clearing up breakouts and preventing problem skin

Life being life, I have all of a sudden developed the skin of a teenager whilst in my twenties. All throughout my teens, I rarely suffered with breakouts and more often than not my skin was pretty decent. Fast forward a few years and I've developed clusters of acne around my chin area. Since a particularly bad breakout a couple of weeks ago, I stepped up my skincare routine and noticed my skin clearing up in lightening speed. It's also super important to mention that good nutrition (limiting dairy and increasing healthy fats) along with an exercise routine and keeping hydrated daily are all absolutely essential in attaining great skin. I'll probably write up a whole post on this aspect too. 

My Clarisonic Aria (£155) is my best friend when it comes to giving my skin a deep and thorough clean. I always notice a huge difference in my skin when using it and now wouldn't ever be without it. I've discovered that using my Clarisonic in combination with Vichy Normaderm (£8.25) is a match made in heaven, the gel froths up into a silky lather that's ideal for the vibrating brush head of the Clarisonic to work with. If there are just two things to consider investing in from this blog post, make it these. Talking of Vichy, if I ever get a particularly pesky spot I dab it with the Normaderm Hyaluspot (£7.87) before bed and in the morning notice it has calmed right down.

I'm a big believer in face masks too, and have found both Lush Cup O' Coffee (£6.75) and Origins Out of Trouble (£23) to be superb on problem skin. I tend to use the Lush coffee scrub on days that my skin is looking a little dull and is in need of revival, and the Origins clay version whenever I'm in the midst of an angry breakout.

If your skin is red and irritated, ditch any exfoliator with beads or grains in and instead try a liquid version. It's alternate between La Roche-Posay Clarifying Lotion (£11) and Pixi Glow Tonic (£10), both of which help to prevent breakouts by ensuring my skin is left squeaky clean and free of dead skin cells.

The last thing I ever feel like doing when my skin is misbehaving is applying a thick layer of heavy feeling moisturiser or oil. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre (£13) is my knight in shining armour and deals well with my skin no matter what state it's in. It's super hydrating yet sinks in instantly so can be worn under foundation too. If you don't want to fuss with foundation though, try out La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant (£16.50) as its ingredients will not only combat blemishes but leave your skin looking radiant and allow it to breathe.

the best of: pixi skincare

Nourishing Cleansing Balm (£18): Most days, I'm a slob when it comes to removing my make-up and dive into bed after a long day without deep cleansing. Bad behaviour, I know. On the special occasion that I give my skin the treatment it deserves, I opt for this cleansing balm to whisk away all dirt and excess oil. The balm feels super luxurious, and melts into a silky oil between your fingertips which easily deals with stubborn make-up and general impurities. With ingredients such as Almond Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E, I need say no more.

Makeup Fixing Mist (£16): I absolutely cannot bare the thought of cakey looking or worn foundation, so always make sure to spritz my face with this genius mist before leaving the house. I find that not only does it set my make-up for longer wear but also gives my skin a fresh, dewy glow. 

Glow Tonic (£18): I tend to have a combination skin type, with dry patches around my forehead and nose area and a breakout prone chin/jawline, lovely I know. After years of reading the hype surrounding glow tonic, I can completely understand as to why many claim to not be able to live without it. The tonic soaks up a surprising amount of grime whilst leaving skin perfectly prepped to soak in an oil or moisturiser. I'm a big fan of the ready soaked pads too as they make my nighttime routine just that bit faster. Get it or regret it! 

Rose Oil Blend (£26): Roughly every couple of days I use an oil in my skincare routine to plump up my skin and bring it back to life. A current favourite of mine is Sunday Riley Luna Oil but if you can't justify the price tag I'd highly recommend giving this Pixi version a shot as it does just as much of a great job at leaving skin looking perky the next morning.  

