Hey guys, so as promised, here’s my skincare routine and a breakdown of how I cleared my blackheads.
Disclaimer: everyone’s skin is different and what works for me, unfortunately, might not work for you. I do understand that I use a lot of products and that’s just me, I am a skincare junkie so I really can’t help it. So don’t feel like you have to mimic everything exactly from my routine, you can pick and choose from the products I mention and adopt them accordingly into your routine. Also, when trying out new skincare products I would always recommend starting with one product at a time, to test out each product individually and see if it has any negative effects on your skin. I hope this helps and please do feel free to message me if you have any more questions or if you try any of these products and they work for you.
P.S. I’ve oily combination skin so most of these products may be cater more to similar skin types.
Billykiss
(Sorry for the bad quality before picture, really couldn’t find any)
I always start with cleansing my skin and one of my favourite face cleanser is Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser. This cleanser is great for really cleaning the face and since it has 2% glycolic acid it gently exfoliates and retextures the skin which I’ve noticed helps to leave my face super smooth, I honestly love it. A tip I learned from my friend is when washing your face, leave your face-wash on for 30 seconds to 1 mins, to actually allow it to work on your face.
I typically wash my face with it twice a day if I’m not lazy or worn makeup, otherwise once a day.
You can purchase it from Superdrug, Boots, Nip + Fab’s website and some pharmacies and websites online (they always tend to do some promotion so, I’d highly recommend you wait for when it’s half-priced or ‘3 for 2’ to save some coins, nevertheless its quite affordable).
Next, comes toner. I’ve tried a couple of toners now, but a personal favourite of mine is the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads and Night Pads Extreme. I was actually recommended these two by my sis who swore by them and I can see why. Both are cleansing face pads with glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid. The glycolic acid gently exfoliates the skin and helps fade discolouration on the face, while the hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration and keeps the face feeling soft. The major difference between the two is the daily pad is gentler, with 2.8% of glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid, while the night extreme pad has 5% of glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid. I would actually recommend getting both to see more result, keeping the gentler one for daily use and the extreme 2-3 times a week at night.
You can purchase them both from Superdrug, Boots, Nip + Fab’s website and some pharmacies and websites online (likewise they always tend to do some promotion so, do try and get it when they are on offer to save some coins).
Ahhhh The Ordinary, if you have not heard of this brand or have but haven’t tried it yet, I’d highly recommend you do. Their products are super affordable and for me, they’ve worked. These two products which I’ve tried and love are the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. This Hyaluronic acid absorbed serum works to rehydrate the skin on a multi-depth level, leading to smoother, softer and healthier skin. Niacinamide serum works to reduce both future breakouts and the appearance of existing blemishes (if you’re using any vitamin C products avoid using the Niacinamide serum and the Vitamin C product at the same time, aka apply an alternate time, one in the AM and the other in the PM).
I apply either serums before my moisturizer daily and use them alternatively. Both products are around £5 and can be purchased from various websites online such as BeautyBay, CultBeauty and other various websites.
Since I’ve got super oily skin, for summer I’ve been using a gel rather than cream to moisturize my face which is much lighter. Since I’ve heard so much about Holland and Barretts Aloe Vera Gel, I decided to try it myself. I’ve been using it for about a month and its okay, I like it but not necessarily love it (if that makes sense). I do like how it soothes my skin when applying after face masks and the fact that its so lightweight it doesn’t add to my oiliness but in terms of improving my skin in any way, I can’t necessarily say I’ve seen any major effects, nevertheless I do like it and will continue using it throughout this summer especially under my makeup.
My favourite skincare addition is by far face oils, these oils with the Nip + Fab face wash are what really cleared my blackheads. Starting with Vitamin E oil. This particular one is blended with Rose Oil, Rosehip Oil + Jojoba Oil and helps repair and improve the appearance of stretch marks, scars, blackheads etc. I use it daily and apply a drop or two with my face moisturizer on my face.
Next, Lemon essential oil which I actually found about from Lizzieloves’s YouTube video. Lemon essential oil is basically lemon in a concentrated form and is great for brightening the skin which helps lighten the blackheads. As the essential oil is extremely concentrated do use sparingly. Initially when I started and my skin was at its worst stage I used a drop (just a drop) at night, 4-5 times a week, not every day. Now I use it 2-3 times a week.
For spot control, I use Tea Tree oil, which I apply with a cotton bud to help dry out the pimple. Try this method after a face mask or exfoliating your face and it works even more effectively.
All these oils are super affordable and you can get them from Holland and Barretts, tea tree also from Superdrug (which I prefer) and lemon essential oil from Amazon too.
(I never use any of these skin oils before my makeup, just cause I do have super oily skin and don’t want to add to the oiliness. Without makeup they don’t make my skin any oiler so definitely do try them even if you’ve oily skin.)
Since a lot of the products I use do have active ingredients which means as it exfoliates my dead skin it also leaves my skin more exposed, I’ve recently jumped on the sunscreen wave which I also highly recommend. Just to protect your face and avoid all your hard work going down the drain. This one I’m using is from La Roche, got recommended it from my bestie, it has SPF 50 which is great for maximum protection. I apply mine after my moisturizer when I know I will be going out and under my makeup too (before primer). I’m not so much recommending this exact sun cream cause I don’t really love it but recommending you to wear a suncream and protect your face.
Exfoliating is key and definitely recommend everyone to incorporate it into their skincare. I use the St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub, which is the best face scrub I’ve tried. It’s more on the abrasive side but really does the job. It helps to deeply clean and minimises the pores and exfoliate dead layers of the skin which helps leave that smooth surface after. I use it twice a week, after cleansing my face with a face wash, on a dry face. I purchase mine from Boots or Superdrug and it’s very affordable. (If you’ve sensitive skin, I’d recommend going for the sensible option which is more gentle)
Last but not least face masks. Now I’ve used several face masks and will still use much more cause honestly they’re so many types and they all serve different purposes. Currently, these are my favourites and my go-to’s. I use them all once a week.
The BodyShop Seaweed ‘Oil Balancing Clay Mask’, is honestly one of the best clay masks I’ve tried. It’s great for those who’ve combination to oily skin, it deeply cleans the face, sucks out all the excess oil mattifying the face and minimising pores.I use it after face wash and leave it on for 10-15 mins. I purchase mine from BodyShop.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Mask, is an interesting one. It looks like blood and basically stings like hell, it exfoliates the skin, help battle blemishes and boost radiance. It’s definitely one of the more serious face mask with very active ingredients, would not recommend if you’ve sensitive skin. I use it after face wash and leave it on for 10 mins. You can purchase this from Cult Beauty, Beautybay etc and its affordable
Finally, DIY Tumeric, Honey and Lemon essential oil mask. This one is great for boosting the skin and for glowing skin. Unlike the other two masks, this one is not as harsh. I use it after face wash and leave it on for 20-30 mins.
Billykiss
