How I Cleanse My Skin

Something that I've always loved since I was a teenager is cleansing my skin.  It's one of my favourite parts of the day, particularly in the evening.  There's something satisfying and enjoyable about taking off the day's makeup and dirt that builds up over the day.   I’ve found over the years that properly cleansing and taking care of my skin has helped massively in keeping it clear, smooth and glowing. Cleansing your skin has many benefits.  Not only is it important for removing makeup and sunscreen, but it also helps remove dirt, excess oils, dead skin cells, and any other build up from the day. This allows your skin to properly breath, leaving you with invigorated skin.  I've always kept my skin care routine routine very simple and don't like to use too many products on my skin.  I feel like I have a routine that works for me whilst keeping my skin smooth and glowing.

Firstly, I like to take off my makeup with either face wipes (although I am trying to switch to a makeup remover that's more environmentally friendly) or a micellar water (I love Garniers' Micellar Water at the moment).  I have to admit that sometimes I use both for a double cleanse.  I then go in with a cleanser to really deep clean my skin.  Using a cleanser is crucial for protecting the skin's natural moisture balance.  I'm currently using the Nivea Micellar Rose Face Wash as my everyday cleanser but the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap is also a firm favourite of mine if I want to use a luxury brand for a special occasion.  After washing my face after cleansing, I like to use a face cloth to pat my skin dry.  It's important to use a separate face cloth from the towel you dry your body with.  Not only is it important from a bacteria and cleanliness point of view but products on your body, think perfumes and body moisturisers can clog your pores, cause breakouts or even rashes.  It is also essential to cleanser your skin post-workout to avoid a build up of bacteria and breakouts from leaving sweat on your skin for too long.  Using a gentle cleanser like these after a morning workout is really valuable for helping to cleanse your skin of any sweat.  I like to gently exfoliate with my hands which leaves my skin clean and refreshed every time!  Plus, it preps my skin for the next step, toning.

From left to right: Superdrug Essential Face Cleansing Wipes, Superdrug, 99p (25 wipes) | Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Boots, £18.00 (200ml) | Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, Superdrug, £2.95 (400ml) | Nivea Rose Care Micellar Face Wash, Nivea, (150ml)

The next step I like to take is to use a toner.  This step helps to clear pores from any pollution, grime, makeup residue and dead skin cells to give you smoother, brighter skin.  Toning your skin also beneficial for prepping the skin before you moisturise it.  It exfoliated the skin leaving it more receptive to hydration and other treatment products you use after cleansing.  My favourites at the moment are  Garnier Skin Active with Aloe Vera Exract toner.  It's made of 96% natural ingredients and leaves my skin feeling refreshed.  Another favourite of mine is the Clinique Clarifying Lotion which I use alongside Clinique's Liquid Facial Soap.

From left to right: Garnier Skin Active Natural Aloe Extract Toner, Superdrug, £3.49 (200ml) | Clinique Cleansing Lotion 3, Boots, £18.00 (200ml) | Reusable Makeup Remover Pads, Amazon, £8.39

The final step in my cleansing routine is to use a moisturiser.  It's this stage that's going to leave your skin smooth and glowing. Usually, moisturisers hydrate your skin for about 8 hours. If your skin is more on the oilier side, a good moisturiser can help balance it too.  The one I've been using as my every day moisturiser at the moment is the Nivea Express Primer Gel-Cream.  This works as a nice base for before I apply my makeup, helping it stay on during the day.  It's such a lightweight texture cream and absorbs straight away.  I'd also highly recommend using the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel as part of the 3-Step skin system.

Normally, that's as far as my daily skincare routine goes but if my skin's feeling very dehydrated I like to give it an extra boost with the Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate.  It keeps my skin hydrated for 72 hours so its perfect for recharging my skin and getting it back to normal.

From left to right: Nivea Express Primer Gel-Cream, Superdrug, £2.49 (50ml) | Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel, Boots, £32.00 (125ml) | Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate, Boots, £36.00 (48ml)

*Disclaimer* The products I use are suitable for my skin type.  Always check products are suitable for your skin type before using them.  For the Clinique 3-Step products I really recommend speaking to an adviser at any Clinique counter.  They did should a good job recommending the right products for me.

So that's my simple cleansing routine I use on a daily basis.  What's your favourite part of your skincare routine? What products can you not live without? Do you have any favourite facial products? I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment down below!