The Skin Project - Face Masks and Treatments

Hello lovelies this post is a day late but could not be helped I'm afraid. I have been lain up in bed all weekend with all sorts of aches and pains accompanied by horrendous sneezing. Not to worry I am feeling  much better after plying myself with vitmain c, water and Innocent Smoothies all weekend. While I am on the mend, I thought I would write up this weeks entry for #TheSkinProjectSeries.

This week the skin project started by Lianne over at www.thebrunettesays.co.uk is all about face masks and treatments. I must admit that I do not have many treatment but I am someone who loves a face mask. High or low money is not a deciding factor when I purchase a face mask or treatment, I am in for the results aka the way my skin feels after I have applied the treatment/mask.

Face masks are used to treat a host of skin ailments, combat ageing,  provide moisturising/hydrating properties and some even offer gentle exfoliating. The number of active ingredients in facemasks vary according to skin type and remedy.

Due to my skin type being Oily/Sensitive and Blemish prone I tend to stick to clay based face masks and chemical exfoliators. However there is alot of love in my heart and space on my potions counter for the Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Face Mask, especially now during the winter months. I find myself popping it on here and there during the week to give my skin a quick boost.

My Favorite Clay masks:

The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay mask - My absolute favourite from the bunch. This is highly effective as a spot treatment.

                                                         


Avon Clearskin Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask - Don't sleep on the Avon skincare, they currently own Liz Earle. This is a light clay mask, great for drawing spots to the surface.

                                                                     

Superdrug Mud Therapy Aloe
                                                               
These three are my favourites honorable mentions go to the Origins Active Charcoal Mask, it was nice but I can live without it in my skincare routine.

Treatments:

REN F10 Smooth and Renew Mask - this is a gentle chemical exfoliator.

                                                           


REN Glycolic Mask - This is a more suited to my oily blemished skin. It has a strong citrus scent. It is a bit stronger (stronger is a fluid term) then the Smooth and Renew mask but just as lovely if not even more so.

                                                           


Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - A cult beauty product for a reason. The results of this are clearly evident withing the first few uses.

                                                                  

My skin slways has a very soft and plump feeling after a treatment with one of these chemical exfoliators. Products absorb better and the difference in makeup application is evident. I tend to treat my skin with a mask on Sunday and a chemical exfoliator on a Wednesday. That way my skin gets some recovery time in between two deep treatments.

Here's to hoping that you guys,

 are having a great new year so far.,

The Skin Project - Moisturiser

                                                 

The first post of the skin project for the New Year is all about moisturising. 

Moisturising is the process of aiding the body's natural hydration of the skin. Moisturising  prevents the upper layer of the epidermis from getting dry through loss of water which occurs naturally through evaporation. When the water in the cells within the epidermis (top layer of skin) is lost,  the skin tries to pull water from the lower layers of skin. This loss of water  will cause the skin to become dry. When moisturiser is applied to the top layer of skin, the skin absorbs it, the hydrating agents  within the moisturiser helps the water already present within the skin cells. Composition of products along with skin type determines the effectiveness of a moisturiser, ie whether or not the skin will absorb all or some of the product. Eg My skin type - Oily will absorb 50 - 90% of a light moisturiser, but only 30 - 45% of a rich moisturiser.

Since my skin is Oily I tend to go for light and oil free formulas. Price is not a determining factor for me in relation to buying a facial moisturiser. I usually test the products first and if I like how it feels on my skin after it has been absorbed then I will buy it. Sometimes I like it a product after trying it once, other times it might be after 3 or 4 tries the love comes. One thing I wont do is force a product, if it leaves my skin greasy, oily or with any sort of film/coating it is a no no for me. 

My current moisturiser for the daytime is the Origins GinZing moisturiser, which is a light hydrating formula. It has a semi gel like feel, spreads very easily and absorbs very quickly into my skin. After application my skin feels plump and supple without looking greasy. The Origins Ginzing moisturiser layers up easily under my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural and the MAC Studio Fix finish. 

                                         

Review

In the evenings I apply the Boots Botanics Hydrating Night Cream All Bright (pictured above) as my night cream. This product is another face cream with a gel like consistency. It has a bit more body to it than the Origins GinZing, but it goes on light and absorbs quickly. I have been using  these creams for almost 7 months and I am still happy with both of them. 

Happy New Year to you all, for more about #TheSkinProject read posts by the other participants and the creator Lianne @ www.thebrunettesays.co.uk.

