Clear Skin Routine.

I know you're probably thinking I have enough skincare (I really do) but my skin has been particularly bad (as in blemish prone) recently and I needed to find a routine for the next month or so that will help.
I purchased my Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser again as it's a really amazing product which really helps clear up my skin & I've run out recently so it's good to finally repurchase.
I also bought a tub of Sudocrem which is by far the best antiseptic spot treatment for overnight use. For a while I've been using the Sudocrem in the tube, thinking it was the same. I have since found out that it's not the same, it's a cosmetic and not medicated so therefore, a bit useless!
You would think that as it has the Sudocrem name on it, it would also be medicated and the exact same product as in the tub!
If you haven't tried Sudocrem for blemishes before, I highly recommend!

Finally, I also bought this Clinique Anti-Blemish solutions introductory pack for £30 which I think is slightly steep for the size of the products you get but I'm desperate! After cleansing with Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, I use the Clinique Cleansing Foam to get rid of any excess makeup and grime. I like that it's a foam as it's easy to use and quick.
I follow this with the Anti-Blemish Clarifying Lotion, say what you like about Clarifying Lotion (or as I like to call it, paint stripper) after cleansing and washing my face, the cotton pad came back orange which meant my skin was still holding on to foundation and dirt! Lovely.
Anyway, I see that as a sign of a good cleanse so I will be keeping that up. I do find it quite stripping so obviously it's important to follow with a good moisturiser and you will know yourself if your skin feels like it's dry and tight. You may only need to use the Clarifying Lotion a few times a week if you think it's too harsh.

The moisturiser is great, a lot better than the "Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel" which I feel leaves my skin drier than it was. I think moisturisers are better if they're creams, unless you have particularly oily skin (I don't). If you do feel like your skin isn't as hydrated as it should be, you could always try using a hydrating serum underneath your moisturiser or use a heavier moisturiser a few times a week or at night as the Clarifying Lotion can be really drying.

I also use my Liz Earle Clear Skin Kit once or twice a week to help prevent blemishes.

Overall, after one use my skin is a lot clearer! I had a few of those horrible under the skin very painful blemishes coming up which have gone over night! I'll definitely be keeping up this routine for the next few weeks as I think the problem with my skin is that I change my products too much and don't stick to a routine.
Hopefully keeping to these products will give me clearer skin!

What products do you rely on when you're going through a breakout?

March Loves.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion

I have rediscovered this little lovely after leaving it in Scotland for a few months. It's really moisturising but also dries in seconds, making it a good makeup base. 

I've had this product for about a year or two and to be honest I've never been that interested in it before, I'm not sure why. I guess most people have this, it's just one of those products isn't it? This really is a dramatically different moisturiser, more like a gel than a cream and not greasy at all. 

Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo & Condition

I've had this sitting in my cupboard for a while now and not even noticed. Graeme was on tour in America last year and he collected up all the hotel miniatures for me. I thought they would be your usual lavender scented rubbish, but he'd actually uncovered an amazing miniature Bliss collection! I'd never heard of this shampoo so it was pushed to the back of my bathroom cabinet, that was until I was in Space NK recently and I saw the bottle there! 

So I've been using it recently and it's absolutely amazing, both the shampoo and conditioner make my hair so soft, shiny and really lightweight. I know I shouldn't have, but I definitely judged this product by it's horrible, plain cover. Has anyone else tried this? It's amazing! I haven't seen the price of a full size bottle though... 

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Blow Dry Lotion

I've been using this for a while now, and it's definitely one of my favourite volume boosting sprays. I have to wash my hair everyday or I feel yuck, so my hair is always soft and sits flat. I would love to have big, voluminous hair but it's just not meant to be. This does put a bit of volume into my flat hair, without being greasy or crispy. 

Clinique Even Better Foundation

Another Clinique product! I've had this for a while, and it's a really great foundation. I have some marks where past blemishes haven't quite faded so I got this to help. It's just the right coverage and easy to blend. I actually use MAC Pro Longwear concealer underneath to make my skin look heaps better. I know you're not meant to put on concealer before foundation, but I think if it works for you then it's okay. I've actually never really checked to see if it helps the marks on my face as they seem to disappear on their own after a while anyway, but I think it probably does help. 

