One Stop Skincare
If I were forced to strip my skincare collection back to basics, selecting one item for each common skincare concern, then this edit would be my beauty shopping list. Think of the following products as one-stop, failsafe heroes during your time of need - guaranteed to get you on the road to healthier, balanced skin. These are the forever raved about, forever repurchased products which I recommend to friends, family, and readers time and time again.
It's time to up your (skincare) game.
When my skin is oily : Sisley Tropical Resins Complex* I love the fresh, dewy look, but there is a difference between glow and gleam, and in the summer months my complexion can be prone to the latter. This clear, soothing gel makes for a stellar makeup primer as it contains a mattifying powder which absorbs excess oil and creates a smooth surface for foundation application. Meanwhile, its complex cocktail of plant extracts works to purify and balance the skin, tightening pores and controlling sebum.
When my skin is dry : RMK Cleansing Balm If my skin is feeling a little sore or flakey, I swap out my usual evening cleanser for a balm or oil, which (alongside A+++ cleansing abilities) provide nourishment and an intense boost of moisture. RMK's offering is my balm of choice due to its delicate oil-based formula. It both cleanses and calms my skin, soothing and softening dry areas, reducing inflammation, and delivering a potent blend of antioxidants and vitamins to the skin.
When my skin is dehydrated : Origins Drinkup Intensive Overnight Mask Nothing works quite so well upon a dull, dehydrated complexion. A generous layer applied in place of my evening night cream sees me awaking with a visibly brighter and rejuvenated complexion. Enriched with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and apricot kernel oil, this thick, deliciously scented cream is seriously a boosting, plumping, energising miracle product (the poor girl's juice detox), and I will never be without one.
When my skin is sensitive : La Roche-Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel* If my skin is going through a particularly sensitive phase then I try to keep unnecessary contact with it to a minimum (rubbing only aggravates redness). Cleansing twice a day is however, non-negotiable. This gel cleanser is formulated especially for dry and sensitive skin so is guaranteed not to aggravate a sore, stressed complexion. Instead it calms skin, leaving it soft, balanced, and clean. A vital inclusion in anyone's skincare arsenal.
When my skin is congested : La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + The one skincare product I couldn't possibly live without (if you're a long-term reader of TGG then you'll have heard all of this before and I give you full permission to skip to the next paragraph). I can 100% credit this with being the product which cleared up my teen acne - it's a miracle in tube form, and relatively inexpensive. A light, easily absorbed lotion which, when applied twice daily, unclogs pores, prevents blemishes, and clears up redness and scarring.
When my skin is blemished : Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Mask* Day-time spot-on spot treatments may be the go-to cure, but for an extra zealous approach to blemish battling, I apply a strong mask to the nastiest of spots for overnight attack. This clay-based formula is packed with botanical extras which calm the skin and remove deep-rooted impurities - drying out blemishes in a matter of hours without affecting the surrounding area. This is the first product I reach for when a breakout threatens, and it always excels.
When my skin is scarred : Pixi Glow Tonic If you're troubled by scarring/blemish marks then an exfoliating toner is your first and best step towards clearer, smoother skin. This alcohol-free solution is packed with the good stuff. As it gently exfoliates damaged skin, removing dead skin cells and oxygenating pores, you can expect clearer, brighter, healthier looking skin in no time.
When my skin is prone to redness : La Roche-Posay Serozinc* Gone are the days when those 'in the know' beauty lovers smuggled these iconic blue cans across the Channel. Thanks (and exclusive) to escentual.com Serozinc has finally officially landed on UK soil. With just three ingredients to it's name I was intrigued as to just how much of an effect this would have upon my skin. However, zinc is a known antidote to inflammation, and my cheeks have been plagued with redness in recent weeks so I've been spraying, liberally. The enthusiasm paid off. Aside from providing my stressed and sensitive skin with an instantly soothing and refreshing sensation, after mere days of use my inflammation was so noticeably reduced and calmed that I am quite in awe of this little blue can. Blogosphere, you have my permission to carry on raving.
What are your game-changing skincare products?
G x
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*PR sample