Skin Care Week #1: My Morning Routine!

Hi, everyone! Welcome to the inaugural installment of my first-ever skin care week! I've been getting more and more into skin care lately, partially because I've been on a bit of a makeup ban and need to get my beauty kicks somehow (sheesh) and also due to the fact that there are just so many darned amazing options out there these days! I've been tampering with my skin care routine quite a bit lately (to my skin's chagrin, as it hates change), but I think I finally have a regimen going that is keeping things in check whilst also being a total pleasure to use. No small feat! I've been gravitating more towards natural and organic skin care of late and I have to say that my skin really seems to be reaping the benefits!

So, before I delve into my morning skin care products, a few words about my complexion. It's a doozy! I have always had combination to oily skin that is prone to breakouts. My acne is generally in the mild range, with the occasional angry flare-up. I always get a few new breakouts per week and, because my skin is quite fair, I'm prone to those nasty reddish post-acne marks. I find these particularly annoying, as they make my skin look spotty even when there are no active blemishes around. Boo! Also, my skin has become more sensitive with age, so it's been a struggle to find products that treat my breakouts without stripping or irritating my complexion. A challenge indeed!

So to sum up that diatribe, my skin is combination to oily, acne-prone, sensitive, and prone to pigmentation and redness. I can't guarantee that the products below will love your skin as they do mine, but hopefully I can introduce you to a product or brand that floats your boat!

REN ClearCalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser I picked up this lovely cleanser in my recent Tax Return Haul and am so glad that I did! I've heard nothing but good things about REN skin care and this cleanser appealed to me for many reasons. The creamy clay base means that it's both rich and deep-cleansing (musts for my oily, sensitive skin), the antibacterial ingredients work to banish breakouts, and the salicilin and lactic acid gently exfoliate the skin. A true triple threat! This cleanser really is the best of both worlds for me; on the one hand, it is rich, soothing, and packed with natural ingredients; on the other, it has some potent acne-fighting ingredients to keep skin clear. Loving it so far!

Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist
This is the newest edition to my skin care arsenal and it is hitting the spot perfectly! I snagged this during the recent Canadian Beauty Bloggers Toronto meet-up when we all (appropriately) congregated at the Yorkville Sephora. I was looking for something that would calm and refresh my skin during the summertime and I had been dying to try Jurlique for some time- so this really fit the bill! This soothing spritz contains calendula, cucumber, and chamomile and is perfectly alcohol-free. It also includes aloe for a soft touch of hydration. This really has made a difference in my redness-prone skin and I'm smitten with the gentle mist!

Chanel Le Jour de Chanel This has been my go-to serum for the past six months and was featured in my recent Night and Day post. Chanel products are almost infallibly lovely, but this serum has held a firm place in my routine because of the fresh scent, lightweight texture, and non-irritating formula. It contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and licorice extract to brighten. It smells like jasmine, works wonders to keep my skin luminous and clear, and wears perfectly under makeup. Can't fault it!

Antipodes Divine Face Oil I have raved about this miracle oil in a "Currently Obsessed" post and with good reason! I've been using this daily since September because it does an amazing job at hydrating and calming the skin without a heavy feel. I was amazed to find that I could wear this under makeup without any greasy interference; in fact, I think it helps to control oil during the day! The smells is herbal and absolutely lovely and the dropper-style packaging is always a pleasure to use. I've already purchased second bottle and hope to never be without this!

Pai Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream
This is another new-ish addition, one that I was happy to pick up at the Green Good Pop-Up shop last month. Pai is another brand that I was dying to try, as it's specifically designed for sensitive skin, and this moisturizer seemed like a perfect foray into the line. It's free of alcohol and other irritants, is mildly antibacterial to help treat blemishes, and is designed to be completely non-pore-clogging. Despite this, it's also wonderfully rich and hydrating. It's rich in fatty acids to protect and calm the skin and it has a beautiful herbal smell. It plumps my skin nicely without any sort of greasy after-feel. A true treat! I am finding it to be slightly too heavy for these steamy summer days, but this will most definitely be a staple for every other season!

So there you go- a peek into my morning routine! It's been an absolute delight to find natural-based skin care that does not break out or irritate my sensitive skin. Each step is a pleasure to use and my skin has been ultra happy with this combination!

What products are in your current morning routine? Have you tried any of the brands or products that I've featured here?

Thanks for reading, and look out for my evening skin care routine on Tuesday!