If there is one thing I can’t resist its new skincare products. I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup. I want to be able to do my makeup in around 15 mins. So because of that, I prefer to invest both time and money into a great skincare routine. I haven’t always been this way but when I reached my mid-20s I started noticing changes in my skin and knew I needed to take much better care of my skin going forward. I have tested everything from Neutrogena to Proactiv for acne treatment. Drugstore products and high-end department store brands for anti-aging. Since I am constantly trying new products I’ve found things that really work and things that just end up sitting on my shelf.

Over the weekend I shared the embarrassing number of beauty products that were crammed into my bathroom cabinets via Instagram Stories. When I asked if sharing a post on the products I didn’t like would be helpful an overwhelming majority of you said yes! Most of the products that I didn’t end up using weren’t “bad” products I’ve just found things that work so much better. So my idea is to share the product that I didn’t like as much with the product I chose to use instead.

For reference, my skin is oily in my T-zone but very dry on my cheeks. I am prone to breakouts and because of the oil on my nose, I deal with blackheads. My skin is also very sensitive and can be easily irritated. It’s been a priority of mine recently to be using more natural products and reduce the amount of chemicals I’m using on my body.

Step 1: Makeup Removal –

While we were in London last September I went into a local store and picked up a Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk. I have used a milk cleanser to remove makeup before (First Aid Beauty – Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser), but I admit I didn’t love this one. I didn’t find it effective at removing my liquid eyeliner or mascara. I’ve always heard people rave about Caudalie but I haven’t been very impressed. They are gentle products which I like, but I still want to feel like I am seeing results.

The product I use to remove my makeup is Farmacy Green Clean and I love it! It reminds me of lime sherbet. I use a small amount on a dry face to melt away my eye makeup. It’s really gentle and doesn’t irritate my eyes. There might be a little residue from my eye-makeup but I follow-up with a cleanser.

Step 2: Cleanser –

The Neutrogena Naturals cleanser is good as a backup when I run out of my cleanser but I definitely didn’t like it for every day. I bought it because it’s natural but since I do breakout I need something that is a little stronger. I didn’t feel like my face was really clean after using this.

My favorite cleanser that I always go back to is the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser. It’s a creamy cleanser that is strong enough to fight off my breakouts. At the same time it’s very gentle and helps calm my skin. I use about a dime size and use my fingers to cleanse in a circular motion around my breakout areas. I can actually feel it exfoliating and my skin feels smooth and clean after each use.

Step 3: Exfoliator/Mask –

A couple of times a week I will add an exfoliator or a mask. I have a few that I rotate depending on my needs. The Fresh Sugar Face Polish is the best exfoliator I have found. My two favorite masks are GlamGlow SuperMud for my acne and the Fresh Rose Face Mask for hydrating and toning.

Step 4: Toner –

I used to never use toner but now I can’t skip it! It’s so important for my skin. With my sensitive skin I can see redness in my cheeks. Using a rose toner like the Fresh Rose Floral Toner helps reduce the redness and also regulates the PH level in my skin. I used to use the Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner but I didn’t like it as much. Call me crazy but I think it’s the rose petals floating around in it. For me it doesn’t feel as fresh and clean. I also like that I can use the Fresh Rose Floral Toner as a spray. It’s great as a makeup setting spray or a nice way to freshen my skin on a warmer day.

I tried the OleHenriksen Fountain of Truth Facial Water and did not like it. It was too irritating for my skin. It is probably the Citric Acid that is too much for my sensitive skin. I would see redness in my skin after I sprayed it and if my skin was dry, it would burn.

Step 5: Serum –

I’m not currently using a serum because I haven’t found one that I just love! I’ve used the Caudalie Radiance Serum and again, wasn’t very impressed. I didn’t see any results from it but I will be honest I didn’t use it for a long time. I also tried the Sunday Riley Good Genes and while it made my skin firmer, I don’t find it to be worth the price tag. The next one on my list to try is the Farmacy Invincible Root Cell Serum.

Step 6: Eye Cream –

I don’t use eye cream very often. I’m not someone who has dark circles so I don’t worry too much about my eyes. But I know that I need to make more of an effort to prevent signs of aging. I was recently gifted the Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Eye Cream. I have been using it for a little while but will report back after more consistent use.

Step 7: Moisturizer –

You have probably seen the Olay Total Effects Whip that recently launched. I wasn’t sent the product personally but I did want to see what all the hype was about so I ordered it early on. I’ve used Olay before and for a drug store brand I like their products but I don’t seem to re-purchase anything I try. The Whip has a really cool texture. It reminded me of melted marshmallows. Personally, I didn’t find it to be the most hydrating. It does absorb into the skin quickly making it a nice base for makeup but I don’t like it for my nighttime routine.

My favorite moisturizers are the Farmacy Honey Drop and the Korres Pomegranate Balancing Cream-Gel Moisturizer. They are both very creamy and make my skin feel soft and hydrated. The Honey Drop is amazing because honey has so many natural benefits. It’s very light weight for a day moisturizer. The Korres Pomegranate is my preferred nighttime moisturizer. It really helps with the redness and also smells amazing!

I have tried the Sunday Riley products a couple of times now. The first time I used them I really loved everything. But after the second time I realized they are too harsh for my sensitive skin. When I compare the CEO Moisturizer to something like the Korres it’s obvious how much the CEO irritates my face.

My routine might seem long, but it goes pretty quickly with the exception of the couple of nights when I use a mask. As I said, I prefer to invest the time in my skin rather than try to cover everything up with makeup. I also make it a treat for myself at the end of the day. It feels good to pamper yourself after a long day! xo Bryn