SKINCARE DIARY XII

For me, autumn is in many ways the clean slate of the calendar, a time for fresh starts in almost every aspect of life, so more than appropriate an occasion for a skincare reboot. Likewise, it goes without saying that a change in seasons goes hand-in-hand with a ritual skincare edit; and the summer-autumn transition brings with it a sudden change in climate that calls for appropriate skincare tweaks. In lieu of writing an autumn skincare feature [and risking repetition in a piece I've written elsewhere - details to come soon], today's Skincare Diary boasts a decidedly autumnal twist. Since my last post in this series [see here] I've gradually been introducing some new products into my established routine, easing them in one at a time in order to establish any possible threats to my skin's currently good and balanced state. The main aim of the agenda is maintaining this state of harmony; with the onslaught of autumn's cooler climes [and the consequent amping of central heating] my skin tends to become hypersensitive, resulting in a dull and inflamed complexion - the key to avoiding this [as I have established over the years] is a regimen focussed upon gentle cleansing, regular exfoliation and increased hydration.

MONDAY

MORNING : OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel*, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, CHANTECAILLE Healing Emulsion*
AFTERNOON : BIODERMA White Objective Micelle Solution, PAI Camelia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser*, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc.
EVENING : CHANTECAILLE Flower Infused Cleansing Milk*, CLARINS Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner*, PAI Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil*, EVE LOM Eye Lift*, VICHY Idealia Skin Sleep*.

My skin tends to be fairly calm and balanced in the AM, so for fear of aggravating it, I tend to keep my morning lineup fairly concise. After cleansing with the divine Oskia cleanser [a featherlight gel that melts into a beautiful fragrant oil upon application, and leaves skin feeling both softened and refreshed] I mist over a little of La Roche-Posay's zinc-infused Serozinc spray in order to prevent inflammation and keep blemishes at bay. I'll then lock in this extra boost of hydration with a day cream - currently Chantecaille's Healing Emulsion. This incredibly light, silky lotion is equal parts moisturiser and serum thanks to a complex ingredient lineup, easily-absorbed but with just enough pre-dry time to circulate over the entire face before it disappears completely. A soothing blend of floral extracts designed specifically for sensitive and irritation-prone skin, it works wonders in calming inflammation and reducing redness, whilst leaving skin smooth, soft, and hydrated.

TUESDAY

MORNING : OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, CHANTECAILLE Healing Emulsion
EVENING : BIODERMA White Objective Micelle Solution, PAI Camelia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, CLARINS Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, PAI Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, EVE LOM Eye Lift, VICHY Idealia Skin Sleep.

I like to leave as much time between removing my makeup and applying my pre-bed evening skincare as possible [especially at this time of year when my skin becomes so much more easily aggravated]; typically however, a late shift at work only leaves me with at most an hour, so the products I reach for are those I can use without fear of their inciting a flareup. As always, I'm removing the bulk of my makeup with a couple of micellar solution-soaked cotton pads [currently the latest Bioderma launch, which also helps to reduce the appearance of scarring and pigmentation], before going in for a double cleanse with something a little more powerful. For the time being I've set my Eve Lom favourite aside in order to try out Pai's Camelia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. One of the more recent additions to my routine, it's only been in rotation for a few weeks but is already a beloved inclusion [confirmed by the fact that after a few uses I didn't feel the need to fall back on my aforementioned Eve Lom failsafe]. Boasting an incredibly light and fluid texture, it doesn't feel as heavy as cream cleansers typically do, but is so hydrating and soothing that after removal, my skin feels as soft and as smooth as if I had just moisturised.

WEDNESDAY

After a prolonged status of addiction to Eve Lom's Brightening Cream, I've finally succumbed to the calling of my job and have a new night cream on trial. The latest launch from Vichy is designed to recreate the effects of a good night's sleep by cashing in on skin's overnight regeneration process - encouraging cell renewal and strengthening the moisture barrier [basically exactly what skin needs ahead of winter]. I'm rarely blown away [or indeed even mildly impressed] by moisturisers, but for so reasonably priced a product, this has definitely caught my attention. Again, a recent addition to my routine, but so far, so very impressed. The texture is luxuriously syrup-like - thick, smooth, and mildly scented - in short, a delight to use. As with all night creams I've been layering it on thick, patting it into my skin for optimal absorption, and the result has been a smooth and radiant complexion come sunrise.

