I’ve always been quite lucky really when it came to my skin type and have never really suffered with excess dryness, oiliness or breakouts and just had what skincare experts would call “normal” skin. 

After having Erin, it seems like I fell victim to what lots of women do, and a crazy rush of hormones made my skin go wahhhhh! And suddenly I went from having a normal skin type to it being very dry! As I was also on the approach to turning 30 I decided it was time to start having a proper look at my skin and trying to figure out actually what the best things to start using were. 

I’ll be honest, after bobbing up and down in that bubble of trying to find a proper routine with a small baby and not knowing what to use, I didn’t actually get into properly sorting out where I was until after my 30th birthday. As a treat to myself during the week I had off at the end of March, just before I went back to work full time after maternity leave, I booked myself a facial with the girl who does my brows. 

I’ve never really had a proper facial before, Anneli had been doing my brows a while so we started with a good chat about my skin. She told me my skin was dehydrated and explained some type of products which would benefit them, however she said the main thing that would benefit it was a proper routine! So as soon as I got home I started looking at some of the things she said and doing my own research on blogs and websites from such gurus as Caroline Hirons. 

I’ve been using a proper routine for a few months now and have been making a special effort to make sure I take my make up off which is something I always fall down on! 

These are the bits I keep in my bedroom on my dressing table. Normally I start the day with Clinique face wash. Then I use the nip + fab pads as kind of a second cleanse. I’ve recently started using the sanctuary spa glow radiance toner since my Clinique 3 step one ran out. This has 5% glycolic acid in which I have noticed is making a huge difference to my skin. I then use the oils of life essence lotion. I picked this and also the eye cream up when we went to this morning live back in May after having a chat with the lady on the body shop stand. Adding this step in helps to lock in any other moisture I pop onto my skin after and I have noticed a huge difference since using it. I’m yet to find a nice serum that I like and have noticed a huge difference in, I’ve been eyeing up the one from Beauty Pie but at the moment I’m using this vitamin C one from generation, it’s nice but I’m not sure it’s as nice I would like a serum to be. My moisturiser of choice at the moment is the L’Oréal Hydra Genius. I’ve been really enjoying this and is a massive change from a normal cream and is more of a silky gel. I think this would be something I would repurchase. 

Other additions to my skincare routine come in the way of things I tend to use in the bathroom... face wash, make up removers, masks and exfoliators.

In terms of make up removers, I’ve tried my fair share over time. I have decided more recently I love a nice balm cleanser and my 2 go to ones would be the Body shop camomile and the No7 radiant results. 

I’m yet to discover a decent mask or exfoliator which I love... I recently purchased the ordinary “vampire mask” although yet to try it but if you have any firm faves in either catagory girl me a shout! 

I think that as with anything, there’s so much room for change. I often can’t resist a new product launch but I think I’m finally starting to get into some sort of routine with knowing what works well for my skin and what doesn’t! Fingers crossed anyway! 

I’m officially on the countdown to 30 now after celebrating my 29th birthday a couple of weeks ago so I figured it’s about time to get my shiz in order! 

I’ve really been making a very conscious effort to be better when it comes to a skincare routine as I was determined to have it cracked by the time baby arrives.. there have been odd fails along the way but I’m slowly getting better! I’ve been making sure I remove my make up properly instead of micellar water and cotton wool. The problem is I get lazy! I’ve done better on that front but I’m yet to crack the twice a day cleansing routine. 

Here’s some of the products I have been using though... 

I’ve had these nip and fab cleansing pads in my stash for a while and figured I would crack them open and give them a try. Even though my bedroom is right next to my bathroom I’m normally lazy as I say when it comes to cleansing my skin properly so these are a great alternative. I’ve been tending to use them more in the evening as I do tend to use the Clinique mild face wash in the morning and if I’m feeling completely on it then I use my Clinique face brush too! 

The toner is one I had seen pop up on my Instagram feed and then spotted in my local boots (which I was shocked about as I thought it was just online). Your good skin has lots of trusty celeb followers and lovers and is a great affordable brand! I picked this up after my Clinique 3 step toner started reaching the bottom and I’ve been really enjoying it so far! 

For a bit of moisture I’ve been using the No7 protect and perfect intense creams that I picked up in the set I got as the star gift just before Christmas. I since found out No7 do a range more suitable for my age range (The early defence range suitable for up to 35) however I’ve been enjoying this never the less. Pregnancy has made my skin quite dry so the extra moisture in these has been helping and a little bit goes a long way. The protect and perfect range is designed for 30-45 years anyway so really I’m not too far behind.. I can get a bit ahead of the game. 

A couple of times a week I go on with the keihls midnight oil which I picked up on the plane when we went to Orlando a couple of years ago and because I don’t use it much it is lasting ages. I tend to do this after I’ve done a face mask (my favourite at the mo is in my January favourites post) which I’ve been doing at least once a week as a pamper pick me up. 

And at the moment that is it! I really want to explore my skin a bit more and learn about what proper routine I should follow to look after it so any tips I find I will be sure to share! 

I’m going to do this post again in a few months.. maybe after baby is due to update you on what I am enjoying and how it’s all going! 

Im sure there are LOADs of over tips out there for ways of keeping your skin in tip top condition. Get yourself on top Pinterest or if you head on over to Gabby's blog which is linked up top then all the participants of the 2014 blogger challenge are linked there and you can check out some of their posts!