WINTER IS COMING - EFFECTIVE SKINCARE FOR DRY & DEHYDRATED SKIN + ANTI-AGEING

My skincare routine changes often. Come winter time I try to switch to more of oil formulas as I find that my skin gets dehydrated quickly due to air con and central heating. Here's my 10 step evening routine, I've been loving lately. I hope you'll find some inspiration here. For reference I'm 31 years old with dry and dehydrated skin with first signs of ageing. I suffer with redness and sensitivity and I have some dehydration lines over my forehead.

Cleansing.

Any great skincare routine starts with cleansing. I am a firm believer in double (and sometimes triple) cleanse. There are so many cleansers on the market right now and choosing one can be a drag, so I thought I'll share with you my two fave cleansers lately. Nacomi Black Soap* (£4.99 for 100ml) is a deep cleanse mask I've already raved about HERE and I stand firm with my glowing review. It is by far the best deep cleanser I've ever used. For those with super dry skin like mine, I wouldn't recommend using it more than 2-3 times a week as it can be quite drying but it's quite amazing as a first cleanse (after you remove your makeup of course). It helps prepare the skin for any treatment/mask you planning on using afterwards. I usually follow it with a more cream based cleanser, that's gentle and hydrating and  Liz Early Cleanse and Polish (£15.50 for 100ml) has been a fave of mine recently. I've heard mixed reviews so I would recommend grabbing a sample size before you commit as it can be affecting super sensitive skin. I haven't noticed any 'side effects' when using and it smells divine. I love all natural cleanser scent, I'm sure you know the one, fresh and herbal - love love love. The main thing it's that it works great and is gentle enough to be used as a second cleanse after a harsher first cleanse product like Black Soap. Using both of these together will ensure a super cleanse and prepares your skin for more.

Toning.

I never skip this step. I've heard many opinions but I find a great face toner makes all the difference. I am currently loving Bravura Revitalising Ginseng Toner* with glycolic acid 5%. I have a whole post about Bravura skincare, so check HERE for more info, including ingredients etc. I find that acid toner really helps to improve skin texture and results are visible within 2-4 weeks. Bravura offerings reminds me a lot of Pixi Glow Toner and this is one, I personally love. I find this is an incredible exfoliator for dry and sensitive skin and works tirelessly on my skin. I don't use this twice a day, only in the evening as I tend to go for more delicate and hydrating formulas in the morning. POST

Exfoliators/Treatments/Masks.

I love a good acid peel and Skip Pep Brightening Enzyme and Acid Peel (£14.99 for 30ml - around 10 applications or £44.99 for 180ml) is at the top of any exfoliators I've ever used. It's formulated with enzymes derived from extracts of papaya and pineapple with the added benefits of natural AHAs Glycolic and Lactic Acid. The application couldn't be easier. You apply it evenly to wet skin on your face and decollate. Then with wet finger tips you massage it for a minute or two to activate the exfoliating effect. Then all you need to do is to leave it on for 5-10 mins. I build up my timing starting with 5 minutes including the massage going up to 15 mins. It's all depending on your skin sensitivity really. Remove the gel with wet cotton pads to ensure no product is left on the skin and apply a mask of your choice. 

I found a new holy grail mask recently and I can't get enough. Emma Hardie Age Support Instant Radiance Mask** (£36.00 for 75ml) has the strangest texture I've ever seen in the mask. It goes on as a rich cream but left for few minutes it sort of separates (that's the feeling I get massaging it in before I take it off) into powder and oil. Super weird. But it works. Active ingredients like hyaluronic acid works to truly hydrate your skin and plump out the wrinkles, whilst peppermint and persea fruit extract are supposed to lift, firm, tone and make your skin more resilient. Topped off with Emma Hardie's signature Moringa Seed Oil which works to nurture and nourish the skin. It makes my skin beautiful in minutes. I do tend to leave it in for couple of hours on days when the time isn't an issue or in the evening. You can leave it in overnight, however I don't like to do that due to the separating of the mask on the skin, it never truly sinks in, if you know what I mean. It's a brilliant pre-event treatment but I mostly use it in the evenings, especially after a good cleanse and peel, so I leave it in to work it's magic for a minimum of 20 mins.

Serums.

