Hello!

We’re talking about skincare today and chatting about my recommendations for anyone with dry, sensitive skin.

I’ve read a lot of beauty blogs over the years and although I love reading about people’s fancy skincare routines, when it comes to my own, I keep things super duper simple! As I’m sure anyone with reactive, allergy prone skin will know - less is most certainly more when it comes to what you’re putting on your face, so I try not to overcomplicate things :)

Obviously, everyone’s skin is different and what works for me, may not work for you, but these are products that I’ve really tested out (some I’ve used for years and years!) and I’m pretty confident that if you give them a try, you’ll fall in love with them too!

For those of you who would prefer to listen than read - check out the Youtube video below!
I’ve decided I want to get back into making videos so let me know if you enjoyed it and I’ll hopefully be making lots more!!

A quick background on my own skin before we get started:

I used to have eczema when I was younger - it was all over my lips and on the skin under my eyebrows, as well as on my arms and legs. My parents used to wrap me in bandages when I was really little to stop me from scratching!
A funny memory I have from when I was about 9 years old is sitting on the floor during a ballet class, looking at my friend’s arm and thinking… “why doesn’t she have scabby, itchy bits on her arms too?
I thought it was totally normal and everyone had it!! :p

So yeah, my skin was super dry, would react to a lot of things and I had to be really careful about anything I put on it! Fortunately, my eczema has pretty much completely cleared up now (yay!!!) and rarely gives me any trouble, but I do still have fairly dry skin and I’m very cautious about trying new products. I do test out new things now and then because I love reading beauty blogs and there are so many beautiful, tempting skincare products out there, but for the most part I stick to what I’m about to share with you. They really are my absolute favourites and I couldn’t recommend them more!

Cleansers:

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Good old Cetaphil! The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is my everyday cleanser that I use morning and night. It’s not fancy or particularly exciting, but it’s a staple because it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed without drying it out or irritating it in any way. I don’t have a lot to say about this one, other than the fact that I’ve used it for years and would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a basic cleanser to use everyday.

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

The Moringa Cleansing Balm by Emma Hardie is a bit more of a splurge, but it is the most luxurious, beautiful cleanser that is such a treat to use and it leaves your skin feeling incredible! I’d heard a lot of rave reviews about it on youtube and it totally lives up to the hype.

Because it’s an oil cleanser it leaves your skin feeling super moisturised and it also melts away makeup so easily.

It smells incredible too, due to the essential oils which makes it even more of a pleasure to use. I was a bit worried that my skin would react to this as scented products are usually not the best for sensitive skin, but I haven’t had any issues with this one at all.

It also comes with a fab cloth with a muslin side (for removing makeup and providing a little exfoliation) and a microfibre side (to use around the more sensitive eye area).

I use this about once a week (it’s a bit too pricey to be a daily cleanser for me, so I save it as more of a treat!) and really massage it into the skin before wetting the cloth with warm water, wiping off the product and splashing my face with warm water. I then splash my face with cold water before popping on my moisturiser.

If you’re wearing makeup or SPF it is always important to double cleanse!
As Caroline Hirons (skincare goddess!) says, the first cleanse removes makeup and SPF, then the second cleanse actually cleans your face!
It is SO important!

Makeup Removers

Cleansers are able to remove makeup, but I find that when it comes to removing waterproof mascara (or just eye makeup in general!) it’s so much easier to use a specific makeup remover, such as the ones I’m about to talk about.

The Moringa Cleansing Balm that I mentioned above is great for removing makeup, but because it’s pricey I tend to remove makeup with a micellar water or makeup remover wipes first and then go in with the balm to clean my skin (and get all the lovely nutrients actually onto my skin rather than just being washed away with my makeup!)

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution

I love the Bioderma micellar water as a first step for removing makeup (particularly eye makeup!)

It works well and is really gentle on my skin, and it doesn’t sting my eyes at all. I’ve tried the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water because I thought it would be great to have a cheaper option, and it made my eyes sting and my skin feel kinda dry and weird! So Bioderma is worth the higher price tag for me!

