Although I've tried a lot of products in the past, I have now got my favourite tried and tested products that I don't like to move away from. So here is my daily skincare routine and all the products I use from top to toe:
Lush Shower Gel
Some of the shower gels are moisturising while others are great for breakouts, so I never quite know what my skin is going to need when I wake up. However, I do have a few go-to's, including Lord of Misrule (a Halloween special that is only available at Lush Oxford Street throughout the rest of the year), Happy Hippy and Sonic Death Monkey (sadly no longer available unless it features in the Kitchen).
Heyland and Whittle Traditional Soap
You may think that soap isn't suitable for your face, but H&W's traditional soap is all natural - I can vouch for this as I've made a batch of it - and doesn't feature any detergents. It is made with a mix of different pure oils and butters, which you can feel as soon as you start lathering it up. This also means you can use it on hands, body and face without any issues.
I get fewer breakouts and problem areas than I used to since I've been using these soaps to wash my face, so I highly recommend them. There are other formulations for different skin types too.
B. Moisturisers
Again, exactly what I use on my face depends on how my skin feels as it is a good idea to be a little reactive to your complexions needs. I always use the Phase Two eye cream and Phase One day cream, but if my skin is feeling a bit drier than usual or super dull and dired, I'll also use the Phase Two serum underneath the day cream.
No matter what I use, I let the moisturiser sink in for at least 10 minutes before starting to apply makeup, as this reduces makeup meltdown and stops your skin feeling greasy.
I also use B.'s foundations and again have a couple of different options in the same shade that allow me to react to how my skin looks and feels.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter
I have used Palmer's in the past and always got on really well with the products but moved away from them when I started working in Lush. Recently, I picked up a bottle for tattoo care and started using it all over twice a day. The results are almost instantaneous, as my skin felt smoother and more moisturised after the first day. Marks and scars were also reduced slightly after a week.
Because I got such great results, I've just bought the firming butter and bust cream to allow for more focussed skincare. Twice a day - morning and night - I use the firming butter on my upper arms, stomach, bum and thighs. I also use the bust cream on my boobs and décolletage before finishing off with the standard lotion on the rest of my arms, lower legs and feet.
I find that dealing with problem areas works well, especially if you stick to a routine of using the products twice a day. However, over the next few months, I'll probably switch to using the firming butter all over as it is easier and much quicker.
Coconut Oil
Simply melt some oil between your fingers, spread it all over you face, massaging slightly, and gently work into your lashes. Use a warm, damp cotton pad to remove the oil and see how quickly it lifts all makeup.
The only time you can't use coconut oil is if you've got eyelash extensions, as the oil will remove them. I haven't yet found the perfect option for eye makeup for this as I've not had extensions (yet) but will investigate what's available when I have them done later in the month.
I also use coconut oil as a night moisturiser after I've washed my face. I don't use it on my eyes though, as I'll use my B. eye cream for the eye area.
Bicarbonate of Soda
As you shouldn't scrub your skin too much, I mostly use a tiny bit just to give a touch of texture to cleansers, as I've found that this helps to tone my skin and leave it clear or breakouts or red areas. Since using bicarbonate of soda, my skin has been more balanced and a lot happier.
If my skin is feeling tired in the morning, I sometimes use bicarbonate of soda then too just to help brighten it.
Lush's Brazened Honey Face Mask
The mask is scrubby and also features a lot of spices that tone the skin, improve circulation and leave it feeling firmer. I can really feel the difference when I don't use it in a week.
If you use Lush's fresh face masks, remember to wash out and save your black pots as you can get a free mask when you take 5 pots back to the shop.
The best thing about every product on my daily skincare list is that they are affordable. I have tried more expensive products over the year and have been underwhelmed by the results. You usually find that cheaper products use the same ingredients and therefore will give the same - if not better - results.
While my routine is likely to change - especially as I start to use more products from Phase Two of B. in the next couple of years - for now I have it down and am really happy with the way these products leave my skin looking and feeling.