Some of the products that I use to tackle my dry / dehydrated skin

This ones a no brainer guys, everyone knows water is so so important for the human body. I try to drink as much water as I can (of the recommended amount) during the day, it really makes a difference for me. I can tell if I've been slack with my water intake as my skin/body starts to feel really taut and I feel the dehydration inside me. Water is always my first choice of drink, one thing that helps me keep it up is by keeping a bottle with me all the time. Trust me once you get into the habit of drinking water you'll realise you won't be able to be a day without it.

- I try and drink 2 litres a day. To work out how much water you need to drink for your body size, you have to half your body weight in ounces. e.g. 100 pounds = 50 ounces = 1.4 litres

I have what I call "lazy skin", I find my skin's a bit sluggish at renewing itself so I tend to get tight, rough and dull really quickly. When my skin is dry I find even the thickest, richest moisturisers don't do squat for me unless I get rid of that top dead layer of skin. That is why I can't live without acids especially in the winter as they do such a wonderful job of exfoliating the top layer of dead skin making any product I put on top of it sink in wonderfully, and not only that, but AHA's also help lighten dark marks, evens out the complexion, helps tackle breakouts and gives your skin a renewed glow. If you're prone to dryness or flakes or think you have lazy skin like mine, look into AHA acids, it'll seriously change your life.

- Remember to use sunscreen when using AHA's!

- Some of my favourites are The Ordinary 30% AHA + 2% BHA, The Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid, Bravura 15% Glycolic Acid Night Treatment, Bravura 10% Glycolic Acid as well as their 2 acid toners and Rodial Skin Brightening Mask. Lactic Acid is a good option for those with sensitive skin. (reviews HERE)

- I use chemical exfoliants 2-3 times a week depending on how dry and rough my skin is feeling.

Once you're sure you've gotten rid of any dead skin cells you need to nourish and feed your skin with moisture. Our skin needs oil as well as water to keep it healthy. Moisturisers are usually a mix of oils, water, humectants and emollients of varied amounts, though you might want to start considering using extra oils alongside your moisturiser if you find your usual moisturiser isn't cutting it. I find using oils really helps make my skin feel uber soft. I add 2-4 drops of oil in my palm and then press into my skin, then I go over with my moisturiser, not only does this lock the oil into the skin but it gives an extra boost of moisture as well as added skin benefits. I do this throughout the year if I feel my skin's feeling extra dry. Also make sure you find a moisturiser formula that works for you, I'm so fussy with moisturiser formulas but I'll know instantly when I've found the one, I'll experience instant replenishment and comfort as soon as I've applied it.

- Using a blend of pure cold pressed oils is really good for the skin. I'm currently alternating between B . Enriched Facial Oil (review HERE), Mahogany Naturals Hydrating Repairing Oil and The Ordinary Rosehip Seed Oil

- For moisturisers I'm currently enjoying The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid, its the ideal moisturiser if you want to give your skin all the right ingredients that'll keep the surface of your skin moisturised and protected. I also love Bravura Azulene Moisturiser and Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Lightweight Moisturiser (reviews HERE)

- Favourite sunscreen/daytime moisturiser is Boots Soltan Dry Touch Face Cream SPF30 (review HERE)

I like to think of Hyaluronic Acid as a sponge in my skin, it's a natural humectant (like glycerin), humectants attract water and Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to a 1000 times its own weight in water. Sometimes when we moisturise, some of the moisture can leave our skin by evaporating into the air but Hyaluronic Acid will hold onto that moisture really well so we don't have as much moisture loss and it also takes this moisture to the lower levels of skin which helps keep our skin looking plump, firm and healthy. Hyaluronic Acid comes mostly in serum forms so you'd use it before your oils and moisturisers.

- I'm currently using Pestle & Mortars Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. I'll move onto The Ordinary's version next as it's much more affordable.

This tip is essential for keeping my skin soft and hydrated throughout the day and has had the biggest impact for me personally (after acids). I'm usually the type to cleanse, moisturise and be done with it for the day (my night time routine is usually extensive), but sometimes this simple 2 product routine just isn't enough for me so I've learnt to add more products to my day time routine that really build a sturdy layer of hydration which really quench my skins thirst and also doesn't result in too much moisture loss throughout the day. Instead of doing a 2 step routine I do up to a 5 step routine, I know that sounds excessive but I'd rather do this routine than feel that horrible tight and rough feeling throughout the day and do remember it's not always 5 products, sometimes it's less depending on how my skin is feeling at the time. So I cleanse, sometimes tone, then follow with Hyaluronic Acid Serum or another serum, then a few drops of oil and then seal it all in with moisturiser and if I need I'll use a hydration mist during the day. Layer your products guys!

