We Spring-clean our homes, wardrobes and often our diets but on the most part ignore our skincare routine - as the old adage goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but what if your stash isn't quite pulling its weight or working the magic that it once did? Simple, you overhaul it; be it with new products, lotions and potions, or you swap in more suited to the current climate and the condition of your skin. As a creature of habit, I can be a little guilty of not clinging to the products I know and love but perhaps being a little overly brand loyal - silly as it is my chosen vocation to try all things new in the name of beauty and research. With a gentle nudge from Boots UK and of course the return of 3 for 2 deal (you can mix and match brands including skincare heavy weights such as Avène, La Roche Posay, Bioderma, Vichy and many more), I have begun an all new routine that is far more suited to the needs of my complexion, all of which are surprisingly affordable. Hey we've all been there, when
seemingly every product we've ever as much as looked at depletes at the same time, and your knees are all but knocking at the checkout when replenishing. Well this may never be a problem again...
seemingly every product we've ever as much as looked at depletes at the same time, and your knees are all but knocking at the checkout when replenishing. Well this may never be a problem again...
For those new to the site, like me quickly brief you on my skin type: oily, blemish prone (not so long ago I battled with adult acne) with no real need for true anti-ageing products as of yet - although I would wholeheartedly agree a prevention is better than a cure. I use a lot of products daily and have no intention of changing that, which is something Boots not only understands but caters to; be it a cleanser, toner, moisturiser, treatment or mask, I will undoubtedly find it neatly stocked in Boots, regardless of my skin condition or budget. With the Boots 3 for 2 skincare promotion we can all afford to try both new brands, products or something that we have forever been meaning to add to our basket and never quite got around to, and save a little money too. Another reason as to why Boots is my all-time favourite skincare retailer is because if you are confused as to what your skin needs are, or simply overwhelmed by all the choice at hand, Boots have Skincare Advisors who will listen to your concerns and point you in the right direction, arm you with expert knowledge (they realise that no two complexions are the same) and tips for free! I understand that asking for help can be daunting but please remember that this is why Boots offer such a service - there really is no such thing as a silly skincare question, we've all got to start somewhere and the Boots Skincare Advisors truly will
be happy to help as they want you to have the best skincare routine possible.
So yes, I do have oily skin and at the moment I find myself suffering from the odd blemish but really it is nothing to complain about and certainly not a real issue since I have switched to the La Roche-Posay Effaclar '3-Step' Anti-Blemish System. If you suffer from the occasional skin flair up, this is not only an ideal regime for such skin type but straight forward too, so there is no guess work to what or when you should be applying products. Contained within the three piece kit is: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser - a gentle, non-stripping, gel based product that effectively removes all signs of dirt, grime and excess sebum from the skin's surface without ever being harsh. As such it is ideal for both day and night use, admittedly I don't use it around my eye area for removing mascara and eye make-up but for everything else it works wonderfully - I find it can even stand up to long-wear foundation and of course pesky matte liquid lipsticks with ease. It is such a quick and easy cleanser, meaning I never find removing my make-up a chore nor do I ever suffer from a dried out,
uncomfortable and/or irritated complexion. Perfection.
uncomfortable and/or irritated complexion. Perfection.
I wasn't all that keen about adding a toner to my routine as so many in the past have proved to be a non-event but the experts at Boots know my skin better than I do and the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Toner, might just turn out to be the best addition to my skincare routine in a long while. This non-sting toner instantly refreshes the skin but also helps to balance the skins pH balance after cleansing as well as treating any existing blemishes and can help to optically reduce the size of
pores. If you have yet to be convinced that toner is worth the time and/or money, try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Toner before calling off the search.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Anti-blemish Cream is my new secret weapon against breakouts. Think of this as a treatment product but unlike other products of this nature aimed at blemish prone skin it actually works and all without leaving the complexion feeling raw or aggravated. The other wonderful thing about La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Anti-blemish Cream is that it helps to "correct" all aspects of blemished skin from helping reducing the appearance of brown/red hyperpigmentation left behind from old pimples, as well as unclogging blocked pores and rapidly increasing the healing process of any existing spots. If that is not enough, I find it does an excellent job of controlling excess sebum throughout the course of wear and doubles up as a decent make-up base - at night, use this in place of serum to help bust any blemishes in their tracks. If you have what you'd deem a problematic skin type, you need to try this and sharpish.
As wonderful as the Effaclar Duo [+] Anti-blemish Cream truly is, it isn't nearly moisturising enough on its own - a blessing in disguise as if it had been, I'd never have discovered the wonder that is Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturiser. The refreshing, lightweight, non-greasy and quick to absorb texture is perfect for oily skin types - it delivers enough moisture to be comfortable but never overwhelms nor becomes greasy. For youthful complexions I would suggest using this both day and night, and for those over 30, I would maybe switch to something with anti-ageing qualities come the evening but other than that, I can not fault this as an everyday moisturiser. As this is a product intended for blemish prone skin it contains both Tea Tree Oil and Witch Hazel which are both natural astringents, that with continued use will not only heal the skin's natural healing process but can prevent blemishes from ever appearing - if that is not enough, the formulation also helps to keep oil at bay.Consider Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturiser to be one of the best kept beauty secrets around...well unless you ask a Boots Skincare Advisor in my local store, it is a beauty must-have.
Now you know the basis of my everyday routine, let me share a few, fast action, weekly treatment products that I have recently introduced to my bathroom shelf: L'Oréal Paris Pure Clay Detox Mask - once a week, before heading into the shower, I cleanse my face and then apply a generous layer of this charcoal based mask. As you most likely can imagine, the combination of three clays and charcoal make light work of deeply cleansing the skin - ensuring that any trapped oil and dirt is removed with ease. From the very first use my skin looked glowing; visibly brighter and soft to the touch. It truly is as good, if not better than any other charcoal clay mask I have used in the past - and yes that does include the pricier versions.
I am plagued with black heads - particularly on my cheeks and nose, during this skincare trial I have found that the quickest and easiest way to eradicate such problem is by using Biore Deep Cleaning Strips Combo 14 Pack - unlike other pore strips, this pack offers a combination of sizes and shapes so you can apply them to any area of the face. I had long forgotten the satisfaction of glaring at a pore
strip after use and seeing what debris it has sucked out from my pores (clean pores look smaller by default) - as a side note, I do find that the Biore Deep Cleaning Strips work best after a shower when my pores are open.
The result of switching to a new skincare routine? Softer, clearer and glowing skin - not to mention I have saved money and found products along the way that I might never have tried. Hopefully the above will provide a few new suggestions. With all the best known skincare brands and then some included within Boots 3 for 2 skincare offer, I have every confidence that you will find what you need, and maybe a few other sneaky purchases too.
You can shop all my new must-haves here - the variety is huge, with lots of offers on skincare including a fab 3 for 2! I think Boots will have just the thing to boost your skincare routine - let me know how you get on.
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Boots, all content and opinions are my own.
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