THURSDAY

MORNING : OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, CHANTECAILLE Healing Emulsion
EVENING : PAI Kukui & Jojoba Skin Brightening Exfoliator*, MALIN+GOETZ Detox Face Mask*, PAI Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, EVE LOM Eye Lift, VICHY Idealia Skin Sleep

Exfoliation is an understated but much called for requirement of successful autumn skincare; vital to renewing sun-damaged skin, preventing dry patches, and clearing clogged-pores [which become worse in colder climates]. Whilst I reach for my old favourite, Clarins' Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner for chemical exfoliation on a daily basis, Pai's Skin Brightening Exfoliator has become a twice-weekly affair as I attempt to maintain summer's fresh-faced glow as far into the cooler months as I possibly can. Quite unlike anything I have ever used before, the texture is at first an incredibly thick, dense gel, which with the addition of warm water, transforms into a smooth and silky milk; paired with the inclusion of 100% natural jojoba beads this is exfoliation at its most gentle [but with no compromise upon success]. In order to deeply cleanse my skin without imbalancing it, I've been following it up with this Malin+Goetz mask. It transforms from gel to foam before dissolving from the skin, simultaneously cleansing and hydrating, whilst leaving my complexion smooth, soft, and bright; my top recommendation if your A/W routine calls for a new masking addition.

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FRIDAY

Another Pai product I've been adoring of late [and one that I am very late to the party on] is the brand's bestselling rosehip oil. Compared to others I've used in the past, this feels infinitely more refined and beneficial - perhaps due to the fact that it utilises fruit rather than seed oil [one of the main differences between Pai's oil and those of its competitors]. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and retinols, it promises to condition and repair the skin, and improve the appearance of scarring. Whilst I haven't been using it for quite long enough to speak for its prowess in these areas, I certainly can speak for its more immediate effects - a complexion that appears brighter, and feels notably softer and smoother the morning after use. Whilst my skin's condition has continued to improve in wake of a horrendous bout of hormonal acne I suffered at the end of last year, I do still suffer the occasional breakout, although thanks to my new blemish treatment [Malin+Goetz Sulfur Paste] I've managed to stop most in their tracks before they become a real issue. This is certainly a product with a difference; utilising a dual-formula solution to topically deliver zinc, sulfur, and salicylic acid to affected areas.

SATURDAY

MORNING : OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel,LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc, CHANTECAILLE Healing Emulsion
AFTERNOON : BIODERMA White Objective Micelle Solution, PAI Camelia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, LA ROCHE-POSAY Serozinc.
EVENING : CHANTECAILLE Flower Infused Cleansing Milk, CLARINS Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, PAI Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, EVE LOM Eye Lift, VICHY Idealia Skin Sleep

If I do remove my makeup relatively early in the day then I tend to give my skin a quick, gentle cleanse come evening in order to refresh and prep it ahead of my evening treatments. The cleansing candidate must be effective but also gentle, and so cleansing milks are usually my go-to. Chantecaille's is without a doubt the best I've used - not only competent in its cleansing prowess, but so mild that my skin remains calm and balanced throughout and following cleansing. If you have sensitive skin, you can rub this on as vigorously and as heavily as you like and your complexion will remain as if oblivious.

SUNDAY

MORNING : OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel, PAI Kukui & Jojoba Skin Brightening Exfoliator, SISLEY Radiant Glow Express Mask*, PAI Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, AĒSOP Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Mask*.
EVENING : CHANTECAILLE Flower Infused Cleansing Milk, CLARINS Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, PAI Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, EVE LOM Eye Lift, VICHY Idealia Skin Sleep

I used to always mask and do DIY facials in the evening, but I'm newly converted to the idea of a morning facial, especially when I can draw it out over a few hours and have the time [and privacy] to apply products as liberally as I please. My skin is in such a good state right now that my stash of SOS masks is probably feeling a little neglected, as instead I've been reaching for those that simply serve to perfect and improve skin - adding a glow and evening out a patchy skintone. Sisley's is one of my favourites to use when my skin is clear as you can see the effects immediately after use - it really preps the skin, leaving a soft, glowy finish and lit-from-within radiance that usually takes skilful makeup application to achieve. If I'm spending the day at home then I like to make the most of every makeup-free moment to pack in beneficial ingredients and usually finish up my prolonged facial by leaving a hydration mask on for a good few hours. Aēsop fans will be thrilled to learn that the brand are establishing a new addition within their ever popular mask line later this month; straying from the usual clay-based cleansing masks and introducing a moisture mask instead. Designed to restore and replenish dry and dehydrated skin, this is a bona fide autumn skincare staple. Rich in balancing blue chamomile, calming bisabolol, and [everyone's favourite] hyaluronic acid, the soothing formula fully absorbs for optimal results.

How have you switched up your skincare for the change in seasons?