I hope this doesn’t sound too big headed of me but I’ve always been grateful that I have relatively good skin. Whilst others may be blessed with big, voluminous hair or long, strong nails, or naturally curled, gravity-defying lashes, I’ve always had the most compliments about my skin. I do think it’s more genetics than anything else but that doesn’t stop me blowing my wages on good skincare products and foundation. Sure I have moments when my skin doesn’t want to play ball, when spots pop up out of nowhere, spread and linger, then leave behind unsightly scars that have me overloading on the concealer. I’ve a also discovered at the turn of a certain age, my skin has changed, but not for the better. In the last couple of years, I have found that my ‘normal’ skin has become more ‘combination’, with an overactive T-zone, and whereby it suffers from polar extremes at the height of seasonal change; spotty (especially on my forehead) and greasy in the summer, and dry and flakey (especially around the nose) in the winter. But overall, it’s kinda alright.
However, since embarking on a proper skincare routine both day and night, I have found that my skin is a lot more cooperative and less wayward. I don’t suffer from such extreme skin conditions as soon as the thermostat goes haywire. I’m also finding that outbreaks are now far and few in between and that’s enough motivation to encourage me to keep on with my skincare routine. As for spots and outbreaks, I’ve found a routine that works for me. Not only does it stop the spot in it’s tracks especially in it’s early stages, it also helps prevent the spot/outbreaks from spreading and lingering for days on end. So what does this remedial routine involve? Four products which I’d be lost without quite frankly.
The first of these is the Clarins Face Treatment Lotus Oil and this isn’t the first time it’s been on the blog which is a huge testament to how good it really is. I’ve been using it for about a year now and I’ve still got just less than half the bottle left. It’s mix of Rosemary, Geranium and Lotus extracts works harmoniously to purify the skin and restore it’s balance. I apply 3 or 4 drops onto the skin paying close attention to target the troublesome areas. It also works great on flakey skin and I tend to put the tiniest drop around my nose before I apply my daytime moisturiser and this makes the foundation glide on much more smoothly with no flakiness in sight! The plus point is that this face oil smells absolutely incredible.
The second product I use as part of my spot busting routine is the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +. Now this isn’t a moisturiser I go anywhere near when my skin is behaving itself. I find it rather drying on my combination skin but using a moisturiser on top will help to alleviate the problem (but ain’t nobody got time for that!). However, I do like to use this on top of the oil but specifically on the spots/outbreak area themselves. It’s a lightweight moisturiser that sinks into the skin rather quickly. It contains not only Niacinamide, which is an anti-inflammatory that helps to calm and sooth agitated skin, but also Salicylic Acid which helps to gently exfoliate the surface of the skin. And if that wasn’t a winning formula in itself, it also contains a patented Ceramide called Procerad which helps to rebuild the skin’s surface and prevent pigmentation marks which is often left behind from severe breakouts/acne. I do find that this does tingle on my skin a little (and when it stings a lot, I know I’ve gotten a bit carried away with it), but that soon passes and the results are well worth it.
Not content with one source of Salicylic Acid, I then go in with the Aesop Control Gel directly on top of the stubborn spots. It’s a clear gel that also contains Vitamin C, Ginger Root and Tea Tree Leaf which all work in conjunction with the Salicylic Acid to help sooth and heal the affected area. If I’m at home, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be constantly re-applying throughout the day as and when the gel dries up. I have found that by doing this, it speeds up the healing process even further.
And finally last but not least, the last remedial product in my spot control routine is more of an aesthetic healer rather than a skincare one and it’s none other than Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage Concealer. This is the best concealer for when you don’t even know where to start when trying to hide spots, scars and redness. It’s two shade system allows you to cater for your skin’s shade as it changes throughout the seasons and it’s solid cream formulation makes it totally budge proof on the skin. It takes getting used to but I find that working the product with a brush on the back of your hand helps the product to soften and become more pliable on the skin. Once the spot/blemish is covered, apply a light dusting of powder and hey presto……what spot?
2 comments
Love this review! I have tried all the products you have covered apart from the concealer which I will defo be ordering! I love the lotus oil and the gel is just the best! I have been looking for a concealer that would last and have good coverage. I checked out the website and noticed they have loads of shades to choose from. I have pale skin all year round really, but especially the winter months, so would I go for the lightest combo Laura does or the next shade up?
Thank you! For really pale skin,I’d go for the lightest one which is SC-1- it will have a really pale shade along with a much more warmer one so you can customise your colour if your skin changes through the year. Pop into a dept store or Space NK and get one of the staff to match you just to be sure =)