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

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Updated Skincare Routine!

Hey guys! 

Back in March I did my skincare routine and a lot has changed since then! From my previous post, y'all will know that I'm making an active effort to go through what I own before buying any new makeup and skincare and I have slowly but surely been making my way through my skincare collection since March.

At the moment, my skin is pretty great, I get the odd breakout (Exam stress is a real killer for my skin), but overall, I get the odd blemish and that's about it.

For the most part, I can put it down to how I'm looking after my skin at the moment because it really is the most time and effort I have ever put into a skin routine!

The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% and Ferulic Acid 3%

I panic-purchased this when the drama with Deciem was happening a few months ago because it was one of the products I had on my list to buy, but hadn't gotten around to yet.

The blend of resveratrol and ferulic acid combines two of the most powerful antioxidants for skin. It is quite an oily product and while you can use it in conjunction with other serums and moisturisers, I apply it topically to my face and use my night cream everywhere else.

I only use it at night due to the oily nature of the product and have not noticed any redness or irritation (like I've experienced with previous Ordinary products) and would definitely recommend this to anyone who would love to give their skin an extra boost of antioxidants!

I bought mine on Beauty Bay for €6.25.

Witch Blemish Gel

Y'all know I love my Kelkin Clear Skin roller but my pharmacy has not had it in stock for ages! So, when I saw this blemish gel, I decided to try it since there was no point in just waiting for my usual skin saviour to come back into stock.

I picked this up in another pharmacy and cannot remember the price of it for the life of me, but it was similar enough in price to the skin roller (€4.65), so it really didn't break the bank. I apply this topically, wherever I have a cluster of spots or just a few blemishes, around my face. 

This isn't an overnight solution but it does help reduce the appearance of any blemish overnight and it soothes the area surrounding it as well. I'm not quite ready to leave my staple spot saviour though, so I probably won't be repurchasing this.

Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment - Pure Petal

Looking after your lips is so important, especially during the cold winter months and I keep finding myself reaching for this lip treatment from Kiehl's when I'm going to bed. I received my first one of these little guys when it was launching in 2017 but have since repurchased it a few times and even keep one in my handbag/college bag all the time!

The lip treatment comes in a variety of shades, I use Pure Petal when I don't want any lipstick on over it, but would love a touch of colour for my lips. The formula is so moisturising and it smells amazing.

I use the untinted version at night when I'm going to bed and just lather on a thick layer of it, to keep my lips hydrated overnight. My lips always feel so soft and moisturised when I'm using this and they haven't been chapped at all this winter!

If you're lips usually chap or become dry in the cold weather, I would 100% recommend picking one of these up the next time you're in Arnotts or a Kiehl's store! They retail for €20 (don't quote me on  that as I bought mine in duty free) and are a lifesaver for me!

The Ordinary AHA 30% and BHA 2% Peeling Solution

So I am totally new to any tip of peeling product you can use at home, mainly because my skin is super dry anyway so the word peeling just puts me off a product, but I am loving this so far!

I've seen everyone from friends to bloggers and models use this product and it was another panic purchase when I thought the company was closing down because I knew I had to try it. The whole point of it is to exfoliate the top layer of your skin while helping to reduce pore congestion, basically a dream product.

I've been using this twice a week (the recommended amount) and leave it on my skin for about ten minutes. I have read reviews where some people experience burning after applying the solution but I haven't had any side effects as of yet. I do apply a water-based moisturiser straight after though!

I would definitely recommend this product for anyone looking for a new skincare product that helps your skin look brighter and smoother after a few applications.

The AHA 30% BHA 2% Peeling Solution is available from Arnotts for €7.20.

Freederm Pore Minimiser 

So this was totally an impulse buy in Boots a few weeks ago because I do have some very large pores on the side of my face and I was hoping this could help reduce their appearance.

I do like the results I get from this product. I tend to apply it to my face during the prep stage of my makeup so while cleansing etc... but before applying any makeup products and I wait about ten minutes before I start my makeup. 

It does help reduce the appearance of my pores and doesn't feel greasy or like silicone (I love Porefessional but hate the silicone feeling). I also use it on my skin when I'm not wearing any makeup just to give me a little confidence boost.

The one downfall is that alcohol is the second highest ingredient so it can be a little drying and it smells very strongly of alcohol as well.

This product is no longer listed on the Boots website but is still in store and retails for about €9.

Mario Badescu Rosewater Facial Spray

I bought this a good while ago from Beauty Bay and it was just sitting on my shelf for a good few months. I finally started using it during exams because to be honest, I was too lazy to keep my skincare routine as lengthy as it usually is, but knew I needed to keep my skin hydrated. 

First off, this product is pink, so what's not to love? It also smells SO GOOD. Sort of like rose flavoured turkish delight and I love it.

