartfelt thanks to you for your lovely comments and support babe ♥

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  11. That's a pretty decent make up remover, that Neutrogena one! It does remove a whole lot, but feels a little 'filmy' afterwards, I have to say. Still, a great remover!

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    1. I know what you mean TP - I usually do my eyes first, and then cleanse my whole face, and wipe over everything with the micellar water, and that seems to fix the slippery feel ♥

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