Current Skincare - Night & Day

I've been ill recently, necessitating a more than a couple of hospital trips, and it means I need a small procedure later on in the year. It's nothing too serious, but the feeling of being more rundown than usual has been showing in my skin, and as a result I've had to break out some of the big guns in my skincare arsenal.  Far from being a pain, I've found myself really enjoying taking care of my skin recently, mainly thanks to these somewhat ... er, luxurious* products.  I have two routines, evening and morning, and I'll take you through them both.

Evening:

  
In the evening, I like to give myself a really thorough cleanse, using a lot of massage techniques.  Le Belle Oil Cleanser (£28) is a fairly thick oil-based cleanser which doesn't really emulsify, so is perfect for a really thorough cleanse when you've got a full-face of makeup on.  And even if you don't, it's still great for a really deep cleanse. I rinse using one of my gazillion washi cloths and some hot water, then I give my face a good going over with a Zelens PHA Bio-Peel Resurfacing Face Pad (£65) These are a recent discovery for me, and I LOVE them.

Based on a combination of AHAs and BHAs, alongside PHAs, and with a combination of acids (including salicylic, lactic, citric and polyhydroxy)  these are a gentler alternative to my beloved Alpha-H Liquid Gold.  They help to resurface, and rehydrate your skin overnight.  When my skin is feeling sensitive, it's easier to use these then the Alpha H, and I can really tell the difference.  I follow with a spritz of toner (see morning), then add two drops of Sjal Saphir Concentrate Oil (£125) An anti-ageing oil suffused with sapphire, this stuff is amazing, plumping and firming, it's a pleasure to use. I use it as a serum rather than a moisturiser, as it's rather light, so I finish with a tiny dab of Zelens Z Recovery Intensive Repair Balm (£140).  Again, on the pricey side, this is the one product on this list that I'd go without shoes to re-purchase.  A thick, slightly gummy "balm", it leaves the skin plump and hydrated, plus it soothes and repairs any dry patches or irritated skin.  It's light and non-greasy, and after applying, I always look forward to seeing how great my skin looks the morning after, if I could marry a product, this would be The One.

Morning:

 I do another oil cleanse, this time with Nude Cleansing Facial Oil (£28) it is lighter than the Le Belle, and emulsifies easily in water.  This is my default cleanser - I may dabble with others, but Nude is the one I return to again and again and again, even in this, my fourth (eep!) year as a beauty blogger. 

After rinsing with a washi, I spritz again with toner, this time with Sjal Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic (£50), which is hydrating and calming, and sets your skin up for serums and moisturiser nicely. For daytime use, I like Darphin Camomile Aromatic Care (£41), as I find it it both soothing, and protective for my "prone to redness and sensitivity" skin.  Finally, I apply a layer of Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream ($55), which contains both goat milk (good for a lactic acid dose), and aloe vera for soothing, plus avocado and jojoba oils for hydration.  Sadly, SpaceNK have dropped the Kate Somerville line, so I beg everyone I know who has a trip to the US planned to pick some up for me, and this is my fourth jar.

I realise that this is an expensive routine in anyone's book, but what price skin?


*  Expensive.  Yes, I KNOW.

The Fine Print: I sold my soul to PRs, various relatives, and several online retailers for some of these products, which are a combination of samples, gifts and (in a surprisingly large proportion) purchases.  You don't even want to know what the MiL wanted in return for the Goat Milk Cream ...

Oh, all links in this post are for informational purposes only, and are NOT affiliate links.
 
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Le Belle Natural Skincare - Oil Cleanser

I do love the Natural and Organic Product show, every year I visit and discover something that I fall a little bit in love with.  Last year it was Konjac Sponges, and this year it's a cleanser from le Belle natural skincare.

I'm naturally biased towards oil cleansers anyway, having been a sufferer from adult-onset acne for many years, and making the discovery that oil-based cleansers were by far the most effective way of keeping outbreaks at bay, and they have also helped with my sensitivity issues too.  I used to have angry, reddened, spotty skin with huge patches of scaly dry skin.  Sexy!  However, since I made the (permanent) shift from foaming cleansers or facial washes, my outbreaks are minimal, and my face doesn't burn as soon as I even look at a mirror these days either.

The le Belle oil cleanser is a thick, yellow viscous oil, which doesn't emulsify with water, so I use this mainly at night, for a deep, deep cleanse, and a massage.  I've found that it's also excellent for use with a Clarisonic as it provides plenty of slip, and doesn't just get absorbed into your skin as you do a thorough cleanse routine with it.  The citrussy scent, whilst refreshing, isn't so sharp that it'll wake you up completely, don't worry.  The cleanser is based on sunflower, sesame and castor oils, so it's good and nourishing.  All le Belle skincare products are 100% plant derived and free from parabens.

But, the main reason I feel in love with the le Belle range is the ingenious packaging system behind it.  The entire range is packaged in heavy, recycled, glass jars and bottles in a beautiful cerulean blue, making them a lovely addition to any bathroom.  However, all the packaging is refillable - a bottle for life, as the le Belle website refers to it -  and the refills are these handy pouches, cutting down on packaging and weight.  They are also really handy for travel, I've discovered!  They also cost 20% less than the original bottles and jars, which is a nice bonus too.

The Cleansing Oil in the bottle will cost you £24 - I've used mine a lot in the two months since it arrived, and I anticipate there is at least four months left in the bottle now - and the refill pouch will cost you £19.  

However, le Belle have been exceedingly generous, and have offered readers of Get Lippie a discount of 20% off all purchases up to 30th June 2012, just add the (case sensitive) word "LIPPIE" at the checkout stage on their website, and you'll automatically get 20% off your order.  What are you waiting for?  Please support an independent supplier today.

Links in the post are offered for informational purposes only - they are not affiliate links.  Get Lippie won't make any commission if you make a purchase from any links in this article.  Cleanser provided for review purposes by Le Belle Natural Skincare.
This post originated at: http://getlippie.com All rights reserved.