Hydrating Milky Serum (£26): If you aren't a fan of the feel of oils yet are still after the hydration they give to the skin, this serum is a great shout. On days that my skin is playing me up with breakouts and I want a lighter feeling product I will always reach for this. It does a wonderful job at soaking straight into the skin and is completely fuss free. 

skincare sunday | (02)

Three weeks after my first skincare sunday post and I'm back with another, yes, I've even surprised myself in managing to keep fairly consistent for once. I've been addicted to trying out new skincare products as of late, and have found some real gems as a result.

I've tried out plenty of day creams but have never tried anything as lightweight yet affective as Aveda Green Science (£45). This has been part of my daily morning routine for the past month or so now and it's soon become one of my all time favourites. I have typically dry skin so prefer a moisturiser that is hydrating yet doesn't coat my skin too much so that my layer of foundation can sink in properly, usually I've found that you can't have best of both worlds but this little pot delivers everything I'd want from a day cream. The same can all be said for Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream (£40), which is similar in the way it works but is slightly thicker and is what I go for on days where my skin needs that little bit extra loving.

With the weather starting to warm up it's super important to make sure you're dosed up with a good level of SPF. Benefit Dream Screen (£25) is perfectly lightweight and applies like a dream. I've also been getting my scrub on with Soap & Glory The Greatest Scrub of All (£6) which I use in the shower every couple of days and always reveals bright and radiant looking skin.

My favourite product of all lately has most definitely been Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (£69), seriously, why have I only just got round to trying this stuff out. I've known about it for years and years due to it's holy grail product status and rave reviews. I've now been using it for a fair few weeks each night and have noticed a big difference in the overall brightness of my complexion. I've even noticed that I haven't been wearing as much foundation as I have that natural looking glow to start with. I know it's on the pricey side, but if you are to invest into one special skincare product then make it this.

skincare sunday | (01)

Not much is better than cosying up in a duvet on Sunday afternoon reading through skincare related blog posts, so I've come up with the idea that on a Sunday every now and then, I'm going to update you all with my current favourite skincare products. In reality, the posts probably won't go up all that often because I'm terrible at any form of schedule, but I will give it a shot. 

I've always been on the hunt for a thoroughly moisturising eye cream, and have finally found one in Emma Hardie Amazing Face Eye Cream (£39), that's thick and luxurious enough to do a good job at soothing my dehydrated skin. For any dry skin on the rest of my face, Dr Organic Snail Gel Cream (£19.99) works wonders and has been noticeably perking up my complexion on a daily basis. 

Whenever my skin is in need of a deep clean but I truly can't be bothered to do much about it, I sweep over my face with the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix pads (£12.95). It's beyond belief how much dirt and grime these babies do away with. I've noticed that over time my skin ends up looking much more bright and radiant whenever I use these, the ultimate lazy girl option. 

If pamper time is underway and I'm involved in a bubble bath/hot chocolate type situation then I will without fail slap on a face mask too. My favourite of late has been Origins Out of Trouble (£23), it's a white clay consistency with a minty scent that works at deeply cleansing and awakening the skin. It calms any problem skin down instantly and for that reason is one of the best face masks that I've tried. 

A quick mention to two of my all time favourite products before I sign off. Both are by French pharmacy brands, no surprises there. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre (£13) is the best daily moisturiser for dry skin in the world and I'm convinced that nothing I try will ever beat it. If you are looking to try a new skincare product, make it this. For when I'm generally feeling a bit washed out, Claudalie Beauty Elixir (£10.90) is my saviour and comes to my rescue every time. It has a deeply uplifting scent so not only makes your skin look brighter but lifts your mood too. 

