I often receive messages on Instagram asking for advice on skincare, whether it be one particular product or asking what I would recommend for someone starting from scratch with their skincare routine. I’ve been using skincare religiously for 8 years and over that time I’ve developed some firm favourites that I’ve gone back to time and time again and also learnt which products really work for me. With this in mind, I thought I’d put together my ultimate skincare guide so that if someone said they were starting from scratch I could provide them with this list and it will have everything they need for every concern.
I want to highlight that my skin is combination but more on the dry side. I often get dry patches on my cheeks, and I have congestion around my nose and chin. I don’t tend to have any issues with oil so I can’t advise on products that help with really oily skin.
Right, let’s get into it:
Oils
My go to oil for years is Rosehip Oil, it’s absolutely incredible for dry skin. Whenever I have an outbreak of dry skin patches, normally when the weather changes, I use this, morning and night and it clears within a few days. It’s quite a heavy oil so I use it lightly in the day so that my make up doesn’t slip all over the place and then before bed I lather a nice thick layer on. The one I’ve used for years is the Triology 100% Natural Certified Rosehip Oil.
It’s also great for scaring, pigmentation and anti-ageing. Generally just a great all rounder.
The other oil that I love is the Clarins Blue Orchid Oil. Just a gorgeous, gorgeous oil. Amazing for hydrating the skin and leaves you with a really radiant complexion. Over the years, I’ve probably been through about 2 or 3 bottles of the stuff.
Serums
If I could only use one serum it would be Hyaluronic Acid. I started using it pretty religiously around 8 years ago and noticed the biggest difference in my skin, it’s like an instant hit of hydration. Your skin naturally produces hyaluronic acid but as we age we produce less and are able to hold onto less. It’s also great at stimulating collagen, works as an antioxidant and prevents the loss of elasticity. The one I’m using at the moment is from The Organic Pharmacy and it’s lovely,
My next go to serum is La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +. I blogged about in in 2014 (!!!), you can read that here, and it’s been in my skincare stash and in my rotation ever since. The reason I love it so much is because it’s incredible at reducing spot redness and stopping spots from getting out of hand. It also helps prevent scaring.
Another must have serum for me is anything with Vitamin C in it. After pregnancy I have quite a bit of pigmentation on my face and Caroline Hirons told me years ago that the best thing for any kind of pigmentation is Vitamin C. I love the Superactive Vitamin C Capsules from Beauty Pie, I started using them religiously when Matilda was around 5 months old and a large pigmentation spot on the side of my face completely faded. I’ve also used the Clinique Freshly Pressed Daily Booster with Vitamin C before and really loved that too.
Moisturisers
As my skin is more on the dry side I tend to always opt for quite rich moisturisers that leave my skin feeling hydrated, but not too overwhelmed. I especially don’t want anything too heavy for the day as I don’t want my make-up to slip around everywhere. Over the years I’ve learnt which products work for me and these are my favourites:
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base – This is a really lovely thick and hydrating moisturiser but sits really well under make-up. I use it both AM and PM.
Beauty Pie Japanfusion Supreme Cream– I recently finished my first pot of this and really enjoyed it. It has an almost jelly like consistency, which I don’t usually like but didn’t mind it with this product. I found it to be really hydrating and great for days when my skin felt dry. I’d definitely repurchase, especially as it’s a fraction of the price of other skincare brands.
Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream – I adore Clarins moisturisers, I’ve had countless pots over the years as they’re such incredible quality. I love the Multi-Active day cream because it’s rich, hydrating and sinks into the skin easily.
La Roche Posay Toleraine Ultra Fluid – La Roche Posay is my go to brand for so many products and I used their Toleraine Ultra Fluid moisturier religiously when I was pregnant as I knew it didn’t contain anything that I couldn’t use. If I’m having a little crazy moment with my skin this is my go to product as it’s super gentle.
Masks
It’s no secret that I love a mask, whether it’s for a pamper night, an overnight boost or a quick 5 minutes. I think taking time for yourself and your skin is so important and over the years I’ve tried many, many masks and the below are my absolute favourite:
I have been using Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask for about 6 years, and if I could only have one mask it would be this. It’s like a huge drink for you skin as it gives a huge injection of moisture. The best thing is that you can wear it to bed so you don’t have to worry about finding time in the day, which I know is difficult for us mamas. It contains avocado and glacia water for a huge boost of hydration. I use this mask when I have dry patches of skin or generally just need a little pick me up and I always wake up with better skin.
I also love the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask, because it clears the pores but isn’t too striping on the skin.
The Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask is another favourite, it’s great because it’s moisturising whilst also tightening pores and clearing imperfections. As my skin is more on the dry side I often find harsh masks are too much to handle, so this mask is great because along with getting rid of the crap from my skin it also hydrates.
Cleansers
I love balm cleansers because they’re hydrating, melt away make up really easily and feel amazing on the skin. My two favourite are below:
Clinique Take The Day Off Balm – a lovely balm cleanser that turns to oil on the skin and completely melts away all make-up even eye make up. It’s fragrance free so perfect if you have super sensitive skin.
Beauty Pie Plantastic Apricot Butter Cleansing Balm is absolutely divine. It smells heavenly of apricots and because it’s a thick balm it feels lovely and luxurious on the skin. Like the Clinique one it also completely melts away any make up and is perfect if you have slightly drier skin as it doesn’t strip the skin.
Toners
I only tend to use hydrating toners and the one I’ve repurchased a number of times is the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner. As the name suggests it’s lovely and hydrating but also refines pores and I really find that it prevents my pores from getting blocked. It also contains real rose petals in the bottle so smells so beautiful.
I alternate between the Fresh toner and also the Soothing Apricot Tonerfrom Elemis, which is also super gentle.
Treatments
I love glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid, whether it be in a liquid form or on pre-soaked cotton pads. I use these to gently get rid of any dead skin cells as they gently resurface the skin. I don’t use retinol as you can’t use it whilst pregnant or breastfeeding and prior to that I didn’t do enough research to know how to use it.
I love the REN Ready, Steady, Glow AHA Tonic as you just pop the liquid on a cotton pad on swipe it over your face. Contains lactic acid for gentle exfoliation.
I also love the Beauty Pie Plantastic Micropeeling Super Drops, which contain salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the face. These come in a bottle with a dropper and you only need a teeny amount to cover your face.
Lastly I love the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads, which are pre soaked cotton pads, which work to smooth the skin and leave a radiant complexion.
And there we have it. My absolute ultimate guide to skincare all wrapped up in one blog post.
I’d love to hear if you already use these products or if you have any recommendations.
