Winter Skin Care Routine: AM

Not too long ago, my skin care routine was uncluttered and refreshingly basic. In the mornings, I'd splash my face with cold water and then apply my favourite Dove Essential Nutrients Protective Day Cream. If I wanted extra hydration, I'd use Nivea Soft mixed with a couple of drops of a face oil. At my most diligent, I'd also apply a layer of Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+ over my moisturiser. Goodbye to those simple days of yore. In the last month or so, my interest in skin care has escalated quickly. Now my morning skin care routine involves a ridiculous number of steps and products. I'm still undecided whether my efforts have actually resulted in any improvement, or whether I'm just taking longer to put more stuff on my face.

I start by smoothing a generous amount of Sukin Cream Cleanser all over my face, then washing it off with warm water. I decided with all the gunk I put on at night, I need something more powerful than plain water to wash it all off. This 50ml tube was free with the Sukin Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil I bought last month. I've almost used it up and I'm contemplating repurchasing because it's so affordable and cleanses effectively without stripping or drying the skin. The consistency is like a decently thick but spreadable lotion, but it's not dense or creamy like the Sanctuary Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser which I prefer to use at night. The scent is thankfully on the light side as well. I pat my face dry with a washcloth.

I skip toner altogether (bad, I know), and go straight to the Aveeno Positively Radiant Eye Illuminator that I received in my Priceline skin care freebie bag. I have no idea what this does, but I was encouraged by a positive review from usually scathing Paula Begoun. It stung the first few times I applied it, but mainly feels minty now. I've noticed after using this day and night for over a week, my under eye area generally appears well-hydrated and not dry or uneven in texture, though I can't say it's done much in terms of illumination. The weird packaging makes it a challenge to squeeze out just the right amount. The very liquid lotion pools on one side of the brush tip applicator, which I then transfer onto my finger and apply to the eye area.

I've run out of my 567th Maybelline Baby Lips in Relieving Menthol and can't be bothered to open another tube just yet, so I'm trying to use up my Lucas' Papaw Ointment first. This is basically upgraded Vaseline, fruitier, more "natural" and generally more pleasant to use, but still petroleum-based.

Indeed Labs should write a hefty cheque to their best salesperson, Caroline Hirons, for convincing her readers Hydraluron is nothing short of a skin care necessity. When Hydraluron hit the shelves at Priceline, I couldn't hand over my money fast enough. My aim in the mornings is to maximally hydrate my face in preparation for a long day of sitting in front of a computer in a dehydrating, air-conditioned office, so incorporating Hydraluron into my routine seemed like a no-brainer. It's a hydrating serum that you apply underneath your moisturising cream that provides "below-surface hydration" and supposedly helps the skin retain as much moisture as possible during the day. I've been using this for a couple of weeks and to be honest, I don't really get it. The main thing I noticed was my skin feels quite tight and dry immediately after applying it but before I put on my normal moisturiser. I really dislike the packaging as I find the opening of the tube leaks terribly. I probably use way too much as well. I'll stick with it in anticipation of any longer term effects, but I can't say I've been immediately wowed by anything it's done for me so far.

Next, I mix 2-3 drops of a face oil (usually Josie Maran Argan Oil or Sukin Rose Hip Oil) with Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream. I've temporarily nicked this off my mother who originally received it as a freebie from Trilogy's anti-retouching campaign, though I'm eyeing Origins GinZing Energy-boosting moisturiser as my next purchase. After finishing my last tub of Dove Essential Nutrients Protective Day Cream (which now appears sadly discontinued) and being put off mineral oil (Caroline Hirons again), I wanted to go in the opposite direction and try something mostly natural. Even with that extra face oil, I don't find the Trilogy moisturising enough on its own, so after a few minutes of letting it sink in while I do my eye makeup but before I put on foundation, I add another layer of Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè, second ingredient mineral oil. Because I'm congruent like that. The Embryolisse works well as a base primer to add more dewiness to the skin and facilitate a smoother surface for foundation. Once that's on and had a couple of minutes to settle, I finish off the rest of my makeup (foundation, blush, sometimes highlighter and powder), and then I'm out the door.