I started quite a strict bridal skincare routine in January of this year, which left me with 9 months to prepare my skin for our wedding.
My skin condition: With combination skin I have both dry and oily skin. I often break out in blemishes when stressed and/or unwell and I have a few acne scars on my cheeks. This was essentially my focus when selecting beauty products. And the products that I mention below are the perfect skincare solutions for me – my combination skin is finally controlled and the best it has ever been.
Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise
We’ll start with the basics, the foundation of my skincare regime – cleanse, tone and moisturise. I have used Bioderma (Crealine) Sensibio H20 Cleanser as a makeup remover for a year now and I couldn’t imagine using any other product. You can read my review on this product here. Removing my makeup is something I have become religious about; I just cannot go to sleep with makeup clogging my pores.
I also used the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser around 3-4 times a week after removing my makeup. It isn’t essential and I only use it prior to an exfoliant and/or a face mask but it is affordable at £11 (from Boots) for a 200ml bottle. This is a good cleanser for sensitive skin as the ingredients glycerine and La Roche-Posay thermal spring water make it light and gentle when removing makeup, without any irritation.
I am not as strict with toner as I cleanse quite thoroughly, however, the toner I use is budget friendly at only £2.66! It is the L’oreal Paris Skin Perfection Velvety-Soft Toner, specifically formulated for sensitive skin. I’m not too keen on the scent, although I can’t pinpoint why, it’s just a budget-friendly product.
Now, the moisturiser. My favourite moisturiser is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar MAT Moisturiser, an incredible oil-free, gel moisturiser that provides a matte finish on the skin. You’ll find a more detailed review on a previous blog post here.
Exfoliant My exfoliant of choice is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. I apply this to my face around 3-4 times a week and leave on for around 10-15 minutes as a face mask. The rice-based exfoliating powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother. That’s the science of it, anyway. It is the best exfoliator I have found for my oily/combination skin, as it removes excess oil and leaves my face visibly brighter. What’s more, I use the professional-sized bottle and it is still 2/3 full after 6 months – therefore, it is long-lasting and worth the money!
Face Mask Although there is a good range of face masks on the market, I love to use the Chanel HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE moisture mask, which costs around £39 from most department stores like John Lewis and Debenhams. This is a product I love to apply on a relaxing Sunday afternoon with a Jo Malone bubble bath, candles and a good book.
The formula contains an exclusive moisturising agent, Ceratonia PFA*, which boosts the dynamics of skin hydration at the very heart of cells to maintain an optimal level of moisture. It is an incredibly moisturising mask, resulting in soft and silky skin.
A little indulgent treat; my guilty pleasure.
Night Creams
Now, the products that I use as ‘night creams’ are not intended to be applied at night. But they work really well for my skin in this routine. The La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector I apply to blemishes before I go to sleep and it is, without a doubt, my skincare saver – read the full blog post here.
The second product I use in the evening is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]. Again, you can read a review on my blog post here.
I prefer not to use an actual night cream as they are often far too nourishing and leave my skin with a shine the following morning. I am sure this will probably change as I get older but for now, I don’t necessarily need one and I would much rather let my skin use this time to breathe.
Lip Scrub
To prepare my lips for a pretty pout, I use the Bubblegum Lip Scrub from Lush. Before I apply my makeup and importantly, my lipstick, I prepare my lips by applying with my finger as the caster sugar and jojoba oils exfoliate away any dead skin. It smells delicious and tastes even better. I love this little product!
Dermalogica Facial
Two weeks before my wedding I visited Couture Beauty in Cambridge for a Dermalogica facial. It was, surprisingly, my first facial. My skin felt renewed and fresh with the most amazing glow. I highly recommend you book a facial two weeks before the big day (or even several times in the months leading up to the wedding if you can afford it) as my skin had never felt and looked so good.