I started to experiment with different skincare products at a quite early age. But when I was young I just had a cream at night and a cleanser. I didn't know so much about it back then. But when I got older, I learned more and more but it wasn't until I was 18, almost 19 I found products that really worked and made my skin so much better. I got introduced to Exuviance by my hairdresser (she is also a skin dermatologist. She is not my hairdresser anymore tho) and I bought the whole skincare range almost. It was very expensive and I did not have a job back then because I was still in school, so I left with a bad feeling in my stomach and I was wondering what I had just done. What if the products don't work?! But luckily they did. And you don't need much product so they last forever, so the price is so worth it!! Now I have been using these products as my skin care base for a little over two years and they are good, but lately, I have felt like my skin has changed. It's no longer that oily, could be because I'm older. It's more of a combination skin and I can get dry patches sometimes (If you told 13 years old me that I would never ever believed in it haha). And I feel like my skin is a bit "tight", don't really know how to describe it. But it is the opposite of smooth and bouncy. And I have fine lines which freak me out, I'm soon 21, come on!! So I have been thinking a lot recently I done a lot of research, and now I have decided to change my whole skin care routine and all my products (except this gel cleanser from Exuviance) and try something new. It's scary because I don't know how my skin will react to these new products and ingredients, you never know. But I will take it slowly and add in one new product at the time so my skin has a chance to get used to it and tell me if it likes it or not.
Okay, so that was basically my skincare story. Let's move on to the new products I'm going to introduce to my skin.
These are all the new products I will start to use. Of course not all of them at the same time as I mentioned in the text above. Instead of focusing only on removing oil from my skin, I will now use products that exfoliate, renew, smooth and hydrate the skin. So pretty much the opposite from before. It doesn't matter what skin type you have, all skin types need hydration to look and feel healthy and I haven't given my skin hydration in a very long time. I have basically drawn out all my skin's natural oils and hydration and that is now causing a dry and textured surface.
I will talk more deeply about the products and describe them now!
Pixi Retinol Tonic (use at night and morning)
- Time release retinol reduces fine lines and smoothes the skin
- Peptides firm skin and boost collagen
- Jasmine flower heals and balances out the skin
Why This Product?
I have started to notice fine lines between my eyes and forehead and that freaks me out. Could also be because my skin is dry on the surface and probably deep down as well. Retinol helps the skin to build collagen that keeps the skin elastic and smooth. When you get older, your skin produces collagen slower and slower so this helps the skin renew faster and you will get a smooth face. It also contains jasmine flower which balances up the skin since retinol can be a bit drying.
Pixi Collagen & Retinol Serum (use night time)
- Plumps and boosts elasticity
- Smoothes and refines
- Chamomille that calms and soothes the skin
Why This Product?
As the same reasons as above and to get that extra boost since a serum goes deeper down in the skin.
IMPORTANT - Remember to use SPF when you use retinol (or any acids) products. They make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure so it's suuuuuper important!!! I will now have SPF in my day moisturizer and try to have it in my foundation as well.
Pixi Vitamin - C Serum (use day time)
- Vitamin C for brightening
- Antioxidant protection
- Probiotics for strengthening and balance
Why This Product?
Vitamin C helps to improve the skin texture which is something I struggle with. It also reduces the effect of sun damage and help the skin to stand against sun damage more (but you still need SPF!!)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Hydration Lotion SPF 25 (use day time)
- Boosts hydration
- Protects against pollution and sun damage
Why This Product?
Well, first of all, it has SPF 25 which is amazing, and it's a lightweight, non-greasy formula. And you can wear it as a base under makeup. You don't find many moisturizers out there that has SPF 25 and that is non-greasy. It also has hyaluronic acid in it which is great for hydration.
ACO Rebalancing Night Balm (use night time)
- Caring night cream for grown-up skin (yes, I consider myself as a grown up now)
- Fights impurities and fine lines
- Intense hydration up to 24 hours
- Gently exfoliate the skin
Why This Product?
Well, it seems like a dream cream to me! No JK, I understand that miracles don't happen overnight, but this is a night balm has good ingredients, the price is great and it seems to be a nice night cream. I don't want a night cream with too crazy or strong ingredients. It's good to let your skin rest too. I just want something calming and moisturizing that doesn't break you out and clog pores.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (use when needed)
(General things that rose hip seed oil does)
- Moisturizes the skin
- Anti-aging benefits
- Can heal scars from acne for example
- Antibacterial
- Help reduce skin pigmentation
- Help cell turnover and can fight acne and blackheads
Why This Product?
As you can see rose hip seed oil has a lot of benefits for the skin. I have done a lot of research and some say that oils are good for all skin types and some say it's a big NO NO for oily skin types. Since I now have a combination skin type, I feel like I want to give it a go and see what happens. I'm really excited to see if it can fight my blackheads or not since that is the things with my skin I struggle the most with I would say. I won't be using this daily, at least not in the beginning. I will start with one or twice a week to see how my skin reacts to it.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti Imperfection Daily Solution Oil (use when needed)
- Purifying properties
- Soothing properties
- No pore clogging
Why This Product?
When I heard about tea tree oil and its benefits and immediately got really interested in it and wanted to try it. It's an oil that makes the skin clearer overall which is what I need. So it's going to be fun to see how this one feels. I won't be using it every day in the beginning but I few times per week to start with or as a spot treatment.
Omorovicza Refining Facial Polisher (use I few times per week)
- Contains Hungarian moor mud, rich in calcium and magnesium
- Draws out impurities
- Refined skin texture
- Brightens up the complexion
Why This Product?
One of my health and wellness role models Annie Jaffrey loves this facial polisher and she has said so many good things about it so she definitely inspired me to purchase it. It's pretty expensive so I went for the small size (100 ml costs 800 SEK which is about 70-80 £/$!). Exfoliation is very important for making the skin smoother and for deep cleansing it.
Garnier SkinActive Soothing Botanical Cleansing Milk (everyday makeup remover)
- Contains rose floral water
- 96 % natural ingredients
- Vegan (everyone can use it, YAY!)
Why This Product?
My current gel makeup remover has started to make my skin dry and it feels tight afterward, which is a sign that the remover is to harsh on your skin. I just want a makeup remover that leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. I saw this one and thought I would give it a try and I like that it's vegan and the ingredients are 96% natural.
Okay so hello if you made it to the end of this very long blog post! Skincare is something that is very close to my heart and if I had to choose between skincare and makeup I would choose skincare every time. Skincare is also something I put a lot more money too than makeup. I'm going to start with my new skincare routine today so I can't say anything about them yet, but I will in a few weeks. I hope this was interesting for you to read and that it might help others with similar skin types and problems to me, or just gave you some new inspiration to try new products.
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