Stepping up my skincare

Stepping up my skincare

As a young adult/teenager, I somehow managed to skip that awkward phase of “teen acne” or the skin problems that I had heard about so frequently from my peers. Disclaimer: this is not me showing off or claiming that I have never had a spot or blemish; however, I have never really experienced issues with my skin, which has had an influence on my past skincare (or lack of).

I have always been very cynical of the latest skincare products, which, in my eyes, generally cost an arm and a leg and are very cleverly marketed despite the lack of proof that they actually work. I used to swear by a splash of cold water in the morning and the evening — admittedly, this was due to a combination of laziness and the fact that I have very sensitive skin that cannot handle any harsh ingredients. As I have gotten older, however, I have noticed a big change in the way my skin looks.

I used to believe that my skin type was extremely dry, however after studying at The Academy of Makeup in Glasgow (I have provided the link to the website below), I learnt all about different skin types and came to the realisation that I had been buying the wrong products for my skin, which is, in fact, dehydrated/combination. The reason I now know this is because my skin has red, dry patches — the cheek area in particular — and, at times, an oily t-zone, which is a typical sign of a dehydrated/combination skin type.

This, and the fact that I have started to notice acne on my forehead and little white bumps underneath my eyes, prompted me to want to try and do something about it and rethink my skincare regime. I have never been one to splash out on moisturisers and face washes, partly because I've never found a skin product that I’m crazy about, however my changing skin has given me an excuse to go on a hunt for one. 

After undertaking my daily YouTube beauty blogger binge, I stumbled upon a review on the Zoella channel (link below) of the Clinique Moisture Surge day cream. The pot boasts “extended thirst relief”, which drew me in immediately as my dry skin seemed to be crying out for a drink. I read a number of different reviews and, by the end of the afternoon, my bank account was £32 lighter and a pot was winging its way to me courtesy of next day delivery. 

I started using this product religiously and, even after a few days, I could already see a difference. It has a gel-like consistency and this proved far more refreshing than other cream based moisturisers. My skin felt considerably softer, looked a lot less dry and I was getting more comments about how awake and fresh I looked during the day at work (without a scrap of make up on may I add!). 

A single negative, if you can call it that, was that I found by the time I got home from work, my skin looked as if I had spend the last 7.5 hours cooped up in an office (which I had). I sought the advice of a friend, who recommended the clinique hydration spray. She said that one or two sprays throughout the day would add a little boost of hydration and life to my skin. Looking back on this advice after purchasing the spray, she is a genius!!! 

I genuinely believe that I have found a skin care regime that works for me right now, without going overboard (which I think can often happen). I guess that myself, like everyone else, is looking for the miracle cure for problems such as dry skin, spots and under eye bags. I’ve still not found my skincare miracle, but this product comes close. For now, i’m having fun (and spending probably more money that I should) continuing my search for that magic product.  

Thank you for reading and please look out for my blog post next week where I will be reviewing my new, very exciting purchase: a shiny new Zoeva Brush set. 

Becki x

Links:

http://www.theacademyofmakeup.com

http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1687/5089/Skin-Care/Moisturisers/Moisture-Surge-Extended-Thirst-Relief/All-Skin-Types/index.tmpl

https://www.youtube.com/user/zoella280390