Updated Skincare Routine 2020

Hi guys!!! 

I hope everyone is staying safe and well during this difficult time. I've been meaning to do a post on my updated skincare routine for awhile but always found an excuse to put it off. However, with the UK on lockdown I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to finally do it :P

So my routine has changed a fair bit since 2019, what with my favourite face wash being discontinued and my constant change of toners and moisturisers. However I've stuck with some of my trusted brands, such as Garnier and Simple :) Over the course of a year (I know! It's been too long!) I've tried out various products and have been continuing to review them on my Skin Deep Secrets Facebook page. Some were a success whilst others were abit of a let down :/ However I now feel like I'm closer to finding a skin regimen that actually works for me. After all, skincare is all about trial and error and finding what works best for your skin. So without further ado, lets get straight into it...!

MORNING ROUTINE:

1) My first step is to wash my face with my Garnier Charcoal Anti-Blackhead Cleansing Gel, which I apply to my face and work into my skin for 60 seconds. Although the gel is black, it turns into a white foam when lathered. I love this cleanser as I feel like it cleanses deep down into the pores.

2) I then apply my Garnier Rose Soothing Toner using a cotton pad and sweep it across my face and neck in circular motions. I haven't settled on just the one toner in awhile but have used this one before and loved the scent and how sensitive it is on the skin. However it does say it's for dry skin, which I don't have, so I'm gonna swap to Simple's Soothing Toner instead. I don't really have a preference on toner, just whichever one is on offer at the time! :P

3) Next I go in with my new Neutrogena Hydro Boost Supercharged Booster. This product is a serum with vitamin E capsules suspended inside. It also has hyaluronic acid which holds up to 1,000 times it's weight in water, making it super hydrating! So far I'm enjoying using this product as it feels very refreshing and skin quenching :) However it is very pricey so I would only buy it for myself as a treat.

4) Afterwards I use my trusty Simple Soothing Eye Balm which I dot under my eyes and pat with my ring finger. This is a long standing favourite of mine as it's very gentle on the eye area and I don't trust any other brand to be as sensitive as Simple.

5) The next step is moisturiser which is currently the Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser. This is another old favourite of mine which I've used in the past, however I keep trying different moisturisers but never seem to settle on one. I've tried ones for spot prone skin but didn't feel like they made my skin any softer. So I just used gel/water based formulas over the summer, then swapped to Simple over the winter as it's abit thicker. I feel like it's the perfect balance of light yet creamy, without clogging the pores.

6) This is the stage where I use a spot treatment on any old or forming blemishes and it's the Freederm Fast Track gel. I was using the Witch Blemish Stick but found that it took up to a week to see results. However, with this spot gel redness is reduced within a day and within three days it starts to fade any marks. It really is a hero of a product as it works so fast!

7) Finally I use a spritz of Garnier Rose Soothing Mist on my face and neck. I don't think it really does anything but it feels refreshing and seals in all the other products. I don't think I'll repurchase it, though, as it's not an essential step. It'll also save me a few pennies ;)

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE:

1) First I use my Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (for combination/sensitive skin) to take off my eye makeup. I've been using Garnier micellar water for years and it's the only thing I will use to take off my mascara. I wear waterproof mascara and it takes it off effortlessly.

2) I then use my Micellar Cleansing Gel Wash to remove the rest of my makeup. I find it a very effective method for taking off my face makeup and have been using it for the past year. It has now become one of my holy grail products and I won't use anything else.

3) Next I do a double cleanse with my B. Clean Sparkling Water Cleanser which has a gel-like consistency and a subtle fruity/floral scent. I've been using this for just under a year and have gone through about 3-4 bottles. I never used to wash my face twice at night but it just leaves my face feeling squeaky clean and super soft. Definitely a keeper! :)

4) After cleansing I go in with the Garnier Rose Soothing Toner using a cotton pad to apply it to my face and neck. Yada, yada, yada...!

5) At night I swap my Supercharged Booster for the Witch Overnight Clearing Serum which helps to prevent any future breakouts and clears the existing ones. I've used this serum for well over a year and find that, combined with my Freederm Fast Track, it really makes a difference to the overall condition of my skin.

6) I then apply my Simple Soothing Eye Balm to protect the delicate eye area and prevent any signs of aging (the earlier you start the better!).

7) The next step is moisturiser, so I reapply my Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser to my face and neck.

8) On top of this I apply my Freederm Fast Track spot treatment to calm any redness and prevent future blemishes from appearing.

9) Finally I spritz myself with my Garnier Rose Soothing Mist to complete the night routine!

I really hope you enjoyed reading about my routine and overall thoughts on each of the products that I use. Perhaps it's helped you to build your own routine and figure out what kinds of products you'd like to try. As I always say, make sure to experiment and find what works best for your skin as this is just what works for mine. The main rules to follow are to 1) cleanse, 2) tone and 3) moisturise. Everything in between is just an added step to add extra hydration or active ingredients to address different skin concerns, such as acne, dullness, texture, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, etc. You also need to make sure you're exfoliating between 1-3 times a week, depending on your skin type. I find that once a week is more than enough for me as my skin is sensitive and oily, so if its over-exfoliated it will become irritated and produce more oil (leading to more breakouts). Make sure that you're using the right exfoliant for your skin type as some are harsher than others. 

That's all for now... over and out!

Who Cares, We Care, Skincare :)