Hiya! So here's part 2 of my skincare series. Like I said in my last post, I split this into two as I didn't want it to be too long-winded. I covered cleansers and moisturizers in part 1 and will cover a few more necessities in this installment. Let's dive in!
A product that is a must-have and, in my opinion, a necessary part of anyone's skincare routine is a serum. I never put much thought into serums or using one as I figured moisturizers were getting the job done by themselves. I was so wrong. Serums are very lightweight so they are able to penetrate deep down into your skin where moisturizers can't reach. They are also fast absorbing, like a metaphorical gulp of water your skin has been waiting for all day. But keep in mind that serums are meant to be a supplement to a moisturizer, not a stand-alone product. My current obsession is Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I apply 4 to 5 drops to my skin before bed prior to applying my moisturizer and my skin has honestly never been better. It feels smooth and looks so healthy. My makeup even applies better since I began using this serum. It also smells like lavender, which is wonderful at bedtime.
Keep in mind that most serums are quite pricey. The one ounce bottle pictured above set me back nearly an entire day's worth of pay. I would recommend asking for samples to find one that is right for you before spending a ton of money on a product you may not like. There are many different options out there - some less expensive than others - so everyone should be able to find something that suits them! Serums are also meant to be used sparingly and a little goes a long way.
Second to moisturizers, the skincare product I rely most on are exfoliators. I have terribly dry skin so regular exfoliation is a must. However, it is important to keep in mind that it's possible to over-exfoliate. I used to exfoliate almost every other day and would scrub until my face was raw and red. This actually led to my skin becoming callused thus my moisturizers didn't seem to be working so I assumed I needed to exfoliate more. I didn't realise that I was just doing it too much. Now I only do it twice weekly at most and I'm as gentle as possible. Just enough scrubbing to slough off any dead skin and make sure I have a smooth base for my serum and moisturizer.
The exfoliator I'm currently using is Lush's Ocean Salt. It's a scrub that also doubles as a cleanser and it is one of Lush's most popular products. It contains all-natural ingredients such as avocado and coconut which help to moisturize your skin as well as lime and, oddly enough, vodka to cleanse and help prevent blemishes. It has a beachy smell, almost like a margarita, which is always a plus.
Another exfoliator I would recommend is Clarins' Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream with Microbeads. This product is definitely gentler than Ocean Salt as it is a cream. However, I find it doesn't always get the job done for me when my skin needs a little extra TLC. I would recommend this for anyone whose skin isn't super dry and doesn't need to exfoliate as often. It leaves skin feeling soft and tightens pores so they're not as visible. It also smells really lovely.
Masks are another skincare product that I could not live without. There are so many different types of masks that it's not especially difficult to find one for every skin type. I have three masks that I alternate depending on what I feel like my face needs on that particular day. If my skin is feeling particularly dry I use Origins' Drink Up Intensive. This is an overnight mask that has become one of Origins' best-selling products. It has avocado to soften and moisturize your skin and smells like apricots. Twice weekly, I massage a thick layer over my face after applying my serum and nightly moisturizer. It can feel a bit heavy as it's not fast absorbing, but it penetrates deep down as you sleep and your skin will feel baby-soft when you wake up. This mask can also be used when on a long flight or drive to keep your skin refreshed!
When I'm experiencing a breakout or even a small blemish that I want to get rid of quickly, I look no further than Lush's Mask of Magnaminty. It's a clay-based mask that pulls all the yuckiness out of your pores while peppermint and honey soothe. It also helps to gently exfoliate.
Boscia's Luminizing Black Mask is my go-to if I need to get deep down in my pores. This is also a clay-based mask, but once dried it is peeled off to pull out any deeply rooted impurities. It helps to shrink pores and tightens skin, helping your face feel firm and fresh. I use this mask the least as it is a bit pricey and find the other two do the most for my skin, but this is the mask for you if you have oily skin or want to minimize your pores.
Well that's it! Maybe you've been considering buying one of the products I mentioned and this has helped sway your decision or maybe you saw something you never knew you needed. Whatever the case, I hope I have given whoever reads this a bit of insight into the world of skincare from someone who has gone through the trial and error process more times than I can count. Please drop me a line with any comments or questions you may have!
Sarah xx
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