french pharmacy skincare favourites

This month I jetted off to France twice (yes, twice!) and wrote all about it on my lifestyle blog. It would be criminal of me to have not stocked up on French skincare while out there so I made sure to make the best of it by searching on google maps for the largest pharmacie around and proceeded to walk a mile to get there. All in the name of skincare of course. I picked up two bottles of Vichy Normaderm face wash, one for me and one for a friend who I will be making sure is as converted to it as I am. I opted for the Sébium version of Bioderma rather than the regular Sensibio which I usually go for as my mum has oily skin and I picked this up for her, I hear that it's working really well on her skin. Embryloisse is my ultimate holy grail, can't possibly live without, skincare product that I will use for the rest of my life. I'm not exaggerating, this stuff is insanely good. I suffer with dry skin which looks dull and results in cakey looking foundation but whenever I use Embryolisse as both a night and day cream my skin looks dewy and five years younger. It's quite hard to track down, even in France, but if you aren't fussed about having it at a low price then you can get hold of it online in the UK for around double the cost which is still well worth it. I also got myself some Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot as I had a breakout whilst away and it somehow magically cleared away a rather large spot overnight, if you struggle with blemishes I'd strongly advise you to give this one a go. 

If you're interested in trying out some French pharmacy brands then check out Escentual as they currently have 1/3 off brands throughout October, plus they have the best range of products that you can find online. 

aesop hydrating cream and deodorant

Aesop have become the skincare brand that I've been most excited about lately, I've finally got to that age where simplistic packaging and natural ingredients within products pleases me. For the last few weeks I've been trying out the Safe & Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream which I've subsequently become a huge fan of, it instantly perks up my skin and sorts out any dry areas without feeling at all heavy on the skin. It sinks in straight away also making the perfect base for foundation, plus it has built in SPF15. The packaging is great too, with it being a small sized metal tube it doesn't take up much space in my make up bag and is kept hygienic, it also ensures that you get to use up every drop of product.

If you're wise to product ingredients then you will know about the controversy surrounding aluminium in deodorants, if not then feel free to give it a quick google search. Personally I don't tend to worry about that kind of stuff too much but for those of you who do it's worth checking out this natural alternative. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it worked much better than I ever thought it would, I found it controlled perspiration and kept me smelling fresh, you only need one or two sprays under each arm so I'd imagine the bottle would last a few months. The scent is ever so subtly masculine which I love. It also leaves zero sticky residue and sinks instantly into the skin and for that reason feels much nicer than applying a cream or aerosol deodorant and feels as though the skin is still left to breathe. I've also noticed that the skin under my arms feels much softer than usual which must be down to not using harsh chemicals which dry out my skin. That being said I still wouldn't ever spend anywhere over £10 on a deodorant, even if it was all natural and had no nasties in the ingredients. If you have the funds though I would recommend giving it a go, it's been a big surprise to me that a natural deodorant actually works.

and other stories cotton care range

The brand 'and other stories' are mainly known for their fashion section but what I've discovered is there are so many gems amongst their beauty range too. I'm a huge fan of the face contour cream which is by far the best that I've ever used. Onto the bath and body products and recently I've been trying out the cotton care range, all of the products have a beautiful light scent of fresh cotton sheets which makes them perfect to use in summer. The Nainsook Body Oil is my top pick of the collection, it's by far the best body oil that I've ever used due to it being so light feeling yet it gives the skin a healthy glow too. The Flannel Body Lotion is similar as it feels equally as lightweight but also nourishes the skin too, I'm a big fan of any body lotions that come in a pump bottle. The Madapollam Body Scrub has won a fair few beauty awards and if I was a magazine I'd give it one too, it's thick and grainy meaning it gives the skin a proper good scrub but it also doesn't leave any residue and washes off in an instant, plus it smells wonderful too. 

