How to Save Your Skin this Winter

Hey guys!

I hope everyone had a lovely festive period and have entered the new decade rested and ready for what it will bring!

I spent my time off from college really looking after my skin following the exam period because my skin always reacts to my stress levels! 

Winter is never an easy time for your skin with the crisp air sucking the moisture from it, lips chapping and dullness creeping in. My skin is dry anyway so I have started a new routine to help combat the issues my skin ensures during the cold winter months.

Lush Cosmetics Lip Scrub in Cranberry Fizz

A lip scrub is essential to help combat dry, chapped lips. I love the Lush lip scrubs because you can eat them and they taste fantastic!

It is quite easy to overuse a lip scrub by using it each night but if you use it every second night, your lips should be soft and survive the winter! 

I am using a few different lip balms at the moment and still have not chosen  a favourite but using a good lip balm after using a lip scrub to ensure your lips don't get chapped.

You can also make your own lip scrub using honey and granulated sugar.

Lush lip scrubs generally retail for €9 or €9.50.

Formula 10.0.6 So Totally Clean Cleanser

The first product I use on my skin every night is this cleanser from Formula 10.0.6. It contains salicylic acid which helps to combat problem skin or blemish-prone skin, which definitely helped my skin recover after exams!

The cleanser kind of makes my eyes tear up when I use it but I love the smell and it makes my skin feel clean before I go onto my next step in my routine.

An important thing to note is that you should not use any other product containing salicylic acid while using this cleanser due to it containing a high concentration of salicylic acid itself.

The So Totally Clean Cleanser is available from Beauty Bay for €8.50.

Kelkin Tea Tree Clear Skin Roller

A firm favourite in my skin routine, after using the cleanser, I topically apply this on any blemishes or potential blemishes I may have.

I have found this harder to come by but the pharmacy beside where I work stocks it at the moment so I have bought a few to ensure I don't run out of it!

The aim of the roller is to help the appearance of blemishes while also working to get rid of them.

Tea tree oil and lavender are fantastic and are known to help treat and prevent most types of spots.

The roller can range anywhere from €4.50 to €5.50.

Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum

I don't always use the serum in my routine but if my skin is particularly dry then I use the serum before moisturiser as an extra shot of hydration for my skin.

As I have said before, a little drop of this goes a long way and I don't think I have even gotten halfway through this bottle yet!

I love the results I have gotten from using this and will definitely repurchase this at some point in the future (when I have significantly reduced the size of my stash!).

A full-size Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum is available from Boots for €26.99.

Nivea Daily Essentials 24H Moisture Boost Moisturiser

During the day, I'll use this moisturiser because it is not too heavy and definitely helps my dry skin stay hydrated.

What's great about this moisturiser is the it is inexpensive, good quality and has SPF in it. I cannot stress how important using a moisturiser with an SPF in it is. Ireland on a good day may not be sunny but UV rays are always there and can damage your skin! 

Always buy a moisturiser with an SPF in it!

This Nivea moisturiser retails for €6.49 in Boots and is on offer quite often.

Uriage Age Protect Multi-Action Detox Night Cream

I was originally gifted this night cream by a PR company and have repurchased it twice since then, that is how much I love it!

The whole Uriage Age Protect range aims to protect the skin from the harmful effects of overexposure to blue light (which is emitted from all screens!) while also moisturising and improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

I love this night cream because it really boosts my skin's moisture and while I don't think I have any wrinkles yet, using the cream as a preventative practice cannot be a bad idea!

The Uriage Age Protect Multi-Action Detox Night Cream is available from cosmeticsonline.ie for €33.

 Kiko Milano 30 Days Extension Night Treatment Booster

A lot of people forget that their lashes can become brittle during the winter months as well. I love using this lash treatment just before going to bed at night and have noticed a difference in my lash health.

While I have not noticed a difference in my lash length, I have not used it for 30 days yet either.

I will definitely continue to use it over the next while and will update everyone on how I feel about the product soon!

The 30 Days Extension Night Treatment Booster is available from Kiko Milano for €5.59.

Champneys Relaxation Gift

The final step in saving my skin this winter may be the most important step.

A good night's sleep sets you up for the next day and this duo from Champneys really helps me have a restful night. I spray the calming mist on my pillow just before bed and the silk-like eye mask helps to keep any slits of light from interrupting my sleep.

The set also came with a calming temple balm which I use from time-to-time when I need to de-stress or feel a migraine coming on.

I bought the Champneys Relaxation Gift last year from Boots and I don't think it is available again this year.

Do you have a different routine during the winter months?

What products do you use?

Do we use any of the same products?

Let me know in the comments below! 

Ciara

  xoxo.

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Skincare Routine to Combat and Prevent Problem Skin

Hey guys!

I have been working full-time all summer and am currently a legal intern (the internship of dreams!) so expect posts to be few and far between for now.

I am also going into an intense Masters in September for two years and will most definitely be studying my ass off for the duration of the course!

Either way, I will try to stay as active on Sparkle of Pink and my Instagram as possible but this has always and will  always be a hobby for me, one that I love, and life and education do take precedence!

That being said, I have changed my skincare routine a lot over the past few months to combat and prevent problem skin. During and after exams, followed by the New York City pollution, my skin wasn't great and it was getting me really down. When I came home, I completely changed my skincare routine and since then my skin has been consistently clear, give or take a small breakout or two.

