We are well and truly into the swing of September. Which means it’s time for my biannual morning skincare update post! And its a pretty good time for me to do this. As many of the products in my current skincare lineup are newbies that I have been using for a while now. So, I can give you some quick bite reviews while I’m at it. Let’s get to the skincare!
STEP 1 – CLEANSE
Yeah, I know. Even I think that having three cleansers for a morning routine is a little excessive. However, allow me to justify them! Firstly, the BIODERMA SENSIBIO MICELLAR WATER – $32.99 is what I use most mornings. I’ve talked this to death. I don’t feel the need to repeat myself. The KOTIA EXFOLIATING CLEANSING MILK – $28.00* is for when my skin is breaking out and it needs a little help. I love how gentle the exfoliation is. And the TOWER 28 DAILY BALANCING GEL CLEANSER – $32.67 is for every other occasion. This is one of the newer additions to my morning routine. So far, so good! I picked this up from Revolve and I’m hoping that this launches at Mecca soon.
STEP 2 – TONE
Again, three is excessive. And I have even less of a justification for this many except for I’ve had them for a minute and I have to use them. The HADA LABO GOKUJYUN PREMIUM GOLD – $30.00 was a Singapore pick up. And it has been particularly wonderful for my dry cheeks. The KOTIA PURIFYING TONER – $28.00* is the toner I reach for when I’ve used the Bioderma just for a little boost of exfoliation. And the NIOD SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE SACCHARIDE MIST – $80.00 is just something I always have at this point. I actually love spraying this on my arms and chest.
STEP 3 – TREATMENT
Heading into summer, my main skin focuses are on hydration and keeping my hyper-pigmentation in check. For hydration, my go to’s have been the RHODE GLAZING FLUID – $30.00USD and the THE ORDINARY HYALURONIC ACID 2% + B5 – $28.00*. It usually depends on how dry and irritated my skin is as to which one I use. Most days, it’s The Ordinary. But if my face is particularly dry and feral, that’s when I break out the Rhode.
As for the hyper-pigmentation, I have something of a dream team. Firstly, the CAUDALIE VINOPERFECT DARK SPOT SERUM – $113.00. This one is pretty famous online for it’s unique formulation. And I was using and loving it for a while there. But I’ve recently pulled in the SIBLING SKINCARE FUTURE BRIGHT VITAMIN C SERUM – $89.99*. This one is a bit of a double whammy. Because not only has it made a world of a difference with my dark spots and acne scarring, it’s also gives my skin an added boost of hydration
STEP 4 – EYE TREATMENT
Another one that I cycle around with depending on my mood. Most mornings, I’ve been using the SIBLING SKINCARE EARLY RISER EYE CREAM – $79.99*. This absorbs super quickly and gives an almost instant brightness to my under eyes. I’ve also been enjoying the THE ORDINARY MULTI PEPTIDE EYE SERUM – $39.50*. I hadn’t used an eye serum like this before. But I quite like it for something light and nourishing.
STEP 5 – MOISTURISE
For my moisturisers, I have a case of one in, one out. I’ve almost totally used up the TOWER 28 SOS DAILY BARRIER RECOVERY CREAM – $40.00. I was using this during the tail end of winter and I really, really liked it. I’ll go into more detail when it hits my empties. My one in is the KOTIA HYDRATING DAY CREAM – $70.00*. I actually started using it during the start of winter, but it wasn’t quite enough hydration for my liking. I’m enjoying it much more now.
STEP 6 – SUN PROTECTION
And finally, we have my current sunscreen lineup. Firstly, the BANANA BOAT ULTRA LIGHT FACE FLUID – $20.00 (TGA Declaration – purchased myself). Light, fluidy consistency and it provides UVA and UVB protection. Second, the BIORE UV AQUA RICH WATER GEL SPF 50+ – $14.10. This was another Singapore pick up and I love it! Very light formulation and it even sits well under makeup. Lastly, the THE INKEY LIST POLYGLYTAMIC ACID DEWY SUNSCREEN SPF 30 – $15.00USD. This one is extremely hydrating and dewy on the skin. I’ve enjoyed it over winter, but I’m curious to see how my skin goes with it come the height of summer.
And I think that’s enough yapping about skincare! I know this routine looks excessive. But I have it down to a fine art these days. As always, let me know what your morning routine looks like in the comments.
Cheers and love
Emily xo