Skincare Tips and Tricks

Watch my Skincare Tips & Tricks video here!

I have been asked by so many of you to share some of my skincare tips and tricks, so here they are!

1. You don't need to spend a ton of money on your skincare.

I have used both high-end and drugstore skincare products, yet the brand I always come back to is the ever-affordable drugstore brand: Nivea.  This actually works BETTER for me than Estee Lauder did.  I used to work for Estee Lauder and although some of their products are good, the cleanser for my skin-type would always dry out my skin and irritate my eyes :(  Not nice!!  My advice?  Find a skincare line that works for you, whether that's high-end or low-end it doesn't really matter.  But the fewer products you load onto your face, the better!  I only use about two every single day.

2. If you have acne, try Benzoyl Peroxide.

I suffered from acne on my forehead pretty badly when I was a teenager.  When I was 18, my brother's wife who was a Mary Kay consultant introduced me to their Acne Gel which contained 5% Benzoyl Peroxide.  I used this along with the Velocity Cleanser and Moisturiser and together they completely cleared up my skin.  Unfortunately, Mary Kay is pretty difficult to get a hold of in Ireland so I moved onto something called PanOxyl, which is basically the same thing as the Acne Gel except you get it behind the counter at a pharmacy.  I got it in level 5 (5%).  This treatment is a concentrated gel which completely dries out the acne or pimple and gets rid of it really effectively!  I still use PanOxyl if I ever get a spot which thankfully, is very rarely now!

3. Don't use cleansing wipes!

I used to use cleansing wipes to take off my makeup at night, ALL the time but stopped a while ago after I realised that they were doing absolutely nothing for my skin.  We also learned in beauty school, NOT to use them as they clog your pores and are so bad for you.  Now, instead I just use my Nivea cleanser and water.

4. Wash your face after shampooing and conditioning your hair.

This is another tip I learned in beauty school and it has really stood to me!  Apparently most shampoos and conditioners can block your pores and cause spots (this is why a lot of people tend to get them around their hairline!) so it's really important to wash your face thoroughly after you use them.  I used to always wash my face first thing when I got in the shower but now I do that LAST.  I always make sure to cleanse it really well around the hairline to make sure there isn't any residue left from the shampoo/conditioner.

5. Be diligent with your skincare regimen.

After my acne cleared up, I would still get a few spots...usually during my time of the month.  I just thought that this was to do with the fact that my skin is oily and there was nothing I could do about it.  When I started beauty school, the skincare brand we used for mini facials and things like that was Dermalogica.  I was SO close to purchasing a whole "starter pack" from them, because I thought this would totally clear my skin and solve all my problems.  Before purchasing though, my teacher actually asked all of us the same question "are you really using your skincare products diligently?"  When I thought about it, I realised that I was not.  Think about it.  Do you honestly use your skincare products religiously, every morning and night?  Do you ALWAYS take off your makeup at night before bed?  My answer to both questions was NO.  So my teacher said to give it 2 weeks, and I did.  During those two weeks I stuck firmly to my skincare routine (using the same Nivea products) and my skin was completely clear.  Since then I only get a spot or pimple once every few months or something like that.  So my advice is to give products a chance to work and do their job, and really stick to your routine.  Also never, EVER go to bed with makeup on because it's so bad for your skin!!

Those are my skincare tips for today, and here are the products that I keep coming back to, time and time again!  They've worked for me and they're really affordable.  I love them!

CLEANSER: I cleanse my face with Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Refreshing 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner.  I use this in the shower, AFTER I shampoo and condition my hair!  At night, I use the same product to remove my makeup, using either a cotton pad or just my hands.  

MOISTURISER: In the summer time, when my skin is more oily I use Nivea Visage Oil Free Moisturising Fluid.  In the winter I when my skin is more combination, I use Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Light Moisturising Day Cream.

Like I said above, if I do get a pimple or a spot I will use PanOxyl, but only on that area - not my whole face!

I hope this skincare post will help some of you guys with a similar skin-type as me!  However please keep in mind that I am NOT a professional and can only speak for myself, with regards what has worked for me and what hasn't!  

What are your favourite skincare products?

Stay Stylish!

xoxo