Be Re-newed

xx

BlogMas #9 - Skin

"Zit emergency, don't squeeze.  Dab on a little bit of eye drops to reduce redness."

Sarah Chapman

The Skin Project - Exfoliating

Post #3 of The Skin Project started by Lianne of www.thebrunettesays.co.uk 

Exfoliating is the process of removing the dead skin cells from the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. Exfoliation can be done manually with face scrubs, muslin cloths, as well by chemical means. 

My method of exfoliation is by chemical means. In the past I have used the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel, REN F10 Smooth and Renew Peel Mask and the REN Gycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask These were all very lovely as weekly treatments giving my skin a weekly boost. Since May I have been using the PIXI glow Tonic as my chemical exfoliator. After cleansing my skin at night/morning I give my face a quick wipe using the Glow Tonic on a cotton pad. 

xx

The Skin Project - Cleansing

                                                   

     Cleansing is a way of cleaning our skin to get rid of dirt, dead skin cells and other pollutants which have come in contact with our skin through the atmosphere. No matter what your skin type, you should cleanse your skin thoroughly twice a day, in the morning as well as the evening. 

     In the morning cleansing is important to get rid of the dead skin cells which have flaked off during the night while you have been asleep. To continuously refrain from morning cleansing could possibly cause a buildup a dead skin cells, which over time could lead to clogged pores and cause breakouts.  (No one wants that now do we?) Evening cleansing gets rid of all the sweat/makeup on your skin and also  any chemicals/pollutants/antioxidants which have come in contact with your skin as you have gone through your day to day activities. 

     To cleanse my skin in the morning I use the Neutrogena 3 in 1 mask/cleanser. It is a clay based cleanser which is great for absorbing oil from the skin. I remove it by using a cotton flannel damp with warm water, taking special care to thoroughly remove the product from my hairline and eyebrows.  I only cleanse once in the morning.

     In the evenings/night I cleanse my face using the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. I apply the cleansing balm to dry face, massage in the product and remove using a flannel damp with warm water. I go through this method twice taking care to completely remove the product from my hairline and eyebrows.

My Current Skincare Edit 

The Current Skincare Edit - Budget Friendly Version

                       The skin Project was started by Lianne - www.thebrunettesays.co.uk .

You can follow the series on twitter my lovelies,

 using the hashtag. #TheSkinProject

xx

The Skin Project - My Skin

                                      

Hey guys this will be my first post in a 12 week long blog series series called "The Skin Project" started by Lianne over at www.thebrunettesays.co.uk. Over the next few weeks there will be 1 post a week covering a wide array of topics in relation to skin and skincare.

My Skin 

I have oily skin and when I say oily I really mean OIL-EEEEEEEE. My major skin concerns arise from my cystic acne. I had one really bad breakout in 2010 which  lasted for about 2 months. Ever since then I have had reoccurring inflammation in the same area along with other spots. I have always been obsessed with skincare and quite a few of my family members were surprised when I went to Study Economics, Money and Banking at uni instead of Cosmetology. 

While I was at uni a few of my friends were really into skincare a lot of stuff from the Body Shop and my other friend/housemate was into high end skincare, so between all of them I have tried and tested a few things.  L’Occitane, Body Shop – Vitamin E, Body Shop – Seaweed, Body Shop – Tea Tree, Clarins, La Roche Posay, Avene, Garnier Naturals, Clinique I have tried quite a few things on this face of mine. 

Wearing sunblock is imperative for my since I am trying to get rid of some of my acne scarring, and prevent wrinkles from forming, I would like to be as well preserved as possible ladies and gents! In my family it is not dinner/supper if the meal has no veggies.  I eat 1 cup of veggies every night with my evening meal, it is something I have been practicing for over 2 years and it works well for me. What you eat does contribute to your overall health and in turn your skin. 

I take  2 -3  Fish oil capsules every day for my overall health, also I recently found out that fish oil contributes to a plumping effect in the skin, more power to that. I  am a believer in the saying wwhatever goes on in your gut manifests itself in your face." I drink at least 1 – litre of water a day minimum.  I need my body to stay hydrated, due to the fact that I am so active. I can actually tell the difference in my skin when I am hydrated compared to when I am not. Also I don't drink excessively I might indulge more than normal on high holidays e.g. Christmas, Birthdays, Carnival, New Years etc. Week to week my alcohol intake is limited to 2 glasses of wine on a Friday evening and maybe a glass or two on Sunday afternoons with family dinner.  this is just my personal lifestyle choice, the fact that I am not imbibing  excessive alcohol regularly is a bonus for my skin. 

