Beauty: My Daily Skincare Routine

So it turns out I have rather an extensive daily skincare routine.  I have no idea how it got this in depth, but it really is!  I am also discovering just how many beauty and skincare products are tested on animals and after declaring one of my new year’s resolutions is to use more cruelty free products, I realised my daily skincare needs a bit of an overhaul. Find out exactly what I use and what I now need to replace.

Step 1 – Cleanse

I cleanse my face most days with a combination of the Clinique Daily Facial Wash for combination skin and the Clinique Sonic Cleansing Brush.  Despite the fact that I’ve had two brushes that have broken on their first charge, the third seems to be holding strong and I’m glad I persevered with it.  It makes my skin feel so much cleaner than when I just use my fingers and my oily t-zone has much improved since I started using it.

Unfortunately for me (and bunnies everywhere), Clinique is not a cruelty free brand.  My plan is to phase out my non cruelty free skincare but I still have quite a lot of my Clinique cleanser left.  If anyone has other suggestions for cruelty free foaming cleansers for combination skin then I am all ears!

Step 2 – Exfoliate

I try to exfoliate my skin twice a week with a gentle scrub.  I used to use the Clean & Clear Exfoliating Daily Wash but I’ve recently realised that it contains microbeads, so I was really pleased when I came across the Amie Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish in my ASOS advent calendar.  I love how it smells and it uses rice grains instead of microbeads.  I’ve just ordered myself a full size version!

Step 3 – Anti-Ageing Face Mist

I was sent this anti ageing face mist to try and I was immediately intrigued by the packaging and claims behind it. Called L’Or Des Pharaons* (Gold of the Pharaohs) it is an anti-ageing facial mist that contains tiny particles of gold, zinc and platinum.  According to the bottle, this helps stop your skin’s collagen levels from depleting, so your skin stays brighter, plumper and younger looking.

I have been using it for a few months and while I love the feeling of the mist on my skin in the morning, I can’t really tell whether it has made much of a difference yet.

Step 4 – Serum

On a normal day to day, I use the Nip+Fab Dragon’s Blood Plumping Serum after I cleanse.  I love the smell and texture of this serum and it absorbs into my skin really quickly leaving my skin feeling really soft.  It is also cruelty free, so I don’t need to replace it.

If I’m looking for more of a tightening effect, I use the Supermood Egoboost Serum*, which I was kindly sent in a beautiful package to review.  When I’ve apply this serum from the dropper, my skin instantly feels tighter.  When I first used the serum, I wasn’t sure about it because it felt like it was drying out my skin, but actually it makes my skin really soft.

Step 5 – Moisturiser

I’ve used the same face moisturiser for as long as I can remember: Olay Complete Care in Normal / Oily.  I love this moisturiser because it absorbs quickly, it has SPF 15 and it is incredibly good value.  I love the fact that it doesn’t really have a scent as I’m easily put off my products that I don’t like the smell of (exactly the reason why I can’t stand using the Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser).

However, with my resolution to try and buy cruelty free, I can no longer keep my favourite moisturiser!  Given I am about to run out, I have ordered a Body Shop Vitamin E Day Lotion with SPF 30.  It is due to arrive today so we shall see how I get on with that one instead.

Step 6 – Eye Cream

Ren Keep Young and Beautiful Anti-Ageing Eye Cream is my latest weapon of choice for my under eye lines.  I got it because I had heard my friend talk about it and I do think it has had a positive effect on the papery skin around my eyes.  My skin is more hydrated and I think the lines are less pronounced.  It is also already cruelty free.

Step 7 – Make Up Remover

I make sure I take my make up off every night, without fail, in fact I can’t believe I ever used to not do this!  Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is my current favourite – it is non-greasy, doesn’t irritate my eyes and leaves my skin feeling really clean.  However, I have discovered Garner is not a cruelty free brand and I also feel quite guilty about the number of cotton wool pads it takes me to remove a face of make up (about three or four a day).

So I have just started using the Make Up Eraser – a glorified flannel that takes your make up off.  And so far I’m really enjoying it!

Step 8 – Double Cleanse

I must admit, I don’t do this all the time, but I am trying to get into the habit of double cleansing in the evening more often.  I have a range of products in my arsenal for this – Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, Lush 9-5 Cleansing Milk, Good Things Argan Oil & Macadamia Face Oil and the Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser.

At the moment I don’t have a favourite and I just see how my skin feels on that day and what I think it needs.  I use all of these in rotation and I am pleased to discover they are all cruelty free already!

Step 9 – Night Cream

I currently use the Olay Double Action Night Cream and I do really like this.  It’s a good, thick consistency, it absorbs into my skin really well and it isn’t sticky.  Sadly, I have now discovered that it isn’t cruelty free so I am looking for a new night cream.  Any suggestions are welcome!

So there you have it, my rather lengthy daily skincare routine.  I can’t quite believe how many products I use when I put it all down in one list!

What is your daily skincare routine like?  Please leave me any suggestions for cruelty free brands!

♥ JH

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