My super easy and affordable skincare routine

It has taken me a long time to find a skincare routine that works for me. I mean, it’s a hard thing to do, right? Our skin is constantly changing. One minute it’s breaking out, the next it’s dry and before you know it, you’re 30 and it’s time to start thinking about introducing some anti-ageing products into your routine. My skin has gone through so much change over the last year and I’ve tried a lot of different products in an attempt to get it looking healthy, clear and radiant. Finally, I think I’ve got it nailed (for now!) and wanted to share with you what has been working for me. So, here’s my super easy and affordable skincare routine.

Before you read on, read this first…

My skin has been far from perfect and I wanted to share that with you because it would be easy for this to come across like, ‘Oh, this routine made my skin amazing and it’ll make yours amazing too and life is perfect and I’m genetically blessed with perfect skin anyway.’ No. I got acne at the same time as everyone else in their teenage years but mine never went away and it morphed into cystic acne which I put up with for years, assuming I couldn’t do anything about it because no product worked to clear it up.

Finally, I went to a dermatologist and went through a very rough year or so of using Roaccutane which messed me up a bit mentally but cleared up my skin.  I’ve got dark pigment on my face, which flairs up in the sun, I’ve got fine lines and I still get breakouts sometimes (just not the really big, painful ones I used to get). But, with my current skincare routine, I’ve found my skin has never looked more healthy, clear and radiant so much so I’m wearing much less makeup. It’s a great feeling!

More than that, since I turned 30 I began to worry about the ageing process and even found myself thinking about whether anti-wrinkle injections would be a good idea for me. The more I thought about it, the more I noticed the lines on my face and the more I began to hate them and, in turn, myself. Thankfully, I had a moment of clarity where I realised, instead, I should spend my money on affordable, good quality products and spend my time committing to a good skincare routine.

I also realised I should look in the mirror and say only nice things about my skin, instead of putting myself down. I guess the most important part of this skincare routine is mental. The mind is a powerful thing and it really does make a difference if you say nice things about yourself in your mind, it changes the way you see yourself. If you’re unsure how to do that, simply start by catching those bad thoughts and replacing them with something kind – you can even draw inspiration from the way you talk to your friends or even your pets! Love yourself from the inside out – it’ll change your life.

Sukin Cream Cleanser – $10.95

My skin had been a little on the dry side so I decided to switch from my soap-free, Dermaveen extra-gentle wash to Sukin’s cream cleanser. From the very first time I used it, I knew I loved it and it would become a long-term favourite of mine. The formula is thick and creamy, it washes off all my makeup and when I rinse it off, my skin feels so soft, smooth and hydrated (plus it smells so good). It contains a blend of rosehip, avocado, season and wheat germ oils as well as aloe vera, cocoa butter, nettle and horsetail. I don’t know what all those things do but I do know my skin looks and feels amazing after I use it!

Pro Tip: I never buy Sukin products at full price! They seem to always end up being on sale for 50% off at some point, either at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline or even grocery stores like Coles. When I see the range on sale, I stock up! That’s how I ended up falling in love with so much of the Sukin range – it was cheap enough for me to try without worrying if I didn’t like it but, low and behold, I love the stuff and ended up buying many other products from their range.

Sukin Rose Hydrating Mist Toner – $10.95

I had read about the benefits of rosewater some time ago and decided to pick up a bottle of rosewater toner. My first experience wasn’t with Sukin, it was with another brand I can’t recall the name of but I loved it as soon as I used it. I often find toner’s sting my skin, especially around my eyes and cheekbones so I avoided using them for a long time but rosewater toner doesn’t sting at all! Rosewater is reported to have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the redness of irritated skin and get rid of acne, dermatitis and eczema. It’s also great at removing oil and dirt from pores! Plus, it smells amazing which I find really soothing. Basically, it’s fantastic! My skin feels so fresh, clean and soothed when I use Sukin rosewater toner, I’m in love with it.

Did you know: Sukin is an Australian skincare range that is vegan and cruelty-free, carbon neutral, made with naturally-derived ingredients, affordable and all packaging is 100% recyclable and BPA free. Sukin products contain NO petrolatum/mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, animal derivatives, artificial colours, harsh detergents, propylene glycol, MEA/DEA/TEA, phthalates, triclosan, sulphates, parabens, silicones or EDTA. All of these things (including the affordability of the range) is why I decided to try Sukin and the quality and results are why I keep using them!

Rata & Co Superfood Skin Brightening Face Serum – $17.50

I picked this up to try one day because it was on sale and I thought, ‘Yeah, I really do want brighter skin!’ I apply a couple of drops to my cheeks after cleansing and toning then massage it in very gently. A little bit of this stuff goes a really long way, so it’s great value for money because you don’t go through it very quickly. My skin soaks it up and I feel like it’s helping my skin look bright and fresh (though the only way I could really tell would be to apply it to half of my face only for a year…. I’m not doing that). The Rata & Co Superfood Skin Brightening Face Serum is made with natural chia seed oil packed with antioxidants and Omega Fatty Acids which give tired and dehydrated skin back its vitality and a healthy glow.

Sukin Certified Organic Rosehip Oil – $19.95

I was very nervous to use Rosehip oil because I have had problems with bad acne and I was terrified my skin would break out because of all the oil. I don’t know how it works exactly, but somehow Rosehip oil doesn’t cause me any breakouts and it has become my ultimate beauty staple. I love the stuff so much and think it’s a must-have for everybody. Rosehip oil is incredibly hydrating and I’ve found it’s helped reduce acne scarring on my face, give my skin a youthful glow and leaves it looking so very healthy. I apply a few drops of Rosehip oil to my skin after cleansing, toning and brightening then gently massage or press it into my skin.