Follow the series on twitter via the hashtag #TheSkinProject.

Have a great evening my lovelies.

Facial Sunscreen - Avene Sun Care Very High Protection Sun Emulsion SPF50+ 50ml

Sunscreen Cheat Sheet

1. If you are exposed to the sun for more than 15 minutes a day, even if the weather is cloudy or over cast you need to apply sunscreen.

2. Always look for a suncare product that displays the UVA symbol in a circle or clearly states that it’s a Broad Spectrum formula. This will give your delicate skin protection from both UVA and UVB rays (ones that age and ones that burn) reducing your skin cancer risk and also preventing lasting, ageing sun damage.

3. No!!!!!! you cannot rely on the Spf in your foundation. Ideally for your entire face, neck and de-collate  you should be using a teaspoon amount every time you apply.

**if you are suffering with hyperpigmentation, you should be applying a higher factor spf every single day.**

                                                                  

Hypersensitive, light, and very fair skin needs some extra help in the sun. Avène Eau

Thermale Emulsion SPF 50+ provides just that, and makes sure skin is well protected when exposed to the sun.

The very high protection provided by this silky emulsion covers a very broad spectrum, and utilises an exclusive grouping of active ingredients. The name of this coalescence is Sunsitive®, a product of the Pierre Fabre Research facility. Skin is protected against UVB and also short and long UVA rays.

The matte formulation includes vitamin E based pre-trocopheryl, a potent antioxidant that shields the skin from damaging free radicals. As with all Avène products, the emulsion is rich in skin loving Thermal Spring Water with its soothing and calming capabilities. 

Available at Escenutal.com & Boots . RRP £16.00

Unil the next time my lovelies

xx

Facial Sunscreen - Bioderma Photoderm Spot Cream SPF50+ 30ml

Sunscreen Cheat Sheet

1. If you are exposed to the sun for more than 15 minutes a day, even if the weather is cloudy or over cast you need to apply sunscreen.

2. Always look for a suncare product that displays the UVA symbol in a circle or clearly states that it’s a Broad Spectrum formula. This will give your delicate skin protection from both UVA and UVB rays (ones that age and ones that burn) reducing your skin cancer risk and also preventing lasting, ageing sun damage.

3. No!!!!!! you cannot rely on the Spf in your foundation. Ideally for your entire face, neck and de-collate  you should be using a teaspoon amount every time you apply.

**if you are suffering with hyperpigmentation, you should be applying a higher factor spf every single day.**

Protect skin with localised hyperpigmentation and sun spots with the Bioderma Photoderm Spot SPF50+.

The formula is also suitable for skin that has been treated by laser, or scarred complexions. It offers maximum photoprotection with a wealth of specific active ingredients that minimise the risk of further pigmentation. The maximum anti-UVB protection and unrivalled, extreme anti-UVA performance protects the skin from sunburn, sun intolerance and premature ageing.

Created especially for facial skin, it guarantees optimum protection from the sun with its patented Cellular BIOprotection® complex. The melting texture of the cream leaves the skin feeling comforted and very soft.

Apply Photoderm Spot generously before sun exposure, and reapply frequently. Colourless when applied, the cream leaves no oily film or white marks. Non-comedogenic, water-resistant, photostable and fragrance-free, Photoderm Spot ensures excellent tolerance.

Available at Escentual.com RRP £15.50

YES!!!! you must wear suncreen every day my lovelies.

The Skincare Edit - The Budget Friendly Version

The idea for this post struck me today when I was at work. One of the ladies and I were speaking about the summer sales and items we could purchase now to use as gifts for birthdays/Christmas.

 It came to me that with all the hype about the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm, the P50 exfoliating toner and the PIXI glow tonic. Where are the options for those who want to try these products but just do not have the money to buy the cult products. 

I recently posted my Skincare edit (which is subject to change so there will be updates soon), so I am writing this the Budget friendly version of my skincare edit. This would have been my skincare edit a year ago when I was a student, strapped for pennies.

