Skincare Switch-Up

Above are all of my old skincare favourites. My go-to face mask, cleanser, toner and moisturiser. They had been recommended to me and I truly believed they were giving me my best possible skin... not so!
Here's a run down of what I spent on my skin care...

Clinique Pore Minimizer Refining Mask - £16.50
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - £13.75
Botanics Pore Perfecting Toner - £3.05
Clinique Clearing Moisturiser  - £16.50

For the past few months I've been using this combination of products instead and have absolutely found the right regime for me. Happily I discovered them all at drugstore prices...

Avon Clear Pore Thermal Mask - £4.20
Garnier Pure Active Exfo-Brusher Wash - £5.99
Tea Tree Cleanser & Toner - £2.99
Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser - £2.99

Let's not forget my separate daytime moisturiser

L'oreal Triple Active Day - £5.12
Clean & Clear Morning Energy - £3.99

Overall my every day routine used to cost me £54.92. It now costs just £20.16, that's a saving of £34.76!!!

But how do the products compare?

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I'll start with the masks. These are not technically every day skin care items but I do use them two or three times a week so close enough. They don't claim to do the same job so it's hard to compare but I realised that clearing my pores was more important for me than shrinking them so I think the Avon version works better for that reason. I will say the Clinique mask is effective and if you have enlarged pores I'd recommend giving it a go.

On to the cleansers, I do like the hugely hyped Liz Earle Hot Cloth but it's so much effort! At least a couple of times a week you need to wash the cloths which is fine but just another thing to remember. I like to know that everything I need to wash my face, hair etc etc is ready and waiting for me when I get in the shower. I love that the Garnier cleanser has the exfo-brush attachment built in, very effective and a time saver.  

Toners... I thought a toner was a toner, again I like the Botanics one just fine and the idea that it includes oil-absorbing clay really does appeal but I had forgotten the wonders of Tea Tree Oil. When I was pregnant with Ella I was addicted, I carried a bottle of it wherever I went and smothered my face in it every night, in hindsight I probably had my best skin then.. I don't know why I ever stopped. I love the smell and it gives me such a squeaky clean feeling. This is definitely the one product I've switched up that's made the most difference to my blemish problems.

Everyone knows how much I love my Clean and Clear. I don't really know why I ever thought anything would do a better job. I hated the smell and the taste (it migrates to your mouth, I'm not crazy) of the Clinique moisturiser. It seemed to make my skin feel smoother and more moisturised but it did absolutely nothing for my blemishes. The Clean and Clear is miracle lotion that I will never stray from again!

The daytime pre-makeup moisturisers are totally different. The loreal is thick and rich and not ideal to sink in to skin directly before applying makeup/primer. The Clean and Clear is oil free and dries quickly, ideal if you are going to use it to prep your skin before a tinted moisturiser and don't want to be left too oily. 

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So I've found a routine that works for me, don't let that fool you I will never be satisfied and am always on the look out for bigger and better things but now I know what works for me I am looking for variations on what i have already. I will not change my night-time moisturiser unless Clean and Clear release a new, improved version because I just love it so much but everything else.. you never know!

What are your holy grail skincare products?