January 26, 2016

Winter Skincare Favourites


Here in the UK, January is always the coldest month as it is right smack in the middle of winter. As someone with oily/combination skin, I find this season to be the hardest for my skin. I tend to wear more make up during winter (think more coverage, bold eyes and lips) so it's important for me to prepare my skin right before I smack on some make up in the morning, as well as ensuring that everything is thoroughly removed at the end of the day so that my skin is fresh and clean again. Here are some of my current skincare faves!


When I'm up in the morning, I like to wash my face with oatmeal. Yup you heard it right - oatmeal! I soak a small handful of oatmeal in some warm water and gently apply it onto my face. I like to massage the oatmeal juice gently into the skin before washing it all off with warm water.

Did you know that oatmeal is actually a natural remedy for irritated skin? It has the ability to relieve itchiness, redness, dryness, etc and provide a soothing relief to the skin. It also helps to remove dead skin cells and excess oil by gently exfoliating the skin without all the harmful chemicals. So let's just say that this natural ingredient is perfect for anyone and everyone! If you're still not convinced yet, find out more here.

I love using oatmeal in the morning because my skin doesn't really come into contact with much bacteria overnight (afterall, I'm only sleeping), so I don't see a need in using much on my face. I've been using oatmeal for probably a good year now, and my skin definitely looks brighter and clearer, and feels fresher and softer! Best of all - it doesn't burn a hole in your pocket! I'm telling you - I swear by this!

After washing it all off, I like to use a toner to refresh my skin to prepare for make up application. I've been using my Clarins Toning Lotion for combination/oily skin, and I absolutely adore this toner. This is the BEST toner I have ever used, and I don't think I'm replacing this anytime soon. It's alcohol-free, and restores the perfect amount of moisture to the skin, leaving my face feeling so fresh and clean everytime!


In the evenings, I usually double-cleanse because I really don't want any leftover make up on my face. I usually go in with my Clarins Cleansing Milk for combination/oily skin, gently massaging it into the skin, and giving it a quick rinse before using my Clarisonic Mia 2 with my Lancome Gel Eclat cleanser. 

The Clarionic is known to effectively deep-cleanse and removes 6 times more dirt, oil and make up than regular (manual) cleansing. I use mine with a sensitive brush head and at the lower speed so that it's not too harsh on my skin. The Clarisonic can be a bit costly, but if you wear a decent amount of make up on a very regular basis, I would say it is worth the investment. Sometimes when I go in with my Clarisonic after having already cleansed my face once, the brush head actually turns yellow just because my face wasn't actually really thoroughly cleansed! Scary thinking how I would've left all that gunk on my face without even realising it!

Before bedtime, I like to apply a night cream to nourish and restore my skin overnight. I'm really loving my Body Shop Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream - it provides a good amount of hydration to my skin and I wake up with such soft and glowing skin. I usually stock up on this when The Body Shop does 40% off - it's such great value for money. 

What have you been loving through the winter months? I'm always on the hunt for more great skincare!

With love,
Kayleigh x

29 comments

  1. I feel like this routine is quite thought through... I love everything you're using. I have something similar to Clarisonic, which I bought at the fraction of the cost and love it so far :) Thanks for sharing :) xx

    http://beautypeptalk.blogspot.hr/

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    1. Thank you! Ah, I've heard of some cleansing systems similar to the Clarisonic which produce very good results too! :) xx

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  2. I've been curious about that Lancome cleanser - heard some really great things about it! Fab post as always, and I never thought about washing my face with oatmeal.. Curious to give it a try! x

    Kay
    http://www.shoesandglitter.com/

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    1. You definitely should give it a go! I found it weird at first too but seriously, nothing beats a natural cleanser for your skin! :) xx

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  3. I didn't realise oatmeal did amazing things for your skin, may have to try that out - also the Clarins Toning Lotion sounds amazing!

    Lucy | Forever September

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    1. Alcohol-free toner is the way to go! :) You definitely need to try out oatmeal as a facial wash/mask! I can't live without it now! xx

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  4. I love my clarisonic! It really is scary to think about how much gunk I would have left on other wise!! I really need to get a softer brush so I can use it more often!:) I also really want to try that night cream!!

