My Night Time Skincare Routine.

 

I was asked by one of my followers to do a post on my 'Night Time Skincare Routine' and since I love reading other peoples, I thought I would share mine!

 

As most of you will already know, I like to change the products I use on a regular basis, mainly due to the fact that I like to try new things. These products in this routine are just the products that I am using and enjoying at the moment. The routine always stays the same, its just the products that change now and again.

 

(Click on the product names to view the products on the websites you can buy them from)

 

Lets start right at the beginning...

 

 

 

First of all I get into my PJ's - I love my PJ's, I am just so much more comfortable and feel like I can really chill out with them on.

 

I then tie my hair up and pin my fringe back, ready to start pampering!

 

I usually sit/lay down on my bed for about 5 minutes just to relax, sometimes I drink a cup of tea and check emails on my phone.

 

Once I have relaxed for 5 minutes, its time to take out my contact lenses. It is such a nice feeling at the end of a long day to get them out.. especially when I'm tired!

 

I then get my Organic Surge Gentle Cleansing Lotion and squirt a small amount into the palm of my hand. I rub this between both hands for a while and then apply all over my face, including my eye lids. Using large cotton pads I then wipe away the cleansing lotion from my face. With two new cotton pads I place one over each eye and gently rub until all the eye makeup is gone. I take another squirt of cleanser and repeat the above, just to make sure all my makeup has gone!

 

I like to wash my face with a face wash after cleansing, just to make sure my face is super clean. I use the Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash. I first dampen my face using a muslin cloth and pump 2 pumps of the face wash into the palm of my hand, I rub this between both hands and then apply all over my face, including the eye area and massage into my skin until a lather has formed. I soak my muslin cloth in hot water (hot enough to tolerate), wring it out and lay over my face for approx. 2 minutes. This helps to open the pores and clean any impurities out. I remove the face wash using the muslin cloth after the two minutes and splash cold water all over the face to close my pores. I dry my face with a hand towel.

 

I apply a small amount of Manuka Doctor ApiClear Facial Toner to a large cotton pad and sweep over the face. I particularly like this toner because it helps to eliminate the cause of blemishes and provide a clearer complexion. Although I don't get a lot of blemishes, when I do, they seem to last quite a while. Since I have been using this toner I have noticed that I get even less blemishes than normal and when I do get them they are gone within a few days.

 

If I have any blemishes at the time then I use an Avon Clearskin Professional Clarifying Toner Pad to help sooth and refresh the skin, followed by applying a small amount of the Avon Clearskin Professional Daily Correcting Lotion to the affected area to help minimise pores, control oil and prevent/eliminate blemishes. The Avon Clearskin range works very well for me when I do have blemishes and unlike some 'spot treatments' I find the Avon range doesn't dry my skin out.

 

I then apply my moisturiser, I change moisturisers quite often, depending on the condition of my skin. If my skin is particularly oily then I use Clarins Ultra Matte Rebalancing Lotion For Oily Skin, this moisturiser contains an anti shine formula and instantly mattifies the skin whilst still providing hydration and soothing/calming any redness. A cheaper alternative that I sometimes use is the Superdrug Simply Pure Mattifying Moisturiser - This is specifically designed for combination skin and can be used on the most sensitive of skin too! It instantly mattifies the skin whilst hydrating without clogging your pores. If my skin is feeling dry and in need of moisture then I use Johnsons Rehydrating Night Cream For Normal Skin which helps to replenish moisture that has been lost during the day and hydrate your skin overnight. Another favourite of mine is the Organic Surge Blissful Daily Moisturiser which is ideal for normal or combination skin. It is very lightweight and helps to rebalance the skins condition whether that be oily or dry. I mainly use this on the days my skin doesn't know what it wants to do.   

 

After applying my moisturiser I wait 10 minutes to let is soak in fully, whilst this is happening I make myself a cup of tea or hot chocolate and usually check Facebook or Twitter on my phone. When 10 minutes is up I apply Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream. This eye cream is brilliant for reducing puffiness and smoothing fine lines and leaves the eye area looking much more radiant, smooth and hydrated.  

 

 

 

Apart from the products changing now and again I stick to this routine and find that it works really well for me!

 

At the weekend, I carry out a weekly DIY luxury spa each week, I spend time using a facemask/eye mask and generally give my skin a weekly treat using luxurious, indulgent products. I normally combine this with a bubble bath, body scrub and hair mask. I don't normally have time to do this during the week and I usually shower every morning, so when I do get chance to have a bath, I make the most of every second and really treat my body! My weekend DIY spa is my 'Me Time' for the week.  

 

Would you like me to share my DIY spa routine?

