My Daily Skincare Regime

It’s occurred to me that whilst I tell you about the products I trial and the ones that I use up pretty regularly I’ve never shared with you what I use daily to keep my skin clean and healthy. So here’s the first snapshot – if you find it interesting then do let me know and I can make this a series.

Cleanse & Tone

This is a two or three-step process depending on whether I have makeup to remove or not. So, in general, this will be a two-step process in the morning and a three-step process at night.

Step 1: To gently remove all makeup (even waterproof) I’m using TOUCH IN SOL Mission Complete Waterproof Sensitive Lip & Eye Perfect Cleanser.

Directions for use are to apply to a cotton pad and press lightly onto the skin for 30 seconds, then gently wipe to remove. I tend to massage into my skin gently with my fingers and then wash off with warm water and muslin.

Botanical Extracts included are Mistletoe, Strawberry, Sage, Garlic, Oat Kernel, Broccoli, Tomato, Spinach & Blueberry.

Step 2: To complete the deep cleansing process I like to use a hot cloth cleanser and I’m currently using the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which I’m sure is a product that many of you already incorporate into your routine.

Directions for use are to apply to dry skin on the face, neck, and eye area. Then wet a cotton cloth with hot water and use to polish off the cream followed by a splash of cool water.

Ingredients include Cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile, and eucalyptus.

Step 3: This third step is to tone or revitalise and isn’t intended to remove any remaining grime. The first two steps should have already completed the cleansing process. I’ve been using the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist at this stage and I have to admit this is a sheer luxury that came as a Christmas treat. It’s revitalising formula uses Queen of Hungary water, the world’s first recorded perfume.

Directions for use are to spray onto the face from a distance morning and night after cleansing, or whenever your skin needs refreshing or your spirits need revitalising. I use this sprayed onto a cotton pad and gently stroked across my skin instead-but occasionally spritzing during the day as an added treat. 

Ingredients include Hungarian thermal water, apple extract, rose water, orange flower water, and sage leaf water.

Once my skin is completely clean and fresh I move onto the moisturising and nourishing stage which currently includes a couple of lifting products too.

Step 4: For my eyes, I’m currently using Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm which has been developed to address multiple issues including fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness.

Directions are to apply with your ring finger and pat gently into the skin beginning with the outer contours of the eyes and under the eye area, working up to the brow bone and allowing to absorb into the skin for one minute before applying makeup. Use morning and evening.

Ingredients include: Alguronic acid, Tetrapeptide-21, Caffeine, extracts of Cucumber, Aloe, and Green Tea

Step 5: This is the stage when I normally use a serum or oil. I’m currently using the Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil which has nourishing, healing, and protective benefits.

Directions for use are to apply 2-3 drops to the palm of your hand and use fingertips to gently massage into clean, slightly damp skin.

Ingredients include: rosehip fruit and seed oils

Step 6a: This is the stage for me to apply day or night cream. Sometimes I use one cream that works for day and night such as the Gatineau Defilift 3D Perfect Design which is a firming and volumising cream It’s designed for over 40s to restore volume, plumpness, and vitality as well as comforting and nourishing.

Directions for use are to apply a small amount to a cleansed face and neck, morning and evening, avoiding the eye area.

Ingredients include Plant protein complex, wheat and soy proteins, encapsulated hyaluronic acid, and plant and oil butters.

Step 6b: At night I either use the cream I use in the day if it’s designed that way or I use a cream specifically designed for night use. Currently, I’m using the CULT51 night cream. This is a seriously high-end brand with the promise of 51 benefits to the skin that include luminosity, reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. instant tightening, reduction of blemishes, and improved tone and pigmentation. Hydrating properties maintain moisturisation and promote the production of collagen. Fragranced with gardenia, muguet, jasmine, rose and patchouli it smells divine too.

Directions are to use in the evening, smoothing over freshly cleansed face, neck, and décolleté avoiding the use of other serums and eye creams. Use sparingly to the eye contour area, avoiding the tear ducts and lower lids. I’ve not been using this on my eyes yet as I’ve been trying out the Algenist cream.

Ingredients include Peach kernel extract, vitamin E complex, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera juice, senna seed extract, yeast extract, amino acids and peptides, pomegranate extract, Japanese seaweed extract, walnut, liquorice root extract, gardenia, and vitamin C.

Step 7: This isn’t something I’ve always done but it’s started to become more of a habit recently but it’s using lip products day and night. My current product of choice is the Filorga Nutri-Filler Lip Balm. It’s great for cracked and chapped lips that we all get this time of year but it also nourishes repairs and plumps.

This comes in a pen-type applicator so you can just turn up the base to make a small amount of balm appear and then apply with the flexible tip whenever you feel the need. 

Ingredients include Shea butter and peptides as part of a cocktail of active ingredients.

Step 8: This one falls between processes really – it’s either the last stage of the skincare stage or the first of the makeup stage. For completeness I’m including it here, particularly as the product I’m using both primes and lifts – it’s the Balance Me Instant Lift Primer. 

It has an instant lift effect as well as refining the look of skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines, and smoothing and blurring pores. It’s also a great makeup base.

Directions are to smooth the cream directly onto enlarged pores or expression lines after moisturising. I’ve been using the cream more generally across my face for an even appearance under makeup. 

Ingredients include: olus, coconut, kukui seed, camellia seed, rose, frankincense, rose geranium, bergamot, lemon peel, ylang-ylang flower, Roman chamomile flower, lavender flower, clary sage flower, grape seed, and sunflower seed oils; cloudberry seed, blackberry leaf, aloe vera leaf, and rosemary extracts; shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. 

And that’s it! Written down like this it does seem as though it’s an awful lot of fuss that takes a long time but it really doesn’t. I know that also if I’m not in the fortunate position of having access to all these products I can cut it down to a couple of drugstore basics but I always cleanse and moisturise – it’s a must. 

Do any of these products and processes feature in your skincare routine right now? I’d love to hear what you think.