I’ve suffered with eczema ever since I was a baby, and if there’s one thing it’s taught me it’s that taking care of your skin is vital. As a teen I often let my skincare slip, forgetting to moisturise or take off my makeup, and I always suffered the consequences. As I’ve grown my eczema may have calmed, but my views on skincare haven’t. I’m always preaching to my friends about why they should double cleanse or going off on a tangent about SPF to my boyfriend.

As you can probably tell I take skincare quite seriously, and I don’t let any old thing into my skincare stash, there’s usually a lengthy testing period before I proclaim that a product is a part of my routine. Curious what’s made the cut? Let’s dive right in…

Cleanse

Despite my love affair with skincare I still want it to be quick and easy. Let’s be honest, we don’t always have half an hour spare to triple cleanse! So, when I want something fast and efficient (most of the time) I reach for the Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil. This super light oil takes the dread out of makeup removal for me. I don’t have to go through endless cotton pads anymore, a few pumps of this, with some water and I’m free from even the most stubborn of makeup! Infused with micelles that lift makeup away without the need for rubbing, this cleanser does it all – removing makeup, impurities, sebum. Suitable for all skin, even the oiliest, this is a skincare pick that I’m always stocked up on!

Once I’m makeup free I then use a foaming face wash to ensure my skin is free from all impurities before I move to the next step. My holy-grail cleanser is the Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser, I’ve never had such an instant ‘I love this’ moment until I used this. If you’re after a squeaky clean (but not tight and uncomfortable) feeling then you’ll be all over this. Its rich foam feels luxurious and soft on the skin and the way it makes my skin feel afterwards is what I can only describe as dreamy.

Polish

Ask any member of the Escentual Beauty Team what my favourite skincare topic is and they’ll probably tell you exfoliating. Buffing away dead skin cells and revealing a glowing complexion is at the top of my to-do list and I never miss a scrubbing session.

I enjoy using both chemical and physical exfoliators  (no idea what I’m talking about? Read my exfoliator guide here) and I work both into my routine at different times. Firstly, my favourite physical exfoliant is the Ole Henriksen Walnut Scrub, its mild abrasive action kickstarts the skin’s renewal cycle and leaves it looking noticeably brighter and more radiant. I personally could get away with using this scrub up to four times a week, as it’s quite gentle and my skin isn’t sensitive, but if you’re eyeing it up take into account your skin’s sensitivity before making it a regular in your routine.

The newest addition to my routine is the Vichy Glow Peel Mask. This is a chemical exfoliant, which contains AHAs and fruit acids and removes the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin – leaving your skin, as the name suggests, glowing! I use this once weekly (usually on a Sunday) to give my skin a boost of vitality. If you’re in the market for a new skincare product the new Vichy masks are a must!

Treat

I don’t like to make my skincare routine overly complicated, I know the more I add the more likely I am to skimp on steps. So, when it comes to my daily routine I usually stick to these two treatments. First up, the crème de la crème of eye creams – the Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel. Even my boyfriend who has no time for skincare (let’s not even go there) loves this eye gel. Not only does it feel amazing but it smoothes fine lines, de-puffs and firms in and instant. This is the product that made me fall in love with Ole Henriksen skincare!

Next up, the radiance booster that is Darphin Orange Blossom Aromatic Care. Probably the most luxurious part of my daily routine, I apply this in the evening as a little treat to my skin. Enriched with 7 aromatic extracts (orange blossom, lemon, carrot, lavender, chamomille, billberry and cramberry), this oil clarifies, brightens and smells divine too.

Protect

When I suffered badly with eczema I always used the moisturiser the doctor prescribed. But, now that my eczema has calmed I am free to explore the world of moisturisers with open arms. I no longer get bouts of eczema on my face so this isn’t something I have to be mindful of, so nowadays I focus on finding a moisturiser that will protect my skin from the elements. One that I return to time and time again is the REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream, its soothing formula contains a powerful blend of antioxidants, which protect skin from free radicals.

And what about SPF I hear you ask? My foundation Shiseido Synchro Skin has an SPF of 20, so I don’t usually pick a moisturiser based on its level of protection – plus, this means I can use it both day and night. However, I do top up throughout the day with the Bioderma Eau de Soin Anti-UV Mist SPF30, it refreshes, hydrates, protects and fits in my handbag perfectly.

My Desert Island Pick

But what if I could only pick one skincare product for the rest of time? Easy! Hands down it would be the Elizabeth Arden The Original Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. This could be deemed as cheating as it does so much, but I have loved it ever since I first discovered it in my mother’s beauty cupboard many years ago. Perfect for eczema flare-ups, dry lips (the bane of my life), scrapes and abrasions, this treatment is a skincare saviour that will always have a place in my stash.

Over to you!

What’s in your skincare stash? Spotted any of your favourites in mine? Tweet me @EscentualCeryn or comment below!