 

Do you have a specific night time routine that you stick to?

 

 

 

Top 5 Cleansers - From Budget To Splurge.

Now I know I have been a way for a while (find out why HERE)  but I am finally back and what a great way to start with 'My Top 5 Cleansers'. I have picked 5 cleansers that are my all time favourites and products that I continue to go back to. Some of the cleansers are budget friendly and others no so much, there really is something for everyone. They are in no particular order, I like them all just as much! Click on the cleanser names to view where to buy.

 

 

 

1) Organic Surge Gentle Cleansing Lotion 200ml - This is one of the best Organic cleansers that I have ever tried. It removes every trace of makeup and dirt, even the most stubborn of waterproof mascara. It leaves the skin feeling very clean, refreshed and hydrated. I love how gentle it is on the skin and it contains Chamomile so if you have any sore red blemishes it soothes and helps to take any redness/inflammation away. It also contains organic rosemary and lemon essential oils which gives the lotion a very nice citrus scent. I notice a great difference in the condition of my skin after using this, it generally feels fresher, brighter and hydrated. It also helps to keep any blemishes away which is a big plus for me. This is currently for sale at £5.99 from the Organic Surge Website.

 

2) Olay Gentle Cleansing Conditioning Milk 200ml - This is a great budget cleanser that is kind enough to the skin to be used on a daily basis. It is a cleansing milk rather than a lotion, therefore it is thin is consistency so doesn't leave any residue behind. You also only need a small amount due to the thin consistency. It is specifically designed to remove excess oil, makeup and dirt from the face. This cleanser is brilliant for my combination skin and when I use this I do notice a reduction in the amount of oil my skin produces in the day. It is also great at removing all traces of makeup and not much work is required to remove even waterproof makeup. It leaves the skin feeling clean and soft. It is currently for sale at Superdrug for £2.99 (it is also currently included in a BOGOF promotion!)

 

3) Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - This cleanser is gentle enough to use day and night each day yet it is concentrated enough to remove stubborn makeup and all impurities from the skin. It has been formulated to be used on any skin type which is great if you want to share with a sister, friend or mother. Because it is a hot cloth cleanser it encourages you to wash your face afterwards which is brilliant. The main reason I like using a cleansing lotion or milk is because you have to wash your face after use, meaning no impurities or dead skin cells stay on the skin or clog up your pores. I particularly like leaving the hot muslin cloth over my face for a couple of minutes to open my pores even more and give myself a kind of 'steam treatment'. You only require a small amount of this cleanser so it lasts for ages. It removes all makeup, even stubborn makeup and leaves your skin feeling super clean, refreshed and smooth. I use this cleanser as a treat for my skin as it is very luxurious and rich, leaving your skin feeling like you've had a facial! I notice a huge difference in the condition of my skin and the amount of blemishes I get when using this. It contains Eucalyptus and Cocoa Butter to smooth and calm the skin. This cleanser also doesn't contain any mineral oils and it completely plant based. When you buy the Cleanse & Polish you also receive the muslin cloths to use. Liz Earle currently do all different sizes of this product, ranging from £3.25 for the smallest and £14.75 for the largest size. Click HERE.

 

4) Garnier Clean & Soft Complete Cleansing Milk 200ml - This cleanser smells amazing! It contains rose extract so it is a very floral scent but it is lovely. It gently removes all makeup, dirt and impurities and leaves the skin feels clean, soft and very fresh. It is thin in consistency so not much is required meaning one bottle lasts for ages. It is also gentle enough to use on a daily basis. It removes even stubborn makeup without much effort at all. I found that it also has a soothing and calming effect on any red areas. Like I have stated above, I have combination skin and I also found that this cleanser helped with oil control if used in the morning before applying any makeup. This is currently for sale in Superdrug for £2.03 which is a saving of £1.02 - Click HERE. 

 

5) No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser 200ml - Just like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish this is a luxurious, indulgent cleanser that leaves your skin feeling like you have had a day in the spa. The only difference is that the muslin cloth included with this cleanser is used to gently exfoliate the skin and stimulate circulation. It removes all makeup and impurities with ease and leaves the skin feeling revived, fresh and very clean. It doesn't leave any residue behind after using. It does have a soothing effect to the skin and when I use this I do feel like my skin is in much better condition and much more hydrated. I usually alternate this with the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and use it as a weekly treat when I apply a face mask and give myself a facial. You can find this in Boots for £9.95, click HERE. currently selected No7 products are in a 3 for 2 offer and this is included.  

 

Have you tried any of these cleansers? What is your favourite cleanser? Can you recommend any more hot cloth ones I could try?