#2014BloggerChallenge - Post Two - Winter Skin Care

I signed up to the #2014BloggerChallenge and so far, I am really enjoying meeting the other 407 bloggers who are taking part. I want to take this time to personally thank all of my new followers for their commitment to my blog; I have never seen such a sharp intake in readers over such a short period of time.

So here is post two.

Gabby writes:
"Topic 2 is going to be all about Skincare - winter is still here and keeping your skin in good condition is sooo hard. I thought this post could be all about the products you use, the things you do, your skin care routines, homemade skincare solutions, maybe even foods that are good for your skin?"

The Winter Cleanser 

Lush Ultrabland. Full review here. An oil based hydrating cleanser, perfect for dehydrated winter skin.

Toner
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant which helps to exfoliate my skin and remove any left over cleanser. A must with Ultrabland as it does leave an oily film on my skin.

Serum
Lacura Aqua Complete Multi Intensive Serum from Aldi. This contains Hyaluronic Acid which is great for increasing the moisture levels in your skin. I used this every morning and evening under my moisturiser and it helps to keep my skin feeling great.

Eye Creams
Clinique All About Eye. I use this in the morning as it helps to hydrate my eyes and it stops my under eye concealer from caking.

No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream. This is my evening eye cream in the winter as it's more nourishing and targets those pesky fine lines I'm starting to get.

Day Cream
Botanics Hydrating Day Cream. This probably should be upped to something more intensive for winter, but combined with the serum, it works quite well still.

Night Cream
Botanics Hydrating Night Cream. Again, this is another of my favourite moisturisers as it's hydrating and doesn't irritate or break out my skin.

Facial Oil
Botanics Facial Oil. I use this around two to three times a week to give my skin an extra moisture boost during winter.

The Masks

Hydrating
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I use this around once a week, usually I try and aim for a set day so I remember to use it. When I wake up in the morning my skin looks and feels so much more hydrated and plumped up almost. I do get the odd little pin sized spot when I use this, usually around my nose, so I try and keep it away from that area.

Spot prone skin
Origins Clear Improvements Charcoal Mask. Again, another weekly mask that I use to help to clear away any pesky spots and to clear my pores. My skin looks and feels so much better after using this. Although I have to use my facial oil afterwards as it does dry my skin out quite a lot.

Exfoliating and refining
Estee Lauder Idealist Dual Action Refinishing Treatment. This heats up when applied to damp skin which feels lovely. I try to leave this on for around 30 minutes a week. It contains 30% glycolic acid which is great for resurfacing my skin and removing any dry, rough bits, especially when the weather's so cold outside. When I add water to rinse it off, it's very grainy and turns into an exfoliator which also helps to plow away dry skin. Afterwards, my skin is baby soft and looks more radiant. It's expensive at £36 a tube, but I've had around 6 - 8 uses out of mine already and there's still loads left.

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Don't forget to enter my MAC giveaway here!

Laura xx