I've always been one to
double cleanse in the evening, but I've never been particularly loyal to any particular set of
products. But as of late my evening skincare routine has remained a constant
and every evening I like to take 10 minutes or so to reset my skin; especially
since starting my new job in London - sooty skin doesn't make for happy pores!
So today I wanted to share my second part to my skincare trilogy; my evening
skincare routine...
Micellar Water has quickly
become a cult classic with near enough every skincare brand stock a bottle
of the stuff. The party and lazy girls favourite method of removing makeup,
with it's no rinse formula. Just a few sweeps of a cotton pad, it removes dirt
and makeup quickly and effectively. I use the budget friendly cleanser as the
first step in my evening skincare routine. The formula is gentle enough to use
on the eyes and lips. And doesn't strip the skin, or leave it feeling
tight.
Regular cleansing keeps the
skin clear and Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is great for a deep
cleanse. Its functional, no fuss, and non-drying, non-greasy,
lightweight, removes even the toughest waterproof makeup, formulated with no
nasties, nourishing and suitable for all skin types. Clinique's Take The Day
Off Cleansing balm is the second step in my cleansing routine. Taking a small
amount, I use my fingertips to massage the balm onto dry skin and rinse with lukewarm
water. Once water is applied the solid balm melts into a silky
white milk. After patting my skin dry, it feels thoroughly cleansed, clean
and amazingly soft. Take The Day Off is just as good as Emma Hardie's Moringa
Balm (although EH smells pretty darn good) and the Oskia
Renaissance Cleansing Gel, which had the tendency to leave my skin feeling
a little greasy. One word of warning though, try not to open your eyes when
removing eye makeup, as you will be left with cloudy vision for the
following five minutes!
Some find that toning is an
unnecessary step in their skincare routine, but a well-formulated toner can be
hugely beneficial to the skin and is an easy step to incorporate into your
routine. Twice weekly I like I reach for a liquid exfoliant - Pixi Glow Tonic
(contains gycolic acid 5% - AHA). Now I had my reservations, but this tonic
effectively removes dull skin cells to reveal a glowing complexion, kicking my
dull complexion to the curb. After application my skin feels smooth and
refreshed and appears more radiant. And with continued use it helps to
gradually diminish signs of imperfections and scarring. But it's important not
to overdo it. And personally I find that whilst this exfoliant doesn't leave my
skin pink, if used on a daily basis it can be a tad drying.
My go-to toner is LUSH Tea
Tree Water. With blemish fighting and clarifying ingredients, such as tea tree
oil and grapefruit, this toner not only removes any traces of cleanser, it also
reduces redness, calms and prevents breakouts. Typically I use this toner after
cleansing, but it can be used anytime of day. I like to spritz the tea tree
water directly onto a cotton pad and swipe all over my face and it leaves my
skin feeling clean and refreshed.
This facial oil has become
my go-to nighttime treatment. Used alone on freshly cleansed skin before I hit
the hay, the organic, natural and unaggressive orange oil from Pai immediately
improves my skins texture, whilst helping to protect and maintain moisture,
softness and elasticity of the skin. Concentrated with a blend of natural and
organic ingredients, it's a great all rounder and perfect for sensitive skin.
With continued use, it helps reduce hyper pigmentation and is affordable to at
just £22.00.
What products feature in
your evening skincare routine?