My Skin Care Routine

When your younger if an adult tells you something it really seems resonate with you. I remember when I was about 14 my Mum saying that a friend of hers now over 40 moisturised everyday since she was 16 and accredits that for the current wellbeing of her skin. Mind you this was the same woman who said sleeping in a bra stops your boobs from sagging so all creditability may be negligible.

Having this thought put in my mind when I was younger, it encouraged me to start a skincare routine that worked for me. My skin is on the drier side but I still suffer from the rare pimple from month to month. I have tried multiple skincare products and these are the current ones I’m using that I believe really help to make a difference.

Face wash – Philosophy Purity Simple Facial Cleanser 

This is the cleanser that I use to remove all my makeup. Whether I’ve done a full face or a strong smokey eye this cleanser gets rid of everything. It leaves your skin feeling so soft. I love a cleanser that foams when you mix it with water and this works a treat. Paired with my PuraSonic for an even deeper clean its perfect to rejuvenate your skin.

Facial Cleansing Device - PuraSonic

There are thousands of facial brushes out on the market with the Clarisonic being one of the most popular brands, however I couldn’t justify spending that much. So I opted for the PuraSonic, which in my opinion works just as well if not better. When I first got it I used it every night with my cleanser but I found as my skin is on the drier side it just dried out my skin more. So I now use it 3-4 times a week, especially if I have a full face of makeup on. It’s amazing how you think that all your makeup is removed, then one swoop with this and you see all the makeup that gets left in your pores. It's fantastic for a deeper clean and getting rid of impurities.

Toner – ModelCo Replenishing Rose Mist Facial Mist

I’m yet to find my forever toner, the one that I believe really improves my skin. So many people skip this simple step but it really is important. After cleansing you’ve stripped your skin of all your natural oils, a toner helps to rebalance the pH and maintain the balance of your skin. A small thing that a lot of people don’t realise is that if you suffer from acne, cleansing your face without a toner or moisuriser is only going to make your acne worse as it strips your skin and then your body works to correct this by excreting extra oils to put back everything you have taken away. In turn increasing the oils and blocking your pores. The toner I’m currently using is ModelCo, it’s a spray bottle which I have now sworn by, every toner I buy from this day out will be a spray. It makes application soo much easier.

Serum – Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

I’ve always wondered what the difference between a serum and a moisturiser was and whether this step was important. Serum is meant to work on the deeper layers of your skin, whereas Moisturiser locks in the moistures from the top layer. The Serum I use, certainly puts a hole in my wallet and if your just starting out with serums I suggest you buy a cheaper alternative and decide whether it works for you. However this serum I swear by! I don’t use it every single day, more like 4-5 times a week before I apply a moisturiser but since I suffer from dry skin I find this step really helps.

Eye Cream – Clinique All About Eyes

Eye Cream is something I have tried thousands of and yet to stick to one I really really love. However this Clinique one I find really makes a difference. Call me a night owl or just insane but I’m always going to bed later than I should. This eye cream I found has really made a difference to the darkness under my eyes. This eye cream is my new go to!

Moisturiser – Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Lotion

I’m constantly going through different moisturisers to find one that works best for me. But this is the one, once I finish the what I’m currently trying, I’m going back to Origins and never looking back. Its lightweight yet really makes a difference. I know a lot of people that aren’t a fan of Origins but its one of my favourite skin care brands and always a staple for me!

Face Mask - Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask 

I cannot sing more praises for this mask. It’s a hydrating treatment that I use once a week in place of a moisturiser. If there is one thing you should try it’s this bad boy. My skin wakes up softer than baby’s bottom; it honestly makes all the difference. Your skin will thank you for using this mask.

ADDIT 2025 - This cream broke me out in 2023 and I stopped using it. I tested it again because I really love the hydrating effect of this cream however unfortunatley still in 2025 this tends to cause a break out, so sadly won't be going back to this currently. Still now looking for an alternative for this with its hydrating effect, that dosen't break me out.

Cream Cleanser – Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser

This is now a staple in my routine; I use this mask 2-3 times a week when I’m in the shower. It really pulls out all the impurities leaving your skin feeling so renewed and fresh. I wouldn’t recommend it if you have sensitive skin or at least test it first, it contains salicylic acid which in this case if you leave it on too long, can cause a slight sting/tingling sensation; which personally I love. I didn’t use this mask for a few months the difference in my skin was extremely noticeable, it really improves your complection and is extremely cost-effective for the quality that it is.

Looking over this I didn’t realise how many skin care products I really have, but these are the ones that really work for me. Everyone’s skin is different and what works for me, May not for you. If nothing else I strongly encourage everyone to at least cleanse regularly and moisturise, your skin will thank you, not just now but for years to come!

NEWER ADDITIONS =

Eye Cream - Origins GinZing Eye Cream

I stopped using eye creams recently I reached a point where I questioned how different is an eye cream to a moisturiser and why am I paying an extra $60 for another product that is probably doing the same thing. This is one of the last eye creams I used before I stopped buying them and I do love an origins product for their more natural background. I enjoyed this product but didn't love it, it wasn't overly memorable or made any remarkable difference skin wise.

Moisturiser - Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream; Super Lotus Night Recovery

I liked this product but didn't love it as a moisturiser. I felt it definitley helped my skin but didn't overly improve complexion. I wouldn't rebuy it again but did enjoy while I was using it.

Moisturiser - Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

I did really enjoy the hydrating properties of this mosituriser, however felt like it didn't assist with the anti-ageing properties I would look for as well in a night cream. It had a nice consistency and felt like it stayed on rather than a cream that feels very thin and unprotective. I enjoyed this one again but wouldn't rebuy it, fresh is a nice brand overall however nothing I have fallen in love with.

Moisturiser - OleHendriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser

Funnily enough this is a cream accidently bought twice, I went in after finishing a bottle to buy a new moisturiser and the packaging got me by mistake and I bought it - to get home and realise it was the exact same as the one I had been using. I didn't dislike it but didn't love it to the point I wanted to continue with this product any further.

Moisturiser - Drunk Elephent: Bora Barrier Repair Cream - Creme Reparatrice Rebuild + Restore

I've rebought this moisturiser multiple times. I do really like it, it felt thicker than usual and maintained my skin's appearance and health overall. It is the moisturiser I do tend to fall back on if I cant find another one I like, I do really like and enjoy this one. But I don't think I'll continue to come back to it, I want something more hydrating that feels like it maintains that hydration even after it has been absorbed.

Serum - Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM

I've rebought this product a couple times now & do find it assist with skin rejuvenation and assists with healing up a breakout or cut faster than by skin would normally heal. It felt like it assisted with otherall brightness and rujvenation. I question whether retinol is overall good or mad for skin as a whole and haven't bought this product recently. However did really enjoy ths product

Serum - Skin Physics Copper Peptides +/Advanced Age Defence Serum

I wanted a serum that would be hydrating and anti ageing, I'm not entirley sure I found it with this product. It definitley felt like it improved my skin overall (I would alternate between this serum + a retinol serum depending on what I fely I needed, so was using it slightly inconsistently). I enjoyed this product and is definitley a cheaper alternative to some other serums. I liked it, but feel like I would want a serum in the future that was a little more hydrating.