I spritz some onto my face at night, just before I go to bed so I have some added hydration while I'm sleeping and it is fantastic. It helps my skin feel refreshed and so many people keep telling me to try it out as a setting spray! 

I will soon and if I love it even more, I'll definitely let you guys know! Until then, I happily spritz a fabulous smelling pink spray onto my face every evening.

Mario Badescu's Facial Sprays are available from Beauty Bay and range from €8.25 to €11.95.

Uriage Age Protect Multi-Action Detox Night Cream

So the press release for the Uriage Age Protect line popped into my inbox in September and I was kind of shocked because I was 20 at the time and didn't think I needed to use any kind of anti-ageing product just yet.

Boy was I wrong! After some research, I found out that using an appropriate anti-ageing product from 21 can really help your skin as you get older. I opted to try the night cream as I do have dry skin and knew that even if I didn't notice any fine line or wrinkle difference just yet, my skin would definitely be hydrated. 

Uriage created the Age Protect range with the intent to protect skin from pollution, natural and artificial blue light. The concept behind the range is fantastic as along with anti-ageing properties, it helps protect your skin from pollutants our skin faces on a daily basis.

Hopefully using anti-ageing products like this pays off in the future, but for now I'm happy with the fact that I wake up to skin that feels hydrated and the cream is non-greasy which is a bonus!

The Multi-Action Detox Night Cream has an RRP of €33 and is available from pharmacies nationwide.

I will definitely keep you guys up-to-date with any changes or additions to my skincare routine in the coming months.

I am actively trying to shop my stash, so if I do introduce any new products, they've been sitting on my shelf waiting to be used for months already!

Do you use any of the same products as me?

Do you have any recommendations for anti-ageing products?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleofpink

Snapchat: Ciarakxo

Summer Empties

Hey guys!

So over the summer I really didn't wear much makeup but I did get to the end of some products, albeit mainly skincare.

My empties posts seem to be some of the most popular posts so here are the products I finished over the summer!

Ardell Demi Wispies 

I tended to lean towards using lashes rather than go for a full eye look and these lashes were perfect for creating a dramatic look. I went through a whole multipack along with half of this one during the summer because these are my go-to lashes. 

I did try out some of the SOSU lashes as well but I always find myself going back to these because they're dramatic without being over the top.

L'Oréal Pure Clay Purity Mask

I will always repurchase this mask! I love it so much and it is so handy to just apply at night, have a cup of tea and just rinse it off before bed. The purity mask helps to mattify skin and eliminate impurities, something that really works on my combination skin!

I found the jar had more than the ten applications advertised and all you need is a flat brush to apply it and a cloth to rinse off! For €11 and 10+ applications, you really can't go wrong with the L'Oréal Pure Clay mask range.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara

For the first few weeks in work I actually bothered to wear minimal makeup and this mascara helped me to look alive in the mornings. It lengthens my lashes a lot when I use a curler beforehand and I love the formula, it doesn't clump and rarely flakes throughout the day.

It is also easily removed with some eye makeup remover which I love! I hate stubborn formulas that won't come off!

Garnier Summer Body - Light

I used this moisturiser before Portugal and have repurchased the bottle since I've come home, in hope of saving my tan!

I use a body moisturiser anyway so having one that has a hint of fake tan in it really helped me look sun-kissed before I went off and hopefully will help prolong my tan over the coming weeks. 

It also smells really good which is always a bonus.

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme

So there's like a teeny tiny bit of product left inside here but I can't get it out, I've decided it's never going to come out and it's time for the bin.

I did love it though! With a sweet vanilla scent, this lip gloss actively plumped your lips from application. It did tingle about five minutes after application each night but made my lips look fabulous and long-term application can result in permanent effects.

I always try minis before I buy a full-size product and I will definitely be purchasing the full-size soon!

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

These pads have become a staple in my skincare routine and I have repurchased them so many times since I first tried them out a few months ago.

I use the pads every night before bed; the glycolic acid retextures and resurfaces the skin while the hyaluronic acid  moisturises and refreshes along with the blue daisy soothes and calms the skin.

Overall, the pads have helped my breakouts and I love how smooth my skin feels at the moment!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

It's no surprise that this concealer features in my empty products from the summer. Whenever I wore any makeup, it was this concealer and I will always repurchase it because it is the best concealer I have ever used.

They have also recently expanded their shade range so the brand is getting even better!

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Combined with the pads, the salicylic acid solution has really helped my skin improve over the past few months. This did give me chemical burn on some patches of my face so I discontinued use in those areas but overall it has helped my blemish-prone skin.

I'm not sure if I would repurchase this as I have so many Ordinary products to get through and my skin clearly had a reaction to this.