- Also avoid using products that strip the skin, believe it or not stripping cleansers are one of the biggest culprits. Your skin shouldn't feel tight or dry after you've cleansed, if it does then you know the cleanser's not right for you.

- Most serum formulas are quite hydrating, so even if its isn't described as a hydrating formula, layering the serum with your routine will make a difference as well.

Which brings us to our next tip which is using hydration sprays/mists during the day, there are so many options available out there to choose from. Hydration mists usually consists of water, humectants and other skin benefitting ingredients. I'm not overly keen on mists that have too much glycerin in them, I don't mind a little bit of glycerin but I can't stand the overly sticky sprays. So I've made my own glycerin free version which is quite easy to make and contains only a few ingredients. Heres the link to that post. 

- I'm currently enjoying the B. Confident Hyaluronic Acid Spritz, I also love The Body Shop Vitamin E Mist

My final tip to help keep your skin hydrated in the winter is getting yourself a humidifier. I've used humidifiers for the longest time, I love how they keep the air in the room clean, fresh and fragrant but also like how extra beneficial they are in the winter months. I generally use the humidifier almost everyday and really feel the benefits. The radiators are usually continuously blasted in our house during the colder months as the older members can't cope with the cold. It does get extremely warm and toasty in the house and I find this dehydrates me a heck of a lot because the air is so so dry, using a humidifier puts moisture back in to the air which the radiator heat dries out and so in turn your skin isn't feeling as parched. You can buy a humidifier for as little as £10 so it's quite affordable.

- My ones from Dubai and it happens to tell me the time as well :D but you can easily get a standard simple one from eBay or Amazon.

Personally for me these tips are fool proof and an essential part of my routine, I seriously can't be without them but I obviously can't guarantee that they will work for everyone. Definitely experiment and see what routine works for you, you may need to make more effort in one area than another. If you have any tips or products that you'd think I'd like myself then please let me know. As always I hope you find this was helpful. Toodles! 

I know I've been absolutely awful with my blog and Instagram lately, I've just had things going on and also been having major bloggers block. I haven't been wearing much makeup lately actually which is why I haven't done a foundation review in ages. But I've been really good with my skincare routine lately and have enjoyed sporting plenty of makeup free face days. The Ordinary's Advanced Retinoid 2% is what I've incorporated regularly into my routine for the past few weeks, the results have been coming in and I've been dying to share them.

I'm not a major skincare buff but I do know my way around fairly well and can successfully pick and research suitable products and ingredients for myself that I know will work effectively for my specific skin health concerns. I like to use quality products with good ingredients and will invest in a product if I think it is right for me but would equally prefer that it doesn't break the bank and The Ordinary have provided us with just that. They caused quite a stir when they released their simple, to the point, clear cut skincare range with products starting from just £4, the priciest being no more than £14.90. Though with this range you've got to know your skin and know what ingredients and treatments it really needs. You won't find any exaggerated claims and advertisements here, but you will find specific ingredients/products made to tackle specific skin concerns and you've got to know how to use it/or a few and incorporate them into your routine effectively.

I picked up a few products from them the first time I ordered, the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% which reduces the look of blemishes and congestion, not necessarily to tackle acne or breakouts, I find I break out with this so haven't used this much. Also picked up the Buffet which is a peptide serum that tackles signs of ageing, I do like this serum, even though I haven't noticed any major results I use this am or pm as an additional yet necessary skincare benefit boost.

