I love toner. There, I've said it.

| May 1, 2013

After my post in praise of orange makeup last week a few of you asked for my skincare routine - and I was really flattered! The honest truth is that I like to keep things really simple.

I'm a teeny bit lax when it comes to keeping to a strict routine for my skin. I've been known to fall into bed and go through half a pack of face wipes rather than face the trek to the bathroom to find the cleanser. But hey - who hasn't? They're Ireland's most popular cleanser (the shame!) so I'm guessing there's quite a few of us out there.

I have VERY temperamental skin, dry one day, the next oily. Or dry, tight AND oily ALL AT ONCE! (How does it DO that!?) Either way I know the face wipes are not my friend, so more often than not I'll make the effort to cleanse, tone and moisturise of an evening. Then I'll bask in the lovely smug clean feeling that only perfect skincare can give you!

Garnier Skin Naturals Soft Essentials Comforting Cleansing Lotion - Enriched with Rose Extract - Phew!

Garnier's cleansing lotion is rich and creamy, I usually throw some on while I brush my teeth, give it a bit of time to get to work and take it off with cotton wool. It's effective, doesn't irritate my skin and I like that the word 'comforting' is included in the title!

Advertised

Clinique Clarifying Lotion No. 2

Now this is a controversial choice because this stuff means business! If your skin is feeling a bit grey and pasty I find this product by Clinique is the way to go. It exfoliates and tones in one go while removing the last traces of makeup. I know some people find Clinique toners too harsh (and can those rumours about them being counter cleaners really be true?), but it's ruthlessly efficient, and I like that in a toner! Aisling thinks that this is the cause of my skin woes though - do you agree?

Clarins One-Step Facial Cleanser with Orange Extract

I'm currently keeping this bad boy by my bed in an effort to stay off the demon face-wipes! It smells lovely, cleanses well and there's no need to wash your face after. Magic!

Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser

Much like Valerie, I'm a big Simple fan and I've been using their Rich Moisturiser on and off for years. During the winter I carry this around in my handbag along with Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour cream to soothe my parched face/lips/elbows/shins. (MAN I'm glad the winter's over!)

It's such good value, and it has never once irritated my skin. Sometimes I try and shake things up with some fancy new moisturiser that makes outlandish promises, but I always come back to Simple in the end!