skincare order – sarah fynn

Best Face Masks For All Skin Types!

Hey hey

I have been loving skincare lately and so I thought I would share my best face masks suitable for all skin types! Let’s get into it. Face masks what are they and what do they do?! Think of them as the deep conditioners of the face. They target a range of concerns and skin types. There are a lot of different masks out there: rinse off or leave on? Clay masks? Gel?

Face masks what are they and what do they do?! Think of them as the deep conditioners of the face. They target a range of concerns and skin types. There are a lot of different masks out there: rinse off or leave on? Clay masks? Gel?

How to Choose the Correct Face Mask

The best tip I can give when choosing a new face mask is to look at the ingredients and what the product claims to do, then match it with your skin concern. In general, anything with clays detoxify or purify, any with charcoal also detoxifies or brightens, anything with oils/butters moisturise and anything with acids exfoliates. These are not set in stone so important to be flexible, most masks have a combination of ingredients so ae good for a range of concerns.

It’s also best to have at least one of each type of mask to reach for when the season changes or when your skin starts to play up!

What about Multi- Masking?

Multi masking is when you use two or three masks in one go. I love this technique because it allows you to target specific areas of your face with different treatments at the same time. Most of us have some sort of combination on our skin e.g. oily in some areas and dry in some so multi-masking is a genius way of targeting that. For a tutorial on how to multi-mask and what I use check out my previous post here

Ok now onto the best part, product recommendations!

L’Oréal Pure Clay Glow Mask, £7.99

This is part of the new face masks from L’Oréal. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It has exfoliating beads that gently exfoliate as you wash the mask off. My skin felt nice and smooth afterwards!

Avon ClearSkin Blemish Clearing 3 in 1 Cleanser, Scrub & Mask, £5

We tend to forget about Avon but they have some really good products. I love this mask ( I only use it as that) because it just works! Pores and soon to be spots- gone! It may be a bit harsh for some as it contains AHA (I have a post on this! Click here to read it) so SPF is recommended.

Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Foam Cleanser/Purifying Mask, £20.25

A new fav of mine, I love it because it leaves your face squeaky clean without drying. Catch my full review here

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, £24

This is what got me onto charcoal masks. It draws out impurities leaving the skin nice soft and clear pores.

Dr Organic Dead Sea Mineral Mud Mask, £8.29

This is a mud mask done right! I have a full review here

These are the best face masks suitable for all skin types! I hope you guys find these useful. Let me know your favourite face masks by commenting below! see you soon

Want to get a skincare gift for a loved one? Check out my Christmas Guide ft Skincare Sets

Love

Sarah

Skincare Ingredients: AHA’s & BHA’s

Skincare is one of those things you just have to do, PROPERLY. Your skin is one of your largest organs and also in contact with almost everything the external environment has to offer. Think of all the elements: sun, rain, wind and everything in between. Whilst a large part of skincare is what goes in (eating, drinking, sleep). An important part and slightly easier to control is what goes on the outside (products). Think it’s so much easier to just wash your face than to cut out your fav ice cream huh?

For beginners, refer to my Do I Need a Skincare Routine post, which will give you the basics and introduce you to some of the great products the drugstore has to offer, this isn’t to say you can’t learn a thing or two from this post. If you want to take your skincare a bit further and don’t mind an extra step or 3 in your routine then this post is for you! I will be talking about AHA’s and BHA’s, very popular ingredients and what is can do for your skin

We can’t talk about AHA’s & BHA’s without touching on exfoliation. Just like our hair, our skin sheds loads and loads of skin cells each day. Over time with sun damage (I bet you will start reaching for your SPF now!) and age, the natural ability of the skin to do this slowly decreases. Exfoliation gives the skin a little boost and removes layers of built up dead cells which can lead to clogged pores, texture on the skin and a dull complexion. Traditional way of exfoliation is to use a face scrub however this can be too harsh on the skin..

Enter AHA’s & BHA’s

Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids have changed the exfoliation game in that they are chemical exfoliants that are left on the skin compared to the traditional wash off face scrubs. They are also suitable for daily use. Whilst they work in similar ways, they are slightly different and used for different-ish skin concerns

AHA- e.g. Glycolic or Lactic Acids. Exfoliates the skin’s surface and can improve moisture content. Best recommended for dry to normal skin and sun damaged skin

BHA- e.g. Salicylic Acid. Exfoliates the skin’s surface and pores making it great for blackheads. Has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is best recommended for oily skin

NOTE- both acids will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so it is ESSENTIAL you use SPF at least factor 30 even in the winter.