As you have probably gathered by now I'm greatly impressed by the range, I'm also in love with the packaging and think it looks so chic and understated on a bathroom shelf. 

winceyette shower cream - £7 |

flannel body lotion - £10 |

nainsook body oil - £12 |

madapollam body scrub - £9 |

embryolisse lait-creme concentre

Say hello to my favourite moisturiser in the whole world. I bought myself a few a couple of tubes back in Paris a few years ago after hearing Lisa Eldridge was a big fan and have been using it religiously ever since. I have dry/dehydrated skin so a good moisturiser is an absolute must, both in the morning and at evening, but I also can't stand my skin to be left feeling greasy with product. I find that a small amount of this goes a long way get it absolutely never feels thick of heavy on the skin, it just sinks straight in and instantly you are left with a radiant and healthy looking complexion. It never interferes with my foundation either and acts as the perfect base, it also has a mild milky scent which makes it feel even more soothing. I was also once staying overnight at a hotel and stupidly forgot to bring any make up remover which is when I remembered this doubles up as a cleanser too, it worked remarkably at that too and whisked away my make up with ease. Whilst it's ideal to take with you on overnight stays to use as both a cleanser, moisturiser and as a masque if you apply more product than usual I wouldn't recommend using it to remove make-up on a regular basis as it feels like a waste to just get washed off. After using this daily for a few weeks my skin looks much healthier and as if I have actually been drinking as much water as I should be doing, it's a miracle worker in a tube and I defy anyone with dehydrated skin to not become a huge fan too.

I managed to get a pack of two for just £14 in Paris two years ago, but sadly it's far more expensive over here. You can buy three in Paris for the cost of what just one tube is over here, cry. I'm going to put it out there and say that it is still worth the hefty UK price tag and I will happily buy it for that price once mine runs out. I would even go as far as to say if I was only allowed to use one skincare product for the rest of my life then it would have to be this, it really is that good.

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la roche-posay and aveda lotion exfoliants

Although lotion exfoliants have been the new big thing in the beauty world for quite some time now, I've only just got round to buying myself a couple to try out. I went for both a La Roche-Posay and Aveda version to have a try with, I actually managed to pick up the La Roche-Posay one in Paris a couple of weeks ago meaning I got it slightly cheaper than it is over here. I've heard great things about both of these products, but after using them both on a different side of my face have noticed that they are slightly different. Starting off with the La Roche-Posay lotion, it feels ever so refreshing yet has just a slight chemical smell which soon fades after it's wiped over skin. This one is definitely the hardest working out of the two, it seemed to remove just that little bit more grime and excess oil than the Aveda version. That being said, that doesn't mean it will be the better version for every skin type. The Aveda exfoliant may be thorough at removing grime but this means it's more suitable for a sensitive skin type and one that doesn't suit such a deep clean. It also has that beautiful relaxing Aveda scent which is a selling point in it's own right. Both of the exfoliants left my skin looking a million times brighter and gave a very slight dewy finish too, I also noticed that my foundation applied tons better than usual which must be due to the removal of dead skin cells from using the lotions. They are meant to be used every three days or so, either at morning or night, and leave your skin perfectly primed for either moisturiser or make up. My advice is if you are looking for a gentler version then go for the Aveda, but if you want a deeper cleaning exfoliant then try out the La Roche-Posay version. Either way, be sure to invest in a lotion exfoliant and ditch using face scrubs that have beads in as they don't work half as well as these.

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aesop fabulous face cleanser

Aesop are well on their way to becoming my new skincare brand, I'm head over heels for the packaging and love the simplicity of their products. Recently I've been having a go with the fabulous face cleanser and love using it as a luxurious face wash before bed. I often run myself a bubble bath and massage this into my skin then rinse off to reveal fresh and baby soft skin ready for my night cream to sink straight into. It creates a silky lather but doesn't foam too much meaning that it's nice and easy to wash off quickly, I imagine it would be great for sensitive skin as it doesn't include a foaming agent which is known to irritate problem skin. I just wish that it came with a pump attachment as it would be less messy than pouring it directly out of the glass bottle, but if you are after a simple yet effective gel cleanser that will leave your skin squeaky clean without feeling stripped and dried out then this is the perfect option.

