I feel like 2018 was a massive beauty year for me. There were a lot of skin woes of epic proportion. I mean, I’ve had it all – rosacea, acne, eczema, general blah skin. It all set up home on my face last year and I’ve never had so many tears. It’s fair to say this was all temporary and most definitely a result of stress, a crap diet, flying and a waning fitness regime. But I sure did learn what the best beauty products of 2018 were.
Over the last 12 months, I’ve learned more about skin and specifically, what products it does and doesn’t need than ever before. And I’ve written ALOT of beauty in my time working on magazines! I discovered what the hell to do when your skin is dry yet spotty, puffy but sallow and stressed out as well as in need of some anti-ageing action. It has been one hell of a beauty rollercoaster to say the least.
Straight off the bat I have to say that not all skin is the same, some respond best to a simple regime whereas others are a little more high maintenance (hi there!). As someone who is deeply passionate about skincare, I’ve come to realise that there is only so much I can do myself and there’s a limit to what topical products can do. You can read about what treatments I’ve had HERE and how to build amazing skin from the inside HERE.
2018 kicked out some amazing beauty launches and, due to the nature of my job, I’m very lucky to be able to try a lot of them. Not all. But the majority. So, although there were a lot of incredible products which I have included on the blog at some point last year, these are the ones that have made the biggest difference to my skin. And I mean a ‘wow, what are you using on your skin?’ Kind of difference!
MALIN & GOETZ AHA TREATMENT SOLUTION
Dealing with hormonal acne was not familiar territory for me and I found myself getting really anxious about the solution. It wasn’t bad enough for a prescribed treatment like Roaccutane but I desperately wanted something to wipe the slate clean so to speak. There’s something about having acne that made my skin feel dirty even though it was far from it. I was torn between a softly softly approach or a more aggressive form of treatment.
When all you ant to do is scrub away the spots, grainy exfoliators are not your friend when a flare up occurs which is why my favourite skincare discoveries of 2018 was AHA’s in the form of this Malin & Goetz serum. Designed for oilier skin, it combines glycolic acid (to gently slough away dead skin cells) and lactic acid (to improve the appearance of skin texture) with niacinamide to balance the skins oil production.
So with that harsher element, it also includes those gentler ingredients like witch hazel to reduce inflammation and sodium hyaluronate to put that moisture back in. Lightweight and sheer, it stings a little at first but sinks in immediately ready for your moisturiser. I carry on using it even though my acne was calmed down to give my sin a tighter, more refined appearance.
GOLDFADEN MD DETOX HYDRATING GEL
I’m not usually a massive fan of gels as a moisturising. They feel a bit wishy washy, sink in too fast and don’t seem as though they’re actually doing anything. But, I’m a huge fan of Goldfaden products so I wanted to give this one a chance. As a day moisturiser it wasn’t for me at all. Regardless of how much I put on it started to flake off as soon as I carried on my usual skincare/make-up routine! I’m all for a lightweight base but I draw the line looking like some post-apocalyptic zombie.
Just when I was about the right it off, I used it at night and oh my god did it redeem itself. I woke up with completely different skin. It was even, dewy and plump. Gone were last night’s dark circles, slight blemish scarring and uneven texture. With a a combination of beta hydroxy acids, mallow extract and Goldfaden MD’s ‘Detox Complex’, it stopped a new blemish in its tracks and calmed any inflammation. The dark horse of skincare discoveries 2018 ladies and gentlemen!
SUNDAY RILEY GOOD GENES GLYCOLIC ACID
Replacing their ever-popular Good Genes Lactic Acid with Glycolic Acid, Sunday Riley has given me so many amazing skincare discoveries 2018 but my top product from their collection has to be this heavyweight treatment. As both a moisturiser and a mask, it basically sets the reset button on your skin by unblocking pores, removing any nasties and smoothing out any fine lines.
With lactic acid, prickly pear extract and purifying lemongrass it can help with sun damage and just generally bring the glow back to lacklustre complexions without stripping the skin. I use it every day in the morning and evening but if you feel like it’s overloading your skin, reducing it to three times a week works a treat.
GALLINEE PREBIOTIC FACE VINEGAR
If you read this blog regularly (and I hope you do!) you’ll know that I’ve been harping on about this brand for most of the year. It is one of my best skincare discoveries of 2018 and definitely worth checking out. Founded by a French pharmacist, their products focus on maintaining the skin’s perfect pH level and use pre, pro and postbiotics to strengthen the skin.
As the first vinegar skincare product, this, as you can see, has been the most used in my beauty regime. Containing Actibiome, a prebiotic that works to calm stressed skin and prevent it from further irritations, it also includes postbiotics that allow the skin’s good bacteria to flourish. I use this after cleanser to really get every last drop of grime off my complexion and put the nourishment back onto my face before using a moisturiser. It’s completely calmed down any stressed out areas and now I really notice the difference when I don’t use it.
It’s perfect, not only for problem skin, but for anyone that works in a town or city and is exposed to pollutants and wants some anti-ageing protection.
DCL C SCAPE HIGH POTENCY NIGHT BOOSTER
OK, full disclaimer – this is definitely more than I would usually spend on skincare. I know, it’s expensive, but this is a must for anyone that wants a product to make a huge difference to their skin for an upcoming special occasion, like getting married, or to get their most amazing complexion. I was very lucky to be gifted this product and I’m so grateful because I don’t think I would have found it on my own!
This isn’t a product you will need to buy every month, I use mine once every other week and a little goes such a long way. So why’s it so great? In short, if you want to change the texture of your skin straight away, this is where it’s at. Age-defying and collagen-boosting, it’s packed with skin-loving antioxidants, fatty acids and essential oils which are responsible for that morning glow I can’t get enough of!
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