Since my discovery of the botox in the bottle aka Resibo Smoothing Face Serum (£25.00 for 30ml) I rarely use any other serum at night. I love combining serums and I do so all the time, but honestly with this gem, it's not needed. You only need 3-4 drops to cover your whole face and decollate and My skin texture has improved so much since using it. I can't fault it, it smells great, sinks in well (not instantly), has a dry oil formula that truly makes the difference. Using it at night, especially after AHA based treatment really calms my skin and I wake up with plump and radiant complexion. Key ingredients are marula oil (anti-ageing miracle oil!), Vitamin C and Lakesis. The latter is knows as the oil of 'crystal tears' Pistacia lentiscus tree. It strengthens the skin which with continuous use regains its density, looking fuller and firmer than ever. LOVE! Ingredients list below:

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Squalane, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Parfum, Linalool, Geraniol

Moisturiser/Eye Cream.

After the serum I always follow with an eye cream and I am now at the very end of my second Origins Plantscription Anti-ageing Eye Treatment** (£35.00 for 15ml) and I just love this. It's great for evening and morning, although I tend to use it at night only (trying to save it, man it's pricey lol). It has a rich but smooth formula that goes on the skin like a dream and sinks in almost instantly. I've been using it for 12 months now and I can vouch for the long term benefits. My under eyes have brightened and I don't suffer with puffiness or dark circles anymore. I mean they are still there but nowhere close to before I started with this magic cream. I can't recommend it enough and if you're on a look out for a new eye cream, you should definitely check this out! Read more about it in the POST.

My night cream differ and I love using different ones every other week, but lately I've been in love with this superb overnight treatment from REN. Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial** (£32.00 for 40ml)is super light in formula making it perfect for all skin types but it does something to my skin overnight. I wake up with fresh complexion in the morning and it truly worked for my dry and dehydrated skin. It's not rich enough to use on its own, if you're super dry, but I always follow it with a facial oil. Overnight it delivers a 3-phase treatment. Phase 1 is exfoliation and is delivered by ingredients like AHAs and enzymes torepair uneven texture and support cell turnover. Phase 2 is massaging which combines glycogen, magnesium, and omega oils to energize and heal. Phase 3 is hydration which delivers by the addition of sodium lactate which gently raises skin PH and attracts water to plump and hydrate. It's honestly a wonderful product and works on many skin types. Highly recommended!

Facial Oils.

Oils should be a last step in your routine as they can stop other moisturisers and treatments from sinking in and working their magic. Always apply your facial oil last unless otherwise recommended. I tend to use all organic, cold pressed oils, instead of oil blends you can buy from most of skincare brands. I know what oils work for me and my skin type and I tend to mix them on my own. I'm currently loving two oils and use them as an extra facial and under eye treatments. Anything to add hydration during winter months :) OlVita Rosehip Seed Oil* (£11.99 for 30ml) is skincare superstar. This oil can be used by both dry and oily types, for dry and ageing skin, it helps with UV sun damage, hiperpigmentation as well as having a plumping effect on fine lines and wrinkles. For acne prone oily skin, it helps getting rid of discolorisation caused by acne outbreaks and provides natural hydration, without blocking pores. I use 2-3 drops warmed up in between the fingers and then press the oil to the skin on my face and decollate. I adore the natural scent of it and I wouldn't change it for the world. It sinks in within an hour or so but provides a superb level of hydration. I adore it.

Second oil in my repertoire is cold pressed OlVita Grape Seed Oil (£10.68 for 50ml). Again this is a non-comedogenic which is just a fancy way of saying it doesn't clog your pores. It's one of the 'dry' oils as it sinks in almost instantly. It is used to treat acne, so perfect for those with oily and problematic skin, but also great for dry skin as it's deeply hydrating. If you are like me, who battles both dry and sometimes problematic skin, this is the perfect choice for you. It's a perfect anti-ageing tool as it helps restore collagen and it is known to diminish dark circles under the eyes. The latter is the main reason I use it for. First I add a drop my my Rosehip Seed Oil and apply it over the whole face but also apply it on it's own under my eyes and over the lids. I only use a teensy bit, less than a drop and pat it in gently over my usual eye cream. I find it sinks in so well you can use it in the morning also, instead of eye cream perhaps but i tend to use it for PM routine needs.

*PR sample

** product purchased by yours truly, affiliate link used

Thank You For Reading,

Love

Dorota X

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