WINTER SKINCARE SMACKDOWN
I've finally managed to sit down to write this blogpost - so here it is!
This post will cover my current skincare routine divided into a few different categories.
This post will cover my current skincare routine divided into a few different categories.
My skin type is dry/dehydrated/combination with dry sensitive skin on my cheeks and around my eyes and a slighty oily t-zone with enlarged pores on and around my nose. Every now and then I get a few pimples, usually on the sides of my chin and along the jawline.
My skin can react to almost anything - the most gentle cleansers (I'm looking at you REN Rosa Centifolia...) can give me burning and itchy skin while a super potent night cream or an acid toner can be perfectly fine. I usually get breakouts if I eat too much sugar and around my period, but products can make me break out as well and especiallly hair care and base products (foundation, SPF etc.).
So... I guess what I'm saying here is go for what works for you and get to know your skin. This routine might be a bit heavy if you have super oily skin and a bit too potent if your skin is super sensitive, so use this blog post as a few mini reviews to maybe guide you to some new skincare favourites. It has taken me around 4 months to find a routine that I feel really works and just the lastest month I've seen a HUGE improvement - so hang in there and give it time!
A lot of these products are very potent so be careful, I had to gradually start using them. The first week my skin felt dry, irritated and was peeling like crazy, but that stopped and at this moment my skin is at it's best. EVER.
A lot of these products are very potent so be careful, I had to gradually start using them. The first week my skin felt dry, irritated and was peeling like crazy, but that stopped and at this moment my skin is at it's best. EVER.
And last but not least - I live in northern Sweden. It's cold, dark and dry.
Cold sores, dry patches and vitamin D deficiancy is a real thing. #thestruggleisreal
Cold sores, dry patches and vitamin D deficiancy is a real thing. #thestruggleisreal
CLEANSERS
And no, I don't use sunscreen on a daily basis because I literally never see the sun.
It rises at around 9.00 in the morning and sets around 14.00 in the afternoon,
and those hours I tend to spend indoors at the university. Boo hoo.
Urtekram Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil - My go-to makeup remover. I use this kind of as a cleansing balm - I massage this onto my face and use a wet hot micro fiber cloth to wipe it all off. Done.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - Looove this! Perfect if the coconut oil + cloth didn't remove all of my eye makeup or for removing lipstick, swatches etc. Pour on to a cotton round and wipe it off.
Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleanser - Not as great as I hoped it to be because it isn't very effective when it comes to removing makeup, but it's great to use in the mornings!
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - Looove this! Perfect if the coconut oil + cloth didn't remove all of my eye makeup or for removing lipstick, swatches etc. Pour on to a cotton round and wipe it off.
Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleanser - Not as great as I hoped it to be because it isn't very effective when it comes to removing makeup, but it's great to use in the mornings!
TONER / MIST
REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner - This is magic in a bottle! An exfoliating toner that helps unclog pores and get rid of dead skin. I use this at night after I remove my makeup. Tried using it twice a day and my skin got a bit angry, so be careful if you have sensitive skin.
Emma S. Moisturizing Facial Mist - I use this after my cleanser in the morning and after the toner in the evening. Moisturizes the skin and makes the serum apply more evenly. This one is great as a setting spray or as a refresher through out the day as well.
SERUM / MOISTURIZER
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - My skin loves this stuff! Vitamin C is my BFF since my pale skin can tend to look quite dull. This has given me the "glow" back and has really helped lighten the acne scars on my chin and helped reduce fine lines around my eyes.
Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation - A beautiful face cream that helps to even out my skin tone (vitamin C again, hehe). A bit too light for my skin which is why I mix it with a few drops of...
LUMENE Bright Now Vitamin C Dry Skin coctail - I mix this together with the Sheer tranformation and it works wonders. If I'm feeling super dry I slather this as it is all over my face. Gets rid of dry patches and has Vitamin C in it. Surprised?
LUMENE Bright Now Vitamin C Dry Skin coctail - I mix this together with the Sheer tranformation and it works wonders. If I'm feeling super dry I slather this as it is all over my face. Gets rid of dry patches and has Vitamin C in it. Surprised?
EYES / LIPS
Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Crème - Morning eye cream that hydrates the area around the eyes nicely. I think I'm a bit too young to really benefit from this but it's a nice cream that doesn't give me puffy eyes or milia.
Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel - Night time eye gel that once again feels nice on the skin but I think I'm a bit too young to really benefit from it. I got these eye creams in a gift set and I will probably not but buy them again. They are really nice but more suitable for someone who's a bit older I think.
Apotek Hjärtats Hudsalva - Swedish pharmacy brand. Nothing special really, just the best lip balm in the world.
SCRUBS / MASKS
Maria Åkerberg AHA & Jojoba Peeling - A beautiful peeling with lactic acid and jojoba beads that gently exfoliates the skin. I don't use this a lot since I started using the exfoliating toner, but it's a really good scrub.
Maria Åkerberg Papaya Peeling - THE BEST PEELING EVER! Very gentle and effective and it gives your skin a beautiful glow and makes it feel super moisturized. I use this when my skin is feeling a bit clogged and dull.
GLAMGLOW Supermud - I have some sort of hate/love rolationship to this one. I does a really good job to remove impurities but i tends to dry out my skin a LOT. I'm almost out of it and I will probably not repurchase it because it is kind of expensive. (I've been mixing it with the next face mask lately, and that has worked really well.)
GLAMGLOW Supermud - I have some sort of hate/love rolationship to this one. I does a really good job to remove impurities but i tends to dry out my skin a LOT. I'm almost out of it and I will probably not repurchase it because it is kind of expensive. (I've been mixing it with the next face mask lately, and that has worked really well.)
Maria Åkerberg Refining Mask - A beautiful face mask that I either apply all over my face and leave it on until I feel like wasing it off, or I apply it to break outs and leave it on over the night. It has vitamin C and silica in it and has worked wonders when it comes to lightening the scarring on my chin.
Some naked skin pictures. You're welcome.
And no, I don't use sunscreen on a daily basis because I literally never see the sun.
It rises at around 9.00 in the morning and sets around 14.00 in the afternoon,
and those hours I tend to spend indoors at the university. Boo hoo.
That's about it! It's a massive blog post but I hope some of it can be at least a little bit helpful.
And don't be afraid to leave a comment or two if you have any questions!
And don't be afraid to leave a comment or two if you have any questions!