Now that you are equipped with this knowledge, you can re-evaluate your skincare routine and add an acid to it. It will seriously up your game! I will recommend you start off with formulas suitable for sensitive skin or with a lower acid content if you are concerned about how your skin will react. Both AHA & BHA are generally safe to use but if you have any doubts no matter how small speak to a dermatologist.

Products

Acids can come in many forms: creams, lotions, serums, toners etc, find which one you would like to use. For instance, I currently use an acid based toner and serum (and at night) because it is more convenient for me that way. I use it at night as the skin tends to do all the repair work then and there is less potential sun damage.

Recommendations ( these are just ones I have used or ones I have researched and will use shortly, there are literally TONS of products out there to suit every budget, this will get you going in the right direction!)

NIP FAB Glycolic range (I have a review on the NIP FAB PADS)

Pixi Glow Tonic (review)

Pixi Glow Peel Pads

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (review)

Paula’s Choice AHA & BHA products

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%

And many more!

Here’s my personal collection of some of the AHA&BHA products I use

I hope you found this post useful! I will be doing a lot more of these posts as I carry on with my research and improving my skincare knowledge. These posts help me as much as they help others. Feel free to drop comments of your fav products or how you incorporate acids in your skincare routine. Hopefully, after reading and understanding this post, you won’t be terrified when you hear that people are putting acids on their face LOL. You should have seen the look on my brother’s face when I said at one time I needed to buy an acid based toner LOL

Want more tips and product recommendations? Head over to my Instagram- sarahfynn

Countdown to Christmas is real!

Superdrug Clearly Youthful Resurfacing Night Serum Review

Before getting into the review, I have to let you guys in on how and why I started using acid based serums.

Story time!

The Superdrug Clearly Youthful Night Resurfacing Serum was a chance discovery during the summer. My skin was doing all sorts of madness and for a while, it literally went from normal/combination (more on the normal side) to blemish blemish blemish everywhere! One thing I despise is spots on my face because I can’t help but pick them and that leaves dark marks etc etc etc you know the deal

One evening, I was browsing YouTube and blogs and came across acid based products that help clear your skin. I was excited because I thought well this could be it! I was trying everything (clarifying masks, no makeup, and water) to stop these blemishes but nothing would suffice. I mean, now that I think about it, it wasn’t that BAD and I was probably over reacting, I just hate the look of spots on my face. Anyway, I started looking at products recommendations online and everything that came up were high-end products?! So I (temporarily) abandoned the idea

A couple of days later I went to Superdrug to stock up on my fav B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Wipes and whilst browsing the skincare section( I do this ALL the time, even if I just go in for one item smh), I came across this little product and even better it was on offer: BOGOF. So I got it and I haven’t looked back since lol

Now onto the review

The Clearly Youthful Resurfacing Night Serum has a 2 in 1 anti-blemish and anti-ageing formula. It has glycolic and lactic acid and helps to mattify the skin. It’s supposed to help fight further breakouts, diminish the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation and help skin look clearer and healthier

Experience

I LOVE this stuff and I am probably on my 4th bottle. It has helped clear my skin- hyperpigmentation looks better and even spots no more! Well, it’s gone back to its original pattern- once in a while or around that time of the month. Pores? What pores? Its helped reduced the look of pores drastically. I also use to as a spot treatment. When I feel/see a spot starting to form, I put a few drops on it and in about two days the spot disappears.

The packaging is simple yet effective. It has a dropper (which works!) which I think is amazing for a product that cheap. My only wish is that I took pictures when I first started using it and that they put the acidic content on the package. My guess would be its 5% acidic or probably more- it does say it contains the maximum permitted levels. I use it after toning (current toner is the Nip Fab Glycolic Pads) and follow with a water mist (Currently using Vichy Thermal Spring Water mist) to balance my skin and neutralise it (this step isn’t essential). Then finish with my night cream (Nivea Regenerating Night Cream) with a tiny amount of SPF (Ultra sun SPF 50) – they recommend SPF after use and I saw better results this way, compared to just using SPF the following morning. I didn’t experience any tingling sensation with this probably because my skin is used to acids.

Verdict

This drugstore serum has been a staple in my skincare stash and I know I will always keep repurchasing it! Superdrug do not ever stop making this stuff!( like how you got rid of my fav mascara- Paparazzi! Which was in your 2true range!) Its highly effective formula just works and its only 4 pounds and almost always on offer! Superdrug hit the nail on the head this time with this product! I really can’t fault it. I haven’t tried any other products from the Clearly Youthful range but I don’t doubt their effectiveness. I would advise though if you try this MAKE absolutely sure to use SPF- it’s non-negotiable. Acid based products make your skin more sensitive to sun damage so don’t skip it- even in the winter. I use SPF all year round and immediately after using the serum too. I won’t recommend using it in the morning for the day because that’s when the sun is at its highest.

