Following my last post on my Skin history – Journey to clear skin (found here), I’m going to let you all know what I’ve been using religiously for the past two years to keep my skin in good condition.
FIRSTLY – I am VERY funny about what I use on my skin now, I don’t like trying new products, although I’m always tempted. I’ve also become very aware of the ingredients in skin care products and always check the ingredients up against this website – http://www.zerozits.com/Articles/acnedetect.htm – (Amazing website, tells you which ingredients are comedogenic, which block pores etc). A few products I have used since my acne ordeal have bought me up in spots but I just stop using them as soon as I get a spot and they go.
SECONDLY – I am aware that I may get a lot of telling off for what I use on my skin now, just because its not ‘right’ and ‘good’ for the skin, but after having been through angry acne, I am not going to start using another ‘three step regime’ just because I’m ‘supposed to’ or because its right. What I use now works really well for me so I am not changing unless I have to.
So my regime is as follows –
- I always take my make-up off before bed, no matter what the circumstances. And I do this with Johnson’s babywipes. Controversial eh!? Cleansers bring me up in spots, full stop, and they’re more of a hassle to use than baby wipes. It does the trick of removing makeup and it doesn’t give me spots so I’m sticking to it.
- If I’m wearing lots of eye makeup, then I will use a cleanser on my eyes – not on my whole face. I will rub the product on my eyes gently, and remove the makeup and cleanser with a baby wipe. At the moment I have been using either Simple’s gentle cleanser, or The Body Shop’s Natrulift Cleanser (neither pictured) on my eyes. Both are good for removing eye makeup, especially with the help of the baby wipe afterwards.
- I use a moisturizer when my skin feels dry and always after I exfoliate. The only moisturizers I would ever use now is The Body Shop’s Vitamin E night cream or Vit E facial oil. These two moisturizers don’t give me spots, and I don’t want to risk it by trying others. I use the Vit E night cream in the morning as well, if I need to (also controversial!) because its a lot thicker than the day cream and my skin does get very dry.
- I exfoliate once a week with St Ives Apricot Invigorating Exfoliator. Its amazing at removing dead, flaky skin and it doesn’t irritate me at all. I adore this exfoliator, it really is incredible.
- If I do get a spot, I will apply Freederm to it before I go to bed. By the morning the spot has reduced in colour and size OR I find that it will bring the spot out more quickly, meaning its gone quicker!
That’s it! I’m not using any expensive creams or liquids to keep my skin in good shape. I’ve realised that using simple products (that don’t claim miracles or life changing results) are so much better for my skin. This is also great because it means all my products are affordable and easy to find in shops.
I have been a bit naughty recently though, and I’ve been very tempted to purchase new skin care products (its always hard reading blogs and skin care reviews and trying to resist all the great new products on the market) and recently I’ve started using a Liz Earle Cleanser (for review purposes) and a Sebamed cleansing bar. I’ll be writing reviews on each in the next few weeks and I’ll let you know how my skin has been getting on with those!!
I will also write up in depth reviews of each of the products in this post – I’m thinking Freederm and St Ives reviews would be handy for you guys? Let me know if you’d like this!
Do you use any of the same products as me in your skin regime? Do you think its bad that I use babywipes to remove my makeup?
xxxx
Thanks for the update on your skincare regimen.
I exfoliate at the end of my shower with a washcloth. Works for me.
I recently switched to a new skin care routine (the Clinique 3 step system) and after years of having bad skin, its worked mircales for me – I too am now scared to switch to anything else! (I know it didnt work AT ALL for you, it such a love/hate product). I think once you find something that works for YOU – then stick to it. After suffering with bad stick I know how it feels to find something that actually WORKS!
Daisy xx
I use baby wipes instead of a cleanser in the morning when I'm in a rush. Everybody seems to be raving about St Ives Apricot Invigorating Exfoliator, but it seems way too harsh for my dry skin. Maybe I should try the gentle version?
I have a similar routine and don't ever want to change it much either. I've changed the Freederm for Panoxyl, though. If I ever do get a spot, it really does get rid of it over night even if I am left with dry skin around the area I've applied it but it works a lot better than the Freederm did for me so it could be worth a try 🙂
I did use babywipes to take off my make-up but they didn't do as great a job as I hoped they would, so I've gone back to using normal make-up wipes again. I've been using the Sebamed soap as well but not noticed any major difference in my skin, let me know how you get on with it!x
I really loved your last skin history post and really enjoyed reading this post too. I had an allergic reaction to a "spot reducing" moisturiser and my skin came out in tiny white lumps and has then been so dry for the last two weeks that I've been looking for a decent moisturiser.
I don't get why babywipes are generally frowned upon either? My skin has become quite spotty as of late (possibly because I've switched contraceptive pill I think) but before that when my skin was fine & dandy I always used babywipes to take my make up off (bar eyemake up) and they worked perfectly well.
I think people can spend far too much money on really expensive products that claim to do so much but in reality they'd get the same effects from brands which don't cost the earth.
Hi Katie. I'm new to following you and loving your blog so far 🙂
My skincare regime differs, although I do stick to the same face wash which is Cliniques. I have very dry/sensitive skin so have to be careful with what I use and put on it! Obviously the more moisture the better – with face creams I change it depending on the weather! Now it's winter I'll definitely be needing a more moisturised cream (if that makes sense!?)
I don't see a problem with people using face wipes at all! It's what works for you not what works for other people 🙂
Lauren xx
I'd love to read your review for this Freederm cream, I've never heard of it before but it sounds like a miracle worker!
xx
I normally take my makeup off with a wipe, then cleanse and use a face wash! I agree that you should just use whatever works well for you and your skin 🙂 I might try the St Ives scrub x
I actually use baby wipes as well, my skin likes those better than facial wipes. However, I always follow with a gentle cleanser, especially when I'm wearing a long lasting foundation or sunscreen as those can be quite hard to remove!
I recently ordered a bottle of A-D-E cleanser by Earth Science and I'm really liking it so far (been using it for about a month now). I recommend it. 🙂
Moisturiser is a must for me. I know a lot of people worry about them clogging their pores and all but once you've found a product that works for your skin there really is no excuse for not using one. 🙂
Thank you for speaking about your skin – (in the least patronising way!) I think you're incredibly brave! It's made me rethink the state of my skin because while I don't have acne it's quite clogged in general, so the website you've linked here will be useful to me I hope!
Also I swear by baby wipes, ever since I did art at A-Level – they're the only thing I could find which would clean the paint and such off my hands and now I use them for anything (duster anyone?). I can't believe people would tell you how to care for your own skin…if it ain't broke don't fix it!
Love baby wipes in fact I love baby products, smells good & gentle on the skin xx
Im the same I use babywipes and they dont break me out either, i think sod it if it works for u who cares wot other people say is right 🙂
also ive used freederm and its good but quite pricey if u want a cheaper one, Johnsons Clean &Clear rapid action treatment cream is half the price and just as amazing as freederm 🙂
<3
I use baby wipes to removed my make up – it doesn't break me out like make up wipes do! Plus they are really soft and perfect for sesitive skin – New follower! xx
Great blog, Using natural ingredients is good for the skin. What a good detour from potentially harmful chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl sulfate and sorbitol.
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