New Year means one thing!

Christmas and New Year have been and gone and now it's time for a skincare overhaul!

These are my current favourites, however, everyone's skin is different and so is your skin's needs - so don't rush out and buy everything that I use. However, this will give you a general idea of how I keep my skin feeling cared for (most of the time!).

Kicking it off with cleanser. By now you probably know that I steer completely clear of any face wash that foams. Any cleanser that makes you want to dive for your moisturiser after using it, don't use. All it's doing is stripping your skin of its natural moisture and making it even drier. I am a complete convert to face balms and cleansing oil as I never find my face feeling tight or dry after using them. My current favourite is The Sanctuary Spa's Ultimate Facial Cleansing Oil (£13) I find it dissolves all my make up (remember to double cleanse in the evening) and keeps my skin clear and feeling comfortable. I can happily brush my teeth or have a quick change before I feel the need to reach for my moisturiser. It does contain mineral oil which can cause spots for some people, but just make sure you properly rinse your face with warm water and a flannel and you should be fine. But make sure you change your flannel daily!

 

 

Next is Pixi's Glow Tonic (£18) I love this stuff and couldn't imagine going back to grainy exfoliators. A couple of times a week I saturate a cotton pad disk and sweep this over my face after I've cleansed in the evening. Exfoliators give a brighter, fresher look to your skin as it contains Glycolic Acid (don't be afraid of the word acid as it's in such a tiny amount) which loosen any dead skin cells that can leave skin looking dull. I find the Glow Tonic far more gentle on my skin as it's a liquid and doesn't leave my face looking red and blotchy, which can happen with grainy exfoliators.

 

Central heating, cold weather, bad diet and hormonal changes can all lead to sensitive skin. So before I moisturise my face I give mine a little helping hand with The Body Shop's Aloe Protective Serum (£12.00) This is geared towards sensitive skin and is designed to be used as a pre-moisturiser. It doesn't really smell luxurious and it's not particularly fancy, but I do find that if I skip the serum part of my skincare routine, be it morning or evening, that I use far more moisturiser before my skin feels properly hydrated. It contains Aloe Vera (as the name would suggest!) so it's very cooling on the skin which is lovely if your face is feeling a little parched after the cold weather.

This step I never ever, ever skip....ever. Moisturiser can be your best friend if you find the right one. I meet so many women who don't bother with it at all as they find it either causes spots or leaves them in a greasy mess. Again, just because I love a certain moisturiser doesn't mean you should rush out and think this is the one for you. All I can suggests is try, try and try again. Getting the right one will help your foundation stay on longer and will also give skin that plump, hydrated appearance. This is now my third jar of Clarins Multi Active Day Cream (£33-£40) Clarins have a range of skincare designed for your specific age group. The Multi Active Day is for women in their 30's and they have a range for women 40+ and 50+. Generally, mature skin needs richer formulated products. You don't need to spend a small fortune on moisturiser, just find the one that makes your skin feel good. Using one with a 15 plus SPF during the winter months is always a good idea and higher during the summer.

 Let me know your favourites as I'm always on the hunt for new skincare products!