My New Skincare Regime

Seen as I have now turned 30, I thought it is about time I started to look at my skincare regime. I can hardly complain when I become wrinkly, if I haven’t made any effort to maintain my skins natural elasticity. I have always been very lazy when it comes to face care, my face has been very lucky if face wash has come into contact with it, it would usually be plain water under the shower or whatever bubbles are in the bath. If, on the rare occasion I have had make up on, I may but only may have removed it with a face wipe before going to bed. Usually I would crawl into bed and wait until the morning.

I have quite dry skin though so I have always used a moisturiser, the last couple of years I have used Garnier Moisture Match for normal to dry skin. It is enriched with blue lotus extract, soaks in smoothly and leaves my skin moisurised without feeling greasy.

I got a full sized bottle of Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 anti-ageing day moisturiser from SoPost. SoPost, for those that haven’t come across it yet is a company that give samples away for brands, I’m assuming to get brand exposure and hoping that people then continue to buy the products. I have had a few bits from them, including Pampers nappies and Kiehls skin oil. You usually have to send the offer to a friend on Facebook or Twitter then you can claim yourself.

Olay Total Effects claims to enhance the skin tone, gently exfoliate, refine pores, minimise lines, firm the skin, moisturise and contain antioxidants to prevent free radical damage, much like using organic rose water. On top of all of that it also contains SPF 15 for daily protection against the sun (I am not suggesting you use this instead of sun cream when it is a sunny day). I am really enjoying using this moisturiser, I don’t need to use a lot of it for it to do its job. Half a pump is enough for full coverage, it absorbs into my skin easily and leaves my face feeling hydrated until I next cleanse (usually 24 hours).

I used my Boots Advantage Card Points to treat myself to Sanctuary Spa Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser. I have used Sanctuary body products before and featured them in my Christmas ideas but haven’t tried their facial products. The cleanser contains beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut, jojoba oil and camomile. The scent disappointed me, it isn’t a horrible scent, it is quite mild but with other Sanctuary products I have used, I have loved their scent and that has been a big part of me being such a fan. I do like this product though, it is a creamy texture and it feels lovely massaging it onto my face. I also quite like the ritual of using the cloth, following the directions;

1) Place the cloth in hot water, wring out & lay over the face to open pores.
2) Gently massage the cleanser over the face & neck using circular motions.
3) Polish off the cleanser using the warm cloth, being careful around the delicate eye area.
4) Rinse cloth in cold water & place over face for 30 seconds to close pores
5) Finish by splashing your face with cool water. Pat dry gently.

I found that when I wrung out the cloth in stage 1 that it lost it’s heat fast so I don’t bother wringing it out now. I love the feel of my skin once I have finished cleansing and splashed with cold water. It feels very refreshing and thoroughly cleansed.  The cloth exfoliates very well, I ensure that I do gently polish the cleanser now as I was quite red and blotchy around my nose the first couple of times I used it from being too rough.

I am now wanting to add a weekly face mask into my routine, any suggestions?x