Before I start this post I would like to say that I am returning from my unannounced sabbatical. This was due to personal reasons that I am not going to cover, because somethings should remain private and off of the internet, but just know I am doing better than ever now.   

As a teenager I suffered from viral acne; horrendous, painful and extremely bloody. To control this issue I had to take some heavy duty medication which turned off the oil ducts in my face, thus resulting in dry skin and lips, something I had to maintain so that bleeding and pain did not occur throughout my treatment period. The medication took a year and a half to clear my skin, and only minimal scaring remained, something I have been self conscious about for five years of my life. Once the treatment period ended, the oil ducts in my face have turned back on, but not the full extent that they once were and I only get blemishes due to hormonal changes once a month, something I can easily deal with, but the issue still stood about dry skin, so through trial and error I have found the most effective and cost effective skin care routine for myself. I now get comments about how beautiful my skin looks, and that is such a change from the bullying that I suffered that the hand of a genuine viral infection. So continue to read on for my personal skin care routine, and just for a little extra, I have thrown in my hair care routine.

Clear skin actually starts from within. Despite having to take medication as a teenager to clear up my acne infection, I know that clear skin begins with what you consume. Dairy, sugar, and oils all contribute to increased oil production and blemishes on the skin. I'm one of the lucky ones that does not get blemishes from dairy (cheese is one my favourite foods), but sugar and oils do lead me to have a small blemish or two, so I tend to drink only water and coffee, and even then I have only one, maybe two coffees per day (more now that I have higher fatigue levels due to iron deficiency which is very common in women often due to regular blood loss and reduced iron absorption, but that is a story for another time). I aim to drink two to three litres of water a day, which besides being good for the skin, is great for the kidneys, liver, urinary system, and blood, and basically the entire body benefits from this. I barely drink soft drink, juices, and never drink cordials. I hear you screaming now, just give us a list of products that you use on your skin, so okay enough about the benefits of water, here are the products I use.

Cleansing/Face Wash/Mask/Spot Treatment

As I barely have blemishes on my skin, and these blemishes often only appear once a month due to hormones (hormonal pimples often occur on the chin and are much larger and more red than your common yellow pimple), I tend to use a very gentle face wash, and then once a week I use a gentle exfoliater and mask. 

For my everyday cleanser I use Garnier Fructis Naturals Pure Active Fruit Energy Energising Cleasing Gel. This is very soft and gentle on the skin and does not dry out the skin. I use a facial cleasing brush to apply this which eliminate extra oils on the skin from the fingers. Unlike the recommendation to use a cleanser twice a day (once in the morning and once at night), I only cleanse my face at night time after I have showered. 

For my exfoliater I use Garnier Fructis Pure Active Fruit Energy Energising Exfoliating Gel. I specifically chose this as it was in the same line as the cleanser and because I knew that Garnier products work well for my skin. The recommended amount of times to use this during a week is two to three times, I however only use it once. This is just due to personal preference and that I train in taekwondo multiple times a week resulting in sweat build up, so on a Saturday night when I know on a Sunday I will be doing no exercise for that day, I will exfoliate that night to remove and debris from my face for that week. 

The same night I exfoliate I will then use a mask. On the nights I exfoliate I use a mask that is hydrating. The typical mask I use for hydration is Montagne Jeunesse Creamy Coconut. This masks is specifically designed for hydration and contains coconut water and shea butter. When I have extra blemishes and when I just want something about more skin tightening I use Montagne Jeunesse Mud Pac. This mask is specifically designed from pore cleaning and due to this being a mud mask, tightens the skin as it dries. I use masks for more problem issues I have with my skin. I also use the Nutrimetics Clear Spot Correcting Gel on any blemishes to dry them out a remove them from my face.

Tackling Hydration 

Morning Routine     

I begin my morning skin care routine using a toner. The toner I use is by an Australian brand that uses only natural ingredients and is 100% vegan and 100% carbon neutral. I use Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner. This toner contains rosewater, chamomile and is completely alcohol free. This toner is specifically designed for all skin types. Toners are important in a skin care routine as they rest the pH balance of skin. This particular one is very cost efficient and I find it to be very hydrating. The great thing about it being a mist toner is that is can be spray whenever over the face, whether this be over makeup or later in the day when your skin is feeling dry throughout the day without reapplying a moisturising cream. 

Over the toner I use a day cream also by Sukin. I use Sukin Hydrating Dy Cream with Rose Hip Oil. I apply this using a foundation brush then rubbed it in my my fingers. Applying it with a brush to begin with reduces the amount of oils transferred from the fingers. Obviously there will be some from rubbing in the cream, but using a brush limits it to just that one transfer. I use the day cream most days, but some days when I am in a rush or when my skin has blemishes I use a lighter moisturiser. I use Sukin Facial Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin. This is more lightweight than the day cream, but still provides moisture to the face. I apply makeup over the top of these products, often without a primer as these provide so much moisture. 

Night Routine

The first step of my routine is to apply oil to my face. I use Essano Rosehip Oil. This particular rosehip oil also contains acai berry antioxidant oil. This is an organic natural brand as well. I use this as it provides extra hydration and it helps with reduce acne scarring, and redness. This has no real smell which is great as highly perfumed products cause me to have allergic reaction breakouts. I apply this by applying a few drops onto my face and rubbing it in with my hands. Instead of just a light rubbing into the skin, I massage it into the skin. 

 

The second step of the routine I apply the a night cream. Once again I use a Sukin branded one. I use Sukin Calming Night Cream for Sensitive Skin. I apply it to the face with a brush and the massage it in with my fingers. There is no smell at all for this cream. The best part of Sukin products is that they last for a very long time. The products have a six month expiry date on them, and guess what, they last the entire six month period.  

Body Hydration

For body hydration I use two different products. For my legs, stomach, breasts, and feet, I use Vaseline Intensive Care Coca Glow. This body lotion is quite thick. For my shoulders, neck, arms and back and I like to use a more water based body lotion. I use Glow Lab Body Lotion. This is a thinner body lotion and does not leave a shiny sheen over the skin, which I don't hate, but don't want to have that on my neck and shoulders. This particular body lotion is great in the aspect that it cools body temperature. I use these after showering.

  

I have no particular favourite lip balm, and find most to work for me. I have a particular lip scrub I use, this being Lush Lip Scrub. When I buy a new jar, I change the flavour every time. At this present time I am using a Lip Smacker Disney Emoji Belle Lip Balm; rose flavoured. 

Hair Care

I don't have a particular shampoo and conditioner that I use, I just tend to use what is in the shower at the time that I shower, except when I have had blonde in my hair, and I used purple shampoo and conditioner at this time. After washing my hair I use Garnier Fructis Miraculous Oil Brushing Express in damp hair. I concentrate on the ends of my hair where the most damage has occurred. I will then dry my hair and use any heat product. This oil is a heat protectant and reduces frizz and makes it easier to brush my hair. When my hair is dry I use HASK Unwined Rosé Wine 10 In 1 Leave-In Spray. This is a product that I have just discovered and the fact it was wine inspired had me buying it instantly. It makes my hair so soft, smooth and shiny.