Keeping a Routine

The best way to keep your skin on relatively good terms is maintaining a routine. For about 1.5 weeks, I completely lost track of my routine because I had spinal surgery.

My skin went crazy. Alongside the medication I was taking, lack of keeping up with my skincare just caused my entire face to go through a manic period.

My forehead was covered in under the skin spots, my cheeks (which usually never get spots) also had the odd few. I also broke out around my cheek 'contour' area, as well as my jaw.

I decided to reallly change things up.

For one, I stopped using a toner. My moisturiser was too rich for my current state of skin, and my cleanser for sure was another thing breaking me out.

I went back to the basics of what I knew.

SO -

1. Double Cleanse

For me, that would be waking up in the morning, and using Bioderma, and then a facial wash/exfoliator. (So, Clinique Moisturising Facial Wash/Soap and Glory Scrub your Nose in it).

2. Toner

I use an exfoliating one (Pixi Glow Tonic), just because I have hyperpigmentation & that helps reduce the discolouration gradually.

3. Spray Hydrate

I use either my Body Shop Vitamin E Spray Hydrate/Evian Facial Spray. This just adds a layer of hydration.

4. Moisturise

For this, I've opted for the Clinique Dramatic Moisturising Gel +. I can't actually stress how much this has helped, alongside the above to help reduce the breakouts. In all honestly, I was using products that were too moisturising, and because it's summer, those oils and the natural oils of my skin probably clogged my skin up and caused me to break out.

(I actually forgot to take a picture of that, but please excuse me. It is difficult to keep going up and down post-surgery, I will put a link in though).

5. SPF

As someone with dark spots/acne scars/hyperpigmentation - It is so important for me to wear an SPF. SO important. I use this Clinique one.

I use the above routine for both the morning & evening. However, in the evening I use a Cleansing Balm following a few swipes of Bioderma. I also tend to use something a bit more hydrating under my moisturiser (Melvita Pulp De Rose which is reallly nice).

P.S. This is for you Nadia <3
P.P.S. I am so sorry for the rubbish photographs. I can't bend. Not angle my body weirdly.