My skincare routine (night edition)

Just to clarify : I don’t use all these products all at once, every evening. Depending on how my skin feels, I’ll use a different cleanser or face oil.You may remember a previous post (here), where I shared the products that did a wonderful job calming my skin after a bad reaction to products. Once everything came back to normal, I promised myself I’d stick to a routine and stop switching products all the time, only allowing a new product once in a while. My skin has never been calmer since.

I’ve been using all types of cleansers: oil, balms, gel and cream. Each has a specific usage and some compliment each other very well. I would definitely repurchase all of them.
Cleansers
Ravenscourt Apothecary Purity oil cleanser
You may remember my love for this British brand (here) for its whimsical aesthetics and palm-oil free range. One of their newest products released is the Purity cleanser. I picked the one with the essential oil of clary sage, a well-known ingredient to combat skin inflammations and rashes. I always use Purity as a first cleanse when I’m wearing makeup/sunscreen, because it removes effortlessly all the grime and doesn’t leave any residue. A few drops on a cotton round take off mascara, eyeshadow while keeping the eye area moisturized. For those sensitive to EOs, Ravenscourt offers an unscented version as well.
Ingredients: olive oil, macadamia nut oil, golden jojoba oil, polysorbate 80, essential oils of clary sage.

Skin & Tonic London Steam Clean
One of the best purchases I’ve made. I bought it several months ago on Content Beauty, and I started to use it in November until early Spring. Now that I’ve moved on to lighter cleansers, I use the remaining product left as an aromatic chest balm: thanks to the content in spearmint and eucalyptus, it encourages deep breathing and relaxation.
As a cleanser, I massaged a small amount onto my face and neck. I held the warm cloth on my face for a minute or more to breathe in deeply the essential oils that were released, before starting to cleanse away. It always left my face glowy, fresh and relaxed. With Steam Clean, I literally felt the tensions melt away as I washed my face. Even better, I believe Steam Clean prevented me from catching a full-blown cold, because I had been using it on an almost daily basis during the winter, and its essential oils always relieved any first signs of congestion. A must-have for winter.

Ingredients: Cera Alba (Beeswax)* Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed Oil)* Carthamus Tinctorius (Thistle Oil)* Borago Officinalis (Borage Oil)* Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus Essential Oil)* Mentha Spicata (Spearmint Essential Oil)* *Certified organic by The Soil Association

Yüli Halcyon cleanser (review here)
The one for the second cleanse. This is not a makeup remover, but the most lightweight-yet-mighty product to cleanse your bare face. A game-changer in the world of gel cleansers. So gentle that my my skin never encounters redness or irritations. Skin doesn’t feel
tight after cleansing, but supple, fresh and clean.
Ingredients: H. italicum/L. angustifolia hydrosol blend*, herbal infusion of (T.pratense*, C. sinensis*, S. media, Z. officinale*, O. fragans), D-aloe barbadensis,vegetable glycerine, sodium cocoyl isethionate (vegetable source), peptides derived from Amaranth protein, jojoba ester*, Rhodophyta (Red Algae) ferment, G.lucidum (Reishi) tincture*, zeolite, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), vitamin C ester, biodynamic fruit enzymes, petitgrain sur fleurs oil*, bergamot (bergaptene-free) oil*, collidal silver

Cleanser/ exfoliator
Jillian Wright Congested skin cleanser with salicylic acid and cranberry & pomegranate*
One word: holy-grail.
Pollution, bad eating choices, high stress level are factors that contribute to skin inflammation and congestion. Despite a steady beauty routine and a healthy-ish lifestyle, I do experience itchy, inflammed skin from time to time and when it happens, it’s the first sign leading to big breakouts. There was nothing that prevented spots from appearing, until Jillian Wright’s congested skin cleanser. I use it as an exfoliating cleanser twice a week, and everytime my skin looks calmer and clearer. It contains a small amount of salicylic acid, which is used topically to clear and prevent blemishes. The enzymes in the pomegranate provide a mild and natural exfoliation. Relieves skin rashes, inflammations, congestions, clears the pores, shrinks cysts, blackheads and encourages skin cell renewal, revealing a clearer skin. I don’t want to be without this product. Jillian Wright takes green beauty to a clinical level: science and nature are absolutely compatible. Had I the chance to live in NYC, I’d book an appointment at her spa. Meanwhile, I’m so glad her line is available online, be it on Jillian Wright’s website (here) or on Indie Beauty Shop (here).
And if you’re not convinced yet, the cleanser has a pink color and smells very fruity 😉
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Methyl Cocyl Taurate, Sodium Hydroxypropylsulfonate Laurylglucoside Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Sodium
Hydroxypropylsulfonate Decyglucoside Crosspolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Glycol Distearate, 1% Salicylic Acid, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Leaf Extract, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Punica
Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Citrus Grandis (Pink Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Cooper Gluconate, Citric Acid, Flavor/Aroma *Certified Organic Ingredient