For a natural makeup look, I mix a few drops with my liquid foundation – it’s magic! If you only buy one beauty product to add to your routine, let it be this one – it changed the game for me. Not all Rosehip oils are equal so please make sure you get a good quality one. I always choose certified organic and go with whichever brand offers the best value for money. I’ve been using Rosehip Plus and when that runs out I’m going to get stuck into a bottle of Sukin Certified Organic Rosehip Oil.

Coast to Coast Lightweight Moisture Lotion Wild Rosella & Lavender – $29.95

After applying Rosehip oil, I put moisturiser on over the top to super-charge my skin’s hydration. You would think this would be too much and I’d be one big oily grease-ball but, no, somehow the moisturiser helps the Rosehip oil soak in even better and my skin looks and feels amazing. There are two different types of moisturiser I use so I want to share both with you because I use them in different situations. Coast to Coast’s Lightweight Moisture Lotion with Wild Rosella & Lavender is my go-to for moments when I need a light moisturiser.

That’s usually times like when I have to go to the gym and don’t need that gross moment when your moisturiser makes you sweat like an animal. It’s also great for under my make-up as it contains sunscreen yet doesn’t clog my pores or make me greasy. It’s nourishing and ‘meaty,’ if that makes sense (not watery) but it absorbs really well and smells incredible. At $29.95 it’s more pricey than most of the other products but I don’t use it every day so it lasts me a long time, which makes it feel like good value.

Sukin Purely Ageless Rejuvenating Day Cream & Restorative Night Cream – $22.95 each

When I turned 30 I realised it was time to start thinking about using anti-ageing beauty products in my skincare regime. I thought just using good-quality, organic products was enough but an amazing beauty tech I met told me it wasn’t – that I needed to get my hands on real anti-ageing moisturisers! So, I started holding auditions. I’ve tried about four or five and hated them all. Then, after loving the Sukin Cream Cleanser, I decided to give these two a whirl (at 50% off, why not?!) Turns out, they’re amazing and I love them!

Both products are luxuriously thick and rich so when you put them on your clean skin, they feel incredible. But, they also absorb into my skin really well so my skin feels hydrated and fresh – never clogged or yucky. I’ve been using these for a little while now and I have to say, I really do feel I’ve seen some of my fine lines be reduced. The restorative night cream contains vitamin-rich cocoa butter and pure ribose while the rejuvenating day cream contains white hibiscus, baobab and pure ribose. Applied over Rosehip oil, they both feel amazing and I have to say, I can’t see myself using anything else anytime soon. Oh, and a little goes a long way with both products so they’re great value.

St Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub – $8.50

I began using St Ives scrub many years ago but kinda forgot about it. now I’ve rediscovered it, I can’t get enough of it! I like an exfoliant that feels nice and gritty, that really gets into my skin and cleans it out but doesn’t hurt or scratch too much. St Ives is perfect for that! It’s nice and gritty so it scrubs away dull skin and all the other stuff with it, leaving my skin radiant and smooth. It’s amazing stuff and is my favourite exfoliant I’ve ever used! This bottle is pretty beat-up as you can see, and I tend to find one bottle lasts me a really long time.

Biome DIY skincare ingredients – approximately $7.95 each (including jar)

A little while ago I was invited to check out the new DIY beauty bar at Biome eco store in Brisbane. While there, the lovely lady serving me talked me through the benefits of making my own face masks and it just made sense. Clay face masks became quite popular and if you were to buy them from a well-known brand, they might cost you $20 for one little tub which isn’t just clay… it’s also loads of other additives. Well, these gorgeous glass jars contain pure clay which you mix together with filtered water and any other ingredients you may like to add.

I’ve had these babies for TWO years and look how much there is left still! It’s far more cost effective, better for my skin and the environment by cutting down on single-use plastic containers. I mix up one face mask each week and can customise it depending on my skin concern at the time. In particular, one mask I make out of pure green clay, seaweed powder and white kaolin clay reduce my dark pigmentation immediately – it’s incredible stuff.

Kmart Mini Facial Cleansing Brush – $15

A while ago I saw a beauty YouTuber using a Foreo facial cleansing brush and it looked amazing but at $279 it was way out of my budget (especially for something I’d never tried and wasn’t confident would work for me). After a lot of looking, I found this little guy for $15 at Kmart and decided to give it a try. For the first week, my skin became very, very dry as it adjusted to it but it was winter so maybe that had something to do with it. Since then, my skin has settled into the routine and I love it! I use it once a day in the shower, putting a pump of cleanser on the brush and gently holding it to my skin (GENTLY!). I use it one area for about 15 seconds then move on.

I find it keeps my skin smooth and clear and was honestly shocked by how much extra makeup it takes off. If you do get one of these I recommend waiting until you have a face full of makeup then wash your face with your cleanser like normal, then get in the shower and wash again with this – the amount of makeup it takes off is frightening. I really thought I was getting all my makeup off with my hands but I really wasn’t and then all that makeup sits in my skin overnight! Gross! These cleansing brushes are reported to help reduce fine lines, tighten skin, shrink the appearance of pores and help with clean, clear and vibrant skin. I really love mine! My skin feels better for it and it’s nice and tiny so I can take it with me when I travel (plus it’s waterproof and USB chargeable).

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