Lucy likes a skincare product that works

Hello!

Hope you're all well and getting all sorted in 2012. Are people back at work/college/uni now? I'm moving back up to uni on Saturday so I might do a make up storage post when I get back as I've just sorted it all out and it's so satisfying! My new years resolutions are going OKAY at the moment... No chocolate as of yet, although not much exercise either! 30 day shred starts on Monday, so no excuses after that!

Thought I'd go through my favourite skincare products from 2011 today - the ones that I have used religiously and will repurchase again and again. After this post I also plan to go over my favourite hair care products and make up staples. I know these aren't the most original of posts but I think it's so interesting finding out what others swear by!

Before rambling it's probably best to go over my skin type as the products I use are based upon this. These products work for me but many not tickle everyones' pickle. I am definitely blemish-prone, particularly around my chin; I have normal to oily skin which can be fairly sensitive and tempermental. In my skincare regime I look for deep cleansing, but gentle, products and effective treatments. I've also started introducing anti-ageing cremes into my routine to target my forehead and eye area (admittedly starting a little early at 20 years old!).

Right, I'll start with products on the top row, from left to right, then do the same for the bottom row:

• Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - Hot Cloth Cleanser: I think everyone has heard of/uses this cleanser, and I am absolutely obsessed with it. Before using this I used to use make up wipes or cleansing lotions but they just did not cleanse my skin at all, now I can't see myself switching to anything else. I tried using No. 7's Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser, as it's the same sort of concept, when I was short on pennies (love the £5 off vouchers) but it was just no way near as enjoyable (it was in no way awful, and did do the job, but it just wasn't as effective as Liz Earle's). When my skin is really bad I am partial to a bit of Freederm, using the muslin cloths included in the Liz Earle starter kits to wash it off.
• Clinique Clarifying Lotion (3): I have used this toner for absolutely yonks, gone through bottles and bottles of the stuff. It's just a great product as it gets rid of absolutely any grubbiness left on the skin after cleansing and leaves my face feeling so fresh. (I'm going to do a separate posts about toners in the near future as I have a few that I love and some I am so disappointed with)
• Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser: I really do like Simple products as they do what they say on the tin and are pretty damn cheap! My skin can sometimes be quite sensitive and can easily break out if I use too heavy a moisturiser so something basic like this is perfect for me. It sinks in so quickly so in mornings I can apply make up almost immediately.
• Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask: I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with face masks (I wrote a blog post about a few of my favourites last month - link!); I just keep on buying new ones! This has to be the best for my skin though, you can really feel it working on the skin plus I absolutely love the consistency and smell. (Been using Lush's Cosmetic Warrior for the last couple of weeks and really like it but it can't be an official favourite of 2011 just yet!)
• Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel: This gel is bloody brilliant in my eyes. It has shed loads of Salicylic acid in it which you can definitely feel working. It calms down the fiercest of spots but doesn't dry out the skin. Much better than any other the other spot treatments I've used, and I've tried a fair few!
• Garnier Youthful Radiance Multi-Active Care Eye Cream: I apply eye cream religiously morning and night and have always preferred using the Garnier range. This is my favourite of their eye creams and I really noticed a difference in the condition of the eye area after a few weeks of use, plus Boots and Superdrug always have special offers on them which is never a bad thing!

I don't really have a staple exfoliator in my skincare regime from 2011, purely because I feel that using the muslin cloth when cleansing, and Clinique lotion, is exfoliation enough for me, especially seeing as my skin is fairly sensitive. 

Does anyone have an exfoliator that they could perhaps recommend for me have a bash at?

Are you a fan of any of the products I've raved about? Seriously any recommendations would be really appreciated, particularly for moisturisers that won't break me out!

Hope you're all having a wonderful Wednesday!

Lots of love,

Lucy xxx