My Daily Skincare Routine: Oily Skin

In this post I thought I'd share with you the skincare products that I use on a daily basis, and ones which I recommend if you have oily skin like myself. These three fabulous product keep my skin clean, smooth and hydrated, whilst keeping my complexion shine-free.

I begin my skincare routine by washing my face with Clean and Clear Morning Energy Shine Control Daily Face Scrub, and this really refreshes and invigorates my skin in the morning. It contains tiny beads that burst on your skin, which help to remove surface oil, as well as gently exfoliating to keep your skin looking bright. This product smells absolutely gorgeous too - it has a zesty scent that really perks you up. 150ml is £3.99 from Boots.

When I come home from work I remove all my makeup before I head to the gym using Nivea Visage Pure & Natural Facial Cleansing Wipes, which are suitable for all skin types. Although these do contains bio argan and aloe vera oils, they don't leave my skin with a greasy film, unlike most other wipes I've tried. These wipes are great at multi-tasking, as they cleanse, tone and hydrate skin in one simple step, and even remove stubborn waterproof mascara with ease. I have really sensitive eyes and these produce a lovely cooling sensation, which I really like. A pack of 25 wipes is £2 from Superdrug.

 

I finish my skin care routine by applying Nivea Daily Essentials Oil Free Moisturising Day Cream. Despite this being a day cream, I actually use this in the evening as I feel that works best for my skin. In the winter I'll apply it in the morning as well for extra protection, but at any other time of the year one application a day is enough to combat dryness for me. It's really lightweight and doesn't clog my pores, and it also helps to balance out oil levels. This is another bargain at £2.99 for 50ml from Boots.

 

 

What are your skin care tips? Which products do you recommend for oily skin? Have you tried any of these products before?

 

 

 

 

Travel Essentials - EarPlanes

Although this post doesn't quite fit the 'beauty' theme of my blog, I just had to share with you the miracle of Earplanes. A lot of bloggers talk about their 'travel essentials', however if it wasn't for these beauties, I simply wouldn't be able to step on a plane to full stop. If you've ever suffered from painful ears on a flight, then listen up!

I first discovered EarPlanes about seven years ago, after two previous holidays abroad left me facing up to the fact that my days of air travel were over. I have extremely narrow eustachian tubes, which means air pressure can't pass through my ears very easily, and I ended up with perforated eardrums, deafness which lasted for three days, and ear/head/jaw ache that was so excruciating it couldn't be put into words. I'd tried all the usual tricks of eating boiled sweets and yawning, but nothing helped. For the entire flight, and for long after the plane had landed, I was in agony.

However, after reading some travel forums, I was introduced to EarPlanes - tested by Navy Pilots, these earplugs contains a special filter that regulates air pressure in the ears, taking away the associated discomfort. At first I was sceptical, and didn't think an earplug would be enough to help with the severe problems that I had, but my dad persuaded me to give them a go.

I first tried them out on a short flight to Spain when I was 17, and I could not believe how much they helped. There was zero pain taking off, zero whilst the plane was cruising, and just a mild amount of discomfort when landing. Flying was no longer a 'no-go' for me!

They're so easy to insert - simply twist the ribbed end into your ear until they feel secure. As well as being easy to use, they're completely comfortable too. The instructions on the box suggest taking them out once the plane has reached maximum altitude, however I keep them in for the whole flight just to be safe! I've used them on many flights of varying durations and they're just as effective each time. As well as dramatically relieving pain, they also cancel out noise, so they're perfect if you want to sleep without being disturbed by other passengers.

If you suffer from discomfort and pain on flights, no matter how mild or severe, I cannot recommend EarPlanes enough. I'm so thankful that I discovered them, as without them I wouldn't be able to go on the amazing holidays and see the places that I have. They really did give me part of my life back. And trust me, if they can help me, they can help anyone. Nothing beats the feeling of getting on a plane and knowing that I can completely look forward to my holiday, without having to worry about unbearable pain and causing further damage to my ears. They're an absolute godsend, and I shall be using them in a couple of weeks when I fly to Las Vegas (I'm SO excited!).

You can buy EarPlanes for £5.15 here at Lloyds Pharmacy.  Do you suffer from painful ears when flying? Will you be giving these a go?

Superdrug Shine Control Papers

These Shine Control Papers from Superdrug are an absolute godsend for me, as my skin is very oily. I've tried numerous blotting papers in the past, but none have proved as good as these.

The papers have a hint of translucent powder, and are excellent at absorbing excess oil and keeping greasiness under control. They're perfect in warm weather, or when you want to stay shine-free on a night out. They won't smudge or rub off your makeup either.

Perfect for popping in your bag, the papers will give your complexion a completely matte appearance. My only criticism is that they do tear easily during use, so sometimes you have to use a couple at a time. But as you can see, they really do mop up any oil on the surface of your skin!

At around £1 per pop for 65 sheets, I think these papers are a handbag essential. What are your favourite products for targeting shine?