And finally the Advanced Retinoid 2%, the star product for me at the moment. Retinol is anti ageing and it can prevent as well as reverse skin damage and ageing, Retinoid is a gentler but just as effective version, I'm in my late 20's so I don't have any wrinkles but my skin isn't at its best, I have plenty of imperfections such as textural issues, pigmentation, fine lines and irregularities which make me look a bit dull and haggard and not very youthful. I was quite hesitant to use this at first as I'd only used Paula's Choice Antioxidant Serum with Retinol, which contains a mild retinol (1% I think) but I saw results with the PC never the less so I was equally curious to see how The Ordinary one (which is significantly cheaper) performed on me. I've heard a lot of horror stories where people have had to deal with bad reactions such as redness, flaking, breakouts and irritation and that it takes up to 6 months to really tell a difference but Alhumdulillah (praises to God) I didn't have any such reactions. I was feeling a little bit extra dehydrated than usual at the beginning but my serums, moisturisers, oils tackled that issue fine.

The Retinoid is a thin milky colour and consistency and absorbs really well into the skin, there is no scent or fragrance which I love, just an ever so slight chemical smell, I find it's quite softening on the skin and it leaves me with a nourished feeling and glow. So I use it only in the evening, I first cleanse and then tone with one of my Bravura Acid toners, then apply 5 dots of the Retinoid on my face and pat/massage it in, then follow it with the Buffet Serum and then lock it all in with my moisturiser, I do this routine every 2-3 days. Some days I'll follow their recommended routine which is cleanse, tone, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinoid, Oil and moisturiser, I like both routines but prefer the latter a bit more as its more nourishing but if I'm too tired then I'll do the first routine. One thing I will mention as a caution is that don't overdo it, last week I think I was using it too regularly and was noticing my pores looking a little bigger than usual, I researched it and it is a possible side effect, so a few drops every 2-3 days is as much as I'd use.

I think it was after a week or two when I really started to notice the difference in my skin. My skin just looked healthier, more refined, like someone was slightly tweaking my imperfections and irregularities with photoshop. My skin was also looking a lot more even, which I wasn't expecting at all! I was mainly using the Advanced Retinoid for my fine lines and textural issues which it was helping with as my forehead wasn't looking as dehydrated as it usually does. Don't get me wrong, I still have the darkness around my mouth but other places like my forehead which is a shade darker than my face was looking more balanced and even. It also seems to be helping keep my breakouts and texture at a minimum, it's only been a few weeks so I've still got time to see more results. I haven't been relying solely on the Retinoid for all my other problems such as spots, dehydration etc, I'm still using other products alongside the Retinoid to tackle those issues.

My sister and friend both commented on separate occasions that my skin was looking more even and healthy and that I could get away with just a tinted moisturiser. I did respond that I'm more of a medium coverage kinda gal LOL but that was more definite proof that my skin was responding well to the Retinoid and I wasn't just seeing things! It was definitely bringing that much needed youthfulness back to my skin, my skin still isn't perfect or flawless but it's definitely looking a lot better than it was alhumdulillah. I've been using this consistently for the past few weeks and I've just passed the top of the label so I know it'll last me long. I recommend this for those that have started seeing the beginning signs of ageing, or for those that feel that their skin is looking a little worse for wear or dreary and yearn for that youthfulness again.

One thing you must make sure if you're planning on using this is to use sunscreen! I always rave and recommend brilliant products to my close friends and family and they go off and buy it, use it and love it but I won't recommend the Advanced Retinoid to them because I know they won't use sunscreen and they won't acknowledge the importance of sunscreen when it comes to Retinols, even if I hammer it into them. So use your sunscreen and use the recommended amount, 1 teaspoon for the face and neck or 1/2 a teaspoon for just the face. Find a formula that works for your skin type, my favourite is the Boots Soltan Dry Touch Face Cream SPF30. You'll do more damage if you don't, Dr Marko Lens of Zelens skincare actually discourages the use of retinol in summer and he's a top dermatologist so that should make you realise if not understand the importance of sunscreen!

I've only begun using this and I've seen such wonderful results, I can only hope it continues that way,  I honestly love the affordability and effectiveness of this product, I am so so so grateful and thankful to Deciem and its founder Brandon Truaxe for making these products so budget friendly. I've since ordered more products and received them in the post yesterday, I picked up the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA which sounds amazing, it's exactly what I've been looking for and exactly what my dehydrated skin and moisture barrier needs, the 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil which I've been wanting for ages now as its a great oil for acne prone skin and at that price you can't beat it, the Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA which is for pigmentation issues, the High Adherence Silicone Primer and the High-Spreadability Fluid Primer which have already been highly raved about! I can't wait to start using them and I hope I get just as good results with all of them as I did with this. As always I hope this review was useful, I'll do an update to let you know how I get along in a few weeks time. Till then, Toodles!