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soap and glory skincare

YOU WON'T BELIEVE YOUR EYES: I'm admittedly a skincare snob and when it comes down to eye cream I somehow have it imprinted on my brain that price equals quality, and therefore this is the first budget one that I've tried. I wasn't expecting great things and thought the rollerballs that massage the product onto your eye area may be just a gimmick, but upon application I was suitably impressed with how soothing it felt massaging the product in using the rollerball applicator. Afterwards I could definitely notice that my whole eye area seemed brighter and much more awake, I still prefer to use a thicker eye cream at night but find this the perfect option to brighten my under-eye circles in the morning and not weigh my skin down with excess product.

THE GREATEST SCRUB OF ALL: This face scrub has tiny exfoliating beads in that delicately buff away at dead skin cells without feeling too abrasive on the skin. It does all the work for you so that you aren't stood in the shower for ages scrubbing away at your skin, and once you hop out you notice a much more bright and radiant complexion. It's definitely one of the best scrubs that I've tried when it comes down to polishing the skin and getting rid of dullness.

BEAUTY SLEEP ACCELERATOR: This is my pick of the Soap and Glory skincare crop thus far, it's a thick overnight cream that doesn't feel at all cloggy on the skin and simply gives the skin a dewy light coating. I have super dry skin so this is an absolute miracle worker for me and feels so soothing just before going to bed, I always know when I put this on at night that I'm going to wake up to soft, plump skin. I will without a doubt be repurchasing this once I run out!

THE FAB PORE FACIAL MASK: Face masks are my favourite part of my skincare routine, I'm a complete addict to running a warm bubbly bath and laying with a face mask on for more time than I probably should. If any of you are familiar with the 'scrub your nose in it' face scrub then this is pretty much the big sister product to that, it's just slightly thicker and a little more hardworking, meaning that you use it less often. It left my skin feeling very dry at first but I didn't find it to be a problem as it just meant that my moisturiser soaked in much more than usual, and my skin was left feeling squeaky clean as a result. 

All of the products mentioned above are currently 1/3 off at Boots, time to do some skincare shopping!

korres jasmine eye make-up remover

In all the time I've been wearing make up and using skincare products I've never actually properly tried out an eye make up remover, I always just figured that what I used to remove my skin make-up would do the job well enough. I've recently been putting that theory to bed and have been using this version by Korres as another step in my make-up removal routine. I've found that it dissolves even heavy eye make up with absolute ease and causes no irritation whatsoever to my sensitive eyes. It's water based and has the same consistency as Bioderma but feels a little more nourishing. I do find that oil based removers can sometimes feel a little heavy around the eye area so this makes the perfect option for a refreshing feeling removal of eye make-up, if you are in the market for an eye make-up remover then definitely check it out. It's also really good value too as it's a big 200ml bottle which will be sure to last a good few months at least.

 KORRES JASMINE EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER - £14

pampering skincare products for an overnight stay

One of my favourite things about staying over at a lovely hotel is having a pamper session in the evening as I'm getting ready for the evening. A couple of days ago I stayed at the beautiful Kesgrave Hall for a night and took along my favourite skincare products to give my skin a treat, and then I jumped into the best bubble bath I've ever been in. I've included links below to the full reviews of everything I've already featured and will be reviewing the other products in full shortly!

ARK CLEANSE DUO | AESOP PARSLEY SEED MASQUE | EVE LOM EYE LIFT CREAM | REN EMOLLIENT RESCUE CREAM

What are your favourite pampering skincare products to take on an overnight stay?

new launch: ren cleansing gel and emollient rescue cream

Ren are currently one of my favourite skincare brands, they have a no-nonsense feel and have no nasty ingredients too which is great. They've very recently launched two new ranges of cleansing products and hydrating products, I've been sent a product from each range to try out; the Cleansing Gel and Emollient Rescue Cream. 

ROSA CENTIFOLIA CLEANSING GEL - £17: This is a really gentle cleansing face wash that has a faint rose scent and feels like it's giving the skin a truly good wash. It's really nice to use after a cleansing oil at night to give the skin a thorough deep clean and also feels wonderfully calming due to the relaxing scent. 

