The Routine: Daytime Skincare

In my French Skincare Post, I mentioned that this winter was particularly tricky for my skin. Going through a lot of changes - moving to a new place with intense winter heating (its ALWAYS hot), out of whack hormones, and sleep deprivation - meant that my skin was not looking its best. I had to do something. 

I should probably tell you a little about my skin. I have dry-to-combination, sensitive, acne-prone skin. Because my skin is combination, I find that using only one line of products (for example, an entire range of products designed for acne problems) does not suit me. So then what does a girl have to do? I have to go trough trial and error to find out which combinations of products would work better for me by picking and choosing from different lines and creating my own combo of products. Most of the items I use are tried and true because I have been using them for years. Recently though, I introduced some new items to my existing daytime skincare routine (another post is coming up for night time) and so far so good. I will be listing them in the order of use below.

Step 1. Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

I've been using this cleanser for a decade (that makes me sound like an absolute old fossil doesn't it?) and whilst everything else in my routine has changed since then this has remained constant. I would change into something else but this would always be under the sink just waiting for my little hands to reach back for it. Whenever I have problems with my skin, which seems to be all the time these days, I know that this trusty cleanser will be available to save the day.

Step 2. Toner

Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

A few years ago I had an unpleasant visitor in my life - hormonal breakouts. Without going too much into detail and grossing everyone out, let me just say it wasn't pretty. I can deal with one or two blemishes at a time but back then my chin and jawline area had more than a few and so in desperation, I went to the Clinique counter at Yorkdale and hope and prayed that this thing would sort it out. 

This is one of the two things that I use to control acne at the moment. Along with having sensitive skin, I am also acne prone (what the heck right?) and so as a preventative measure - now that my skin is mostly clear - I splash some of this on a cotton pad and wipe it all over my face. The active ingredient in this toner is salicylic acid which I find works better for my sensitive skin as opposed to another popular alternative, benzoyl peroxide. A word of caution, depending on your skin type this could be very drying. Make sure you are using a proper moisturizer if you decide to use this product.

Step 3. Serum

I switch between serums depending on what I think my skin needs that day. For the days that I feel dry and need some extra help for dryness I use the La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum that was previously mentioned in my French Skincare post. 

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum

The dispenser of this serum is a pump which makes it very convenient to use. The consistency of the serum is a very clear liquid which gets quickly absorbed in your skin. I really like this serum. I find its very gentle, doesn't sting my face, and most importantly it does what it claims to do. The hyaluronic acid in it keeps hold of the moisture in your skin. I use this under my moisturizer for helping lock in moisture for far longer during the day - very much like a barrier, I guess. Dry patches be gone!

The other serum that I use for daytime is the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster - phew that was a mouthful. 

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Vitamic C Collagen Booster

Now, mind you, I don't use both of the above mentioned serums at the same time. I save the Truth Serum for days when I feel like my face needs to be brightened. Particularly useful after a night of little sleep when your face just seems to be bland and in need of that extra oomph to make you look alive and awake. I've only been using this for a month or so and in that span I haven't noticed it to cause me any breakouts so winner! It has some anti-ageing properties too so that's nice. I do think it makes my face look more radiant after application and its claims of protection against environmental aggressors is a nice extra. Like I said though, I just started using this recently, and along with my other serums for day and night time, can't really prove anti-ageing benefits to this serum as of yet. 

Step 4. Moisturizer

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

I hate the feeling of greasy skin after you moisturize. I also hate strong perfumes on my skincare - they sometimes give me headaches. This particular moisturizer doesn't have an annoying scent and has a nice gel-like texture that immediately dries into a smooth finish on my skin so I can put on make-up faster and easier.

This is also oil-free which if you're acne prone, usually means its a good thing. I know if a moisturizer doesn't agree with my skin because it would break me out almost instantly. This one works very well for me and it has been my main moisturizer for two years! 

If you need something more intense - sorry I couldn't think of another word - then check out Moisture Surge Intense. 


Step 5...6...7... no I'm just kidding. That's it for the daytime skincare routine. For people who are the i-only-wash-my-face-with-water-and-nothing-else type this is probably excessive but it works for me. It only takes a few minutes really, maybe 5 if I'm being slow that morning, as my main goal would be to get ready as fast as humanly possible if I'm leaving for work, etc. 

I hope you guys found this useful! Let me know. =)

*Disclaimer: All items mentioned are purchased with my own money and I am in no way affiliated with the mentioned sites and companies (i wish lol)