Makeup Remover - L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution 

Cleansing Oil  - L'oreal Cleansing oil (please remember this does have in mineral oil)

Cleanser morning - Neutrogena 2 in 1 cleanser & Mask 

Cleanser evening - Botanics 97% Organic Hot Cloth cleansing Balm 

Exfoliating toner - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion 

Hydrating toner - Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz 

Serum - Avene Soothing Hydrating serum 

Sunscreen - Bioderma Photoderm Spot Cream SPF50+ 30ml, 

or Avene very high protection mineral suncreen spf50+ for very intolerant skin 

My current skincare edit is £125 in total. The budget version above total costs equal £85, at the moment a lot of these products are on reduced price offers, so the total would be even less. I recommend when purchasing skincare you buy one item at a time. eg when your cleanser finishes, then purchase a new one,  not before. Do the same in turn with each skincare item. Unless your skin is in a bad way, I would never suggest purchasing an entirely new skincare regime at once.  I love a bargain and the frugal person in me would never let that happen. I will stick to purchasing one at a time as items finish.  I hope that you guys find this post useful. 


Comment below and let me know if you have used any of the products above in the past. 

Happy Wednesday,

my lovelies.

xx

Review - Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil

This is a light weight non mineral cleansing oil made from a combination of Sunflower, Safflower, Olive and Seasame oils. Basic chemistry tells us that like attracts like. This is the basis for the Oil cleansing method. The oils in the cleanser attracts the oils produced by your skin, fuse together and breakup the makeup. Though this is an oil based cleanser it is suitable for all skin types. I love love love this stuff, especially now with the winter water. It cleanses my skin very well and leaves it feeling quite nourished but not over dried or stripped. 

To use: I press out two pumps into my hand then apply to my DRY skin, massage it all over.  Then I run my hands under water from the tap so that they are slightly wet, then I start massaging again. Adding water to the oil emulsifies it and it becomes a milky looking liquid. Then I rinse off with warm water. 

( The Gentle Cleansing Oil  does not come with a pump, I strongly urge you to purchase one, it extends the life of the product and helps with dispensing.)

Would I purchase? - yes (ther l'oreal facial cleansing oil is something I would like to try though) 

Would I recommend? - yes

Would I buy full priced? - yes, (if I absolutely had to

have a great day lovlies
xx 

The At Home Facial

Clean - apply a cleanser of your choice to your face and massage it gently in all over your face/chin/ neck for 2-6 minutes. During a massage routine, blood circulation accelerates the deposits of lactic acid and get washed out of the muscles. Give yourself a massage about five to ten minutes.  

Steam - After this time (2-3 minutes)  has lapsed fill your sink/large bowl with warm/hand hot water and soak a muslin cloth into it. Squeeze the excess water out of the muslin cloth. Cover your face with the muslin cloth and press it to your skin, when the cloth has cooled, dip the muslin cloth into the warm water again and repeat this process again. 

- if you need to do a real skin purging steam, fill the sink 1/2 way with hot hot hot water, and get a large beach towel. Cover your entire head + sink with the large beach towel and let the steam seep into your pores for a good 5 minutes at least. 

Exfoliate - After the second time fold the muslin cloth into 4 and begin to gently remove the cleanser from your face/chin/neck in circular motions. make sure to focus n the areas around your nose, hairline, just under your earlobe and your forehead/t zone. 

Chemical peel - to cleansed skin apply chemical peel as per instructions, most peels that I have tried have a 10 - 15 minute application time. (I usually apply my peels for 40mins - 1 hour, but that is what works for me and my comfort level. The first time I did this was by accident I fell asleep.) If I do a Chemical peel I will not use the muslin cloth, I will manually cleanse my face using my fingers. The exfoliating actions will come from the chemical peel. 

Mask - If you have Oily skin like myself I would suggest using a clay mask. For those of you with dry skin a hydrating mask would be better suited to your skin type. each mask comes with its own instructions, most masks have a wear time of between 8-15 minutes. leave on the mask for the suggested time on the instructions and then remove and rinse skin completely. ( I leave on my clay masks for an hour, but that is MY personal preference) The purpose of applying a clay mask is to draw out impurities to close the pores and remove any rough scaly surface on the skin and tighten the facial muscles. 

- DIY: Making your own mask is very easy. An orange and yogurt mask is especially simple. Mix 1 tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt with the juice of about one fourth of an orange. Spread the mixture evenly over your face and rinse after 5 to 10 minutes. 

- Also you could apply the egg and yoghurt mask. Apply moisturiser around the eyes and mouth. Whip one egg with plain organic yoghurt and apply to face avoiding the eye and mouth areas. Let it dry for a few minutes. Rinse off with warm water and a splash of cold water to close pores.

