My Clear Skin 'Secret'

I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked about my skincare routine on youtube when I show my bare skin in a video but honestly I'm the WORST at keeping to a routine of any kind! My skin is oily and spot prone but it's not what I'd call 'problem' or sensitive. If I don't moisturise for a week nothing happens but occasionally my skin does feel like it needs the extra hydration and then I use my trusty Origins Drink Me Up mask. My secrets are minimal but they're the most effective for my skin.

If I'm breaking out it's usually for one of two reasons, 1. HORMONES, I don't have periods because I have a contraceptive coil fitted and for me that's a welcome side effect but I don't have any idea when my time of the month would be. I still get sore boobs and mood swings so I should probably start tracking those symptoms to see if I notice a pattern (or maybe I'm just an irritable bitch that needs to stop sleeping on her chest) but as is I'm just guessing. Actually I've thought of another reason, 2. HAIR REMOVAL, I have a fair bit of facial hair on my chin and upper lip and most of the time I can get away with plucking unscathed but occasionally I get pimples in those areas.. a pimple moustache is my least favourite kind. 3. FACE WIPES, I'm not about to lecture you here, I love face wipes or micellar water when I'm feeling lazy but if I use them a few days in a row I WILL break out. They don't cleanse my skin thoroughly enough and I pay for my lethargy later. The number one treatment/prevention of breakouts for me is cleansing. I prefer balms, massage them all over my face (and jaw.. another area spots like to pop up on the regular) and remove with the hottest water I can stand on a black flannel (the black flannel is a REVELATION!! No more makeup stains!). I'm certain you've tried some variation of hot cloth cleansing by this point but if you haven't it is seriously the cleanest your skin will ever feel. If I do that every night before bed I can pretty much avoid breakouts altogether.. but the lazy in me sneaks out when my skin is good and says 'just take off your makeup in bed with a wipe, b'r8!' IT WILL NOT B R8!

When I do suffer breakouts I step up the cleansing to twice (if I'm home, 3 times) a day and use a treatment that has worked for me for more than 15 years. Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser is about three quid and an absolutely miracle worker. I don't use it as a moisturiser (it would dry up my face so fast) but I will dollop it on the areas I want to clear up and within a couple of hours they've reduced. It's easier to do this round the house during the day because it doesn't set on the skin but however you use it.. its fab. To date it's the only thing that consistently works to reduce breakouts for me, it has salicylic acid which I know my skin responds well to but as I've said so many times before what's right for me could be very wrong for you so try it out somewhere out of sight first to be sure you're not going to have an adverse reaction and burn your face off.

So my number one, super basic tip is CLEANSE! If you have more sensitive skin I'd highly recommend TalontedLex as she blogs alot about skincare for more dry, irritated skin which I can't really cover. If you are oily/normal/spot prone get cleansing PROPERLY at least once a day and I think you'll be shocked at the difference it makes!