“I have been using the same skincare routine now for the past year, with a few new additions added into the mix every now and again and I’m happy to say my skin has never looked better! So here’s the low-down on my day to night skincare regime that after a year’s tried and tested really does stand up to the travel test!”
Last week Coco and I headed into the brisk British countryside for an evening at Soho Farmhouse. The secluded and exclusive hotel that consists of dreamy wooden cabins with luxurious furnishings and impeccable service is the perfect little get-a-way when it comes to a winter escape.
Whilst I’d love to write a full review on the place we didn’t explore the grounds all that much because the cosy log fire just metres from our bed and the outdoor bath space had us settled in for a girl’s night from the moment we walked through our cabin door at 3pm 😉 The rooms are rustically decorated, gorgeously cosy and ours came with a rather inviting lake-view terrace.
As always when travelling I took with me my ‘holy grail’ products and as there was a stunning outdoor bath to pose in I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with you my tried and tested skincare routine 😉
As seasons change gradually when you are rooted in one country we can slowly and naturally adapt our skincare routine accordingly, most women in the UK for example will switch up the daily routine in winter and summer making sure their skin gets the best deal in both extremes, for me though my skin has to adapt to climate changes a little more frequently! For the past year I’ve been at home for a grand total of two weeks at a time, traveling to extremely freezing locations followed by incredibly hot destinations. From Lapland to Barbados, London to Tahiti, my skin has been put through the works! Then we have to factor in all of the dehydrating long haul plane journeys and lack of sleep!
Asides from making sure I eat Avocado at least 3 times a week, (trust me when I say my skin shows me immediately when I’ve not eaten the delicious superfood for a few days!) I’ve been using the same skincare routine now for the past year, with a few new additions added into the mix every now and again and I’m happy to say my skin has never looked better!
So here’s the low-down on my day to night skincare regime that after a year’s tried and tested really does stand up to the travel test!
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
This cleanser is amazing! You wet your hands, add a tiny amount to your fingers and then massage into your dry clean skin, as the product reacts with the water on your hands it will start to foam up, massage some more and then you rinse it off. It can be applied to wet skin too so you can use it in the shower it you wanted or after you have used your cleansing oil but I love that you have the option of both. I prefer to apply on dry skin myself though. The best bit? I have had the same tube now for three months, you need the tiniest amount so it lasts for so long and is pretty affordable considering!
La Rooche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying lotion
Essentially my toner which again, lasts for months! Not as long as the cleanser but you still get so much product for the price, mainly because you only need to use a small amount. I apply this noon and night after cleansing and if I’m somewhere in the sticks camping or not able to get access to water I’ll use this as my only step! My skin feels fresh and tight after using. It’s one of those products where you really feel as though it’s done something.
Lancome Advanced Youth Genefique
My ultimate holy grail product! This serum is my shared secret with anyone who ever comments on my skin. I started using it two years ago when the lovely team at Lancome sent me over a bottle to try whilst filming for The British Fashion Awards and I have continued to use it ever since. Unlike the other products in this write up one (100ml) bottle tends to only last me a month or so and it is a pricer item in terms of skincare, boy is it worth every penny though! You apply the serum morning and night after your cleanse regime and before moisturisers and it is designed to give your skin a youthful, fresh appearance whilst working on age defying. I had a break from using this serum a while back when I forgot to take it on a 4 week holiday and I saw a difference in my skin whilst not using it, not the good kind of difference, my skin just looked dull and shapeless.
I then move onto my five minute make-up routine which actually starts with my final skincare item of the day. I use the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Unifant in the light shade when I’m in the UK and the medium shade when I’m abroad or have a fresh tan. As this is technically the first stage of my make-up I haven’t included it in my skincare routine but there is a non-tinted version that I will use as my final step if I am not wearing make-up for that day. It’ ahhhmazing…….more on that when I talk make-up 😉
Keihl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Arguably the best product to come way way in 2017! This bottle of oil is an actual godsend! You apply directly onto your dry face of make-up, rub it in, wet your hands rub your face again thoroughly and then wash everything off. Your make-up disappears! No pulling and tugging or swiping with pads or wipes just all washed down the sink. It means when I travel I don’t need to pack cotton pads or muslins I just need a sink! It’s an odd concept when you first try it but it’s the only make-up remover that doesn’t leave any residue on my towel after I’ve washed my face, much to my hubby’s delight! It also lasts forever, OK well maybe not quite forever but I’ve had mine for over 4 months now and it is still going strong with no signs of running out. I love that you can pump it directly on your hand too as there’s no faffing with lids and screw tops. I do recommend locking the top and putting it in a separate plastic bag when travelling tough, just in case!
Lancome Genefique Youth Activating Night Cream
From the same skincare family as my trusty serum Lancome also have a wonderful night cream. It smells divine, sinks in beautifully and does it’s work overnight rather beautifully. I think it’s quite hard to judge a night cream as often your skin reacts to your sleep too but it’s been in my routine now for a few months and I am loving how my skin feels every morning. The consistency of this night cream is definitely my favourite out of every one I’ve tried, it almost feels soothing rubbing it in before bed and I love that. I also tried Lancome’ s vissionaire nuit beauty sleep protector which was great and lasted me considerably well for a night cream but I prefer the smell and creaminess of the Genefique Youth Activating Night Cream.
The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask
Finally a mask that is a recent but very welcomed addition to my skincare routine is the Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Mask. I picked this up at a recent press event and it is a little pot of wonder! You apply the mask to a dry face, leave it on for 10 minutes to completely dry and crackle up then wash it off with warm water and circular motions. The best way to describe this whole mask experience is that my skin feels ALIVE!! It is pretty strong so I wouldn’t recommend it to any one with sensitive skin but having used it twice a week for two weeks now I can already see it’s hard at work. It’s bought up blackheads I never even knew I had, which whilst momentarily isn’t too great it just shows how powerful a product it is at extracting impurities. I am hoping that after a few more weeks it will have not only pulled them up but also out! After using the mask for the first time I went downstairs to Mems and he mentioned how fresh my face looked. If a man see’s a difference you know you’ve struck gold!
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So there you have it my skincare routine that stands the test of the seasons! I’m backpacking through the Philippines in December and every single item will be decanted and packed, even though I’ll be camping on the beach most nights, these babies are coming with!
I am getting several of these bottles! Cx
I have always wondered how you keep your skin so fresh looking! I’d look like death if I did as many long haul flights as you! I have heard that the Effaclar Duo is good – I’m convinced to try it now 😉