So, where to start when it comes to me and skincare?
I've got drawers upon drawers of products that I've collected over the years, as a teenager I definitely had problem skin and unfortunately the phase didn't falter once I'd hit my twenties.
I can't remember who's blog I was reading but at the beginning of this year I came across a post talking about how bad face wipes were for your skin. I had always used face wipes to remove all of my make up and then usually a moisturiser (sometimes I'd fully cleanse and tone or treat myself to a face mask.) so this made me think twice.
Conveniently I had a trip to Paris planned for April and I already knew how well renowned their pharmacies were for skincare and bits and bobs so I drafted up a list and dragged my now ex-boyfriend around the shops.
The two things I hunted for were:
Bioderma Crealine H20 & Avene Eau Thermale
Since that day in April I have used both products religiously every single night and I honestly have not gotten one spot or blemish since. (I know what you're thinking 'its too good to be true' and to be honest it could be down to a number of factors other than my skincare regime but I genuinely havn't changed anything about my lifestyle)
Bioderma is a must have for many beauty bloggers and I can see why. You simply apply it with cotton pads and it cleanses and removes all make up/product; even the stubborn stuff! Then instead of rinsing, like you might with other make up removers, you just leave it on your skin. One of the large bottles lasted me two and a half months and I was using it every night to remove a full face of make up, so a little goes a long way!
The Avene water spray is also a staple for me now as well, its just a light cooling water mist, I usually use it before bed and also sometimes during the day if my face feels dry or my make up needs a quick refresh without re-application.
I've also found a new favourite moisturiser which I came across by chance. I had been using Effaclar Duo by La Roche Posay but my skin just didn't like it and I ended up with dry patches. I had seen the new Garnier range advertised loads, the one where they have a different moisturiser for each skin type, so I picked up the one for dry skin on the off chance and its been perfect! I don't have dry skin any more but I still use it daily, its fairly thick in consistency so I only use a tiny amount but it doesn't make my skin feel oily at all!
And finally my Clarins Liquid Bronze! I swear by St Moriz when it comes to fake tanning but I never dared put it on my face (especially now my skin is the best it has been) so I used to use a Boots own range facial tanner but it always made me patchy and too orange. I did a lot of research and decided to splash out on the Clarins Liquid Bronze (I think I only paid around £12 actually so not too bad but it usually retails at around £18). This is the perfect facial tan for me, you apply it with a cotton pad, its light in texture and colour, not brown and daunting, and you just sweep it over your face like a moisturiser. One coat leaves me with a light glow where as two coats matches me perfectly with my body tan (St Moriz Dark). It just fades after a few days so no scrubbing or streaking!
I've just come home from two holidays so no need for tan right now but I did need to downsize my toiletries bag to fit in my case so I ordered the travel sizes of Bioderma and Avene Eau Thermal and look how cute they are! (I'm not the only one who gets obsessed with miniature sized toiletries right?!!)
Both can be purchased on Escentual as can the Liquid Bronze and the Garnier moisturiser can be picked up fairly easily in Boots/Superdrug Etc. I have ordered most of my beauty products off of Escentual and their delivery is always really fast and reliable!
I would seriously recommend moving away from face wipes or maybe just saving them for those occasions when you really can't be bothered and investing in something like this especially if you have problem skin, as my friends know, I literally don't stop raving about this stuff!
Are any of these products in your list of skincare saviours?
