I’ve always said that I’m fairly minimal when it comes to my skincare routine and makeup, however, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t spent years searching for and testing, some of the best products out there. For a long while I used to lavish my skin with expensive La Prairie products because, you guys, they really ARE that good. My rationale was that I didn’t spend a fortune on other products so, why not? I can’t bring myself to drop £200+ on creams anymore, however, I think I’ve found the next best thing(s) and at a snip of the price.

One thing about me, when it comes to beauty products and my skincare routine, I’m loyal. Once I’ve found a product that I love, I’ll use it pretty much until it’s discontinued, or until my skin alters with age and the product no longer produces the same results. Sob. I’m not quite committed enough to try any of the famous Korean beauty 10-step regime, however, I totally get the benefits of layering your skincare. So without further ado…

MY SKINCARE ROUTINE – AM;

STEP ONE | First thing I do is wash my face with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser £16.50 (for the largest size). I love a foaming face wash and prefer something super gentle that doesn’t dry out my skin. I don’t wear a lot of makeup but I imagine even if I did, this cleanser would do the job perfectly. I’ve used it for years, it’s priced reasonably and you don’t need to use a lot so it lasts forever.

STEP TWO | Next up is The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 £5.90. Yep, you read that right… It’s less than a tenner! Discovering The Ordinary has been a skincare game-changer. Seriously, I’ve never seen results like it, and at a fraction of the cost of other brands. Since seeing the results I’ve even managed to sneak a few into Dan’s routine and his skin has never looked better! This product dries quickly so get it on fast and don’t be put off by the name, it actually feels really gentle on the skin. Hyaluronic acid attracts up to 1000 times its weight in water so it essentially helps your skin hold onto the ingredients in your chosen moisturiser way more effectively.

STEP THREE | Moisturiser wise, I’m still a die-hard fan of Kiehl’s and love their Super Multi-Corrective Cream, at £49 it’s definitely not cheap but even using this on its own will visibly improve your skin. (Though, it definitely works even better with an extra layer of Hyaluronic Acid first.) It lasts all day, too.

MY SKINCARE ROUTINE – PM;

STEP ONE | Same step one as in the morning, I was my face with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser.

STEP TWO | I then tone with The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution £6.80. Though it feels fine on the skin, perhaps a bit tingly – which i don’t mind, it’s too harsh to use both morning and evening and as it can increase sensitivity to Sunlight, they recommend making it an evening thing. It’s great for a mild, daily exfoliation. Use a cotton pad and apply fairly liberally in sweeping motions accross the face, avoid direct contact with your eyes.

At this point, my skincare routine can go two ways…

ALTERNATE STEP THREE | Twice a week I use The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% £5.90. It is a GAME-CHANGER, I can’t say it enough – you need this product in your lives. You apply it before bed and the next morning the difference is just incredible. It has provided the most dramatic anti-aging, brightening, smoothing and plumping of any other product, ever. And again, it’s pretty much the price of two coffees. So, even if you buy it and don’t love it, I can’t for the life of me think why you wouldn’t, it’s so cheap that you haven’t really lost anything. It will tingle a fair bit the first time you use it and I almost get the smell of burnt rubber, but that’s just it working it’s magic and it’s so worth it!

STEP THREE | The other days I apply a layer of Hyaluronic Acid – same as above.

STEP FOUR | Then I use an oil. My favourite being Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate £30. Again, I thought the results from this product were pretty brilliant all on their own but with the addition of the other products, it’s next level.

MASKS

I have a few favourites that I use on rotation, they all give me a lovely glow and honestly I just pick one depending on my mood. So, in no particular order…

Ren Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask £32.00

Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask £31.00

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution £6.30

With this little routine I finally feel like I’ve cracked the code. Bar the inevitable aging, the texture of my skin looks better than it did at 21. Probably has a little something to do with all the drinking and smoking that was happening back then but anyway. If you’re feeling like your skin needs a little pick me up I would say the star products above, are the Hyaluronic acid for daily use and the Alpha Lipoic Acid for that mid-week brightener. Add those two power-houses into your routine and I can guarantee, if your skin is anything like mine, you’ll be floored.

ARE THERE ANY PRODUCTS THAT I NEED TO TRY?

Tell me in the comments below…