2013 Favourites: Skincare

Today's post is going to be on my favourite skincare products of 2013. Last year, 2013, was the first year that I really got interested in skincare. Over the last twelve months I've really gotten to know my skin properly (for what feels like the first time) and I've experimented with skincare routines to find out what works for me. I really do feel as though I've made great strides towards a very good skincare routine and I've come to love a number of products and brands. I want to fairly represent my 'journey' (sounds lame but it really has been a year of discoveries for me) without including too many products in this post. I hope I've managed it! A couple of the products I mention will not be pictured because I've finished them over the course of the year but I'll link to posts I've written on any of the products I mention.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask (reviewed here)

To degunk my skin, this is my favourite face mask option. I got through a 100ml tube and have a new 75ml tube waiting to be cracked open. I really love this face mask and would recommend it to people with congested or oily skin.

Super Facialist Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Face Mask (reviewed here)

This was the first great drugstore face mask that I came across and I really love it. I don't think it's suitable for those with sensitive skin but I would to anyone with oily, congested or spot prone skin. This is my second tube and I'd definitely repurchase it again.

Thermal Water Sprays
notably Vichy Eau Thermale*

During the summer I spent a lot of time in hot, poorly ventilated rooms in my University library - and I'm talking a lot of time. If you're already stressed about work then the last thing you want to deal with is an overly hot room. I got through thermal water sprays like they were going out of fashion and I think that they were a perfectly reasonable way to spend my money (although many might disagree). If you travel a lot, work in a hot office or if you want  a product to refresh your face at any point during the day then I would highly recommend them. I've used Vichy's Eau Thermale the most often but I also like the one that Avene makes.

Facial Oils
notably Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate* (reviewed here) and Antipodes Divine Oil (reviewed here)

Facial oils have been a totally new product to me this year and they're awesome. I've tried four different ones but the two I keep going back to are Liz Earle's Superskin Concentrate* and Antipodes Divine Oil (which I finally finished in December). They make a massive difference to my skin and I would recommend them. 

La Roche Posay Effaclar A.I.*

The best spot treatment that I've tried and it really opened my eyes up to how great La Roche Posay products are. I apply the Effaclar A.I. and any blemishes just fade away. If I apply it soon enough to emerging spots then they never even see the light of day. It is brilliant for anyone who has hormonal breakouts (like I do) as you can pre-empt them or for anyone with generally blemish prone skin. 

The Body Shop Aloe Skincare Range

This is a cheating a bit because the Aloe Range was definitely my skincare range of choice during 2012 but I did love their Aloe Serum this year and their Night Cream. I think the Aloe Range deserves a lot more attention as it is a great affordable option (in the Body Shop's sales especially) for delicate young skin or for those with sensitive skin. I love it and I will continue to use bits and pieces from the range as and when the fancy takes me! (The Night Cream is currently sat in my bathroom but it missed out on my photos.)

Chemical Exfoliaters

notably Elemental Herbology Facial Glow (reviewed here) and Ren Glycolactic  Radiance Renewal Mask

This was the year that I discovered there was another way to exfoliate my skin apart from harsh, bead-y manual exfoliaters. Chemical exfoliaters melt away (often with fruit acids) the top layer of your skin and leave you looking radiant and more evenly-toned. I find they've helped with redness in my skin and with the size of my pores. It is just such a shame that so many of them are so expensive. I know they won't be suitable for everyone's budgets - they aren't really suitable for mine. I'm going to keep an eye out for more affordable options in 2014. 

It was really hard to narrow it down but the products I mentioned today are definitely the best of the bunch! I hope you enjoyed this post and I'd love to know if you've tried any of the products I mentioned and what your 2013 skincare favourites were.