VITA MINERAL EMOLLIENT RESCUE CREAM - £19: This is my favourite product of the two and one which I'd look into repurchasing again, it's a very thick cream which acts as instant hydration for dry skin. More often than not my skin is looking dull and dry if I don't look after it properly which is where this product comes in a dream, I warm a small amount between my fingers and then apply to any dry areas and leave to sink in overnight. I can sense this being an amazing product for winter time when my skin needs extra nourishing, it would also be great for those of you who travel a lot and need an emergency fix for dry looking skin.

Marks and Spencer are currently offering a free travel kit with the purchase of any two Ren products and also currently have 20% off all beauty products for today only!

nuxe travel kit

Whilst in Paris last July I picked up many skincare treats, but my favourite brand discovery whilst I was out there was without a doubt Nuxe. I picked up three of these travel kit sets as they were so cheap (I think around £6) as I knew they would make great gifts, they are also a great way for me to try out the products and of course are perfect to use whilst on-the-go. It just so happens that I have become a big fan of all of the products included in the set to the point I'm hoping to buy a full size of each at some point, so all in all I'd highly recommend checking out the set, especially as it's at such a  great price online over here too.

Products included:  

NUXE Eau Démaquillante Micellaire Micellar Cleansing Water 35ml
NUXE Nuxellence Jeunesse 15ml
NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil 10ml
NUXE Reve de Miel Creme Mains et Ongles Hand and Nail Cream 15ml

NUXE BODY Gel Douche Fondant Fondant Shower Gel 30ml

NUXE TRAVEL KIT - £9.90

eve lom eye lift and intense firming serum

EVE LOM EYE LIFT - £48: This is the first eye cream that I've ever tried that actually delivers on results. I usually have the worst dark under eye circles imaginable but when I apply this before bed I wake up with much more radiant skin under my eye area, I'm so pleased to have finally found a product that works on them. The cream is more of a light lotion which feels delicate yet nourishing on the skin and feels like such a treat, it also sinks in with ease unlike a thicker cream. Although I like the sleek packaging I do find it to be excessively large for an eye cream and would prefer something smaller to pop in my make up bag, but aside from that I can safely say I will invest in this once mine runs out.

EVE LOM INTENSE FIRMING SERUM - £75: I'm always in need of a product that claims to be firming and tightening in the hope of giving my face more definition. This serum is probably more meant for people of that certain age range where their skin is loosing elasticity, but I always find it reduces any puffiness around my cheeks and jaw line. It's a thick gel-like serum which sinks straight into the skin and you can instantly feel a tightening effect, I leave it on for around 20 minutes before then applying my night cream. Although I have found it has given my face a little more definition I wouldn't repurchase it until many years down the line when I start to look at anti-ageing skincare products.

dhc deep cleansing oil

Oil based cleansers are my new best friend, they remove every trace of make up quickly and easily and leave my dry skin feeling nourished. I love how luxurious it feels removing make up with a cleansing oil, it really does just feel as though it's melting away any impurities on the skin. I'm still loving my Ark Double Cleanse system but have figured that the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil works brilliantly too. If I've been in the city all day or I'm wearing more make up than usual the Ark Cleansers are perfect but for the days my skin doesn't need the extra care then I use this instead. It's very light feeling so is suitable for oily skin types and is also very gentle so can be used to remove eye make up too. I love the simple packaging of the DHC Cleansing Oil, the nifty pump ensures just the right amount of product for full a full face application. You apply it onto dry skin and massage in to remove make up and then combine with a splash of water to rinse off, leaving clean and glowing skin. Using oil cleansers have truly made a huge difference to the radiance of my skin and I'm finding that I'm wearing far less foundation than usual as a result. Granted it's on the pricey side, but your skin will love you for it.

