Hello lovelies!
Today I wanted to show you all my morning skincare routine. I use to keep a simple skin care routine – cleanser, moisturiser and lip calm (if that counts as skin care). But towards the end of 2017, I upped my skincare game, trialling different products to sort out a better and more fluid routine for myself.
I have oily/acne prone skin, and I have some issues with uneven skintone, redness, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, large pores and oiliness.
I have introduced some products into my skincare routine to help calm or combat some of these issues. Of course, it’s not going to be some sort of overnight miracle, it takes time and consistency. Most people test don’t see results until about 6 weeks worth of consistent use and even then it might be miniscule.
My skincare routine in the morning is about 8 steps, but some products I substitute for another so sometimes it’s only 5-6 steps.
The products
Not pictured – Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF 30
So generally in the morning, before all this, I’d wash my face with some warm water and a soft towel. I’d then rinse off with cold water by splashing my face. Afterwards, I’d brush my teeth and that’s it.
I won this in a giveaway and I’m a massive advocate for lip balms. Personally, I’d use tube ones, especially from Nivea, but because I’d finish my current tube, I decided to give this a go.
At first I wasn’t so keen on it, and I wasn’t a fan of the smell either. The first few times I used this, it kind of burned my lips/skin around the area. Which puzzled me because Lush creates their products using everything natural, and nothing harmful. Eventually, after a few uses, that feeling didn’t occur anymore.
It’s a decent lip balm, but I wouldn’t say it’s totally hydrating. It’s kind of a ‘I have nothing else, so this’ll do’ kind of product for me.
However, I will say I love the little pot, despite not being a fan of potted balms, I wanted to use up this lip balm so I could wash out and reuse the little pot. It’ll be great for some cream on the go and what not.
Would I consider purchasing this in the future? Nope.
2. Thayers Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Formula Alcohol-Free Toner Unscented
I had heard amazing reviews of this toner, so I had to pick it up after a fellow blogger told me where I could find it online. I bought this off iherb (use my code ‘‘IRE3520’* for 5% off your order) and decided on this one because I’m not fond of the HG rose scented toner.
I pour some onto a cotton pad and sweep it all over my face, but if you’d like to save product, you can pour some into your hands and pat it in.
Would I consider repurchasing this in the future? Definitely! But I’d like to try maybe the cucumber one next time.
3. Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
I had also heard so many things about the brand Cosrx, so I tried this out. It aims to reduce the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, and blemishes, while cleansing pores.
I spray some onto a cotton pad and wipe it all over my face. Some days I might skip this step, or alternate between the two toners. I also got this off iherb, and at a very reasonable price.
Would I consider repurchasing this in the future? I’m not so sure, because I think using the Cosrx One Step Pimple Clear Pads give me better results (see next step).
4. Cosrx One Step Pimple Clear Pads
I had seen someone on Instagram say that they used this every morning and it helped clear their face, so I gave it a go. There are 70 pads inside, which are soaked in a BHA solution which helps to wipe away excess dirt, oil and purify clogged pores. You first go in with the rough/embossed side, and then once again but on the other side/the smooth side.
I think this is really worthwhile, because you get 70, that’s about 2 months worth of use and for $20, that’s about $10 per month. Before purchasing this, I read some reviews on it where people cut the pads in half, to get more pads. If you plan on cutting them in half, I highly suggest ensuring you have sterilised your tools before it comes in contact with the pads. Because if you use contaminated products to cut the pads, it’ll spread bacteria onto the pads, which make them ineffective.
There is still a bunch of solution left in the pad once you’ve gone over your face with both sides of the pads, so I wipe my neck and decolletage as well.
Would I consider repurchasing this in the future? 100%. My face feels so much cleaner after using this for a few months.
Make sure you close the lid properly, so the pads stay moist.
5. Nude By Nature Nude Miracle Serum
Click here for a full review of this product.
In short, I got this for my birthday and decided to add it to my skincare routine. It’s really lightweight, but I don’t think it did anything. It was just a filler as I was trying to find a Korean serum to use.
I just wanted to finish off the product so it didn’t go to waste.
Would I consider purchasing this in the future? Nope. It did nothing for my skin.
6. Natural Instinct Dark Circle and Wrinkle Correction Eye Creme
I received this for completing a survey and I don’t have any issues with my eye area regarding wrinkles etc, because I’m still young. However, I do have some issues with eye bags, dark areas under the eyes so I thought this would be a nice addition to my routine anyways, and I didn’t want it to go to waste.
It claims that it helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness while promoting cell renewal, but I find that it didn’t do anything for me. My dark circles are still the same.
This might be more suited for people with mature skin. This was my first time using any sort of eye cream too, and I will say that a little goes a long way and it absorbs like a dream. The applicator makes it easy to dispense the product as well.
Would I consider purchasing this in the future? Nope. It did nothing for me. I will consider investing in eye creams maybe in 10 years or so haha.
7. The Face Shop Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel
I had seen a lot of instagrammers rave about this so I had to pick it up too! I got it from The Face Shop, the website linked to the name is the Canadian website, because there is no Australian website. It costs $8AUD for those who are interested in knowing the price.
I use this as a moisturiser because it’s super lightweight (because it’s a gel, duh!) and soothing. I’m a big fan of light moisturisers, e.g. gel moisturisers. I’m still on the hunt for a new moisturiser, because the moisturiser before this was bio oil and I have stopped using that. For anyone that has scarring, I really recommend investing in some facial oils. Be consistent with their use and you’ll see amazing results. Some popular ones are rosehip oil, marula oil and from brands such as The Ordinary/Deciem and Drunk Elephant.
Would I consider repurchasing this in the future? Yes, no doubt about it!
8. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF 15 (Not pictured in original image)
I’ve been using this for about…3 years. I started using it in the senior high school days. The SPF is pretty low, but for my school days, I only had contact with the sun for about less than an hour each school day. The only times I came in contact with the sun was after I got off the bus and walked to school, the sunlight hitting the windows as I made my way around the school for classes and walking to the bus stop after school to catch the bus. During lunch and recess I’d sit in shaded areas, out of the sun. I wasn’t purposefully avoiding the sun, but if you’re Australian you already know how hot it can get during Summer, you’d want to do your best to stay in the shade.
I layered this on after my moisturiser, even though it is a moisturiser, but I felt it wasn’t as moisturising. I was just using it for the SPF factor. I’m still looking for a HG SPF.
Would I repurchase this in the future? Probably not. There has got to be something better out there, that’s bigger in size, cheaper in price and higher in SPF than this bottle. It’s a good SPF for those who are starting to introduce SPFs into their skincare routines, but you’ll need something with a higher SPF if you’re constantly out and about.
That’s it, that’s my skincare routine for the morning. It seems somewhat long winded, but it’s worth it in the end. I would’ve loved to add an essence in, but the one I’m after is always sold out. Every time I’ve checked the stock for it, it’s still sold out, AND I can’t find it online for the same price 😦 I guess I’ll keep waiting.
Let me know below what your morning skincare routine is like! I’d love to know.
With love,
Irene (icxbeauty)
*Those listed with an asterisk are affiliate links, this means I receive a tiny bit of commission if you choose to use my code.
VQP. usu BEAUTY