Video: Morning Skincare Routine

Exciting news! I filmed my first ever video for the blog, I decided to talk about my Morning Skincare Routine and did mini reviews of the products I'm using along the way. I'll be filming my Evening Skincare Routine soon too so stay tuned for that one!

I really enjoyed the experience of filming and editing this video so I really hope you like it. I have a whole list of others I'd like to film but if there's anything in particular you'd like to see me do let me know! I'm so excited about this new venture and can't wait to get stuck in!

Products Mentioned;

Elemental Herbology Delicate Cleanse

Rodial Dragon's Blood Hylauronic Tonic

Clarins Special Eye Contour Balm (full review here, it's an oldie!)

Elemental Herbology Cell Food

Delarom Acquaconfort Cream (full review here)

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturiser SPF30

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REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

I've been using the REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner for about a month and a half now and as I mentioned in my August Favourites, I love it. Of all the exfoliating toners I've tried (so far) this is my favourite. It's gentle enough to use everyday, I use it in the evenings, but it's still strong enough to actually make a noticeable difference. 

It contains a combination of exfoliating acids which break down and remove surface dead skin cells and increase cell turnover. This means any pigmentation or uneven skin tone fades quicker than it otherwise would. In the relatively short time I've been using it I've definitely noticed an improvement in dark spots and skin tone, plus I've still got just over half the bottle left! 

I've been using Indeed Labs Pepta-Bright for the last few weeks which has helped too, I think the combination of the two are working really well for my skin. I also think this toner would work well for all skin types (apart from maybe super sensitive skin), rather than just for combination to oily skin. It doesn't strip the skin or leave it feeling tight and contains lavender so it smells lovely and relaxing and is a pleasure to use. Definitely a product I'd recommend!

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Travel Skincare

I've always been one to stash away any samples or minis I get my hands on so come holiday packing time I can do some serious downsizing. If I didn't do this I'd probably need a whole suitcase just for my beauty stuff! I also find it's a great way to try out new things and decided wether or not I'd want to buy the full size in the future. 

On the cleansing front I'm taking 3 options, some of the Garnier Miceallar Water decanted into a little Muji Bottle, a travel size Vitamin E Cream Cleanser from The Body Shop, which I've used on and off for years and love, and a sample of Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, which I'm really looking forward to trying. 

For toner I'm taking 2 options, an exfoliating one and a hydrating one, the former is a sample of Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner and the latter is Anatomicals Spray Misty For Me decanted into a Muji Mini Spray Bottle. 

To moisturise eyes I'm taking a sample of Ren Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel which cools, refreshes and moisturises. For the rest of the face I'm taking the Clarins HydraQuench Cream for night and HydraQuench Lotion SPF15 for day. I've had a full size of the cream before and will definitely buy it again, it's such a nourishing but easily absorbed moisturiser.

I'm taking a few serums and treatments, some of which I'm sure I won't get round to using but it will be nice to have them just incase! Clinique Turnaround Concentrate is an overnight exfoliating serum and The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum in Oil is supposed to plump and hydrate. I'll also be taking the Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask to use incase I have any breakouts or if my skin just looks a bit lacklustre. Late nights and long lie-ins on holiday usually mean my eyes can get a bit puffy so I'll be taking the Wei Correcting Eye Treatment Pads, I've never tried anything like these so I'll be interested to see if they work! 

What skincare products do you take away with you?

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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ - One Tube In

I spotted La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ on a 3 for 2 offer a while ago and in spite of never having tried it before I took the plunge and bought 3 tubes. I'm not usually one to bulk buy a product I've never tried before but I'd read so many amazing reviews of the stuff that I knew I couldn't go wrong. 

Rather than doing a traditional style review I thought I'd do a post of how it's worked for me one tube in and then again later on when I'm two/three tubes in. 

First of all, what is it? A non-sticky melt in formula that's designed to tackle clogged pores, blemishes  and the marks they leave behind while also controlling shine and refining the skin's texture. Niacinamide soothes, LHA and Salicylic Acid gently exfoliate and Procerad prevents red and brown pigmentation marks from forming.

Does it work? For me, in a word, yes. Although I don't often get spots, when I do they seem to stay put for a while and leave behind marks that take forever to fade. This manages to speed up the lifecycle of a spot, meaning it disappears a lot quicker. The biggest improvement by far has definitely been to my skin texture, it feels smoother and all the clogged up pores on and around my nose look noticeably better. My skin also looks a lot brighter,  any new blemishes I've had since I've been using it definitely haven't left marks and although the old marks are still there they seem to have faded a lot, thanks to the exfoliating properties I'm sure. I've even managed to switch from wearing foundation everyday to a CC cream, something I've never been able to do before because I've always needed that extra bit of coverage. 

I would definitely recommend this product, to those with oily/congested skin as well as to those with just pigmentation. I'll be sure to do another post 2 tubes in to update you on the progress!

Have you tried La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+? What did you think of it?