Skincare : The Extras

You can see my Morning Routine here and my Evening Routine here, as those are two routines I follow every day without fail.
However, every now and then I add in one or two extras to give my skin an extra boost.

REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk : I believe this is now called the 'Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk'. This is a very gentle cleansing milk, which has been specially formulated for sensitive skin.
It's totally fine for my sensitive skin, but I hasten to add, even though it deliberately doesn't contain a lot of known allergens for example synthetic fragrance, petroleum and silicone- it doesn't mean you definitely wont react to it.
Good to check out if you know it doesn't contain your break out triggers, but people can be allergic to everything, and nothing can promise to be hypoallergenic.

ANYWAY. This is very gentle, however I do prefer to use oils/balms over milks but this does do a lovely job of cleansing the skin without stripping it and for me, I use this when I am in the shower.
I keep this in the shower at all times because if I am in a rush and I just want to get it all over and done with, I cleanse with this as oils don't work if your skin is already wet.

Merumaya Skin Brightening Exfoliating Peel : This is a lovely product that I try to use 1/2 a week after cleansing and before I go in with my facial mist.
On clean, dry skin, I carefully put this all over my face- make sure not to get it too close to my eyes, and I leave it for 7-10 mins before thoroughly rinsing off.
This product is a chemical exfoliant which contains glycolic acid and pomegranate enzymes, which work together to gently peel away and remove the surface layer of dead skin cells.
It can be tingly when you put it on- but don't worry, it just means its working. I find it so satisfying.
Merumaya is a brilliant brand, and affordable. This costs £19.50, which is lot less than a lot of other glycolic products on the market.
It makes my skin smoother and brighter and it helps the serums I put on after absorb a lot better.

Origins Drink Up Intensive : Every now and then, I use this at night instead of my moisturizer...well I did, until I found my Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, and now other moisturizing products seem a little redundant, but anyway, I use this as an overnight mask.
What I'm trying to say is, I like having this step in my routine, an overnight intensive moisture mask, but the Origins one isn't really doing it for me anymore.
I would love to try the Sisley Black Rose Mask, but at £95, it might have to wait.
If you have dry/dehydrated skin, check the Origins one out, it is good, but I don't love it.
Also, when I have put oils and serums underneath and then this on top, due to its silicone content, sometimes it starts gathering up in little balls.
Which is maddening.
I love this step in my routine, but I want to look into other products. I am nearly out of this one, any suggestions?

Origins Clay Mask : Clay masks can be quite drying on my already fairly dehydrated skin, so I only use this when my skin is looking a bit dull and congested.
This is my second tube of this and it does do a good job at bringing anything under the skin to the surface.
This is an effective clay mask, and for this tube it's quite reasonable, it's about a tenner, but when it runs out, I think I might invest in Glam Glow. I am intrugied to see how it would compare.

Benefit Dream Screen: Just a heads up, this is what it says on the Benefit website: 'A invisible silky-matte broad spectrum SPF 45 suncreen for the face'.
This is still pretty new to me, I've only used it about 4 times and it seems to be going down pretty quickly...
I thought it was about time I invested in a proper facial SPF rather than using body ones which break me out, or just depending on my tinted moisturiser.
As the name would suggest, this is a matte product, and matte products and I don't usually get on, but I still really like this.
It is super light on the skin and it literally disappears when you rub it in. I can't stand the feeling of those greasy SPFs that literally refuse to absorb and leave you feeling shiny and oily all day.
I don't have that problem here, and it provides a good base for make up.
So far Benefit, so good!