Last week I shared about my recent bath & body products, so a post of my latest skincare seems like a fitting next step. Talking about skincare routine is a big passion of mine. I firmly believe that to have a clear and good-looking skin you need to have a little discipline. Which means, having a consistent daily skincare routine is a must if you want to improve your skin condition. At least it did to me big time, so that’s why I’m (almost) religiously follow these essential four steps: skin cleansing, toning, hydration for face & eyes, and treatments.
THE CLEANSERS
I’ll start with the cleansers as this is the first step in my skincare routine. I believe that makeup removal and skin cleansing, in general, is the most important part of any skincare. The reason is that you need to get rid of all impurities for the skin to stay clear and to rejuvenate itself. A good cleanser makes a huge difference in matters how the skin feels (and looks) in the long run.
PHB Brighten Cleanser* (100ml)
This Brighten Cleanser has a light milky consistency and a lovely ylang-ylang scent, which makes it a delight to use. It removes most of my makeup, except for mascara, which it’s a bit of a downside for me. Overall, it’s a good cleanser for those who want a clearer, brighter, and more even skin. However, if your skin’s sensitive, I would not recommend it (PHB has an unscented Olive & Plum Cleanser for that) as it’s pretty intense.
Madara Micellar Water (100ml)
I don’t know if I’ll ever stop singing praises for this micellar water, but I lost count how many bottles of this I have already finished. Although I placed it under the cleansers category, it is much more than a simple makeup remover. Not only I love it for my daily use, but I bring it with me when traveling as well because of its travel-friendly size and multi-tasking abilities.
Alverde 2-Phase Makeup Remover (100ml)
I’ve just started using this makeup remover, so it’s kind of a first impression review. I don’t use this every day but rather when I need to remove my stubborn mascara. The remover contains organic oils such as soyabean oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil as well as aloe vera extract. As you can see, this is a bi-prase product, so you need to shake it well before using it; otherwise, it will sting your eyes. I bought it in Germany where it costs about 2EUR (approximately $2), and for a vegan, certified organic product that works, I think it’s a great value. However, I don’t think I would repurchase it because I suppose it’s better to invest in a skin cleanser that would do the same job than to have two separate products.
THE TONERS
Toners are often underrated and considered an unnecessary part of skincare routine. Well, being guilty of thinking the same in the past, I can understand it, but since I started using hydrosols, it’s not the step I would want to miss. My current toners are Madara Micellar Water (I rarely use an additional toner after this), and the two rose hydrosols in the photo above: Loelle Rose Water* (100ml), which, in short, is a lovely smelling, gentle toner for all skin types for everyday use and Balm Balm Rose Floral Water* (30ml), which I like using after cleansing my skin as well as often keep it in my purse or bring along when traveling because it’s perfect to refresh the skin during the day.
FACE & EYE CREAMS
Vana Body Lavender + Cedar Oil* (30ml)
One of the loveliest nourishing face oils I’ve tried. It was a savior during the harsh winter months, and since spring isn’t too friendly at the moment, I continue using it on the days when my skin needs extra hydration and calm. You can read the full review here.
Dr. Hauschka Revitalizing Day Cream (30ml)
A phrase “holy grail” probably sounds a bit ancient, but that’s exactly how I would define this day cream since I have used up countless bottles of this baby these past few years. It’s my go-to day cream for spring and summer, and because we will be transitioning to warmer weather soon (hopefully!), I repurchased it again.
Weleda Skin Food (10ml)
You’re probably wondering why I include such a heavy, rich cream when the cold season passed. The reason is that I went to Iceland recently, and despite trying to protect my skin from harsh wind and cold temperatures, one of my cheeks got windburned. It’s been two weeks, but the skin still feels rough and severely dehydrated, so I’ve been using the Skin Food in hopes this will help it to heal. It did improve a little, but I continue using it until it recovers completely.
Wabi Sabi Botanicals Budhi Awaken Sacha Inchi Eye Nectar* (10ml)
You guys, THIS is what I am the most excited to share about. I received this Eye Nectar in the Boxwalla Let It Glow Box, and now I’m obsessed. You know how people say that it’s impossible to see any instant results when using an eye cream? Well, not with this. The Sacha Inchi Eye Nectar not only smells incredible but also reduces puffiness and gives radiance to the undereye area. You need only one drop for both eyes, so it’ll probably last me three lifetimes. That one drop is enough for the under-eye area and also for the eyelids. Although it’s oil, it sinks in well, leaving the skin super smooth, velvety, and luminous. A price point of this Eye Nectar is pretty steep ($52), but considering its luxurious organic ingredients (such as Sacha Inchi nut oil, seabuckthorn supercritical CO2, coffee fruit oil, and guava fruit oil), how long it will last, and its high effectiveness, I would get it in a heartbeat.
Lavera Illuminating Eye Cream (10ml)
A two-in-one eye cream that hydrates and illuminates. You can see a full review with swatches here. In short, this is a product I choose when I want to look more rested since it highlights the under-eye area well.
SERUMS & MASKS
Nothing has changed much since my previously posted night-time serum collection, except that I added this FOM Hydra Plump Serum* (15ml). As you can see, I’ve used up more than half of a bottle of the serum. Described as a triple action moisture boost serum that works to attract, bind and prevent moisture loss, the serum is packed with active ingredients such as rose water, silk protein, hyaluronic acid, and fig extract. It’s pretty runny and glides pleasantly on the skin. I like the fact that it’s lightweight, but regarding skin hydration, I didn’t notice any difference. The other two serums, LaMav Antioxidant Rick Nightly Repair Nectar* (30ml) and Laidbare From Dusk Till Dawn Vitamin C Serum* (30ml), I still enjoy using each of them. LaMav gives my skin plenty of moisture, calms it down, and evens out the skin tone while Laidbare boosts radiance and makes my skin glow in the morning.
Speaking about the masks, I only use two at the moment: Madara SOS Hydra Mask (12.5ml), which I highly recommend if your skin severely lacks moisture and you need a quick fix, and Vana Body Rose Clay Mask* (30ml), which I use for skin exfoliation and softening.
That’s it for now; I hope you liked the post. Let me know if you’re consistent with your skincare routine, and what are your current favorite skincare products.
I’m Inga, the creator of this online place called Organic Beauty Blogger. Since 2013, I’ve been on a mission to redefine beauty by sharing my insights into the world of green beauty.
So many interesting products! I’m particularly interested to try Vana Body. I hadn’t heard of them before but they seem like a really good brand. I recently started my own natural beauty bog if you want to have a look (http://cfiano.wixsite.com/naturalbeautymaven). I look forward to more of your posts. 🙂
I love that you added toners into your routine! I also am guilty of thinking it wasn’t that necessary until recently. Loved this post! Routine is key to skincare for sure.
Where can I buy the Wabi Sabi eye nectar? Not able to find it on their site!
It seems to be discontinued 🙁