Serum + face oil
Precious Skin Elixirs Amethyst Balancing & Calming Serum*
Since I received this bottle, Precious Skin Elixir has revamped the look of their products so now, the Amethyst Balancing & Calming serum looks very sleek in its violet glass bottle (click here). It had big shoes to fill in as I’m still deeply enamored with MUN’s serum which has been the most efficient serum I’ve ever tried, but Amethyst passed the test with flying colors, and I’ll be adding it now to my serums of choice! I love every single ingredient listed.
A blend made in heaven, since all the ingredients work synergistically to provide hydration and balance at the same time. Amethyst works both day and night: thanks to the antioxidant properties in red raspberry seed oil, it’s a great ally against free radical damage. Borage, jojoba and meadowfoam seed are sources of hydration. Black cumin seed oil has phenomenal anti-bacterial properties (also found in Odacité’s Pure Elements serum – here). German Chamomille and Blue Yarrow bring in the soothing factor, both essential oils are delightful for the skin and the mind. Amethyst gently calms, treats and restores the skin to its natural balance. Since using it for over 3 months, I noticed a significant reduction in redness, and less breakouts on my chin area, which is where I breakout the most normally. While it’s incredibly efficient, it’s not an olfactory delight. Borage oil has a strong, dinstinctive smell (so does red raspberry oil, it doesn’t smell fruity at all). Dare I say that it slightly reminds me of fish oil. However, thanks to EOs of Lavender and German Chamomille, the scent is a bit tamed. Please, don’t let that get in the way from trying Precious Skin Elixirs, because the blends are absolutely fabulous.
Update: In the comment section below, Marissa, the founder of PSE has just informed me that they have now improved the scent – now a mixture of lavender and chamomile. Brilliant news!
Ingredients: *Borage oil, *black cumin seed oil, **jojoba, **meadowfoam seed oil, *red raspberry seed oil, **German chamomile essential oil, **blue yarrow essential oil, *lavender essential oil.*organic, **wild crafted

Vered therapeutic balancing face oil 
I ordered this bottle on Spirit Beauty Lounge when they were having 20% off several months ago. I stayed mum in the beginning because I wasn’t seeing any improvements, despite the stellar blend of ingredients. It did feel immensely moisturizing though – the consistency is thick at first but absorbs effortlessly. BUT patience is a virtue, and it paid off in this case. After a month, I did notice less chin breakouts and inflammations than usual. I expected Vered’s oil to treat the exisiting blemishes, but it’s not really its function. Superbly hydrating, without making you look like a greaseball. Massaging your face with Vered therapeutic balancing oils feels like a spa session because it gives you a natural glow afterwards.

If you need something to treat blemishes, this might not be the most fitting option, but if you look for a luxe, hydrating face oil that gives you a splendid glow, look no further. It won’t treat existing woes, but it will prevent new blemishes from forming. Also the bottle will last you for over 6 months, because 2 – 3 drops are enough to cover face and neck. Since it contains photosensitive ingredients (citrus essential oils), I strictly used it at night as a precaution. I’m quite fond of the elegant design of the bottle – gives me some Chanel vibes, no? I keep it stored away from direct sunlight since the clear bottle can’t prevent the essential oils from altering.
Ingredients: Organic, ethically sourced, therapeutic-grade essential oils and herbs –  lemongrass, helichrysum flowers, tangerine, chamomille, lime, lemon, lemon thyme, rosehip, myrrh, niaoli, calendula, chickweed, lavender, echinacea, plantain leaf, speedwell, selfheal, infused into a base of pure organic jojoba oil and sweet almond oil.

Masks
May Lindstrom The Problem Solver (reviewed here)
Skin superstar, master skin detox, blemish blaster etc. I’ve been using The Problem Solver for a year (almost every Sunday) and as of now I fully get to enjoy its benefits and experience how outstanding it is. Overtime, it diminishes the appearance of skin impurities, reduces inflammations, keeps new blemishes at bay and thoroughly cleanses the pores.
Ingredients: Fuller’s Earth Clay, Red Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, **Theobroma Cacao (Raw Cacao), Red Alaea Sea Salt, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sodium Bicarbonate, Bamboo Carbon Charcoal Powder, *Vanilla Planifolia Bean, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower, *Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root, ***Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense), *Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), *Archangelica (Angelica) Root, *Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon), *Myristica Fragans (Nutmeg), *Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove), *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric), *Capsicum Annuum (Cayenne) Pepper. *Certified Organic **Fair Trade Certified ***Wild Harvested

Pai Copaiba & Zinc AHA Deep Cleanse mask (full review here)
While I do a clay mask once a week, I like a little mid-week pamper and Pai’s Copaiba AHA Mask is the perfect treat, because it’s creamy, gentle and non-drying.
The Alpha Hydroxy Acids act as chemical exfoliants, which work to remove dead skin cells on skin’s surface, revealing a brighter complexion. Therefore, Pai’s mask kills two birds with one stone (excuse the rather brutal idiom though 😉 by reducing scarring and tackling blemishes all at once. I’m absolutely thrilled that Pai has decided to keep the mask in their permanent collection, however I only wish it was a tad more affordable, as it now costs more (40 Eur.) than the instant brightening facial set (36 Eur.), which also comprised the Kukui and Jojoba Bead brightening exfoliator. Unlike The Problem Solver which lasted me for over a year and a few months, Pai’s Deep Cleanse mask would take maximum half a year (depending on your usage). Nevertheless it’s still a brilliant product and I know I’ll repurchase it at some point because it worked wonderfully for me.
Ingredients: Aqua, Kaolin, Glycerin*, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Cetearyl alcohol, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil*, Carapa guaianensis Seed Oil*, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract*, Acacia Senegal Gum, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil*, Carya Ovata Bark Extract, Copaifera Officinalis Resin*, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Levulinate, Boswellia Neglecta Oil*, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Anisate, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil*, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid. Naturally occurring in essential oils: limonene*, citral*. 

Phew, that was a long post to write! Now, I’d love to know what you use in your cleansing routine!

Take care,

Liz

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