Spring has truly sprung up north. Which means it’s time, once again, to chat about my skincare routine. Specifically my morning routine. I like doing these posts a few times a year just to share what I’ve been using and loving. And this time, in something of a rarity, nearly all of the products I’m using are ones that I’ve never talked about before on here! How cool is that? Let’s get into it.
STEP 1 – CLEANSE
Well, after nearly 5 straight years of Bioderma, your girl is finally using something else as her morning cleanse. Granted, that’s only because I’m a dumbass who forgot to buy some more during the recent sales. In any case, you would have seen in my recent empties that I was using the micellar water from Guinot for a while there. But I’ve recently started using the GARNIER MICELLAR GENTLE PEELING WATER – $15.99. I haven’t used the Garnier micellar water in years. But I remember it being a great budget option. And this one has Glycolic Acid and PHA’s to help gently exfoliate the skin as well as cleanse. It’s early days still, but I am enjoying it so far.
STEP 2 – TONE/MIST
As is expected of me, I am currently juggling two different products that I’m using as my toner. Firstly, the GUINOT LOTION HYDRA BEAUTE – $62.00*. Yes, I do keep this in my SDSM bottle for ease of use. This is a fine toner. Does the job it needs to do. The other one is the KOSAS PLUMP + JUICY VEGAN COLLAGEN SPRAY ON SERUM- $77.00. This is loaded with a ton of amazing skin loving ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides. And the mist is ridiculously fine. I just wish that it didn’t smell like baby powder.
STEP 3 – SKIN TREATMENT
Serum time now. And yes, I know that I have four pictured here. But there is one that I use every day and three that get alternated depending on my mood. The daily use one is the L’OREAL REVITALIST CLINICAL 12% VITAMIN C SERUM – $60.00*. The L’Oreal is probably my current favourite Vitamin C serum. I have been so impressed with how my skin has been looking as of late. I’m breaking out a lot less and when I do get the odd pimple, they are fading much quicker than normal.
And when it comes to barrier protection, I’m alternating between the BOOST LABS MULTI-PEPTIDE ANTI-AGING SERUM – $29.95*, the THE ORDINARY NIACINDAMIDE 10% + ZINC 1% – $9.50*, and the GLOW RECIPE AVOCADO CERAMIDE RECOVERY SERUM – $72.00. All three of these are faves and are great for soothing my skin.
STEP 4 – EYE TREATMENT
I’m still loving lighter eye serums as opposed to the more heavy eye creams as of late. And the one that I’ve been reaching for the most has been the PIXI BOTANICAL COLLAGEN EYE SERUM – $34.00*. Again, not much to say about this one except that I like it and it’s good.
STEP 5 – MOISTURISE
Heading into the warmer months, I’m saying goodbye to the rich creams and hello to the light, gel textures. And the BARNI SKIN DEW NOT DISTURB MOISTURISER – $54.00* has been amazing. Very light, almost water gel style texture. And it smells like a tropical holiday to boot!
STEP 6 – SUN PROTECTION
Finally, we have the sunscreen. Now, because I’m getting ready early in the morning, I don’t usually put my sunscreen on until 15-20 minutes before I go to work. Which is a good tip for y’all. The two I have been reaching for have been the ULTRA VIOLETTE QUEEN SCREEN SKINSCREEN SPF 50+ – $47.00 and the CANCER COUNCIL FACE DAY WEAR SERUM SPF 50+ – $24.95*. Both of these are chemical sunscreens with a lightweight feel on the skin.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.
And that is my current skincare routine. It looks like a lot, but I can bang out the first five steps in a few minutes. Which suits me down to the ground! What does your morning routine look like? Let me know in the comments.
Cheers and love
Emily xo