Nighttime Pair

My skin hasn't been in the greatest shape lately (to put it mildly), but I've been sticking with a pared down evening skin care routine for the past week or so which I think has been helping. I bought this "limited edition" Antipodes Anti-Ageing Minis set for $20 from Priceline back in February, but have only started using it consistently recently. Comprising samples of the Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum (10ml) and Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (15ml), the set immediately appealed to me as being excellent value for money. The fact Priceline has now begun stocking Antipodes along with Bioderma and La Roche-Posay makes me positively salivate at the prospect of an upcoming 40% off skin care sale.

I try to get my makeup off after getting home and having dinner (food first, skin care later) with Bioderma Créaline H20 poured liberally over Daiso Cotton Puffs. I follow with a generous spritzing of my can't-live-without-it Avene Thermal Spring Water, which provides instant soothing, hydrating relief. Usually, that makes me confident enough most of the gunk's off my face, so as a second cleanse, I use a gentle foaming cleanser or occasionally my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser in the shower before bed.

Still mindful of Caroline Hirons's prescription of two toners (one exfoliating, one hydrating), I alternate between Pixi Glow Tonic and First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, then once again follow with Avene Thermal Spring Water (a lighter misting this time). I don't find the Avene to be materially different to La Roche-Posay Serozinc, so I'm a bit puzzled by the hype surrounding Serozinc last year.

I wait until the Avene has mostly evaporated off my face, then squeeze about 5 drops of the Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum into the palm of my hand. Rather than mixing it with my moisturiser as I've done with most of my face oils in the past, I massage it by itself all over my bare face. I find it absorbs better than Sukin Rose Hip Oil or Antipodes Divine Face Oil, in that it really seems to sink in and penetrate into my skin, rather than sit partially on the surface.

I then get a smallish dollop of Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream and layer it over the serum. This cream is quite rich and easily spread, so you don't need very much. It is on the greasy side, especially in combination with the serum, but it leaves the skin feeling nourished and protected overnight. I've noticed that in the mornings, the redness in my skin from my blemishes has significantly calmed down, my spots are slowly diminishing, and the overall texture of my skin appears smoother and softer. I think with any skin care routine, it's the commitment to sticking with it daily that eventually gives you results. I intend to continue with my current regime until my samples run out, then hope for another of Priceline's generous sales to restock in the full sizes.