RITUAL: EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE 2012

Confession: I never used to be bothered about my skin as much as I am now. I used to simply wipe my face with a face-wipe and that was it. No moisturiser. No exfoliator. Nothing. I did throw on the occasional facemask but it was once in a blue moon. Then I hit 22, realised that great skin doesn't run in my family (as both of my parents look older than they actually are) and decided that I was really going to have to start looking after myself should I want to stop looking 30 and actually look my age.

I hit 22, realised that great skin doesn't run in my family... and decided that I was really going to have to start looking after myself should I want to stop looking 30 and actually look my age.

This is more of an evening routine. I use cleansing my face and taking off the day's make-up as a way to unwind when I have finished work (I finish work anywhere between 11pm - 1am). It's my way of relaxing before I go to bed. On the days that I work a day shift I will still wait until 11pm to do this - as I'm in a routine I find it more calming than doing it half way through the night and then just sitting there. Does that make sense?

This is more of an evening routine. I use cleansing my face and taking off the day's make-up as a way to unwind before I go to bed.

Mornings are usually a little fraught for me. I'm not a 'morning person'. I can barely be bothered to get dressed when I first wake up, let alone mess about with several different products. I can stretch to make-up but sometimes, if I have woke up late, even that doesn't get done properly. I cleanse, moisturise and that is it.

CLEANSING

In the evening, especially if I have been wearing a lot of make-up, I will double cleanse. I'm currently still working my way through my Pure Instant Radiance Hot Cloth Cleanser. I massage it onto my dry face, run the water in the tap until it's hot (but not scolding) and use a Moonie muslim cloth to wipe my face. I rinse the cloth and repeat the process until I'm happy that my face is genuinely clean. The cleanser I use is gentle enough to use on eye make-up too which means I don't have a specific eye make-up remover on the go at the moment.

In the evening, especially if I have been wearing a lot of make-up, I will always double cleanse.

FACEMASK

I use a facemask straight after cleansing. I am currently loving Lush's Mask of Magnaminty but I have a stash of facemasks that need using so there are times when I switch it up. Recently I have stopped using anything that might contain nasty chemicals although it isn't entirely avoidable when it comes to some of the ones I already have sat in my cupboard. I best facemask I have ever used is the Oskia London Renaissance Mask but I am fixated on trying the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask because I have heard so many amazing things about it.

I have a stash of facemasks that need using so sometimes I switch it up.

EXFOLIATION

I hate using abrasive substances on my face but I appreciate that it has to be done. My current exfoliator of choice is actually the Ginvera Exfoliating Green Tea Marvel Gel. I can't recommend it highly enough. It has changed my entire skincare routine. This is the only product I'm willing to use as an exfoliator now. This is washed off using the same Moonie that was rinsed out after I cleansed.

I hate using abrasive substances on my face but appreciate that it has to be done.

OILS AND EYE CREAM

I'm currently working my way through the samples I received of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair and the accompanying Advanced Night Repair Eye Gel. I have also received a small sample of the Balance Me Extra Care Radiance Face Oil (yet to be reviewed). I don't really understand how oils help my skin but I use them anyway as the difference between before using and after using can be very visible.

I don't really understand how oils help my skin but I use them anyway as the difference before using and after using can be very visible.

MOISTURISER

I swap and change my moisturisers - I like using up all of my samples. The Vichy Idealia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream was a great try that I'm interested in purchasing full size. I also really like the Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream that I received in last month's SheSaidBeauty box (review of product coming soon) and there are, of course, the Estee Lauder Day Wear and Apicare Saving Face Skin Balancing Face Moisturiser that I keep to hand for when there isn't a particular sample that I want to try.

I swap and change my moisturisers - I like using up all of my samples.

So that is my evening skin care routine. I know it looks like a lot of steps - I suppose it is - but that is how I keep myself from looking about 10 years older than, according to my genetics, I should. I adore going through all of these steps at night as it makes me feel like I am washing the day away.

I adore going through all of these steps at night as it makes me feel like I am washing the day away.

Do you have a skincare routine like this? What is your skincare routine like?