    Shannon Sage

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    1. Some people use the Clarisonic 2-3 times a week but for me I use it everyday and have no problems with it! You should definitely give it a go with the sensitive brush head because it's just so much gentler on the skin! :) xx

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  5. I love my Clarisonic! It's amazing for keeping my winter skin in check xx

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    1. I agree - it's especially handy in winter! I tend to wear more make up during the colder seasons so it's definitely useful in cleansing my face really thoroughly after! :) xx

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  6. Love these products!!
    Xoxo,
    Love from www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

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  7. I've been curious about the Clarins Cleansing Milk for a while. I don't use much Clarins nowadays, but the toner sounds good. Alcohol free is definitely the way to go! I love the Body Shop's Vitamin E oil!

    I didn't realise the Clarisonic could be so useful, and you can use a sensitive brush head. I thought it might be too irritating as I've seen some people say that but I'd like to give it a go.

    Shanelle || SLovesAutumn

    x

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    1. Clarins have a pretty impressive skincare range to me - so definitely give the brand a go! They also have products targeted for each skin type - dry/normal and combination/oily - so I know that the products I use are suitable for me! I love the Body Shop Vitamin E series, so I'll definitely check the oil out! :) xx

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  8. I haven't quite jumped on the Clarisonic train yet, but I love oatmeal! I have eczema on my hands, so I'll soak my hands in oatmeal. It's amazing for your skin.

    http://yourownqueen.blogspot.com

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    1. It makes sense..! Oatmeal is great for providing moisture to the skin! This is why I use oatmeal all year round for my skin because it just always does the right thing! :) xx

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  9. I love the whole Body Shop vitamin E line. Especially the night cream. The oatmeal thing sounds interesting.. I'm definitely going to give it a try :) xx

    www.lpagebeauty.com

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    1. Definitely give it a go! My skin has been so much better ever since I started using it and I seriously swear by it now! :) xx

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  10. I really need to try more from Clarins's skincare range and I will definitely be getting that Body Shop night cream back out as I remember really liking it last year :) xx

    Jasmine Talks Beauty

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    1. What I love about the Clarins skincare range is that they have the right products targeted at each skin type! They really do have an impressive skincare range to me! :) xx

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  11. I have a facial cleanser brush - love this post, the photo's are beautiful! xox
    Jess | www.beautifulbreakable.com ♥

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  12. I always use TBH vitamin E cream and find it works wonders on my skin! I always use my Magnitone to cleanse in the evenings as it leaves my skin so soft :) x


    Jenny | Krystel Couture

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    1. I find that Vitamin E really does work wonders on the skin! :) xx

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  13. Even I haven't tried any of these products, they look pretty fantastic. You have an amazing skincare routine for winter. Hope you have a great weekend! xx

    Ale | www.alemint.net

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    1. Thank you! :) I like to keep my skincare routine simple so that it doesn't overwhelm me or I'll end up being too lazy to stick to it! xx

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  14. Oatmeal, actual oatmeal wow that would be interesting I know it's supposed to be good! I remember years ago loving a benefit cleanser made of honey and oatmeal it was fab and smelt divine it's a shame it is no more. I wish i could love my clarisonic mia but it just breaks me out all the time I don't use it anymore, gutted.Rosie xx
    http://www.whatrosiewrote.com

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    1. You definitely should give oatmeal a try! What's better than a natural cleanser for the skin! :) As for the Clarisonic, I've read about some people having a 'purging' period when they just start using it, for about a week or two, before the skin starts to get better! It kinda happened for me too and I remember breaking out, but only slightly, so maybe that's why it didn't bother me as much.. But now the Clarisonic only does good for my skin! xx

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  15. That's true about the oatmeal I think I may give it a whirl. Yeah I heard those things about the clarisonic but it's well past the purging period if that does indeed exist so I think I am resigned to the fact it's not for me I'm afraid xx
    www.whatrosiewrote.com

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