Lush The Olive Branch Shower Gel

The smell of this is absolutely gorgeous. I would describe the scent as "musky" but i'm terrible at describing scents so it probably isn't musky at all. The smell stays on for ages afterwards, and my whole bathroom smells of it. Such a lovely product, it's a lovely strong smell to wake me up in the morning too. Love this! 

I'm sure there are many other products I've been reaching for recently, but these are the ones I can remember at the moment. Tell me your favourites! 

Currently loving: Breakbot - Shades of Black. 

New Skincare Routine.

I recently added a few things/changed my skincare routine. Here are a few of my new additions.
I'm quite bad at taking off my makeup, obviously I do it every night but I do it with a face wash/scrub and not with an actual makeup remover/cleanser (cue panda eyes). I'd read about the Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover and heard it was good, so I've started using it to take off my eye makeup properly.
This remover is really good. I don't usually use oil based removers because they make my eyes feel oiled and glazed over afterwards, which I hate. I hate anything getting into my eyes or stinging them, so I'd really recommend this product as it takes off all my eye makeup whilst not being too greasy.
I have blemish-prone skin, so I don't tend to use anything with oil in it but this hasn't irritated my skin or caused any breakouts so far!
The bags (yes, bags) under my eyes can get quite dried and irritated so it's good to find something that works well for my difficult skin.



After this, I use my Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash which I've only recently bought but I love it, it makes my skin so soft and clean. Apparently it uses the same organic ingredients as the Liz Earle products, but it smells like the Sanctuary's products. I love organic skincare, and i'm definitely going to be investing in some more products from the Organic Surge range.
I think using organic products makes all the difference, I get similar results to this when I use my Liz Earle products. My skin is brighter, clearer and softer. I have combination skin, which can get really, really dehydrated. It's important for me to make sure my skin doesn't get too dry, because it takes so much work to get it hydrated again! I have to slather it in moisturiser and 8 Hour Cream at night.
My favourite thing about this product is that it doesn't make my skin dry and tight afterwards, which is amazing.
I'd definitely recommend this product, if you're into organic skincare products. As I have combination skin (dry and oily in different parts) and it's worked really well for me, I reckon it'd be good for all skin types.

After this wash I cleanse my skin to remove any remaining dirt or makeup. I'm looking around for a new day to day cleanser, and I think I'm going to buy the Organic Surge cleanser because I love the face wash so much. I use my Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser about three times a week, and a Nivea one for the rest of the time.



I've recently started using a toner more, as it helps to refine my pores (because they're massive!) and I love Liz Earles Instant Boost Skin Tonic. Again, it's natural and really refreshing. I splash my face with cold water first, and then apply the toner using a cotton pad. I think I've really noticed a difference in the last few days, my pores look smaller and less apparent, and my overall skin complexion has improved.
Hopefully I'll keep this up and over time my skin will improve.
The toner aims to "revitalise, sooth and tone for instant radiance" which I really think it does. My skin doesn't feel tight after use either, which I've already mentioned is important for me.

Finally, I use my Clinique Moisture Surge, free with Glamour magazine. This is absolutely amazing! Did anyone else get this? I use it as a moisturiser, and it's so hydrating. It makes my skin feel so smooth too, like I have a primer on so it's an excellent base for foundation.
When I first applied it, as it's a gel I thought this is going to take hours to dry, but it was dry in seconds and I was able to apply foundation straight away.
It really hydrates my skin and makes it feel so refreshed and moisturised. It doesn't feel heavy on my skin, in fact I don't feel it at all. This is absolutely my favourite new discovery.

I think it's really important to change your skincare routine every now and again, or change/swap new products because your skin can get used to different products, which means they stop having the same effect you once loved.
Can anyone recommend me a good cleanser? Has anyone tried any of these products?