Morning Skincare Routine

I've been writing a lot of blog posts about makeup over the past year but it's been a while since I've written anything skincare related despite the fact that it's something I'm very passionate about and spend a lot of time researching and a lot of money on. As I'm getting older I'm realising more and more the importance of a proper skincare routine which includes ingredients that will benefit my specific skin type and concerns. Instead of wasting my money on products I don't need or use I've been taking the time to actually think about what I want my skincare to do, what ingredients will actually work for my skin and then buying the appropriate products.

To begin with some context, I have typical normal/combination skin. For the most part I don't have any major concerns, I get a little redness and some blemishes and congestion. I have some fine lines from normal skin ageing and some pigmentation from sun damage. My pores are a "normal" size. My t-zone can become oily throughout the day and I can suffer from dry patches at times and dehydration especially during the colder months.

In this post I wanted to discuss the kinds of products I use in the morning to prepare my skin for the day and for makeup application. I omitted sun protection products but for reference I will always use sun protection of SPF25 and up each day that I know I will be outside for any period of time, even if that's just walking out to do the food shopping. My current favourites are the SkinCeuticals Mineral Radiance UV Defense SPF 50 Universal Tint which is a tinted broad spectrum sun protection product. Mineral sun protection like this is great for anyone that can react to chemical sunscreen. However it does have more of a white cast which I why I love this tinted version. I also love the Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 30 which is a clear chemical sunscreen. I have been given this as a PR sample but I have also purchased it myself and have gone through at least three bottles. It's lightweight and smells amazing and doesn't interfere with any makeup that is applied over it. Those are my two options for both Mineral and Chemical sun protection depending on your preference but there are so many options out there and I'd always suggest getting a sample as I find these kinds of products are so personal.

**CeraVe Foaming Cleanser €10.99 (236ml)

I first tried this last year after receiving it as a press sample at an event. I know some people tend to stay clear of Foaming Cleansers as they can be drying on your skin but since I have combination skin I find I can get away with using them, especially this one as it's so gentle. I use a very small amount of this in the morning, focused on my t-zone mainly as a way to get rid of any oil build up on my skin from throughout the night. It doesn't have the drying and tight feeling on my skin that other foaming cleansers have in the past and that's mainly down to the ingredients which include hyaluronic acid (to hydrate), ceramides (to help restore the skin's barrier) and niacinamide (vitamin b3 which helps with moisture loss, dehydration and environmental damage. I've repurchased it twice since I first received it as a sample, I even have the larger version at the moment which is double the size. I mostly got the larger version because I have a second use for this cleaner and that's cleaning my makeup brushes. It's honestly the best thing I've tried at cleaning stubborn foundation out of my brushes (even beauty than the Beauty Blender one).  They also have a Hydrating Facial Cleanser for anyone who has dry skin. 

***Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser €16 (117ml)

I've been using Milky Jelly Cleanser on and off for almost three years after first buying it at the Glossier Showroom in New York. It was one of the products I knew I wanted to buy at the showroom after hearing great things about it for a couple of years. As the name suggests it's a milky gel with a rose scent from the rose water in the formula. I know some people aren't a fan of the scent but I absolutely love it, so if you're not a fan of rose scented products you might want to try it first. The reason. I tend to use this as a second cleaner in the evening or alone in the morning. I'd only use this to remove my makeup if I was wearing very minimal "Glossier" makeup. It's described as a conditioning face wash as it contains Pro-Vitamin B5 which is a natural moisturiser and Sodium Hyaluronate which make it feel hydrating unlike other face washes I've used in the past. I find this gentle and calming to use and it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and balanced. I've gone through countless bottles of this and I always have a back up. It even comes in a mini travel size which is perfect for anyone going on holiday or just wanting to test it out before they buy the full size. I also find it lasts for ages so you definitely get your moneys worth.


*Glossier Bubblewrap Eye + Lip Plumping Cream €27 (22ml)

Back in April last year I got an email asking if I wanted to try a new Glossier product before it launched. I was so excited and of course I said yes (had to sign an NDA and everything!) I waited patiently for the package to arrive so I could test it our before launch day but unfortunately it didn't arrive until the day of launch which was also sadly the day my granny died. I actually arrived home from being in the nursing home and found the package waiting for me so after crying some more I took my makeup off and applied Bubblewrap. I mention this because in the months after that day I probably cried more than I ever have in my life so I needed something to soothe my sore and dry eyes. I used it every morning since the end of April and it lasted a good 5 months (with using it on my lips too) which is great value for money. I repurchased it in October and have been using it every day. In the past I've had issues with dryness and dermatitis on my eyelids and milia under my eyes so I'm quite selective about what I use on my eye area. Bubblewrap is lightweight, absorbs quickly and feel hydrating. It contains a combination of hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate, squalane and avocado oil. It also has peptides, vegetable protein and fruit extracts to smooth the skin and act as anti-oxidants. I tend to use it in the morning as I prefer the lightweight texture under my makeup, it sinks in so quickly but feels hydrating. I've found my concealer sits so well on top of it. I'll be buying a back up soon as it's almost been five months since I bought my second bottle and will continue to use it every morning.


