Summer of Skincare

This post was supposed to be a July Favourites... but when I got to picking out the products, they turned out to ALL be skincare. So now it has evolved into yet another summer skincare round-up. I posted a summer skincare post a little while ago with a few new products I'd acquired, but my skin is being so evil just lately that I seem to have switched everything up again. I've discovered even more new products and repurchased a couple of older favourites. I think I'm finally onto something here as my skin is finally starting to behave itself again! 

Amie Skincare 'Morning Light' Hydrating Moisturiser

Whenever Amie bring out a new moisturiser I just have to have it and, as this one is a hydrating day cream, I knew I had to give it a whirl. I'm a huge fan of their mattifying moisturiser as well as their Skin Shield. This one doesn't have the SPF that Skin Shield has but my skin has been so smooth and touchable (without getting greasy) when I've used it, that I can forgive it. Amie products are affordable, cruelty free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Full review coming soon!

Superdrug 5-in-1 Skin Perfecting BB Cream - Medium

If you're a long time reader of this blog you'll know that I go bonkers for BB creams during the summer months when I can't be doing with a heavy foundation that's going to melt off my face as soon as the weather heats up. This Superdrug budget version is fantastic and contains vitamin c, hyaluronic acid and caffeine with mineral pigments and SPF15. There is also an Anti-Age SPF30 version in the range. 

Indeed Labs Hydraluron

You have my permission to scold me. I've only just got around to discovering the magic of Hydraluron. What kind of a blogger am I?? Hydration is a huge issue for me, even though I have combination skin, and I need products that will quench my thirsty face without turning my t-zone into an oil slick. This product acts as a supercharger for any moisturiser you team it with, allowing the skin to retain the moisture more effectively. I NEED to get my hands on their new Moisture Jelly to go along with it because it's LOVE! This product is currently a third off at Boots.

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner

I posted about this product and the Lime Blossom cleanser that goes along with it quite a while ago now. I can't believe I've only just got around to repurchasing it! It's been a godsend while the weather has been warmer. I've been keeping it in the fridge and spritzing my face with it and it feels soooooo good!! The lavender fragrance won't be for everyone but I particularly enjoy it at the end of the day, after removing my makeup just to freshen my skin up and prep my skin for moisturiser. It's very soothing.

Una Brennan Superfacialist Neroli Brightening Cleanser

This popped up in my last skincare post as another product that I'd forgotten I loved and I'm loving it again for very similar reasons to the Elemis toner. It's just wonderfully freshening with a floral scent and leaves my skin feeling firmed up and smooth. I mainly use this product in the morning before I've put on any makeup to wake my skin up. 

White Rabbit Skincare Lime and Coconut Cleansing Water

I received this product in my The Vegan Kind Beauty Box last month and it was instant love. This product is completely handmade using spring water, orange blossom water, coconut oil and lime essential oil. The scent is out of this world! It's milkier in texture than your usual micellar-type cleansing waters, and I'd go easy around the eyes with this one (lime oil - yikes) but it does an amazing job of removing makeup whilst cleansing the skin. The lime and orange blossom are also great antibacterial ingredients and the coconut oil helps to smooth. 

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins

Last but not least... I loved this product to death in the new year and the latter half of Winter, but my skin seemed to get sick of it after a while so it has been sat in my stash waiting for another chance to shine. It got that chance a couple of weeks ago after I felt that the Superdrug cream I'd been using was starting to leave me a little oily. Sure enough my skin welcomed it back with open arms and they are friends once more. Read my original review here.

*****

Those were my current summer skincare crushes. I'm hoping this love affair will carry on into Autumn/Winter as the harsh elements seem to take it out of my skin every bit as much as the summer sun. I haven't felt great about my skincare routine for a little while now so it's great to finally have a winning set of products... until the next time my face gets bored and demands something else. I guess we shall see. 

What are your skincare must haves?? Is hydration an issue for you?? What products can't you live without during the summer months??

Skincare Saturday: Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins

I felt like talking skincare today and I've been saving this product review for just such an occasion. Towards the end of last year I made the decision to start treating my skin better in 2014, and that meant not to scrimp on products. I had yet to find a night cream that I was really happy with and had heard great things about Origins so I decided to skip off to Selfridges, splash out and pop my cherry! And I came home with this...

Origins High Potency Night-a-Mins - £34 for 50ml origins.co.uk 

I've found that this nasty wind and winter weather has been leaving even my combination skin feeling very dehydrated and, for me, night time is all about putting back in what the day has taken away. It's important for me not to use anything rich or heavy so the oil-free formula of Night-a-Mins, formulated for combination/dry skin sounded perfect. Also, as a new Vegan, I'm making a conscious effort to really investigate ingredients in any new purchases and avoid cruelty wherever possible. Origins ingredients are wonderfully natural and plant based and all their products tested on volunteer panels so I shopped with absolute confidence. 

Review

I wanted a product that would really get to work on my skin during the night. Not only does this product rehydrate like a dream, it also helps to resurface the skin while you sleep. I cannot stress enough how effective it is at doing this! My skin when I wake up now feels so smooth with no hint of dryness. The application is great; the product sinks in straight away and hardly leaves any residue whatsoever with no trace of oil. My skin felt wonderfully matte. I didn't find I needed a lot of product to do a whole face either, which is a bonus for my pocket as the pricetag is a little on the high side for my student budget. I've been using it for over a month and still have loads left. One thing I really love about this product is the scent. It's almost herbal and so relaxing. Great to de-stress and prepare for sleep (for which I need all the help I can get). 

The ultimate proof of the pudding, however, is in the eating and I've had so many comments about how good my skin looks since I've been using this product. It's perfect to compliment my Effaclar Duo[+] (post Here) and, as a result, the surface of my skin feels soft, smooth and oil free in the morning, ready for makeup. I'll definitely be repurchasing Night-a-Mins. I don't mind spending that bit extra on a product that really does the job and this one gets a mighty thumbs up from me. My skin absolutely loves it. I've started 2014 on a skincare high! I'm desperate to also try their Drink-Up Mask and VitaZing during the year ahead (although it might have to wait for my next student loan installment - that's what it's for after all).

What are your ultimate skincare discoveries of 2014 so far?? Do you love Origins products?? What are your recommendations??