When I'm in the mood for a masking session I'll definitely include a mud mask in it, I wish I used mud masks a little more often actually, I like how clean my face feels after using them but I keep forgetting or I'm too tired to keep it on. I use it especially on hot days when I've been sweaty and days where my skin feels a bit bunged up and oily. 

• First we have the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mud Mask (£3.48) : This was a cheap thrill, I got a whopping tube for £3 so I didn't feel like I was losing out. I've never been keen on mud masks because I feel they do nothing for my skin but surprisingly this ones really really good! My skin looks so clear and clarified after I use it. It smells a bit weird though, a bit like weed, and it's quite strong too :/ .

• I also love using the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox (£13.45) . This mud mask leaves my skin looking bright and my skin feeling clean. Smells really nice too!

• My two favourite Superdrug Mud Masks are no strangers here on the blogosphere, the Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel Mud Mask (discontinued). They're another cheap thrill that work perfectly fine to absorb excess oil from the skin. I like to slather these on generously after acid toning just so that I can feel that tingle that everyone mentions about these and then rinse off after 20 mins, I like how clean and clarified my skin feels. 

• Rodial Super Acids Xtreme 5% Micro Scrub (£14.85) : I do like Rodial acids and this is no exception. I use after acid toning and get better results like this. After reading the words "micro scrub" you'd think the granules were tiny and dense but it's not, it's not the gentlest scrub, but because it's a combination of chemical and physical exfoliants, you don't need to use a lot of pressure and the beads do encourage the chemical exfoliation process. Again I adore the polished appearance of my skin after using.

• Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£33.00) : This was an accidental gift, I was after the moisturiser and got gifted the serum instead, I wasn't complaining though. I haven't used this consistently enough to comment on it but it's been mentioned on Caroline Hirons blog and she likes it so you know it's good. I've read reviews and a lot of people love it. I need to use it consistently to see how it benefits me. The few times I have used it I've found it absorbs really well and my skin feels quite firm and plump. 

• Terra Prime Argan Oil Serum (£8.99) : This is a great moisturising oil and works well in my routine as it absorbs really well without leaving a greasy residue like most oils do. Full review here

• Bravura Azulene Moisturiser (£9.90) : I adore this moisturiser, I love that I know every single ingredient in this. Being Aloe Vera based it's wonderfully light but provides ample moisture and hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. Love using this in the summer, it's reliable and moisturising enough for my dehydrated skin and how gorgeous is that blue packaging? I have the Collagen Moisturising Cream too and it's better for the cooler months when my skin needs more emollience and moisturiser as its a lot more thicker. Love both of these!

• The Ordinary : This brand and its products have caused a major stir in the blogosphere. It's too early to tell how I feel about these but I can definitely comment on the textures, beautifully absorbent and don't interfere with the rest of my routine, The Buffet (£12.70) (multi peptide anti ageing serum for hydration, lines/wrinkles and skin texture) is very hydrating and the Niacinamide+Zinc (£5.00) (for blemishes and pores) sinks in superbly. I have high hopes for the Advanced Retinoid (£8.00) (for anti-ageing and texture) as Arly from Detailed Oriented Beauty has already raved about it and my skin seems to have responded and taken well to retinol so far, so yes high hopes! If you haven't already picked these up I don't know what you're waiting for. If they are indeed revolutionarily priced for the quality and effectiveness then you need to own! Now! I plan on completing my collection slowly but surely (especially the Vitamin C one!), the prices are ridiculous and I don't mind including these into my daytime routine! Keep your eyes open for a review on these! 

I can get dry and tight during the day so I like using face mists when my skin yearns for some extra moisture. Especially when I've been cooking or working out, the heat really affects my skin and I feel incredibly dry and dehydrated. My skin is usually left feeling very dry and rough but a quick spritz helps to relieve it.

I've watched some DIY face mist videos on YouTube and have seen some tutorials on the Internet, I've gone on to follow these tutorials and have even bought some ready made mists but they haven't satisfied my skin enough. They've all had one thing in common. Glycerine. Glycerine is used to absorb moisture from its environment and if you're not careful it can even absorb moisture from within your skin or so I've heard. The problem I have with glycerine is that I really don't like the sticky and tacky feeling it leaves on my skin, it just makes me look oily and doesn't absorb into my skin and doesn't quench my skins thirst.