Pixi Vitamin-C Serum €34 (50ml)

This serum was my first proper foray into using Vitamin C in my skincare routine. I used it in conjunction with the Glosser Priming Moisturiser instead of using the REN Gel Cream. I'd alternate between using one or the other. It has a mixture Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid (an antioxidant found in the cell walls of plants). The combination of these two ingredients helps to reduce the effects of sun damage, brightens the skin and helps to slow the ageing process by reducing the effects of free radicals. It also works to improve skin texture and contains sodium hyaluronate to help with hydration. After using this for a couple of weeks I was fully convinced by the difference vitamin C makes. My skin was brighter and felt more smooth and hydrated. I decided to try out the REN moisturiser as an alternative to this as it's a vitamin C treatment and moisturiser in one so it's great for the Summer months but I'll definitely buy this serum again.


The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid €5.99 (30ml)

The Inkey List is a relatively new brand to me. It's comparable to The Ordinary and Good Molecules in that it aims to deliver products with as few ingredients as possible. They keep things simple by breaking down the ingredients in each product and what they do for the skin all the while keeping packaging simple and prices low. I love the concept behind these kinds of brands. It cuts out a lot of filler ingredients and prices hikes from marketing and packaging. This is a great hyaluronic acid serum especially for anyone on a budget or wanting to try this ingredient for the first time. This particular serum has 2% hyaluronic acid at varying molecular weights in order to hydrate both the surface layers of the skin and the deeper layers. It's so easy to use, it absorbs quickly and immediately you're left with hydrated and plump feeling skin. My makeup applies much more smoothly and easily after using this as you're getting an instant boost of hydration. I know you can spend a lot more money on hyaluronic acid serums but at €5.99, this does the job perfectly for me. I'm excited to try out more products from this brand.


REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream €43

You know you're on to a winner when you repurchase a product before you've even fully finished it. I got a sample size of this in a set that I got as a gift with purchase earlier this year. I tried it out and knew the full size was going to be making it's way into my routine. After trying the Pixi Vitamin C Serum I was sold on the benefits of having Vitamin C in my skincare so I was excited to start using this. I liked this idea of having an all in one moisturiser that has Vitamin C and hydrating ingredients in a gel cream formula which was perfect for the warmer Summer months. I loved it so much I've continued using it coming into Autumn and Winter. I mentioned earlier what Vitamin C does but this also includes Magnesium to hydrate, and increase luminosity and something called Tara Pod Extract which helps to even skin tone and is anti-inflammatory and reduces redness. This could be worth trying if you have pigmentation or redness. I find it just gives such an overall brightness to my face. I tend to get some pigmentation during the Summer and this has definitely helped to reduce it. I also love the natural orange scent and the light texture which again is easily absorbed and is a great base for makeup. I know this is something I will continuously repurchase as I can genuinely see the difference it makes to my skin. I love REN as a brand and I always have at least one of their products in my skincare routine if not more. They're also a clean and ethical cruelty free brand so definitely one I continuously like to support.


*Glossier Priming Moisturizer €21 (50ml)

I received this along with Bubblewrap back in April and I used it along with the Pixi Serum during the Summer. This is one of the original Glossier products but for some reason I had never bought it. I think I assumed it wouldn't be hydrating enough for me. However I found it a great Summer moisturiser as it's lightweight but still feels hydrating. It contains hyaluronic acid and mushroom extracts to provide deep hydration. It also contains tea and honey extracts to reduce any redness in the skin and a blend of antioxidants vitamin A, C and E and radish root (an alternative to synthetic preservatives). I find it feels soothing and immediately hydrating on my skin and my makeup applied so smoothly on top of it. I like to pair this with the Pixi Vitamin C Serum or the Hyaluronic Acid Serum as they aren't too much layered on top of each other and the combination doesn't effect the makeup I apply on top of it. This is probably best suited to those with oily or combination skin or anyone who prefers lightweight moisturisers. I'll definitely be repurchasing this one coming into the Summer.


So those are some of the products that I have been using over the past year, I have since added some different products to my daytime routine which were sent to me as PR samples including the Clarins Plant Gold Nutri-revitalizing Oil Emulsion, the Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer and the Paula's Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant which I bought myself (and have repurchased already).

I'd love to know what skincare products you're loving at the moment, the ones that have genuinely made a difference to your skin. I'll have my Nightime Skincare Routine on the blog soon.

Emma x

*Press Sample
**Originally tried as a press sample, have repurchased myself multiple times
***Bought it myself originally, have since both repurchased several times and been sent several times as press samples.