We are all guilty of making mistakes when it comes to looking after our skin and while I am usually really, really well behaved at bedtime, taking my make-up off before I go to sleep, I will admit that there have been occasions when my busy life gets the better of me and my stamina is crippled, letting the quick-remedy of face wipes tackle the testing task of removing the make-up remnants. Sinful, I know. But while I know that spending an extra five or ten minutes taking care of my skin will pay off in years to come, and possibly sooner come to think of it, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only cosmetic criminal out there.

Knowing the rules when it comes to cleansing might seem a natural assumption for any girl who knows her beauty brands, but there are plenty of everyday changes we can apply to our daily skincare routine that our precious pores will thank us for.

Cleansing a little TOO much

Cleansing our skin more than twice a day might seem like you’re just giving it the well-deserved TLC it craves, but excessive cleansing can actually strip your skin of its natural oils and can cause your skin to produce more oil. So even if you are prone to breakouts or have oily skin normally, washing your face more than just in the morning and at night can cause even more problems.

Sold by the Scent

Sometimes it can be hard to pick a cleanser that suits you, but one mistake we’ve all made in our lives is going for one just because we like the way it smells. Some cleansers are full of unnatural orsynthetic fragrances which can often irritate sensitive skin and can cause other unwanted problems. Once you find the right cleanser, it will be worth the journey it took to get there. Read the ingredients and see where the fragrance comes from, or visit your dermatologist or beautician to see what products they would recommend for your skin. 

A Splash of Cold Water

Okay, so while it might do wonders to waken you up in the morning, using cold water to help cleanse your skin won’t do the job you’re hoping it will.  In order to cleanse your skin from the daily impurities, skin needs warm water to help open your pores, allowing for proper exfoliation. Use warm, rather than hot, water to really get the benefits from your cleanser.

It’s a great feeling when you eventually find the right cleanser for your skin but sometimes it’s nice to treat your face to something a little luxurious. Once a week, when I feel my skin needs a little more pampering than my normal routine, I love an excuse to indulge my skin in a little aromatic cleanse, using the Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood by one of  my favourite beauty brands, Darphin.

Available in a 40ml sized wonder pot, this lavishly-rich cleansing balm transforms into a light-milky emulsion when mixed with warm water which sweeps away traces of make-up and impurities. While some cleansing soaks can leave my skin feeling dry and tight, this particular balm nourishes the skin relieving tightness and helping to restore the skin’s natural balance. The texture of the balm works in what they call ‘perfect synergy’ with all skin types and contains rosewood essential oil, marula oil rich in vitamins C, E and oleic acid, sage essential oil and Ylang Ylang Essential Oil.

The balm can be used daily but my once-a-week treat just ensures it lasts as long as possible for me. Priced at just €32, the Aromatic Cleansing Balm is one luxury skincare product I couldn’t live without!