I received a really kind tweet the other day, after I posted this blog post and I thought I’d answer it in a post, since 140 characters on Twitter just wouldn’t be enough.

Firstly Mariska, thank you! I am, however, always going to be honest with you and tell you that I have flawless skin good skin days every other day/week/month. I have combination skin with an oily T-zone and dry-ish cheeks.

I actually suffer from break outs – admittedly they are more on my back and chest, which irritates me beyond words… Go and bug a teenager, right? *Sorry teens!*

I’ll get a few spots around that time of the month on my chin, which is irritatingly hormonal.

I never used to look after my skin properly, in fact I still don’t look after it as well as I should and could. If I tell you the number of times I go to bed with my make-up on, you’d be appalled.

It’s a shocker, especially when rule #1 in any skincare regime is to remove make-up before you sleep. I try to, but sometimes I’m just so exhausted I fall into bed.

I actually feel embarrassed even writing this. I feel like I should have my shit together when it comes to that simple #1 rule.

To be fair, if I have thick TV make-up on, I always take that off, but when I have a little concealer on, I am lazy. Oh and I’ve tried the tricks of only having white sheets, but somehow my concealer rarely rubs off on my pillows and sheets. #girlproblems.

Since turning 30 (gosh I’m nearly 32 on the 4th of Feb), I must admit I have looked after my skin a lot better than I ever used to. Removing make up at night is another New Years goal I’m aiming to achieve. Every habit is created when it’s done 20x over so I’m doing my best.

Here’s an FYI example: If you’re trying to cut sugar from your tea/coffee, it takes 20 cups to get used to the taste. Really.

Anyway… Whilst some people love to stick to one product, I have never been one to use only one brand all the way through from cleansers to moisturisers.  I’ve tried various cleansers, creams, serums and so on over the years. Call me a consumers dream; I’m the girl who watches an advert on TV and immediately wants to rush out and try it (within reason), just in case this truly is the fountain of youth and promise.

Over the years I’ve discovered what works wonderfully for me and what has become a product I buy over and over. I definitely mix and match my products accordingly.

I’ll break it up into categories. If there are more than one in each category, I obviously only use these one at a time and alternate in buying them as they run out. I’ll place my number 1 on top.

Cleansers:

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser. This really gets make-up off and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean but not dry and tight.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. This also gives that clean but not dry/tight feeling, but I do sometimes have to use a make-up remover afterwards to clean off stubborn mascara and eyeliner.

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with cottonseed. I use the Normal/Combination skin cleanser. It smells so good and leaves my skin feeling amazing. I love the foam on my face because I feel like I’ll know if I’ve missed an area.

All three products last because you really only need a very little.

Exfoliators:

Victoria Garden’s Apricot and Walnut Exfoliating Facial Scrub/Polish leaves my skin feeling so smooth and exfoliated without going red, without being too harsh, but getting rid of all the dead skin cells and build up. I always have a glow after using the product and I find that my foundation literally glides on much better afterwards. I use it once a week and I’ve actually written about it before on one of my Favourites post published on 21 February 2012.

This is the new packaging below:

Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant – but I don’t use it daily like indicated – I use it every 4th day. It all depends on how sensitive my skin is feeling.

Eye creams:

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye. I absolutely love how rich it feels and I definitely notice a difference when I don’t apply it.

Clinique All About Eyes Rich. As soon as I dab some on, it instantly sinks in and works it’s magic.

Moisturisers:

Bio-Therapeutic BT Cocktail. This is one of my priciest products, but it’s honestly miraculous. There are 3 little tubes and a little goes a long way. They work together like a dream. I have never had softer, visibly better skin in my entire life and I genuinely think this is the very reason for the flawless compliments.

Clarins Bright Plus HP Brightening Hydrating Day Lotion, SPF 20. This has made me skin tone even, brighter and made my skin so soft and dewy.

For a more affordable option:

I was recently introduced to Dirty Works Multi-tasker 8-in-1 Miracle Cream and love it so much I bought it for my mom and sister. Considering it’s so affordable (R99 at Clicks), I love that it comes in a glass jar. 8-in-1 means it:

• improve skin firmness
• brighten
• even skin tone
• fill fine lines
• diminish wrinkles
• hydrate
• stimulate Collagen production
• smooth skin texture

Oh and don’t discount Coconut Oil as the most amazing make-up remover, moisturiser, eye cream, sunscreen and even cleanser.

What are your favourite products?

PS. This is not a sponsored post, in case you were wondering. This is absolutely authentic in the fact that I have tried, tested and ADORE these products by using them over and over.

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