If you are looking to take your skin to the next level or you’re interested in acid based products and have done your research, please please give this a try! I can’t recommend it enough

Clearly Youthful Resurfacing Night Serum is at Superdrug

Your love is so amazing

Sarah xx

Do I need a skincare routine?

skincarerotate

Do I need a skincare routine? Yes! If you have any sort of skin (lol). Not funny? Let’s move on.. You’ve heard of the phrase ‘put your best face forward’ and a proper skin care routine can help you do just that. Skincare routines are more than just washing your face after you remove your makeup and slathering on moisturiser. It’s about knowing your skin type and what works well for it. It’s about knowing which order to use products and proper techniques when using them. Most importantly is also about what you eat!

So why a skincare routine? Your skin goes through a whole bunch of things during the day but unlike the skin on our bodies which is pretty much covered up, your (face) skin is exposed. This means it’s in contact with everything. And I mean everything- air (carrying all the dust particles, coughing sneezing etc), changing temperatures- cold/hot, air conditioning, rain etc Add that to all the things we put on our face- moisturiser, serums, primer, foundation etc. Mix all that with random sleeping patterns and eating habits, then you understand why our skin sometimes behaves like a stubborn teenager!

An effective skincare routine will essentially put your skin in the best position to deal with all these things. Healthy looking skin looks better and allows your makeup to look even better! Black don’t crack? More like black don’t crack with a little help from a good skincare routine. Obviously, genes play a very big part but taking time out to actually take care of your skin will have a massive impact too.

Your routine

Please leave the ‘I don’t have time’ excuse at the door especially if it’s just laziness lol. Also, don’t write off the routine simply because ‘the product don’t do anything’. And don’t believe the myth of buying expensive products because that’s what you see people using or is in the magazines. Luxury items may not necessarily work better than drugstore products. Believe it or not, there are A LOT of drugstore skincare products that are way better than the luxury ones and at a fraction of the cost! And today my picks are all from the drugstore! Yes, I started out using drugstore products and I still do.

Let’s get to the routine. Firstly its best to find out what type of skin you have , then use products that target it e.g. for oily skin, its best to use specially formulated products to help balance oil production. I will do a separate post on skin types but for now please read this very informative article which helped me write this post.

Skin types and Care Also check out this article What’s my skin type?

guidetoskincare

A (very) basic routine will have these:

A Makeup Remover – something to remove all traces of your makeup
A Cleanser- to remove the last traces of makeup and draw out dirt, impurities etc
A toner- to help balance your skin’s pH
Moisturisers- a day moisturiser preferably with SPF and a night moisturiser. Consequently, you can use the same moisturiser for day and night and have an SPF cream you add in the mornings
A mask- treatment you use at least once a week to help keep your skin in tip-top condition

Check out my skincare guide and the products I recommend. I will also list all the products below, my reviews and where to get them.

Makeup Removal

B. Pure Sensitive Micellar Water Wipes

Boots Botanics 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Solution

Cleansers

Garnier Pure Active Anti-Black Head Pore Wash

Simple Spotless Skin Triple Action Face Wash

Masks

Avon Clear skin Blemish Clearing 3 in 1 Mask

Dr Organic Dead Sea Mineral Mud Mask

Simple Deep Cleansing Mask

Superdrug Dead Sea Purifying Clay Mask

Toners

NIP + FAB Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

Nivea Pure & Natural Cleansing Toner

No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle Toner

Day Cream

Superdrug Vitamin E SPF15 Day Cream

Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser

Night Cream

Nivea Regenerating Night Cream

Simple Vital Vitamin Night Cream

Prices start from just 0.99p! The most expensive item in this list is £8.29! No more excuses. I have linked all the reviews I have done to the item. All these products can be bought from Boots or Superdrug. The Dr Organic Mask can be bought from Holland & Barrett and the Avon mask can be bought from Avon. Can you believe I used all the products I have listed above?

Whilst you are here make sure you check out some of my previous posts, I have a plethora to choose from but here are some to get you started

African Black Soap, Conditioner Series: Rinse out & Deep Conditioners

Check me out on Instagram too, you wouldn’t want to miss that: daily updates of products, short reviews, tips and events! Sound good? Here’s my username- sarahfynn

Have a great day I’m stuck at home because I managed (somehow) to pull my back muscles.

See ya soon

Sarah xx