DHC DEEP CLEANSING OIL - £21.50

dhc make off sheets

I know that with being a beauty blogger I should always be promoting you to do what is best for your skin, but sometimes tiredness and a want for sleep can get to the best of us and the lazy option is most appealing. I do recommend that you double cleanse your skin as often as possible but on the odd occassion you collapse into your bed it's good to have a product on your bedside table to remove the night's make up with. Bioderma is a brilliant product for this reason, but if you can't find your cotton wool pads then you've had it.

Enter DHC Make Off Sheets. As most of you will probably all have experienced, a lot of make up removal wipes can irritate and dry out the skin and do more harm than good but yet we all like to have a pack lying around for those lazy emergencies. The DHC wipes are more gentle on the skin than any others I have tried, they are made from natural cotton and are soaked in product which makes make up removal super easy. With other make up wipes I have sat for what seemed like forever wiping away at my skin to remove make up but with these the process is much quicker and more pleasant. Afterwards my skin feels refreshed and the wipes leave a very light dewy finish so don't dry out the skin at all and have aloe leaf juice in to nourish even further. There are 50 sheets per pack which is much more than regular packs of wipes, I really like the understated box packaging as it sits sweetly on my bedside table meaning they are ready to use as and when I need them. I don't know about anyone else but the other main thing I hate about regular face wipes is the cheap looking packaging which is where these make a lovely change. They don't have an endless list of ingredients either and include no nasties, so if you are to ever use face wipes, make sure you check these out!

DHC MAKE OFF SHEETS - £6.95

ark double cleanse

Recently I've been wanting to get into a better skincare routine and use products that will do my skin a great deal of good, so with that in mind I've been trying out double cleansing for a change. As a trained beauty therapist I was taught a fair amount about skincare and whilst practising facials learnt the importance of double cleansing. Step one is the pre cleanse which removes make up and dirt from the skin, whilst step two removes anything that is left underneath the layers of make up and balances up the skin. I always imagine the pre cleanse as removing a mask layer on my skin and then the second cleanse as actually treating the skin, if that makes sense!

REMOVE PRE SKIN CLEANSE: This stuff is amazing. It's a fairly thick yet non-sticky luxurious oil that you apply to dry skin to remove make up, using your fingertips to work it into the skin, one pump is all that's needed. After you've noticed the make up dissolving you then add some water to create a silky lather, and then rinse off. It melts away make up with such ease that you don't even need to use a muslin cloth or a flannel, for this reason I have to say it's one of the best make up removing cleansers I have ever tried. It's not advised for eye make up removal but I use it for that and have no problems but you may want to use it just for face make up if you have extra sensitive eyes.

CLEANSER: Along with the Pre Skin Cleanser this feels so luxurious and smells just like a product that you'd find in a high end Spa, it makes washing your skin such a pleasant experience. It's a gel face wash that you apply to wet skin and form a lather by massaging it in, straight after you've used the Pre Cleanser. It feels as though it's giving the skin a really deep clean and removing excess oil whilst nourishing the skin too.

After using the two products together my skin felt so silky, smooth and squeaky clean. I can't recommend them enough, plus they are both packed with skin loving ingredients too. They both come in a bundle set at a reduced price, but also come in variants for different age ranges. My skin has been so much brighter and healthier looking for using these in my routine, definitely check them out.

ARK AGE PREPARE - DOUBLE CLEANSE (REMOVE AND CLEANSE) - £34 (usually £41)

aesop parsley seed cleansing masque

I've been going a bit crazy for skincare lately, and my latest edition to my routine is the Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque. It's a clay based mask but is different to all others that I've tried in that it feels so lightweight on the skin and doesn't dry it out. I like to use it on my t-zone to balance out any excess oil, or to keep blackheads at bay on the sides of my nose. It does a great job at unclogging pores to reveal a fresher complexion too and is really nice to apply before bedtime due to the lavender aroma. It feels very gentle and a little goes a long way, it's definitely a great product to have in your cupboard for when your skin is feeling out of balance.

AESOP PARSLEY SEED CLEANSING MASQUE - £27