Current Skincare Routine - Fuss Free and Simple

If you’ve been a reader of my blog for a while now, you might notice that I don’t write about skincare that much. Also, as a beauty blogger, from time to time I get asked by PR to try out new products and more often than not I say no to skincare products.

This is because my skincare routine hardly changes, and while from time to time I do try new products, reality is I’ve been sticking to the same stuff for years now. In fact one particular product I’ve been using for over 10 years now… yes I know, showing my age!

So without much further ado, I'd like to share with you the skincare products that I am using, some old ones, and some that I've only recently gotten into.

For reference, my skin is normal to dry, with some old acne scars and a couple of crows feet here and there, apart from that I’m generally happy with my skin, for which I have my Armenian genes to thank for.

Cleansers

Dermaveen Soap Free Wash (approx $20 for 1L)

I’ve been using this for over 10 years ever since a dermatologist recommended this to me. It gets rid of makeup, dirt and grime easily and quickly, and leaves my face feeling hydrated. It’s a pharmacy brand, and you can get a large 1L bottle for around $20. Dermaveen has new packaging now, but I usually buy the 1L bottle and then fill  up my existing smaller old container as it's easier to handle. As long as they keep making it I will keep using it.

Comvita Gentle Beauty Bar * ($10)

This looks like soap and acts like soap, but it's actually quite gentle on the skin thanks to the olive, coconut and palm oils. Because I have dry skin I don't use this bar every day. I mainly use them on days I'm feeling extra grimy, i.e. if I have been out for a run (I know, can you believe I’ve started exercising?), or if I have been cleaning the house and transferred all the house germs on to my skin, as I feel this cleans better on those days than my favourite Dermaveen.

Scrub & Face Mask

Comvita Pore Refining Mask* $50

I use this twice a week, usually on days that I don't use a scrub. It has a lovely honey smell, and contains jojoba and macadamia oils. Basically what it's meant to do is draw away any impurities and gunk from your pores so your skin feels fresher and better moisturised. I love it because it makes my skin feel smooth, with a satin like feel. Plus I'm a sucker for honey like smells, so this draws me in with the smell too. 

St Ives Moisturising Olive scrub (approx $15)

Wrote about it in the past HERE. Have been using it 2 times a week for over a year now. I love that the scrub particles are small and non-abrasive on my skin, and every time I use it, it leaves my skin feeling baby smooth. I also really like the somewhat organic olive smell, but this might not be to everyone’s liking so make sure you give it a good sniff before buying. 

Day products

Moo Goo Full Milk Cream (approx $18)

This is a really light moisturiser, with a delicious milk and honey smell (I told you I like honey smells!). It’s very soothing, and doesn’t feel like I have anything on my face when I use this. Most of the time this is what I use under my foundation, as it sinks into my skin really quickly and doesn’t make my skin feel oily. That said, on days when my skin is feeling troublesome (naughty skin!) and requires extra moisture, I use the IZ Olive Oil Creme (below)

Invisible Zinc Organic Olive Oil creme* ($48)

Besides Olive Oil this also contains Rosehip Oil, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. The smell is similar to the St Ives Olive scrub, very earthy olive smell. This is a really rich product, a heavy duty moisturiser which doesn't feel oily on my skin. Although I think I’ll stop using this in summer as it might feel too heavy.  And don't you just love the gorgeous golden ball shape of the container? Anyway, digressing here... I love it because it feels really soothing on the skin. Definitely a great winter moisturiser.

Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear* ($32)

Does this product even need any introductions? It has won beauty awards in the past, and is Invisible Zinc's #1 selling product. If you're after a tinted moisturiser with a great deal of coverage, this isn’t it. But if you want something that will give you my-skin-but-better results with the added bonus of sun protection, this is perfect.

I wore this when I went out for a run and when I came home my face wasn’t all red and blotchy like it usually gets when I exercise. It actually looked really glowy and smooth, and above all with no hint of blotchiness. So it's perfect for the gym bag and the beach. And best of all, some sunscreens/tinted moisturisers give me pimples but this is great as you can feel it doesn't clog pores.

Night products

QV Night cream (approx $15)

I don’t use a night cream every night as sometimes I don’t feel the need. But when I do, I usually reach for this. This is another pharmacy brand. It’s fragrance free and great for sensitive skin. When I put this on at night I wake up with really soft and supple skin, and any dry patches that I have will disappear overnight when I use this cream. For the last 4 weeks I haven’t been using this cream as I’ve been trying the BIO Effect (below), but once my BIO Effect samples run out I’ll be returning to this.

Bio Effect EGF Serum* ($180)

I had a sample of this sent to me, and another sample vial was included in my Lust Haves box, all up a 2 month supply. Everyone raves about it, but if I had to be honest in the 4 weeks of using this I haven’t seen any special improvements to my skin. But as I mentioned before I do generally have good skin, so for me it’s more about maintaining the current condition rather than improving it which is why I haven't seen any special improvements. For the price, this is not something I'd purchase.

Have you tried any of these products? What is your skincare routine like?

Note: products marked with an * were either given for review purposes or included in my monthly Lust Haves box. I did not get paid for this review, and all opinions here are my honest views based on my personal experience.