Toner - Apply toner to cotton pad and gently wipe all over face/chin/neck. 

Hydrate - last but by no means least apply a moisturiser and/or serum of your choice. 

****Products work better the longer they are able to stay in contact with your skin. So for treatments such as masks and peels since they are gentle anyway, I do not mind testing them on my skin for longer periods of time. Like I said this works for me.****

Review - Botanics Hydrating Night Cream All bright

Skin Type - Oily/Sensitive with some scarring/blemishes from past acne breakouts. 

What they say:

Brightens and hydrates overnight for normal/dry skin  with brightening hibiscus. 

This rich moisturiser gets to work when skin is highly preceptive, promoting surface renewal for brighter looking skin by morning. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, proven to immediately boost moisture levels, the nourishing formula leaves skin ready to face the day.

Hibiscus is nature's brightness booster and a wonderful hue of pink. Natural AHA@s from the flower act as mild exfoliators to help leave skin smoother and brighter. 

What I say:

This cream applies smooth, and it is easy to blend. My skin feels nourished but there is no oily or excess residue. It soaks in quickly which is definitely a plus when dealing with these lotions and potions. To me the finish is velvety, or semi matte. I wanted to try this range because I have seen it in boots and I have been stalking it, but I didn't want to commit myself to purchasing it while my other night cream the Avene Cleanance K was not finished (marginal perpensity to consume and all that). I was able to purchase this on the very last day of the offer of Boots, yay me. So far it has been working all right as a night cream. My skin does look brighter but that could be due to the fact that I have been using the Elemis Papaya Enzyme peel, so who knows.

Would I re-purchase? - Yes

Would I recommend? -  yes

would I buy full priced? - Yes it costs 4.99 hardly a bank breaker. 


miss mai

xx

Review - Avene Hydrance Optimale spf 20

        Now that I have told you about my cleanser, toner  and night time treatment that I am currently using, it is time to introduce those products work for me during the day. The #1 anti-age-ing skin product is SPF, sunblock, suncream whatever you want to call it. If you want to be looking at svelte and youthful in your latter years it is important to not only invest in a good skincare regime (which I am currently trying to do) but to also invest in some sunblock. 
     The harsh rays from the sun burn not only the top layer of skin but the under laying layer as well --------> this is what causes ageing. Not any old suncreeam will do, the one you choose to put ony our face and body must be a BROAD SPECTRUM sunscreen, meaning that it contains not only UVA but UVB protection as well. 

What Avene says:

Gentle, creamy moisturiser that restores skin;s hydration and helps protect it against environmental and UV aggressors. 

What I say:

     When you read the packaging it says for sensitive skin, however my skin is also oily, so at first I was apprehensive about trying it on. I later got over my trepidation and applied some of the cream, the formula was very light, easy to spread and it sank into my skin quickly. Another thing that I do love about this hydrating cream, is that even with its fairly high spf number, it does not leave my face with a greyish tinge, or a white circle where my hairline meets my face. I use this on days when the weather is overcast and then on days that are bright and sunny I wear Nivea Sun spf. 
      A little goes a long way with this product,  which I have tried and tested for myself. The cream comes in a little handy 40ml tube , so it has been very easy for me to pop this into my bag to apply on the go, or to re-apply as and when it is needed. Please note that between the time i acquired this product and presentday the level of spf has increased from 20  -----> spf 25.

Would I recommend? - yes

Would I repurchse? - yes (though this was given to me as a gift)

would I buy full priced? - Yes it is def worth it, skin protection in a light easy to use formula.

Miss Mai

Review - Avene Cleanance K Exfoliating Hydrating Treatment

What Avene says:

    Daily treatment helps to eliminate clogged pores, blackheads, blemishes to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion. Non - irritating formulations clinically proven to change the pattern of cycle causing acne breakouts, reduce excess sebum and restore skin's balance. 

How to use:

    Apply PM after thoroughly cleansing with Avene Cleanance soap free gel cleanser. If bothersome tingling occurs, reduce frequency of applications accordingly.

What I say:

     This is what is classified as a chemical exfoliant. Due to the content of glycolic acid, it gently eats away at the glue that holds the top layer of skin cells together, thus causing them to flake away over night, encouraging faster skin cell turnover. The Cleanance K gel really helped to clear away my scarring left from previous breakouts, it wasn't harsh, or stripping on my skin. While using this at night I made sure to cover my skin during the day with a moisturiser containing spf or just a sunblock. I have been using this as a night cream for over 4 months and I have def seen an improvement not only in my acne scaring but my skin as a whole seems alot brighter. If you are suffering from blemishes and would like to try chemical exfoliants or you are just tired of the pulling and tugging on your skin from manual exfoliants why not give this a try? You can use it on its own or in conjunction with the rest of the regimen from Avene. 

