NEW IN SKINCARE: YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTHY YOUTHFUL GLOW

Do you worry about environmental damage to your skin? Living a busy life & wary about the passing time? Good skincare routine can fight ageing, protect your skin from free radicals and give you a kick ass youthful glow, you never knew was possible. Is it worth it? Tell me in 20 years! 

Recently I have updated my regime with skincare designed to brighten, protect and actively fight and ultimately slow down the ageing and I'm amazed how well it all works! My skincare routine is a lengthy process, I admit, but it works for me. 

All today's picks come from both end of the price spectrum, so I hope everyone can find something they'll love!  I have a couple of masks, two facial mists and a serum to share with you so if you're interested to find out what I've been enjoying lately, please read on. 

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% | RPR £9.00

Let's start with a serum. I talked about The Ordinary before. The 'Buffet' serum has been my favourite for a long time - read about it here. With spring came the sun (well some of it at least) so I decided to reduce the overnight retinol and AHA treatments in favour of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a superstar cosmetic ingredient. Research shows that even the concentration as low as 0.6% can have a replenishing effect on your skin. Ascorbyl Glucoside 12% is a stabilised Vitamin C component. It's shown to have smoothing & brightening properties whilst being a powerful antioxidant protecting your complexion from harmful free radicals and UV damage. 

Adding Vitamin C to my routine was a conscious choice. I use chemical exfoliators, AHAs and retinol, so it's vital I ensure my skin is as protected from UV rays as humanly possible. Vitamin C works on top of my usual high SPF routine, protecting my face, neck and décolletage from the sun! 

Deciem's The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% has a clear watery gel like formula. It's not too thick and when applied sinks in quickly leaving the skin super soft, with almost oil like residue, that quickly turns sticky. It has virtually no scent to it and I haven't experienced any allergic reactions. Given its quite high strength, I'd recommend topical use first, checking if your skin won't react to it. My super sensitive skin hasn't reacted in any bad way and I've been using it for weeks now. I love using it overnight, as it gives my skin the most glorious glow the morning after. With continuous use, I find that my routine has definitely benefited from adding the vitamin C. My complexion just looks healthier and more radiant, even if I skip AHAs and Retinol.

Ingredients/Inci: Aqua (Water), Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist | RPR £25 for 30ml

Ok, this is an expensive step and I'm not sure any mist is ever worth the price tag Omorovicza has given it. Having said that, I love the stuff. This super fine mist refreshes my complexion instantly and is a great addition to my evening routine. The scent of neroli, rose and orange flower just works and is surprisingly relaxing. The main reason I prefer to use it in the evening is the scent, as the notes give not only a luxurious treatment but also seem to relax my whole body. The mist is fine and 3-4 spritz are enough to cover the face and neck area. Given its price, I wouldn't go on a spritzing spree like I do with other mists lol! Fun fact: the scent originated in Hungary when the Queen ordered it for herself as an original perfume. I can see why! Given the times back them, this light scent wasn't probably enough to cover, well, other scents the Queen was perhaps known for, but it was a start I guess? Haha! 

Omorovicza is known for their ingredients and you won't find any bad stuff in it. It's actually quite natural, so your skin should not react to it. Queen of Hungary Mist is free from parabens, synthetic fragrance and dyes. Based on Hungary's thermal waters and combined with Orange Blossom, Rose and Sage Waters to tone and purify the complexion. Mixed in for good measure with Apple Pectin, natural minerals, finest oils and vitamins, it gives the luxurious benefits of deep hydration, nourishment and suppleness to the skin. I find it super refreshing, yet delicate. It's a new staple in my routine. 

Ingredients/Inci: Aqua (Hungarian Thermal Water), Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces (Hungarian Thermal Water) Ferment Extract, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mannitol, Malpighia Punicifolia (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Pectin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Water, Phospholipids, Yeast Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol.

Kore Beauty Anti-Ageing Hydrogel Facial Mask* | RPR £35 for 5 

(Use code 'bdq25 ' on checkout for 25% off!) 

I love a good sheet mask but as probably anyone out there, I can never pull off the look. You know when the mask actually sticks to my face everywhere?! Just me? No? Good! Advanced hydrogel masks operate in similar fashion, yet are so different at the same time. Instead of the cotton sheet, it uses advanced hydrogel. Hydrogel is highly absorbent smart-material. It provides a much closer surface contact, which basically means it sticks more evenly to your skin allowing the ingredients to better penetrate it better. 