What products did you use up during the summer?

Did we finish any of the same products?

Do you have any recommendations for me?

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

My Current Skincare Routine

Hey guys!

So I've been MIA for a while because college work kept on piling up and I was taking more hours in work so I could have enough money for my summer travels!

I'm back now and I am going to try really hard to be consistent and stay on top of my assignments at the same time!

One thing I have been working on over the past few weeks is a skincare regime that works for my skin and I'm gonna let you guys know what I've been loving and what's been helping my skin out as well.

& Other Stories - Body Soufflé (Miami Muse)

I've been using this body soufflé after every shower for the past few weeks and it feels fabulous!

It smells so sweet and makes my skin feel hydrated and smooth.

I wasn't one to use anything on my body (unless is was before or after tanning) before I started using this and I don't know what I ever did without it!

& Other Stories have a range of body soufflés in store and online for €12.

Payot Peeling Oxygénant Dépolluant

A PR company kindly sent me this peeling mask to try a few weeks ago and I have been loving it! What intrigued me originally was the fact that it bubbled on your face and few seconds after application but since using it, I have noticed a real difference in my skin!

It's an exfoliating mask without any particles and it has really helped even out my skin and help it loo healthier and brighter! It's also pink so what's not to love?

Payot's Peeling Oxygénant Dépolluant has a €38 RRP and is available in selected pharmacies and online!

Sephora Overnight Mask

I stocked up on Sephora's range of overnight masks while I was in Milan and have been making my way through them since.

I find it best to use these once or twice a week and after I open one (there's about three applications per pack) I leave it in the fridge until I use it next. Leaving it on overnight and washing the remnants off in the morning really lets the mask and all its goodness sink into your skin.

My favourite mask so far is the algae mask as it helps to purify and detoxify the skin which is great after weekends away!

Sephora's range of overnight masks are available for €3 from stores and online.

Nivea's Micellar Water for Dry Skin

When I'm too lazy to do my whole routine at night I just use this micellar water and some moisturiser before bed. It's so much better than using makeup wipes (which I'm usually very guilty of using) and much kinder on your skin as well.

I use this every morning as well just to go over my skin and make sure it's clean before I start any makeup.

I bought it in Superdrug a few months ago and haven't seen it since but there's so many great brands out there with fabulous micellar water!

The Ordinary - Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Okay so I have a love-hate relationship with this solution. It's marketed as a daily solution for blemishes that claims to gently exfolaite the inside walls of the skin, clearing and clarifying the complexion.

The instructions on the bottle say apply directly to blemishes or a small amount all over the face. I started with applying a small amount all over my face and it was working well for a few weeks until I started to give me salicylic burn on a patch of my skin so I discontinued use for a few days until it cleared. After it cleared, I started to use it all over my face except on the patch that it had irritated and it was doing wonders for me again.

The other night, I stupidly applied it all over my face again and woke up in the middle of the night with my face stinging me again, only to find I had salicylic burn on the same patch again. While it works on most of my face, it does clearly irritate patches of it so the jury's still out on this one!

The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is available from Beauty Bay for €4.70.

L'Oreal's Fine Flowers Gel-Cream Wash

This gel-cream is perfect for dry and sensitive skin, both of which I have, as rose is known for its soothing properties and jasmine is known for its protecting and moisturising properties. This wash is unscented and lathers easily in water.

I use this wash in the shower (yes I am that lazy) every second day. I apply it to wet skin and massage it all over my face and neck. It helps my skin stay hydrated and it provides the perfect base for makeup in the morning!

I picked this wash up in Dunnes on a whim but it is available from FeelUnique for €4.80.

Kotoha London's Shoyaku Herb Essence Silk Cream

The lovely Yoko from Kotoha London sent me this to try a few months ago and I am in love with it! This moisturiser can be used on normal, oily and combination skin.

I use it sparingly and on very dry patches of my skin when needed and it works wonders overnight. The cream helps to reduce the appearance of open pores and when applied on dry patches of my skin overnight, and not rubbing the cream in, it sinks into my skin and helps to hydrate my skin and reduce the appearance of dry patches, helping them to disappear over a few days.

I love the quality of this product and the fact that it doesn't have a scent. The product comes with a lid but I lost it on my travels a few weeks ago!

The Silk Cream is available from Kotoha London for €43.52.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser

This is my third bottle of this cleanser and I love it! I used it to remove my makeup at night, along with the micellar water and it leaves my skin feeling clean after removing all my makeup!

You don't have to rinse the cleanser off which is great and it smells fantastic as well! The cleanser helps to cleanse the skin as well as locking in moisture.

Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Cleanser is available for €10.99 from Boots.

They're all the products I'm using in my skincare routine at the moment! 

Do you use any of the same products?

What did you think of them?

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