Would I repurchase? - yes

Would I reccomend? -  yes

Would I buy full price? -  yes 

Miss Mai 

Review - Avene Cleanance Anti shine Purifying lotion for Oily/Sensitive skin

Yes I said Oily and Sensitive in the same sentence. I love Avene products, I have been using them for a while since being introduced to the Avene cold creme gel, which I still use to remove my makeup.  

Avene Says;

Astringent toner purifies and tightens pores without stinging or irritating sensation. Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum and leave skin shine free. 

How to use:

Shake well to before use (to activate the Bi Phase formula) apply AM/PM to face after thoroughly cleansing using the Avene Cleanance Soap Free Gel Cleanser.

What I say:

This lotion (toner) the product itself is a joy to use. I apply it to my face using a cotton pad after cleansing. I doesn't sting my skin or leave my face dry afterwards. What I have experienced is a faint cooling sensation. In terms of mattifying my skin it does that amazingly well. The bottle annoyed me at first since there was no way to control the amount of product coming out. however I soon got fed up and started to decant the toner into a spray bottle, which has made it last way longer. I have roughly 50ml of product left, so all in all this product has lasted roughly 4 months so far. I genuinely enjoy using this product as part of my skincare routine, I have even used it after my REN chemical peels with much success. Avene Cleanance Anti shine Purifying Lotion retails for £8 per 200ml bottle. 

Would I recommend? - Yes I would for oily skin which is sensitive to allergic reactions/cyctic acne.

Would I repurchase? - Yes 

Would I buy full priced? - Yes 

My Current Skincare Routine

   I believe that skincare is a very important part of everyday life, whether you consider yourself a high, low or no maintenance person. However everyone's skin is different and because of this some products may not work for others as well as they work for me. The trick is to keep experimenting until you find a combination that is right for you. As you know I suffer from Cystic Acne but I am also a  bit of a picker / squeezer ----> truth moment and my skin scars toooooo easily. Over the years I have tried a few different products, Vitamin E, Tea Tree and Seaweed ranges from the Body Shop, the Garnier Active natural range, St Ives facial scrub (took me 2 years to finish, was so not a fan), Origins cleansing pads. Yea a whole bunch of stuff.

Avene Cleanance Gel - for oily, sensitive skin, this is a light soap free gel, which cleanses my skin very well but doesn't make my skin very dry or stripped. Its a bit thick which means, I have to dampen my hands slighty in order to help spread it around my face. I use this twice daily. 

Avene Cleanance Mattifying facial toner - This is a toner made from Avene thermal spring water, it contains denatured alcohol, it is not stripping or harsh. It contains salicylic Acid which settles at the bottom of the bottle. When I am about to apply this, I shake the bottle vigorously as instructed to mix the powder and then I pour it onto a cotton pad, then I wipe it across my face. I also use this twice daily.

Nivea Daily Essentials Facial moisturiser spf 8 - If you are following me on twitter (@Rebelle01) You would have seen me tweeting about the need to moisturise and protect your skin. This is a light moisturiser which absorbs very quickly, it does not give a mattifying finish, but you are not left  looking like a grease-ball either.  I use this moisturiser if I will be staying at home with no chance of going outside in the sun, or if I want to give my night cream a break.

Nivea sunblock spf 30/ Avene Rich hydrating creme spf 20 - Sunblock this right here is the ace in the hole. Sunblock is the number 1 anti-aging product in your skincare routine. Not only does it help to block out harmful rays from the sun, but did you know that using sunblock helps to prevent spots from getting darker. When you have a pimple and you go out into the sun, the melanin rushes to create a cover for that exposed flesh ----------> leading to dark spots and hyper pigmentation. By using sunblock as part of my skincare routine I have been preventing this from happening. I use this most days that I am leaving the house. 

Avene Cleanance K exfoliating hydrating creme - gel - a light lotion containing glycolic acid, which helps to generate skin cell renewal by ex-foliating the dead skin cells away. This product is not an overnight miracle cream but overtime I have seen improvements with use. 

Method 

I always double cleanse my face and I remove my cleanser using a muslin cloth at night.  

Miss Mai

xx