My current skincare routine

My skin and i never use to have a good relationship, i have quite sensitive and irritable skin and found that most products i used made things worse, you know the feeling.. it starts with a tingaling feeling then burning and redness ouch! Then i would awake to dry, tight, flaky, red patches on my face that required whole bottles of foundation to cover (not very attractive at all). Maybe just maybe it had something to do with me using the wrong skincare for my skin type.. So fast forward a few years, one diploma in beauty therapy later and i now realise the utter importance of using the correct products for my skin. (No more red patches in sight yay!)

Here is my current skincare routine that i am loving-

• Cleanser- Dermalogica Ultra Calming cleanser

This is a creamy gel consistency, PH balanced non foaming cleanser that i use twice daily. It contains calming ingredients like lavender, cucumber, and raspberry extracts it has no smell which i don't mind as this usually means the product contains artificial perfumes.
I like this product as it removes my makeup, doesn't leave a film on your face afterwards and my skin feels nice and clean. I buy this product on line as it is way cheaper then in the shops, check out-www.gloskinbody.com.au

• Exfoliant- Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

I have tried many exfoliants in my time but i always end up repurchasing this one. It's quite a unique exfoliant its dry and powdery soft which activates when water is mixed with it. It is a good exfoliant for all skin conditions, helps with pigmentation,& skin brightening,  and doesn't have any big husk bits in it, so how does it exfoliate if it is so soft do i hear you ask? Well when the water is added it activates and releases enzymes which are a great chemical exfoliant. The upper layer of our skin is mostly made of dead skin cells containing  keratin protein,  the enzymes work by specifically breaking down the keratin protein, resulting in smoother skin.
It is gentle enough to use everyday hence the name, and my skin always has that clean soft feel afterwards. I use it in the shower and pour 1/2 teaspoon size into my hand and then add water until it gets a bit foamy and then wash my face using my fingertips to gently massage.
I get this on line as well, try- http://www.fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au.

• Masque- Waterlilly honey and chamomile calming face masque 50ml.

I never used to wear a masque, but after learning the great benefits of them such as - hydration, improving blood circulation, drawing out impurities, improving skin texture, and helping our skin absorb moisture i jumped on the band wagon quick smart!
At the moment i am using Waterlilly honey and chamomile calming face masque. Its a white clay based masque that contains organic honey, white tea, chamomile which all help to soothe and hydrate. I use this about once a week, when i have the time ;) and find it helps me to relax and unwind, i usually slap it on with my fingertips and catch up on a gossip mag where i imagine i am a rich celebrity lapping up the sun and surf in an exotic far away place...Then once the 20 minute time frame is up i remember A. There is a load of washing to hang out, B. The dogs need to be walked, C. Dinner needs to be cooked as the other half is hungry, or all of the above! So i get up and wash the masque off (It's non setting so it's easy to remove) and apply a serum or moisturiser to my baby soft skin.
There are not many places you can buy this product, i find allot of day spas offer it in their custom facials. I brought mine from http://www.hopewood.com.au and it is about $45.

• Toner- Dermalogica Multi active toner

 I use a toner all throughout the day, I just spritz it in when I need a pick me up or after i have applied my make up as i find it helps my make up set.
I am using two at the moment, Dermalogica multi active toner which i keep in my handbag as i got the travel size one, it is light, hydrating, and refreshing and smells quite nice. The other one I found in the local drug store its called Dermorganics facial toner, it contains no parabens, artificial colours, or alcohol and smells very natural. This one lives in my fridge and is a great pick me up on these stinking hot Queensland days! I got mine from Amcal chemist and it cost me about $16 for 250ml

• Moisturiser- Renew Rosehip oil, Dermalogica Barrier Repair

I use either of these i don't use them together. Rosehip oil is a super oil, it aids in the repair of skin tissue, smooths out wrinkles, evens out skin tone, reduces the appearance of scars and stretchmarks, moisturises and soothes dry ,irritated skin, nourishes and hydrates, can help balance oily skin. The list goes on. They normally come in a glass bottle with a dropper and i use about 5 drops and press it all over my face and neck. You wont like it if you hate that greasy feeling on your skin but i love it as it feels like my skin is being hydrated & by morning the greasy feel is gone. Mine was quite inexpensive -$14.95 for a 25ml bottle that will last me forever www.renewskincare.com.au

Dermalogica Barrier repair is a unique waterless silicone feeling moisturiser, it a clear gel kind of consistency that just melts into my skin. The skin has a protective barrier called the lipid barrier and sometimes due to weather, pollution, wrong products etc the lipid barrier can weaken and that's when we get irritated skin, but as the name suggests this stuff helps to keep the lipid barrier in tip top shape and it is great on recently resurfaced skin such as skin that has recently had microdermabrasion.  http://www.fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au.
Geez it seems like i am promoting Dermalogica, I am in a way because i know i struggled to find good products for my hard to deal with skin and would have loved to have read what others with the same skin condition used but i am not getting paid or anything to review them i just honestly believe they are good products. Anywhoo that's my routine at the moment, i am always trying new products so i will review them as we go along.



On another note, i have just returned from a weekend away to Hamilton Island which is in North Queensland. This island is the stuff you dream about while you are stuck at work! Perfect weather, lovely people, awesome day spa, white sandy beaches, and a pool with a swim up bar! Here are a few pics for you. If you ever get the opportunity to visit I highly recommend it :) These pics were taken with my Nokia D3100

Have a lovely Friday everyone :)