Current (Evening) Skincare for Fall

First half of this post HERE where I describe my current skin conditions and needs.

Evening 

Step 1 - Boscia Makeup Breakup Cleansing Oil - I use this if I've worn makeup that day.  I use this all year round.  It is a staple and an honest to goodness HG!  I love Fancl about the same - they feel the same and perform the same - except, Boscia has the minty tingle and is more accessible than Fancl.

 

Step 2 - First Aid Beauty Cleanser  - I also consider this one a HG product.  I've gone through 3 tubes of it and still love it.  When I've run out in the past, my skin has almost immediately started looking crappier.  So, I stick with this. 

 

Step 3 - Chantecaille Pure Rosewater - I started using this because I had a little trial bottle.  I didn't expect anything.  It smells nice, that's about the extent of what I expected.  It actually makes my skin "feel good" when I  use it though.  If my skin is tight, itchy, flushed, whatever, this seems to calm it down.  I'm sure there are cheaper options and I've tried a couple - Mario Badescu and Julie Hewett - but they don't compare.

Step 4 - REN ClearCalm Replenishing Night Serum - Love it.  I noticed a difference overnight.  It soothes and calms your skin.  May or may not treat acne (not sure on this part) and it meant to be used before your acne treatment or moisturizer.

This calming formula reduces redness, minimizes the look of scars, and leaves skin feeling comfortable. Its balancing and antioxidant benefits help skin respond optimally to additional treatment steps.

Step 5 - Sothys Active Cream - Yet another HG product.  I've used this one on and off for 8 years or so.  It is really comforting and rich but sinks in immediately.  Here's what Sothys has to say about it:   Active Cream works to regenerate, hydrate and soothe the skin. It contains ingredients, including liquorice extract (anti-inflammatory, healing); allantoin (healing agent); Biostimulins of corn grains (stimulates cell renewal). An immediate feeling of comfort is regained and a well moisturized and matte skin is achieved.

 

REN ClearCalm Anti-Acne Treatment Mask - 3 Nights a Week I put this mask on after cleansing and leave it for about 20 minutes.  This one is really a miracle worker.  It smells a little strong but totally worth it.  Tough it out... it's just 10 minutes.  :)

What it does:  Combat and help prevent blemishes to achieve a clear, calm, even-toned complexion. This soothing, calming formula provides antimicrobial action to help prevent the spread of acne-causing bacteria while reducing the appearance of pore size and redness. It also works to minimize evidence of past breakouts, lightening the look of pigmented acne scars.

Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask - I use this about once a week.

Current (Morning) Skincare for Fall

Ahhh, I love fall.  I love cooler weather.  I am so glad to be done with the 95° plus temperatures (someone please remind me when I start bitching in February).  But, with the weather change comes some rather unfortunate changes with my skin.  Gone are the days of needing to blot & powder several times a day.  Say hello to dehydrated, flaky skin which, by the way, still wants to have acne.  My skin generally doesn't stay like this all winter, it just takes it time to get used to the abrupt change.  It seems to be getting more severe as I age.


I have been tinkering, trying to find a suitable routine that will take care of the dry patches, flakes, lines & monthly breakouts while not causing new breakouts.  It's been a lot of trial and error but here is what is currently working for me.


Morning
Step 1 - Boots No7 Age Defence Cleansing Balm - First off, 'defence' bugs the hell out of me.... maybe the Brits spell defense differently, like behaviour and paedophilia.  This stuff costs around $9.  In the morning, I don't really have anything to wash off my face but I do feel like it needs freshening up from the skincare products and laying on it all night.  I use this on dry skin and rinse with warm water but you don't have to rinse.  You can use a tissue or cotton pad to wipe it off.  Best of all, it hasn't broken me out, will remove eye makeup and leave skin clean & supple.


Step 2 - Awake Exolizer -  Everything they claim is true.  A clarifying serum that removes dead surface cells, revealing a more luminous complexion.  Smoothes skin texture and uncovers pure translucency.  It exceeded my expectations.  I had to start slowly because I started to peel a bit.  It probably would not affect me that way in the summer.  Bonus, it smells fabulous (like Cypress Oil).  Retail = $45 but you can get it on Beauty.com and use a 20% off code when they have one.



Step 3 - Jack Black Protein Booster Skin Serum - This stuff has all kinds of good stuff in it and I don't care if I don't have the right "equipment" to be using it.  It is loaded with Peptides, Antioxidants & Organic Omega-3.  It sinks right into the skin and leaves your face smooth.  It doesn't smell great - like broken vitamin e caps - but at least it doesn't smell fishy like I expected the Omega-3 to smell.  I read all the marketing 'science' and had to try it.  I'm glad I did.  It is $60 but can be found at several places online that you can use coupons.


Step 4 - La Mer The Moisturizing Gel Cream - I never bought into the "miracle broth" hype but I really, REALLY like this moisturizer.  It's the perfect one for me under foundation.  It doesn't ball up, my skin can breathe through it and it thoroughly hydrates my face.






Step 5 - Shiseido Nutriperfect Eye Serum & Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Balm - I can't say that either have really made a difference in my undereye area except the Shiseido hydrates better than any other I've tried and immediately the fine lines are invisible.  Doesn't seem to do much for bags or dark circles.  I use the Bobbi Brown Eye Balm sort of as an undereye concealer primer.




Seeing how it's almost midnight, I'm going to keep this post to the morning routine and do another post tomorrow on the evening routine.  :)  Thanks for reading!