So I racked my brains and with a little logic I concocted my own version. I LOVE using this with my Bare Minerals Foundation (I mentioned this mist in the review). I can also use it to touch up on the Bare Minerals foundation during the day and it helps blend everything out perfectly, no buildup or cakiness at all even if I already had makeup on.

My version is an oil based face mist, I've simply substituted the glycerine with oil and also added a few personal tweaks. I'm not sure whether my DIY face mist is the correct way to go chemistry and skincare wise, nor do I have any qualifications in the skincare field but this face mist actually works for me, it does what I want it to do and leaves my skin feeling the way I want it to feel, which is very satisfied! If anyone has made or knows of a DIY face mist similar to mine, let me know! I'd love to connect and hear your thoughts!

This is how I made my Hydrating Face Mist:

You'll need:

•A sanitised empty spray bottle 

•Clean pure Distilled or Bottled Water

•A plant based oil of your choice

(The rest are optional but it's what I used)

•Tea Tree Oil 

•Peppermint Oil 

•Vitamin E Oil 

OR

•An Essential Oil of your choice

1. I first sanitised the empty spray bottle, you can do this by boiling it for a minute or two in some water or disinfect it with some Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol). This will keep the face mist clean and hygienic for longer.

2. Using Bottled/Distilled water I filled the bottle up around 3/4 of the way. (Using clean pure water ensures the hygiene of the water so that it doesn't go off or turn vile.)

3. I filled up roughly the last 1/4 of the bottle with Almond Oil (*but kept some extra space left in the bottle*). I used 100% Pure Cold Pressed Almond Oil because it was what I had at the time, you can use any plant oil of your choice, like Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil etc.

You can stop right here if you want and the water and oil will do the job but if you want to be extra like me then....

4. I decided to add a few drops of some chosen essential oils, I added some Tea Tree Oil to aid my spot prone skin, some Vitamin E for its healing antioxidant properties and some Peppermint Oil because I like the FRESH feeling it gives my skin. 

You can choose whichever oils you want and can choose how many drops you want to add, I added around 5-10 drops give or take of each oil for the size of my bottle. 

*The extra oils that I use is why I make sure that there is some extra space left in the bottle, but I also need the extra space for the next step....

5. Now, to use this oil you need to really shake the bottle every time you use it, because the oil and water will stay separate. Obviously I've not used an emulsifier of any sort so there's nothing to keep them binded together. That may be the only drawback for this DIY, but it doesn't bother me at all because it overall does the job really well for me. I don't mind shaking it every time I use the mist. I keep it in the fridge so it's nice and cooling when I use it.

I would say not to keep it for over a month, just to be on the safe side. It's best to just remake the mix. I think keeping it in the fridge helps it keep better too. 

That's it!

Like I said I don't hold a chemistry degree under my belt so I'm not sure of the efficacy of the ingredients I've used but I do know that this makes my skin feel soft, hydrated, moisturised and nourished. I also don't know if any of the extra oils I've used counteract each other, nor have I had any weird skin irritations when I've used this, so it's absolutely fine for me. If you have any doubts then test first before using, I can't guarantee what works for me will work for everyone, we're all different at the end of the day. That's my disclaimer :) .

If you've enjoyed this or tried it out please let me know!!! I absolutely love hearing your feedback! 

Peace and love everyone!

Note: I received a question on whether the oil ruins any makeup on the face. Which is a good question!

Personally I don't find this ruins my makeup, but that could be because I use 1/5 oil to water. Plus I find that the mist is so fine that it falls evenly and delicately onto the face. If there is more oil then I can imagine how it could potentially disrupt makeup underneath, but even then the mist should be fine enough to fall evenly and it shouldn't leave big globules of oil on the face. The nozzle itself can only determine this since not all spray bottles are the same.

Also I don't always use this over makeup, most of the time it's on bare skin. But the times that I have had makeup on, it's usually mineral makeup and I can then buff on some more without causing any problems. With liquid foundations I make sure not to use a lot and this works fine for me and I just powder if it gets too greasy. I haven't noticed my mascara or eyeliner run, but I generally avoid the eye area and try and keep it targetted at the skin areas. I guess you could trial and error and see how it works for you. Hope this helps. Xxx