SKINCARE DIARY XIII

Like most people, when the weather shifts to winter mode my skin takes on new characteristics; it demonstrates a difficulty in retaining moisture by not playing well with the makeup I apply, and reacts to anything my body disagrees with with heightened sensitivity. My worst hormonal breakouts have occurred in the winter months, and whilst for nine months of the year my complexion is far from dry, come winter, redness and dry patches make their ritual appearance. These symptoms are from from unusual given the seasonal and environmental stressors at play, but call for a powerhouse skincare routine that features tried, tested, and hydration-oriented products.

MONDAY

MORNING: VERSO Foaming Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, RACINNE Delicare Eye Serum, CHANTECAILLE Healing Emulsion.

AFTERNOON: SISLEY Ecological Compound.

EVENING: GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, CLARINS Skin Beauty Repair, EVE LOM TLC Cream, EVE LOM Eye Lift.

A recent bad product reaction has left me with sore, dry red patches across my cheeks, so today I employed my foolproof SOS dry skin duo to tackle the situation. Eve Lom’s TLC Cream offers deep nourishment and an instant soothing comfort that immediately cools any uncomfortable burning sensation. The thick, buttery texture makes it the perfect vehicle for other products - when dry, inflamed skin is the issue I mix in the Clarins oil, which solves literally every skincare concern ever. I mix up the dermalogical concoction in my palms and take the time to massage it over my face for instant relief - layering it up mask-style for overnight results.

TUESDAY

MORNING: VERSO Foaming Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, RACINNE Delicare Eye Serum, SISLEY Ecological Compound.

EVENING: GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, CLARINS Skin Beauty Repair, EVE LOM TLC Cream, EVE LOM Eye Lift.

Whilst infinitely improved, the dry skin and redness still lingers, so again my evening routine is one-track focussed. My morning skincare lineup is constant in its simplicity; a basic cleanser, zinc spray, and Sisley’s Ecological Compound, a soothing lotion that delivers deep hydration and toning ingredients via a lightweight, quickly absorbed fluid texture. It creates the perfect base for makeup, smoothing, softening, and infusing skin with a radiance that transcends makeup application, and providing powerful hydration. Restoring a compromised moisture barrier is my primary concern at this time of year so locking in moisture as soon as I've cleansed helps to keep my skin hydrated throughout the day. Although I apply eye drops every morning, I’ve also taken to patting on a little refrigerated eye gel for soothing refreshment that really helps to calm their requisite morning puffiness.

WEDNESDAY

MORNING: VERSO Foaming Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, RACINNE Delicare Eye Serum, SISLEY Ecological Compound.

AFTERNOON: GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel.

EVENING: SISLEY Gentle Facial Buffing Cream, KAPLAN MD Firming Mask, SISLEY Black Rose Precious Facial Oil, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, EVE LOM Eye Lift.

Typically, come winter I look for products that keep me hydrated no matter what their primary aim. Kaplan MD’s Firming Mask is a skincare powerhouse that deeply cleanses without stripping my skin - instead leaving it soft and soothed. Whilst I’m by no means proactively seeking ‘tightening’ products, the effect this has in firming and toning the skin is quite profound, and my skin always feels incredibly clean and balanced post-use. A recent regular in my weekly routine, Nars’ Aqua Gel Luminous Mask is without a doubt the hero product of the brand's [in my opinion] underrated skincare line. It’s easy to see why this mask is used to prep model’s complexions pre-show; I typically leave it on overnight when my skin is noticeably dehydrated and my makeup sits impeccably the following day.

THURSDAY

MORNING: VERSO Foaming Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, RACINNE Delicare Eye Serum, SISLEY Ecological Compound.

EVENING: GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, NEOSTRATA Smooth Surface Daily Peel Pads, SISLEY Black Rose Precious Facial Oil, SJÄL Kura Intuitive Intense Hydration Creme, EVE LOM Eye Lift.

With my complexion finally restored to a state of relative normality, my typical evening skincare routine comes back into play. I typically remove my makeup and cleanse as soon as I get in from work [which can often be quite late] and then continue the remainder of my routine immediately before going to bed. These NEOSTRATA Smooth Surface Daily Peel Pads have made such a difference to my skin - after just a few weeks of use they’ve faded my blemish scars faster and better than anything else I’ve ever used; I’m going to feel lost without them. Sisley’s Black Rose Precious Facial Oil is the ultimate indulgent winter skin treat; it’s rich in essential oils and active plant-based ingredients that nourish, protect, and balance, and has become an indispensable addition to my routine.

FRIDAY

MORNING: VERSO Foaming Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, RACINNE Delicare Eye Serum, SISLEY Ecological Compound.

Those who have followed my skincare diary series over the past year will recognise a familiar face - Eve Lom’s Eye Lift - this unassuming and seemingly slight bottle truly is the bottle that keeps on giving. As with most eye creams, only the smallest amount is required, but even after months of use it continues to provide me with instant, soothing hydration [without irritating my extremely sensitive eyes]. This month I was introduced to Själ Skincare - a Swedish brand that incorporates holistic principles of Eastern medicine with the latest technological advances - resulting in products that deliver at optimal efficiency. Thick and buttery, their night cream offers rich hydration and also helps to treat hyperpigmentation. It’s too recent an addition to my routine to comment on the latter, but receives my seal of approval for offering powerful hydration without the greasiness common in similar products. A welcome indulgence indeed.

SATURDAY

MORNING: VERSO Foaming Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, RACINNE Delicare Eye Serum, MARIO BADESCU Buffering Lotion, SISLEY Ecological Compound.

EVENING: GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, NEOSTRATA Smooth Surface Daily Peel Pads, DERMALOGICA Overnight Clearing Gel, EVE LOM Eye Lift, MALIN + GOETZ Sulfur Paste.

A couple of breakouts meant a few tweaks were required to cater today’s routine to my skincare requirements. By day, Mario Badescu’s Buffing Lotion offers effective blemish treatment that doesn't impose upon consequently applied makeup. By night, Malin+Goetz’s Sulfur Paste provides a slightly less inconspicuous [but just as effective] treatment - the high zinc count helps to minimise breakouts without causing scarring. I also replaced my moisturiser with a layer of Dermalogica’s Overnight Clearing Gel [which can be layered beneath cream but has better results when used solo]. The salicylic acid helps to clear skin, calm inflammation, and fade pigmentation whilst preventing future breakouts from occurring, and never fails to perform.

SUNDAY

MORNING: VERSO Foaming Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, RACINNE Delicare Eye Serum, SISLEY Ecological Compound.

EVENING: GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, SISLEY Gentle Facial Buffing Cream, AESOP Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Mask, BANISH Glycolic and Rose Mask, HADA LABO Ultimate Anti-Aging Sheet Mask, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, EVE LOM Eye Lift.

After an insanely busy week in work [my Saturday night was spent administering to a much neglected inbox], Sunday evening finally offered chance to unwind in the most traditional sense. A stack of unread magazines were companion to tonight’s skincare menu, which, as you can see, had all bases covered. Physical exfoliation preceded a deep cleanse, followed by chemical exfoliation, a serum-rich sheet mask, and finally, intensive hydration. I’m particulate enamoured of Sisley’s Gentle Facial Buffing Cream, which delivers gentle exfoliating particles within a thick, mousse-like cream. The result? Silky smooth skin, perfectly prepped to receive the deep-reaching ingredients that followed.

What products do you edit in to your winter skincare routine?