I'm going to share my routine with you guys and hopefully, anyone who is struggling to find a skincare routine like mine finds this useful!

Nivea MicellAIR Professional Micellar Water

If any have any makeup residue on my face before I start the routine or if I'm not just out of the shower (I am lazy enough to use my face scrubs and washes in the shower....) then I clean my face with this micellar water before going on with the rest of my routine.

While it does make my face feel clean, it is shocking at taking off any waterproof mascara (even though it claims to be able to do so!). As a result of this, if you're looking for a makeup remover that can take off your waterproof mascara, I would look elsewhere! I love the Garnier Express 2in1 Eye Makeup Remover.

The Nivea MicellAIR Professional Micellar Water is currently available in Boots for €5.99.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

It's no secret that I love The Ordinary products because I think they're absolutely fantastic for my skin and are incredibly budget friendly! This peeling solution treats your skin by exfoliating the top layer leaving a clearer and brighter complexion, fighting blemishes along the way!

I use the peel twice a week and love the feel of my skin afterwards. I always wait until my skin is dry after using the micellar water and never leave the peel on for more than 10 minutes. Just be sure to warn people that you might be walking around with a red face!

Rinse your skin with warm water after 10 minutes (I use Ulta's makeup removing towel) and continue on with your skincare routine!

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is available on Beauty Bay for €7.

Formula 10.0.6 So Totally Clean Deep Pore Cleanser

I follow the peeling solution with this cleanser from Formula 10.0.6. This is a liquid cleanser cleans the dirt and grime that may still be on your face from the day (when I don't use the peeling solution, I always use this to fully clean my face) and also contains salicylic acid which fights the dirt and grime that produces spots!

This cleanser doesn't smell fantastic but I love how clean it makes my skin feel and don't forget to bring the cotton pad down your neck while cleansing your face as well!

I would test out this product or any product containing salicylic acid before committing to its use, in case you experience any drying or acid burn.

I bought my cleanser in Ulta but you can now buy the So Totally Clean Deep Pore Cleanser on Beauty Bay for €8.50.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

If I do experience a breakout I topically apply this salicylic acid solution to my spots at night and it really does help. While the salicylic acid concentration is higher in The Ordinary product, I would always be careful to not overuse a product like this as you can experience drying and/or acid burn.

You can buy The Ordinary Salicylic Acid in Arnotts!

Nip+Fab  Dragon's  Blood Fix Plumping Serum

I got this deluxe sample size of the Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum in my Glossybox advent calendar last year and have only recently opened it.

With this serum, a little goes a long way and it is a great extra shot hydration for your skin if you're prone to dry, dehydrated skin, like me. The Dragon's Blood Serum also claims to help your skin look plumper with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles reduced.

Nip+Fab's Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum is available from the Nip+Fab for €19.95.

The Ordinary Resveratol 3% + Ferulic Acid 

This Ordinary product combines two powerful antioxidants in a considerable high concentration and I always use it after the serum but before heavier creams like my moisturiser.

The Reserveratol 3% + Ferulic Acid helps reverse radical damage and promote healthy,  younger-looking skin. While yes, I am still young, I have read in a few places now that you should start to use anti-ageing products in your early 20s to combat early signs of ageing.

The Ordinary Reserveratol 3% + Ferulic Acid is available on Beauty Bay for €7.

The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%

I only use the alpha lipoic acid once a week at the moment even though they suggest using it 2-3 times a week, albeit sparingly. Another antioxidant formula, this on aims to target ageing skin and works to improve the tone and texture of skin and to improve the appearance of scars, pigmentation and dullness as well as fine lines and wrinkles.

Two to three drops is enough for your whole face and is not for use on sensitive skin (always patch test when it comes to using new skincare products)!

The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid is available from Beauty Bay for €6.75.

Nivea Daily Essentials Rich Moisturising Cream with SPF 15

With dry skin like mine, I start to wrap up my skincare with a moisturiser aimed for dry and sensitive skin. When using any sort of acid on your face, it is SO important to also use a moisturiser that contains SPF as your skin can become more susceptible to damage from the sun.

 In any case, I would recommend using a moisturiser with SPF regardless of whether you use acids or not, in order to protect your skin. I love this Nivea moisturiser because it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and hydrated.

Nivea's Daily Essentials Rich Moisturising Cream is currently available from Boots for €3.24.

Kelkin Tea Tree Clear Skin Roller

The final product I always use on my skin before bed is Kelkin's Clear Skin Roller on any spots or potential spots in order to combat them or prevent them from ever appearing.

The roller has a combination of tea tree oil, witch hazel and lavender and smells great when rolling it onto your skin. It really does combat any spots and I love how fast it works.

The Kelkin Clear Skin Roller can be hard to get your hands on (I waited three or four months for my local pharmacy to get it back in stock) but now I buy two or three when I come across is because I love it so much.

I have paid between €4.50 and €4.70 for the roller and it is beyond worth it!

Well, they're all the products I'm using in my skincare routine to combat and prevent problem skin at the moment! 

Do you use any of the same products?

What did you think of them?

Can you recommend any products for my skincare routine?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleofpink
Snapchat: Ciarakxo