My Top 4 Skincare Brands
-this post contains gifted PR samples-
Over my many, many years of trying out different skincare brands there naturally have been a few standouts. And whilst I don’t think I’d ever use just one brand only as let’s be honest, there is so much out there to try. But there are a few that have dominated my skincare collection and they are…
Clinique
-I have worked with Clinique on a paid basis in the past-
A brand that I was never drawn to in my younger years when it came to shopping for new skincare is Clinique. I often wonder when we’re exposed to brands for so long they somewhat slip off our radar and I have to admit I often though Clinique products were meant for older skin types but oh how wrong I was. I first discovered their makeup a good few years ago and their Even Better foundation is in my top 5 bases of all time which is saying something as I’m a tough critic with foundations. Anyway, their skincare is something that I’ve come to seriously love from their moisturisers, their serums, and their City Block SPF. When I was younger I used to be drawn to skincare products and brands that promised me the world and more and was obviously always disappointed they didn’t live up to their claims. But I never have that problem with Clinique, their products always do what they say on the bottle and whilst they might be simple they’re highly effective and do everything that my skin needs. If I could go back to teenage Rebecca and her spot prone skin I’d push her towards a Clinique counter as I think it’s a really reasonably priced brand for the quality of the products.
origins
If you’ve been reading my blog for a long time then you will know that Origins is a brand that I’ve loved for years. In between 2012 and 2014 I pretty much only used Origins when it came to my serums, eye cream, and moisturisers. In recent years they’re not a brand that I’ve gravitated towards as much but they’re still one I very much adore and know that I can turn to and get results. Their brightening, mega mushroom, make a difference and ginzing range are particular favourites of mine. And out of everything I’ve tried the only items that I’ve never truly got on with is the cleansers. I’m currently using the Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay (gifted) and it’s such a lovely mask for when your skin might feel a little spotty and the texture might feel less than desirable. It’s a 2 in 1 as the clay not only gets everything out of your pores than you don’t want in there but it also exfoliates the skin without aggravating it and causing unnecessary redness. This would be a brilliant option before a big event as it leaves my complexion feeling so fresh and things instantly look better. Price wise I wouldn’t say Origins is the most affordable brand by any means but for things like moisturisers and serums, it’s worth the investment. And as it’s part of the Estée Lauder family you can often find items reduced at a CC outlet!
liz earle
Oh Liz Earle, how many times do you think I’ve featured this brand on this blog now? Probably close to the hundred mark I imagine as it was the first ever somewhat high-end skincare brand that I ever purchased and their 3 step system completely changed my skin. I was struggling so much with blemishes and horrific scarring and whilst these products are not targeted towards those ailments they helped calm down my complexion so much. And I think that the cleanser, toner, and moisturiser are something that would be great for teenagers to get them used to looking after their skin properly. The Cleanse & Polish (gifted) is such a well-loved product in the beauty world and it’s not hard to understand why. It works for my skin no matter what condition it's in and that's the sign of a truly great skincare product. It removes makeup, comforts and injects just the right amount of moisture. Next to the Cleanse & Polish is the Instant Boost Skin Tonic (gifted), again something that I’ve used for years and this is such a beautiful toner. I love to use this in the morning and the scent of this is incredibly calming and it feels lovely on the skin, I wouldn’t say it’s a huge necessity but it is such a feel-good item in my skincare routine right now. For the price, I think Liz Earle a brilliant option to go for if you’re able to spend a little more on your skin but don’t want to spend upwards of £30+ on items.
pixi
The Pixi Glow Tonic (gifted) is a product that I’ve used maybe 15 or so bottles of? We’re talking a serious long term love affair here. It was one of the first glycolic toners I used, adored and it’s still one I use to this day. When I first starting using Pixi products there wasn’t a huge amount available but over the past 6 or so years the line has grown and now there are so many gems on offer. It’s incredibly rare that this happens but I don’t think there is a product that I’ve not got on with that I’ve tried. Everything from cleansers, toners, treatments, and masks are all brilliant and again I find Pixi sits at a really comfortable price point for me. And Pixi not only do brilliant skincare but they also do makeup too, granted I’m not as crazy about their makeup as I am their skincare but they still have some beautiful items on offer. Right now I’m seriously enjoying their Glow Tonic, obviously but I’m also using the Rose Cream Cleanser (gifted). A new product in my rotation and one I’m seriously enjoying. This works well in the AM for a quick refresh as well as a second cleanse in the evening to remove any makeup remnants as well as hydrating and comforting the complexion. And if you’re not a huge fan of rose then don’t worry because this isn’t overly scented, of course, it smells of roses but it’s the good kind, not the makes you want to vomit kind.
