I have a combination skin. Its normal to dry in winters, rest of the year its combination-oily with a little dryness on and my nose. My T-Zone and inner cheeks also tend to get oily soon. I've been using a couple of products since April and they have become staples in my routine. I've also gotten the habit of doing a night time routine no matter how tired I am, and this has really helped me. Recently I made a few changes in the way how I go about my routine,(after watching Michelle Phan's graduation tips video) and that's been pretty beneficial as well so I decided to share them with you!
Here are some things I follow:
Here are some things I follow:
- Using ice as a toner: Sometimes when the heat is unbearable, I take an ice cube and rub it all over my face, going over my cheeks in circular motion. I've been doing this since years and it really helps soothe and tighten the skin, ice is a natural toner.
- Patting, instead of rubbing: Earlier I used to rub moisturizer in circular motions on my face and when I'd wake up, my skin would be super grimy. Ever since I tried 'dab-dab' motion I've woken up with much less residue on my face. Now I'm all about patting/dabbing; whether its face cream, eye cream or pimple creams, I only dab. It helps the product sink in to the skin hence its more effective.
- Always apply and ice pack to sore eyes: There are alot of times when I end up sleeping late, like 3am or so and when I wake up my eyes feel really sore. I take an ice cube on a hankie and apply it to each eye until it melts off. This is very soothing and instantly lifts up my eyes.
- Use face mask after face scrub: I don't even know why I used to do the opposite. But seriously, using a scrub prior to face mask helps the face mask sink in to the skin and work better.
- Always remove makeup before sleeping: This is pretty self explanatory and since I've gotten the hang of doing a night time routine I always take off makeup at night.
- Sunscreen, always: Again, I don't need to tell you why. Always keep sunscreen in your hand bag as well!
- Drink water every waking hour: I find myself thirsty all the time and end up drinking water every hour and this has really helped hydrate my skin. Of course I also make a lot of trips to the bathroom, but its worth it.
Now here are some products that I use regularly, each one is not used everyday, just as per my needs. Not all of them have worked for me. Most of these are easily available in India:
The Cleansers:
- Neutrogena Deep Clean Black Head Eliminating Scrub, 100ml
: This is the most gentle scrub I've used! I used to use it everyday but since last week, my skin feels quite normal so I use this only when I'm feeling extra grimy. Its nice for gentle exfoliation everyday.
- Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser, 100g
: This cleanser packs some serious cleansing power. I use it once I get up in the morning, it cleans all the residue of my night routine and leaves my skin squeaky clean. Its best suited for oily skin. It can dry out skin if you're not regular with a moiturizer.
- Loreal Hydrafresh Gel Foam Combination to Oily Skin: This is the least used product here. I purchased it on a whim online and I'm not happy with it. It has SLS as a second ingredient and I guess that's harsh for my skin. Its quite pricey as well. I won't recommend this to anyone. I use it on days where I don't feel the need to use a strong cleanser like the Neutrogena Deep Clean.
- Neutrogena Liquid Face Cleanser, 150ml (not in picture)
: I've done a full review of this HERE. Currently I'm just using this because I want to finish it off. I use this to get rid of residue once I'm done with makeup remover.
Toner:
- Lotus Herbals Basiltone Cucumber Basil Clarifying And Balancing Toner, 100ml
:
I'm not regular with this but that's because I don't really see any difference post using this. Herbal products are not made for impatient people like me! They need to be used for atleast 4 weeks continuously to see any effects.
The Moisturizers:
- (Day) Chambor Hydra Essential Day Moisturizer, 100ml: I've already done a full review on this. I don't use it everyday. If I'm wearing makeup, I use a BB cream and that has enough hydration for me (humid weather I tell you!). If I'm indoors, I'm sans makeup and then I use this.
- (Night) L'Oreal Dermo Expertise Hydrafresh Anti Shine Icy Gel, 50g
: I LOVE this! Its texture is perfect for oily skin it actually does give a momentary 'cool' feeling on my skin. However, I wish it gave more intensive hydration, I'd be able to use it all year then.
Body Lotion:
- Dove Go Fresh Body Lotion, 250ml
: Its a nice, lightweight lotion that I use either immediately after bath or prior to sleeping. I love body lotions that feel invisible on the skin and still provide hydration and this fits the bill perfectly. However, its not suitable for humid places like Mumbai. Though its very lightweight, it feels heavy especially when I'm outside at noon. Mumbai during summers is the worst!
The Pimple Fighters:
- Avon Clearskin Blemish Clearing 2-in-1 Solution & Hydrator, 30ml: I've done an extensive review of this and you can click the link to read more. This product has not got much popularity probably because its hard to get directly, but its good stuff! I use it as a spot corrector anytime I see any pimples coming up.
- Avon Clearskin Blemish Clearing Oil-Free Balancing Lotion 75Ml
: IF I have pimples that the above solution is not able to get rid of faster I use this in the mornings. Its nice and lightweight but I don't get to use it much because it doesn't go down well with my sunscreen or my moisturizer and ends up making my skin oily.
The Savior:
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+, 30ml
: This is a lovely sunscreen for body. It feels completely invisible on the skin. It feels lightweight on the my face as well, but after using this my face gets oily soon. Still, if I'm using makeup with no SPF, I use this on my face. It has UVA and UVB protection and claims to be waterproof as well. It does not leave any white cast on the face! I have 2 30ml bottles of this, and one is always in my hand bag. I prefer smaller tubes because they're easier to finish.
Exfoliator and Mask
I had become very lazy about exfoliation till Michelle Phan emphasized that during summer oily skinned ladies should exfoliate thrice a week, so I've begun to do that. I use St.Ives scrub for exfoliation, one of the BEST scrubs ever. Its paraben and sulphate free. I need very little amount for each use. After exfoliation with this, I apply a face mask. I've tried this Lotus Mask so many times and realised that it does absolutely nothing for my skin! I regret purchasing this. The other mask that I've used only twice till now is the sample of Chambor. So far I love it, it removes tan and also dimishes blemishes!
To Get Rid of Body Tan:
Even with all the sunscreen we slather on, sometimes we end up with tanned skin. My feet get tanned easily because I forget to apply sunscreen there many times. I use Avon Skin So Soft - Soft & White - Protect & Enhance Hand & Body Lotion 250Ml
on my feet whenever I can remember to and it does work. It has Spf 12. It doesn't make skin 'soft' but does make it smoother while getting rid of tan.
So tell me ladies, do you follow a regular skin care routine? Comment and tell me how you take care of your skin during this hot weather !
on my feet whenever I can remember to and it does work. It has Spf 12. It doesn't make skin 'soft' but does make it smoother while getting rid of tan.So tell me ladies, do you follow a regular skin care routine? Comment and tell me how you take care of your skin during this hot weather !