Ingredients wise, Anti-Ageing Hydrogel Facial Mask is soaked with Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, Adenosine and Vitamin E. Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid offers sublime hydration and nourishment to the skin, whilst Retinol works hard at diminishing fine lines and plumping out wrinkles by shedding the old skin cells. Adenosine is shown to be a natural energy source for the cells. When used regularly it can boost the collagen production as well as cell turnover leaving you with toned, firmer skin. All-rounder anti-ageing heroes make this mask a great choice if you're looking to give yourself pamper at home. 

The mask is soaked in the product, so a little dripping occurs. It's made of two parts: one for the top of your face and one for the bottom. Both stick to the face perfectly and don't move around too much. It's recommended to wear for 20-30 minutes but given the quality ingredients, I wore it for 45 mins whilst watching Netflix. The skin felt instantly smoother and after 10-15 mins after taking it off, I saw gorgeous glow to my complexion. Nothing too glowing, just a healthy and youthful look. I didn't experience any uncomfortable side effects either. Just a pure relaxation! I have one more to use but I'm saving it for a special pamper occasion :) If you'd like to give it a go, I have a discount code for you my lovelies, that entitles you to massive 25% off purchase on Kore Beauty website. Just quote "bdq25" on checkout!

Ingredients/Inci: Aqua, Dipropylene glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol acetate, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed extensin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Ceratonia siliqua gum, Chondrus crispus powder, Cellulose gum, Sodium polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polysorbate 20, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Trideceth-6, CI 77491, Olea europaea fruit oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Cananga adorata flower oil, Pinus sylvestris leaf oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Rosmarinus afficinalis leaf oil, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil

The Body Shop Amazonian Acai Energising Radiance Mask | RPR £16.00  for 75ml

When I first shared this mask with you on Instagram it was branded a 'delicious', 'jam like' and there's no better way to describe it. It looks like strawberry jam with the little seeds. It smells incredible and I don't know how best to describe it. This juicy (100% vegan too!) mask contains Acai Berry, Guarana and Babbussu Oil and is formulated with nasty ingredients such as parabens, paraffin, silicone or cheap mineral oil! If you're constantly fighting dullness, fatigue and grey like complexion, 10-20 minutes with this mask will not only energise and brighten your complexion but it'll feel spa like due to a sweet lingering scent! The physical exfoliants are not my fave usually, so I try to be as gentle as possible massaging the mask on. The exfoliant is quite small and can be harsh, so if you suffer from delicate and sensitive skin, be wary and go extra gentle. You will need a washcloth to remove it as the exfoliant particles can linger on the skin. 

The biggest benefit of using this mask is definitely the whole experience due to the lingering scent. My skin feels super soft afterwards thanks to exfoliation as well as some tingling is felt during the first few minutes. It's nothing major, nowhere close to the tingling of other exfoliators, but it's there. After 15-20 minutes from removal, my skin felt smooth, supple with a little glow. The skincare goes on like a dream and I feel like I need my routine around 20-30 minutes after using the mask. I have dry skin, so that proves the mask working at hydrating and moisturising well. 

Pixi Sun Mist with Chamomile & Bamboo Extract SPF 30 | £18 for 100ml 

Can you tell I'm clearly obsessed with Pixi Mists yet? I saw Sun Mist coming out recently and knew I need it in my life! I love Bioderma SPF30 facial mist so much and I find mists great at topping up your SPF through a day. We all wear makeup, some more than others, such as yours truly, so going makeup-less probably won't happen just because it's summer. SPF mists are a great way at refreshing your complexion during the day and also adding layers of protection. Yes SPF skincare is important but SPF is not stable enough to be able to fully protect you all day long. SPF top ups should be a part of your routine and SPF mists are making it oh so easy, there's no excuse anymore. Sun protection is important. Think skin cancers, skin diseases, sunburn and premature ageing! If you don't already, please buy a sunscreen and take it with you everywhere! 

Active ingredients such as Amiloxate 3%, Octinoxate 7%, Octisalate 3% & Titanium Dioxide provide the sunscreen protection in this mist. If used properly, it'll prevent skin diseases including skin cancer and help protect the skin from premature ageing, sun spots etc. If you use Retinol and AHA treatments it is super important to use the high broad spectrum sun protection as it can give you a hyperpigmentation. Apply Pixi Sun Mist every 2 hours and at least 15 mins before sun exposure. If you're exercising or swimming re-apply every time. 

Ingredients/Inci: Disiloxane, Water/Aqua/Eau, Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate,Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone,Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil,Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Tocopherol

I hope you enjoyed my ramblings today and maybe even walked away with a new item on your wishlist. Or maybe you've used some already and if so, please share your experiences with me. What skincare items you can't imagine your routine without? If you haven't already, please subscribe, not to miss the ramblings of a mad woman :) 

Thank You For Reading,

Love