It’s a French brand and is less expensive in France, so when I was there earlier this year I picked up a big bottle and lugged it around for the rest of our trip! Not the most practical, but worth it for me!!

The photo above is the bottle from France and you may notice it says “Créaline” rather than “Sensibio”. Apparently this is just a different name they’ve given to the Australian products and it’s the same thing!

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

I love these Simple cleansing facial wipes - they work well (even with waterproof mascara) and they don’t irritate my skin at all like many other wipes I’ve tried do! As I mentioned above - it’s important to actually cleanse your skin properly, so both of these are only a first step!! I never rely solely on makeup wipes (or Bioderma) to clean my face!!

Moisturiser

Cetaphil Moisturising Cream - Face and Body

Cetaphil Moisturising Cream is a product I have used for years and I’m pretty sure it will always be my go-to moisturiser.

I’ve tried other, more fancy ones and although they may be nice, I always come back to Cetaphil. It is simply the best!

It feels lovely and absorbs into the skin quickly, it’s unscented, it doesn’t break my skin out, and it just keeps it feeling lovely and moisturised.

It’s also cheap so you can use it all over your body too, which is what I do.

I always buy the biggest tub and slather it all over my body as soon as I’m out of the shower. A habit I got into from a young age after a recommendation from a dermatologist when my eczema was really bad!

Eye Cream

Kate Somerville Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm

This Kate Somerville Eye Balm is more of a “nice to have” product for me, not really an absolute essential, but I do really enjoy using it and have been including it in my routine most days since I bought it earlier this year.

It’s a stick balm that feels lovely and moisturising and really refreshing when you swipe it on the eye area, and I have definitely noticed a difference since I’ve been using it.

The skin around my eyes looks and feels much more moisturised and concealer just seems to sit better in this area than it did before!

Sunscreen

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen

This sunscreen from Mecca is THE BEST face sunscreen ever. Really - it is just wonderful!

It basically just feels like a moisturiser when you’re putting it on. None of that icky, sticky, oily sunscreen feel.

It smells great, sinks into the skin really nicely and you can apply makeup over the top straight away.

It also doesn’t cause my skin to break out or have any sort of weird allergic reaction (a lot of other facial sunscreens I’ve tried leave me with pimples the next day or with a red and itchy face!)
It’s on the pricier side, especially as I use it almost everyday, but is totally worth it!

Lip Balm

Blistex Lip Conditioning Balm

This is the lip balm I’ve been using for years and I love it.

It does the job of keeping my lips feeling moisturised and comfortable (as they are SUPER dry), and being in a stick, it’s easy to swipe on throughout the day.

I like that it has an SPF 20 too!

My lips have a bad reaction to a lot of lip balms so I don’t tend to stray from this one very often (other than if I’m using the one that’s coming up next!)

9) By Terry Baume de Rose

The By Terry Baume de Rose is the most wonderful, luxurious lip balm and SUCH a treat to use!

It feels so moisturising and I find that one swipe in the morning will last me all day, no need to constantly re-apply (so it lasted me a good 7 months!)

It smells divine (of roses of course) and although it is definitely a very high-end lip balm, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed if you do decide to splurge.

If you’re not that into beauty products, this lip balm probably isn’t for you (given it’s rather high price tag) but if you are a beauty lover like myself, I’d recommend putting it on your list to at least try (although it could become a slightly dangerous addiction!) It’s just such a treat, one of those small pleasures that would make me smile every time I used it!

I received it as a Christmas gift from my hubby last year and I’m crossing my fingers that it will be under the tree again this year! *hint hint Tom!* ;)

So that brings me to the end of this post! I hope it’s been helpful in some way!

If you enjoyed it and found it useful I’d love to hear from you (in the comments or on Instragram - @laurennatalia29) and share the post if you know someone who might be in need of some skincare recommendations!

Lots of Love
Lauren
xxx