Confessions of a Skincare Junkie
I’ve never been that person with perfectly clear skin. Anyone who knows me, knows I go through phases of severe skin irritations when I eat something that doesn’t suit me, acne when I’m stressed or tired, rosacea just for fun.. the list goes on. I have forever been on a quest to find a magic solution to make my skin clear and fresh looking. Being pregnant and then postpartum sleep deprivation has added a whole new dynamic to that search, with hormonally imbalanced skin and deep bags from 9 months of no-sleep.
Below are some products that have worked for me over the years, and that I turn to, time and time again, to help me on a medical level.
The Cera Ver Blemish Control Face Cleanser with 2% Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide for blemish prone skin is my daily cleanser morning and evening.
Cheap and cheerful, I’ve tried fancy cleansers, but go back to this simple option again and again. I find it cleans my face properly, isn’t too harsh on my skin and also isn’t so fancy that I don’t feel I can go in for a triple clean after a long day. I use this on my neck and décolleté as well as my face.
This cleanser allows you to clean your face and control breakouts. It is designed to penetrate deep into pores, due to it being slightly acid-infused, and thus effectively removes dirt, grime and more potential causes for stubborn spots. For soft, smooth and clearer skin that doesn’t feel stripped, start here.
Also, I’ve got to add in here, I asked my dermatologist (on Harley Street) what cleanser he would recommend, and he actually said this one, which for me ends the discussion.
I start with hydration and use a hyaluronic acid as my first step after cleansing.
The Skin Ceuticals Hydrating B5 Hyalurnoic Acid is one I like to return to, and have been using for a few years now.
And although I’ve used many different versions, and the hyaluronic acids from The Ordinary as well as Dr. Barbara Sturm’s option (although way too over priced in my opinion), are just as good, I somehow like the feeling of the Skin Ceuticals one on my face, and also mixed with my vitamin C serum, which comes next…
The Daily Skin Trio by Dr. David Jack is my simple next step after cleansing my face. I would say the number one rule that I definitely learned the hard way, is to stick with this trio, no matter what- even if my skin goes through a rough patch, trying new products when my skin is already feeling vulnerable is not a good idea.
The Good Morning serum comes first, and is primarily a vitamin C serum, but includes Niacinamide, which firms the skin and reduces wrinkles, reduces redness and strengthens the skin barrier, Glutathione which is mainly detoxifying and boosts the skins defence, evening the skin tone, and Azelaic Acid which is anti-inflammatory and balances skin sebum.
The All Day Long moisturiser is a sheer day cream which features the very latest protective filters, including SPF50 and blue light protection, to create an impenetrable daily skin shield for urban living. I top this up throughout the day when I go out, or when it’s sunny. It is also deeply hydrating, filled with hyaluronic acid and carrot extract.
Finally, the Good Night cream is my evening night cream which includes granactive retinoid, which is a 4th generation retinoid, Peptides, Niacinamide and Panthenol, which is again anti-inflammatory and improves the skin’s hydration and elasticity.
The trio works really well together, and if you’d like to hear more about the products and how they were created (and why), tune into our weekly podcast. An episode with Dr. David Jack is coming out later this month.
I’m not going to lie, I’m the kind of girl that has forgotten to use an eye cream for as long as I can remember. And really I only started using this one, because I got a free tube with a Space NK order a while back.
This is the Augustinus Bader Eye Cream, which I hear is the holy grail of eye creams?
I’ve always seen influencers swear by The Rich Cream, which I know many people love and use exclusively. I personally have way too sensitive skin to be using it on a day-to-day basis, and if anything just broke out when I tried it.
The eye cream however contains potent peptides that help to increase the skin’s firmness, so that crow’s feet, lines and wrinkles appear reduced. With reduced puffiness and dark circles, the eyes take on a more radiant, wide-awake look with a smooth and soft finish. I use it when I can remember to use it, or when my baby is asleep already and I have a moment to myself in the bathroom before bedtime.
I do actually love a lip mask, and don’t go to sleep without lip balm at the very least.
The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is one of those products I love having in my bathroom and use when I can remember - but definitely not all the time.
The intense hydration and nourishment comes from the shea butter, coconut oil and murumuru butter in this lip mask. The lip mask also contains vitamin C to help protect the lips from external aggressors, while Berry Fruit Complex helps to leave the lips feeling softer and smoother.
Lastly for my lips, a pharmacy favourite.
The La Roche-Posay Nutric Lip Balm, which I carry around in my purse and also have on my bedside table and in most bathrooms of the house.
Reviewing the products that I actually use and love, the list isn’t endless, it’s not glamorous and it’s certainly not complicated. For me, my skincare routine is regimented and most importantly it’s basic. Most days I skip the eye cream and the lip mask, so I’m only really cleansing my face and using the Dr. David Jack trio, some hydration and some lip balm.
I’d love to start a conversation; what skincare products do you swear by, and can’t live without? What works for you, keeping in mind that every person and everyone’s skin is so different.